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Just some random scrappy things…

– Shopping report: At my Target, they have the cute summer lines from KI Memories and Making Memories both on sale. They weren’t huge discounts but, like, $3.99 items down to $3.19, etc.

The KI line is called ‘Juicy Summer’ and here is a sample, the chipboard:

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Oh wait, I can’t give you a sample because their website doesn’t let you copy/paste pictures. Oh darn for them. Coulda’ had free advertising from a blog that does some pretty good numbers. Ah well…

The Making Memories line is called, oh I can’t remember, something summery. I looked for it on their blog which is down, and on their website which doesn’t list it. I even posted the question at 2peas ‘cuz I’m sure someone over there knows, but it’s 12:20 am on the West Coast, so I think all the Peas are snug in their beds. When I figure it out, I’ll plug it in here, LOL!

ETA 5/1/09: A nice Pea helped me out. She said it’s MM Spring Fling that’s on sale, and her Target also had MM Just Chillin’ (regular price, I think). I would show you some photos but the MM site doesn’t allow copying either….

At Michaels, I got some shizzlets for my AMR Scrap Pal. I am overdue in sending her any little gifties so she’ll be getting a surprise in the mail soon (don’t worry, I don’t think she reads my blog, LOL). I also got 19 stampalicious surprises for the ladies who are in my JOURNALING SPOT SWAP at AMR. I was so happy my swap filled up quickly, well before the deadline. Just a little way to tell them all thank you for participating. Such nice, fun ladies over there. The last thing I was looking for was some of those $1 packs of cute Thank You cards – now that I work from home, I want to write a little note to each of my “in office” co-workers since I won’t see them every day anymore – but all the $1 bins were gone. Gone, I tell ya! Bunch of clean and clear floor space near the front of the store. Let’s see, what holiday is coming next? Hmmm…. Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, Graduation Day? Anyway, no notecards for me….farkle!

– The June issue of CK is out. My sweet online friend MIchelle aka Shelle’s2girls has a tip published in this issue. I looked for the mag at Target and Mike’s but they didn’t have it yet. Farkle again!

– I finished reading the scrapbooking novel, “A Page Out of LIfe’ about a week ago. I owe you a REVIEW, don’t I? Now I’m reading, actually am almost done with, “Frill Kill” which is a scrapbooking mystery by Laura Childs. Think I’m done with scrappy books for a while, LOL. I’ve already started on “The Pact” by JODI PICOULT; it’s my third time reading it ‘cuz I love her stuff so much. Now if Jodi Picoult would just write a scrapbooking novel, that would be THE perfect book!

– Last and most importantly: Stacey at AMR is organizing an online auction to raise money for one of her message board members who is going through something horrible right now. Please check out Stacey’s BLOG and the MESSAGE BOARD to see if you can help. If you’re more the shopping type, put June 13/14 on your calendar and come BUY an auction item or two towards this wonderful project. Bidding will start at $2 and, given the mad wicked talent I have seen from the ladies on the AMR board, you will find some amazing items to bid on. Please go check it out :) {{Love ya, Miss Destiny!}}

12×12 Paper Trays on Craigslist

Hmmmm….should I or shouldn’t I?

The listing says they regularly sell for $60 and she wants $40. I’m thinking of offering $25-30 and see what she says. I don’t need them for my paper – I’m a Vertical Storage Girl – but I need something to stack my ongoing projects in. You know, instead of my current method of creating precarious piles all over my desk.

Tick tock, tick tock…I’d better make a decision….

ETA 4/17/09: I e-mailed her with an offer of $25. Fingers crossed she even still has them….Will let you know how it goes….

ETA 4/20/09: Well, no trays for me. She e-mailed back that she was holding firm at $35. I’ll just use my coupons and get them over time from Michaels. They have this type of 12×12 stackable tray but they’re dark brown or black. Will be scouting for those now.

Scrapbooking Stuff at Big Lots

I’m sure this isn’t a very big deal for most of you. But for someone who’s main scrap shopping opportunities are Michaels, Target, and Walmart, you have to understand my excitement. WE JUST GOT A BIG LOTS!!!!!

