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Attention Craft Critique readers!!! Be sure to read all the way to the end of this post for a fun holiday giveaway!Reported by Sarah Moore
Five things I would like Santa to leave under my tree... I mean besides Nestabilities Dies from Spellbinder, more Copic Markers, and the Clip-it-Up. We ALL want those products! :)
1. Spica Glitter Markers: I hear the shades/colors are wonderful and that the glitter effect is like nothing else! Ellen Hutson's Shop has a great deal on a set of 13 with a little travel pouch for $32.49 US.
2. Simply Swank Simply Solder Creative Art Kit: I saw this product at Summer CHA... it looks so easy to use and the price seems great for what you get. The projects they had on display at CHA were wonderful. They also have a gallery on their website you can check out. This looks like a fantastic way to get back to using some of the techniques I am familiar with from my art school days without requiring me to have an acetylene torch in my basement! It also looks like a nice product for crafters with absolutely NO metal/soldering experience. Retails for $54.95 US.
3. Cricut Expressions: I had the fortune to use one of these machines for a weekend at a recent scrapbook retreat... and I love everything about it. It worked great, it was easy to use, and it has a USB port which leads me to believe there will eventually be a way to hook this baby up to my computer to use true type fonts (no confirmation yet from ProvoCraft on this). Unlike the standard Cricut, this baby cuts 12X12 papers. Retails for $499.99 US, but look for deals on Ebay or Froogle.
4. Anything By Hambly Screen Prints: Especially the Clearly Heavy Overlays. Perfect for creating album covers and home decor items. Clearly Heavy Overlays retail for $3.99 US per sheet.
5. Basic Grey Precision File Set: Reviewed HERE by our own Lexi Daly. Every time I try to cover a chipboard letter with paper I think, "why the heck didn't I listen to Lexi?" For goodness sake, the product is only $6.99... it'd be a great stocking stuffer (hint to my husband). Our friends at Eclectic Paperie have them available HERE.Five things I want to GIVE for Christmas:
1. Grungeboard by Tim Holtz: The latest in coolness... Grungeboard! it's an almost leather-like, bendable, indestructible, chipboard like material. It comes in basic shapes or alphabets... you can get it without texture or with swirls, dots, stripes or a harlequin pattern... it has endless possibilities for embellishing... it takes ink and paints... totally stampable, sewable, scrapable... heck, it might just put a man on the moon. Retail price is between $7.99-19.99 US
2. Paper and Stamps by Bam Pop: Ok... these images aren't for everyone, but personally, I adore them. They have the coolest designs... like nothing else out there. They even came out with an uber-cute little robot plush ($15 US) in time for Christmas (which my 3 year old is getting in his stocking) All of this could go on my own wish list too! Prices vary.
3. Teflon Bone Folder: What would I do without mine! It feels so good to use, leaves no shiny marks on your cards, and works great to burnish on rub-on's. I bought mine from Paper Source. Retails for $15.00
4. Anything bought on Etsy: Heck, if you don't have time to make gifts yourself this year, why not buy some handmade gifts made by others! Etsy has something for everyone on your list. They even have a handy gift guide to help you out!
5. PictureItPostage: What a perfect gift for a card maker... personalized postage! Make custom US postage stamps with your own photos. A perfect gift for a grandparent, college student, new mom, or a fellow card maker! Retails for $17.95 for 20 stamps.AND... as a fun holiday giveaway, PictureItPostage has generously given us 10 gift codes to give to 10 lucky readers! Just leave a comment on this post and let us know your favorite craft product/tool of 2007. We will select 10 winners at random to receive a gift code from PictureItPostage for a free sheet of US stamps and free postage ($21.95 value). Sorry... US residents only please. Winners will be sellected on Sunday, December 16th at midnight central time.
Edited to add: this contest is closed... please check back tomorrow night to see the winners!
99 Comments:
My favorite toy this year has to be my Bind-It-All. Perhaps the best part was the anticipation. Remember how it was introduced, everyone went wild.... and then no one could find one to buy? But it's been a treasure the entire year.
Wishing everyone at Craft Critique a holiday season of joy. Thank you for all the wonderful things you share with us the whole year through!
Best Wishes,
Mary O.K.
My favorite purchase this year is Zots dot stickers. As well as really sticking, they really do amuse a 4-year old.
without a doubt, I would say that my fave crafting tool this year has been my computer. While I am not super into digi scrappin', I love that I can crop & play with my pictures to get them just the way I want them for fabulous pages.
Also, if it weren't for my computer I would be totally lost as a crafter. I am able to find so many ideas and tutorials to help me as I muddle my way through. (Not to mention being able to find sales).
And it is through my computer that I've been able to find some really kewl friends that have the same passion for crafting that I do.
