I mentioned HERE that “True Scrap 5” classes would become available to purchase individually on 12-09-13. Well, that date is here so it’ s time to party!
Regularly priced at $12.95, these classes are marked down to $9.99 just through Christmas, 12-25-13. Sounds like the perfect “Merry Christmas to MEEEEEEE!!” present if I ever heard of one, don’t you think?
Each class includes:
-Project video
-Hour-long “like you were there” video (including Q&A and chat)
-Supply list
-Project photos and/or handout if available
If you would like more information before deciding on some True Scrap 5 classes, check out my prior blog entries HERE, HERE, and HERE. Or if you go up to the Search bar and type in True Scrap, you’ll find all the entries I’ve done on the various True Scrap events including class reviews.
I know many of us get too busy to scrap during the holidays or we have to put our stuff away to make room for the tree and gifts. That’s when I especially love to get scrapbook classes – no muss, no fuss, but you stay in touch with your favorite hobby. And that can be better than a glass of wine to help you relax and de-stress :)
Hope you’re able to stuff your stocking with some fun classes!
With holiday shopping in full swing, it’s fun to see all the great deals being offered for scrapbookers! I noticed 2 on Amazon today and thought I’d share. They’re having Cyber Monday Deals Week and the star of the first page is this Silhouette Cameo Starter Kit Bundle for $194.99 with FREE shipping.
I don’t have one of these beauties {yet} and don’t really follow the prices but it says that the retail on this would be $344.95 so that’s a savings of $150 = wow!
You can get it for the same price in black if that’s your preference.
I know from experience that these prices won’t last long. In fact, it says the Silhouette bundle special is good for today only. I’m not sure about the Selphy but in the past, once people start ordering them, the price went up. That’s how Amazon rolls, my friends …
So happy shopping if either of those are on your Scrappy Christmas List!! Would love to hear if you snag one of them! Or {ahem} both ;)
If you hadn’t already heard, MEMORY WORKS is closing effective 12-31-13. I wrote about the sad saga HERE. So this month is my last hurrah, so to speak :(
I wanted to let you know that “Daily Grind”, the newest line from SIMPLE STORIES is in stock and you can see it all HERE.
I already have some Daily Grind in hand myself. Wanna’ see? I got a sampling of the loose papers, Elements papers, and the Simple Elements chevron papers. I’m showing you the front and back sides of the papers. I also got the bingo card paper, Sn@p Cards, and Sn@p Cuts.
How about some “Daily Grind” inspiration from the Simple Stories DT?
**BY TONYA**
**BY MELISSA STINSON**
**BY EMILY LANHAM**
**BY VICKI BOUTIN**
If I’ve convinced you of its pure beauty and necessity in your life, I’d really appreciate one last order from ya’ :) Just check it out HERE, then e-mail me with your order: scrapbook obsession(at)gmail(dot)com.
I’ll send you a Paypal invoice right away and once that’s cleared, Memory Works will ship “Daily Grind” {or any other scrappy goodness that falls into your cart} straight to you from the home office in Utah within 1-2 business days.
ARCHIVER’S scrapbooking chain sent out this e-mail recently. I’m not on their mailing list so I copied it from a posting online; I apologize for the lovely ‘chopped up’ quality :)
I’m on the West Coast and have never been to an Archiver’s, altough shopping there is on my Scrapbook Bucket List :) I’m rarely even in an LSS anymore – all of mine closed years ago – so the thought of being in a scrapbooking warehouse of sorts is pretty exciting! Alas, I’ll have to cross 2 large states to reach the closest one!
Archiver’s Locations:
But when added to their BANKRUPTCY NEWS from the recent past {where the irony of them shafting some of those small manufacturers they now propose to support has been mentioned} and now this e-mail, it’s starting to feel like another thing I’ll have to remove from the Bucket List as impossible {like seeing The Oprah Show in person, boo hoo}. In other words, I have to wonder: Will Archiver’s even be around by the time I can travel to one?
The message boards are blazing with reaction to the above Archiver’s e-mail. Here’s the gist of some of the comments, both good and bad:
– Archiver’s is clearly NOT a small business and trying to cast themselves as part of Small Business Saturday was tacky and unwarranted. While they ARE a small chain {33 stores} in comparison to big boxes MICHAELS {1000+ stores} and HOBBY LOBBY {800+ stores}, they do not meet the definition of a small business {25 locations or less; they missed it by 7}. Personally, I don’t read that they think they ARE a small biz, just that their continued existence helps to keep ‘small biz’ scrapbooking vendors alive. And that they are similar in many ways to a small business in that their home office and individual store staffs are relatively small. I was surprised to hear that only 30 home office employees run a chain of 33 stores; I had pictured a much bigger ‘corporate headquarters’ type of set-up.
