Simply Special Crafts Blog

ON SALE NOW

Debbie — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 00:26:12 GMT

Finding sale items on the Simply Special Crafts website just got easier. We now have a new Product folder titled ON SALE NOW. Click here to see groups of items that are 20% to 70% Off. Discounts will show in your shopping cart. So check this category often to see what is on SALE.

HOTP Brad Buddies

Debbie — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:19:00 GMT

Treat Yourself to NEW Brad Buddies!

HOTP has also released new Brad Buddies in new themes like: Princess, Fireman, Family, and Gardening (so cute!) We now carry more than 50 styles of Brad Buddies.

See more Brad Buddies - click here

NEW HOTP Giant Templates

Debbie — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:14:00 GMT

New Templates!

HOTP has just released eight new templates. We are among the 1st retailers to get them. Shop early for the best selection.

Click here to see all Templates

Kaleidoscope Kreator

Debbie — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:14:28 GMT

Kaleidoscope Kreator & Add-On Packs

Since we began carrying Kaleidoscope Kreator software, we have never been able to keep this software in stock. Why? Because it's simply amazing!

Card Makers, Scrapbookers, and Quilt Makers all LOVE it! I used this software to create a T-Shirt for my Daughter's Soccer Coach. The Coach loved having a shirt with photos of the kids and the parents were in awe! It was fun to see their reaction and it was SOOO easy to do! Intricate looking kaleidoscopes are a breeze with this software.

This week I am featuring the Kaleidoscope Kreator 2.0 software, the Frame Frenzy Add-on Pack and the Favorite Projects Volume 1.

Get one for yourself and treat a family member or friend to this sure-to-please gift item.

If these items sell out, and they probably will, I will be ordering more soon.

Stephanie Barnard & See D's Starter Kits

Debbie — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 00:13:32 GMT

Stephanie Barnard & See D's Starter Kits

The Stephanie Barnard kits are back in stock! See D's Starter Kits continue to be VERY popular because they are a GREAT value.

The Stephanie Barnard kit includes:

248 stamps that are ideal for scrapbooking
3 SeeClear mounting blocks
See D's stamping mat
black stamp pad
storage cases
storage tower

The See D's starter kit continues to be very popular. It includes:

262 stamps including alphabets, borders, backgrounds, and more!

3 SeeClear mounting blocks

See D's stamping mat

black stamp pad

storage cases

storage tower

6 colored pencils

Whether you are buying this set for yourself or to keep kids entertained over the Summer, this box contains many hours of creative enjoyment. Both sets are great!

Click here to see Start Sets (while supplies last)

Cutter Bee 1-2-3D Paper Crafting System

Debbie — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 11:11:00 GMT

Cutter Bee 1-2-3D Paper Crafting System

All the tools needed for paper crafting in one system. Just follow the easy instructions to create everything from basic boxes and easy envelopes to perfect pop- ups. Create square, round and pillow boxes of any size. Emboss and add dimension to 2D and 3D projects. Great for pop-up cards and scrapbook page layouts. Uses Cutter Bee Curvy Cutter Replacement Blades EKCC03. The Cutter Bee 1-2-3D Paper Crafting System Includes:

13"x13" Double Duo Scoring & Cutting Mat
Scor-a-curve Deckle & Curve Template
Scor-a-line Ruler
Natch-a-box Perfect Corner Template
Pin-a-point Push Pins
Cut-a-line Cutting Tool
Groov-a-line Scoring Tool
Instruction Booklet
& Easy-to-follow DVD
Product: PRCRFTR1
Mfg: EK SUCCESS
Click here purchase this item

Derwent 36-pc Watercolor Pencil set in Tin

Debbie — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 11:19:23 GMT

Derwent 36-pc Watercolor Pencil set in Tin

This is a beautiful collection of watercolor pencils-- perfect for all of your stamped creations. These pencils come in 36-exciting colors. These versatile watercolor pencils have watersoluable color allowing you to draw and paint with complete control. You can also use wet or dry paper to create a variety of exciting effects. Tin is approximately 8" x 14"

Click here to see Watercolor Pencils

Does Crafting with Kids Inspire Growth and Creativity?

