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Scrapbook Shopping Report: Michaels, Costco, and Barnes and Noble

Ah, “clearance” … One of the most beautiful words in the English language. When I walked into Michaels last weekend, and was on the way to the scrapbook aisle, I ran right into a display of scrapbook CLEARANCE.

There were paper packs by K&Co. and Making Memories, …

… paper pads by GCD, and SEI.

There was this huge pack of 12×12 specialty papers by Prima … super pretty and romantic. If you have a wedding to scrap, I would check this one out!

Then over to the “Designer Showcase” or whatever the hell they call that “new scrapbooking stuff” section these days. Here are pics of all 4 sides of it:

Look at that lovely bling!

Bling titles this time, and lots of new Soft Spoken.

Some new My Minds Eye chipboard and vinyl. Wait, did I say vinyl? Yep, I did. How cool. You can use it on your walls OR your scrapbook pages.

Here’s a close-up of the MME “Home” journaling chipboard. The colors are really pretty in person.

Here’s a lotta new K & Company goodness.

Here are some items I’ll be back for with coupons in the future. It pained me to leave “my” things at the store, but I already had a few items and had to call it quits. For now. Are those cupcakes and sweets on the bottom right to DIE for??? Oh. My. Gah! And the branches that look real, and the cute little flowers with bling in the center??? Can you see the red car and cute blue trailer it’s towing in the travel set?

After Michaels, I went to Costco. I tell myself not to even bother looking for SBR stuff there anymore because they never have anything … or anything good. But I can never resist checking anyway, and this time I at least found a Purple Cow 2 in 1 paper trimmer. Is that a good price? I don’t know. I’ve been happy ~ infatuated really ~ with my Cutterpede trimmer for so long now, I’ve never even so much as glanced at another trimmer. When I’m happy, I’m loyal :)

Here are two reads I picked up at Barnes and Noble:

The latest from CK, Scrapbooking Tips & Tricks. Lots of organizational items in here. It’s thin, but I still think worth the $6 cover price.

Blogging for Bliss book ($15) by TARA FREY, a mucho successful craft blogger. HERE is Tara’s blog entry about her book. I skimmed through it once so far and I LOVE this book! Highly recommend it to anyone who wants to make the most of their craft-related blog.

I found it interesting that the large majority of craft bloggers featured use Typepad. Hmmm… I’ve been considering switching over there from WordPress, and this just adds another reason.

You may recognize this from the ‘Clearance table at Michaels’ photos. Yep, I couldn’t resist a pack of 12 speciality papers marked down from $10 to $2. Some of them are adhesive backed and will be fun to use in my Cricut. The glittery ones are gorgeous, too.

Got all 3 pieces Mike’s had of My Minds Eye “Home” in the pink set. Really, really pretty and only cost $2-$4 each for nice, thick chipboard. You can’t tell from the photo, but the frames one has 3 frames in it.

Here’s the MME chipboard journaling only, “Home” in blue. And some stinkin’ cute epoxy donut stickers by Recollections. They were only $1 and yet they INCLUDED sprinkles! Can you believe that? (“Bad cop. No donut.” Bwahahaha, my favorite bumper sticker EVER!).

And lastly, 2 packs of Prima flowers in Honeydew and Mango. They were $4 each but I used a 40% off coupon on one of the packs. They coordinate really well with Simple Stories “Life Documented,” as I’d hoped, and are the perfect size for my Project 365.

I’m still feeling guilty for buying something at Michaels for full price. I mean, what’s the point of that? Oh well.

One last thing: Here is a photo a friend posted of 2 of the new K&Co. ephemera chipboard packs she purchased, so you can have a closer look-see. Really cute and what a great value, especially if you use coupons like she did :)

Tune in again tomorrow for more shopping news: Tuesday Morning and Ross.

What are your latest shopping finds? Have I enabled you with any of mine?

Grab Bag Scrapbook Pack at Walmart

I didn’t get one, but took some pics for ya’ when I was at Walmart the other day …

At my WM, they were on an endcap as you entered the crafting area. Each one looked like it had different contents, and it was hard to see exactly what was in there. They were shrink wrapped but I saw some Best Occasions and Autumn Leaves stuff. It was too much a leap of faith for me to buy one, but maybe you’ll be willing to take a chance?

THIS Pea bought one and was so happy with it, she went back for another. She posted this photo:

She’s right, that idea book alone sold for $20, so there’s your value. As it happens, I already have that book and tons of AUTUMN LEAVES stamps (including the ones pictured), so it’s probably good I didn’t get one of these scrapbook packs at Walmart. But wanted to share in case you “need” one …

I think it’s a brilliant idea: Package up a bunch of the scrapbooking supplies they’ve had forever, sell them at a great price, and get them outta the store … hopefully to make room for some new things … because it’s been a really long time since new stuff, at least at my Walmart.

Stay tuned: I have lots more scrap-shopping pictures to post from my weekend, but I had to work tonight so this is all I got to. But there will be more … oh yes, there will be more …

Simple Stories “Life Documented” and Getting Started

The SIMPLE STORIES “Life Documented” kit by MEMORY WORKS went on sale Friday, January 15, 2010 at 9am MST … and I ordered mine 1/15/10 at 9:01 MST :) I know, I know, I lagged for a whole minute! Here is what I ordered:

The Simple Stories “Life Documented” KIT ($16.99)

Prism CARDSTOCK PACK with colors that match the Life Documented kit ($3.75)

We R Memory Keepers (WRMK) page protectors, in 3 configurations …

MULTI-PACK(10 for $5.50)

VERTICAL 4×6 slots only (10 for $5.50)

HORIZONTAL 4×6 slots only (25 for $11.50)

And the kiwi green WRMK 12×12 D-RING ALBUM ($30.00), which comes with (10) regular 12×12 page protectors

I received my package of goodies exactly one week later (the following Friday). Usually I get MW orders within 4-5 days but, understandably, it took longer this time because they were swamped with orders. That weekend, I set about getting started with my Simple Stories kit, which I’m using to complete my PROJECT 365 for 2010.

The kit is so detailed and nice-looking, that you can definitely “keep it simple” and use nothing but what comes in the kit, by cutting the cardstock elements apart, printing out and using the digital elements, etc. and just slipping them right into the page protector slots. Adding your photos and journaling would be the rest of the process, and you’d be DUNZO! Whoo hoo, love the simplicity and quickness of that.

But after seeing Simple Stories page samples from the Memory Works design team and guest designer BRENDA HURD, I decided to go a little more elaborate with mine. I really liked how they added flowers, ribbon, stamping, and other embellishments to dress it up and have a little fun with it.

So I went digging through my stash and began gathering things that I could use. I found lots of matching flowers and ribbons (Why, yes, I DO know that I have a ribbon issue! I’m on Step 7 of 12. I’ve humbly asked God to remove this shortcoming. I’m waiting to hear back) …

I decided to use one of the patterned, double-sided cardstock sheets to open my Project 365 album, with the title page/front page using one side, and then turning the page to an Introduction page on the left. {It has a bunch of personal info on it and with the nasty spammers I get on the blog, I can’t share the whole thing here, sorry … }. Here’s the bottom right of the Intro page, where I used a file tab sticker and alpha letters from the SS kit, and some light green glitter chipboard letters I had (thanks SSS SECRET SANTA!).

