I spent the day at Creating Keepsakes' Convention in St. Louis (Collinsville, IL) and had a really fun time.  This is the second CKC I've attended.  I have to say, this one was better than the one I went to over a year ago.  The vendors were top-notch.  There was a little of everything to choose from.  Some manufacturers, some local stores, some who travel the circuit – and something for every style, taste and budget.  If you are in the area, it is definitely worth a trip tomorrow.

I purchased a few things.  Hah!

Heartfelt Creations had some stamps that are specifically designed to fit inside the Spellbinder's dies.  I purchased a swirly butterfly that coordinates with the Butterfly Shapeabilities.  I know for certain I will use that die more now.  Especially after seeing the samples at the booth.

Another stamp set purchase was from Technique Tuesday.  I love to show how to do brush lettering with Copic Markers, and this is a great stamp set to use as the basis for those letters.  So I caved… it's the Big Timber Meadows Capital Letters - Tall.  Yum.  This way you don't have to do the annoying outlining step.  Just stamp, and color.

One booth was having a Buy One, Get One Half Off sale on Sizzix dies.  And they had the Tim Holtz Alterations dies.  Need I say more?  The coveted birdcage…  And a filmstrip.  And a ticket strip, and a big honkin' butterfly.

Melissa Frances' booth was there, and I always have a soft spot for their lovely white resin products.  They are just so fun to customize and alter.  I picked up 24 keyholes to use in the class I'm teaching tomorrow at For Keeps Sake Scrapbook superstore.  This is going on the Enchanted Garden book somewhere.  I heard there were still a few seats available when I checked in on Thursday.  Run!  You don't want to miss this.  I will spoil you rotten…

After I had purchased the beloved birdcage die… I saw THIS fantastic birdcage charm at another booth.  I got one.  I am on a mission to find more…  they have to be a part of a class using that die from Tim Holtz.  The little bird actually swings on its perch!

Then I went by Clear Scraps / Accent Scrapbooking and got hooked entirely on these great pearl dimensional paints from the Netherlands, by Viva.  Fabulous, dimensional effect and dried within a few minutes.  10 minutes tops.  Works on non-porous, as well as paper, canvas and other fabric-permanent (even washable!)  That's class-worthy.  I don't see it on their web site yet, so stay tuned.  They also had alcohol inks, and I have to say that the metallic definitely has a bigger hit of color than the other metallics I have worked with.  This is like Krylon 'BAM!' metallic on steriods.  When I get home, I'm going to do a comparison on black glossy paper with the three kinds I have to see what difference there is.  They also had a new 8" x 8" mixables, acrylic and chipboard album that I can see using in classes.  It's called Sassy Mixables.  What do you think?

My organization purchase was with Best Scrapbook Shelf, Ribbon Organizer and Dispenser.  Once the representative at the booth mentioned how easy it was to attach velcro to the back of the dispenser 'tubes', rather than use them in drawers – the lightbulb went off.  This is something that would fit perfectly on the inside panels of my Mini Workbox from The Original Scrapbox; a space I have always struggled to use efficiently.  And lo and behold, they were ALSO at the show, so I got the visual confirmation I needed.  I love my Mini Workbox.  Now I'll love it even more!  It would also free up a big section of my wall space which would allow me to move and put in some more stamp shelves.  (whoulda thunk I'd need more of these?).  I'm very excited to get them delivered and put my space to work more efficiently.

Last stop, two more stamps (see above need for more space…) and it was one cute elephant from Magnolia Stamps, and a House Mouse Stamp, with the little mouse sipping from a human-sized glass.  Perfect for Copic coloring fun, of course.

And as if that wasn't enough fun, I spent the evening demoing all things ink with the fantastic ladies at Red Lead Paperworks.  They have their own line of vintage inspired stamps, in cling-mounted rubber.  Vintge heaven.  It's about 5 miles from my hotel.  I have a feeling I'll be going back there to shop some more.  And of course they have an online shop for all of us who don't live in St. Louis!!  Rut roh!!  (note again, need for more stamp storage space…)

And that's only Friday.  I'm spending the entire day tomorrow at For Keeps Sake Scrapbook Superstore teaching three workshops and loving every minute of it.  I'll try to snap some photos during class to share.

Goodnight inky friends!