CHA Winter 2012: Lifestyle Crafts

We've been longtime fans of the Lifestyle crafts catalog of products.  This season they released new designs and a new manual Die Cutting Machine: the Evolution!

The Evolution has a wider base than the Epic 6... We can't wait to test it out!

Wider Magnetic cutting mats...

New designs in Nesting Dies and boxes...

Loving these doily designs...

And this Berry Basket...

New Embossing folders...

What do you think of the new designs?  See anything to inspire you?

CHA Winter 2012: Studio Calico

Studio Calico is now part of the American Crafts line of products.  We love Studio Calico designs, their paper is always lovely, but this year it's the other products that were exciting to us.

These are masks to use with the Studio Calico Sprays.  They would also make great tools for adding texture with a spackle medium.

New Spray colors...

Samples of the masks and spray in use...

Neutral papers perfect for collage.

Wood Veneer stars i fell in love with...

Washi Tapes and notebook tags...

Sweet little envelopes and die cuts of the states...

Bold colors and patterns... note the chevron!

what a wonderful simple design...

Embossed journals...

What will you be waiting anxiously to purchase from this line?

CHA Winter 2012: Echo Park

Echo Park is often one of the busier booths at CHA. It's no wonder why. They tend to keep their paper line fresh and interesting. Plus, they listen to their customers and fans on what they want.

New for Echo Park are the ever cute interactive chipboard albums. They are available in both rectangle and circle with a pull out on the side on each page for more photos and journaling. We're wondering what took them so long to come up with such a fabulous idea!

Brand new are the paper lines Note to Self, This & That Graceful, This & That Charming (not pictured), and Hello Summer.

However, Echo Park has introduced another new concept for them: Mini Collections. There are 3 papers, double sided, as well as a sticker sheet in each collection. This new concept ought to satisfy both shop owners so they do not have to create space for a full line of paper, as well as fans who desire specific themes. Below are just a few of our favorite Mini Collection themes:

What do you think of the new Mini Collection? Do you like the new chipboard album design? Tell us what you think.

CHA Winter 2012: Cosmo Cricket

One of my favorite lines is consistently Cosmo Cricket.  I love their vintage feel and rich color palates.  This season's release does not disappoint.

 This first line is called Evangeline.  Florals, letters and prints reminiscent of vintage wallpaper.  A mini deck is available.  Stickers, die cut stickers, a small element deck, wash tape and small letters (tiny type) are also available.

Next we have Tea for Two, smaller prints and a very pretty pattern with frames perfect for card making.  Also sells as a mini deck.

A similar set of embellishments to match...

Samples by the Cosmo Cricket Design team...

This line is called Baby Jane.  Brighter colors, bandana prints, and fabric/flour cloth inspired.

2wenty Thr3e is a bit more masculine.  Books, lines, and geometric patterns.

And Glubers are back!  perfect for making large floral embellishments.  Julie Comstock shows us how...

Don't these lines inspire you?  Tell us what you love!

CHA Winter 2012: Sizzix - Ellison

One of the new innovative items at the Sizzix booth was the Talking Tag. Crafters can adhere this tag on a quilt, clothing, scrapbook albums - virtually anything - and record a message that is stored on a server. The recipient can then scan the code with their Smart Phone to listen to the message. 

The cost of the tag is determined by how many years the customer wants their special message to stay available on the server; customers can purchase up to 100 years and record their own voice so their grandchildren and great-grand children may listen to the message many years from now.

Unfortunately, you will most likely not be able to scan the tag in the photo below; but if your phone does happen to capture the image, listen to the message Sizzix/Ellison uploaded:

By now many of you have probably heard of the new Stamp2cut software available for use with the eClips electronic cutter. There are a total of 19 cartridges which contain almost every image Tim Holtz has available, including new CHA show releases. Unfortunately not every stamp image is available on the cartridges; either they were not suitable for electronic cutting, or can easily be cut with a paper trimmer.

First stamp your image. Then carefully line up your mat in the eClips using the registration and laser feature. The eClips cuts out the image so you do not have to spend time doing a "fussy cut":

Finally, the eCAL software for eClips is ready for purchase through Craft Edge. Yes, you must purchase this software separately; SCAL will not work with the eClips due to the specific programing of the electronic cutter. However, no need to worry; you can enjoy both SCAL and eCAL on the same computer as both software programs are stored in their own prospective folder:

 

As one can see, Ellison has been quite busy developing their software and cartridge based products. Are you tempted to purchase the eClips so you can use their new software? What do you think about the Talking Tag?