Reflection After A Week

You know, despite going back to work after CHA, this week has been completely relaxing. The kiddo was with Grandpa and Grandma for the rest of this past week. Of course, now he is home and the hubster is back to work and here I am, back at scrapping.

So what did we do?

We took full advantage of this short time by reliving our days when we could come and go as we please. We had date nights. A movie. Supper alone. We just decided to do things together on a whim, and it just feels nostalgic you know, even a little bittersweet.

But I did miss our little nuthead and glad he is back home.

I spoke to him on Monday night when I got home and after he greeted me, he said, "Mom, I am having a really good time at Grandpa and Grandma's, but I miss you."

Such a sweetheart, my little man.

So with all that, I just vegged this week. Didn't email. Didn't scrap. If I haven't returned a message of dropped you a line this week, that is why. I just needed a small breather and had to seize the time alone with my guy. (wink, wink)

Before I say anything else, I want to extend a big CONGRATULATIONS to my dear friend Anam Stubbington and family for the arrival of baby, Lily Mae! I cannot wait to see her, she is a beautiful baby. I think she takes after her cutie patootie big sister!

And I know I am late in doing so, but I also wanted to say a big CONGRATULATIONS to my friend Leica Forrest and family as well for their new arrival Ireland! Another little beauty!

I swear, it is like a baby bonanza around the scrappy world. Good on you girls.

And.....I did reflect on CHA and this morning, I got back to some scrapping.

I must say that one of my favorite booths at the show was tucked back in a corner, but it was some of the most interesting paper designs I found. This company only started a few months ago, but they are starting to create some buzz and I can see why!

The Black Market Paper Society. I love their stuff and I wish them well. I got my hands on some of their paper and in honor, I did a page with it. I wish them much success!


I mixed it up with a little old school Hambly, some American Crafts Thickers and of course a dash of Prima.

Also, the last little bit, I have been playing with my friends Trisha Ladouceur and Michelle Van Etten's creations, the Prima Build A Books. I am trying out some phunk-ay techniques with them.

And in fact, before I show you my album and some fun things to do with them, I need you to take a special note of the page I just showed you. I actually used one of their vintage scalloped pages on my page. They just aren't for mini albums!

So, what else can you do with them? Of course you know that they are great for layering. But I am talking about more than just paper and embellishments. It is time to pull out your inks, paints and other stuff. Let's show you how I got my hands a little dirty!

Here's the cover that I created for my mini album. I used a scalloped circle and layered various embellishments.



I layered my paper and embellishments both in front and behind the acrylic. But my next page is a little more interesting....


So how did I get those funky aqua dots on my page? First, I randomly dabbed Ranger's Adirondak Acrylic Paint Daubers in Aqua on top of the page. Once dry, drew a white line aound the paint with a white paint pen.

Next, I covered the dots with Ranger Glossy Accents and let it dry. Lastly, I lightly accented the circles with some Ranger Stickles. To cover up my handy work on the back side, I simply covered it with double sided patterned paper.
I also painted a fun border on my page using acrylic paint and a white paint pen. I simply painted my border in black paint, and once dry, I drew the white with a paint pen.

Also, notice that I used some Ranger Stickles to one of the tabs.

See, lots of fun to be had with the Build A Books!

It's SHOWTIME!!!!!! The Details, the Whole Details and Nothing But the Details.

Prepare for a long post folks, but it will be worth it.....


Here we are! I made it, I made it! It was quite the journey to get here, but I made it safe and sound. I had some delays and a mad dash for customs, only to be delayed again, but it was well worth it to get here.

What a fabulous show. It has been a long two days, but not without a lot of excitement and good times.

As of this post, I am taking a rest in my hotel room, watching the airplanes fly overhead as I try to catchup with some posting and emails.

I came along with the gals and Gordon at Treasured Memories. I have to give them a HUGE THANK YOU for letting me tag along and watch them in action. They really went all out and purchased some really, really fun products for the store.

Here is one of my partners in crime, Juli Cragg. Let me tell you, that girl was hi-lar-i-ous! This was Juli's first show and she was like a kid in a candy store, and why the heck not? I think that watching her excitement really made the trip.

I think to sum her excitement up the best is to use math. Here is the formula:

Juli x American Crafts + Celine Navarro + new Coach shoes = one heckuva excited girl

And make sure you visit Juli's blog because I know she's posting a TON of product pictures.

