CHA 2012: Tropical Trees

Hey everyone!

I am here in Anaheim right in the middle of the excitement which is the CHA Winter Show! I have been working at the make and take booth making darling Blue Moon Bead bracelets with charms of our logo on them! So fun! Everyone is loving them and everyone is talking about our booth! I wanted to share a few more photos of the center logo of our booth along with our 3 trees.

Our logo is up on a platform in the center of our booth. It was made from foam and covered in moss and then our gorgeous paper flowers were added all around. And of course, EVERYTHING is handmade :)

Here is a closer look it. You can always click on the photos to enlarge them too :)

And this shows a little better how big the logo and trees are! Don't we look so tropical? ;)

This is our Scrap Tree, everything in it was created from our scrapbook lines. Birds, bird cages, flowers...you name it! And these trees are REAL trees that my cute hubby cut down :) He was a little confused why we needed real trees in our booth but now I think he gets it ;)

This is our Home Decor tree. Mirrors, wired flowers...lots of things are already made and in our Domestic Bliss line. 

And this is the Bead Tree. I wish you could all be here to see it in person! The photos just don't do it justice!! The entire tree is covered in beads and jewelry and it just sparkles! It's right next to our make and take table so it makes me happy all day

I hope you love today's photos! I will post some more soon. And make sure you see yesterday's post and enter in the big giveaway! And if you missed our video which shows you the entire booth, you can watch HERE! 

Be back soon!

CHA Winter 2012 Booth Tour!

I can't believe the show is finally here! I've been working on booth set up for 3 long days and you will see that it was worth all of the hard work of so many people! We are already getting incredible feedback and we hope you love our Tropical Garden :) 

We have been growing a lot lately! Adding Blue Moon Beads into our DCWV family, expanding our creative projects into off the page projects and home decor and especially growing in the aspect of trying to get MORE stacks into your hands as quickly as we can!

You can watch my video HERE to see the entire booth in all it's gorgeous glory. Leave me a comment to be entered in a big giveaway! Leave an extra comment telling me however many ways you shared this link to our blog!!! Facebook it, tweet it, blog about it, pin it... ANYTHING! This will get you extra entries into our big giveaway! I hope you love it! Can't wait to hear your feedback :)

I will post more detailed photos tomorrow :)

Wall Art Wednesday: Paint Your Own Animals

*To be entered in our weekly stack giveaways, leave a comment on each blog post throughout the week. Winners will be chosen at random from comments from the entire week combined. 

One comment per post please!*

Wow oh wow. What a week! Getting all packed up today for Anaheim! I can't wait to get there and get going on our booth! It's going to be incredible and the anticipation is killing me! Who is excited to see what we have been up to?!

In the middle of Crazy Central which is my HOME right now, ;) I wanted to show you an adorable new product! Our new line "Domestic Bliss" from our DCWV Home team keeps surprising me with awesome new products! Check out these new wall art pieces which you PAINT!!!

These are new at Jo-Anns and should be out right now. It retails for $19.99 and comes with 2 BIG pieces which you can paint or color however you want! There is a little guide on the side of the packaging which suggests colors. Kind of like a paint by numbers for the wall. Wouldn't this be so cute to color with your husband or family for a new nursery? Or you can be like me and let you kids go wild and make their own room decorations :)

Lots of hard work! My little guy turned FIVE yesterday! I just can't believe it :)

Look how focused he is :)

And what can be cuter than a proud little boy?! I think this is such a fun project for kids and families!

Love this little birthday boy! Anyone have any tips on how to freeze a 5 year old? ;)

Blog post winners will be picked when I get home from CHA so keep them coming! Be sure to keep up with all of our CHA photos and announcements! You will want to be following our Facebook page for sure since that is the quickest way for me to post photos. But the blog will be updated too.

Have a great day! I will be back tomorrow with one last project before the show starts.

Be Mine Valentine Decoration

*To be entered in our weekly stack giveaways, leave a comment on each blog post throughout the week. Winners will be chosen at random from comments from the entire week combined. 

