Below is a list of my top 25 favorite products and manufacturers at this years Winter CHA 2012 show in Anaheim, CA. Today I will showcase no: 7-12 on my list, first showcase is no.7 Plaid!

CHA Day 1! Hemptique! 3
1.Ruby Rock-It www.rubyrock-it.com
2.Graphic 45 www.g45papers.com
3.Hemptique www.hemptique.net
4.Vintaj www.vintaj.com
5.Beacon Adhesives www.beaconadhesives.com
6.Scrap Perfect www.scraperfect.com
7.Plaid www.plaidonline.com
8.Ranger www.rangerink.com
9.Ellison/Sizzix www.ellison.com
10.Colorbox/Clearsnap/Donna Salazar www.clearsnapinc.com
11.Basic Grey www.basicgrey.com
12.Kaiser Craft www.kaisercraft.net
13.EK Success:Martha Stewart and French General www.eksuccessbrands.com
14.Glitter Dust www.thermoweb.comhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
15.October Afternoon www.octoberafternoon.com
16.Offray Ribbon-Sports Line
17.Best Creations www.bestcreation.us
18.Zutter www.zutterproducts.com
19.Walter Kunze Dresden's www.walterkunze.com
20.Globe Craft Memories www.globecraftmemories.com

no.7 on my list is: Plaid, one of my new favorite companies, as I used tons of Modge Podge in my projects from my book: Altered Art Circus...Every year I look forward to what Plaid is doing and I always get to see what fun project that Cathi and Steve have come up with, this year I nearly fell over. We made collage shapes from the new podgeable shape cuts outs ranging from fabulous birds to royal crowns. I choose the crown of course, then decaupaged it with vintage style papers they had. Cathi had turned one of hers into a necklace http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif, so I decided to hold onto my piece so I could go home, pierce 2 holes on the sides, http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifadd some rhinestones and a chain to wear as a royal necklace. The photo above shows Cathi wearing her necklace... ( I borrowed the above podgeables picture from Cathi and Steve's blog)These new podgeable blanks are my favorite and modge podge, well to me, its always re-inventing itself, so it has to be another fave product of mine at the show, they have from matte, to gloss, to glitter to glow in the dark varieties, always something to choose from for your collage projects! Another great product I was introduced to actually last year are the Hot Glue Gun Helpers which have been a valuable asset to my hot glue gun, I no longer have glue gun burns because of this fab product, check it out here:http://www.etsy.com/shop/hotgluegunhelpershttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
And now our famous Charlie's Angels Skit, lol!

Stay tuned for Cathi Filian and Steve Piacenza's new line of Podgeables for Mod Podge! Papers, Acrylic Shapes, Tracing Templates, Craft Mat and Hot Glue Gun Helper Finger Caps and MORE! They will be at Michaels Craft Stores starting in May 2012, so brace yourselves. You can visit Cathi and Steve's blog, website and Plaid at:
http://www.cathieandsteve.blogspot.com/
http://www.cathieandsteve.com/

I hope you just got re-inspired w/Modge Podge and are ready to try all their new products, like I am!

xoxo
Lisa!

CHA Day 2!
Each day begins with a long walk to the show, this year we were a bit closer, lol! But at least the weather is beautiful, nice, sunny and warm.Upon entering the show floor, I came across the new product line by David Tutera w/Darice!I knew I had to stay and chat w/David, who is beyond nice, just super sweet, talented and I might add gorgeous! I've seen his work which has blown me away, after meeting him, I was even more impressed, a pure treasure.
After meeting the incredible David and seeing his new exciting line, we headed over to see our friends at Plaid, its just pure excitement when we head over there, the energy is crazy good. These two together are the best, lol. Steve and Joan, Italian to Italian Chicago fam to NJ fam, lol.You know I had to squeeze myself into a photo or two with the Great Steve aka Charlie, as every year we create the artsy version of Charlie's Angels, lol. He can be Charlie any day..Now add Cathi to the picture and its perfect!

Now its a Charlie party, lol...Every year I take time out for myself and do a plaid make/take w/Cathi and Steve, their make and takes are always my favorite, because you get to create such a great project and the two of them make it that much more. Modge Podge is a fave product of mine and I used it in many of the projects located inside my own book: "Altered Art Circus", they have some new things for you and I will be showcasing them in my top 25 list of CHA, can't wait to share. No visit to CHA would be complete without a visit from Norma, I just love this girl, super energetic and amazing! Norma just rocks!Afterwards, Mom and I met up with Mike, the Glueologist and we walked the floor for a bit and who did we run into, another NJ crew: Armour Products, these guys are too funny, another great group! This concludes CHA Day 2, Part One, stayed tuned for part 2 and 3 w/the Lion Fashion Show, French General/Ek Success, Basic Grey, Tori Spelling, My Make/Take, Ranger, and Buca-Dinner Party!

CHA Day 3: Part Two Highlights!