And speaking of Celine......

I was thrilled to meet her! I hope to meet here again because that girl has got it going on! Seriously. She is one mover and shaker in the European scrapping scene. I am excited for her because she is launching her own scrapbook magazine that is available in Europe called {entreARTistes} magazine. It looks fabulous and let's face it, there is a plethora of utter talent in that part of the world so I am thinking it may be something that I need to try to be getting my mitts on.

And the make n takes. One word. Fun. When we got to do them, that is. Seriously, there was almost always a line every freaking place we went. But there were some really great projects muck around with.


See? Told you. Look at that Kelly Goree in action at the Basic Grey booth! That girl did. not. stop. I did get to briefly chat with her, which was so nice because I had not seen her since she taught at Scrapbooking Crop for Kids. However, it had to be short only difference is that she was the gal that was non-stop busy.
And watching demos! I was having a good ol' time watching some of the top names in scrapbooking and paper arts, just work their magic. I managed to catch Ali Edwards showing off some fun things to do with acrylic and alcohol inks.

I also had fun and got inspired watching:
* Tim Holtz - I swear I learn more from watching that guy for ten minutes than a whole night of mucking around myself.
* Claudine Hellmuth - that girl has a fun new product line coming out. I am seriously loving the self-adhering canvas paper and some new acrylics that are unlike anything else that I have used (I did the make n take too)
* Suze Weinberg - the woman works UTEE like nobody's business. 'Nuf said. Go click the link.



And seriously now. Like I am not gonna mention Prima? Pshaw! Of course! Loved going to visit everyone at the booth and put face to names. I'll break it down into three statements:

1. The booth was gorgeous.
2. The products far succeeded the booth in gorgeousness
and
3. The staff is a HOOT!

Saturday night a whole gaggle of us gathered together to for a big ol' pizza at the famous Gino's East.

Chantal's husband Gordon double-fisting the Coronas. Mmmm.........beer and pizza.


KC and Chantal relaxing after a hard day of walking the floor.

And kicking back with the girls at Canadian Scrapbooker! Left to right: Jackie Ludlage, Kathy Thompson -Laffoley, Heather Starosielski, Connie Nichol and Katharina Doyle.

Alrighty, that is about the size of it all. I am so sad it is done. But now, I have to prepare for my flight tomorrow by making sure that all my liquids and gels are placed in their proper packaging. Ugh.

Another Prima Sneek Peek and a talk About Retail Friendly Hybrid!

Told you, more sneeks! I had fun playing with the new Christmas Fancy Collection from Prima!
I love the papers, but there is something more exciting it too. Well, not just the Christmas line.....


....but also the Pulse Collection I used on my last sneek project.

Prima is launching what is introducing what is called RTH or "Retail Friendly Hybrid". They have created CD's that have coordinating digital paper and embellishments that have been specially designed to coordinate with their traditional products.


This concept allows you to work with both the physical and digital products to create the customized look of digital, but create a layered look that only the traditional can achieve. It makes hybrid scrapping so much easier!

If you are going to CHA, go visit the Prima booth #1443 for a RTH make n' take.

And as for my own CHA preparations, I decided it was high time that I "de-frump-a-fied" and got a new, funkay hairdo. I've had it for about a week now and I love it and it has got some rave reviews.

It's not the best quality pic but say hello to the new me!


Have a great day!

Furious Preparations!

Here in Alberta, the rain has been a-pouring and it has kept me inside. I suppose I can't really complain because I have been busy preparing for the upcoming CHA Summer show in Chicago.

I have been busy making up some samples and such and trying to make sure that I have everything that I need. I can't wait!

And this is what I have been up to lately that has kept my nose to the grindstone!
One of my projects dropped today on the Prima blog and I am completely excited to show you.

Get ready for the "Pulse" Collection! Fun bright and very urban cool.


There will be a lot more where that came from. And keep checking my blog in coming weeks for CHA pictures and some more projects with the new releases.

Uh, yes. I am still alive. Just coming up for air.....

Sorry I haven't been around lately. I am furiously scrapping some fun and exciting things!

I'm not kidding.

Stay tuned and I'll be back in a few days. No, really. I promise. hee hee