American Crafts

New & Noteworthy: Amy Tangerine

December 29, 2011 By May Flaum 4 Comments

To celebrate the start of a new year, and highlight some of the latest and greatest products now hitting shelves, I’m launching a new mini-series that is a spin-off (and will temporarily replace) my Noteworthy column. “New & Noteworthy” will showcase a different brand new product or line each week, looking at its possible uses and sharing a new project created with it as well.

One of the most anticipated debuts at CHA this summer was Amy Tan’s signature line with American Crafts. The Amy Tangerine line proved itself not just pretty to look at, but very useful as well. From travel to everyday moments, a trip to the zoo to random shots of my daughters, I’ve created more than a dozen projects with this line already – which is a lot for me from one line! Indeed, I’ve found myself using it so much I’ve purchased seconds of several products. [Read more...]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: American Crafts, Amy Tan, Amy Tangerine

Noteworthy | 12.9.2011

December 9, 2011 By May Flaum 9 Comments

CHA might not be for seven more weeks, but manufacturers are not waiting for the show to release exciting new products and debut new lines. In fact, the current trend is to release product year-round instead now! I’m not complaining – I am enjoying a more steady stream of new products. This week, Noteworthy features three new product line announcements, as well as some creative ideas that took me by surprise.

With the beautiful bold patterns and designs, many crafters struggle to figure out where to cut it or how to use Webster’s Pages patterned paper. They are beautiful and over the last few years have definitely been among my favorites, but their surprising new announcement has me excited, and I believe other scrapbookers will feel the same. Webster’s announced this week that they are creating something new – Clean & Simple papers will be “dedicated to a cleaner, simpler version of Webster’s Pages.”

And no, this isn’t a one-time deal. ALL of our new collections will have a corresponding Clean & Simple paper line, the perfect complement to Classic Webster’s. So instead of having 6 papers per collection…we’re now having 12 papers per collection {6 papers Classic Webster + 6 papers Clean & Simple}

I do not think it is only clean & simple style scrapbookers who will enjoy and appreciate this addition to their lines. This takes out a lot of the intimidation factor of Webster’s Pages’ papers, stretches the usefulness of their lines, and gives crafters more options. I look forward to seeing their new release (Sunday Picnic) which should arrive in stores in January, as well as how this new development adds to their future lines. [Read more...]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: American Crafts, Amy Tan, Amy Tangerine, Dina Wakley, Fiskars, Jenni Bowlin, Richele Christensen, Tim Holtz, Webster's Pages

Noteworthy | 12.2.2011

December 2, 2011 By May Flaum 3 Comments

Whether you’re recovering from a recent shopping spree or gearing up for the holidays (or both), there is no question that the internet is filled with inspiration these days. I’m already having fun with Tim’s 12 tags and Ali’s December Daily, and really getting into the holiday creative spirit. Last week, I focused on many of the great online holiday events in my Noteworthy column (link), if you’re looking for a class or series to check out.

This week I’m back to rounding up the best announcements, tutorials, and information in general, so let’s get December started:

Pink Paislee has begun their annual 12 days of Christmas series on thier blog, this year re-named “Winter Wonderland” to fit in with their winter themed Snow Day product line that is in stores now. It promises to be as fun filled as ever:

Each day we will post a new project from our creative team that includes step by step tips and tricks so you can create along with us; and we will also provide FREE printables and host daily blog giveaways so we can give out secret scrappy gift boxes filled to the brim!

The event takes place through December 12 on the Pink Paislee blog. With the free printables, prizes, not to mention tutorials for projects I am really looking forward to this.

Thousands check out the Tim Holtz 12 tags of Christmas posts, of course, but also worth watching is the Ranger blog, which promises a daily prize drawing for a box filled with holiday inspired Ranger products during Tim’s 12 tags event. Some of the Ranger staff will also be creating tags inspired by Tim’s daily tag and posting those as well. [Read more...]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Ali Edwards, American Crafts, Cleetus, Designer Digitals, Jenni Bowlin, Pink Paislee, Project Life, Tim Holtz

Review | American Crafts Cutup Cartridge Trimmer

November 14, 2011 By May Flaum 13 Comments

What is the first tool I recommend a new scrapbooker start with? A paper trimmer.

The staple of every crafting stash, this most frequently used tool is very rarely the star of the show – but today it is going to get some time in the spotlight. From my time working as a scrapbook store manager to the years I worked with Fiskars, I have seen a lot of paper trimmers. I have given demonstrations and done educational events (with Fiskars), and I have my preferences for sure. In fact, I am still using the same desktop rotary trimmer that I have been since 2006. It’s not perfect – but it is a wonderful tool I have been recommending since I first got it from Fiskars.

When it comes to paper trimmers, I strongly believe one with a rotary blade is the way to go. The initial investment is always more, but the quality is worth the $40-$60 the average rotary trimmer costs. A rotary trimmer has an effective blade that rarely needs to be changed, will always cut straight thanks to the usually metal cutting bars that won’t warp or bend, and can cut through felt, chipboard, fabric, and other materials easily. In short, I believe a quality trimmer that utilizes a rotary blade is a great investment for any paper crafter.

American Crafts invited me to try their new Cutup Cartridge Paper Trimmer, and today I’m going to talk about its features and benefits, as well as less desirable traits. Over the last two weeks, I have crafted heavily with this, even used it to cut paper for several classes that I taught at a local store. Having heavily field tested the trimmer, I am ready to share with you my findings. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Inspiration Tagged With: American Crafts

Paperclipping Roundtable # 91: Scrapbooking The Military

November 10, 2011 By Nancy Nally 3 Comments

This week we were joined at the table by military wives Stephanie Howell and Elizabeth Dillow, to talk about military scrapbooking and scrapbooking while your loved one is far away.

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