I printed out my photos and started popping them into the slots, along with strips, embellishment, and journaling cards from the kit. I also used one of the transparencies here, to give special honor to the photo of receiving my long-awaited Simple Stories shipment!

On the first page, I used the January month card. There’s a card for every month, which I love.

I kept the cover sheet from the kit and slipped it in a page protector, for when I take my Project 365 album {which will be my demo album} to Memory Works parties and crops.

I’m not sure why I took a photo of my WRMK album. I think because I’m in love with it and want to marry it …

I got all my P365 photos printed up to that point, which was the end of Week 3, and got them in the page protectors where I liked them. Some of the photos didn’t fit effortlessly into the slotted pages so rather than fight or force, I decided to make a front and back 12×12 layout using some of the Prism cardstock as a background.

At that point, I had a better feel for the colors and style of the kit, and went shopping in my stash again for things I could use to dress it up. I found chipboard numbers, journaling items, metal frames, and all kinds of bling. Hmmm … I’m getting so much stuff, I need a container of some kind to hold them on my desk. Shouldn’t be a problem, as I’m the Queen of Rubbermaid storage containers, LOL.

So that’s how things went on my first Simple Stories outing. Obviously, now that I’ve got the basic layout of my pages in place, it’s time to USE some of that fine stashness I’ve gathered.

I’ve never done Project 365 and I’ve never scrapbooked this way, with the divided page protectors. This is going to be a fun and growing experience for me and my scrapbooking, and I’m really looking forward to it.

Mama-razzi by Bo Bunny

I have to admit, I haven’t always been a huge fan of BO BUNNY. My first exposure to it was in 2005 when I went to CKU-San Jose (CKU is Creating Keepsakes University, a 3-day scrapbooking event with classes, crops, etc.). I went with a group of friends and, believe it or not, our CKU song was chosen as one of the top three submitted and we got to perform it on stage at a CKU crop.

For participating (which entailed completely embarrassing ourselves in front of total strangers, dressed as The 7 Scrapping Dwarfs and singing “Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It’s off to scrap we go!”), we got a huge pack of Bo Bunny papers and stickers. We excitedly divided everything up between us and it wasn’t until I got home and began to put my BB papers away did I realize … that I didn’t really care for it very much (gasp!). Matter of fact, I still have most of it, LOL! It’s called the Homespun Collection and it’s all autumn colors, burlap, fall stickers, etc. I think I’ve used them on one layout and that’s it.

I feel badly for saying that, I really do! Nothing personal, Mrs. Bo Bunny. We all have our tastes, our likes and dislikes, and we can’t be head over heels for every single thing, right? I tried to find some photos online to show you and was unsuccessful, but if I can get good photos in the light of day, I’ll post them. While researching Bo Bunny, I came across this 2008 ARTICLE about its founder and now-art director, Jan Lanoy. She seems like a super nice lady and I don’t want to hurt her feelings! So, Jan, if you read this, just promise me you’ll read it all the way to the end. Cool, thanks hon!

Anyway, the moral of the story is this: Sometimes things change for the better. Over time, my opinion of Bo Bunny has certainly changed. Now I’d put them in my Top 5 favorite scrapbooking manufacturers. Oh, if you’re curious, here it is:

Erika’s Top 5 Scrapbooking Companies* (in no particular order because I can’t choose a favorite)

1. My Minds Eye
2. Pink Paislee
3. Bo Bunny
4. K & Company
5. Fancy Pants

*Disclaimer: This is based on their entire offering, so I’m not including Bazzill or Thickers (American Crafts) because of that :)

These days, Bo Bunny’s stuff always catches my eye and I love a lot of what they do. But I have now reached a new level of love for them … I saw this new line the other day and about fell out of my chair. I just want it so dang much and would trample my best friend to get some. Well, maybe not “trample” per se. But definitely “walk very softly over” … I mean, if she’s really my best friend, she’ll understand right? It’s not just “Bros before hoes,” it’s “Pretty paper before friendship.” Am I right???

So, without further adieu … I give to you …

HERE is the link to their website, but this BLOG entry has larger and more photos.

Since we’re on a Top 5 kick, I’ll show you my top 5 favorites from Mama-razzi. Then you have to click those links to see the rest for yourself, K?

Here are the top 5 things I love about this line:

1. Colors ~ Teal, rust, sage, brown, and black look so good together and I can see them going with a lot of the photos I take.

2. Subject ~ I have so many “day to day” photos taken of my family around the house or whatever that are sometimes hard to come up with a layout “idea” for; this will make it easy … It’s just about the photos. And raise your hand if you have a picture or 10 of yourself taking a photo into a mirror? With your camera above, below, or blocking your face? Perfect!

3. Variety ~ I love that you have so much choice in embellishments … the gems, rub-ons, chipboard stickers, acrylic stamp, etc.

4. Cardstock matches ~ I’m sure it’ll coordinate perfectly with their rocking DOUBLE DOT CARDSTOCK that I love so much.

5. “It’s going to Hollywood!” ~ I’m going to assess the Mama-razzi line as if I were a judge on American Idol … “I like your mellowness, Dog. You have great personality but you’re not too flashy and you’re not trying to hard. I think America is going to like you. You’re one of my favorites yet. Let’s see what you can do.”

I ~ hope hope hope ~ that MEMORY WORKS carries this line, not only so I can buy a bunch of it (hey, I need to make projects to demo and sell it, right?). But also because I want to do THIS class kit:

As you can tell, my love for Bo Bunny was not at first sight, but I think it’s a more enduring and deep love, because it developed over time.

What do you think of Mama-razzi? Are any of the other Winter CHA 2010 releases by Bo Bunny calling out to you?

Simple Stories “Life Documented” … Is In DA HOUSE!

HOLLAH! It’s here, it’s here, it’s HERE!!!

As you probably know by now (LOL!), I’m a consultant for MEMORY WORKS, and SIMPLE STORIES is their hot new product (the very 1st product of their own!). It’s been very popular with scrappers doing PROJECT 365, or those who just want to get some fast scrapping done … while keeping it cute and stylish :) I have an online friend who wants to use this kit to get a quick scrapbook done for her 2009 family album, as she was busy with kids and craziness, and didn’t get many of her photos scrapped.

Anyway, I placed this order ~ which was #1 of 2 ~ the second that Simple Stories products went live on my Memory Works website last Friday (1-15-10). Memory Works said to expect a longer shipping time than usual because this was so popular and they have a small staff. Usually my orders ship to me within 1 business day; they said to allow 4-7 business days for Simple Stories, and that was accurate since it shipped on Day 5 and arrived here on Day 7.

As you can see, I ordered my own stuff and a bunch of extras to sell at my next crop and to friends. (I’m already holding a few things, wink). There’s my gorgeous Kiwi green album by We R Memory Keepers, the Simple Stories kits, coordinating cardstock packs, and 2 kinds of page protector packs.

