Scrapbook Product News

Tim Holtz's Ideaology line, along with 7gypsies, is for me what I covet most in the scrapbook embellishment world. I love the retro, urban chic look that somehow combines romantic nostalgia, wordly travel, and simplicity all at once. My mind races with ideas and projects every year when he unveils his new line. This year is no different. Here is a sneak peak and a link to his website where you can see even more from the new line.

  

enjoy all the new inspiration heading our way!

-dw.

Feel like Stamping?

All I can say is.....WOW!

It's not very often the scrapbooking industry can leave me with my jaw hanging open, but Teresa Collins did just that yesterday when she announced her newest product!

The Teresa Collins Stampmaker Machine!

We will be able to create stamps in the comfort of our own studios! How cool is that?!

You can read all about it HERE on her blog.

Enjoy discovering what's new in the papercrafting world again!

-d.

What's New in Scrapbooking - Part 2

In the Tool category a few things caught my interest...

The i-Top tool isn't new, but Imaginisce has added some new things to "top!" Now you can top magnets (perfect for those adorable magnetic perpetual calendars), brads, buttons and badges.

And how many times have you poked your finger trying to set a brad? We Are Memory Keepers introduced the tool that will end that problem! I haven't tried it yet but am anxious to add it to my toolbox!

Fiskars introduced a new personal trimmer with a patented triple blade and rail system that interlock for straighter, more precise cuts. (Fingers crossed that we finally can get perfect cuts from a personal size trimmer!) I love my large Fiskars trimmer but have not had as much luck finding a travel-sized version that I feel as good about. Maybe this time....

In the oranizational category, only a couple items have caught my attention...

Simply Renee's new Clip It Up floor model. For those with little table or counter space (or just too much stuff - LOL) this is a fabulous solution! This model, retailing for $230, stands 6' tall and has three 15" arms (extra arms can be purchased separately as well). They work great for organizing quilt squares as well as scrapbook supplies and with the ability to adjust the distance between the arms it allows you to customize it to whatever you want it to hold!

This next new product has me re-thinking how I store my ribbon! Best (the people that bring you those fabulous drawer systems) has introduced not only a fabulous ribbon storage system (the containers fit neatly and compactly into drawers), but also a ribbon spooler! One of the reasons I quit storing my ribbon in neat little rolls was because I was spending WAY too much time rolling it! Now using a similiar concept as DMC thread users have been using for years, Best gives us a large enough version for ribbon! I love it!

Watch for my favorite paper lines released at CHA in Part 3 of What's New in Scrapbooking!

enjoy the newest tools of the trade!

-d.

What's New in Scrapbooking....Part 1

As I've mentioned before, I am not a fan of the sugary-cute and whimsical that is so popular in the papercrafting world right now. That's not to say I never do layouts with bright colors or a touch of whimsy, it is just not my go-to style of choice. I am usually more drawn to the romantic and shabby-chic looks. I can't get enough of muted, distressed prints filled with swirls, crowns, and a hint of edginess. And lets not forget my long-time obsession with all that is damask!

So, with that in mind....I bring you *MY* top picks from the 2010 Winter CHA (Craft & Hobby Association) Show held last month. I am happy to report that I managed to find enough top picks to put a major dent in any scrapbooker's budget!

I'll begin with one of my all-time favorites.....7gypsies! They never disappoint me. I am bursting with excitement over their newest display offering: Letterblock Printer's Trays!!!!! In brown and yes, surely just for me, black too! I cannot wait to get my hands on this baby!
Quite some time ago after seeing Ali Edwards' wonderful display piece she created using an antique tray (right), I decided I just had to make one. However, first I had to find a tray; not such an easy (or affordable) acquisition in my area. But now, thanks to 7gypsies, my search is over!
They also released a great ephemera line called Ancienne (below), a paper line I loved, titled Avignon, and much, much more.

Since I started this review with one of my favorite companies, I'll follow it up with another favorite, Tim Holtz.
This year he has partnered with Sizzix to produce Alterations, "Tim's take on die cuts" and embossing. Coming in April, Texture Fades: texture plates in which the design fades out in places to create a more altered look. These plates will be deep enough to add texture to Tim's Grungeboard as many other things! Also an entire line of dies designed by Tim. Everything from file tabs for your mini albums to creative, album-cover edges! I love how this man's brain works! And last but not least, a new Alterations machine by Sizzix...coming in July. Not to mention additions to his Idea-ology line and incredible new stamp designs for Stamper's Anonymous.
These lines alone can cripple a crafting budget they are are so wonderful!

