Easily Amused

Found

2011-10-09T17:30:00.000-07:00

Almost deleted.

Saved.

I guess I should post more often.

Dog Day

2009-08-06T22:42:00.000-07:00

So I completely misunderstood something someone was saying today and it demolished me. Just wiped me out emotionally and physically. Really, you could have knocked me over with a feather, but first you would have had to pick me up off the floor, since that is where I was.

I hate this time of the month. Mountains out of molehills and all that.

Tomorrow, I bring crafting into the workplace. Oh, those lucky peeps. Honestly, they have no idea what's coming. Mostly, wouldn't want to give them any time to prepare...

Heh.

I think I'm feeling better already. Stealth craft attack. Full speed ahead.

Feet First In Seattle

2009-08-05T22:37:00.000-07:00

I work for a really great company. Yeah, the travel can get exhausting and sometimes the work takes over my life; yet, I am surrounded on a daily basis by some remarkably amazing people.

Every other month, our geographically dispersed team gets together, generally for a day or a day and a half. We check-in with each other, on a personal and business front, and work on business issues, development, and, yup, we have fun. (It is a core value of my company.)

This month's meeting was in Seattle, so I flew in yesterday for today's meeting. And today, I flew home with beautifully manicured toes, which by the way are not pictured above. That image, I downloaded from a free site. (Thanks!) I think my fingernails look equally charming and so far I have managed to keep them maintained. Hey, it's been 8 hours already!

That's right, people. I flew to Seattle from Phoenix to get my nails done. What has your company done for you lately?

Pop N Fresh

2009-08-04T00:06:00.000-07:00

My darling teen appears to be obsessed with Smartfood White Cheddar Popcorn. I think she first discovered it at AJ's and since she realized that Circle K also sells the stuff, we seem to pick up a new bag every time we go to Circle K. Raise your hand if you thought AJ's and Circle K had the same popcorn distribution source. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

I was also not aware that popcorn was a major food group. In our house, it has made an appearance at nearly every meal, or replaced a major meal. This would be a prime example of bad parenting on my part. Yeah, whatever.

Since the teen's favorite pasttime is talking me into renting her scary movies, perhaps she needs an unlimited supply for her movie-watching. (tangent alert: Do you have any idea how difficult it is to locate scary movies that are not rated R? When you only go to redbox? Well, dang difficult, that's what.) Or maybe she is not fond of anything I cook, which would be a significant possibility if I ever actually cooked a meal for her. We are the home of self-service meals. Hungry? Make something. It's a useful life skill.

In any case, as I was throwing away the empty bag that I found
a) in the back seat of the car
b) on the sofa in the teen room
c) on the couch in the living room
d) all of the above
I decided that I really needed a maid. In theory, I have one built-in in the form of a teenage daughter. In reality, I want to hire someone who actually will do the cleaning without my non-stop irritating nagging, heavy sighing, and eye-rolling. Oh, wait, those last two items are hers.

I checked with my neighbor who has the best referrals ever, and I look forward to treating myself to a little bit of heaven. Plus, I am going to hire a maid. (She really does have great referrals.)

Now I just need a really cool craft project for empty popcorn bags.

Yes, I Would Like Another Computer Please

2009-08-02T18:19:00.000-07:00

So I decided that my life would be that much more awesome if I had a mini laptop that I could dedicate to my music and my pictures. I scouted out some data on the 7-10" sizes (read: checked the Sunday flyers) and told Eric (yes, he has a name today!) what I was thinking. So he jumped onto the research bandwagon and did some actual data-gathering.

After a bit of a high-end Costco trip, I came home with a really cute little hp mini with a pretty decent 6 hour battery life. I added a swanky pink swirled skin to make it mine and am now loading my i-touch library accordingly.

Now when I head back out on the road, I'll have another computer to carry. Don't get behind me in the TSA line, though. Between shoes off, laptop out, mini-laptop out, cell phone, treo, i-touch, and my quart size baggie with liquids and gels, I'll need an extra 20 minutes just to get through security. This would not be the prudent time to discuss whether my crop-o-dile passes the 4" or less tool test. Right?

When My Slow Cat Moves Fast

2009-07-31T23:40:00.000-07:00

My cat is kinda getting on in her years. Some days, you can tell she likes playing old fogie as she limps around, yowling on and off for kicks. Other days, she apparently is possessed by the spirit of Cat Who Moves At Mind-Altering Lightning Speed, as she freaks around the place.

I have been advised by someone who knows about these things that she races to assist her digestion. I have been further advised that the racing, acoompanied by some mighty loud "What is up with that cat?" noises, are a signal to let out the cat. We'll just call that letting the cat out for the general purpose of "movement."

All I know is that said cat can ambulate quite nicely when it meets her needs. And I am not sure of the purpose of posting this information, other than it happened to be in my head at the moment.

In other unrelated news, Some Guy does have a name, and I have permission to use it. (OK, well, I have had permission to use it for quite some time. I have permission to use it on the blog now. It's not like I've introduced him to friends and family as Some Guy. Much.)

So as soon as I find a reason to write something about him, I may start calling him by name. Lucky dude. And lucky me--how many guys do you know who will jump onto the Dance, Dance Revolution game at the arcade?

Every Year About This Time, I Write About Chicago

2009-07-29T22:22:00.000-07:00

This June, we (we=me and Some Guy) flew in to Chicago for a long weekend and a Milwaukee wedding. Flight arrangements were somewhat complicated. We were flying into Midway on Thursday, hanging out at The Palmer House for a night, then picking up Teen Angst on Friday. Teen in question, coming in from her 2-week spree in England and France with her other family, changing planes and carriers in Dulles to meet up with us, also at Midway. Complicated much?

So everything is groovy on Thursday. We land and take the cheap route by hopping the L into downtown. Our hotel is steps from the station, but Some Guy decides to hop off one stop early so we chug suitcases a couple blocks to the hotel. We score a fabulous upgrade (yeah, sometimes being on the road a HECKA lot has some upgrade perks) and immediately head out to Millennium Park, mere steps away and featuring Taste of Chicago. Man, timing is everything. We feast for a bit, debate whether to go to the Cubs game, and end up just enjoying Taste.

Friday, we rent bikes and cycle down Lakeshore Drive, around the aquarium, and just generally enjoy the sights. Since it's also fireworks day (July 3), the crowd is already starting to arrive and set up for the evening light show. We have the Teen airport pickup about 7pm so we decide to bellstand the bags and take it easy for the afternoon wait.

I know Teen is scheduled to land about 3pm our time, so I give her a call to verify her flight arrived, and make sure she is able to get through customs without too much drama. Uh, not likely. We connect via phone; she is freaked. In summary: plane left late, plane arrived late, Unnamed Person Who Is Not My Daughter left boarding pass, baggage claim tickets, and passport (not Teen's) on the plane, passport retrieval commences, customs confusion commences, baggage belonging to all passengers except Teen arrives, Teen is on her own as Accompanying Family had to dash for their connection, Teen freaks out trying to locate her airline and her gate. With coaching from Some Guy and airport map at our end, Teen gets to her gate and is now on her way to Midway, sans luggage.

So, wedding next day, pending Teen arrival, and luggage potentially not coming any time soon. Discuss.

I decide to use the immediate future to see what necessities I can snag in anticipation of luggage not being where it should be any time soon. Find shoes for Teen, purchase them. Run out of time.

Some Guy and I pick up luggage and take the L back to Midway, this time getting on the stop that is actually most convenient. See, we practice Continuous Process Improvement! We strategize how to proceed after airport pickup, so that we can locate nearest department store for mandatory girly undergarments and other basics. Some Guy calls Goog411 (love them!) and locates nearest Target and has a conversation something like this:
SG "Hello, can you tell me how to get there from here?"
T "Yes, go here, then go here."
SG "OK"
T "What are you looking for?"
SG (puzzled) "Uh, Target...?"
T "No, sir, what is it that you are looking for?"
SG (suddenly nervous, very long pause) "Uh...um. A-a football?"
Two things: One, when you are a guy, telling the Target lady that you need to go from the airport right to Target for the purpose of buying girls underwear, not gonna happen. Even if your immediate need for girls underwear is very appropriate and solves a problem. Two, isn't it normal to need a football RIGHT AWAY when you are coming from the airport? Just saying. Think about it. Must. Have. Football.Now.

Anyhoo, Teen arrives, no luggage, no baggage claim office either. See, when you land in Dulles on United Airlines, and the baggage expert says, no you cannot file a claim here, you must file it at the end of your itinerary, and the teen says, this is the end of my itinerary, as I change to Southwest Airlines now, and the baggage expert says, file it at the end of your journey, it seems no one at United takes into consideration that United flies into O'Hare and Southwest flies into Midway. So, United Dumbheads Airlines, there IS NO UNITED BAGGAGE CLAIM OFFICE to file a lost baggage claim with at Midway.

So no baggage, no baggage claim, no baggage claim tickets (still in some seat pocket with United, probably enroute back to Heathrow), and time to head to Target. We do need a football, after all.

Fastest tour of Target ever: underwear, deodorant, swimsuit, and very happy Teen with all new stuff. Or less frantic about all her missing stuff from her trip, anyway. We finally head out for Milwaukee about 9pm. Only to be stuck in a major traffic jam. [Insert Munch "The Scream" here.] Police herd us into a parking lot. Not anyone in front of us or behind us; we are just randomly selected for something they call a "safety check". Safety check, my a**. We're safe, we get flagged through, and 3 cops later, another one stops us for the same dang check. Very disorganized safety check. Maybe they need some training in Continuous Process Improvement.

OK, we are back on the road. I think we make it half a block before we see this giant cement berm straddling the entire width of the roadway. Problem? We see it approximately 1.2 seconds before we smack into it going about 40mph. Rental car makes not a good sound, so Some Guy decides we need to pull over and check for potential damage before getting on the freeway. So we cruise around for several blocks to find a "good place" to check out the car. The "good place" is a McDonald's in a very dicey part of Chicago. (You know, near the Target.) So Some Guy uses his guy smarts to check out the car, and we strongly encourage him to hurry. He seems to move a little faster after we hear gunshots.

Yay, we are finally on the freeway! Oh, look, fireworks, pretty. No, no, Some Guy, you are the driver - please keep your eyes on the road and I will watch all the fireworks for you. Oh, dear, there is a lot of traffic. Oh, my, is that an accident or another "safety check" ahead? OK, just a lot of traffic. A giant big-time headache, major lot of traffic. Why isn't everyone parked somewhere watching fireworks? Plus, I think I really have to pee.

Two hours later, we find our hotel in Milwaukee. Hey, if we check in now, it's still Friday! We get to our room a bit after midnight. I hassle with United Airlines, courtesy of the call center in India, for a bit before sanity takes over and I accept that her luggage will probably spend some time traveling around the U.S. before it is located and forwarded to Milwaukee. It actually works in United's favor that we are now in Milwaukee. At least they have a baggage claim office there, even if no one is there in the middle of the night.

We bunk down so that we can get some rest before the day of the wedding; since it is the raison d'etre for our trip, it seems somewhat appropo that we should not arrive looking like a trio of zombies. A duet maybe, certainly not a trio. Lights out. As I drift off, I wonder if the wedding couple needs a football. I think I know where to find one.

It's Deja Vu All Over Again

2008-07-21T20:38:00.000-07:00

It was movie weekend at the ranch. We have been waiting for Mamma Mia! (relentless punctuation included) because Meryl Streep? Singing? Well, yes. Had to bow to the unstoppable force that is The Dark Knight, though, because we just had to see our hotel in the movie. We have a specific hotel in Chicago that is right across from the Trump building (the one that Apprentice #1 Bill Rancic allegedly was tapped to Project Manage) that we luurve. We stay on the 40th floor: the entire 40th floor. The room is completely round and spans almost the whole floor, less the stairs you have to take to get to the room, as the elevator only goes to the 38th floor or so. So although we have to haul our stuff up the wicked cool circular staircase, it is so worth the actual room, ginormous by downtown Chicago standards, that serves as our apartment on our Chicago trips. Which seem to be frequent, and must include stops in Milwaukee to visit Some Guy's family. So, tangent there. As we are crossing the river on our way to Mission Critical: Magnificent Mile and Michigan Avenue shopping, we are somewhat distracted by what appears to be a helicopter race taking place in the airspace dfirectly above us. We pause to take in the action, and realize that the helicopters are circling and are coming down pretty low. I mention to Some Guy that there was a movie being filmed and maybe this was part of the movie. We hang out, and watch the helicopter chase, and are rewarded by the sight of both helicopters (sorry, can I find a shorter way to type the word helicopter now please) racing down low over the Chicago River all the way down Wacker Drive. Racing right at us. And of course, I have my camera. Ninety bazillion shots of helicopters. Racing.
And easy to figure out the movie, once we spot this vehicle right outside our hotel entrance:
So we realize that the movie is being shot in the plaza directly below us outside our 40th story hotel room. And as we return to our room to watch the action, the helicopters make another round, this time right past our hotel room window. So yeah, had to check out the hotel in the movie. Appears that a lot of the interior stuff was shot in the Trump building, because we kept seeing our hotel room in the background.

