My trip to CHA.....

Wow it sure has been a long time since I have added anything to my blog! Life has just been life. I have been keeping very busy with my family.  I have a list of things that I would like to do one day. I am sure we all have one of those lists. For me one thing that I have wanted to do for a very long time was to attend the CHA Convention. For those of you that don't know what that is I will explain. CHA stands for Craft and Hobby Association. They hold 2 shows a year, one in the Winter and one in the Summer. It is a Convention for business owners. The purpose of the convention is to show all of the business owners each companies new merchandise. They have it all laid out there for you to see. This is when most business owners place their orders for the new merchandise. In order to attend this convention you must be a business owner or as in my case, know a business owner who is just AWESOME enough to invite you. My friend Judy is an awesome lady. She owns a company called Scrapyard 329. I met Judy several years ago at a Scrapbook Expo. I have worked for her for a few years now during the shows in my area. I love it. I love her! During the summer we were at a show and she asked me if I would be interested in coming with her to CHA. Well she didn't have to ask me twice. I was so excited. The convention was held in January in Anaheim. Not only was I going to get to do something that has been on my "Dream List" for so long but I was also actually going to have some down time to spend in Disneyland. Those of you that know me know that I am ALWAYS on a countdown for my next trip to Disneyland! 

I was lucky enough to get a great rate at a Disney Hotel. I got on a plane for the first time in 10 years and I was off on my adventure. I was so excited. I had so much to look forward too. What would it be like? What would these vendors be bringing that would have me just chomping at the bit for? The venue was huge! I couldn't believe the size of this sign that greeted people attending the show!

My favorite Artist/ Designer on the face of the planet is Tim Holtz! This man is AMAZING! It has long been a dream of mine to meet him in person. He was going to be at the show demonstrating some of his newest products. Let me just say the products that he has coming out this Spring are awesome! His second book A Compendium of Curiosities Volume II debuted at the show. I simply can't wait for it to hit the shelves. 

Here is a beautiful Burlap covered piece of art! I love his vintage style. It makes me smile. : )

Well I couldn't believe it! I walked around the corner and there he was, my favorite! Tim was sitting right at the Ranger booth demonstrating his wonderful new Distress Markers! I got a very good spot close to the table and there I planted myself. You couldn't get me to leave for anything in this world! I was in awe of his talent. I kept clicking away with my camera. I was in heaven.

I couldn't believe the size of CHA. It was huge, it was amazing. Unfortunately I came down with stomach flu on my trip. I missed an entire day of the show. I was so sick. I was so sad.  I can say this for sure, CHA has me hooked. I am looking forward to going back again next year.

When I was walking around Disneyland and strolling through the hotels of the Disneyland Resort, that I love, I noticed information and people all over the place. After checking around I found out the there was going to be a Marathon the same weekend that I am here for CHA. It is the Inagural Tinkerbell Half Marathon. To me this is SOOOOOOOOOO COOOL! My brother in a runner. A runner is definitely not part of my DNA. In fact if you were to ever see me running take that as a sign that something is very, very wrong. LOL!!! I do think that for me if I was a runner this would definitely be the place that I would run at. In case you haven't figured out by now Disneyland is my very favorite place on this entire planet. I live Disney, every single day! I am always wearing something Disney. It may be a piece of clothing or jewelry but I always wear something Disney every single day. Disney is not just a place that I love to go. I know many people that love to go to Disneyland. To me Disney is really a part of who I am. It lives from the deepest depth of my soul. It is apparent in every single room of my home. I can say this though... If there ever comes a day that I somehow take up running ( don't hold your breath because this will absolutely never happen ) this would be the place I would do it. I can imagine the feeling that I would have if I were ever able to accomplish running through Disneyland. My hats are off to those people that run. It isn't an easy sport. My brother is awesome though and works very hard to keep himself in shape.

Well that's about it for now. I definitely can't wait to be down here again next year for CHA! It was great!