Rewind & Looking to the Future

 January has come and gone and has made a tremendous impact for the start of 2014. REWIND……….. January 1st was New Years Day and many people may resolutions. So it’s a month later, I hopes that you have been committed to keeping your resolutions you made this year. If it was to complete a scrapbook layout, learning a new technique, make a video blog, spending more time with your family, loose weight, reading more books or whatever your goal I hope you are reaching towards the mark. On January 2nd, the email that changed so many local scrapbook shoppers, which announced that Archiver’s were going to be closing all remaining stores by February 15th. Many fellow scrapbookers reunited to say good bye to not only the staff but to gather together to enjoy each other company as they create, laugh, cried, and said good bye to Archiver’s who had brought so many together. Then on January 11th, the Winter Craft Hobby Association (CHA) Trade Show, with amazing new launches from of the leading designers in the industry such as Becky Higgins, Teresa Collins, Heidi Swapp, We R Memory Keepers, Tim Holtz, Studio Calico, Amy Tan, Doodle Bug, and so many more. There were great products from many of my favorite designers which I can’t wait to create with. January 21st Cricut announced their newest machine The Explore. This will launch Feb 12th on HSN and will be available at the retail stores in March. Also, Anna Griffin celebrated her 20th Anniversary in the industry. She launched a new line on HSN to kick off her celebration. Wow….January has been very eventful with dangerously cold weather in the Midwest and lots of snow. As we welcome February, so many things are to come. First of all, we are celebrating Black History Month. Second, on February 12th tune in to HSN for the world launch of the Cricut Explore with our friend Anna Griffin. Next, February 14th show that special someone in your life that you love and care on Valentine’s Day. Then on February 17th is President Day for the US and Family Day in Canada. Let’s plan to celebrate and warm up with scrappy projects this February!

Winter CHA 2014 in Review

The Winter CHA 2014 has come to a close but the beginning of the hottest and most wanted products that will be available to the consumers are in route to your local crafting stores or to your favorite online stores. I have been watching many of the clips as well as reading many of the blog posts from CHA and there are so many product lines that are just amazing. The innovator, Becky Higgins, has brought more to her Project Life community with the expansion of three new core kits, 6×8 albums with four corresponding pocket page system, photo overlays, creme color cards, 4×4 cards, washi tape, and dies. Making things Pretty is what the inspiring Heidi Swapp has brought this year to CHA. The launch of her mini stencils and color magic tags, and more color shines. I love her memory file line and cannot wait to see how she is going to incorporate this into her new product line. The basically essential Ms. Teresa Collins has again brought a beautiful line this CHA. Let’s Save the Date and welcome Hello My Name Is are of the new additions to her wonderful product lines. One of the most exciting news was the announcement of her partnership with We R Memory Keepers. She has designed a new paper line for their pocket page 12×12 albums system. Along with the fabulous giveaways sponsored by We R Memory Keepers the awaited new hot flower punch board is what has caught the my interest. Other amazing designers but not limited to all the ones that were at this year Winter CHA are Tim Holtz, Amy Tangerine, Studio Calico, Dear Lizzy, and Maggie Holmes, just to name a few. There was so many new product lines that I just cannot name them all. I am excited and anxious to use the new products that was launched at the CHA in my creative projects….. Happy Scrapping!

Starting the New Year by Creating

January 1st was a day a relaxing, planning, ands creating. Moriah started her creativity with making crafty bands while I started strategizing on our focus as a family and bringing it into the creativity of memory keeping.

My inspirations came from Ali Edwards ‘One Little Word Workshop’ and incorporating it in my Project Life Just Add Color edition. I am focusing on realistic goals, instead of making resolutions that I would forget by February 1st or try to recall if I accomplished them by next New Year’s Eve. Always inspired by Becky Higgins, I made three 2014 Focus Cards using Project Life lined blank cards. Yes, my six year old daughter is going to participate in this. I chose a word for me this year that will define me personally, spiritually, and physically as I embrace 2014 and have set realistic goals to accomplish as well. My word for 2014 is Inspire and a few of my goals are to complete some of my unfinished scrapbook albums, read at least 12 books this year, make a life style change instead of dieting, and these are just a few of the goals I have set. As you begin this new year focus on a new you, a better you in 2014. I hope you join me in making this happen. Happy New Year!