I have always been so jealous reading those lovely, enabling message board posts about ‘the finds’ everyone has at places like Archivers (never been there), Joann’s (don’t have any), Hobby Lobby (nopey, nopey), and Big Lots. So now, I’m at least 1/4 of the way into that exciting world. And luckily for me – She of the Empty Wallet – it’s the most bargain-minded store that came to my ‘hood. So forgive my overdoing it with the photos but just thought I would share all the scrappy stuff I found at MY – yes, MY – Big Lots the other day.

LOTS OF STICKERS, MAT STACKS, and AMERICAN CRAFTS EMBELLIE JARS

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QUOTE STACKS….for Cinco de Mayo…Hey, you never know!

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8.5×11 CARDSTOCK PACKS

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PHOTO STORAGE BOXES

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A BIG HONKIN’ SCRAPBOOK KIT – I heard a lady in the aisle say that she saw this kit at Costco for $40, but it was only $25 at Big Lots. And there was only one.

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TEEN KITS, CHRISTMAS KITS….

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COLORBOK GOODIE BAGS – Tons of misc. stuff for only $12….”$100 value!”

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SCRAPBOOK STORAGE OPTIONS AT A GREAT PRICE – I was eyeing those 3-drawer things but I have to see if the dimensions work for my space.

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A PRE-DONE SCRAPBOOK – Hey, I’m not opposed to them as long as they are cute….great timesaver! And you can add embellies to make it your own.

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CUTE 8X8 ALBUM FOR 5 BUCKS….

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YOU 3-RING SCRAPBOOK LOVERS MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN THESE – I didn’t recognize the brand but the quality seemed good and you can’t beat that price!

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LOADS OF 8X8 AND 12X12 ALBUMS!!!

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CLOSER LOOK AT AMERICAN CRAFTS RUB-ON BOOKS….

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… and AMERICAN CRAFTS ‘ELEMENTS’ RIBBON, AND PRESSED PETALS ‘CHIP CHATTER SHAPES’….

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AS SEEN ON TV! THE CRAFT LITE CUTTER – I assume that’s a great price if you’re in the market for one…

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A CLOSER LOOK AT THE DIE CUTS WITH A VIEW 12X12 ALBUMS – A stunning $8 each! Even the turquoise velvet one…

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AND HERE IS WHAT I ENDED UP BUYING: DCWV ‘Old World’ album ($8), AC red ribbon (it was unmarked so she gave it to me for $2), AC ‘Happy Birthday’ rubons, great for card making ($2), Pressed Petals ‘Chip Chatter’ letters in metallic green and red; I’m thinking Christmas layouts ($2 each), DCWV ‘Pocket Full of Posies’ mat stack ($3), so pretty, and metallic words ($1 each). All that shizzle for under $25. Made out like a bandit, I’d say.

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Personally, I don’t care if something is NEW or HOT or JUST INTRODUCED AT CHA! If it’s “old” and I like it – and I get a great deal on it – I’m a happy girl. If you’re the same way, don’t forget to check out your Big Lots once in a while. You never know what you’ll find….

Organization System for Acrylic and Rubber Stamps

There is a stamp storage product by STAMPENDOUS called “Storage Solutions.” They come in Thin ($2.49 retail), Thick ($2.99 retail), and Thicker ($3.49 retail). Here is a picture of the Thin one, so you can get an idea:

Here is a demo video that shows you the different sizes and how to use and store them.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IboLMWfLs3M]

What I like about these:
1. You don’t have to index your stamps – a time consuming process – because you can see right through the cases to your stamps
2. You can tie ribbons on the handles or otherwise color code the holders to see at a glance the type of item you want to grab, e.g. rubber stamps, greetings, or inks
3. They sell for an affordable price – I’ve seen many stamp storage systems that add up to be rather costly but these are reasonable

Seems like a great stamp storage system if you’re in the market for one. Huge shout out to KELLI for showing these to me!

Give us your review or thoughts!

New at Michaels? Rewards Programs

So, were you one of the lucky Michaels shoppers to receive an offer to join a rewards program? Yeah, me neither. What up?? I heard about it HERE, and here are samples I copied from the thread of offers being sent out:

Join the Michaels Rewards Program and get…

40% off any one regular price item every time you shop
20 points for every $1 you spend at M’s; once you reach 2000 points we’ll automatically send you a $10 M’s Gift Card
60% off custom framing all year long
An exclusive membership card
One full year of membership

Here’s How it works:
Save on all the things you love – join M’s Rewards for only $24.99 a year.
Save every time you shop, use your card and get 40% off any one regular price item, earn points and save 60% on custom framing.
Stay updated and track your points online.
Get rewarded, earn 2000 points and get a $10 M’s Gift Card
Continue shopping with your card to get your discounts and earn points.