My 2nd order is due here Monday … more of the same. I decided to get extras with the profits I made from the first round of selling (it sold VERY well!). Like they say, a good businesswoman reinvests her profits in her business :) I heard … and it may just be a rumor … that this could be the only run of this version of “Life Documented” kits. I mean, Memory Works will probably issue future Simple Stories kits along these same lines that coordinate and everything, but I like THIS particular kit so much, I wanted to get lots of extras while I could. You know, once they’re gone, they’re gone, kind of a thang.

I’ll be playing with Simple Stories all weekend, getting my Project 365 all caught up (Weeks 1 through 3). I’ll post close-ups of the kit contents themselves, probably on Monday because I have a very busy weekend.

Did you order Simple Stories? Didja get it yet? What do you think?

Memory Works: Simple Stories “Life Documented” Kit Update #8

For all the details on this kit, please scroll down through my blog and see the past 7 updates. Or you can do a Search on Simple Stories and the entries will come up ~ thanks :)

Since my last update, there have been 2 new posts on the Simple Stories blog:

ALMOST HERE! (01-08-10) ~ More photos of what the kit looks like in action

RELEASE DATE (01-12-10) ~ Release date moved from January 18 to January 15

Just wanted to let you know that the planned release date has been changed from Monday, January 18, 2010 … to this Friday, January 15! For those of you who have placed pre-orders through me, make sure you go to my website ASAP on Friday and order the items you’ve pre-paid for. I don’t want you to miss out … these are going to be VERY popular kits.

The time of release is 9am MST, so figure out what time that means for your time zone if you want to be one of the first, LOL! It’ll be 8am my time (PST) and I’m going to order the kit, album, and page protectors for myself and then some extras to have in stock and sell at crops. I can’t wait to get the goods so I can start scrapping my Project 365!

Okay, I know those of you who could care less about Simple Stories are getting tired of these dang posts, so I’ll keep it short, LOL! Those who ARE interested, please post any questions here in Comments or e-mail me at scrapbookobsession(at)gmail(dot)com.

I’m still taking pre-orders, by Paypal only… :)

Simple Stories Stuff & Crop at Scrap Sisters Studio

Yes! It’s Friday! Suh-weet!

Just a quick post to say that if you requested to be on my e-mail list for Simple Stories “Life Documented” kit updates, I sent one out yesterday. If I inadvertently missed you, please let me know :)

Also, there is an online crop this weekend at SCRAP SISTERS STUDIO. Please come join us for lots of fun! I think it’s going to be a busy and fun crop, because everyone is back in the mood to scrap after the holidays. Also, lots of the country is snowbound and very cold right now, so staying inside to crop, drink some coffee or hot tea, and chat with friends sounds perfect, don’t you think? I posted my first layout challenge ever and I’m sending a small RAK to everyone who submits a layout, so come check it out. HERE is where the crop is, and HERE is where you register if you’re not a member yet. Hope to see you there!

Memory Works: Simple Stories “Life Documented” Kit Update #7

The excitement over the Simple Stories “Life Documented” kit by MEMORY WORKS continues to build. Since my last update, there have been 2 more posts on the Simple Stories BLOG:

Q&A (1-4-10) ~ Some FAQs are answered
More Elements (1-6-10) ~ Digital elements are revealed & see who the special guest designer will be

Speaking of digital elements, that’s what my TEASE was about earlier. The detailed info is in the “More Elements” post I linked to above, but here are the basics:

You print these on your choice of cardstock:

Then punch them out with this:

Fiskars 2″ Round and Round Scallop Punch

Or this:

Fiskars 2″ Round and Round Circle Punch

You print these…

… on sticker labels like this:

Avery 8167

As coincidence would have it, Memory Works currently carries both of the squeeze punches. If you would like to order either/both now, e-mail me at scrapbookobsession(at)gmail(dot)com or place your order on my WEBSITE. They’re each $17.50 and I have a feeling once the kit goes on sale, a lot of people will be ordering these so I can’t guarantee how long they’ll stay in stock.

I’m ordering the scalloped one for myself tomorrow and will be scouting out those Avery labels at Staples next time I’m there :)

Man, when I saw those scallop date tags, I literally gasped! I LURVE circle date labels like that and the fact that they were scalloped on top of it just sent me over the moon. They remind me of JILLIBEAN SOUP who makes all those cute and fresh-looking journaling spots.

I think all the free digital downloads are going to be so fun to play with, personalize, and use the heck out of.

In other Simple Stories news …

The latest date given for release of the “Life Documented” kit is January 18, a mere 11 days away! This is also from the Simple Stories blog:
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The complete Simple Stories product line and Life Documented kit is estimated to arrive by January 18 – it may be a little earlier or a little later – but that’s our shipping estimate as of today. We will continue to keep you updated – and AS SOON as our products are available we will have them available for purchase. So let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope all goes well – that’s only 2 WEEKS away….woo hoo!!
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One last piece of news I’d like to share is this: According to an e-mail conversation I had with the home office, depending on the interest level (that means buy a kit please so they’ll keep making them, LOL!), Memory Works plans to continue releasing Simple Stories kits. These would be in 3-month intervals and have different themes. I’m so stinkin’ excited. I hope the first kit does really, really well and it encourages them to keep making more.

So, if you’re interested in Simple Stories “Life Documented” kit and the accessories that go with it, please see:

HERE about being on my mailing list
HERE for shipping information
and HERE to learn about placing a pre-order

I’ve already received several pre-orders, which means once the kit become available, waiting for payment verification isn’t going to hold these girls up from getting their kit, album, and/or page protectors ordered. Very exciting!

So keep those pre-orders coming…and don’t hesitate to post here or e-mail me with any questions :)

~Toodles~

Scrapbook Storage Boxes at Dollar Tree

ANDREA aka scrapcrazed at 2PEAS posted a thread about these cute storage boxes she found at DOLLAR TREE and she’s got the girls quite abuzz…

Aren’t they adorable? I think we could all find plenty of uses for these around our houses or in our scrap spaces. If you don’t have time to read through the whole thread, here’s a synopsis:

~ They measure “approx. 5.5″ wide, and 9.25″ long from front to back. And they are 5.25″ deep,” and are made out of plastic.

~ They reportedly come in “solids in white, pink, kiwi and light blue. The prints are the kiwi with the ovals and kind of a turquoise with squares. The prints are sort of retro.”

~ Some are having trouble getting the bottom snaps to line up. I don’t know if they are packaged up but if not, maybe try and make sure they snap together BEFORE you buy them. The Peas are saying something about Dollar Tree having a no return policy although you can exchange.

Let us know if you get any of these cuties, and how you’re going to use them!

Crop and Storage Bags: “Daisy Totes” by Creative Memories

As I wrote about HERE, the new set of crop bags by CREATIVE MEMORIES was on my wish list for Scrap Santa this Christmas. I’m happy to report that he must’ve judged me a good girl this year … because I got the bags! Nope, I’m not shizzlin’ you. I really did!

Okay, let’s cut the crap. I knew I was getting the bags, and Scrap Santa had nothing to do with it. I arranged the whole thing with my mom ahead of time.

Let’s face it … if you read my blog in 2009, you know that I had a questionably “naughty” year. I did a bunch of scrapbook industry rumor spreading. I ruthlessly enabled scrappers to spend money on products they probably didn’t technically “need,” though I may have convinced them otherwise. I even used curse words when it was deemed appropriate (and c’mon, you KNOW sometimes it’s appropriate!).

