Sunday 17 February 2019

A FEW THINGS TO BLOG ABOUT, AND SOME BLOG CANDY TO WIN ...

I do have a few things to mention today.  Firstly, as you will know if you receive our Newsletters, we have some new stamps available now on the CI website.  The stamp images were beautifully drawn by a new artist for us, Maria Kitano, from Belgium.  Here they are (just in case you haven't seen the latest CI Newsletter)....



From the top we have CI-505, Bluebird with Branch and Berries, CI-506, Little Bluebird amongst Blossoms, and CI-507, Perching Bird.  We love them and it seems you do too.  First released on Hochanda recently, we had a very busy couple of shows there, and now released on our website, you have been loving them on there too I'm pleased to say.  All three are great to stamp and then colour with various colouring techniques.  The process is both relaxing and therapeutic, as well as rewarding.  The shading is already there, so you just need to add some colour.

You may be interested to learn some more about our artist Maria, so I have some links for you:

Blog https://mariakitanoart.wordpress.com/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjoKtAfDeM7jzUaJhU0MNKw
Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/abstractartm/

We hope to turn lots more of Maria's images into stamps in the future!
  

It's probably worth mentioning at this point that all the stamps on our website are sold unmounted, as probably are all the stamps of ours that you may see on other websites, or in art/craft shops around the world.  This means that you simply get just the red rubber image.  You can mount them in what ever way you choose, or prefer.  On Hochanda we are currently selling all our stamps ready mounted on Stix2 mounting foam.  This foam self clings to an acrylic block and helps you to get a good printed image.  We also sell A4 sheets of Stix2 foam on our website separately if you choose to mount your stamps on the foam.

I now have a few images of makes by the CI teamies with the above stamps, with lots more to follow in other posts by other teamies.  You will find the actual stamps for sale on the CI site HERE...

First though I have two makes by Maria herself with two of the birds stamps she created..



 Makes by Sylvie..




Now one by Flo..


 .... and one by Sandra - I can make the one above and below nice and big...


How cool are they?!

If you would like to win one of two sets of the new stamps we have available, please leave a kind comment at the end of this post.  We will randomly pick two comment owners to win all three new bird stamps one day next week.

The other subject I would like to bring up tonight is about Hochanda itself.  If you follow craft on UK TV on the craft channels you may have realised there is currently something going on.  Lesley Wharton (Chocolate Baroque) has made a statement on Facebook which I will copy and paste below.  We support Hochanda, as does Lesley, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future....

In Lesley's own words - 'Ok, so there has been a lot of rumours and stuff flying around the last few days and we just want to say that Chocolate Baroque is staying put and we will continue to support #Hochanda. After all just over two years ago, when we were a big casualty of the Craft Channel's demise, Hochanda took us under their wing and helped us to get by in those early months when we could easily have gone under. And we have to remember how privileged we are to be invited into your home every month, Hochanda provide the platform for that and, thankfully, you turn on your tv and watch us.
I kind of think we have a three way partnership going on here; our lovely customers, Hochanda and us. I know they say three's a crowd but not in this relationship, we all need each other to be able to do what we do. So all I will say is this, we thank you for your continued support in watching our shows and buying from them, in producing fabulous artwork with the stamps and products we bring you and thank you to everyone in Hochanda for making me, and all your other suppliers, look good on the telly. I think we ALL rock, don't you!'

Enough said I think.

So finally please don't forget to leave a comment to be in with a chance of winning our 3 brand new (unmounted) bird themed red rubber stamps.

Bye for now,
Back soon,

Jean x

p.s.  Oooops links didn't work.  Think I've managed to re-link now, fingers crossed!





46 comments:

Anne said...

I adore these stamps! With this lovely sunny weather the birds are getting very chummy, yay springtime! I love how these images are easy to colour, or stay mono and how they can be used for different seasons. I'm not sure what Leslie's post is about but loyalty is a good thing and I know that we can always depend on CI!

veronica said...

They're gorgeous, and the first and third would make lovely Christmas cards!