Or this….

10% off your entire regular price purchase every time you shop
An exclusive membership card
One full year of membership
FREE membership

Or this…

$9.99 to join for one year
40% off one item everytime i shop
50% off all framing
5 points for every dollar spenr
2000 points=$10 gift card

As I said, these are just summarized from the 2peas thread. Theoretically, if I had gotten an e-mail offer, I would consider joining the rewards program. Geesh, for all the free publicity I give them, shouldn’t THEY be paying ME to give me a discount and rewards points? Yeah, yeah, that’s what I thought! Maybe it all has something to do with this NEW GUY, Mr. Experienced in Craft Sales Marketing.

Seriously though….did you get an offer, what did it entail, and are you going to join the Michaels Rewards Program?

Scrapbook Organization: Alphabet Storage

I have a sweet internet friend who always points out cool online things to me, and I usually snag her ideas and blog about them. We were messaging back and forth the other night about THIS post on typos (or typo’s, as you prefer) in scrapbooking magazines. She asked if I had seen a layout over at Pink Paislee with a typo or mistake in the title, and I hadn’t so I went looking for it.

And lookee lookee what I found on the PINK PAISLEE BLOG while I was lost….a stupendous Wall of Alphas!!!

HOLY MOTHER OF GOD.


Once you get past the total Eye Candy aspect.
And then you quit hating the lucky bee-yotch that owns this yummy wall of scrap goodness.
Then – and only then – do you step back and say to yourself, “Wowee, that is one cool way to store alphas.”

Just thought I’d share.

I personally couldn’t get away with an Alphabet Wall. I’m more from the school of thought that says, “Hide and compact the stash as much as possible so husband has no clear idea how much money I have spent on said stash.” But that’s just me, LOL.

The Slice by Making Memories: Now @ Michaels

Did you know that Michaels now carries THE SLICE? Yep, I saw it there myself. No, I’m really not making it up. It was NOT some mirage I conjured up, it was really there. Uh huh. Oddly, it was not with the scrapbooking section. A whole stand alone display was kind of near the front of the store near some home dec stuff and candles. I didn’t look too closely since I’m not shopping for one, but all the accessories and cards were there, too. I don’t know how their prices compare. And, no, of course you cannot use your coupons on anything with the word “Slice” in it. If Mike’s is selling it for the same price as everywhere else and you can’t use a coupon on it, I’d just as soon buy it from an LSS or online store. Just sayin’…

There was also a mess of new patterned papers, by the sheet, although the prices were totally RIDONCULOUS. I saw Basic Grey, Making Memories, We R Memory Keepers, SEI, Creative Imaginations, and others. The Peas are talking about it HERE. The papers are on sale this week so it’s a good time to check out the new ones. Then again, even with the discount, your LSS may have it cheaper. A great place to online shop is at my friend Stacey’s store, ALL MOMENTS REMEMBERED. She’s been getting in a lot of new stuff lately and if you don’t see what you’re looking for, just ask and she will do her darndest to get it for you. She has the cutest warehouse guys, too!

Speaking of MAKING MEMORIES, read HERE for some sad news about one of their most popular designer/instructors. I know it’s another sign of the times but that doesn’t make it any less depressing, does it?

Target Scrapbook Aisle

I was a Target today for Landry food, picked up the most recent Scrapbooks Etc. (yeah!), and of course stopped by the Scrapbooking aisle. Behold! It was full of employees diligently working. They were unpacking boxes, which I took as a sure sign of new goodies.

Um. WRONG.

They were rearranging the whole aisle but I didn’t see anything new. Shizzle. They put all the stamps and inks together and had the tools better organized. They had all the Making Memories stuff together, instead of scattered everywhere and that looked really nice. Woulda’ been nicer to see some new MM items, but no….The 12×12 accordian paper holders with the stripes were on the clearance and there was a new version in the SB aisle. But that is literally the only new thing I saw in there. My hope is that they were reorganizing the “old” stuff before they started unpacking oodles and oodles of new stuff.

