(diva)logues

Have Passport, will travel...

Here's one last project I created for Nikki Sivils' booth at the 2012 Winter CHA trade show in January, using the brand new Exit Here collection.  I love this travel-themed collection & especially love the Passport cut-out that's included.  How CUTE is that?!  I decided to use mine as the cover of my mini book, even though I obviously didn't have to leave the country to attend this particular event.  My book includes photos + memories from the Summer 2010 CHA trade show that I attended in Chicago that year.  What a FUN event that was!  

I was actually there to represent 2 manufacturers... Nikki Sivils and SRM Stickers... but since this book was to be used on display in Nikki's booth, I only included photos from her booth in here for now.  I will add all my SRM Stickers photos + memorabilia to the book eventually... 

I just adhered my patterned paper (or photos) onto scrap pieces of cardboard, cut to size, as the foundation for each of my pages...

No matter what good things happen to me in this industry... NOTHING will EVER top Nikki naming a piece of patterned paper FOR DEANA after me & I got to see it in her booth at the show.  Still gives me goose bumps...

Just a simple book ring to hold it all together and still plenty of room left for the rest of my photos! 

TGIF and yay for the weekend!  Bob is going Downtown to watch the NCAA Midwest Regional tournament games tonight & Sunday.  I'm subbing a Zumba class tomorrow morning or I'd be going out late with him tonight!  Gotta behave sometimes.  ;-)  BUT... we'll have fun celebrating a birthday out tomorrow night, so I'm looking forward to that!   

Hope you have a GREAT weekend everyone!

"We know who wears the pants in your family..."

image

Long day so far beginning at 5:55am when my alarm went off so I could do the 6:30 spin class, which has become part of my new work-out schedule.  The class ROCKS.  I'd prefer a more reasonable hour to spin, but for now it's working for me and I'm still back home in plenty of time to help Bryn get off to school.  Yay!   

After that I had a rescheduled appointment to take my Tahoe to the dealer.  Long story, short... I took it in last Wednesday.  Sat there & waited for the repairs for 45 minutes before Glen, the service manager, came out to tell me that "George wasn't quite available to work on my vehicle yet & I know that Bob always wants George to work on it... so could I take you back home instead of letting you just wait?"  

I said, "Umm... maybe someone other than George could work on it today & I'll let Bob know I said it was ok?" 

He said, "Oooooh... I know that look!" 

I'm thinking, ummmm... actually that was a nice look??  It does get worse though.  Haha

Anyway, it was apparent that even if someone other than Geoge was going to immediately (yeah, right)  start working on my car, it would be at least another hour before it was finished.  I called Bob... he said it wasn't that big of a deal anyway & to reschedule for another time.  So I rescheduled for today at 10:00.

This morning I asked Bob to call Glen & tell him that anyone could work on the Tahoe today, that it didn't HAVE to be George... just incase they didn't believe me that Bob said it was ok! 

So, when I walked in today, Glen said to me, "I had to try not to laugh when Bob called me this morning.  We know who wears the pants in your family."

I said, "Well, Glen... as you can see... I'm not wearing a dress today." 

LMAO!!!! 

Reminds me of the movie "Raising Arizona" when Holly Hunter is ripping on H.I. in front of his 2 friends & John Goodman's character says, "Well, we know who wears the pants in your family H.I."   Such a dumb movie, that is Bob's FAVORITE movie of all time, but that line made me laugh out loud!  LOVE IT!!!    

Anyway, Glen proceeded to randomly give me $h#t for the next 2 1/2 hours that I was there waiting, and I gave it right back.  Funny guy.  If it weren't for him, I probably would've been way more annoyed about how hungry I was getting, considering Bob told me I'd probably only be there for about an hour.  Yay me!

But... I've finally fed my face and Bob just texted me that he was bringing home dinner so... all is good!  ;-)

And here's another card that was posted on the Nikki Sivils' blog yesterday, along with a tutorial for the new page I posted... 

The card was made with the Exit Here collection for Nikki's booth at the Winter 2012 CHA Trade Show.  If you missed the Nikki Sivils post from yesterday, you can see it here!   

And yay for wearing pants.  Preferably ZUMBA pants... you know what I'm sayin'... ;-)

It's a banner day...

