Browse Category For

scrapbook websites

Showing: 561 - 580 of 886 Articles
Memory Works scrapbook blogs scrapbook consultant scrapbook websites

Project 365: April Update

avatar

I went to a crop with friends last Saturday and had a blast. I took my laptop, little Epson Picturemate PRINTER, and all my SIMPLE STORIES stuff so I could try and get caught up with my PROJECT 365. I’ve been seriously lagging, gurl … mmm hmmm! I’ve continued to take photos every day (well, I thought I had, ha) but I hadn’t scrapped or journaled anything since (gulp) early February.

At the crop, I spent the better part of 7 hours just choosing, editing, and printing 10 weeks worth of photos … yep, 70 photos! Yike, that was intense. As I went along, I realized that I hadn’t been taking an actual “photo a day” like I thought I had. There were definitely 7+ photos per week but some days I had none, other days I had 10, kwim? So printing out my photos took WAY more time than it should have, because I had to first print out photos that had for each actual date, then try to find “filler” pics that weren’t day/date-specific to fill in the blanks with.

I thought about just switching my project from “photo a day” to “7 photos per week” but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Yet in a weird way, I hated the “fibbing” that I had to do in order to have a photo to print for each day. Isn’t that psycho weird? I know. I can’t help it. I also hated that it took so much extra time and effort … It made something that should’ve been fun into a chore, a hassle, and that’s SO not what I want this project to be.

So I came away from that little nightmare experience recommitted to taking, literally, a photo per day. I put a Post It note on my kitchen cupboard that I’ll see every day to remind me. I definitely have no shortage of photo subjects, I just get so busy, I forget to take the photo sometimes. My photo today was of all the (non-perishable) stuff that was still sitting on the kitchen counter from my Costco trip yesterday. I HAYTE putting Costo groceries away. They’re even worse than regular groceries. Can I get an “amen”?!?!?

That might seem a silly thing to take a photo of, and pre-Project 365, I never would have taken that photo. But I think it will be a fun thing to look back on in years to come … “The things we used to buy at Costco and how mom hated putting them away so much, they would stay on the counter for a day or two.” Cuz that’s real life around here, folks! And that’s what my Project 365 is all about.

I’m sorry to say that I don’t have any completed pages to share. Since I was SO far behind, I decided the best way to get caught up was to use a “one step at a time” approach. Instead of printing the photos for a week, choosing the papers, embellishing, and journaling, I got ALL the photos printed and put in the page protector slots (or at least an approximation of where they will go). Then I chose the Simple Stories paper/strip/cards I would use as the base for each open slot. And that’s as far as I got.

Now I need to embellish and journal 10 weeks worth and I’ll be caught up. Well, let me rephrase that: I’ll be caught up through April 11, 2010. And then I’ll be only a week ~ no, make that two ~ behind, LOL! Wish me luck that I can get caught up by this weekend … that’s the goal.

If you’re doing Project 365 this year, how’s it going for you? Please tell me you’re not in the same dire straits as I am! And if you’re not doing Project 365, doesn’t my post make you happy that you’re not?!?!? Yeah, that’s me, a cautionary tale for Project 365.

DON’T. Let this happen. To you.

Memory Works scrapbook blogs scrapbook consultant scrapbook shopping scrapbook websites

Michaels News, Chip Art by Melody Ross, and Other Scrappy Stuff

avatarUpdated on

Okay, time for some scrappy randomness!

~ You know how for the last many months on my blog, I’ve been torturing you with lame photos I’ve taken with my iPhone because my camera bit the big one? Well, I’m happy to report that I FINALLY got a new camera! It’s nothing super fancy, but it takes WAY better photos than my phone, LOL.

Here is the lovely I got:

It’s a Kodak Easyshare Z915 and the feature I love the most if the 10x zoom! It’s basically the updated version of the camera I used to have, the Kodak Easyshare DX6490, which I luh-huh-huved. My new camera retails for $200 but I found it at WALMART.COM for $121 and a few dollars shipping.

Happy happy joy joy!

~ NATIONAL SCRAPBOOKING DAY is coming up: Saturday, May 1st! I’m going to have something going on here at the Scrapbook Obsession blog that day, including a contest and a game, with PRIZES! I hope you’ll put that on your calendar and stop by on May 1st, or soon after :)

~ I was contacted recently by someone with a cool scrapbook-related product. They’re supposed to send me several free items to give away to you, my lovely readers. I don’t want to say too much until the package arrives, but consider yourself teased!

~ Word on the street is that MICHAELS will soon be resetting their scrapbook aisles and the reset will include OCTOBER AFTERNOON and SASSAFRASS! A rumor could be just a rumor, but it would make sense given all the things they had on clearance lately, the empty racks, and the fact that products from CHA-Winter 2010 are hitting the market as we speak. I hope Mike’s really does get the October Afternoon. Without an LSS, I don’t have anywhere locally to get any and I love their new lines (samples below), THE THRIFT SHOP and FLY A KITE, respectively:

~ Speaking of new products hitting the market, I haven’t given you an update of what MEMORY WORKS has new in stock … but I will soon. However, I do want to point out right now – since so many people are looking for these – is that we do have a bunch of the CHIP ART TOOLS AND METAL STAMPS by GCD and MELODY ROSS!!! Here’s a peek at just one of the many items we carry:

I saw these demo’d recently and think this will be the new “frenzy” item, aka the hot thing that everyone wants. Check out the GCD BLOG to see some projects the Chip Art products have been used on. I would love to help you get these GCD items! My website is HERE. Directions on how to place an order and how to contact me with questions are HERE.

scrapbook blogs scrapbook websites

I’m Actually Scrapping … No, REALLY.

avatarUpdated on

I KNOW! How long has it been !?!?! Ages, I tell ya’ …

The monthly online crop is going on at Scrap Sisters Studio message board. It started today at 8am and goes through Sunday at midnight. Members have already posted 8 challenges and there may be more. I’m actually working on an April monthly challenge from our Challenges board. It’s a sketch challenge, and I’m using this layout to get myself jump-started on a vacation album from our trip to Phoenix last month. Feels SO good to be scrapbooking again! I also have an all-day crop with friends next Saturday when I hope to get caught up on my Project 365, which is so far behind it’s not even freakin’ funny.

