CHA 2009 - Sneak Peaks...

Loads to look through today...!

CHATTERBOX (easy brad maker reminds me of the launch from Around the Block last year...)

CLEARSCRAPS (new acylic album shapes...)

CREATIVE IMAGINATIONS

GRAPHIC 45

KAREN FOSTER DESIGNS

MAKING MEMORIES - SLICE

MAKING MEMORIES

MARKS PAPER CO

PIGGY TALES

PRIMA

SPELLBINDERS

TATTERED ANGELS *personal fav!!!

3BUGS (entire catalogue)

UPSY DAISY (4 lines...)

The one range I am utterly loving - is Tattered Angels. Their product is stunningly beautiful, usable and classic. Maybe I am showing my age when I am after something that wears well on my scrapbook pages (...sort of timeless style ;) Not long to go until we head on that jet plane with camera in tow!

Spent last night in the company of CLUR CURD and some of our customers... what a hoot!

Celeb Spotting... at pre-school

The most unlikely of starts to the week, began when I Nasser Hussein (ex England Cricket Captain) walked past me... just as I was waiting to take my youngest into pre-school. Our children are in the same class... and both girls... so let's hope my wee cherub doesn't get all boisterous and pull hair (we have a little "yanker" in the family!!)

Anyways, onwards and upwards from the gormless shell shock (...so determined to talk to him at some stage ;) I have been toying over the weekend with the HYBRID hype... like, has it really hit the UK?!! We still adore our decoupage (as a nation...not making any claims about the scrapping community before I get lynched ;) and we are definitely a "traditional" nation of crafters. So where does hybrid slot in? Do those plentiful CD ROMS from Create N Craft count as THE accolade of synergy between paper and computer?!! ...because, seriously, crafters in the UK seem to go gaga for anything on a CD... fork out an arm and a leg, then spend big bucks printing (using all your ink and paper... which doesn't seem all that *cost effective* in the long run.) Maybe we are at the forefront of hybrid... can you imagine ;)

The CD-ROM designs seem light years away from the de-lish prima hybrid goodies {still loving this company... even if flowers are not as 'must-have' as they once were} and so in fairness, I have to tickle my screen with 'puritty....'



Last little nugget from me! I love the useless gadgets we scrappers inflict on ourselves. Usually born from brilliance... The following great idea should be easily re-created with some ingenuity and not a whole lot of expense. Not sure if it is valid enough to take booth space at a show... but me thinks there are more ideas festering for CHA Winter...



Happy Monday!!
Becks xxxx

Spotted: Prima CHA Summer

Spotted: Prima's CHA Summer papers... not my thang (but ooh more alpha stickers which are like bread and butter ;)

....PHEW...some flowers! Was thinking that Prima had forgotten why I love them so much ;)

Me thinks these are studded like those really cute Imaginisce ones... so I am sure I will be seeing studs all over the show ;) Not too enamoured with some of the designs - but I guess now there is a kids market appeal to consider...

Hybrid...

Is anyone REALLY swinging both ways... hybrid and paper...?
I don't think I can stomach the cost of printing out those designs and using *expensive* ink - when it will cost me more than buying a quality controlled sheet of paper from my local shop...



I do fancy that Tim Holtz distresser which she roughs the edges up with... hoping that X-Cut release that little baby ;)

ALSO (and I will get this typed small...) I happened across one of my most fav reviews of a book on amazon.com... and I think it is worth publishing, as the lady has class (and a few good points!)

(Actually 3 1/2 stars) Too firm on "how to scrapbook", July 12, 2007
By Chel Micheline "gingerblue.com" (SW Florida) - See all my reviews
I'm a graphic designer, and when I started scrapbooking, I felt myself at a total loss as far as design in the "real world" - ie, 3d images, texture, etc. So I decided to re-educate myself on the principles of design with a specific focus on paper arts and mixed media. Since then, I have been gobbling up all the "design principle" books I can get my hands on, and was very excited about getting Kari Hansen's book. It seemed exactly what I was looking for- a course in design principles, geared towards scrapbooking.

