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

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

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.  Here's the original post with all the hop creations: http://www.adornit.com/blog/art-play-blog-hop/

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! 

The Quest for CHA, PART 6...or is it 7? Who cares?! I'm in!

(If you're just tuning in, this is my Quest to get into the Craft and Hobby Association's Inaugural Papercrafting event in Atlanta.  Click the header on my blog to view previous posts.)

As you can see from my before and after shots, I've been somewhat on pins and needles waiting on CHA to call.  And, as you can see from the after photo.... same face but different reaction!  You will not believe it.  Seriously, you will not.  I still can't believe it. 

So here's the dealio: they want me to be a guest blogger! I told you, you wouldn't believe it. If I can recall the conversation correctly (because we all know in my head, there's a mini freakout going on during this conversation) they want me to pretty much blog and chronical the entire event, not only on my blog but on their site as well. Also, I'll be doing photography and possibly sitting in on some workshops too. I'll even have a station set up so I can recharge (my head and my phone).

So, for all intense purposes, they want me to give the perspective of a crafters viewpoint. At least I think that's what they said?? I think they also said this is the first time they've done anything like this so they'll still be working out details over the next two weeks. Whew, kind of a blur although I was taking notes as we spoke and worried because I was on speakerphone and might miss something. By the way, it has been my experience, if you're on the listening end of a speakerphone, hold your phone out a little and you can hear better. Try it, I'm not kidding. I would NOT kid you!

Before they called, I had written down some things that I wanted to do at CHA and everything lined up exactly with what they were saying. Amazing!

Shall I share my short list with you? The question I wrote is, "What do I want to blog about at CHA?"

• The people I meet - I definately want to talk about who I'm meeting; people behind the scenes, in the booths, sponsors of Mountain Plains Crafters, the guy who brings me coffee....(just kidding. Ok, not really. Somebody, get me coffee! With cream AND sugar!)
• Cool new products - This is THE place to see all the latest and greatest. You bet, I want to hear about it and share with my crafty friends and followers.
• Techniques - I hope to goodness I learn something new. It's so easy to get stuck doing the same old thing. You can look at You Tube videos and online blog techniques but there's nothing like someone personally showing you new tricks. It sinks in a little better don't you think?
• Atmosphere - Sure, I might be a little starstruck at first. I'm so looking forward to just the atmosphere and being surrounded by the smell of paper!! Crafty paper! It's going to be 3 days of new experiences for me and I know the atmosphere is going to be electric. You will hear about it.
• Expectations of Sponsors - I want to know what do sponsors want from the crafters they sponsor. What are their expections? How can we grow our blog and draw in more participants? How can we promote better? I want to hear advice from sponsors.

So there's my short list. I can't wait to see how everything falls into place. Before the conversation ended, I asked if anything stupid came out of my mouth and they said no. Hallelujah! Actually, I think they were just be kind. Haha! Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this Quest.    I know some of you have been praying and I truly appreciate it!!   I'll be keeping you posted.....

The quest for CHA

The quest for CHA

I know what you're saying. What the heck is CHA? CHA is the the Craft and Hobby Association. They hold annual conventions where companies come together and promote their new products. Buyers come to these events to see and order the latest products for their stores. For the first time, CHA is hosting a papercrafters only event in Atlanta. All the big paper companies will be there. So why do I want in? Well, as a crafty blogger and living here in the South, this may be the closest I come to meeting some of the greats. I'm not a store owner and therefore, not a member of CHA. Some of these companies are sponsors of my challenge blog, Mountain Plains Crafters, that I started with 2 friends not long ago. It's the perfect opportunity for me to meet some of our sponsors and thank them personally for their support. I also want to blog about the experience from an insider's point of view. So basically, the only way I'm getting in, is to do some volunteer work which I would LOVE to do. I've been taking baby steps in my quest. Can I afford the additional expenses involved, like food, gas, lodging? Um, no. I'm like many of you. The downturn in the economy affected my husband's job and he is only working part-time for now. We are counting pennies but there are still mouths to feed, doctor copays, medications to buy. I cannot afford this. I do not have the extra money. But its a dream that I can't let go, so for now, the baby steps continue and I will figure it out as each day comes. I do have a checklist of sorts. Want to see?

1. Contact current sponsors. Check. (They're bringing their own armys to CHA, so two no's)
2. Pray. Check.
3. Maybe I should have prayed first? Duly noted.
4. Contact CHA directly. Check. (Hi Tina!)
5. No response from CHA. Contact again. Check. (Thanks Tina! My request has moved to the marketing department for review. Whoop!)
6. Blog about my quest. Check. I figured if I verbalize it, out loud, then things might happen. I mean hey, if Jim Carey can write himself a check for a million dollars and make it happen, why not? (Where's my checkbook...I need to write myself a check!)
7. Spread the word. Check. Who do I know personally that could help in my quest? Megan Elizabeth from Above Rubies Studio. She's a sweetheart. And an online friend. I'm REALLY stepping into uncharted territory by pulling her in. I mean, that's really asking a lot. But you know what? She's game to help! And a Godly woman that I adore. As a business owner, she's been to CHA numerous times. She's hosted crafty products on the HSN tv show. She knows people.
8. Bide my time. Check. Today I shall rest from the process and wait on those who are helping. Do I have it all figured out? Nope. I have a full-time job too. Have I made arrangements to leave work? Um, uh, no. But I will. Should the Lord smile favorably on this quest, then I truly believe it will all work out. If it doesn't? Then it wasn't meant to be and this dream will come true another day.  #smile                                                                               

                                                                             Terri

 

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