BLOG PRIZE WINNER! The winner of the prize from my last blog post (the lemon card) is Diane Oliver! I loved reading everyone's creative and interesting comments! Thank you everyone! Congratulations Diane!
Hey everyone! How is your week going? It's rainy and gloomy here which makes for a perfect day in the studio! I'm back from Creativation 2018 (formerly called CHA) and I've had a couple of good nights' sleep and my feet no longer hurt! LOL. As you probably already know, I was in Phoenix for five days for the giant Creativation Trade Show. I had the very best time and I am so excited now to create and so uplifted by all the hugs and smiles. It was a whirlwind, as it always is. I call it the "CHA Vortex" because for a few days you are literally in another world, separate from reality! The convention center room where the show is has no windows and no clocks! It's two full escalators down into the basement! So you never know what time it is, or where you are!! Also, while you're there, there is no laundry or chores, or bill paying or cooking! Just loads of F-U-N!! I look forward to it so much every year. I'm so happy it's in January because I think it is the best way to kick off the year!
I almost didn't end up going to the show at all! On Tuesday last week I was still hacking up a lung! Gosh, I had that cold virus for almost three weeks. I thought, I don't want to go if I'm coughing and not feeling well the whole time. So my husband and I prayed hard over me and by Thursday I was feeling much better. Just in time to leave on Friday morning. It was a crafty miracle! Being sick gave me a new and different perspective on the show this year too. My husband made me promise to take it easy and to rest when I felt like it and to take care of myself. And so that slowed me down a bit from my usual 500 miles per hour that I'm going during the show. I think that there was a purpose in it actually.
So, please do not get mad at me! I didn't take many photos this year at all! Yikes. Me? Not taking pictures? But that is exactly what happened. For the first time going to the show I was not working. I was attending! No deadlines, no assignments, no demos....just me, enjoying the situation! It was weird! LOL. I consciously decided to be more in the moment. I left my camera in my purse most of the time. I did lots of quick Instagram videos and I hope you caught those!! I posted some shots from my phone on my Facebook page. I didn't take selfies with everyone this time. I had meaningful, inspiring, uplifting, engaging conversations! WOOOOT! I hung out. I hugged. A lot. I ate yummy food with awesome people. I met up with people that I've been working with for years. I met new people. We talked. We connected. We sat down and heard each other. It was wonderful. I was so blessed by so many people. I think that's what the show was about for me this year. I had the chance to network and get some job opportunities. Also wonderful. The show this time reminded me why I love this community. Of course it's not all rainbows and unicorns...I never want to leave that impression. But if you're careful and open, there are unicorns to be found! Lots of em.
It's really interesting and fun to be in that space. With all of those creative people. It's totally normal to be walking around and see Heidi Swapp walk by or to see Becky Higgins laughing with friends. Bump into Teresa Collins in the bathroom... Amy Tangerine and Tim Holtz having a conversation in the aisle. All of our favorite crafters and bloggers in one place for a common goal. Supporting our hobby and industry. I try to really soak it all in and be grateful and aware. It's pretty cool. The show is not only for paper crafting! LOL. The yarn section this year was HUGE! Fiber arts is really making a comeback. And all of the other crafts and hobbies are represented. I would say that paper crafting is about 60% of the show floor.
So that's my story from Creativation 2018! There were fewer attendees this year than last year, and that worries me a little. It seemed pretty empty at the show. The first year I went you could barely walk down the aisle without bumping into people. It's not that way anymore. I'm not sure what that means for the industry and the show. I would like to see it busy and bustling. But as we know shopping and things have changed drastically in the past few years. I'm happy that the lovelies that I want to connect with still come to the show. Friends from all over the world!!! Not just the United States. It's pretty fabulous. I am blessed and grateful!! I am totally inspired by my days away.
Here are just a few photos I have to share.... And I'll put a list of my favorite things from the show at the end of the post. I think there are a lot of other people that did a great job of showing all the products! I saw this lady filming EVERYTHING so you might want to check out her Youtube videos from the show. My photos this time are more of just this n that. :-) My badge was courtesy of my awesome local stamp and scrapbook store! Thanks Yvonne and Andrea!!! XO
The giant signs all over the convention center downtown area....
The Tim Holtz Ideaology booth is always always a favorite. They are so creative and no detail is left undone. This gorgeous dress form and retro typewriter make me happy. This booth is usually one of my first stops!
This is my friend Nina, the owner of Waffle Flower stamps, and the artist Helen Dardik. I adore Nina and her unique and beautiful style. She has such an eye for design and for picking amazing artists to illustrate stamps for her company. Waffle Flower is one of my all time favorite companies. I was totally fan-girling about meeting Helen Dardik. She is sweet and talented and funny. It was wonderful to sit and chat with her for a while. She even signed something for me!! One of the highlights of the show.
