CHA - Trade Show Day 3 & Super Show Day 1

Thursday was the last day of the trade show and I spent a lot of time going around and picking up flyers and order forms from various companies on behalf of Custom Crops. I found a new line of paper called Lillie Bee  that I really liked, the new e-craft machine (the new die cut machine that does not use mats), the Spellbinder's new really big cutting & embossing machine, and peel-offs - awesome gold and silver card or page embellishing strips.  There were so many amazing products.  I found some "must have" tools and the papers - OMGosh!  The papers were so pretty, so varied, and so amazing.  And the papers were used in such creative ways, like this "store" with it's paper flowers.

I love this Christmas banner - the glitter and elegance of the design.

The trade show ended at 3:00 pm and then it was time to set up the booth for the Super Show.  The staff at Custom Crops did a super job of setting up the booth - it is open but has lots of product.  It has the most unique and fabulous paper, wood, and tag tree.  I just love it.  It is truly a work of art and I would love to take it home.  I suspect the airline would not be as excited about the trees.

One of the elements of the "Centers" theme booth layout (or stations if you prefer - DVD Stations, Demonstrations, Pink Stamper, Retail lines, and make and take area) that I particularly like is the Framed Photo area.  There is a Custom Crops contest for those who use the frame and post photos to the Iternet.  Below the uber-talented Amy Chomas and I are goofing in the photo booth while we were trying to get it into position.

Thursday night included dinner out with part of the Custom Crops group; I just hated that Maria couldn't be there because she is so nice. Kelly took us out for authentic Chicago pizza and it was FABULOUS!

( Maria McGuire, Me, Donna Mundinger, Diane Campbell Payne [Capadia], and Melanie Brown.)

Friday morning I had a two special treats - I attended the Cricut Circle gathering.  It was really nice to see so many Circle folks present.  Mike from Provo Craft spoke for quite some time attempting to dispell rumors and such.  I have enjoyed getting to know him this week.  He is such a nice guy.

(Me, Joy Tracey, Diane Campbell Payne and Melanie Brown circling.  I loved spending time with these three women.  Diane was my roommate and Melanie & Joy are just fabulous!)

We had a special guest at the circle gathering and he was so amusing:  The Cricut!  The photo below was taken on the floor of the show but he was so cute I decided to use this photo instead of one from the gathering.

My second treat on Friday morning was my friend Peggy from home was in Chicago for a few days and she was able to join me at CHA for a few hours of shopping and make & takes!  It was so nice to be with a good friend and she had fun seeing the new products and viewing all of the booths.  As a HUGE bonus, Peggy took two large shopping bags full of products home so that my luggage will not go over weight and my carry-on will not dislocate my shoulder.  While Peggy was here, of course I HAD to photograph her with the Cricut!  You cannot come to CHA and miss the Cricut!

We also had to visit the Custom Crops photo booth!

I purchased a two of these AWESOME stamps, but I wanted to purchase more! 

After Peggy left, I helped out in the Custom Crops booth.  The CC booth was one uber-busy place!  Each of the five areas was constantly packed.  It was awesome.  The next few photos are from the booth:

And now I am off to day two of the Super Show and then tonight I fly home.  If all goes well I will be in my own bed tonight!!!

Stamp and Create new Product Spotlight - Sweet November Stamps

Happy hump day! We're halfway to the weekend! There's a new product spotlight over at Stamp and Create this week, and it's the Sweet November stamps! All Sweet November stamps are on sale for 25% off through Sunday, August 1st! These stamps are so much fun! I chose to use the image Darby and Skip.  

They're colored with Copic markers and Skip is cut out and popped up from the card with dimensional tape. The bow is made with May Arts silk ribbon along with the Bow Easy. For the sentiment, I added one of Tim Holtz word sticks that says "time" with a ticket that was stamped with a ticket stamp set by Autumn Leaves, and then I ran the ticket through my computer for the "4 fun" sentiment.  Right along the top of the horizontal panel, I added a string of  Kaiser pearls.

