Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer... don't know about you all, but those days don't exist anymore, for me! I'm not sure I can even relate to the term, LAZY! Things are anything but, quiet around here! We've been busy rearranging, placing orders, planning events and helping you, our faithful and wonderful customers! Tourism is up, and we've been inundated with those afternoon beach lovers, who like all "Good & Obsessed Scrapbookers," must check out the local store! It's so fun to meet people from so many different cities, and hear about their local stores, or the lack of them! We've made some great new friends this year, as well as reacquaint with ones, who return each year! It's also great to hear from you, our beloved-regular, local, customers who have shared your vacation stories with us. I have been to many exotic places this summer, living vicariously through you!

Lots of news this week! If you missed Wacky Wednesday... SOS (Shop Our Sale / Shop Our Store) and I don't think too many of you did... but if so, don't fret. We have some great bargains throughout the store. We've just got to make room for all those summer CHA orders that are starting to roll in! We've even put all of the WILD ASPARAGUS on sale at 50% off, so hurry in and take advantage of some great savings, while supplies last.

August Workshops: The August calendar is up and we have some fun things planned. Take a peek on the Calendar page of the website. We're offering two "Free-Style" projects. So many of you have commented on our samples, so here's your chance to step out of your comfort zone, and try this fun, new technique. We're also offering my "Vacation Album" as a class. The response to my sample has been so overwhelming that we just have to offer it to you! Give us a call if you have any questions regarding any of these workshops!

Speaking of Workshops: Paula's workshop this Saturday is awesome! Paula's creativeness and talent is infectious, and it's certainly evident in Saturdays' Monogram Mania Class! Monograms are here to stay... come learn some new ways to use them! When you see all the new monograms coming in you'll know why! Give us a call. There's still time to sign up!

MIA: Missing In Action   

One of our wonderful class samples is missing! I'm sure someone borrowed it to copy, and just forgot to return it. It's been missing for quite awhile and we kept hoping it would find it's way back to us, but so far it hasn't! If you are the one who has it, and forgot about it, and it's among your scrapbooking things at home, please let me know. We've had several people who have asked about it and we'd love to share it with them! I know how these things happen... time gets away from us and we forget. Thanks so much!

Latest News On Ali & Donna: 

Tickets go on sale Tuesday, August 1st! Check out the events page of our website for classes and times. We have class descriptions available in the store, when you sign up. Raffle tickets will also go on sale Tuesday! Can't you just feel the excitement? What a great event this is going to be!

Ok... here they are! This Weeks New Products:

Autumn Leaves: Four new Rhonna Farrer Spring line papers, rub-ons, and more clear stamps. Also Tina Bennetts 15 font doodles computer disc.

    15 Fonts Doodles CD

      other 2 are to light to show

    10 different clear stamps to choose from

Stemma: Awesome, Awesome new line by Kate Knight, these papers are sooo incredible!! Both new lines, Garden and Butterfly come with journaling pockets, rub-ons and embellishments.

Creating Keepsakes: September Issue and Can-Do Techniques, this magazine will teach you how to get the look you want without the time and mess usually associated with "artsy" techniques.

Prima: Seasonal flowers in mixed colors for summer and tropical, Chipboard alphabet in Blueberry and Spearmint, don't these just sound so yummy? Also 7"x10"  Marie Antoinette Crown Jewels Collection, and a 15" Rack with the Hawaiian flower bottles on it...so so cute!!

Cardstock Warehouse: Cardstock, Metallics and Mulberry

Midori Ribbon: Great new satin printed ribbons, one for Mom, babies, and yellow one with little chicks on it! Too cute!

This photo of the chick ribbon is not very good, but I tried to enlarge it so you could see how cute it really is, hope you can tell: 

Mrs. Grossman's: Our favorite albums are back in stock. Several colors have been discontinued, but most of our favorites are still available. Some Fabulous new Pirate stickers. Perfect for those Pirates of the Caribbean pages, or Tampa Bay Bucs pages! Also new Wizard and holiday stickers! You gotta love these basics!

Just a few sticker samples:

Paper Crafts: Card Creations. Always a favorite, this latest issue offers 287 Hip card ideas!

