Chicago - Papertrey Ink

A big reason that I went to Chicago (besides my friend Maria "forcing" me to go) was so I could meet the people behind Papertrey Ink. I am a big fan (groupie, stalker, whatever you want to call it) and just had to meet them all. Now I can say that I touched greatness and can go to crafty heaven knowing all is right with the world.

Meeting Nichole and giving her umpteen-bazillion hugs in the first 30 seconds. (Can we say crazy fan…)

Me getting Jenn in a choke-hold so I could give her a hug.

Look at me, look at me! Im actually standing next to Nichole and Jenn and taking a picture!

This is Jane. She was so sweet. She just held my hand across the counter while I was chit-chatting with her. I have no idea what I was saying but she just kept that pleasant smile on her face while probably thinking crazy fan.

This is David. Nichole's hubby. I just had to take a picture with him so I could show Ted (a PTI forum fixture) the "other" man. David is probably thinking crazy fan and Nichole (who's off to the side) is probably thinking seriously crazy fan and that I need to step away from her man like right now. 

This is Julie who allowed us to take pics of her. Gorgeous woman who recently lost 80 lbs!! And me talking up a storm to Nichole. Again no idea what I was saying to her. But she just smiled and kept showing me around the booth.

Pine and Debbie doing make n' takes and me taking snapshots like crazy.

Nichole and the DT team who graciously agreed to take a group shot with me. See how I made them all wear flowers in their hair? Very Hawaii shot right? Well I forgot to make them do shakas!! Aaagghhh!

Afterwards me explaining to all these fabulous ladies that I normally don't look this fabulous. Someone shoot me now and shut my mouth up. (Maria, Maria where were you? What kind of friend are you who lets their best friend tell THE PTI LADIES that I normally wear shorts & t-shirt everyday and have my hair pulled back in a bun?)

Going up there I tried not to have too much expectation of meeting Nichole and crew. After all, they don't really know me (just from the forum) and I didn't want them to feel awkward around me when I did that obsessive, stalkerish thing. Can I just say that as soon as I introduced myself to Nichole she gave me the biggest welcome ever?!! She knew exactly who I was, took me around the booth, introduced me to everyone. The whole time she kept her arms around me and kept giving me these little huggy squeezes. I was so touched (I actually started crying) and she made me feel like an honored guest coming to visit.  I know that she must have had tons of fans coming up to her all day long but she really made my trip to CHA worth it. They all did. Im tearing up again just thinking about it. It was a wonderful trip and a Im so glad to meet the PTI crew in PERSON.