So for this vacation album, I broke out some Old School shizzle … Scenic Route … Yeah, baby! I’m so sad they’re out of business ~ they were one of my favorite scrapbooking companies ~ but at least my SR stash is going to a good cause … a vacation album that will get looked at a lot :)

Hope you’re having a scrappy weekend! We always welcome new members at Scrap Sisters Studio (“The nicest place in the internet”), so e-mail me if you’d like to join us for the crop, or just to chat any ol’ time: scrapbookobsession(at)gmail(dot)com.

scrapbook blogs scrapbook consultant scrapbook shopping scrapbook websites

Memory Works: Mama-Razzi, Dear Lizzy, and More …

avatar

As I mentioned HERE, the new Memory Works catalog is out for Spring 2010, along with a lot of the new scrapbooking items from CHA-Winter 2010. As soon as I heard the catalogs were out, I placed an order right away and, as always, it arrived within just a few days.

I’m gonna share pics of everything I ordered so you can see what it REALLY looks like, K?

My favorite part … opening the box … it’s so fun! Here are the catalogs right on top, and a peek at the embellies I ordered.

In case you’d like to order a catalog (how to do that is HERE), I thought I’d show you some sample pages of what it looks like inside.

Here are the pages for DEAR LIZZY by AMERICAN CRAFTS, and a company that’s new to Memory Works called GIRLS PAPERIE. I’m so excited to have them on board. Their products are very cute. I’ll have to do a separate post about them later.

Here’s two of the pages showing our new SIMPLE STORIES products that have been amazingly popular.

Here’s a line that’s going to BE very popular, I’m sure: BASICS* by BASIC GREY.

*Basics is not released yet so it will currently show Out of Stock at the above link, but it’ll show as available as soon as it’s in stock. Not too much longer, I think!

Okay, now the fun goodies. Here’s the Dear Lizzy premium RIBBON including that adorable rose ribbon that I’ve been dying to have.

These are the front and back sides of the “Dear Lizzy” THEME SET.

I got these “Flower Child” FLOWERS by BO BUNNY to use with my Simple Stories album; the colors will coordinate very well. I ordered an extra to sell at crops. I love how they’re embossed which kind of gives them a rounded petal, and the dark red large flower is such a deep red, it’s gorgeous.

Here are the “Green at Heart” RUB-ONS by BASIC GREY. They are definitely prettier in person; the colors are bright but not super, blind your eyes bright, kwim?

These are “DELIGHT LEAF” Thickers by American Crafts, and they’re made of fabric.

I tried to take a closer photo with my iPhone to show you the texture, but it doesn’t look like I succeeded. {I finally ordered my new camera and should have it in a week or so. I can’t WAIT!}

Here is the “Kioshi” THEME SET by Basic Grey. The colors are SO amazing in person! This reminds me of the Old School BG that I knew and loved. {Front and back sides}.

Finally, the piece de resistance, all the MAMA-RAZZI line by BO BUNNY!!! I’ve been talking about Mama-razzi since way back HERE, so you can imagine how excited I was to get all this.

I got two packs of the LAYERED STICKERS; one for me, one to sell. Also, the iCandy glazed BRADS.

The stickers are 3-D … :)

Here are both sides of the CUT-OUTS. I can’t believe they’re only $1. Think of all the mileage you can get out of this one sheet. I’m going to order another one, so I can use both sides. I can’t see any parts that I don’t want to use.

These are the COMBO STICKERS, where you get border stickers, regular stickers, AND an alpha. Pretty kewl.

Here is the ADHESIVE CHIPBOARD. I love me some dimension like this.

Could this sheet of die-cut paper BE any prettier!?!? I don’t think so. Love it.

It comes from the THEME SET, the rest of which is below (front and back sides).

Oh, and just ‘cuz I love Bo Bunny, I got these “Roughin’ It” CUT-OUTS. Won’t they be cute for camping layouts? This is the front and back …

Okay, I hope you enjoyed the tour inside my Memory Works shipping box, LOL! I’m so excited to get all of it.

If you’d like to order anything from Memory Works, HERE is my website and HERE are some instructions. If you have any questions, please e-mail me at scrapbookobsession(at)gmail(dot)com.

scrapbook blogs scrapbook shopping scrapbook websites

Provo Craft, Maker of Cricut, Sues “Make the Cut”

avatarUpdated on

ETA 4/9/10: Article deleted – please go see Scrapbook Update.com
====

This is why I ultimately never bought or promoted Sure Cuts a Lot (SCAL) or Make the Cut … just felt it was icky and probably illegal (not to use the products, but the products themselves). That’s just my own personal feeling on it … I have no judgment on those who have bought either product, and I know there are tons. I see these two products talked about all the time on scrapbook message boards. If you’re unfamiliar: SURE CUTS A LOT (SCAL) and MAKE THE CUT. From the beginning of both products, I just felt like a lawsuit was a MOT*.

*Translation: A MOT is a Matter of Time. I learned that from my high school bud, Nate, who had really bad tires on his car one time and the other guys were teasing him about it. He said, “Hey, it’s just a MOT.” I’ve found that term highly useful in my life since then. Thanks, Nate!

I’m no lawyer, that’s for sure, and I don’t know if this lawsuit will go anywhere. But right when I saw the headline from Nancy’s article, I was like, “Yeah, it’s about time.” I don’t understand why it’s taken them this long to file suit and why they haven’t gone after SCAL (at least, I don’t think they have). It seems pretty obvious that if a product that’s not sanctioned by Provo Craft is using the Cricut logo (with the little copyright “R” and everything!), and selling a product that bypasses Provo Craft’s, something has got to be wrong.