Debbie — Tue, 27 May 2008 05:47:00 GMT

Crafting can be used as a catalyst for families to spend more time together; as an opportunity to strengthen a child’s conceptualization skills and dexterity; to connect kids with their peers; and to serve as a platform for self-expression. Some of the awesome benefits of crafting with kids include:

Learning: Contribute to a child’s learning experience by improving motor skills, enhancing the classroom experience, and building self-confidence and a sense of achievement.

Self Expression: Explore and discover ways to showcase and express a young person’s unique identity and create a distinct style.

Building Relationships: Introduce crafting as a way to connect with friends and family, spend time with others and as a way to maintain family traditions and values.

I find that when we craft together as a family we become closer and communicate more. I get an insight into each of the girls personalities, how they think, problem solve and their level of creativity. They often come up with a great angle on a card or craft that I hadn’t considered.

We love to craft together. How about you and your family? Tell us what are some of your favorite crafting moments.

Past and Present Magazines

Debbie — Mon, 26 May 2008 08:15:00 GMT

Do you love to look at magazines as much as I do?

I just love to look through them over and over to get inspiration to create my next project. My to loves are beads and paper crafts, so you will find a bunch of magazines on my two favorite topics.

Even past magazines offers a great source creativity!

Extended Cut Dies

Debbie — Sun, 25 May 2008 17:27:51 GMT

Sizzlits Decorative Strip Shapes

Looking for something different? Take a long look at Sizzlits Decorative Strip Dies.

With a beautiful edge-to-edge appeal, these extended length dies make all sorts of extra-long shapes from colorful cardstock – including majestic borders for cards and scrapbook pages, snazzy decos for frames and mats as well as wonderful wrappers for candy bars! Just use your imagination with a Sizzix roller machine and you'll go a long way!

If you haven't yet added these dies to your favorite craft tools list, you will. I love these dies and they are so much fun to use to create borders on scrapbook pages. I also find them perfect when adding embellishments to my cards. I use them with the 2.5x12" textured cardstock by DCWV. They are adhesive backed for quick & convenient use. Each pad has 48 sheets (four sheets each of 12 colors.) They are acid-free & lignin free.

Both our girls love to help out when I bring out the dies.

Deb's Favorite Book

Debbie — Tue, 20 May 2008 19:38:00 GMT

NEW Susan's Journal of Paper Engineering Secrets

Card making secrets from the pro! Designer Susan Cobb is famous for her gorgeous handmade cards- now you can peek inside Susan's sketchbook and get the scoop on her special tips, tricks and techniques for creating innovative cards. You'll learn all Susan's paper engineering techniques, from closures and windows to cutaways, folds and flaps. Susan shares 71 cards with instructions, plus sketches of adaptations. This book is revamped from the original Susan's Paper Engineering Secrets (now out of print) and recreated with new products and new tips.

Go to Susan's Paper Engineering Secrets

ABC Paper Piecing

Debbie — Sun, 18 May 2008 15:42:00 GMT

Hot Off the Press is preparing to retire the wonderful ABC's of Paper Piecing Book. We love this book and we made a special pre-retirement purchase. We are passing the savings on to you. Get your copy today for 30% off retail. After retirement, the price is likely to increase as this book gets harder to find. Get yours today and a big savings.

"ABC's of Paper Piecing"

Full Size Patterns!

As simple as ABC--an idea book packed with paper piecing patterns, layout ideas and techniques like distressing, chalking, tearing and more. You'll love the homespun look of these paper pieced designs: pumpkins made with torn paper; a baseball stitched with red yarn; a paper butterfly with wire antennae.

Condition: NEW

Patterns Include:

Apple, Airplane, Anchor
Baseball, Buttons, Books
Clock, Car, Cookie sheet with Cookies
Diaper, Door, Dragonfly
Elephant, Egg, Envelope
Flag, Flour sack, Fish
Gum, Girl, Ghost
Keys, Kite, Ketchup
Many, many more!

