Thursday, August 08, 2013

My Summer CHA Top Product Picks!

I'm finally back to bring you my favs from the Create-n-Connect (CHA) Show in Las Vegas a few weeks ago. I am sorry I haven't done it sooner, but it's been really hard to dig myself out of this sadness ditch.  I REALLY want to tell each of you who have sent an email, call, text, comment, or Facebook message "Thank you!" Your words mean more than I can ever ever ever say. I am so thankful for this blog and this art bringing me to all of you! I feel truly blessed by you! 

Now, down to business! Here are my 10...no scratch that and make it 11...favorite products that were newly launched at the show, and I've tried to link to their respective companies or blogs if I had the information. I found one more that I loved, and I couldn't leave it out. Really I could make 12, because I loved everything new from Idea-ology, but that's a given...right? I also goofed and accidentally added a watermark to some of the photos...didn't mean to, and I also borrowed some of the photos from the companies themselves, as I was a bad picture taker at the show.
1. Tim Holtz Collection Stencils by Stamper's Anonymous
I loved every single one! They are much larger than the #8 tag size, so you will get great coverage. They are also thicker and very sturdy if you tend to be rough with stencils like I am. It's genius to put a hole in the top and store them all together on a ring clip! Why oh why didn't I think to do that with all my stencils? I am forever searching for the right one in the drawer I have them all in.


2. Wendy Vecchi Archival Ink by Ranger
What makes these awesome is that they so closely match some of the color of Distress Ink, so if you need a permanent ink in that color that will stand up against something wet here you go! Genius! Now you can have the best of both worlds!!! Using them with her new stencils (The tree is my favorite by the way!) or any stencil is too cool as well. Just use alcohol to clean up the stencil.

3. Wendy Vecchi Translucent Embossing Paste by Dreamweaver Stencils
If you thought her other pastes were fabulous, just wait until you play with the Translucent! WOW people WOW!!! You can even stamp on top of it! Amazing stuff! Color it up for color effects too!

4. Sizzix French Farmhouse Bigz Dies
Sizzix has soooo many new dies that I loved, namely Tim's, Eileen Hull's, and Karen Burniston's, but for some reason these vintage country versions spoke to me. I love the armoire especially! The basket and crate are excellent too! These samples were so beautiful! They don't ship until December, but you can see them a little better here.
 
5. Sizzix and Stamper's Anonymous Collaboration for Stamps and Sizzlets Dies of Tim Holtz Images
Yay!!! Not only do you get one die in one size, but another size too, and the stamped image is a different size than the one that has already been sold, so now you have many more options. I never made the Stamp 2 Cut plunge, although I should, so I can see myself purchasing these instead. I love that he choose the Christmas ones first!

6. The Kinkajou Bottle Cutter
This product made me squeal! I took every one to their booth! I can see so many projects in my head with this thing, and I think they need to make one for bigger bottles! The way it works is, you place the contraption around the bottle where you want it cut, tighten it, use the score cutter to cut it, remove the contraption (I think.), place the bottle in warmish water and wait a minute and then gently start to pull at it at the cut. You can sand the glass to get a super smooth edge if you want to make goblets. They even sell bottoms to stick into the mouth parts to make the bottoms for the goblets. So cool! I have saved so many bottles over the years that I loved or found unique in some way. They come in many colors as well!

 
I love all of these new stencils! There are so many fabulous ones I have to have and it both the large and small sizes! I love that there were samples up to see what they would look like too! I am so proud of Ronda!

8. Dyan Reaveley's Dylusions Ink Spray Pad by Ranger
I had the privilege of taking Dyan's class at the show, and she taught us how to use her new Pad. I love that is makes your stamped images using Dylusions crisp and that pressing something directly into the pad sprayed with ink gives a totally different look than just spraying the ink. And, best part is you can just rinse it off with water when you want new colors or something else and then begin again! Check out this tutorial from the great Kaz Hall using the pad for some awesome new ideas!

9.Tim Holtz Blue Print Stamps drawn by Mario III by Stamper's Anonymous
Okay, honestly I loved all the new Tim stamps that came out this time...every single set, but when I saw that Pumpkin and some of the new Christmas ones, like the Gingerbread House and Ice Skate, I was thrilled! There are just not that many images of those around, and to get them in Blue Print style is FABULOUS!!! Thanks Mario III! He is super sweet in person too, and his gorgeous wife as well.

10. Vintaj Metal-Pressions Adhesive Copper Metal Sheets by Ranger
Hello!!!! This make me so happy! I was thrilled with Ranger's new Watercolor Paper and the Foil Cardstock, but when I saw the reddish hue of Copper, I was giddy! YES!!!! I cannot wait to have a play and see what this stuff can do!

11. Maya Road Light Bulbs
I never tire of light bulbs, and it seems they are not the going thing anymore, so I was so happy to see them here in not only Transparent with Black or White Print but also WOOD!!! Wood makes me happy! They also have Doilies, Hearts, Wings, and Cameras in wood too! Love it!  Lots of new metal was added as well. Those big feathers are awesome!

Here is a link to the top 30 products that Buzzfeed liked from the show that is wonderful to see as well that Shelly Hickox sent me. 

I'll be back in a few days to show you the samples that I made for Ranger using some of the new products they launched at the show, and I'll have a give away of some great stuff from the show!!!  I'm off to visit my mommy!

I hope your hands get creatively dirty soon!

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

12 Tags of 2013 - July

Hi everyone. Again, I must apologize for not having my CHA products post finished, but things were turned upside down right after my last post on Friday. I've debated whether or not to bring this deeply personal issue up here, and my intention is not to bring anyone down, but I do consider all of you to be my friends, so here goes. 
My best friend from about the end of 8th grade passed away last Friday night after a heavy battle with cancer. I was very fortunate enough to be able to spend many extended times with her to relieve her husband for work, and I cherish those memories, but I so wish I could have been there at the end. I whole-heartedly believed she would make it much longer than she did, and the sudden turn around for the worse was very unexpected. Needless to say, I was sure glad I had my husband to lean on, as he had made the trip to Las Vegas over the weekend. We made it home in time to go to the funeral on Monday, and it was a beautiful service. I am glad she is not suffering anymore...so glad...and I know she was needed elsewhere, but she is sorely missed, and I am finding it hard not to think about all the time.
Although not in the mood to craft a lick, I thank Tim Holtz and his monthly tag series, for reminding me that I made a commitment to myself to participate each month, and I know my friend would want me to keep on keeping on, so I made this July tag with all Tim's techniques, but with my beautiful friend's spirit on my mind, rather than the freedom theme, and just in the nick of time too as it seems.
I love the Fanciful Flight Die, and thought the Mini Heart would make a great body for it.
I loved the brayer technique that Tim used. I know I will use it again many more times.
 
Supplies:

I hope your hands get creatively dirty soon!