Yeah, a girl can dream, can’t she?

Anything going on at your Target? New stuff or same old, same old?

Sassafrass Lass, Studio G, and a Sweet Story

Just a quick post….nothing much going on here. I’m waiting for the Mike’s ad tomorrow (Sunday), hoping there’s a 40% coupon and that scrapbook stacks are NOT on sale so I can go and use a coupon on one – okay, maybe two – of those Sass Lass stacks from my last post.

I’m also on the lookout for this $1 Studio G stamp for MISS KELLI, who is LOOKING. Wish me luck in the hunt for both!

To close, here is a short and sweet ARTICLE about finding an old friend through scrapbooking.

New Paper Stacks at Michaels

If you haven’t already heard the news, ‘the stacks have landed’ at Mike’s. Here are some lame-ish photos I took there this week. As you can see, this plethora of new scrapbook paper stacks are on their own display rack in the middle of the aisle. At mine, they were in the back part of the store, a place where scrappy supplies are not usually found. Oh, and all stacks are 25% off this week!

Here’s the view from one side of the stack rack. You will see a variety of manufacturers…

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My eyes zoomed right to these lovelies. I’m from Podunk, USA and have never even seen Sassafrass Lass supplies in person! One would assume that I grabbed me some Sass Lass like it was a warm sugar cookie! They had the ‘Whale of a Tale’ and ‘Hog Heaven’ lines. I flipped through them and fell in immediate crushing love with both. Then I saw the price….$24.99. Even at 25% off, I figured I’d better wait until they go off sale and I can use a 40% off coupon. Then at least I’m paying $15 instead of $18.75. {Please tell me I did that math right! Or wait, no, tell me I did it wrong so I can go back and buy my Sass Lass NOW!}.

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This is some We R Memory Keepers, gcd, SEI, and Die Cuts with a View. After the Sass Lass, the DCWV Nanna’s Kitchen is next on my shopping list.

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Here you can see the American Crafts patterned paper and cardstock varieties, and ‘Garden Party.’

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Here’s some more SEI, a pack of chipboard sheets, and some new Bazzill packs. What I ended up buying on this trip was the Bazzill ‘Swiss Dot’ pack. It has 24 sheets, 2 each of 12 colors. If you need the price, let me know and I’ll find my receipt. But I can tell you, the Swiss Dot is GORE-JUS and a must have for any true scrapper’s collection.

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Here’s the other side of the stack rack. Mostly gcd which wasn’t blowing my dress up really…

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Except I really liked the ‘Chic Bebe’ line. It’s a fun twist on baby album goodness, with cool colors and patterns that aren’t the norm, sissy la la baby stuff.

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I pulled out the K & Company ‘Cut ‘N Paste’ because I’d heard so many raves about it. It’s very cute/cool vintage stuff but I guess that’s just not my style because I only really loved a few of the sheets. But if vintage is your thang, check it out fo’ sho.

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So, not the best pictures. I saw on someone’s blog recently where they took each item off the rack, laid it out all nice a pretty, and got a full frontal shot of each thing. Wow. I mean, I love you guys but I’m usually doing a power shop during my lunch hour, ya know? This is the best I can do, LOL. Hope it’s enough of a sneak peek to make you happy. ‘Cuz I need your constant approval and reassurance….

Whaddya’ think? See any stack you gotta have?

Scrapbooker Blahs

I’ve got ’em and it’s not just me. I’ve noticed the following in the last week or so:
– The scrapbook message boards are slow. Like watching pain dry. This pains me.
– The CK Media “reorganization” news is harshing everyone’s mellow.
– Either the new CHA products do not excite, or if they do, no one can afford to buy them. Manufacturers are desperately calling/e-mailing retailers, who can’t afford to buy much.
– Erin Lincoln says she’s not been paid in awhile….where does that leave CKMB?
– 2peas boards have been down all night