– Archiver’s in the past seemed to be practicing “Goal: World Scrapbooking Domination”, putting stores in close proximity to local scrapbook stores {LSS’s}, which many feel was a targeted and successful attempt to shut the smaller stores down. So isn’t it ironic that they now would like to cast themselves as a ‘small business’ or small business supporter?
– Archiver’s has made other business mistakes – like employees who seem to lack scrapbooking knowledge or interest, installing Memory Labs in their stores which don’t seem overly popular, must’ve been hugely expensive, and take up lots of store space that used to hold product, etc. So to send this e-mail that seems to imply that it’s the customers’ faults that Archiver’s is struggling is like a slap in the face.
– Scrappers who do have Archiver’s stores nearby enjoy shopping there, feel they offer something special, and they try to support them with their dollars. Shoppers realize that if we as customers don’t show our support, i.e., spend our scrappy dollars there, we simply won’t have them as a choice eventually. And no one wants that :(
– The e-mail from Archiver’s didn’t bother some scrapbookers at all. They either found it harmless, just the truth being spoken, a necessary cry for help, etc.
Please remember, I stated these are not MY opinions per se, just a compilation of things I’ve seen expressed on the message boards.
Again, as someone who’s never shopped at Archiver’s, I can’t comment on their business practices, their employees, etc. But I can say that if I DID have an Archiver’s within driving distance, I would be there as much as possible. I do have other loyalties to keep with my scrapbooking dollar {as a MEMORY WORKS consultant since 2007, a lot of my dollars have gone there obviously … but they are closing effective 12-31-13} and other places I like to buy basics {Michaels, etc.}.
But I personally wouldn’t take offense to the Archiver’s e-mail. It would’ve opened my eyes to the dire straits they appear to be in, and would’ve renewed my interest in and commitment to shopping there. Hoping it wouldn’t be too little, too late for “us” to save them …
Are you an Archiver’s customer? What has been your experience with Archiver’s? Did the e-mail bother you or no? Do you think Archivers is on its way to closing down?
Even if you don’t have an Archivers close enough to shop at, I’d love to hear your opinions on this issue. Like THIS post I wrote a while back, scrapbooking stores, manufacturers, and customer support is an issue that’s going to keep coming up as more stores continue to fight to stay in business in these tough times … or give up when it’s no longer possible.
Do we as scrapbookers “owe” anything to these retailers? And if we don’t monetarily support them, are you okay if they close?
Here’s the thing I’ve noticed about True Scrap events. I tell you about the early bird specials and you say to yourself, “Yeah, that sounds fun. I’m busy though. I’ll sign up later when it gets closer.” But then the special prices go away – like Black Friday, the BEST price you’re going to get on “True Scrap Pocket Page”, I promise.
Before you know it, it’s late December, then January, and you keep hearing people talk about this cool TS event. When you have time, you go to sign up and guess what? The specials and early birds are over and True Scrap is now “too expensive.” And you kick yourself for not signing up when the price was affordable. Like RIGHT NOW TODAY.
Only $47 after the $100 Black Friday discount. At $47 divided by 6 classes = $7+ per class. That, my friend, is a bargain. So please don’t wait and then kick yourself later, mmm kay? I mean, who wants the bruises? Not me, sista’! I just signed up myself and I expect to see you there in class :)
Here is a message from True Scrap organizer Lain Ehmann:
We know you’re being inundated with specials today, but we just HAD to throw one into the mix. As you may have heard, our next big event is True Scrap Pocket Pages in January. And this weekend, you actually get your choice:
…Over $100 off OR
…a savings of 68%
Actually, it’s a trick question because right now you don’t HAVE to choose… you can save $100 on True Scrap Pocket Pages, which just happens to be 68% off. We’re tricky like that. :)
That’s right: For the next few days you can get the LOWEST price available for a day of fun on January 25, 2014. We’ll bring you teachers like Layle Koncar, Traci Reed, Marcy Penner, and MORE in our first-ever True Scrap Pocket Pages event. And it’s all live, all recorded, all from YOUR computer.
