The Scoop at CHA (Long)

Okay, okay, I wasn’t going to do this but I’ve had enough requests to dish on my travels through CHA so here we go – you asked!!  I actually didn’t know for sure that I was going to CHA until about a 2 weeks ago – seriously my ticket was booked a week prior to departure.  My sincerest thanks goes out to Kelley Holland at Our Daily Bread Designs – there were a couple of us there and queen treatment could not even come close to describing how accommodating she was.  When I was wobbling on my decision to go – I got extra encouragement from Diana Crick at Scor-Pal/Magnolia-licious – it was a pure pleasure to meet and spend time with her.  She’s a mentor and cheerleader in every way and as sweet as can be in person.  Lastly my friends at Flourishes chimed in and closed the deal – it was fabulous to meet them in person and spend time with the people I’ve worked with.  Sigh…I love meeting people in person – it gives such foundation to your relationship – I honestly count myself blessed!!    Well I could spend all day telling you who was there and who I ran into but let me get on with the blah, blah, blah :-)   Here are some of the highlights, some of my observations, a couple of pictures (remember to click the pics if you want to see a larger version) . . . 

Ribbon and Trinkets:
I promise this will not surprise you.  I wanted to put my bed in the Prima Booth and the May Arts booth and just lay down and absorb all the ribbon and flower goodness that surrounded me.  Honestly, I spent serious time at both of those booths.  May Arts never, never disappoints.  There were of course new ribbons, roses and pleated ribbons that were amazing.  I don’t even know how to explain the Prima Booth – there are honestly just no words.  There are new ribbons, flowers, laces, papers, bling, felt – I can go on.  They just keep hitting the nail on the head – you walk in their booth and are so surrounded by beauty that it snatches your breath.  Just to stand in the booth and dream made me feel beautiful and walking out I think you carry a little bit of that beauty in your dreams. 

Yum!!! Luscious ribbon at the May Arts Booth!!

Absolutely dreamy finds at the Prima Booth!!

New Gadgets:
To me, there was a cute little company that was a sleeper.  It came out with the cutest product and I just wanted to hug them!!  It’s Epiphany Crafts and they made a little hand held punch that makes epoxy buttons.  Sweet and simple they came up with a punch that cuts the buttons including perfectly centered holes and on top of them you mount matching epoxy disks that have the same perfectly centered button holes.  Cute, cute, cute – if you’re a button fanatic like me – you’ll want to look at this.  Their catalog was adorable – she described what she wanted to her hubby and he made it for her.  Um…John, are you reading this?.

You can always count on We R Memory Keepers and Imaginesce to have new gadgets.  I fall for them every time :-)  We R Memory Keepers brought back their Cinch (which is a cute little bindery) and they also have a Crop-o-dile III which will mash metal corners on to books and papers.  They also have a tool (Sew Easy) that reminds me of a sewing pattern tracer that when rolled will pierce your paper in a straight line such that you can go back and stitch the pierced holes with floss.  Imaginesce has a new rhinestone setter that I might have to give a try – I love bling and used to feel that I was going a little bit over the top but now it’s all good!!

The Scor-Buddy was on display!!!  I already have one but every time I see it I have to stop and marvel how cute it is.  The addition they brought was a new cutting mat in the smaller format.  Thank you for letting me reclaim some real estate on my desk!! 

Paper Lines:
There are so many paper manufacturers at CHA and the competition is fierce!!  I should buy stock in K&Company and let me tell you, their new Christmas line will not disappoint!!  I’ve always been an Anna Griffin fan and she has some papers that I’ll need to get.  I was also blown away by new Prima papers, Melissa Frances and Graphic45.  Oops don’t let me forget that there are great picks from Kaiserkraft,  SEI, BoBunny, My Minds Eye, Pink Paislee and Basic Grey. 

Mmmmmm, Prima Goodness!!

Hello there K&Company – I’m a stalker….just so you know!!!  Isn’t this pretty?!

I’m a certified paperaholic and so are many of you (you know who you are).  There way too many new papers to mention and I’m sure these and more will find their way into my collection.

