New to You
Stop by every Friday to read up on the newest stamping and scrapbooking products to enter the market!
New Stamps and Projects
Join Kodomo at the Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) Winter Convention & Trade Show, held February 10-13, 2008 in Anaheim, California, and learn how to create a gorgeous piano hinge art book with envelope pages—perfect for holding photos, mementos and more. Participants will also use Kodomo's papers to make a dimensional butterfly embellishment, perfect for decorating the front of their handmade book. Kodomo's booth number is 3455. See you there!
Among the company's new products are Ikebana clear stamp sets. Ikebana means "flower arrangement" in Japanese; it is a popular art in Japan that involves trimming branches, leaves or flowers and arranging them in a flat vase. Decorate Kodomo's new Sarashi product using these Ikebana stamp sets and the latest rainbow ink pad. Adhere the stamped piece over strips of Kodomo's spruce wood to create your own shoji screen card.
Also new from Kodomo are the company's Kamon clear stamp sets. Kamon means "family crest" in Japanese. There are more than 5,116 crests in Japan. The floral crest set is considered to be one of the most popular designs. Other new clear stamp lines include Chinese fashion (which features Chinese-style shirts, trousers, sandals, umbrellas, mirrors and more) and Asian embroidery (which includes beautiful filagreed designs in the shape of butterflies, flowers and leaves, as well as many abstract designs).
For more information, contact Kodomo Inc., P.O. Box 449, Millbrae, CA 94030; 650/685-1828; FAX 650/685-1829; e-mail: info@kodomoinc.com; Web: www.kodomoinc.com
More than 2,000 Deeply Etched Stamps
I Brake For Stamps has been in business for four years. We are also the home of Rosebud Rubber Stamps, Ink Blocks Rubber Stamps, The Merry Stamper and Designs Ink'd images.
With over 150 sheets containing over 2,000 images, we are sure that you will find something to satisfy the needs of all stampers and card makers. We carry many themes, including animals, Asian, fairies, fashion, holiday, the always popular "Humorous Seniors" and more!
We manufacture all images ourselves, as quality is of the utmost importance to us. Our stamps are deeply etched to produce the best possible stamped image. For those of you giving classes in mixed media, our stamps work extremely well with polymer clay projects.
We are introducing more designs in the near future.
The beautiful card shown in the top picture was created from our new African plate using a burnt edges technique. The cutie in the middle is "Bathing Edith," and she is stamped and colored with pencils; she is mounted on a technique called Cuttlebug Smoosh from an issue of the Technique Junkie newsletter. The beautiful card in the bottom picture was made using acetate, foil and embossing powders.
For more information, please visit our website at www.ibrakeforstamps.com.
Scoreboards for Folding and Embossing
Crafter's Companion presents The Enveloper and Top Score Multiboard. Since their introduction in the U.K., these multi award-winning scoreboards have been a phenomenon, with thousands of units sold! They have now been reinvented to work with U.S. letter- and scrapbook-size papers.
The Top Score Multiboard will enable you to fold any sheet of U.S. letter or scrapbook paper into cards of various shapes and sizes. On the reverse, you'll find a dedicated box maker and popout card creator!
After making your cards on the Top Score Multiboard, pick up The Enveloper to create a custom matching envelope. The Enveloper can be used to fold any type of paper into beautiful, unique envelopes in various shapes and sizes, including standard sizes, square, slimline and minis to fit your ATCs. Just follow the simple instructions and you'll soon be making envelopes in minutes!
Also available is the Instructional DVD. This DVD takes you step-by-step through the many ways in which The Enveloper and Top Score Multiboard can be used. Its "no shortcut" approach makes following along a snap.
Crafter's Companion presents the following project as an example of what these scoreboards can do:
3-D Christmas Wallet
- Place one of the short edges of the letter-size cardstock against the Top Score, and score along the lines that read both Tri-Fold U.S. letter and also Gatefold U.S. letter. Rotate the card and score the same two lines on the other end. Using the wavy line on the Top Score, make two decorative score lines along one of the edges. Cut away the outer edge and stick a piece of red cardstock behind it to make it back up to the original length.
- Cut two slits in the center section so that ribbon can be fed through. The ribbon should be long enough to reach around the card and tie in a bow at the front.
