Watercolor Paper Collection, A Sneak Peek from Art-From-the-Heart

It's only a few more days until the National Craft and Hobby Association Show in Anaheim California, and I am really excited about this year's show because for the first time, I'm bringing product to the market under the brand name Ken Oliver Crafts.  There's a lot to do between now and showtime, but I wanted to give you a little glimpse of what you'll see at the show.



Today, Nancy Wethington, style contributor for Ken Oliver Crafts, created some beautiful watercolor style cards with the new Watercolor assortment. 

The Watercolor assortment is a collection of pre-printed watercolor designs that let you create beautiful watercolor look projects without the paints or brushes. There are six floral styles in the assortment...but I can only show you a couple today...

You can see more of Nancy's projects on her blog Art-From-the-Heart...I love her work and love these cards.  The color palette in the Watercolor collection is vibrant, bright and cheery and lends itself well to lots of projects, handmade cards, scrapbook layouts, mixed media work...the collection is also very versatile!  If your style is less colorful...the reverse side of each of the prints is muted or toned down...this paper will give you creative options. 

Nancy used some very intricate die cut paper in this project...she shares a cool technique on her blog using die cuts, glitter and Stick It!  She actually uses Stick It to glitter the die cut pieces...it's pretty cool. 

We'll also be showing Stick It at the National Craft and Hobby Show...if you haven't heard of Stick It, or haven't tried it yet, you are going to be blown away with this new adhesive.  It's been specially designed to make gluing intricate die cuts neat and easy!  It works like a charm, and can also let you create some amazing looks with glitter, gliding flakes, and embossing powders.

Stick It is so cool...it's been nominated as one of the year's HOT PRODUCTS by the Craft and Hobby Association, it's one of 3 products to be nominated in paper crafting by the Association!  It's good stuff and I can't wait to show Stick It to everyone at the show...here's a quick video so you can see how it works. 

Thank you for stopping by my blog today...come back tomorrow...I'll be previewing some more new releases before they launch at the National Craft and Hobby Association show next week!  

It's New Year's Day, and I have Resolutions!

Happy New Year!  I always have a long list of resolutions about this time of year, and always at the top of the list..."I will be a better blogger." And while I start with the best intentions, somehow, the blog seems to slip away from time to time.  That's not to say, I'm not keeping busy, I just do a better job of "micro-blogging" via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

As you may or may not know, it's almost time for the National Crafts and Hobby Association trade show, and in the craft world, it's like a second Christmas.  It's a time to see all the newest products and to get inspired for the year ahead.  And I am super excited about the show this year, because for the first time, I'm launching products into the market under the brand name Ken Oliver Crafts. It's a little hard to believe.

So, today I wanted to let you get a little glimpse of something new that will hit the market next week at the Winter CHA Show. It's a line of  double sided craft papers called Watercolor.  Here's an example of the Watercolor paper...the papers are printed craft papers with watercolor designs.  Crafters and artist all over the world love watercolor looks, and it's not always easy to get the look...this new group of papers will let you achieve the look even if you're not completely confident with your painting skills...there are six styles in the product group, I am only gonna show you one today.  I am really excited about this...this product line will let you create wonderful, elegant handmade cards and scrapbook with that water colored, mixed media look...half the work has been done for you! 

  Here's a little sneak peek project that I just created this morning, it's an 8"x8" card...it's quite easy to get this watercolor look with this paper collection! 

I added a couple die cuts and used Stick It to make that really easy...

I really think you're going to love this new craft paper if you've ever wanted to create something with a watercolor look! 

 

Now, for the rest of the week, I intend to share a few more products with the help of some friends who are style contributors for Ken Oliver Crafts...and hopefully I'll keep up with my New Year's Resolution of being a better blogger!  Let me know what you think about Watercolor...is it something you'd like to use?  

Hometown Paper Collection Pre-CHA Release

Last weekend, while we were at Art at the Edge, I had a little special gift for everyone who attended...everybody at the event received some samples of a brand new product line I've been working on for the past few months...

And, somehow, a few pics got posted and before we knew it, we had people from all over the country, and all over the world, asking where they could get this new product. 

It's called "Hometown." It's a collection of craft papers, designed using images from the small river-town where I live, Newburgh, Indiana.  The collection is reminiscent of life in a simpler time, with images of historic homes, vintage patterns, and local landmarks and is rooted in home, history and family. It's a beautiful collection of craft papers that will be perfect for home decor projects, mixed media projects, heritage scrapbook layouts, handmade cards, and especially masculine cards.