One comment per post please!*

Another Monday is here! And today is just not any Monday, it is the Monday before CHA! Can you believe it is already here! I leave on Thursday for 3 full days of booth set up. And I'm not the first person getting there either. That just is a hint of how extremely creative and amazing our booth is this show! I can't wait to show you. I will be set with my camera and video camera so you will feel like you are right there with us. But there is still lots to do before leaving work for a week. And leaving your family! This week is jam packed but I can't wait to get to California and start feeling the excitement of a CHA show. 

With all of the CHA reveals, we can't forget about Valentines Day! One of my favorite days to craft for. I created a darling decoration this weekend using our Be Mine Stack.

This is one of our stacks which will be available for all stores to purchase at the show! It is gorgeous and a timeless, classic, gorgeous Valentines line. 

Look how pretty a scrap piece of wood can be! I found this new easel and have decided to craft something for it for each season. I had my husband cut me a scrap piece of wood leftover from a project. It is about 10 inches wide and 12 inches tall. I painted it and then sanded & stained it. 

I used doilies and paper from the Be Mine Stack to make a 3D decoration. I folded the hearts in half and hot glued them down right on the folded part. I hand cut the hearts with pinking sheers because I didn't want them to be perfect! I love how it turned out. I painted the "love" but you could also add alphabet stickers instead. Something about Valentines and handmade things just make me smile :)

I hope you have a wonderful day! I will be back with Wall Art Wednesday and some blog comment winners in a couple days. See you then!

Video: Chalkboard Cardstock Tips

To be entered in our weekly stack giveaways, leave a comment on each blog post throughout the week. Winners will be chosen at random from comments from the entire week combined. 

One comment per post please!*

Hey everyone! Can't believe it's Thursday already! I leave for CHA in a week and today I am in Dallas, Texas at the Michaels Coorporate office working on a fun, secret project!! Dallas is my HOME SWEET HOME so anytime I get to come back here, I take it! Can't wait to tell you what I am doing here!! ;) ;) ;)

I have been getting lots of lots of questions from YOU asking about our new Chalkboard Stacks and what kinds of products work best on them. You will be able to find these Chalkboard Stacks at Michaels & Jo-Anns now and your independent retailers soon! They come in a variety of colors and sizes and are SO fun! 

Check out this awesome page that Susan Stringfellow made with our Chalkboard Stack! She used watercolor pencils for this look. One of many mediums that can be used.

Love the detail on this page :)

I made a video demonstrating some techniques for you! Watch my video HERE to see some of my tips on what kinds of chalk products work best on our papers. Hopefully it will open up your creative mind as to what you can create with these papers!

I purchased all of these products at my local arts & crafts store but I'm sure you will be able to find all of them at any arts and crafts store. The chalk bistro markers are the Uchinda brand, they are my favorite I think!

So check out the video and leave me a comment on this post telling me what you think! Have a wonderful weekend! I'll be back on the blog on Monday.

12x24 Stack Wall Letter

1. To be entered in our weekly stack giveaways, leave a comment on each blog post throughout the week. Winners will be chosen at random from comments from the entire week combined. 

   One comment per post please!*

   
   

   Why hello there :) I'm back from a nice holiday weekend! I hope yours was the same. Gearing up for a crazy but very exciting week! Can you feel the pre-CHA buzz in the air? I sure do :)

   
   

   I wanted to share a project that will be in our booth next week in Anaheim. I love how it turned out! 

   
   

   

   
   

   I made this "M" for my office from a cardboard box!! Yes, believe it :) 

   
   

   

   
   

   Love the scallop ruffles the most...and the burlap. Basically love it all :)

   
   

   First, I sketched a large M on a cardboard box. I made mine about 11 inches wide and 22 inches tall. I cut it out with an Xacto knife. First I wrapped it with burlap. I purchased a roll of burlap at Michaels that was made to make a burlap garland. I used mine to wrap my letter :) I used hot glue to keep it down on the back. Once that was done, I used our big 12x24 printed stack to make the big green M on top of the burlap.