Overall, even more exciting than watching for the 202 in The Kingdom, but then again, I am easily amused. And yes, that is my lazy fat rear end on the bed.

Everyone In The Pool! Unless You're A Tire!

2008-03-29T23:56:00.000-07:00

If you happened to get caught in the Ray Road/I-10 madness this weekend, hope you didn't take a detour behind the Target on 48th St and Ray, make a quick left onto Ray headed west, and almost plow into the baby pool that flew out of the trailer right in front of you. Because, oops. Tires can fly. Especially when launched by a small, round, wading pool, purchased to keep the dog cool in the springtime heat.

It was secured in the trailer. By the tire. That we (he) figured would hold it there for the way short trip to my house. Mistake.

"Umm, there goes the pool."
Turn into next lot, park car, run across road, dodge traffic, grab pool, thank whomever you like that no one had an accident. In the pool. Heh.
"Where's the tire?"
OK, so we lost the pool AND the tire holding it. Found the pool.
"How do you lose a tire?"
"Maybe it flew out, launched by the pool, and rolled somewhere..."
Fifteen minutes later, as I am nearly back at Target, walking along the sidewalk. Looking for a random tire. Really.
"I found it."
Rolled the other way, fell into the brush along the road, hiding in the grass, tire retrieved.

So there was no pool party on Ray Road yesterday, and the tire's flying license was revoked.

Also, an extension cord is especially handy for securing a tire (and a pool) to a trailer. And driving 30 MPH the rest of the way home seemed to make all the difference. Apologies to the drivers who wanted to know why we were in their way.

By the way, the pool was a hit with the dog. Not quite as much fun as Del Mar dog beach, but in a pinch, it's a great place to hang out. And we did think to take out the tire (and undo the extension cord) before jumping in the water with the dog.

Time's Up!

2008-03-25T15:40:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone for cleaning us out! I've called in Free Arts AZ and Treasures 4 Teachers to help me pack up all the items left for donations.

I do still have some wire racks for 12x12 paper, both 6-slot and 30-slot, so email to the address over on the sidebar if you have any interest in purchasing those items.

I have so much appreciation for all of those who have entered our doorway and touched my life. It was a wonderful experience, although as many of you know, there were certainly challenges from the very beginning. We tried to hold on to our sense of humor.

And the fate of the blog will lie in the hands of its readers. I have endless stories to tell, and although they might not end up being scrapbook-related, they certainly are scrapbook fodder.

Cherish your story.

No, This Time I Mean It, The REALLY Truly Last Day

2008-03-23T23:48:00.001-07:00

OK, I admit that I just have too much to pack up and donate. (Sorry to the two agencies that I contacted!) So at the very last and late minute, I will reopen for one final day Monday March 24 from 2pm-7pm. If I can get staff in earlier, I will open the doors earlier, but the plan right now is to open at 2pm. And yes, this means great, fabulous, and fun savings for you. It has been thoroughly picked through, but you can take 75% off the retail prices of what is left. I have some wire racks left, and a few random fixtures and display items.

Also, if you can help me find good homes for this:

And this:

Those are 3 things that I would so choose not to have to move!!

See you Monday!!

60% Off Retail Price of Remaining Inventory: Final 2 Days

2008-03-21T23:19:00.000-07:00

Items from:

Maya Road

Heidi Swapp

Cardstock

Scenic Route

Daisy D's

Making Memories

7 gypsies

Fancy Pants

Urban Lily

Basic Grey

Fixtures (Priced as Marked) Include:

Crop Tables $50

Wire Paper Racks $50

8.5x11 Wire Paper Racks $30

Clear Stacked Paper Tray Paper Racks $100

Custom Built Rusty Pickle Paper Racks 2 for $250

Desk/Secretary $200

Bookshelves Solid Wood $200

Bureau $50

Armoire $400

White Picket Fence Bookcase $50

Random Accessories/shelves $10 each

6 slot wire paper racks $10

microwave $35

Stereo system $50

Butcher Block Slab (about 10' long) $50

IKEA Child's Storage Slide (pictured) $25

OPEN Sat 10-5, Sun 12-4

FINAL 2 DAYS!!

The Madness Continues!

2008-03-18T08:35:00.000-07:00

Hours this week:

Tues/Wed/Thurs 10-6

Sat 10-5

Sun 12-4

Final Days!!

Everything 50% off retail price! (Except fixtures and "garage sale" items priced as marked.

Cool, interesting, shabby chic fixtures!

Special: Open Monday by Popular Demand

2008-03-16T18:20:00.000-07:00

Special store hours 2pm-8pm!

50% off retail on all inventory, excluding cardstock.

Lots of fixtures and garage sale items in crop area.

Come by for a bargain!!

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Halfway and Half Off Everything (Retail)

2008-03-16T11:49:00.001-07:00

Come in Sunday 12-4 and receive 50% off the regular prices of our scrapbook supplies, excluding cardstock.

It's a bit difficult today, because the shop right next door is doing some major remodeling and is blocking everything. Including our closing signs. So tell a friend, come on down, and have some fun with us today!! Besides, you never know what might happen when I'm in the store...

Also, fixtures:
crop tables ($50)
wire paper racks ($50)
clear paper racks with 50 slots and rolling base ($100)
clear paper racks with 30 slots on stationary base ($75)
gridwall, and gridwall hooks ($25 per sheet, .25/hook)
and more...

Saturday Specials

2008-03-14T22:17:00.000-07:00

Our % off regular retail prices (excluding stuff already marked down and the ubiquitous cardstock) increased to 40% today all day from 10-5.

In addition, we will begin to set up our Garage Sale items, which although the 40% discount does not apply, will be full of some bargain fixtures and other random stuff we just feel like putting there. Example: ceiling fans, still in the box, never made it to the ceiling, brand-new, $30. Example: Oversize styrofoam snowflakes, $1 per. Smaller, approximately 5" plastic glitter snowflakes, $1 for a stack of same. Just so you know there's a little variety...

Drop by, say hi, and grab a slushee from Sonic while you're in the neighborhood!

Thursday Madness!!

2008-03-12T22:33:00.000-07:00

Along with 30% off our regular (not clearance or already sale items), receive your free gift with a $20 purchase! Available while supplies last, and cardstock is still not included in the sale. :(

But there's still lots of other cool stuff to check out!

We will be closing at 6pm this Thursday, but we'll be open Sat 10-5 and Sun 12-4. With more fun stuff to announce!

Wednesday Special!!

2008-03-11T22:20:00.001-07:00

Find it, love it, take it away! 30% off regular prices all day Wednesday, except cardstock. We're still hoarding what's left. And that discount is of REGULAR prices, not anything already discounted! Just to clarify what's what!

Interested in one of our unique fixtures? We're prepping to sell some of them off, so drop by and leave your name and number if there's a piece of furniture that captures your interest. We haven't priced them yet, but we're taking names.

See ya!

One Day at a Time: Tuesday

2008-03-10T22:24:00.000-07:00

Tuesday Special:
25% off all regular price merchandise, except cardstock. And I just realized we still have some grungeboard in stock. Also we have a few copies of Stacey Julian's new book Photo Freedom left.
40% off selected stamps, including 7 Gypsies, Heidi Swapp, and random foam stamps.

Rush on in. Be sure to tell Heather that Savannah sent you, so you can receive your discount.

What The Hey?

2008-03-07T21:40:00.000-08:00

No actual idea that it has been this many eons since I've updated you on whatever and everything else. It appears, perhaps, that I have been either idle or distracted. Pick one, you're likely to be accurate.

So, anyhoo, Saturday March 8th the store will be closed. We're prepping for a bit of an event that will last from March 11-14 (that's Tuesday-Friday if you're counting days.) No doubt you're eager for the juicy details. Which are forthcoming.

Check this space and by Tuesday, we'll 'splain it all. No, really.

Hee hee.

Friday Night Special Holiday Crop

2007-12-07T13:39:00.000-08:00

If you haven't made crop plans yet, come play with Renee tonight from 6-11:30pm. Included in the $15 crop fee is dinner (please bring your own drink) and some holiday card demonstrations. Specifically, the first three people to sign up and pay will receive the Basic Grey holiday card kit, free with the crop fee. That is a $12.99 value just on its own, so join the fun and get some cards made!! Sign up after the first three people and you will still receive a special something from the Basic Grey line.

Saturday Night Special: Crop

2007-11-23T13:42:00.000-08:00

Spend a bit of the holiday weekend working on projects this Saturday night from 6-11:30pm. Renee will host you all evening long as you work on your own projects, plus she'll provide (free) a uniquely designed page kit and lead a demonstration so you can complete it during the crop. Food provided with $15 crop fee, and may we suggest you stop at Sonic (nearly next door) for a tasty Cherry Limeade. We've got a small crowd, and they're looking for a couple new friends to join the party. Reserve today to hold your chair for tomorrow!

Tim Holtz Grunge = Nirvana

2007-11-23T03:56:00.000-08:00

It's back to the 90's for Tim Holtz's new release: a fabulous new material he calls "grungeboard." It's versatile like chipboard, but very flexible and open to all kinds of alterations. Brand-new to the store, we've brought in a variety, including some fun swatch sets (no, these are not "albums" but nice try!) perfect to get started on your journey of discovery. Here's Tim with a demonstration.

After Turkey Album Recovery Special

2007-11-23T03:50:00.000-08:00

Since you've already taken a brisk walk and done your pilates, it's time to take a seat and crank out some special holiday gifts. To help you along, we're providing 25% off our regular retail price of all albums today, Saturday, and Sunday. Choose from Maude Asbury, Making Memories, Scrapworks Anthologie (formerly known as Bay Boxs), and more. We're also including blank books, like Basic Grey, Creative Imaginations BE, 7 Gypsies, Prima, Fancy Pants, and other chipboard-based blank albums so you can really let loose your inner artist. Sale is limited to stock on hand, and your frequent buyer status does not apply to album purchases, nor will the purchase be applied towards frequent buyer status.

We're continuing our food drive, so we also welcome your donations for the food bank.

Give a Little, Save a Lot

2007-11-07T21:59:00.000-08:00

Fill up the food banks this weekend and we'll carve out some savings at the shop. Just bring in your canned goods or dry foods donation, and we'll take 15% off your total. The savings does not apply to classes, gift certificates, or previously purchased items, but you can use it on most anything else that we sell in the store. We'll offer the trade this weekend, starting Thursday at 10am and straight through until Sunday at 4pm. Just a note: purchases do not also earn a frequent buyer discount and sale does not count towards frequent buyer status. Let's see how many pounds of food we can deliver to St Mary's on Monday.

Crop All Day and Into the Night: Friday and Saturday

2007-10-24T22:59:00.000-07:00

It's really time to get together and crop for a wee bit! We've added a crop/social to both Friday and Saturday night, so call and make a reservation, or two. You can start as early as 10am and go all the way until 11:30pm, Friday October 26 and Saturday October 27. Pizza included, plus a little make n' take with our choice of supplies. Crop is $15, but spend just $30 in the store (per evening) during the crop, and we will waive your crop fee. And I think I can find some Girl Scout cookies for snacks. We do fill up, so please let us know if we need to put your name on a chair.

Clearly, Special

Save on any line of clear mounted stamps from Thursday through Saturday, Oct 25-27. Purchase any of our clear mounted stamps, including Heidi Swapp, Fancy Pants, 7 Gypsies, Technique Tuesday, Autumn Leaves, Tim Holtz, and receive 20% off the regular price. Frequent buyer discount does not apply, and purchase does not count towards Frequent Buyer status. We have a terrific selection, so come early for best choices. Compliment Heather on her published work, and we'll apply the same discount to any foam stamps you want to purchase. We know you really mean it.

Flower Frenzy and MM Noteworthy Collection

2007-10-14T10:50:00.000-07:00

This just in: Prima flowers in all kinds of colors and styles, open stock and in bulk, for your embellishment pelasure. We love all the hydrangea petals in the prima collection because just a few on a page adds so much for so little cash. My secret? I actually ordered so many 'cause my Mom likes them on her pages, and a daughter's gotta take care of her mom.

