Month: July 2011

Best of CHA: Tim Holtz

There is one person noticeably absent from my “best of CHA” series, Mr. Tim Holtz. It was intentional you see – as I am so in love with so much of his product – it needs it’s own post.

 <www.thescrappyjedi.com photo credit>

1. Tim Holtz Distress Stains
There is no other product that I could start this list with! I have been crossing my fingers that Ranger and Tim Holtz would release some more distress stains this show. I have been begging for more any chance I get, and so you can imagine my delight that they released all of them, including a white one called “Picket Fence”.

 <photo from timholtz.com>

I am just dying to get my fingers on each and every one of these. Brushed Corduroy, as my #1 fave distress ink pad color is at the top of the list. But don’t leave out the Mustard seed, Worn Lipstick, Marmalade, Victorian velvet, milled lavender, pumice stone… err… yeah. I want them all.

2. Core’dinations Tim Holtz Kraft-Core “Nostalgic Collection” Cardstock
I chose just one paper for this list, and it had to be the Tim Holtz Kraft-Core Nostalgic Collection cardstock from Core’dinations. Not only does it come in a beautiful palette of colors, but the kraft colored core combines my favorite neutral with my favorite material to start any layout with (cardstock), which makes it a real winner! Core’dinations has a lot of wonderful new product coming out – from new manufacturer-inspired cardstocks to dotted cardstock – but this one is by far my favorite.

3. Embossing Folders

LOADS of new embossing folders – the one above is my absolute favorite. I can not wait to get that flourish folder and those awesome little ones too… such great texture fade designs from Tim Holtz + Sizzix.

 

4. New Dies

I love the seasonal feel of this batch of new die cuts. The mini ones above? Be still my heart! LOVE! I am also loving the patriotic, christmas, jack-o-lantern faces… oh heck who am I kidding? Love most all of them. But the flowers + bunny I just NEED. Also? The doily edge?! Oh my. OH yes please. The tiny snowflakes will be PERFECT accents on my gift tags this Christmas or as masks for misting or… yeah. I’m feeling the holiday spirit.

5. Seasonal Kraft Resist Paper

I realize this is a LOT of paper – especially for seasonal. But it’s worth it. Why? Because it’s kraft, it’s 100% neutral. You can make it work and color it to work with ANY color palette, therefore it’ll work for this year, next year, five years from now. Timeless stuff. Also this would be GREAT pattern wise for decor, gift tags, bags, and other crafty endeavors that are so popular during the holidays.

6. Trinket case

I had a really cool box similar to this for years and loved it – but this one is even better! In color, design… oh I want to see one of these in person real bad. It’s SO handy to have a container that takes up a smaller space and folds out like this. it’s great for taking to crops, when space on your desk is limited, and so much more. Sign me up!

I am going to stop here, though I could talk for hours about my love of the new stationary line coming, the metal embellishments, the kraft letter stickers, the big pot ‘o rock candy distress crackle paint…

but don’t think I’ll be stopping my posting of projects + ideas with this awesome product!! I’ve got ideas… oh yes I do…

Double Take: Now open for registration!

That’s right – the class I’m teaching with the fabulous Nic Howard is now open for registration! Here’s a link to the page with all the info:

http://www.bigpictureclasses.com/doubletake.php

If you’ve got questions feel free to email me or post here.

*excited dance*

we’re ready to have such fun making double page layouts with you…

Idea-ology project #2: Post Card

What could be better than playing with the new Kraft Resist Christmas paper from Tim Holtz? How about turning it into a pink & purple Disney World layout! Here’s another CHA project I made for Tim’s booth:

I started by taking the “post card” paper, cutting the section I wanted, and applying Dusty Concord distress stain all over the paper. I then spritzed with Perfect Pearls mist (in perfect pearl) and wiped off the excess moisture on the ‘resist’ parts of the paper. The background of my page is Core’dinations (Distress) cardstock in Milled lavender.

