Creativation 2019 Top 10 Hot Picks!
You asked for it...the Scrapbook Update Top Ten Hot Picks are back! Here, fresh from the show floor, are the ten items that I think are guaranteed to be a hit when they show up soon on store shelves.
Scrapbook Update Top 10 Hot Picks
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So, in no particular order...here they are...the Scrapbook Update Top Ten Hot Picks for Creativation 2019!
We R Memory Keepers Foil Quill
We R Memory Keepers Foil Quill
Shipping: March 2019
Wholesale: American Crafts/We R Memory Keepers
Retail: TBD
This item was absolutely the most talked about product on the Creativation show floor. If you remember the Heatwave Foil Pen that We R Memory Keepers previously released, the Foil Quill appears to be an adapted version of that technology. This new version is smaller, and runs on a USB plug that can be plugged into a power pack or a powered USB outlet (on machines that have them). The Foil Quill works by inserting in the blade or tool slot of all the major electronic die cut machines (using adaptors), laying down a foil design where normally a pen would draw or a blade would be cutting. Three different sizes of Foil Quills (sold separately or together in a kit) allow for drawing different width of lines.
One of the biggest advantages that jumped out at me of doing foil this way is the ease of doing multi-color designs that are extremely difficult or even impossible to achieve with other foiling methods.
We R Memory Keepers Foil Quill
The We R Memory Keepers Foil Quill works with machines made by Brother, Cricut, Silhouette, and Sizzix. The idea of a product that is an accessory that works with all of the major die cut machines hasn't really been tried before. This concept could open up a whole new market for innovation in the industry.
The All-In-One Foil Quill kit that includes all three pens and some foil has an MSRP of $99.99, while individual pens retail for $39.99 and foil rolls for $9.99. (The Foil Quill requires special foil.) The tool will debut on HSN shortly before it ships to retailers in March.
Paper House Productions "Wonder Woman" collection
Paper House Wonder Woman
Shipping: March 2019
Wholesale: Paper House Productions
Retail:
Wonder Woman made over $800 million at the box office to become one of the most popular super hero movies of all time. It especially resonated with women, even ones that aren't usually super hero movie fans. Whether they plan to use it for theme park visits, cosplay, Halloween or a tribute to their favorite female role model, this Paper House licensed line will find a home in many scrapbookers' stashes.
The Stamp Market
The Stamp Market stamps
Shipping: Now
Wholesale: The Stamp Market
Retail:
I always try to find a new exhibitor that warrants inclusion on this list. This year that was no challenge at all, as two year old company The Stamp Market made a debut showing at Creativation that would be impressive for even a much more experienced company.
One of the things that immediately jumped out at me about the excellent design of Amy Yingling at The Stamp Market is the font usage. Fonts can make - or break - a stamp design. Amy's font choices create clean, readable text with beautiful graphic style. The fonts enhance the message without taking it over.
Amy's attention to detail shows up in a myriad of other ways as well. There's the gift bag die with the matching stamp set, and the stamp that creates customizable post-it notes for your planner.
AdTech DRIP-LESS Glue Guns
AdTech DripLess Glue Guns
Shipping: Now
Wholesale: AdTech
Retail: Amazon
Most crafters have at least a horror story or two of drips of hot glue ending up where we didn't want them: on a project, on the carpet, on our skin. And those endless strings of glue that end up everywhere after you release a glue gun's trigger are at best an annoyance and at worst can damage a project. AdTech is promising to end all of that with their new DRIP-LESS glue guns, which they advertise give users a 90% reduction in strings and drips. This is possible because the AdTech DRIP-LESS glue guns have a feature that retracts the glue away from the gun's tip when the trigger is released, so it won't drip when not in use.
The AdTech DRIP-LESS glue guns come in two sizes (mini and full size). The one apparent downside to these glue guns is that they are high temperature glue guns and many crafters prefer to work with low temperature glue for safety. Perhaps in the future we'll see a low temperature version made available, but in the meantime, this problem-solving innovation will still appeal to many people.
Katie Pertiet for Simple Stories
Simple Vintage Botanicals
Shipping: February & March 2019
Wholesale: Simple Stories
Retail: Scrapbook.com (Simple Vintage Traveler), Scrapbook.com (Simple Vintage Botanicals)
Katie Pertiet has been one of my favorite scrapbooking designers since her days with the now-defunct Autumn Leaves brand over 15 years ago. For a long time, I had to satisfy myself with getting her designs in digital form via Designer Digitals. Then a few years ago she dipped her toe back in the paper market with 49 & Market, and eventually landed at Simple Stories last year when her "Simple Vintage" brand there was announced.