But what do I know? I’m just a blond scrapbooker, not no stinkin’ attorney. I wish both companies luck in coming to a peaceful resolution :)

What are your thoughts??

scrapbook blogs scrapbook books scrapbook shopping scrapbook websites

Allison Davis Sketch Books and DVD

avatarUpdated on

ALLISON DAVIS has always been one of my favorite scrapbookers. Ali was a member of the 2008 and 2009 Dream Teams for CREATING KEEPSAKES magazine. I always enjoy her layouts in CK and my eye immediately goes to them because she scraps like I scrap. In fact, when she was a guest BLOGGER for CK in July 2009 and described the way she scraps, I could have written the exact same thing about myself:

“I am a two-page, multiphoto kinda gal. Mostly because I take too many pictures and have way too much to say for any other format. I try to fit lots of pictures on my layouts. This can be blamed on my complete lack of control over the photo selection process. It’s just so hard to narrow it down to only a few!”

Her books are called “Sketches for Scrapbooking” and here is more about them, from Alison’s website:

“Each volume of “Sketches for Scrapbooking” contains 30 exclusive sketches designed by Scrapbook Generation’s Debbie Sanders and Allison Davis. All sketches have a key that indicates which areas are stripes, small patterns, large patterns, contrasting cardstock, etc to make paper selection super easy. Photo sizes and paper measurements are included on each sketch.”

You can purchase them HERE. As of now, there are Scrapbooking sketch books, volumes 1 through 5 ($12.99 each) and even a sketchbook for cardmaking ($12.99). The sketchbooks are by Allison Davis and Debbie Sanders, and the cardmaking book is by Stacey Atchley, all from the SCRAPBOOK GENERATION store.

What finally reminded/convinced me to purchase some of these books was THIS thread at 2peas. I love the idea several Peas have posted about how they tear the books apart and sort them in binders by the number of photos per sketch. And here are a couple reviews that really sold me:

“Not only does she give photo dimensions, but also the dimensions for the various paper pieces that are used on the layout along with positioning information.”

“I so love these sketch books! I think I have almost every sketch book made these are the easiest to use and the layouts are so good when completed. They are also the quickest to finish, I have probably finished about 40 pages in the last 6 weeks which is alot for me.”

Holy scrapbooking, Batman! Forty pages in 6 weeks!?!?! That totally rocks. These books remind me of my beloved EASY PATTERNS for SCRAPBOOKING by BRENDA ARNALL that I’ve mentioned MANY TIMES. Of course, I admire and adore the work of those scrappers who can spend hours on one layout and create an artistic masterpiece, but that’s just not how I scrap. I might look at their layout and take one element to use on mine, like a paper flower, a photo arrangement, or a color scheme. But I take so many photos and have so many events, vacations, and other projects I want to scrap, I need to keep it moving. It sounds like these sketch books will be perfect for me.

You can see a preview of her upcoming DVD “Scrapbooking with Allison Davis” HERE and PRE-purchase it HERE ($19.99).

The shipping is ONLY $2.99 no matter how many books you order, so why not order several at once? I just purchased all 5 of the sketchbooks, and plan to get the cardmaking book and DVD in the future. How about you? Do you have these books already or plan to get them?

ETA 4/5/10: I noticed that Melissa/Scrappy Jedi, who left a comment on this entry, has also written a review of these books. Go check it out HERE.

ETAA 4/5/10: I started a THREAD on 2peas to let the girls know they totally enabled me to buy these 5 sketchbooks, and one of the Scrapbook Generation girls posted this: “Is this a good time to tell you that we’ll have volume 6 ready for sale on July 1?” So there’s a heads up for you Allison David sketchbook fans!

ETAA 7/12/12: The plans for the DVD were “scrapped” {bwahahaha … scrapped!} but they have added lotsa’ more sketch books. There are now:
Sketches for Scrapbooking (all two-page layouts): Volumes 1 through 8
Sketches for Scrapbooking: One Page Sketches: Volumes 1 and 2
Sketches for Scrapbook: Travel Sketches
Sketches for Cardmaking: Volumes 1 and 2

Now instead of $12.99, each sketch book is $15.99. They’re still very popular and very much a part of my own scrapbooking. Here is an update from one of the Scrapbook Generation team, who posted it at 2 Peas on 06/17/12:

Several of you are right!

— Of the “regular” Sketches for Scrapbooking double-page books, volume eight is the most current.

— The most recent books are volume one of travel and volume two of Allison’s one-page series, both of which came out in January of 2012.

Our schedule in the past has been to do at least one book every six months, coming out with new books in January and July. We will not be publishing new books this July because we are working on a huge project involving sketches that requires every bit of our time and energy right now. That’s why we’re cutting back on some other time-consuming activities like retreats.

I’m actually dying to tell what the newest project is, but we have to pass a few more hurdles before we do a big announcement. (We learned our lesson with the DVD disaster a couple of years ago!)

When we do finally get to let you in on the secret, I think it will have been worth the wait!

Sounds exciting!

Memory Works scrapbook blogs scrapbook consultant scrapbook websites

Memory Works: April 2010 Express Kit

avatar

I just got my first look at the Memory Works Express (MWE) kit for April 2010 and thought I’d share. Is this stinkin’ adorable or what?

Here are some sample layouts and cards with the “Strawberry Kisses” kit.

I don’t currently get the monthly kit but I’m going to have to break down and buy this one. Come to think of it, I might just join up with a subscription again. I’ve really liked recent months of this kit.

For example, HERE was March 2010 called “Delight” …

THIS was the February 2010 kit called “Mamma Mia” …

And this was the January 2010 kit, “Beginnings.”

