Scrapbook Update's CHA Winter 2009 Top 10 Hot Picks

OK, after poring over my notes and photos (and other peoples' as well) from CHA for a week now...I think it's time to summarize what I feel are the top 10 hottest products shown at CHA this winter. (And a little hot sounds nice, since it's a balmy 40 degrees in the "sunshine state" at the moment!)

So, in no particular order...

1. Ribbon Ring by Chicory Chic

Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most ingenious. The Ribbon Ring holders are an affordable method for scrapbookers looking for a way to store their ribbon in a way that doesn't crease it, and which is easy to access for working with it. It is easy to lay various pieces of ribbon across a layout to try out different matches, and then to snip off a piece, without having to undo a fastening or dig it out of a container.

2. Invisibles by Heidi Swapp

These white-on-white papers create a resist effect when they are inked...the possibilities of ink effects and colors that could be used on these are endless! I can't wait to get a chance to experiment with these and see what effects I can get playing with them with my different inks.

3. Snorkel Collection by Cosmo Cricket

I can't help it. The Snorkel Collection by Cosmo Cricket makes me want to put on a swimsuit and flippers and jump in the pool...or at least print every adorable picture of my daughter anywhere near water that I can find and scrap them. The color palette just screams "fun in the sun", and the designs are "young at heart" without being too childish. Looking at this collection just makes me smile! (Honorable Mention should go to Cosmo Cricket's Girl Friday Collection, which makes me ever-so-happy I have a little girlie-girl to scrap layouts of.)

4. Storytellers by Webster's Pages

I don't generally find alphabets exciting. I usually find them useful, functional, or just nice. But something about this idea from Webster's Pages of combining several coordinating colors of alphabets, in two sizes, so you can have titles and sub-headings that are all coordinated just strikes me as cool. And useful, functional, and nice.

5. Anything by Sassafrass Lass

This collection was quite simply so stunning that it actually made me covet paper die-cut embellishments - a category that I usually wouldn't give a second look to because I find most of them ugly and cheap looking. But it isn't just the die cuts that are gorgeous...the whole new Sassafrass Lass line at CHA was incredible - the chipboard, the paper & button flowers, the papers, the felt and the stamps.

6. Cards & Envelopes by Bazzill Basics

Sometimes I resort to making my own cards out of Bazzill (and I know I'm not the only one) to get a really good quality paper card. But I'm rarely happy with the fold I make or get the cuts for the sides exactly straight. Now, I am so happy that I won't have to hassle with all of that DIY stuff, since Bazzill introduced its new Cards & Envelopes packages at CHA. The first basic colors are a good start...let's hope they expand this to include more in the near future!

7. Bling It by Basic Grey

Bling is everywhere these days it seems, and with their new "Bling It" line Basic Grey looks like they can now supply the perfect bling embellishment for every creation! These look to be the perfect size for cards, or just big enough to embellish a layout with (especially if you use several in combination). And the small package size means they are budget-friendly and you won't end up with tons of leftovers that might never use again after completing a project.

8. Small Stamp Packages by Maya Road

There were lots of small packages of clear stamps on display at the show, and these (and the rest that aren't pictured) stood out for their unique designs. They retail for $5/pkg, so they aren't the cheapest of the ones I saw, but they are also somewhat larger than some of the other packages.  I especially love the clock and swirl designs, both classics that will coordinate with a wide variety of vintage designs. (Note that some of the designs pictured above are previously releases mixed in with the new ones in the display, and are currently available at Scrapbook.com and Two Peas In A Bucket.)

9. Anything by Jenni Bowlin Studios

The Farmer's Wife collection by Jenni Bowlin Studios was one of the most talked-about items at the show, and deservedly so. Bowlin has an amazing gift for creating usable vintage products and she outdid herself with this collection and its accompanying embellishments. The collection incorporates one of the minor recurring themes I noticed at the show - cherries - and also manages to include some bling in its vintage look in the buttons.

10. Ali Edwards for Technique Tuesday

Technique Tuesday was showing a new stamp set from their Ali Edwards signature line, a family-centered "build-a-stamp" type design called Family Circle. It's another lovely design that encapsulates Ali's distinctive style, and I can't imagine it not being a big hit for her and Technique Tuesday. Also on display was the company's latest Collector Set, also designed by Edwards, which should be a great sales promotion for them.