And here's me with Greg from Concord & 9th. SILLY boy. Gosh how I love Greg and Angie! I had the chance to join them for dinner one night and I haven't laughed that hard in a loooong time. They are the very very best. Their booth won a design award! WOOOHOOOO! It was fabulous!!
I got to meet the super lovely Jane Davenport also! WOW! She is so talented and sweet and funny! I love her accent! She has a huge new collection with Spellbinders! And check out her custom die cutting machine! It's teal...with mermaids!!!! Oh my. She has stamps and markers and ink pads that look like mermaid fin scales. Everything is gorgeous and inspiring!
Someone else I have been a fan of forever is Brandin, the owner of Webster's Pages. I've watched her designs from the beginning and I love her personality. She is warm and kind and real. This year the gorgeous Webster's Pages planners are off the hook. I need this mini floral striped number in my life. NEED.
We R Memory Keepers has cool new retro looking label makers!! Oh, and a mini envelope board too! The label makers have tons of different label tape, including one that is woodgrain! I will definitely be buying the pink one to match my WRMK Pink Typewriter!!!
This dress form was in the Prima booth and was decorated entirely with paper! SOOOO completely creative. It blew my mind. The Prima booth is always spectacular. I have been buying a lot of their planner items lately and I have one of their bronze colored Traveler Notebooks. Swoon.
I checked something off my restaurant bucket list too! I've always wanted to go to Shake Shack! And they have one in Phoenix! It was yummmmmmmmmy and fabulous! I'm happy I finally made it there! I ate a lot of good food this trip!! LOL. If you are a Yelper, be sure to befriend me on Yelp so we can share reviews. Find me under Wanda G in Sacramento.
Here is a partial list of my favorite items from the show:
If there's a link I've linked it! Most things are not available yet!
Waffle Flower New Artists and Stamps
Avery Elle New Stamps and Liquid Watercolors
Honey Bee Stamps New Stamps
Altenew New Stamps and New Watercolor Palette
Illustrated Faith - Fruit of the Spirit Collection
Doodlebug New Collections and Enamel Pins
We R Memory Keepers Mini Envelope Board and Label Makers
Prima Traveler's Notebook Collections
Webster's Pages Traveler's Notebook Collections
Lawn Fawn Gingham Paper Collection
Tim Holtz New Stamps from Stampers Anonymous
Jane Davenport Collection from Spellbinders
Tonic Nuvo New Sequin Mixes and Stamp Cleaner
It sounds like you had a good time! That is really great too that you got better so you could go. I like to hear that you stayed in the moment and enjoyed chatting with folks. I know sometimes I need to just put the camera away. Thanks for sharing the fun.
Posted by: Karen L K | 03/01/2018 at 08:26 PM
Sounds like you had a fun time and I am glad that you are felt well enough to go. This is my dream to go one day and just look. So fun that you got to meet all those people!!!
Posted by: Nora | 01/26/2018 at 04:22 PM
Sounds like you had a fabulous time. Your pictures are still very nice. It gives an idea of the size of this thing. Love Waffle Flower and have acquired a few Concord & Ninth things. Packing for our trip this next week so I am finishing up my Valentine's card so they will be ready to mail. Rest up and have a great weekend.
Posted by: Anne Sturgeon | 01/26/2018 at 12:05 PM
I’m glad you were able to shake that nasty cold and enjoy the whole experience. I’m excited to see creative ideas transformed into your blog in the coming weeks.
Posted by: Julie | 01/26/2018 at 07:55 AM
great thoughts ever.. i think you had a great time ..god bless you.
Posted by: Sandy | 01/26/2018 at 05:13 AM
Wanda, sounds fun! Glad you enjoyed the show! I have worked so many of those shows in my old career ( not fun crafty type but pharma and biotech) it is long and hard. Appreciate your list of favs. I am in the market for some spring looking papers that have options that match. Doodlebug might be it! Have a lovely weekend! Julie
Posted by: Julie L | 01/26/2018 at 04:32 AM
Congratulations to Diane!
So happy you were feeling well enough to go to Creativation Wanda, it sounds like you had a great time.
Posted by: Teresa Doyle | 01/26/2018 at 03:34 AM
Sounds like the BEST CHA and time ever!!
so happy for you!
Thanks for the great link of the lady who filmed(....WOW amazing what she did!!!) it all..will have much fun watching it all!
Posted by: Holly Saveur | 01/26/2018 at 01:37 AM
I wish I would have gone!! You make everything sound so amazing, Wanda. ♥ But, I know it would have been one big 'ol anxiety fest. :/ Glad to hear about your faves, though, that helps. I'm so glad that you were able to go and just let your hair down and HAVE FUN for a change. Good for you. Love you, my friend.
Posted by: Lisa - papergrace | 01/25/2018 at 07:55 PM