Needless to say, I wasn’t taking my chances with Scrap Santa on the crop bags. I wanted them too badly. And what does a Scrappy Girl do when she reeeeeeeeelly reeeeeeeelly wants something? She calls her Scrap Mama, of course. Hollah! I called my mom, who happens to scrapbook once a month with my sister-in-law … who happens to be a Creative Memories Consultant … who happens to have told me in the past that if I ever wanted to get CM crop bags through her, she would waive her 30% commission as her gift to me. {Don’t I have the best mama and sissie-in-law???}

So my mom ordered the crop bag set I wanted from my SIL and I got them when we took a road trip and visited my mom last week. First of all, can I tell you how EXCITED my husband was at the prospect of adding this huge set of bags to our already overloaded vehicle on our 5-day, 900-mile trip? I mean, he was SO excited! I think his exact words were, “Don’t tell me I have to fit all that crap in the truck.”

I finally sold him on the idea of “allowing” me to bring my crop bags home with us when I pointed out that I could pack all of the smaller bags inside the largest bag. Not only that, but I could pack other stuff in there as well. Big selling point. Thus, my large new crop bag came home in the back of our truck, with the smaller bags inside of it, along with my Uggs, 6 beach towels, the airbed pump, and 5 DVDs.

“See, honey, crop bags are VERSATILE! And they have rolley wheels!” {Bah! If looks could kill, I’d be dead}.

Without further ado, let the clouds part and reveal … (harps playing) … my new crop bags!

First, we have the “Daisy Wheeled Cart” aka “The Mondo Huge-amic Size of a Small Car” bag

PHOTO FROM CM WEBSITE:

MY PHOTOS:

Big and Beautiful!

I adore how CM puts large outside pockets on their bags. The tiny little outside pockets on my Crop-in-Style tote drive me batty. What can you fit in there, a freakin’ dime? I want large pockets that I can actually fit, like, scrapping stuff in.

Here is the inside. It will be close, but I think I can fit my cropping stuff in there, hee hee :) I love the pink with black polka dots pattern, and that the interior is NOT black, which makes it easier to find things. Plus, it’s cute.

I like how the lining zips out so you can clean it. That’s the first time I’ve seen that feature in a crop bag.


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Next is the “Daisy Weekender”:

PHOTO FROM CM WEBSITE:

MY PHOTOS:

The top has double zippers like some suitcases, and opens up in a neat and different way. Everything should be easily accessible but not squished together at the top like a tote bag would do. This is one side …

…and this is the other…Cool pockets, huh?

Again, great external pockets and I like the curved flap detail.


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Here is the “Daisy Project Tote”:

CM WEBSITE PHOTO:

MY PHOTO:

Just your basic tote. Here is the inside. I like the cell phone pocket … will be a good place to keep my iPhone handy.


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And finally, the “Daisy Tool Caddy”:

CM PHOTO:

MY PHOTOS:

This bag comes packed flat and you put it together. Here are the pieces …

I put the divider in. I’m not sure what the extra pink square piece is for. Need to look more closely at the little flyer insert or online to see if it tells ya.

This is just a close-up showing you how the 2-pieces zip together.

Seriously, I didn’t post photos just to brag. I’m hoping that if someone is looking for info on these bags to decide if they want them or not, they will come across my post and at least see photos of the insides and make sure they like them.

Yeppers, those are my new crop bags! Eeeeeeeee! So excited! Can’t wait to use them for a crop. I might be going to a crop weekend in late January. If that falls through, I’m hoping to hold my own crop in early February. Wish me luck … I call tomorrow to try and reserve the crop space. And stay tuned for a future post when I fill them up and you can see how much scrap stuff I can fit in these suckers.

What was your favorite scrappy Christmas gift?

ETA 11/01/12: The photos I originally linked to on CM’s site were no longer valid. I updated them with current photos. I could not find the Daisy Tool Caddy on the CM website so I’m not sure if they still carry it. Photo above comes from another source :)

Memory Works: Simple Stories “Life Documented” Kit Update #6

If you’re interested in purchasing the SIMPLE STORIES “Life Documented” kit by MEMORY WORKS, I’m accepting pre-orders as of NOW :)

If you’re not familiar with Simple Stories, please scroll down and see my past entries on it.

Suffice to say, if you’re looking for a cool way to do Project 365 this year, or just want to get some quick scrapping done, Simple Stories may be for you. The response to this new product has been amazing ~ I think because it’s look is what so many of us consider to be “our style” and because it’s such a cool system ~ that I’m halfway afraid it’s going to sell out before I can get it to everyone who wants one.

Hence, PRE-ORDERS :) This way, I will have your payment already in hand by mid-January when the kit become available. Standby your e-mail though, because I’ll notify you when when to place your actual order!

Here is how it will work:

1. You decide which item(s) you want from the list below.
2. Add the appropriate tax for the city/county of the shipping address.
3. Add shipping/handling charges (see end of this post).
4. E-mail your request to me along with how you would like to pay (check, money order, or Paypal).

I’ll collect and process payments until the projected “Life Documented” availability of Mid-January. When the kit and items become available, I’ll e-mail you with instructions on what to do then.

{Which will be to log into my Memory Works website, place the pre-paid for items in your shopping cart, enter your shipping address, and submit your order. I will automatically be notified that your order has been placed and, instead of having to wait for your payment to be received, I’ll be able to approve your order for processing immediately … assuming your payment has been received and processed already}.

{But don’t worry about that part right now, LOL}.

Here are the items that will be available in mid-January
(to the best of my knowledge at this time…disclaimer done…check!):

Simple Stories “Life Documented” kit for $16.99
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We R Memory Keepers 12×12 D-Ring leather albums for $30.00

Colors are RED, BLACK, CINNAMON (brown), and KIWI (green)

Note: These albums come with (10) regular (not divided) 12×12 page protectors
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We R Memory Keepers 12×12 divided page protector packages:

4×6 horizontal pockets only, 25-pack, for $11.50
4×6 vertical pockets only, 10-pack, for $5.50
12×12 regular (no pockets) page protectors, 25-pack, $10.50
Multi-Pack (various pocket configurations as show below), 10-pack, $5.50
Exclusive Simple Stories “Life Documented” page protector bundle ~ includes complete Multi-Pack PLUS (12) 4×6 horizontal pockets only, for $11.50
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To anticipate some questions you may have about the above products…

Simple Stories “Life Documented” kit by Memory Works:

Exactly what items come in the kit?
~ Please see the graphic above for specifics on the exact items you get in this kit.

What is the quality of the cardstock items?
~ I haven’t personally seen the kit, of course, but the Simple Stories blog states that “you’ll love the quality of this super-thick, heavy-weight cardstock!”

Are the cardstock items pre-cut?
~ No, they will come as a 12×12 sheet and you will cut them apart yourself. They are sized to fit perfectly within the pockets of the WRMK divided page protectors.

