Today is Groundhog Day and I was SO looking forward to an early Spring! Although, I really shouldn’t complain… 65 Degree weather in the desert in winter isn’t bad But, I DO miss green grass and leaves on the trees! Here’s my ode to spring, a card I made with some goodies (Dear Lizzy) I scored from American Crafts at CHA Anaheim:

First Signs of Spring

Me and Susan Opel

Meeting this spectacular lady has made my year! Susan Opel has been such an inspiration for me! The entire Paper Crafts Magazine crew was so sweet and patient with all us groupies

If you get a chance, you’ll definitely want to purchase Stamp It! Cards! It’s my favorite issue yet with tons of inspiration and innovative designs as well as some easy to execute designs for those short on time!

Kelly, Latisha, Elizabeth, and ME!

Elizabeth Kartchner is one of the sweetest people in the industry! She’s genuine and kind!

Be sure to check out her new book, 52 More Scrapbooking Challenges! Courtney Baker and I were talking about how much we loved the book! I’ve gone through it a dozen times

Dear Lizzy, the line from American Crafts, hits stores in March, so keep your eyes peeled for this delightful line!

picture taken by Charlene!

CHA Peeps!

From Left to Right:

1. Ashley N. Newell, Me, Eryn, Angela
2. Cutie Pa-tootie Amy, Me- wish I spent more time with ya girl!
3. Me, Ashley C. Newell
4. Kelly, Claudine Hellmuth, Me
5. Ashley N. Newell, Me, Eryn, Angela, Brooke, Tenia
6. Me, Ashley C. Newell
7. Me, Kelly
8. Jenn, Me, Kelly, Lisa A.
9. Me, Tina, Charlene, Carly
10. Me, Paulina
11. Me, Kelly, Jenn
12. Me, Kelly, Jenn

Check out Torendi’s special report from Amy Tsuruta HERE! She took lots of good pictures of her favorite things from CHA Anaheim 2010!

Kasiercraft (KAY-ser-kraft) Storage binders!

Kaisercraft’s booth had tons of product I had never seen before! I thought they were all pearls and rhinestones until I saw their clear stamps, beautiful papers, and 6×6 pads! Check out their blog for challenges and inspiration!

Kaisercraft 6x6 Pads for cardmakers!

Here’s my favorite line from Basic Grey:

Green At Heart

Favorite from Pink Paislee:

Queen Bee

Cosmo Cricket’s Garden Variety is SO FUN and whimsical:

Garden Variety

Check back at my blog throughout the week for more personal photos from CHA Anaheim!

The Jenni Bowlin Booth was Jaw-droppingly Gorgeous! The ladies there were SUPER sweet and fashionable too! The Jenni Bowlin ladies had earrings made from the new stick pins and sweaters adorned with the new buttons and button creations on their clothes! It was awesome! I love seeing different ways to incorporate product and they totally rocked it!

OH, and FYI, Jenni Bowlin is the only manufacturer that I found at CHA that has all her newest product in stores by the time they’re at CHA! Everyone else doesn’t start shipping until after CHA and around March!

Shemille.com has the best photos from CHA, in my opinion. Here are some of my favorites from the JB Booth:

The Butterflies are ALL THE RAGE!

Check out a card using these beauties made by Stephanie Howell HERE! You’ll also find those cool stick pin earrings that Doris Sanders was wearing here too!

Tiny Alphas, Dotted Labels, And PENNANTS!

These stickers are perfect for cardmakers!!!! THEY’RE SOOOOO stinkin cute! Check out a Jenni Bowlin’s Blog and how she used the pennants on a scrapbook layout!

Buttons

The ladies promised they would post pictures of a sweater they altered with these buttons! When they post the pics, I’ll update you all!

***These photos are NOT MINE and I do not take credit for them! Click to go to Shemille.com!

My Cool Tote!

My all-time favorite release from CHA Anaheim is the new release from American Crafts, Dear Lizzy! Not only is Elizabeth Kartchner gorgeous, but she also has exquisite taste!

Sidenote-The shade of red incorporated is my favorite shade of red and I actually hunted down a sheet of cardstock thinking it was Bazzill, and when I found out it was American Crafts, I purchased 10 sheets

My favorites include the pennant paper, the rosette ribbon trim, the berry thickers, and the fabric paper! Dear Lizzy told us that her favorite item from the release is the pennant paper as well!

Click to see release!

The other American Crafts Releases ROCK MY SOCKS too!

Check out I Do, Abode, Botanique, and Heat Wave!

Do you have the original scor-pal? If you do, you’re going to LOVE this! It’s for cardmakers (like myself) and it’s got more 1/8″ score lines, whereas the scor-pal only has 1 1/8″ scorline!

Julie Overby

The Spellbinders Presto Punch ROCKS!!!! It is an all in one electronic punch/embosser! You can go from having 20 lbs. worth of punches to having this 3.something lb. machine and some thin steel dies! This is perfect for people that have arthritis.

You simply stick the die face down with your paper inside a little plastic case, stick inside the machine, press the button two times, and voila! Then you just take the punch and the die and place it in the plastic again with a mini tan mat, press the buttons, and it’s embossed! IMAGINE the possibilities!!!!!

The price point is really good, like REALLY good! $69.99 MSRP!

Coordinating dies

Kazan Clark

I think one of HUGE hits at CHA Anaheim were the new collections from Core’dinations! They have embossed cardstock that coordinates with Jenni Bowlin, Cosmo Cricket, and Jillibean Soup Patterned Paper Lines! One of the sales team members told us that 120-150 Sanding Paper works best for their line!

Jillibean Soup Coordinating...I think!

Cosmo Cricket Coordinating (woodgrain)

I made sure to tell the manufacturers that this was my favorite and that they should make a big pack with a variety of colors!

Core Couture is SUPER glittery!

*The Core Couture does not have a different colored Core.

Core Amour

Core Amour