 

We hadn't planned to release the collection until January 2015 at the Craft and Hobby Association Show in Anaheim California, but because we've had so many folks asking, we decided to do a limited, Pre-CHA release.  A limited number of sets will be available in late November. I can't give out all the details yet, but I wanted to give you a little peek and a little heads up that the Hometown Collection will be available in late November. Keep an eye out at your local scrapbook stores and art supply stores...I think you're going to love the nostalgic feel of this collection. 

I can't wait for you to see it!  

Art at the Edge...Studio Open House and Tour

Art at the Edge was a really special time for me...It was the first time that I've ever organized an event independently and the first time that I've ever invited people from all over the world to come to my home in Newburgh, Indiana to make some crafts.  Although, our classes were held across the street from my home/loft/studio...it was the perfect opportunity to throw the doors wide open and let everyone come in to see where I live and work. 

 

And honestly, it gave me an excuse to sweep the floors and get the place spruced up a bit. My space is really unique in that it is an historic building with 12" thick brick walls, and some cool architectural details. A business of some kind has occupied the space since 1803...at first a livery stable, then later a theater, then a place called the Scuffletown Saloon.  Needless to say, there's a lot of local history within these walls.  

While I had people in the house, I took the opportunity to show some cool die cutting techniques with Stick It, embossing powders, micro glitters and dies.  

 

It was kind of cool to invite everyone into my workspace to play. 

 

And since I've only been in this new space for a few months...I loved getting to share it with my friends at the "Edge." 

 

What you don't see in any of these photos are the amazing water views I have from every window...the river right outside my windows is a never ending source of inspiration. 

 

I loved getting to show everyone how using Stick It can make gluing even the most intricate die cuts in place a breeze.  

 

And this was really cool...the Vice President of my local bank popped in for a visit...come to find out, she's a lifelong friend of one my best crafting buddies...it really is a small world.  

 

Naturally, I had a few Halloween decorations out...like a doll head under a cloche...creepy and elegant at the same time. 

 

I loved sharing my creative space and some diecutting techniques with my friends at the "Edge." It was one of the things that made Art at the Edge really fun for me. 

Art at the Edge...A Behind the Scenes Look

Art at the Edge has come and gone...we created some beautiful art and created lots of memories.  When I had the idea to create an art event in my sleepy little riverfront town, Newburgh, Indiana, I had no idea that we'd draw attendees from 12 states, some traveling long distances to attend. Here's a quick look at what we did at Art at the Edge...I'd never planned an event like this by myself before...it was really fun! 

 

We created 2 beautiful projects at Art at the Edge...an altered metal frame, 

 

and a beautifully embellished scrapbook.  

 

Although I provided the materials and supplies needed and the basic design for the projects, each student had the option to create their pieces to their own aesthetic...

It was amazing to see everyone add their touches to the projects. 

Since Newburgh is a rivertown, I thought it would be fitting to hold Art at the Edge at The Edgewater Grill.  We met in one of their beautiful river front dining rooms with panoramic views of the Ohio River.  The natural light in that room is wonderful...it was the perfect place to hold an art event. 

And really, I just wanted to use this post to tell the story in pictures...we had an amazing day. '

Here I'm with some of my crafting friends from St. Louis.  We've been friends for years and I was really honored that they came. 

I had quite a few special guests at Art at the Edge...my cousin Charlotte came.  We're very much alike, she is an amazing crafter, she loves geneology and she's a gardener too...It was great to see her there. 

 

 My parents were very helpful throughout the event...they even helped me pack class kits and sort paper...I am very thankful for them. 

 
And just at the end of the day, my little brother and his family popped in for a visit.  I am glad they came, my nieces and nephew were able to help Art at the Edge attendees carry their tools, supplies and finished projects out to their cars.  

One of my favorite things about Art at the Edge...during our event, the town Halloween parade went by...and our town band (Called the Old Dam Band) played...

We went outside on the veranda to listen to the band and to watch the trick or treaters parade by.

 

At the end of the day, as Art at the Edge was drawing to a close, we were treated to one of those wonderful sunsets over the Ohio...the sunsets in our neck of the woods are spectacular!

I hope everyone who came had a wonderful time, and would like to thank everyone again...it seems like everybody liked Art at the Edge...a lot!  I am already planning for next year!