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

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

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

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

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? 

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!                                                         

My Pinterest- click here

Quest for CHA, Part 9....Tweetin' at the midnight hour!

(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!)

I've got 11 more days before the big event.  Just 11.  Eeeeek!  I've been tweeting like a mad man, up til midnight last night, and leaving Facebook posts on vendor pages.  I think I've made contact with all but a few who I couldn't find on social media;  just leaving a one-liner, telling them who I am and that I'm looking forward to meeting them.  Anna Griffin said she can't wait to meet me.  And so did Sizzix.  My life is now complete. 

Who am I kidding?!  We all know,  Anna Griffin has better things to do with her time.  Like drawing up fabulous new paper designs and fabulous new embossing folders in which to place said fabulous new papers.......all of which I can't wait to get a peek of.  New goodies!

Earlier, I was having a quick chat with my design team from Mountain Plains Crafters and we had a furious selfie exchange as I am attending CHA and they are not.  Sarcastic jabs with matching photos were going back and forth in our chat room.  The final entry was this heart photo from me, and a caption that I wish I could take them with me. 

These are wonderful, caring, giving women from the age of 28 to 50 something (I dare not reveal THAT number).  Most are working full time jobs, then come home to their families and complete the endless list of tasks at hand, and like me, saunter off to their crafty domain to spend more hours doing what they love and giving of their talents not only to MPC, but to other crafty blogs and companies as well.  So let me give a shout out to my two co-founders of MPC, Pam Stang, Sheryl Kemper and our fabulous design team:  MariLyn DeGroot, Jennifer Loftfield, Christina Ramon, Paula McClane and Deb Davison.  You guys ARE the best! 

P.S.  Look out, 'cause I might have a trick or two up my sleeve at CHA!

My Pinterest- click here 

The Quest for Cha, Part 8....Welcome to Oz!

(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)

Today, boys and girls, I have in my hot little hands, the vendor list for CHA.  I also have the floor plans.  According to this map, I will either be sandwiched inbetween Anna Griffin and Petaloo International....or by the exit door.  Me thinks it will most likely be the exit door, ha ha.  I really don't care where they park me.  I liken this chapter of my life to Dorothy being plucked right out of Kansas, to a whirlwind ride landing her smack in the middle of Oz.  Munchkinland.  Emerald City. 

Another thing you don't know about me; I'm a huge Wizard of Oz fan.  I've got the dolls, the trinket toys, the Special Anniversary DVD collection (75th to be exact).  Even my baby shower was Oz themed with my little niece and nephews dressed as Dorothy and the Lollipop Guild.  A friend even made blue/plaid curtains for my son's nursery.  Ok, maybe that was taking it a bit far....but I did love the curtains!!

 



For my birthday one year or maybe it was Christmas, my darling sister Judi (who is always trying to one-up me on gift giving) traveled two and a half hours to Atlanta to meet actor Mickey Carroll who was on an Oz tour  (he played the munchkin town crier and fiddler).  She had him autograph this huge poster for me, dedicating it to me and my son, then had it framed.  Yup, she held the title, "Reigning Queen of Gift Giving",  for a long time after that.  I took the crown back a few years later though.

So back to CHA.  Because that's what it's really all about.  Sure this is my Quest, but I'm sharing it with a wonderful organization that decided to take a chance on me and swim in uncharted waters too.   I hope this will be a wonderful experience for both of us.  Looking at my calendar, I've got just 12 days to finalize my plans.  I've been doing the research, visiting sponsor blogs, familiarizing myself with some of the vendor attendees, realizing that "oh, I've been following her for years" or "I know that name!"  It's definitely a fun process, doing all this prep work.  I wouldn't even call it work!  I've already discovered via research that yes...I DO need that Stamper's Secret Weapon Pad!  Check out the video here 'cause you're going to want one too:  Sizzix and Stephanie Barnard Stamper's Secret Weapon.

I hope you'll continue to check in every day on my journey.  Do me a favor will you?  Would you share this with your friends on Facebook?  Ask them to view my blog post?  I'm about to reach a milestone with my blog and when I do, I'm having a giveaway!  Somebody is going to win a prize.  It might be you!  Until then.....see you in Oz!

 

My Pinterest - click here

The Quest for CHA Saga

You know this quest of mine is morphing into what, I'm not quite sure.  Much like the Twilight saga, this whole Quest thing feels like an ongoing story, minus the good looking vampire and wolves!  Let me share a few thoughts that are running rampant in my head:
 

Why am I doing this?  What do I expect to gain from this experience?

Well, even if I don't make it to CHA, the entire process has been extremely interesting, stimulating and at times, mind blowing.  I'm literally floored by the support from friends, family, online followers, private messages...you name it.  I've always been very goal oriented.  I've been working since the age of 15 and have a strong work ethic.  In the back of my mind, I always have plans for what I want to do in the future.  I don't necessarily verbalize these thoughts, but they're there.  I had goals when I started my blog, Waving My Wand.  I wanted to eventually be part of a joint crafting blog with sponsors and build a community.  I know, there's one on every corner, but that's a testimony to every person out there who has a love for crafting.  I have to thank Angela Magnuson of the Unity Stamp Co for bringing me together with my other two co-horts (hi Pam and Sheryl!) at Mountain Plains Crafters.  We have a wonderful design team in place and pretty great sponsors too.  This is the realization of an unspoken goal. 

So back to the question, what and why?  Or maybe it was why and what??  Regardless, this is my vision for CHA, should they let my sorry tail in the door.
(Yes, another checklist.  Deal with it.)

1.  Earn my keep.  I have no idea what kind of ideas they're bouncing around at CHA headquarters up there in Elmwood Park, N.J., but by golly, if these arthritic knees need to bare up under heavy lifting, then that's ok by me.  This chic is willing to work!

2.  Document my time there.  I want to blog about my experience from the perspective of your every day crafter.  We are a tight knit community and we crafters have that love for creating.  We love to not only create but we love the process; getting all inky, getting poked with sewing needles, letting fly a few choice words now and then....staring at that project and zoning out until lightning strikes and you lay down that next perfect piece.  Don't we all at some point wish we could meet some of our crafty idols?  The companies that make these fabulous products?  I want to meet some of our sponsors and personally THANK them.  No, I won't act like a Donny Osmond groupie (although I AM a Donny Osmond groupie!  Well maybe just a huge fan.  He spoke to me once.  He said, "take the picture already!"  Haha.  I have to duke out biggest Donny fan with my pal Megan Elizabeth from Above Rubies Studio!) 
Of course, I envision professional handshakes and courteous conversation.  But hey, they don't have to know I'll be  quivering like jello inside.  (I said but hey....just like on Duck Dynasty.)

3. Learn.  Yes, I want to learn!  I'm just a little goldfish swimming in a tank full of Peacock Gudgeon's.  (Wow, those suckers are expensive!  $15.99 @liveaquaria.com- see picture)  This journey has just begun and who knows where it will go.  We learn from the masters.  I'm hoping to meet some masters.

So there you go.  I've made 3 points, just like a good Baptist preacher.   Earlier today, I posted something on Twitter.  Something caught my eye.  CHA had marked my blog post as a favorite.  I don't know what that means but it's got to be good, right? 
 

(part 3 of my ongoing quest to go to CHA/Craft and Hobby Association's Big blowout trade show in Hotlanta!)

Bored?  Want to read the entire saga?

Quest for CHA Part 1

Quest for CHA Part 2

My Pinterest-click here