CHA continued...

Hello, World!
CHA is over, but I've got one last set of pictures to show you for your viewing and commenting pleasure. There was so much goodness to see at this show, my husband is NOT going to be happy with my Wishlist once this stuff starts shipping. LOL.

1. First up for today: Bo Bunny - Bo Bunny has debuted my favorite lines from them EVER. Since we live at the beach, these two summer lines will be perfect for all our summer and beachy layouts and projects. And look those letter stickers...I have a slight alphabet addiction, and this season's new releases are totally feeding that need. Several of the companies are now producing multiple alphabets on 1 sheet of stickers so you can have multiple choices. I tried to win the On the Go collection for ya'll, but they ran out before I could get there. Oh well.



2. Next up, Bella Blvd - Bella Blvd is known for bright, fun, happy designs, and this show's new releases stick with that theme. The new lines focus on Easter, Spring, Summer, and Babies. Their Baby lines come in either blue or pink with a coordinating 'We're Expecting' mini-line. Super cute.

 And again...The alphabets!!! Love these.

 And look at the Sophisticates...Tone-on-tone basics to coordinate with any project you may have, Bella Blvd or otherwise. So wonderful.

3. And one of my favorite companies at this year's CHA: Studio Calico. I loved every single thing about their booth. The papers. The stencils. The Mister Huey's spray mists (more paint-based than Tattered Angels spray mists, thereby giving a more opaque coverage). The wood veneer shapes...Wow.

 Look at those 50 states pieces. They come in both wood veneer and die-cut papers. I have so many projects in mind for these babies...

OK. So this ends our Winter CHA coverage. I hope you've enjoyed all the pics! There is so much else that I saw and loved, but the pictures didn't come out well enough to share. But trust me when I say that October Afternoon and Jillybean Soup's new releases are as gorgeous as any I've shown here. Don't forget to comment and tell us what you want to see in the store! We'll be drawing for our prize pack in the next few days, so watch the blog to see if you've won!

- Cori

More CHA

OK Gang,
CHA is over (sigh), and my family is now packed into the RV driving our way back home to Mobile. I am so glad I have been able to attend CHA this year and show the crafty goodness to you! Hopefully, this will become an annual tradition, but I'm just going to have to keep my fingers crossed :) In the meantime, I want to keep showing you some of my favorites from the show floor. So let's get started!

1. Canvas Corp - Canvas Corp has chosen texture as its company theme. Chalkboard paper, canvas, burlap, muslin...all are fair game for this company. Their chalkstock paper (black cardstock with a chalkboard finish) is the BEST black paper ever for journalling and doodling on with a white pen - especially perfect for Halloween-themed projects. And their burlap and canvas shapes...If you love fabric and texture on your projects, then you will love Canvas Corp. Their products come in various shapes and sizes, perfect for everything from cards and ornaments and tote bags to wall-sized home decor.

 They even have a heavy-cardstock line of patterned papers. Their kraft is reminiscent of grocery sacks - heavy and perfect.

 And see those stars??? and the dyed burlap and canvas flowers??? WOW!

And now for my very favorite item from the entire show floor: Canvas and burlap stockings. I don't know why I love them so much, but I do.These WILL be a part of my Christmas crafting next year. Trust me on this.

2. Hambly Screen Prints - How many of you have actually played with Hambly's transparencies? They're hard to use, aren't they? What I have found is that if I cut them down into smaller bits and pieces they make excellent embellishments and are easier to work with. That being said, in addition to their normal 12x12 transparencies (and NEW! coordinating cardstock), Hambly is releasing lines of smaller-sized transparencies, designed to be used with smaller projects (If you are participating in Becky Higgins' Project Life, then you'll understand what I mean when I say that these smaller transparencies are designed to fit within Project Life page protectors). Their new lines are beautiful. Saturated, on-trend colors and designs. Airplanes. Hot air balloons. Journalling spots. They're all good.

3. And lastly for today, Theresa Collins. I was so glad to see that she is branching out with her color schemes. Theresa's lines have tradionally been black and white, with a little pink or seasonal color added in. This time, she has infused her papers with color throughout. I seriously think this is my favorite release from her EVER. Enjoy!

Look at those rich purples and yellow-gold papers. Can we say Mardi Gras?!!

Ok. That's it for today! Remembe to comment and let us know what you want to see in the store! I only have a few more posts of CHA coverage to go, so we'll be drawing for the prize sometime next week!

