Oh The Things You See at CHA...

One of the most interesting things about being at a show like this is looking at the amazing booth displays. Some companies literally go all-out. Here's some of the fun stuff I saw on day #2.

First we have Tim Holtz demoing with someone's iPad stuck in front of him so she could record the whole thing. A little gutzy in my opinion, but you see all kinds...


Next we have some of the samples from Ranger's "Designer Challenge" where they sent a paper mache dress form to a bunch of designers and they had to decorate it using some Ranger products. Tim's was missing, so someone either stole it (yes, a definite possibility) or it was taken down and displayed somewhere else.

This is followed by this peacock created with papers, glitter and crystals. I cannot imagine how long it took someone to do this...

But if you thought the peacock was impressive, this dress really takes the cake! It was hard to get a good picture with a small point and shoot camera, but this dress is made from paper flowers, adorned with Swarofsky crystals! It was truly stunning. Even had a matching shoe!

So, those were the fun finds in day #2.

Jeannette

CHA Day #1 - Elizabeth Craft Designs

Today was day #1 of the official show. We're starting with Elizabeth Craft Designs - I knew Els (the owner) would have some new tricks up her sleeve - she always does. First we have a picture of Els, demoing and making samples for the attendees.


She started doing a "patchwork" effect with pieces of her "shimmer sheets" that had been embossed with dry embossing folders and then sanded and sometimes colored with Stazon inks. She uses her line stickers to cover the overlap of the pieces. The first picture here is a card where she did the patchwork as a background, then added a glitter piece - colored with Copic markers. VERY stunning...

Then she used the same technique to cover the top of a small, spiral bound journal. This was a wonderful idea and looked stunning in person.

We'll have the new shimmer sheets coming in soon and will be showcasing this technique in future classes.
Thanks for checking in...

Jeannette

New Twine Coming from Queen & Company

Hey, we are all loving twine these days and Queen and Company is introducing some new Twine at CHA - including 3-color twine! It is all on order and should be shipping in February! Stay tuned!

Jeannette

Luka with Truck Birthday Card

This is one of the first images I bought from La-La-Land stamps - little Luka with a toy truck. I have always liked this image and decided to do a fun little birthday card with it. It is always a challenge finding good images for little boys birthdays and he works out quite nicely. I stuck to "boy colors" and did a trick I like to use where I dry emboss a printed paper, then use Ranger's Distress inks (Brushed Corduroy in this case) to make the embossed part pop a bit. It works best with ones with a lighter background, as you see the ink and the embossed design more. He is colored with Copic markers and put onto the layers with foam tape.

Thanks for making us part of your day today.

Jeannette

Coming from Ranger - Distress Markers!

This is one of the new releases from Ranger - Distress markers! In all the colors of Distress, plus Picket Fence. these are supposed to have the same characteristics of Distress that we have come to know and love - reacts with water. I am sure Tim will have some at CHA, so I am looking forward to seeing what these markers can do!

Jeannette

A Simple Thank You Card...

I needed a quick thank you card to send to someone. I dug into a container that had some stamped and colored images from a while back (I never throw those away, as they come in handy when you're in a hurry) and pulled out this pink flower image. It is from Penny Black and it is colored with watercolor pencils. I tied a bow with May Arts ribbon and wrapped the ends around the base, punched the words out with a circle punch and added another green circle underneath. That is on with foam tape and all put on a pink card. Quick and easy!

Thanks for stopping in today!
Jeannette

Irojiten Colored Pencils from Tombow...

Tombow is introducing colored pencils to their line - called Irojiten colored pencils. There are a total of 90 colors sold in 3 "books" of 30 - each book contains 3 volumes of 10 pencils each.

They will be featuring these pencils at their booth at CHA, so I will spend some time there seeing what the pencils are like and will report back. Usually products that come out of Japan are of high quality, so I am hopeful that these will be nice pencils. Stay tuned for more reports.

Jeannette

Spellbinders Blog Frenzy Day #8!

We've got 7 dies to show you on day #8 of the Spellbinders blog frenzy. Starting with an aster flower layering die...
Then 3 new fun inserts for the Edgeabilities dies...

Next up is a sewing-themed shape die set...

Followed by a home-themed shape set...

And 2 more embossing folders...