It's the first Tuesday of the month... so that means it's my day on the Nikki Sivils' blog.  Head over there today to see how I created this page... and then you, too, can become as obsessed with making flag banners as I am. 

Or... is it just Bryn that thinks I'm obsessed with making them? 

In addition to that page I made using the brand new Messages collection from Nikki Sivils... I also made this "thank you" card...

I have a couple more cards I made for her Winter 2012 CHA booth on Nikki's blog today, as well.  

On my way out the door to Spin class & then to lunch with friends. 

Did I mention I'm glad to be home?  ;-) 

"Hello... is it me you're looking for... "

Hahahaha! 

For the next 2 weeks... introductions are being made on the Nikki Sivils' blog of her new 2012 Design Team.  Today is my day to be "introduced"... although I've kinda been around for awhile... like since the beginning... sooo...  Hi again!  It's me!  Still loving Nikki Sivils & loving being part of her team!  Thank you to Katrina for the sweet intro about me on the blog today.  Love ya!    

Here's a few more of the projects I created with the Exit Here collection for Nikki's booth at the 2012 Winter CHA Trade Show...     

I know, right?  So unlike me to actually hand-stitch something.  It's been awhile since my lazy butt got out the embroidery floss...

I've mentioned it before, but it bears repeating.... I love the Exit Here collection!  Fun colors, patterns & perfect for all our travel photos! 

I guess I'm just gonna have to leave town soon so I can take some more photos...Woot wooot! 

I'm ready to "exit here"...really... I am...

A couple of my new projects were posted on the Nikki Sivils blog last week using the new "Exit Here" collection.  I love that she created a travel-themed collection this time, as we do a LOT of traveling every year.  In fact, we already have 4 trips planned between now and June!  Yay!  I'm so ready to get out of town!       

I'll be posting more of what I created for Nikki Sivils' booth at the Winter 2012 CHA Trade Show, the closer we get to it.  It's next week already!  If you're attending... look for Nikki's booth #3047.   

Also... there are some brand new badges to go along with Nikki Sivils' 4 new collections.  Post one of them on your blog... and you just might win that collection! 

 

 

Have a GREAT week! 

New product releases for Nikki Sivils...

Head over to the Nikki Sivils' blog today to see all 4 brand new collections in detail, that will debut at the Winter 2012 CHA Trade Show at the end of this month! 

You can see each collection in it's entirety on the Nikki Sivils' blog.  I've only had the opportunity to work with the Exit Here collection, so I'm excited to work with the other 3 collections after CHA.  They are ALL so CUTE! 

Also, leave a comment on Nikki's blog for the chance to win the collection of your choice!  Woot woot! 

A little Christmas in July...

 

The new Gingerbread Land collection from Nikki Sivils is adorable... and perfect for documenting winter time memories.  I love the pastel colors in this line, and of course... those clouds had me at hello.  I created my journaling for this page using some of the word cut-outs from the cut-ups page + Word for the rest...

 
    

 

Nikki also asked for Christmas ornaments for display in her booth, so I made one like I made a few years ago... using a foam ball, my circle punch & some colorful stick pins...

 

I found both of these projects on display in Nikki's CHA booth photos.  You can see all her photos here if you haven't seen it yet!  I swear her booth just keeps getting cuter & cuter for every show! 

Brand new page kits...

Back in March, I was given an amazing opportunity to create 3 page kits for Nikki Sivils, along with one of my fellow designers, Liz Qualman.  Liz & I were each sent 3 different lines to work with... and were asked to create a 2-page layout, a single page layout + a card with only the contents we were given.  Then we had to write out the step-by-step instructions for assembling each of our projects.  In May, Nikki emailed us with photos of the finished kits, but today when I was taking a peek at the photos of her booth at CHA... I saw 4 of the page kits on display!  Major excitement to see the finished product, I have to say! 

 

I created kits with My Friend Birdie, It's Your Day & We Are Family. 

Here's the packaging for all 6 kits...

 

And the backs of my 3 kits...

 

And here are my finished projects:

It's Your Day...

 

 

 

My Friend Birdie...

 

 

 

We Are Family...

 

 

 

Interested in purchasing these page kits?  Ask for them at your local scrapbook stores! 

You can see more photos from Nikki's booth at CHA right here and while you're there... leave a comment for a chance to win all 5 of her new collections!  Yay! 

