We’re all familiar of movie trailers, those great little previews that give us a sneak peak at an upcoming flick. Well, one day the question was posed at C&T said, “Why don’t we make book trailers?” What a great idea! Here was an opportunity to interview our authors, show highlights from the book, and post the videos on the internet for every one to see.
The only problem was we had never made a book trailer before. How do we do it? This is where the superstar production team at C&T steps in. Trust me, when I say superstar, I mean SUPERSTAR! Within a short amount of time, a few key people learned how to film, edit, record sound, add music and create incredible book trailers all from inside a cubicle. So with out further debut, I am pleased to present our very first book trailer starring Design Explorations for the Creative Quilter.
And oooooh, doggies – are my feet ever yelping! As are the tootsies of most CHA exhibitors and attendees who have been standing and walking all day. But it’s totally worth it – this show is so much fun! We have met and reconnected with so many wonderful retailers, distributors, designers, media, manufacturers and more. I just love spending quality time with artists and crafters who are as passionate about creating as we are.
Some of the C&T Sales & Marketing staff—Danielle, Mary, Shirley and Lisa
As for products, we have seen more gorgeous color and creative whimsy than you ever knew could be together under one roof. Our Stay-n-Play Café was no exception! We hosted this 2-hour workshop at the crack of dawn this morning. We had close to 50 people who enjoyed exploring eleven different manufacturers’ surface design and embellishing products and techniques…using the perfect foundation, our Ready-to-Go!® Canvas Books.
A very special thank you to these manufacturers for joining us today. They were all very generous with their time and product…attendees walked out inspired for sure!
At lunchtime, I attended a very informative seminar about how crafting can reduce the effects of stress, depression and chronic pain. Many scientific and medical studies were cited that prove how crafting positively affects our mood, our brain chemistry, and our physical symptoms.
In the afternoon at the booth, C&T author Rebekah Meier enchanted customers with a beautiful canvas book project from her new book coming out in May, Fabric Art Collage—40+ Mixed Media Techniques.
Rebekah Meier's canvas book, dyed and layered with fabric, film and fast2fuse®.
She also demonstrated how to use fast2fuse® on the outside – it’s a thick, wonderfully textured substrate that can be painted and heat-embossed – why hide it between fabric?
After the show closed for the day, we popped in to the anniversary celebration reception for Two Peas in a Bucket, then had a delicious italian dinner. Some C&T’ers went on to enjoy shopping at Downtown Disney, and I went to a Mocktail Party for the Fiskateers, with lots of friends, sweet treats and fun make-n-takes…a lovely way to end the evening!
CHA always opens the first day of the show with a parade…bagpipers walk up and down the aisles with all the CHA officers and board members in tow.
Our Stay-n-Play with Daniela Costa
How cute is that!?!
Painting the shadow boxes
So much to see, so much to do! Day #1 is all about showing off.
Traffic in our booth was quite brisk and people really enjoyed designer Daniela Costa’s project with our Mini Shadowboxes. Shop owners painted and glued and blinged their way to an adorable keepsake that can be shared in classes with their customers.
Daniela even recycled our board book packaging and used it to create the little easel backer that the queen inside leans against. Yay for being green!
Here are some close-ups of just a few of the fun products we showed – you just gotta have ‘em!
Lauren and her chess board made with Fantastiques and Blank Board Blocks
Fantastiques Whimsies
Coming out in May - Table Decor Studio - Set your table in style!
Our newest Blank Board Book - Cupcake! But wait...it can be a fish or a mushroom gnome home too!
A few months ago, we had one of our new authors, Sara Trail, host a pajama pant-making party at C&T. Much fun was had by all as these beginner sewers worked through a project in Sara’s new book (available in May). Sara’s DVD comes out next month.
You may have noticed a new addition to the sidebar. Yup, we’ve started a flickr account! We’ll be posting photos from our Designer Program, trade shows, books, as well as VIDEO.
I’m very excited to post C&T’s very first Trade Show Montage Video (there has to be a better name than that). The footage was shot in and around our booth at the Craft and Hobby Association’s Summer 2008 trade show in Chicago and Christina Carty-Francis, our esteemed photographer, crafted it into this video and slideshow.
C&T Publishing is a group of quilters and crafters dedicated to publishing products tailored to our audience. This blog is where we break away from book schedules and marketing campaigns to focus on what drives us to be creative and how this creativity manifests itself in our every day lives.
