After attending the CHA Winter Conference and Trade Show in Los Angeles last week, I returned home feeling rejuvenated and ready to jump back into work. It was a great trip with both meetings and catching up with friends. Several interesting booths and demonstrations caught my attention and I want to share them with you.
Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts, the founders of Zentangle were demonstrating Zentangle techniques in the Sakura of America booth. 
I love Zentangles so I stopped and created one. The Zentangles created my the attendees during this demo are shown together. Also pictured are Maria and Rick demonstrating on another day and a picture taken of me with them. Creating Zentangles is not only easy, its therapeutic and relaxing.
The Lion Brand Yarn booth had a fabulous exhibit using yarn. The colorful male figure along with the tall shapes and hula hoops, all covered with yarn, made for a really colorful and exciting display.
The theme of the DCWV booth was a “Paper Runway” featuring fashions created with paper. Yes, all these gowns are created with paper and made for dynamic diaplays. My photos don’t really do the life sized dresses justice. 
In addition, paper chandeliers were hanging in the booth.
During my last day at the show, I took a break around lunch and walked to Olvera Street which was close to my hotel. Olvera Street is a block long street filled with restaurants and small shops and stalls filled with colorful Mexican merchandise. A couple of pictures below show a section filled with fun masks and star lanterns hanging from a shop balcony. 
Now, back home, I’m delving into my next project, a quilt book. I can’t wait to show you the fabrics I will be working with.
Stay warm and lets hope for an early spring!
Phyllis