Yeah, I need to just break down and subscribe. I love every kit that comes out, and it’s definitely a good deal. Here is some information about the MEMORY WORKS EXPRESS KIT. If you would like to order a single kit, or subscribe for the monthly kit, check out my website HERE. If you have any questions about Memory Works Express, feel free to e-mail me at scrapbookobsession(at)gmail(dot)com.

scrapbook blogs scrapbook books scrapbook shopping scrapbook websites

Scrapbook Novel Review: “Prints Charming”

avatarUpdated on

*** Warning: If you don’t want spoilers to this book, please don’t read my review! ***

As you know, I love SCRAPBOOK NOVELS and recently read “Prints Charming” by Rebeca Seitz (yes, Rebeca with one “c”). I got the book in the mail a few weeks ago, but held onto it so I could read the whole thing on a family trip we just took.

I suck at synopsizing, which reminds me of my school days when I’d much rather write a story than a stinkin’ book report. Anyway, I found a good synopsis at LIBRARYJOURNAL.COM:

—–
Jane Sandburg’s best friend, Lydia, had begged her not to marry Bill, and their friendship ended when Lydia walked out at the wedding. Now, two years later, Jane discovers Bill is cheating on her, and because “a woman couldn’t be a woman without her girlfriends,” she reconciles with Lydia. A year later, Jane, Lydia, and new girlfriend Mac decide to start Sisters, Ink, a business that networks scrapbooking women. When a new man enters Jane’s life, and Bill tries to win her back, Jane has to rely on her “sisters” to help her avoid making another huge mistake. This first novel is a pleasure to read, with likable characters who are bound to return in the next installment of the new “Sisters, Ink” series.
—-

I guess a novel about scrapbooking would have to be really poorly written for me NOT to like it. That said, I really, really enjoyed this book, LOL! It was well-written, entertaining, and interesting. I very much grew to care about the main character, Jane, and all of her scrapbooking friends. I thought the characters were well-drawn and likeable (well, Bill the cad ex-husband was not so likeable, but hey, every story needs a villian, right?).

Scrapbooking was definitely a part of the story. Not only do the women get together and scrapbook regularly (while sharing triumphs and crises), but they’re in the process of starting a scrapbooking website together and we get glimpses of them having ideas and adding them to the site. Jane’s wedding scrapbook also makes several appearances, although at one point she considers destroying it, and I literally said out loud, “NO!” I’m like, “I don’t care if the guy turned out the be a real ass hat. Don’t take it out on the scrapbook!” I just cringed at the thought of all that hard work, creativity, and (gasp!) scrapbook supplies going in the trash. Crikey, Jane, don’t SCARE me like that!

I really enjoyed the love story part of it, too. There’s enough conflict to keep you guessing and, though you figure they’re probably going to end up together at the end, it’s not easy going for the happy couple. They meet as the novel begins (as she rushes to a scrapbook store, natch!) and Rebeca does such a good job of capturing that “I get goosebumps and a funny stomach every time I see you” feeling of new infatuation.

The side stories of the other “Sisters” were also compelling, including an older mother dealing with a troubled daughter, a wife trying desperately to get her husband’s attention away from TV sports (you gotta read just to find out the interesting kind of lingerie she resorts to!), and a young mom trying to adopt a 2nd child. These ladies are multicultural and spiritual. As a Christian, I enjoyed the easy religious tone to the book but if over-religiosity bothers you, this book won’t. It’s done with a pretty light touch and I don’t think anyone would find it annoying.

I think the only thing I’m bummed about is that there isn’t (yet) a “part two” to Prints Charming. The Sisters Ink books begin with a new set of characters, but I wanted to find out what happens with Mac and the preacher. I want to know if the happy couple stayed happy and if their dog and cat are still getting along okay. How are Mari’s daughters doing, and surprise child #3? How does the website take off, and what scrappers do they connect with? See, Rebeca? You gotta write another installment, girl!

Anyway, if this novel sounds interesting to you, I got my copy at AMAZON.COM and more retailers are listed below. You can read more reviews of the book at Amazon also.

If you’d like to read more about Rebeca and her scrapbooking novels: HERE is an excellent article on a Christian media website, which tells a lot about her literary and writing career, and the role spirituality plays in her life.

As I mentioned, the scrapbooker girlfriends in the novel form a website and community dedicated to scrapbookers and bringing them together. The ideas for this fictional website were so good that, as I was reading, I kept thinking they had better really have this place so I could join up when I got home from my trip, LOL. Sure enough, they do! Here is the actual SISTERS INK website. There is a $12 annual sign-up fee, which seems totally reasonable ($1 a month? why not?). I plan to join soon and check out the benefits of the site.

At the Sisters Ink website, I found lots of information about Rebeca and her books, including a list of the FOUR NOVELS which make up the Sisters Ink series. The four novels are:

Sisters Ink
Coming Unglued
Scrapping Plans
Perfect Piece

Apparently, Rebeca first wrote Prints Charming, then was contracted for the four Sisters Ink books which are a series and interrelated, dealing with four adopted sisters from one family. I plan to buy all of them and can’t wait to get started. Ah, my summer reading list!

Copied from the Sisters Ink site, here’s where you can purchase Rebeca’s scrapbooking novels:

—
The Sisters, Ink novels are available for purchase in thousands of bookstores across the country, including Barnes & Noble, Borders, Books-a-Million, LifeWay, Family Christian Stores, Parable-member stores, independent bookstores, Amazon, Christianbook.com, DeeperShopping.com, and some Wal-mart stores. If you cannot find the Sisters, Ink novels in your area or would like to purchase signed copies, feel free to email Rebeca directly at rebeca@sistersink.net .
—

Read Rebeca’s tweets HERE.

Hope you enjoyed my review of “Prints Charming” by Rebeca Seitz!

scrapbook blogs scrapbook magazines scrapbook shopping scrapbook websites

Scrapbook Magazines vs. Papercraft and Cardmaking Magazines

avatar

Of course, we scrapbookers all know about the demise and downturn of scrapbooking magazines in the past few years. We’ve lost Simple Scrapbooks, DIGITAL SCRAPBOOKING, and MEMORY MAKERS. We’ve seen changes to the number of issues with SCRAPBOOKS ETC. and Creating Keepsakes.