For me personally, there’s this kinda stuff:
– I posted a restaurant rant on 2peas, expecting about 90% support, and got much less than that. Didn’t ‘splain myself well enough, for one thing. And beyond that, it’s just cranky time, I guess.
– Landry was overnight at the vet hospital getting his manly bits removed. It was practically unbearable how much I missed him.
– DH and I got our first paychecks today since pay cuts….major ouch. How do you cut hundreds more dollars from a budget that is already bare bones? {Yes, I would get rid of my internet but I need it for work, natch}.
– Lastnight to cheer myself up, I decided to cash in a $15 product credit I’ve had for 6+ months at MEMORY WORKS (it was a consultant referral reward). Got all twitterpated over the Jenni Bowlin “Farmer’s Wife” and die cut calendar cards I had in my cart. Went to cash out and it declined my card. Found out today from the bank… they closed my scrapbook spendy account back in December…due to lack of activity. What in the HAY-ELL is that about??
– Just plain tired and feeling the blues…

As for my scrapping, I’m actually kinda’ re-energized after my crop last weekend, yet there has been no TIME or ENERGY to get to it.

How can we turn this around, ladies?
– Stacey at AMR had the right idea. She started a HAPPY THREAD with a little prize. That cheered me a bit :)
SASSAFRASS LASS and new BAZZILL cardstock packs at Mike’s!!!!! And a coupon this week!!!!!
– Would a couple Landry photos help? Well, here ya go…Could he BE any cuter?!?!

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Are you having the Scrapbooker Blahs? Lie right down on my couch and tell me all about it…..

JUMBO RIbbon Ring ON SALE!

I got this e-mail from Melissa the other day and she said I could post it to the blog:
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Goooooood afternoon!!

I wanted to let you know that my new JUMBO Ribbon Ring tags have arrived! They accommodate ribbon up to 2” wide and right now they are ON SALE! If you don’t have a lot of wide ribbon, you can hang four or fivepieces of 3/8” ribbon side by side on these new tags. How cool is that?

To celebrate this new product launch, our Ribbon Ring Starter Set and Ribbon Ring bundle of 90 are ON SALE too. Today is a good day to organize ribbon.

Go to www.ribbonring.com to take advantage of these awesome deals!

Melissa Bickle
President, Chicory Chic Inc.
3550 Broken Tee Drive
Hood River, Oregon 97031
541.387.2442
www.ribbonring.com
tame your ribbon.

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Here’s a photo of the new JUMBO (yes, I must put that in caps every.single.time) Ribbon Ring. You likee?

I’m Goin’ A-Croppin’ Tomorrow

Yay, yippee, woot woot!! It’s been quite awhile since I’ve either held a crop or been to one. Actually, this weekend was APPOSED ta be an annual scrap retreat with my mom and 4 friends. But the dear friend who usually organizes it is going through some personal stuff and couldn’t handle the planning this year. I offered to take over the reins but the other girls were gone on a SCRAPPING CRUISE so I couldn’t reach them in time to reserve the lake cabin for the retreat. But since my mom was coming down anyway, I called one of the retreat girlies this week and said, HAY-AYYYYY! Why don’t we just have a croppy Saturday at your clubhouse? And she was all for it. Thus….I’m goin’ a-croppin’ tomorrow. And I couldn’t be happier. Well, okay, technically I COULD be happier. I could already be at a crop RETREAT but let’s not split hairs, shall we?

So it’s about 8:45 on Friday night and I just finished packing for my croppy Saturday. I’m getting pretty good at packing for crops. I’ve learned that it does not pay to take every thing I own. Rather, I figure out 1 big project I want to work on {this time it’s finishing up the Santa Cruz part of my San Francisco/Santa Cruz trip album}, and all the things I need to work on that project. In this case, it’s the 12×12 album with enough empty page protectors to hold the pages I’m going to complete, and an Iris clamshell case with all the papers, embellies, and Thickers I’m using for this album. Then I usually bring maybe 4 or 5 other sets of photos that are of similar theme, colors, etc. and then a paper stack and chunk of embellies/letters that I can pull from for these layouts. For tomorrow, I have photos of a birthday, a bike race (Lance Armstrong’s race came through our area yesterday!), the kids playing with the puppy, and a Superbowl party. Do you see what these event photos might all have in common? Yep, bright mostly primary colors. So I’m taking the American Crafts “Celebration” paper stack that I just got (talked about it HERE), a “kid’s life” stack, several kinds of primary and black or white letter stickers, and a handful of colorful embellies.