And sign up now through midnight on Monday, Dec. 2, 2013 to save BIG.
You’ll get…
-SIX video classes
-A round-table live Q&A discussion with some rockin’ PL/pocket page designers
-Recordings of EVERYTHING
-And a few other bonuses!
No coupon. No stress. No fuss. Just pure, unadulterated SAVINGS.
This price is the absolute LOWEST price for TSPP including for ScrapHappy family members, True Scrap Alums, and my favorite sister. This is it, my friends!
The savings are good through Monday, Dec. 2, but if you sign up before midnight tonight (on Black Friday, 11/29), we have an extra-special bonus for you. You’ll get “Phoning It In: Using Cell Phone Photos Effectively,” a one-hour video class from Tami Morrison, absolutely FREE! It’s chock-full of fab tips for pocket and traditional scrapbooking and it’s yours for NADA, but only if you sign up for TSPP by midnight TONIGHT.
You’re going to love True Scrap Pocket Pages – we guarantee it!
Now go get that $20 flat screen TV from Wal-Mart you’ve been camping out for. :)
xo
Lain the Red-Nosed Reindeer
PS The $100 savings is good through 12/2, but the special free class is good ONLY today! Don’t delay!
So how do you like that?!? Not only $7 per class but a relevant, free class thrown in, too! It’s a great deal, fer shizzle. Hope to see you in class!
PS: If you are decidedly NOT going to attend this True Scrap event, I’d love to hear why. Are pocket pages just not your thang? Too much for the budget? And I’d love to hear if you DO sign up, too! Just leave a comment below :)
I read on Courtney Walsh’s blog today that her third novel, “A Sweethaven Christmas” is only 99 cents for Kindle! Woot! I love when scrapbook novels go on sale :) You can get it HERE
She doesn’t say when it expires so I wouldn’t hesitate – just DO it!
Here’s the synopsis from Amazon:
The women of Sweethaven are reunited for a small-town Christmas!
It’s holiday time in Sweethaven, but things don’t go quite as planned for these scrapbookers. Lila is thrown for a loop when a woman claiming to be her sister arrives in town. As she begins digging into the woman’s claims, Lila uncovers things about her family she may never be able to accept or forgive.
And after the girls find an old scrapbook on Adele’s bookshelf, she is reminded of her first love, a Sweethaven boy whose heart she broke so many years ago. With help from modern technology, Adele arranges a reunion with this man. And when Campbell sees Luke with a ring, she isn’t sure whether to be happy or terrified. Are wedding bells in her future? For Jane and Meghan, Sweethaven is filled with the promise of something new—as well as good friends, a new scrapbook and a little holiday magic!
In case you want to read Courtney’s 2 other scrapbook novels, here they are:
A faded scrapbook reveals secrets that reconnect old friends in a place called Sweethaven. Campbell Carter has come to Sweethaven in search of answers about her mother’s history. Just before losing a battle with cancer, Suzanne Carter sent letters to childhood friends from her hometown of Sweethaven, Michigan. Suzanne’s three friends — Lila, Jane, and Meghan — haven’t spoken in years, yet each has pieces of a scrapbook they made together as girls. Suzanne’s letters have lured them all back to the idyllic lakeside town, where they meet Campbell and begin to remember what was so special about their long Sweethaven summers. As the scrapbook reveals secrets from the past, old wounds are mended, lives are changed, and friendships are restored — just as Suzanne intended. A Sweethaven Summer is the first book in the Sweethaven series, followed by A Sweethaven Homecoming and A Sweethaven Christmas.
An autumn surprise brings an old friend back to Sweethaven… The Sweethaven Circle is back—and so is the friend they thought they’d never see again! Country music star Meghan Rhodes has moved on with her life, leaving Sweethaven and its painful memories in the past. But when she is confronted on national television with her ex-husband’s plan to file for sole custody of their twins, Meghan takes the first flight home, back to the charming lakeside town full of regrets and relationships that need mending. As Meghan searches for forgiveness—as well as the ability to forgive—she is overcome with the need to make things right with her children, her ex-husband, her mother and even the friends she’d convinced herself she no longer needed. But is she too late? The Sweethaven Circle is together again as Meghan works with Campbell, Jane, Lila, and Adele to begin a new scrapbook for memories yet to be made. A new chapter in the Sweethaven series, A Sweethaven Homecoming explores the strong bonds of friendship, the power of forgiveness and the importance of unconditional love.
