A note from Leandra ...
It is always an exciting event when a new designer joins the team, and Kate comes to us ready to begin a new phase in her creative walk, partnering with us as manufacturer of her stamps and stencils.
Many of you may be aware that, Kate was previously designing for Carabelle Studio, who surprised us all when they announced their intention to close in Autumn 2023.
Kate, who is based in the North of the UK, has worked consistently over the years to build a loyal and dedicated following that has quickly evolved and expanded across the globe. You might have attended one of her regular classes at Art From the Heart in Harrogate, or perhaps seen her demo at a show for Stampers Grove, or maybe you have taken a live-streamed class with her from your corner of the globe. Kate has creative interests ranging from textiles to ceramics to paper, and working across different media really adds depth to what she can share as a mixed media artist.
Having a teaching background, she is a fabulous person to learn from, and who wouldn't love to learn more about her quirky mixed-media layers and striking colour combinations? Kate is equally at home with paints & inks or alcohol inks and infusions. Whatever she makes, there are sure to be elements in all her layers that resonate with you, from bright and cheerful marks through to infusion tickled images, or backgrounds made from stencils dripping in colour.
We kick off this release with a significant number of products giving Kate lots to use in her upcoming classes; 5 large A5 stamps sets, 5 stencils and 8 mini stamps. You will soon find out there is a fun mix of abstract designs and those adorable quirky characters that Kate so loves to create; be it loved-up fish, frilly birds or miniature winged houses.
If you would like to see this release revealed, and the numerous samples Kate has created, then head on over to our Facebook Community PaperArtsy People at 20:30 Paris time, or catch the replay, it will be pinned to the featured posts at the top of the group page for easy access.
Welcome Kate, we really hope you enjoy being part of the PaperArtsy family, it's lovely to have you here!
Leandra & Mark
Kate and Leandra will be LIVE over in our Facebook Group, 'PaperArtsy People' shortly after this post publishes, and ... don't forget
These stamps are ONLY available EXCLUSIVELY from our approved stockists. Please check the list at the foot of this post to find a retailer online or geographically near you, it makes sense to order within your country where possible.
Our retailers also endeavour to join the designer's live to share their direct shopping links - this makes it super easy for you to find a store with product in stock immediately.
Hi everyone, Kate here, and I'm absolutely delighted to be here. Thanks for the very warm welcome.
I've been playing with mixed media for many, many years but Paper Artsy were the first rubber stamps I ever bought so it feels really special to be joining the team here. I have been designing for quite a while now but drawing and doodling forever so I'm very happy to be sharing some of my quirky hand drawn characters alongside grungy background elements that all work seamlessly together.
I have been happily playing with my new collection using Frescos, Infusions, and experimenting with colouring with Mattints so you'll see a bit of everything in my samples, but one thing for sure, you will see a lot of colour! I'm super happy to have stencils too, four of which are great for creating all over background pattern, and one which has all of my 'essential' mark making so fabulous for top layers. I like to throw in a bit of alcohol ink, and add extra transparent layers, and often a bit of stitching (always optional as it's purely decorative and not at all functional).
I'm also a very messy creator. Very! I love products that are a little bit unpredictable (Infusions!) and always try to find different ways to use things. I'm not afraid to try something just to see what happens - experimenting is key. My art is made of multiple simple layers - nothing is too hard! But typically a lot of layers to achieve the depth and complexity that I love to create. I look forward to sharing plenty more ideas, samples, techniques and getting very messy with you going forwards.
....
Let me introduce you to a collection of 'Mini Moos' measuring just 3 x 7cm, it was very fashionable a few years ago to trade these with other artists. These are a great way to use tiny leftover scraps of ready-made backgrounds and to showcase the stamps, so here you see paint, alcohol ink, infusions. No stamp is too big for these, just chop them down and use remnants!
Kate Crane Red Rubber Mini Stamps
Price: RRP €4.90 +VAT
Size: generally credit card (ish) size images
All stamps are individually trimmed onto cling foam
Here we have eight minis featuring some of my quirky birds and crazy fish. Who says a Sword Fish can't carry and deliver a heart?! These are adorably small. And you'll find in the mix a few backgrounds to add textural layers to your backgrounds and even one of my scribbles. I LOVE scribbles! This is a brilliant way to add something to ground an image - give it something to stand on. And of course a few quotes in my favourite vintage typewriter style.

