Art and Soul

Tim Holtz, Basic Grey and GIVING!

Yes, I am sure you already knew that Tim Holtz will be delighting us once again with his wonderfulness in exactly TWO WEEKS...but did you know that we still have a few seats left in his Patchwork Pandemonium class? That is freakin' right, we have called the entire wait list and given them their chance to sign up and now we only have 5 spaces left! We had 7 just a moment ago but I told someone in the store and they took them before I could say distress! So if you want to take a journey with a very talented yet humble distressing genius, then here is your chance. You will want to make haste (oh what is it about that expression that I love so much?!) because its not a secret anymore. we have people coming from all over the southern part of the country. 5 spaces.

Patchwork Pandemonium - $85
July 25th 6:00-9:30pm

I made a promise to a number of you that I would post here when the Basic Grey went out on the shelves but I haven't been here so I'm letting you know now. Its ready for you to get your dirty little hands on! and its tempting me with all of its cuteness. Seriously Basic Grey, with the doilies?! I cant even stand it.

These are the doilies, the white space is cut out! LOVE them.

And I know there are a lot of you out there reading this so I want to ask you to do something. Consider it your act of kindness for the week! Cosmo Cricket has a blog and a big warm heart. They have asked us to donate some "out of season" canned goods to our local food banks. They added that for every person that leaves a comment making this promise:

"We will donate one dollar for every commenter up to $1,000."

How awesome is that? As if I could love Cosmo Cricket any more. This sort of stuff is what touches my heart the most, I have a real passion for being grateful for what we have and helping others who are less fortunate to have the simple privileges that so many of us take for granted. Cosmo Cricket has just taken up the first five spots on my favorite manufacturers list! (they already had 1 and 2) So PLEASE go to THIS POST and leave your comment making your promise and adding your dollar. I've done mine and Ill be picking up the food on the way home. Take a minute to help someone else, its what makes the world go round! : )

love,
tmj

Gaining independence...

I'm pretty much there now, with all the ups and downs and good times and bad times life has to offer.  Thankfully more good than bad and I still have those high hopes that life will always get better.  Not complaining, it certainly could be worse.  Lots of crazy things going on the world and yet everytime I walk into the store I'm immediately calm and happy.  Love to see the new product, new samples and especially the happy faces of everyone in the store.  Funny that no one is really unhappy at a scrapbook store, ever. 

We have had a few customers, although not unhappy, but could be happier if...

They are disappointed there's not going to be a 4th of July sale.  We have a lot going on this crazy month, so we decided to have the 4th of July sale a couple of months ago.  So they didn't make it then for whatever reason, or they made it and still want a reason to come back, or forgot, or whatev...

So to make everyone happy, because that is what I try my best to do (believe it or not), we're gonna kick it in high gear, suck in our tummies and put on our big girl panties...YES VIRGINIA, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A 4TH OF JULY SALE...Just not on the 4th of July, because we will be closed then.  Someone's gotta cook the burgers, ya know.  So instead of a 4th of July sale, we're going to have a 3rd of July sale.  And if that's not putting a smile on your face, how about a 5th of July sale to boot?  Now you're smiling...right?

Here's how we're gonna roll...on Friday July 3rd and Sunday July 5th, everything in the store will be at least 40% off...there's still plenty of other stuff in the clearance room that's 60% off, and that will stay 60% off, not 40% on top of 60%, because that would be insane and I'm not quite there yet.  We're open on Friday from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. and Sunday from noon until 4 p.m.  And yes this does include the new stuff we just got in (Little Yellow Bicycle, 7 Gypsies, Heidi Swapp, Tim Holtz, etc.)  The only thing we're doing that won't make you happy is the new BasicGrey won't be put out until next week.  Sorry...we've got to do something to make you come back in next week.

