Waving My Wand: CHA

Showing posts with label CHA. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Happy News! Joining the Paper House Productions Design Team!

I am ecstatic to announce that I'm joining the Paper House Productions Design Team in July! You won't believe this, but it was literally a goal of mine to join a scrapbook paper design team this year. Paper is my first love. That's where it all started for me, all those years ago when my friend Nancy Hilton took me to my first crop (look Nancy, you got a shout out!). Ah, the joys of taking scissors to paper. Before I knew it, I fell in love with cardmaking and paper continued to reign in my life. I became an avid stamper and joined several stamp design teams, however, paper was always there; a staple in almost every project.

Paper House Productions stood out in my mind for another reason. I'm pretty sure I met them back in 2014 when I was the guest blogger for the CHA/AFCI Paper Arts Trade show in Atlanta. I did a little digging and yes.... I did meet them! In fact, I wrote a segment all about the lovely folks at PHP on the Craft and Hobby Association blog. Take a look!

https://blogafci.wordpress.com/2014/07/31/last-nights-open-market-at-cha-paper-arts-2014/

I have a love affair with paper and am so happy that Paper House Productions chose me to represent their wonderful array of products. They have selected a stellar team and I'm even more excited that I already know several of the ladies, having worked with them on other design teams. It already feels like a family atmosphere which is like the icing on the cake!

I thought I would share a couple projects that I made not too long ago, using Paper House Productions papers. Here's my milk carton treat box, filled with k-cups for a project I did last year for Coffee Loving Cardmakers.

https://wavingmywand.blogspot.com/2017/09/day-5-coffee-loving-cardmakers-fall.html

And this one below, more recently, was for a joint blog hop with Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L.

https://wavingmywand.blogspot.com/2018/05/blog-hop-with-scrapbook-adhesives-by-3l.html

Their product line is EXTENSIVE! They have license to the Wizard of Oz line. Um, my baby shower was Wizard of Oz themed. My little niece dressed up like Dorothy and my nephews dressed like the Lollipop Guild. My sister gave me a huge piece of Wall Art that was Wizard of Oz and drove 2 hours to Atlanta to meet one of the original munchkins who was on tour and doing a book signing. I believe he was the Mayor of Munchkin Land. He autographed the art and my sister had it framed. It is one of my most prized possessions. I'm a huge Wizard of Oz fan! It feels a little bit like destiny to have the joy of creating with their products on a regular basis.

Hop on over to their website and check out their products, here. Then visit their blog and get ready for the internet to blow up with more design team inspiration! Woo-hoo! See you soon with my first official project!

Terri

#paperhouseproductions #designteam #wizardofoz #CHA #AFCI #wavingmywand #scrapbookpaper #scrapbook #stickers #planners #plannerlovers #cardmaking #cards #DIY #papercrafts #journals #travelersnotebooks

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Sizzix clearance sale plus one of my fave products!

I just found out that Sizzix is having a pretty big clearance sale, up to 50% off their best selling items of 2014, good through 1/15/14. Good golly, they've got some super duper cheap dies! I saw one for under $3.00. Check out the Primitive hearts and the Tattered cone die. Nice additions to your collection.

What I really want to tell you about is the Stamper's Secret Weapon.

This is one of my favorite products. Ever. Are you a stamper? Do you sometimes have problems with the edges of your mount getting inked spots on your project. Nothing is more frustrating. Well, this soft mat, prevents that from happening. It "gives" a bit when stamping, and you don't have to press as hard either to get a perfect stamped image every time. You need this in your arsenal, if you don't already have one. It will save you a lot of heartache and wasted cardstock. Oh, and it comes with a paper piercing tool as well. (image above contains my personal products in photo)

Sign up for their newsletter, as a new subscriber, at the bottom of the homepage, and get a coupon for 15% off your first order ( (Limitations apply). Can we say, bonus?

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links so, if you purchase a product using the link I may receive a commission. I only participate in the Sizzix affiliate program because they are products that I use and love. Thank you for your support.

#craft #sizzix #CHA #Cre8time #clearance #sale

Saturday, January 10, 2015

ADORNit Art Play Paintable Watercolor "Bunny" stand-up display

On Monday, the design team at Mountain Plains Crafters participated in a joint blog hop with ADORNit; creator of all things, fabric, paper crafts and the all new Art Play Paintables, designed by artist Lindsay Ostrom. We created sooooo many lovely things that I'm breaking it down in a more detailed format this week, featuring each of my creations in detail with tutorials.

