Photo Expressions

Day 5 CHA (Day 3 of the show)

Began the day giving tours of the SMART store which is a 3,500 sq ft scrapbooking store built right on the show floor.  This undertaking is done by the SMART group of which we are part of.  It is a group consisting of manufacturers, retailers and trade publications all working together to educate and grow the scrapbooking industry and help everyone learn and teach best business principals.  So for 2.5 hours, Kate and I gave tours of the store to other retailers explaining some of the philosophy's of the SMART group and why the store was set up like it was.  It was great interacting with lots of other retailers and talking about something I am passionate about - scrapbooking and business.  At 4 today, they gave away the entire store including the inventory, fixtures, POS system - everything!  How exciting.

One of the cool things you will see on the update for today is a cool product called the Arccivo.  We were at the booth when Donna Downey was demonstrating it and it is one of her favourite tools and she says it has changed the way she scrapbooks and made her much more efficient. I can't wait to get mine! Here is a video link of Donna showing how the product works.  You can preorder this item from PE as it will be hot and there are limited quantities coming in.  Preorder info is on the update for today.

Had a great dinner at the Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney.  I highly recommend it if you are ever here.  It featured Authentic New Orleans cooking and was scrumptious!

Off to pack up our suitcases as we leave for home tomorrow after the last few hours on the show floor.  Looking forward to being home with my family!

Michele

Day 4 CHA (Day 2 of the show floor)

Another full day of shopping.  Lots of fun but also very exhausting.  By the end of the day, your brain feels like it is going to explode with all the information and visual stimuli.  You can tell the people that are at their first show, because they look so overwhelmed.

I paid attention today about something that Steve Berger, the head of CHA said yesterday - He had never been in an industry with so much energy and where at trade shows, he saw so much hugging and sharing and friendliness.  And he is right.  I love seeing everyone again and we certainly do a lot of hugging and laughing.  Especially the laughing.  (Just ask Kate about her moments!)  We have developed lots of great relationships with the manufacturers and so many retailers.  We saw Sandra today from Pick of the Patch and Cory, Diane and Deanna from Clipper Street too.  We always enjoy catching up and chatting with them(we were so busy chatting this time that we forgot to take a picture!).  Haven't seen too many other of the Western Canadians here yet, but I'm sure we'll bump into more.  Also saw Lisa Strahl this morning and she was very excited about the new storage by Tim Holtz from Cropper Hopper.

Tonight we were taken out to dinner by QuicKutz and enjoyed a very nice restaurant in downtown Disney.  There was Kate and I, Greg (our rep who you will meet at the crop in March), Gary (who came out for the QuicKutz party last November), 3 retailers from Norway, 2 retailers from California, and members of the QuicKutz executive.  Again lots of laughing and fun. Thanks QuicKutz!

Here is the link to the latest CHA photo updates.  Hope you enjoy!

Michele and Kate from Anaheim

Blue Prints Magazine Page call

This was a post I received today from Blue Prints Magazine (that great layout blueprint book) so I thought I'd pass it along in case any of you were interested.  Here it is:

"PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY. Submissions that do not meet the requirements will not be considered for publication.

BlueMedia, publisher of the highly popular new sketch idea book - LAYOUT BLUEPRINTS, is searching for layouts for an upcoming idea book called "Scrapbooking: Styles Defined". Layouts should meet the requirements below. All themes will be accepted. Paper and digital layouts accepted. International submissions accepted.

INCLUDE "STYLES" IN THE SUBJECT LINE:

We are looking for layouts that are grungy, punky, funky and generally from the "wrong side of the tracks". Show us your tattoos, your graffiti, your grungy punky side. This is an emergency call, so deadline is very short.

Please include the following information in your submission:

- Name, address, phone, email

- Layout Title

- Style that best describes your layout (from above list)

- Complete supply list for each layout

- Include any notes on special details you'd like us to notice, and how you did it

- Files should not exceed 100Kb each (please do not use links or send Zip files)

email submission to [email protected]

One email per Layout please. Deadline for submissions is February 2, 2007 11:59pm.

For tips on great submittals, please visit our blog! http://layoutblueprints.blogspot.com"

Good luck and let us know if you enter!

Michele

Day 3 CHA (Day 1 of the actual show floor)

Another day is finished and the pictures that we could get off the digital card are posted.  We'll retake the others tomorrow.  You can find the link here on Pe's new website www.pephotos.ca

And this one's for you Ray!

Michele and Kate from Anaheim.

Karen Russell coming to PE

Save the weekend of September 29th to be at PE to come and take a class with Karen Russell.  She has such a beautiful style and has accomplished so much.  Details and info on Karen will follow when I get back, but just wanted to give you the heads up.

 

Exciting New line of Camera bags

  Totally loved this new line of Camera Bags from All My Memories.  Finally I can carry my camera in style!