For some down and dirty facts, check out this report about the 2009 scrapbook magazine industry … PART ONE, PART TWO, and PART THREE.

When I was at Michaels recently, I noticed that the papercrafting and cardmaking magazines don’t seem to be suffering the same fate. And what the hell is up with that?!?! As “our” magazines dwindle, theirs seem to be multiplying.

Keep in mind that even more magazines are hidden behind the ones that are showing. The magazine rack at Barnes and Noble looks similar.

Admittedly, I haven’t read through the 3 long “state of the industry” articles I linked to above. Maybe the answer is in there, but skimming them, I didn’t find it.

What do you think is going on? Do papercrafting and cardmaking have that many more participants than scrapbooking? Have they not yet hit the bubble and then downslide that the scrapbooking magazines did, but their time is coming? What do you make of this? I honestly can’t scrounge up a good explanation. Please ‘splain it to me, Lucy …

scrapbook blogs scrapbook shopping scrapbook websites

New Albums, K&Co., and Making Memories at Michaels

avatarUpdated on

I was at Michaels last Saturday and thought I’d show you some new things I saw … ‘cuz I know you HATE IT when I enable, LOL :)

Some cute new K&Co. albums …

This is my favorite. I love the fun colors, the photo frame, and the flower accent. I’ll probably never buy it, though. I’m a train wreck with embellished albums. I tend to shove my scrapbooks back on the shelf without care, and would probably shave that pretty flower off in 2 seconds flat. But it’s a pretty album to admire on the Michael’s shelf …

Some more cute scrapbooks but I think I had seen all of these before except for the blue/yellow one on the left. I really like that one, too …

At first, I thought these “Spellbound” letters by MAKING MEMORIES were stickers. When I saw the price of $4.99, I was like WTH? But I picked them up and realized they’re actually chipboard … so the 5 bucks is actually a pretty good deal.

A Halloween page kit by K&Company. I was going to use my 40% off coupon to get this kit, then decided against it. It’s a 2-page layout but had blanks for only 4 photos. Sorry, Charlie, I can’t remember the last time I scrapped only 4 photos on a 2-pager. Especially Halloween, with all those cute costumes, jack o’lanterns, and candy bucket photos. Puh-lease.

Here are some small, medium, and large canvases by K and Company. I propped up the project flyer that shows a way to use the 12×12 canvas. Great project idea and I love the different sizes and colors. The price seems kind of steep to me but what do I know? I’ve never bought a canvas before. Can you buy these over in the Michaels art section or at an art shop for less? Scrapbooking companies are notorious for packaging some common thing as a “scrapbooking product” and then jacking the price up to high Heaven. And I gotta’ admit, I fall for it most of the time. But I’m onto this canvas fraud. Yessiree Bob …

Look at these cute black epoxy punctuation stickers by SANDYLION. Yep, half price, from $2.99 down to $1.49. I got some of these.

K&Co. embellishments. Some of these I’ve seen before but there are also some new ones. Aren’t those butterflies gorgeous?

Sorry for the shadowy, bottom shelf look but, hey, what can I say? They were on a shadowy bottom shelf! An album kit and shadow box kit by K&Co. More butterflies. They remind me of that gorgeous line by Melody Ross for GCD STUDIOS called “ARTSY URBAN“. Here is the entire BLOSSOMWOOD collection by Tim Coffey if you’re interested …

Speaking of butterflies and tricks by scrapbooking companies … why, yes, we WERE speaking of that … keep up, lady, keep up! Here are some butterflies that were not in the scrapbooking aisle; instead, they were over by the home decor. I’m not sure what their intended use is, but I thought they would look grand on scrapbooking layouts. Only $4.99 for up to 12 flutter-bys. You know that if they were packaged and displayed as a scrapbooking item, they would be at least 7 or 8 bucks. Sheesh.

Now on to some Clearance items:

This little boy album kit was originally $24.99, marked down to $9.99 ~ what a deal. There was a similar girl album kit, too, for the same price.

Ooh, blurry, sorry! I must have hiccupped when I took the photo or something. Mr. iPhone has no image stabilization whatsoever. Anyhow, “skins” for the GYPSY were on the Clearance already. I don’t remember seeing them prior to this. Is that the equivalent to “straight to video” when a movie isn’t that great? Gypsy skins, “straight to clearance!”

A whole endcap over by the party supplies was full of this black, lavender, and blue line by COLORBOK. It was all on sale at 2 for $1.

Lastly, all these cute packs of chipboard shapes were also over by the giftwrap. The chipboard is already white, which is nice, although it’s kind of thin. I was thinking some of these could make great mini-albums. Just punch a hole in 1 or 2 corners with your CROP-A-DILE and use some binder rings. Or you could make some fun kids projects with these.

See the large circle on the bottom right? Those are HATS! Idn’t that key-yoot!?!?

This star shape would make a darling mini album. I think with cardstock or patterned paper and photos adhered to each side, it would be sturdy enough.

Hope you enjoyed the Michaels tour. I’m usually in such a rush, I only have time to browse the scrapbooking section. But Saturday I had some time to kill while waiting for a movie to start. It was fun to cruise the entire store at my leisure.

Later this week, I’ll post pics of what I bought. Have you done any Michaels shopping lately?

