CHA winter (long) overview

I have now tried 4 times to blog about CHA… I tried before, during, and now that I am finally home, maybe I can gather my thoughts, feelings, emotions of it all, and not cut into my otherwise –decompression- time! I am so lame for not blogging the whole process, because it really is quite remarkable…and so much goes on and goes into pulling the whole thing together, that it’s just too much to ‘overview’… but here is a shot. I went over to Anaheim for set up last Thursday… I have been really excited because we got a new booth set up. It was far more spacious,  and specific! We even ordered a ‘heidi swapp’ carpet… with the logo flower about 15’ tall or so… I didn’t measure it, I should have! So cute.
Set up is intense…Stephanie is our coordinator in Jax and she does an amazing job of packing everything up in bins for all the different parts of the booth so everything is together. because em and I don’t live in florida, we have to do the booth when we get there, and not before hand.. that is a huge project…
Then I wanted these really cool black chandeliers hung… so they had to come with the huge crane and hang them from the 100’ ceiling. They looked so cute. Then I wanted the ‘heidiswapp’ neon signs hung over each panel… and there were 12 panels… I was really going for a nice PINK GLOW on everything… borderline overkill, but not quite (wink).

I released my very own 5x7 playing cards… that can be used for, well,   PLAY… so I put a few of them up on this mirror that I masked parts of to show off some of the new masks.

What we are going to wear is always  an issue… this time I wanted to dress it up a bit… so I had these cute pink ruffly shirts and pin stripe vests made.

For the finishing touch, I wanted warm choc. Chip cookies served in the booth! We rented an oven and baked the entire show. It was awesome. You could smell the cookies for aisles! Delish!  I will have you know I only ate a total of 3 cookies the whole time! the smell was good enough!

We wound up being a little short handed…so I had to recruit one of my best friends, Heather Warner who lives close by, and she came and helped out with make and takes… and we had to borrow Chris Foster (the guy on the left), and since he didn’t know he would get stuck in my booth, he had to go out and buy pink and black shirts and ties! You may see him if you attend the consumer shows this year…. he’s our consumer show guy.
I have to thank my team for all the effort and, well putting up with the outfits and the boots! The boots were a really bad idea! LOL.

The redeeming quality of all the work that goes into the shows… is simply the chance I get to see everyone a couple of times a year! there are so many individuals that I love and admire in our industry that we only get to visit at these shows!  This time was so cool because there were a number of people that are taking my “Year to Remember” class at Big Picture Scrapbooking that came and introduced themselves- and I got to hear a little insight into their personal goals and response to the class so far. It was so cool for me!
Thanks to all of you who stopped by to say hello… seemed to be a lot of ladies that had attended Creative Escape and even tried to get in for pre-registration! (with no luck!)

i was so happy to come home last night. I was really missing my family! I came home to a clean house and happy children! Thanks LIZ… for your help in that department, and thanks to eric…in the past he has come to every show and is usually the master of the make-n-take… but he has been frantically getting ready for his National Builder’s show next week in Orlando…but he still managed to help coach the sat. basketball game, do sharing time, get the boy’s to practices and scouts… I couldn’t do all this without the support I get from my husband, friends and family! Colton’s only complaint was that dad never seemed to know what was for dinner! (I asked him how that was different from me!!) they did great… I missed them. 6 days is too long!

Ok,
So I know this is a really long blog post… and if you are still reading… you deserve a metal…
I thought maybe I could talk about my new products… I took lousy photos… so I will be highlighting the new products on my blog for the rest of the month…  just one at a time.
Guess what is SO cool…. !?! they are all in stock and shipping Feb 19. So if you see something you like, make sure you let your LSS owner know she needs to place an order (before the backorders hit!)

