New this week! 11/28/11

"Bag Winter Lace" digital cutting file (available only at the Silhouette store online.)

"Christmas Tree Snowflake" digital cutting file (available only at the Silhouette store online.)

This week alone, I will have 34 new digital die designs releasing in the Silhouette store online. The collection features both intricate and simple snowflakes...as well as themed snowflakes.  There are also several lace top tag sets, a few cards, some decorative pennant flags to help you decorate your home for holiday parties...and a lacy gift bag (this one made me smile to create as I thought of how many ways I could use this over the holidays...just imagine it with some bright colored tissue behind the lace cute out...squeal!)

"Card Doily Lace" digital cutting file (available only at the Silhouette store online.)

(The Silhouette store can only be accessed by those using a direct link from the Silhouette Studio software, which is provided with any Silhouette machine.) The easiest way to find these new designs, is to go to the "browse artists" tab in the blue bar at the top of the screen on the Silhouette store homepage, then click on the Samantha Walker logo to browse my portfolio.  These will be showing up in the store as they are loaded from the artists queue.   

"lace top tag" digital cutting file (available only at the Silhouette store online.)

"lace pennant" digital cutting file (available only at the Silhouette store online.)

"Snowflake Card" digital cutting file (available only at the Silhouette store online.)

"Snowman Snowflake" digital cutting file (available only at the Silhouette store online.)

These are just a sampling of what you might find in my Silhouette store this week. There's a chance that some of these will start showing up in the store before the 50 cent sale ends, that is going on this week.

Creative Team Spotlight: Cristal Hobbs!

This month we have the privilage of getting to know Cristal Hobbs.  Cristal's carefree approach to crafting is always welcoming to both newcomers and seasoned designers who love to craft. Cristal is also an avid blogger who shares about her love of creating through demos and new projects each week. I asked Cristal to answer a few questions to help us get to know her, this is what she said:

Q. What is your favorite Technique?
I don't really have one, I like to try new techniques all the time. If I can create it with paper or fabric I will. I love making paper ruffles, using fabric on layouts, coloring outside the lines.

I love the dimensional and textural qualities of this fun card. Isn't that trio of flowers so cute? Cristal used Kokeshi paper line Samantha Walker for Creative Imaginations. She also used Real Wood paper from Creative Imaginations.

Q. Where did you learn to design?
I didn't, I just picked up crafting and just wing it. I only began scrap-booking 3 years ago. I just started in my home and it spiraled from there. Kind of the like the Rachel Ray of scrap-booking...I'm no chef I just play with paper! hehe

Cristal created a gorgeous purple flower at the base of her fan for added flair. Patterned paper is from the Kokeshi line by Samantha Walker for Creative Imaginations.

Q. What influence your design choices?
Mostly nature and anything from fashion or past eras. I love 50's bold designs, 80's colors...I love it all, there is something special in every season. I am always thinking about the purpose and reason behind the design before I design. I love that crafting allows you to share your heart and soul. That influences me the most.

Cristal made this little dress with fabrics from the Enchanted Garden Collection by Samantha Walker for Riley Blake.

Q. Who are your artsy inspirations?
Probably the crafters I meet that are so kind in person, those people you just can't believe how amazing the are when you meet them. Eva Dobilas, Karen Maldonado, Shemaine Smith, Rhonda Van Ginkel, Lori Allred. Those people inspire me because they have heart and it shows in their creations.

Cristal made this sweet kitchen sign with many various scrapbooking products, and added a hanging sash with fabric from the Wanna be a Cowboy collection by Samantha Walker for Riley Blake Designs. 

Q. What do you enjoy doing besides crafting?
I love raising my boys,being really old school. I raise chickens, garden, gather my own eggs, read alot, spend time baking and love doing things the old fashioned way. I used to have a real fire burning stove/oven. I love baking bread and the simple life.

Cristal created this with patterned papers from the Kokeshi collection by Samantha Walker for Creative Imaginations.

Cristal created this little sign with patterned papers from the Blossom collection by Samantha Walker for Creative Imaginations.

I hope you will go and visit Cristal's blog often.  She always has something fun and fabulous going on...and great giveaways!

Creative Team Member spotlight Jennifer Ingle

Cuckoo Clock Card created with Cuckoo clocks stamp set by Samantha Walker for Unity Stamp Co. Papers are the Kokeshi collection by Samantha Walker for Creative Imaginations.

