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!