CHA 2008 Recap

I had a great time at the CHA show (Craft & Hobby Association Winter Show) in Anaheim last week. Here’s a photo of my session that I did on Indie Crafts where we also made the paper bead bracelets from CRAFT: 05. It was a great turnout with over 70 people in the session. I loved all the different things that people did with one person even decorating the bag with paper beads instead of making a bracelet. The weather in Anaheim was a toasty 75 degrees making it nice sit outside to eat lunch and enjoy the sun. Inside at the trade show, I saw the debut of Crafty Chica’s new line of products from Duncan and let me say, her stuff is amazing! I can’t wait to see it all in the stores this spring. I even found some time to sit and play with her glitter to decorate this crafty Frieda tote bag. Not only that I got to hang around with fellow Craftzine blogger, Jenny Ryan, Cathy Callahan, and Susan Beal. Susan and I spent some time walking around the trade show last Sunday and Monday, even getting a chance to meet Vanna White at the Lion Brand Yarn booth right before the big knit fashion show (more on the show tomorrow on the blog). I caught up with knitgrrl Shannon Okey and Alternation co-author Alexandra Underhill, had lunch with Vickie Howell, and go to meet sweet Betz White for the first time too!
Overall CHA was a great way to find out about all the new products coming out from retailers. Even though the majority of the trade show was dedicated to scrapbooking, I got to see lots of interesting new products that you’ll be seeing in the future pages of the Bazzar section in CRAFT. Not to give anything away, what I am the most excited to try out is this automated bobbin winder called the Side Winder. (You know how I love those gadgets!)
You can see all my photos from the CHA show in my Flickr set here – Link.
There’s also recaps from CHA by other crafters you should read too:

• Betz White – Link.
• Crafty Chica – Link.