The problem is that Hansen's philosophy is not very flexible. It seems like this book is really geared for scrapbookers who wish to be published rather than those of us looking to develop our own styles and techniques. Hansen makes it clear in the first few sections that she was on the submission team for a magazine and had very specific criteria for a "good" page. Things must be neat- no glue showing, NO mistakes. Journaling must be typed or done in a very very neat handwriting, NO spelling or grammar mistakes, practice several times before committing to the layout. Titles must be witty and clear to anyone seeing the page. All cutting must be precise, everything measured. All photos properly resized before putting together layouts- there must ALWAYS be a larger focal photo (not so good for those of us who scrap 4x6, or who don't have time to resize all our photos planning for layouts...) No "hanging" embellishments, no empty space. Yikes! I appreciate her vision, but found myself frequently intimidated by her "this is what makes a bad layout" writing style. Scrapbooking is supposed to be personal, and for those of us who have no interest in getting published, sometimes we do have a little glue going beyond the edge of a photo by accident, or some messy handwriting. Sometimes we don't have time to resize a photo to make it the spotlight of the page. Sometimes we can't redo an entire page because we made a mistake that no one will probably notice but us, and maybe Kari Hansen if she were to check out the page.

To me, these aren't design principles, but sort of perfectionist details. I'm interested in color theory, and balancing my elements. I'm not interested in someone reminding me over and over that the little crinkle on the corner of my page makes it a bad page. I appreciate the overview of design and color. It's wonderful, and Hansen knows her stuff. But there is too much focus in the early chapter on what makes a scrapbook page UNACCEPTABLE or boring, which I sort of find insulting. I'm not a perfect scrapper, and I'm trying to get better. I don't want a design book telling me some of the things I've done, or mistakes I've made in my pages thus far make them useless. I much prefer the warmer writing style of Ali Edwards (with her motto "IT IS OKAY") and many others who have written about the same topic. As far as the layouts, as far as I can tell they are all by Hansen. They are used to demonstrated the ideas and lessons Hansen is writing about rather than to function as inspiration.

So this isn't a great book for those who want some visual inspiration. So I would absolutely recommend the book, but I would try and take it with a grain of salt. If you are a serious scrapper, looking to elevate your design to the next level or learn what it takes to get published, take note to EVERYTHING Hansen says. But if you are just trying to learn a more technical way of creating personal pages, learning balance, flow, color ideas, and information on typography, I would skim the Hansen's personal feelings on what makes a scrapbook "good" and pay close attention to her design lessons. Apply them to your own pages, but don't lose what makes your pages YOU. Glue smudges and all!

I would give that a standing ovation...
Becks xx

...kinda interesting

The first bit will either make you laugh or cry... maybe a little of both ;)
Worth perservering if you want to see how the Prima Build-a-Frame stamps can be used. It s NOT TV Weekly - but if you have 5 mins, then it is maybe worth a looky!



Online Videos by Veoh.com

Hottest Trends... 2008

Prima Donna

Spotted: I love pouring over US ads... they are like inspiration in print. Somehow UK ads (for scrap companies at least) don't cut the mustard.

Anyways, I am looking forward to playing with US ads in our new Creativity Life mag. I have a yummy Doodlebug ad to share too... just because they do they best inspiring ads - they are like works of art. I also love to frequent that Print and Pattern blog - how darn cool is that? Colour seeping into your day in a nice bitesize chunk.

Feel some home accessory shopping coming on...

Later,
Becks x

PDQ

We all like to cheat (just once in a while... and then just a little...)

So I have been playing with samples from Bisous PDQ range. I thought I would HATE them... as seriously it is rocket science made simple. Grab a photo (in this case the only ones I had to hand - not good ones) and then whack it down (or you *could* carefully position...) and then you are done - unless you are a journal junkie like me, and also have to add the reason behind the pic.

The paper designs look layered and stamped - and are not at all basic (almost remind me of the Prima Hybrid type digi paper mixes...) They actually made me feel like I had accomplished something in bod all time - and doubled the total number of layouts completed in one evening. I seriously am back on this scrapbooking malarky!!

I would add an 'NB' that the pics were crazy ones that DH had created for me for Valentines - and the journaling has the full story... I DO NOT ever scrap myself, and I certainly DO NOT ever venture from behind the lense. I know this is wrong, wrong, wrong... but I cannot be the only one who thinks any photos of me just don't 'look like me'??! Same goes for my voice. I hear it and think - heck do I really sound like that??? Anyways - if you click in and can read my chicken handwriting, you will see why that pic got the PDQ treatment.

Am I hooked?! I think I will try a couple of other designs. It is definitely a confidence (aka I feel like I have finished something) boost... not sure if it is anywhere as much fun... as the main event is over far to quickly for my liking ;)

...seen this?

Spotted: Great vids... (covers new CHA product)

Includes: Making Memories SLICE (the most 'awesome' die-cut machine on the market?!! Seems a little deluded... but if they believe it - then who am I to dash that dream); Epson; BasicGrey; We R Memory Keepers (this is the BIG BITE so watch Andrew in action...) Technique Tuesday; Sassafras Lass; Prima; Daisy Ds Paper;

It is worth watching the Slice and Big Bite in action... and you decide!