In case of emergency...

Booth set-up began over the weekend in Chicago for CHA and the first official day of the show is today!  So... how about another peek at one of Nikki Sivils' new collections?  Get Well Soon is an adorable way to document illnesses & boo-boo's, as well as making cute little "get well" cards to send!

 

I made a page about the "emergency medicine" we ALWAYS have with us for Bryn's food allergies.  I took a photo of her Benadryl & Epipen, since having that with her is part of her everyday life...

 

I love all the punch-outs that are included in all the new collections this time.  Such a fast & easy way to embellish a page or card...

 

 

I'll be making some Get Well Soon cards... soon!  You can never have too many of those on hand.  And with all these cute punch-outs, cut-outs & stickers... how can it not make someone feel a little better?  :-)

Go here to see the new Get Well Soon collection in it's entirety!  And here's the badge if you'd like to add it to your blog...

 

And... check out Nikki's blog for the chance to win the new collections!  She's been doing a lot of give-aways!   

"I've never seen one like that before... Don't look at me like that..."

Yesterday on the Nikki Sivils' blog, all 5 of her brand new collections were revealed!  All my projects I created with her new products are getting packed up tonight & ready to send to Nikki for her booth at the Summer 2011 CHA Trade Show.  So... little by little, I'll be revealing what I've created.  You'll be able to see them in person if you're attending the show.  I attended the show last summer... what a fun experience!

I thought I'd start off with "My Little Monster."  I wanted to take a different approach with this line to show it's versatility.  It's obviously great for some crazy kid or pet photos, but I decided to use the Lady Gaga song, Monster, as the inspiration for my page.     

 

 

Strange, I know, but that's me sometimes.  A little off. 

In fact when Bob looked at the page, he said, "My Monster?" 

I said, "Umm, it's lyrics from the song.  And I need to showcase as much product as possible.  Just go with me on this."   LOL...

 

I love google eyes...

 

So, yeah.  He's not really a monster.  It's a page about our anniversary this year.  So... it's a page about love.  "He ate my heart." 

Just go with me on this, ok?  ;-) 

And if you haven't done so already, go here for a chance to win all 5 of Nikki's new collections before they hit the retail stores.  But hurry, because you only have until this evening (Thursday) for the chance! 

How about a chance to win...

 

Nikki Sivils has just posted images of all 5 of her BRAND NEW LINES today.  Check out her blog for details on how you can win all 5 of the new lines before they hit the stores!

"99 red balloons... floating in the summer sky..."

The SRM Stickers blog is featuring the Emeritus Designers today.  The 4 of us were given free reign to create whatever we wanted.  Funny thing is... I had forgotten about the page I posted the other day that was created over a year ago (& published in The Big Book of Scrapbook Pages), when I created this new one.  So it was totally unintentional that I made balloons again with numbers on them. 

Although clearly I kinda like balloons with numbers on them for birthday pages... so what can I say?  

They are also very easy to make your own with a small circle punch!

This new page features the new XL Numbers along with the Large Numbers & some birthday sentiments & stickers...   

 

 

My word bubble was created in Word & then I just typed my journaling inside it.  I also added some Glossy Accents & bling to my little girl cut-out and of course, some bakers twine.  You can find a huge spool on Amazon!

 

And then I made a birthday card, using some of the coordinating paper in my layout + a sticker from the Quick Cards HAPPY set...

 

 

 

Just used a small square punch to make my "window" and placed a Jillibean Soup corrugated frame around it.  I'm loving that orange chevron pattern on the card.  If only I could find a summer dress with that same color & pattern combo... that would be too fun.

Check out the SRM Stickers Blog today to see what the other 3 Emeritus Designers created.  I am always inspired by their work!  And speaking of SRM Stickers... I have seen the sneak peeks at the new sticker sets that will debut at the CHA Trade Show next month & they are cute, cute, CUTE!   

 

(A sneak peek at "My Little Monster" from Nikki Sivils)

PS... I came home last night to a box of the 5 brand new lines from Nikki Sivils (you are going to LOVE them!) and I'm going to be creating like crazy for the next 2 weeks to get all my projects returned to Nikki in time for her booth at CHA.  It's an exciting time in the paper crafting world... and it's quite an honor to be part of it once again! 

