Well, the goal was to send all this info. out in a nice little Narratives Newsletter...but the newsletter site is giving me fits (and therefore, I have given up on it yet again).
I really had envisioned being a whole lot better about sending out newsletters.
But in lieu of a newsletter...
A blog post.
I love the Black & Cream collection so much that I'm going to keep doing it year after year, until you all start begging me to quit already.
My favorite thing is probably the concentric circle and heart stickers (they're a cardstock sticker)
And the chipboard letters.
The Journaling Block paper is cool (it's just a sheet of patterned paper, so it's cheap, but you get 5-6 Journaling Blocks on each sheet).
And I'm pretty excited to use the die-cut paper lace (you get a yard of all four designs).
And the cardstock border stickers.
And the rub-ons (I'm a sucker for black rub-ons just because they're versatile).
And the new paper.
Looks like it's all shipping in October.
I won't be at the show though (I'm buried with artwork for CHA Winter 08)).
If you are a retailer and would like me to forward a PDF of the catalog pages, just email me at karencrussell@charter.net.
ETA: I managed to figure out the newsletter thing (user error, imagine that), so if you're signed up for it, be expecting it today (although don't get too excited, it's nothing magnificent).
Karen....what a beautiful collection!!! I can't choose my favorite...love them all so much and can't wait to start using them!!! you still amaze me on how creative you are and have 4 kiddos under one roof! :)
Posted by: Jessica | July 13, 2007 at 09:35 AM
I love the large hearts and the French Blue belle collection! I will have to inspect it more closely at CHA next week!
Posted by: Joanna | July 13, 2007 at 09:52 AM
Oh my goodness, I am in love with those cardstock circle stickers! Can't wait to get my hands on this new stuff :)
Posted by: Sarah | July 13, 2007 at 10:11 AM
Wow, all your designs are beautiful and sophisticated. I can't wait to get my hands on them so I can start playing decoratively!!
Posted by: Jeanette | July 13, 2007 at 10:11 AM
you won't ever get a "stop it" comment from me about the black & cream. those circles are the coolest! i love the colors you put together. and the 'sweet pea noir' paper is to die for. i usually only buy one sheet of pattern paper but this is one that goes in the 'i better grab 3 or 4' catagory!
Posted by: susanne ponce | July 13, 2007 at 10:12 AM
And I'm glad to hear you will continue making product using black & cream. It's my absolute favorite. I will never tire of it!
Posted by: Jeanette | July 13, 2007 at 10:13 AM
LOVE IT ALL!!!! Congratulations on everything (I think i was the last person on the planet to read about your engagement!!!!)...
Come back to the Oasis very soon, ok?? Hugs!
Posted by: krisfred | July 13, 2007 at 10:14 AM
oh this is all wonderful!! please stop designing such beautiful product....my bank account can't cope!!! (seriously though I will so be buying all of this!!)
Posted by: Kate | July 13, 2007 at 10:15 AM
WHAT DO YOU MEAN "Shipping in October"!!??? I don't think I can wait that long......
And I want all of it !!!!
LOVE,LOVE,Love it !
laura P
Posted by: Laura plunk | July 13, 2007 at 10:18 AM
As usual Karen I totally love it! Can't wait to see it in stores -- thanks so much for sharing!
Becky (aka: beckywed)
Posted by: Becky (beckywed) | July 13, 2007 at 10:24 AM
Can I order 1 of everything right now? I'm serious!
BTW Congrats!
Barb
Posted by: Barb McCarthy | July 13, 2007 at 10:28 AM
Amazing! There goes any hope for a budget this October :)
Posted by: Jennie | July 13, 2007 at 10:31 AM
Holy smokes. This is one of the first things being released this CHA that I HAVE to have. Love everything - the papers, frame transparencies, circle stickers.
Amazing as always Karen!
Posted by: Jenna | July 13, 2007 at 10:34 AM
Love it.. can't wait to get my hands on it!!
Posted by: Teresa B | July 13, 2007 at 10:34 AM
HOLY COW this stuff is all amazing!!
Posted by: Carol | July 13, 2007 at 10:36 AM
Dude, seriously, don't stop making the black & cream stuff. It's actually the only stuff in my stash I use on a regular basis, if you stop designing with those colors, I'd be forced to stop scrapping. And you don't want that living in your conscious forever would you? :)
Posted by: Ann | July 13, 2007 at 10:41 AM
LOVE LOVE LOVE (what a shocker huh??? :)
Posted by: Tanya Webster | July 13, 2007 at 11:03 AM
Oh wow. Amazing stuff!!! I am seriously loving the journalling tags especially. I don't know if I can wait until October...