The one place I guess I overpack is with cardstock ~ I always pack all 3 Cropper Hopper vertical files full of Bazzill ~ because I cannot STAND being at a crop and not being to find the exact right shade of background cardstock I need. Usually, I take my Baby Bug (little Cricut) and cartridges but decided not to this time. Maybe someone else will bring theirs and if they don’t, I can get by with the Thickers and such that I’m bringing. Finally, and most importantly, I always take my Cropper Hopper Flat Pack and a mini Tote-ally Cool Tote with my often used tools, adhesives, scissors, etc., my 2 Basic Grey Magnetic Mats, and my Ott Lite. This time, I also threw in a few border punches, and my “baby X” Xyron adhesive machine. So, miracle of miracles, I got all my stuff into my XXL, Crop In Style shoulder tote, and a small rolling tote. Wish me luck that I didn’t forget anything crucial! Although the great thing is that, at crops, everyone is more than willing to share anything you might need.

I’m really looking forward to tomorrow. Not just for the creative opportunity to make some fun layouts, and the accomplishment I’m going to feel when I finish my travel album, but the time I’ll get to spend with my mom and my friends, just gossiping the day away, laughing, listening to music, having a nice dinner, and coming home feeling de-stressed, refreshed, and gung-ho to keep cropping in the coming weeks. Going to crops always gets me motivated in my scrapping again and I’m really needing that right now.

Have a wonderful weekend, dearies!

American Crafts at Tuesday Morning and More

Isn’t this a fun paper pack?? I picked it up at Tuesday Morning….retails for $19.99, I paid $5.99.

“CELEBRATION” by American Crafts

Then I used last week’s 40% Michaels coupon on this:

“URBAN PRAIRIE” by BASIC GREY

And I got the D-RING ALBUM on the far right in 12×12 navy leather from Beverly’s Craft Store with a 40% off coupon….

I needed it for a School Days album. I was pretty pleased with myself…got $65 worth of schwag for about $38, I don’t usually spend this much in one day on such big items. It’s usually more like 40% off a $3.99 embellie pack but hey. So, do you think the employees of these stores see me coming? Miss Won’t Shop Without a Coupon, Sale, or Discounted Price? I wonder if I’m their worst nightmare or their sweetest dream? Do you shop {stingy} like me? Ha! I’m laughing all the way to the Scrap Bank.

“Splendid” and “Summer Soiree” by Fancy Pants

I just saw ^^ this ^^ in the store over at ALL MOMENTS REMEMBERED and fell in {LOVE}. Which is appropriate, considering the theme of this line is love and Valentines Day. Here’s another view of the line, although you get MORE than this in the above kit from AMR:

You can order the Splendid 12×12 paper kit {the one in the top photo} HERE.

I’m also loving this one by Fancy Pants called “Summer Soiree.” I’m hoping Stacey will be able to carry it at AMR; she is so good about getting pretty much any product you ask for. Anyway, LOVE it! The colors are so bright and fun. With all this winter, I’m looking ahead to scrapping some fun spring and summer photos with this.

This is from the Fancy Pants website:

You can see the whole line HERE.

What do you think of “Splendid” and “Summer Soiree”?

CHA-Winter 2009: It’s Bittersweet…and not in a Basic Grey way :(

If you’re not familiar with CHA, read all about it HERE and then come back, LOL! It started today Sunday, 1/25/09 in Anaheim, California and runs through Wednesday, 1/28/09. In a nutshell, it’s the biggest craft show in the US where all the LSSs and online retailers get to preview the new lines, interact with their Scrap Homies, see all the fun displays, do make-n-takes, receive giveaways, etc. You get to see all the Scrap Celebs in their natural habitat, amongst the pretty paper and smell of adhesive. You get to drool over cutie patootie TIM HOLTZ and his sexy forearms while he demos his latest ever-so-clever ink technique. Ooooh….I’m so verklempt! Must….focus…..where was I? Oh yeah, CHA!

Ever since I got serious about scrapbooking several years ago, I have always wanted to go to CHA. I think you can tell, if you’re a regular reader, that I’m quite in love with scrapbooking products, what new things are coming out, and where to get them. I mean, “in love” is somehow an understatement, LOL! Unfortunately for the average scrapper, only verified store owners and their staff members are allowed to attend. When I became a consultant for Memory Works and then opened my own little scrapbook business from home, I wanted even MORE to attend. I looked into joining CHA (the Craft and Hobby Association) so I could do so, but the membership price was too steep for someone just starting out (ironic, yes? because who needs to attend CHA and make those wonderful network-y connections more than a new store owner?). I resigned myself to never being able to attend, but I always get caught up in the Sneak Peeks from each company and turn green with envy at all my online friends who’ve been able to attend.