After I left my Publishers booth, I head on over to visit the one and only: DMC, where my display and a few others graced their fabulous and enchanted vignette!
Check out the fabulous names, including my friend Patti Culea! Here is the full Vignette!
Here is my lantern!Here I am near my project at the display, I felt like Lisa in and Enchanted Wonderland filled with fairies, magic and joy!
After my fairytale moment I headed over to Beacon for some filming fun, with a little delay, Karen and I walked for a few minutes and who did we run into: The Cat in the Hat, well you know who wanted a picture, lol, MOI!
Then it was back over to Beacon to see the Glueologist himself, lol. While there I saw John,Mark, and Gill. Both Mark and Gill came all the way from England for the Show and he brought my fave, Cadbury Candies which you knew I was going to have a few of, lol!Talk about fabulous feathers and fairyland, check this out!Me and my buddy Sarah Moore, having our craft gansta moment at Plaid! Then came the new pilot for Steve's Angels. First there was Charlie, then Steve took over!Is this hilarious or what, the cameras were working well, look at the glow of the lights, move over, here we come! Lol, Lisa, Sarah, Cathi and Steve! No day would be complete with out seeing the Chica herself: Crafty Chic, who is absolutely fabulous!I never leave the show without a visit the making memories, look at some of their new goodies, love it!Me and the fairy type wands!Suze, The Wax Ladies and Me!Here is a photo of Carolyn Day and Myself at The Amazing Crafting Products, whose products I love, love, love and can never be found without. I used their products at one of my make/takes at this years show and can be found using at many of my workshops and events. But not only are their products fabulous, but so are they, Carolyn rocks! I'll be blogging more on some project samples and how-to's with their products next week! A day wouldn't be complete without visiting All American Crafts who are from NJ and 10 minutes from my house, lol, I love their whole staff!Here's Me and Susie near the Prima Booth!I got super excited when I saw all the new things at Punky Sprouts booth, OMG, can I say WOW!Okay back at Beacon, the Glueologist in action!Mr. and Mrs. Glueologist themselves!Me and Hala!
Then the surprise of the whole day, running straight into my childhood friend Alex, I couldn't believe it, there he was all the way at CHA in LA from NJ/NY and so was I. Alex does fabulous work so glad I saw him, I love this picture!

The next post is Day 4 of CHA!
Stay Tuned for more highlights!
xoxo
Lisa!

CHA 2010, Highlights, Day 1!

Hello All,
Many of you are aware that I flew out to Anaheim, California for the Craft and Hobby Association referred to as "CHA", for book signings, make/takes and more!

The magic began right from the start as I walked through the doors of the beautiful convention center, although slightly cloudy and chilly, once the doors opened the warmth of art surrounded me, and the magic of Carmi Cimicata too. I was so excited Carmi and I finally met, she is a true inspiration, everything she touches is beautiful and when you meet her you'll see why, Carmi is a true soul and an amazing artist, go check out her wonderful blog at:
http://carmicimicata.blogspot.com/

We started at Plaid's Booth and met with the amazing Laura Kelly whose artwork graces many Plaid products and others, along with Amy Anderson, these girls rock. Amy chatted with us for awhile, while Laura drew us our own personalized illustrations in a few minutes, I will cherish it for ever. My Mom loved hers so much that she has already framed it and placed on her wall. I'm re-doing the studio, so once ready, I'll frame mine and jazz up my walls there too.
Visit Plaid at: http://www.plaidonline.com/
Plaid Kids Crafts: http://www.plaidkidscrafts.com/
Amy's Blog: http://modpodgerocks.blogspot.com/
Then we whisked on over to Carol Duvall and Mary Oneil, Carol was signing some book, while Mary and I chatted away about everything from art to other fun stuff. Kelly, Carol's producer was on hand as well, she is amazing too, this group of woman just blow you away with their talent, warmth and the magic they have.

To learn how you can discuss a fave episode, your fave Carol projects and guest stars, or just share your support to bring Carol back on the air contact Carol and Kelly via e-mail to: icraftwithcarol@yahoo.com

On the way over to visit the girls at Craft-Critique, Mom and I ran over to visit Dee Gruening, both her and her husband are so nice. Dee like Carol is an icon in our industry.


After the fun here, we went on by Craft-Critique to have some more fun with girls. Each of them are amazing, I love what they do and what Craft-Critique stands for, visit their site at:
http://www.craftcritique.com/
http://www.crafttestdummies.com/
You will be happy you did. They have lots of great things happening such as Crafty Con 2010 held Oct. 21-23, 2010 in Chicago, IL visit the main site for crafty con at: http://craftycon.com/ Hope to see you there... More posts on this exciting event to come.After our party fun some of us headed over to visit Aleene aka Aleene's Tacky Glue, she was signing small bottles of her glue, so you knew we had to get some, so Sarah, Donna, Mom and Me, walked on over to get our glue signed, so glad we did, Aleene has got to be one of the nicest woman, and a legend like Carol Duvall in our industry. After our session with Aleene, I departed to head on over to the Tiffany Windsor's Pajama Party Live where I was helping out, I was assigned to my new extended families booth: Beacon Adhesives, and we all live in NJ, how great is that. At the Pajama Party I met Helen from Blumenthal Buttons, and finally Julianna Hudgins and I get to meet outside of online, lol, another NJ girl, these woman are amazing.
http://www.juliannaproductions.com/blog/
http://www.blumenthallansing.com/
I also met up with my friends: Shea and Debbi, who were also helping out at the party:


At Beacon we rocked the party with a cool covered book make and take using my favorite zip and dry glue, this stuff is wrinkle free and won't indent your paper projects, I love it, this saves me from rolling down my paper with a rolling pin or brayer, or stacking books on top, love that instant gratification and you will too.This project was one of my favorites, the papers, the flowers, everything I love all in one piece. Here are some highlights of the project and the make/take at the Pajama Party.

Mike Assile, Hala Assile are who I worked with at the table, later on I would meet the AMAZING Karen, who I just adore. These three people have become my extended family and I adore them all,, and you will too.

Then to make the night even better my other family: Debby, Jackie and Patti came by to visit with Mom and Me:

www.rangerink.com
Afterwards we all headed for much needed dinner and some time to relax, until the next day begins. Stay tuned for some more Beacon highlights from CHA and projects as well. Did I mention they sponsored the glue for my make and take? That post coming soon.

P.S. My Fave photos of the night, LOL:


Magic and Artful Joy,
Lisa!

To see the complete set of cha photos over 600 in the set, visit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/moonfaires16/sets/72157623199334043/