CHA Summer 2011 | Tim Holtz

When Scrapbook Update editor Nancy Nally was making plans for our first morning at the CHA Summer 2011 show, visiting Tim Holtz at the Sizzix booth was (predictably, we know) the absolute first item on her agenda.

And it was, of course, on many other attendees' agendas, too - just look at the greeting line at the booth!

Tim is an absolute rock star stamper, crafter, artist, and product designer whose ideas and personality are always a hit with scrapbookers, cardmakers, and mixed media artists alike.

And, like any rock star, he's often asked for his autograph, which is why he spent the first part of his morning signing catalogs for his fans.

Tim is also an engaging instructor. Here he demonstrates his new Halloween dies by Sizzix.

And here Tim shows off his new Tattered Pinecone die, which can be used to create both a realistic-looking pinecone and a vintage style rose, depending on how the individual petals are shaped after cutting and on how the final product is rolled together.

Stamping on a Texture Fade plate with a Reflections stamp before using it to emboss? Genius!

When Nancy Nally and I departed the booth a while later, there was still a sizable crowd gathered around to watch Tim work.

Tim was at the gorgeous Idea-ology booth (complete with details such as these cobweb-draped chandeliers) for the second hour of the show to promote a number of new products being released this summer and fall.

The big draw at this venue was the chance to get Tim to personalize and sign an Idea-ology apron, so Nancy and I picked ours up and then patiently waited in line for our turn to speak with Tim again.

While in line I spotted some of Tim's new District Market stationery line. I think that these kraft butterfly notecards are my favorite out of the bunch, and the butterfly tote bag is amazing, as well!

This booth has so many vintage decorations tucked into every nook and cranny!

Finally it was our turn to have our aprons signed. Nancy was kind enough to carry mine through the line so that Mario Rossi and I could hang back and shoot photos of Tim in action. Here he's making sure he spells my name correctly. And, yes, I giggled.

A quick shot with Nancy before we scooted out of his way and let him get back to work.

Another couple of shots of all the vintage goodness.

Nancy couldn't help posing with what's sure to be one of the major hits of the show - Tim's Kraft-Core cardstock from Core'dinations.

Tim's Distress Stains (produced by Ranger Ink) are generating as much buzz at this show as they did at CHA Winter 2011 thanks to a bundle of new colors being released.

As always, Tim and the team at Ranger did a stunning job of displaying all the available colors in the product line.

Scrapbook Update still has more Tim Holtz product to cover as we haven't even made it to the Stamper's Anonymous booth yet and only had the chance to breeze by the Ranger offerings today. Thank goodness it's a three day show - that means we've got plenty of time left to get the scoop and share it all with you!