And for those of you taking the Tim Holtz classes, please check the calendar for time changes.  He's extended the time of Patchwork Pandemonium 30 minutes.  The classes will still start at the regular time, just plan on staying another 30 minutes.  That's 30 more minutes of Tim...how great is that.  And just one more thing...I talked to Mario and Tim today and they WILL have some extra kits to sell, so if you'd like an extra kit (or two), give us a call and we'll get that taken care of for you.  No regular crop this Friday night...it's a member's only crop, but the store will be open until 8 p.m. for your shopping and saving pleasure.  Those of you in the QuicKutz club who didn't make it to last Sunday's meeting, well you really missed out on the project.  We didn't finish it, as I knew we wouldn't and I had planned for it to take 2 meetings to do, but everyone who did come really enjoyed it, so those of you who didn't come, I don't want you to miss out and I will have the kit for you for the next meeting.  Email me or call the store and let them know you're coming to the next meeting, which will be August 16th from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.  Why so long?  It's pretty involved...so come when you can...

Delivery men always get terrorized when they come here.

Hey Everyone, Its Theresa! The man in brown stopped by here today! He was not our usual guy, he was extra super nice and so I was slightly delighted. Having no idea what was in the box, I attempted to sign my name on the strange contraption in front of me. When I took notice of the return address I was instantly in freak out mode and he looked at me as if I had just licked his face while I said "THANK YOU SO FREAKING MUCH!" He didn't even want to ask me my last name as they usually do. I'm sure he is on his way to tell his UPS colleagues about the psycho woman in the scrapbook store that must have miscounted her happy pills this morning and putting in a change of route request as you are reading this. : )

So I thought I'd let you in on the new stuff that the UPS man brought me, uh I mean US! Ive been in love with this line since the day Kathie shared it with me on her computer screen. Its so ridiculously cute that I dont even need to tell you, just LOOK:

I love it so much. It just makes my heart happy.

We also got in some Little Yellow Bicycle. Zinnia and The Fresh Print Traveler Collection! Zinnia is cute but that Travel line is TO DIE FOR.
(Image borrowed from the My Little Yellow Bicycle website)

I adore it so. I don't know what it is about this line but they did it right. I HAD to grab some to add to my pile of stuff to use for my Chicago & New Orleans albums which I have yet to start on. Such is life.

So come on in, it smells so good and is ready for your projects and albums!

"5 -4-7" Card Class tomorrow

Just a quick reminder that we will be having a card making class tomorrow at 11am in our design studio.  The class is called "5-4-7".  In this class you will be making 5 beautiful cards for only $7.  The class will be taught by our very talented design team member, Rhonda Hines.  We still have a few spaces available. Please call the store to reserve you spot. 

Welcome summer...

Just around the corner, but the kids are officially out of school and on my complete watch for the next three months.  That means I'm going to pull my hair out trying to combat their boredom, which they will certainly convey to me, at least 27 times each day.  I can honestly say I haven't been bored in decades.  Even when something is less appealing than I think it should be, I can easily go down for a nap, or read a magazine, or tackle a pile of laundry.  To be quite frank, I wish I could say that I am bored.  That would suggest that everything I need to do and ever hope to accomplish is done...and when will that happen?  I don't like to sit idle, ever.  I can always find something to do.  And then there are the things that I wish were done, well...they never get done, completely. 

Take for instance my scrapbook studio.  I had a good plan going there...purging, sorting and re-organizing.  Got to about 60% completion and then something else more important came into play.  So I've got the rest of the week and deadlines will get my butt in gear faster than anything.  And the deadline?  The Scrapyard sale this Saturday.  I really wanted to throw more of my stuff into the bins lining my hallway, but hey, I still have a few days.  And we still have a few tables left if anyone else is interested in setting up their own table.  The weather I'm told is going to be nice.  We have inside and outside tables available and Delaney and Connor are planning on setting up a lemonade stand.  That's their big plan on getting the new games they want and I refuse to buy.  So if you're interested in some honest to goodness homemade lemonade and some rockin' new and gently used scrapbook supplies, then head our way.  We will also be offering some really unheard of bargains in front of the store as well.  It will be a great day to stock up and save, grab a few goodies, oh, and drink lemonade.

And while I have your complete attention... the QuicKutz meeting, originally planned for June 21st?  WTH were we thinking?  That day IS Father's Day.  I know we tossed it back and forth and the consensus was that the 14th was Dad's Day, but lo and behold, Jean Keller was right and it is the 21st.  So our June meeting will take place on Sunday, June 28th.  Please mark that date down...there's a really cute project we'll be tackling, so please plan on attending...if you dare...