To see all the projects from the ADORNit blog hop, go here:

http://www.adornit.com/blog/art-play-blog-hop/

For my final creation with ADORNit this week, I've watercolored this sweet bunny from the "Happy" Art Play Paintables collection. Once again, I've used my Tombow Dual brush pens from the Bright collection (Can you tell, I love them?) and Tombow Xtreme adhesive runner.

To watercolor, I simply marked directly onto this paper with my pens, then dipping a paintbrush in water to blend the colors. For example, I used yellow and blue for the sky background, and blended together. The "fence" is a piece of designer paper from the GCD Studios Funhouse 12x12 designer paper stack, that I scalloped to look like a fence. I also used Flower Soft "Meadow" and Flower Soft tacky glue to create the dimensional grass. The white swirly circles and the white on the bunny, were colored in with a white gel pen.

Initially, I was going to turn this piece into a cute tag, but then I decided to make it into a little stand-up display, something that would be cute on a bedroom dresser, or give to a friend. I even added a piece of Xyron magnetic tape so it can be placed for display on top of a computer or metal file cabinet. I bet a teacher would love to have this on his/her desk at school.

To make the stand-up more secure, I adhered a backing of heavy duty white cardstock to the back of my image, and created a pop-out stand for balance. I didn't go by any instructions, just played with it until I achieved what I needed. Another piece of heavy cardstock, along with the magnet strip on the bottom, helps balance the weight. I'm really happy with how it turned out!

Thanks for spending the week with me! It's been so much fun creating for ADORNit.

#cre8time #adornit #tombow #wavingmywand #CHA #flowersoft

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links so, if you purchase a product using the link I may receive a commission. I only participate in Amazon’s affiliate program because they are products that I use and love. Thank you for your support!

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Possibilities

It's the start of a new year and, with it, comes a time for reflection; reflection on the past year and hope for what the new year might bring. Do you make resolutions? I don't. What I do though, is set goals. I've always been goal oriented and I can honestly say that every time I've set a goal, I have achieved it. The problem I have with resolutions, is that they are based, in my opinion, on setting one's self up for failure. Not only myself, but in those around me, I've witnessed time and again, the inability to turn a resolution into an accomplishment; whether it be to lose weight, advance in your professional life, save money.....and so forth.

A goal, however, is a whole other animal. According to my research, there are varying opinions on the differences between a resolution and a goal. My experience leads me to believe that setting goals - actual, achievable goals, is the key to making real, true change in one's life.

Last year was an amazing year for me. I realized a goal which has impacted me in ways that I never expected. I never doubted that it would happen, and I shouldn't have been surprised when it did.

Let me briefly share the changes that took place in just one year:

1. Six months after I started my own personal craft blog, I was asked to join two friends in forming a new, fun crafty site. Although, it's not for profit, it is for fun! Mountain Plains Crafters. Look it up.

2. Two months later: I find out that the Craft and Hobby Association is having a big trade show in Atlanta, GA, just 2 short hours from where I live. I'm not a member. I'm not a big craft company. I have no business even thinking about going. But, I did. I thought, and thought and thought some more. Then, I decided to go on a campaign of sorts; a quest. I called it, "The Quest for CHA". (Look in my archives from June 2014) I blogged about this quest for almost 2 months, campaigning to get in, in any way, shape and/or form. I offered to set up tables, lay power cords...whatever it took to earn my keep.

I guess the powers-that-be, liked my quest. I got the email, and then, the all-important phone call inviting me to attend. But, not only was I invited to attend, I was asked to be the Guest Blogger and the Show Photographer. A far cry from expecting to sweep floors. It was a wonderful adventure and a life lesson in many ways.

3. In turn, the experience has led to numerous opened doors and other opportunities. I've made connections, networked and formed relationships that will stay with me for as long as I choose to stay connected to the world in which I now find myself. My year ended with more freelance blogging for several different companies. Intentional goals obtained, specifically, for the learning experience and, to help me expand and grow in the crafty realm.

So what about 2015? A lot of bloggers are sharing their "word" for the new year. I would have to say that my word is "possibilities"; possibilities for what lies ahead - the new roads I might travel, whether it be the world wide web or Interstate 20.

And yes, I have already set some goals for this year, not resolutions.

I plan to achieve, not fail.

