Weekend Crop is Underway

The ladies at our weekend crop are having a great time... Liz and Sarah got the crowd going this evening, and we gave away some great prizes. One more day to go, we start up again with breakfast in the morning, opening early at 10am. See you then!

New Week, New Stuff!

Yes, it all begins.  Can you believe, after only being back a week, we already have shipments from CHA arriving in the store?  Here's what came in so far this week...

• New Signature Series book featuring Elizabeth Kartchner and other Northridge publications
• FabScraps - paper and embellisments as well as some cool trinkets (like a fancy cool metal catch).  I have to tell you something funny...  One of the papers (in the nautical line) has pictures of little boys 'going' in the lake.  It's too funny, you just have to see it in person. :)
• Stampers Anonymous - Tim Holtz and Wendy Vecchi's newest cling stamps sets are here!
• Moxxie - a few new paper collections including family, music and party themes

We also have a few boxes still unopened.  We'll keep you posted as we dig through the good stuff!

So very many possibilities...

Manufacturers and designers began offering 6"x6" paper pads to promote their lines to card crafters, but they offer so very many possibilities to scrapbookers, I just can't stop playing with them! We've been making 12"x12" pages using these wonderfully coordinated paper lines and they continue to inspire me. The ladies that have been exploring these options asked that I focus on stars this time around. Tough for me, the queen of flowers, but I'm always up for a challenge. So here's a sneak peak of the 4 pages we'll be making in our next 6x6 paper pad class on August 18 from 6:00-9:00pm. For just $24 you can complete 4 pages. And, as always, you get to choose the paper pad of your liking (any $5.99 pad in the store!). They all turn out so differently, but reagrdless of whether they're bright and cheery, or pastel and soft, or bold and classic - they all look fabulous! So, come join in the fun. Hope to see you in a class soon.

New Reading Material

We have the latest Where Women Create and Art Doll Quarterly magazines in stock now, as well as a brand new line from We R Memory Keepers - Hall Pass (how dare they mention school in the middle of Summer break, right?).  The We R collection should be out by the end of the day today.  Good to be back - see you all soon!

CHA -- the last day.

Hello again!

Well, after a long day, a long drive, and a long sleep, here's the last set of CHA photos and other tidbits.

We had a super-productive and relatively un-stressful day, thanks to some expert planning and ordering by Chris, so we had time to do make-and-takes, watch some demos, even catch a magic act or two. But don't worry, there will be plenty of new goodies heading to the store ASAP! But first, some more people pics:

Amy Tan of amy tangerine has yet another winner of a line coming out with American Crafts, and we managed to grab her for a few photos (I love her skirt!).

I managed to meet one of my personal scrapbooking idols, Shimelle Laine (who came all the way from London to shop the show...and win a bunch of stuff [but that's another story]). Yet another cute outfit, too (scrappers are a stylish bunch!).

The ladies of Graphic 45 were in stunning costumes, as always -- the day before, they had on awesome kimonos, while Wednesday was all about being ladylike. Their booth is always dressed to the nines as well. :)

Super-cute friends of the store Jared and Jenni Bowlin paused for a chat and a picture (and I got some hot dress-shopping tips from Jenni).

And the dudes from My Mind's Eye are always up for some fun -- Margie took this photo and they kept making her laugh! (You'll have to ask her why next time you see her....)

Somewhere in the middle of all that, Katie and I stopped for a break at the Doodlebug booth, a new tradition. ;)

You didn't think I'd end without letting you in on a little bit of the gorgeous projects we saw around every corner, did you? Gold stars will go to anyone who correctly identifies the manufacturers of the products above -- just leave your guesses in the comments below!

This picture says, "Hey, we did it! Let's go home!" So that's just what we did. :)

Thanks for hanging out with me through all the show news. Next is the hard part -- waiting for all the new goodies to come in! Keep an eye on the blog and in the store for updates...it won't be long!

See you at Scrappy Chic! Rumor has it that Margie might be doing some CHA-inspired demos this Friday (from 5-7), so you can get inspired right away!

Angela

CHA -- finally! (day one)

Hey there!

