Although this original embossing text machine by Dymo is ideal for crafting, adding a different medium to your cardmaking or scrapbooking project, there are limitations to what you can actually emboss.  Limitations include dymo tape only coming in three colours, black, red and blue and only being able to emboss in CAPITALS and numbers only.  However, this machine still adds great affects to your projects as shown:

The new kid on the block is Dymo’s fantastic ‘Dymo Caption Maker’.  The Caption Maker has been featured in ads in the American Craft magazines.  Unfortunately this is not available at present in the UK but if you are willing to have one shipped over then I would definitely recommend it.  I purchased mine from ebay along with some different coloured tapes, including pink and green with little feet on (ideal for baby cards) and clear, all of which also cannot be purchased in the UK.  All in, mine cost approximately £40, including postage and around 8 to 10 coloured tapes too.

As you can see it comes in a delightful pink colour, a handy carry bag, but also THREE interchangeable text wheels.

As shown it is easy enough to load your Dymo tape and if you have tape from the Omega machine, this will also still work.

The three interchangeable wheels come in upper and lower case, italics and numbers.  Along with the letters and numbers there are also other little symbols including a heart, star and flower.  The good thing is, that if you want a capital letter at the beginning of a name, for example, you can switch between the upper and lower case wheels.  The same goes for the other wheel also.

Here are some examples of cards I made using the Dymo Caption Maker.

with clear tape

with italics interchangeable wheel

If you would like to let us see some examples you may have using the Dymo Caption Maker or would like to review a different craft item, please send your submissions to: submissions@papercraftjunkies.com

My friend and I made the journey from Bristol to Plymouth in good time, and found the Guild Hall very easily.  There is parking outside, but only for a couple of hours, so if you are planning to stay in excess of three hours you need to park at the N.C.P. where the cost was a staggering £10.50 for over four hours.

We made our way into the Guild Hall and were greeted on the ground floor by the Centagraph stall selling practically everything a parchment devotee could need, but we swept past and up the stairs to the next floor.  Having bought our ticket in advance for £5 – no financial advantage – we entered the hall to find a whole array of demonstrators.  The works on show were exquisite and innovative,  and oh so delicate, just like lace.  There was even a working clock!

Christine Coleman to the left, selling some of the most beautiful patterns happily relieved me of £4.50 for some Christmas patterns, and Alison Yeates of Kingfisher sold me a very useful battery powered pencil sharpener and a magnetic board, both absolute essentials for good pattern tracing with pencil.

Many of the ladies were selling items for charity; neo natal, breast cancer and Poppy Day.  All extremely worthwhile causes and which have, no doubt, touched each one of us in one way or another.

The Severn Beach class, which is barely a year old and run under the skilful tutoring of Veronica Jones, had made a lovely little Christmas themed table showing how they are progressing in the skill.

Advice, laughter and friendship was on offer on every table.  The Parchment Guild had a table to encourage learning, and even the uninitiated would find something to whet their appetite and have them reaching for tools.

I bumped into so many ladies I had only met in the virtual world, but yet were friends, and many that I had parched with at classes or workshops.  The whole ethos was about fun and support, and whilst money did change hands one didn’t feel one was amongst traders, but enthusiasts.  Who better to give your money to!

This is a tool you don’t often hear about but I came across on an American site while searching for something else, and just had to try it! It is a joy to use and adds something special to your  projects.  The tool comes in a soft black drawstring bag, with full instructions that I have to look at each time to remind myself which way round the tag goes!

The tool folds down and clips together for storage and opens when you want to use it.

To add a tag to a ribbon you first put the tag in the curler, point facing the M.

Then you thread your ribbon through your project, and place both ends across the tag in the Tag Curler.  Squeeze the Tag Curler handles together and your tag is attached but make sure it is going to end up the right way round before squeezing!

Ribbon with finished tag.  Tags are available in silver metal as shown with packs of several different sentiments or cut out shapes - I used a “Happy Birthday” tag on this card. You can also buy enamelled tags to use with this tool.  You can get this tool in the UK now and I’m sure it is going to be popular.