Now, I don’t want to hear any excuses like, “But but but but … I don’t HAAAAVE a Kindle! Boo hoo, poor me.” Because you don’t even need a Kindle to read it, see? You can download the Kindle app for free to your iPhone, Droid, iPad, computer, etc. Or you can get it for Nook. Or if you hate those e-reader thingees, you can get the paperback copies for a reasonable price :)
So most of us have a nice long Thanksgiving weekend coming up here. How about snuggling up with these 3 wonderful scrapbooking novels, a cozy blanket, and a nice cup of tea or Joe? Sounds super good to me! Goodness knows we’re going to be too tired from all the cooking, cleaning, and tryptophan to do much else. Lawdee.
I’ve read “Sweethaven Summer” and, because I need to read things in order, looks like I’ll have to get “Sweethaven Homecoming” {$7.69 for Kindle right now, not bad}, and then I can get to “Sweethaven Christmas” which I just picked up. I mean, 99 cents . . . what, am I crazy?
Have you read any of the Sweethaven novels? Reviews welcomed! Which ones are you going to pick up now?
If you watched CreativeLIVE like I did and fell in love with all those Project Life mini albums … like I did … and now you have to buy 1 or 7 . . . like I do . . . Well, there are a ton of them right HEREon Amazon.
I’m thinking about this one because I want to do THIS with it and it will match the materials exactly:
And several of these to do a series of family weddings – wouldn’t that be cool!
{Sorry if the pics are really big on your screen. The PL store is being worked on right now and the Amazon images are huge}.
I’m also thinking of getting one – don’t know which color yet, maybe Rain or Cinnamon – to showcase the 80 best photos from my Mediterranean cruise – Italy, Spain, N. Africa, Malta, etc. in 2006. You know, the one where I’ve scrapped about 20 layouts but most of the amazing photos are still sitting in a box and I never look that them? That one.
Unfortunately, Michaels doesn’t carry these nor do other big box stores that I’m aware of (please correct me if you’ve seen them!) so we can’t use our 40% off coupons :(
But here’s a little good news:
Plus PRIMEmembers get free shipping and it will be here tomorrow :) Or non-Prime, there is free shipping over $35. Oh DARN! You have to get 2 mini albums. Darn it all to heck ;)
I’ll bet these albums are SUPER popular after CreativeLIVE, don’t you think? She showed so many great examples and really got our wheels turning. I love how they’re so compact, even the ones she showed that were full – they didn’t fan out or anything.
A set number of pages {20 pages hold 80 photos + 80 cards} usually makes me kind of skeeved out but I figure I’ll just spread the photos I have throughout the album first, then go back and fill in with journaling and design cards.
Anyhoo . . . just wanted to share where you can get the Project Life mini albums. A lot of scrappers are asking on the forums. What colors are you getting and what will you use them for?
So you can imagine my excitement when at a recent scrapinar, Lain hinted at a NEW True Scrap event coming up that was centered around pocket page scrapbooking. Couldn’t wait for more details. Welllll, now they’re here!!!
Please click on ^^that^^ link to learn all about the event – when, instructors, cost, sponsors (i.e., who is providing all the awesome PRIZES}, etc.
You also need to go there because if you sign up for the True Scrap Pocket Pages e-mail list using my link, you’ll receive early bird notification of a DISCOUNT CODE that will make attending a no-brainer.
All you have to do is CLICK HERE, my pocket page sistah!
Can’t wait, can’t wait, can’t wait! Would it be wrong to wish the holidays would pass quickly so I can get to my pocket page True Scrap?!?! Yeah, probably, huh?
Well, if lovin’ pocket pages is wrong, I don’t wanna’ be right!
Have a great week, my loves … :)
PS: Speaking of pocket page scrapping, Simple Stories “Daily Grind” has arrived in the Memory Works store!! Please take a look, fall in love <3, and e-mail your order to me: scrapbookobession(at)gmail(dot)com. I'll send you a Paypal invoice ASAP and we'll get some Daily Grind on the way to you faster than I can slurp down a cup of coffee on a cold morning. AKA fast!
I love the “Honey” kit so much, I wrote a blog post here about it being my all-time favorite. And if you click on that link above, you’ll see the one and only Amazon review I’ve ever written. What a scrap goober, LOL!
There are discounts on some other Project Life items at Amazon but the “Honey” and “Kraft” kits are at by far the largest discount. I noticed that the “Rain” and “Jade” kits are $6 off which, for those of us who can’t get those kits at Michaels, is a good deal.