I guess it would be my Copic markers. I have been doing alot more coloring since I got them and hope to acquire more of them next year. They make coloring images nearly effortless.
My favorite3 has to be Grungeboard. It is the most amazing stuff. It's indestructible and you can use just about any technique o it. It has it over regular chipboard like a tent!
Mary P.
I am in love with my cricut! I don't know how I managed to scrap with out it all these years!
i really couldn't scrap without double sided tape. it's my favorite, and most necessary, tool!
Without a doubt I have fallen in love with Cuttlebug Embossing Folders this past year - they add just that special touch to a card!
I have 2 favs this year--the nestabilities and the cuttlebug folders. I think both are indispensible to stampers. I really would like to have the bind it all and maybe Santa would be good to me (doubtful but I can dream). Thank you for this blog, Sarah--you are a gift year round. Merry Christmas.
Cheryl Sims
Those cute stamps are pretty awesome! My favorite tool this year is assorted fabric fat quarters by fabric designer Denyse Schmidt, my disappearing ink pen, and DMC red embroidery floss in color 327.
My Favorite of 2007...
Squeeze Punches from Fiskars!!!
~Kelly Jo
k.j.oates@cox.net
Hard choice, but I would have to say my quickutz squeeze. I've just had it for a couple of months and I already can't imagine being without it. And I'm not even a scrapper! My next wish is to update it to a cuttlebug so I can take bigger dies and also have a bigger variety.
The bind-it-all sounds great too though and something I would like to try. I guess being a crafter the "wants" and "must-haves" will never end, lol.
My favorite product this year has to be the clear non-slip product that affixes to OmniGrid rulers to keep them from slipping on whatever you're cutting. It has made such a difference.
It's called Invisi-Grip, made by OmniGrid.
hmmm...I don't think I can narrow it down to one. I love my sewing machine...and I love my MM tag-maker. :o)
I think I like the distress inks, even more so after looking at Tim Holtz' blog.
Well for me I actually have 2 things.. my Ebug! (Cricut Expression) and my ATG Gun.. OHHH man Those 2 go hand and hand for me while my bug is making music for me by cutting out what I want my ATG Gun is awaiting to put it where I want! LOOOVVEEE IT!! :)
Ellie
My Mind's Eye patterned paper!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS to Craft Critique!!! :)
Cool giveaway!
My favorite tool would be a tie between my cuttlebug and my nestabilities. I think I've used them on every card I've made since I got these nifty little tools!
Thickers!! Those are definitely the coolest of 2007.
Happy Holidays.
Wow what a sweet giveaway. I've been wanting to do a postage stamp for awhile. This is really a tought question, since I love so many of the new toys in 2007. I think I'm going to have to say the Cuttlebug Embossing Folders! I just love the look of embossing and they make it so easy.
Thanks for a chance at this sweet giveaway.
cmeyers@hughes.net
Some great ideas you've offered!
My favorite craft tool of 2007 is the Crop-a-dile. I think it's an amazing tool!!
My favorite craft tool this year would have to be my scor-pal! I don't know how I lived without it!
My new Fiskars paper cutter has changed my life. It cuts straight and with no fuzzy edges.
My favorite is the alcohol inks and my Cuttlebug!
NancyS (momsnack)
My favorite toy is definitely my Craft Robo die cutter ... but my alcohol inks are a near second and together I can do amazing things!
Thanks to your blog I'm not eying a Bind-It-All ... that just looks too cool!
I think my favorite tool is Mod Podge. Not very high tech, I know, but I just recently started using it for my projects, and it is so versatile!
wow what a fun list!!!
I am not much of a tool girl but here are some of my favs from this year...
hambly thick clear overlays
Ki Lace paper
my crop a dile [how did I punch holes before!!!]
wonderful blog...
Courtney
The Cuttlebug is definitely my favorite new toy from 2007! But oh wait...I got the ATG in January. Do I have to pick just one? LOL
My favorite new toy is the cuttlebug. Read all the reviews and just had to get it! loving it!
Happy Holidays!
My SCor-Pal is AWESOME!!!!LOVELOVELOVE it!
WOW! I have been diggin' those postage stamp sets for a year now! Just haven't been able toget myself to spend a buck each on a custom made stamp. cheep cheep.']
I love my SU! Distressor kit, it cuuts, it scores, it creases and it distresses. It's portable and I haevn't lost it in over a year yet!!
I love reading this blog each day, I love everyones different ideas and opinions!
www://weluvcardstcok.blogspot.com/
Kimmiek
YOu REALLY need to get that file kit! I LOVE it and it is one of my favorite things. Every time I do chipboard, I say to myself, thank god I have this or I'd be in BIG trouble lol.
It's on sale at crafts, etc. for $5.84! Can't beat that. I think you should fill your own stocking! lol
thanks for sharing .