I have the privilege of sharing the work of Jennifer Ingle with you today. She is such a fun spirited member of my creative team. Her designs always have an innovative twist.  She not only works with paper...but also fabric in her one of a kind art dolls, which she affectionately names.  I asked Jennifer a few questions about herself and here is how she responded:

Ice Cream card was created with "The Sweet Life" Stamp set by Samantha Walker for Unity Stamp company. Papers are from the Heidi collection for Creative Imaginations.

Q.  What is your favorite Technique?

That's a hard question, but I think lately it has really been paper piecing.  I love cutting out the tiny pieces from various papers and putting them back together like a little puzzle and the results are just too fun!

Butterfly card was created with "Be You" Itty Bitty by Samantha Walker for Unity Stamp Company. Paper is from the Blossom collection by Samantha Walker for Creative Imaginations.

Q.  Where did you learn to design?

Well, I've been making stuff since I developed fine motor skills, pretty much, so I'm not sure if I can define where I learned to design.  I pick up new techniques by looking at the art of others, working with new supplies, and coming up with ideas and then trying to find a way to make them work.  I am constantly learning in every aspect of my life and since my creative life is such a huge part of who I am, learning and growth is something I am always striving for.

Flower card was created with paper and stickers from the Blossom collection by Samantha Walker for Creative Imaginations.

Q.  What influence your design choices?

Product.  I think that might be a horrible answer, but it's true!  When I get a new product in my hand, be that a fresh pack of paper clay, some great new patterned papers, a set of stamps, or a vial of vintage buttons from the antique shop it generally spurs me on to create something!  I am pushed by my desire to try out new things and make them work in my own way.

Doll was created with Wanna Be a Cowboy fabric collection by Samantha Walker for Riley Blake Designs

Q.  Who are your artsy inspirations?

Well, she will kill me for saying this, but Eva Dobilas is an amazing card maker and I am constantly inspired by her work.  Becky Shander  and Terry Stevens are wonderful mixed media artists and Rachel Wetzel and Abi Monroe are some really inspiring art doll artists.  I could keep going, as there are so many fabulous people out there creating so many fabulous things!  

Organdy Ribbon card was created with the Heidi collection by Samantha Walker for Creative Imaginations.

Q.  What do you enjoy doing besides crafting?

There is stuff other than crafting???  HA!  No, really, I love to read and I collect children's literature.  I like to make cupcakes when I have time and I absolutely LOVE hanging out with my fabulous Hubbums and my two beautiful black labs, Maggie and Thatcher. 

Ear rings were created with shrinky dink film. They were stamped with the Kokeshi stamp set by Samantha Walker for Unity Stamp Company.

Sympathy card was created with Encompassed Grace stamp set by Samantha Walker for Unity StampCo.

Jennifer has such a fun blog as she writes from the heart and her delightful personality shines through.  You will have to visit her blog frequently.

Introducing Kokeshi...my third and final Winter CHA 2011 sneak peek!

I want to introduce to you my third line that will be releasing at CHA...the line is called Kokeshi. Many years ago, one month after my husband and I got married, we moved overseas to Japan for three years. There we were enveloped in a rich cultural experience. From the amazingly beautiful art heritage of Kyoto to the high tech buzzing world of Akihabara...Japan had it all and left an impression on me that will last forever. Every now and then I let those memories influence my designs...this line doesn't have subtle influence...it is fully influenced by my experiences in Japan.  The line is called Kokeshi.  Kokeshi dolls are little wooden dolls of adorable Japanese girls wearing Kimonos. The military wives overseas couldn't seem to get enough of these...and blue and white china.  Kokeshis were somewhat of an addiction to collectors because the dolls are each so unique with their own personality. I hope that I was able to capture the essence of the many personalities of Kokeshi dolls.  I even added some "multi-cultural" Kokeshis in my sticker sheets so you can find just the right Kokeshi for your personality.

Contest:
Leave a comment enter for a chance to win a fabric bundle, also check out the separate contest in the post below about my Heidi release...that's two contests! I will be giving away a bundle of fabric from one of my current lines of your choosing, from Riley Blake. Just leave a comment by February 3rd, and I will draw one lucky winner.  Don't forget to click the "like" button up at the top if you like this line.