Another sneak peek...

Another sneak peek of a brand new line has been shown on the Nikki Sivils' blog... "You're A Hoot!" 

 

Cute, right?! 

And... there are 3 new badges so far!  Post any of the new badges on your blog or on Facebook for a chance to win a brand new Nikki Sivils' line before it debuts at CHA!

 

 

 

OWL always ♥ creating with Nikki Sivils' products!  :-)

February Page Maps + Nikki Sivils = FUN!

Today is the last day of all my Winter 2011 CHA projects using the brand new releases from Nikki Sivils!  I know I have already  mentioned this, but these 6 new lines are my favorite of all her CHA releases since the start of her business.  I'm looking forward to hearing about the success of this trade show and I'm also happy to report that Scrapbook.com is going to be carrying all 6 of her new lines soon!  Finally!!!   

So anyway... last, but not least, it's Max & Mollie... the cute little skunks!  I love the pink & green color combo and the cool retro images in this line... 

 

I also love the little sun cut-outs and doubled them up to add some dimension...

 

Have you noticed there's a lot of flag banners in Nikki's new releases?  Love that! 

And to wrap things up... I, along with some of the other Nikki Sivils' designers, had the honor of designing for Page Maps this month!  Becky Fleck sent me a 2-page sketch & I used the new "Beatrice" line to create my page...

 

  

Check out Page Maps for ALL the sketch designs for the month of February.  It was fun to be part of it!   

And speaking of fun... all this snow & ice is NOT.  Another day of no school... 

We are family... get up everybody & sing...

So what do you think of all the new releases from Nikki Sivils so far?  Aren't you loving all the fun cut-outs that are included with each line? 

How about some more with the new "We Are Family" line!  Another perfect line for the SPRING time (and it can't get here soon enough... SO over all the snow right now!)...

 

I bought a cheap unfinished wood heart frame from Michaels... I think it was only a dollar.  After painting it white, I just embellished it with some of the paper & cut-outs plus a little baker's twine for the kite...

 

 

Love the fun trees, houses & kites in this line!  There's also a full sheet of fun journaling tags with this line that I love! 

Ok... so no school AGAIN today due to all the ice on the ground and the "blizzard" in the forecast of up to 12 inches of snow. A lot of businesses are closed today, including the YMCA, and Bob is home from work, too.  Yesterday school was released 2 hours early due to ice.  At this rate, we'll be going to school until July!  

What a crazy winter this has been.  And it's not even over yet.  Thank goodness we made plans for Spring Break.  Something to look forward to...

It's Your Day!

Happy Monday and day #4 of the brand new Nikki Sivils' lines that are debuting at the CHA Trade Show in California right now!  Today is "It's Your Day" and it's perfect for creating birthday-themed projects with all the cute party hats, cupcakes & presents!  I think it's adorable! 

 

I used an old photo of Bryn to create a page about her 3rd birthday...

 

... and more use of my Glossy Accents on the candle flames...

 

I also made a pair of birthday treat boxes.  Love making them.  They're so easy to create & so perfect for holding candy, gift cards, etc...

 

 

Speaking of Nikki Sivils, there's a new challenge posted on her blog for February.  Create a goals or resolutions-themed project and post it here for the chance to win one of Nikki's new releases! 

Have a great week!

I could use a little SUMMER right about now...

The new "Summer" line from Nikki Sivils just might be my favorite line of hers EVER.  I adore the lined paper with the scalloped border.  The cameras, rainbows, clouds, ice cream, birds... it's all just tooooo CUTE! 

 

I ended up making more projects for CHA with this line, than any other.  And you know there will be MORE to follow in the coming months! 

I thought I'd use some of my photos from last summer's CHA for this first page + a lot of the cut-outs & stickers.  I had so much fun meeting Nikki & seeing her booth in person...

 

Just a fun card, with another cut-out on the inside...

 

 

This next project was a basic black photo storage box that Nikki sent to me.  I'm not sure what company sent it to her?  I put a photo into the cover & then "framed" it with the camera border strips.  I also added some Glossy Accents to the bigger camera in the corner...

 

 

And finally, I made a birdhouse.  It was a left-over from my Kid's Art Camp that I hosted last summer, and I thought it would be perfect to use some of the little bird cut-outs on it...