We also are all a'twitter over the Noteworthy office collection. I've never seen office supplies that are this lovely, and I'm especially excited (OK maybe not excited, but quite pleased) that the paper is more heavyweight stock than a lot of papers in these kind of office-inspired lines. It's great to have Making Memories releasing a line like this one, and I hope you'll come join the fray.

7Gypsies sent our ATC rolodex and rolodex supplies. This is the large rotary that you can use to store and display all the unique and creative trading cards you've been collecting.

And Ali Edwards' Life Artist idea book is now in stock. Frankly, I'm still doing the workbook from the CK organization book that just came in, but once I haev a place for all my collections, I'm going to dive into Ali's latest book. I like to think everyone is a Life Artist in one way or another, so it will be interesting to read about Ali's perspective.

We've also got a Saturday crop this weekend, Oct 20, with a bit of a Halloween theme. For a $15 crop fee, we'll provide dinner and a little tin make n' take. Hours of the crop are from 5pm-11:30pm, and we've got a new Saturday night hostess who will provide some giveaways and extra fun for all. Don't miss out by waiting to sign up.

From China With Love from Heidi

2007-10-08T22:12:00.000-07:00

Lotsa new Heidi Swapp in the store, including her clear stamps for calendar-making: 12 months, $20, plus masks, chipboards, alphas, and other clear stamps in crowns, clocks, and wings. We haven't seen them around much, and know her fans will love to build their stashes.

Noteworthy by Making Memories

Ledger fun and games with all new MM stock in office supply themes. Also, if you haven't checked out the last MM shipment of holiday cheer, including Christmas and Halloween goodies, take some time to browse what's left of our last order. We love the colors and the cool clear shapes and alphas, but maybe you want the curling tags or oversize brads. To be honest, I never did figure out why I needed a tool to curl my tags, so less the tool and more the fun with curling my own tags. So to speak.

Maya Road Again

Their new key chipboards and make-your-own clear stamp circle seals caught my attention, but there is so much more to choose from in this Maya Road shipment. We've also restocked the ribbon rack with some awesome patterned and laser-cut Maya Road ribbons.

The Very Idea of Organization, Plus the Latest HOF

A new CK idea book focuses on the perfect crop area. This idea book is chock-full of perfectly interesting ways to organize supplies and create your own scrapbook universe. Once you've reached your own nirvana, be sure to check out the latest Hall of Fame winners from Creating Keepsakes. Just in time to get inspired to start your own entry for next year's edition. Thinking about entering? We're thinking about having a crop every month just to work on entries. Let us know if you'd like to join the HOF party.

Thanks for Scrap Pink and Returns to You

We've raised over $300 for Scrap Pink so far, and more to come as we continue to sell Scrap Pink Basic Grey kits. As a way of saying thanks, we've got a double-barreled sale all this week, starting Tuesday and continuing through Saturday.
Barrel One:
Everything 7Gypsies in the store is 20% off the regular price (no frequent buyers points or discount applies to this sale, but purchases other than 7Gypsies will still receive frequent buyer credit and discount). No minimum purchase required to obtain this discount, but we suspect it will be hard to limit some of you to be selective about 7G anyway.
Barrel Two:
If you spend $25 or mpre, pretax and presale discount, choose any other item to add to your stash and we'll redeem any competitor's coupon (up to 40% off the regular price of that item.) The exception item to this is the Basic Grey Scrap Pink kit, and we know you'll understand that we want to channel those profits back to breast cancer research. Just for clarification, that means the coupon item is not part of your $25 presale, prediscount total, but an additional item.

And thanks to everyone who helped us raise money by contributing to or attending our Scrap Pink crops. Extra thanks to Heather, Gail, Melissa, and Natalie for all the work and time provided. We've got another surprise fundraiser up our sleeve with a one-of-a-kind embellished luggage case, to be announced next week.

Artist Autographs

The phone's been ringing non-stop for Heather. Creating Keepsakes has selected some of Heather's work for an upcoming publication on home decor. We know if she keeps submitting, she's going to continue to be published, because her work is brilliant. Please stop by to congratulate her.

My Foot? The One In My Mouth?

Yeah, it happens. I've opened my mouth and inserted my foot. It was deep, it was painful, and I apologize to the one(s) offended. You know who you are, and I just goofed. And over a piece of paper, really. What was I thinking? Oh, yeah. Wasn't.

Cancer Sucks. Scrap Pink Rocks.

2007-09-25T08:04:00.000-07:00

Stand up if you're a cancer survivor. Stand up if you know someone who has survived cancer. Stand up if you miss every day, terribly, someone that you have known and loved who fought the cancer fight. I'm guessing most of us are standing.

Everywhere I go lately, I am seeing Pink campaigns: food stores, kitchen equipment, races, t-shirts. It's enough to make me dislike the color pink, if only because I wish the reason for the Pink just was not.

We're doing a small part to eliminate that reason this weekend. Friday and Saturday, each day from 10am-2am, you can come and crop to raise money for cancer research via Scrap Pink. We've collected a special treasure for each attendee, and will donate $10 per person to the cause. We're including food, although we're kinda still hoping for some last minute food donations to be confirmed, we're going to keep you fed in any case. We're already sold out for Saturday, but there are spots available Friday night. $32 gets you in the door, eligible for some great giveways, a 10% discount on everything you purchase (5% additional if you already have a frequent shopper discount), plenty of food, and some fun surprises.

Check out all our new product, pick up the latest publications (including the ones featuring Heather's work), and get in the pink with us. Someday, pink will just be another color again.

Creative Escape Reverse Happy Hour 10-12pm Friday Sept 7th

2007-09-06T22:21:00.001-07:00

We've been charmed and delighted by the Creative Escapees who've chosen to stop by and wander the aisles of Annalis. We know that Heidi and her cohorts have packed in a buncha cool surprises to level the heat of the desert, and we thought we'd add on another. The best part is that you don't have to be an Escapee (your new tag, I believe) to play along.

We generally close at 6pm on Fridays when there isn't a crop happening. And we were so worn out by working without air last weekend (all fixed now, phew!) that we still planned to close at 6pm. Except now we're reopening for a late night showcase from 10-12pm just this Friday Sept 7th. So if you've finished off your day, cleaned up after dinner, danced around the yard a bit (oh, wait, that was me), and you just aren't ready to settle down for the evening, come on by and have a little party with us.

We'll have some in-store specials, a couple of fun giveaways (I'm pretty sure someone grabbed the last pink colander today, so I'll have to find something else to give away), and plan an unplanned make n' take. (Yes, that is in fact a contradiction in terms. Whatever.) Specifically, to get you into the mood for Scrap Pink, we'll provide some supplies to craft a pink ribbon tag or card. Easy, fun, and free: three words that just make us giggle with delight. Now that it's been said, I guess that seems like more of a planned make n' take then not. Well hey.

And if you're curious about what the heck a Scrap Pink is anyhoo, watch this space. I need one more day to really decide exactly what I want to say. Your patience, as always, is treasured.

Winner: Award For Exciting Surprise That Surprised Us The Least

2007-08-30T22:16:00.000-07:00

Endlessly talented artist-in-residence Heather is at it again (still?) as Rusty Pickle announces its finalists for its Pickle Party with Lance "Story of..." . We are expecting high fives and beaucoup congratulatory visits (from our favorite customers, natch) to Heather. Remember that if (when, people, when) she wins the contest, she will invite 20 of her very "bestest friends forever" to a Pickle Party event to be held, ummm, well, somewhere convenient, let's just say. I mean, super-close.

Hecka Lotta Massive More Stuff

2007-08-30T22:02:00.000-07:00

Space is at a premium with the ongoing CHA summer arrivals. And we gleefully welcome and open and savor every item in every box. If you spend too much time thinking about it, what you like is quite likely to be gone, so we suggest you make haste before it's too...late? OK whatever. Here's the itemized scoop:

Autumn Leaves, starring clear stamps and bags o' buttons
Basic Grey, starring kind of nearly everything
Prima, providing a strong showing in the usual flowers but also chipboard, rhinestone flowers, and just bunches of cute fun
Kraft Klub, bringing in a rustic antique charm to items perfect for altering to suit your every need, and unlike products you will find just about anywhere else
7 Gypsies, entirely a show in their own right, and not sure there is a thing from summer that we did not order
Scrapbook at Play, crackling good humor that's still Simple Scrapbooks accessible

It's going to be a super-busy weekend, so stop on by and share in the fun and frolic of checking out everything new.

Wading In It

2007-08-23T22:55:00.000-07:00

If you tried to shop last Friday, you might have stumbled into the challenge of the 18 boxes that were delivered by our favorite men in brown. Now that everything has been inventoried, ticketed, and displayed to fill every nook and cranny, you might want to make haste before it all is claimed by others who are more prompt. Which would quite likely exclude me.

Examples? Well, I know there was new Heidi in there, and I am thinking along the lines of her new masks and some flippin' fun bling. I also saw lots of Cropper Hopper vertical storage, while not exactly new, might be just the thing to move you up in space. So to speak. Our favorite Crop-o-Dile hole punch and eyelet setter tool is also back in stock, and we picked up the lime shade in addition to the traditional pink one. If you don't have this tool, get it. Now. We also brought in more Anthopologie AKA Bay Boxes because we keep getting more requests for this most perfect album. Apparently, we are the only store in on the secret of the best album around. Shhh. There's hecka more stuff as well, like the new Flair line in all the months of the year for calendar-making, Daisy Bucket Designs papers and embellishments that we expect you'll crave as much as we did, and some fun Remininsce papers in a variety of fun and funky themes.

We hope you caught Heather's follow-up Sonoran Living performance. She created a fabulous canvas project that anyone can do. Some PVA, your favorite papers, a special photograph, and a touch of layering is all it took to make a timeless work of art for your wall. Nice for the wall, easy on the wallet, and we have everything you need to make it work. Heather's got more of her work being published in some upcoming magazines, so you might want to get her autograph now before a line develops. Or before she develops her own line, hmmm.

Turn the Corner with Heidi's Clear Stamps

2007-08-11T21:04:00.000-07:00

It's only seemed like a decade since we ordered these corner stamps. We loved them in February and now that they are finally here, we really love them still. We have every hope that what we ordered in July will ship a wee bit sooner than next January, but in the meantime, pick these corner sets up for just a song. OK, a song and the regular retail price, but even that won't really cost you much. Six styles at last count, so you can collect them all.

Summertime Class Projects

2007-08-09T05:15:00.000-07:00

Get out of the heat and into our store with some fun and totally different mini-book classes.

Check out Heather's Paradise Found class on Monday from 11-2 and get a little tropical. This darling project in encased in a summertime surprise container. It might be a bit nutty, but we think you'll love displaying this treasured project. No sunscreen required.

Follow up with Jaime's Sandcastle Book class on Thursday evening from 6-8pm. Making this charming book is the best way to keep the sand between your toes all year 'round.

Twixt the two, you'll have a set of fun and truly extraordinary ways to savor your favorite summertime photos. Seating is limited, so sign up now to hold your spot.

Designing With: the Saga Continues

2007-08-06T10:39:00.000-07:00

All new Autumn Leaves. 'Nuf said.

Pencil This In

2007-08-01T23:24:00.000-07:00

A super mega assortment of Carolee's Creations is out and about. Check out this adorable shaker box filled with sweet treats, a perfect welcome-back gift for your favorite teacher. Decorated here in traditional pencil-looking garb, we know your individual creativity will run wild as your alter your own to coordinate with your school colors. As in, Horizon Blue (and silver), anyone, anyone? Bueller?

We're also psyched that CK's new idea book is focused on scrapbooking your 4x6 pictures, using more than one on a page. Now that's progress. I mean, when you're trying to finish an album, can you really get far making detailed page after detailed page with just one photo per page? You can? Well, of course you can, but it's still nice to have the ideas for getting more to a page without having to resize, make enlargements, print index sizes, and do other random calisthenics just to finish a page. Boffo pages in mass quantities. Sounds like a solution to me.

Next time, Alaska. No, really, I promise.

TIVO Alert! Sonoran Living Thursday July 19 Channel 15 9am

2007-07-18T21:14:00.000-07:00

Catch our favorite Heather doing some summer crafting Thursday morning on Sonoran Living. You already know how talented she is: now the rest of the Valley (and state) can see her full creativity in bloom as she demos fun summertime party goodies with Stephanie Sandoval. And Stephanie? She's just our favorite anchor (and a super customer to boot) from our own Ahwatukee Foothills. (Why Stephanie is not world-famous, we do not know, because surely everyone can see the world of awesome that she is!) We suggest you tune in for the whole show, because some certain cupcakes from another favorite local bakery are being highlighted (Scrap Pink with us and you'll get a taste of those too!), but we will send you from Sonoran Living right into the View with Heather's help.

