I know it has been a busy show. I have that croaky been-talking-too-long-and-on-the-way-to-laryngitis voice you get  from lots of powwowing on the show floor.

Hey what are we calling the new super pretty color palette of leafy green, periwinkle, lilac, mango and pink? It's gorgeous and everywhere from the new paint colors at Krylon to the ribbons at Wrights and lots of papers in between. It's very English Garden- fresh and new and a free spirited step forward from the elegance of the chocolate brown+ palette. Not that chocolate's going anywhere (in crafts chocolate is the new black) it's just that the sunny colors are welcome.

I will be watching all of this scrapbook home decor very closely. I think this trend could bring in new customers - people who don't admit they are crafty or maybe wonder if they are. The tablescape at Ellison with the glittery paper boxes was gorgeous and very do-able for a beginner.

I noticed a food/kitchen theme moving forward with recipe card blanks, labels and food packaging and cookbook albums. There were picnic or barbecue inspired papers complete with checkerboard tablecloths or food motifs. I guess I am not the only one who enjoys combining cooking and crafts.
Also supporting this idea is the Best of  Innovations was a tool for candy and cake decorating.

Some cool things over at EK... first a new template set from the gals at K1C2 that can be used to create dimensional boxes. The samples created from photographs were so cute and it was one of those ideas that caused folks to stand around and riff on all the things you can do. Also a new tool under $20 SRP I predict to be a hot item for this year because of its giftiness- the Cutter Fly- think Swiss Army knife meets crafts. There's no corkscrew but it does have a really useful rotary cutter.

Retailers, I hope you are checking out the fabulous options for kids craft/activity sets. This is a great year round category that is easy to refresh and expand into a seasonal gift department.Statistics from the toy industry suggests that the kids activity category is on the upward curve as moms and grandmas look for activities that don't involve a screen.

News from the yarn folks suggests that all is well in the world of yarn-not hot item gangbusters- but strong and steady. We may not be blowing furry or hairy yarns out of the store but customers are going for smoother yarns. And folks are making socks. Socks. Socks don't have as much legs (it's midnight pardon the pun) as the skinny scarf trend. However, you can bet this is the customer who  knits for the sheer enjoyment. Fashion crochet is also very popular and has been a focus of  CYCA.

Suppliers also have babies on the brain. Sure this is an important life passage to celebrate in cards and scrapbooks but also tiny sweaters and rubber stamped onesies. One new company had a baby tooth scrapbook. I think the focus is also due to the fact that lots of our industry designer and manufacturer personnel are becoming grandparents for the first time.

Finally- the CHA staff should be congratulated on a great show. It was dynamic and very polished. Now we can all go home tomorrow (or the next day) and collapse. Safe travels home whether that is here in the U.S. or to one of the 46 countries represented at this show-Beth