Christine (All She Crafts) said...

These stamps and the samples made by your team are just breath-taking. Incredible inspiration, and I would like to say how happy I am to hear that you and Chocolate Baroque are sticking with Hochanda. I can't afford to buy often, but I have been steadily collecting yours and Lesley's stamps for a lot of years now. Long live the 'Partnership'! xxx

ellyscard creatief said...

Wow, Maria is really a greet Artist. Love this bird stamps.

Joan said...

I just love these stamps and have already ordered two of them, can't wait for them to arrive
Beautiful samples from the team.

Sally H said...

Stunning Samples from the DT. I've already ordered the 3 new stamps and have been having a play with some of the older bird stamps that I already own. Thanks for the inspiring shows on Hochanda (you and Lesley make a great team!) and for producing such beautiful stamps x

Craftychris said...

Stunning samples made with these beautiful stamps, thank you for sharing them with us and for the chance to win! So kind and generous! I love both your and Lesley's shows on Hochanda and am so glad you are staying there. Have watched Hochanda from day one and love it! You and Lesley bring inspiring demonstrations and cool products to the channel - lots of fun too, thank you! xxx

Kym's Crafty Cards said...

These are gorgeous stamps. Maria is one talented lady. Brilliant to hear you are staying with Hochanda. I shall look forward to your shows. Best wishes, Kym

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

These birds are just amazing, so sweet and versatile!!! Love so much them and the fab inspirations from the team! They are all beautiful, I can't choose a favourite!

Craftyfield said...

Maria's drawing translate beautifully into stamps. I love this latest release and I'm happy we will be seeing more from her.
BTW Not a great watcher of craft channels but I'd rather watch Hochanda than any other...

ionabunny said...

These stamps are stunning. So much beautiful detail and so true to life. The samples from the team are stunning. I am privileged to see these birds in the real in my garden every day. Hugz

Jane Willis said...

What stunning stamps, so realistic. Wonderful creations using them too.

Sandma's Handmade Cards said...

Wow, I bet this post took some time for you to put together Jean. I’m so pleased that you’ll be using more of Maria’s designs as they make the most beautiful stamps. I thoroughly enjoyed making my samples and the stamps can be used for so many different occasions. I can’t put mine down and I know that your customers will love them too. The samples on here are stunning. I love Maria’s colourful designs and the samples by Sylvie and Flo are just amazing. Thank you Jean and Malcolm for making us such beautiful stamps that are an absolute joy to work with. Crafty hugs, Sandra x x

carol edwards said...

Beautiful samples Jean from the very talented Maria. The drawings are beautiful and are brought together by the quality red rubber stamps you and Malcolm produce.
You and Leslie make a good team on Hochanda and nice to know loyalty matters x

Gerrina said...

The new stamps are so beautiful! Loved colouring them and I think the great examples show we all do! Hugs, Gerrina

coco said...

I just love these stamps ! I hope and i cross my fingers
hugsxxx
coco

Glennis F said...

Fabulous new stamps - I would be very happy to give them a new home

Elaine said...

Such beautiful birds with so much detail and lots of colouring opportunities. I especially like the Bluetit - such characterful birds!

Cocofolies said...

Maria's birds are just fantastic. These news stamps are totally charming... I love this latest release and will be pleased if we can see more from her later.
I can't afford to buy them all at the time being, but will do it later as soon as I can, sure.
And regarding Hochanda, I'm not a big consumer of TV shows even in our craft area. Just me me say that I almost only look at yours, Jean, and sometimes also the ones by Lesley about her own stamps as she is so kind and good at demonstrating!! So my feeling is good about that, no worries. And I really enjoy seeing you and Lesley.
But ordering directly by this way after looking at the shows is more complicated from me outside UK, as you can guess, even if you offer great bundles :)
Hugs,
Coco xx

ginny c said...

Have lots of your stamps they are so detailed look forward to buying these

Angelnorth said...

Absolutely gorgeous! I love bird images anyway but these are stunning - on my wish list they go! I just visited Maria's blog and she does beautiful work, if you can manage a hare in a future release, I'm in.

