CHA Winter 2012 :: BasicGrey
After staying home from the summer show, I was intrigued to see what BasicGrey would bring on their return to the show floor. And I’ll just say they brought the good stuff. Four lines releasing this spring – look for two in stores in February and the other two in April – and I’ll warn you from the beginning: these collections are about looking past the obvious and seeing the amazing.
First up is PB&J, which I would say is the most traditional of the four collections. Lots of red and blue and summer colours and motifs. Bunting, bicycles and chevron – all popular and versatile. Of course there are plenty of papers and a range of embellishments. Take a look:
Love those big patterned letters!
Then we have something softer: Plumeria. BasicGrey is one of a very few companies that make purple tones work, and I think it’s because their papers give you the option of using lots or a little of purple while still having the feel of the collection.
Those detailed rosettes are an extra-pretty twist on the pinwheel trend.
These gorgeous blossoms are BIG and come in a few colours. But I don’t know where they would be prettier than here on a book!
Plenty of smaller (but still significant) flowers in this collection too.
I love this layout – and it shows that it-doesn’t-have-to-be-really-purple idea too. (But also the booth was busy so forgive the crazy angle to this picture!)
Konnichiwa will hit stores very soon with this burst of happy pink. It does have Japanese-themed motifs, but not a single example project included photos from or about Japan in any way, going to show you have to look past the obvious and onto the creative potential. I love this line.
As someone who gets so excited when the cherry blossom trees are in bloom, the pink floral pieces in this line make me very happy. They don’t have to be about Japan – but they do feel very much about spring to me. And delicate prettiness. But all approached in a way that isn’t overly dramatic, serious florals. This is light-hearted and energetic and doesn’t feel old (but isn’t too cartoony either).
Gorgeous page from the BasicGrey team.
And the final April release – What’s Up! Again, look past that gut instinct of What do I scrapbook with hot air balloons from the 1937 World’s Fair? and onto the good stuff: How can I use clouds and balloons as a metaphor for good things, flying hight and happy times?
I thought these two layouts were interesting because without them I hadn’t really noticed the infusion of red in this collection. But it’s definitely there!
I think this line is going to mix and match beautifully with the new line from Rhonna Farrer for My Mind’s Eye – I’ll show that to you soon!
Maybe this is an odd-ball call, but I think I will use every little bit of the What’s Up collection pack. It’s a good mix of less quirky, easy-to-use patterns with some bold statement prints thrown in to keep crafters courageous. Sounds like BasicGrey are totally in the game.
Click here to shop for BasicGrey products.
If you are attending the show, find BasicGrey at booth 1757.
Tonight I’ll be doing a one hour live chat to wrap up the show (though I still have plenty to post here with pictures!) at 7pm CST/5pm PST. When it’s live, I’ll post a link on Twitter and Facebook. Or just head to the CHA board at Two Peas if that’s easier.
And now – back to the show for the final day!
Read more about:
01 February 2012
Next post: CHA Winter 2012 :: Clever Handmade
Previous post: CHA Winter 2012 :: Smash Books
1 February 2012, 12:39
I really liked the way you presented this particular line in terms of creativity. I don’t know that I would have immediately looked at the hot air balloons and known what do do with them, so I really liked that you featured the layouts that did different things with the papers and prompted me to think beyond the immediate subject matter. As a newbie scrapper I still find that a bit hard to do! Thanks for the creative prompt!
1 February 2012, 12:41
Gorgeous collections, but I’m definitely in love with PB&J.
1 February 2012, 12:41
Love all of the collections! So fun!
1 February 2012, 12:42
I have a soft spot for Basic Grey as this was the first company that started my crafting so this is where I go to first and they NEVER disappoint. I held my breathe when I saw the collections I couldn’t even pick a fav. I love it them all! OH YUMO
1 February 2012, 12:43
And as usual with Basic Grey….some gorgeous colours.
1 February 2012, 12:49
I’m not normally a huge BG fan. In the past I have found some of their designs very difficult to work with, this may be the range to change my mind. The blossoms are fab and Konniciwa is a beautiful pallet of colours and styles. Nice work
1 February 2012, 12:51
I’m a huge BG fan, but luckily for my wallet not much of this speaks to me. That being said, however, I DO love the purples in the Plumeria line, and I think once I see “What’s Up” in person I may have to get quite a bit of it!
1 February 2012, 12:51
I like your comment about their purples…the one time I needed purple for a mini-album, I went with BG’s Lily Kate :) Going for PB&J and Konnichiwa, myself.
1 February 2012, 12:53
Love the color palettes in the line.
1 February 2012, 12:56
Always been a sucker for Basic Grey and love that last collection so much
1 February 2012, 12:56
Thanks for all the photos! I’m excited to start playing with some of this stuff!
1 February 2012, 12:58
Fantastic collections! I hadn’t seen much of the Basic Grey from CHA. Thanks for sharing all these wonderful pics.
