New & Noteworthy: Amy Tangerine

To celebrate the start of a new year, and highlight some of the latest and greatest products now hitting shelves, I'm launching a new mini-series that is a spin-off (and will temporarily replace) my Noteworthy column. "New & Noteworthy" will showcase a different brand new product or line each week, looking at its possible uses and sharing a new project created with it as well.

One of the most anticipated debuts at CHA this summer was Amy Tan's signature line with American Crafts. The Amy Tangerine line proved itself not just pretty to look at, but very useful as well. From travel to everyday moments, a trip to the zoo to random shots of my daughters, I've created more than a dozen projects with this line already - which is a lot for me from one line! Indeed, I've found myself using it so much I've purchased seconds of several products.

Now in stores is a special line-extension that perfectly coordinates with the existing line, giving me more use for my leftover bits of paper, tape, and stickers, and giving me fresh project possibilities as well.

Four new "daybooks" (mini-books) were released in this extenstion as well as three new embellishments.

I received a sample of the "Off the map" daybook and what I love is that it could easily be a gift for a non-crafting friend. If I provided some adhesive and some small letter stickers anyone could use this to make a little book about their vacation (or other subject if another book from the line was chosen). There are a lot of fun pieces in this book, and lots of journaling room. I believe a stapler and some of Amy's tape along with a pen would be all I need to make a book with the right ephemera and a few small photos.

The embellishments that were released clearly go with the daybooks. However, I am already finding them useful on scrapbook layouts as well. Although this line features bold color, it is mixed with neutrals in a way that ends up complimentary to many photos, and with enough solids in the mix to work well for me. Here is a layout I just completed utilizing the new embellishments as well as some of the original line. I really like the mixed envelopes - perfect to add another layer and detail to my page.

If the use of travel icons is not for you, or if you aren't fond of the plum color the line features then this may not be the line for you. I am a fan of pinks of all kinds - however, I'm very aware that for some that might not work.

If you're looking for a user-friendly, whimsical, and very mixable line that works well with other brands as well, then take a look at these Amy Tangerine products. I look forward to seeing what new line she comes up with at CHA. Until then these daybooks and embellishments will keep me busy - and help me use the last of my stash of her original release of papers.