Goal #1 - Get on the design team of a major company. I have much to learn. Surround yourself with the best, and achieve maximum results. I believe that.

Goal #2 - Turn a profit on my blog. It's been very slow going. I've recently joined some affiliate programs and am working towards that goal. Time is a factor and I hope to spend more time learning the in's and out's. I'm learning from those who have the answers. Joining experienced blogger groups has been invaluable in learning and taking the steps to move forward.

Goal #3 - This goal is 2-fold. I want to go back to a CHA trade show, next time as a member. They now have a blogger membership. Yes! Now, I just need to have a profitable blog to justify the yearly membership fee. I'm working on that too.

I have a motto and my family is well familiar with this motto:

"If you don't ask, you don't get." If you don't try, you'll never know. So try. And don't be surprised when the answer is yes.

Creative Video Workshops on Creativebug.com

#CHA #CHASHOW #cre8time

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links so, if you purchase a product using the link I may receive a commission. I only participate in Creativebug’s affiliate program because they are products that I use and love. Thank you for your support!

ADORNit feature - Art Print "Craft Room Display" with fabric

To see all the projects from the ADORNit blog hop, go here:

http://www.adornit.com/blog/art-play-blog-hop/

This next piece blends ADORNit fabric with Art Play Prints. This polka dot fabric is called Bebop Dot Black and the print is called "Craft Room Display". For this project, I'm using the 11" large ADORNit Pointed Wood Brackets. Yes, they have wood products too!

To make this, I took the print and placed one of the smaller coordinating wood panels from ADORNit on top, traced the border with a pencil, then trimmed. I also traced the outline of the fabric with the larger wood panel and trimmed as well. The fabric was adhered to the wood with my Tombow Xtreme adhesive runner, which is perfect for using on wood and fabric. I then used Mod Podge over the fabric and art print, with a second coat as well after the first coat dried. Next, I used Plaid FolkArt ® Multi-Surface Glitter Acrylic Paints - Sequin Silver - around the edges and coated with DecoArt Glamour Dust. We crafters love our glitter, right?

I cut strips of the same fabric used on the wood panel, fringed them and fashioned into cute bows. These were adhered with generous doses of Tombow Mono Aqua glue. Are they not adorable?

Additional supplies: We R Memory Keepers large enamel dots

#cre8time #adornit #Modpodge #decoart #tombow #wavingmywand #Plaid #CHA

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

ADORNit Feature - Art Play Paintables "Love" Candle

To see all the projects from the ADORNit blog hop, go here:

http://www.adornit.com/blog/art-play-blog-hop/

*I'm so happy to say, that this candle has been chosen to be on display at the ADORNit booth next week at the CHA (Craft and Hobby Association) Winter Mega show in Anaheim, CA.*

Today's creation is a watercolor painted candle. This is so easy to do, you won't believe it. You will need these tools: a pillar candle, tissue paper (the kind used in gift bags), a heat tool, and wax paper, along with your coloring tools

I started by tracing over the Art Play Paintable design from the "Happy" collection, with tissue paper using first a black Marvy fine point Le Pen, then coloring with my Tombow dual brush pens. I even used my Tombow blender pen to give some highlights here and there on the wording.

Next, cut out your colored tissue design leaving about 1/4" border. Place it where desired on your candle. Take a large piece of wax paper, wax side down, and hold it tightly over your design and around candle. (I was so into my project, forgot to take a picture of this step!) Take your heating tool, (I use an embossing heat tool found in craft stores) and slowly heat your design. These heat tools get very hot, so be sure not to burn your fingers. You will visibly see the melting or beading of wax occur after a few seconds. The entire heat process only takes about a minute. When finished, slowly peel off the wax paper and you are left with a stunning candle! These make wonderful gifts for any occasion. You will be amazed at the color and clarity. Every bit of it transferred to this candle. Have fun with this technique!

Check back tomorrow for details on my next project.

#cre8time #adornit #tombow #wavingmywand #CHA

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

ADORNit feature....Art Play Paintables "Vintage Camper"

For my first project, I'm using an Art Play Paintable design from the "Ladybug" collection. I've created a mixed media piece which has been embossed, watercolored, sanded and glittered. I even distressed my paper, tearing the edges. I've used my Tombow Dual Brush pens from the Bright collection, using a watercolor technique. You can see that I embossed just the upper left section of my paper, after I watercolored it. I love that the embossed swirls match the swirls of "smoke" trailing from the camper. :)

The cardstock used for the card below is from the ADORNit Blender Basics paper pack. It's good, heavy, double-sided paper and I simply trimmed the 12x12 piece to 6" and scored it. It has a fun chevron design on the inside that I can embellish as well! The papers used, from the Blender Basics, are "Mustard Damask" and "Blue Chevron".