XL GHOST:
Arrows
Exclaimations
4” clocks
butterflies
flowers
hearts
hibiscus
label holders
stars and
wings

BLING:
Crows (clear, pink, green and blue)
Hearts

Journaling spots:
More of my favorite days of the week
Pink
Orange

Writers Block:
These are super cute little pads of paper that have borders and such in different colors. I like them cause they coordinate, and they are cardstock weight.
3 different sizes
2 different color sets (kinda boy and girl)

CLOCK OVERLAYS:
12”… they are for use in the clocks or on a page… they were one of the hottest items. Very cool.
3 different styles in black and white and one in pink.

RIBBON:
There are like 30 I think…
On the little bobbins..
A  yard on each spool and
$.99 each retail.

ROLLED STICKERS:
I love that I get a whole roll at my house! These are clear…I am loving them!

Flying bird in black, pink and white
Damask in black, pink and white…

MASKS (finally new masks):
Bird and branch for sure the most popular…
Dots
Butterfly
Leaves
Tulip
Condensed floral

These sold like hot cakes.. and I was thrilled. I am loving them all!

XL Brads:
For floral centers:
Brown
Orange
Black
Pink
White
Green

XL Photocorners:
Have to be my favorite at the moment…
I was surprised to get a little mixed response… cause I am so in love with them all…
But they do look a little GIANT, and you kinda have to see them in action to love them!

STAMPS:
These were a huge hit as well… you can’t see the images at all in these photos… so I will have to show you later…
But know that there are 18 more coming at you… all at $1.99 retail!
They rock
JUST FOR LOOKS:

You can see the idea book there in the bottom left corner of the photo...
I decided to take a little different spin on my idea book this go around. This book is simply photos of scrapbook pages. Page after page… just like if you were looking through my scrapbook album… there is no instructions, commentary or frills. It’s ‘just for looks”… turned out great… and I think it’s very useful! It’s retail is $9.99 and it’s a great value!  The layouts are created by Emily, Janet and I, so there is a nice mix of styles and ideas… good stuff.

Ok
I gotta take the dog to the vet.

Comments

[Lindsey Cord]

Heidi!
I am in your AYTR class! I am going CRAZY over these products!! I love 'em, you rock girl. I cant wait to get my meathooks on everything :)

Lindsey Loo

http://wesleylindseycord.blogspot.com

[beth j]

i have been drooling away looking at the photos on your blog, other people's blogs, and your catalog. all of your stuff is awesome. can't wait to get some and play! thanks for creating so many fun things, heidi.

[Deirdre Heath]

Cant wait to see the new stamps Heidi, love your stamps. And I would love to see an alphabet stamp set in your gorgeous handwriting, that would be so cool.
I wish you were banned from teasing us Aussies with all this yummy new stuff, it's going to feel like forever before it hits our shores!
Love it all!

[Candie]

it was such a thrill for me to meet you in person at cha! thanks so much for signing my "she" journal and for not thinking i was a total nut {or maybe you did, lol} it truly was the highlight of the trip for me! i love all the new stuff and can't wait to get my hands on it! thank you so much Heidi....you are the best!
candie (aka heidi whore) from K2 in sarasota,fl

[Delfina M]

I love all your stuff. I can't wait to get my hands on it and it looks like a lot of wonderful stuff coming out.

[kori babb]

i've been checking daily for a new post! so glad it's finally here! :) love all of the new goodies!! the book will be a hit...

[Louise]

Wow! I can't believe all that fantastic stuff. I don't know how you do it all. I agree that it will feel like forever before we are able to get our hands on any of this stuff, here in Australia. Awaiting eagerly. Well done. Love all of your products.

[Charin]

Thanks so much for sharing all that yummy goodness! :) :) Can't wait to get my hands on it, especially the big brads, ghost arrows and photo corners! Fun, fun stuff! :)

[aliciaking]

I can't wait for all these cute things!!

