CHA Update #1 of ?...

Heat index for today is 108. Since my scrap space is in the highest part of our house, where the air conditioning could be jet engine propelled and still not cool the space, I've decided to honker down in one of the cooler, lower areas of the house and do my post-CHA blogging. Lots to share so grab a cool drink and find a comfy spot to sit for a while.

Eye candy at the MME booth

Let me start by saying that attending CHA is a little surreal. You recognize people constantly because you read their blogs. You know what their kids look like and where they went on vacation...but you don't really know them. It's almost a relief once you get to talk to them and know them in person. Then it doesn't feel so strange. Anyway - that aspect of going to CHA is pretty darn cool. Then there's the whole product thing...

I know this was the 'little show' and people don't give it as much credit as the super show, but it was just fine for me. I saw so much great product and projects. As my friend Jenny said, it's like a giant idea book. (She's got a great CHA post right here.) So, let's get to some of my fave CHA finds....(apologizing in advance that my photos are not particularly gorgeous...)

This tool is such a no-brainer/'why-didn't-I-think-of-that-tool'. I can't wait to pick these up:

By We R Memory Keepers, this is the Sew Stamper. It is the same concept as using the 'metal quilting wheel dipped in paint' technique to do faux stitching, except the heads are little wheeled rubber stamps in a variety of stitch patterns. Genius. The cool thing is the heads snap right onto the Sew Easy handle if you've already got that. I love thoughtful design!

Amy Tan's line for American Crafts. I'm not even sure where to start with this one. It's fun and fresh and has some great little details - like paper clips twisted into little cameras. Can't wait to own it!

Love this Thicker fonts for the line:

here you can see the washi tapes and some of the embellishments: 

Still in the American Crafts booth - the new Halloween line is gorgeous. The colors are cool (love the use of the light blue) and those black chalk-board style accent shapes - cool - look at that black cloud! And how about that little masked fox in the Remarks package?!

 Here's the light blue - it's kind of grayed out. Love it:

Love that this Halloween Thicker font could work on any kind of page, not just Halloween: 

Here's the new Silhouette Cameo - cuts paper 12" wide now. Looks like there's an upgrade in my future.

isn't this a cute chalkboard wall calendar? Cut with a Silhouette onto chalkboard wall vinyl.  

I fell in love with these cute little Dimensions embroidery kits in the EK Success booth. This particular set has illustrations from Claudine Hellmuth. They can be transferred numerous times. Love the simple line drawings and contemplating how they could be worked into paper projects.

Onto the Fancy Pants booth. Now, I've never but a gigantic fan of this line but I think that is about to change. I love these tissue paper circles. They've done a set for almost every one of their new releases (these are for the Halloween line).  

Here's a great back to school line. I am in love with that graphic pencil paper, buttons and tissue circles: 

 In the KI booth I found these cute clear stamp sets - love this font:

I'll be back tomorrow with some more photos - and hopefully the temperature will drop enough for me to be able to sit at my desk and make something! Lots of ideas in my head.