So I thought for sure I'd be able to blog a couple times during my five days at the show...yeah well, no. Didn't happen. Know why? Because when I wasn't working hard, I was having too much fun! So many people, so many products, so many parties!
For me the show isn't just about the products...it's also about the people. They go by many names—creatives, artists, crafters, designers, DIY enthusiasts, stampers, cardmakers, scrapbookers, knitters, beaders...they all seek to inspire and be inspired. They all get just as excited about glitter and glue and paper and fabric as I do. Seeing all "my people" at this show is the highlight of my year. We talk shop, we catch up, we support each other's efforts, we learn more about each other's lives, and oh yeah, we love those cocktail parties!
Now for my Top 5 Most Favorite New Products I saw at CHA...in random order...drum roll please!
Prima Wood Icons - These are elegant laser-cut wood shapes (about 1.5") of birds, owls, mushrooms, leaves, flowers, cameras and houses that you can color however you like and layer on to your project. They have beautifully intricate open areas and they come in a cute little wooden shadow box that you can alter.
Dylusions Ink Sprays - Dyan Reaveley's work inspires me to no end, plus she's a paint and paper saver like me. Every ounce of excess in or paint gets blotted onto another piece of art paper to be used somewhere else later. Her new sprays come in gorgeous bright colors that react with water to create really great textures and patterns. You can put the ink in the barrel of a watercolor brush, too.
Kanzashi Flower Maker - Clover has some fun gadgets for sewing and needlework, but this one made me stop and go "huh??" I couldn't even imagine how it would work; turns out it's pretty easy. You might just pass right by this funny little piece of plastic...but it's a very handy template for making lovely mini fabric flowers with finished-off pointed or round petals in lots of different sizes.
Artisan X-plorer Machine - This is Spellbinders' new machine for die-cutting and embossing heavier materials like metal and plastic. It has a smaller footprint and it works with all their new Media Mixáge dies and substrates that include metal blanks, bezels, and cool texture plates.
Mod Melts - faux resin that's truly easy peasy! It's a stick that you just put in your glue gun and squirt into super cute silicone molds to make embellies that dry in just a few minutes, then you can paint or ink them to match your project. No mixing or blending or curing...thank you, Cathie and Steve!
Friend me on Facebook and check out my CHA album for lots more pictures...more posts to come about the show!
For a great list of other bloggers who are posting CHA recaps, plus a chance to win your very own sweet, sweet bag 'o swag from the FaveCrafts blogger party, visit Craft Test Dummies right now! Deadline for this giveaway is 2/5/13.