Kate Crane Mini 001 (code: KCM001)
Who doesn't love a bit of text? This is such a useful stamp and a great way to add depth and texture to your background. Of course you don't have to use the whole stamp. Using it unmounted is a great way to add touches of colour and texture as seen here on this fishy journal page.
Grungy tag background
I created a background using infusions (A Bit Jaded) and added extra layers with the mini text KCM001 (and also white painted dots using a stencil but more on that later). I have also brought the Scribble stamp KCM002 in around the very edges.
Another background using Infusions (Magenta) with extra stamped layers using the text again, and also the scribbled circles 003. I stamped tone on tone here, it's a great and subtle way to build interest in the background, and then add a bit of depth by stamping in black too.
And here we have a few fish (from the larger set) happily swimming amongst the text!
Kate Crane Mini 002 (code: KCM002)
Art Journal page - Inner Beauty
Oh that scribble! We happily scribble as children but as we grow older we sometimes lose the freedom to just let go and scribble, but I love it. I created the image for this stamp by scribbling with black ink and a dip pen, and i find it so useful for both grounding an image as well as adding a little extra around the edges.
And here some grungy backgrounds again, with scribbly edges and a few scribbled circles.


Kate Crane Mini 003 (code: KCM003)
Mini Journal Collage
Another really useful stamp. I created this image by ... you guessed it ... scribbling with ink and a dip pen! Adding touches of black to a brightly coloured background really helps to make the colours pop.
Here there are a few more layers added, including a transparent overlay, but you can still see those circles peeping through.
Kate Crane Mini 004 (code: KCM004)
Mini journal page - Arty Party!
This is a small journal page I created to go in my little Travelers Notebook journal, using this silly, frilly bird! I coloured it twice and then cut one in half to make a line of birdies all heading somewhere. Well, to an arty party! On an Infusions background, and that little scribble stamp again. (You see? It's a very useful stamp!)

Kate Crane Mini 005 (code: KCM005)
Oh, it's another silly bird! They have huge appeal and always bring a smile!
Crazy bird tag
I layered up some of the backgrounds I created with stencils (more on that later), added rows of toadstools from the larger set KCM004 and then added this feathered crazy on the top. In fact I stamped him twice and layered it up so his wings were doubled up for dimension. I think he looks a bit regal here. King Bird!

Kate Crane Mini 006 (code: KCM006)
Take Flight Greetings Card
Well, we all love a quote stamp. But I think it's interesting to try and use them a bit differently. Here I cut the house off the hilltop and added wings for a flying house, so it made perfect sense to use the 'Take Flight' quote!

Kate Crane Mini 007 (code: KCM007)
Fishy Fishy Tag Card
Teeny tiny fishies! I stamped these onto card and then coloured around them with Mattints, and also coloured the fishies with Mattints. (These are a super easy way to colour images) Layered up on stencilled backgrounds, and then lots of glitter, because SPARKLE! These fish are really quite detailed (in a small kind of a way) so great for colouring in multi-colour.
Kate Crane Mini 008 (code: KCM008)
Swordfish Love Tag
What is it with fish? I just love crazy fish! My quirky head tells me it makes perfect sense for a swordfish to be carrying something hanging off his sword.
I coloured him (her?) with layers of Mattints, placed on an infusions background, but I also used a transparent layer (DuraLar Wet Media) with additional circles created with Infusions again. This crazy swordfish makes me chuckle!