- To decorate the inside, cut three panels of plaid paper, matted onto some of the red cardstock. Edge with peel off borders and stick these finished pieces onto the inside of the card using 3-D foam pads.
- Cut an oblong piece of gold cardstock to approx. 3 3/4" x 3". Make a decorative score line all around the edge using the first line of the box scorer. Trim away about 1/4" all around and repeat the score lines again. This will leave a double score line. Cut an oblong piece of plain cardstock to position into the center for a Christmas message. Mat this entire piece onto a piece of red cardstock and mount to the center panel using 3-D foam pads.
- Add some glitter stars around the edge.
- Finally, place two layers of poinsettia flowers on top of each other and hold them together with a gold brad. Stick these in the center of the two outer panels and stick some leaves behind it.
This type of card would be ideal for dressing up a gift card. Simply add an envelope to the center section instead of the greeting as shown in the picture.
For more information and to view our Great Holiday Specials going on now, please visit our website at www.crafterscompanion.com. Mention seeing it on Rubber Stampin' Retailer online and we'll send you a complimentary demo set along with a free DVD to use in your store with your first order! Call us today to get your wholesale account set up at 888/694-0590 or e-mail Gary at gary@crafterscompanion.com.
Images on Acrylic
Kodomo presents two beautiful projects designed by the company founder, Hisako Nakamura. Each project features one of the elegant stamps from the company's Zigen's Design collection, now available in a new format: mounted on a clear acrylic backing with a full-color image of the stamp showing through underneath. Kodomo stamps available in this new format include the Zigen's Design collection, lace stamps and the Chinese Design stamps.
Dancing Fans
- Stamp "Dancing Fans" on a card in black pigment ink. Stamp an extra image on a separate piece of cardstock, again in black.
- Emboss these with clear embossing powder.
- Cut out the fan and butterfly (or something else you would prefer) from the extra image.
- Color in the card and the two trimmed pieces.
- Place the trimmed piece on top of the card (with the top open to give the 3-D effect).
- Use Kodomo's "Spring Haze" ink pad to color the paper string.
- Tie the paper string in any style you like and then attach it to the card.
Sleeping Cats
- Stamp the "Sleeping Cats" and "Merry Christmas" stamps on red cardstock with embossing ink.
- Emboss the images with white embossing powder.
- Stamp the Sleeping Cats on an extra white card in black ink.
- Emboss it with clear embossing powder.
- Cut out the two cats from the extra image and, if desired, add any color you like.
- Attach the two cats to the red card with Pop-Up Glue Dots or a similar product.
- To give it a black frame, attach the red cardstock to a slightly bigger piece of black cardstock.
For more information, contact Kodomo Inc., P.O. Box 449, Millbrae, CA 94030; 650/685-1828; FAX 650/685-1829; e-mail: info@kodomoinc.com; Web: www.kodomoinc.com
Free, Full-Color Catalog from Blue Ridge Impressions
Blue Ridge Impressions Inc., located in Port Republic, Virginia, is excited to offer a new, full-color catalog of stamps and accessories. Our stamps are designed for the conservative Christian market and include Bible verses, sympathy and inspirational poetry, floral and scenic designs. All of our stamps are available both mounted and unmounted.
Our catalogs are free, so call us today at 888/298-0350 to receive your copy, or find us on the Web at www.blueridgeimpressions.net.
Washi Paper, Stamps and More
Kodomo is bringing many beautiful new products to crafters this summer!
The company is introducing three designs of Washi Paper, as well as Paper String made from twisted Washi paper. Washi is a type of Japanese paper. Originally this paper was made by hand from stalk fiber. Generally, people use it for brush writing paper and sliding door paper. In the past, people in business used Washi for ledgers. Also, people in the manuscipt business had many high quality Washi Papers on
which were written poems or songs for books. The Japanese call that kind of old Washi HOGU. The HOGU were found in their warehouses, and people would put them under the papers of sliding paper doors. Today in Japan, Washi manufacturers are interested in HOGU that have unique designs like our new products: Ledger, Seal and Old Diary. In the present day, manufacturers are beginning to remake
Washi like HOGU. Kodomo's papers measure 37 1/4" x 25" and include three sheets per package, while the Paper String is sold in rolls of 16.4 yards.
