It's CHA Armchair Attendee Time!

This weekend, the 2015 CHA (Craft & Hobby Association) Mega Show kicked off in Anaheim. As many of you know, since I stopped attending CHA shows about five years ago, I've made a tradition of "armchair attending." If you are new to armchair attending along with me, read the introduction below to understand the process. If not, feel free to skip right on down to trends. Either way, I am armchair blogging light this year, with just today's trend post and a wish list post on Tuesday. 

Introduction

Some of you may be wondering what it means to be an “armchair attendee.” How can you “attend” the show if you’re not there? Well, here’s my process.

• In the weeks ahead of the show, I regularly frequent websites that compile manufacturers’ sneak peeks. Most manufacturers “sneak” their new releases prior to the show via their company’s blog, but that can be exhausting to follow without the aid of websites that do the work of compiling sneaks for you. A good website for this is Scrapbook Update. I also try to spot sneaks as they appear on Facebook and Pinterest.

• As I look at sneaks, I make sure to check out both official product images as well as any projects showcasing the new products. Often a line or a product that doesn’t grab me at first looks different when I see it on a layout or a card.

• Once the show starts, I watch online for photos and videos from the CHA show floor. Not all companies do sneak peeks or extensive sneak peeks and seeing new products together with projects made with them in the booth can inspire. You can try searching #CHAshow on Twitter, check magazines' and manufacturers' Twitter feeds/Facebook pages/blogs, or follow targeted CHA product reveal websites (like Scrapbook.com's video from the show floor - I'm not seeing any video yet from this show, but am hoping they will be posting some soon).

• I use Pinterest to grab images that catch my attention, posting them to a CHA Winter 2015 board.

• I start my process by looking for any new and unusual products, and then, as the sneaks accumulate, pore over them for continuing and emerging trends. 

• I finish my process by making a wishlist of the products I want to be sure to buy.

Trends

As was the case last summer, I didn't see a whole lot of new trends emerging; instead, there seems to be more of a continuation/expansion of ongoing trends (watercolor, gem shapes, etc.). I did pick up on one big color trend, however.

Pink and Green and Gold
This trend in color is omnipresent. Metallics have been on the rise for a while now, but with this show, gold is taking the papercrafting world by storm! With lines geared towards spring and summer, it makes sense that the gold would combine with pink and green. I'm seeing those two colors trend more often toward peachy pinks and minty greens, but some more traditional pink and green can be found as well. Here are some examples of what I'm talking about:

1. My Mind's Eye Fancy That!

While the papers in this line are primarily pink and gold with neutrals, the green makes a bold statement in many of the embellishments. 

2. Pink Paislee Citrus Bliss

 3. Simple Stories I Am

4. Pebbles Jen Hadfield Cottage Living

 

5. Crate Paper Journey

 

 

6. Lawn Fawn Polka, Mon Amie

 

 

7. Pinkfresh Studio Up in the Clouds

I could go on and on with more examples of this trend, but I think you get the idea. :) I don't think I've ever seen such an overwhelming trend before! And...in case you happen to find some pink and green (or peach and mint) without gold, you can always bring Heidi Swapp's new Minc Foil Applicator to the rescue!

I will be back on Tuesday with my wish list, so stay tuned!