Cool Cardz Scratcheez – Review

Posted on August 3, 2016 by Fiona Martin

Cool Cardz Scratcheez is a great new craft set from Cool Create, where children can make, design and laminate fun cards to give their friends, family or keep for themselves. The set has an added feature with scratchable stickers that you can place on top of the laminate and friends can scratch it off to reveal a secret message.

The set comes with the following:

Boho Chic handbag design studio
20 laminates
20 cards
2 sparkling ring stampers
2 Boho Chic themed sticker sheets
1 Colour Scratch Off Stickers sheet
1 Message Scratch Off Stickers sheet
48 gems
1 felt pen
1 scratching tool

I thought there were quite a few accessories with this kit and my daughter immediately wanted to get stuck in creating some cards. What I really liked was that the set can all be packed away inside the handbag shaped case, which is also home to the laminator tool. This keeps everything tidy and also makes it portable to take to friends houses etc.

The idea is you select a card, all of which have a muted background design and then you create a design, picture or message on the card. You can also add pretty stickers to add to the look.

You then take a laminating pouch, open it up and put each half through the yellow laminator tool. Place your card inside and slide the yellow part over which basically peels a paper layer from the pouch to reveal a sticky side which sticks the pouch together containing the card inside.

Then on top of the laminated card you can add gems and the special scratcheez stickers. This can cover a message that will only be revealed once the design is scratched off . There are also black stickers that you can scratch off to reveal a pretty design using the stick and they have a coloured rainbow effect behind.

My daughter has really enjoyed making the Cool Cardz and has started making some for her school friends. This is a fun, different kit that she’s really found enjoyable. Refill kits are available which is a great idea and ou can also get ones based on different themes.

All reviews are my own and my family’s opinions and we received the product in order to write an honest review.

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Shaker Maker Disney Princess Cinderella and Rapunzel

Posted on November 4, 2015 by Fiona Martin

Shaker Maker Disney Princess Cinderella and Rapunzel from Cool Create is a fun, simple plaster kit for children that allows them to create decorative pieces that they can enjoy on the shelves in their bedroom.

The shaker maker consists of a Shaker Maker pod, 2 princess moulds, 2 packs of plaster, 2 stands and a paint set, everything you need to complete this kit.

I wasn’t sure what to expect with the Shaker Maker and how messy it would be but I have to say I was really impressed – so simple for a child to use and completely mess free!

All you have to do is add some warm tap water into one half of the shaker pod up to a certain line then tip the bag of plaster in. In the lid, insert one of the princess moulds then screw the lid on to the base. Shake well and then tip so that the mould is at the bottom and the plaster mixture sits perfectly in the mould, no mess, no touching it, all the hard work is done for you.

Then gently tap the sides to remove air bubbles and leave to stand for at least an hour to dry out.

My daughter couldn’t wait to start painting them which is a part she really enjoyed. The paint brush that is included is really fine, much better than the usual brushes you get with kids kits, which enabled my daughter to try and add some detail.

I think the finished results look great and this is a great kit for kids to get crafty with, experiencing plaster moulding and painting. This would make a great gift anytime, something they can enjoy doing and something that they can keep after. The moulds are also reusable so if you buy some more plaster you can make some more princesses!

All reviews are my own and my family’s opinions and we received the set in order to write an honest review.

Bloom Pops Flower Design Studio from Cool Create – Review

Posted on August 28, 2014 by Fiona Martin

Bloom Pops Flower Design Studio from Cool Create is a fun craft kit where you can design flower motifs. They can be made again and again in different designs or used to stick wherever you want, be it something you want to decorate, make a badge or whatever else you choose.

With over 2 sheets of fabric flower petals, 1 Bloom Pop Maker, 6 sticky pads, 6 flower bases, 6 silicon buttons, 18 flower spacers, 1 unpopper tool, 1 display tree, 45 sparkly gems and instructions you can create many unique designed fabric flowers, which any young girl who loves creating, designing and making will enjoy!

It comes with a doll figure which is used to pop the button centre of the flower on but pushing her arms down. Aimed at 5yrs + this was perfect for 6yr old Miss M to play with and create with independently and something she enjoyed doing.