   
   

   

   
   

   These 12x24 stacks are perfect for your cutting machines! I used my Sizzix Eclips and my Sure Cuts a Lot program to cut all of the scallops. Jessica at SVG Attic made me my own kit when I was on the hunt for a great border kit. HERE it is :) I cut lots of scallops out of the pink plaid paper from the same stack and added them to the top of my "M". I wish you could see it in person because the photos don't even do it justice! 

   
   

   I have a couple winners from last weeks blog posts. Congratulations to: 

   
   

   
   

   Scrappin AbbyJan 14, 2012 10:57 PM

   Your chalkboard wall is fab...love it! I have also been loving the Be Mine stack...I have been making so many scrappy creations with this GORGEOUS paper. Are we able to post photos of projects we create with DCWV products on this blog or on FB? Thank you : )

   Reply
2. JamiecraftsJan 9, 2012 09:39 AM

   it's beautiful!

   Reply
   
   
   
   
   Please email me at erinmadsen@diecutsinc.com and I will get you your prizes!
   
   
   Lots to do, lots to do! Can't wait to tell you what I've been up to!! Have a wonderful day!

Video: Valentines Love

*To be entered in our weekly stack giveaways, leave a comment on each blog post throughout the week. Winners will be chosen at random from comments from the entire week combined. 

One comment per post please!*

Love is in the air!! And on my chalkboard wall!! ;)

Who doesn't love crafting Valentines projects?! I love the colors, the hearts and the glitter...in heaven! I made THIS VIDEO showing you my top stacks that I use for Valentines projects! 

These stacks are available at either Jo-Anns Stores, Michaels Stores or your independent local or online retailer! And if you want a sneak peek at which products we are showcasing at the Winter CHA show, check out our website ;)

Have a fabulous holiday weekend! I'll be back here on Tuesday!

Wall Art Wednesday: Cork Sheets

*To be entered in our weekly stack giveaways, leave a comment on each blog post throughout the week. Winners will be chosen at random from comments from the entire week combined. 

One comment per post please!*

Ooooh I have been excited to show you something!! Last month I told you that my boys wanted to move to the two empty bedrooms downstairs in the basement. The first thing I thought of was, "Another office upstairs!" So of course, I agreed ;) So right in the middle of the holidays {great timing} we made the move. It's been a little bit of work getting everything set, but I'm all done!

It is soooo nice to have a separate computer office from my craft office. For this girl who works from home and who's computer work is getting greater and greater, it's been a necessity! The only stacks you will find in this room are stacks which are waiting for a video to be made....no peeking! ;)

I love the clean look of the white furniture, everything is from Ikea. As soon as I started using my computer in there, I decided I needing some kind of protection for the desk. I didn't want it to automatically get scratches from my computer. Guess what I used...

Cork! This is from DCWV Home's new "Domestic Bliss" line which is available at Jo-Anns. This piece is $14.99 but you will have to check out all of the other items in the line, so cute! The cork is self adhesive and removable which means it is not going to damage my pretty desk! 

And it's one big coaster for my daily Diet Cokes ;) Can't hurt, right?! My new office started my 2012 off right... organized & productive. 

I have a couple winners from last week's comments. Congratulations to:

Marjeen said...

I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with for this challenge. I think the layout is very nice.

January 4, 2012 6:04 PM

and

Deneen said...

Wow....Awesome stacks! My favorite is the Timless Type stack. I also love the All Chalked Up stacks. What a great idea...chalk board paper! Can't wait to get to Michael's to get me some of these stacks.

January 3, 2012 8:14 AM

Email me your address and I will get your prizes out to you this week. Keep those comments coming! I love reading all of your feedback :) 

Have a wonderful day! I'll see you back here on Friday.

Coral Craze!

To be entered in our weekly stack giveaways, leave a comment on each blog post throughout the week. Winners will be chosen at random from comments from the entire week combined. 