CHA - Prima

Apologies for the fuzzy-ness on some of the images. I was that excited that the camera kept jumping out of my hands... ;)

The VOILA range was a HUGE hit... and continues that whole 'die cut' multi-media trend. I suppose if the Cricut brings out some great designs you could start your own production line... either that or just jump with both feet (and your credit card) into the Pazzles machine.

The sepia overlays are very cool (and original) with even more paintables (this time in the overlay media... perfect for acylic albums et al.) Autumn Leaves may have kicked off this trend - actually a few years after L'il Davis (under the Jenni Bowlin banner) had a line of these... so trend setting goes back some!

Day Two (....)

I neglected to mention so many things from yesterday.

It seems like I get only 20 or so mins each night before we are out with friends - last night it was some great blokes that work with ink. We had a funny time at one of those restaurants when they cook everything in front of your eyes... flicking food into their hat (to a trickle of applause, as we were all too busy engrossed in conversation about the show.) Me and Leandra then collapse (blisters and all) into bed around 11.30pm... so sleep vs. blog is slowly becoming a real choice!

There are a couple of INK trends... and the main one is that each supplier is fast becoming the 'one stop shop'. The big T now has a range of dye inks (Mementos?!) in the pads and the teardrops. The big R (Ranger - that one is easier to spell than the big T!!) now have a pigment ink line that coordinate - again... using some name that I cannot pronounce let alone spell within the limited time I have to write this entry. (It's those mountain ranges... if that is of any help?!)

I love love love the Prima new stuff - very versatile. I think the more product I can manipulate to create a personalised and unique result has a greater appeal. The clear printed overlays are not just about scrapbooking.

Anyways, it is interesting to see people's reaction to my new name badge at this show. I have been sad to say goodbye to my past ScrapGenie life - as it feels like a lot of who I am, or at least was. It is who everyone associates me with. I was asked to come on board with a new premium division within the Design Objectives team - and head it. I am excited (actually excited does not quite capture the feeling... ) but I am getting to work with some pretty special brands (and people!!) I know retailers that I have previously worked with have questions on how to get hold of product... so just email me directly and I will be able to answer anything.

I know that change is scary - I have felt that personally, as well as in a business sense. I also know that change can bring good things... and this change for me has felt right.

More Later,
Becks x

Day Two (3)

SEI... Flocking/Velvet is a big show stopper... which I had spotted before the show. Sei have a long standing reputation in this arena - and did not disappoint. They have some strong design lines out. I did LOVE the new Doodlebug line (more so - but I am admittedly bias ;) More on them later...

Yellow Bicycle had a great stand. They definitely made the effort... unlike some booths which looked a little unloved. Good boy and girl lines (but after a long day it all kind of blurs... which is why it is good to rethink and list what stands out...)

What stood out? PRIMA - voila is a great new range. Just stunning. They also do overlays. Spotted Jenni Bowlin adoring this line too - so Monthly Kit club members be in for a treat (I also am joining up Jenni... it's about time, eh!)

CHA - Prima, Piggy Tales and Paper Salon (say it fast...and lots of times!)

You can keep up with all the latest on the Prima releases HERE ...if you can afford to look!


Also Piggy Tales (HERE) have all their new lines up...

I think the most exciting news is that a 'paper' company has finally gone green. That surely has to be the first of many... as the trend in the media is for green business. **You look at the HSBC ad with the rainforest and the sweaty clerks ...mmmm a delightful image to be served by (and all for a good cause.)

The paper industry for sure will have to follow suit, as the most tree-chopping hungry beast... it will need to be tamed! So let's see who else is going green at CHA!

Sneak (their first one) from Paper Salon HERE

And the final P goes to Pebbles Inc...

25% off PRIMA...

You can SAVE 25% off an opening order on the *new* Prima Hybrid website... including all their fab digi kits and elements (as well as the real touchy, stroke-y stash)... I have one already... and because digi delivers without those custom pricetags, and is an instant gratification... I suggest at least TRYING IT (...you never know, you just might like it!)

CHA - Sneak from Prima

Spotted: Prima Marketing, Inc., is about to set another trend; showcasing products that seamlessly build a bridge between traditional paper and digital scrapbooking. PrimaHybrid.com offers exclusive hybrid scrapbooking products, projects and resources that will appeal to both traditional scrapbookers and digital scrapbookers.

WOW - now that's not just flowers...

Becks x