The flight time to Anaheim went quickly since I slept most of the way. Landing at the Long Beach airport is like stepping back in time. You deplane down a ramp to the tarmac and walk forever . . . it reminded me of flying out of Sea-Tac back in 1962 when you walked out onto the tarmac to the plane. You finally arrive at baggage claim . . . and ask, where is the baggage claim? All I saw was a well-worn belt up against a brick wall; nothing else was on the other side of the brick wall except more tarmac. I was told that was it!

seriously, the wall behind the conveyor belt is nothing
but a divider wall between the belt and the tarmac

the airline signs were very 50's/60's; and,
you end up going into the same lobby. it'
difficult for you to see how vintage looking
and feeling the old building and signs.

the front of the airport from across the drive-thru;
it would be the perfect backdrop for a movie set in the late 1950's!

After checking into the hotel, I immediately walked over to the Anaheim Convention Center to pick up my registration packet and the all-important name badge. They had a 'sneak peek' session that allows retailers and the press to see what's new and 'hot'.

I discovered 3 vendors that I definitely want to visit with more at their booth tomorrow when the trade show begins.

if you could only imagine . . . a 'new' electronic embossing/die cutting
machine. the company has embossing folders the size of a full
sheet of copy paper. see the 'tent card' in the upper part of
the photo? that entire sheet was embossed with one of the
new embossing folders. I'm checking this out tomorrow.
it fits most all of the embossing folders and dies on the market, and cuts
through 8 layers of fabric.

I saw this beautiful paper that looks embossed but it's really 'raised' ink. The paper accepts chalks, watercolor, ink to paper, etc. They used this printing technique on glossy paper as well because the alcohol inks were absorbed too much by the pape. Here are some of the beautiful samples she displayed . . .

From Els at Elizabeth Craft Designs, another beautiful card!

by Els for Elizabeth Craft Designs

"A very simple but elegant one. Can do this in all kind of different colors and for all occasions. With the new alphabet and number sheets you can make different words, names or numbers. White Shimmer Sheetz, 5mm Be Creative tape with the Silver Micro "fine Glitter Ritz glitter, Glitter borders 7045 and the new Glitter Swirls 1283."

Helene gave me a sneak preview of the cards that students will make in one of her Magenta classes at Art 'n Soul in May. OMG! Run, do not walk! to sign up for those classes. I loved 'em all! She is also perfecting her technique on a project using a wood frame. You are going to be totally blown away when you see what I'm talking about.

Off to sleep in preparation for a big day tomorrow!