That's it for this week. Have a great weekend!

Happy Scrapping!

Ade and Jenny

I'm back!!! What a wonderful vacation! I fell in love with a whole new world! Of all the places in the world I have been, the state of Maine had escaped my travelogue! I can assure you, this won't be my last visit! I loved it! What a beautiful state!

We were so fortunate to be visiting friends who made the best tour guides! We saw light houses, ate lobster, visited maritime museums, ate lobster, went on a house and garden tour, ate lobster, went to L.L. Bean, ate lobster, walked the rocks along the shoreline by their house, ate lobster, and in case I didn't mention it, we ate lots and lots of lobster! It was wonderful! What a beautiful state and what a wonderful and relaxing time we had with great friends! I'm home for awhile now... until Jenny and I go to Phoenix in September for The Great Escape with Heidi Swapp!

It didn't take long for me to realize I was home though, first day back in the store I faced a stack of mail, 145 E-mails to answer, and summer CHA orders to place! Jenny did a great job of running the show while I was gone. It certainly makes me realize how capable she is! Her organization skills are beyond my comprehension!

I was overwhelmed by all the responses to my soap box sermon last week! Thank you for all your wonderful and kind comments! I am amazed at how many of you, took the time to write such sweet and personal responses. Bear with me as I answer each E-mail. There were so many, it may take me awhile to respond!

Summer CHA Orders: We've been busy meeting with reps this week and placing all of our summer CHA orders. All I can say is holy cow... wait till you see what's coming for fall! Watch the product highlight page of our website as we begin loading images for some of the new product on the way. We are excited about the diversity in products and great workshop ideas we have planned. Lots of innovative and fun things on the horizon. You'll notice lots of changes in the store too, as we rearrange sections, and reconfigure collection areas. Never a dull moment around here, always on the move!

Ali Edwards & Donna Downey News: Yes, the classes are determined and tickets will go on sale August 1st! I'll post all the details on the website this week! Raffle tickets for dinner with these celebs will also go on sale August 1st! Start saving your pennies... you won't want to miss this big event! Donna's classes will include A Family In Bloom Album, A Portfolio Album and R Is For Remember, and her famous Home Decor Letters! Ali's classes will be A Today You, Mini Album, a Favorite Photos Chipboard Album, and A Perspective On Your Life Right Now! We'll post the class descriptions and times this week. Ali's class fees are $75.00 per class and Donna's are $50.00 per class. All class fees include all supplies. Classes will be held Sunday, December 10th at the University of Tampa and class times will be from 9 am - 8 pm.         

This Weeks Workshop: Just in time for all of you returning from vacations or preparing to go on one! Annette has made the cutest Canvas Travel Suitcase Album! Not intended for tons of photos, but instead, meant to be a coffee table, memento piece. This is just too cute to pass up! You'll stamp, paper and paint on canvas and walk away with a real treasure! Call today to reserve your spot!

Each page is a 5 x 7 canvas, painted, stamped or covered

Yes, home decor is still the hottest thing going. Six months ago we started working with the wooden letters, Prima boxes, desk sets and ceiling fan blades. I've had so many requests for photos of my ceiling fan that I did in my personal scrapbook room, as well as other items that we've done, so here they are! Enjoy! We have lots of other fun projects planned for the fall! The possibilities are endless. You'll certainly look at all of your paper scraps differently!

This Weeks New Products

Happy Birthday Quickutz celebrates

In celebration of their five years they have released two new alphabets.

  The Pink Squeeze comes with the Moxie Alphabet and Black squeeze comes with the Metro alphabet Both are specially priced at $89.99. That's a bargain in anybody's book!

The new July Shapes are in and we have them all! perfect for summer BBQ pages or invitations, even two new goosebumpz!

Sunburst and Sunshine Goosebumpz

This Weeks New Products:

Creating Keepsakes: 52 Scrapbooking Challenges by Elsie Flannigan. If you are ready to take your scrapbooking to the next level then this book is for you. Elsie's unique style will show you how to create and discover your own personal style. There is over 150 layout ideas and some fun bonus quizzes.

