One of my favorite booths at CHA show is Plaid. You might not think “Plaid” when you think of super-brands like Mod Podge, Martha Stewart Crafts, Bucilla Needlearts, or Handmade Charlotte, but Plaid Crafts is behind them all! Let me show you some of the highlights from the booth! First, I say Cathie Filian and Steve Piacenza giving a demo on the Photo Transfer Medium: Get yours here! (affiliate link) We also had a quick photo op with Vicki O’Dell! […]
New from Silhouette at CHA 2016
Silhouette America is a trusted (and familiar) name in digital die cutting- but they are still innovating with two new products this year. We had a chance to catch up at the show and film TWO demos-one of the Mint (a stamp-making machine) and the Curio (an embossing/etching/diecutting tool.) First, take a peek at the MINT: Next up we have a demo of the CURIO- it’s a nifty machine that etches and embosses as well as cuts. Take a look: […]
Vicki’s CHA Trend Sightings
If you ask three different people who went to the Craft and Hobby Association Trade show what trends they saw forming you would likely get three different answers. Partly because different people are drawn to different craft forms and partly because the show floor is HUGE and there is no possible way to remember every thing you saw. Having said all of that, here are some trends I saw. Fiber arts are BIG! Think embroidery, felting, “painting” with […]
Tim Holtz and Sizzix at CHA 2016
One of the things we LOVE about CHA is the ability to see our favorite designers and all of their new products. For today’s installment of CHA show 2016 coverage, we are hanging out at the Sizzix Booth with Tim Holtz. Over these FIVE videos, you will see the booth tour, steel rule dies, and framelits. Grab a cuppa, kick back and enjoy! Sizzix Booth Tour: New Framelits Shapes: New Steel Rule Dies: And the new Vagabond TWO!! And the […]
CHA 2016 – Ranger Ink Designer Challenge –
Greetings, my crafty friends! It is the end of day two here at CHA and let me tell you, we have been a busy bunch! Being a Ranger gal, every year I always enjoy going to see the Ranger Ink designer challenge. This year was no exception! The designers were challenged to use Tim Holtz’ new Distress Crayons in creative ways in conjunction with Dina Wakley’s new Media Board. Not familiar with these new products? I would highly suggest you […]
Richard Garay Collections from CHA 2016
Richard Garay released a line with Spellbinders at CHA 2015 and it was a great success- and this year he is back with a retail line! Here in these TWO videos, you’ll see Richard give us an overview of the lines and a die cutting demonstration, and then a closer look at the “Lumberjack” stamps. Now let’s take a closer look! This post and video are part of our coverage of the Craft and Hobby Mega Show (industry trade […]
Spellbinders: New Tools at CHA 2016
Last week I was at the Craft and Hobby Association Megashow, commonly called CHA. Now that we are home and unpacking, expect to see a LOT of posts from the show- mostly videos and demos that were LIVE on the show floor and/or recorded on Periscope. Since I uploaded this THREE DAYS AGO, this 2-minute video has over FIVE THOUSAND VIEWS!!! So far it’s the “winner” video of CHA 2016. Take a look at the new tools from Spellbinders […]
Vicki’s Favorite Picks from the CHA Top 20 Products
Every year at the CHA Mega Show the top 20 new products are shown to the media and judges vote to determine the best of the newest products. This year there is a wide variety of products in the Top 20 but here are a few of my very favorites. The winner won’t be announced until later in the show so I will be curious to see if any of my favorites is the winner. This is how […]
New Year, New Challenge- #OneLittleTag
I have participated in Ali Edward’s One Little Word for a few years now… I’ve had the word Embrace and Mindful in recent years. But this year I’m coupling my OLW with a craft challenge- #OneLittleTag! I made a video to explain it… And And just to recap, our group is here on FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OneLittleTag2016/members/ And our goals will be to support each other with show-and-tell; sharing our creations will keep us on track and motivated! sharing techniques and product tutorials […]
Crafty Travel: Mexican Handicrafts
I know I just got back from London, but we had a family reunion last week in sunny Mexico! I couldn’t resist mixing a little bit of business with my pleasure, so I visited some handcraft shops to see that Mexican artists are making. While I know that they make a lot to sell to tourists, many of the techniques are traditional. I made you a video! And now here are the photos of my treasures….
