I had the amazing opportunity to attend CHA (Craft and Hobby Association) Mega Show this year in Anaheim.
For those who are not aware of what CHA is all about, it is a tradeshow for all of the crafting companies to display their newly released products to retailers for pre-order. And for the first-timer it is a little overwhelming to have so much stuff under one roof and vying for your attention.
It is a great place to spot current trends and to try and figure out what will be this season's "hot" item. I have compiled a list of my favorite products from this CHA. Some are my own photos and some are stock photos from the companies themselves.
Best New Paper Lines
1. Melissa Frances - The Sweet Life - by designers Jenny & Aaron. Of whome I met and spoke to Aaron at length about their collection. Each of the pages was hand painted, not computer generated as most paper lines are created today. Aaron was telling me that he and Jenny are often hired to paint murals and wall décor, so when they have a job that requires repetition of the same image it is all done by hand and you will find slight differences in each repeated image, this gives it the character and individuality. I especially love the page that has the cupcakes and roses on it (blue background).
2. Authentique - Glistening - filled with powder blues, and beige, this collection lives up to my expectations from Authentique.
3. KaiserCraft's - Limelight collection - shipping March 2014. I love this pallet, and it is perfect for boys, girls, outdoors, pretty much anything. It can be paired with natural products like burlap, twine, wood and canvas. Really looking forward to this collection. If anyone remembers how much I loved the Origins collection from Basic Grey, you will understand why I love this upcoming line.
4. Glitz Design - All Dolled Up - beautiful collection combining light yellow/Ivory and pinks. Amazing rendition, and refreshingly different from the others.
Best new Tools
1. Spellbinders - Tool n' One. A wire roller brush on one side and a poke tool on the other, this tool is a master at getting those little confetti pieces out of the increasingly popular intricate dies that are flooding the market right now. You will not be disappointed, I sure wasn't.
2. Sizzix - Magnetic platform - ingenious! I have been waiting for something like this, I was using a magnetic sheet under my flat dies, and with some success, but this is all together and the correct thickness. Thank you Sizzix.
3. Marion Smith's - Bloom Impressions - makes shaping and forming petals so easy!
Best new Dies
1. Sizzix - Susan's Garden dies - she is a botanist first and a designer second. Susan has created these flower dies that are so true to life that you will have a hard time telling real from paper! I really wanted to get in on one of her make n' take demos, but the line up was just too long, so I was a lurker instead. Amazing the detail for these dies.
2. Spellbinders - Little Darlings - Darling Square Die. The large frame measures just over 6x6 and will make a perfect filigree perimeter for a 6x6 card or a photo frame for a layout. Use of Instagram photos is gaining in popularity and this square frame will be perfect!
Best new Stamps
1. Penny Black - I fell in love with the Penny Black card making kit, I bought it right on the spot! You will be in awe of the detail they put into their cards. Watch for an upcoming class at Auntie Em's in March for this class!
2. Stampendous - HUGE stamps - begging to be coloured with Copic's
3. Prima's Bloom Girls - designed by the Uber talented Jamie Dougherty - I'm so happy to say I already own this girl and will be colouring her up VERY soon.
Best new Embellishments
1. Prima resin - so many different resin pieces coming out - my absolute favorites are the cherubs and the seashore collections.
2. Queen & Co. Deco Dots - different from what else is on the market - love the lines in them
Trendspotting
My observations for this CHA include: metallics - particularly GOLD. I believe you will continue to see more of this trend throughout the year.
Flowers dies - it seems that every company has a flower die of some sort out, many have teamed up with Sizzix or Spellbinders, but some are venturing out on their own. The trend of handmade flowers is still around and still being pushed by the industry.
Foxes - they are everywhere, most popular animal I have seen this CHA - could it be due to the popularity of the Ylvis song "What does the Fox Say"?! I don't know, but I think they are adorable!
Resin - both clay resins and clear resins seem to have hit this CHA by storm - jewelry making and covering paper flowers
Pink & Blue - nearly every paper company had their version of a baby pink and baby blue line. I love those colours together, believe me I do, but it was hard to find anything else. I was surprized at the lack of purple on the market this year.
Maps- I love maps and travel lines - and there is no shortage of it out there this year, with Prima, KaiserCraft, Websters Pages, Echo Park among others having each their own lines. There is a whole lotta choices out there, and mixing and matching lines will be easy with the themes.
Pocket Scrapbooking - still popular - more and more companies are putting out lines that lend well to this popular trend with journaling cards, ATC cards, and their own versions of the albums.
Well there you have it folks - a pretty long blog post - but this is just the tip of the ice burg for this CHA - there was so much to take in and see, and I'm quite certain that I missed heaps. Stay tuned for new projects from me and use of all the beautiful lines I have picked up at CHA.
Please let me know your favorite product picks from this CHA - did I overlook something? Did I miss something you love? Or do you share the same loves as I do? Your comments are cherished and appreciated.