Glitter by DecoArt Inc. Glamour Dust, Natural burlap twine by May Arts Ribbon

You can see a better view here where I've glittered the moon and stars.

Check back tomorrow for an "out of the box" project that you are going to love!

#cre8time #adornit #tombow #decoart #mayartsribbon #wavingmywand #CHA #vintage

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links so, if you purchase a product using the link I may receive a commission from Amazon. I only participate in Amazon’s affiliate program featuring products that I use, because they are products that I love. Thank you for your support!

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Labor of Love with my Kaisercraft house and Graphic 45

Once upon a time, a young girl......wait, back up. Let's try this again. Once upon a time, a middle aged woman (wink!) had a dream. In that dream, were castles, kings and queens, and magic wands.

Ok, hold up. That is NOT how it happened. But very, very close. The summer of July 2014. It was the summer of love for this crafty chic.

The journey of this house begins here, where I won a blog hop giveaway featuring the Papercrafts & Scrapbooking Magazine, Creative Spaces issue #3 from Stacy Cohen who's craft space was featured in the magazine. The prize? A Kaisercraft House.

While waiting on my Kaisercraft house to arrive, I spent quality time at the Scrapbook Expo in Duluth, GA where I met some cool crafty designers; Jenny Bowlin (her paper from the Family Tree collection is used as the tag reinforcers for the keyholes), Richard Garay of Spellbinders, and other fabulous, crafty geniuses.

Next, it was on to the CHA (Craft and Hobby Association) Paper Arts show in Atlanta where I scored the lucky gig of being the guest blogger. I was priviledged to hang out with Graphic 45 who are sponsors of Mountain Plains Crafters, a crafty fun site of which I am co-founder. It was so fun to meet Jeff and Joanna and attend the G45 workshop. I decided then and there, that I would use the gorgeous "Come Away With Me" papers on my Kaisercraft house when it arrived.

This is what I started with:

And this is the finished project

First, I Mod Podged the roof and painted the house in white. Thank you to the lovely folks at Plaid who gave me samples from CHA. I used the Folk Art white paint, as well. I tried to incorporate as many "CHA" products as I could into this project. It truly is a labor of love and I loved my time with all the vendors at the Paper Arts show!

Next, I cut the covers for the drawers. I made a template and cut multiple copies from the template, and Mod Podged these as well. The Come Away with Me collection has many, many locations mentioned on it's papers. It's all about traveling to far away places.

Being a native New Yorker, I used as many of the NY graphics that I could find. A homage to my home state that I dearly miss, along with my family, as well.

I also cut the Graphic 45 keys with my plier wire cutter, to use as handles on the drawers. I ended up using 3 packages of keys on this house. I've got to say, it's been really fun putting this together! Slow going, but fun. How are those keys staying put? Tombow Aqua mono glue. Front and back. You've got to break out the good stuff for a project like this. #smile

I really wanted a gorgeous topper for my house so I made my own. There's a bunch of product on this beauty; Maya Road (kraft doily), Prima Marketing (enamel dots), Unity Stamp Co (background woodgrain stamp inked onto the kraft doily), May Arts Ribbon (white rosette and kraft twine), Tombow Xtreme adhesive, Fabscraps, UmWow Studio (woodchip butterflies), My Favorite Things (Die-namics scalloped flower die for quilling) Pinkfresh Studio (Scribbles die).....much of what you see on this topper was inspired by the beautiful creations I saw at the Paper Arts show.

I am finally finished with my house. Now, it's all about filling it up. I intended to use it as a keeper of small items such as sequins, buttons, etc. I'm saving the maker labels inside each box and identifying each drawer with a glued item. This lets me know where to find what so I don't have to pull out every drawer, plus, it adds a little more inventiveness to my house.

I hate to admit it but I'm a little sad that I'm finished. The saving grace is that I have so many memories of my "summer of love" tied up into this house. I'll forever cherish the good times I had and look forward to making fabulous, new memories.

