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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