I like the fact that it comes with a moulded tray on which to put all the pieces, there are several sections to put the smaller pieces in and a set place to stand the popper doll. It also comes with a display tree upon which you can display your flower creations and this also fits into the tray.

Miss M really enjoying making different flower combinations. You build a flower by starting with a base, adding layers of petals and spacers which add to the 3D effect, and then use the doll popper to pop a middle onto the flower which also holds it all together. You then have the option of putting a sticky pad on the back, depending on where or how you want to use the flower. They is also an unpicker tool which easily unpops the centre of the flower allowing you to take it apart and start again with a new design.

We’ve enjoyed Bloom Pops, it’s a fun way to be creative and a bit different to other craft sets. The flowers look lovely displayed on the tree in Miss M’s bedroom and she plans to use other flowers in pictures and artwork that she makes.

Why not give Bloom Pops a try today?

All reviews are my own and my family’s opinions and we received Bloom Pops in order to write the review.

Cool Create Cool Bandz – Review

Posted on August 7, 2014 by Fiona Martin

Cool Bandz is one of the latest range of craft kits from the Cool Create brand allowing children to make, decorate and laminate fun paper bracelets to wear themselves or giveaway to friends.

The kit consists of:

1 bracelet maker
24 pre designed wrist band strips
12 clips
1 sticker sheet
1 sticker sheet
1 gem sheet
1 roll of adhesive tape

Miss M couldn’t wait to get started and began by separating the pre designed strips and picking out her favourites. You can then add any of the stickers and gems to decorate them further. Some even have a space to write on and she did one with her name, one for Mister B and one for Mummy!

Once you have decorated the strip, you place it in the laminator. You can then easily pull the strip through and it gets cleverly covered by the roll of tape giving it a shiny, more durable finish. You then pop each end in the little hole punch slot and press down on the purple button to make a hole in each end. The ends then simply clip together with one of the plastic clips that just snap together.

Once Miss M had made the first band with my guidance, she was off making all different designs for each of us. Mister B eagerly watched picking the strips and stickers he wanted Miss M to use for his band. Miss M at 6 yrs old is the perfect age for this, she could create them independently and sat happily engrossed making bracelets with her little Cool Bandz machine for much of the morning.

This is a fun creative toy that young girls will love. There are plenty of patterned strips to keep them occupied although I would have liked to have seen a few more clips and gems included in the kit. You can also use any paper strips of your choice, so if you have some pretty paper, or fancy drawing your own design, you can and then place it in the sticky tape laminator to strengthen it and turn it into a bracelet.

My children had lots of fun creating with the Cool Create Cool Bandz, a great indoor crafting activity that’s fun, keeps them occupied and lets them make their own jewellery!

All reviews are my own and my family’s opinions and the Cool Bandz was sent to us in order to write the review.

Suteki Stencil Station – Review

Posted on April 15, 2014 by Fiona Martin

Suteki! Mega Stencil Station by Cool Create is the new Japanese stenciling art craze using a golden ninja stamper aimed at children aged 5+. The set comes with 9 stencils, 3 picture frames, 4 coloured paints, a ninja stamper and a workstation.

Suteki! has everything you need to produce three finished framed pictures although the paints, stamper, stencils can be used again and again.

The stencils are layered using different coloured paints on each stencil to create a picture. You receive enough stencils to create three different pictures, three stencils being used for each. Also included are three picture frames consisting of a front frame, backplate and sticky pad on the back to adhere to a place of your choosing.

As soon as 6 year old Miss M caught sight of this, her eyes lit up. She loves her arts and crafts and the Suteki box really appealed to her. It was the golden ninja stamper that really caught her eye and she was eager to try it out.

The first design she tried was of a girl. You start by placing a blank cardboard square into the workstation, then put the first stencil in place. The stencils are cleverly coloured the same as the paints so you know which colour paint to use with each one. Although this is only a guide and you are free to colour them as you wish. The workstation has four areas to squirt each coloured paint into – a job Miss M thought was great fun!