One comment per post please!*

Hello again! So glad to have you back on the blog today :) I hope everyone had a great weekend! I don't know about where you live...but here in Utah we are having a weird winter! No snow so far at my house. Which is great in some ways but dreadful in others! No snowmen, no Ugg boots, no snowmobiling, no snowy drives. But we have had lots of fun playing outside and enjoying the sun...wondering in the back of my mind if and when that beautiful white stuff will come. 

This gorgeous weather automatically reminds me of spring! One of the big colors for this spring is going to be {coral} which I LOVE! When I saw our new Coral Couture Stack I knew that our design team was spot on with a current trend! Check out some great photos I found on Pinterest....

And look how perfect our new stacks coordinates!

I am pretty much OBSESSED with this stack!!! In love for sure :)

I wanted to share a fun page that I made using the Coral Couture Stack. The colors just make the whole page sparkle! This is my darling next door neighbor who my 4 year old thinks he will marry someday! She got a cat named "Kitty" for her 3rd birthday and as you can tell, she is smitten :)

I love how their eyes match! Kitty is such a good sport ;) 

I hope everyone has a great day! I will be back here on Wednesday with another fun project!! See you then :)

Video: New Products at Stein Mart

*To be entered in our weekly stack giveaways, leave a comment on each blog post throughout the week. Winners will be chosen at random from comments from the entire week combined. 

One comment per post please!*

Happy Friday! I hope everyone had a great week! 

Things are in major-100% high gear as the DCWV team prepares for CHA! So much to do, and our crates will be ready to ship on Friday! You will be blown away when you see what we did with our booth. I am not responsible for any damaged keyboards from drool or spilt drinks injured by excitement :) Yes, it's gonna be that awesome!

Another thing to be excited for?

A video showing you some new products that out out at stores!

I have been waiting and waiting forever it seems like for these two lines to come out! You really do need to watch THIS VIDEO to see these fun, gorgeous goodies!

These stationary lines are available at Stein Mart nationwide. I LOVE Stein Mart! If you have never been to one, it is kind of like an upscale T.J. Maxx. Great quality items too! Check HERE for a location near you :)

I hope everyone has a great weekend! I'll see you back here on Monday :)

January: Stack-a-holic Template Challenge

*To be entered in our weekly stack giveaways, leave a comment on each blog post throughout the week. Winners will be chosen at random from comments from the entire week combined. 

One comment per post please!*

Another month, another year and another Stack-a-holic Template Challenge! I hope you enjoy doing these challenges as much as I do :) Seeing your creativity with our products every month inspires me more than you know! I just wish you didn't make it so dang hard to pick a Top 10!!

I loved this month's template...as I seem to every month :) Thank you to Susan at Sketch Savvy for your awesome sketch! She has lots of great inspiration there so be sure to check it out...and she's a major Stack-a-holic too!

Here is January's challenge!

I used the gorgeous Winter Magic Stack which is available at Jo-Anns still. It is so classy and beautiful. Perfect shades of blue. They worked great with my snow photos!

The photos look a little dark here but they are cute in real life :) Doesn't these prints just scream winter?!

I added the silver paper from the Dazzle Stack. Love that solid glitter, I can't stop touching it!

So there you have it! January's Template Challenge for all of my favorite Stack-a-holics. Create a layout from the sketch using one of our DCWV or Recollections Stacks. Remember, to enter you can post a photo to our Facebook page, email me a photo {erinmadsen@diecutsinc.com} or post about it on your blog and send me a link. Easy, easy! This month is tricky since I will be at CHA at the end of the month. You have until the absolute last minute of January 31st to enter and I will post our winners as soon as I am back in the office after the show.

I can't wait to see your inspiration!!!

Before I go, I want to pick a couple winners from last week's comments! Email me your addresses and I will get your prizes right out to you! {erinmadsen@diecutsinc.com}

Congrats to:

Denise said...

What a fun idea! Thanks for giving us the recipes. They look soooo good. 'Course I need to wait till I drop some Christmas weight before trying any!

December 27, 2011 10:26 AM

AND

Dawn, RI said...

                                                                     nice layout they all looked so elegant, 

Dawn RI

December 31, 2011 11:42 AM