Additionally, Kodomo's seven new Lace Stamps create beautiful borders, patterns and frames that lend your artwork the look of lace, and the company's thirteen new Chinese Design Stamps include motifs from animal masks and gold to ancient words and ancient coins. Seven new Foam Stamp Sets incorporate elements from the natural world, Asian design motifs, and Girl's Day and Boy's Day, while five new multicolored Water Color Ink Pads allow crafters to stamp in several different rainbow palettes: Vivid, Pastel, Jellybean, Carnival, and Spring Haze.
Also new is the Zigen's Design collection of stamps, created by Zigen Tanabe. Born in Toyama, Japan, Tanabe worked as a freelance artist for eight years before beginning to study the original brush method used in traditional Japanese art. Since 2000 he has been exhibiting his works in both the United States and Japan. Kodomo now presents 10 of his designs in stamp form: Jolly Sparrows, Swimming Carps, Blooming Iris, Duck Love, Goldfishes, Moon and Rabbits, Folded Cranes, Dancing Fans, Floral Drum and Sleeping Cats.
For more information, contact Kodomo Inc., P.O. Box 449, Millbrae, CA 94030; 650/685-1828; FAX 650/685-1829; e-mail: info@kodomoinc.com; Web: www.kodomoinc.com
12-Pack Card Kits and Stamp Sets of the Month
River City Rubber Works is introducing new 12-Pack Card Kits and Stamp Sets of the Month!
The 12-Pack Card Kit is perfect for a ready-made monthly class! You get all the pieces you need to assemble 12 different, yet coordinating, cards, including embellishments like ribbons, fiber, hardware and 12 envelopes! Each month's kit is designed to work with our Stamp Set of the Month but can also be used with any stamps of your choice! The pieces of cardstock are pre-printed with numbered pieces that you will cut out and gather into groups (numbered 1-12). Each group is then assembled into a card using those pieces and embellishments! Instructions, photos and diagrams are included with each kit!
The kits list at $15.95 the month they are featured. The price goes to $17.95 after that (while supplies last). At any time, you can buy seven and pay only for six! Yep. You can get one free!
Our Stamp Set of the Month features two new 4" x 5" sheets of unmounted rubber designs, packaged in a bag with hang tab! These sets are coordinated to be used together or separately, and are designed to work well with our 12-Pack Card Kit of the Month.
Stamp sets list at $12.50 each or $22.00 as a set on the month they are released. After that, the price goes to $14.50 each or $26.00 per set. And if you order seven sets you only pay for six! Yep. You can get one of these free, too! Singles or sets!
For more information and lots of great samples, please check out our website at www.rivercityrubberworks.com or call 877/735-2276.
Jacquard Tee Juice Markers
Finally—a big, bold marker that delivers a lot of color! The color screams, but still feels soft to the touch. Now teens can write a message on T-shirts that stands out like a billboard. 
Cartoonists can make their characters come to life. Artists can paint shirts for profit. Tee Juice Markers are fun and useful, a must in every household!
Tee Juice Markers come in eight colors, open stock and two boxed sets. Display racks are available. List price is only $3.99 each, and boxed sets are $14.99.
See our website (www.jacquardproducts.com) for more information and projects and for full line information or call customer service at 800/442-0455 for our free catalog.
Castaway Stamp Pad
Rupert Gibbon and Spider Inc., manufacturer of Jacquard Products, introduces an innovative new product, the Castaway Stamp Pad. Castaway works differently than any other stamp pad. When the stamped image is heated with an iron, the color of the paper is magically altered. Instead of adding color to the surface of a paper, the color of the paper itself changes where the Castaway ink has been stamped. The result is a marbled or dappled antique look that is similar to a batik fabric.
Scrapbookers and paper crafters will love the way Castaway works. Castaway modifies the color of the paper without using bleach and won't deteriorate the paper over time. Castaway works on most dyed papers, but not on coated or pigment-colored papers such as laminated mat board. It is easy to use and cleans up with water. See the exciting results Castaway has on different papers, as each will be unique.
The suggested list price of the Castaway Stamp Pad is $7.49 and comes in a masterpack of 12. The item number is JSP2900. The suggested list price of the Castaway Refiller is $4.25 and comes in a masterpack of six. The item number for the Castaway Refiller is JSP7900. Both the Castaway Stamp Pad and Refiller come in peggable packaging.
See our website (www.jacquardproducts.com) for more information and projects and for full line information or call customer service at 800/442-0455 for our free catalog.