CHA Summer 2013 | Hot Pick: Simple Stories

This time around I'm doing something a bit different with the CHA Hot Pick list. Instead of giving the ten Hot Picks to my readers in one huge overwhelming chunk, I'm going to give you one pick per article for each of the ten picks. At the end, I'll publish a summary list for easy reference of all ten. This will allow me to bring you more information about each of the Hot Picks, and also bring them to you faster!

So here are the hot picks for CHA Summer 2013 (aka Create-n-Connect), in no particular order...

---

Hot Pick: Simple Stories

This pick was an easy one to make. Simple Stories was the top vote getter in our pre-show Sneak Peeks survey, and it was the name I heard over and over again talking to show attendees about what they liked. Simple Stories did a huge release for this show: Four collections of 12x12 papers and elements plus their matching SN@P! system accessories, along with albums and page protectors.

For all those summer days in the sun, Simple Stories has a new collection called "I {heart} Summer". Created from bright colors like yellow, red, and turquoise, and grounded with deep shades of brown, the collection features summer icons like bicycles, ice cream, clouds, surf boards, and flip flops.

IMG_7916

IMG_7919

IMG_7920

IMG_7922

IMG_7921

IMG_7923

Here's a background sheet and some of the collection stickers used to make a layout:

IMG_7918

This SN@P binder is decorated with a combination of stickers, a flair, patterned paper, and a 4x4 quote block from the collection:

If your summer vacation included a visit to the land of the mouse - Disney - you'll love the next Simple Stories collection! "Say Cheese" won our pre-show Buzz survey, and was even better in person! This is bound to be a hugely popular line with consumers.

IMG_7904

IMG_7905

IMG_7900

IMG_7901

Gorgeous booth samples showed the line's versatility for 12x12 pages and for pocket scrapbooking (which is great for getting lots of vacation pictures done quickly):

IMG_7926

IMG_7930

The Say Cheese collection comes with a bonus item not available with other Simple Stories collections - an autograph book that holds 4x6 photos and has room for characters to sign their names!

IMG_7898

After the summer is over comes back to school time, and Simple Stories has a collection for that season called "Smarty Pants".

IMG_7897

IMG_7894

IMG_7895

Smarty Pants is great for small themed albums and also for teacher gifts:

IMG_7893

Simple Stories' final collection for the summer CHA show was of course for Christmas! "December Documented" is red, green, black, and gray with slight touches of blue and of the chalkboard effect that is so trendy currently. Along with 12x12 and 6x8 leather albums in red and green, this collection is sure to be popular with the December Daily project crowd.

IMG_7909

IMG_7906

IMG_7911

IMG_7912

IMG_7913

With the 6x6 paper pad, the collection will be great for holiday cards, too! These small scale, overall prints are great for layering with other design elements.

IMG_7908

Also interesting is what season Simple Stories chose not to cover. With the burgeoning popularity of Halloween, they were one of the few companies on the show floor not showing a Halloween line. However, given the style of scrapbooker they appeal to, a full scale collection of Halloween probably isn't warranted for this type of customer. I for one won't miss it.

All of the new Simple Stories lines will ship to stores in August, with the exception of the new SN@P sets, which will ship in September.