Bobbie *Ü*
I am a quilter and beader rather than a stamper or scrapbooker BUT this past weekend I was introduced to the Cuttlebug. What fun! A friend had a cookie exchange and then had us make a Christmas card. I may have to add another hobby!
That would have to be my cuttlebug! Such an amazing little thing! I find the folders very addictive!
Barbara
barbararoberts01095@yahoo.com
It's so hard to choose just one thing - but I'd have to say my Quickutz Silhouette is the fave thing I've acquired in 2007. I've been able to easily do SO much scrapping and crafty projects. It was a great investment.
I would have to say that my favorite toy this year has been the Copic airbrushing system. But if I said that then I would have to leave out my Bind-it-All and Soldering Kit from Simply Swank. Just so much fun with all!
Cheryl Horton
www.cherylhorton.typepad.com
My favorite have been the Clear Autumn Leaves stamps I bought. I can't remember the names of them off hand, but they are the CUTEST owl, tree, and bird. I LOVE them and was so pleased to find them.
Merry Christmas!
I {heart} these stamps! I've always wanted to try them! Love all the wish list items......I need a whole 'noher house for all the goodies!
I love my Cricut Expression! I've been able to use it to save money on die cuts but also use it for my daughter's school (paper dolls anyone??). I can use it for so many things (including home decorating with vinyl)!
My favorite this year has to be the Nestabilities from Spellbinder. They are just too cool.
Jayne
stampanon@gmail.com
I think my favorite thing this year has been glitter! I just love using it on everything!!
I think my fave would be the software, Create and Cut, for the Wishblade. It has made cutting, welding, and creating things for layouts and cards so much easier.
My favorite has been my Cricut which I just got over Thanksgiving! I am loving it to make vinyl lettering for home decor, card making and my kids are enjoying it for their school projects!
Sarah Hansen
simplysarahscards@yahoo.com
My favorite tool this year has been my tonic cutter. I am so in love with it!
Has to be the Cricut. Adore it!
This is the coolest prize ever!! I've been wanting to try those stamps, as my daughter is picture perfect! My favorite tool is my Cricuit. I hope that Santa brings me a few Cricut cartridges this year! Thanks!
Cheryl KVD
My fave purchase this year would be the gold frame stickers from Martha Stewart's product line.
Ann
Thank you Santa! My favorite tools are in a tie. I love my cuttlebug and I love my scor-pal! I have been a good girl this year! :) Happy Holidays! kt
oh santa, what i love is my bind-it-all, it's fantastic fun! what is on my list? a silhouette and all things tim holtz!
My two favorite things this year are Copic markers and Paper Trey Ink stamps. Sorry, I just can't pick one! If I was rich, I would have all of the Copics but since I am not, I am buying a few at a time.
Merry Christmas to all
Sheri
I think the Cricut expressions is an awesome new item, which is on my wish list.
Linda Peterson
craftylin1968@aol.com
The postage stamps are so awesome! I love playing with my prismacolor pencil & gamsol. It has improved my cards so much since I learned this technique. Wishing you a very Happy Holiday:)
My favorite new tool is the score-it. No more crooked folds!
Thanks to everyone on this site. I check it daily. Great information.
My fav. tool that I picked up this year was the CropaDile. I put it off for so long and am so happy I got one!!
Oh, I love reading these lists! It reminds me of things I want that I almost forgot to list for Santa. I totally agree with the Cricut, and anything from Tim Holtz. What a neat gift of picture postage - good luck to everyone who posts!
Susan Moore
My favorite toy is the cuttlebug embossing folders. I just love them. I wish everyone a healthy and happy holiday !!!!
Just one???? Wow, that's a hard one! It would have to be between the Cuttlebug, Grungeboard, Crackle Paint, my ATG gun, and Stickles.....ok, ok, my ATG gun! Without that, no cards would even be made!!
Thank you for all your great articles--it's wonderful to have someone check things out to see what we "have to have"! Happy Holidays!
Lisa V.
Hope I am not duplicating my comment here, but something seemed to go wrong. Anyway, my favorite product this year and every year is Basic Grey patterned papers. Love them all.
Spellbinders Nestabilities are my favorite new item for 2007. I use them all the time and can't imagine what I did without them.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Colleen
http://kroppykat.blogspot.com/
My cuttlebug and cropadile.
my favorite tool this year... too many to choose from but i would have to say my sewing machine and my new Inque Boutique stamps!! love them! and i love the blog! thanks for creating and sharing with us
Merry Christmas! Gina
Fun giveaway! I'd say my favorite tool would be my Cuttlebug... I don't even use it to diecut - it's the embossing folders I'm ga-ga for!
i don't have a fave tool of the year, but i have a fave product line...making memories "noteworthy". thanks for the chance!
