I really admire Teresa Collins. She has 7 (yes, you read that right) children, you would never believe she was old enough to have 7 children by looking at her, and, in my opinion, she is one of the most talented scrapbooking designers out there. She makes the kind of paper, stamps, and journaling cards that really make you want to document life. In addition, she seems just plain nice, and her blog is one of my very favorites.

Therefore, you can understand why I was so excited to be able to review some of her newest products just released at the Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) Winter Convention – and share my excitement with you!

STYLE

Teresa Collins’ new releases include 4 paper collections: Documented, Family Matters, Haute Cuisine and Journal-It Girl, plus transparencies in several different sizes and cling mounted rubber stamps. Each of the collections include 6 12″x12″ double-sided patterned papers and 1 12″x12″ sheet each of die-cut card & envelopes, die-cut file folders and die-cut chipboard charms. The Family Matters collection also includes an envelope book kit and 6 8″x8″ double-sided patterned papers.

The transparencies, in 8″x8″ and 51/2″x12″, are designed to go with any line or paper. There are 18 new cling mounted rubber stamps — 6 each for Family Matters, Documented and Haute Cuisine.

One of the things I think is special about Teresa Collins is that you can spot her products a mile away; she has her own distinct style. That holds true with these great new products.

Teresa Collins created the Documented line in memory of her mother, whose unexpected death in 2002 inspired her to start scrapbooking. In her words, “I had the instant desire to scrapbook the memories of my mom. I soon realized I had little information of so many aspects of my mom’s life. Who were the people in her life? Her deepest wishes, her values? So mom…I love you and this line is for YOU! I hope as you each DOCUMENT your own life – that you remember to ‘TELL YOUR STORY.’”

She said it better than I ever could, so all I will add is that this is probably my favorite new Teresa Collins collection. I used it to create this layout about an important childhood memory of mine – my beloved Cabbage Patch Kid. I look forward to creating many more projects with this beautiful line. Make sure to check out this project by Teresa, in which she had one of her daughters fill out the tags and do all her own journaling.

Family Matters is stunning as well — beautiful papers and tags in gold, red, black, white and cream — and will make any project about family simply breathtaking. I thought this 8″x8″ paper was perfect for this picture of my husband, his brother, me and my brother; I’ve been wanting to scrapbook it for quite a while.

The Journal-It Girl is a pink version of Teresa’s very popular Journal-It line, and it’s sure to be a big hit as well. Haute Cuisine is an addition to Teresa’s Bon Appetite collection; it’s brown with hints of the Bon Appetite green in it, perfect to complete your next recipe book project!

It’s worth noting that Teresa Collins also designs for Zutter, creater of the Bind-it-All, so she has also come out with several new decorative edge covers for use with the Bind-it-All. Many of her papers are designed to fit perfectly with those covers to help you make a mini book in a snap. I hope to bring you a review of the Bind-it-All soon, as her creations make me want one even more!

QUALITY

All the paper I was lucky enough to receive was the highest quality and very easy to work with. I know from prior experience with Teresa Collins’ stamps that they too are great to work with and result in a clean, crisp and oh-so-cute image.

VERSATILITY

Once I get my hands on a Bind-it-All, I want to make a recipe book using the Haute Cuisine Line. I also see a Family Matters book in my future as well — definitely 6″x12″, with these fabulous 7″x13″ black scallop covers and the paper that fits right in it. And with that wonderful pink Journal-It Girl line, the sky is the limit.

My point in telling you about my future projects is to let you know these new products by Teresa Collins have a myriad of different uses; there really is something for everyone here.

BOTTOM LINE

Therefore, I strongly encourage you to add these new collections by Teresa Collins to your scrapbooking stash. Oh, and here’s an important piece of advice: Don’t ever buy just one piece of her paper. You will regret it, because you are going to want to use both sides. Buy at least two of each — trust me!

The latest products from Teresa Collins Designs are available at Two Peas in a Bucket. Prices range from $.50 for 8″x8″ papers to $15.00 for the Family Matters Envelope Book Kit. Make sure to check out Teresa’s blog and Jamie Harper’s blog for lots of ideas and inspiration.

Don’t forget to read our other Scrapbooking Reviews — and to bookmark Qwowi.com so you can keep coming back for more! Leave a comment if you can; we’d love to hear from you!