Basic Grey InFuse v. Cosmo Cricket Be Good

2007-07-18T21:10:00.000-07:00

Both collections in the store now, battling it out for latest and greatest paper line. We've seen more than a few of our customers switch teams and fall all over Cosmo. But, hey, we can be Girl Scouts about this: make new friends and keep the old; one is Basic and the other's Cosmo. Good thing I'm not a poet, eh?

Random Cool Stuff in the Store

2007-07-06T12:29:00.000-07:00

There's all kinds of new product in the store, and as I wandered up and down the racks of paper yesterday, I realized that you would not know exactly what I mean unless you have been here recently. So:

Mini tins for gift cards, alterations, invitations, and just because they are cute. Now available in the usual gray metal as well as the shabby chic of cream

Pebbles foam stamps in a few new fonts

Tim Holtz Cropper Hopper metal storage cases for stamps, alcohol inks, dabbers, and the like. They are cool enough looking as they come, but use your contents of the storage to alter the outside for some really stunning works of art.

PVA: we love it, we need it, we have it by the oz or the gallon

DVD tins: Where else you gonna find these for $2.99 per each?

Kraft Klub pink lunch tins: Just when you think you've seen cute, uh, cuter.
Bazzill Quotes: fun and colorful images and sayings on gorgeous textured cardstock.

Daisy D's: besides all the wonderful papers, check out the coordinating die cuts and journal tags. And the rub-ons are bold and chock full of images and words that will place the correct emphasis on each syllable. I loved them already but was not prepared for how much more I would love to use them. Repeatedly.

Rusty Pickle ginormous chipboard letters: Here is where you use the positive and the negative of the letter to stretch your stash. And c'mon, they're 99 cents per letter. Imagine what you could spell!

The entire Destinations line from Making Memories: If you've been traveling as much as me, you know it's time to gather round the travel embellishments and just load up. Fun summer and travel letters, albums, page kits, clips, and kitchen sinks. OK not that last one. But almost.

Anthologie (AKA Bay Boxes) in artful green. I made that up. But they are a lovely shade of green.

7Gypsies summer stock: new paper, new embellishments, new clear stamps, matchbook kits, ATC cards, albums, gem brads, gaffer tape, and all kinds o' open stock buckles, handles, and what-have-yous.

Real.Life.Scrapbooking by Rebecca Cooper (SS) I picked this idea book up the other day, partly because Stacy Julian is my personal hero, and this is a Simple Scrapbooks publication, so there is just one degree of separation there. Alright, I have to admit that every time I look at a picture of Rebecca Cooper, I think she is totally the doppelganger for Lili Taylor, but maybe that's just all in my head. Lili aside, I really appreciate the focus in this book on scrapping real life, everyday life, and in very simple, clean lines. I think I could use this book to complete pages, but even if not, I am finding it most inspirational. Choir?

Urban Lily: You are not interested in the back story as to why it has taken me since February to bring in these papers, chipboard circles, and rubons, but suffice to say, the order is here and you should come in and get one of everything. The patterned papers are just gorgeous and perfect for magnet boards, and the cutouts are just what you need for mini books and embellishment layering.

Croptagious Event Friday July 6th: The Heat is ON!

2007-07-05T22:20:00.000-07:00

Crop from 6-11:30pm Friday July 6th for the bargain price of $15 (free when you spend $30 or more pre-tax, post-discount). Crop is hosted by me, and since I own the store, you never know what I'll decide to give away. Your crop includes:

dinner from Macaroni Grill (yummy)
drinks from Sonic (tasty)
demonstration of the new accucut shapes that just arrived this week (have you seen our heavyweight clear sheets that you can use to make your own ghost shapes?)
goodies to participate in a page contest (gotta start it and end it during the crop, just to level the playing field)
a specially selected giveaway for every person who attends and stays til the very end (that would be 11:30pm)
random moments of distraction and several attempts at humor by your charming hostess

Just give Heather a call at 480-704-2327 to reserve your spot. It takes a $15 credit card deposit and a brief moment to sign up. C'mon, you know you want to get out of the heat and play with something very tactile. You can even start your day at 10am and crop right on through til 11:30pm with no extra charge. And have you seen our new 12" Cricut?

Late Hours and Free Fun For All!

2007-06-28T11:24:00.000-07:00

It's Thursday, so we're open until 8pm today. We know you're interested in skipping dinner to come in and shop, so we thought we'd help you create a card for some special soldier. Join us from 5-8pm today only, and make a free card in red, white, and blue. We'd love it if you'd take the time to complete the card with your own personal message, which we will then send on to a deserving deployed soldier (I guess that is redundant; there really aren't any undeserving deployed soldiers serving our country, ya know?) You can also take the card with you, in case you already have someone in mind for your work of art. Finally, we do plan to send on some cards totally completed and blank, so our same soldiers can use the cards to sign and send on to their loved ones. Come on in and care with us!

A New York Minute

2007-06-15T11:43:00.000-07:00

As the teeming masses (that means both of you) have inquired, so shall I respond.

Flying into Newark is generally something of a delight for me, since it usually corresponds with a visit to the island known as Manhattan. A couple of weeks back, Mr Fabulous, who seems to have acquired several nicknames through various nefarious means, accompanied me on one of these sojourns. We arrived on a Saturday in mid-afternoon and had already decided to take the AirTran to Penn Station-NYC and then hop the subway, complete with luggage, to our nearly mid-town accommodations. So of course we took a taxi from Penn instead, because you know what they say about plans and being spontaneous. Or what a huge pain it is to carry luggage on the subway. One of those, anyway.

Check-in: we scored an upgrade from our matchbox-sized room to the shoebox-sized one. That meant a couple of things. First, we were awarded the luxurious high-floor view of the backs of other buildings and an incredible view of ... nothing really. More importantly, we gained access to the hospitality room, effectively doubling our spending budget since now breakfast was on the house. Or in the room, depending on how much we could carry. Combine this with Squirrel Boy's suitcase, prepacked with a variety of portable snack and meal items, and food was not going to be an issue any time of day or night. (Please note acquisition of nickname in the preceeding sentence.) Although I have never found NYC to be a place where I go hungry. Ever.

We finished off Saturday by doing some high-quality wandering around. I noticed that the lights and movement in mid-town seemed to put him in a trance (in a good way, for me) so I used that opportunity to gain the upper hand and accidentally (!) lead him to Lower Manhattan so that I could stop into Century 21, my favorite budget shopping spot in the city. After loading up on just what I needed, including some wicked cool mini magnet of NYC hot spots, we headed back to the hotel. More snacking ensued, as Squirrel Boy demonstrated his Hoovering abilities. Not what you are thinking, though. Like a vacuum, all nearby snacks are absorbed, as in sucked in, leaving no crumbs behind. Me? Protein bar. Boring, but solves the eating challenge.

Sunday was flea-market day, so we waltzed on down to the Chelsea area to check out the local scene. The Negotiator was not able to talk his way into a box of someone else's wacky slides for a low enough price, so he walked, but yours truly picked up 6 plates of knock-off milk white depression glass to coordinate with her other real depression glass. Because, really, what is more handy than carrying around six breakable pieces of china while wandering the streets of New York? Oh, I guess that would be figuring out how to pack it for the trip back to AZ. Some thinker, me.

Plus, after all that lugging around of highly breakable pottery, I was in perfect condition for our pre-arranged bikethebigapple.com Manhattan bike tour. Which I will insist to each and every one of you is the best-ever NY experience. We joined a group of other NY visitors and pretty much rode our bikes in and around the city, from our starting point in Greenwich Village, around and down West St along the Hudson River, through World Financial Center, the Irish Potato Famine monument, Battery Park, and a most interesting dog park. Seems that New York City dogs get to experience actual cement in their dog parks. Nary a sign of a blade of grass for city Rovers, at least near Tribeca. Woof.

From there, we tooled around some more through the financial district, eventually headed to the Brooklyn Bridge, my personal NYC favorite place. I've walked it before, but what a groovy bit of fun to ride a bike over the bridge! We stopped mid-bridge just in time for the sunset; a perfect place for a picture with NYC as a backdrop, and of course, all dressed up in those flattering bike togs and safety gear. We finished out with more roaming around Nolita and Soho before reluctantly returning the bikes and gear to the tour company. Next visit, all bikes, all the time!

Monday: yes, we're still here. Big plans for today include taking the subway out to Queens to check out some ethnic restaurants and explore some more. Big news, though. We've got to be back on Broadway by 1pm to pick up our tickets to the Late Show taping. Potential highlight alert: thanks to some luck on the web, and my personal ability to answer a trivia question about the Late Show and David Letterman, we are in. (Question: The Late Show sometimes does remotes with Rupert Gee. Where are the remotes? Answer: Why, that would be the Hello! Deli.) We pick up tickets, stand in a few lines, answer a couple of screening questions, and in one of the more organized efforts I have ever witnessed (maybe I need to get out more?) we clear every hurdle, return at the appointed hour, and are permitted to sit in the Ed Sullivan Theatre for the Monday taping of the Late Night with David Letterman show. Guest: Regis. (Stage door photo, worth the wait to capture the shot.) Band: awesome. Musical guest: Darlene Love. Letterman: Top notch. Recommendation: Go.

Tuesday: We are up way early, after numerous discussions of whether to opt-out of our previously earned tickets to Good Morning America. (Tickets get you into the studio instead of outside the window, meaning you too can have your picture taken with Diane Sawyer.) We are tired, is it worth it, do I care that I made a poster (I am such a tourist here, I know), can we just sleep instead? So of course, we are there in the wee hours of the a.m., holding my poster, and waiting for the Audience Coordinator to boss us around. Samantha, as our AC calls herself, digs deep and finds out that me and Some Guy (nickname alert, thanks Morgan) met through eHarmony and are now on a trip to NYC together. Which we decide she should have already known, since that was the "essay" Some Guy wrote to get the GMA tickets in the first place. In any case, hilarity ensues as we are the punch line for nearly every joke you can write. Plus jokes that no one will admit to writing. After all that discussion, we make it on air for a grand total of 14/27 of a second. (Thanks, TIVO.) Sorry, Some Guy's Mom, for waking you up at 5am to tell you to look for us on GMA, then to be on for 14/27 of a second intheverylastsecondoftheshow.

Now we have all day Tuesday to play, so we shop consignment, vintage, and sample sales. Results? Vintage T's, Lord and Taylor vintage cropped jacket (to die for, really), funky pearls, and, yes, Versace. I picked up the winter crushed velvet sheath dress and he snapped up some fabulous sunglasses. Yes, they are very cool. No, he may not wear them at night. A stroll into Central Park, a few other sights to behold, tickets to the Tony-Award winning Grey Gardens (earning us both a nap, sorry to say) and the day is done.

Wednesday we depart, but not before more puttering around, more top-notch use of the hospitality room, and a most delightful interaction with some local color. We ate in Washington Square, took pictures of really fun stores, and just took pleasure in all the surroundings. We ate hotdogs from a street vendor, took more pictures of the Flatiron than any one person really needs, and handed out flowers to old ladies. OK, we handed one flower to one old lady, but we really meant it. I found a great souvenir purse, Mr Fair-to-Middling picked out a purse (I have no idea, really) and we headed out to JFK in our luxury stretch limo. No, I made that part up. We took a car. With a driver. Who hated us.

And then, it was really time for a little sleep. So I went back to work.

When the Ship Hits the Fans

2007-06-13T13:00:00.000-07:00

We love so much about Rusty Pickle, except their ongoing inability to correctly fill our orders. Anyhoo, in spite of themselves, they have managed to send us the Mayflower collection in all its Americana patriotic glory. Stand up and salute this rusticly fabulous collection of goods, but be sure to dock on in soon. If we run out, there might be a mutiny.

Speaking of...

SUMMER HOURS

We know you love to visit us every single day, but we're in the mood for more three-day weekends. Starting June 25 (which is my birthday, if you're keeping score), we're going to keep the door closed and locked all day long on Mondays over the summer. (We remain open Saturdays 10-5 and Sundays 12-4, so I guess that's not really much of a three-day weekend...) To make up for this gross miscarriage of scrapbooking justice, we will stay open late on Thursdays (starting June 21) until 8pm. You'll just have to use your TIVO to catch those Thursday night reruns and summer shows. Because we want to see you in here every single Thursday evening.