I already have the “Honey” and “Kraft” kits so I’m trying to think of someone I can gift for Christmas. And I’m tempted by “Rain” … it’s one of the few kits I don’t have (gulp!). It’s just that I hate to pass up such an amazing deal. Ya’ feel me?
If you watched CreativeLIVE all weekend like I did, I know you’re jacked to get lots of Project Life scrappin’ done now, am I right? If I know Amazon, these prices will creep back up soon so if you’re going to get them, please don’t hesitate.
… I would recommend watching. HERE is a link. {If the video is choppy for you, change Best to 480p in the bottom right of the screen}.
Right now {Saturday @ 10:45 PST}, it’s still the first session. She was talking about how Project Life came about for her, what problems she was trying to solve as a busy working woman, etc.
Even if you don’t do or “get” PROJECT LIFE, I highly recommend watching this FREE* series. They talk about memory keeping in general, the feelings and reasons behind it, and multiple ways to capture our beautiful lives.
Also:
– digital photography, getting better more meaningful pictures, iPhone photography
– organization for actual photos, digital photos, memorabilia, art work and homework, etc.
– much more
I have other things to do around here today but I plan to have it running in the background. I had it running in a window this week next to my work window so I’ve already caught most of it. But there is so much to learn here … plus I just love hearing people talk about scrapbooking! She tears up several times as do some of the audience members – one of my favorite things is hearing the emotional ties we have to this amazing hobby.
I have to say … I’m a real Becky fan after watching this series. For all the griping that may go on about product errors, company growing too fast, etc., she’s just a real person, a real mom, going through all the same things we are, trying to do her best. Her love of family and memory keeping is so palpable and I really relate to that on a deep level.
*It’s on a free rebroadcast right now but I think this is our last chance to watch it for free. It’s an amazing opportunity. To purchase this course, it’s either $99 or $149 depending upon when you buy it.
Are you watching? Please leave a comment about what you think of it!
Scrapbooking with Project Life
Preserving your best memories doesn’t need to keep you from making new ones! Join memory keeping maven Becky Higgins for a 3-day workshop on her famous Project Life® scrapbooking system. Cultivating a good life doesn’t require endless weekend hours glued to your glue stick. Becky will show you how to more…
Instructor: Becky Higgins
Length: 3 Day Workshop from 9AM to 4PM
Starts: Wednesday, 11/20/2013
at 9AM Los Angeles time
HERE is an information page. It’s free to watch live, like all of the events at creativeLIVE, but if you decide you want to purchase the forever-videos of this course, it’s $99 for a couple of days, then goes up to $149.
We are 30 minutes in and I’m loving it! Just wanted to share in case you would like to join in :) Please leave a Comment below if you do!
I’ve been asked many times when the TRUE SCRAP 5 online scrapbooking classes will be available “a la carte.” In other words, when will they be available to purchase just the individual classes you want instead of the entire event?
WELLLLLL….
I was attending Lain’s online scrapinar this evening and she told us the date: Monday, 12-09-13!
If you’re reading this, going “what in the Sam Hill is she talking about?!” … I blogged about it HERE. Or you can click on THIS LINK to the True Scrap 5 site. Or, heck, do both. I mean, you want to be fully informed and educated on True Scrap 5 before you plunk down your money, right? Right.
Thank you so much to all who participated by leaving comments on that blog entry and were entered to win. You scrappers came up with such interesting questions to ask Laura, who I’ll be interviewing soon!
I used Random.org to generate a number and now it’s time to announce the winner:
jackie November 6, 2013 at 10:29 pm
love her books! I have her first 3/4 and need to get the ones that came after that..and would love to win this one! thanks for giving us a chance.
jackie from beautiful southwest Virginia
Jackie has been notified and is super excited to receive the book. Jackie, I hope you’ll stop by with a review once you’ve finished reading! I hope to post a review as well.
If you’d like to purchase your own copy of this book, you can find it RIGHT HERE.
YAY! Love scrapbook novels! Love giving them away! Happy Day :)
I saw THIS on Elise Blaha’s blog and thought I’d share. If you’re not familiar with Elise, she designed the “MIDNIGHT” and “SEAFOAM”
Project Life kits.
For only $7, you get a full envelope of scraps and ephemera = HAPPY MAIL!!
