New Toys: CHA Preview!
If you like scalloped dies, I have something neat to show you today! My stamping buddy Ellen Hutson, (stamping buddy sounds better than chief enabler, right?), asked me if I would like to try a revolutionary product that she had been working on in conjunction with the Spellbinders Paper Arts Company. Now I already owned a couple of the SB dies--some cool tags and butterflies, as well as their universal die-cutting machine, the Wizard--and I liked that they could cut and emboss. I thought that whatever it was would probably be worth trying: I was not disappointed! Michelle Wooderson and Trudee Sauer have also been working with a prototype of this product for a couple of days, and I know that you will want to see what they've been up to.
Ellen does a wonderful job of explaining these dies on her blog, so I won't try to tell the whole story. I'll just mention a few of the things that stood out to me, as well as post a couple of the pieces that I've been working on. Tonight's pieces are two Lockhart ornaments and an Impression-Obsession card. Tomorrow I'll plan to post a Stampin Up' card and a GinaK card that I'm working on, also using the Spellbinders dies.
One of the nicest things about them is that I have a set of 12 nested scalloped dies, ranging from about 1-1/8" tall to 4-1/4" tall in ONE standard CD holder ands 12 nested plain dies in another CD holder. That's pretty amazing considering that my shoe bag full of punches hanging over the door is so heavy that it has warped the door hinges. (No, I don't think I have mentioned that to Rick yet. . . I just counted 41 punches in that bag. No wonder the door is warped!)
Since they cut and emboss, I don't feel compelled to go back and pierce all of my scallops any more. How about window cards? If you want to cut a window with a punch, you are limited on placement by how far the punch will go in on the page. Not with these babies: I put a window where I want it. You can also cut scalloped edge note cards and gift cards--very nice! Finally, their ability to nest perfectly gratifies me. Granted, that's a small thing in life compared to how your kids turn out, but it does make me happy. Please Note: the dies that we've been playing with for that past couple of days are prototypes; they aren't available for purchase yet. They will debut at CHA and be available some time in August, I believe. I will post when they are available.
Both of these ornaments are colored with COPIC markers; I love the vibrant, clean look that these markers give, unlike any other marker I have ever used. As much as I enjoy watercoloring, I am getting to the point that I reach for my markers more often than my watercolors just because I really like the look of nicely blended marker. It also works well as a flat base-color if you want to use colored pencil on top of it.
Things to Remember: Nichole Heady has started her countdown to her next PaperTrey reveal on July 15! I haven't posted any PaperTrey samples here tonight because it is not the 15th yet. I will certainly be using her newest sets with these dies though. Ellen has a Friday the 13th sale coming up--you won't want to miss it! Check her blog for previews this week--new stamps, new Copic markers in her 48 favorite colors, and who knows what else. Finally, surf over and wish GinaK a happy one-year stamp-anniversary! {{{{Happy Anniversary, Gina!}}}}
Stamps used: Lockhart Snowman with Checkered Hat, Lockhart Wreath Angel, Impression Obsession Holly Chickadee and Swirl Background. I used Copic Markers on both ornaments, adding only a touch of Prismacolor pencil to the sky in the snowman ornament. I used watercolor crayons on the Impression Obsession chickadee, then used two layers of UTEE for a cracked glass look. Thanks for visiting!
LOVE these cards! I am also enjoying seeing what the Spellbinders can do... this product may be on the top of my wish list!
Posted by: Heather Mitchell | July 10, 2007 at 06:18 AM
Oh my! All these new products, CHA, AAAAAGGHH! I will need to refinance my house! LOL! Wonderful cards as always Debbie!
Posted by: Michele Kovack | July 10, 2007 at 07:05 AM
This new product looks amazing. What truely amazes me is, I always find more ways to spend my pennies! Here's looking forward to August!
Rebecca
Posted by: Rebecca | July 10, 2007 at 07:11 AM
These cards and tag are great, can't wait to the unveil, think I have to have me one.
Posted by: florence | July 10, 2007 at 08:11 AM
Wow ... your projects look great ... LOVE those Spellbinder scallops!!!
-SandyB
Posted by: SandyB | July 10, 2007 at 08:33 AM
I am getting so excited about these dies! I think they are going to simplify my life!!! Thank goodness I didn't invest in a TON of the scallop punches...like I wanted to!!
Your chikadee card is unvelievable!
Posted by: tgrdina | July 10, 2007 at 08:38 AM
Wow
I'm always amazed at your talent. These are simply beautiful. The heart is pumping faster each day!!!!
Posted by: Sandy | July 10, 2007 at 08:59 AM
WHO is an enabler? LOL!
Your cards are fabulous! And I *feel* a big Spellbinders purchase coming on soon. :-)
Posted by: Michelle R | July 10, 2007 at 09:13 AM
Wow! This is so exciting. I wonder if the price of those scallop punches will drop big-time? Hee hee. Thanks for sharing. As usual, your work is beautiful!
Lesa
Posted by: Lesa | July 10, 2007 at 09:26 AM
My wallet is sooooooooo going to be in trouble!!! Love the ornaments!!! Adding to my Craft Sale Ideas!!!
Posted by: Otter | July 10, 2007 at 09:57 AM
Wow...your ornaments look so professional Debbie! I LOVE them!
Your chickadee card is so gorgeous with the gold swirl background, and cracked glass chickadee! So lovely!!
Posted by: Rose Ann | July 10, 2007 at 10:54 AM
Goodness! These are absolutely stunning!!!
Posted by: Gina K | July 10, 2007 at 11:33 AM
Those scallops are simply wonderful.That little chickadee is too. Will be on the lookout late summer. May seriously have to think about a purchase.
Posted by: Carolr | July 10, 2007 at 12:17 PM
You are a mean woman to post gorgeous samples and then tell us we can't buy the dies yet! Or maybe just a great salesperson!
Posted by: lindalee | July 10, 2007 at 02:00 PM
WOW Debbie everything looks amazing. I love the chickadee, and all the ornaments.
Posted by: K Ostvig | July 10, 2007 at 05:08 PM
Mom really likes this one!
Posted by: Norma Vickery | July 10, 2007 at 07:54 PM
Debbie, could you share with us how you were able to make the crackled finish? Especially how did you emboss over your image? Did you use an embossing marker? Thanks, Diane
Posted by: Di | July 10, 2007 at 10:42 PM
Great cards Deb, but...ah, who's calling whom's (or should that be whom is calling who} "chief enabler"??? I can see those Spellbinder toys will be on my list! Thanks for all your hard work. Penny M
Posted by: Penny | July 11, 2007 at 07:52 AM
Totally fabulous! I think I need a job!
Posted by: lacyquilter | July 11, 2007 at 08:44 AM
Lovely samples. I just love the colors and those dies do look wonderful. I love the embossing... adds an extra touch to your projects. TFS!
Posted by: Monika/buzsy | July 11, 2007 at 09:13 AM
Absolutely love your cards. Thanks for sharing these die cuts, can't wait for them to become available. I also hope you like to play, "tag" you're it. Please list 7 things about yourself others may not know and then "tag" 7 others.
Posted by: Tracy Koufos | July 12, 2007 at 10:49 PM