- Cori

CHA Day 4

Hello, World!
CHA has officially ended for this year, but don't worry, the pics are gonna keep coming for awhile!
Remember, these pictures are going to help Christy decide what to order for the store soon, so if you want any input, you've got to comment! Please! I thrive on comments. It's pitiful, but it does make me happy :) And besides, every day that you comment, you'll be entered into a drawing for a prize pack from Scraphappy.

Today we are going to focus on some of the smaller companies showing here.
1. First up, Kaiser Craft. Kaiser Craft is an Australian company that has a huge presence Down Under, but which you don't find very often here in the States. But their stuff is awesome. I really, really like! You'll notice in these pictures, that there are 6x6 paper pads for each collection. This has been a general trend at this year's CHA. Most of the companies are producing their lines in this manner. The patterns are usually scaled down a bit to make them perfect for card making or when you only want a small bit of pattern on your project. If you ever study my layouts, you'll see that this is a technique I use over and over again, so I typically like to buy the 6x6 pads whenever I can.

2. And now, Simple Stories...I know several of you are Simple Stories addicts, so I had to find their booth to show you their latest and greatest. Honestly, some of these new papers are my favorites from them EVER. Just wait till you see the 12x12 sheet of mini-Bingo cards. I mean, seriously, HELLO! Can I hoard you until eternity? Lol.

And look at these new album pages. Simple Stories is introducing a line of customizable 6x8" minibooks. You mix and match the page protectors and papers to make the album however you want it. I'm thinking this is what I'll use for next year's December Daily album. It's that perfect.

 3. And lastly for today, 7Gypsies. If you have ever used 7Gypsies before, then you know that they are known for vintage chic. Their shadowboxes and hardware pieces make gorgeous home decor. If you read the blog regularly, then you saw my Christmas shadow box I made using a 7Gypsies product. They have now introduced shadow boxes in various dimensions, some of which even have circular openings.

Ok. That's all for today.  I hope you're enjoying the inspiration and new products! Keep the comments coming! Until tomorrow...
- Cori

CHA Day 3

Hello World!
So sorry about my blogging negligence, but I got knocked down with a bit of food poisoning over the last 24-36 hours. It hasn't been pretty. But don't worry! I've still got paper crafting goodness to show you now that I'm upright again! I'm loving the comments ya'll are leaving. Keep it up! And remember, there will be a prize drawing at the end of these CHA posts for everyone who has commented.

1. First up today, Maya Road: Maya Road has always been known for its unique shaped albums and embellishments. These are typically made from chipboard or heavy-duty acrylic, and are perfect for theme-specific projects. And this year, their ENTIRE booth was filled with cute die-cut icons, and they've even expanded some of their best shapes into canvas and burlap. Such amazing texture. I have been addicted to burlap recently, and this booth seriously made me happy.

I mean, seriously! Look at those burlap flowers in the middle of the above photo. Don't those just scream to be used on an outdoor page, or a farm, or fall page? Or on a pretty headband or messenger bag? Oh, the possibilities!

2. Next up: Heidi Swapp. With the Tag Line, 'She's Back!' you should know what to expect: Lots of detailed, trendy, use-with-anything papers and embellishments. And she's done it again. In the past several years, she been partnered with Advantus and then with House of 3 and Pink Paislee. She has kept her alliance with Pink Paislee, and has now brought back some of her best items from her previous lines...but all with a twist. If you remember her blank file folders, she has them again - except in larger sizes and new colors and patterns - some are even clear-resist Mistables! She has flags. She has banners. She has Polaroid-esque photo frames with labels to fit your iphone, instagram, or other 4x4 inch photos. Soooo cool! Honestly, these frames are one of my favorite items from the entire show.

 An album made from her file folders and the Polaroid frames: And see those letters on the side spelling 'Crazy?' Those are clear resist letters!

 A matchbook-style mini-album: Look at the cute bow and the sequined hearts on the cover...

 A fantastic blue and orange line perfect for boys, travel, or sports:

3. And lastly for today, Echo Park. Echo Park is a relatively new company (only a few years old), with a cool marketing concept - They release new lines every...single...month...That's a lot of newness. And one of the ways they've decided to do this is with themed mini-kits. These are perfect for when you have a specific theme or event to scrap, but you don't want to invest in or have to decide between 10-20 papers and coordinating embellishments. These new mini-lines come in packs with 4 sheets of paper + a sheet or 2 of stickers. Makes your scrapping easy-peasy!

 And then there are some new, full lines, one of which, I am sure my dear friend and fellow Design Team member, Ashley, will be acquiring at least one full set :)

Ok. That's it for today! Hope you're enjoying the pictures as much as I am enjoying posting them! Until tomorrow...

- Cori