One of the fun things at the CHA show was Kathy, the Crafty Chica's cutout. We all took turns having our picture taken and it was a hit throughout both the supershow and tradeshow. Kathy was autographing her books, so exciting for her with the release of her new novel Waking Up in the Land of Glitter. Anything is possible and she makes it happen! The photo op gave me a chance to sport a tattoo, the only one I will ever have!

The Make &Takes were lined up and dear friend Candie Cooper was sporting an awesome Tee and demoing Plaid's Simply Screen stencils and paint. The line there was constant and long!

Trying out new products is always fun as well as being fundamental to my career as a designer. Keeping up with what is new and incorporating it into my work in my style makes for some very interesting results! We played with Cloud Clay from Amaco, a very strong, pliable air dry clay. Marie Browning and I made Zebra Unicorns instructed by the very talented clay artist Michelle Zimmerman.

Yesterday I tweeted about decluttering which resonated with several people. This time of year in mid winter lends itself to the task of clearing away unneeded or unused items. It can seem a daunting task yet like everything when feeling overwhelmed break it into manageable steps. It does really work, a drawer or shelf, a box at a time means an entire room done before you know it. Life is busy, stuff happens and stuff collects, it is a fact for all of us. Attach no emotion to it other than the sense of accomplishment and enjoyment when each step is done. Clearing space allows for a new opportunity to come into your life.
Always follow the JOY! Debra. CEO!

Back from the CHA show (Craft & Hobby Association) in Anaheim! It was a busy week beginning with the two day consumer Craft Supershow. The highlight of the consumer show was the Inspired at Home PJ party Friday evening. I felt like Vanna White as I got to carry Tiffany Windsor's laptop around while she and Maria Nerius broadcast to the Facebook fans. The 100 participants in the PJ party had so much fun crafting and winning all kinds of door prizes. Each table got to try a different craft from sponsors such as Walnut Hollow, Beacon and Plaid. Aleene was there as well with her daughters Tiffany and Heidi, it was a great evening and Tiffany made all of the volunteers a beautiful momento necklace. She is such a lovely person and I thoroughly enjoyed the event and the creative energy was sparked with fluffy robes and a variety of bunny, turtle and monster slippers!

The tradeshow opened on Sunday with the bagpipers which always begins the show with an exciting energy.

Carla Schauer and I exhibited in the L&D (License and Design) section of the tradeshow. Her Dad built amazing folding shelves which were perfect for the booth and I added the fabric accents. The majority of the exhibitors in this section have flat art but there were several designers exhibiting as well. It is an opportunity to meet with Art Directors flown in from the gift and home decor industries and manufacturers at the show usually visit this section on the last day of the show.

The L&D section grew this year but the show itself was smaller due to the effects of the economy. The Craft Supershow before the tradeshow with the thousands of consumers who did attend showed though the enthusiasm that people have for crafting. Creativity is now well established as being instrumental for our health and well being. Celebrate Creativity! More from the show this week!

Always Follow the JOY! Debra Quartermain, CEO!  

CHA Tradeshow!
License & Design #2639

I am off to the show! Never feeling prepared and there is always so much undone plus last minute emergencies but it happens to us all. Looking at what is done though, feels good! Excitement is starting to build, flight leaves in four hours so this Cinderella better finish packing and get ready! The Eternal Optimist is ready and thanks to my daughter's very talented photographer boyfriend Dylan Buell I have some brand new photos, about time! Been five years since an update so wish me luck on that star up there or cross a finger or two! Always Follow the JOY! Debra CEO!

The CHA Craft Supershow is only a week away! It is going to be a two day consumer show followed by the CHA, Craft & Hobby Tradeshow. Fran  Freda are busy packing, thought I noticed a couple of boas and bikinis! Working chick attire apparently!

At the show!

Jan 22 Inspired at Home Craft PJ Party  7-9pm

Jan 24-27 Exhibiting L&D, License & Design Section Booth #2639 with the talented Carla Schauer.

24-27 CHA Designer Global Gallery Display 30 Designers create designs inspired by 30 CHA member countries!
 
