Graphic 45 Design Team 2012 Audition

"I didn't have big movie offers, or any big agents wanting to work with me. I had to go grassroots, start at the bottom and go on 150 auditions before someone finally gave me a shot."

~ Donnie Wahlberg

So, I guess you could say I can relate to the above quote. I'm a happy designer and teacher quietly working away in my corner of the big, bold world of crafting. There are no manufacturers banging down my door, no one with connections out there campaigning on my behalf. Like Donnie, I'm grassroots all the way, starting at the bottom and stepping up to audition for a place on the prestigious and very desirable Graphic 45 Design Team.

So am I ready for my close up? Honestly, I'm not sure about that, but nonetheless here it goes. These are some recent projects I've created using Graphic 45 products.

Project #1 - Gift Bag (Fashionista)
I thought it would be fun to alter a cereal box into something useful, so our empty box of raisin bran turned into something less healthy but much more appealing (if you ask me).

 Here is a close up of the flower I made to embellish it:

Project #2 - Diorama magnet (Steampunk Debutante)
I had fun re-coloring the metal base and the watch parts for this piece with alcohol inks. How lucky for me that the alcohol inks in my stash match the Steampunk Debutante line perfectly.

Project #3 - "On the Boulevard" layout (A Perfect Gentleman, Curtain Call)
I have to admit that I love crossing lines, and it's especially easy with Graphic 45. Many of the collections have shared elements and hues. It really lets me extend my options when I'm creating and was ideal for working with photos from my son's "Great Gatsby" themed graduation party.

Project #4 - Notecard (Fashionista)
I love making cards of all types, from the very clean and simple to those that are more elaborate and technique heavy. This one falls somewhere in between, I think.

Project #5 - "Well Behaved Women" mini quote book (On the Boardwalk)
I've made this little book for my dearest  friend who I know will treasure it. The bathing beauties in this collection just begged for a fun project to share with my BFF.

 

Project #6 - "Cards, Calls, Emails" organizer (Communique)
This little organizer is made from a standard sized manila file folder that I've folded into this cute little pocketed book. I'll be tucking a sheet into each pocket to keep track of my own communications. The last pocket holds a flip open book with contact info, and the closure for the organizer is a simple binder clip, easily removed and replaced.

Project #7 - "Party Girls" layout (Curtain Call)
One more layout to end my audition with. These are some more photos from my son's grad party. Once again, "Curtain Call" was an ideal choice.

Thank you for the opportunity, Graphic 45!  ~Cindy Fahrbach

CHAW 2012 pics

It's been three weeks since the CHA Winter trade show ended, and here I am finally posting some of my photos and highlights. I was surprised to find that I'd taken a lot less photos than I normally do and that they were a different type of photo. It probably had something to do with what my focus was for the show (meaning I was thinking ahead to what product lines I'd order for classes). So, the fun project photos of projects are a bit thinner than usual.

First off, the lovely folks at Epiphany Crafts who are very much on my mind right now (coincidentally, I happen to be back at the Anaheim Convention Center again this weekend working the Epiphany booth for Scrapbook Expo). Isn't the garland in the booth amazing? It was made of cupcake wrappers and coffee filters and it was absolutely beautiful! Epiphany introduced a couple of "must-have" new tools. I totally have my eye on the pennant tool - too cute!

Next a few pics from the Heidi Swapp booth. First, have to say again that it was an absolute pleasure to work the booth and be there for her big re-debut. Heidi had the most AMAZING samples to inspire visitors. I loved the innovation and creativity of her new products and the many projects on display.

The glass display cabinets were changed out daily with fresh eye candy. This was easily my favorite display using the "Instaframes" which make any photo look like a cool polaroid.

The Instaframes are part of the Memory File collection, which also includes beautiful file boxes and sets of die cut patterned folders. I was enchanted by the cute projects using these folders.

And while I'm on the subject of "Heidis" (yes that was plural), I had the privilege of having one of my layouts displayed in the Heidi Grace "Clever Handmade" booth. I guess the company was a bit short of samples, so the night before the show started a call went out for some samples to be made. It was a great experience, and a bit of a challenge since I had only a handful of supplies picked up from the booth the night before the show. Heidi really wanted to show off her new embroidery pattern rubons, so I did quite a bit of embroidery on this layout:

The Maya Road booth is always one of my favorites. They are an embellishments & trims company so that is right up my alley. They have some great designers and always display so many adorable samples.

  

AccuCut is another booth that always features tons of samples and inspiration. I've never opened any of the mini books to see if the insides are decorated or not, but it's fun to browse the covers.

And of course, the showstopper for samples is Graphic 45. Their booth is so full of amazing samples that I can never quite absorb them in one visit I usually have to stop by multiple times to really appreciate the full display. I will leave you with some of the amazement...

CHA W'10 - it's a wrap!

For the fourth year in a row, I had the pleasure of attending the Craft & Hobby Association Winter Trade Show. It's something I (and many of my fellow crafters) look forward to with eager anticipation.  Scrapbook and other craft manufacturers roll out their new product releases from papers to accents to tools along with lots of inspiration in the form of beautifully appointed booths and extraordinary samples showcasing the new lines. This year was no exception.

There is no way to re-capture and feature all the yummy-ness that is CHA in my blog, but here are some of the high points of my trip this year. These are things that caught my eye, made me sigh or oogle, and generally made my fingers itch to create.

Today, I want to highlight some of the vintage (and vintage-inspired) goodness on display at this year's show. What I especially loved about this year's offerings was that there was a greater variety of color and style (because all vintage is not created equal, right?)

Here are just a few of my faves:

First the new line from Advantus by Margie Romney-Aslett, "The Girls Paperie". So feminine and soft and so much to love!

 

  

 

I was also enamored by the new GCD Studios lines designed by Melody Ross. The colors are vibrant and glorious and the detail in the embellishments is classic. These images are from the new Homespun Chic line.

 

One of my favorite lines for the last three years is Graphic 45. Not only are their papers sublime, their booth is always incredible. I could do a single, very long blog post with all my love for this company, but you'll have to settle for this sweet peek. Their take on vintage is always elegant and sophisticated. The have three new lines this year, "A Proper Gentleman", "Le' Romantique" and "On the Boardwalk". Now I just have to decide which line to feature in an upcoming class. (These pics are from the Le Romantique line.)

 

  

  

  

Jenni Bowlin is another perennial fave with more vintage goodness.  I like the wholesome, Americana feel of the line. I had the opportunity to take a banner class that used a lot of these new Jenni Bowlin products - fun!

  

  

  

 

 7Gypsies never fails to deliver when it comes to vintage. Again, this is a booth with so much retro eye-candy that I could fill pages with the pics I took, but here is a small taste of what was on display.

  

  

  

  

That's all for today, but I'm planning to post more pics during the coming week so stay tuned!