Holy cats, CHA finally began this morning! Today was all about the ordering...but I don't want to spoil too much, so let's focus on all the awesome folks we met and reconnected with, shall we? I bet some of them will look familiar....

First, some very familiar faces -- here we are, waiting in line before the show floor opened....

...It was quite the line! Once we got in...

...a flock quickly gathered around Tim Holtz's demo station...

...but we did manage to grab a group photo later on. :) In the meantime, we made a few make and takes...

Like these Gluber flowers from Cosmo Cricket (do I spy some brand-new embellishments from them?). Julie was kind enough to get a "hair twin" photo with me...

...and not more than a few minutes later, I ran into our old friend (and friend of the store), Nicole Harper, with her scrappy pal Jen Jockisch, doing top-secret Studio Calico stuff...

...and while placing a WHOPPING order with the mega-company American Crafts (including Pebbles, Crate, and Studio Calico)...

...we got a shot with Elizabeth Kartchner (and her beautiful new line) and photography whiz Maggie Holmes...

...and one with Kelly Purkey and her awesome sparkly skirt. :)  Finally, on our way out the door, I surprised Paper Crafts Magazine's Creative Editor with a little gift...

...that's Susan Opel in real time, holding a photo of Susan Opel, circa 1991, when she was my student teacher in 9th grade English. What a small world!

We also have all kinds of new products headed to the store, and photos of gorgeous projects, and plenty more good stuff...but for now, you'll just have to live with the suspense!

I'll be sure to post our final day, but it might not be until Thursday, as we'll be driving home tomorrow night. See you soon, though!

Angela

Almost-CHA, part three

We are really, finally, almost ready for CHA to begin. Today brought classes, manufacturer events, and a tiny bit of downtime here and there (so we can be well-rested for all the running tomorrow).

Margie took an amazing class with Tim Holtz this morning. She made this:

It is so. dang. beautiful. Seriously detailed, really lovely. Oh, and that little lantern really does light up! Wait until you see this in person. One more detail:

It's signed. Nice touch!

Katie started on a cute album from We R Memory Keepers:

The back-to-school papers are adorable, and I believe I spy a few new tools at work...including the new  mini-sized Lucky 8 punches (I think Katie is in love with those punches!).

Katie and Margie got right back to work, making a set of mixed-media tags:

While Chris was busy ordering...

"Hmm...how much shall we buy today, Tami?"

This is still more ordering, only in a funny hat, which will make sense in a moment....

...Where we closed out our evening at an Alice in Wonderland-themed party from Moxxie. Tea party time!

Now we're making our game plan for the morning, where we will storm the show floor and pick out all kinds of fun scrapbook goodies for all of you! Can't wait!

Angela

Almost-CHA, part two

Hi again!
Day two in Rosemont brought a lot of sitting, listening, and BUYING. We heard from tons of great vendors at Craft Mania, got to pet pretty papers, and met some brand-new-to-the-industry cool people.

Kelly Marie from Lawn Fawn is super-friendly...and has great new stamps AND paper (oh, her paper line is so dang cute!) that will be making their way to the store soon. You can see a lot of the new products on their blog here.

Madison from Echo Park is always charming, and just wait until you see the new lines. More For the Record (two new beautiful colorways), more This and That...only Christmas...and a whole new concept coming later this fall. So fun! And I don't think they've started posting sneaks of those lines yet, so you heard it here first!

This is Jillian from A Jillian Vance Design. She has a brand-new line of stamps and really cool dies with current, innovative designs and great sentiments. Oh, and she's 13. Seriously. How amazing is that?? Her blog is here if you'd like a few sneaks.

And, for all you Tim Holtz fans, just a couple tiny, tiny sneaks of his new products. I can't wait to get my hands on this bell jar die....

...And how cute is that little row of trick-or-treaters? I'm pretty sure you can find all kinds of info on the new Tim madness here. If that's not enough, the man just launched his very own app -- it's free, and you can keep track of your personal inventory (and wish list) of Holtz-ian product, link to videos and tutorials, check his blog from anywhere, and all that good stuff. It's currently available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, and should soon be available for Android. Keep an eye out!

