CHA 2015: Simple Stories

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Simple Stories has a new line that is pretty unique. “I Am”. Some elements of this line are really exciting to me. Mostly I’m liking that they took some risk and made a “self” type line. We do NOT see that often!

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I like the little pockets with tabs and chipboard (below), as well as the brads and several of the papers.

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I’m really into the idea of this line, one that is empowering and focused on self. The only pieces I really am not interested in are the stickers (too much “I am” and I’m not a repetitive words girl). It really is a lovely color palette and great concept for a paper line.

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Loving the colors and patterns (above). Also exciting – 4×6 Snap albums!

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This makes me think of vacation and other smaller scale project albums. I really love the Snap book that I use for our camping adventures – so if I’m in the market for a small book I’ll likely check one of these out. Maybe a Christmas 2015 daily type album? Who knows!

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Speaking of fun… look at these.

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Now I realize these are designed so you can crop (without a trimmer), but I argue that this would be GREAT for making mixed media layouts! Use the plastic as a mask so you’re not getting gungy stuff on your photo area! Use it to stencil or mist around. Create designs! I’m totally getting this and I will see if it works out as I think it will.

CHA 2015: Brett Weldele and Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous

The other Stamper’s Anonymous artist that really wowed me was Dina Wakley – you can see her stuff already posted in the post that I did a few days ago just about her.

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First up, Brett Weldele is back with six new stamps and some stencils too. I’ll be passing on the stamps this round just because I don’t see myself really using any of them. But don’t get me wrong – they’re awesome. I especially love that he gave us some zombies that could be really fun to color and make gory. I also weirdly love the cat with monocle.

What will I be buying? The stencils.

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The scales blows my mind – need, want, love. The tentacles too.

Speaking of good ideas, on the other side of the booth was all the Tim Holtz stamping and stenciling goodness.

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First up: the mini blueprints will now come in 4-packs so you can just get the set you want instead of having to get three sets/12 stamps. YAY!

Continue reading “CHA 2015: Brett Weldele and Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous”

CHA 2015: Finnabair for Prima

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Anna (aka Finnabair) is such an incredible artist, and I remember seeing her work for the first time just a few years ago and thinking how talented and wonderful. She happened to be standing behind me at the time – so guess it is good I loved her stuff!

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Fast forward to this week, and I was able to see her line that is continuing to develop with Prima Marketing. Some of these items are already available in stores, some are brand new for this show.

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I have several of her art mediums (gel, crackle, etc) that I will be reviewing soon(ish), and I was excited to see she’s bringing glitter and mica and those types of things back!

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I’m also very excited by her really cool art stamps. Some available in block, and all in cling format.

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Continue reading “CHA 2015: Finnabair for Prima”

CHA 2015: Crate Paper

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In addition to the Maggie Holmes line, Crate Paper has two lovely new lines this show. First up, Craft Market.

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My favorite thing are these wood veneer hoops. HECK YES! It reminds me to get out my own actual hoops out, but I also really want these.

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Oh and yes, of course I’ll share here what I make! This should begin shipping next month – the line is cute it just has a lot of kraft + pink + gold…

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All things I approve of!

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LOVE the burlap and these stickers…

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Their other line hits on the trendy road trip/vintage trailer trend. “Journey” ships this spring and will be ready for the summer road trip season!

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Love the chipboard, as well as many of the patterned papers.

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Also in this line, great cork words, alphas, and all the usual embellishments you’d expect from Crate Paper.

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I really like the offerings from Crate, and I can’t wait to create with both of these lines.

CHA 2015: Tim Holtz and Ranger Present the Distress Ink of the Month

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While the suspense is KILLING me, I do believe the idea of releasing a new (surprise) Distress color each month is a wonderful idea. I love this presentation from Tim Holtz and Ranger for so many reasons:

  • gives us (the consumers) just one color a month to think about and/or consider adding in some form to our collections
  • lets us pick which products we want to add – no more waiting months for the spray or the marker or whatever item wasn’t offered at first!
  • gives store owners a wonderful opportunity to make an event out of the reveal each month, as well as a lovely little display for their stores
  • gives us all something to watch for each month!

I just love that from every aspect as consumers (or store owners!) Ranger has made this a really fun way to make 2015 the year of Distress Ink. I have several ideas rolling around my head for ways to showcase this and future colors – stay tuned! They’re keeping future colors VERY secret until reveal – so no I don’t know what else we’ll see!

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Note for mini ink pad fans – they’ll release after four months (Example: Jan > April) in a set of four. All the existing/older colors of distress? Those are available in mini individually now!

My personal hope – and yes I want to go on record with this in case I’m right – is for some kind of an orchid color between pink and purple. Oh how I’d love to see that presented in a special month… May!! 😉

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January’s Cracked Pistachio is now available for pre-order at Simon Says Stamp as a set and should be shipping soon. Ranger promises a color each month – but there is not a set reveal or shipping date at this time. I don’t know if they’ll change that or if we will simply have to stay tuned each month for the surprise…