New Line from Ranger

Ranger has picked up the Dyllusions line from the UK. I remember seeing advertisements for Dyan's stamps, sprays and paints in the UK stamp magazine "Stamp It". No paints at this point, but there are a set of very brightly colored sprays, rubber stamps (by Stamper's Anonymous) and stencils (made by Crafter's Workshop).

Took a photo of the sample display - I think the artwork looks a lot like Teesha Moore's work:

I must say, I like the bright non-sparkly colors of the sprays. I was able to try them out at the Crafter's Workshop booth and they spray wonderfully. Fairly fine mist, no huge blobs and no clogs (like another brand). I have been using Crafter's Workshop stencils for years - and love the new designs (as well as some of the stamps).

CHA - Pink Paislee

I was in the Pink Paislee booth at CHA looking at the new paper lines. For a soft travel look, they are coming out with London Calling. This line would work for almost any travel photos - including most of Europe.
However, the line I was excited to see was Christy Tomlinson. Christy owns Scarlet Lime on-line store and does wonderful texture-y work. I have been following her blog for awhile now. What I love about her - free style, the fact that she uses her fingers a lot! No neatly manicured nails in her videos - she is keeping it real! I am not the only one with paint and ink all over! She was demo-ing with her new line of papers and rubber stamps (made by Unity).

She made a canvas using papers, paints, mediums, stamps, etc. She was fun to watch and was great at giving people ideas on how to use and teach with her lines. Very refreshing from watching many demonstrations with designers who simple made things. Below is one of her finished canvases:

The images are from her paper line. And, below are the papers...

You can check her out here. Congratulations to Christy - what a great adventure!

Stamping Gear

I was watching a demonstration in the e.k. success booth at CHA that I thought was pretty clever. As a veteran of the many generations of stamp positioners, I know they came be tricky. Stamping the same image in a circle using a Positioner can take practice and some time to get right. Soon, you can purchase the Stamping Gear for some fun projects from scrapbooking to card making to canvas/wall art.

The above photo is of the Stamping Gear. It will retail for $39.99

The kit contains a circular gear, an oval gear, center pieces, a stamp handle and 4 sets of foam mounted rubber stamps. However, you could use any non-wood mounted stamp as long as it fits onto the stamp holder. I was thinking words and alphabet stamps might be fun.

Here are some samples in progress. You could stamp a scrapbook page, card, canvas, fabric, and wrapping paper. What do you think?

CHA in Anaheim

I just spent the past 2 days at CHA 2012 in Anaheim. Since it was my first show, it was a bit overwhelming! Of course, it did not help that I hurt my back getting ready to go Southern California for the show. I was walking pretty slowly! So what is out there:
- lots of new patterned paper coming out. Some of my favorites are from Graphic 45 and Pink Paislee.
- Graphic 45 ink pads in colors to match their collections (I think there were about 5 colors).
-Jolee's Boutique stickers will have a paper and embellishment line, French General.
- New Distres Watercolor markers, Tim stamps and dies.
- Tim Holtz eclipse cartridges.
-Ranger has picked up the UK's Dyllusions line of sprays and stamps. Crafter's Workshop will be manufacturing the stencils.
-Faber Castel will have boxed master sets of Gelato's and Fat Brush India Ink markers.
-e.k. Success has, what I think is one of the most innovative products, Stamping Gear.

I also saw a lot of canvas items - books, pre-cut flags, bags, and various embellishments. It was apparent that what was old was new again. Demonstrations at La Blanche stamps featured their stamps used with Ultra Thick Embossing powder and Versa Mark resist techniques.
For those die and stamp combination fans, Spellbinders has a line of dies that works with Heartfelt Creations Stamps. Inky Antics will also have some fun dies that work with their stamps.
My camera battery died on me, but I will have some photos up soon taken from my phone.

On the Road Again

Seems like I was traveling every other week during the last 4 months of 2011 and first part of January 2012. Tomorrow, I am off again to Southern California. Not visiting family or going to Disneyland, although I will be in Anaheim. It will be my first (although hopefully not my last) trip to CHA. I am curious to find out the newest trends for 2012, Many companies have been giving sneak peaks during the past several weeks, but I always like to visit the booths whenever possible. There will be 453 exhibitors - yikes! I have planned for Monday and Tuesday at the Convention center - mainly to take my time and, hopefully, see demos and do make-and-takes. As long as companies do not mind, I will take photos and report back as to some of the highlights.
Are there any companies you are interested in? Leave me a comment and I will try to accommodate your requests.