Card base and matting cardstock is Bazzil, and the DP is from a stack I have. The punched corners on the image mat and horizontal mat are punched with a Martha Stewart punch around the page set. Of course I had to add one lonely little flower as an accent. LOL! I hope you enjoyed my card today, and please be sure and visit Stamp and Create to take advantage of the sale!! And pop over to the Stamp and Create Blog to check out the amazing creations presented by the design team. And don't forget to participate in the chllenge while you're there!  This is my last card as a guest designer for Lacey's store, so I want to send out a special thank you to her and to the fabulous ladies on her design team. They're all amazing artists and wonderful people! I have truly enjoyed my stay. Thanks so much for stopping by to see me today, and hope to see you back again soon! Hugs!

Feeling Unhinged? BBTB2 Challenge with Shelly's Stamps

Got Bath?  As a young bride whenever I became stressed my husband would suggest I take a bubble bath to relax.  Little did we realize that he was starting a practice that would endure for the next twenty-eight years, though today.  With this story in mind, I knew as soon as I spotted this digital stamp titled "Pamper Yourself" that this would be my BBTB2 project this week.

The challenge cut at BBTB2 is a hinge on the Fabulous Finds cartridge.  We also have a sponsor, Sally's Images, who provided us with our stamped images.  As I said above I chose the Pamper Yourself stamp.  Shelly’s Images store offers a variety of digital stamps for your paper craft projects. Please visit the store at http://www.shellysimages.com/.

I used copic markers and light blue stamping ink applied with a dabber from Stampin' Up to color my image.  The ink was great for the water in the tube, especially when highlighted with copic markers.  I finished the card with the "Got Bath?" circle stamp.  I added pop dots and created my image in three layers.  The elements which are visually closest to the viewer have the most layers so that they do, literally, pop out at you.

As a quick reminder, this is the last day to pre-order my dvd set at the pre-order discounted price.  Tomorrow the price will increase.

Have a great week!  And remember to relax a little.

New teapot files from The Cutting Cafe!

Happy Saturday! Hope you're enjoying your weekend and that your weather is fabulous! I threw together an adorable card with a couple new files that are available over at The Cutting Cafe'. I used the new Teapot shaped cards which comes with two different shaped teapots. And then I used the Tea Time images for the circle sentiment. I just sized it to fit the way I wanted it to, and then cut it out with circle Nestabilities. That's the most awesome part about digital stamps! You can make them any size you need. I cut the heart using my Cricut and Plantin Schoolbook cartridge through my fabulous Gypsy. And then glued a teapot charm in the center of it. I also hung a cherry charm from the bow made with May Arts Silk Ribbon. If you haven't been over to The Cutting Cafe' for a while, you must go see all the fabulous new images Regina has available now! Thanks for stopping by to see me today, and hope to see you again soon! Hugs!

Stamp and Create - new monthly challenge

Hi everyone! Well, it's back to the normal world for me, now. My grandson has left to go back to KY, I'm now back to work, and I'm trying to get settled back into my normal routine again. It's time for a new monthly challenge from Stamp and Create. The new challenge is STITCHING/SEWING, which can be hand, faux, or machine stitching.

For my card, I used High Hopes stamp Cheeky Sean and Smile Popcorn Bear for the seniment. Isn't he the cutest?? He's colored with Copic Sketch markers. There's lots of machine stitching on the panels, and even some faux stitching on the sentiment panel that was done with a marker. I also used Ivory May Arts Silk Ribbon along with the Bow Easy; a heart charm, a large flower spacer and a Basic Grey brad for the center of it.  Please join us over at Stamp and Create's blog to play along with the challenge for a chance to win an awesome prize from Lacey. Thanks for stopping by to see me, and hope to see you back again soon! Hugs!

Sneak Peek Number Two

Are you ready for sneak peek number two?  I have been so busy creating my new product that I did not make time to participate in this week's Bitten By the Bug 2 challenge.  So in total slacker style, I am offering you sneak peek number two of my product.  

I will be back tomorrow with a new project to share - a layout with cut file for you!!