What a memorable trip to Chicago...

 

CHA was such a fun experience!  I have to say that going on a trip by myself (for the first time in my life!) to a place where I didn't know anyone (except Sarah, whom I'd met last year in Arizona), was exciting but also a bit nerve-wracking.  But once I made it into the convention center and found the SRM Stickers booth, the first person I saw was Jing-Jing & I gave her a big hug!  It was like we'd known each other forever & that's how it went with everyone I would meet after that.  Anyway, Jing-Jing is so sweet, so fun & I basically hung out with her for most of my trip.  She even brought me a package of the 72 & Sunny line from We R Memory Keepers that she knew I'd been coveting for awhile now.  Thank you again, girl, I'll be making something with it SOON! 

Day #1:  Here's the SRM Stickers booth, where I helped with Make & Takes shortly after I arrived. Tanis & Nina are at the table...

There were scrapbooks on the table, filled with everyone's layouts, and lots of pockets hanging on the display walls that held our cards...

I had dinner that evening with Jing-Jing before we had to walk back over to the convention center for the SRM Stickers class.  It was a 2-hour class (a sold-out class!  I think there were 100 people in attendance... or maybe it was 125?) where everyone got to make 15 cards in 2 hours. 

 

Day #2... I helped with Make & Takes at the SRM booth for an hour in the morning.  Sarah stopped by & said hello & we took a photo since we'd failed to do so on day #1!  It was great to hang out with her again...

Here's Laura (the company designer... she's the one that creates all the fabulous stickers), John (Susan's husband), Susan McShirley (owner of SRM) & Jenyfur (our DT coordinator)...

 

Then, I walked the room as much as I could for an hour, to see other booths, before heading over to Nikki's booth to help with Make & Takes.  Her booth is adorable & so is she!  She is very sweet, too...

 

My layout & one of my cards was displayed by the My Friend Birdie merchandise...

Ahem.  Love this...

  

Another shot of the booth, along with another one of my pages...

And the other side of the booth...

 

I was happy to see a couple of my projects in the catalog again as well.

Thank you, Sarah, for doing Make & Takes with me at both booths, so I looked like I was actually helping with something.  LOL...

Later that day, we all came back to the booth to take a group photo.  From left to right, front row:  Rae, Nikki, Sarah and from left to right, back row:  me, Lori, Susan, Liz & Delaina...

Then I headed back over the SRM booth to meet up with everyone before the show closed for the day and 4 of us went to Kathy's room so she could show us some of her Penny Black stamps & teach us how to use Copic markers.  So excited that Penny Black will be sending stamps to the SRM team, although I can't exactly say I've mastered the art of Copics (nor do I even have any!  LOL!)...

Thanks for the glass of wine, Kathy, you are the BEST!

We dashed off to meet the rest of the SRM team at Giordano's for dinner.  I know Tanis took a couple group shots of the table, but I don't have a copy yet.  It was a fun dinner though.  Everyone is just SO nice. 

Had dessert afterward back at the Hyatt (where I was staying) with Sarah, Gloria, Jing-Jing, Kiki (of Kiki Arts) & Karen.  My Peach Crisp a la mode was enough to share, so I only ate half.  It was almost 11:00pm so that was the last thing I needed in my belly right before bed!  Where's Bob when I need him?  

 

Day #3... I stopped back in the convention center to pick up my projects from the SRM booth before leaving for the airport & to look for Suede from Project Runway.  Sarah told me during our dessert that he was there & I'd had NO idea.  Since I've watched every single season of Project Runway, I wanted to find him!  He was there with Craftwell, designing with the new eCraft.  He made all 3 dresses with the cutter... one with glitter paper, one with adhesive wood veneers & the other with felt.  They were very cool, but my fav was the cream-colored veneer dress.  Soooo pretty...

   

SRM Stickers had a live broadcast with Cool2Craft yesterday morning.  You can find the show in their archives here.  Kathy helped Susan demonstate how to use the new Quick Cards stickers to make cards.  I caught the end of the broadcast & took a photo right after they finished it up...

 

And one more photo in the SRM booth with me, Kathy, Jenyfur & Nina...

In summary... all I can say is, if you get the chance... GO.  I have Susan to thank for my badge because without it, I wouldn't have been able to get in the show.  I didn't realize until making plans to go, that it's not open to the general public.  You have to be a manufacturer, retailer or designer to get in.  It's amazing to meet people you've become friends with online & find that they are just as sweet & fun as you thought they'd be.  It was a fast 3 days & by the time I got home, it almost felt like it was a dream that never really happened.  But... it did & I'm inspired to go create something!  LOL 

Have a GREAT weekend! 

Comments

[Suzanne]

Looks like you had so much fun!!!!! Loved all the photos!!! Enjoy your weekend!!!! Hugs

[Jing-Jing]

SUEDE!!! That's who it is!!!!! I tried to tell you!!!! hahahahaaaaaaaaaaaa

[Chris Aiton]

I am green with envy!!!! sounds like you had a fantastic time - how wonderful! Sarah, Jing-Jing, and Suede!!!!

[Julie Tucker-Wolek]

OMYGOSH!!!! I am sooooooooooooooooo happy you got to go and soooooooooooooo HAPPY that YOU had fun!! Isn't Kiki soooooooooooooooooooooo fun?? I love her!!!! And EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!! I see Brookie TWO TIMES on the wall!! Thanks for those pics....of course... you probably weren't doing that for me... but I'll take it!! LOL LOL LOL!! I loveeeeeeeeeeeeeee that you met Suede too!! That is soooooooooooooooooooo cool!!! LOVE IT!!! Soooooooooooooooooooo glad you got to meet Nikki too... lol lol lol... soooooo funny you are both in MO and had to go to Chicago to meet!!! LOL :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

[NancyD]

Hope to see you some day at CHA! We can hang out. :)

[Petra Coolen]

You were at CHA!
Wowsa, needless to say we are all jealous ;)
A dream come true...

[Michelle]

omg!!! looks like you had a fabulous time girl... love all the photos and the seeing everything... thanks so much for sharing!!! So happy you were able to go!!! Have a great weekend!! {{hugs}} Michelle

[sarah de guzman]

i'm laughing at jing jing's comment! haha.

and i'm glad that i kept you "busy".

hugs!

[Bethany]

Looks like you had a blast. I'm jealous you got to go to CHA! I've wanted to go for years. :) I bet SRM was really grateful to have you there! BTW, your red top is ADORABLE!

[Amber Zimmerman]

You lucky girlie! Looks like SO much fun. :) You look as lovely as ever.

[Sasha "sweet thang" Holloway]

SO glad you had a blast girl. Loved your recap of CHA boo.

[Laura]

What an amazing trip!!!! Wow! You sure had fantastic time. Thanks for telling us all about it!

[erinrwillis]

I'd LOVE to go to CHA sometime!! What a whirlwind/FUN trip!!!
Glad you had a great time!

[MelanieJ]

Looks like such an amazing trip! So jealous :)

Thanks for sharing so many details and pics. It feels like I was there (LOL).

And how COOL to have a paper names after you!! Lucky girl :)

[Antonia Krajicek]

WOW...how much fun is all of that!! Lucky you :)

[sandra]

Looks like you had an amazing time, Deana!

Although, I'm a tad jealous and upset I didn't get to do and I am in Chicago, hahaha!

[Kathy Racoosin]

Great CHA photos...can't believe I missed out on that dessert...ha
thanks for sharing :)