And now for a line a bit more on the romantic side....Shabby Green Door released a collection called On the Wings of a Dream. Stamps, papers and embellishments all sure to supply hours of inspiration. While I hadn't heard of this coming before, I became a quick fan!
My last pick for this posting (more picks tomorrow in Part 2) is a company that I grow to love more and more each year. They have taken the chipboard and mini-album markets by storm and, as always, their newest additions make me want to drop everything and create!
Maya Road has added some adorable chipboard theme sets: sewing, baking and whimsical banners (see, I told you I like some occasional whimsy!) along with their usual, incredibly wonderful chipboard mini-albums in shapes we all love...my favorites: the birdcage, baby onsie, and dress form! They have also released an awesome line of baubles to trim out our favorite altered projects as well as the most innovative product I've seen from this year's show so far...
Liquid Resist! Many of us have used templates and masks as a means to create designs with glimmer sprays, but this is the first I've seen a product that you "draw" on and simply peel off!

enjoy the bounty of new products heading our way!
-d.

It's THAT time of year again...

Every year at this time - Craft & Hobby Assoc. Trade Show time - I get a little sad. It's like reverse home sickness. After spending YEARS attending and working this incredible show, where all the latest and greatest in the scrapbook industry are unveiled, I've been away from it now for about three years. And I miss it. Terribly. Yes, I came home exhausted and blistered each time, but it was WORTH it! Because each time, I also came home incredibly INSPIRED! Nothing turns on my creative energy more than being drenched in fresh new products and surrounded by other artsy souls. It is my heaven on earth. Aahhhhh.....

To help me survive my show withdrawls {thankfully} are the many sites that release "sneak peaks" of the newest products being released. I love that I can peruse pages and pages of what I would have seen and touched on the show floor (and certainly nothing beats that, but this is a nice back-up alternative).

With that said...I have a confession to make. This year I'm not quite as sad that I won't be there. I have not been jumping for joy at the lines being released this year. And let me be the first to say...I have NOT seen them all. But the industry seems to be leaning heaviest toward cartoony and flowery designs this year. And well, that just isn't my style. It is for some - and that is great - it's just not me. So I'm not finding tons of inspiration out there this year. Well, that was until I saw these......

Prima is releasing adhesive felt strips, reminding me of the Queen & Company rolls I LOVED. I can't wait to start adhering these to EVERYTHING!

And if that wasn't enough to make me start drooling...Donna Downey has designed some incredible jumbo, foam stamps! I can already see the layouts in my head. Inspiration achieved.

I'm sure there will be more great things to get me fired up, but for now...that's all I have on my shopping list. I'll let you know when I find more!

Since I mentioned Queen & Co.'s awesome felt borders, I thought I would share a couple ways I've used them. Most recently added to a candle to give it that romantic touch. My initial use of the border was for a bedroom mirror. I bordered the sides with the felt and used rub-on words to create a border along the top. Unfortunately, the mirror has since been broken and I do not have any photos of it after it was completed. This in-progress picture will inspire me to re-create it.......someday.



Enjoy the things that ignite your creative energy.
-d.

Quote of the Day...

I love this one so much I plan to add it as the tag line to my blog header...which I am recreating with the help of House of 3! Check out the website to see which three incredible scrapbook artists joined forces to bring us some fabulous new, gotta-have goodies!

Find the Joy in the Journey.

-Thomas S. Monson

enjoy all the new inspiration and products recently released at CHA!
-d.

How a Visual Crafter Organizes

How we create is key to how we organize!

While working on my book "Creative Spaces," I came to the realization that being a very visual person meant I had to organize more visually. Out of sight for me often meant out of thought. I had to find ways to put things "away" while still having them in front of me.

Now I prioritize what needs to be most visible by what I use the most and what I forget about the most.

I love stamps! To me they are little pieces of art in themselves, but I always forgot about them. They were neatly sorted by themes, in cute little drawers, behind cabinet doors. While the room looked crisp and clean with things behind doors, my pages were a little crisper as well....because they didn't have any embellishing! Now I store my most loved stamps in jars and see-through baskets, colanders....anything that keeps them in view. That is not to say as the stamps I will need to make the occasional "welcome baby" card are visible, just those that I know I will use most often. The rest are still neatly sorted by themes, in cute little drawers, behind cabinet doors. Easy to find when they're needed.

I am inspired by seeing my supplies. When I walk into my room and see all the stuff it just makes me want to create something. It stirs up ideas and motivates me. Why do we feel so inspired in a sb store? Because all of the products, colors and images inspire us!

I had a friend make a comment that really opened my eyes. While describing my room to another friend she said, "It's like a store; everything displayed in these cute, little jars!" She was right. I had created my own little "boutique." Putting everything out in the open so that when creating, I could simply peruse my shelves looking for that certain thing I needed. So instead of being called a visual organizer maybe I should use the term, boutique organizer...for those of us that keep that shopping feeling alive!

enjoy the style of organizing that works best for you!
-d.

Look who wised up!

I was shocked this morning to see this...

in my Michael's promo e-mail that I get and, honestly, seldom read. (*So it may not be brand NEW news to everyone else, but it knocked me off my chair a bit!)