And a blossom die...

And 2 more embossing folders...

That's all for now. Have a wonderful day!
Jeannette

Unconventional Water Lily...

I know that traditional water lilies are white with a little pink on them, but I decided to create more of a "fall water lily." I started with some yellow-ish copics and added some reddish-brown, then blended it out. I used some of the 6x6 papers from the Authentique Freebird collection.The waterlily image and words are from Flourishes. Add a little ribbon and you have an interesting card.

Stop back soon!
Jeannette

Spellbinders Blog Frenzy Day #7

We're in the home stretch of the new Spellbinders releases. Four dies to show you today. Starting with a large rectangle set that has very elegant edges.

Next up is another accent set - this one with a Moroccan theme...

Followed by a coordinating motif set...

And finishing out with another set of embossing folders.

As many of you know, Spellbinders always keeps some new stuff "up their sleeve" so to say, so be sure to stay tuned after the frenzy is over to see what is released at the show.

Jeannette

Spellbinders Blog Frenzy Day #6

It's day #6 of the blog frenzy. More fun new dies to look at. Starting with a nestabilities in a fun square pattern.
Followed by some lovely new Edgeabilities inserts.

And some interesting grunge tags...

Then some interesting "play" pieces, if you will.

And some interesting mixed media elements.

And some bitty curled blossoms.

Followed by a couple more embossing folders.

And some fun ribbon buckles.

Stop by again tomorrow for more introductions.

Jeannette

More New from JustRite Stampers!

This is another new set coming out from JustRite Stampers - Sea Shell Bay! I love this set - especially seeing that we live by the seacoast! This will be a very fun set to play with when it arrives!

Keep stopping by for more "sneak peaks!"

Jeannette

Dinosaur Birthday!

How can you not love this cute dinosaur from Whippersnapper stamps? He's got a gift and a balloon - he is ready to party! I started with VersaFine ink and then colored him with Staedtler watercolor pencils and a Dove blender pen. Then I used some coordinating bright cardstocks and added a little zig-zag trim from an EK Success border punch to add a little zip!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Jeannette

Spellbinders Blog Frenzy Day #5!!

Another day and some more new product to look at from Spellbinders. Today we start we an accents set.
Followed by the matching motif set.

Next we have what I believe is a new classification of Spellbinders dies - cut, fold and tuck dies. These remind me of some stencils that we used to buy from Europe years ago where we would cut the lines with an exacto and then do the folding. It was not easy and you always had to hope you had cut everything correctly! It looks like they have done the hard work for us!

And another set of embossing folders.

And a second cut, fold and tuck die.

And another set of inserts for the edgeabilities dies.

We have a few more days to go to see what else they have up their sleeves....

Jeannette

Spellbinders Blog Frenzy Day #4!

Another day of fun releases from Spellbinders. Today we start with a nautical set with some interesting shapes, borders and frames.
Followed by an antique frame die, border and accents. I can envision some great ideas with these pieces.

Next is an interesting tea set die combo. Tea sets and cups seem to be all the rage right now!

Followed by another 2-set of embossing folders.

And the last die today is the second "grand" die that has been introduced. This time it is the grand version of the Dahlia die set. I am thinking the larger ones might make a very interesting card shape.

So, that is the release for today! I am planning on getting some of the Tim Holtz Sizzix introductions out later today. Have a great stamping day!
Jeannette

Spellbinders Blog Frenzy Day #3!

We're into the thick of the introductions now! Lots of variety today, as well. We start with a very interesting flower die - I like the solid bottom with the lacey upper options! Very creative!

Followed up by another embossing folder combination. There is a video on these on the Spellbinders blog that you might want to check out.

And another "staple" if you will - a new "labels" die! Fun shape! I can see adding little adornments to the points already!

Now an interesting thing with the Edgeabilities dies. It looks like they are changing their thoughts on packaging and selling edgers separate from inner designs... We start with 3 edgers, which I think already exist in some of the previous sets...

Next we have 3 new insert designs - which I really love!

And 3 more cool insert designs!

Followed by 3 more edgers - which I also think already exist.

So, that is the release for today! Remember that you can "pre-order" with "no money down" the dies you want - this will ensure that I order enough at the show and that you get them first!!!

Jeannette