Top ten CHA Summer 2013

So CHA Summer 2013 has crept upon us again, where has the time gone? Honestly it felt like yesterday that Winter CHA was here. So after watching many CHA videos thanks to Scott from Bluemoon Scrapbooking who we can count on everytime to capture all the new products, I have compiled a top ten list of the products you need to buy this Autumn/Winter.

10. Prima Marketing - Finnabair Embellishments

 

I've kicked off the top ten with new embellishments from Prima's new 'Mechanical' range including these pocket watches and pendants. Check out the video on Bluemoon Scrapbooking Channel on YouTube for more previews of everything included in the range and other new releases from Prima.

 9. Tim Holtz - Paper Stash Merriment

 

No top ten would be complete without Tim Holtz and his new Christmas paper stash comes in at number nine. This paper stash features old photo images with a red/white theme throughout. I can't think of any Christmas project that this wouldn't be perfect for.

8. My Mind's Eye - Chalk Studio

 

My Mind's Eye have several new collections, but 'Chalk Studio' has to be my favourite. The chalk board theme is really popular at the moment especially for parties and weddings so give your special occasion the 'x-factor' with these fantastic papers and photo holders which would be great at capturing those moments after the event. Check out other releases by watching the video. 

7. Tim Holtz - Worn Cover Christmas Wishes

 

These worn covers are great scrapbooking projects and the 'Christmas Wishes' cover is going to be a fantastic Christmas project which I hope to be hosting this Winter. To check out Tim's idea-ology booth, check out the video. 

6. Graphic 45 - 12 Days of Christmas Paper Stash

 

This new collection from Graphic 45 is one that we have been waiting for for a while and funnily enough a friend at a workshop last year asked if I knew of any collections that featured the 12 days of Christmas or old vintage images that could be used for that. I can now finally say that there is a paper stash for the 12 days which I will definitely be using this Winter. Take a look at the Graphic 45 booth - amazing!

5. Marion Smith at Canvas Corp

 

This picture does not do this whole range justice, however, apart from the Bluemoon Scrapbooking video for Marion Smith I couldn't find much else on the web to promote her new range. These stitched books are part of a new alterable range, alongside some very pretty aprons and new glimmer mists. Also when you check out the video, Marion's new paper collection inspired by Alice in Wonderland is simply divine. Check out the video here.

4. Teresa Collins - Santa's List

 

This new collection by Teresa Collins comes in at number four on our list. The imagery used in the papers are gorgeous and again has that vintage feel. The picture on the left also shows Treat Bags decorated in the same imagery and would be great as a way to wrap up a special gift at Christmas. For more sneak peeks - check out the video.

Our Top Three!

3. Webster's Pages - Cameos and Charms

 

I think these definitely have to be the best embellishments from the CHA Summer Show. As soon as I saw these cameos come into focus on the video I think I screamed out with excitement. These can be used on many different projects and mimic an old vintage cameo brooch. I hope to get my hands on these asap! More releases from Websters Pages - check out the video. 

2. Bo Bunny - The Avenues Album

 

Now this picture really does not do this product justice so I request you check out the video here before reading any further to really appreciate the beauty of this album. The example featured in the video is soooooo pretty and looks amazing! This will definitely be a workshop in the Autumn months and when it is embellished it will truly be a statement piece with a prime location on your shelf. So excited to get started on this!

So what's our number 1..............

1. Brenda Walton

 

The best products at Summer CHA have definitely got to be the range of new die cuts by Brenda Walton. Her first range of die cuts featuring Tea cups, crowns and shoes were definitely something unique and this new collection is no different! The cute shadowboxes would make fantastic decorations hanging on the tree with a photo of the family inside. The houses are similar to those by Melissa Frances however you can now cut them out and assemble them in whichever papers you choose. Also the crackers on the right of the picture would be great decorations for the Christmas table or gifts for friends. 

These products are simply inspirational and make it so simple for us to make fantastic decorations and gifts for close friends and family. Thank you Brenda Walton!!!!

Now check out the video to view some amazing samples.

So thats it for our top ten CHA products. I hope you enjoyed and loved the videos, so a big shout out to Bluemoon Scrapbooking. And if you want to get your hands on the goodies first, check out their website and get them shipped now!

 

Graduation Day

Friday 26th July 2013 is going to be a day that I will never forget! Graduation Day!

Three years of blood, sweat and tears and it is now officially over with my life as a graduate at its beginning. I celebrated the day with my mum, sister, nan and grandad and was truly humbled by the whole experience. Words really can't describe how I felt on the day.

The graduation ceremony took place at the Brighton Dome and walking across that stage to collect my degree was so uplifting with the crowd cheering and clapping. Amazing!

 

 

 

 

So what's next?

Well to be honest I'm not quite sure. A bit of job hunting and a continuation of the crafting business is likely to be in the short term future. Even if I find myself a top notch job, don't you worry, I will always have time to craft! Talking about crafting, new releases from the CHA summer show are shipping anytime now and of course we have been checking out what new collections are hitting the shelves through Bluemoon Scrapbooking videos. Watch out for the next blog post featuring our top ten CHA releases this Autumn/Winter.

Vintage Book Workshop

Today was a brilliant end to my three weeks teaching vintage craft workshops at HobbyCraft in Crawley. The last workshop which took place today was the Vintage Book workshop and as usual everyone left with some stunning pieces of work and all so different and unique as well.

 

The photos above give you an idea of busy hands at work and also a glimpse of some of the finish pieces.

 

This book was created by Pauline who is becoming a dab hand at the old vintage look now. The front of the book really is reminiscent of an old fashioned book.

 

And the inside leaves the perfect amount of room to add a photo.

Heidi's book is beautifully distressed in browns and pinks with plenty of embellishment and ephemera.

 

Cathy and Mel still wanted to add their own photos to the front and inside of the books but both looking brilliant when they left.

I think some of my crafting mojo is coming back after a few weeks of a bit of a crafting block. So many ideas to get on with, lets just hope I have the time to get them done.

More workshops will follow shortly with some ideas already pencilled in for Halloween and Christmas so keep an eye out on the blog for new workshop dates. Even though the weather is finally hot and summery in the UK, take some time to do something creative this weekend and take a break from the heat.

 

 

 

 

 

Vintage Masquerade Mask

 

Hi bloggers, well it has definitely been a hectic couple of weeks. I've been prepping for upcoming workshops and also a last minute craft fair that occurred on Saturday so I can now finally update the blog with some projects I have been creating in the meanwhile.

This beautiful masquerade mask has been made using lace, old crochet doilies, feathers and gold diamantes. In preparation for my vintage mardi gras party in October I wanted to get started on an example for my friends to see and also start thinking of a colour theme I wanted to dress in myself. As usual I have stuck to quite muted colours, using creams, soft oranges and golds which makes it quite easy to work with most outfits.

I bought the plastic mask from The Works for only 99p and even though it comes with a ribbon to tie around the head, I may add a piece of wooden dowling so that I can hold it up to my face instead.

Here is a glimpse of what it looks like on.....

 

(Excuse the almost deathly stare! I think I should have looked down, might have not looked quite as menacing!)

These masks are great little projects to make at parties and if you don't have much vintage lace or material, a bag of feathers and some paint will do. Check out Pinterest to gather a few more ideas on how you could decorate a masquerade mask.

Have you made any masquerade masks, what materials did you use?