Well, going back to work full-time due to this crummy economy meant I had to put my little biz on the backburner until I have time to fire it up again. And if you want irony, I’ve got it for you. Who got invited to CHA this time? Who lives only 4 hours from where it’s being held? Lean in real close and I’ll whisper a little hint in your ear……closer……closer…..okaaaaaay……ME!! It’s a long story how the invite came about but don’t make me relive it because I couldn’t go. Not only does it interfere time-wise with this little thing called my Normal Work Week, but the price of a hotel, etc. is just not something my pocketbook can stretch to accommodate right now. So that’s the irony….being invited the one time I can’t go. I felt so unduly privileged to have an invite but who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth? It’s like if Brad and Angelina ask to adopt me because they need another freckle-faced white kid to represent! Who am I to ask questions? Just take the gig and roll with it…

I was visiting a friend on Friday who happens to be another online store owner – well, okay, if you must know, I was meeting her to pick up some Bazzill cardstock she was selling on Craigslist but that’s another post – and she said, “Oh, I’m so excited! Me and Lisa are leaving for CHA on Sunday!” Well, mother (bleep). Someone ELSE who gets to go! Not only that, when I told her I also got an invite but couldn’t go because of fundage, she says, “Oh, you could’ve roomed with us. Our third girl just backed out today. We’re sharing a big suite and it’s only $100 total each for 2 nights.” Again I say, mother (bleep)!

And just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse, I found out one of my all time favorite people is going to be there! This is quoted from a CHA press release:

“Paris Hilton, internationally recognized model, singer, author, and entrepreneur will be available on Sunday, January 25, 2009 from 2:30 – 3:30 pm in the Wooky Entertainment booth #2500, to unveil Paris Hilton, the Creativity Collection™ a multi-faceted line of fashion crafting kits from some of the most popular craft segments including scrapbooking, jewelry making and fabric embellishment. Paris will be on hand for photos and signing autographs.”

Is God trying to punish me? Did I tinkle in someone’s Wheaties??!!! Oh, the horror of missing my girl, Paris! Just kick me while I’m down, why don’t you? Dig the knife in a little further, okay?

So you can see why CHA-W (or “chaw” as we insiders call it) is so bittersweet for me this time. To all my homies out there in Scrap World who are down in Anaheim right now, sipping your little freakin’ Mojitos or whatever by the heated indoor hotel pool, gabbing away about how much FREAKIN’ fun it was at CHA today and how much more FREAKIN’ fun it’s going to be the rest of the time, you just have a wonderful time, okay? Really. Don’t even worry about me. At. All. Cuz I’m not bitter.

Just bittersweet….

New Colorbok and K&Co. “Que Sera Sera” at Michael’s

Colorbok goodies from the Dollar Bins…I got the green flutterbys and white stars…

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Hard to see from these pix but there were embellies, small and large shaped papers, etc. The colors were pretty….white, black, green and blue…

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Check out those shaped mini board books!

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I guess the sale ends today (Saturday) but it was 40% off ALL stickers, including these new ones from K&Company that were on an endcap with the whole new line of Que Sera Sera. SUPER pretty!

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I couldn’t pass up these lace papers. I’m such a sucker for shaped papers. But I did use a 40% coupon so they were practically free, right? LOL!

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This Mike’s had the new Making Memories line filled in better than the last photo I posted of it. It’s all pink, black and white.

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Here are 2 albums for my wish list.

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It was interesting. They had a long separate section up by the registers, perpendicular to all their other rows so it really stood out. One entire side of it had scrapbooking stuff that mostly was Vacation themed from all different manufacturers. Along the bottom were older and newer 12×12 albums. Maybe they’re trying to reach out to those who’ve never scrapped before? I mean, you practically had to hurdle the section to get to the registers! Great idea, Mike’s. I hope you can recruit some new scrappers!

What do you readers think? Gonna’ go after any of these goodies?