British Craft Magazines & GIVEAWAY!
I traveled to London earlier this month, and I love to get craft magazines from the UK. They often come with fun freebies that are more than worth the price of the magazine. Of course, here in the US, they are pretty expensive, so when my hubby travels I have him pick them up for me. While I was visiting the HobbyCraft store, I hit the motherload! Take a look at this video and you’ll see the magazines I […]
Crafty Travel: Liberty of London & John Lewis Nov. 2015
As I mentioned here, I love to travel- and my favorite thing to do is to visit crafty stores and see what products/craft trends are popular abroad. Today I’m sharing my video of Liberty of London and John Lewis as I saw them in November 2015. What do you think? Similar or different than what you have in YOUR neighborhood? I’d love to hear from you!
Mixed Media Box for OxFam (#phAdvent2015)
A few months ago I was contacted by the company Parcel Hero (a shipping company in the UK) and asked if I’d like to participate in their “Advent Calendar” program. They reached out to crafters to alter a small wooden box, which would then be auctioned off to benefit OxFam. Crafting for charity? I’m in. My mission: to alter/decorate a plain wooden box and include a small handmade gift. MISSION ACCEPTED. Here’s how they describe it on the Parcel Hero blog: […]
Crafty Field Trip- The INK PAD in NYC
What’s better than visiting New York City? Visiting a craft store in New York City! Last month while we were visiting, I found out that the Ink Pad was only a few blocks from my husbands’ new apartment. I ditched the family for a few hours and headed over to check it out! So, side story. I walked in and started checking things out. After the initial, “Hi, is there anything you are looking for/Can I help you?” greeting, one […]
Crafty Field Trip- Paper Presentations in NYC
You all know that I love love love to travel- and part of the fun is finding a craft store (or two, or three!) while I’m there. Last week I was in New York City (Manhattan) in the Madison Square Park area, right by the historic Flatiron building. We spent much of the week walking around and seeing sights- (I can share some of the architecture photos on another day, if you like.) But of course I had to take […]
Overview and Demo of the Photo Sleeve Fuse by We R Memory Keepers
One of the coolest tools at CHA 2015 was the new Photo Sleeve Fuse tool. Used to cut and fuse plastic sheets and scrapbooking page protectors, this heat tool creates opportunities to make custom pockets for scrapbooking, waterfall cards and pages, and even attach embellishments. I am pleased to team up with WRMK today to share with you this overview and let you know that there is a special bundle coming soon to HSN! Disclosure: Samples provided for review purposes; however my opinions are […]
Pat Catan’s Craft Haul
Well, it’s a busy time here at CTD WHQ- kids are out of school and into camps, (and mischief) we’ve started demolition on our kitchen remodel, my husband is in transition with work, and I’m working on my projects for Hands On Crafts for Kids. We film the entire season in one week in July, and this season I’ve got increased hosting duties and I’m designing quite a few of the projects I’ll be sharing on-camera. This means that while […]
Craft Room Confessional- I am a planner failure
So when I bought my Kikki K planner in March, I had high hopes and visions of a planned, organized, lovely lifestyle. Cute notes! Washi tape! Adorable reminders! Guess what? Not so much. I’m not sure why, but I’m just not getting the hang of it. I keep a lot of what I have to do in my head…. or scribble on manilla tags….and then I forget to put it into the planner. I’d love some ideas and links to […]
The Next Big Thing: Periscope
So the other day a fellow crafty bloggy friend announced that she was on a new social media channel, Periscope. I immediately cringed inside…because, REALLY? I already juggle Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and am trying to get in the habit of Vine. But I took a peek at this app for your iPhone/iPad or Android device…and in minutes I was downloaded, signed up, and hooked. Here’s a blurb from the website: Just over a year ago, we became fascinated by […]
Craft Haul- LSS Rummage Sale!
This week my Local Stamping Store (LSS- shout out to Stamplistic in Amherst) had a rummage sale at their new location. The idea is that you could bring in your gently used tools and stamps and the store sells them for you. YOU do the pricing, the store does the work, and you get the amount sold in store credit for NEW STUFF. Well, I’m not a snob. I love a good tag sale and it’s new to me, right? […]