To kick this off in style, from now until Monday, June 25, we will accept one competitor coupon on any single item in the store, per customer, for up to 40% off the regular price. (So your 50% off competitor's coupon will net you 40% off, for example.) So stop in and check out the merchandise, find a great high-dollar item you've been hankering to add to your collection, and use that coupon to obtain a super-awesome price. Please remember that your Frequent Shopper discount will not apply to the item and one competitor coupon per customer during this period. Summer is hot enough already; let's fire up some real fun!

Book On In for Idea Books from CK

2007-06-08T22:10:00.000-07:00

It's been a little lonely in the idea book department, so we've stocked up for summer reading in all sorts of Creating Keepsakes ways.

CK Computer Tricks: Teach your PC to sit, speak, and roll over. OK, not really. But all those cool things you see on pages (hmmm, like words in a circle?) are easy peasy computer tricks that you can learn and add to your mental toolbox. Which, if it happens to be like mine, is perhaps more of a sieve than I might like. So having all the tricks in a book, where I can reference them quickly, is mighty helpful. I guess I just have to remember where I put the book...
CK 101 Things You Can Do With Your Scrapbooking Supplies: First, I thought, well, I can scrapbook with them, right? Then I realized, hey! I still have deco scissors from ten years ago, and those are all the rage lately, so maybe there are 100 other things out there in my supply stash that just need a little refreshing. I'm thinking something to do with alcohol inks has gotta be in there somewhere. But in case it isn't, check with Heather, because she knows oodles of things to do with alcohol inks.
Scrapbooks! Beginner booklet: All right, if you're reading this blog, I know you do not need this booklet. However, it is a nice little intro to tuck into a beginning scrapbooker's kit. Just enough information to get somebody excited about paper, texture, and adhesive, and that's always a good thing. (Sorry, Martha.)
CK Organization Tips: All but impossible to find, and I mean not because it's not filed in an organized manner. It has just been so popular, it has sold out everywhere else. Stop in Saturday if you want to ensure you get a copy, because they are going to fly out of here. Countless ideas and packed to the brim: I mean, it is HUGE. You may want to bring your rolling tote to push it out of the store.
PC Scrapbook to Cards: Paper Crafts fun-filled idea book with a focus on guess what?
Album Shortcuts: Start thinking about all the gorgeous holiday projects you can make, since you still have seven months to plan and execute them! This is not a holiday idea book, but it showcases some wonderful albums that you can make quickly, which we think is just what is needed for holiday ideas.
PC You Go Girl: Fashion never looks as lovely as when it is inspiration for scrapbooking. Take your favorite runway-ready wear and use it to launch a wealth of creativity for your pages, cards, and projects.

Plus bunches of regular magazines that we have just started to carry. Based on your interest, we will decide whether to make these regularly available. Just promise not to roll your eyes when we get our shipment before you see your subscription in your mailbox. It's just a postal thing, we swear!

Simple Scrapbooks July/Aug issue
Paper Crafts Jun/July issue
Stamp it! Cards 2007

We are exhausted just thinking about the ideas to make room for in our heads. But as I travel hither and yon, I am excited that I will have plenty of literature to keep me company on those trips. Plus, they fit nicely in the compartment over me, or in the space under the seat in front of me. They don't require a passport, and they don't count as gels or liquids. What more could you want?

A Family of Flair

2007-06-08T22:03:00.000-07:00

Hot new Flair paper in beachy summer themes plus new family lines are out and available.

We all flip for the ideas and love the fun and bright themes. Check out projects like this one in their gallery.

Jillions of Autumn Leaves Clear Stamps

2007-06-04T08:58:00.000-07:00

Just like you said you wanted...

They are here. They are unpacked. They await your perusal. And seriously, there are nearly a jillion of them.

Fancy Schmancy

2007-05-24T11:55:00.000-07:00

Those 12x12 clear stamps from Fancy Pants that you've all been hankering for are here. Well, they were here earlier this week, but I know at least 3 sets have already found a home. And speaking of clear stamps, we also have the brand new Tim Holtz clear stamp sets in a few varieties of fun and altered art entertainment.

Also arrived: lots more Cosmo Cricket from those wacky DHPB people. Oh, you slay me, with your wit and style. I can only aspire to raise my level of subtle sly humor to your far superior manner of everyday chortledom. I know that sounds snarky, but I actually mean it here.

Memorial Day Observation

We will be closed Monday, May 28th, all day long, in observance of Memorial Day. Thank a veteran, thank a peace officer, thank a public servant, thank the founding fathers, thank those that are serving. Thank goodness we live in America.

I Love New York

2007-05-17T17:58:00.000-07:00

After a whirlwind five-day visit to the Apple in question with Mr. Fabulous, I am certain you are all just desperate for more details. I've got to review my notes to be sure all my stories are blog-appropriate, so check back for the downlow on the back East travel. Queens will never be the same, and Manhattan is actually a great place to ride a bike. In case you were wondering.

Creative Delivery and Clearly More Gypsies

2007-05-17T17:54:00.000-07:00

Several boxes of stuff, all just for your perusal, in store now. Creative Imaginations, including Bare Elements for your alteration pleasure, came in full force today. Along with piles and miles of embellishments and supplies, just what you needed to get through the rest of May.

And if you've been hankering for more 7Gypsies, we've got the clear stamps out and ready for you to take on home. We're just not sure they will still be here tomorrow, based on the rush we've already seen from our psychic friends who stopped by on a hunch.

Sign of the Crop and Classes

2007-05-17T17:49:00.000-07:00

Friday Night Crop with Jaime
How much fun can you have in one evening? Spend it with Jaime and your cup will runneth over with good times, good food, and our famous 15/30 special. It's $15 per person, but if you spend $30 or more (pre-tax), we'l waive that $15 fee right off your receipt. Sign up early to claim your spot.

Lucky Girl with Jaime
Tuesday, May 22 at 6:00 PM $15
Go on a treasure hunt in your supply stash! Jaime will show you how to turn your unused items into a cute 6x6 mini book. Shaped scissors are back "in" and you'll use them to jazz up the pages of this pint sized pearl. Class participants will choose their own papers and Bazzill Mono-mini. We'll hold it at the store for you until class day so you won't forget in all the excitement of your lucky treasure hunt at home prior to the class. Participants should bring the following supplies with them to class: basic supplies (adhesives, trimmers, scissors, etc.), background stamp of your choosing, embellishments from your stash to match your paper choices, black + one other color ink pad of your choice from your stash (to match your paper choices), black journaling pen, letter & number stickers, rub-ons or stamps from your stash (to spell 1 Lucky Girl, and numbers 1-16), 17 wallet sized photos (one for the cover, 16 to match your 16 reasons).

Anything-But-Dry Erase Board with Jaime
Wednesday, May 23 at 6:00 PM $25
We'll bet our Basic Grey paper stash you never thought being organized could be this stylish. Join Jaime in creating this fun and useful perpetual dry erase calendar. Pick your own patterned papers and create a customized organization tool for the whole family to use and enjoy.

Stand and Deliver: Last Chance to Sign Up and Make a Great Mom's Day Gift

2007-05-03T14:14:00.000-07:00

M is for Mother with Jaime
11am-1pm Saturday May 5th
$40
More TIN-spiration from Jaime. This altered book accordion-style foldout will be cherished for generations once you have added your own photos and journaling. Created with 7gypsies embellishments and YES! adhesive, it's a perfect Mother's Day reward.

Mom's Garden with Jaime
3pm-5pm Saturday May 5th
$30
Make a blooming beautiful art display with Jaime. You won't have to spell out how much you love your M-O-M when she opens this one-of-a-kind work of art, personalized by you.

Magnetic Attraction with Elle
6-8pm Monday May 7th
$33
Take notes in this class, then attach them (with magnets) to your heartfelt magnet board. Using Basic Grey paper and specialty glazing techniques, you will fall in love with this delightful and useful piece of art.

Easily Distracted

2007-05-01T13:56:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know. I am not keeping pace with my posts and you are missing out on endless witty commentary. Plus, and this is really important, you are having a hard time keeping track of what is new in the store.

So let me oblige on both counts:

Rusty Pickle is in the house. The lovely and talented Karen Burniston came and performed her righteous brand of magic in the form of the Medivel (sic) line. Although I am thinking that part of my resistance to posting about this particular line of RP may somehow be related to the intentional misspellings of the line and its associated papers. My spelling issues are surfacing! Get thee to a dictionary, post haste, Lance and Tasha! I cannot continue under these conditions! Ummm, anyhoo, the class was great fun and I still have a couple of kits on hand. Or underfoot, as the case may be.
Autumn Leaves idea book Perfectly Clear also arrived earlier this week. Although I have somewhat of a dilemna in that the stamps that I just barely ordered and received are already gone, so you are going to be bombarded with fabulous ideas and kept in a holding patterns as I reorder the stamps required for your dreams to be realized. Think of it as an experience in anticipation.
Glitter that the likes of Mariah Carey has never experienced was unpacked from Making Memories. Sparkle up your pages with every kind of glitter you could want and bring some bling into your life.
Carolee's Creations in a smattering of fun patterns for Mother's Day and Father's Day are now available for your pleasure. We've really got a symphony of masculinity going on right now, and I cannot imagine why there is such a focus on boys at this moment. OK, I can imagine why, but that's another story. Also, dance. I mean dance paper arrived, not that you have to dance. Although that could be kind of entertaining. So go ahead, dance.
And basically, because it has been demanded repeatedly, we have Basic Grey paper packs. Get the entire line of Oh! Baby Boy or Oh! Baby Girl or Urban Couture all at once. And since I also ordered the matching ribbon, here's a swell blog deal: purchase any paper pack and get the coordinating ribbon for $4.99. That would be half price, in case you are keeping score. And I know you are. Just have us check the blog in case we don't remember that it is on special. Easily distracted, remember?

I spent a weekend in the City by the Bay, hanging with Sister #4 and Sister #1. I brought my younger, cuter version with me and we tooled around the city just like the locals. She wanted to go to prison (like every other 13-year-old you know, right?) so we took the boat to The Rock and learned all about prison escapes. Really, out of all the activities one might pick in San Francisco, I thought Alcatraz was kind of an interesting choice. She was especially pleased with the cutesy mini bear in handcuffs and a ball and chain. Not sure where I went south in parenting, but it's all coming full circle and smacking me in the rear end. Oh, wait, that was someone else. Yes, people, there is someone else. And I think I'm keeping him for a while. Confused? Join the club, pass the salt, and more updates and anecdotes in a week. Plus endless promises to keep you all current, updated, and in the heart of conjecture. Go ahead, I don't mind.

You Have Class

2007-04-18T19:06:00.000-07:00

(Having a little issue with loading pics, so please jump on over to our website for photos. Apologies aplenty.)

Mom's Garden with Jaime
Tuesday April 24th 6pm
$30 Make a blooming beautiful art display with Jaime. You won't have to spell out how much you love your M-O-M when she opens this one-of-a-kind work of art, personalized by you.

M is for Mom with Jaime
Wednesday April 25 at 6pm
$40 More TIN-spiration from Jaime. This altered book accordion-style foldout will be cherished for generations once you have added your own photos and journaling. Created with 7gypsies embellishments and YES! adhesive, it's a perfect Mother's Day reward.

Dry Erase Board with Jaime
Saturday, April 28 at 11am
$25 Constant schedule changes making it hard for you to keep track of really important events? Write down this class, highlight it, or circle it with a sharpie so you don't overlook this chance to make this unique project. It's altered art that can be dry-erased, so any event cancellation doesn't mark up your beautiful work. Basic Grey is used in the example, but select your own paper to coordinate with your home decor.

To Gnome Me Is To Love Me

2007-04-18T18:26:00.000-07:00

After I explained the purpose of the garden gnome to my Amazing Race partner-in-crime, it seems the little dwarf (sorry, is that redundant?) is everywhere. Interesting how you perhaps do not notice how ubiquitous something is until it is pointed out, and then, well, everywhere. Although not sure something that is never noticed can really be ubiquitous, actually. Seems contradictory. Huh. Just like my partner-in-crime. Well, there you go. Hope you enjoyed the ride. Hee.

Having a Crate Time, Wish You Were Here

2007-04-11T08:59:00.000-07:00

If Ralph Lauren was interested in designing scrapbook paper, not only would it look like this, it would have the same texture and volume. It's just classic, timeless paper that makes all your scrapbook art look elegant. Perhaps you might bring a crate for all the Crate that you will decide you must have, once you stop in and see what the heck I mean. Disclaimer: keep in mind, I am not known for my fashion sense, so ultimately, you may look at the same selection of paper and think "What?" In any case, or should I say, in any crate, (heh), you will still want it all.

