Thursday, January 17, 2013

CHA 2013 ~ LET THE CREATIVITY BEGIN!

Hello everyone!  I'm just back from an amazing adventure at CHA 2013 in Anaheim, California.  It was fabulous in so many ways.  The creative vibe was electric!  Everywhere you looked, beautiful projects filled welcoming vendor's booths.

But, even more amazing than the booths were the PEOPLE.  The "Airport Girls" were reunited!  They were the four lovely ladies who waited for me for HOURS, I mean HOURS at the airport when flights were being cancelled like crazy as we were all trying to get to Ranger U two years ago.  Hels Sheridan, Cheryl Grisby, Yvonne Blair and Linda Ledbetter ... I love you guys like crazy.  But wait ... there were more lovely ladies who are part of our happy little crew.  Enter Anita Houston, Ellen Vargo and Susan Mostek.  We had more fun than a barrel of monkeys!

Here is our "Airport Girls" photo taken with Tim and Mario in the Ideaology booth at CHA ... two years after our first picture taken with them when we attended Ranger U.

The first day, we pretty much circled around the Ranger, Ideaology and Stampers Anonymous booths.  So much to see ... so many demos to watch ... so many make and takes to do!

I am so proud to be a part of the Ranger family.  Their booth was nothing short of amazing!  At each corner, one of the rock stars of the industry

 Tim Holtz 


demonstrating new products and amazing everyone who watched.

Photograph by May Flaum
The new DISTRESS PAINTS are Ahhh-Mazing! They are opaque and go on wet.  But because they are water based, they can become semi transparent simply by adding water.  While wet, they move and run together yet do not become "muddy".  They each keep the integrity of their own colors...bright and beautiful!  There are 24 and all in the Distress Colors that Tim Holtz fans know and love.  When the paints are either heat dried or allowed to air dry, they become permanent.  Go ahead...wipe some Distress Stains on them.  Apply some Distress Inks over them.  The Distress Paints won't change color!  That's right ... Ahhh-Mazing!

 
Wendy Vecchi's new Embossing Paste ... it's so smooth, creamy and the end result is really cool!  The embossed areas have such wonderful texture and the paste takes color from other mediums so perfectly.  It's available in FOUR COLORS ~ White, Black, Silver and Gold.  Check out THIS VIDEO to watch Wendy in action at CHA.  I love it and can't wait to get it in my hands!


Dyan Reaveley's six new Dylusions Ink Sprays are still the vibrant, gorgeous colors you've come to expect from her.  And ... she's added white!!  Perfection!!

Check out all of the new Ranger Products HERE. And of course, all of these products and more are available at Simon Says Stamp and Inspiration Emporium, to name a few online locations.


The Ideaology booth provided so much inspiration, you couldn't take it all in at once.  Everywhere you looked, more and more of the coolest creations ever!  I'm sorry that I don't know who crafted all of these pieces but whoever you are, you are brilliant! Enjoy the view....

Now, I do know that this piece is from the uber talented Jim The Gentleman Crafter. An Eiffel Tower constructed out of mini suitcases.  Who thinks of THIS?  Wouldn't you love to be milling around in his creative brain for a while?  More about him in a minute ...
All of these pieces amazingly beautiful and that's only scratching the surface.  Tim has a whole lot of new Ideaology and I tell you, it's going to be so much fun to play with!

Here was the make 'n take at the Ideaology booth!  Waaaahhh...Amazing!

On to Sizzix and another of Jim The Gentleman Crafter's wonderful creations.


This picture does not even begin to do justice to this beautiful work desk that he's created with Tim's new Paper Stash pad. 
 A beautiful shadow box creation from the multi talented Tammy Tutterow.
Very cool view finder piece using Tim's new Picture Wheel die cut.
An array of beautiful projects all done with Sizzix.

While there, I got to visit with one of my favorite artists in the whole world...

Shelly Hickox, that Stamptramp, seen here with one of her Sizzix pieces.

 On to the Stampers Anonymous Booth.

