CHA Winter 2012 :: Clever Handmade
Clever Handmade was something I was so excited to see. It’s a new company from artist Heidi Grace Kress, who you might not know at all if you’re relatively new to the scrapbook world. Here’s the very abridged version of Heidi’s product history: she started by producing her own product. It was so lovely it was acquired by Fiskars. Except then Fiskars decided they didn’t want to be in the paper business any more and focus on tools. The Heidi Grace brand moved to Colorbok. That didn’t work out either. And the wording of all those deals meant Heidi couldn’t use her own name in future branding… even though it is her name. Oh, the legalities of things.
But now she is back. With her full name. And a new company name that doesn’t mention her at all, but is so very her. And that is Clever Handmade.
Now, you need to keep in mind that Heidi’s style is very cute, and I understand that cute is not everyone’s thing when it comes to scrapbooking. But stay with me for a moment, because there may still be something valuable for you here. And of course, you might be all about cute!
Cute like spaceships and ray guns.
Cute like paper photo props! Yes: you punch these out of a 12×12 sheet and instead of putting them on a page, you use them as props in a photograph. In a DIY photo booth or just in a fun little photoshoot. They look so sweet in photos – cute with kids, quirky fun with adults. They come in several designs and were something completely different than any other company.
Cute like polka dotted letter stickers.
Cute like dogs in space helmets.
And more photo props – including some for captions. You can either write on the prop itself or leave it blank then write on the photo with your pen or in Photoshop. Clever.
Space themes aren’t the only collection. There are also mermaids and sea creatures in the mix, with pretty turquoise hues.
And cakes and clouds and balloons with an orange shade that makes me want a creamsicle. We don’t even have creamsicles in England. Sad times.
Here’s what I mean by you can love this company even if you don’t scrap ‘cute’. Check out these gorgeous mini patterns. No doodles, no mix of colour, just really versatile chevrons and grids that are timeless. (Did I just say chevrons are timeless? Maybe it’s wrong to label a trend as timeless. But before this current trend we called them ‘zig-zags’ and that is generally an accepted element over the ages, so I’m going to go with timeless.)
So now look at the cute patterns and check out those squares in the corner that show the b-sides of the papers. Every single cute pattern has a non-doodled background with an extremely versatile b-side. Things like ledger and notebook paper, plaids, stripes and polka-dots. The sorts of papers you can use right to the very last square inch. I value that so much in a patterned paper.
And the embellishments are themed by colour rather than by illustration, so things like labels and letters are joined by feathers and sequins and border stickers that will look great with these collections but will also be so easy to mix and match with the products you already have.
Then we get to one of my favourite things of the entire show.
Say it with me: Rub-on. Embroidery. Patterns.
This is such a simple innovation that it is perfection. Say you have this layout almost complete but you think it needs a little something. Maybe some stitching would be great. But your layout is pretty much finished: are you brave enough to start poking holes in the page without being able to tell if you’ll get the shape just right?
I know there is a wheel-type tool for this but I’ve bought two of those things and I couldn’t get either one to do anything other than drive me to frustration. I wanted to love that. I didn’t. But this? THIS I LOVE.
Take your almost-finished layout. And something that looks like this:
Cut out the rub-on and apply it to your page. You can see exactly where it’s going to go before you apply the design. It’s easy to control and it’s complicated like a wheel. And there are dozens of lovely images to choose, including doodle motifs but also borders and an alphabet. Use a paper piercer or a needle to punch holes that follow the dotted lines of the pattern. Stitch through that. Presto: your completely finished layout with beautifully stitched details and no frustration.
Seriously, why didn’t someone think of this before? But I am so happy Heidi thought of it now. I love it.
By the way, if that makes you really want to stitch more, she has also made these iron-on sewing patterns. For stuffed creatures and ornaments rather than scrapbooking, but still fun. Iron onto the fabric of your choice, cut out and sew along the lines. Easy enough for kids to do, so perfect if you want to scrap while your little ones craft with you.
Clever Handmade will be shipping to stores very soon. In the mean time, go welcome Heidi back to the scrapbook world by checking out the Clever Handmade blog.
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4 February 2012, 18:17
LOVE the basic papers and those polka dot letters!
4 February 2012, 18:22
Oh, my goodness. Oh, the cuteness!!! And what a genius idea with the rub on stitching! Love it!
4 February 2012, 18:29
Fun papers and I love those rub ons!
4 February 2012, 18:35
love all the cuteness actually!
4 February 2012, 18:39
Oh how fun! Cute is right and when you have a spunky little 6 year old girl, cute can be just the thing you need sometimes. ;) I especially love the rub-ons!!
4 February 2012, 19:22
OK glad I kept scrolling down because there is a lot I do like. Thanks Shimelle. make a not of this one too
4 February 2012, 19:23
LOVE those rub ons!!
4 February 2012, 19:47
Love the chevron papers and those rub ons are genius!