Oh, and remember the Prima bling swirl I coveted in THIS post? I snagged it yesterday with my other 40% coupon. Whoo to the Hoo! It’s so pretty, I’m going to be afraid to use it.

New Making Memories and More at Michaels!

Now how’s that for alliteration?!? LOL But really what I need to say is……GET THEE TO MICHAELS AND FAST! Yeppers, they have some more new items. And thanks to my trusty iPhone…because you would NOT see me whipping out my bulky Kodak Easyshare in a STORE, for gosh sakes….I have PHOTOS!! Okay, I probably so WOULD take photos in Michaels with my big Kodak but, see this way, I don’t get arrested.

Today, we have for you….Chloe’s Closet by Making Memories….

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See the cute spiral journaling notebook in the second row for $4.99. Got me summa’ that, for 40% no less! And I already used that front orange and yellow one on a Gratitude Project layout. Bla-DOW!

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I almost got this here 8×8 album, because I had originally wanted to do my Gratitude Album in 8×8 size but knew a postbbound wouldn’t hold 26 pages nicely. Well, my lovelies, this is an 8×8 three ring. And so googly cute! I left it there, thinking if I really wanted it in my heart of hearts, I would get it on my next trip. {PS: I then proceeded to Walmart where I got an 8.5×11 binder to use for my GP album instead, LOL!}

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Here’s some fun and pretty new MAMBI paper pads and Soft Spoken embellies. Loved them all and got none. This time.

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This is the collection they were talking about recently on 2peas. There seemed to be mixed reviews but I thought it was pretty cute. Not much I can use in my everyday scrapbooking but I love the stamps. My online scrap buddy, JINGLE, is all into woodland creatures so I think she’ll be fan. {Hi Jings!}

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Love the poppies, so striking….

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And this is cute…all pink, black and white by Making Memories again…As you kin see, they were still filling the rack.

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All new Prima flowers, bling, etc. Lots to love here…

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This bling-y flourish will eventually belong to my collection….

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Strangely enough, the rack where I found all this loot was in the back before you get to framing and such. It’s the rack that used to be in front of the scrapbooking area so, whatever. I’m sure Michaels has some grand master plan up their sleeve and someday that will all make sense. Right?

Another hot item at Michaels – that I was somehow not informed of until AFTER my trip there (ahem) – is this Valentine Lace border punch by Martha Stewart. The Peas are talking about it HERE.

So, see anything you like? What will you buy at Michaels?

New Scrapbooking @ Target

The regular scrapping aisle at my Target pretty much bites. They had Thanksgiving things on Clearance but it was so overpriced and not cute to start with, I wasn’t even tempted. Nothing else was on sale that I could see.

HOWEVAH!! On an endcap with a hugamic $14.99 sign were the following new items:

Lots of cute letter stickers…would be nice to have so many in one set so as not to run out of E’s and A’s long before the rest of the alpha. And the embellie set looked nice…

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12×12 and 8×8 albums, and paper packs…

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Cute acrylic stamp sets….I LOVE the set on the top with the birds, butterflies, and flourishes. I’m on Stamp Probation so I didn’t get them. But if they go on Clearance someday, I can probably find a way to justify buying them. There were only a few sets…did they not stock many, or have they already been popular?

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Other than the 12×12 albums, I don’t find $14.99 to be any kind of screaming deal on these items. Such is life in today’s scrap industry I guess. But I miss those days when bargains were always to be had on scrapbook stuff at Target…

On another end cap, there were several of the KI Memories scrapbooking tins on Clearance, marked down to $17.48. I think originally they were $29.99, so what a great deal on Clearance.

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I use gingerbread jars like these in my scrap area to organize embellies, and people often ask where I got mine. Well, I found them on Craigslist; they were from a local candy store. Now anyone can get them…at Target! The price…yikes. I think I paid $30-40 for a whole mess of them.

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When I see things like this bed/bath/kitchen collection, I finally get what those pro scrappers mean in the magazines when they tell you that your scrapbooking can be inspired by other products. These color combos and the style of these items really caught my attention and made me want to start whipping out Spring pages using these colors for inspiration.

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And if I were rich like Oprah, I would SO buy that whole set and redo my bedroom and bathroom. Oh, and I did get the new Memory Makers at Target….mighty thin issue. So, have you bought anything scrappy at Target lately? Tell us about it…

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