On the road again....or another day of curses and BLESSINGS!

We started our day at 6am after having 4 hours of sleep.  Had to load up our stuff in the car, lots of stuff, but got everything done in an hour so we had a leisurely breakfast in the hotel lobby waiting for the shuttle to the convention.  Micki and I were the first ones on so we got the two seats up front on the opposite side of the bus driver.
The next stop was the Intercontinental Hotel to pick up other convention Cha goers.  The bus driver slowed down, had his turn signal on to turn right into the hotel and in a split second there was this horrible sqreeching noise. It was then I noticed a white wall flying past us on the right side.  It was a delivery truck and it was forced to go up on the curb and across the front of the bus to the right.  Yep...we had just been in a bus accident! Micki was sitting next to the window and it passed her on the outside with just inches to spare.  My right ear took a couple of hours to return to normal. They got another shuttle to take us on to the convention.  No one had been injured and that was a blessing. Micki took pictures of the bus and I will post them either Friday night or Saturday.
We had a busy next few hours placing orders, taking pictures and trying to look at as much merchandise as we could. Lunches there (and who has time to leave) are very high priced. Sandwich, chips and a cold drink will run you $12 each. The afternoon was just as busy and I would snatch times to sit down and put my feet up.  The Art Impressions booth had a nice area for us to sit at tables and have a snack and rest our feet.  It was during one of those "resting" times that I noticed Colleen Schaan at the AI booth so I went over to say hi. I was introduced to the editor of Card Maker magazine. And guess what....she wants me to send her some of my stuff to publish! I about melted right there on the floor!!  So we will see what happens. Bonnie (Art Impressions owner) told me that they want to feature the Art Impressions line. Now that is a big Blessing!
Micki placed some more orders with product lines some of which you will be familiar with and some you won't but let me tell you that you will love them ALL!
Oh, not to be a name dropper but Micki got to get Tim's autograph and picture. Then she got to do a sample chart of Claudine Helmuth's product so I got Micki's picture with Claudine. Oh, almost forgot, Micki said that Marianne Walker took her order for the Shapes and Shadows Copic book.  We finished out the day back at the Art Impressions booth where Micki was able to pick up some stamps at a really good price and so did I. What a joy it was to get to meet the Kreb's family. They are all just the best and greatest and I want to thank them for all the kindness they showed this grandma at her first Cha.
We are out of Chicago and spending the night at a Comfort Suite...South Carolina we will be back soon!
G'nite my friends!! What-A-Day!!!

Another day at CHA (3)

I am so tired I could sleep standing up! Can't tell you how many miles I have walked on the convention floor and all we hear from the experienced Cha attendees is  how much smaller this convention is compared to years past.  Believe me if this is small I sure don't want to see big.
Micki and I have been up late every night, going thru catalogs and making decisions on what to order. With a whole store to fill (2600 sq. ft.) it is a majorly overwhelming task.  This afternoon Micki closed an order for card stock and specialty paper...250 different ones.  Right now we are looking at Hot Off the Press, Ranger, Heidi Swapp, Little Yellow Bicyle, Canvas Home Basics, Tim Holtz, Just Rite, Graphic 45, Art Impressions, May Arts ribbon, October Afternoon, Plus Corporation (adhesive), Candy Dots, Flower Soft, Heartfelt Creations, Art-C, Purrs and Pants and on and on. You get the idea.  So many to choose from and all the displays are AMAZING!
There are drawings going on all the time...too many to enter for this novice. Make and takes and mini-classes happening all day long at different booths. Trade shows sure are different from the usual conventions I have ever been. Here they practically pull you in to their booth to make deals. You really have to be johnny-on-the-spot to get the freebies. I guess my best freebie was two Tim Holtz aprons.  Went back this morning to try and get more and they were all gone.
Sorry....
Micki has been busy attending marketing and business classes, networking with other experienced and novice store owners and in her spare time meeting with vendors and representatives. We are trying to take small bites of this Big apple but it is so easy to find yourself overwhelmed and head swimming.  I guess my highlight of the day was to spend time visiting with Marianne Walker at the Copic's booth. Speaking of copics, Micki got an email that her huge Copic order and special display has been shipped! Woo hooooo.  It's coming together girls!!
Tomorrow we have to be at the doors of the convention earlier. They open at 9am and close at 4pm.  We have mapped out where we need to go first and who goes where. I knew I should of worn roller skates!!!
Sorry about the long wait on pictures but we will be home Friday night for sure.  We are checking out of the hotel in the morning and then taking the shuttle from the hotel to the convention center.  We should be heading south before 5:00. Hoping and praying that we have done all we could possibly do.
Things are going well at home at the store and the plumber has been there installing a second bathroom (required by code) Russell has installed more slat board and lights. When we get back we will have to hit the floor running to finish decorating and inventorying and putting out product as it comes in.  The cash register is in place, AC is working great, the broken closer on the front door has been repaired. Lots of cleaning and painting was done before we left and the gondolas and paper racks were in put place. Lots and lots going on and hopefully it will all come together the first part of August.
No calamities to report today. It's a wonder because we are both brain dead.  Last day tomorrow.... g'nite.