1 February 2012, 13:06
Awe love this muted line! Again with a retro feel! The bunting looks fantastic and can see it being used all over this year! I have happened on your web page after watching some of your you tube clips and I want to say thank you I havenot scrapped for a while and you have reignited my enthusiasm ! Love your photography of the items!! I think this line is my favourite and will be looking for some of basic greys items. It’s so beautiful . Tsf
1 February 2012, 13:07
Oh boy! I do love Basic Grey. These lines look yummy!
1 February 2012, 13:09
Wow! What a range between collections! Love both the Plumeria and PB&J!
1 February 2012, 13:21
The die cut packs you caught in several of the photos look fantastic. I can’t wait to order a few of them. Thanks for all the pictures it’s almost as great as getting to be there. :)
1 February 2012, 13:22
Thank you for sharing! I love Basic Grey, but must admit that I don’t always know what to do with it! Great insight into the possibilities. I love all of the collections and, even though I don’t normally gravitate toward pink, even I could use this. Plumeria and What’s Up would be my favorites.
1 February 2012, 13:30
Great post – I’m always stumped with BG papers for the simple reason that I cannot seem to look past the obvious! The new collections look great and I look forward to seeing what you create with the What’s Up collection! I think PB&J is my personal favourite.
1 February 2012, 13:35
I think pb&j is my fav, but I’m sure I will end up getting something from every line! I always do!
1 February 2012, 13:52
I really like the What’s Up line as well.
1 February 2012, 13:56
My favorite is actually the What’s Up collection…it seems like the colors would be good for boy and girl layouts!
1 February 2012, 13:57
Love What’s Up – it looks like such fun ! Can’t wait to see it here
1 February 2012, 13:57
I think these Basic Grey collections are some of my favorites from all that you shown us so far. I absolutely love the Plumeria line because of the purples. I have been really disappointed with the lack of purple in the market so I’m really excited about this line. I also love the Konnichiwa line. I love the cherry blossoms. I don’t know how I would scrap with it, but its so pretty. And I love What’s Up? I’m such a fan of hot air balloons. I’m not sure how I would scrap with it either, but I’m dying to see the entire line. Thanks for sharing with us.
1 February 2012, 13:59
loving the candy stripe alpha
1 February 2012, 14:04
Ooh, pretty! Great lines from Basic Grey!
1 February 2012, 14:05
Oh wouaaaaaaaaaaw!!!! It’s the only thing I can say!!!!! Wow! Fabulous!
1 February 2012, 14:12
I like the color schemes in these new collections, and I thought the booth’s groupings of the patterns on the canvas in the quilted style look so cute!! Thank you for your detailed overview—I can’t wait to start seeing these things in person.
1 February 2012, 14:22
I love the ‘what’s up’ line, as Hot Air Balloons and Clouds are both such dreamy symbols that make me think of lazy summer days. Can’t wait to get the die-cut pack :-)
1 February 2012, 14:29
gorgeous papers and they suit every style of scrapping
1 February 2012, 14:33
Sooo gorgeous! Love all the embellishments!
1 February 2012, 14:34
Always loved Basic Grey and their PB&J line is right up my alley. The striped alpha is striking and love those pins!
1 February 2012, 14:50
the coral-red is just gorgeous, and that stripy alpha is really fun! I also am really liking the 3-d embellishments, especially the flowers :)
1 February 2012, 15:04
You’re spot on about the purple.
1 February 2012, 15:34
Glad to see Basic Grey is back – and available so soon. Brilliant!
1 February 2012, 15:58
yummy!
1 February 2012, 16:11
another awesome tour shimelle! thanks so much!
i think my fave is plumeria. so funny because purple in my least favorite color. but i love orange and i think i really like those two colors together.
1 February 2012, 16:22
I loved the color combinations! I loved every single thing of the collections!
1 February 2012, 16:37
I sometimes have a hard time with the patterns in Basic Grey, but the PB & J line looks terrific to me!
1 February 2012, 17:28
Like Plumeria and What’s Up the best. Thanks for your thoroughness and insight ~ it really helps to start me thinking about things in a new way!
1 February 2012, 18:23
I really like those red striped letter stickers in the first collection. That’s the first thing that caught my eye.
1 February 2012, 18:24
I am very excited for the Konnichiwa collection. We moved to Japan last June. This is going to be perfect, especially since we went to our first cherry blossom festival last weekend!!!
1 February 2012, 19:05
Those blossoms are gorgeous! The Plumeria line might be my fave, but Konnichiwa is a close second. Looking forward to seeing what you’ve got up your sleeve with What’s Up.
1 February 2012, 19:08
These lines are so pretty! Different than what I was expecting from Basic Grey!
1 February 2012, 19:14
Thank you so much for all the peeks at the new BG! I can’t wait to buy some of this stuff!
1 February 2012, 19:30
Love that PB&J! \\
1 February 2012, 20:07
Bg is so great!! I’m really liking the PB&J line!
