I am in lovely Anaheim, CA for yet another CHA! I have to admit, I have a love/hate relationship with these shows. Mostly love… after all I still find it thrilling to see all the products that the craft industry comes up with. And I really love seeing old friends and colleauges from the industry that has been so good to me. And yes… every once in a while I get to meet someone kind of cool. (Kathy Ireland yesterday, last year Paris Hilton) The parts I don’t love so much… incredibally long days that still leave me feeling like I don’t have enough time and sore feet. (just day 1 and my dogs are tired!)
So to answer my dear Sedona’s question… “What do you on your trip mommy?” Here is a day at CHA.
Today is like most. Up early… out the door for breakfast appointment before my first floor meeting at 9.
Then a day spent between appointments and walking the floor.
(the always love Traci Bautista)
When the show closes I will spend a couple more hours at the business workshops before grabbing a bite to eat.
After a very quick dinner… off to tape another episode of Paper Clipping Roundtable – LIVE from CHA. (This is going to be a blast, again seeing good friends)
Once that is done, back to the hotel for “drinks” with colleagues and old friends…
(Melanie Wood from acdSee – My canadian sista!)
then up to the room for emails, photos, blogging and other work related stuff.
A fun, but long day for sure. Well, I better go! CHA awaits! For peeks of products and projects be sure to check out the Scrapbook Trends magazine blog where I am reporting daily and the Scrapbook Trends Facebook page where I will upload additional projects and finds from the show.
A trip to the dollar spot and just a few moments crafty time and you have some personalized V-day decor. Here I just cut out some word art using my Silhouette. (if you don’t own one… print a ding bat or word art to the back of your paper and hand cut!) I stuck the art to a pre-made picture frame and a tin mailbox! Add a few inexpensive sticky rhinestones. Now that’s Instant Craftification!
Making Vanilla Sugar is easy. I am sure most of you have the recipe, but just in case…
1-2 Vanilla beans *I like to use just the pods after I have scraped them for another recipe. So make some Creme Brulee then use the pods here…
2 cups sugar *if you use the seed, you can increase your sugar to 4 cups
Pour sugar into an airtight container. Bury the scraped pods and seal. Let sit for at least a week to infuse the sugar with an amazing vanilla taste and aroma. DELISH in hot drinks, over cereal, in recipes like french toast and more!
So CHA is coming up and the buzz is really beginning to build. I have had the chance to get some super secret, had to sign contract, non-disclosure type sneak peeks. And as a crafter and fellow scrapbooker… I LIKEY!
I am REALLY hoping that this will be an exciting show again. The last was fun, and I always make the most of the show. However it really felt like everyone was really holding steady. This show, from what I have seen so far.. seems that more companies are going to spread their wings again. Will they all be a home run? Doubt it. The economy is just too tight and we have all gotten to be much more savvy. But still, I think that it will be a good show.
Not to mention, I have been on a diet. Seen success (Down 10lbs so far!) but I really could use some pizza and to hit a taco stand or two. If you see me on the show floor, please say hello. I am blind as a bat but would love to say howdy!
It’s time to share the new Paperclipping Roundtable with the world!
The first episode is available now! It features our first guest Stacy Julian joining Noell, Nancy Nally and I for our discussion. This truly is by Scrapbookers. We all work in the industry, and bring our own flavor to table! The show is hosted by Noell and Nancy and I will be a regular panelist. (and be sure to check here for more info on our CHA show!)
Stacy Julian is, of course, the co-founder of Big Picture Scrapbooking and the founding editor of Simple Scrapbooks magazine.
To listen to this week’s episode, you can either visit the Paperclipping Roundtable web page or to make things easy, you can use this link:
Subscribe to Paperclipping Roundtable on iTunes
That link will open in iTunes and take you to the subscribe page (it’s free!), and then you can click on the “subscribe” button.
We really hope that you’ll like what you hear and that you’ll show your support for the show by subscribing!
Over the years, I have spent New Years Eve in all sorts of places. I have gone to black tie balls, partied in major cities, and have even been a performer at some private events. But I have to say, there is nothing more heart warming and special, than to ring in the new year with my family. Don’t get me wrong… I would love to be able to take the girls on a fun trip somewhere someday. But having an awesome filipino feast prepared lovingly by Mama, watching the girls play MahJong with their mama and papa, the little arguments that come up while playing Wii.. then counting down and lighting fireworks in the snow! That is truly magic. And to end our night with a prayer given by Papa… the first family prayer of the year. I can’t help but think that this will be the best year yet.
I hope that you will have a wonderful year. I wish that no matter what trials come your way… that you will get through them with grace. I wish you much love, prosperity, creativity, and fun. After all, who couldn’t use just a little more fun.
Tomorrow (er…today) we are going write down our resolutions both as a family and individually. I would love to hear yours too!
Happy New Year
Ana, Sierra, Savannah, and Sedona
