CHA (Craft & Hobby Assoc) Mega Trade Show - Winter 2016 (Part 1)

What can I say about this annual event? It's exciting, fun and exhausting! LOL! I have been fortunate to attend for several years and it never gets old.

On Friday, January 8th, flying out to Orange County (CA) Airport took forever as my plane didn't show up until 40 mins later! Weather in Chicago was perfect - figures! HA! But lucky me, hubby gave me a pass to the United Lounge = SCORE!

When I finally got to the Anaheim Convention Center, I rushed up to Girlie Grunge Mixed Media Canvas Class by Donna Salazar with Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L®. It was so nice to see everyone creating a wonderful project. Donna is an amazing artist - LOVE HER!!

Afterwards, there was the CHA Mega Block Party outside which was a bit chilly for LA but still a lot of fun and caught up with industry friends! Finally was able to hang out with my roomie :)

The next day (1/9) was the first day of CHA! But first we got our vitamin C fizzy drinks ON to start the day - CHEERS :)

We made it! Excited to see everyONE and everyTHING! Can't believe how big this sign is - LOL!!

This is my wonderful roommate, Betsy Burnett, who has put up with me for three years - LOVE HER!! She gets me! LOL!! She also has a HUGE HEART coming here to bring awareness to her cause and passion - Operation Christmas Child (#CrazyShoeBoxLady). I admire and respect her for all she is doing and for the Craft Industry that has embraced her with support! LOVE this industry!! GO BETSY!

I walked the floor to see every thing but was so overwhelmed with product and talking to friends. Didn't take much pictures. BUT here are some fun pictures - you may recognize my crazy friends (Top: Susan Opel, Middle: Susan Opel & Julie Comstock, Bottom: HeeSun Kim & Eun Young both from S. Korea)! HA!

This booth - Lion Brand Yarn had the most striking booth. I literally stopped in my tracks to take a look at the detailed knit work. They won the Critics' Choice Booth Award - just amazing! It is awarded to one exhibitor that best represents the creative spirit of the industry. What do you think?

I was invited by Offray to try their newest tool called the Bow Genius™, a bow making tool. It was nominated CHA 2016 Hot Product Award for the General Craft and Floral Craft Categories. So I went to the scheduled make 'n take to create a Pomander project and had SO MUCH FUN!! I hope to do a review about this tool in the very near future :)

After meeting up with Betsy, she and I went back to the hotel to put our feet up to talk about the day (we went our separate ways most of the time) and got ready for Prime/FaveCraft Bloggers Network Event at the Hilton. Great to see friends and meet new ones!

Wonderful conversations with manufacturers who want to work with bloggers on how to get brand awareness out to the market place. LOVE talking about marketing - I am in my element. Thanks to the hard working crew at Prime Publishing/FaveCraft!!

So that concludes Education Day and Day One of CHA! Stay tuned for more - coming SOON!

Thanks for visiting :)
MargieH