Will this kit allow me to scrapbook an entire year’s worth of photos or an entire Project 365?
~ This truly depends on how generously or sparingly your use the elements of the kit, and how many photos you include in your project. For example, if you’re doing a “year in review” type of album, the kit does include (12) Monthly Title Cards with a spot for journaling on the back (which would show on the next page in your album). Everything is double-sided, so it does “double duty” in your album. With all the additional elements and patterned paper provided, I would feel comfortable saying you could complete an entire “Year in Review” album with just this one “Life Documented” kit.

I’m doing Project 365 for 2010 and will be using this kit to complete it. I’m not 100% sure that I’ll be able to complete my entire project using only one of these kits. Again, it really depends on how I lay out my pages, how lightly or heavily I use the elements on each page, etc. From looking at other scrappers Project 365s from 2009, I think I’ll be able to do it with just one kit. The majority of Project 365 is filled with your photos … at least 7 slots per 2-page layout, right? Depending on what type of “pocket” protectors you use on any given layout, the use of the kit elements themselves is going to be pretty sparing.

But that’s just my own judgement … You do what you feel is right for you. If you feel safer ordering 2 kits right from the get-go, I would do that. If you have extras leftover at the end of your project, whatever it may be, you can certainly use these elements on regular scrapbook page layouts.
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We R Memory Keepers 12×12 Leather D-Ring albums:

Are the albums good quality and will they hold up to large projects?
~ I have several of these albums myself, that I use for School Days albums for my family members. These are albums that are very full and are looked at a lot, and I’ve been very pleased with the quality. The albums seem very strong and I haven’t had any problems, nor have I ever heard of scrappers being unhappy with WRMK albums’ quality.
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We R Memory Keepers pocket page protectors:

Are the pockets on the front, back, or both sides of the page protectors?
~ I was really curious about this, too, as I was trying to conceptualize how I was going to lay out my Project 365 album using “Life Documented” and WRMK pocket page protectors. So I bought a pack of the set with 2×12 vertical pocket, and (5) vertical and horizontal 4×6 pockets. The pockets themselves are on the front side of the protector only; the back side of the protector is smooth. Obviously, whatever you put in the pockets, the backside of that will show on the next page of your album (if that makes sense, LOL!). That’s why Simple Stories has everything double-sided, and you get double duty out of all the cardstock elements.

Before you decide what you want to order, THIS is a great post on the Simple Stories blog to look at closely. It has all the elements of the “Life Documented” kit in one place, and I think any other questions you have will be answered in that post.

So, as I said above, if you’d like to place a PRE-ORDER for the Simple Stories “Life Documented” kit, or the We R Memory Keepers albums or Page Protectors, e-mail me at scrapbookobsession(at)gmail(dot)com. Please include:

1. Item(s) requested and cost
2. Shipping address
3. Total due including items, tax*, and shipping/handling**
4. Payment method – check, money order, or Paypal
~ I strongly prefer Paypal, and will e-mail a Paypal invoice to you ASAP
~ If paying by check or money order, I’ll e-mail you back with my address

* Sales tax amount is based on the tax rate for the address you’re shipping to. There is a really cool sales tax rate lookup and calculator HERE.

** Please see THIS post for information on Memory Works shipping/handling information and costs.

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns :) If you know of anyone who plans to order Simple Stories “Life Documented,” send them my way!

Memory Works: Shipping/Handling & Sales Tax Information

Continental United States - Standard Shipping Rates

Retail Cost $0 to $87.99
Shipping Cost $6.95
Handling Fee* $1.50
Total Shipping and Handling $8.45

Retail Cost $88.00 to $118.99
Shipping Cost $7.95
Handling Fee* $1.50
Total Shipping and Handling $9.45

Retail Cost $119.00 and up
Shipping Cost 8%
Handling Fee* None
Total Shipping and Handling 8%

*3-Day rush orders will be charged an additional $12.00 to expedite the order process.

APO/FPO, Alaska, Hawaii and US Territories - Standard Shipping Rates

Retail Cost $0 to $40.99
Shipping Cost $10.95
Handling Fee* None
Total Shipping and Handling $10.95

Retail Cost $41.00 to $125.99
Shipping Cost $14.95
Handling Fee* None
Total Shipping and Handling $14.95

Retail Cost $126.00 and up
Shipping Cost 12%
Handling Fee* None
Total Shipping and Handling 12%

Memory Works home office is located in Utah, and all items will ship from that location. Orders are usually filled and shipped within 1-2 business days from the time your order has been approved by your Consultant.

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING: There is currently no way for you to place an order on my website and have it shipped to you internationally. However, if you would like to place an order, I can do that for you, have it shipped to me in the U.S., then I would ship it to you. ALL shipping charges would be paid by the customer. Or if you have family/friends with a U.S. address, we can have it shipped to them for forwarding to you. Please contact me at scrapbookobsession(at)gmail(dot)com if you're interested in placing an international order.

SALES TAX: It's based on the tax rate for the address you're shipping to. There is a really cool sales tax rate lookup and calculator HERE.

Memory Works: Simple Stories “Life Documented” Kit Update #5

Okay, I percolated on it for a while (like how I can fit a coffee reference in just about anywhere?? lol), and I’ve decided to take pre-orders for the “Life Documented” kit. I’ll post more info later today (Sunday), but as a heads up, I can take check, money order, and Paypal (preferred). I’ll make sure you know all the items available, the prices, and how to submit payment. TTFN…

Scrapbook Store Review: Green Tangerines

During our holiday travels, I was lucky enough to visit a local scrapbook store, Green Tangerines, in Rocklin, California (about 30 minutes outside Sacramento).

All the LSSs where I live are now gone, so I haven’t even been inside an LSS in about 5 months, since the last one near me closed. Yeah, color me sad. So I was very excited to visit an LSS at all. Imagine my immense happiness when I found out that this particular store bills themselves as “the largest scrapbook store in California” at 15,000 square feet. Wowzers!

As much as I probably owe him some kind of revenge for something he’s done lately, I didn’t subject my DH to shopping with me. He and the kids went to a nearby IHOP and ate loads of pancakes while I shopped at Green Tangerines, so I had a relaxing hour to browse around without hubbo pacing, checking his non-existent watch, while sighing heavily and asking, “How much are you going to spend anyway?” And being kid-free while I shopped, I also didn’t have to 1. Find the bathroom, 2. Ask if there was a Kid’s Area in the store, 3. Say “no” 439 times when they asked for sticker pack after sticker pack, or 4. Clean up any knocked over magazines or Prima bottles. In a word: Bliss.

I took some photos as I wandered around but I apologize for their quality, as they are from my iPhone. I swear, they looked fine as I was taking them, but now that I see them on my computer, they look blurry and weirdly colored. But you’ll get the idea.

I entered the store and there was a large, round counter in front with 2 or 3 salesgirls who gave me a friendly welcome and asked if I was looking for anything. I said no, just browsing, and they left me alone the rest of the time (which is how I prefer to shop). I was quite amazed at the size of the place; the only bigger store I had ever been in was YOUNGPLAY MEMORIES in Tracy, California. That store was 20,000 square feet, but sadly, they are now closed.

I really liked how they had the store set up. There were sections in the front like this, organized by theme and holiday. Here are some Christmas and Winter-themed racks…

… and Halloween.

