The Summer CHA (Craft and Hobby Association) Summer Show took place last weekend in Chicago.  While Kay and I did not attend, I have been following up on some emails, blogs, and websites that have been keeping us updated on the newest products and trends for this year.  I though I would pass them along to you.

Birds, fluorishes, circles all seem to dominate this year.  In other words, that stuff is all still HOT in the paper crafting circle.  Vintage is really coming on the scene strong with great companies like Crafty Secrets and Jenni Bowlin.  Flowers are still all the rage also.  Prima is still number one in my bag with their products.

If you would like to do some investigating of your own and check out some of the sneek peeks of what’s to come, I will leave you with some links to get to some of these great sites.  Number 1 for me is Vicki Chrisman’s blog, she has great photos of some of the booths with links to check out more of their products.  You can check out her awesome blog here at www.vickichrisman.blogspot.com .  Scrapscene has been doing a trend watch update ever couple of days…awesome photos again with great links.  You might have to scroll down a ways to find all three trend watches but it definately worth it.  www.scrapscene.com   Scrapscene is just a great way to keep up on all of the lastest and greastest ideas, blogs, designers, projects and products.  It’s always worth the read.

We have been ordering all the latest and greatest at the store and it will be arriving in the next few weeks,so make time to stop by and check out all the goodies.  We are so excited for this fall, we are going to have so much fun at the Playground with all the new products, classes, workshops and customers who keep us going strong.

Oh, by the way, if your in a creativity rut with your layouts, I encourage you to stop by Pencil Lines to check out the weekly sketches and challenges provided by some of the industry’s best.  www.pencillines.com.  If I need a new idea or some inspiration, I always stop by their site and take a peek.  There is a sketch of the week, with the designer’s take on it…along with all the other designers on their team’s take, plus all the reader’s takes.  Great site, you’ll love it!

Take time every day to create and play!!!!!

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