CHA favorite projects part 1

I love looking at the products and meeting friends at CHA, but a particular pleasure is looking at all the projects and idea sparks at the show. CHA is one big idea book.

I thought I would post my faves here today, but as I went through my pictures, I swiftly realized this would take 3 posts.

Here's my first faves in no particular order (maybe alphabetical in my photo file):

This is a page in the yellow, I think, Smash book. It gave me an idea for a page about my two boys, heh, heh, heh.


Amy Tan's line itself is an idea book, but the projects in the AC booth were so exciting. Click on the picture to see the projects closer. (I have closer images. If you'd like me to post them later this weekend, I will--just let me know).


I liked the Halloween line from Authentique. These quotations were especially inspiring, especially the one on the right about costumes.

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer is pairing with Crafter's Workshop to create some awesome misting masks. Here's how she used them on a dress, which won an award at the show.

Canvas Home Basics had lots of cool projects in their booth, and this was inspired: they stacked empty frames to create this two-bin box. It looked so real, someone tried to open a drawer--and pulled off the knob! Oops.

If I had to pick a most inspiring booth, it would have to be Bella Blvd. I got SO many ideas from so many of their posted products. Here are a few:

The white board on top with a daily schedule? I'm making one.


These two Christmas LOs are exciting design wise. The one on the left has a dimensional scallop on the tree. And I love the way the one on the right has small photos on top, a big swath of patterned paper on the bottom, and some elements right and left for balance.

I have many colored markers, but I've never thought of using them to emphasize important words in my hand journaling. Now I will.


If you've been to my blog before, you know I like paint, mist ink, but in a restrained manner. This LO gives me ideas for how to do that. LOVE.

This was maybe my favorite LO in the whole show. The background sports quote paper, the tone on tone big scallops that reflect water, the white title, the amazing photo, the banner. Perfection.

The last three projects are by the same artist, Katherine McElvaine. You can see the LOs much better on her blog. Go and make her a favorite.


EK Success had great samples. This display was gorgeous. The hot cocoa was felt.


I was so impressed with the chalkboard elements on this display, but it was just black paper with chalk writing! Inspired.

Martha Stewart flowers made with cupcake holders. Terrific.



I love the white space and the circles on this Crate Paper LO.


Another Crate LO with circles and white space.


DCWV rocked the last show with the paper dresses. This time there was a homey Chritsmas mantle made almost entirely of paper. The logs are paper rolls, the stockings are paper, and the deer is a die cut wood head covered in paper. Amazing.

Back tomorrow with more great inspiration.