There were 2 aisles worth of stamping, altered, ephemera, and vintage stuff. My Scrap Sister ANGIE would’ve thought she died and went to Heaven!

Me want. Don’t need. Want.

There were several aisles organized by color. So awesome. Here are oranges and yellows to give you an idea. I think a lot of scrappers now organize their stashes by color, especially for non-themed elements like these, so this is a very smart idea. I’ve never seen a store do it this way. Like their motto says, “Scrapbooking Made Fresh.”

This orange … erm, TANGERINE … wall went down one whole side of the store and you can see that there’s a Studio and Workshop here. The Studio looked more like an office, with neat projects displayed and stacks of Green Tangerines KIT CLUB boxes and display boards around. I’ve always heard GT has a great kit club so I peeked into one of the “pizza boxes” and was very impressed. Cute kit for sure.

The Workshop was a huge cropping room with large tables and comfy chairs. Croppers were scrapping away in there; while I shopped the crowd grew from about 2 to 10. I was so jealous and wanted to join them!

There was a whole section of the store where they sold (or consigned, I guess) various handmade items from clothes to jewelry to paper goods to knitted scarves. It was like walking through a brick-and-mortar ETSY shop, I tell ya. So fun to see all the little goodies and wishing I could buy it all…

In the back of the store, there was a large area with BAZZILL CARDSTOCK and AMERICAN CRAFTS THICKERS organized by color. Yeah, now it’s me who has died and gone to Heaven. I wanted to spin around and throw my hat in the air like Mary Tyler Moore … ‘cept I wasn’t wearing a hat. Or I would’ve spun and thrown, believe you me.

I mean, if that don’t make you happy, nothing in life will. Right?

In this section, there was also other brands of cardstock like CORE’DINATIONS, and embellies and ribbon sorted by color, too.

So, I’m sure you can tell by now that I loved this store and have only good things to say about it. If you’re ever near Sacramento, I really encourage you to check out this store. It’s worth the drive, no doubt about it.

As I was checking out, the sweet salesgirl told me that they were soon going to start selling merchandise online. Here’s their WEBSITE; I hope you’ll consider supporting them. I’m sure any business they do online will only help them keep the B&M doors open, and that’s what we want :) Oh, and read their About Us page … it’s a cute one. {Oh snap!}.

Now, to share with you what I ended up buying from this lovely store:

Label stickers by Luxe and Scenic Route, journal cards by Pebbles Inc. “Share and Tell,” and pens by American Crafts…

Super cute American Crafts “Everyday” paper with speech bubbles. I thought this would be a cute way to scrap the funny things my kids have said. I got 2 sheets of the same paper; the green is on the reverse side.

Two sheets of “Backyard” paper by American Crafts, just because I loved the fruit and scalloped edge patterns, and the colors are so cheerful…

“Joyride” paper and journaling cuts by Collage Press because I have a journaling spot fetish, and some recent snow photos to scrap…

“Silly Season” chipboard by Green Tangerines (I guess it’s their own line?) because it’s a cute and fun take on Christmas…

3 sheets of ledger paper in gorgeous colors by Creative Imaginations…

Basic Grey “Lemonade” monogram letters; they are the most gorgeous color in person … I’m sorry, that is the only reason I can justify buying them…

“Storytellers” cursive letter stickers by Webster’s Pages … Again, all I can say is they are pretty and I had no choice…

From “Enchanted Autumn” by Reminisce, because I have several people in my family with a serious candy jones and I want to embarrass them by scrapping their addiction…

More journaling spots by Collage Press (see “journal spot addiction” above for more details)…

My first 2 sheets of Core-dinations cardstock ever ever EVER! Dark teal with a light teal core, and chocolate with a periwinkle core…

Photo sleeve pages by We R Memory Keepers so I can get a feel for how I’m going to do my PROJECT 365 with Simple Stories “LIFE DOCUMENTED“…

I ended up spending about $50 and I’m okay with that, because I’ve provided full justification above for each item. There is no reason to feel guilt. If you could see me through the computer, you would see that I am confident. I am not blinking. I will not look away in shame. {See, that is how you do it, my friends. If you ever need confidence-building after a scrap shopping spree, just come to me and I’ll hook you right up}.

There was much, much more that I wanted to buy but I tried to get things and brands that I don’t have access to elsewhere, like Luxe and Collage Press, which I have never even seen in person before. I know, I’m such a Deprived Scrapper Country Girl, ain’t I?

I hope you enjoyed my store review. Do you like my purchases? What do you think about Green Tangerines? I mean, other than the fact that you could leave your family and move in there for the rest of your life and be perfectly happy…?

Memory Works: Simple Stories “Life Documented” Kit Update #4

Okay, ladies, I think this kit officially qualifies as a scrapbook “frenzy” LOL!

Back in the day when I hung out at CKMB a lot*, someone would post a new product and before you knew it, the whole board was in a frenzy to find said item and get it in their possession ASAP. Then they would come post/brag about it, so the rest of us could be jealous :) Some examples of frenzy items: Fiskars “Threading Water” punch, Michaels $1 stamps, Basic Grey magnetic mats, and anything on sale for a fabulous price like the Heidi Swapp and My Minds Eye huge kits at Costco.

*Speaking of CKMB, I’ve been visiting again lately and it seems to have finally stopped logging me out every 5 seconds so I’m back to posting there again. Yay for me! I missed those sweet girls :)

Well, Simple Stories has reached that level, my friends. Every message board I’m on is talking about it, wanting it, and loving it. HERE is where I asked if you want to be on my e-mail list for updates about the kit, and I’ve gotten tons of requests. {Keep the requests coming…please e-mail me at scrapbookobsession(at)gmail(dot)com}.

But what I think is really going to push it over the top into Frenzyville is THIS! Yep, Simple Stories “Life Documented” by Memory Works is part of a big prize giveaway on ALI EDWARDS blog! Below I’ve copied over the part of Ali’s post that relates to Memory Works:
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One person will receive the Life Documented kit from the new Simple Stories collection by MemoryWorks.

Your photos and memories are far too important to keep in a box, store on a computer or bury in a pile. We know life is busy and at times it feels nearly impossible to keep up with all of life’s demands – yet alone find time for the things you enjoy like your scrapbook hobby and preserving your memories.

If you’re overwhelmed with too many photos…
If you’re feeling guilty for not being “caught up”…
If you’re overloaded with creative pressure and unrealistic expectations…
If you’re stressed because you don’t have enough time to scrapbook…
If you don’t know where to start…or worried if you can even keep up…
If you’re frustrated with the process of traditional scrapbooking…
If you’re looking for a better way…
Then you will love our simple and refreshing approach to scrapbooking!

MemoryWorks is beyond thrilled to introduce the new, exclusive Simple Stories scrapbook system. You can view our video here. Our innovative system was designed for scrapbookers of all levels who want to share their life stories and memories in a simple, yet meaningful, way – but without the time, guilt or stress of traditional scrapbooking.

Life Documented, the first collection in our Simple Stories series, is all about documenting a year in your life like never before. Our Life Documented kit allows you to share your story in a whole new way, while getting back to the basics of what scrapbooking is all about…your photos and memories. We’ve done all the work for you with our exclusive Simple Stories system – with beautiful pre-designed elements that you simply trim, add your journaling and then insert into pockets – along with your 4×6 photos – for quick and easy scrapbooking. No cropping. No adhesive. No stress. It’s as easy as that – sharing your photos and memories has never been easier!

