Recap from the Southern Women’s Show
Image Source: Southern Women’s Show / Where Women Create
I had the opportunity to attend the Southern Women’s Show in Orlando, Florida this past weekend. What made this show special was that CHA had a craft pavilion set up. This was the first year they had a craft pavilion and I pray its not the last. Where Women Create sponsored the craft stage where they had both paid and free craft demos. I had such a blast meeting vendors, looking at cool new products, and of course attending craft sessions!
I begged and pleaded and the fine people at Purple Cows opened one extra spot up for me to attend the card making class. For a $25 fee, not only did I get to craft with Terry O, but I also got tons of new paper craft supplies.
I was not familiar with Purple Cows prior to this show. Let me just tell you that I’m now a new advocate for their products. When I opened up my bag of paper craft supplies I was excited to have new products to use. I’m not going to lie I was partly bummed to see yet another paper slicer in the bag (that make #4 that I now own). That was until I found out it made all sorts of fancy cuts all-in-one. That’s right… need a scallop edge, just turn the switch, a zig-zag just turn the switch! 9 different patterns in one paper slicer. This is now my new favorite paper slicer. SO AWESOME!!! I don’t believe they are out in stores yet… or if they are they are brand spanking new. Below is a picture of all brand new products on the market that were included in my craft bag!
And lucky me… during the make-n-take demo I won a bag full of Sizzle & Melt Craft Iron products!
I also got the Pin It, which by far is the coolest thing I’ve used in a long time. It operates on magnets and easily allows you to attach metal pins to your projects! I also got the Roll It which is a roller ball based stamp that has four patterns: snowflakes, dots, hearts and stars. This can be used to help distress your paper and give an added dimension to it.
I also attended a free craft workshop with Wendy Russell from She’s Crafty. The awesome people at Westcott gave us free scissors and holsters to decorate! For some reason I never took a picture of my finished product…. it was bedazzled to the fullest!
Lastly, I got to attend the class I had been looking forward to all day… week, month, year. Ok, maybe I’m exaggerating but honestly… I’m a huge fan of Cathie Filian’s. She is an amazing designer, and invented the most genius product to date; The Hot Glue Gun Helpers.
Cathie is the nicest– most sincere person I’ve ever met. Craft stardom has not gotten the best of her. She is so down to earth and pretty funny too! During our craft session she let the audience ask her questions. Of course I probably asked the most questions. She might think I’m a stalker… I promise I’m not. I just admire her and her creative work, so dang much. Kathy and her husband like to decorate like crazy for Halloween (just as we do), and she is a huge Christmas junky… she use to decorate in upwards of 12 trees in her home (but that’s tapered down a bit). I also asked her what made her create the Hot Glue Gun Helpers… it all stemmed from severe hot glue gun burns a few Halloween’s ago! Ahhh a women after my own heart. Did you know Cathie has a blog? You should visit it and follow it ASAP. It’s awesome and she shares some super cool projects! Anyways… back to the project.
Cathie got us in the Christmas spirit (early–or at least for me this is too early)! We made marbleized holiday ornaments using Folkart Metallic Paints. We also painted and glittered snow flake ornaments. I can’t wait to make more of these ornaments next month. Super easy to make and its a great way to have a themed colored Christmas tree!
I ended my day with a picture with both Cathie Filian and Jo Packhman, the creator of Where Women Create. I really hope the Southern Women’s Show will bring back this awesome craft pavilion again next year. I could have easily spent all 4 days at the craft pavilion!
Disclaimer: This post was not sponsored by any of the brands mentioned above. This is a documentation of my own exciting weekend; however, I did receive a free media pass to attend the show.
Sounds like a lot of fun! I hope they bring it here. I’ve been to he show before but never seen the craft pavillion.
Looks like you had a great time Katie! I went to the CHA Supershow 2 years ago in Orlando and it was like craft heaven! Hopefully next time I can go to make it to this show!
I can only imagine… craft heaven sounds amazing! lol.
Katie, it sounds like you had an awesome time! I wanted to go this year to the show, but didn’t. I had no idea that they did craft classes there. All I used to see were shops trying to sell you something, along with a radio station or tv station there. (The last time that I went was when Kate and Jon Gosselin were there.)
Maybe next year, I’ll have to plan ahead, and maybe I can join you there!
I remember you from the show… It was to much fun…
I remember seeing you too! I’ll have to go check out your blog now!
I had so much fun at the show……
Charlene from Oregon
Me too! I’m sorry we never got to really talk. Maybe I’ll see you again next year if they keep the CHA craft pavilion.