What are the new elements released via the LEGO Friends sets? What new elements did the release of the Friends sets add to the LEGO element parts palette?
As well as the new colours (two new shades each of blue, purple and green), there are actually quite a few new parts in the friends sets. I think this is the complete list, but it's possible I missed one or two. (Let me know of any corrections. It's a big list!)

Accessories (44)


Friends Accessories Cupcake Holder
Friends Accessories Cutlery Fork
Friends Accessories Cutlery Knife
Friends Accessories Dish, Rectangular
Friends Accessories Dish, Round
Friends Accessories Frying Pan
Friends Accessories Hand Mixer
Friends Accessories Measuring Jug
Friends Accessories Spatula with Holes
Friends Accessories Comb with Handle and 3 Hearts
Friends Accessories Glasses, Heart Shaped with Pin
Friends Accessories Glasses, Oval Shaped with Pin
Friends Accessories Hair Brush with Heart on Reverse
Friends Accessories Hair Decoration, Bow with Pin
Friends Accessories Hair Decoration, Butterfly with Pin
Friends Accessories Hair Decoration, Flower with Serrated Petals and Pin
Friends Accessories Hair Decoration, Flower with Smooth Petals and Pin
Friends Accessories Hair Decoration, Heart with Pin
Friends Accessories Hair Decoration, Star with Pin
Friends Accessories Hair Decoration, Tiara with 5 Points and Pin
Friends Accessories Hair Dryer
Friends Accessories Hand Mirror with Heart on Reverse
Friends Accessories Basket
Friends Accessories Lipstick with Light Bluish Gray Handle
Friends Accessories Bag Round with Bright Pink Ruffle
Friends Accessories Medical Clipboard
Friends Accessories Medical Feeding Bottle
Friends Accessories Medical Ice Pack
Friends Accessories Medical Nurse Hat
Friends Accessories Medical Otoscope
Friends Accessories Medical Pen
Friends Accessories Medical Spoon
Friends Accessories Medical Stethoscope
Friends Accessories Medical Syringe
Friends Accessories Medical Thermometer
Friends Accessories Award Ribbon with Number 1
Friends Accessories Award Ribbon with Number 2
Friends Accessories Bow
Friends Accessories Bow with Heart
Friends Accessories Brush Oval, Large
Friends Accessories Brush Round, Small
Friends Accessories Comb, Small with Heart
Friends Accessories Sponge
Friends Accessories Spray Bottle with Heart


Animals (9)


Bird, Sparrow with Red Beak Pattern
Cat Standing, Looking Left with Light Green Eyes, Dark Pink Nose and Mouth and Dark Bluish Gray Stripes Pattern
Dog Small Standing with Blue Eyes, Black Nose and Mouth Pattern
Dog Small Standing with Patch over Eye and Spots Pattern
Dog Small Walking with Blue Eyes and Black Nose and Mouth Pattern
Horse with 2 x 2 Cutout, Blue Eyes and White Blaze Pattern
Hedgehog with Reddish Brown Spines Pattern
Rabbit Sitting with Blue Eyes and Pink Nose and Mouth Pattern


Flower/Fauna (5)


Friends Accessories Beetle / Ladybug with Stud Holder
Friends Accessories Butterfly with Stud Holder
Friends Accessories Flower Rose with Pin
Friends Accessories Flower with 6 Rounded Petals and Pin
Friends Accessories Flower with 7 Thin Petals and Pin


Other Parts (2) 


Door 1 x 5 x 3 with 3 Studs and Handle
Panel 1 x 2 x 1 with Rounded Corners and Central Divider
Minifig, Utensil Handlebars with Angular Handles


Printed Parts (11)


Slope 45 2 x 2 with Red Cash Register and '+15' Pattern
Brick 1 x 1 with Oranges Pattern (Juice Carton)
Brick 1 x 1 with Cow and Flower Pattern (Milk Carton)
Tile 1 x 2 with Cell Phone / Music Player Pattern
Tile, Round 2 x 2 with Brown Paw Pattern
Brick, Round 1 x 1 Open Stud with Paws and Heart Pattern
Tile 2 x 4 with 'Andrea' and Music Notes Pattern
Tile 1 x 4 Lights with CD and Speakers on Light Aqua Background Pattern
Tile, Modified 4 x 6 with Studs on Edges with Blackboard Pattern
Tile 1 x 6 with Ruler Pattern
Tile, Modified 4 x 6 with Studs on Edges with Clothes Design and Swatches Pattern


Total: 71, (non-printed parts): 60