#CHA #CHASHOW #Cre8time #Kaisercraft #g45papers #graphic45 #plaidcrafts #prettypinkposh #maggieholmes #primamarketing #mayartsribbon #unitystamps #tombow #cratepaper #laurakellydesigns #vintage

Sunday, August 3, 2014

My time as guest blogger with CHA Paper Arts

Ah, what a time I had in Atlanta last week. But as they say, all good things must come to an end.

If you're new to my blog, let me quickly fill you in. This crafty girl found out that the Craft and Hobby Association would be holding an Inaugural Paper Arts trade show in Atlanta. Over a month ago, I began an online quest to get into this event. The powers-that-be got wind of my quest, called me, and asked me to be their guest blogger and show photographer. You can read about my quest in the July 2014 archives here on my blog.

The time I spent at the show exceeded my expectations and then some. Let me tell you, it was HARD work; harder than I thought. Had it not been for major technical difficulties on day one, dropped internet connections, password not working, re-writing my first post 3 times due to said problems, required apps draining the life of my phone....haha. I can laugh now but I wasn't laughing then! Luckily, I had a back-up plan. If I've learned anything in life, it's always have a back-up plan.

Day one was filled with workshops and seminars. I learned so much! Day two was the opening of the exhibit hall and more seminars. The exhibit hall was filled with vendor booths who showcased their new holiday products and current releases. So many cool things, enamel dots in every color of the rainbow, crochet doilies, kraft products, thousands of items! Total sensory overload, and this was a smaller show!

People somehow knew who I was, as they would come up to me and say, "oh, hey, you're Terri". I found out later that CHA had put out a little blurb about me a few days prior to the show.

I'm so glad I did my research. I tried to touch base with every vendor via Facebook or Twitter, prior to the show, to familiarize myself with the companies, their designers, etc. Of course, many I was well familiar with and many I was not. So research was a very good thing.

I loved meeting so many people I've admired from afar. I tried not to be a crafty geek and fawn over some of these people, but in a couple instances, I failed miserably! All in all, I think I kept it together pretty much. ;)

When I wasn't blogging, attending workshops, taking notes in seminars, tweeting like a mad woman or photographing everything in sight, I was spending time with different companies, learning new tricks, partaking in only two or three make-n-takes as that's all I had time for. Lunch? Forget about it. No time. I actually lost weight when I got home. All that walking and no time for meals. I'm not complaining. I'd rather talk to the folks that came all the way from South Africa, Australia, Nepal and China.

Would I do it again? In a heartbeat! So much happened in those 3 days. I'm sure I'll be reflecting on this for a long time to come. Here I am, 3 days after the event and I'm continuing to get tweet responses and good feedback. I hope the folks at CHA were happy with how it went, minus a few bumps in the road.

I was hoping to blog on my own site while I was there, but as you can see, there was no time. I'm listing the links below, if you wish to read my blog posts. The first is the blurb about me, from CHA. The rest are from me. Happy reading!

http://craftandhobby.wordpress.com/2014/07/28/meet-terri-burson-chas-guest-blogger-for-cha-2014-paper-arts/

http://craftandhobby.wordpress.com/2014/07/29/good-afternoon-from-atlanta/

http://craftandhobby.wordpress.com/2014/07/30/yesterday-at-paper-arts-was-a-blast-looking-forward-to-the-show-opening/

http://craftandhobby.wordpress.com/2014/07/30/morning-jumpstart-and-exhibit-hall/

http://craftandhobby.wordpress.com/2014/07/30/more-from-the-paper-arts-show-exhibit-hall-crafty-inspiration/

http://craftandhobby.wordpress.com/2014/07/31/last-nights-open-market-at-cha-paper-arts-2014/

http://craftandhobby.wordpress.com/2014/07/31/morning-jumpstart-from-the-cha-paper-arts-section/

http://craftandhobby.wordpress.com/2014/07/31/final-thoughts-from-the-cha-2014-paper-arts-show/

(The above photos were posted with the express permission from the Craft and Hobby Association. Please do not copy without permission.) #CHASHOW

Monday, July 28, 2014

Countdown to CHA, Day 2 ...Butterflies!

(To follow the entire saga, view my blog archives...this is my Quest to get into the Craft and Hobby association trade show in Atlanta......and I'm going!)

This is it. The day before. Butterflies are hitting hard so what better way to channel my energy than to get crafty and make, you guessed it, butterflies.