In addition to the giveaway here, we’re giving away a FREE Simple Stories Life Documented kit, with coordinating divided page protectors and embellishments, a retail value well over $35. Visit www.mysimplestories.com for more details.

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OMG, that is SO exciting! Ali’s blog must be one of the most popular ~ if not THE most popular ~ scrapbook blogs out there. The exposure that blog post will provide is monumental. I’m so happy that even more scrappers will get to see what a great system and kit this is. What are you waiting for!?!?! Go enter the contest, silly! Just be sure to come back here when you’re done, K?

Since my last update, there have been 2 more posts on the SIMPLE STORIES blog and here they are:

REVEAL #5 (1-1-10) ~ Alphas, Elements, Transparencies, and Papers

EYE CANDY POST (1-1-10) ~ See the whole line in one place

I think the most often asked question is “When can we get it?” and the answer is Mid-January. If you are anxious like I am and want to be one of the first to place an order, keep checking the Simple Stories blog, my blog, and get on my e-mail list. All three places will have up-to-date information. On the MW consultant message board, some of the consultants are taking pre-orders now and I’m considering doing that. I’m thinking if I had customers money already in hand, I could place the orders the second the kits are available instead of waiting until I receive payment. BECAUSE this is such a hot item, I do have a fear of them running out of kits before I can get them to all of my customers. So let me ruminate on that a bit and if I decide to take pre-orders, I’ll let ya know!

Hope you’re having a wonderful Saturday. I’m off to Costco…wish me luck! But then I get to hit Tuesday Morning and look for those cheap Thickers, and also Michaels to see what they got. My coupon isn’t good until tomorrow tho’….bummer, dude.

Friday Night Scrapbook Randoms #8

~ Project 365 for 2010 started today. I took some photos after midnight of our little New Years celebration, and also some photos on our walk today so I have about 8 photos to choose from. I’m going to start a Word document journal of my photos each day, then when it’s time to journal for my P365 scrapbook, I’ll just print it out or transfer it over in handwriting.

I found THIS blog via 2 peas tonight and she gave some good insight about not stressing on this project. I don’t want it to be a stressful thing, so any tips like that, I love.

We started a separate Project 365 forum at SCRAP SISTERS STUDIO, so that’s cool to have one place to gather all our posts, info, and inspiration. Whoever thinks of it first will start a daily thread in the main Scrap Chat forum, then I’ll move it over to the P365 forum once everyone has had a chance to read it. We don’t want it to be out of sight, out of mind. I ended up starting the thread for today and was happy to see all the responses of the ladies participating. I also responded to the first daily thread on 2peas. I think staying involved in those daily threads will help keep my Project 365 mojo going.

~ I wish I hadn’t been laid up in bed not feeling well most of today. I have so many new scrappy things to show you from Christmas and I need to take photos of them! Instead of taking photos to share with you, I chose to watch 8 back episodes in a row of Million Dollar Listing that have been sitting in my Tivo for months. {Okay, Chad, you can “love” your dog, just don’t “LLLLOOOVVVVEEEE” your dog. Crap, man, get a life!}

Anyway, once I got my lard ass out of bed, then took the kids and dog out on a long walk, it was too dark to get good photos. I will try again tomorrow. I got the crop bags I wanted (eeee!), my Basic Grey “vintage” order came in, and I got to shop at an actual LSS for the first time in probably 5 months. I’ll give you a review of that store and here’s a hint: It’s the “largest scrapbook store in California.” Ha! You’re jealous, huh? That’s okay, I would be jealous of me too.

~ 2 peas is having log-in issues and I’m getting mighty sick of it. I have to re-log in every time I go to post something. Grrrr. Maybe they will get it fixed on Monday, when everyone goes back to their normal life in the business world. If not, I may have to go to their home office in Wisconsin and bang their heads together like Larry and Curly.

~ I set a deadline to finish my scrapbook room MAKEOVER by 12-31-09 and *SHOCKING* I did not meet my deadline. Wow, that really surprises me, that I started a scrappy project and didn’t finish it when I said I would (insert eye roll here). Now that I’m feeling better, I’m hoping to finish it by my new deadline of Sunday, 1-3-10.

I would really love to have an organized space and clean desk to be able to get some major scrapping done in 2010, because my “number of layouts completed” for 2009 was pretty dismal. I don’t keep a tally but I would guess it’s in the 40-50 page range and that just bites. I would also like a clean slate to start Project 365 with for 2010 and feel like I can sit down on a weekly basis to insert my photos and journaling in the P365 album.

Did you have any scrappy deadlines set in 2009 or projects you were determined to finish that didn’t get done? C’mon, help a sister out! Make me feel like less of a loser, would ya?

Well, that’s all I got. Gonna make like a tree and leave…buh bye.

Memory Works: Simple Stories “Life Documented” Kit Update #3

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WOW.

The response to this new line and kit by MEMORY WORKS has been overwhelming! Which, as a Memory Works consultant, excites me to no end. It feels good when so many people have such a positive response to a product that the company YOU work for sells.

So I’ve decided to do regular update blog posts here about it. Here is UPDATE #1 and UPDATE #2 in case you missed them. They don’t have “Update” in the title because I didn’t realize when I wrote them that Simple Stories/Life Documented would be such a big honkin’ deal, LOL!

I’m also going to start sending out e-mail updates to anyone who would like to be on my address list. If you would like to be on my list and receive updates about Simple Stories “Life Documented”, please e-mail me: scrapbookobsession(at)gmail(dot)com. {I would prefer you didn’t leave your e-mail address in my blog Comments, as then your personal e-mail is out there for everyone on the web to see and you will be spammed to within an inch of your life. Believe me.}

I’ve been away from the computer for the last several days, so I haven’t been able to share all the Life Documented sneak peeks they’ve been posting on the Simple Stories BLOG, but here are some links so you can get all caught up:

REVEAL #1 (12-28-09) ~ Life Documented Kit, Journal Cards, and Quote Cards
REVEAL #2 (12-29-09) ~ We R Memory Keepers Albums, Page Protectors, and prices
REVEAL #3 (12-30-09) ~ Title Strips, Border Strips, and Page Elements
REVEAL #4 (12-31-09) ~ Journaling Mats, Quote Cards, and how they work with the Page Protectors

For this update, how about a What, Where, How kind of thing?

WHAT is Simple Stories “Life Documented” by Memory Works?

Let me scooch back a little and start at the beginning :) Memory Works is a direct sales scrapbooking company that has been around for 7 years. It is run by Amber and Kevin Crowell (husband and wife) from Utah, USA. Over the years, they have built a wonderful and successful business with consultants from all over the country selling the “latest and greatest” scrapbooking products direct to the customer. Until now, Memory Works has sold products made by other companies, such a My Minds Eye, Basic Grey, Pink Paislee, and Bo Bunny.