 

 

 

Don't you just love all the fun colors & patterns in this line?  I LOVE IT!  

Check out the Nikki Sivils' blog today to see lots of photos from Nikki's booth at CHA!  It's simply adorable! 

Beatrice is quite a little cutie...

Another day... another new line from Nikki Sivils that is debuting at CHA right now!  The new "Beatrice" line is the follow-up to the "Tree Love" line that featured Bucky the Beaver.  Beatrice is his little girlfriend and I think she's quite cute...

 

This was the very first page I made after I received all the new lines from Nikki Sivils.  And of course, I just had to make a 3-dimensional tree for the page...

 

 

I also made a card & used my favorite Glossy Accents to add a little something to the tree...

 

I have lots more to show so stay tuned for more projects!  Keep an eye on the Nikki Sivils blog, too, for updates from CHA! 

Set up for CHA Winter 2011 has begun...

Booth set-up for the Winter 2011 CHA (Craft & Hobby Association) Trade Show has begun!  Since I couldn't attend this time, I'm looking forward to seeing lots of photos & hearing lots of stories about it!  It was so much fun being part of it all in Chicago last summer!  I've already received a few texts from my friend, Julie, who's out there now.  Love getting an insider's view of what's going on! 

The Nikki Sivils  design team now has the go-ahead to start revealing everything we've created for her booth and catalog!  So over the course of the next few days, I'll be posting my contributions with all her new products! 

The new "It's Raining It's Pouring" line is absolutely adorable!  Love that cute little turtle with the rainboots & the umbrella... and of course, I love those cloud cut-outs!  What a great line for SPRING time!

 
Maya Road was very generous with the Nikki Sivils team & sent us some of their mini chipboard albums + some of their Fabric Blossoms.  I received the LOVE album...

 

I made a little mini album about some of the things that I love...

 

 

 

Curiously, the photo of pages 4 & 5 are missing?  Will have to add that back in after my mini book is returned.

 

 

 

Are you attending CHA?  If so... stop by Nikki Sivils' booth #1879 and see all the new lines & new projects!  You can also check out that missing page from my book in person!  ;-)

Also... make sure to check out the Creating Keepsakes blog today where Nikki Sivils will be the guest blogger!  I've also heard there might be a little give-away too!

Have a wonderful weekend!

California-bound...

... well, my projects are anyway.  ;-)

 

• 4 layouts
• 2 cards
• 1 mini book
• 2 altered frames
• 1 bird house
• 2 mini treat boxes

... all packed up & shipped off to Nikki Sivils for her booth at the Winter 2011 Craft & Hobby Association Trade Show (CHA).   Excited & honored to be part of her show for the 5th time.  LOVE these new lines SO MUCH. 

Have a few things I'm sending off on Monday for the SRM Stickers booth, but they are all projects you've seen before (plus one new one you'll see next week).  They, too, have new stickers coming out!  Such an exciting time of year in the world of scrapbooking.    

I'm finished working.  Time to party! 

A few Decemberish things...

There's some fun things happening on the Nikki Sivils' blog.  A new challenge was posted last week... create a new holiday-themed page, card or project using any of Nikki's products for the chance to win a Nikki Sivils' prize package!  

I used the new Happy Holly-Days line to make my page & also added some paper for my journaling spot from last year's North Pole Nights line...

 

Did you know that Nikki started a new monthly newsletter in December?  Find the link to sign up for her free newsletter on the left sidebar of her blog.  Each month you'll find project ideas, sneak peeks of her new lines and she'll be highlighting someone from her design team too.  I was up first & if you look closely you'll see one of the new pages I made with the brand new Summer line on there...

 

Also... have you been watching Nikki's blog lately?  With Winter CHA drawing near, she's been posting sneak peeks of the new lines that are going to debut in a few weeks.  Here are the new badges that will give you a glimpse of things to come.  We're talking major cuteness here...

 

 

  

Post one on your blog for the chance to win one of the new lines before they hit the retail stores! 

And speaking of sneak peeks... here's a peek at the new December HIP 2B SQUARE kits that will be shipping soon...