Memory Works scrapbook blogs scrapbook consultant scrapbook magazines scrapbook shopping scrapbook websites

Memory Works: Spring 2010 Catalog is HERE!

avatarUpdated on

Squeee! I’m SO excited! The new scrapbook items from CHA Winter 2010 have been rolling in to my Memory Works WEBSITE. I’ve been posting about some of them but not all. Here is what we have so far:

AMERICAN CRAFTS including Dear Lizzy, new Thickers, awesome new adhesives, and our NEW line of AC CARDSTOCK! (see my post HERE for the Dear Lizzy)

BASIC GREY Green at Heart and Kioshi (see my post HERE)

BO BUNNY Mamarazzi, Sophie, Flower Child, Paradise, and Roughin It (See my post about Mamarazzi HERE and you KNOW I’m so stinkin’ excited about that one! I already have 2 of each item in my shopping cart … 1 for me, 1 to sell :)

COSMO CRICKET Garden Variety, Material Girl, Joyride, and Tiny Type alphas (I blogged about them HERE)

CRATE PAPER Paper Doll, Brooke, and Pink Plum

JENNI BOWLIN Vintage Buttons and Embellished Butterflies

MY LITTLE SHOEBOX Flying High, Away We Go, Just Add Butter, and All Aflutter (What a great company! They’re completely new to Memory Works and I’m loving all the bright, fun colors)

MY MINDS EYE Jack and Jill, Little Boy Blue, and Little Miss Muffet. We also have all the “Lush” lines … Black Lush, Red Lush, Pink Lush, Brown Lush, Blue Lush, and Green Lush.

TERESA COLLINS BeBe Boy, BeBe Girl, Mr. and Mrs., and Welcome Home

THREE BUGS IN A RUG Great Outdoors, Savannah, Little Chick, and Animal Stackers

*If an item says Out of Stock, that just means it hasn’t arrived in the warehouse yet but is on the way. Please try back soon. If you’re waiting on something specific, e-mail me { scrapbookobsession(at)gmail(dot)com } and I can notify you when it arrives. Most consultants don’t do that, but I DO because I respect your scrapbook jones like no one else does :)

Okay, all of THAT is exciting enough, right?!?! I mean, MAMARAZZI people! Remember when I hoped so badly that Memory Works would carry it and now they DO! I am SO going to find that class kit and make that adorable mini-album with it.

So today home office also released our new Spring 2010 catalog, like, WAY early! We usually don’t get them until late March/early April. I have .pdf downloads (they broke it up into 4 sections for faster download times) and will post those soon.

Better yet, you can order a REAL paper catalog from me and I’ll mail it to ya. {JINGLE, did those cupcakes catch your eye? They are throughout the cattie, LOL!}

Here’s what I’m gonna’ do … I’m going to order 10 catalogs today. They cost me $3 each, and to mail them out costs about $2-3 depending on how far they’re going. Honestly, it’s always been a big money loser for me because I spend about $5 per sent catalog. I just can’t afford to do that anymore, I’m sorry :( But if you would like a catalog (and believe me, you do ~ they are SO pretty in person!), please e-mail me { scrapbookobsession(at)gmail(dot)com } and let me know. I’ll invoice you $4 via Paypal and send it right out. Sound fair? That’s a great price for such a nice piece of eye candy, and way cheaper than those “other” direct sales companies charge, am I right?

Okay, so all this just totally made my day. Let me know if you’d like a catalog or for me to “scrap watch” any items for you. Also, you can order HERE any of the above fabulous new items, not to mention all the existing products we have :)

Have a great Friday, my friends!

scrapbook blogs scrapbook shopping scrapbook websites

QVC Huge Cosmo Cricket Kit at Tuesday Morning

avatar

I’m very sad that QVC doesn’t do scrapbooking shows anymore. Very, VERY sad :( Okay, I had to get that off my chest first.

They do still have lots of SCRAPBOOKING ITEMS on their website, like THIS huge lot of COSMO CRICKET goodies. I remember seeing this as a TSV (Today’s Special Value) a long time ago. I wanted to get it back then because I lurve me some CC, although I passed. Ah, the memories! Watching the great LISA BEARNSON do the presentation, showing us the fabulous projects we could make with it.

These days, you can find this same kit at TUESDAY MORNING. Instead of paying the retail cost of $48.50 plus $7.97 shipping, you can pick it up for a mere $14.99. There are two versions: pink and blue, plus a Christmas version. Some photos of the pink one are HERE.

I went to Tuesday Morning looking for this kit, because of course the Peas had been talking about it. I told myself that if and only if they had the blue version would I buy it. I searched the shelves high and low, pawing through their scrapbooking/craft section, and was unable to find it … at first. I did eventually find it and part of what took so long is that it comes in a brown cardboard box and I guess I was looking for something fancier, LOL. They only had one and guess what color it was??? UH HUH, it was blue. Suh-weet!

Here are some photos of mine:

If you’d like this Cosmo Cricket kit, too, I hope you’re able to find it at your Tuesday Morning! Or that you’ve beat me to it, and already have one ;-)

Memory Works scrapbook blogs scrapbook consultant scrapbook shopping scrapbook websites

Memory Works: New Basic Grey “Green at Heart” and “Kioshi”

avatar

I know a lot of you have been looking for the new CHA RELEASES from BASIC GREY. Well, we now have 2 of the new lines in stock: “Green at Heart” and “Kioshi.” (^^^ Click on the Basic Grey link to buy some).

Here is a tease of the Green at Heart; these are just 3 of the products we carry:

THEME SET

STITCHED BRADS

PIECES

Here are 3 layouts of amazing inspiration from the crazy-talented KELLY GOREE (for Basic Grey).

I’m thinking this line is going to be great for all those Spring photos we have coming up. Seeing the warm orange, grassy green, and pretty pink makes me wish all this rain would go away (or snow for a lot of you, right?). I’m ready for some sunshine and flowers and the smell of fresh cut grass … ah, Spring!

Here is summa that Kioshi (this is just a portion of what we carry):

THEME SET

CANVAS TAGS

POISIES DOILIES

Kioshi makes me think of winter to spring, calm, zen, relax, and unwind. It’s got that Asian vibe, but not so much so that you can’t use it for just about anything. I love the soft color combo on this one. Ultra pretty … Here’s 3 more amazing layouts by Kelly Goree (for Basic Grey) …

Oh my. Kelly is SO scary talented, it amazes me. Year after year, she creates layouts that make you just want to gobble up that BASIC GREY. They are very lucky to have her. Thanks for all the inspiration, Kelly!

