Immersed

Like a believer on Sundays, I have been immersed. Baptized by the church of man-oh-man-but-I-love-my-job, I've been putting vast amounts of energy towards the production of magazines, the shaping of features, the moulding of columns, the creation of online promotional campaigns, and the delightfully bippy task of inspiring paper crafters all over the world to move from their coffee tables to their craft rooms to create a handmade card.

All more fun than I could ever describe, really. But amazingly, it's so much more than just that.

Because while I was not writing here in Cath, etc. I was doing all that AND attending the paper crafting industry's semi-annual tradeshow, CHA, in Anaheim. We left on a Friday and came back on a Wednesday--inspired, connected, rejuvinated, exhausted, and truly joyful. And while I could wax poetic about my experiences, I think the pictures say it best.

Me, Jennifer, and Kelly during our flight's delay:

A photo op on a different kind of runway:

Some Paper Crafts peeps, most of whom I hadn't met before the consumer portion of the show. So nice to put faces with names:

After learning that my dear and moxie fab friend, Kim Kesti, will be a mom for the ninth time in July:

Me and Kelly with some of our favorite people in the industry, Teri Anderson and Lisa Johnson:

Running into my old pals from Simple Scrapbooks, Wendy Smedley and Angie Lucas, whom I miss so much:

Reconnecting with Melody:

Margie:

Melissa:

...and Diane:

 Meeting Anna Griffin! *swoon*:

Catching up with dear friends Bev and Eileen:

 ...and Julie and Eric:

Laughing 'til it hurts with the Paper Crafts Go-to Gals:

...and generally being surrounded with a kind of love and mutual respect that validates, gives, and grows:

 

This industry--these women--rock my world:

...and I'm so grateful to be so blissfully immersed.

Comments

[Jennifer]

That's it! As usual, you've totally captured it: man-oh-man-but-I-love-my-job.

Ditto, my friend. Ditto.

[Vanessa Menhorn]

I love to see your smiling face! I so hope that I`ll be able to meet you and all these wonderful people in real life! Thanks for taking us with you at CHA!

[jo]

I'm so glad you're back! I missed you. Looks like you had a fantabulous time. Lucky you!

[Kelly Marie]

What a great post! I love all of your pics! It was so nice to meet you!

[Jen]

Looks like so much fun!