Oh! I can't wait to get my hands on these!  These are Tim's new stamp sets and they are a great mix of backgrounds, graphics and words.

In the same booth, Wendy's new stamp sets and Art Parts.  A feast to the eyes for sure!


How is all of this for inspiration overload?

Finally, I wanted to take this opportunity to post some more pictures of some of the wonderful people that I met.  Amazing talent, amazing people!!!


Dina Wakely 

What a talent this lady is! She inspired me to just go for it and get the courage to try some art journaling. I was lucky enough to win one of her Art Journal Freedom books she was autographing and giving away at a book signing during CHA.


A British Sandwich ~ Hels Sheridan, Me and Dyan Reavely


Jim The Gentleman Crafter

I just wanted to pack him in my suitcase and bring him home with me.  This man is so kind and friendly to everyone.  I don't think he has any idea how talented he really is.  That is so refreshing and I think we will be hearing a lot more from this mahoosively talented man!


More Ranger U grads ... Linda Ledbetter, Laura Denison, Me, Cheryl Grigsby, Anita Houston and of course, Jim The Gentleman Crafter.

 Myself, Hels Sheridan and my art journal and Dyan Reavely style guru Ellen Vargo.  Ellen is tutoring me in the joys or art journaling and giving me the inspiration to give it a try! 

 Hels and Ellen are soul sisters.  I love them both dearly.  When they get together, let the laughs begin!

 Anita Houston ... the Artful Maven and a really wonderful lady.  I'm so glad we're friends!  She is a real stitch!

Wendy Vecchi and Dyan Reavely

These two ladies have no idea how much I learned from them and was inspired by them, just from watching their demos.  Wendy was so kind and answered all sorts of questions.  While she was demoing, she would keep giving out more and more ideas of how to use her products.  I mean, she was like an encyclopedia of techniques and so readily shared them.  Dyan, made working with her sprays so easy and relaxing.  I really am anxious to "give it a play".  Both ladies, different in their styles but the same in their kindness and willingness to share ideas.

Dyan clowning around with Ted and Melissa Cutts in the Stampers Anonymous Booth.  Two of the nicest, kindest people you would ever want to meet...and then there's Dyan.  Just kidding!  She has this aura about her that gives off vibes of sincerity, and a genuine style that is all her own.  She's a jewel and I'm so happy that I finally got to meet her!

I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into CHA.  It was so much fun and I am so happy that I was able to share this adventure with the beautiful ladies I call my dear friends!





















23 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing all these terrific photos Candy. Glad you had an amazing time and met some wonderful people. Annette x

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hey there sweetness, what did you say a GLIMPS of the CHA...my goodness there are a LOT of BEAUTIFULL pictures, wowzerss you had such a blast with Ellen and Hels, Anita and all the fabulous ladies you had not seen for a while the Ranger sisters reunited, it is just great and to see all of you with that HUGE smile on your faces, fabulous and all the AMAZING ladies tooo much to name em all but they are AMAZING, fabulous and AMAZING creations too wowwzerss thank you so much sweetie for letting us in into the CHA wowzserss I just loved to read your story absolutely AMAZING, you will never forget eh sweetness. Love you lots xxxxx Terry xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Candy, I loved reading about your wonderful journey, I can feel your excitement in your write up. I love all your product highlights and in fact I now want more products. So many talented people in one place, what a thrill. So pleased you got to enjoy this with your special friends. Thanks for sharing flower . Tracy x

    ReplyDelete
  4. WOw...what a great recap! Love it...wish I had gotten to spend more time with you girls, but very grateful for I did get! Love love love all the pictures!!!! Fabulous! This is going to have to be a yearly reunion!!! Hugs!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Fabulous tour of CHA! Love everything you showed...especially the wonderfully talented people you got to meet and learn from. They blow you away, don't they? Dyan, "give it a go" I can hear her saying that, and JIM...just to be in his presence makes you feel the love and excitement of the craft!