Just thought I’d share. Have a Fantabulous Friday :)
Right now {and I don’t know how long this lasts so hurry!}, the Selphy is only $60 with FREE shipping. Unbelievable deal. This printer usually retails for $100.
New wireless capabilities lets you print right from your computer, iOS and Android devices
Light, compact body and an optional battery makes it easy to take this printer with you
Preview your images on the built-in 2.7-inch tilt-up LCD
Enhance your photos with the improved “Portrait Image Optimize”
Print water resistant photos that last up to 100 years in just 47 seconds
*If you would like to see the full specs on the Selphy, HERE is the Canon webpage.
The only choice you need to make is do you want it in black or white?
Here’s what the printer looks like when the tray is open.
It still takes up very little desk space. I also love how portable it is. I was cropping last weekend on the road and I really could’ve used one of these. I had my iPhone and laptop with me and could’ve printed photos while there and scrapped them or gotten more Project Life done.
I seriously considered buying one while there and called the local Best Buy. But when I heard the price tag {$100}, I had to pass. Plus they only had the black in stock and I really want it in white.
So, yes, I do have big love for my old EPSON PICTUREMATE PM 260. It has its benefits over the Selphy for sure – but the Selphy has features that the Epson doesn’t. I’ve been resisting a Selphy for years now – do I really need 2 portable printers? – but I may just have to give in at this price!
I’m “picturing” (ha ha) Thanksgiving and Christmas events where I could bring this (you can run it on batteries) and everyone could print photos from their smart phones. Sounds so fun! And think how easy 30 Days of Thankfulness, December Daily, and Project Life could be this busy time of year with this great tool.
What do you think? Are you tempted by such a great price on the Selphy? If you “need” one, HERE is the link again ;)
If you get one, I’d love to hear which color you chose and also if you got any ink, paper, etc.
I just wanted to say: “Welcome back, Fancy Pants. Welcome back.”
I used to love FP back in the day. When I first started with MEMORY WORKS in 2007 and for a year or two thereafter, I used to lub me some Fancy Pants. They were one of my biggest selling brands.
Then I don’t know what happened but they fell off my radar. First off, I didn’t hear about them much anymore. Secondly, when I did come across a Fancy Pants line, I didn’t care for it. Too busy, too doodle-y, too much. Weird color combos, some kind of jarring. Just not my style anymore.
And my FP love was restored. Like magic. Rich colors, simpler designs, no doodles, and a fresh look that I haven’t seen in any other Christmas line from 2013.
I didn’t link the images because they were so small when I tried. But do go look at the link above and see what I’ve fallen in love with. They also have a new line called “BELOVED” shipping December 2013 which doesn’t do much for me, but then I’m never much into Valentine’s lines. You?
What do you think? Had you lost the love for Fancy Pants only to discover it again? Or have you always like their lines?
Okay, this is going on my list for Scrapbook Santa!
It’s time for another Santa Sack Sale by one of my favorite companies, OCTOBER AFTERNOON!
Week 1 begins 11-11-13 and there is one per week for 5 weeks, continuing into December 2013. I know that in past years, scrappers have bought all 5 Santa Sacks. Man, it must’ve been crowded under their Christmas trees {she said, extremely jealously … }
They’re also offering a Stamp Sack beginning 12-16-13. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think the Stamp Sack is a first this year. Great news for all you stampers! OA has some wicked cute stamp sets.
I blogged about a past Santa Sack Sale HERE. If you’d like to see what kinds of things were in past Santa Sacks, there are tons of videos on YouTube.
I have to pass because I’ve been doing some other shopping lately, including a trip to HOBBY LOBBY while traveling. Will you buy an OA Santa Sack (or five) this year? Please do show us your loot if you!
Here is some information about the book and the author:
Scrapbook Store Owner Moonlights as Amateur Sleuth in Gilt Trip
Carmela Bertrand, heroine of the New York Times bestselling Scrapbooking Mysteries series, is one busy lady. Her scrapbook store, Memory Mine, is not only a haven for papercrafters but also a destination for New Orleans’ elite looking for custom cards and announcements for their society events. She has a handsome police officer boyfriend, and a social calendar filled with the city’s best social events. And, as if that weren’t enough, in her spare time – Carmela solves crimes!
For her accomplishments, the Romantic Times awarded Carmela Bertrand their Reviewers’ Choice “Best Amateur Sleuth” award for 2012, for the 10th book in the Scrapbooking Mysteries series, Postcards from the Dead.
