The Craftascope Half Price offer ends tomorrow

Hi to all of you, I have and such a busy time chasing deliveries and answering messages and emails, I just haven’t had the time to add to my blog. Hopefully you will all have your special parcels. It sure has been a struggle and a lot of tracking to find out just exactly what was going on. I do hope that you are happy with all of your new goodies and that you will have many hours creating with them. The Half Price code ends tomorrow, so if there is anything else you would like to add to your collection the code is THANKS50 Just getting over all of the stress and frustration, thank you so much for being so patient and understanding. After Christmas I have been missing Mince Pies since I finished them all so I have made some of my own, I really could eat them all day, every day.

I would also like to thank all of you who have taken time to leave reviews on the Craftascope store. It was delightful reading them and I was really touched at the wonderful comments you have left, I was really touched. I am just so pleased that the excessive delays didn’t spoil your experience too much. I know what it’s like when you place and order and are excited about getting it, there’s nothing worse than long waits and delays. All you want to do is get crafting, I am the same, so having borders shut, parcels returned and suspensions, all on top of the coronavirus it couldn’t really have been a worse time. LINK FOR THE CRAFTASCOPE STORE.

The postal suspensions are still in place, so any orders will be packed immediately as normal and posted as soon as they are lifted, hopefully that won’t be too long now. Many of you know me well enough to know, but for those of you who don’t I can assure you that I would never let anyone lose out or suffer financially, so you can buy with that confidence when taking advantage of the 50% off code.

Some of you might know about the new VAT laws that the UK implemented on the 31^st December. To simplify it as far as ETSY is concerned. They are responsible for collecting the VAT on behalf of the UK Government now, so if you are in the UK the price will show differently to how it does in the EU. I can assure you I have not increased my prices. It’s the best time to take advantage of the 50% discount. There are lots of items in baskets and some items are very low in stock, the offer ends at midnight tomorrow (1^st Feb 2012), so please don't miss out an anything that you really want.

After my experience with the Royal Mail Labels, couriers are not an option at the moment with the restrictions still causing delays. Despite an explanation they refused to refund the unused labels as they were out of their 21 day limit and the amount of labels I was requesting refunds for, however they were more than happy for me to purchase replacements for them.  Hopefully things will get better soon, it’s times like this we realise just how much of ‘Normal Life’ we take for granted.

Take care and Happy Crafting. Stay Safe my Friends.

Dat 14 Advent Offers- Well worth a look. A Recommendation and some Important POSTAGE Info

Morning everyone. I hope you are all well and that you had a great weekend. It was great to speak to so many of you yesterday, it's been a fairly long time since I've heard from some of you. If you ever need packing boxes I have a recommendation and (A Steer Clear Notice). So, I have added 2 new offers for Day 14 of the Advent Calendar Event. Congratulations to those of you who have found the hidden Daily Prize, they will be added to your order, keep looking every day. Two of you got in touch yesterday as you couldn't place orders, I am really sorry, for once this wasn't my error, but it is fixed and there should be no more problems.  I've added the previous offers back on to make up for yesterday, please read on for postage information.

There's so much to choose from in the Craftascope store and with amazing offers, to help you get a good price and so I can hopefully go on bringing you unique and special designs. The florals are all still on offer, even the Rose Bouquet Die Set and the Rose Striplet to match the Hochanda Offer. The Beautiful Regal Rose Stamp set, the Splinters in Time Stamp Set both have a super discounts. Sadly there are only 2 of the Complete Floral Companions set and still at a great price. 

BASKET INFORMATION: There are some items that are low in stock and are in more baskets than I have stock available. Regular Rose Petal Dies, Large Rose Petals, Chrysanthemum Dies and a few more. I really hate to go on, but I like to let you know, I really don't like having an ear bashing when customers miss out on something that I can no longer get. The ATC Dies are low in stock as are the wonderful Handy Helpers, the Retro Banner, the Retro Banner Stamps and others.

There are postage delays everywhere at the moment, I have added a note about this on the Craftascope Store and I try to let everyone know before packing to give the option of cancelling. So please, please dont get angry with me these delays are caused by flight cancellations, staff shortages, checks etc. Unless otherwise stated, I pack and post every order immediately and either post the same day or the following day, depending on the time.

IMPORTANT NOTE RE POSTAGE: Tomorrow I will be posting all orders received before 8am on the 15th December. These will all go by Courier to the UK and will be posted from there to ensure faster delivery. Any orders after that time will be posted as normal, it just isn't possible financially for me to post each individual orders by courier, there are no postage charges made by me, apart for the nominal charge for some items going to the USA. Do bear in mind that orders over the 35 pounds are free to the USA anyway. The post office have notified me that I can't send any parcels to the USA after tomorrow, so please do make sure you meet the deadline. I am doing everything in my power to make sure everyone gets everything they want, I am not being difficult or forcing you to make your purchases.

I am so touched by the wonderful messages and emails offering support, they have been wonderful to receive and some have had me in tears. You all mean such a lot to me, I can honestly say that your support for me and Craftascope from Day 1 has been amazing. You have been a real tonic, knowing that you like the designs I bring and love to craft with them is the greatest compliment I could ever wish for.

I'm not heartless, this year has been dreadful for everybody, I realise that not everyone is in a position to buy anything from Craftascope. But getting your message and emails of support has been comforting as well, it's wonderful to know how much you care it really is. It's been humbling that you have spent your hard earned cash on my designs and that you love using them in your crafting. To hear that you like that they are unique and different as well as inspirational, all f these mean such a great deal to me. I am still hopeful that I will be able to continue bringing the Craftascope collections to you in the future.

