June 27, 2008

Here we are at the end of the month! I can't believe it! We've had a great time celebrating our Anniversary with you. We hope you all have enjoyed all the specials as well! Each year we try to come up with new ideas for promotions and we think this has been a lot of fun. A  "Thank You" to Design Team Members Jessica and Aimee for organizing all the promotions and special events. You guys are the best! I couldn't have pulled it off on my own!

If you think it's over... it's not... You're really gonna be blown away by our July Events... We have some fabulous things planned for one of the hottest months of the year! Check out the calendar page for our monthly project days and be sure to plan on attending our Special Event on Saturday July 26th, when Pat Johnson previews a new line "Laughing Elephant Designs!" You won't want to miss that day of Make & Takes and project ideas!

We asked... You answered... We listened... and now We're Implementing!

The survey results are in and we're busy extracting all the information and compiling it into categories. We plan to publish the results on the website so you all will be able to see it! We'll let you know as soon as it's ready! Kudos to all those who participated... the response was amazing and the results incredibly informative. We have a clear grasp on the workshops you're interested in as well as the products you want us to carry! Thanks so much for all the kind words of affirmation as well. It's always nice to get a pat on the back! 

This Weeks New Products:

Memory Makers: New book called Fabulous Friendship, this new book has over 100 fun, silly and heart touching layouts that are sure to inspire you and help you to take a thoughtful look at best friends, so you can create wonderful pages to celebrate such those people in your life!

Reminisce: 8 New Collections, Amusement Park, Caribbean, Florida, Cruise, Moving, American Hero, Hawaii and Disney Dream Vacation, plus sooo many more new collections to come. Stay Tuned!

Basic Grey: New Euphoria collection, absolutely stunning with matching brads and chipboard stickers!

New Company: Check out these AWESOME new Chipboard Albums and paper collections. They are so stinkin' cute and would make the perfect gift for some one special!

Reminisce: New Est. 1776 and The Freedom collections, perfect and just in time for the 4th of July! i see adorable little projects in the way...

Memory Makers: Feel free to break the "rules" of scrapbooking! This new book by Crystal Jeffrey Rieger is filled with pages to encourage you to break the mindset of what your scrapbook pages "should" look like and instead free yourself to create unique layouts!

We're off for a food tasting today at the Longboat Key Club. Yum! Yum! Just one more step in the wedding planning process! We'll let you know next week what the choices will be...

It's my birthday on Wednesday... and we're cooking Up something special! Watch your E-mail Monday for details!

Happy Scrapping!

Ade and Jenny

June 20, 2008

    It has been an eventful week, one filled with sadness as well as blessings. I just told a friend that I have to keep reminding myself that the sorrows, problems, and stresses in my life.... are not everyone else's... and that the store needs to remain a "Happy Place" so that others can escape the stress in their own lives, for a few brief moments of pleasure!

My problem is two-fold... the very nature of our business is to share with one another in both good times as well as bad and that I wear my heart on my sleeve! When you hurt, I hurt, and when you're joyous, I'm joyous. It's just the nature of my being. I am thankful that I'm in a business that embraces emotions, and feel blessed to be surrounded by so many people that care. Be careful when entertaining strangers, because you never know when you might be entertaining angels in disguise.  

I lost my biggest fan, supporter, mentor and surrogate mother, to brain cancer last Friday and the void will be impossible to fill. If you've ever met anyone who lights up a room, fills the air with true joy and happiness and has a cup that is so full it spills over onto anyone she comes in contact with... then you've met JiJi. For almost 30 years she has been the worlds greatest cheerleader. She was the definition of HAPPINESS, and her enthusiasm for life was contagious. I loved her very much and the ache in my heart will be filled with the sound of her laughter, the memory of her smile as well as her mantra "Have a Happy Day!"  

Jenny had minor surgery on Wednesday and has been home recuperating. We are happy to report that all went well and she'll be back on her feet soon. Thanks for all the calls, emails and encouragement. She should be back to work on Monday!

We're all feeling the effects of the economy and no one knows better than we do how tight money is... so we're trying to come up with ways that will keep our customers "happy" without worrying about spending money they don't have! We think we've come up with the perfect solution. We have project ideas, kits and samples of lots of different things you can copy... using products you already have, or maybe supplement with only a few new papers or embellishments. During July and August we'll have project days. They won't be formal classes but instead, we'll have samples of projects and directions for them available, as well as staff who can lend assistance when needed. Each day we'll offer a different project, some old, some new. Here's your chance to copy some of our incredible projects without the burden of expense. Watch your E-mails and the calendar for these events and stop in to get a supply list. Bring your own tools and supplies and crop away! Remember his is your "Happy Place" and quiet respite from the worries of everyday life!  

This weeks new products:

Scrapbook Trends: Vacations 2008 Magazine, This new idea book is filled with ideas to help you show off all those fun vacation memories. This little idea book will help you turn that pile of photos on your desk into a lasting keepsake.

Rouge De Garance: Ailes ou fleurs collection. Absolutely the most beautiful blues and browns together with Bits and Pieces chipboard that are absolutely gorgeous!