 

 

I saw those October Afternoon stickers, included in the add-on kit, at CHA last summer and thought they were so cute.  While preplanning my projects with this kit, I was reminded how much I'm so NOT the little homemaker.  Pretty sure I wouldn't have fared well in that era.  Dresses & high heels... yes, of course.  I'm no June Cleaver though.  I can think of a million things I'd rather do in my high heels & dresses than clean house.  Let's just say I grew up with a mom who marched at the capitol in Jefferson City for women's rights back in the 70's.  And I'll let that visual speak for itself...

Meeting deadlines...

Winter CHA is just around the corner & I have a box full of the 6 brand new Nikki Sivils' lines that will debut next month.  I've already told Nikki that this is my FAVORITE CHA debut yet!  And I also predicted that all 6 lines would be sell-outs!  Love, love, love them all!  Can't say enough GREAT things about them.  Anyway... she needs projects completed ASAP for her catalog & booth, so I'm working to meet deadlines.  Christmas gifts can wait!  

Also, just finished up my November HIP 2B SQUARE kit!  Here's a sneak peek...

 

Will post everything as soon as it goes live on the HIP blog!

Off to run & then back to work!  I need an assistant.  If only she didn't have to go to school...

What's your favorite?

 

Can you name your favorite scrapbooking manufacturer?  That's a tough one for me.  At the top of my list, of course, would be Nikki Sivils & SRM Stickers.  They have both been SO good to me & I can't say enough what an honor it is for me to design for them.  I adore both their products & find it easy to get inspired when creating with them.  The funny thing is though, I didn't use either one of their products to make this page!  It's just a mix of random things I found on my table & kept adding.  It really is how I like creating the best... by mixing different manufacturer's lines together! 

Of course, I'm still intending to make a mini book about my trip to CHA, but when given the newest challenge at These Are A Few of My Favorite Things, I decided to make a page about CHA where ALL the manufacturers hang out!  Check out the blog for a peek at the prize up for grabs this time.  Michelle Baca, on our team, has started her own company making her own 12x12 display frames & she is sending one to the winner of this challenge!  I purchased one the other day & I LOVE it!  You can find them here!  And as for the challenge... clearly I'm not alone when it comes to trying to choose just one favorite.  Most of us said, "we love them ALL!" 

Dance Club started today, so Bryn was at school at 8am.  Long day.  I'm off to Spin class!  My work-out schedule changed beginning last week when my Zumba class was switched from Monday to Thursday.  So now I'm doing Spin twice a week, instead of once.  It's a GREAT work-out so I guess it's all good, but I'd RATHER be starting my week off with Zumba...   

Happy Monday!

What is it about 100+ degree weather that makes me long for FALL?

Aside from the fact that the heat & humidity stinks... it might be all the new fall fashion hitting the stores right now.  Who wants to wear these, raise your hand?

And speaking of wish lists, here's some of my favorite things I spied at CHA...

SRM Stickers We've Got Your Sticker (love that they include brown & white sentiments)...

Nikki Sivils My Friend Birdie...

 

Basic Grey Wander (imagine me using a buildings paper other than my beloved Craft Fair... heehee!)

 

Crate Paper School Spirit...

... and the Crate Paper Snow Day line...

Bella Blvd Sunny Happy Skies...

... and Bella Blvd's Socialite...

My Minds Eye Alphabet Soup...

... and My Minds Eye Blackbird...

Prima's Road Trip...

Echo Park Life is Good...

October Afternoon's Modern Homemaker...

Cosmo Cricket's Togetherness (love that ledger paper)...

 

I liked some of the new Thickers fonts also...

Just a reminder that I have a LOT of baker's twine... like enough that Bryn's grandchildren will still have plenty to use.  Each package in my etsy store contains 10 yards of red + white twine for only $1.50.  I think if you check around, you'll find that it's a real bargain...

Stay COOL this weekend!

Coloring isn't just for kids...

The other day when I posted my photos from CHA, I mentioned that my friend Kathy (from the SRM Stickers team) brought her Penny Black stamps + Copic markers for us to use before dinner one night.  I was able to color in one cute little girl, but my Copic skills leave a lot to be desired.  None-the-less, I brought home my little girl & thought I may be able to use her somehow.  Before I took off for CHA, I had left a card in progress on my craft table using the new Blueberry Hill line from Nikki Sivils.  My intent was to use it as part of my upcoming day to post at the Nikki Sivils blog, but for some reason when I looked at it again, it just seemed like it needed this little girl on there...

