Saturday, January 19, 2013

CHA - It's About The People!

Hi Crafters! You might have wondered what I've been doing, since there has been no action here. Wish I could say being lazy, but after my return from CHA, my family....namely the children...have acted like they've starved, had nothing to wear, have been cooped up, and been unloved. ALL UNTRUE of course, and their noses are oh so long! So, I've been playing Mommy to the max. I need another vacation! ;0) I've only got about 200+ emails and blog post reminders from you all to sort through, so it will take a while to get it all done, but I will.

As most of you know the Craft & Hobby Association have two big blow out conventions a year...the Winter, which is the larger of the two, and the Summer. I was EXTREMELY FORTUNATE to be able to attend the Winter CHA Trade Show and Convention in Anaheim, California last week, after much apprehension from my own subconscious...yes, I had to build up courage!  It was the highlight of any craft type show I've ever gone to, creative hands down! There was so much to see, do, and play with, but for sure...for me...it was about the people I saw and /or met! It really is like a family reunion. I talked and talked and listened and listened. I've developed relationships I will treasure the rest of my life! I can't even remember now why I was so nervous to go...never again!
Here are a few...okay a lot...photos of those special peeps! Tomorrow, I'll bring you the loot on the goods of the show...hopefully.
Goosebumps were felt all around as we entered the building...a monstrous place!
My peeps: Linda Ledbetter, Jim Hankins, Laura Denison, Candy Coldwell, Cheryl Grigsby, and me.
More peeps: Candy, Hels Sheridan, and Ellen Vargo. I've missed  Susan Mostek and Yvonne Blair.
A flash mob broke out from Charity WIngs benefiting the Be Aware Foundation.
 
Hey hey hey, it's the awesomely talented and sharp eyed Tim Holtz doing a demo of his paints at the Ranger booth! How did I miss Mario? And Paula and Deb?
Be still my heart, it's WENDY VECCHI demoing at Ranger as well!!! Brilliant to the max!  (Side Note: Vecchi makes a "k" sound not a "ch" like so many people say. )
 
The over the top, amazingly amazing Dyan Reaveley with ultra cool Dina Wakley. (Side Note: It's "ee" not "i" like I kept saying it...ugh...Dina! Sorry!)
Mr. & Mrs. Stamper's Anonymous, Ted & Michelle Cutts with Dyan.
 
Dina again. I scored her new book "Art Journal Freedom"...love her!
The sweet, amazing, and gorgeous Claudine Hellmuth.
The uber talented, popular, and beautiful Anna Dabrowska.
The gorgeous and talented Shelly Hickox.
Jim, Laura, Kathy Orta, and Kathryn Krieger
Linda and me with Mark Montano...oh yeah, we scored his awesome new "Big Ass Book of Bling"! (Really, that's the title!)
We added Aileen Ablog aka "Spike". She's the cutest thing ever!
One last shot of the girls, minus Cheryl, Susan, and Yvonne. I miss you guys terribly!
Somehow I missed getting photos of May Flaum, the Simon Says Stamp gals, the Inspiration Emporium gals, Carolyn RossLisa M. Pace, Renee Zarate, and of course my dear dear buddy Debby Schuh.  I also had the pleasure of meeting Cheryl Boglioli and Joanne Sharpe in the van to the airport...so cool! I totally wish I could have met Julie Fei-Fan Balzer as well. Next time!

I hope your hands get creatively dirty soon!



28 comments:

  1. Cool!!! It looks like you had a blast mingling with all these arts and crafts moguls. Blessings!

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  2. Wasn't it just THE best ever experience... and made all the more wonderful because of you my friend... it was awesome to meet you and spend time with you... hope those poor starving kiddies are going to let you do a smidge of crafting soon! Lotsa love xxx

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  3. I am so truly happy for you Anita! Thank you for sharing with the rest of us. Hugs, Yvonne

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  4. Glad you got to go, and glad you've been playing Mommy since your return!

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  5. Aw, man, this just makes me want to go back and do it all again! What a wonderful time it was, and YOU are beyond delightful! I'm so, so, SO glad I got to spend time with you, Anita, and I can't wait till next time!

