CHA Winter 2014

I had the opportunity to attend CHA this year, thanks to my LSS friend. I hadn't been to CHA for four or five years so a lot has changed. There are fewer exhibitors and companies are going for smaller booths. There are fewer make-and-takes. There are more places to sit and rest (maybe that's because they needed to fill space). That said, there is still lots to see and oohh and ahh over. My forever favorites Jillibean Soup and Bella Blvd., and new favorites like Lawn Fawn are showing, but I didn't take any pics of their booths. You can see all their new collections at their websites.

What's hot? Pages, journaling cards, and embellishments for Project Life/Life Documented are hot. There are smaller pockets for Instagram photos and DIY to customize your pocket page cards (I thought the divided pages were supposed to make scrapbooking quick and easy). A surprise to me was how many companies are showing dies. I've never seen so many companies show dies and I know of several others who aren't showing). I remember when Sizzix was the first company to make a home die cutter and when Quickutz was $149 an alphabet, just upper or lower case, not both. Mixed media and art journaling are still popular. This means stencils are hot. Washi is still hot...everyone has added washi or paper tape to their product line. Lots of enamel dots. Not as many wood veneers (but still quite a bit) or chipboard. Nor cabachon flowers or shabby chic (thank goodness for me!). Cameras and stars are still popular themes. DIY is big, whether you're a scrapbooker or other crafter.

What did I see that excited me? First up, a small company from the UK, Photomate. (I always like highlighting new companies.) This is foldable display photobooth, perfect for photographing your creations. You use the stand as is or you can add a drape. It includes a storage case, about 15x15:

Here it is in action:

Estimated price is $30. I think this would be so much easier (and save space) compared to the posterboards I've been using. They're looking for a US distributor if you're interested. I'd rather buy one here than pay for shipping from the UK.

We R Memory Keepers is offering albums for your Instagram photos. Such a cute idea!

Here's a close-up of the album:

Simple Stories has added some must-haves. Photo overlays:

Photo flips (haven't I seen these from someone else before?), great for adding another photo or more journaling.

More pocket pages, includes lots of 2x2 slots.

And DIY pieces to make your own goodies to fill those pockets.

I enjoyed testing out the Cutter Pillar Pro trimmer and saw the Fiskars 12' x12'' Rotary Ruler Combo. They didn't have it there to try, but I was able to test the 6''x24'' version. Fiskars mean this for cutting fabric, but of course, we scrapbookers are all over it. Note that this requires a cutting pad to protect your table. I need a new trimmer and am still undecided.

My favorite new-to-me company is Little B. Their website does not do their products justice. They have great paper tape and washi tape and dies.

They also have nesting circles, scallops, squares, labels, hearts, stars (~$24); birthday, travel, party, baby themes (~$15), and these phrase collections ($25), and much more.

Look at these!!!! There's the nesting scallops on the right. But what I'm most excited about are the first two. The first is a magnetic storage folder (~$6). All their dies come in same folder, but I'd like to get a few for my other dies. That thing in the middle? That's their "Perfect Positioner" ~$4. It is a slightly sticky clear mat that you stick to your cutting pad. It holds your die(s) in place and has measurements/guidelines to help you align everything. This is high on my wishlist!

Little B had an adorable make-and-take, but I didn't take a picture of mine since I didn't finish it. I didn't sit down until almost 5:00 and it was lights out before I finished.

For more CHA photos, check out the Perfect Day Scrapbooking Facebook page. She can order (almost) anything you want and ships throughout the US.