[deb munn]

Great seeing you again at CHA Heidi.
Your booth is always sooooo impressive.
The product looks amazing and the warm chocolate chip cookies were delish! Loved the XL photo corners and the playing cards. So fun! The XL brads are great too. Love that they are more domed than flat. Can't wait for them to hit my local store... can't get here soon enough!
Congrats to you on another amazing show!
~deb~

[Sharon Franolich]

hi heidi,

i have to say how fabulous all your new products look! i can't wait to get my hands on them. hope it doesn't take too long to get them here in oz!!

thanks for a great post!

love sharon

[April V]

Hi Heidi...

I've already pre-ordered some of your products through Scrap Etc... I can't wait to get my hands on these things.. Wish you were coming to Scrap Etc Event this year, maybe next...

[Janie]

Heidi...WOW! These new products are amazing! I can't wait for the new goodies to start showing up in my LSS. I LOVE the masks and can't wait to see the stamps!

[Talia]

WOW, Heidi! I am loving all of the new product...can't WAIT to play with it all!!
I love the life challenge for this month for AYTR...saying 'i love you' definately is something that can be left by the wayside at times...looking forward to making my valentine's.
And what's this about pre-reg for CE?? I'm having total anxiety about registration on Sat...I must get in!!!

[vicki f]

glad you are back home. missed your chatting on the y2r class. love, love, love your new stuff. this stuf rocks. this is the best stuff yet. i pre-ordered from monique mcclean all your kits. i just am so in love with allt his stuff. keep up the good work. thank to eric and liz for keeping the family going.

[DisneyCyndi]

Can't wait to get all of these great products in my hot little hands.

[Nita]

Wow! Oh, wow! I am totally saving my $$ for the end of February. Luckily, my LSS's manager is my best friend, and she OBVIOUSLY ordered extra for me and her!! Yeah! I so love the butterflies! Can't wait to get my hands on the masks & ghost shapes! Then, the big brads!! Now that's what I'm talking about ~ perfect for the middle of your flowers... And the damask stickers ~ I'm in love!!! (By the way, you need a clear acrylic stamp for that one...hint, hint..)

Ah, congrats on a wonderful launch of new stuff! Can't wait!

[Laura Reaux]

Oooh, I love those XL photo corners! I can't wait to see all of the new stuff in person. I will definitely have to request some of it at our LSS. Thanks so much for the overview!

[Susan in NY]

Hi Heidi,
Welcome Back!! What a fantastic job you did, both with CHA and the new line of products. I already placed an "XL"-sized order with Scrap.etc. Gorgeous stuff!! Before I had my kids and was downsized out of my job, I used to do trade shows in the boating industry - NY Boat Show, Miami Boat Show, etc. I handled travel, booth, displays, products, literature, you name it. So I know firsthand how much work goes into this. It is a HUGE, gi-normous undertaking from start to finish and so exhausting. No one believes how hard you work at these things b/c it sounds and looks like such fun! And to do it while pregnant, whew! My hat is off to you. You are a force of nature. Have a very restful, relaxing weekend with your family - you deserve it, girl!!! CoastalSusan/Susan in NY

[Stacy Kocur]

I think what I'm most excited about are the clock overlays. Can't WAIT to get my hands on those!

[Susan in NY]

I forgot to mention in my last post - I am loving AYTR!! So excited for February that I went to my LSS and picked up some crimson chipboard frames, pink hearts and emotions index tabs. Can't wait for art challenge week! CoastalSusan/Susan in NY

[lisa]

all of your stuff looks incredible!!

[stephanie]

i like the pin stripe vest and the cards.

[Mellisa]

WOW! WOW! WOWEEE!!! You never fail to impress and are truly inspiring! I can not wait to get my hands on alot of your new goodies but I have to say - the clocks are what I am most eager to receive. Sadly, us Canadians will have to wait even longer than USAers but it will be a highly anticipated wait, none the less.

You did it again, Heidi! Thank you.

[Jolene George]

Okay....there is no such thing as overkill when it comes to you. I LOVE everything! So many special touches to make it a wonderful weekend. You did awesome! Can't wait to get my hands on new products. http://jolenegeorge.blogspot.com/