My “R” is one of the new chipboard resist letters – treated with the dusty concord distress stain. The key, flourish stamp, and well everything else on this page is Tim Holtz as well (of course!)

Gotta love my rosette die… I use it so much! Here’s my finished page:

It features my favorite journaling tickets, and I used spun sugar distress stain on the rosette ribbon too. For the title, I put glossy accents over the letters within the patterned paper. Then, when I was ready to place my photos I just used a craft knife to cut the bottoms of the letters out so they could be over my photos. EASY!

I love that I can go totally pink + purple and pure girly with my Tim Holtz supplies as easily as I can greens & browns. The products available let me do so much, and always ahve a great creative time.

Best of CHA: Part 3

Time for part three- are you ready?! I have a few (ok a lot) more of my favorites to share… I realize I LOVE a lot of things… can’t be helped!! GREAT releases this show. Here we go:

Let’s get things started with these Delights from American Crafts. I love the layered flower look – and these take out all the work of making my own. So cute.

Amy Tangerine for American Crafts has to be one of the most exciting releases of the show. This new partnership? Made in crafty heaven. I love how Amy’s signature look translates into paper craft supply goodness.

The thickers are in colors and fonts I’m loving, all the fabric elements will be perfect for adding texture and dimension to my projects, and the paper so useful and great colors. Her line with American Crafts was the talk of the show – and for good reason. From the patterned paper to the tapes, I want all of it as soon as possible. Check out Scrap Time for a booth video tour.

 

We also need to talk about this new sheet of Thickers from the “Nightfall” line by American Crafts. The tall skinny font in black is both playful and fun, and I can envision these in use combined with tiny alpha stickers or standing on their own. Thicker letter stickers are so often in my purchases – this comes as no surprise to me! Also? AC is just full of happy surprises like the stickers on the left. Dimensional, adorable, totally ready to accent my every page… so great to see all this new stuff coming from them.

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Jenni Bowlin has been one of my favorites since I was just a girl managing a scrapbook store… and it remains so. I’ve said many times that I love not just her designs, but the fact that her product is timeless and works with so much, and it never gets stale.


These Doily Flowers from Jenni Bowlin slipped under my “awesome radar” until I saw images on Jenni’s twitter feed of them from the show floor. But better late than never…these lovely vintage inspired bits will be perfect for adding a floral embellishment to any craft project. They’ll be lovely layered with other elements or even on their own, maybe with a rhinestone or pearl brad in the center.

(above photo by Melissa) From her extended line with Ranger (hooray!) to the holiday products released, I’m loving where Jenni Bowlin is going. Also? I have seen some glimpses via twitter of her August Kit – and I am pretty sure I’m going to NEED to buy that one…

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Oh Melissa Frances, how I love you. Her products are dang near impossible to find (if you  have a source – PLEASE do tell!) but I love them when I can get my hands on them. Now check these out:

You know I’m a little decor house FREAK… so these (which I saw on Christine’s flickr photostream) I was really excited. These tiny houses from Melissa Frances come plain and can be embellished however you please. With their adorable metal tops – they are the perfect DIY Christmas tree ornaments. I can’t wait to find these beauties and play! (oh and I so WILL be finding them)

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Wendy Vecchi’s Art Parts both terrify and enchant me. They are such AMAZING canvases for creating art, and the possibilities are endless. I am loving them – and I’m loving the pieces that feel like they could become photo frames/more useful home decor as well. LOVING. Everything she does is so darn artistic and cool – love her stuff and how inspiring she is. I want the heart and the filmstrip ones (shown above) the most. [note: above photo by Melissa]

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Finally, I’ve got to end this post with Jillibean Soup. Oh for the love of cute!

Honestly? I don’t even quite know where to start. The lines are all amazing from alphabets to papers, buttons and everything in between. I love the colors, the look, and it all looks super useful as well – which is key!  Just check out these alphas…

*happy crafty shiver*

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