It Takes Two: More of those wonderful stickers that we all love so much. Ten different kinds to choose from, Birthday, Thank you, Retirement, 25th and 50th Anniversary, Sympathy and Pregnancy. The perfect message for card-makers! Also back in stock, papers for Grandma, Grandpa, Cousins, Family Tree, Boy Scouts, Theater, Baptism and Christening. Good 'ole fashion, everyday basics!

 Here is just a sampling:

Junkitz: No, these are not new, if you were here when Shannon Taylor from Junkitz, taught her fabulous class, then you know these were Janna Wilson's designs. They have been very popular and we have carried some of these before, but If you have seen Annette's (member of our Design Team)  pages, hanging in the front of the store you'll know why we re-ordered this paper. Her incredible work has amazed and inspired so many people, we've had requests for reorders. So here you are... Five popular papers from the Flower Full and Pop Rock Collections.

Applegate: New! New! New! These are too cute for words. Diana just keeps on creating. She is so awesome, and everyone just loves her kits. Ok, we got Four new 12x12 Page Kits for Sleepover, Summer Vacation, All American and Beach H2O Fun and also back in stock the Sea World page kit, this one just flies out of here.

 Sorry photos are unavailable

Pioneer: These are back by popular demand and we swear by them. These great Snap Loads replace your album screw posts. How wonderful is that? This new system makes adding and removing page refills easy and ready in a Snap!

Leisure Arts: Four new 12x12 Beach Papers and a 12x12 Black Scroll Transparency, two 12x12 Albums for Girlfriends and Haberdashery and two 8x8 Albums for Travel and Family. These are all items we've had in stock but since we've had so many request for them, we brought them back in stock.

 Photos of the papers are unavailable

12x12 Albums

8x8 Albums

Fiskars and Heidi Grace: Hand held circle paper punches 1/4, 1/8 and 1/16 inch, These are great to use in place of a paper piercer! Also the Heidi Grace three piece glass jar set. Perfect for all those Prima Flowers and charms. How cute are these!!

Provo Craft: Chipboard letters in large 2 1/2" and small 1 1/2". We got six different colors in the large and four different colors to choose from in the small size. You're gonna love these!

Memory Makers: Outstanding Albums, 50 Unique Ways to Create and Customize Your Scrapbooks. Awesome book for everyone of any artistic level or skill. Each customized album in this book has all the top techniques, sure to inspire you from cover to cover.

That's all for now. Happy Scrapping!

Ade

By the time you read this I will be in Maine, enjoying a wonderful vacation with my husband and friends. Hopefully, I will have enjoyed my first Lobster dinner as well! The store is in great hands while I am gone and Jenny is already busy, placing pre-Summer CHA orders for all the new releases! Believe it or not, even though it's only July, and the temperatures are soaring...fall and holiday shipments are just around the corner!

I hope you will indulge me a turn from the ordinary, in this weekly update. Birthdays always seem to be a reflective time for me, and this year was no exception. I have some things I'd like to share with you and this column seems to be the right forum to do so! Yes, I know Blogs are the way to go now, but I honestly don't need one more thing to add to my daily list of things to do, so I don't anticipate starting one, anytime soon. Jenny may feel differently, and if she decides the store should have one, I'll let you know!

The hobby of Scrapbooking seems to be at a pivotal stage right now, and the role of the retail store is also facing change. Made For Memories just celebrated our 6th anniversary and we have certainly been a part of an exploding industry. When we opened our doors six years ago, it was not just on a whim. There were less than 100 stores across the country and we were on the cutting edge. Prior to opening our doors, we spent a year and a half, carefully researching the market, preparing a solid business plan, and praying about our decision to invest such a large amount of money into this new and un-chartered industry. We spent six months building out our store, and waited almost as long, for many of the orders. There were only a small number of vendors and they were experiencing their own growing pains. Many vendors found it nearly impossible to meet the demands of this popular new hobby and just couldn't fill orders in a timely fashion. The fact is, many vendors weren't business people at all, but rather, husbands, wives and other family members from Utah, (the birthplace of Scrapbooking) who had an idea, created a product, and spread the word, but then didn't know what to do next! They too, learned along the way. Some survived and others didn't!

