Where, Oh Where Has Madeline Been?

I feel like I could be living through a "Where's Waldo" book all these past weeks.  The last post I wrote was on July 3rd. It was good to take a break, but now it's time once again to get back on track.  Let me do a little catching up...

Just after the last post, I was busy working on several projects that I created for Beacon Adhesives, to be used in their booth display during the Summer CHA show.  Though the show was smaller then past summer shows, I still enjoyed attending two days.  Just  having a chance to reconnect with some follow designers, meet others face to face, check out some new products and have some fun with "make & takes" too, was a very welcome  way to spend my days.

Cover paper mache suitcase

Hnadmade paper rolls with leaf embellishments

Repurposed burlap bag

Next came a trip to California for a week.  Spent a week visiting Sacramento and Folsom, where three of my nieces live, along with dad and mom (my older brother and sister-in-law).  Had lots of fun there with everyone.  Celebrated the 50th birthday of one of the girls.  They know how to throw a party!  Took a trip to Napa Valley and visited an amazing winery with a personal tour and tasting for just six of us.  Wonderful, expensive wines, but so much fun!  Had the opportunity to spend time with each one of the girls and their families and can't say enough about how much I really enjoyed that.  This was my first trip to this part of California and would love to go back.  Next stop - San Francisco (hopefully)!

At "Far Niente" Vineyard

Old Folsom

Old Sacramento

I realized that I'm sure didn't enjoy the traveling part of this trip as much as I used to.  It's been awhile since I have had to deal with the crazy procedures at an airport.  It was a pleasure to return home after a 5 hour delay.  Felt very sorry for the 40 people that missed connecting flights that day.  What happened to the "friendly skies"?

Then there were two days to recover, regroup and repack.  On August 3rd, I was off again.  This time I was headed to the Wisconsin northwoods for week with the kids at Camp Nawakwa.  This is the place where the family has spent a week or two for over 40 years.  It was a different experience this summer.  It was our first without my sweetheart Michael. He all felt he was there with us.  Though the time there was bittersweet, I truly enjoyed sitting back and watching the next generation that gathered there, with their own children and all the fun and chaos that camp can be!

Maddie, Zoe, Tess

Matthew 

Eight Cousins out of Twenty

Off-spring of just the 8

I know that I have left out many details of all the transpired during all those happenings, but just wanted to touch on what has been happening. So, I'm back home now and working on catching up and getting organized to get back to work on a variety of things and that means more blog posts.

Designer Craft Connection-February - CHA & Pinterest

Last week many designers who are part of this group attended the CHA trade show in Anaheim, California.  This particular show takes place twice a year.  The winter show (the larger one) is usually in Anaheim and the summer show (some what smaller) is in the midwest, at the convention center in Rosemont, Illinois.

I have been unable to attend the winter show for a few years now, so I rely on those who I know that were able to attend to share what they saw and what they think.

Many of the designers are sharing "pins" on a group pinboard to give some ideas of what they saw or did at the show.  Comments and photos are still being shared since they all returned from the show.  There is nothing like being there and seeing all the wonderful new ideas the industry has to offer.  My hope is that the stores chose some wonderful new products to share with the consumers.  It's always amazed me how many things shown at the show never make it to the consumer or only a limited amount of new products get into the consumers hands.  It's kind of a shame!

Of course as always the papers that come out at each show are truly amazing.  A few of my "favs" are Graphic 45, Cosmo Cricket, and DCWV.  This is only three of the many wonderful companies that design papers.  I do very limited "scrap booking", I still do a variety of paper crafting, so I'm always looking at papers that can be used in very different ways then scrap booking.

The designs for new "dies" are always something I have a huge interest in.  So many wonderful dies are available from a variety of manufacturers.  The nice thing is that they are making many of them compatible with the various systems.  Smart move for the consumer!  My favorites are by Sizzix and Spellbinders.

Spellbinders

I noticed how knitting and crocheting are continuing to interest more and more people.  So happy to see this.  Though quilting will always remain popular I feel, but this show doesn't deal with this medium as much as Quilt Market show in the fall down in Houston or the spring show that is in various parts of the country each year.  I get the feeling that sewing is making a come back ever so slightly.

Of course the "Do-it-yourself" genre is going strong and the "eco-friendly" ideas are catching on and I just love that.

Ranger

Another company that I love is Ranger.  Their products are can be used by more then the "stampers" out there and for more than just paper. There are so  many other companies that make some amazing products for the creative people out there and way too many to share.

I can't go on with this post without mentioning PINTEREST.  I realize it's been out there  for a while now, but I was unable to see what this was all about because of what was going on around me last year.  Heard other designer friends talking about and didn't give it much thought.  I also wondered what and how can it would do for me to become interested in this.  Well anyone who has checked it out will probably say - "they are hooked"!  I have folders in my file cabinet with ideas of several topics, that I have saved, dating back many, many years.  Each time I get a "brainstorm", I go to those files and search for various things.  It's very time consuming.  Pinterest has put numerous ideas at my fingertips.  Love it!!!

So just after I discovered it I shared it with my daughter, daughter-in-law, other son's girlfriend, some relatives and friends - yes, they are all hooked.  We discuss ideas we have seen and shared.  Even the guys are interested in several topics.   If for some reason you haven't seen or heard of it here's a link to my Pinboards: http://pinterest.com/mjagrammie/