My Big, Epic Post About CHA Winter!

Well, you guys, the Winter 2012 Craft and Hobby Association Conference has come and gone (it went by far too quickly, in fact). What a wonderful time I had! I've finally had a chance to unpack my bags and edit some photos, so I'd like to invite you along as I re-live the fun. Grab your favorite beverage, and I'll give you a tour....

It was...cold (but nowhere near as cold as Boise)!

The long weekend started off in the best way possible: I got to reunite with my "Airport Sisters," the four ladies with whom I formed an immediate sisterly bond when we attended Ranger U a couple of years ago. Here we are, with two of our favorite guys:

Hels Sheridan, Candy Colwell, Cheryl Grigsby, Mario Rossi, Yvonne Blair, Tim Holtz, and a very, VERY lucky me!

We've also expanded our little circle with three lovely ladies:

Ellen Vargo, who absolutely blew us away with the amazing art journals and the gorgeous mixed media canvases she shared with us! 

The delightful, hilarious, and brilliant Anita Houston. I just met her, but I already adore her!

And, Susan Mostek, who teaches at Cheryl's store in Colorado, and who I somehow didn't manage to photograph. :-(

This CHA show was especially awesome for me, because I officially became a member of the Inspiration Emporium family. I'm more excited than I can say! Inspiration Emporium is a fabulous online retailer that offers all those crafting goodies we all crave. And, quite literally, they are a family. The Arevalos are among the kindest people I've ever met, and it's truly an honor to be part of their team. I'll be doing the shop's social media and would be eternally grateful if you'll follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Here's Papa and Mama Arevalo, Anthoni, Joy, me, Jay and Krystal. I'm surrounded by wonderful people!!! 

Here I am with the beautiful Chelle (Inspiration Emporium's Design Team Coordinator) and Joy.

Having fun at the Lawn Fawn booth. 

CHA Winter is a huge conference, and you're pretty much guaranteed the opportunity to meet some of your favorite craft luminaries. I was lucky enough to catch up with several of mine: 

The gorgeous and sweet Claudine Hellmuth.

The wickedly wonderful Dyan Reaveley.

The uber-cool and inspiring Wendy Vecchi.

And, of course, these two guys:

The man himself, Tim Holtz

Mr. "Behind the Scenes," Mario Rossi, doing his BTS thing!

Here's Peggy Toole and Aileen "Spike" Ablog. They're the creative genius behind Drunken Stampers, my first Design Team gig. They're also two of the most endearing people I've ever met -- I love them so much!

The lovely Diana Hetherington, my Twitter pal, showing her darling Blossom Bucket Betty pin. 

My sweet and talented friends, Monica Smith and Heather Smith

I wish I'd been able to spend more time with the brilliant Shelly Hickox, but I'm awfully glad I got to see her!

Here I am with The Artistic Stamper herself, Jennie Boxall, from the UK. She's fab!

Two gorgeous ladies: Heidi Crowl and Sarah Nelson from Simon Says Stamp!

Love this! Here's Dyan Reaveley with Ted and Michelle Cutts of Stampers Anonymous. Mustaches are all the rage, you guys!

Waiting for the doors to open, with Jim "The Gentleman Crafter" Hankins (keep an eye on him, he's going to be HUGE in the crafting industry), Laura Dennison (another of my amazing Ranger U sisters), Candy, Cheryl and Anita. 

Of course, CHA isn't only about the wonderful people... it's also about the crafting inspiration. Since I'm not a retailer, I don't have to spend my time buying inventory... I just get to soak up all the goodness. Stuff like this:

Cool tags at the Ranger Ink booth

How clever is this "Pin Board" from the 7 Gypsies booth?! 

Check out Jim Hankins amazing Eiffle Tower. Like I said, he's going to be famous!

This darling card from the Lawn Fawn booth makes me reconsider my bias against cuteness!

I even had a couple of opportunities to get inky myself (yes, those are Dylusions spray inks)!

And, this cool project is packed with new Tim Holtz goodies: Idea-ology Burlap Panels, the awesome Sizzix Alterations Picture Wheel and Mini Mustache/Pointed Finger dies, along with my favorite new product of 'em all:

Distress Paint!

This stuff ROCKS, you guys! You're going to love it.

If you've stuck with me through this, you deserve a couple of treats! Here's a video of Tim Holtz demoing those cool Distress Paints on metal and plastic:

And finally, David "Magic Boy" Harris, who entertained us (and cracked us up) at the Sizzix booth. This guy is great!

So, as you can see, CHA was a blast!!!

Can't wait till the summer show...

xoxo,
Linda