Creating Keepsakes Scrapbook Convention Promotion: Free with Purchase!

Bring in your Mesa pre-registration for the CK convention, spend $20 (pre-tax, post frequent-buyer discount) and we'll hand you a bonus gift of a CK tote. Perfect for carrying around all that Crate you want anyway, and what is better than free? (Limited amount, so hurry in today, while supplies last and all that other mumbo-jumbo.)

Karen Burniston, Rusty Pickle Tour, and You: Sunday April 22 from 5-7pm

2007-04-06T19:52:00.000-07:00

Let me start this message by telling you how much I adore Karen Burniston. I've taken classes from her and just have to say that she is one of the most organized and effective teachers ever. She definitely uses her engineering background to develop her instructions so they are clear and accessible, and she remains one of the friendliest and kindest people I have ever met. So Karen, I am officially beyond excited that you are coming to Annalis to teach the Inner Circle class. As if that is not enough, Karen is delivering a design with one of our favorite product lines, Rusty Pickle. Beyond cool, people, just beyond cool.

Here are the instructor-provided details:

Class Name: INNER CIRCLE
Designed by: Karen Burniston
Class Time: 2 hours
Level: Intermediate-Advanced
Project: Interactive 8x8 round mini-album
Cost: $30 per person

Class Description:
You may have seen Rusty Pickle’s fabulous 8x8 chipboard circle albums, but you’ve never seen one dressed up quite like this! Join us for INNER CIRCLE and create a one-of-a-kind round album using gorgeous papers from the new Guenevire collection. The rich colors and sophisticated designs make this collection striking in its versatility. Decorate the album with pictures of any subject – we won’t box you in! (Pun intended) The artsy styling and flourishes lend it well to adult subjects (romance, friendship, Mother’s Day) but can also be used for a child. This uniquely-shaped album will become even more unique with a clever binding technique and three interactive slide-out pages. Plus, with the detailed handout and extra templates, it will be a piece of (round) cake for you to create future Inner Circle albums in a variety of colors and themes. Join the Inner Circle – you’ll get somewhere by going round and round!

Gather the following tools and supplies for class:
Adhesives – need a tape runner with a refill and (as a suggestion) a glue stick for covering the album.
Glue dots
Trimmer
Scissors
Paper piercer or push pin
Pencil
Craft knife, ruler and cutting mat
Regular office hole punch or Crop-a-Dile

Photos can be added later.

Bio - Karen Burniston

Karen Burniston is a freelance instructor and designer from Colorado, where she lives with her husband, John, and their 8-year-old twins Karl and Emma. She has been working in the scrapbooking industry since 2002, when she was named a winner in the Creating Keepsakes Hall of Fame contest. Since then she has contributed to many magazines and idea books, including Hot Looks for Scrapbooks, Your Sentiments Exactly, and Totally Transparent. For three years she designed a line of scrapbooking products called Scrapperware that is licensed to Creative Imaginations. She has traveled the world teaching at stores and conventions, often drawing on her civil engineering background to create interactive elements on the projects.

Things she finds delicious include ketchup, Whoppers candy, reality TV, and the perfect rubber stamp. Things she finds not-so-delicious include carrots, scrapper’s block and housework. Learn more about Karen’s classes, including video previews and “what to bring” lists at http://www.karenburniston.com/. Learn more about Karen the person, including her silly adventures, by reading her blog at: www.karenburniston.typepad.com

Register Today:

This class will fill quickly, so we strongly encourage you to make your reservation today. What a fun way to wrap up your April weekend: Sunday April 22 from 5-7pm. Bring your own whoppers, because I suspect that Karen's not sharing hers.

Crop Excitement Tonight~

2007-04-06T12:58:00.000-07:00

Join tonight's crop by making your reservation right now. 6-11:30pm. $15 crop fee, waived for croppers who spend $30 or more (pre-tax). Why are your still reading this? You should be calling to sign up!

Lifes Rich Pageant

2007-04-06T09:13:00.000-07:00

Check into the suite life of My Minds Eye and surround yourself with the incredible luxury of coordinated papers and embellishments from the Signature Life series, just the latest in high class accommodations from this company. We fully expect to see your own John Hancock after you come in and are as overcome with shock and awe as we were when we unpacked everything. I just wanted to keep it all for myself, but I suppose I can share.

On My Honor

Massive quantities of gorgeous Girl Scout papers are now out and available. You'll earn a merit badge of thanks from your Brownie or Girl Scout when you create a project from this K&Co series. It's taken Girl Scouts this long to license a paper and embellishment line, and after you see what K&Co produced, you may agree that it was worth the wait. Although many of the papers are customized with the Girl Scout Promise and Law, as well as other specific Girl Scout icons, just as many of the papers are coordinated to work together and can be used for any project, scouting or not. And if you happen to be like me, with a child in Scouting for many years, you will love the customized Brownie and Girl Scout 12x12 albums. I know I am moving all my Girl Scout pages from my blah-looking really antiquated (and not distressed on purpose) album just so I can add one of these spiffy new albums to my collection.

We did not forget the boys entirely, so you will find a selection of Cub Scout and Boy Scout papers as well.

Technique Tuesday: Wednesday Thursday Friday

2007-04-04T10:13:00.000-07:00

Stock up on Technique Tuesday clear-mounted stamps and accessories while we offer 25% off for today, tomorrow, and Friday only. From Love Notes to alphas, it's hard to surpass the quality of these stamps. Blog-only special for in-stock items only. Frequent flyer discount does not apply to this purchase and coupon may not be applied in addition to this discount.

Theme Paper Alert

2007-04-03T16:05:00.000-07:00

All kinds of Reminisce papers are crowding the floor, as we've added to our Disney , travel, Americana, sports (best ever ladies line with volleyball, softball, and basketball), summer play, calendar, and music themes just arrived. And for those of you asking about Grandma, well, her paper is here and waiting for you. Since you mentioned it, we thought we'd bring in some Mom and Daughter paper too, just in time to prep for those Mother's Day projects you've been designing in your head. I am thinking about signing up the teen for a sport, just so I can use the fabulous sports paper. It's just that cool.

Get Social This Friday

2007-04-03T16:03:00.000-07:00

Join Misty for this Friday's crop. From 6-11:30pm, enjoy the heartbreaking work of staggering genius known to us as Natalie, chow down on some yummy vittles, and create priceless works of art. How could you pass this up? $15 holds a spot, and if you can spend upwards of $30, we'll kindly waive the crop fee. Winners all, but call today before we start a waiting list. C'mon Misty, we're giving you a 2nd chance at our favorite chair!

Saturday Crop 3/31 with Cosmo Cricket

2007-03-30T20:43:00.000-07:00

Last chance to sign up for our Saturday night crop. $15 gets you a spot, and we are doing a lot of fun stuff at this very special Cosmo Crop. Tie one on (and we do mean this literally--have you seen the Cosmo Cricket neckties?) and we'll do you up digitally. Scrap the results in the already coordinated Cosmo paper. As our special reward, spend $30 and we will waive the crop fee. Such a deal. If you'd like, we'll even set up a special DHPB hotline. Although we're sure there won't be a panic, hubbylike or otherwise. Unless you forget to sign up before we sell out the last seat... Ack.

Surf's Up: Sweet.

2007-03-30T20:30:00.000-07:00

The newest Lil Davis line arrived today, so if you're looking to scrap those summer waves of aloha, check out the Endless Summer paper, chipboard letters, and chipboard shapes in bold red and summer blue. Dude.

If you're hoping for something a bit sweeter, try the Making Memories embellishments and paper blossoms in some Cheeky, Sweet, and Polo color combinations. There's nothing quite like these flowers, hearts, and tags on the market, and I am in love with the color combos. If you're stumped for ideas, pick up a copy of MM's latest idea book, "Show and Tell" for more than a few fabulous projects. Also, for some reason, anything in the transparency style is my idea of heaven, so I was awash in giddiness (it's OK, we cleaned it up afterwards) at the new sheer frames collections. A wee bit smaller than the 3x3 sheer frames in the last release, these come bundled a few to a set and are the perfect addition to minibooks or page layouts. Like I said, sweet.

Hey, Is That a Chip on your Shoulder?

2007-03-27T15:25:00.000-07:00

If so, could I please eat it? It must be lunchtime because I seem to have the munchies.

Saturday Crop: Crazy Cosmo Cricket Anniversary Crop

2007-03-27T10:42:00.000-07:00

Join us Saturday, March 31 from 6-11:30 in our crop room and help us celebrate anniversary #2. We've got a lineup of yummy food and yummier giveaways just in time for our Cosmo Crop. We're taking your picture in our Cosmo tie and then you're making a Cosmo layout with our goodie bag supplies. We're planning to order our favorite dish from Macaroni Grill (sorry, no pizza) and chow down in a fashionably brilliant way. Not sure exactly what that looks like, but you should come see anyway. Just like we love, $15 gets you a reservation, but spend $30 and we'll waive that $15 away. Misty, we're expecting you to be our Queen of the Crop, so call us and we'll hold a throne for you. We might even let you use the one with the cushion.

A Little Bit of Heidi In My Life...

2007-03-23T17:42:00.000-07:00

We received just a smidge of our Winter CHA Heidi order: if you are in the mood for the most wonderful oversized photocorners, large ghost shapes, and clock overlays imaginable, we can help. If you need a Heidi paper knife to get through the day, again, we can help. In any case, please don't point that paper knife at me because the rest of the order has just not yet arrived. Blame it on that infamous slow boat from you-know-where, OK? And have a splendid pink weekend.

I Would Like Me Some Chocolate Bunny, Please

2007-03-22T10:40:00.000-07:00

Be nice to Heather because she is still unpacking the just received Rusty Pickle order and getting it out on the floor. I am getting mine tonight, if there is any left...please save me some Bunny!

Making Memories on a Scenic Route, Imagining Daisies. Or Whatever.

2007-03-21T19:00:00.000-07:00

I am so all over the new Scenic Route papers! Both sides of this paper have wonderful colors and designs, and although I am generally a 2-piece per paper person, I may have to rethink that into a 4-piece per paper person so that I can flip around all the choices to my best advantage. Add on the sticker letters and the chipboard alphas, and this line is a sight to behold.

Along with that order, we brought in a buncha Making Memories items for Easter and spring. The new oversized chipboard shapes in eggs, rabbits, and flowers are still just "cheep cheep" and are so much fun to alter. Cover them with Prima flowers or use the Basic Grey precision file set to decoupage these shapes. Easy and please-inducing every time! I would add EGGS-cellent but think we perhaps have seen that title once too many times. I also think the new white or black (choice of colors) scalloped edge albums are just the right touch of elegance.

We've also added some brand new Daisy D's paper and accessories in the Beacon Hill Chasing Butterflies line. (I would suggest you go to the Botanical Gardens and visit the butterfly pavilions right now. Then come get this line for the amazing photos you will now have.) So easy to create a page or mini-book with the journaling tags and matching flower embellishments. I believe I am in love. But let's never mind that right now.

Finally, for the moment, Imagination Project sent wonderful teen lines. If you've been thinking about what paper would look like if it were made by Apple, this would be the product. Think Imagination Project: I-Proj: ipod. We be jammin'. Please, sing along. OK, softer please.

TINspiration by Jaime

2007-03-09T14:37:00.000-08:00

Mark your calendars for March 21 from 6-8pm or March 31 from 11am-1pm and sign up for her easy-peasy-cool-and breezy Inspiration Accordian Book in a Box. For $35, you will create an accordian book in one of two themes available, Inspiration or Photos. If you cant' choose, bring a friend and you can each make one, then order an extra kit for each other. Seats are limited, so sign up early to guarantee your spot.

Zip! Punch! Tape Writer!

2007-03-09T14:26:00.000-08:00

Mixed bag of newness arrived this week: Around the Block stuff, including their awesome (not a Dymo) Tape Writer. Looks, feels, and acts like a, but isn't. Cool thing is definitely the refills in more colors than the Alternative Brand currently provides. Rumor is, same size, so if you've already got the Alternative Brand, you can just pick up the refills for the Tape Writer. Although we're true collectors, so we have to have the pink one anyway. Along with the Around the Block paper and embellishments, we decided to try their punches. Because they punch AND emboss, and I believe you already know how much fun it is to emboss things around.

Zip Dry Paper Glue is also back in stock. Currently tops as many of our teachers' favorite adhesive, we are just psyched to have bottles of 'em in the store for you. Works on all kinds of surfaces, and you know how many surfaces we love to use when paper is involved.