Posted by: Rebecca S | July 13, 2007 at 11:11 AM
I love all your stuff.I especially love the antique cream collection. It is so versatile. It can dress up and down. I can't say enough about it. I will have to have a bunch of it, I just love it so much. Thank you for creating such beautiful and inspiring products. Did I mention that I love it.
Posted by: Shelly VanWormer | July 13, 2007 at 11:14 AM
WOW oh WOW! I am drooling! I love the hearts! And those papers are just gorgeous! Cant wait to be able to purchase it!
Posted by: Pam | July 13, 2007 at 11:16 AM
OMG, you did it again ! Those circles are a must-have, what a wonderful idea ! Love everything, but having to wait for it for soooooo long nearly kills me !
Posted by: Barbara | July 13, 2007 at 11:19 AM
Don't stop putting out new black and cream! I love it, it's so versatile.
Posted by: AndreaJ | July 13, 2007 at 11:19 AM
OCTOBER!! Oh my how are we going to able to wait that long? Seriously, I love it all so I will tell Shelly to order it all for us gals in Salem.
Posted by: Mary Lou | July 13, 2007 at 11:54 AM
Love the circles. Very unique!! Good job - keep up the good work. I can't wait to see some layouts with the new products.
Posted by: Keely | July 13, 2007 at 12:03 PM
It is ALL gorgeous, Karen! Love it! Great job, girl! :)
Posted by: kristina | July 13, 2007 at 12:05 PM
love the black and cream - it will never go out of style for me. And the concentric circles are WOW.
Posted by: Pammc | July 13, 2007 at 12:33 PM
Karen, I just LOVE it ALL ! Me too - on the Antique Cream - LOVE THAT.
Michelle
Posted by: Michelle OKeefe | July 13, 2007 at 01:30 PM
LOVE it all! The antique cream is my FAVORITE!
Posted by: Cheryl Sullivan | July 13, 2007 at 01:32 PM
Wow, Karen! I love it all. I especially love the blue and black. It's all a must have!
Posted by: Lori Gentile | July 13, 2007 at 01:45 PM
Ok Karen, I knew it, I am TOTAllY in love with this new stuff!! Can't wait to get my hands on it! You are AWESOME!!
Posted by: Anita | July 13, 2007 at 01:56 PM
I love, love, love your new stuff (and old for that matter). I would be so happy if you were to create a "bundle" and sell it on QVC. It is a great way for us scrappers to be greedy and have the whole set without breaking the bank. So, please pass that along to the good folks that manufacture your products. Keep up the good work and I love reading your blog.
Posted by: Victoria Vicary | July 13, 2007 at 02:24 PM
First of all, I love the bangs on Annie, almost as much as I love the Pat Benatar hair! What a HOOT! I didn't think you could possibly give me more that I would love, but you have. What a superb release! October will be forever in coming. And don't stop making the black and cream, I keep hoarding it because I think I won't be able to get more, I am so happy that I can!!! Have fun on your trip!
Terri
Posted by: Terri Barton | July 13, 2007 at 02:32 PM
I admire your work so much,, I also live in gp, i have 3 kiddos and am an amatuer photographer, I relate to just about all you say, makes me laugh, hope to take one of your classes @ scrap connection soon, God Bless
Posted by: mandy friend | July 13, 2007 at 02:44 PM
You're so freaking talented! I love this stuff. It's SO yummy! And please, never stop making your cream, ruled, scalloped edge paper...I use it on almost everything.
Posted by: ~SandyPea~ | July 13, 2007 at 03:03 PM
You're amazing!
Posted by: kim in Camas | July 13, 2007 at 03:07 PM
Beautiful, beautiful... I can't wait to see it (ok, buy it) in person. The black and creams are a favorite of mine too. I turn to your products often to add just the right finishing touch to projects. Thanks for your inspiration.
Posted by: kimberly ackerman | July 13, 2007 at 03:26 PM
Oh Karen! Not that I don't love your previous collections (and have purchased way too much!) but these are just the loveliest designs I have seen. I can't hardly wait until they are in the stores. You have way too much talent for one person! Thanks for sharing these pictures.
Posted by: Kay Ward | July 13, 2007 at 03:47 PM
I love the antique cream collection!!!! cant wait to get my hands on it!
Posted by: Carolynn | July 13, 2007 at 03:56 PM
i seriously have to wait that long...? bummer, and being in the middle of no man's sb land is even worse! MT has absolutely hardly ANYTHING girl! these new lines are super scrumptious! i love the new rub-ons in black & the black/white/cream stuff is what i want! YUMM-o!