The first two Simple Vintage collections of 2019 will be Simple Vintage Traveler and Simple Vintage Botanicals. They embody the best of the classic vintage style that Katie has made her signature not just in scrapbooking but in home decor licensing as well. Plenty of vintage (like Tim Holtz and Graphic 45) has remained in the scrapbook market since vintage went out of vogue as the dominant trendy style. But Simple Vintage has a lighter and brighter touch than most of these other retro brands, and so fills a void that I think was begging to be filled. This is your grandma's vintage, vintage that doesn't know that it is vintage. Even many scrapbookers who proclaim themselves not to be vintage fans will find themselves drawn to the timeless quality of these collections.
Lawn Fawn Magic Picture Changer die
Lawn Fawn Magic Picture Changer
Shipping: February 21st
Wholesale: Lawn Fawn
Retail: Simon Says Stamp
Lawn Fawn has long been the industry leader in creating dies that make movable features for handmade cards, but they really outdid themselves with this picture changer. Deceptively easy to assemble considering the complex effect that it creates, this fun die set is sure to find a home in many cardmakers' toolboxes.
Lawn Fawn Magic Picture Changer
Two new stamp sets have been released that are specifically designed for use with the magic picture changer die. One is weather themed (pictured above). The other set is called "Get Well Before n' Afters" and features turtles, whales and chicks with various get well sentiments. Other stamps can be used with the magic picture changer die, of course, and I'd expect to see more sets designed for it from Lawn Fawn released in the future.
Simon Hurley for Ranger
Simon Hurley
Shipping: February 2019
Wholesale: Ranger Industries
Retail: Scrapbook.com
Ranger adding a new signature designer would be the talk of the show no matter who the designer was. But when it's a 16-year-old Youtube star? Well, the buzz is off the charts!
Simon Hurley's large debut collection of inks, stamps, stencils and more for Ranger is a foray into a whole new market demographic for Ranger. It's an attempt to appeal to a much younger market, with bright colors, fun young designs, and a modern look.
Simon Hurley for Ranger
This model has worked for Wilton with the Nerdy Nummies line of baking products by YouTube star Rosanna Pansino - will it transfer to the papercrafts industry? It certainly seems like it from Simon's Creativation debut. He had attracted a small crowd every time I passed his demo table and he showed maturity beyond his years in handling the pressure and the spotlight while demonstrating.
Waffle Flower Water Media Mat
Waffle Flower Water Media Mat
Shipping: March 2019
Wholesale: Waffle Flower
Retail:
It seemed that everyone I talked to at Creativation that at least dabbles in mixed media mentioned this as one of their favorite new products at the show! With a work area that can hold a 9x12 sheet of paper, this mat will hold a card sized project easily, with plenty of room surrounding it to use as a mixing palette.
Another feature that the professionals attending the show loved were the marks on the mat for 16:9 video format, along with several squares. These guides make setting up perfect video shots or social media images much simpler. It's a small detail that is only useful to a specific group of users, but will be invaluable to those who need it.
To see the Waffle Flower Water Media Mat in action, visit their YouTube channel to see design team member Channin make a project with it!
Carta Bella "Baseball" collection
Carta Bella Baseball collection
Shipping: February 2019
Wholesale: Echo Park Paper
Retail: Scrapbook.com
I rode on the plane to Phoenix (and back home) with people who were attending winter baseball events in Arizona. Another friend of mine just returned from the Bahamas after attending a winter baseball event there. Baseball fans - adult baseball fans - are passionate and devoted to their sport, treasuring their photos with their idols and their memorabilia like game tickets. Yet most sports line that are produced in the scrapbook industry are aimed more at kids' sports than adult fans.
Carta Bella has stepped into that void with this vintage styled Baseball line. It's classic emblems and bright colors make it suitable for everything from a visit to Cooperstown to a spring training trip to your kid's Little League games.
Carta Bella baseball papers
One of the more classic touches in the design is the 3x4 card sheet designed to look like baseball cards. This collection is one that is bound to be snapped up - and hoarded - by baseball fans who have been longing for something that suits their grown-up love of the game!
Mod Podge Ultra
Mod Podge Ultra
Shipping: Spring 2019
Wholesale: Plaid Crafts
Retail:
Mod Podge has long been a reliable go to for scores of crafters. But Plaid kicked it up a notch with the Creativation debut of Mod Podge Ultra, a spray version of the versatile craft glue.
Plaid is touting the convenience of the spray format as well as its extreme hold properties. Demonstrations at the Creativation showed heavy ceramic mosaic pieces held in place with just a spritz! But the product's killer benefit to most consumers will likely be the promise of "no brush strokes". The ability to decoupage and have perfect surfaces will be a huge selling point for many crafters.
