CHA Summer Hot Picks!

Susan R. Opel

After a whirlwind trip to CHA (and a week’s vacation to my homeland for my 25^th high school reunion), I’ve had time to marinate and ruminate upon all of the yum, yum, yummy stuff that I saw while traipsing the floor with my cohort and Paper Crafts partner in crime, senior editor P. Kelly Smith. Today I’d like to share with you some of the many things that caught my eye.

Since the summer CHA show tends to focus on fall and winter holidays filled with coziness and family, I thought I’d share my favorites for the paper-crafting seasons.

Here are my Top 5 Picks for Holiday Paper Crafting:

Fall – Autumn Spice by Lily Bee Design

I just love the rich color palette and sweet patterns of this collection and the hint of blue takes it to a whole ‘nother level for me!

Halloween – All Hallow’s Eve by Bazzill Basics Paper

This purply blue spider paper made me gasp! How awesome is that? And check out the black and white chevron-esque pattern. Whoa.

Halloween – Once Upon a Halloween by Webster’s Pages

There is an entire piece of patterned paper with Poe’s The Raven in script – eek – LOVE! Once upon a time I read that poem aloud every Halloween to my middle school students by the light of one lone black taper. And hello, the orange trim? Yes. I think I like that, too.

Thanksgiving – Thankful by Bella Blvd.

Are you SEEING that cute turkey? And the pumpkin pie with the polka dots? Too cute for words!

Christmas – Jolly Days by Cosmo Cricket

Inspired by all things Mad Men, this collection was designed for the jolliest retro-tastic Yuletide ever.

Now, even though the holidays are in full force at CHA, there are lots of things to delight the everyday paper crafter.

Here are my Top 5 Picks for Non-holiday Paper Crafting (in reverse order):

5. Soup Staples II by Jillibean Soup

There are lots of things I love, and colors and basic patterns are certainly things that make me happy. I love Jillibean’s color and pattern choices in this handy collection.

4. Wire Feathers by Jenni Bowlin Studio

These lovely vellum feathers can be bent and twisted. Take a look at the gorgeous layout using them.

3. Farm Girl by October Afternoon

I may not have been raised a farmer’s daughter, but I did grow up surrounded by navy bean, sugar beet, and corn fields. This super cute collection hearkens back to the canning and planting days of my youth.

2. On Trend by Crate Paper

Pretty much any collection that can bring together animal print, roses, glittered clothespins, pretty buttons, and peacock feathers is a real winner in my book!

1. Sn@p! Studio by Simple Stories

It’s vibrant, colorful, happy, graphic, and playful. It’s coordinated and delicious. I really, really puffy heart it.

Now, amidst all of the looking at product, the CHA show is also a time to meet and greet our readers and friends. It’s those connections that we make through paper crafting that are so dear to my heart. And I really like all of those sincere hugs.

Last, but not least, I’d like to introduce you to a new company that made quite a great showing for the first time at CHA. FarmHouse Paper Company brought a smart country charm to the show with three great collections.

In order for you to get better acquainted with FarmHouse Paper Company, be sure to “like” their Facebook page, and tell them Paper Crafts sent you!

To thank you for your support, FarmHouse Paper Company has provided this lovely prize for one lucky blog commenter.

All you have to do is leave a comment here telling me which one of the CHA peeks most inspires you. All comments must be received by Monday, August 6th at 5 pm MDT.

I. Love. CHA. I do.