Busy, Busy, CHA prep

This year has been a challenge with CHA prep and the holidays all happening at the same time.  However, I wanted to share with you some of what has gone on behind the scenes here.   It’s hard to keep up with blog posts when you are working and some things are waiting for a big reveal.

Let’s start by sharing my ad as you see above.  You can click on the picture to take you to the magazine for Craft & Hobby Association.   I am not a graphic designer, but I’m learning a few things to help me with my business.  I figured out how to create that little ad.  I also had to learn to create new business cards and a brochure for my services.   I’ve learned how to create a cohesive ‘brand’ for my business.

Thanks to my good friend, Susan Brown, who helped clean up my silhouette for me!

I’ve also been working on my own CHA Designer Showcase Table.   This year the showcase is on the Trade-show floor, so lots of excitement surrounding the change.   I’ll come back and share pictures of my table when it is all set up, but I’ll give some peeks of some more behind the scenes action.   If you want to share the excitement with me as I get set up and while I’m at CHA, make sure to click in my sidebar and become a Facebook Fan for Cheryl’s Window Facebook Page

On top of this, I’ve been working for other companies.   I’ve been commissioned to display my project designs in 6 different booths.  I’ll share more at CHA and I’ll take pictures of my projects and share them with you on Facebook.   I actually designed the booth for one of the companies; simple design, nothing elaborate yet, but again, I learned a lot.  I might have a few other surprises to share while there.

So much to do to get ready.  Thankfully, I have wonderful staff (aka hubby) to help me wrap and pack and make signs!  Rushing to get everything mailed off in time to travel to Anaheim!  Weather was good to me when I had to drive boxes to FedEx office.

A few extra Starbucks run this month, but thank goodness I’ve been working out with a personal trainer and picking up so much more energy.  I’ve needed both the natural energy and the extra caffeine.    I did ask for fat-free milk and light syrup!

So, this has been my last 6 weeks all mixed in with the holidays.  My family came over for Thanksgiving and we had a quiet time at home with husband, daughter, and myself for Christmas.  2012 comes to an end and I have to say that it was a good year.  I made the leap in January 2012 to become a full-time designer and I can say that it has been worth it.  There have been challenges along the way and I learn something new every day, but 2012 wraps up with lots of promise for 2013.   I can’t wait to see what is coming!