JoyOfStamping

Well, I’m back to reality…. got to spend the last week in Vegas for Summer CHA….. I was totally inspired by the new products that were showcased, but I think I was equally, if not MORE inspired by the people that were there.  There is something about the crafting world… the people involved are some of the kindest people I have ever met!

I can’t wait to share some of the adorable products and samples from the show… but that will be later this week.  Today, i would like to focus on the people and the adventure… my true inspirations for my love of crafting…..

Saturday afternoon/evening, my dear friend Chelle came over to pick me up for another amazing Road Trip.  I love my road trips with chelle.  We get to catch up and chat about our lives… we sing our hearts out to whatever is on my iPod… whether it be Wicked… or more recently, New Kids on the Block.  I love her for putting up with my craziness and addictions. LOL

We got into Vegas pretty late at (k)night… but we were happy to run into MJ and MJ3 in the lobby, so we were able to spend a little bit of time with the boyz before the CHA craziness happened.

It was fun to be able to help with classes and booth set up… I say help loosely… since I am not much help when it comes time for decorating the booth.  I don’t seem to have that “vision”. But, I am there for moral support and comedy relief.  LOL! (in reality, I’m just a dork that seems to get in the way.)

It was fun to be able to hang out with Mr. BluePrints, MJ3.  I loved seeing how MJ3 and his lovely wife Sara experienced their first CHA. They were able to see how much their hard prep work is appreciated. 🙂 (and of course, I always love my time with his pops Mario, aka MJ)

Day 1 of the show was exciting! Ranger was releasing a “mystery product”. I loved seeing the excitement as everyone hustled to get to the Ranger Booth to see what this mystery product was.  Loved that everyone was excited about Tim Holtz’s new distress glitter.

I also got to see some good friends that I hadn’t seen in a while.  I love that we can all get together at CHA and pick up right where we left off! I loved seeing Shelly Hickox, Kelly Booth, Linda Ledbetter, and Cambria Turnbow…. not to mention all of the other people that I wasn’t able to get a pic with….

On Day 2, chelle and I were able to walk around the show in a more “organized” fashion… making sure that we went aisle by aisle and did not stray or start wandering the wrong direction. 🙂  It was a smaller show, but always interested to see what is available at this show.

MJ3 had to leave… but Joe was able to come on Day 2 and he got a taste of what CHA was about.

And I got to hang out more with the girls… oh how this bunch makes me laugh!  Good good times!  Thank you Paula, Tammy, Sarah, Richele, Chelle, and Deb for all of the giggles.

I couldn’t believe Day 3 came so quickly…. It was already time to start saying goodbye to people…. whaaaat?  Didn’t we all just get here? And I kept the tradition of closing the show with my friend Jared Sanford of Fancy Pants… Always fun talking sports and family with that guy!

I also got to actually see that one guy… tim holtz!  LOL! he’s such a busy guy at these shows… but I got to sneak in a few selfies when I could.  heehee.  I absolutely adore this guy. He is such an inspiration to me… not only creatively, but in my every day life.  And he makes me laugh… so random this guy… and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Chelle and I decided to stay one more (k)night in Vegas. So after dinner, we headed out to see the new hotels on the strip….oh my… I felt so bad…. I wanted to see the Venetian again and I didn’t realize how far it was from these newer hotels.  So, I had them walk… and walk… and walk… in that Vegas Heat.  Sorry gang! But, they were such good sports putting up with the strip craziness, heat, and smoke.  All that… for some gelato.  LOL! 🙂

6 am came pretty quickly the next morning… we had a little amazing race going on since Chelle and I drove out… and we had to pick up the boyz from the airport in Orange County later that morning.  We prayed we didn’t hit any traffic or else the boyz would win… and they would be stuck at the airport.

Another great road trip with Chelle!  I couldn’t believe how fast the time went.  We just chatted about the happenings of CHA… products, samples, events, things that made us laugh! Time always flies with her. of course NKOTB and Maroon 5 were playing in the background almost the whole time. LOL!

Once we got the boyz, we headed to Disney to celebrate my bestie’s birthday! 🙂  I am grateful every day for my friendship with MJ!  He is so kind hearted and so generous!  I’m a lucky girl to have him in my life!

We met up with sis and my nephews.  Boy, did those kids get spoiled.  Tim and MJ were so amazing with them.  Always so cute to see how much the boys love the boyz!  I truly love it!!!!

The next day, before the boyz had to head back to Arizona, we were able to share some of our daily lives with them.  We got to visit Chelle’s starbucks (my first time there, too), see her booth at a junking place, and spend time with my family.  It means so much to me when my Prescott Family and my Cali Family are able to hang out, laugh and just be one big happy family!

And just like that…. the CHA week was over….

I say it over and over again…. I am lucky girl…. amazing friends & amazing family… what more can a girl ask for?

Sorry so long winded… until next time! 🙂

~joy