CHA we're on our way!!

And we’re off!


We have hit the road to the CHA! Finally! Yep that’s the Craft and Hobby Association Trade Show in Rosemont, Illinois. We have been preparing for the past several years to – ok that’s not technically true – really we’ve been dreaming of going, but in reality we started preparations only a few months ago, then I raced around the past two weeks like I was preparing for a graphic design final exam project that I procrastinated on.

But I digress. We are actually driving!

Or sitting on the expressway for a traffic holdup. But that’s ok because we got to meet Joel in the vehicle next to us. Joel was nice enough to let me take his picture for my CHA journal, incidentally his extremely cool car made it into the photo as well.



After I finished eating lunch, in the car, I decided to let Joel know where I would be posting his cool photo and ran a business card back to him. (Yes I got out of the car on the expressway and ran back to him - quite a rush) By now he was only three cars behind us. By the way, he decorated the car himself over the past two years.

Traffic cleared up reasonably quickly for a Sunday at noon and we kept moving. We got a late start, well one, because I am a chronically late person, two – severe sleep deprivation (see paragraph 1) and three – since I was too tired to take my phone all the way across the room to my purse (this morning at 5am) I thought I would be smart and put it where I was sure not to forget it – in my sewing bag. Anyone who knows me knows I am rarely without my sewing bag and glue gun. So the sewing bag got packed in the car without remembering the phone was there and we spent many fruitless minutes searching for the already packed phone. The glue gun would qualify as number 4 since I left it at school Friday while demonstrating the new templates to my daughter’s teacher. We were able to swing by their house and rescue the missing glue gun before we met Joel and his ocean car on the expressway.

Just a note for anyone who was waiting for an order to ship – we are completely caught up as of 12:10pm today.

I will keep you all updated as well as post some videos of our booth and demonstrations of the BRAND NEW TEMPLATES. If you have seen other posts of mine you may have figured out that the new templates include new sizes of Classics and Surrounds but not the Twisted Templates. WHAT? OH no! Why you ask?

Because we have something better.

Much, much cooler.

I am very proud and excited to introduce to you the
Brilliant Bowmaker Snap Templates!

And although they make a twisted boutique bow, in more ways than one, AND they hold your angles just like the Twisted Templates, you can, if you choose, use the templates in a way to get your loops perfectly even as well. No measuring required.

Ok, so you can get your angles perfect and your loops even… how about if I told you that you could tie and crease the bow right on the template as well? Yes, I am telling you just that.

But wait… there’s more!

Let’s throw in a few ribbon sculptures as well, like flowers, snowflakes and butterflies. Made right on the template!

What if I said these templates do the dishes, take out the trash and make coffee in the morning too? Ok, well no, they actually won’t do that, but they might make you SO happy you don’t mind the kitchen chores or making coffee. You might get the housework done in ½ the time though, just so you can make bows with your new templates. So it’s really a win/win.

For a beginner, the Snap templates let you choose your method of completing each step of the bow making process. You can start with the Wrap N SnapTM fold to get you running right out of the gate. For the experienced high volume bow makers, this is the extra hand you always needed! Freehand fold while snapping the ribbon into the guide slots to hold them in place. Then stitch and crease or tie right on the template!

Now for you diehard Twisted Template fans don’t worry! They are still available, as well as replacements for the ones you lose while doing kitchen chores, or like the one poor girl whose daughter fed her templates to the dog. Mmmm, apparently the templates are fun chew toys too! Just don’t try to make a bow after the dog has played with them.

Now that I‘ve teased you with all these delicious tidbits of information, I leave you with one last thought.

Five lucky crafters will WIN the NEW Ultimate Kit that includes 8 Classic Templates, 5 Surround Templates, 5 Snap templates and the Brilliant Bowmaker Size Guide, 3 Spiral bound books, long reach bow stapler and refill pack.

This is not available for sale yet!

This contest will take place on FACEBOOK only! Please like our page so you can receive updates. One winner will be chosen each evening this week Monday through Friday. You can enter every day, once per day. Details of the contest will be posted this evening. All the prizes will ship at the same time on Saturday.

Well thanks for reading! It has been so hard to keep all this fun stuff under wraps for the past few months. You’ll get to see pictures and videos throughout the week. So watch for our updates from the CHA every evening. And if you happen to pass Joel and the ocean car, give him a wave for me!

Karyn :)