Nice Pants. Very Fancy.

2007-03-05T14:19:00.000-08:00

New Fancy Pants has arrived and is being unpacked henceforth. If you've been looking to remodel your paper wardrobe, we suggest you do it now. Sashay, runway. Ha!

Crop Party

I don't host a crop very often, so if you've missed me, Friday night is the night to sign up for a crop. Sometimes I clean out the back room, and you never know what I'll find to give away. $15 holds your spot; spend $30 during the crop and we waive the $15 fee. I'll bring pages that I'll never be able to actually work on, so be prepared to get lots of advice from me on your pages. I'm never offended when you tune me out and decide to use those deco scissors anyway. Also, you can probably talk me into something besides pizza for dinner. Provide a suggestion when you sign up and I will at least think about it. But no fondue. When it drips all over my paper, it does not make it look chic or rustic, just edible. And that's just not right.

Precisely What You Need

2007-03-01T21:41:00.000-08:00

Basic Grey shipped a couple of Precision Tool Kits our way, and although we're wanting to keep them all for ourselves, (yup, we're a bunch of hoarders, we are) we've decided to let a few of you come in and get your own set. Since we're always prepared to sand and alter everything in sight, and some stuff that we're hiding, you can imagine our delight with all the components of this cool bit of tool kit. Not even to mention the Stella Ruby and other assorted winter lines of paper that Basic Grey sent along with the tool kits.

Zutter Cutter Utter Madness: AKA Bind-It-All

We're all over this new cutting and binding system. We've ordered one for everyone who wants one, as long as you're in the first half-dozen or so people who fits that category. We also decided you'd want all the different sizes and styles of all the thingamajigs you can cut and bind. After all, we can all do with a little binding now and again.

Masses of Sassafras Lass

Sassafras entertained us and we reciprocated. We realize we probably made everyone just slightly nutty with our ongoing participation at the winter show, but those t-shirts just made us want to play along. If you have no idea what I mean, well, neither do I, since I was in Denver. I just heard some of the staff was enjoying the Sassafras marketing party. Yeah, that's what all that noise was. Bottom line, you've just gotta see their new release. Those people know how to make us all dance, dance, dance.

February Madness: Yes, We're a Month Early

2007-02-25T22:01:00.000-08:00

Take a shot at great savings throughout the store. We've brought in lots of stock and still need to make room for more. To close out February, we've decided to offer 1o% off on everything in the store. Ramp up your savings to 15% if your total pre-tax purchase is $50 or more, and take off 20% for spending $100 or more pre-tax. To our frequent shoppers: your regular discount does not apply, and purchases do not count towards frequent shopper qualification levels. Discount does not apply to classes or clearance. (Yes, we hate the fine print too, but you can use this discount towards ribbon, Maya Road, Cosmo Cricket, Basic Grey, Making Memories, Doodlebug, All My Memories, 7 Gypsies, and so many other of our favorite vendors.) We've also been known to just randomly add fun stuff to your purchase, so stop on by and score!

A Flair for Good-Lookin' Cookin'

2007-02-23T21:28:00.000-08:00

It's a recipe for amazing layouts, and you'll have every chance to measure up to the cutest paper cooking. We always flip for Flair, 'cause the company is run by some of our most favorite people, and the product is just so flippin' fun. We expect that this will be the number one entree for some time, and we suggest you get your takeout while it's still curbside. I don't know about you, but I am toast.

Customer of the Day: Beth Rogers

2007-02-23T14:11:00.000-08:00

Paging Beth Rogers: Please come by and claim your special gift by the end of the month. We're just so excited that you claimed us on technorati as one of your favorites, and we'd like to return the favor. We've linked up, and we think you deserve a reward.

A Regular Cher Revival: Gypsies Return

2007-02-23T12:45:00.000-08:00

Our Winter-CHA 7 Gypsies order has arrived, and that would be Heather you see dancing in the aisles. Well, if you had doorknobs and oval stamps, findings and fal-der-all, wouldn't you want to do some moving and shaking?

Attention Cosmo Girls

Plus, and there is a hecka hecka plus, the new Cosmo Cricket also was delivered, unpackaged, and gently caressed before being placed in a peachy-keen spot. All the Dutch Girl and Halfway Cafe you could want is in the store and ready for your loving care. Hey, I'm getting all sentimental here. To pull us out of all that drool, we're in the early days of planning a Cosmo Crop. Imagine the fun you'd have, fashioning your projects in the inspiring hues of Cosmo, sipping a...Cosmo, and taking a break to read...Cosmo. And because you know who we are, we just had to get our hands on the Cosmo neckties. Aren't you just thrilled to know you could have your picture taken while wearing a Cosmo tie (would it be far-fetched to say you're "tying one on") and have a layout that is already made to coordinate? Yes, we are selling Cosmo Cricket ties in our store, but we can always order more for the crop.

By the way, we know you're all wondering if we got Buck Naked in Anaheim. Answer: yes and it is shipping any moment now. Whew.

Friday: Crop and R-E-L-A-X

2007-02-22T10:43:00.000-08:00

Last week, we crushed the hopes of an eager group of croppers, desperate to come play with paper and embellishments, because we could not accommodate them. What does that mean? Hey, just make a crop reservation. We are oh, so happy to hold you a spot so that you can be assured of being one of the crowd. And since we've decided to give away stuff on Friday night, you can be sure there's a goodie or two in it just for you. Hosted by Natalie, and ever so affordable at the cost of free (when you spend $30 or more during the crop) or $15 if you're saving for that new Cricut, we strongly encourage you to call us right this minute for your chair.

Also, while they last, our crop of 5 12" stand-up paper mache letters that spell RELAX, LA REX, XALRE, REAL X, or I am sure several other combinations of letters, discounted to $14.99. If you like math, that's about 3 bucks a letter. Relax, we've got a few in stock. At least, we did a minute ago...

Racking Up the Savings

2007-02-18T20:14:00.000-08:00

We've cleared out a lot of paper in preparation for the new CHA-Winter stock. You can take advantage of our empty racks by checking out the stacks of paper in our crop room, all marked down 40%. As much as we love compliments on our racks (and who doesn't?), we love the anticipation of every delivery. Go ahead, between the packages and the racks, people will think our minds are in the gutter. Me? I have no idea what that means.

Yep. We Do Sell Stuff.

2007-02-14T16:15:00.000-08:00

Note to Self: People do want to know what has arrived.

May Arts: In case you do not have enough ribbon, and by the way, you do not, more has arrived in the store. Everything from puffy hearts to polka dots and in an amazing array of colors and widths. As it should be.

Lil Davis: We are all over this line and think you will be too. If you are exhausted by the rustic and bohemian feel of many of today's lines, and just want some color back in your life, it's time for an affair with Love Affair. This stuff is so not just for Valentine's Day and if the bright colors and lovely patterns do not make you squeal with happiness, well, we just think that's downright jackadog moldy sad and horrid for you. Not sure what that means exactly, but it sure sounded depressing. Commence squealing already.

Bazzill Bling: The bling in the room was so beyond fabulous, we went and got just about every dang color. Exhausting, and yet, worth it. Bling, you just bedazzle us.

More is on its way, as we continue to reap the benefits of CHA-Winter. And oh yeah, there will be a writeup. You betcha.

Jesus, Get the Phone. I Mean, Actual Jesus, Not Taking His Name in Vain Jesus.

2007-02-08T09:11:00.000-08:00

If you've kept up with some of my posts, you likely know that my darling sis died last month. Ovarian cancer. Ugly, awful, painful and she was all the things you would expect her to be. Because she is the opposite of me and has every good quality you could possibly imagine. Her service was last Saturday.

She had selected the music for the service and had a specific idea of what she wanted, so we did our best to deliver. I'd hate to think she was watching us, thinking, "What the hey? Why is the choir singing 'Dance,Dance' and making jazz hands? I do not recall writing down that particular selection." So we behaved.

Songs are sung, readings are read, and then it's time for the near and dear to say a few words. I knew already that no matter what I planned, I would divert and say something else. So I did and I did. I managed to say something (I hear it was recorded; I suspect that will be the only way I will know what I actually said.) Then it was someone else's turn.

Church is quiet, speaker commands attention, talks about sister dear's love for music. Suddenly, notes are heard throughout the church. Quietly at first, then persistently louder. Because. A. Cell.Phone. Is. Ringing. Speaker tries to ignore, but it is just too obvious. The Bach Minuet seems to go on endlessly until someone frantically puts it out of its misery. Nervous laughter. Speaker makes lovely kind comment and audience plays along, laughing. From my perch behind the speaker, I confess. Yes, that was my phone. Thank you to my daughter for scrambling to snatch it out of my purse and thanks to my lovely niece for shutting it off. Apparently, I continue to celebrate my sister in the same way I have done my whole life: I am, in fact, a total goober.

The service, by the way, was perfect. As her best friend said in her remarks, sometimes things do not turn out the way you planned.

Artist-in-Residence This Saturday!

2007-02-01T14:13:00.000-08:00

Saturday February 3

Annalis welcomes Guest Artist Keri Schneider

Keri Schneider is the talented artist responsible for the bright and whimsical designs at Kangaroo and Joey. She has been involved in the imprintable invitation industry for years, but recently incorporated her designs in a line specifically for scrapbookers.

Now you can take a class designed by Keri and taught by Keri.

Saturday, Feb 3rd from 10am-1pm and again Tuesday evening Feb 6 from 5pm-8pm. She's fun, charming, and has offered to share her unique and creative talents with the Annalis crowd! We can't tell you how excited we are to have her in the store, except I think maybe we just did. Hold your spot today, because we expect a sellout crowd.

Photo Above? R.E.M. Every Time. Silly, Huh.

2007-01-29T21:55:00.000-08:00

Every time I look at the banner, I start singing R.E.M.'s "Don't Go Back To Rockville" except obviously I am thinking Taftsville instead. Not that I have anything against Taftsville, especially considering I drive through it every time I go to Rutland. Plus, about half the time I still pull over to take yet more photos of the classic Vermont shot of the covered bridge. I think that probably I do not need 236 different angles of the same bridge, albeit different seasons, yet still I must stop and shoot. So maybe deep down I do hold a grudge. Oh well, waste another year. (And yes, this has nothing to do with new product in the store. That will come tomorrow, OK?)

Gypsy Love

2007-01-25T10:34:00.000-08:00

More 7Gypsies arrived: we restocked the Naked series, and you know how entertaining that is for everyone. We also received more hardware in the form of photo turns, bulk flea market items, and book board that is pre-cut and ready to be made into your own little Naked Journey. You can tell us about it, but i'm not sure we're prepared for the accompanying photos.

January Carols

Carolee's shipped their latest Creations, and if you've been looking for a little V-Day romance paper in a different palette, Carolee has delivered. Soft lavendars and black and white patterns back up the power of love. Get yours before you lose that lovin' feeling. Whoa, whoa.

Ahoy: The Slow (Bay Box) Boat from China Has Arrived

2007-01-19T15:16:00.000-08:00

That means we have Bay Boxes from Scrapworks in both black and brown. Plus that means both Formal Affair and Lucky in Love paper and embellishment lines have arrived. It's more than a boat of Scrapworks; it's an entire shipload! I said SHIPload. S-H-I-P. Load.

Squeeze in to Friday's Crop

2007-01-17T20:08:00.000-08:00

There are a couple of spaces left in the crop this Friday. It's our fabulous 15/30 deal of the century: spend $30 and we waive the crop fee. Spend less than $30 and we'll just wave. Or we'll see if we can get everyone in the crop room to do the wave for you.

Swapp Meet

2007-01-17T19:58:00.000-08:00

Rummage around in our Heidi Swapp area and pick up a blog-only advertised 20% off your entire Heidi purchase Thursday and Friday only. Drop more than $72.10, pre-tax, (no reason, just seemed like a random amount) and we'll apply the 20% to your entire purchase. Yup, every last item in the store. (What? Even Basic Grey and Lasting Impressions? Who authorized this?) Just remind us that you read it on the blog and we will grant your pinkness discount. Yes, there is fine print: purchase does not apply to your frequent shopper accrual and frequent shopper discount is not applied to your sale items, plus no other discounts will apply. Unless we just decide to hand you stuff because we're in that kind of mood. And be nice to us: it will take slightly longer to ring you up. Hey, isn't that worth saving a few bucks? And have you seen how much stuff we have in the store that is brand spankin' new?