It’s then time to start by dipping the golden ninja stamper into a coloured paint. The stamper is a great size to hold and comes with 2 screw on sponge applicators at the bottom. This allows you to swap to use a different colour without having to wash the sponge every time.

Once you have paint on the applicator then dab it on top of the stencil ensuring all the cut out bits are covered in paint. It is then best to allow the paint to dry for about 5 minutes before continuing. During this time we carefully lifted off the stencil and washed it along with the sponge applicator.

When the paint is dry, you cover the picture in the next stencil and use a different colour repeating the dabbing process as before. Finally repeat with a third stencil to get the finished picture.

As you can see above, the finished result of the Suteki is very effective. Miss M absolutely loved doing this and it was easy for her to produce a great piece of art without it being too involved. I like the idea that frames are included as this really brings the picture to life and it’s ready to hang on the wall. This is perfect for her age of 6 years and requires minimum effort for a fabulous return. Anyone can do this, I think the age of 5+ is correct though in terms of keeping the template steady and not over dipping the stamper in the paint.

Miss M was keen to create another picture straightaway, so she got to work creating the monkey picture. By now she was well away on her own, happily following the process I’d guided her through on the first picture.

And look how proud she is of the finished result!

I have to say Miss M had a huge grin on her face the whole time while doing this Suteki activity apart from a few moments of concentration here and there. She throughly enjoyed it and was eager and keen throughout. I like it because it something a bit different, it has an element of fun with the golden ninja stamper and has been designed well with a plastic workstation tray that keeps any mess contained.

Here is Miss M proudly showing her finished pictures!

Suteki has been a hit in this house, a fun activity that I think is great for children to enjoy. It is a lovely to have a finished piece at the end that can be admired and enjoyed long after it was created.

What not give Suteki a go or check out the Cool Create website where there are prizes to be won!

And if you are looking for other Cool Create art and craft sets, why not check out our Cool Create Daisy Chains review.

All reviews are my own and my family’s opinions and we received the product in order to write the review.

Cool Create Daisy Chains Crafting Fun – Review

Posted on February 26, 2014 by Fiona Martin

Cool Create Daisy Chains is a fun new craft set aimed at young girls who enjoy making jewellery. Miss M loves anything craft related, so she couldn’t wait to get started when she saw the box.

The kit contains:

1 flower making unit
30 fabric flowers
20 flower beads
10 round beads
1 picker/hair clip
4 clips to join jewellery

The kit is designed to allow you to make flowers that are daisy chained together and turn them into jewellery and hair clips. The flower making unit is cute and gives assistance in putting the flowers together by layering petals, beads and stalks, then using the picker tool to lift the petals over the stems to create the flowers.

Miss M who is 6 immediately grasped the concept of building the flowers, although they can be a little fiddly, but she was trying to rush. By going slowly and carefully the flowers all came together more easily. Once each flower is made you can chain them together to form a daisy chain using the flower making unit to assist you.

The daisy chains can then be joined in circles of varying lengths to make bracelets and necklaces or even a daisy chain to wear around your hair. The picker tool can also be used to make a hair clip by attaching a flower to it.

Miss M thoroughly enjoyed the Cool Create Daisy Chains and once she got started she didn’t want to stop. It was great to see her sitting making the daisy chains independently once she got to grips with what she was doing and only required minimal assistance from me. She loved picking out the different petals and flower centres and had them all lined up ready to make although she did get a little frustrated that the petals didn’t stay at the top of the stalks.

The flowers can be taken apart after and used again if you so wish although I would have like to have seen some more stalks, petals and beads in the box so more things could be made at a time. Miss M was only able to make one bracelet, necklace and a hair clip which she loved doing but wanted to carry on.

The set is aimed at ages 4+, which is about right but would probably require more assistance at that age. I loved it because Miss M enjoyed this on her own once she knew what to do and she really enjoyed making the daisy chains, in fact when I asked her opinion she said “I love this, it’s so much fun”, which I think says it all!

All reviews are my own and my family’s opinions and we received the craft kit in order to write the review.