Doug and I recently returned from an amazing week in Anaheim where we attended the Winter CHA (Craft & Hobby Association) tradeshow. We were excited to introduce our first collection of dies for Sizzix, Brenda Walton’s Favorite Things.
After a busy year designing and planning the line of twenty-four products, it was wonderful to share the fruits of our labors with store owners and buyers from around the world.
photo: scrappyjedi
photo: scrappyjedi
photo: papertales
Parisian sweet shops and fashion of the 1700’s inspired this
collection, which is filled with Marie Antoinette girliness, lots of frills,
glitter and gilded accents.
On set-up day (two days before the show opened), we arrived
to a freezing cold warehouse at 8am and began unpacking all of our products,
props and furniture. Marty from Sizzix had built our display walls and was busy
installing the cornice and elegant damask curtains, which had been created by seamstress extraordinaire Debi Adams.
Our display was styled by Lauryl Lane, a very talented designer and wonderful friend. She magically arranged all of the shoes, teacups, paper cones, cupcakes and other elements, and really captured an over-the-top Parisian spirit!
This photo of the booth was taken moments before the show opened, and represents numerous hours of work by many helping hands!
After the show opened, the Sizzix booth was busy-busy every day, with friendly and enthusiastic people curious about the line. Here, we’re busy making paper cones that look like carrots!
photo: scrappyjedi
The shoes are really sweet, and surprisingly easy to make! The basic shoe die includes two different front pieces: the higher front for a Marie Antoinette feeling, and a lower front for a more contemporary look. It’s also possible to cut out the front for a peep-toe style!
It takes only a few minutes to make the basic shoe, and then you can embellish to your heart’s content. I used medallions, flowers and icons on these shoes, all from dies also included in the collection. I think these shoes would make a really fun project for a girl party, with a little kit and some glue at each place setting. The die is called Ballroom Slipper, and will be available in April 2013.
photo: scrappyjedi
One of my most exciting moments in creating these samples was discovering that the Textured Embossing Folders work perfectly embossing fondant! Using a round styrofoam ball as a base, I covered the top with embossed fondant and then painted the raised areas with pearlescent paint.
These cute cupcakes make very elegant faux treats that will last (virtually) forever. They would make a darling centerpiece for a luncheon.
photo: scrappyjedi
The favor cones are perfect little treat containers for weddings, birthdays and tea parties! Fill them with candy, nuts, or even rose petals. They are easy to assemble, and can be embellished with other dies in the collection.
photo: papertales
The flower, star, fleur de lis, medallion and heart wands were all made with dies in this collection. The embellishments were attached to bamboo skewers using hot glue. Finally, the skewers were coated generously with gold or silver glitter for some extra sparkle!
photo: scrappyjedi
Here I am with my art director Cara Mariano. I worked closely with Cara and Beth Reames to create this lovely display.
Beth Reames created many beautiful papercrafted examples for
the display, including this glittered Bliss. She creatively embellished it
with flourishes and flowers from two other dies.
I designed these collages using frames found at antique markets.
They include sample creations made from dies in the collection: butterflies, oval frame,
wedding cake, swan, scrolls, icons and flowers. When I was working on them, I
imagined what Marie Anoinette’s Pinterest board might have looked like…
This is a special piece I created, using the Dancers die
as the focal point. I thought it would make a lovely keepsake for a bride and
groom. The pink flowers on the arbor were all die cut from tissue paper and
coffee filters. The pearlescent vellum chandelier was made with a fleur de lis
die from Classic Icons.
photo: scrappyjedi
photo: scrappyjedi
Lynda Kanase at Sizzix helped me create this girly packaging for the new line!
Here’s my team of helping hands, for whom I am sooo
grateful: Sammy Threadgill and his wife, stylist Lauryl Lane; my uber-talented
production assistant, Anna Pasquale; me; and my loving and supportive husband, Doug.
My first collection of Sizzix dies will be available in April 2013. I can’t wait to see the beautiful things you will be making with them!
