Monday with Megan: A look inside CHA and a note of thanks!

Hello! Good Monday morning to you. Today, I write with some bittersweet news. This will be my final Monday with Megan post. Why sweet? Well, it’s because my role with the magazine has shifted. As you may know by now, I’ve been promoted to be the magazine’s editor-in-chief. (Very sweet!) With that move, comes much more involvement with the production of the magazine, leaving me less time to do weekly blog posts. BUT, the added “sweet” comes in the amazing line-up of blog ideas Catherine has put in place for this year. (Yes, she’s that scheduled, and her plan is awesome!) You’re going to love the ideas coming to you each week, and I’ll still be here once a month with some behind-the-scenes magazine news to share, so this absolutely isn’t goodbye.

Speaking of behind-the-scenes news, I thought I’d share a few pictures from our latest big adventure in Anaheim, California, where Catherine and I spent several days walking the floor of the Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) show.

This show is nothing if not inspiring, so I thought I’d show you some of the beautiful details we happened upon, like these pretty new stamps coming from Crate Paper.

With phrases like “Made with love,” they’re ones you’ll want out on your desk, and won’t they look cute sitting there in their pink glory?

The new releases from My Mind’s Eye will take your creativity to new heights. Check out this adorable home decor idea!

There’s nothing like a birdie perched on a typewriter to make my heart happy. In fact much of the Chickaniddy booth made me smile. (Spoiler alert: We’ll show you one of their very cool new releases in our Spring 2015 issue!)

These gorgeous flowers from Marion Smith Designs were colored using her new pigment powders. Aren’t they beautiful?

Want to add a little springtime to your home? How about lining your walls with pinwheels made from Bella Blvd’s new transparency sheets?

Or maybe foil pinwheels are more your thing? If so, the new Minc machine by Heidi Swapp has you covered. It will add sparkle and shine to your surroundings quickly and creatively.

Delicious, indeed! If you’re into mixed media art and Gelatos by Faber-Castell, you have some wonderful new colors coming your way!

Leave it to the cuties at Lawn Fawn to have the sweetest samples on display. Hello, little Easter rabbit!

I love this storage idea from Crate Paper—keep your die cuts out where you can reach and use them by placing them on a cake stand. Beautiful!

Don’t wait for warmer weather to see spring come into full bloom. Instead, plant a few of these DIY beauties from Little B.

If gold foil is your thing, then this was the show for you. It was everywhere. Including these brilliant large paper sheets from My Mind’s Eye’s new party line.

Inspiration lined the walls of the Hazel & Ruby booth, including these handmade home decor pieces.

Yes, it was definitely a beautiful show, with creative eye candy as far as the eye could see. If you’re also interested in product shots, looks into booths, and more, I invite you to check out our Facebook and Instagram accounts, where we’ve shared much of the show from a more arial view. But I just couldn’t help but share a few of the details that make CHA so special. I hope they’ve inspired you and have you excited for what’s to come in this happy crafting world of ours.

In my last note, I asked for your CHA feedback—what you wanted to see. Thank you so much for your wonderful replies. Catherine and I took notes and hope to bring you more of your wish list in the future pages of SCT.

I also promised to share a look at my new line with Webster’s Pages. Eep! So, *gulp* here it is—These Are the Days!

I created it to work for a variety of crafting needs and interests, from pocket scrapbooking and the square Instagram craze, to traditional scrapbooking/card making and planner projects.

It takes a calendar-year approach, offering you a little something for each month ahead. I wanted clean lines, and black-and-white basic with a little color woven in. I hope it sparks your creativity and gives you ideas that work with your love of crafting. Thank you for allowing me to share my happy news with you here!

Oh, and this is my new signature Color Crush day planner with Webster’s. I can’t wait to track my magazine deadlines in it from now on while also adding my own creative touches to its pages.

Well, folks, that’s a wrap. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your Monday for this past year. What a special treat it has been getting to know you better. I feel this opportunity has helped prepare me to take the wheel of the magazine, and that’s because you’ve been so kind and welcoming. You’ve shared amazing ideas and insights into your creative lives, which I’ve read and enjoyed with each and every post. What a gift that is to me now. Remember, this is not a blog goodbye. I’ll be back from time to time. But I do want to conclude Monday with Megan by offering a sincere thank-you. Because of you, my weeks have started on very happy notes, and I’ll always appreciate that! Here’s to another wonderful year ahead on the SCT blog.

In true Monday with Megan fashion, I’ll leave you with a song. The song that inspired the name of my paper collection. Not because of the paper, however, but because of the message. These are the days we’ll remember. Thanks for helping make them so memorable.

Warmly,

Megan Hoeppner

Editor-in-Chief, Scrapbook & Cards Today magazine