Again, if you’d like to purchase some Green at Heart or Kioshi, click HERE to link to my Memory Works website and order away! If you have any questions, e-mail me @ scrapbookobsession(at)gmail(dot)com.

scrapbook blogs scrapbook books scrapbook shopping scrapbook websites

The Popularity of Scrapbook Novels

avatarUpdated on

Check out this REVIEW of a new crafty novel; not scrapbooking per se, but still sounds very interesting, yeah? At the bottom of the article are 2 links that will tell you about scrapbooking novels. HERE is a link to another scrapbook novel and if you scroll down to the “Customers who bought this item also bought” section, you’ll see tons more.

I’m so happy to see the addition of all these scrapbooking novels and mysteries over the years. They combine my 2 favorite hobbies: reading and scrapbooking. In fact, I didn’t realize until I did that search on AMAZON that there were quite so many!

I’ve read all the LAURA CHILDS mysteries, with the exception of Tragic Magic …

… and I’ve read A PAGE OUT OF LIFE…

but I think that’s it. Crikey! I have some major reading to do!

Do you ever read scrapbook-related novels? Why or why not? Which ones have you read, or would like to read?

I wonder if there’s an online book club or group for scrapbook novels. Hmmm … if there isn’t, someone should start one. I would love to have one place to purchase these books to read, then have a message board or chat room to discuss them. ‘Cuz I don’t know anyone in my ‘real life’ that would be caught dead reading a scrapbook novel, LOL! Anyway, just another one of my brilliant ideas (hardy har har …)

scrapbook blogs scrapbook magazines scrapbook shopping scrapbook websites

Pink Paislee’s New Scrapbooking Magazine

avatar

Speaking of PINK PAISLEE, have you seen their new online scrapbooking magazine? It’s HERE. Lot’s of great eye candy, for shizzle. I definitely prefer to read my scrap mags in hard copy, but this one is so colorful, it would kill my printer, so I can’t even print it out (black and white just wouldn’t do it justice either).

But anyway, ignore me and just enjoy the magazine, will ya?

scrapbook blogs scrapbook websites

I {Heart} Scrappy Mail :)

avatar

I have a big, belated *THANK YOU* to say. Like, belated, since early February. My online friend ABBY sent me a box full of scrappy goodness! Just because she’s like that. It was like Christmas in February, I tell ya …

Here is the whole lot of it together. It’s okay to be jealous.

Remember when I blogged about the line by MELODY ROSS for GCD that was sold exclusively at SOME Michaels stores? Well, my Mike’s didn’t carry it and Abby’s did, so she sent me a buncha the 12×12 double-sided sheets! I know!

Here is one side. That large butterfly has black velvet flocking. It’s absolutely GORGE in person!

Here is the other side (the back side of all the above papers) …

Some pretty ribbons, cute chipboard flower embellies, a handmade “thank you” card, and a bunch of journaling cards, etc. by MY MINDS EYE.

Look at all the cute stuff she made me with her CUTTLEBUG and NESTIES! I don’t have either one, so I’m very grateful. She had slyly asked what my favorite colors were to scrap with, and she made exactly what I like :)

She also knows that I love PINK PAISLEE, JENNI BOWLIN, and all this other cute stuff.

Lastly was a fun scrapbooking magazine …

Thank you, Abby. Thank you! Thank you! Sorry it took me so long to say it :)

Do you have pals who send you fun surprises in the mail? When is the last time you surprised someone with scrappy mail to brighten their day? Well, actually, that would be ‘week’ or ‘month’, right? If you don’t have an online scrapbooking friend like this, a lot of the message boards will help you find one …

Memory Works scrapbook blogs scrapbook consultant scrapbook shopping scrapbook websites

Memory Works: “Dear Lizzy” by American Crafts

avatarUpdated on

I haven’t heard excitement over a new line like this for a while. It’s called “Dear Lizzy” by American Crafts and it’s the talk of the message boards and blogs. So happy to find out that MEMORY WORKS now carries it!

Before we get down to that, let’s talk about ELIZABETH KARTCHNER, the designer of this new line. Let me lay it down for ya’ …

~ Elizabeth Kartchner is also know as Lizzy K.

~ She was CREATING KEEPSAKES magazine’s “Scrapbooker of the Year” in 2007.

~ She is a wonderful photographer, has an adorable and fun family, and one of the greatest blogs around (I linked it above).

~ In November 2009, her idea book came out; it’s called “52 MORE SCRAPBOOKING CHALLENGES” {a follow-up to “52 Scrapbooking Challenges” by Elsie Flannigan, both published by Creating Keepsakes … make sense?}. Here’s another LINK to it.

~ She partnered with AMERICAN CRAFTS on a scrapbooking line which was introduced at CHA-Winter 2010, and Lizzy has started a LIZZY K CRAFTS blog to keep us in the loop about it.

And honestly, could she BE any prettier? Funny and cute, too :)

HERE and HERE are looks at the line from when American Crafts showed their sneak peeks of it prior to CHA. I’ve been drooling over it ever since, and am thrilled that the time has come to buy some!

Here are a couple layouts showing what you can do with the Dear Lizzy line …

BY ELIZABETH KARTCHNER, from the American Crafts blog

BY ELIZABETH KARTCHNER, from the American Crafts blog

Do we all want that rose ribbon or what???

Shipments from this line are just coming in to Memory Works, and some items are not “in stock” yet on the website. However, I’m going to list them all in this post anyway because I’m sure everything will be here soon :) Besides, TOTAL EYE CANDY!

If you click on BUY IT, you’re not committed or anything, LOL! It just links you to the item on my MW website so you can see the price and if it’s in stock.

Dear Lizzy by American Crafts – Theme Set
BUY IT


.
.
.