Cardstock News:
I made a little bit of time to visit with TPC (The Paper Company)  and if you’ve ever been curious about papers I use then you recognize the name.  So many of the very beautiful papers I use belong to this company.  One of the papers I use for most of my card bases (and many have asked me about this paper) is called Blonde Columns — the weight is perfect; my hopes were dashed when they told me they don’t make it any more. 

I also stopped by the Bazzill booth in search of the elusive Prism Simply Smooth.  Yay, it’s there!!  They decided to keep the name Simply Smooth name.  Ah . . . just in time, I was about to run out  *very big grin*!!

Punches:
OMGoodness there’s a new set of punches from McGill called Paper Blossoms that makes roses, poinsettia and hydrangea!!  My heart be still – I was swooning while I was in their booth.  They showed me how easy it was and I cannot wait to have a go at these.

There are tons more punches with Martha Stewart and EK Success.  This years additions are markedly different from past years.  Since I’m a punch maniac too, I’m sure many of these will find their way to my home.

New Stamp Companies:
Since I’m a sewer and have two embroidery machines – I’ve had my eye on a company whose embroidery designs are both cute and hilarious.  I already own so many of their emboridery designs, so a couple of years ago I was one of many that wrote them and begged them to put their designs to rubber.  Last summer I learned that they would and now they have.  Lorelie Designs is now out with their large caricature stamps and it’s right in time for the huge explosion we’re experiencing with Copic Markers and watercoloring. 

Darcie’s is also a company that I have collected from for a while.  Somewhere along the line they expanded their offering to include more than just cute and I’m simply smitten with their edgier offerings.  They had some acrylic frames and charms that had me at hello!!

New Die Cut Machines: 
Don’t fault me for being biased but you know that I’ve been so excited about the new machine, the Calibur, that Spellbinders released.  That was hot, hot news because no other die cut manufacturer released a new format machine and this one is larger than the other crafter die cut machines on the market now.  You can purchase 12×12 die cut papers but now with the Calibur you’ll have perfectly sized mini scrapbook sized die cut papers as well as the perfect size for full die cut 6" x 6" cards.   Be on the lookout for for the Grand Dies that the 8/1’2 x 11" mat size can now accommodate.  I cannot wait to get my hands on this!!

These are unbelievably big!!! 

The Cuttlebug also has a new look.  From what I understand nothing on the inside has changed, but the machine is sleeker and has a smaller footprint.  Provocraft is also releasing new embossing folders and instead of packaging them separately, they are packaged in sets of four. 

Tons of new embossing plates with Sizzix and of course tons of new dies.  Tim Holtz has put out a whole new line of grunge inspired dies.  Then, don’t let me forget to mention that the new electric die cut machine (looks like a suitcase) which debuted at CHA Winter was on hand. 

Digital Die Cut Machines:
There are new upgraded versions of both the Slice and Silhouette.  Provocraft unveiled the new Cricut Imagine which is a print and cut machine.  The Craftwell Machine was also being shown with its unique ability to cut with no sticky mat.

Other Great Stuff:
There were tons of alterables – Kaiserkraft has so many good ones – this Advent alterable really caught my eye.  Then what can I say about 7 Gypsies – their photo boxes are very popular.  I’ve had one for six months – I guess it’s time to get it out and use it hunh?

I love these charms I found at Darcies – along with the frames I see lot of possibilities!  And last but certainly not least at the Ranger Booth they bowled me over with rosettes that look to match the distress ink colors!!  Love it!!

My problem was I got so carried away talking and looking that I didn’t snap nearly as many pictures as I wanted.  Either way, it was a fabulous trip for me and I met many new people and was introduced to a ton a different companies.  There’s just something about the summer show – everyone is so accessible.  One of the biggest perks is the inspiration that I walked away with.  I just hope I can channel it into something that I can give back to you.  Oh my goodness, I met so many wonderful readers (waving hi!!!)  Big hugs to you all – thanks for your support and thanks so much for hanging in there with me through a busy, busy July  . . . whew!!!