The design team at Mountain Plains Crafters have all decided we should have a scrap swap amongst ourselves. Any good crafter knows good and well that you save every little scrap. Nothing goes to waste. So I took some of my scraps and made butterflies with my Paper Smooches dies. I especially love to make vintage or wordy butterflies. I think the girls will love 'em.

With one day left, I piddled around with those apps some more and re-read all the instructions for photo ops and workshop supplies that I need to bring. I spent some quality time at Starbucks yesterday on wifi, experimenting with the apps and my Kindle Fire HD. Looks like I've got all my bases covered.

I'm looking forward to Day 1; workshop day. Right up my alley too. What's that you say? You want me to go to workshops and make stuff? Crafty, awesome, super cool stuff with tools that look like dental instruments and hob nobbin' with Graphic 45, Sizzix and Spellbinders and Stephanie Barnard? Ok, can do, no need to twist my arm, particularly the left....kind of have a bum shoulder.

(Today, my Blogiversary giveaway goes live. Be sure and enter here. Ends 8/12/14.)

Blogiversary Giveaway! Let's Party!

A lot has happened in a year and just this week, I'm celebrating several milestones with Waving My Wand; 10,000 page views and 200 posts. Plus my 1 year anniversary is coming up in a couple weeks, so it's time to give away a prize!

In the past year, not only have I grown as a crafter, but I joined a couple of cool chics and formed Mountain Plains Crafters, a fun place to hang out, enter challenges and win prizes. If you told me a year ago that I would be the guest blogger at the Craft and Hobby Association's Inaugural Papercrafters trade show in Atlanta, (coming up July 29-31st) I'd say you were out of your mind. To say this has been a great year, is putting it mildly.

I'm giving a prize pack of some of my favorite things: Unity stamps, Prima enamel dots, My Minds Eye Flair 6 x 6 paper pad, American Craft ric rac ribbon and the newest issue of Papercraft and Scrapbook Magazine's Creative Spaces issue, jam packed with ways to inspire you in creating your crafty domain. This prize pack retails for $40.00.

My Pinterest- click here

Click the Rafflecoptor link below to enter. Contest ends 8/12/14. Winner announced on 8/15/14.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Countdown to CHA, Day 6.....what to wear??

Yes, I already know what to wear. Sort of. A friend asked me a couple of weeks ago if I'd given any thought to it. Do men get asked these same questions? "Hey, Bill, whatcha wearin' to the trade show?" Somehow, I think not. According to what I read at the Craft and Hobby Association's illustrious website, it's business casual for the trade show.

Do you know how long it's been since I've bought new clothes? Let's see, the number one hit was Barry Manilow's "Mandy" and gas was what, $1.09 a gallon? Ok, so it hasn't really been that long, but it has been awhile. I actually do have a couple go-to outfits for business conferences, but to hear my mother tell it, she thinks I can't dress myself. Yes, you heard it here folks; my 72 year old mother is trying to give me fashion advice.

I'll admit, I'm not real happy with my mother trying to tell me what to wear. I'm a big girl now and I've been dressing myself for a long time. However, you do need to know that my mother matches everything. EVERYTHING! The purple outfit has to match with the purple shoes and oh, wait, let me go switch to my matching handbag....but which one? The purple patterned bag or the solid? Then, there's the jewelry. "Wait, we can't leave the house until I find my purple watch!" Are you still with me?

Listen, I'm a simple girl with simple taste and I don't have a bank account that allows for mix and match handbags, shoes and watches. So thank you very much mother for your heartfelt concern, but if I hear one more word from you......that's right; Santa won't be visiting your house this year. Plus, I don't think you want me airing anymore dirty laundry. Oh, wait....now I remember where that sequined shirt is......

My Pinterest-click here

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Countdown to CHA, Day 8...Glorious paper

(To follow the entire saga, view my blog archives...this is my Quest to get into the Craft and Hobby association trade show in Atlanta...and yes. I'm going!)

Here we are with 8 days left until the big show. I'm continuing to get feedback from sponsors who've responded to my tweets and Facebook posts. My biggest concern? Getting to the event on time!

I know how bad Atlanta traffic is so I'm driving in the night before to spend the night at my cousin's house (hi, Tracy!), who lives 30 minutes or so from downtown ATL, all to cut my drive time Tuesday morning. I'm hoping if I leave Marietta at 6:30 am, I'll arrive in an hour at the latest, and have 30 minutes to find where I need to be and get ready for the 8:00 workshop. Whew! Crunch time!

