Paper Arts In Atlanta - Class Day

Paper rafting was on my agenda today at CHA's Paper Arts show in Atlanta.  Yes, had trouble falling asleep last night and had to get up way too early for the start of class day today. I did not get everything done in classes. My arm problems really are a problem if I do too much. The first class was fine and I got most everything done and my third class I got help. I did a bit in the other two and think I'll enjoy finishing up at home.
So, what exactly did I do?
First class was Pack Your Bag's!  from Bo Bunny taught by Liz Welch and Vicki Bentley.. First they featured  a tag made using Bo Bunny's new multi media products. The products worked great and were a glimmer spray, a pearlescent medium , stencils and ink pads. One product that not only worked well but that was new to me and quite frankly, one that I loved, Glitter Paste. Just take a little out of the jar and spread thinly over a stencil onto the project. Ooh La La! Dries very fast with a beautiful effect. Bo Bunny next had us make a scrapbook page using the new Souvenir line. Uses Classic Bo Bunny colors in their primary color palette so will co-ordinate well with those treasured older lines of Bo Bunny you may have around. The layout used lots of layering of products so you know I liked that and they also had a little "suitcase" project that held an accordion photo banner for ones vacation pics. I'll post photos in Facebook and add some pics to this post when I get home at the end of the week. This is a retro vintage travel themed line with a mix of vintage graphics like game cards, posters and school book pictures of  means of transportation and maps and air mail edging.
The second class was a  Graphic 45 project. It was a Double Page layout that also was part shadow box taught by Jeff Filimoehala designed by Annette Green. Very lovely.  Now clearly these first two projects suggest some trends, vintage travel and an emphasis on multimedia Maker crafting. The graphic 45 project involves a fair bit of cutting, they had done a lot of it to get it done in two hours but still more than I was up to doing. I did take photos of the final project as I think it will make a cute gift. It really was not difficult and is a very forgiving design meaning most everyone who attempted the project would be happy with the results. Graphic 45 used their Come Away With Me collection. This featured old maps, their classic vintage man and woman, globes, keys, spool buttons, and posters. The color palette is browns, pinks, green and blue and turquoise. It takes ink well. I found some paper did not cut quite like I hoped, it seemed a bit rough at the edge and it was a new trimmer blade. In a project I was distressing it was not a significant problem but I'd be sure to make a couple of passes with my trimmer, just to be sure, if a crisp edge was essential. The paper has a good acceptance of ink for distressing so trade offs to consider here. I heard many of the participants later in the day saying this Graphic 45 project was one of their favorites of the day.
After lunch it was a Sizzix class with Stephanie Barnard. She showcased her new designs in three gorgeous cards. I like my Big Shot but  don't do much at one time, I may need to get aVagabond machine if I start getting into cards, I guess. A delightful woman named Joyce was a most helpful partner and all went well in the class. That Sizzix adhesive paper certainly helps with some of the little detailed die shapes. All participants left the class with not only the adorable three cards we made but also with the Sizzix Stamper's Secret Weapon which is an excellent stamping surface and it has a handily piercer tool to help with the detailed die cuts. We also got one of Stephanie's new die sets for making folded cards.
My last class of the day was great messy artsy fun! Stamps duos had Fran Seldord teach us avMixed Media Beauty Journal.We used the Creative Palette from Stampedous with bracers and acrylic paint the make gorgeous multicolored textural backgrounds. Next the Blossom Beauty face stamp and template were used to make faces and Fran taught us some great tips about painting hair. We learned a simple way to create a beautiful textured, layered card with a background we made a flower stamp repeated and the cut with various size dies. Embellishing and journaling encourages and then we learned a simple and pretty ribbon binding for our little books. 
CHA then welcomed us with a very nice reception sponsored by Anna Griffin. We got a quick view of the show which is very small but well done. I hope there will be a number of make and takes to explore the products, not sure. Now I did have wine so I do not feel ready to comment on Paper Arts, except to say it was small. I think the show in Utah had an effect on this one which is unfortunate for the buyers who could only choose this one. Despite the small size though Mu overall impression is that the exhibitors are getting serious buyer attention which is a good thing for the industry.
So, photos on Facebook for now (shortly, as I'll post this before I head to FB) and I'll post more photos to this blog post when I'm home.
Be sure to leave a comment if you have a product question.