Awesome, awesome day!

At the last minute I was given the opportunity to attend CHA in Chicago on Wednesday.  I wasn't sure I wanted to go (3+ hour drive, expenses, etc.).  Then I decided it was a chance I shouldn't pass up.  Oh my, what a super day and awesome experience!  Not only did I get to rub elbows with the those I would call elite in our world (Wendy Vecchi, Claudine Hellmuth, Teresa Collins, Lisa Pavelka, Judy Watanabe, and Tim Holtz to name a few) but got to see them in action doing what they do best and doing it with the newest toys on the market.  There were lots of 'oohs' and 'aahs' upon seeing the products first hand and screams of delight as giveaways were drawn for some of the new items. 

I was told this show was 1/3 to 1/2 the size of the winter show.  It was still overwhelming to me; I don't think I got to visit every booth.  Many of the vendors offered make & takes and/or gave away freebies.  I participated as much as I could - what sensory overload!  Thank goodness I took a lot of photos to remind me of what I'd seen.  Sure hope my rememberer works when I try to recall all I learned!


The show was minutes from closing when I was at the Ranger booth watching Tim Holtz demo several products.  I asked about the new rosette Sizzlits die and he said he couldn't tell me about it but he'd show it to me.  Even though there was a small group gathered I felt as if it was a private lesson.  Unbeknownst to me Daisy from Eclectic Paperie had her camera in hand.  If you watch the youtube video (episode 6 from CHA) I'm on the left (blue denim shirt).  My full face (chipmunk cheeks and all!) is shown about seconds 12-17, then only my hair (now that it's longer you can see it!  I've always worn it super short until now).  And I got the finished rosette!


Probably the highlight of the day was seeing Tim (maybe one day I'll get to take a class with him!) and having our photo taken.  For once it's a great shot of me (I'm not photogenic at all!) so I don't mind sharing it with you.

I made new friends and met some old friends when I ran into Sue and Pat from Scrappers Cove in NJ - my LSS when I lived nearby.

I won't bore you with photos of all the displays. The vendors and many stores have put them on their blogs or websites.  Their pictures are probably much better than mine anyway. 

If you ever have the opportunity to attend CHA, please take it!  Just think, it will be one item you can cross off your bucket list!