What happens when the craft industry gathers together to show off what’s new? The annual trade show for the Craft & Hobby Association, or the CHA Show, that’s what.  This year, I was excited to attend the show because I was involved in the Foam Fusion breakfast for bloggers and editors. I knew I would have an opportunity to catch up with old friends, and meet new ones, too. What could be more fun than hanging with some of your favorite craft bloggers and craft editors?

Here’s just one corner of the FloraCraft trade show booth at the CHA Show. Lots of goodies!

I fell in love with the display of enormous Deco Mesh flowers in the FloraCraft booth.

FloraCraft, the company that cuts the shapes of STYROFOAM™ Brand Foam, hosted the Foam Fusion breakfast. In addition to serving a yummy breakfast, FloraCraft served up a lot of hands-on fun, too. Bloggers and editors learned all about cutting, painting and gluing STYROFOAM Brand Foam. (You can see a lot of the tips here.) And about those cupcakes – everyone got to make one of these super-cute felt cupcakes, too, using FloraCraft’s Foam Tools.

Everyone got to make one of these adorable Felt Cupcakes using FloraCraft’s Foam Tools.

Here’s are a few photos from the event — see if you recognize anybody.

Checking in for breakfast are Jen from Tatertots & Jello (left), Heather from Dollar Store Crafts, and Angie from Country Chic Cottage.

Dondi, FloraCraft’s designer, demonstrates cupcake making with Nancy Nally, Scrapbook Update; Kathy Cano-Murillo, The Crafty Chica; Tauni Everett, SNAP!; and Melissa Mondragon, No. 2 Pencil.

“Baking” up their cupcakes are Vicki O’Dell, Creative Goddess (left); Bev McCullough, Flamingo Toes; and Beckie Farrant, Infarrantly Creative.

The Styro Cutter® and StyroCutter® Plus, demonstrated by the awesome Candie Cooper, were definitely a hit!

Candie shares tips and techniques for cutting STYROFOAM Brand Foam.

Amy, who blogs at Positively Splendid, tries out the Styro Cutter.

We wrapped up the breakfast with a drawing for an iPad mini. Kathy Cano-Murillo, The Crafty Chica, was so excited when her name was drawn that she did a little happy dance. Then, in a mad dash across the trade show aisle to claim her prize, she lost her shoe and didn’t even realize it till later. The prize could not have gone to a nicer (or more creative) person.

Kathy, The Craft Chica, wins the iPad Mini.

Here are the lovely ladies (and dapper gentleman) who attended – if you don’t already follow them, I hope you will. They are one talented and inspiring group!

Amy Bell, Positively Splendid 

Tauni Everett, SNAP! 

Beckie Farrant, Infarrantly Creative

Heidi Gustad, Hands Occupied

Jane Guthrie, Paper Creations and Scrapbooking & Beyond

Jen Hadfield, Tatertots & Jello

Mike Hartnett, Creative Leisure News

Angie Holden, The Country Chic Cottage 

Heather Mann, Dollar Store Crafts

Beverly McCullough, Flamingo Toes

Melissa Mondragon, No. 2 Pencil

Carolina Moore, Always Expect Moore 

Kathy Cano-Murillo, The Crafty Chica

Nancy Nally, Scrapbook Update and Craft Critique 

Annie Niemiec, Crafts ‘n Things

Vicki O’Dell, The Creative Goddess

Jenny Barnett Rohrs, Craft Test Dummies

Vivienne Wagner, The V Spot

Katie Waltemeyer, Sweet Rose Studio

Sara Wellensiek, Mom Endeavors

We all had a lot of fun at the Foam Fusion breakfast, and at CHA, too. It’s always a crafty overload! I wish you all could attend. So you can get a “taste” of the event, I’ll share the Cupcake Craft tutorial tomorrow.

A quick reminder before I go — today is the last day to register for the Crafts, Coffee & Chocolate giveaway celebrating one million views on Crafts ‘n Coffee. Be sure to enter!

Till tomorrow, happy crafting!

Sharon