Winter Releases | A Few Thoughts & Favorite Products
Creativation is behind us, and the Creativeworld show starts in Frankfurt, Germany this weekend. Before I pack my suitcase and run out the door for that long transatlantic flight, I wanted to take a few minutes to share a few thoughts and favorite products that I've seen so far. (Note I have been observing Creativation from afar, since I didn't travel to Phoenix this year.)
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One of the first things that has jumped out at me from Creativation is that bright color dominated. Several companies have new "rainbow" type collections, and some companies like Graphic 45 that are very vintage in style have noticeably pumped up their color palettes for at least some products. Even Tim Holtz, who never met a shade of brown he didn't like, was demonstrating at the show using bright colors.
Paige Evans 2x2 Paper Pad
We've been seeing the scrapbook page seemingly shrink and shrink as new forms have been introduced - 9x12, mini albums, planners, traveler's notebooks, instagram pocket albums. But Pink Paislee may have hit a new level of miniaturization with the 2"x2" paper pad in Paige Evans' new "Pick Me Up" collection. I know that these cute pads will be great for punching and small die cuts, but it sure did give me a moment of pause to see that in the context of the trend in page sizes!
So...on to some of my favorites from the new releases!
Simple Stories "Travel Notes"
Simple Stories Travel Notes
I actually let out a small squeal of excitement when I saw the announcement from Simple Stories of their new "Travel Notes" collection coming in February. I have been using their retired Urban Traveler collection in an album that I've been working on, and absolutely love it. I horde every single scrap but I'm almost entirely out. Now, I'll have an updated version to continue working with! [Available: Scrapbook.com]
Lawn Fawn paper pads
Lawn Fawn Really Rainbow
For card makers, there's nothing like having good basic cute patterns that work with everything but that aren't boring. Lawn Fawn pulled that off beautifully with both of their new paper pads they unveiled at Creativation. One, Really Rainbow, is right on the rainbow theme trend seen at the show. The other is a spring themed addition to the Perfectly Plaid collection. These will keep me card making for quite awhile!
Graphic 45 "Floral Shoppe"
Graphic 45 Floral Shoppe
My style is a bit all over the place and as happy as those two graphic collections above make me, I also love pretty vintage too! This new Floral Shoppe collection from Graphic 45 is the best of all the things I love about their designs - intricate and detailed, with the perfect vintage elegance.
Dyan Reaveley's "Dyalog" system
Dyan Reavely Dyalog system
The best products solve a problem the consumer has. I've experimented with traveler's notebooks and loved the concept but quickly ran into a big brick wall. The paper was too thin to do the things like watercolor that I wanted to do in them, and it left me frustrated. Now along comes Dyan Reaveley, with the solution to my problem! Her new Dyalog traveler's notebook system released at Creativation has pages made from the same mixed media paper that is in the art journal of hers that I use. I can't wait to get my hands on these to use on the go with my portable watercolor sets! (To see the system in action, check out the Scraptime video of Dyan demonstrating it.)
Tonic Studios Tim Holtz Glass Media Mat
Tim Holtz Media Mat
Speaking of solving problems, I'm messy. Like really messy when there is ink and paint anywhere in the neighborhood of my work. So I'm always looking for new solutions to make the messes smaller and keep them contained. I think this new glass media mat from Tim Holtz and Tonic Studios might be just what I need! I think it looks really versatile and I love how the palette area on the side has the option of being glass or using the mat. I can't wait to try this one out! (To see this in action, watch the ScrapTime video of it.)
That's just a few of my favorites so far...I can't wait to see what I will find at Creativeworld! For news live from the show floor in Frankfurt, follow Nally Studios on Instagram.