1 February 2012, 20:11
I always enjoy your photos and reporting of the colors and trends you see. Thanks for sharing your insight with us!
1 February 2012, 20:12
Wow! I love all of the new Basic Grey. Thanks for sharing.
1 February 2012, 20:13
Love the first and last lines best! Super stuff!
1 February 2012, 20:15
These are interesting lines. I either love a Basic Grey line or Not. I notice that the letter sheets have a variety of different fonts. Is that new?
1 February 2012, 20:18
I can’t wait to see the lines in person.
1 February 2012, 20:21
looking forward to trying out those purples!
1 February 2012, 20:24
Thank you for your wonderful coverage of CHA here, two peas, and Facebook.
1 February 2012, 21:11
What’s Up and PB&J are screaming “take me home”! Love the colours and patterns in those collections! TFS.
1 February 2012, 21:15
Looks like some fun patterns and colors in their collections.
1 February 2012, 21:19
I like the black w/ the red. I need to see those close up.
1 February 2012, 21:42
Oh, dear… my weakness is absolutely Basic Grey. I’m sort of glad these four lines aren’t coming out in one big swoop or else I would truly take forever to decide which to get first!
1 February 2012, 22:04
ok. i love the PB&J line!great classic patterns and bold colours!
also: love the canvas art projects using papers and embellishments…gonna have to try this out! :)
1 February 2012, 23:03
Wow I haven’t been so excited about BG releases for a while now. Loving the way your photos capture the colour ranges of the collections at a glance
1 February 2012, 23:39
Yeah to hot air balloon I love those so much
2 February 2012, 01:51
Not really a basic grey fan but that konnichiwa is gorgeous!!!
2 February 2012, 03:49
I love Plumeria! Those colours are gorgeous – another one for my wish list!
2 February 2012, 04:00
I’ve noticed that if you take any random BG paper or product it doesn’t make a big impression, but when you combine them with other items from that collections – wowsss!! It’s suddenly gorgeous!! That’s fun!
2 February 2012, 08:53
I always love BG! Plumeria is my favorite!
2 February 2012, 08:57
I think BG knocked it out of the park this time. I love most of their lines they have put out. Kelly Goree and the others did such a great job showcasing these new lines!! I could scoop up any of them, though I am partial to the PB&J.
2 February 2012, 09:42
Shimelle, I love how you featured this: your thoughts included. BG was my first love and brought those memories back as I scroll down to your post. Good ones and I think I’m falling back again esp with the PB&J line. Thanks again for sharing with us….
2 February 2012, 09:58
I love those little pins — especially the one with the Eiffel Tower — thanks for sharing!
2 February 2012, 10:06
Love the new BG coming out. I will definitely have to watch for it in the stores. Thanks for all the great pics!
2 February 2012, 12:02
They’re all pretty. But PBJ just jumped out at me.
2 February 2012, 14:04
Great colours in all the Basic Grey lines that you’ve shown but I love the combos in the What’s Up collection – fab! And thanks for the thoughtful inspiration on the layout topics it could be used for!
2 February 2012, 14:30
I can’t wait to buy some of these collections.
2 February 2012, 17:43
super excited to get PB&J which looks very kid-photo friendly and what’s up, which i love the colours of. thanks for the low-down shimelle, you always give food for thought.
2 February 2012, 21:49
WOW! I haven’t liked many of the BG releases lately, but these just hit it out of the park for me.
2 February 2012, 21:52
These are beautiful lines. I like your thoughts on what these lines will pair with. You mix and match lines so beautifully. Can’t wait to see how you use BG!
3 February 2012, 06:09
I was at the summer show and was sad that BG skipped it — it looks like they’re back with a vengeance! Seems like they’re moving away from what we expect from them in a very good way! I love pieces from all of the new releases!
3 February 2012, 11:47
I am always such a huge fan of Basic Grey, and this line is just gorgeous, they never disappoint!! Thanks for the peak, any idea when this line will be shipping?
3 February 2012, 15:56
Beautiful new lines! I am loving the different color schemes! So pretty!! I also love the different embellishments. I love that white/red striped alpha sheet and even though its terribly trendy, I am loving the chevrons!! Thanks so much for sharing!
4 February 2012, 07:16
Love the PB&J collection – the stripey alphas are fab – with Konnichiwa running a close second. Beautiful products, as always!
5 February 2012, 15:35
You can always count on Basic Grey to have awesome procuts. I love their new stuff. I really liked the canvases they decorated with their product to showcase different pieces. Great color combos.
5 February 2012, 21:22
Some of the colors were a bit to aggressive for me. I think I liked the last line the most.
5 February 2012, 21:37
The first step is to acknowledge I have an addiction. An addiction to Chevron…
5 March 2012, 01:09
Great lines!
7 November 2017, 03:06
It’s great because of the knowledge you share with us, I will always follow your blog and will share your blog with my friends