CHA Winter 09 - Sneak Peaks a plenty...

LOVING the new storage from AMM... HERE

It looks similar to the upgrades from Papermania... which are spookily the same chic black and lime as is their messenger bag... so PMA is spot on trend ;) The little drawers are my fav... I can think of lots of ways I would use them (make up being one!) Word on the street is that REALLY USEFUL has downsized, and will be showing off some mini boxes which apparently will make me *swoon*... can't wait!

Other sneak peaks...

7Gypsies (Gypsy Market)

American Crafts STAMPS!!!

Anna Griffin (4 new lines... some a little off piste for her style, but I like them!)

Bazzill Basics (...swiss dot additions, cardstock strips, splat mat etc)

CherryArte

Clear Scraps (...new additions!)

Collage Press (not a big brand in the UK - but still worth a peak!)

Core'dinations... launch an exclusive line for Europe (details to follow!!)

Crate Paper (Little Sprout, Lilian & Orbit)

DCWV

Daisy Bucket (Little Black Dress....mmmmm!!)

Dream Street (Fresh, MJ, Forever Family, Heartsong, Secret Garden & Lullaby)

EK SUCCESS

Fancy Pants

Heidi Swapp (...missing her loot - it is lovely!!)

Jenni Bowlin (Farmers wife is a hot pick!)

K&Co

Luxe Design

Martha Stewart

October Afternoon (Cherry Hill)

Paper Trunk (Maybe Baby, Socialite)

Pioneer

Queen & Co

Sassafras (Vintage Yummy, Anthem, Bungle Jungle... I want it all!)

SEI

Sizzix/Ellison

Theresa Collins (Family Matters, Documented)

Paris Hilton (*cough*)

Hope you are sitting comfortably with a warm drink and a slab of your fav chocolate!

xxx

Spotted: SEI & Sassa Christmas 08

Spotted: Alpine Frost is the Christmas 08 line from SEI. This could not be further afield from Sassafras - as it is Christmas "all grown up". It is the colours of a skiing trip in the Alps (I am guessing the name hints overtly at this too ;) and it is more about WINTER than it is about the usual Christmas icons.
Seeing as though I rarely see a spot of snow (what is it with the UK and seasons being out of whack?!!) I am not sure that this one is as applicable... although it is divinely designed to work beyond the weather and create some classy projects!

Spotted: The cute-some offering from Sassafras... Life at the Pole is uber delicious with its perfect little gingerbread men and candy canes. Rather than blowing your eyes out with larger than life colour, it gets away with all the *cutesy* because it has softer tones reminiscent of Christmas's past. I love it. My kids would love it... and I am pretty sure the cute n cuddly followers will be queuing up for a slice of the action.

CHA Summer 08 - Day One

Spotted: LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the new Doodlebug lines. Did you see those smoking *hot* 6x6 and 12x12 pads that they made "just for us"?? I have been begging them for these little sweeties as I know card makers will go nuts for them in the UK! Sooooo looking forward to stroking outside of the packaging ;)

Next to Cynthea and I is a creative display from Graphic 45. Sort of reminscent 7gyspies... and Melissa Frances.

My Yellow Bicycle and SEI were busy...

...and across the way we bumped into ALI; and Emma managed to grab a pic with her. Not sure if I embarrassed her too much (sorry Em!!!) but once we photoshop that pic, then we will have a little collection going ;)

Spotted: I know the last Heidi Swapp rub-ons sucked as bad as the original DO ones - but these new designs are stunning, and I am sure they wouldn't not inflict the nasty flaking on us again...

You have heard of BADGE IT (surely every 10 year old in the UK owns one!) well now you can BRAD IT (...see what I did there, a little clever play on words ;) It will retail in the US for $40, but I can see it's appeal... make your own brads to suit the paper designs, or clothes in a pic... and they are chuncky accessories that make a statement. Thumbs up from me!

Spotted: Provocraft's new tool is a binding laminator - make your own 'MY STORY' books... retail around $50 (I think??) and will have the wow factor for anyone who makes... well, books. I want to go back and really play some more with this before giving a verdict. I am trying to see how often I would use it...

They DO have new 'Hello Kitty' cartridges (...so on my shopping list!!!) and decked an entire bedroom out in the stuff. If my 5 year old is watching, there will be pester power when I get home ;)

The new WRM lines are gorgeous!! They have adhesive flocked die-cut ribbon, and just really vibrant, rich colours both for Christmas and for everyday. LOVED the new look!

Jewellery anyone... seriously! Watch this space...

Spotted: The new Claudine Hellmuth lines - which you are going to go gaga for. CANVAS... is all I am going to say. It is going to be the new acrylic ;)

Spotted: SEI CHA Summer 08

Spotted: SEI have recovered their lost MOJO for sure... and these ranges feel fresh, trend relevant and enticing....

Spotted: CHA Summer SEI

Spotted: As seen on Paper Jam Studio the lovely (and kinda purple) Windsor range from SEI. I am feeling like I am going to get an overkill on the purple-ish themes... and that I will be begging for a simple black and white by the end of CHA Summer ;)

KEEP VOTING... let's hit 150! >>>>>>>>>

The mid-release bandwagon...

Theresa Collins... *Travelogue Stamps*

It seems the *industry* cannot get enough of new product - so much so, most manufacturers are following suit and releasing new product mid-season... {much to the chargrin of shoppers who have barely scratched the surface of CHA Winter... and shops who are already discounting lines that are just a few months old!!} It seems that if times are tough... the answer is to throw *more* at it...

Jenni Bowlin... *Trendy*

Daisy D's... *Chloe Marie*

KI & SEI...

Need a refreshing list of mid-season releases? ...wish granted!

BasicGrey: Euphoria

Daisy Ds: Chloe Marie

American Crafts: Glitter Thickers

KI Memories: Bloom

Bo Bunny: (American Themed... phew - no need to buy!)

Scenic Route: (American Themed... phew - but I still want it lol!!)

SEI: Poppy

Jenni Bowlin: Trendy

Theresa Collins: Travelogue

Cosmo Cricket: Hello Sunshine

My Minds Eye: Garden Party

Some lines I already have earmarked as *must haves* - and this is BEFORE the July show... with the latest petrol pinch and price of fuel sky-rocketing... it will be an interesting challenge ahead for crafters and for suppliers to get the balance right. Just TOOOOOOO many lovely designers releasing perfect products...

Becks xxx