Art in the Park

Hello out there in "blog land"! I just got back from a very successful craft show. I often wonder if it is worth the work (not making the cards and projects, because I love that part, but all the packing, loading, unpacking, setting up, repacking, reloading, unpacking at home.... do you get the picture!!) It is exhausting! But then I go and have a very successful day and I think it might be worth it. I actually "out sold" the booths around me this time (I didn't notice, but they both said what a good day I was having, while theirs was just ok.) Unfortunately, you never know what people are going to be looking for, it could have easily been the other way around for me. The best part of any show for me is watching people look at my "stuff". I find it very interesting to see what it is they like (or don't like). And of course, I enjoy the compliments, but mostly I just like to watch them look at everything. Everyone is fascinated with my paperbag albums, they pick them up, study them, but this time, they didn't sell well (where as last month I sold quite a few at a very small show - go figure!) After I was all set up for the show, I moved my car and when I came back, I noticed my tent or booth did not have very good "curb appeal". Those of you who know me, know that's not like me - I am all about presentation and how it looks! I think I need to make some changes. It is hard to see in the pictures. Actually, I think the pictures are even worse than I thought originally! I am not sure what I am going to do differently, but maybe start with my table clothes and layer them. I noticed other booths do that. (You can get the best ideas from other crafters, that is where to get new information - you learn tricks of the trade from people around you - everyone shares where they get things, how to set up, etc. - crafters are very kind people!) My baskets are very "hodge podge", but it is hard to find something to display my cards and projects in and I don't want to have to start all over with that. I am always on the look out for ways to display them. I just can't find anything that looks good with all the different sizes. Plus, the baskets are very hard to travel with. They don't stack very well. Anyone out there in "blog land" with ideas, please let me know. OK, I have babbled on long enough. Time to enjoy my coffee and think about replenishing a few things for next weekend's craft show (a two day show). Did I mention that a craft show consumes a whole week before the show with preparations....! Well, it is a rainy day so off to my studio for some creative time!

Paper Crafts

Sherry and I had the opportunity to meet one of the editors of Paper Craft magazines at CHA (my favorite magazines ever!). They had a great deal on three of their new magazines, so of course we had to scoop up this deal and I am so glad we did. These magazines are great! I got to enjoy them this week (sitting by the pool). Here is a card idea I got from the "Go to Sketches". This magazine gave the sketch and different ways to use it. This was my version of the "pull out tag" sketch. I took two pieces of card stock cut at 4x4, stitched all the way around the squares and then cut the stitched piece in half diagonally (which gave me two card pockets). I punched a large scallop circle from red and the inner circle from some old "lined school paper". Then added a ribbon at the top for the pull-out tag. Quick card.

Frog Fun

Here are some more fun stamps I found from CHA from one of my favorite stamp companies - Endless Creations, you may have noticed I use their stamps a lot on my blog. I kept looking at this frog (the flies and the sentiment), I almost walk out without these stamps (another impulse buy!) This card is a version of a "make and take" project they had at their booth (but we didn't have time to make it!). I actually made the circle card and the inner circles on my Cricut using the Wild Card cartridge. I also used something else we found at CHA, Embellie Gellie and "the best glue ever!". I found these at Taylored Expressions, but I saw this at other booths as well (www.scraperfect.com). These tools made it easier to attach these little "googlie eyes". I will show more pictures of how to use this sticky stick and glue later. And what a perfect card to also use my "flower frog" with (my vintage find from the resale shop)! Thanks for stopping by!

Soaring by to say Hi!

Here is another Papertrey Ink "find" from CHA convention. (Remember, I spent most of my time and money in this booth!). The one thing I absolutely love about this company is that the stamp sets have matching sayings. I think that Stampin' Up is lacking in this area a bit. It is always nice to have a little fun saying to match the images. Another thing about this company, their prices are very reasonable. This clear set was only $5 and included seven stamps. Again, I used more cloud paper (but when I run out, that's ok, I bought the cloud die cut from Papertrey for only $5!) This set also came with a little banner to pull behind the plane. (Now that I look back at this and wonder why I didn't use that to put the saying inside is a mystery to me!) Next time! Well, it's a cloudy day in Michigan (and extremely humid!) - a good day to be stamping! I see a whole pile of stuff from CHA waiting for me. I haven't even touched the Taylored Expression pile! P.S Sherry, isn't it funny, I went with this huge list from Papertrey and the first set I play with is the plane set (that wasn't even on my list!), I'm glad I bought it!

Here to give you a "lift"!

Here are a few cards I made using the set Everyday Button Bits (Papertrey Ink). The buttons are also from Papertrey. Aren't the little bear faces cute? I can't remember the name of the pattern paper (I found it at a small scrapbooking store and knew I would use it for something). The teal ribbon is from Papertrey and the gingham ribbon is from Hobby Lobby.

Had a great time with CustomCrops.com at the 2010 CHA Super Show!

This was the cutest idea ever! This will be a great picture for scrapbooking! It was fun to shop these booths that are only online ordering. I love being able to see and touch the "stuff". Custom Crops by far had the best prices on Cricut cartridges plus a good selection of them. They also had the best price on embossing folders! Just love it when you find these deals.

CHA Chicago

Well, we are back from Chicago and I don't know where to begin! I bought so many new things and can't wait to get creating. We had so much fun ("we" as in Teresa, Kim, Sherry and me in the picture)! We shopped, we laughed and we shopped and shopped some more! We were there for two days from beginning to (almost) the end (we left an hour before the show closed). There were a lot of great booths for shopping and tons of make and takes (almost all were free!). The make and takes included everything from cards and notebooks and paper crafts to tee shirts and jewelry! We hit many of the make and takes, but there just wasn't enough time (we had to shop!) I would have to say my favorite booth was Papertrey (obviously, that is where I spent the most money!) Here we are with our cute Papertrey bags. This booth was total class, quality products, great packaging...they don't skimp here. I am not even going to say how many times I went back to this booth to make purchases! Well, I will share projects and more pictures of our trip later, I am off to play with some of my new toys!