We have to give a final head count for the Teresa Collins classes by Monday.  So please, by SATURDAY June 6th, please call and confirm your class, pay for it, or sign up.  I think there are a few spots open.  (I think.) 

And I think we were supposed to give something away...yep...BasicGrey class kits.  Randomly selected by Delaney, who closed her eyes and pointed to a spot are these four lucky ladies...

• Melanie (May 26, 2009 at 2:40 p.m.)
• Ginger (May 21, 2009 at 5:45 p.m.)
• Kate plus 4 (May 22 at 10:03 p.m.)
• Sharon (May 25 at 2:50 p.m.)

Your goodies await you at the store.

And for the good news...

I have in my hot little hands four kits that were taught by the fabulous Kelly Goree at Scrapbook Expo this past weekend.  All featuring BasicGrey; Lime Rickey Gal Pal swatch book, two card sets using Porcelain and Marrakech, and my favorite eclectic mini album with Wisteria.  Just leave a comment here or on the previous post and we'll draw four lucky winners on Wednesday.  Just for the record, I'm exhausted; two days at the Expo, then two days at Seaworld, and the extra excursions to an IMAX movie and City Walk.  I can hardly move.

And then there's tomorrow, the day after Memorial Day Sale, where we'll gladly take 30% off your entire purchase.  That's tomorrow only, May 26th.  You can get your hands on the new Scenic Route collection, among others.  And maybe our Bazzill restock will come in tomorrow too.  We still have a fairly good selection of QuicKutz left...and they are 75% off.

So I hope everyone had a fun day today, long weekends are so nice...and maybe we'll see you tomorrow... 

Life is good...

During the thunder and lightning storm we've got going on, I had a very nice chat with Tim Holtz.  He's a big fan of thunder and lightning and delighted in the bursts of thunder that punctuated our conversation.  So on to the good news...

I told Tim that we had a huge waiting list for his classes and he suggested he add a third class.  It will be a repeat of the second class he's teaching, which we both feel is the hands-down favorite.  Theresa will be calling everyone on the waiting list and giving them the good news.  Okay...so what's he teaching?

Two brand new classes for 2009.  "Idea-ology Intrigue" and "Patchwork Pandemonium."

“PATCHWORK PANDEMONIUM” - (3 1/2 hours $85)

Discover your inner artistry in this colorful, textured, and very altered workshop.  Embrace your imperfections and creative freedom as you design and embellish patchworks of art.  Learn techniques using inks, paints, masking, custom textures on grungeboard/grungepaper, and fulfill your addiction to trinkets and treasures.  Create a hanging patchwork grunge piece adorned with ornate flair and let your creativity explore the imaginative as you enter a world of patchwork pandemonium... 

 

“IDEA-OLOGY INTRIGUE”  - (3 hours $75)

Have you been intrigued by the eclectic mix of products in the idea-ology line?  Does your mind wonder at the possibilities?  This workshop will satisfy your creative wishes as we design and assemble numerous wearable pieces using idea-ology.  Learn a variety of jewelry making tips and tricks as you customize your creations into one-of-a-kind couture.  Explore the endless ideas that await you as we discover the intrigue of idea-ology...

 

How fabulous.  The first class of the day will be the Idea-ology Intrigue from 9 a.m. until noon.  This will be $75.  The second and third classes of the day will be the Patchwork Pandemonium at $85.  Tim will teach this from 1:30 until 5 p.m. and then again from 6 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.  I'm sure with that long day, he'll be pulling out the Red Bull. 

 

If you've put down your $25 deposit for Tim's classes, please give us a call and take care of the balance.  We need all payments as soon as possible, with the deadline being Friday June 5th, 2009.  If we don't hear from you by Wednesday June 3rd, we will make an attempt to call you but after June 5th, we will fill the spots from the waiting list, which after the first 75 on the wait list, we stopped taking names.  And finally, if you didn't make it on the wait list and want to participate, call us and we'll add you to a new waiting list.  All this confusion I know, but if anyone is worth it, Tim certainly is.  In case I neglected to mention, all three of his classes will be on Saturday July 25th.

