Hey everyone! I'm back from CHA! Wow! Can't believe it's been a week since I drove down to LA! That was maybe the fastest week of my life. I told my husband last night that it felt like I got pulled into the CHA tornado, swirled around, and then spit back out! But, oh, what a wonderful thing it was. I am quite sure that I have never laughed that much in one week in my entire life. It's all about memories, friends, fun, and creativity. And this time around, work, too! YAY! So it was raining the day I drove down to Anaheim and the last 50 miles of my trip took over three hours. Can you believe it? The entire I-5 Freeway was FLOODED! Yowza. I made it safe and sound though and checked into my hotel that night. On Thursday I did some sightseeing over at the ocean. I need ocean time, ya know!! Then I met up with Heidi, Stephanie and Sarah from Simon Says Stamp for a yummy dinner! MAN, I love those girls...A LOT.
Friday I helped Brenda set up her Sizzix booth all day. That was the first time I've been in the convention center before the show opened. It was super duper interesting to see behind the scenes of how everything comes together. I'm really happy I had that opportunity. It kind of freaked me out that I was sitting there doing some last minute crafting for the booth....and a tractor went by me in the aisle!! They were putting up the giant overhead signs. Like I said....super interesting. I saw so many of my favorite people setting up, and it was quiet in there too. I worked the show Saturday, Sunday and Monday and drove home on Tuesday. We had some amazing meals together all of us gabbing and getting caught up. I worked with Brenda in her booth on Saturday morning and that was amazing.
This year I was on assignment for Simon Says Stamp and I loved it! I was responsible for taking all the photos for our "LIVE FROM CHA" blog posts all week, and writing some of the posts. I was also doing some Instagram too. We were all there scouting products as well, looking for things we want in the SSS store and things that would be fun for card kits. I loved doing all of those things. There were some late nights and rowdy times with the gang. Seriously, on Sunday I left my hotel room at 8:30 am and got back at 1:00 am!! Brenda was doing crafting in the food court at midnight!! LOL. A bunch of us ended up in someone's room and I looked around at the people there and had a moment. Like, I am sitting here with so many people that I admire. Wow. So much food for my creative soul. My heart is FULL. I got to hug all my crafty pals in person and meet some of them for the first time. When you meet another crafty girl, it's not really like meeting them...more like seeing them again. It's so cool that we are connected like that all over the world. Today it's all about laundry, bills and unpacking (back to reality mode!!)
Some of my favorite products were from Tim Holtz (Ranger, Ideaology and Sizzix), Lawn Fawn, My Mind's Eye, Prima, Simple Stories and Waffle Flower. We R Memory Keepers has a new punch board that makes the entire alphabet! They are so innovative. Lots of companies are getting into the planner biz I noticed. Echo Park as always had some of my favorite paper collections. Little B has new washi tape that has FOXES on it - and I must have it! It's really hard to think of everything right now!
CLICK HERE to see the blog posts from CHA that we posted on Simon Says Stamp Blog (it will be the first four links that come up). CLICK HERE to see my Instagrams from the show! I made a fun little video instead of showing a bunch of photos here on the blog!!! I hope you enjoy it!!!
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I'll be back tomorrow with a card and a super fun and fabulous blog hop! XOXO
I KNOW you had so much fun, Girlfriend.... and I had SO much fun watching your whole journey via FB and IG! Thanks for sharing so much of your adventure with us! I loved every minute!
Posted by: Audrey Pettit | 01/14/2016 at 03:20 PM
Thanks for sharing~! What a great blog post documenting your time at CHA. I am so happy you were able to get some "real food" for your soul.... You deserve all the happiness and success you have right now...I know there is lots more to come! I'm so excited that this new journey is taking you to the place that you've always wanted! Love you, Foxy Lady!
Posted by: Chris | 01/14/2016 at 07:30 AM
it sounds and looks so MAGICAL!
so happy you had such a Great time!
gorgeous photo's Wanda!
you must be so tired...and at the same time full with creative energy I think....
Hugs Holly.
Posted by: Holly Saveur | 01/14/2016 at 02:04 AM