Creating & Connecting with CHA in Las Vegas!

The show has officially began and the creating and connecting is underway!   I've met up with a lot of my creative peeps already, which is one of the best things about these events - getting to see and spend time with so many people who "GET IT" about our passion for creating!  Here are just a few - Margie Higuchi, Ken Oliver, Ann Butler, Wendy Crafts, Eileen Hull, Jonathan Fong, Lisa Fulmer, Joe Rotella, Jen Cushman, Donna Salazar...... and more to come!!! 

 

Joe Rotella and I went head to head in the Charity Wings Mystery Box Challenge with Elena Lai Etcheverry  and had a blast with lots of laughs (Dumpster Diving Rocks - right Joe!?) 

 

Today I'm in the Trim-A-Rim booth sharing this fun new product with attendees!   Tomorrow I'll be at the KellyCraft booth - an amazing tool and some amazing new stamps to share too!!   Lots more of what caught my eye in new products coming soon!  

More Things that Caught My Eye at CHA Winter 2012

A wall of boldly colored
metallic florals

FloraCraft's message
 made me smile

Although my time exploring the showroom floor was limited due to demonstrations in booths, teaching classes, and taping with WCK - I did spot what I would say were a few trends to share.    Bold, bright colors seem to be back.   The vintage tones and grunge/steampunk themes are still popular, but I noticed pops of vibrancy in almost every isle of the showroom floor.  

A fun set of working faux
doors made from canvas - and there's
that bold color splash front and center again

"Holy Giant Purple Die-Cut Flowers Batman!"
Now THAT's a bold archway

Rose Meyer's hanging display had bold
colors, metallic shimmer, and an interesting
combination of elements -
 unique and eye-catching


Antiquity Mosaics had a pop of color
nestled amongst their earthy offerings.

Beach Bloomers Banners - a fun frilly booth definitely
different than most of the booths!

Banners are also in - punches, die cuts, patterned papers, home decor projects - banners are big this seasonBanners are also in - punches, die cuts, patterned papers, home decor projects - banners are big this season

Mixed-media dresses are still showing up all over the showroom floor - paper dresses, flower dresses, duck tape dresses and a tux, wire dresses, dresses made from sparkling crystals, fashion made from unexpected items is still a trend when it comes to eye-catching displays. 

DCWV won first prize for Displaying with Excellence -
 their booth featured multiple versions of amazing trees and
 birds crafted from colorful shimmering materials - all were gorgeous!

Birds are still in the forefront too - but I noticed more of them being displayed in bolder brighter hues - and peacocks were definitely popping up in patterned papers, displays, fabric, embellishments and more.

Bold colors, dimensional elements,
and a peacock feather

In Saturday's post, I shared my observation that the Eiffel Tower seems to be popping up EVERYWHERE - check out some examples here: http://www.fatcatcreations.blogspot.com/2012/02/travel-as-trend-winter-cha-observation.html

Overall, I thought the booth displays showed even more variety and imaginative ideas than I’ve seen at past shows.   For additional glimpses from the CHA show follow the Designer Craft Blog Connection link to the right - and visit Julie McGuffee's blog at www.juliemcguffee.blogspot.com to find out about this month's great prize giveaway.