In the newest installment in the series, Gilt Trip, Carmela attends a fancy ‘Get Out of Jail Free’ party for New Orleans business tycoon Jerry Earl Leland. But in the swirl of champagne, Zydeco music, and bad behavior, poor Jerry Earl is murdered and stuffed inside a clothes dryer. Since Carmela discovered the body, the grieving widow latches onto her and begs for help in solving the crime.
Halfway between a cozy and a thriller, Gilt Trip offers mystery and romance, in a setting peppered with scrapbooking references, and steeped in the sights, sounds, and smells of the French Quarter and its intriguing residents. In case all of the book’s decadent cajun meals make you hungry, there’s recipes for Big Easy Brownies, Cajun Chicken, and Crockpot Meatloaf.
Gilt Trip, the 11th book in the New York Times bestselling Scrapbooking Mysteries series, was released in hardcover by Berkeley Prime Crime Books on October 1st (2013). Postcards from the Dead, the series’ 10th book, was released the same day in paperback.
About the Author: Laura Childs is the author of the New York Times bestselling Tea Shop Mysteries, Cackleberry Club Mysteries, and Scrapbooking Mysteries series. She’s been making scrapbooks, cards, memory boxes and collaged cigar box purses for 15 years and describes her creative style as varying from conservative to funky. She’s also a believer that “the more layers the better” in her projects.
I’ll have the opportunity to interview the author, Laura Childs, which is also very exciting! I want to ask her questions that YOU want to know the answers to so I figured – why not tie the contest and interview together?
HOW TO ENTER BOOK GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment below with a question that you would like to ask of “Gilt Trip” author Laura Childs. That’s it, easy as pie. No Twitter, no Rafflecopter helicopter stuff, just a comment. For reals.
DEADLINE: Sunday, November 10, 2013 at midnight PST
*Open to mailing addresses in the US only
Please make sure when leaving a comment that it includes a way to reach you if you win – a link to your blog, your e-mail, etc. Winner will be selected by random draw. Thanks and good luck!
PS: If you’re too anxious to wait for the giveaway (or would prefer a Kindle version instead of a hard copy), the book is available NOW for sale RIGHT HERE. If you’d like to check out the 10 other Scrapbooking Mysteries by Laura Childs, you can find them all HERE. Happy Scrappy Reading!!
As I posted here yesterday, the scrapbook company I’ve been a consultant for since 2007 is closing their doors effective 12-31-13. They also own Simple Stories and want to focus on that part of their business.
What that means is a HUGE CLOSEOUT SALE – hey, at least something good comes of it, right?
Effective November 2, 2013 all products will be clearance priced at an additional 30% discount. There will be no further reduction in price. As products sell out they will not be reordered or replaced.
Please take a look and if there’s anything you’d like to order for 30% OFF (even Clearance!), e-mail your order to me at: scrapbookobsession(at)gmail(dot)com
I will send you a Paypal invoice ASAP. Once payment is received, your order will be sent from the MW warehouse in Utah straight to you! They normally ship within 1-2 business days of order completion – although I’d allow a bit of extra time as they are flooded with orders.
I’ve been checking the MW site and don’t see the discount but please know that EVERYTHING* is 30% off. When I put things into my cart as a consultant, the discount is definitely showing. I’m off to order some goodies myself!
*NOTE: The Sn@p! albums and pages are not showing the discount and it being Saturday, there’s no one in home office for me to ask. If you want Sn@p! albums for 30% off, please send me an e-mail and I’ll find out Monday ~ thanks!
ETA 11-04-13: Apparently, the Sn@p! albums and page protectors are NOT part of this sale – sorry! But all of the Simple Stories lines and Sn@p! lines ARE part of the 30% off sale.
First come, first served and once it’s gone, it’s gone! MW carries all the major brands; here is just a sample of what we have:
SIMPLE STORIES “Everyday” Sn@p! Cards
BELLA BLVD “Daily Chevies”
GLITZ DESIGNS “Hello December”
MY MINDS EYE “Chalk Studio”
This is my last hurrah as a Memory Works Consultant. I would really appreciate your order :)
for $194.99 with FREE shipping.
for only $67.99 with FREE shipping. This printer retails for $99.99 so that’s another amazing deal. 
on Amazon.
members get free shipping and it will be here tomorrow :) Or non-Prime, there is free shipping over $35. Oh DARN! You have to get 2 mini albums. Darn it all to heck ;)
and 