DoodleBug: Stick With It Adhesive Transfers in Love and Friends. These are way cool, 6x12 two sided adhesive sheet. Very cool. Something new to try out!

Bo Bunny: All Stuck Up Brads and Flowers in lots of different colors.

Daisy Bucket: i am in love with this companies papers. They are so gorgeous and the texture of the paper is awesome! Three new collections Summer Cottage, Under the Boardwalk and Love You. Check these out before they are gone...

Inkadinkado: Some of the best wood stamps out there, these are too cute! Buy two get one free. You can't beat that deal and these NEVER last long around here!

Mrs.Grossmans: More stickers from the New Collections, Holiday, New Year, School, Party etc...

Pioneer: Beautiful 12x12 Sewn Ivory Wedding Album Box. These are such popular albums, they do not stay in stock long and also come in blue, pink and black.

Hambly: 12x12 Overlays in all kinds of different styles.

Sassafrass Lass: In a stitch Flower buttons. Too cute! These match all the adorable collections in stock.

Inque Boutique: Lots and lots of stamps, Rubber stamps you can put on clear blocks. These stamps are awesome and the quality definitely proves it too.

Tim Holtz: Distress Crackle Paint by Ranger. Be sure to check out Becky's class this Saturday using Chipboard. Great techniques to learn using the crackle paint.

That's it so far this week. Be sure to pop in and see us! Lots of great new products and bargains around the store to be had. Be sure to check out the calendar page of the website, lots of great classes coming!

Happy Scrapping!

Ade and Jenny

Yessiree... it's June alright and we're off to a great start! Our 8 year Anniversary Celebration has begun and the fun and games have begun! Be sure to watch your weekly E-mails for activities, promos and events!

On tap For Friday, June 6th: Join us for donuts and coffee as we celebrate National Donut Day! You'll also receive 20% off everything in the food section including stamps and paper crafting supplies!

Saturday, June 7th: Our fabulous Design Team Members offer up Part 2 in our series of Technique Boutiques! How to make your own embellishments. If you haven't signed up for this class, you'd better hurry, 'cause it's almost full!

Sunday, June 8th: Bring your favorite ice cream topping and join us for an old fashioned Banana Split Crop from 1:00 pm to 5:00pm. We'll provide the ice cream and the inspiration... just bring your supplies and be prepared to crop and have fun! Oh, did I mention there will be special promos and prizes! Yippee... beat the heat and join the fun. Call the store to sign up! Don't forget a topping is your admission to the crop!

Friday the 13th: Just may be your lucky day! Yep... everyone will draw a card and whoever draws the Lucky 13 will win a beautiful Gift Basket filled with lots of great stuff! Be sure to stop in, it just could be our lucky day!

Saturday, June 14th: we'll celebrate Flag Day and the US Army's Birthday. Be sure to support our men and women in all the branches of  the armed services. In their honor we're offering 25% Off all military and public safety papers and embellishments 

Also on Saturday, June 14th: Life Is Just A Box of Chocolates; Yep, Jeannie's at it again with another clever little book filled with great techniques. If you haven't seen the sample be sure to check it out and give us a call to sign up for the class. I can promise you won't be disappointed 'cause with Jeannie, sometimes you get a cherry and sometimes you get a nut!

Jenny's off to Louisville for another wedding and while she's there her Sorority Sisters are giving her a Bridal Shower. My husband and I are driving up to attend the shower and also meet "the mother of the groom". We're looking forward to spending some time getting to know her. We've met Tim's Dad before, but haven't had the pleasure of meeting his Mom. We're also going to take a few days for some much needed R&R in the mountains. I'm looking forward to some "down time". Not to fret though... Jenny will be back on Monday to help celebrate all of next weeks events!

I am soooooooooo blessed to be surrounded by such a great staff and Design Team. These guys make life so much easier around here. A big Thank You to Jessica & Aimee too for all the organizing and implementation for this months Anniversary Celebration. You guys are REAL  "Rock Royalty!" Thanks so much for all your help! See you in a week!

Check out this Weeks New Products:

Creative Imaginations: Lots and lots of goodies...Christine Adolph Tidepool collection, Fairy Princes collection and chipboard crown album, Travel embellishments and papers, Narratives In Bloom collection and Antique Cream collection both with adorable journal notebooks, new Fourth of July papers and new Disney Magic collection with adorable foil papers! Love this stuff!!

Luxe Designs: Adorable Black and White 12x12 Transparently Yours and new Color Me papers, sooo soooo cute!

Making Memories: New Passport Collection, Tags, Stickers, Stamps, chipboard alphabets and awesome, awesome travel papers. Too cute!

It Takes Two: Paper, paper and more paper for Family, Farm and Religious.

Happy Scrapping!

Ade and Jenny

This little Bride is off to Kentucky again for another wedding this weekend and another Shower given by my Sorority Sisters. Yay! So fun and so exciting! The girls will be holding down the fort so pop in and see them. Saturday's class is packed and full of fun and don't forget the Ice Cream Sundae Crop this Sunday from 1-5pm! I'm bummed that I'm not gonna be here to participate. I guess we'll just have to do another one! See you all next week!