This book includes sample page ideas for each letter. This would make a great letter book as well as a scrapbook guide. An ABC album makes a great Christmas gift for grandparents!

Click here to see ABC Paper Piecing

Almost Done Page Kits

Debbie — Sat, 17 May 2008 19:57:26 GMT

Closeout Special

The Almost Done Page Kits are retiring soon and we are closing the out now. These kits are beautiful. We have a limited number available, so get them quickly!

Regular Price $7.99 Closeout Price $4.79

Click Here to see the Almost Done Page Kits

Sara Surfaces Have Arrived!

Debbie — Sat, 17 May 2008 20:34:00 GMT

I have to admit when I first saw the Sara Surface products line, I was not enthused. I thought, "Folders? Coin Holders? Portfolios? What would I do with them?" Well. after Retailer Training Day, I changed my tune. These things are fun!

The little portfolio is perfect for giving a gift of tickets. It's large enough to hold a map, a gift card for dinner, and Theater tickers! Or try the larger size. It is the perfect size to hold vacation planning information!

Coin Holders are the perfect size for Decorative Memorabilia Holders. We sell 100s of the clear ones. Why not add your own creative flair?

The Folders are perfect for special cards!

How else can you use them?

Stash your paper scraps, cards and memorabilia. Combine with Sara's Surfaces Pockets and Folders to store souvenirs or photos for a unique little scrapbook. (Glue them inside your portfolio.)
Store to-be-scrapbooked photos.
Organize receipts, business cards and other papers.
Create a special gift presentation by tucking a coordinating handmade card inside, or a gift certificate or movie tickets.

The albums are great too. Don't let the cardboard appearance fool you. These little albums are VERY sturdy. They will hold up and they are ready for your creative touch!

All paper crafters are always on the look out for the next great pattern. I save little boxes, folders, envelopes and interesting shapes that I can make into my own patterns. Now, HOTP has done the searching for you! The Sara Surfaces line is a full line of blank projects just waiting for your attention-- and the cutting and scoring are done for you!

The Sara Surfaces Idea Book has over 60 unique ideas! Get it today at our introductory price!

Click here to see the Sara Surfaces Line

Spellbinder Wizard Compatibility

Debbie — Mon, 12 May 2008 19:52:47 GMT

Spellbinder

Usage Guide

Find out how to use Spellbinders dies in many other consumer die cut machines and how to use other dies in the Wizard.

Spellbinders Dies are designed around the Wizard® Embossing & Die Cutting System and Xcalibur™ Motorized Cutting & Embossing Machine. However, Spellbinder has found that they do have limited compatibility with other systems . Please be advised that Spellbinders two-year Warranty on Spellbinders Dies may be voided by using the dies in other systems. Spellbinders makes no guarantees about the cutting or embossing quality of any system other than the Wizard and Xcalibur’s Cutting Systems. Click the link above for a complete list and directions.

They have found compatibility with:

CuttleBug ™ by Provocraft®

Big Shot® by Ellison Design™ (Blue)

Big Shot™ (Black & Pink) by Ellison-Sizzix®

Embossing Spellbinders Dies in the Big Shot™ by Ellison-Sizzix®

Big Kick™ by Sizzix®

Zip’eMate™ by Accucut®

Original Sizzix® Press

Revolution™ by QuicKutz®

Embossed Specialty & Hammered Papers

Debbie — Tue, 06 May 2008 19:59:07 GMT

Peacock Embossed Specialty Papers

Just imagine these beautiful papers in your creations! Peacock papers have light texture and rich dimension. Perfect as an accent on handmade cards, scrapbook pages, tag art, ATCs and other paper crafts!

Note: This is a HOTP photo (used with permission.) The pattern in this paper is actually smaller than it appears in the photo. The eye of the Peacock Feather is actually about 1/4".