No extra funds in my budget for a hotel room so you work with what you've got, right?

Back to the show. One of the workshops I'll be attending is sponsored by the ever fabulous Graphic 45. If you love paper, especially vintage style, then you know who G45 is. Oh my goodness, I adore and drool over ev-er-y thing they make! Here's an Easter card I made awhile back with the Sweet Sentiments paper.

One of the tools I need to bring to that workshop is a crop-a-dile. As my husband succinctly put it, "that thing looks like a tooth extractor!" Do I own one of these tooth extractors? No, I do not. So, I put out an all-call on Facebook and before the day was through, I had several crafty friends come to the rescue. I drove over to my friend Deb's house to pick up one rather large dental instrument and got to meet sweet Gracie. Isn't she adorable?

Deb gave me a quick lesson on the features and use of this pretty awesome tool and I gained a new respect for one of We R Memory Keepers most popular products. Deb, you are a lifesaver AND the master of heat embossing. Hey, she taught me everything I know.

Keep checking in and travel with me on this extraordinary journey into the inner workings of what goes on at the Craft and Hobby Association trade shows. It all starts July 29, 2014. And I'll be there. (Ok, that sounds so "Walter Cronkite")

** Check out my blog daily I'm about to celebrate some major milestones; 200 posts, 10,000 pageviews and coming up in August, my 1 year Blog-iversary! I'll be having a giveaway any day now...and while you're at it...go visit my other blog, Mountain Plains Crafters. We're having a Christmas in July blog hop on Friday, July 25th that you don't want to miss with a bundle prize from Clearsnap. Can we say Smooch?

Monday, July 21, 2014

Countdown to CHA ATL 2014, Day 9

(To follow the entire saga, view my blog archives...this is my Quest to get into the Craft and Hobby association trade show in Atlanta...and yes. I'm going!)

Saturday, I attended the Scrapbook Expo in Duluth, GA. My scrappy friend Nancy asked me to go and I had to think long and hard about it. NOT!

This was the perfect opportunity to do a little networking. I knew Spellbinders was going to be there and so was Richard Garay, who I'd been tweeting with recently. I stalked that booth like a Mountain lion ready to pounce it's prey, until the ever fabulous Mr. Garay made an appearance. When I finally spotted him, I parted the crowd, shoving old ladies and their tennis ball enhanced walkers out of my way, running in slo-mo with my bags flapping in the wind.

The less dramatic version?? Ok, ok, yes, I did perform a bit of Crafter-azzi, with minor lurking, but no old ladies were harmed during the impending meeting with Mr. Garay. A short but professional conversation ensued with parting comments about the upcoming CHA show.

Guess who else I met? Wendy, the illustrious owner of Queen and Company!! Many months ago, while searching for sponsors for Mountain Plains Crafters, I had emailed Queen & Co a couple of times, but never got a response. I am well aware that there are only so many crafty blogs you can donate to or sponsor, so I left it alone. While chatting up a gentleman working that booth, I thought I'd make a final inquiry and stab at sponsorship, when this sweet lady turns around and hands me a piece of paper with her email written down. It was Wendy! I knew she looked familiar. Good grief, I've been to their company website so many times, follow them on Facebook, have posted my own projects to their site....but never expected to see Wendy herself. Can I say she was lovely, sweet and funny with this Crafter-azzi? I love her! My design team went nuts when I told them. Of course, I stocked up on bubbles and polka dot washi tape. I seriously wanted to scream to all the shoppers nearby, "hel-lo people!! Do you know who this is??!!"

Me and Wendy

Me and Jenny

Another crafty guru that was there? Jenny Bowlin! Wow, I never expected to meet so many crafting designers that I love, follow and adore. I got to meet her super sweet family too. They are precious folks. While making my puchase, the power in the entire building went out. Complete and utter darkness fell. You could hear nervous giggling, oohs and ahs from every direction. What to do? Whip out the cell and turn on the flashlight app so Mr. Bowlin can complete my purchase. Yeah......we bonded.

Being at the Expo was the perfect time to practice my reporting skills on a few store owners, and they were gracious enough to consent. I learned a lot about the economy and the blow that small store owners have taken; the merging of companies, the lack of supply in some products...and so on. A busy, fun-filled, interesting day.

One final shoutout to my sweet niece who whipped out matching t-shirts and a tote bag for me and my friend to advertise my blog. They definitely garnered a lot of interest. Thanks Anna at Little Mann's!

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