Time has been speeding by since I've been home from the Craft and Hobby trade show in Chicago last week... time to share pictures before it's really old news!
I arrived a day early and met my friend Barbara (who was there on a business trip with her husband) downtown to do a little shopping and exploring. I had my first Sprinkles cupcake and I thought it was delicious (actually better than Magnolia!) Maybe it was just the great flavor (caramel and sea salt) that made it so good!
Michelle and I were roommates and partners in crime again... shopping the show and talking about plans for another visit to Paper Tales in the new year!
At the show, my first stop was at Jenni Bowlin Studios, where Jenni and I caught up on things, and I picked up samples of her new Christmas papers which I'm hoping to use in the new Christmas album class that I'll be teaching in stores this fall. It has a vintage holiday look that I love!
The next stop was at the American Crafts booth to see the new Amy Tangerine collection and say hi to Amy Tan. I really liked her new products and would love to use them in a future class although I'm not doing a new travel album just yet... really fun things though!
Of course, I loved everything at October Afternoon! It's like the designers crawled into my brain and saw what I would love and then made it. I plan to use one of their new collections in a another class for this fall. Here's a peek at some of the new embellishment packs.
Love this paper and the paper dolls in the coordinating Miscellany pack...
I liked the new Pink Paislee products... especially the new Mistables pieces. I might even mist in a class! Yikes...
I always love the Doodlebug Designs products although it's not my usual style. I thought the baker's twine printed letter stickers were darling!! Love the new Doodle Pops!
Cute new Hambly transparencies...
My best packaging award goes to Tim Holtz's tissue paper! Ingenious!
I also loved the new Miss Nelly collection from Kaiser Crafts... I'd love to get my hands on it to design a class!
The new Graphic 45 school and Christmas collections were stunning and the samples are incredible! My camera battery was dead by the time I got there so I don't have pictures but you can visit their website to see them.
I also saw lots to love at the Prima booth and the Crate Paper booth and lots more that is just a blur now!
It was wonderful to see my South Africa friends Glenda and Lyn!! Can't wait to spend time with them in SA in September!!
Love seeing my San Jose buddies too!! (Erin and Shelly :)
I've got a load of stuff to play with and plan with... three new classes coming up soon! I posted the rest of my schedule for the year on the sidebar... I may add one more store in December. We'll see!
(Brandon update: I've been able to chat on Facebook everyday with him... what a huge blessing! He's gone out on his first patrol missions in the city near his base in the last couple days... it's been quite an eye-opener to him. He says it's just all shambles. Thank you all who emailed for his address for his birthday! He'll be getting cards from all over the world and will be wondering what's going on! :)
Thanks for all the photos from CHA..I can hardly wait for your classes at SHS..in Phoenix.
See you then.
Posted by: connie k. | July 30, 2011 at 07:40 AM
Thank you so much for posting CHA photos!! I love everything you posted I can't wait to see them in person. Going to look at the sidebar if you will be in NY? lol So glad you get to talk to Brandon on FB everyday! Grace xoox
Posted by: Grace P | July 30, 2011 at 10:17 AM
Looking forward to the new projects you will design with these products. Maybe, I'll make it to Waco in November. HOPEFULLY, it will be cooler then.
Posted by: Judy Webb | July 30, 2011 at 03:52 PM
thanks for the recap of the show - the October Afternoon booth always looks adorable - like a precious shop next to an outdoor cafe'! can't wait to see your new clases!
Posted by: Heather | August 04, 2011 at 06:55 AM
Looks like you had a wonderful trip, Debby. And how nice you and Barbara got to spend the day together. I love the new papers and embellishments. Too bad I don't scrapbook! I can't wait to see what you create with them.
Posted by: Lynn at Cottage and Creek | August 05, 2011 at 08:03 AM