Finally, a huge chain-store that realizes that papercrafters want high quality - over cheesy, low-priced - cardstock! I am curious to find out what the price point is!? There must be a few nervous local scrapbooks stores out there right now, as Bazzill has been a huge draw for them. I'm betting this was brought on by the failure/closure of the Recollections stores (Michael's version of a "local" scrapbook stores).

Hmmmm...interesting. And might I say, a much better idea than an entire wall of Martha supplies (sorry all you Martha lovers...I just never bought into her over-sized and over-priced line.) Only time will tell.....

UPDATE: You know I had to do it! I went and checked out Michael's today. The Bazzill paper sells for .69 a sheet. Are they out of their MINDS?!!! Even at 20% off it is .05 MORE than the local sb store! And I have to say, much to my amazement, they STILL have a complete wall dedicated to Miss Martha. Go figure. I was pleasantly surprised by one thing...they had a printed paper special running 4/$1.00 and one of my faves My Mind's Eye - Bohemia line was included! I usually pay $1.00 per sheet for it so I was overjoyed that my 16 sheets rang up to a mere $4.00!!!! All in all...it was a good thing.

enjoy the new selection,

-d.

Something New in Stamping....

People's genius never ceases to amaze me. I love people who take their ideas and put them into action, especially when it is a cool thing for the crafters of the world!
Unity Stamp company developed a new kind of rubber stamp system. It has the advantage of unmounted storability, without the hassle of not having the image pictured on the opposing side for easy use like we get with wood-mounted. Check it out...

I can't wait to get my hands on these!!! Maybe she's looking for more designers and I can finally launch the images I've had tucked away forever?! One just never knows....

enjoy the new products that are getting you excited to craft again!
-d.

CHA New Products Preview...Part 2

Creative Imaginations.....They always have a ton of new stuff to release, but this year they seem to be all about school days and Halloween.

My Minds Eye.....A favorite of mine for some time now, they are releasing 6 new lines!

Luxe.....

Dream Street Designs.....Here are just a few of their newest lines created by my favorite Dream Street designers!

Tinkering Ink.....A unique look for a holiday line.
American Crafts.....As always they are releasing a TON of stuff. Check out their new cardstock line and the cool boxes they come in for easy storage and transporting!

Pink Paisley.....You all know I'm a sucker for new rub-ons!!!

Rusty Pickle.....RP's is rockin' now! I love this line! Great for concerts, boys and my 80's youth!

Technique Tuesday.....These new stamps are adorable, but then not much of what these gals produce isn't!!!

Bo Bunny.....I love this soft yet edgy holiday line!

CHA New Products Preview...

It's that time of year again! Scrapbook store owners will be heading off to Chicago to see and order all the cool, new product releases! So until the products arrive and the shelves are stocked full, here is a sampling to tide you over.
Birds and trees are apparently still the rave (?), as well as urban bold. Girly bling is still hot with the damask, lacy look I currently love! There are still some companies dabbling in traditional and cutsie as well, so don't fear if bold and bling aren't your style. There is plenty of variety for everyone!
Here is part 1 of my CHA Summer '08 Preview:

Teresa Collins.....She is my hands-down favorite designer these days. I love (and own most of) her entire Travelouge line and these new editions are just as awesome!
Tim Holtz......Everybody knows I'm a sucker for just about anything he puts his name on. I just love his grungy, altered, no-rules style!


Heidi Swapp......Typical Heidi designs that I always love!


Webster's Pages.....The Inspired collection, which also has coordinating Calendar pages. Their designs are always soft, elegant, and sophisticated.

Glitz Design.....New paper lines, glitter cardstock stickers, and innovative new Glitzers...transparent stickers with bold colors and BLING! The bling is inside the sticker, so there is no way you'll lose it! Fiskars.....Talk about reinventing yourself. This company seems to do it more every year. Since they began partnering with various small designers/companies, Fiskars has gone way beyond just scissors and trimmers! EK Success.....Releasing 19 new sets of Art Blanche® chipboards alphabets, numbers and popular shapes which coordinate with their existing nesting Paper Shapers® punches (sizes small – XL). You can punch out paper and completely cover the chipboard shape in one step, without the hassle of tracing and cutting the shape! August Retail Release.

DCWV.....New Stack Packs released in 12x12 and 8x8, each containing 48 sheets; and a 4.5 x 6.5 mat stack, containing 72 sheets. Coordinating embellishments are also available. . Grade School Stack. This A+ collection includes 24 acid-free prints, 12 with glitter and foil. Adorable apples, bouncing school buses, chalkboard doodlings and more make up this scholastic collection. Other new themes: High School, Alphabets and Sweet Stacks.

3 Bugs in a Rug.....They always have adorable papers and these are no exception.