Winter CHA 2008 (picture heavy)

The Anaheim Convention Center is 815,000 square ft. Here is the welcome sign at night:


Heather and I took Michelle Van Etten & Trisha Ladouceur's Prima Valentine Album class on Saturday morning. I thought it was so cool that we both signed up for it without knowing the other person was taking the class. We had a wonderful time using the new acrylic build a book pages by Prima. My favorite was the 6x12 page! I'll be posting pictures after I complete it. Here is the line we used!


Heather and I had so much fun ordering for Everything Scrapp'n, her online scrapbooking store. I have assisted in the buying decisions at the Christmas store and I have learned a lot from that over the years. I was thrilled to help Heather make decisions on which product to order.

Of course my number one priority was to head over to the Love Elsie booth and meet Rachel and Elsie. I got so many positive comments on my polaroid camera. I was really excited when I called Rachel over to jump in the picture and she knew my name! And even better she complemented my new hair cut! She's such a sweetie. I was talking to her and Elsie about my plans to design my own paper and Rachel said she'd include my designs in a Red Velvet Art Kit!!!!!!!! That made my trip so now I just have to get designing. And I totally love Elsie's new lines Forrest and Claire too.



I have to admit I was really excited that Heidi Swapp came from China for CHA! She is so beautiful and incredibly modest its ridiculous. I especially loved her outfit. I can't wait to share the make-n-take I made at her booth with the help of Epson. Her papers are so gorgeous. I told her it was about time that she released paper and she laughed. :)

I was registered for Kristina Contes' Dare's class for Sunday afternoon. Due to some bad nachos and various other catastrophes I got to it 30 minutes late (2 hour class). I was told that the instructors wouldn't let anyone in late, as I expected. When I asked for the kit/products that I paid for I was told that I "wouldn't know how to use them without the class, but could have a catalog." So now I have a paint and paint brush catalog with Bob Ross on the cover. I am trying to get this situation worked out.

As I was trying to meet back up with Heather, I ran into Sheri & Daniella from my Daughter's Wish. I told them about the whole class situation and they agreed that I should have been given my kit. I also mentioned that I wanted to meet Ali and they pointed behind me and said "she's right there!"

Without having realized it, I had gotten lost right in front of the CK Media booth. My first reaction was that she's tall! I loved that she was wearing orange too. We talked about how polaroid just announced that they are discontinuing the camera and the film. I told her how amazing her book Life Artist is. The chapter on perfectionism has really helped me. Not just as a scrapbooker, but with life in general. She was the most down to earth real person and I really enjoyed chatting with her.


I dragged Heather down to the new exhibitors so I could meet JJ & Steve of Bam Pop. I have to say they were both caught off guard when I asked to get pictures with them and have them sign it too. JJ is adorable!
I met the EBB family for dinner at Alcatraz Brewing Company on Sunday night. I couldn't help but laugh because I come to Anaheim and have San Francisco themed dinner. I really enjoyed chatting with Julie, Scott, Enrique, Candice, and Kathy. It was so fun to learn more about EBB Creations. Thanks for the incredible night guys!


Monday morning we rushed to CHA to nab a sweet make n take. We were the 3rd & 4th people to arrive at the booth. Then we went to Maya Road to order some yummy new products. Suzy Plantamura took our order and she was so fun. I love seeing her incredible dt work for Maya Road & Love Elsie.


I loved seeing Allison Kreft at Hambly's booth. Houndstooth was everywhere. I even got some beautiful limited edition stuff from Hambly and I'm hoping to play with it tonight. And Allison noticed my hair cut too!

I spent several hours waiting in line for an adorable make-n-take and met Rachel from Canada. I'll be looking for her blog to start up shortly. We had a blast passing time. I love making new friends!


My most favorite new product at CHA was Pink Paisley's Office Lingo and Spring Fling lines. I adore the stamps even more. Their make-n-take was the best of the entire show. I was in line so long they gave me two yummy stamps!


It took me a few minutes to realize that Holly McCaig, the designer of Pink Pasiley's products was standing right in front of me. I told her that we had to take a picture together because Michelle Clement would die. We had so much fun talking about our polaroid cameras that Michelle made for us. I told both Holly and Rachel they need to get Michelle back on their design team (I really sounded like her agent or something). Of course I told them I'd love to work with them too. ;).

And to top it off, I'm even on Holly's blog!

Overall, my CHA experience was even better than I could have dreamed. I am so lucky to go and will always remember meeting so many incredible people! I'll have more pictures of projects and my Disneyland experience soon.