I can’t believe CHA has come and gone. It is amazing how fast it goes by… just one big fabulous blur. It was great getting to see old friends and make some new ones. The internet is a wonderful thing as I will be able to keep in touch with people I met people from all over the world. While doing make-n-takes in the Maya Road booth…. nearly 500 in 3.5 days I met people from New Zealand, Paris, Germany, Australia, Japan and all over the USA.

I was so happy when Beth Williams Executive Editor of Memory Makers Magazine and GinaMarie Reda Assistant Editor of Memory Makers Magazine came by Maya Road to say hi. It was great getting to chat with them for a bit and actually put a person with their emails. Staci Ethridge and Tracy Austin two MMM ‘08 came by to say hi too. They are just as sweet as ever. I was so busy doing make-n-takes that I didn’t get a chance to really chat but just being able to saying hi in person was great. I got to chat with Tracie Radtke while she was doing her make-n-take at the F & W Publishing booth. We even planned a fun post for the MMM blog so be on the lookout for that one. While talking to Tracie I got to meet Katrina Simeck MMM ‘07. Talk about super sweet and a pleasure to meet. I ran into Christine Doyle, Editorial Director of Memory Makers Books and got to have a fun and exciting chat with her. As I was coming back from lunch I ran into Greta Hammond MMM ‘08, Vicki Boutin, the Queen of Foof herself Teresa McFayden and the super sweet Jenni Bowlin as you can see at every turn there were people to meet, chat with and get to know better. It is so fun to be around all these people with the same hobby.

I got to visit with Tricia and helped her pick out some fun things for future Cocoa Daisy Kits. I got to meet Ali Edwards rather quickly while she and Tricia were walking the floors and I was doing make-n-takes. Some of my ScrapGal friends stopped by to say hi… it is always so fun seeing Celeste Smith. She just quietly stands in line for make-n-takes and when I look up I am always so surprised to see her. I got to talk to Dina Wakley for awhile and meet Amie Farkas.

The one part of CHA that is not fun is all the stealing. It amazes me as to how much product and displays people will steal right out from under your nose. I had 2.5 projects stolen. Thankfully, Caroline caught one person and was able to get back the cover to my bird coaster album. I created it about my daughter and her friend. Of all the items taken this would have been the hardest one to recreate.

So if you happen to see these two projects floating around they are mine and I would love to have them back. No questions asked. Most likely I will never see them again. But I do find it amusing that the owl card is in the Maya Road catalog and would love to know how someone will explain that one as being their own. Kinda funny I think. I don’t know how people live with themselves knowing they took something that does not belong to them and will be missed by the designer.

I will post all about some of the new products that will be must haves for me tomorrow. Some really nice products will be hitting the stores soon.

I love the day before leaving for CHA…. all the stress of checking lists, washing clothes, packing, checking lists again trying to make sure you don’t forget anything etc… just love it! Actually I feed off of it, kinda strange but I do. I hope I get to meet some of my new online friends and look forward to seeing those that I have chatted with for several years. It is so nice getting to see everyone twice a year.

I will be helping with make-n-takes so please come by Maya Road’s booth #1987. We will be using products from our Chipboard Crown Album, Heart Coaster Album, ATC’s, Blossoms, Postcard Stamp, Crushed Velvet Ribbons and Scallop Ric Rac. Our make-n-takes have been sponsored by some very nice companies… Luxe, Ranger, Art Glitter and Beacon.

Here is the design team canvas I created for the designers wall that will be in Maya Road’s booth. I cannot wait to see what all the designers created. It is so fun seeing all the different styles using many of the same products.

On my canvas I used some of Maya Road’s new Jewel Ribbon Flowers, Scrolls, Buttons and Stamps from a previous release. The quote reads: Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up. Pablo Picasso

I have my “Sweet Sentiments Box” tutorial listed for those of you that are interested in creating this for a loved one. It is a really pretty project and I am sure it that will be cherished for years to come by its recipient.

Okay on to Sneak Peek #4

I LOVE the new Maya Road Bird Coaster Books… these little darlings have so much creative potential. They are a smaller version of the Bird Coaster Book that was released during this past CHA-S. I loved creating their fancy wings with the new Scrolls from the Scrolls II Collection. The Velvet Sparkle and Jewel Ribbon Blossoms are a wonderful accent as well as their new buttons and Heart and Butterflies Charms.

5 Fanciful birds have been removed for publication.

I can’t believe I only have two more days of sneak peeks until I head off to CHA. Please stop by the Maya Road booth (#1987) so you can see all these great new products in person. They are jaw dropping.

DH Alan uploaded a new Valentine tutorial of the “Secret Sentiment Box” shown below. This new downloadable tutorial includes a complete list of supplies and tools needed as well as step-by-step instructions and color photos.

When the lid is removed by it’s recipient they will discover a sweet Valentine sentiment but as you know that’s a secret. If you do not have the exact items listed in the supply list that’s okay as this project can easily be altered to include the use of supplies you have on hand.

This project does not only have to be given as a gift for Valentine’s Day, it could also be given as a gift for “Mother’s Day”, a “Birthday”, “Just Because” or “Thinking of You”.

This project was created using Maya Road’s new Mailbox. It measures 4.5″x 4″ x 7″ and comes with the cute postage stamp chain book that measures 3.75″ x 5.75″. My theme is Special Delivery and has photos of my new niece Isabella Kate. Their are so many themes for this little cutie.

And the winner of the Maya Road RAK is….. Patti Church! Congratulations Patti, please email me your snail mail address and I will get your RAK sent out to you.