Los Angeles 29.1.12

Up by 8am for the day. Plan A was to head to CHA by walking the 15 mins to get there. At the last minute Danny and Lee-Anne went ahead, and I went with their friends to a Disney Warehouse where they keep excess stock and merchandise that's for sale at least 50% off. You need to be a guest of a 'cast member' to have access to get in. 5 of us girls perused the warehouse for an hour or so. I found a few things for the kids, and Captain Jack Sparrows dreadlocks and bandanna for me. Love that man!!!!

Off to CHA. Because we got there at 10.30 (opens at10am), we didn't have to queue to get in. What a massive set up. Inside looks to be about 800m long by about 500m wide (at least) and that's just the part the CHA setup is in. The actual building is longer and wider than that.

There's several different craft groups there, Scrapbooking being the largest by far. Other areas are Fabric, Quilting, Needlecrafts. General Crafts. Art Materials and Framing. International Pavilion New Exhibitors. I located Danny and Lee-Anne inside via a phone call to let them know I was inside, and then I wandered around, taking in the atmosphere and getting an idea of where everything is.

I took my camera with me and a pack of Tim Tams to visit Tim Holtz. I wanted to say hello to Heidi Swapp and Teresa Collins. I wanted to see the new MME range that looks so good on the internet. I was keen to get to OA, Cosmo Cricket, Tattered Angels, EK Success, Prima, and the Ranger booths. Using the map of the booths I managed to find everyone so far.

Tim Holtz 

Tim doing 'The Huff' for me.

Shot taken by Mr Swapp after he took my camera off a woman who had no idea how to focus. Bless him. Not the best one of me as I was starting to feel embarrassed that I was taking up Heidi's time.

With Jen Starr at the Tattered Angels booth. She's a dag!!!!

I went around and photographed different products or ways of using products that caught my eye. I photographed LO's, booths and ornaments within those booths. Will post pics of all later.

6pm is closing time. The PA announced at 5.50pm that the day was closing at 6pm, and half the lights went out dead on 6. Classes start promptly on time and finish on time.

Lee-Anne and I had a Sizzix class last night that started at 6 and finished at 8pm. Danny made his way back to the hotel. By the time we got back it was late and we nearly beyond the point of needing something to eat for tea.

By the time she and I got back from the takeaway next door, all I wanted to do was dump the photos, charge up the phone and head to bed. But my mind was whizzing around a bit, so it took me a while to go to sleep. I think I did drop off somewhere around 1am.

nite nite.