Vituri Fashion Camera Pouch

The Vituri Fashion Camera Pouch features:

Faux-leather exterior
Wristlet strap
Polished metal hardware
Padded custom lining to protect camera
Rear zippered pocket for memory cards
Front zippered pocket for batteries
Available in Red or Black

Vituri Fashion Camera Satchel

The Vituri Fashion Camera Satchel features:

Pebbled faux-leather exterior
Padded shoulder strap
Fashion charms
Polished metal hardware
Padded custom lining to protect camera and cell phone
Adjustable Velcro padded compartment to fit various camera sizes
Elastic mesh pocket for memory cards, rear zipperd pocket for batteries, manual and storage
Rear zippered pocket for batteries and manual
Credit card slots
Pen loops
Internal zippered pocket
Available in Black, Brown, Raspberry or Cream

Vituri Fashion SLR
Camera Bag

The Vituri Fashion SLR Camera Bag features:

Pebbled faux-leather exterior
Padded shoulder strap
Polished metal hardware
Customizable main compartment with padded Velcro walls to accommodate camera, flash, lenses, etc.
Zippered pockets throughout for storage/batteries/manual
Quick access side pockets
Available in Black or Brown

These bags will be arriving late March, early April and I can't wait!

Michele

Martha Stewart

  Tonight Kate and I attended a private launch of Martha Stewart's new craft line.  The EK Elite dealers were invited to this preview (which means we spend a lot of money with EK).

The security was quite intense.  We first had to line up with the invitation we had been sent from EK.  (There were no rolling bags allowed, so those had to be checked.) They then checked this ticket with our photo id and our CHA badge ticket to make sure we were this person.  Then we had to turn in that ticket to get a ticket to go up the escalator to where the launch was.  They checked the tickets at the escalator.  Then we went up the escalator, where there was another check point for them to check us.  Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take photos or video so we don't have anything to show you.

Her product line is quite large and covers paper crafting.  There were punches, stamps, stickers, papers, albums, and paper crafting items and kits.  This line will only be available at Michael's for its initial launch in May (guess how many retailers are happy about that decision!).  Elite dealers can bring in the line in the fall.  I'm guessing because of this decision that many independant retailers will not carry the line.  I haven't decided yet what I am going to do.  There will be much more product developed including seasonal items, and these will be available at independants at the same time as at Michael's.

So we got to see the products and then Martha came out and had the stage set up with a table like on her show.  She introduced us to some of her staff who have been working on the craft line.  Then she demoed some of the products.  She is actually quite funny and very human - more so than I thought.  She didn't know how to use everything perfectly which is the image you sometimes think of Martha.  It was nice to see her showing the product line and talking with her staff about changes they needed to make to it as she was using it.

We then went over to the keynote speech and were shown all the many projects/books Martha has worked on in her life.

We are now back at the hotel working on the updates for today, and just found out that the memory card (which is only 2 weeks old!) is corrupt and are only able to get 1/2 the pictures off.  Urg!  We still have great product to show you, so stay tuned.

Michele and Kate.

New QuicKutz February Shapes

Here are the new Squeeze shapes for February.   I can't wait to see what Jo is going to do with the Kite (she said she wants to use the diamond as a background) and I plan on using the envelope die and mailbox for some Valentine's. I also see a cool flower made from the raindrops.

These will be avail Feb 1st at PE (weather co-operating so check first!)

PE QuicKutz Crew Members will be receivng the adorable little envelope die for Free in February!  I see a little card with lots of the mini hearts bursting out of the envelope! Dies will be available for Pickup on Feb 1st (if you are out of town, you can call and arrange to have it mailed to you.)

Trust Us With Your Memories,
Michele

QuicKutz New CHA Release

This was the theme of the QuicKutz preview last night.  They want to provide all the tools for all your cutting situations.  They already have the Squeeze, recently introduced the Revolution and now add one more tool for your cutting solutions...

  The Silhouette Digital Craft Cutter!  This will work with your PC and will cut out QuicKutz designs and true type fonts in 1/4" up to 8"!!!!!!! Woo hoo!!  It comes loaded with 50 great designs and then additional designs are available to download.  (Plus twice a month there will be new designs released.) This means no cartridges to lose and you only pay for what you want.  You will be able to download direct from the website or purchase digital download cards from QuicKutz retailers to download from the website at 1/2 the cost!

I will take photos today to show you more, but wanted to give you this preview of the Silhouette. 

Revolution has two new alphabets including Blossom!!!

And Finale!  Gorgeous!!!  There are also 13 new shapes for the Revolution

The next post will have the new Squeeze shapes

Michele and Kate from Anaheim.

Children of Haiti

At the QuicKutz preview tonight, we also got a chance to speak with Natasha and Mark Hixon (the founders of QuicKutz) about the incredible changes happening in their lives.  They are adopting 3 children from an orphange in Haiti!  This will add to the 4 wonderful children they already have.

