I did make it to the show, though after only one day, I returned home. What would be the reason for returning home so quickly? For the longest of time, I've been closely acquainted with panic and anxiety. Since my teen years, it's pretty much been a part of my being - I don't really know a life without it. There was a period of seven years when the anxiety was entirely absent - right around my mid-twenties to early thirties, though after Eric passed, it found me once again. I think it's the helplessness of being alone and the constant realization that everything is on me that I'm dealing with anxiety again. Even after three years, I still miss my old life like crazy. The stability, connectedness and friendship that I shared with Eric was a major comfort factor for me. As soon as all of that disappeared, my inner self suffered a serious blow and I had to spend years piecing it back together. I've still yet to solidify the inner workings of my injured self, though I continue to work on it on almost a daily basis. There are times when I feel totally fragile still. It's in those moments when the anxiety is most apparent. So, when I found myself alone in the hotel after arriving in LA for the show, I felt an immediate sense of fear. Because I wasn't able to associate it with anything specific besides exhaustion, I automatically assumed something was wrong. It eventually got the best of me and the following morning I made the difficult decision to return home. I've now been home a couple days and have mostly recuperated, but there are still some aftereffects that need tending to, including adjusting to some new routines..more on that a lil' later on.
Anyway, feels entirely good to be home. I've a quick couple of things to share this evening before moving to the next task at hand this evening, catching up with Crate Paper! I recently finished a layout from the latest Studio Calico kit, Candy Shoppe. I pieced it together before hopping the plane to LA last week. Below are a bunch of close-up images of the layout - do take a peek!
Oh my goodness, I almost forgot to post the actual layout!! Just noticed this while checking out the blog this morning...sorry you guys!
Because Studio Calico is known for graphic, clean modern designs, I opted to create a simple, semi-eclectic layout instead of one of my usual multi-layered/multi-patterned layouts. This layout is still pretty layered, though not to the same extent as some of my other ones. I still really love it though...the barely noticeable vellum dots and punched starburst circles are probably my fave from the spread. I took to chopping up the sticker number line to make use of some of the numbers - again, rarely do I use things "as is". Finally, I surprised myself by adding clouds - normally I'm not a cloud person, but felt challenged to try them on anyway because I adored the stamps that came with the kit! So, here you go...a brand new layout from me! It'll be my last 'til this upcoming weekend (I'm working on a brand new Portrait CP layout that I had intended on getting done for the show, but failed to do so because I ran out of time!!)
And now for a handful of images from CHA - yes, I made the show for all of a measly half hour. I totally missed out!! Arg. I heard it was fab..and from what I saw in the short amount of time I was there, the releases were astoundingly awesome!! Here's some inspiration from the show...
I've already enlisted myself to create a mirror just like this one - this flowery treasure was found at the Basic Grey booth (good stuff!!). It had literally been painted and wrapped in pattern paper before being sprinkled with tiny florals. Isn't it sweet?!
This lil' window box got me thinken' that I should probably consider making a window box or two for myself someday. It's on my to-do list for the upcoming year! Again, the project was located at the Basic Grey booth.
A specimen box - Genius! Basic Grey again!
Fancy Pants has some fun releases to partake in this Spring - found this cute banner spread across a wall inside their booth. The banner itself is made from Fancy Pant's newest product type - pre-made chipboard banners that you can use to create your own one-of-a-kind banners! Great concept, don't you think?!
These pom-pom like florals are delightfully pretty. I would like to work up a few for the ol' scrapbook space - the mix of materials is what intrigues me most!
This is one of those albums that you just had to see upclose and personal. It's entirely crafted from scratch and is a mini work of art. I'm curious to find out who made it..does anyone know? I'd love to see it again...(Pink Paislee Booth)
I've yet to confess that I have a couple of empty peg boards like this sitting at home that are in absolute need of decorating like the one above (Pink Paislee)!! Why do booths always have the best displays at CHA? I'd love to take them home with me...I totally would.
Cosmo was big on flowers this season!! Their new releases are just as drool-worthy in person - it was soooo difficult to leave them behind, though I was told that they would be available for purchase in less than three weeks!! Yay!! Mark your calendars folks!!
I actually have a couple of other images from the show that I could of posted today, but I'm running low on time. I did want to quickly mention that the first two images of today's post were captured at the Seven Gypsies booth...another project I could picture myself possibly making in the future. Jeez, now my to-do list is really long!! I'm betten' you're probably inspired as well...anyway, have a great week you guys! I'm back in school, so updates here will be sporadic (once weekly) 'til Spring vacation! :)