Artmadnana said...

These are gorgeous stamp images Jean, and fit in so well with yours and Malcomb's concept. I fell in love with them when I watched the recent shows. Your team work magic with them. I did intend to buy mine at Port Sunny, my favourite stamp show, but how wonderfully generous of you both to offer them here to two lucky winners.

Juliz Design Post said...

I simply adore all these stamps from your new designer Maria and am patiently waiting on one of them arriving from you. I do hope to eventually collect them all and look forward to seeing more designs in the future from her. Hopefully I will be lucky to win them. Good luck everyone.
Julie x

Heathers Inspiration said...

Thank you for the chance, it would be wonderful to get creative with them if I were to win.
Love Crafty Individuals style and these new designs are Fabulous.

Pat said...

Thank you Jean for being so generous and giving away two sets of these fantastic new bird stamps which really capture the essence of these pretty birds, and the DT samples are absolutely glorious. They are definitely on my wish list. x

Flo said...

Maria's designs are an absolute delight to use. Beautiful samples. Thank you for the shares. Flo x

cuilliesocks said...

Great post Jean and your samples are as always stunning, the stamps themselves are quite beautiful.
Not sure what Lesley is on about regarding Hochanda, but I'm pleased you are both staying there as I've learned so much from your amazing demos.
I don't often buy from them, preferring to buy from both your companies I feel Hochanda is too expensive, especially the p&p. Much better to give you my money, but love watching you both, Kate x

Jean said...

Oh - these birds are just exquisite! I love all the cards and tags. So many fun ways to color these guys! Thank you for sharing the story as well!

Janet in Menston said...

I love birds and these stamps are truly gorgeous, as are all the samples.

Would love to win any of these if I am lucky!

Pamgail said...

These bird stamps are breathtaking! I have so many ideas for using them on cards, in my junk journals, and in mixed media!! LOVE<LOVE<LOVE!!

Diane Louise J said...

These little bird stamps are absolutely beautiful, thanks for the chance to win them, you are very generous... thanks to the design team for fabulous inspiration, their cards /projects are stunning.

Diane Louise xx

Crafty Di said...

Fantastic artwork! I love those bird stamps. I NEED them all!

Clipping Path said...


Nice post.Keep sharing. Thanks for sharing.

KT Fit Kitty said...

Wow, these are really gorgeous! Love the new stamps and love the inspiration samples! Please count me in!

Willkommen auf meiner Kreativseite. said...

Beautiful examples with these lovely stamps! The birds are so gorgeous!

Karinou said...

Waouhhhh, ces tampons sont magnifiques et un grand bravo aux réalisatrices de ces merveilles.
A bientôt
Karinou

fricounette said...

Je suis en admiration devant toutes ces magnifiques cartes! Quelles magnifiques créations!!
Et c'est vrai que cet oiseau permet de réaliser de superbes œuvres!

Nadou said...

Ils sont vraiment magnifiques ces 3 tampons moi qui suis fan d'oiseaux surtout mésanges et rouge gorges
Bravo à toutes pour les jolies cartes
Merci pour ce jeux-concours
amitié
Nadou

They are really beautiful these 3 stamps me who is a fan of birds especially tits and red throats
Congratulations to all for the pretty cards
Thank you for this contest
friendship
Nadou

CraftyJo said...

The stamps are fabulous and the colouring on the samples is so beautifully vibrant - Spring must be just around the corner.

SewPaperPaint said...

Oh my goodness these stamps are beautiful and the samples truly bring them to life!

Sid said...

Gorgeous new birdy stamps Jean, great arty designs by the artist ! Thanks for generously offering them to a lucky winner ... would love to have the chance to use them !

maggie said...

Fabulous new stamps and beautiful artwork by the design team. I would love to add these stamps to my ever growing collection of Crafty Individuals stamps.

Ellie Knol said...

Gorgeous new stamps.. I think I am too late to win, but they are nevertheless so beautiful! :)

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