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  6. I'm so glad I got to hang with you for a few hours while there! It was a surreal out of body experience. Can't wait to do it again!!!!

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  7. Wow Anita! I'm happy for you and i'm happy you're back!!!!! A kiss from Italy! BArbarayaya

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  8. Fabulous photos, looks like you had a whale of a time. TFS.
    Hugs Brenda xox

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  9. So lovely to see so many people I recognise from their blogs together in one place & obviously having a wonderful time.

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  10. Thank you so much for sharing Anita... everyone looks so happy.. Hugs May x x x

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  11. Wonderful blogpost, Anita! Thank you for sharing, and for unknowingly reminding me how fortunate I am. You've mentioned many names of many great artists, and I realized I've taken classes with most of them! How can I feel even one bit of envy at your being at CHA, when I've been blessed to learn from Tim, Wendy, Dina, Claudine, Joanne, and Julie? And of course, I've also had the great pleasure of meeting you and Linda while cruising and making art with Tim. And this weekend I've been totally under the spell of the fabulous Sue Pelletier!
    I hope to see you again someday....maybe on your next trip to NY???
    xoxo

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    1. Oh, I left out Dyan! Took a wonderful class with her last year too! Duh!

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  12. Such fun to see all the fun!! Thanks for sharing your fabulous photos... looking forward to the stash goodies pics, and dreaming of coming myself one day!!
    Alison xx

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  13. Thank you for the photos and run down of all the great new products that will soon be available. Can't wait to try T!m's new paints and Anna's Mechanicals.

    Kat

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  14. I bet your face hurt from smiling! I know mine would have! Looks like a fab time was had by all. Thanks for taking all of us along for the ride!

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  15. Wow! Thank you for sharing with me this wonderful event. A huge artistic event is fantastic. Beautiful pictures. You look beautiful :)
    Greetings Asia :)

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  16. Great photos - thanks for sharing them :)

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  17. wow an amazing set of photos Anita, thank you for sharing the experience. x

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  18. Glad you had such an awesome time and got to renew and forge new friendships. It looks awe-inspiring...so much talent and creativity in one place. Very cool! Hope your children recover soon ...LOL. Love how dramatic kids are :)

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  19. Fabulous photos Anita, being following along with those two other amazing ladies Hels and Candy to see more lovely photos of the 'gang'. What a brilliant time you must all have had and one to be scrap-booked for the memories? How lovely too that children missed you, just shows what a lovely Mum you are too! Hugs, Anne x

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  20. What a sensational experience, totally once in a lifetime opportunity! Looks like you had a blast! So happy for you!!!

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  21. The fun you had is just jumping from the pages! I'm definitely going to go next year too! xoxo

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  22. More wonderful adventures, your photos are soooo cool, loved seeing all those fabulous peeps all in one place......(im a shade of green but in the nicest of ways) What a great experiance, I just cannot wait to see what you create next
    hugs

    Kaz ;0)

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  23. What awesome pics! Love seeing all those familiar faces and some new to me... sounds like a spectacular time!

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  24. Lucky lucky lucky girl to have a starving family to come home to. LOL!!! What I meant of course was - to meet all those wonderful people and get the chance to attend one of the best shows on earth!! Loved reading about the show from your perspective.

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  25. A brilliant time was had by all, I can see that , happy days! X

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  26. Thanks for sharing your trip! I can feel your excitement when reading. I have been fortunate enough to have taken classes with Dina twice in NYC and she was an awesome teacher. I also enjoyed a class of collage and beeswax collage with Claudine as the teacher. So sweet and also a great teacher. Must have been a blast for you to meet all these people who are so inspiring. I am still in awe of Jim's Eiffel Tower! Truly amazing.

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  27. How did I miss all of your CHA posts until 6:50 on Saturday morning...a week AFTER the show? haha Your two posts are awesome! Love all of the info and the photos! It must have taken you a long time to get all of this info together!! What a great recap, my friend. Great job! Miss you!!!
    <3 Candy

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