I just got back from a whirlwind weekend at the Craft & Hobby Association's Winter trade show in Anaheim, California. I've been thrown right back into reality–parent-teacher conferences, work meetings–so I barely know what day it is, but I'll try to recap. (Warning to non-scrapbook peeps, this is a lot of inside baseball talk.)
I am so happy I made the trip. If you're interested in the world of scrapbooking, this is the place to be. I'm sorry to say I did an awful job taking photos, so I don't have a ton of cool product shots. I was too busy chatting! I met so many people in person that I've been communicating with online for years. It was such a delight putting faces to names and avatars. Literally everyone I met was nice, gracious and friendly. It's a gift to connect with women who are on the same page about design, photography and telling stories. They get it. I've found my people!
Highlight! Meeting Becky Higgins, her husband David and Project Life team members Kari, Brandi and Laurie. Great, great people. Plus, seeing all of the new products blew me away. Everything is so much more dynamic in person. The Kraft Edition really jumped out at me (pictured below right) and I loved seeing all of the new albums. Nice quality and designs, you're going to be happy. The Midnight Edition is still my favorite–I even had the pleasure of meeting Liz Tamanaha. Simple design love fest! She is so, so sweet too.
Highlight! Meeting the whole Studio Calico crew. A cool group of people matched only by their cool products and aesthetic. My favorite of the show for fresh, hip designs with the new Sundrifter, Snippets, and Here & There lines. For reals.
Top left: Studio Calico owner April Foster and my CHA buddy and fellow SC Creative Team member Allison Waken. We had fun meeting friends and exploring the show. Top right: Studio Calico hosted a dinner for team members and gave us cool art prints along with other surprises. April and Greg know how to treat a team! We naturally traded parents of twins war stories.
Top Left: I met Ali Edwards and checked out her new stamps with Technique Tuesday. A fellow tall girl and very cool. We also chatted with her assistant/friend Katie who we were trying to rope into Project Life. Top right: Chatting with Wendy Smedley and Angie Lucas from Big Picture Classes was an absolute delight. They are so enthusiastic about scrapbooking, it's contagious. Bottom left: I can't begin to tell you how many emails I've exchanged with both Lisa Mack and Kari Holt since they coordinate the creative teams for SC and PL. I'm a big fan of both of them and love that we got a photo all together. Bottom right: I was so happy to bump into Miss Tamanaha who was with my buddy Christine Newman. Talented ladies!
Oh man, I am the least photogenic person on the planet. Lord. Other headlines from the trip:
- I was beyond flattered to have a few people approach me for a photo or compliment my work. Seriously? Thank you for making me feel so special.
- Elizabeth Kartchner is so very nice. She also has the coolest style and one of the cutest booths. Wish I got a photo! Love her new Lucky Charm line.
- Fellow Studio Calico team members Amy Tangerine and Maggie Holmes are rock stars. They have developped unique, true to their style products in their new lines. I was impressed. Amy's new line Yes, Please includes new embroidery templates with shapes and letters that you will flip over and a set of big alphabet stamps that I zeroed right into. Maggie has a twist on a mini album that I love with coordinating inserts that include vintage cameras. Sold!
- I fangirled talking to Jenni Bowlin.
- I swung by to see Design Editor sponsor Elle's Studio. Elle won for the most layouts displayed at a booth! So much eye candy.
- Other new lines that caught my eye were from GCD Studios and Allison Kreft for Webster's Pages.
- It's official. People know me way better as Design Editor than Catherine Davis. It became a running joke.
- Oh, and Leeza Gibbons' husband pulled Allison and I aside and chatted with us for a while. Random!
If you ever get a chance to attend CHA, I highly recommend the experience. I'm completely energized and inspired to make stuff right now.
Finally, I need to send out a special thank you to Jim for manning the fort back home and dealing with two crazy toddlers for four days! He is the definition of supportive and I am so grateful. I owe you one!
