Time passes so quickly right now. In between time spent at the CHA show here in Anaheim and 'taking it easy' I find there is little or no waking time to spend on the blog.


I found my way to Ken Oliver's corner . . . his debut at CHA as a new vendor with new products that will be distributed through Product Performers. He's the one who developed the "Stick It" adhesive sheets for intricate die cuts that we've sold at Art 'n Soul; in fact, it was up for the new product of the year award.

At CHA, Ken has also introduced more wonderful products as Ken Oliver Crafts. In addition to the decorated papers, he's also developed a powder watercolor product, Color Burst. You sprinkle the powder from a little plastic bottle, spritz with water, and watch the colors come alive. The colors are vibrant, have wonderful movement on the paper, and do not muddy up! No special paper, just watercolor paper!

Ken Oliver
Ken Oliver Crafts

Over at core'dinations, they're showing variety in their offerings. This new Kraft-Core metallic paper from Tim Holtz is metallic on one side, kraft on the other side . . . perfect for card making. This ships in another month and is on order for us.

I liked the chalkboard core'dinations. To achieve this chalkboard effect, you sand down to the white core to the look you want. Then you stamp and emboss with white. They have other core colors but we'll try the white core first.

And they have 110 lb. card stock that has minimal 'leaking' with alcohol inks, depending upon how long the nib is in one spot. The price is much lower than the special blending papers for alcohol markers, too.

The Tim Holtz Distress Color core'dinations paper pads are also on order, as well as two other Tim Holtz Distress theme pads that are only available through core'dinations. Everything but the metallic papers should be at Art 'n Soul before the 21st.

While I was saying "hi" to Tim Holtz for Susie, we decided to take a photo next to their new "Distress Ink of the Month" program. Each month during the coming year, they're going to introduce a new Distress Ink color and they'll reveal each color one month at a time. I love this first new color . . .

The mini pads will be available once they have 4 months released and will sell them in the 4-paks, so we'll have to wait for April's release to see the mini's.



I'm on panic mode this morning, so I'll be back. Sorry this is so short; I have lots more to tell you given more time. In the meantime, be sure to stop in at Art 'n Soul to place your orders from the New Magenta and Memory Box/PoppyStamps release catalogs. Woo Hoo . . . this is gonna be a great year.