24-27 Demos at Homearts Booth

24 Sunday Designer Showcase 12-5pm, Room 303 open to Editors, Publishers and Manufacturers, Meet & Greet 5-7pm

25-26 Monday, Tuesday  F+W booth #4228, 11:30-12:30, Sweatshirt Remix book demo

I am busily preparing new designs, display pieces for the show. Getting excited to go and reconnect with everyone, to be part of the creative excitement and energy!

Follow the JOY! Debra, CEO!

The New Year has arrived! In two weeks it is off to CHA, the Craft and Hobby Association tradeshow in Anaheim! This is the big international show of the year with a two day consumer Craft Supershow first followed by a four day tradeshow. Like so many of my designer and industry friends the show is a marathon schedule for us all! It is wonderful and exciting to reconnect with everyone and to see all the new product and tools! I am also brilliantly trying to mask sheer panic at this point while finishing deadlines before the show. This would also explain why I am writing my blog at 2am.

At the show!
Jan 24-27 Exhibiting L&D, License & Design Section Booth #2639 with the talented Carla Schauer.
24-27 CHA Designer Global Gallery Display
24-27 Demos at Homearts Booth
24 Sunday Designer Showcase 12-5, Room 303 open to Editors, Publishers and Manufacturers
25-26 Monday, Tuesday  F+W booth #4228, 11:30-12:30, Sweatshirt Remix book demo.

In the February issue of Crafts 'n Things magazine a black and white tunic is featured from my book Sweatshirt Remix along with a couple cute bird designs I did. Here I am at fall Quilt Market wearing the tunic shown in the current magazine issue.

So will I finish everything on my lists, no because life has a way of reminding us always that it does not stop for big events like CHA. There are still kids to be fed and hugged, the dust can build, the laundry too (a mountain of laundry literally!) but the important moments, the people we love are there to remind us always what truly matters in life! Follow the JOY always! Debra, CEO!

The CHA (Craft & Hobby Association) tradeshow is held in Anaheim the end of January. It is where the crafting world truly comes together. There are members from more than thirty countries. I belong to the Designer section of the membership and yesterday was announced the new Designer Display for the show. Along with the show's marketing staff, another fellow designer Candice Windham we are organizing the display. The show's theme is International and the response to the CHA Designer Global Display has been overwhelming. Thirty designers will create a design based on thirty countries, all who are members of CHA. Each designer will take their inspiration from the crafts of their individually chosen country. These will be showcased in a glass case on the show floor.

Last year the same format with an Eco Friendly theme resulted in designers acquiring, magazine articles, book deals and other opportunities from their one design in the Gallery. Quality prevails always, one great design says it all!

Quality in all things especially life, take a breath and reflect on the day ahead. Is there quality in it or has quantity, too much to do overshadowed the quality of your work, your time, your well being. Value yourself today, take time to relax and return to work rejuvenated. You are so worth it! Follow the JOY! Debra, CEO!

Back from the CHA show! Well I ran into technical glitches and so could not post from show. Fran & Freda were not impressed, impatient and impervious those two are but the fowl duo had a blast at the show. We had three plane delays on the way down due to weather, they complained the whole time and of course were annoyed with what the Orlando humidity did to their feathery dos! Next time they get their own room, they both snore, hog the mirror and eat toothpaste. I was lucky to be sharing a room with the ever so sweet and patient Vicki Schreiner, HER Bazooples gang are well mannered and quiet. Gertrude giraffe even sat on Vicki's shoulder for a picture in the Expo booth. Check out my CHA coverage . Fran & Freda got to hang out one night with the famous ducks at the Peabody Hotel next door and the divine Ms. Margot Potter sat down with them for an interview up later this week.

Thank you to everyone associated with the CHA show, the Board, the staff, it was well run and although small in size was full of energy, activity and inspiration. Our Designer Section is the most active member section and it is due to the involvement of our members. I shared a room with Vicki Schreiner, the current Chair and she was gone early and late every day to meetings. So thank you to Vicki and everyone involved!

The nicest people are a part of the industry and I got to meet even more this trip. Mark Montano came by the booth, stopped to chat with Margot and me and posed for a pic! I had lots of fun manning the Homearts booth!