4 February 2012, 20:24
Mermaids? I NEED SOME! TFS, Shimelle! I’ll be on the lookout! :)
4 February 2012, 20:31
So glad you featured Heidi! She is an incredibly talented designer and one of the sweetest people I know.
4 February 2012, 21:04
Thank you for the update on HG…I have some of her older products that I have been hoarding because I love the free-hand feel of her designs and these new ones are awesome!
4 February 2012, 21:49
Some of the “cute” really is adorable but the B sides are fabulous as are those embroidery rubons. Glad Heidi’s back.
4 February 2012, 21:55
thanks shimelle, looking forward to those rubons – just when i thought i was completely over rubons something new comes along to change my mind! how will i ever reduce my stash? hehehe
4 February 2012, 22:13
Love the fun papers and agree that the rub-on embroidery patterns are GENIUS.
4 February 2012, 22:14
The basic patterns look awesome, as do the embroidery patterns, especially the flourishes. She always did design awesome flourishes. :)
4 February 2012, 22:16
Genius! I love that rainbow rub-on! Thanks for these photos, because I never would have looked at her lines.
4 February 2012, 23:47
I always loved her borders and her new ones are cute. Great B sides and the chevrons will definitely be added to my stash.
5 February 2012, 03:27
Interesting post – I have tO say that for the first few images i was thinking – cute but not for me – I never know how to use those busy papers…. BUT then the b~sides and the plainer patterns! That’s what I like to see – something for everyone! Thanks Shimelle for showing us both sides of this one – If I’d only seen the a-side I might have missed out!
5 February 2012, 05:58
I really like this, Shimelle, you have sold it to me!
5 February 2012, 07:21
Very clever, Heidi! And welcome back! Thanks for adding even more fun to scrap booking!
5 February 2012, 07:54
Like the stickers and all those chevron patterns. I’m glad she found a home for her designs. That must have been so frustrating to get bumped from these companies after literally signing your name away.
5 February 2012, 08:52
This paper range may need to grow on me but the stiching rub-ons are genius
5 February 2012, 09:34
I’m not a huge fan of cute myself but the Rub ons are an amazing idea.
5 February 2012, 10:29
Oh, Shimelle! Your description of Heidi and her products and the surprise behind the cuteness already made me excited to try them all. I can’t wait to play with her clever ideas. Thanks again for making this post so much fun to watch and read….
5 February 2012, 11:18
No creamsicles in England?!? WHY are you still living there?? =P Seriously though, I love those chevron papers, and the rub-ons are complete genius!
5 February 2012, 11:54
what cute ideas- love the rub on patterns- love the large speech bubble photo prop- love the chevron papers
5 February 2012, 13:43
oooh they have some really nice things – very My Little Shoebox ish
I LIKE!
5 February 2012, 14:18
I love the letter stickers and AWESOME chevron papers!
5 February 2012, 14:55
Most of it is too cute for me….but I do love the rub ons.
5 February 2012, 15:27
Those stitch rubons are wonderfl!! Heidi did a great job with her product! Thanks for the pics of her new stuff.
5 February 2012, 16:42
Cutesy is definitely not my scrapbooking style, but I have to say, these patterns are totally winning me over. Those little ray guns slay me! And the little birds! And the cupcakes! aaahh! :)
5 February 2012, 17:41
The rub-ons! Bravo!
5 February 2012, 18:11
not so big into cute. but for those who are, these are awesome. i do love the chevron sheets and the rub ons.
5 February 2012, 18:48
Very cute fun papers but my son is too old for that now to use. But I do love those chevron and grid patterened papers and I do love rub-ons. Welcome back Heidi!
5 February 2012, 19:18
This is so cutesy, I might spit ;).
Seriously, though, the basic patterns, photo props, and embroidery rub – ons are really great ideas!!
5 February 2012, 21:21
I don’t scrap cute, but I do line the mini patterns and rubon idea.
5 February 2012, 21:27
Love all the clouds and chevron.
5 February 2012, 23:30
This is interesting. Would love to see in person.
6 February 2012, 02:11
I used to love Heidi Grace and still have little snippets of some paper left in my scraps box! I love the cute little doodles – can’t wait to get my hands on some of this :-)
6 February 2012, 07:02
Thanks for highlighting this and giving a bit of history. I think some of this is really unique and fun. The mini prints are great and some of the other “cute” patterns are fun too.
6 February 2012, 07:02
Definitely like those basic mini-pattern papers.
6 February 2012, 09:08
So great to see something completely different with those photo props and yes those B sides are very versatile!
7 February 2012, 00:06
Really like the cloud paper & the embroidery rub-ons.
11 February 2012, 09:57
Space aliens and spacedogs: what is not to like?! OK, so my husband has hit 40 but they’d still work for him. Plus all the seahorses and fishes and octopuses are gorgeous! We love visiting sea-life centres so we have lots of photographs to go with. You’re never to old for cute!
Thanks for sharing.
5 March 2012, 01:08
Yeah, Heidi Grace is back!
23 December 2020, 07:52
Thanks for your sharing! Clever Handmade will have a lot of fun