Posted by: Janelle | July 13, 2007 at 04:10 PM
Wow! Can't wait for all of this to come out. You always make great stuff! I agree with the people who can't wait for Oct. to get here! Thanks for the peek!! Gina :)
Posted by: Gina | July 13, 2007 at 04:12 PM
This is Beautiful, I love them all. I need to learn how to journal,LOL. Love the colors, Pink & Black & Turquoise and Black are my fav. combinations :)
Posted by: Angie | July 13, 2007 at 04:19 PM
Well, girlie, you've done it again! I love it, and can't wait to get my hands on it, but I can't stand that I have to wait until October. UGH!!
Posted by: Mary Ann | July 13, 2007 at 06:01 PM
oh...I am so screwed when this releases! at least I have a few months to save for ALL of it!!!
you never disappoint!
Posted by: aja | July 13, 2007 at 06:29 PM
Love it all so much Karen! ;)
Posted by: Heather Preckel | July 13, 2007 at 07:14 PM
you are soooooooo talented!!!!!!
i adore the black/cream collection sooo MUCH!
keep it coming!
tara
Posted by: tara pollard pakosta | July 13, 2007 at 07:40 PM
These are beautiful. I like all of them. Cannot pick a favorite because they are all gorgeous.
Posted by: Natalie | July 13, 2007 at 08:13 PM
Congratulations Karen on such a fabulous release! You've outdone yourself yet again! :)
Posted by: Diane DiTullio | July 13, 2007 at 08:48 PM
YUMMY...every last bit. Can't wait to get my hands on some.
Posted by: Sherri | July 13, 2007 at 09:49 PM
I want it all!!
I love your stuff! and I doubt we will ever beg you to quit making the cream. It rocks!
Posted by: Darlene | July 14, 2007 at 04:29 AM
Wow! What a great stuff!! I love it all, especially the French Sweet Pea Collection :-)
Posted by: Diana Zayto | July 14, 2007 at 06:18 AM
Gorgeous stuff!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Vicki Boutin | July 14, 2007 at 07:11 AM
I want it ALL!!!!!!!! :)
Posted by: Jen K | July 14, 2007 at 08:36 AM
oh these are gorgeous
i want it all too!!
Posted by: paige | July 14, 2007 at 08:59 AM
Love, love, love the sweet pea! Everything is just beautiful and I love that you kept it cost friendly. =)
Posted by: kelly jo | July 14, 2007 at 10:49 AM
Karen, your new lines are stinkin' fabulous! (In our store, stinkin' is a GOOD thing.) You can just keep the black and cream coming, because it's a wonderful basic for any paper crafter, with a beautifully elegant twist. As for the rest, I love it all, and October is WAY too far away!!!
Posted by: Becky Schoelich | July 14, 2007 at 12:50 PM
Love it all! It is absolutely gorgeous as always! I agree October is way too far away!
Posted by: Juliana | July 14, 2007 at 02:19 PM
Can't wait to get my hands on these! The drool is becoming a little too much!
Posted by: tammygraves.blogspot | July 14, 2007 at 03:31 PM
Ok now - you are SUCH a bad influence on me. I just NEED to have all that gorgeous stuff. I just wish you wouldn't be so dang talented and creative
*goes off to find some pennies behind couch*
Posted by: KimmyS | July 14, 2007 at 03:43 PM
OMG i love it all! ALL of it!!! ALL!!!!!
Posted by: jenn | July 14, 2007 at 06:18 PM
Absolutely beautiful and will definitely get the blues and the circles!
Stacy
Posted by: Stacy Bassett | July 14, 2007 at 10:39 PM
I just lo-o-o-ve swatch books. - it is all beautiful
Posted by: Molly | July 14, 2007 at 10:46 PM
oh my these are beautiful.
Posted by: kimmie | July 15, 2007 at 11:42 AM
You're making us wait for this gorgeous stuff? Oh my goodness..I want it all right now. I will definitely be stoppen' by at the CI booth with our buyer for "The Scrapbook Shop" while at CHA this week. I'm so excited to see these lines in person. I'm sure we'll be purchasing many of these items for the store. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Christine | July 16, 2007 at 10:47 AM
Oh my!!! I must have it all, especially the heart one!
Posted by: Rhonda | July 16, 2007 at 11:43 PM
I have just got to get my hands on some of this. It's all so beautiful!
Posted by: Joy | August 01, 2007 at 10:21 AM