 

I'm about to leave now to head to Orlando, to the Gaylord Palms to be specific, for the Scrapbook Expo.  Anyone coming?  It's this Friday and Saturday (May 22nd and 23rd) and we have some discount coupons at the store if you so desire to come.  I was asked by BasicGrey to come help out Kelly Goree with her classes.  I thought it would be fun and I'm looking forward to spending some quality time with my kind of people...scrapbookers.  And I plan on scoring some class kits for all four of Kelly's classes, and I might just be giving some away as prizes.  So...make a little comment here on this post if you love BasicGrey, and when I get back, we'll draw four lucky winners.  See, life is good.

Oh and one more thing...we'll be closed Monday May 25th for Memorial Day, but be sure and check the blog Monday night or Tuesday morning...there will be something posted that might be of interest to you...

 

 

For you QuicKutz fanz out there...

In case you missed the meeting yesterday, and for those QuicKutz loverz not in the club, we're putting all of our existing QuicKutz dies, fonts, shapes, anything and everything QuicKutz at 75% off.  I know we unloaded quite a bit yesterday, making for lots of happy faces, but there's still more...and I've raided the stockroom and found some more fonts and dies.

And if you're a current QuicKutz club member and missed the meeting yesterday, give us a call or stop by...we have a surprise for you...

Teresa's class...

Not counting the recipe book I did with Teresa a year ago, this one is the most fabulous one I've seen yet.  Okay, maybe I like this one a little better, with the bling and the transparencies.  Either way, what a cute fun book, and only $40.  I've got more images posted in the photo album section of the blog, so check them out.  I think there are a few spots left for Teresa's classes.  I know on Saturday there were a couple in one class, and I didn't check the other one, but seriously, if you're planning on coming...better sign up now.

And as for her other class, there won't be images until closer to the class, because that class will be using the brand spanking new CHA release.  All I can say is it that it surely won't disappoint...

Did someone say {sale}...

Busy couple of days...who's not crazy now?  Kids are displaying their short-timers syndrome...only 4 short weeks left of school and then what?  Three months of attempting to entertain two kids, finding some good summer programs and planning vacations.  Yikes. 

Last night I had a late night rendezvous with Teresa Collins...a 2+ hour phone conversation and I loved every minute of it.  Well, we all know I love Teresa anyway, and last night we had a lot to catch up on.  We fed the kids, put them to bed and had some quality girl talk.  She is super excited about teaching here in July and now I'm even more excited to tell you what she's teaching.  I don't know if I can spill all the beans, but I will tell you this...Those of you taking the class will be using brand-spanking new product...Yes ladies, you will be the first.  Fresh off the press from CHA-Summer, which just so happens to be the week before.  And...Ruban Rouge will have it all here for you to see, touch, smell and purchase, should you so desire.  How's that for service?  I just checked to see and Teresa's class is 90% full.  There are only a handful of spots left and I'm talking less than six.  So if you're planning on coming, thought about it, wanted to wait and see what it would be all about...your time is running out.  Oh the theme---Friendship.  It can be about you and your friends, your children and their friends, your husband or sig-o as your friend, any friend you've got, this will be perfect.  This is the $85 class.  The $40 class will be geared towards Teresa's trademark kitchen/recipe line and will be a complete album also. 

So today I stopped in the store with the summer schedule and the umpteenth change made (too many people taking too many vacations), so the updated version was there and we were all going over it and realized...wow, there's a lot going on this summer.  Let's start with July...the 4th of July sale, then there's Tim Holtz, then CHA in Orlando, then Teresa Collins and then school starts back the beginning of August.

And June is crazy because of all of our vacations being scheduled, and because there's not too much going on right now in May, we made this unanimous decision...why not have the 4th of July sale in May?  Specifically NATIONAL SCRAPBOOKING DAY...and the day before and the day after.  How does 40% off everything in the store sound?  

That's right...starting Friday May 1st, continuing on Saturday May 2nd, going right up until closing on Sunday May 3rd, every single thing in the store, (and yes! even the new stuff) will be 40% off.  And this works as a win-win situation.  You'll get a huge discount, and we'll have room for the new stuff that's on its way.  I love it when a plan comes together...