The Crop-A-Dile II does exactly what it says on the tin.  I was originally going to purchase the Crop-a-dile but decided to just go for the big bite when I saw it had been released.  The items I’ve  tried so far are card, paper, denim and tin.

It’s finally great to be able to set eyelets in the centre of your 12×12 layout, done with ease with the 6” reach this gives you.

Its very simple to use, first make your hole punch then just by turning the top and bottom blocks for your size eyelet, snap or grommet and set away.  One problem I have found, with mine, is once you’ve set the eyelet, it doesn’t leave it very flush at the back of your project, but it does state that this can happen in the instructions! I’m certainly going to enjoy experimenting with new projects!

Would you like to write a review on a new item of crafting kit you’ve just bought?
Send your review to: submissions@papercraftjunkies.com

Paper Hugs & Stamped Kisses
http://paperhugs.typepad.com/paper_hugs/
Kim Hughes’ blog is a celebration of bright brilliance! She makes cards, scrapbook layouts and other projects. Kim’s a craftaholic, SAHM (Stay At Home Mum) of 2 and a stamp designer to boot! Not only does she make fabulous cards, but she shares her creative process with us and also gives crafty tips, too! Some of her ‘fun facts’, which accompany every post are hilarious.  Although Kim’s is a busy blog, she takes time out to respond to all her comments and often gives away blog candy, so make sure you check back on a regular basis.  Her resume is impressive and it’s pretty obvious that she’s been scrapbooking and papercrafting since 1999 – although you’d think she’s been doing it all her life.  There’s plenty to see and inspiration galore – treat yourself to a visit!
By Rosemary Rowe (Karmelian)

Penelope’s Pitstop
http://penny-penelopespitstop.blogstop.blogspot.com
This is one of my favourite blogs at the minute. The blog author is Penny, who for me makes wonderfully gorgeous, classy and modern cards - she’s the queen of techniques and on her blog she has some very clear and easy tutorials on such things as Faux Leather, Glitter Shading and fab titled Black Magic Technique (well worth a try!)
So, if you in need of real inspiration Penny’s blog is well worth a look!
By Paula Whittaker (BettyBoo)

The Bumper Book of Papers
Search Press
ISBN 9350800354
RRP £12.99
Consisting of 72 beautiful acid and lignin free papers to cover a multitude of subjects, this book is truly fabulous. Part of a series of ten books designed for the papercrafter, the A4 papers are of a good weight and quality, with a perforated edge and can easily take all that could be thrown at them, from a stamped image to slightly damp Twinkling H20.  Each page is highly inspirational; Russian dolls, globes, chillies, and many cater for that elusive masculine card with the use of boats or checks.  A range of papers which store easily, are very workable, and won’t break the bank, especially if you buy them from the Book People for £5! Your only difficulty will be stopping yourself from buying the whole range!

By Jackie Rainbow (Kitchencrafter)

Artist Trading Cards, by Leonie Pujol
Search Press
ISBN-13 978-1-84448-259-7
RRP £4.99
Leonie Pujol is a well-known designer who works for several companies, runs workshops, demonstrates on QVC and organises an ATC club.  Her book is a slim, affordable volume that contains twenty great designs, each with ideas for variations. She covers a variety of techniques and materials, and always offers ways of extending each project.  This book suits both beginners and experienced crafters.

By Diane von Kesmark (Vonxy)

Artist Trading Card Workshop - Bernie Berlin
North Light Books
ISBN-13-978-1-58180-848-3
£12.99
Bernie Berlin is a mixed-media artist, living in Tennessee, who set up the ATC Yahoo Trading Group in 2003. It has over 2000 members.  The book is in large format and contains 32 “lessons” on techniques to use in making ATCs. There are also ideas for making ATC storage items.  The book is a mine of information, with numerous examples from her gallery. It is suitable for those who have made a start and are seeking fresh inspiration.

