Hello my crafty friends! I've missed you here on the bloggy blog the past few days! I have been on a crazy CHA adventure! Whew...what a whirlwind of good times, good people, good creativity... I had the most wonderful time at the convention! I think the best part this time was seeing all my crafty friends. Lots of us from the Baker's Dozen were there and it was nice to have time to talk and get to know each other better. Those gals are THE BEST! I ran into several of my online bloggy friends, met some new friends and also met some crafty celebrities! Such a great time. I feel like I have so much creative energy right now - so many ideas going through my head. I need time to stamp! But, alas, today it was back to work for me (have to earn money for more supplies!) More on CHA later in this post....
First, I want to share this card I made for the current January Hero Arts Contest! The great thing about the Hero Arts contest is that there are usually several themes and variations on it. This time I used two of the contest themes. One was to use something "new" to you. I used all new Hero Arts stamps that I hadn't inked up before. The other theme was to make an ATC. I made my ATC, and then turned it into a card! I love doing that. (Here's another one I made in 2011).
Here is my ATC mounted onto the finished card...
Here is my ATC by itself....
And here is the card by itself. I matched the maps up on both pieces to make it look nice and polished. I love that air mail Washi Tape! I guess sometimes it pays to hoard craft supplies!
For my sentiment, I crinkled my piece of paper and then inked the edges to look like it was old. The tiny red heart is right over California!
This is an adorable new stamp I just bought! I stamped it a bunch of times and then cut out a stack of tiny letters to go on my ATC!
This is some sort of creative process??? I just dumped out all these stamps and tried to see what would come to me!
Here is what I ended up using on my project....
Okay, so now, more about CHA! I drove down on Friday to Anaheim. It's about 425 miles from my house. As I crossed over the grapevine, which is the Tejon Mountain Pass, it was snowing!! But, not to worry, the road was clear. (Actually I was a little worried.) It was extremely cold the entire time in LA, which is odd. Last year it was in the 70's and this year it was in the 40's! Brrrrr. I went to the show floor on Saturday and Sunday with Taylor and the crew, and then drove home yesterday. Crazy, right? It truly was a whirlwind of good times! The Baker's Dozen was well represented: Taylor, Jami, Regina, Carole, Tammie, Shannon and I hung out together. It was wonderful! It was my first time meeting Carole, Tammie and Shannon - they ROCK! :-) Giant thanks to Taylor for bringing us along for the adventure!
I posted about 75 pictures or so, on my facebook page throughout the show, and many of you were following along with me! I didn't ever get my camera out - took only iPhone photos this time. It was just too hectic and we were moving too fast to get out the gear! Here are some of my favorite things: We R Memory Keepers had two great new gadgets that I will buy for sure - a Washi Tape Dispenser, and a new Envelope Maker. I saw beautiful new products from Sizzix - including a whole line of dies from Brenda Walton - love her! New papers from Simple Stories and Echo Park, and new stamps from Paper Smooches...it's so hard to choose a favorite this time! Doodlebug has new paper lines that all have matching Washi Tape! Yipppeeee! One of them has tiny fruits on it! I am so buying that! The big color theme I kept seeing was aqua. I don't know if that's because it's my favorite color, or because it really is 'hot' right now! LOL. Prima has a new line that is bright yellow, orange and turquoise. Love that too. I saw Tim Holtz doing his thing - demonstrating at the Ranger booth. I met and talked with my crafty idol Brenda Walton. Saw Theresa Collins, and Shari Carroll and Kim Hughes, and Amy Tan, and Kristina Werner...too many sweet and talented people to name them all! I love this community of crafty women so much! It makes me happy inside - to be a part of it all. Saturday night the TE gals had a lovely dinner in Downtown Disney and we gabbed forever. Sunday night there were 50 people at dinner at PF Changs! Such good times!
I made a video on my iPhone to share all my photos with you! I don't really get the whole thing with using music on your videos on YouTube, etc...so I had to leave the music off. (sad face) Cuz this video really needs some happy music! So, put on some tunes that make you happy and have a look!! You can watch below or CLICK ON THIS LINK to watch it bigger on YouTube!
LOVE your card!!!!!
OH MY Wanda SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Much inspiration and so much super fun and happy items..really don't know where to start...LOVE it all..really a very happy release of goods....
Did I spy a clear stamp from Wanda wearing glasses..so much fun...like it a lot!
Will watch the video over and over saw so many GORGEOUS things..really know how you feel wright now...want to start to make things too!
Hugs Holly.
Posted by: Holly Saveur | 01/16/2013 at 02:28 AM
What a beautiful card, Wanda! I love the idea of putting the ATC onto a bigger card base, and your design is just brilliant! And thanks so much for creating the video! Loved seeing all your photos!
Posted by: Audrey Pettit | 01/16/2013 at 06:03 AM
Am loving your cards and the new Hero line. But after watching just the beginning of the video the only thing I can say is WOW, WOW! So much to see and so much to buy how did you ever decide? Have been to Stampfest in Orlando but it pales in comparsion. Guess the vendors go all out on their displays from what I see. The colors, the designs, oh the fun! Glad that you had a great time and thanks for the video, another great visual vacation! Have you ever done any mini albums? Am thinking about pictures of kids growing up not sure if I want electronic album or hard copy. Any thoughts? Thanks again for all that you do. Virginia P FL
Posted by: Virginia P FL | 01/16/2013 at 07:58 AM
Welcome home, Wanda! I so love "mixing" art forms, as you have done with the ATC and card. I also love scrapbooking mixed with art journaling, or vice versa! Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Kay Wallace | 01/16/2013 at 03:36 PM
Your card is fantastic! Love the maps and the components putting it all together. It makes a great man card.
What a trip!! I looked at all the slides and what inspiration!
Posted by: Fonda Jo | 01/17/2013 at 04:14 PM
Okay...did you hear that thud? That was my jaw hitting the ground when I first saw your adorable card/ATC! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! Loved watching the video from CHA too, wish I could have been there with you girls! Too much temptation...so many beautimus things!!!
Posted by: Shelly | 01/21/2013 at 11:46 AM