    TFS....Linda

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for the fabulous view of CHA. I can't even imagine being in the presence of all those rock stars. The creativity generated by the people in your pictures is astounding! They're fabulously talented, and so are you, Candy.

    ReplyDelete
  7. What an amazing, amazing post - thank you so much for sharing all those pictures of your CHA experience: the astounding artists and creatives, the glorious goodies, and all those inspirational makes... Think I have to add CHA to my bucket list!!
    Alison x

    ReplyDelete
  8. looks like you had such a fun and amazing time. Can't wait to see more lol.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love this post, Candy! It was such a treat getting to spend time with you-- you're truly one of the kindest, most uplifting people I've ever known, and I just love you dearly. What a great time it was, and I can't wait until we get to do it again!

    Love,
    Linda

    ReplyDelete
  10. It was soooo lovely to finally meet you, you are a little gem xx

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks for sharing some too the excitement of your adventure...so many amazing creative people , soma incredible art work and a huge amount of goodies to add to my wish list!!!! The excitement exudes from your post, thanks for sharing Candy, .. You must include yourself with those amazing talents as your work is amazing too! Hugs trace x

    ReplyDelete
  12. I just can't wait for the purchases Candy...........you must have had a blast. Great that you all catch up every so often. Thanks for sharing your fab photographs.

    Crafty Hugs

    Annie x

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thank you so much for such a wonderful write-up. I enjoyed it so much. All I can say is these great people were so lucky to meet YOU too! wish I'd been there with you,

    Lucy xx

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hey there sweetness, I thought I had posted a comment on your AMAZING journey from CHA, I loved reading your story and all the amazing people you have met woww fabulous pictures and enjoying each and everyone of them NOw you can look back at all the adventures that you have enjoyed. Really love love those pictures, they are just fabulous and all the amazing projects that were made woww...Enjoy every moment sweetness, I am glad that your home safe xxxx Love you lots xxx Terry

    ReplyDelete
  15. A truly wonderful post Candy with some of the best photos I have seen of the CHA, thank you so much for showing us all this amazing talent! I am so lucky to have taken classes with both Hels and Dyan, both such lovely people. I only wish I could meet you, Anita and Wendy and I would be a very happy woman indeed - oh and Gentleman Jim too, he has the most amazing blog. Thank you again for the wonderful tour! Hugs, Anne x

    ReplyDelete
  16. Vielen Dank für den wunderbar erfrischenden Bericht und die Fotopnspirationen von der CHA, Candy. Ich glaube, Sie werden nach diesen beeindruckenden Besichtigungen Tage lang nicht schlafen können und nur überlegen, was Sie Schönes mit den neuen Angeboten kreieren werden.
    Liebe Grüße, Bärbel

    ReplyDelete
  17. Aw, my bestie Candy, I love you too hunny and wish we were still all together cos this time last week we were heading out to the Cheesecake Factory and *that* conversation... you are the funniest and kindest soul.... thank you for making CHA such an amazing experience... I need to see you soon cos I is missing you!!! xxx

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks for sharing als these pictures with us, it's just al little bit of being there, ;)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Darling I love you! Fabulous photos....much better than mine for sure...I shake like mad! I cannot wait until we meet again!!! MWAH!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. OOOOhhhh you are so lucky to be over there!! I wish I could go to the CHA!!! It seems you had a good time with all the girls. The Eiffel tower stuff looks amazing, hope this will be soon in stores...

    Love from The NEtherlands,
    Leintje*

    ReplyDelete
  21. So nice to see you have had a great time at CHA! I'm sure you had lots of fun meeting everybody and see the new stuff! Love to see those in stores soon! Hugs, Sandra

    ReplyDelete
  22. Looks like an amazing time! :) Loved all the photos and creativity you shared!

    ReplyDelete
  23. What a great pictures for the ones who had to stay at home instead of being possible to visit the CHA!
    Thanks for sharing...

    greetings, Alie :-)

    ReplyDelete

I am so happy that you stopped by my blog! I truly appreciate your time and thank you for leaving a comment! Have a wonderfully blessed day!