Beginning in January 2010, Memory Works will manufacture and sell their OWN product line called Simple Stories. The first release from this line is called “Life Documented” and it consists of paper (not digital*) scrapbooking elements, and it works perfectly with the We R Memory Keepers 12×12 D-ring albums and regular/pocket page protectors that Memory Works already carries. *The kit itself is paper but there will be a free digital element to it also.

WHEN will Simple Stories “Life Documented” items be available to purchase?

The We R Memory Keepers 12×12 D-ring albums and page protector packs are currently for sale through any Memory Works consultant. I notice that as of now, the Celery green color is out of stock, but other colors are available. My assumption is that the Celery color will be in stock when the kits are.

Speaking of which, the Simple Stories “Life Documented” kits are projected to be available for purchase in mid-January. MW does not believe in promising something until they have it in their hands, so they will not take orders until they actually have the product and know they can fulfill the orders. (My VERY OWN OPINION is that Memory Works trying to avoid a fiasco like Becky Higgins/Creating Keepsakes had with their Project 365 kits last year at this time….man, that got ugly!).

So, if you would like to order the albums and page protectors now, you can, or you can wait until the kit comes in and get everything at once. Totally up to you. Either way, I hope you will consider ordering from me (yeah, I have no shame…) and you would do so HERE. Instructions are HERE.

HOW does the Life Documented kit work and would it be a good fit for Project 365, Project 52, and the like?

The concept of Simple Stories is just that: SIMPLE. Take photos, get them in an album, embellish, journal, DONE. Sure, we scrapbookers are creative types, and we love to make more detailed and complicated layouts a lot of the time. But what if you’re super busy like me and find you don’t have the time to scrapbook that you used to? What if you took a big trip with lots of photos and are now daunted by the prospect of getting all those fab photos into one album, and getting it done, like, sometime this century?

Maybe your solution is Simple Stories. Take your 4×6 photos (no cropping necessary), slip them into divided page protectors like THESE from We R Memory Keepers, slip in some embellishment by way of nicely designed accents made from heavy cardstock, jot down some journaling on a predesigned card, and you’re done.

If you’re planning to do Project 365 in 2010 (or Project 52, Project 12, etc), you can see this will be perfect for these projects. The page protectors come in many different configurations, with different sized pockets, vertical and horizontal 4×6 photo slots, etc. so you can personalize it exactly how you like. Many of you have already purchased the PROJECT LIFE kit by Becky Higgins and that is awesome. Rock on, Project Life sistas! She gives you a lot of product for the price and her clean, simple style is very appealing. However, if the style of her kit doesn’t appeal to you, or you did her Project 365 last year and maybe want to try something with a different layout and look this year, check out Life Documented :)

WHERE can you order Simple Stories “Life Documented”?

You can order from any Memory Works Consultant. If she has her own website, you can order directly from there. If she doesn’t, you can tell the consultant what you want and she will place the order for you. My website is HERE. I take check and money order, but prefer Paypal as you will get your order quicker (since I don’t have to wait for payment in the mail before I can place your order).

No matter which consultant you order from, and where she and you are located, your order will ship from Memory Works in Utah. So it is NOT necessary to find a “consultant near you”, kwim?

Do you think a lot of your friends might like “Life Documented” or other Memory Works products? Want to earn a 20% commission on everything you sell and/or buy for yourself? Consider becoming a Memory Works CONSULTANT {starts as low as $20 sign-up!}. If you do sign up, I would love the free product credit I get if you put in my consultant number (wink).

WHY should I wait for Life Documented kit, when Project 365 starts tomorrow?

I have asked myself that same question, LOL! I’m going to do Project 365 for the first time in 2010 (HERE is where I agonized over the decision). Of course, I’m anxious to get started and afraid of falling behind. Waiting for 2 weeks into the new year before I can order Life Documented seems counterintuitive, right?

But I figure that once I receive “Life Documented”, it’s so super easy, I can get caught up in one scrapping session. Starting tomorrow on January 1, I’ll begin taking my daily photo and jotting some quick journaling about it in my dayplanner, notebook, or a Word document. {This is a practice I’ll keep up throughout the year}. Then when I get the kit, I’ll print out my 2 or 3 weeks of photos and pop them into the page protectors, copy over my journaling onto the pre-done journaling cards, add a few embellishments and accents, and I’m caught up. Piece a cake, I tell ya. So I’m not worried about it…

I like the “Life Documented” kit so much more than Becky’s that it’ll be worth the wait. Here are some pix so you can see how different they are:

A peek of PROJECT LIFE

A peek of LIFE DOCUMENTED

What I’ve been hearing on the message boards is that one kit or the other is “your style,” so it’s nice that there are 2 options we can all choose from, don’t you think? Yay, OPTIONS! We LOVE options!

ETA: I’ve been getting inquires from outside of the States, so I want to clarify that question. Standard shipping within the Continental US is $8.45 for up to an $87.99 purchase. For higher charges, there is also Rush shipping and shipping to APO/FPO, Alaska, Hawaii and US Territories. As of now, Memory Works does NOT ship outside of the US but, if you’re willing to pay the actual shipping costs, I can have any Memory Works products shipped to me in California, and I will ship them to you :)

So, I hope I’ve answered your questions about Simple Stories “Life Documented” by Memory Works. If I haven’t, please leave me a comment and I’ll answer in my next Update.

If you would like updates by e-mail, please e-mail me as explained above. And one last thing…

HAPPY SCRAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Have a safe, fun, and fabulous night :) Our plan includes pizza, movies, a fire in the woodstove, board games, and staying home where it’s safe and warm. I know, just livin’ The Vida Loca over here, ain’t we? {I do plan to break out the Dirty Martinis at some point, so if you see me on the scrapbook message boards tonight and I’m not making much sense, I’m probably PUI…Posting Under the Influence…ha!}

Memory Works: Simple Stories “Life Documented” Official Reveal on 12-28-09

Okay, yesterday MEMORY WORKS posted more news about the Simple Stories “Life Documented” line ~ yahoo! I am SO using this for my PROJECT 365! And probably lots of other stuff, too! It is super great looking, the price sounds right, and I love all the features of it.

Merry Christmas from me to you: HERE YA GO.

I’m so stinkin’ excited! I love the celery green album and how the products match with it (although there will be other album colors to choose from, or you can use one you already have or buy elsewhere). Love that the price is only $16.99 for 180 pieces of scrappy goodness. Love that they have married this line with the We R Memory Keepers scrapbook albums and pocket page protectors, with all their various configurations.

{Here is one sneek…there are more over there…}

There are also answers to some of our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)…

So go check out the Simple Stories SITE if you have a chance. You won’t be disappointed. And remember, they’re giving away a free kit every week until the launch if you post Simple Stories / Life Documented links or blinkies on blogs, Facebook, message boards, Twitter, etc. I’m going to enter each week and hope I win one :)
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On a different note…but I had to share… THIS Pea said there are Thickers for

    69 CENTS

at Tuesday Morning!!! Along with other scrappy stuff, and even more coming after Christmas. See, Scrap Santa is out there and he has your back. Let us know if you find any Thickers or other stuff at your Tuesday AM, k?

Scrapbook product salivating aside, I want to wish you a Very Merry Christmas. Please be safe, happy, and well. Enjoy your families and food and all of life’s blessings.

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