Dear Lizzy by American Crafts – Fabric Paper, “Apricot Afternoon”
BUY IT


.
.
.
Dear Lizzy by American Crafts – Fabric Paper, “Garden Gala”
BUY IT


.
.
.
Dear Lizzy by American Crafts – Clear Stamps, “Warble” large set
BUY IT


.
.
.
Dear Lizzy by American Crafts – “Whistle” small set
BUY IT


.
.
.
Dear Lizzy by American Crafts – Large Fabric Brads
BUY IT


.
.
.
Dear Lizzy by American Crafts – Shiny Flair
BUY IT


.
.
.

Dear Lizzy by American Crafts – Chirp Details
BUY IT


.
.
.

Dear Lizzy by American Crafts – “Lovely” Ribbon
BUY IT


.
.
.
Dear Lizzy by American Crafts – chipboard Thickers, “Bliss” accent in coffee
BUY IT


.
.
.

Dear Lizzy by American Crafts – “Flutter” Dimensional Stickers
BUY IT


.
.
.
Dear Lizzy by American Crafts – “Fancy” Phrase Stickers
BUY IT


.
.
.
Dear Lizzy by American Crafts – “Pounce” Rub-On Phrases
BUY IT


.
.
.
Dear Lizzy by American Crafts – “Fire” Thickers, Pink, Puffy
BUY IT


.
.
.
Dear Lizzy by American Crafts – “Bliss” Thickers, Coffee, Glitter
BUY IT


.
.
.
So, are you a fan of Elizabeth Kartchner’s? What do you think of her new line? Ya gonna buy* or “wish list” any of it? Here’s my Top 5:

1. Theme set … I need a little bit o’ all those papers.
2. “Lovely” ribbons … Got to have that rose ribbon fo’ sho’.
3, Thickers “Bliss” chipboard accents … Love that they are glittered.

Oh, and both sets of Thicker letters, of course, but those are a given, a staple, a ‘must have so why bother wish-listing it’ kind of item.

* Truly, NO pressure whatsoever to buy it from me {Go LSS! Go 2peas! I support them all!}, but if you’re planning to, don’t wait too long. I have a feeling it will sell out fast. If the listing says “Out of Stock,” it means we haven’t gotten it from the vendor yet. Once it’s sold out, the listing will disappear. Let me know if you have any questions: scrapbookobsession(at)gmail(dot)com K, bye!

scrapbook blogs scrapbook books scrapbook organization scrapbook shopping scrapbook websites

Scrapbookers, Studios, and Stashes: We Are NOT Alone

avatarUpdated on

I was in Michaels last weekend, looking for something coupon-worthy, and also looking for the April issue of SCRAPBOOK ETC. magazine, which the Peas had told me HERE is now available (bummer … most of the reviews are not favorable).

Darn if I couldn’t find SBE, but I did come across the gorgeous publication WHERE WOMEN CREATE. It’s a nice, thick, beautifully done magazine … well, more like a scrapbook idea book except that you get studio ideas instead of layout ideas.

At $14.95, it’s a bit rich for my blood considering it would be total eye candy for me, unlike a $15 idea book that I would actually use over and over. Anyhow, it comes out quarterly and I like to flip through it when I see it at Mike’s or BARNES AND NOBLE (they have the hardcover book of WWC, too!).

I’m always hoping to see a scrapbooker or at least a cardmaker and their studio featured, but so far I’ve come up empty. Hmmm … I wonder if they really haven’t chosen to profile a paper crafter, or if I’ve just missed it somehow. It’s entirely possible that I’ve missed it, which would be my fault since I’m too cheap to buy the magazine/book and “cheat” by flipping through it at the store. This issue did feature THE PAPER SOURCE, which is at least on the right track :)

Another thing I wish they would do is designate what type of artist each woman is, both in the Table of Contents and on the intro or title page to each artist. Again, if they DO do that and I’ve missed it, I apologize. But if I’m missing it every time, it can’t be that obvious, LOL! The cover gives the names of the artists inside and sometimes even the company they’re associated with, but just by a listing of names, I don’t know if any of them are scrapbookers/papercrafters. I mean, I’m pretty up on all the popular scrappers but I don’t know EVERYONE, sheesh.

One studio I flipped past was that of a knitter. I was stopped cold by a photo of her “Wall of Yarn.” It was all stacked by color in a large wall shelf, an Ikea EXPEDIT or similar. My first thought was, “But this magazine is about personal studios. Why do they have a photo of a store in here?” Then a second later, I realized, “Ah, that probably IS a personal studio!” But that lady had a shite-load of yarn!

Then I laughed so hard at myself (Bwahahaha! The other Mike’s customers were probably fittin’ to dial Mental Health for me … ), because I realized that that’s what people ~ non-scrappers, especially ~ must automatically think when they see MY scrap space. “Why does she have a scrapbook store in her house?” LOL Who could blame them? Instead of a Wall O’ Yarn, I have a Half Wall O’ Paper, a Bookcase O’ Idea Books, and Jars O’ Flowers, Ribbon, and Letters.

First, I was embarrassed. Oh. My Gosh. How embarrassing to realize that people who visit my home and peek into my office wonder why I have a scrapbook store. But then after I stopped internally blushing, I felt better. You know why? Because after flipping through Where Women Create all these times, I’ve seen some crazy, huge, awesome, expensive, fully-stocked, storelike studios of women who do all kinds of crafty and creative things … photography, art dolls, sewing, graphic arts, quilting, etc. And I realized something very comforting and very important.

We are not alone.

Scrapbookers aren’t the only ones so obsessed with supplies that it takes entire rooms to hold and organize them. We aren’t the only who live for Ikea and it’s plethora of crafty-friendly storage items. We aren’t the only women who find solace and comfort in our craft, who consider our creative spaces to be a haven, a place where we can go and truly be ourselves.

We are not alone. And that’s pretty great, isn’t it?

Aren’t we all so very blessed?

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...