A VoiceQuilt "Stroke of Insight" At CHA

I’ve been at the Craft and Hobby Association Show (CHA) in Chicago the past two days.

I thought we would see supplies for scrapbookers. However, the show focused on tools for shaping, acrylic, beads, buttons, photos and other items into party invitations, birthday cards, thank-you gifts or Christmas decorations.

I am amazed at the artistry: a chandelier comprised of delicate acrylic butterflies; a kit for making cards that could be used to convey sympathy or to announce a new baby. (See photos here.)

On the way to the Chicago airport, I had picked up My Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolte Taylor, Ph.D. The book is the personal account of a famous Harvard brain researcher that had a massive stroke at the peak of her career. The story is her personal account of her left versus right brain during recovery. It’s a fascinating read because she learns to identify the left brain’s role as an analytical storyteller and the right brain’s role as a intuitive artist.

“The two halves of my brain don’t just perceive and think in different ways at a neurological level, but they demonstrate very different values based upon the types of information they perceive…(page 140)

My left brain is telling me that we didn’t find add-ons for keepsakes at Christmas. My right brain is thrilled by the possibilities after meeting two other companies in the capturing voice memories space. (We also got some amazing tips on sourcing in the Far East from kind reps on the showroom floor.)