 

We need to return to our roots. The basic roots of scrapbooking, that is. We need to focus on the moments, the events, and the reasons behind the photos, not the techniques that are used to create these elaborate works of art that some pages have become! Please don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying there isn't room for both... I'm simply saying, we need to keep our priorities in order. The plethora of products on the market, the urgency to have the newest, hottest craze without regard to the personal fortune in products we each have already amassed, has to level off. We need to stop and reevaluate, before our passion turns into frustration, and the very reason we began this journey, ends, because we're too overwhelmed.

 

Several years ago when Leeza Gibbons launched her product line at CHA, it was because her mother was suffering from Alzheimer's. She made it her mission to help others who faced the same horrible effects from this disease. Memories became precious commodities and Leeza spearheaded a wonderful movement across the country to have places where families could go and create scrapbooks (memory books) that could be shared with their loved ones. These books were created in hope that the patients memories would last longer. Leeza's mother has passed on, but Lezza's commitment remains. I remember the effect her presentation had on me, and how it reinforced my own feelings about this hobby.

 

As I reflect on the past year and all the changes, I am  pleased that our commitment has remained the same. I may not have always done everything right, I may not have always pleased every customer that walked through my door, I too may have been caught up in the rush of what's new and different... but I'm here to tell you, it's not about the latest technique or celebrity visit... It's about the memory we're committing to the page! Yes, we will continue to host celebrity visits and provide you with new products and ideas, however... we are not a private club, we do not discriminate against beginners, and I will continue to focus on the reason I began this journey so many years ago... BECAUSE I CARE.

 

I'll climb down off my soap box now, and thank you for allowing me to share these feelings with you! 

 

 

Successful Scarlett Letter Day: Despite the rain, having a cold, not feeling well, and a non-working air conditioning system, Scarlett led an incredibly successful day of make & takes and demos! What a trooper she was and how grateful we are to her for her unrelenting efforts! Everyone loved her samples, and enjoyed playing with all the tools. Didn't I tell you she was creative??? We sold out of all the Bookworks, fold-over punches and almost all the new beach line and Disney Princess embellishments. Thank goodness, I had a huge level of stock on these items! Thank you to all who came out and joined the fun! We had a great time! A great big "Thank You" to you too Scarlett, for sacrificing your Saturday to spend with us! You're the greatest!

This weeks New Products:

Creating Keepsakes: A Designer's Eye for Scrapbooking with Pattern Paper by Ali Edwards. This is Ali Edwards second book in which she shares her designer secrets for how to choose and use pattern paper on your layouts. Whether you're a beginner, intermediate, or advanced scrapbooker, this easy-to-understand guide will teach you all the "How To's".

Memory Makers: These are two amazing books. The name really says it all. Scrapbooking your Favorite Family Memories is a very popular book which shows you a wide range of products and techniques. This book also makes it easy to learn the basics of scrapbooking. The 650 Amazing Pages offers readers top-notch scrapbook pages under a wide umbrella of popular, tried-and-true themes. Both are incredible books!

EK Success: How great is this, the NEW value pack Rub-on Tool and Adhesive Remover and in PINK, I LOVE IT!!!

Well that was it for Thursday and Friday of last week, on to the next. Hi all, Jenny Here. Mom was off early this Morning to Maine and the store is Officially in my hands again. We seem to be making this a regular thing around here lately. Anyway I've already started placing those early CHA Summer orders, OH such cute stuff!! Have a great week!

Happy Scrapping!!

Ade and Jenny

What a great sale last week! I hope everyone enjoyed the bargains! We offer wonderful promotions throughout the year, but only offer a 40% off everything in the store, twice a year, so it really makes it special! We had over 100 customers Friday, and it was great to laugh and enjoy the day with so many! Thank you, to all the well wishers for the many cards and gifts you gave me in celebration of my Birthday! I started off the morning at one age, but by then end of the day... decades had disappeared! It really became a joke when I was asked how old I am!!! Once you hit a certain age, it's like weight, you never give out the true numbers! So no matter how old Jenny gets... I'll never claim to be older than 45! Tee, hee! Anyway, thank you all... so much for your kindness and friendship! I had a great birthday and fabulous weekend celebration!