My guess is that I'll be coloring my new Penny Black stamp with my colored pencils.  I know, I know... the Penny Black team is shuddering right now.  I just don't see myself investing in Copic markers... you need SO MANY of them!  Although... never say never.  Heehee.  Now if you'd like to see some mad talent with Copic markers + Penny Black stamps, you must check out Kathy's blog.  I guarantee it will be a blog you bookmark!  

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! 

A couple sneak peeks...

Photos of the HIP 2B SQUARE kit for July have been posted...

Looks like I'm going to be scrapping some 4th of July photos soon!  This is good since it took me a year to scrap last year's 4th of July photos!    

CHA has been such a memorable experience!  I had a lot of fun hanging out with friends I've made online, seeing all the new product (the convention center room is overwhelming... there's SO much to look at) and just being able to help represent Nikki Sivils and SRM Stickers! 

Will post all the photos from my trip tomorrow! 

CHA schedule...

Attending CHA this week?  If so... stop by & say hello to me!  Here's a schedule of where you can find me...

Tuesday:

• 3:00-4:00 - Make & Takes @ SRM Stickers booth #1131
• 7:00-9:00- Helping with a card class @ SRM Stickers

 

Wednesday:

• 11:00-12:00 - Make & Takes @ SRM Stickers booth #1131
• 1:00-2:00 - Make & Takes @ Nikki Sivils booth #647

Thursday:

• I'll be teaching Zumba in the SRM booth. 

(LOL!  Just kidding.  That was for Sarah, who told me she had a dream that she went to the SRM booth & saw me teaching Zumba there.  Can you imagine how freakin' funny that would be?  Ok, people, get up off your crafty butts!  It's time to exercise!  LOL! )

I'm also looking forward to having dinner with the SRM Stickers design team on Wednesday night & meeting my friend, Sarah, afterward! 

It's going to be a fast & furious trip, but I am SO excited to be attending my first CHA!  Planning to take lots of photos, meet lots of friends & see lots of new product!  Too bad you can't actually do any shopping there.  Darn.  

Sweet & girly... my favorite kind! (And how about a give-away?)

Now that you've seen all the new Quick Cards sets at the SRM Stickers blog, take a look at the new Sticker Sentiments sets shown yesterday & today!

I adore these Everyday Girl stickers.  They are so sweet & girly... perfect for making a page about Bryn!

Bryn let me use some more of her American Girl Doll paper pad...

It's a simple design, but it lets the stickers shine bright! 

I also made a card with the new Everyday Boy set.  I don't make many boy-themed pages around here, but I can ALWAYS use birthday cards for boys!

 
 
How about a chance to create with some of the new SRM Stickers?!  I'm giving away all the new Quick Cards sticker sets to one lucky winner (minus the Teacher set because curiously, I must've used all 3 of my sets to make 2 teacher cards... HUH?)...

Ok so... if you want the chance to win just leave a comment on this post & tell me something you're looking forward to... coming up soon or something in the distant future.  Become a new follower of my blog & your name will be entered TWICE!  I'll choose a winner on Sunday evening, so you have all weekend to comment! 

For me... I'm looking forward to CHA & meeting friends I've made online.  4 more days.. can NOT wait!  Now... what to wear, what to pack???   

Stickers galore!

Have you been following the SRM Stickers blog?  They've been posting sneaks of all the new sticker lines that have just recently hit the streets.  I've been making quite a few new cards with the Quick Cards sticker sets since I came home from Austria.  Here's just one of the cards I made recently.  The rest will be posted next week!

 

I LOVE the "Keep Calm & Carry On" band-aid!  I found a package, which included 4 different color band-aids, at Z Gallerie during our trip to Scottsdale last month.  I have that poster hanging in my craft room.  I think I need to read that poster more often... 

Check out this post on the SRM Stickers blog to see all of the Quick Cards sticker sets.  Can't find them in your store?  You can buy them online right here! 

I'll be back tomorrow with a new page I made with one of the new Sticker Sentiments sets!  So many NEW things from all the manufacturers!  Don't you just LOVE when it's CHA time?! 

5 more days & I'm there!  Trying to contain myself here...