Support comes in many different ways, Comments on my Facebook posts are always welcome and as you know I always answer. Leaving comments on those posts helps such a lot, especially when it comes to them being shared throughout Facebook. The more comments, the more they are shared which helps me & Craftascope no end. Likes & Loves etc are wonderful as well but Facebook doesn't recognise these as interactions and doesn't help with them being seen by others. I love to see your comments, they really cheer me up, I know I am not alone, so please leave a comment, it's worth a lot more than you think, this is why the larger companies are shared so much as they attract the most interaction. I'm not asking for fame or fortune, just to help where I can and to have my designs used by so many creative people. Thats all for now, Take care and Happy Crafting. xxx

Thank you for your support - Day 9 Advent Calendar Offer Added

Hi Everyone. Day 9 is with us already & the new offer has been added. Todays offer has a 50% saving and without giving too much away, It's a set that never leaves my desk, it's so versatile, goes with every occasion and style. Don't forget to search for the hidden prize, note it on your order form and it will be added to your parcel. I'd like to thank those of you who have added their support to Me & Craftascope so far. So a HUGE THANKYOU to: Sue Cretney, Heather Alger, Emma Couldridge, Diane Ingram, Angela Robinson, Margaret Stewart, Jennifer Logsdon, Ursula Longworth, Tina Smith, Dawn Grantham, Ann Booth, Judith Ginn, June Wood, Dorothy Rylance, Jeanette Thompson, Jennifer Boylston, Eva Wanders, Jaqcueline Bobeldijk, J Whelton, Morag Broardfoot & Barbara Dawson. I can't ever thank you enough for adding your support.

I've been really touched by the messages that some of you have sent, to hear your feelings, thanks and support for Craftascope & me has been so uplifting. Like I have said so many times before, the greatest part of sharing my designs, has been seeing you projects and hearing about you crafting journey. There's an opportunity to share more of your creations in the Craftascope December Giveaway, so please join in and you could win yourself some spending money to use at the Craftascope Store.

Last week, before I shared with you, I had reached a very dark place and I just couldn't see a way out. It has been an awful year for everyone, I had managed to scrape through up till then, but I knew I couldn't get through this without some support, it was inevitable that Craftascope would have to close. The support so far has helped, if there are any of you that can add your support it could really make the difference.

Every single item bought from the store makes a difference, however small, even a few of the half price stencils. Maybe treat yourself to an extra Christmas Present, a small gift for someone else or even just adding a few extra items for your Craftascope Collection. I have been adding Half Price offers every day, so you might find something you might like. There's a link at the top of the page or click here: CRAFTASCOPE and dont forget to look for the hidden free gift.

If I wasn't so desperate to keep Craftascope Going, then I wouldn't even ask. It's only because I love what I do, love sharing and more importantly love the people I have met through my Craftascope Journey. There are hundreds of Craftascope followers and if a fraction of those could find a way to add their support then I know there is light at the end of the tunnel.

If not and Craftascope does shut at the end of the Year then I will still be around and I will always keep in touch, but hopefully my luck will do a turnaround and I will get the support I need. Take care and Stay Safe.xxx

Copper Tree

Hi Everyone. Today I am sharing a little piece of home decor, that I made with the Retro Leaves dies from the Craftascope Retro Collection. I brought it to Hochanda last month for a One Day Special. I have a full tutorial and lots of additional photos for you today, I hope you enjoy it. There's also a little 'Thank You' Gift for you all from me for your amazing support. It's made me so happy, I can't quite believe it, A little overwhelming, but I am so touched, I really am, it means an awful lot to me so Thank you. xx

You will Need:

Craftascope Retro Leaves Die Set

Leonie Pujol Creativity Stamp

Pebeo Metallic Copper Marker

Florists Wire

Copper Wire

Old Drinks Cans

Craft copper Metal

White Gesso

Distress Inks Mowed Lawn & Mermaid Lagoon

Heat Gun

Blow Torch

Large Board or Canvas

Step 1:  Use the metallic marker to colour the florist wire and set aside to dry.

Step 2: On a small piece of copper sheet and stamp the creativity stamp using the black Stayzon.

Step 3: Paint you board with the white Gesso.

Step 4: Mix some of the white Gesso with a little distress ink to add colour to the sky, then repeat with the green for the grass.

Step 5: Take about 10-12 lengths of copper wire, Tightly wrap another length around the branch.

Step 6: Continue wrapping the wire, after about 5 inches, start to split into branches to form a tree.

Step 7: Cut a selection of the leaves, use a blow torch to heat some of them gently, this gives wonderful colours to the metal. Leave some of them plain, then  emboss some of them as well.

Step 8: Wire them onto the florists wire with a hot glue gun.

Step 9: Make some holes in your backing board. Position the tree onto the board, thread wire through from the front and secure at the back of the piece.

Step 10: Position you leaves, once you are happy, wrap a little of the wire around and secure with 3D Glue Gel or a hot glue gun.

This makes a great piece of home decor and would look great on the wall, obviously you wouldn't have to make it this size, a smaller one would be just as stunning.

As a thank you for all of your support here is a 20% discount code  (THANKS20) to use on my Etsy Store for any purchase over 20 pounds, the link to the store is at the top of the page. It was so nice to find out that I have been nominated for the Crafts Beautiful 'Best Of' Craft Awards this year. I was totally speechless when they contacted me. I have to admit that I thought it was a joke at first, after that I have to say there were some tears of joy, so I thought it would be nice to share the joy with you all. I am so touched and it means a great deal to me. Take care and Happy Crafting.xx