Where I’ve Been Update and My Thoughts on the New Releases from Winter CHA 2014! Part One

Hi everyone!  First let me say Happy 2014 to each of you.  This new year has started very slow for me as I’ve been in bed with the worst virus for the past 10 days or so.  Today is the first day I’ve been able to eat (although not enjoying it) and feel strong enough to actually post here.  I got my flu shot this year (Thank God) because we’ve had several deaths in our state from the swine flu and other strains already and flu season just started!  Mine started out as a sore throat and ended with a stomach virus and for an emetophobic like me, that was no fun experience.  All I can say is thank God for Phenerghan and Xanax LOL

Anyway, now I’m playing catch up on the new releases from the Winter CHA 2014 and thought I’d share some of my favorites with you in case you haven’t seen them yet.

I’m going to split this into three separate blog posts because it may get quite long and I’m still recovering from this virus and don’t have a lot of energy.  This first post is the first of two posts showcasing what I really like from the newest releases and later this week, you’ll see what I’m Loving (Not So Much)!

What I’m Loving!

• Crafting Tools

Spellbinders Tool N’ One – You know those pesky dies with the intricate, delicate parts that get stuck in the die?  Well this is a new portable tool that performs multiple functions, including piercing and paper removal.  You roll the brush over the die and it pushes all of the little bits out of the die!  You can purchase it alone or with a foam mat (shown below).  If you use it without the mat, the pieces go flying everywhere but when you use it with the foam mat, the pieces stay attached to the foam.  If you would like to pre-order one of these, visit me in the Scrappy Resale Room)

Tool N’ One Foam from Cindy Echtinaw Designs  – This is the foam mat that goes along with the tool (sold separately)

Here is a video demonstration of both the Tool N’One and the Foam Mat:

The new Square Hole Cinch from We R Memory Keepers 

I personally perfer the Cinch over the Bind It All, but prefer the square holes rather than the round, so this new Square Hole Cinch from WRMK is right up my alley!

Collections – My favorite new collections from the Winter 2014 CHA

(Click on the images to see all of the photos on each manufacturer’s blog)

Bella Blvd

Bella Blvd is always one of my faves and I could never get sick of their products because I love the bright, cheery colors and the “cutesy” factor they always have.  Out of their newest collections, these are my faves.

Lucky Starz – This is a great collection for any type of photos regardless of age or gender.  A great “basics” to have in your stash (or mine LOL)

Family Forever – Fun collection for family photos.  Since I’m a single mom, I wouldn’t have a use for the page with icons of a couple holding hands but I guess that’s why it’s double sided right? 🙂

Carta Bella

It’s a Celebration! – Great birthday collection!

 Echo Park

Splendid Sunshine – The only new collection from Echo Park that captured my eye this time around is the Splendid Sunshine collection. I love the colors, especially the dark blue!  My only complaint is the lack of embellishments compared to other manufacturers.  I think Echo Park needs to provide more of a choice when it comes to embellishments for their collections.  JMHO!

 Fancy Pants

Over the past year or so, Fancy Pants has quickly become one of my top fave manufacturers of scrapbooking products!  Their collections are always fresh and unique and they offer a plethora of embellishments with each line!  I like all three of their new lines but my favorite by far is:

Be Different – Perfect for scrapbooking boy photos!

Check back in a couple day for Part Two of this post!