Our regular price will be $5.99 for three sheets.

Click Here to see all four colors

NEW Hammered Gold Paper

Pictured is our new Hammered Gold paper! This is a close-up view. The actual indentations are 1/4" to 3/8".

To see our sale prices, please add items to the shopping cart. Just click the checkout button and you will see the sale prices in your cart. These introductory prices are good through 9:00 PM Sunday, May 11, 2008.

Our shipping charges are all-inclusive. We are insuring all US and Canadian Parcels. We insure other International parcels when Endicia Insurance is available.* Endicia serves a large number of International countries. Poland is not covered. This is the only country that we know about at this time, but there may be others.

All offers are subject to stock on hand. Sale prices do not apply to prior purchases. This sale applies to purchases made in our web store only. These prices DO NOT APPLY TO PURCHASES MADE ON EBAY.

Happy crafting!

Debbie

Click here to view Hammered Papers

NEW Mottled Papers

Debbie — Thu, 08 May 2008 15:52:00 GMT

NEW Mottled Papers

Mottled papers have depth and texture-but they're completely smooth, so you don't have the extra bulk. These papers remind me of marble. Perfect for punches, die-cuts and templates, this classic cream paper is a gorgeous accent on cards, scrapbook pages, and other paper crafts.

These papers are beautiful stamped. They work well with all kinds of inks.

Our price for these mottled papers is $5.99 for three sheets.

Regular $5.99

Click here to see the new Mottled papers

Crocodile Embossed Papers

Debbie — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:49:00 GMT

My Favorite! NEW Crocodile Embossed Papers

3pc Beautiful Brown CROCODILE EMBOSSED Specialty Papers

Classic crocodile. Our specialty Crocodile papers are perfect for adding a touch of croc-inspired texture and dimension to scrapbook pages, cards, tags, ATCs and other paper crafts.

Note: This is a HOTP photo (used with permission.) The pattern in this paper is actually smaller than it appears in the photo. Pattern ranges from small spots of approx 1/8" to the largest spots of about 3/4".

Our price for these crocodile papers is three sheets for $5.99.

Regular Price $5.99

Click here to see the exciting new Crocodile Papers

NEW Stamp Keepers Have Arrived!

Debbie — Sat, 10 May 2008 23:01:37 GMT

Stamp Keepers Have Arrived!

They're here! Stamp Keepers, the red-hot stamp storage device!...These are so popular that the company was sold out when we ordered them the first three times. We now have the 12x12 keepers in stock. The 8.5x11 are not yet available, but I will keep ordering them and eventually we will get them.

Finally, we have a perfect system for storing all of your See D Mini & Lil Stamps. I like storing things in notebooks so I will be moving my regular See D's & Big Letter sets too!

12x12 Stamp Keepers Pages are sold in a Set of 4. These sturdy acid-free pages keep See-D's and clear stamps neatly organized and at your fingertips. Made to fit into 3-ring binders, they offer simple, compact storage and easy portability.

We just have 30 sets at this time, so if you want some, please hurry. They will sell out quickly. If any remain by Saturday, we will list them on eBay, but as usual, we wanted to give newsletter subscribers first choice. :o) Debbie

12x12 Stamp Keepers 4-pack $14.99

Click here to go to stamp keepers

NEW Shine Papers

Debbie — Sat, 17 May 2008 19:55:12 GMT

Add Drama & Excitement to Your Creations with Shine Papers!

The NEW line of Shine papers from HOTP are very exciting. HOTP is offering a nice range of colors and patterns. The depth of color and unusual "slick" finish of these papers is achieved by making three separate passes through the presses (one for color, one for pattern and one for the shiny coating.) Given this time consuming manufacturing process, I am amazed that they retail for less than $1.00 per sheet!

These papers are beautiful stamped. Due to the special "Shine" finish, you will want to use Staz-On ink.

Our regular price for these stunning sheets is $3.99 for four sheets.

Regularly $3.99

Click here to see SHINE papers!