Loved Simply Swank at CHA, too!
great article! I have to say it's my Prismacolor Pencils & Odorless Mineral Spirits (gamsol technique) I LOVE it!!!
I recently bought the Spica Glitter markers from Ellen's shop - LOVE them! The carrying case they come in is so handy, too!
I love Tim Holtz's grunge board. Love that it's flexible, paintable and has so many shapes. It really is different from chipboard and cardstock. Love it and can't get enough of it.
the Bind it all is probably tops because I am still lusting after the Grunge Board? Where is it anyways? No one local has it.
My favorite products of the year? Definitely my Bind-It-All, and in conjunction with that, Piece-A-Cake digital scrapbook albums from Shabby Princess. I'm making all kinds of little books for everyone for Christmas this year!
Feel like a kid...so many things I want from you critique list...I WANT! I WANT! I WANT! and why after I buy. they always come out with something bigger and better.
Favorite new tool is my scor-pal. Just so nice to have on hand to make things easier.
ohhh...of 2007? I know what's on my list but not when they came out! I am dying for Spellbinder's sleigh ride die...i know it's newISH anyway, and pretty sure it's new for this year. So stinkin' pretty!
cutlers819 at verizon(dot) net
Is it fair to pick all of the designer series papers from SU that I've purchased. I hadn't used much in papers before this year and I LOVE to now!!! Thanks for the candy offer!
My favorite new toy is my QuikKutz Silhouette Digital Craft Cutter. I made really great Christmas Cards using it in tandem with my Big Shot. I have asked Santa for the Scor It board and some Grungeboard. We'll see how he does on that.
marge in Michigan
My favorite toy this year is the Cricut.
Cindy
My favorite is my cuttlebug. I have used it lots for many different things and I just love it!
My favorite this year was the purchase of all the scallop punches by Marvy, I love them!
What a super fun giveaway!!! My fav would be my new cuttlebug! I'm still learning what all I can do with it!
My favorite tool is the distresser tool from SU! I use it all the time. Who'd a thunk such a small thing would be so loved?!
I love my new Hp photosmart printer!
I would definitely have to say I have a tie between my Cuttlebug and my Nestabilities. They have added so much more to my card designing.
Happy Holidays!!
Linda
Wow! What an awesome give-a-way! I really need to check into those stamps! How cool!
Ok... now for my favorite products. This is a tough one! I would say... my Papertrey Ink stamps, Nestabilities, or Copic markers. I love them all!
My favorite toy this year is CRACKLE PAINT.. i'm a new reader here, so i'm not sure this has been reviwed, but it is awesome!
I, too, just love the Copic Spica glitter pens! I bought them from Ellen and got the case as well. Another favorite is Martha Stewart's glitter...great color choices! Thanks for sharing all the great ideas and comments. Happy Holidays to all:)
I can only speak of the tools that I have, not the ones that I want :) So I think for ease of use and being totally practical for card makers that would be the mini scor-it board ;)
Though I have a couple of Berninas, I bought the Hello Kitty for fun and so that I can let my little ones have a hand at sewing!
It's got to be the Nestabilities. In fact, I think I need a few more.
oooh very coool give-away!! My favorite has to be the Nestabilities - I LOVE them!! But there are sooooo many awesome things out there it's almost impossible to choose!
Oh I still have to go with either the Bind it all or the cuddlebug. I still use mine so much. Thanks for the great giveaway offer
I really enjoy my cuttlebug, especially for the embossing folders. One of my friends buys the photo stamps and they are cute.
My favorite purchase this year was photoshop Elements:) Now I just need the time to sit down and play with it!!
Merry Christmas Craft Critique.
Erin Mueller
My NEWEST favorite (I have a few) are my Nestabilities. I love them!
My fave tool this year is my Rebel XTi - LOVE it!!
My favorite crafting tool is the cuttle bug. I love it. Especially the embossing folders.
my favorite toy this year has been my cricut! i would love to have more cartridges for it, but the ones i have...i keep coming up with new uses for! i would recommend one to any crafter!
Merry Christmas!
Picture postage sound very cool! My favorite tool of the year has been crop a dile. It has saved my life so many times on things that normally would have been ruined without it. I love using it!!
My favorite tools this year are my nestabilities,my sewing machine, and my computer/priner.
Well, if I have to pick just one.. I would have to say my favorite toy this year has been the Crop-O-Dile - I can punch through just about anything with it!. But I also love my Cricut, and the Basic Grey distressing tools too!
Just found your blog - LOVE all the information you have! Will definitely be checking back on a regular basis!
I'm not sure I can narrow it down to one! I have been happy with all my purchases this year. I think my most useful as been the basicgrey files, they let me get into all the nooks and crannies of my chipboard letters.
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