By Diane von Kesmark (Vonxy)

Artist Trading Cards (An Anthology of ATCs) - Stampington & Co.
Somerset Studio Publication
ISBN -09717296-4-6
£9.99
This small, slim book is a compilation of work from many artists. It gives some basic background of the history and rules of ATC making, and then gives many examples of styles and techniques.
Included in this book are articles and samples of work by Bernie Berlin who wrote the ATC Workshop book. Unfortunately, it does not give instructions of how to make a particular type of ATC, but it is nonetheless inspirational.

By Diane von Kesmark (Vonxy)

Read or seen any good craft books recently? Let us know! books@papercraftjunkies.com

A £7 entrance fee does tend to give the impression that this was going to be quite an exciting exhibition.  Sadly, not, but at least the car parking was free.  There were plenty of stalls on the ground floor selling a varied range of goods for all types of crafting, whether it be card making, scrap booking, needle craft or art, but there was something lacking. There were few new innovations, I could find nothing for the die cutter enthusiast and only a limited number of demonstrations.

The upper gallery was practically empty of stalls, although there was one area set aside for seated hourly demonstrations.  Debbi Moore had an excellent free class twice a day called “Speed Crafting”, where four tables of six card enthusiasts could learn a four new techniques, including folding a card into a kimono and making a pocket on a square card. The task was to make a card in a very fast four minutes, then move to the next table.  Roars of laughter and frantic card making made this a total success, and Debbi’s enthusiasm was infectious.

I was fortunate enough to meet Maria of Craft Away who was demonstrating alcohol and distress inks on Stampbord. These mini works of art were awe inspiring and she has introduced me to a new craft passion. Now armed with Stampbord I am expecting to raise my game on stamping. In amongst the craft were the obligatory non-craft; handbags, superfluous hair remover (!), makeup, garlic graters and so on, which always makes me cringe. As if I am going to spend my craft money on life’s little necessities! Without doubt, one of the most successful stalls was Every Crafts A Pound.  With a “Buy 12 for the price of 10” show offer it would have simply been bad manners not to part with money.

The facilities at the Bath & West Showground are basic but good. A nice clean café serving beverages, hot pasties, sandwiches and cakes was ample for the amount of people who visited the show, and the toilets are clean and well maintained, the car parking is vast and directions are clear, so from a visitor’s point of view it is a good venue.  However, whether the cost of hiring a stand is too high, or whether insufficient traders were invited or could come, this was not the best craft show, and I heard many ladies voicing the opinion that it was not as good as previous years.  Having said that, being in good company I spent happy four hours and quite a few pounds at Shepton Mallet and will definitely be going again next year.

Artist Trading Card Workshop
by Bernie Berlin

North Light Books
ISBN-13-978-1-58180-848-3
RRP £14.99

Bernie Berlin is a mixed-media artist, living in Tennessee, who set up the ATC Yahoo Trading Group in 2003. It has over 2000 members.

The book is in large format and contains 32 “lessons” on techniques to use in making ATCs. There are also ideas for making ATC storage items.

The book is a mine of information, with numerous examples from her gallery. It is suitable for those who have made a start and are seeking fresh inspiration.

Artist Trading Cards (An Anthology of ATCs)

By Stampington & Co.

Somerset Studio Publication
ISBN -09717296-4-6
£9.99

This small, slim book is a compilation of work from many artists. It gives some basic background of the history and rules of ATC making, and then gives many examples of styles and techniques.

Included in this book are articles and samples of work by Bernie Berlin who wrote the ATC Workshop book. Unlike the Workshop book, it does not give instructions of how to make a particular type of ATC, but it is nonetheless inspirational.

If like me, you have trouble using a craft knife, then this little tool could well be the answer.

The Finger Tip knife looks a bit like one half of a pair of scissors. Your forefinger goes through the one and only loop, and you apply pressure on the shaft that holds the blade, just as you would when writing with a pencil.

It comes with a blade-protector so that you can carry the knife in your craft tote with no risk of damage, and a spare blade is also supplied.

At a R.R.P of £2.99 this is a real bargain. I have bought 4 as presents for friends who have difficulties using a knife due to arthritis etc.