Adventures at CHA day 2

What an exciting day!  From the crowds waiting for the convention to open and then squeezing thru the entrance like pouring thru a funnel to seeing two Scottish gentlemen in kilts we started the day off in total awe.  Micki and I split up so she could talk to vendors and place orders and I scoped out every vendor I could get to, picking up catalogs, freebes, and doing make and takes.  The convention floor is nothing like I have ever seen even after years of attending scrapbook/stamping conventions. All the displays were so inspiring and yes, I was walking around drooling. Now remember this is a trade show so I personally could buy NOTHING...and at the same time wanting it ALL!

The first place I headed for was the Art Impressions booth 2123 and got to meet Kendra and Phil. Bonnie was talking with a customer so I came back later and met her face to face. She really is an amazing woman. We will be here for 2 more days so I will be going back there again.

The next stop was....Tim Holtz Ideaology booth and he was signing autographs and the line was short. Before I knew it I was up there and he was asking me my name.  The girl behind me in line took a couple of pictures with my camera but I have no way to download and post them here. I will be doing that this coming weekend.

Just a note that I saw other friends on the convention floor, Colleen Schaan, Sally McDonald, and Suzanne Dean.  Not such a strange place when you see good people like that.

Ok...so now I have to tell you a funny.  After the session ended today Micki wanted to go get a Chicago hotdog at a restaurant called Protillo's.  We put the address into the Prius and it told us to get on the toll road.  We drove on the toll road and the gps told us to immediately exit ($.80 please).  We paid the toll and exited and the gps then told us to get back on the toll road going in another direction.  LESSON LEARNED:  Use the gps app that says "don't allow toll roads".  When we eliminated the toll road it then directed us on a side street right back to the convention site and our hotel.  The restaurant was in the opposite direction and only 4 miles away instead of the 8 original miles.  The restaurant was great and worth the hassle. Pictures coming soon.

Well...this puppy is tired and I need lots of rest for another long day....of fun!
G'nite friends.
Mary

Adventures at CHA

Hello from Chicago...what a trip! Tomorrow the convention officially starts at 10am central time and Micki and I have mapped out our strategy and we will have our running shoes on!  If I am not totally wiped out tomorrow night I will post again.  Meanwhile here is an update of our adventure so far....

Lessons learned from attending CHA or Curses and Blessings!

Curses:

1. Forgot to print tickets
2. Micki thought she left her purse 4 hours back at the Cracker Barrel.
3. Couldn’t find Micki’s meds.
4. Micki forgot her toothbrush.
5. Parking ticket wasn’t validated correctly.
6. Micki didn’t have her phone charger.
7. Mary lost her cell phone.
8. Micki forgot camera battery.
9. Extension cord needed was too old to work.
10. Mary dragged satellite radio antenna out of the car and Micki drove off not realizing it.

Blessings:

1. Tickets got printed in Wisconsin thanks to Russell faxing them.
2. Purse was found under my feet in the back seat.
3. Meds were found in Micki’s backpack.
4. Toothbrush purchased at Walmart.
5. Returned to Hotel lobby to have parking ticket validated correctly.
6. Purchased new phone charger at Walmart.
7. Good Samaritan turned in phone…praise the Lord!
8. Mary had camera that Micki could use.
9. Learned to bring a better extension cord.
10. Satellite antenna had strong magnet and attached itself outside of door. No damage done.

Convention starts tomorrow…..stay tuned.