We have an absolutely, incredible, don't want to miss event, this Saturday!  

EK Success Demo Day

Saturday July 8th  11:00 - 4:00 pm

Free

Join us for an EK Success, Scarlett Letter Day! Yes, you read that right! Join us for a day filled with inspiration and talent as our wonderful EK Sales Rep, Scarlett Nelson, leads you through the world of EK tools and products. You'll experience first hand how to use each tool in the line, enjoy make and take projects, and be inspired by the incredible ideas and product samples that Scarlett has to offer. Spend an hour or spend the day, whatever you decide, you won't want to miss out on this experience!

Special Promotions will coincide with Scarletts Visit!

You must be present to participate!

Come play with all the tools, and experience what's new!

Workshops: Be sure to check out all the great workshops scheduled for this month! We have some fun things lined up!

Tips For Leftovers: Please check out the announcement at the end of the events page, Tips For Leftovers! Thanks to Marji for clipping this out of Memory Makers Magazine, and bringing it to my attention! It's a wonderful way to use leftover scrapbook supplies and pass forth a little love at the same time! Thanks Marji for sharing, I hope we'll all make an effort to participate!   

Ali Edwards & Donna Downey news will be forth coming! Class details are still being determined! Class tickets will go on sale August 1st! Ali will be teaching 3 classes, Donna 4. I've seen several of the class samples and trust me... you won't want to miss any of them! Stay tuned for details! 

This weeks New Products:

Quickutz: The last of the Sunshine Kits are in! If you've been wanting one now's your chance to get it, we will not be able to get these back in stock and we only have a few left. The new Travel kits, we've already sold a bunch of these and we only have two left, so if it's calling your name call the store and left us know. Icing Rub-ons in Paisley, Daisies and Travel, Daisy Embossable Die, more Easy Store pages, and Twenty Two new dies.

Accents  Set   Marisa Classic Set Special Deal $199.99

Deja Views: The 3D Keeper squares are back in stock, these are great for displaying your 3-dimensional objects and embellishments in this great snap-close keeper. Also back in stock Rub-ons for All About Me, Friends, and Family Life, and Wonderful Word Thoughts for Family and Friends.

The 3D Keepers are unavailable to show

Daisy D's: So cute, From the Girlfriends Collection; (Back-Ordered) - Rub-ons that match the papers. These are so gorgeous!

EK Success: This is always a huge shipment, it took me (Jenny) all day to unpack it and the entire next day to get it all in. Ok this NEW PRODUCT is to die for, wait till you see the entire new A Day at the Beach Collection, Absolutely yummy, the colors are so bright (which is why I love them) and so fun for summer. There are five double-sided papers and forty four Jolees Dimensonals that are too cute for words. Also the Inspirables Beach Collection which includes the 12x12 paper packs, 6x6 mini books, Fabric Ribbon packs, 3D embellishments, Fabric words, metal embellishments and Alphabet stickers. The New Tinker Bell Collection which has two papers, three Jolee's and metal embellishments. Also the new Paper Shaper Punches are in, now these are cool, they raise right off the paper which makes them look 3D, in the butterfly, heart and flower. Also the New Jolee's Mini T-Shirts. Twenty Five different sayings to choose from. These are so cute! Also the new Fastenater Staples for Invitation and Party Time.

A Day at the Beach Collection, space does not allow me to show photos of all samples, Here are just a few:

Inspirables Beach Collection:

Paper Pack   

  6x6 Album  Fabric Borders Strips 

Tinker Bell Collection:

Paper Shaper Punches:

Jolee's Min T-Shirts (There are 25 different T's to choose from):

Fastenater Staples:

Creating Keepsakes: August Issue

I'm off to Maine next week for another vacation with my hubby and friends. Yummy, Yummy, there are Lobsters  calling my name! Have a great week! Once again, Jenny's in charge! Soon we'll be taking the ADE out of Made For Memories! Do ya think??? No, not yet!

Happy Scrapping,

Ade & Jenny (Contributing Editor)