CHA Summer Report: Provo Craft

I spent my fair share of time at the Provo Craft booth at CHA. It was the first booth I went to on Tuesday morning. I showed up because I wanted to play some more with a YUDU. Little did I know I'd be invited to attend their gala that night. It was the party to launch the Gypsy. I had seen the Donnie K videos before the event and I give Provo Craft an A+ for a very clever social media campaign.

Here is a quick video I filmed of Jim from Provo Craft demonstrating the Gypsy for me. It looks really exciting and I like the fact that you can just load your cartridges on there and they're good to go!

I was super excited to get a Gypsy (oh, the benefits of being a craft blogger!). The only problem? I don't have a Cricut.

Here you can see a picture of one. However, I'm pretty sure I'm going to want the Cricut Expression. I would be using it more for home decor, fabric, and vinyl so I can only imagine I'll want a bigger size. They're on sale this weekend at Joann's so I may have to go and check them out. Do you have one? What would you recommend?

Who wouldn't want to make this? This sold me on the Cricut right then and there.

Back to the YUDU. I wanted to play with this machine as much as possible to see if I should make the investment. Lucky for me, I waited because I found out last Friday that I won one at BlogHer!

Here is an attendee using the YUDU to print on a picture frame. The Provo Craft had some really great make and take projects that allowed us to use a variety of different products in a multitude of ways. We used the Yudu on paper, picture frames, and shirts. We used the Cricut for embellishments and glass etching.

Here was one of the finished make and take projects.

By this time, I was glad I brought an extra suitcase. The projects were so fun that I spent a lot of time doing those. It was a great way to get hands on practice and chat with the reps they had there.

Keep your eye out on Provo Craft. They are doing some amazing things with technology and anything that combines technology with crafting- I love it!

Want to know what else I love? Meeting up with some of the Craft Critique gals at the Provo Craft Gala. Not the most flattering picture of us but it was all I got!

Speaking of the Craft Critique, they did an excellent review on the Provo Craft booth as well (I told you that bird pillow was great!). You'll also want to get your September craft challenge packets NOW! Craft Critique is the sponsor and you'll be sure the prize is amazing. I'll give you more details on that in a separate post.

CHA Summer Report. Craft Celebs, Quick Craft Tips, and a Giveaway

Hanging around at the Craft and Hobby Trade Show has its perks. For one thing, you get to meet amazing crafters! In fact, the very first person I saw when I walked in the doors was Carol Duvall. The. Carol. Duvall. The Queen of all Crafters. I didn't know what to do so I kept walking. I was so disappointed and I regretted it the rest of the day.

The next day I was at the Provo Craft booth chatting with Matt, their Chief Marketing Officer--this guy loves bloggers and that makes me happy--. Carol Duvall was in the booth. I mentioned how I missed my opportunity to talk with her the day before so he took me over and introduced us. Seriously? I felt like a big shot and an embarrassed teenage girl at the same time. I didn't take out my camera. A handshake was good enough. I'm glad I did finally get to meet her. I would have regretted it if I hadn't.

Many of the booths had great make and takes done by some amazing crafters. Kathy, the Crafty Chica, shared a great tip for me on this video.

Mark Montano wrote The Big Ass Book of Crafts. I knew you all would want a copy so he's agreed to send a signed copy to a fan of ChristyNelson.net. All you have to do to enter is be a fan on my facebook page. If you're a fan, you're registered. I'll pick a winner on August 15th. Want to see his craft tip?