On the Maya Road Again

2007-01-17T09:31:00.000-08:00

Our UPS guy is pretty flippin' happy that the holidays have come and gone, but seems to be confused as to why we still have so many packages on a daily basis. And since it's been a bit since I've updated the teeming masses on actual product, as opposed to soap opera information, here's a hit list of Things I Am Pretty Sure You Need:

Maya Road, board books, oversized bottle caps, and other unique and extraordinary scrapbooking items (read: dang, I know it was a huge order but I forgot what else was in it.)

Making Memories grommet kits with oversized grommets, all kindsa sortsa Valentine's stuff in glitter, velvet, and spectacular foam stamps, Love Series #2, plus really really big wall text. You too can place oversized letters of love on a wall near you and ask in all sincerity "How's it hanging?" to anyone who will listen. Word of warning: if you ask, someone may well answer.

Ribbon in every shade of polka dot imaginable

Doodlebug Loopy Love papers, flowers, frills, Whimsy Wafers (no, that's not for lunch), and albums in the lovely bright fun and happy colors that is clearly Land of Doodle.

Lasting Impressions embossing supplies. Yes, I brought in this line just so that I could get the cute flower paper scuffers. They're just so dang CUTE is all!

Paper mache in all kinds of shapes, just sitting there, asking quietly to be altered. When you see the class to alter the house, well, let's just say stunned and amazed does not begin to describe the feelings that will explode from... Explode from? Ummm, so OK I am not a romance writer, that is clear. But it will be a highly decent experience, I am sure. The class, I mean. Not the explosion.

Flip it with Flair papers, stickers, and wonderously inexpensive mini-books.

Creative Imaginations: Marah Johnson's Lovestruck line, plus for all you pirate-loving pink skull and crossbones people, and we know you are out there, some of the funkiest, most extreme paper designs that we have seen since Lance brought us the Rusty Pickle monkey paper. And I am not fooling. Caution Girl may truly rock your little world.

Hot for Teacher

2007-01-16T10:53:00.000-08:00

We are currently auditioning teachers for our fun little shop. It's so easy, you'll wonder why didn't ask earlier. Call or stop by, bring your favorite layouts and at least one altered art project, and we'll put you through the ringer. No, really, we'll make it incredibly easy for you to feel like a princess. Flexible hours, easy money, and customers who are just a joy to teach. Our calendar is filling quickly, so stop by in the next two weeks if you have a serious interest. One more thing, though, no paper dolls or drama queens. We've had our share.

I Miss You Already

2007-01-09T14:33:00.000-08:00

We shall find peace.
We shall hear angels,
we shall see the sky sparkling with diamonds.
Chekhov

Cyndi Leonard
4/4/1962-1/9/2007

You're Not the Embosser of Me

2007-01-05T11:56:00.000-08:00

Heather is unpacking a slew of dry embossing supplies direct from Lasting Impressions. If you've always wanted to try a little bit of cuteness, and just didn't know how to begin, these dry embossing stencils are just the thing to get the party started. We picked through the zillions of templates available to bring you our absolute favorites, and we fully expect you to tell us that you would like ever so many more for your own stash. Just to keep things simple, we've already got the sample boards up and in view. And by next week, you'll have a chance to try one, so you too can experience the pure joy of sanding back paper to reveal a wicked cute design. Pile 'em on!

More Stuff to Alter

We keep looking for more things to turn into other things, and this week was no different. Just in from Darice, of all places, are frames to alter. We love them because they are so easy to make into something suitably awesome. You will love them because they are so affordable. Also just in, if there are any left, are music boxes from Melissa Frances. Spin and twirl, everyone, spin and twirl.

The Key to Relax

Oh, and if you are the key to the back supply closet, please show yourself. I hate to have to bust down a door, but I will if necessary. Stand back. Someone wants to RELAX, and we'd like to sell them on that.

Change No Change 2007

2006-12-27T11:56:00.000-08:00

It's nearly 2007.

We've changed the store around, and we're making some changes to store structure as well.

Hours: We're dropping the last hour of the day, so Mon-Fri we will be open 10-6. Sat stays at 10-5 and Sun also stays the same at 12-4. Expect to see periodic late nights (with themes and specials) and ongoing Friday and/or Saturday crops that keep us in the store late and sometimes later.

We're adapting our stellar 40% off one item with any competitors coupon (C3 Tuesdays) to shake up more inventory and prepare us for our January Winter-CHA order. Instead of just Tuesdays, since we know some of our customers cannot always make it in on that day, we're swapping days and specials. Some specials will be blog-only: if you see it on the blog and tell us that when you shop, we'll pass along special savings to you. Some will be gift with purchase. And some days we'll just calendar things all over the place. (Yes, I am using "calendar" as a verb. Stay with me.) So beginning in January, check out the store, the calendar, and the blog for the special savings.

We love change. We'd love it more if you'd join us in staking a claim on all the fabulous change that we know 2007 will bring. Including using nouns as verbs when we feel like it. Now dance!

Air Quotes

2006-12-24T09:34:00.000-08:00

Buckets of 7 Gypsies stamps arrived yesterday, and now you'll have to wait 2 full days until we open again to purchase your share. Our selections include brackets, quote marks, photo, writers block, and balloon. (I say brackets, you say parenthesis. But that is because I am not sure whether "parenthesis" is a multiple of "parentheses" or if "parenthesis" in multiples is parenthesi" so I thought I'd avoid the entire issue by bringing you "brackets" instead. Or {brackets} if you prefer.) Anyhoo, along with the brand spanking new stamps, we've also restocked some of our favorite 7G stuff, including 97% complete tags, binding rings, and other such findings. Come find yours. But please wait until we reopen at 10am on 12/26. Otherwise, you'll just be at the door, knocking in vain, wishing for a key.

Flowers for You and You and You

2006-12-19T14:34:00.000-08:00

Prima has sent many more lovely colors and collections, just so you can use them everywhere. Decorate your pages. Add flowers to your package decorations. Plant them on every little piece of altered art. Hoard them in your scrap area and just admire them daily. Come to think of it, that's what I love about flowers. They grow on you. Well, maybe not ON you. Unless you really, really need a shower. Heh.

After the Disaster

2006-12-13T12:27:00.000-08:00

It's amazing what some people can accomplish, floods and plagues of locusts notwithstanding.

The store has been rearranged, resorted, reorganized, and restyled. We've moved the classroom area so you can all be on display as you create your gorgeous works of art. We've freshened the product so you can discover some long-lost goodies as you sort through the new arrivals.

And we bow down to Tammy and her supporting cast of thousands. Why? Because it was really Tammy's vision that you see when you walk into the store. So please join me in thanking everyone:

Tammy, her beloved DH, and Elsa, who worked into the wee hours to ensure the store would reopen. I never imagined saying these words, but thanks for trimming my floor.
Gail, whose engineering expertise rescued the computer and lab at minimum, and everything else at maximum.
Natalie, who came for support and conquered something, I am sure.
Elle, who stayed late on Sunday to more fully organize lock, stock, and paper trays.
Sara, who worked to inventory and organize the new with the old
And Heather, our new manager, who started just in time to weather this new storm, kept her crown intact and was perfectly patient throughout.
Shout outs also to Mindy, MaryLeigh, and Melissa, who worked around everything to take care of customers. It's nice to stay afloat.

Apologies to the one customer who came in and expressed her extreme dissatisfaction with the new layout of the store. We promise we did not make the water heater next door explode and leak onto our floor and then destroy things just to make it difficult for you to shop with us. We're just trying to maintain our sense of humor throughout a very trying period and get things in enough order so people can shop.

And massive thanks to all our customers who complimented the new look of the store, those who pitched in to help, and those who are continuing to bring in new customers who make everything worthwhile.

On a side note, we are bursting with new stuff:

Melissa Frances glitter chipboard shapes, paper mache boxes, foldouts, music box frames, and magnetic shadow boxes
Prima flowers in all kinds of containers and color selections
Basic Grey Blush, just in time for your Valentine. Yeah, for all you overachievers who are making Valentines in December.
Every single color of the Adirondack Dabbers. We tested, you loved, we responded in kind. There are 38 colors, in case you are counting.
New Rusty Pickle papers worth a joke or two. Still not sure why they sent us 256 of one particular paper, but we know they'll fix it for us.
PVA and Diamond Glaze, but not in the same container. Can you imagine?
Snowman paper mache boxes and 12x12 storage boxes in paper mache, perfect for a shadowbox decorative gift
Doodlebug papers in all their happy colorful glory

So come see the fun, take a class in the new work area, cut some shapes with our fabulous die cut center, and prepare for a fabulous crop this Friday. Natalie really needs some love, so step up and, oh wait, she's already carrying around enough love for us all. But the crop will still be awesome; trust me.

Noah? Noah?

2006-12-04T21:56:00.000-08:00

Due to a mishap in our neighbor's suite, our floor got more than a little soaked in the resulting flood. Bear with us as we part the multi-colored sea of cardstock (yes, I am mixing Biblical metaphors at this point) and repair the damages. In the most immediate future, we expect our doors will be closed, at least through late day Tuesday Dec 5th. In the less immediate but still relatively soon future, you may have somewhat of an obstacle course to navigate as you shop and crop for the holidays. And if you're not too busy, we'd welcome the help in restoring our neighborhood gathering spot to its former glory. No burning bushes, we promise.

And yes, I regret to say, that was probably me taking someone's name in vain. No one you know, though. Honest.

Look Here

2006-12-01T21:49:00.000-08:00

Autumn Leaves idea book "The Look Book" arrived today and is now available for purchase. Come look, before you're out of luck. Hurry, Elaine, hurry.

From Turkeys to Eagles

2006-11-29T14:10:00.000-08:00

OK all you Horizon (HCLC) folks: new page kits and goodies in the door for you. Hurry in before Regina buys them all, though. She stalks us almost as much as, well, one can be stalked.

Desert Vista and Mountain Pointe vintage page kits are also here just in time for holiday project-making. Because when you're thinking of winter break, surely you're thinking about making something lovely for your teachers just prior. Right?

And in honor of middle schools in the area, we've selected some lovely custom paper with mascot name and appropriate school colors: Centennial, Akimel A-al, and Altadena specifically. If the hurrahs are long and loud enough, we might even start in on the elementary schools. Do you feel lucky?

Plus for this very brief moment, we have every 9" letter in stock and just waiting to be altered. You can spell virtually anything. (Not sure how that would look on a wall, and it would take some time to alter all 17 letters, but you can if you'd like.)

Make Me a Card. Poof You're a Card Crop

2006-11-27T16:54:00.000-08:00

Friday night crop from 6-11:30pm will feature holiday card-making demonstrations. Bring your own bone folder and prepare to pick up some tips and tricks for your own line of cards. Natalie hosts, so fasten your seatbelts. $15 gets you a spot, but if you can spend $30, we'll spot you the fee.

So Thankful

2006-11-23T21:43:00.000-08:00

As today draws to a close, it seems like an appropriate time to be thankful.

I am so thankful for

A sister who brings out the very best in me and whom I adore. As should everyone. She just rocks.
The colors pink and green. Alone or together, just thanks.
Four sisters who I was lucky enough to gain when my dad remarried 27 years ago; also a brother who tells the greatest stories.
A good job with a good boss and flexible hours. Even if you make me get on a plane every two minutes. And schedule a 2-day meeting right smack in the middle of CHA-Winter.
A brother who has a girlfriend who is a perfect match for him, and between the two, managed to arrange a weekend event that was just what our family needed. If you're in NH and need a plumber, I can help. Um, he can help.
A cute boy who is now a very sexy man. Everybody wants to rule the world.
A mom who dropped everything to take care of my sister; a second mom who would do the same and does.
Ryan Star, Everclear, ancient Del Fuegos, Jason Mraz, and that Snow Patrol song. Yeah, I'll lie with you and forget the world. There are days we could all use a bit of that.
The perfect child. Please don't tell her I said that. She'll use it against me. But she is perfect.
Shopping at the candy store. Wicked fun stuff.
Staff that has helped me through some rough spots and tragic times, and has remained to see me resurface. You guys.
Drop-dead gorgeous paper that smells delicious and feels ever so yummy.
Lots of extended family. You know who you are. And if you don't, pretend.
Long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days. Oh wait, that was Crash David in Bull Durham. Although it sure sounds like something to be thankful for.
Good health, good wishes, good friends, and a really good workout routine. Not necessarily in that order, but likely.
Diplomas. I like to graduate. I may even plan to do it again someday.
Home. Sleep. Chocolate chip cookies. Diet Coke. Bananas. Cool sunglasses. No lines at the movies. Pillowtop mattresses. Room service. The Amazing Race. Cute shoes. Amy Tan books. iPods. Direct flights, especially with upgrades. Pearls.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!