I looked through the photo album they had of when they went to visti last spring (this process has taken 19 months so far) and I had major tears in my eyes.  The children have been through so much and yet the beauty just shines through their eyes.  I want to go there and bring every one of them home with me!

Besides giving these 3 children a wonderful new life, they are also fundraising to help the orphanage their children are coming from and to help build more houses to help more children.  They are publishing a fabulous cookbook with recipes from many of the industry greats, QuicKutz employees, and some of the families who have already adopted children from Haiti.  Here is a photo of Natasha and I holding the cookbook (my eyes are still red from crying).  I will be ordering these for you to be able to purchase at PE.  They are donating all the proceeds directly to the orphanage in Haiti.  So not only will you have a great cookbook filled with fabulous recipes and photos of the children living at the orphanage, but you will also be helping these children get the necessities of life - food, shelter, clothing, clean water and hopefully an education. Haiti is the Western Hemishpere's poorest country with 80% of the population living in poverty.  The mandatory minimum wage is only $1.70 per day.  This poverty means that they are often unable to afford an education beyond a few years of primary.  Childhood mortality in Haiti is 16 times that of the US.  We all tend to take how blessed our lives are for granted and how much we truly have here.  The cookbooks will be $20 US.  This is such a worthy cause and I'd love to see at least 100 of you buy this fabulous cookbook (I looked through it and there are some yummy sounding recipes!)  They are waiting to see the response to see how many to have printed, so they aren't available quite yet.  Please let me know if you would like to purchase one of these cookbooks and support the Kids from Haiti.

Thanks

Michele

QuicKutz New Release!!!!!

We are now back at our hotel after schmoozing with QuicKutz tonight and seeing their new releases!!!  There are new Squeeze dies, new Revloution shapes and 2 new alphabets, and a totally cool new tool!!!!!

However I can't share the pictures with you until 9am tomorrow morning, so make sure to stay tuned!!

Michele

Pre CHA Da2

I'm pooped!  Today was a full day (8am-10pm) of previews of the new products.  Your brain starts to swirl and after awhile, can barely fit anymore images and information into it!  Saw lots of great products today and ordered lots of course.

If you'd like to see some of what we ordered, go to the new pe website at www.pephotos.ca and click on scrapbooking and then CHA updates.

See you tomorrow

Michele

Pre CHA Day 1

Back at our hotel after our first full day of previews.  Started the morning off with business sessions which were great for sharing ideas with fellow retailers.  I always enjoy those.

Then we got to see the new lines for Worldwin, Ellison/Sizzix, K&Company, Cosmo Cricket, 7gypsies, Making Memories, Deja Views, Me & My Big Ideas, Scrappin' Sports and More, SRM Press, A2Z Esentials and the Paper Loft.  You can see what we have ordered for you so far on the CHA Update section on our website. (Remember this is now a new site, so bookmark www.pephotos.ca )

We finished off our day with dinner at the Rainforest Cafe which was delicious except for the baby crab that was in Kate's Mussel (yes she bit into it as it was in the mussel).  That was not so yummy.

We'll check in with you again tomorrow night.  We finish at 10:30, so by the time we do the update, it will be quite late.

Michele and Kate from Anaheim.

Arrived safe and sound

Amazingly enough, Kate and I arrived in Anaheim safe and sound with no unusual events.  Checkin at the airport went smoothly, flight was only 1/2 full so we had lots of room and I slept the whole flight so it went quick, bags were already on the carousel when we got there, and rented a car no problem.  Drove to Anaheim with only 1 wrong turn and checked in early no problem.  By this time we are thinking things are running too smoothly, so what is going to happen?  Those of you who follow my travel adventures, know that something usually goes awry.

Took the car and drove out to Redlands to visit our friends at Collective Journey.

Kate enjoying some Coffee in their lounge and Christine and Michele

If you are ever in the area, make sure to visit this scrapbook store.  It is huge and very nice.  Got to visit with Christine and Amanda and I know we'll see them again at the show. We then had a great dinner at the Macaroni Grill and drove back to the hotel.  All super smooth.  Considering how my trips usually go, this was a great day.  Hopefully the whole trip will be so smooth. (knock on wood!)

Tomorrow we are attending a preview with many vendors to start seeing the products before the show actually opens on Sunday.  Watch for updates tomorrow night!

Michele and Kate from Anaheim.

Adorable dress form

How stunning is this?!!  When Tanya asked me to order the dress forms from the Bare Elements line from Creative Imaginations, I was a little hesitant, but knew she would do something great with them.  How stinkin' cute is this!  These would be so cute in my daughter's room and one in my scrap room too.

This class is running on March 1st and is called Dress Me Up.  You get to pick the paper and ribbons so you can make it to match your decor.  Wouldn't this make a great gift also?!  I just love it.

Michele