Lots of orders placed (you don't know the half of it!), and the show STILL doesn't start until Tuesday! Tomorrow we'll take some classes and hit some manufacturer events, and then it all really begins. Can't wait!

Angela

Almost-CHA, part one

Hi there, Angela (from the Design Team) here with a handful of photos from Chicago! We're here for CHA, but had just enough extra time to go sightseeing before the real work begins early tomorrow morning.

First, some quality time at Millennium Park, where Cloud Gate (or the big shiny bean) provided some great photo fun:

Splashing at the Crown Fountain:

And wandering around near the Chicago Theater:

We happened upon a Bastille Day celebration in Daley Plaza, so you know what that means:

Vive la France!

Time to rest up for a big day of paper and embellishments tomorrow -- see you then!

Echo Park is Here, Too...

Everyday Eclectic is the latest line from Echo Park, and it's designed by Allison Kreft.  This one's a keeper, for sure!  Think Hambly style, mixed with light, fun, Summery colors.

A Little Treat for the Weekend

Just in time for your weekend shopping... We received the latest from Basic Grey! We're very excited to welcome Paper Cottage and Clippings to Scrappy Chic. These two collections are great (especially my new favorite, Clippings). As I hold them, I think I need to take some home before we head to Chicago, just so we don't run out before I get back. I think you should get yours, too... :)

Trending Right Now - Watercolor effects

I love the look of Amy Tan's sketchbook papers. So I thought that I would take some inspiration from her and try my hand at water coloring. I used Ranger Distress Markers, water color paper, water color paints, punches, Nestabilities dies, Archival ink, and stamps.

Next chose your color palette - cool or warm colors or keep it simple and pick 2 or 3 colors from the pattern paper you like. It is helpful to leave some white space. To get the splattered effect - use distress markers to place dots on paper and spritz with water.  Cut out various shapes with Nestabilities (I used label #8) or punches.  Finally, layer your die cuts with stamps, rub-ons, cute brads, washi tape  or stickers.

MME washi tape, studio calico wood veneers, hero art stamp, OA label sticker, stickles

Have fun creating....
-Karen (design team member )

We're Off to CHA (Well, Almost)

The girls and I are getting ready for our next trip to the headquarters of order-writing!  We'll head out for CHA, which begins Tuesday, to get a head-start on all of the new products being released for the Fall and Winter.  We always look forward to this trip, especially since Chicago is a short road trip.  We'll do our best to keep you informed about new items and news we find at the show!  Maybe I'll add a video or two for you so you can see what it's like there. 

Power is On!

After an interesting and busy morning at the store with no power, we managed to get through all of the customers who came in to shop the Freedom Grab sale.  Everyone was so patient and understanding (despite the rising temperature in the store), and we appreciate that. 

We're starting the sale up again at 5pm through 7pm tonight, so be sure to make it in to get 40% off your purchase!  See you there...

In honor of the Freedom Grab...

...I have two projects featuring freedom-themed papers!

Hey there, Angela from the Design Team here - and I had a quandary this month. What to do with patriotic papers when you don't have any particularly patriotic photos laying around? Well, I've never been one to let a theme boss me around, so here's what I did.

First, I looked for an accent to tie together the colors of the line (We R Memory Keeper's lovely Red White and Blue line) with a new color -- in this case, it was sticker featuring a golden yellow. I ran with my new color scheme and came up with this layout:

other supplies: October Afternoon, Basic Grey, American Crafts stickers; Maya Rd pins, Smash clip, Studio Calico veneers and Mister Huey's.

Now I have a festive layout that just happens to be about a dog rather than a holiday :). But I couldn't let all that patriotic beauty go to waste, so I whipped up a little decor piece with my leftovers:

other supplies: Maya Rd. tins and twine, LilyBee and AC alphas, Ranger paint and crackle medium, die-cutting machine.

Now that's more Independence-Day friendly! If you'd like more photos and details about the how-to on either project, head over to my blog, the Paper Cupboard.

And don't forget -- today is the Freedom Grab from 10-12 and 5-7 -- will I see you there? Hope so!