Mer-Ian

Hey there! This wasn't exactly the card I had planned to post today. I sorta made a card for Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps a couple of days ago. When I got home from CHA this evening, I grabbed this FREE digi image at Splendid Stamping With The Greeting Farm and whipped up a card so that I could upload it in time to win the next free digi in the relay they've got going this week. (If you read this in time and want to get in on the action, click right over to the TGF blog for the deets. If nothing else, you can get Mer-Ian for free!!!)

Anyway, I finished my card and then picked up the one I had made for SNSS to go take pictures. Something seemed to be missing; I just couldn't put my finger on it, but there was something about the SNSS card I hadn't liked from the start and still didn't. So I sat down to try to fix it. Needless to say, it's now in the bin. No dice. Just can't post it. I'm not going to make that mistake again. I promise to come back later this week with something worthy.

But at least I have this cutie to share! It follows Sweet Sketch Wednesday #33. The DP is Snorkel by Cosmo Cricket. I put some sparkle to Mer-Ian's fins with my atYou Spica pens. I sure wish that sparkle showed up in pictures.

Today was my first day at the CHA trade show. Wowser! It's overwhelming to say the least. I'm interested in so many different crafts, that it's hard for me not to get distracted and look at things like... yarn. And I do mean YARN! Wait until I have time to upload some pictures. You won't believe the Lion Brand display! Oh, and I made a pink pig puppet at a scissors vendor. Fun!

I spent the first few hours looking around at the "new" exhibitors and doing some make-and-takes. Some were truly brand new, but others aren't new to us, but new to CHA. I spent a lot of time at Stampavie... colored the cutest darned image and made a gift bag. Hold onto your hats because Stampavie has some new artists, two of whom I'm in love with, and they are releasing the new stamps in March. I got to stamp a couple of them and bring them home, so I'll share those with you soon.

On my way from the "new" exhibitor area to the main paper crafting vendor area, I found Marie at her booth for The Greeting Farm. She is adorable! Just as cute as can be, and so petite. That girl has amazing talent. I'm a HUGE fan. And wait until you see the new stamps releasing February 15th. OMWord!!! I'd better not say more lest I blow the surprise, but let me just say that Marie doesn't disappoint... things keep getting better and better at The Farm.

I need to get off the computer and get to bed, but before I go I'll give you the list of who I saw today.

Besides Marie, I met and chatted with Randi Wall, Rachel Sztonyk, Sherrie Siemens, Cami Turnbow, Beth Silaika, Joy Kennedy (and some of the other girls at Our Craft Lounge), Sankari Wegman (who I forgot to mention I met yesterday at the TE Booth), Deb Felts and Jessica Diedrich! Woo hoo, we finally met in person!! I also ran into Lynn Mercurio again, and she introduced me to a couple of people, but darned if my brain isn't already asleep. Oh, and I also ran into Julie Johnson from Paisleys & Polka Dots (love her!), and the owner of my LSS Tami (sp?) and one of the girls who works there, Shelley, who I know from crop nights. It was good to see them again since I haven't been out there in a couple of months. Hey Des, Tami says she LOVES your house. Wish you were here, girlfriend!

Some of the people I also spotted today were Amy Sheffer, Tosha Leyendekker, Michelle (who owns A Stampers Dream), Marianne Walker, Lisa Johnson, and Jennifer McGuire. It doesn't sound like many, but that's mainly because I didn't spend as much time in the main paper crafting area. I plan to do that tomorrow. I saw soooo much today, but I still have tons to go.

I promise pictures will come later this week!

And, yes, the new products releasing from everyone are AMAZING!!! All must-haves, of course!!! We crafters are certainly doing our part to stimulate the economy, don't you agree?

Okay, as my friend Michelle would say, my jammies are calling me. Enjoy your day. And I mean it when I say, WISH YOU WERE HERE!