Can You Guess...

...how many buttons are in the jar?

I couldn't. But I wished I could because I really wanted to WIN!

CHA 2011 - Woo-hoo!!

Picked up my badge and some swag on Friday.

Pretty things from Sizzix and Bo Bunny

Then met up with Karin Aguirre on Saturday to film CROPPED!'s 2011 CHA Daily Video Diary. Karin did an awesome job (her first year doing the diary for VRN). Plus, everyone was a good sport.

Watch the videos at www.virtueradionetwork.com/Cropped.htm

The videos serve three purposes: (1) to introduce our audience of scrapbookers and papercrafters to some of their favorite designers and craft celebrities; (2) to offer a sneak peak at upcoming products and trends; and (3) to allow us the opportunity to network with companies, designers, et. al.

Producing these videos is a lot of fun (and work!). We get a lot of great feedback, so we must be doing something right.

This year, CHA decided to switch things up a bit by moving the show from Anaheim to downtown Los Angeles. They also changed the name from "Winter Convention & Trade Show" to "Winter Conference & Trade Show." The emphasis was on networking and education, which makes excellent sense considering the fact that we are all invested in the multi-billion dollar crafts & hobby industry and want to see it thrive.

CHA did a great job of providing interesting business seminars, social events, and education workshops, which, by the way, I did not attend because I was busy filming the video diary. However, CHA does have a YouTube channel and I believe they will be posting the seminar videos soon.

The show floor was extremely well organized. There was a section for needlecrafts; general crafts; scrapbooking; etc. versus the usual mishmash. I did miss the grandness of the booths. Typically, the companies go "all out" and have amazing booths. I'm guessing the lack was due to the limited space and CHA's conservative investment on this first run in downtown L.A.

I will admit that downtown Los Angeles is my least favorite place. It is dirty. Ugly. And, just plain yucky.

I'm also not a fan of the Los Angeles Convention Center. Don't like the layout or the crazy parking fees.

But order will be restored in 2012 when CHA returns to Anaheim. YAY!!!