We're here!

Our flight landed late last night into Chicago, but we're here.

A tempting picture for you.

And I just have to say, I love this hotel. Its the little touches.

Off to see the city before we start shopping for new product!

Almost ready

We're almost ready to leave.

For Chicago.

For CHA.

To see the new stuff.

Yeah!

Our bags are packed, the camera is charged and the laptop is ready!

The next time we update the blog, we will be in Chicago. Chi-town.

And just for our wonderful customers that read the blog, here's a special discount for you.

From 7/16/08 through 7/20/08, enter code CHA08 during checkout to save an additional 10% off your order. What a bargain - combine that with our huge selection of clearance items!

This code is only good through the end of the show!

All orders placed between 7/16/08 and 7/20/08 will not ship until we return.

ALMOST EVERYTHING

Almost Everything.

Thats whats on sale in the store right now. Its time for our CHA clearance event so we've marked down just about every item in the store.

Its our Semi-Annual clearance event before the big show. We need to make room for all of the new stuff that will be rolling in starting next week!!! Items are 25% off or MORE!

To see everything, check out the SALE section.

Make sure you check out the maufacturer blog links on the sidebar for Sneak Peeks of their latest releases. We've seen some amazing things!

Sonoma

We've been busy stalking the blogs and websites of our favorite manufacturers trying to bring you the CHA peeks!

Today, we finally get another look at the next FULL line from Scenic Route - Sonoma.

I love this line. And because its a full line, you're going to get kraft cardstock, stamps and more!

Love the colors in this line. And the designs on the Kraft papers are amazing!

Check it out on Layles' Blog.

Have you been checking the Pink Paislee Blog?

Check THIS out!!

I'm going to try and figure out a way to get some samples of this at CHA!!! I see giveaway potential!

What about Prima? Can't wait for that red and green line of papers!

Long Weekends

I love them. You can get so much done.

More time with family and more time to be creative. Just one extra 'off' day every week would be nice.

How was your holiday? We took Friday off to celebrate the 4th of July and then it was back to work filling orders! A lot of you took advantage of the sale this weekend.

If you missed it, don't worry. We're working on the CHA Summer Sale. Its time to clear out the old stuff and make room for the new.

If you haven't seen some of the Sneak Peeks from the manufacturers, you can find link to our favorites on the sidebar. We'll be adding more as the weeks go by and definitely after CHA. We're bringing in more new companies to the store after this show. Very excited to expand again.

Some of our favorite sneaks would be from October Afternoon, Pink Paislee and American Crafts. Did you hear about the fabric Thickers? Sounds like another must have!

So many new things coming. We've seen a lot of holiday lines coming up. Even though its only July, the holidays are right around the corner and that means projects, cards and more! I'm sure we'll see some amazing samples at the show and we'll be sure to update you.

We'll be checking in each day to show you everything we've seen and done!

I've added some ideas to my Gallery. And of course, the Design Team is amazing as always. Lots of different projects, layouts etc. A different aspect from each of the girls!

Don't forget the October Afternoon contest. Post a layout using any of their paper lines (or embellishments etc) for a chance to win their NEW line - Hometown. This will be shipping mid-month but to give them time to actually ship it, we'll end this contest on 7/27/08. The prize will include the entire line of papers, embellishments and rubons!!

I'll leave you with some pictures from the 4th:

4th of July Savings

Just a quick note before we head out to celebrate:

Save 15% off your entire order when you enter coupon code FREEDOM during checkout.

Code expires 7/6/08.

SHOP NOW!

Have you seen the Gallery?

Our Design Team just uploaded a bunch of goodies!

Christy - she put the Rusty Pickle Chipboard and KI Lace cardstock to good use!

Beatriz - Awesome cards! And she rocked the KI Lace cardstock!!

Mandy - Always love her mini-albums! Speaking of mini albums, did you see her Scenic Route Mini Book?

Emeline - I gave her a chance to work with something different since she really can't use the Red, White and Blue. So she did an awesome job with the Fancy Pants and some of the new Prima.

Erica - I used the Jenni Bowlin chipboard banners and Scenic Route Liberty papers. I also threw some quick travel layouts together to start my Baltric trip album. I used the new MM Travel papers. Really loving the patterns on these and they look great with the colors from my photos. Look for more travel layouts this week!!

CHA Summer 08 is right around the corner! We're so excited to bring in the new products!
Pre-orders have been placed and previews will be posted through the month of July. We've started adding links to manufacturers blogs and websites for you. Several of them already started posting sneak peeks!! Pink Paislee is doing a Sneak Party from 7/1 through 7/11. So cute!!

And we've already shown you the new October Afternoon line called Hometown. That will ship mid to late August. Check out the Gallery contest for a chance to win the ENTIRE line! That includes papers, rubons and stamps - the entire line! And, rumor has it that there will be an ADDITIONAL 3 lines debuting at CHA.

I'm very excited with the things I've seen so far and can't wait to see it all in person! The show is always exciting and just overflowing with ideas.

4th of July Banner

I made this really quick last night for the 4th.

Jenni Bowlin Chipboard Banners

Scenic Route Liberty papers and chipboard.

Just in time for....

the 4th of July, we received a package from Jenni Bowlin with chipboard stars and other shapes.

Free shipping until Monday ($15.00 flat rate shipping for internationals).

Still great items in the Sale Section of the store.

Don't forget you can upload your layouts using October Afternoon to our Gallery for a chance to win the NEW October Afternoon papers - Hometown (releases Mid-July).

Don't have any of the OA goodies yet? Check out the store!

October Afternoon Contest.....

To celebrate a THIRD new release from October Afternoon, we are holding a contest!

You can enter to win the entire new line from October Afternoon when it is released in July.

Just upload any layout to the gallery using October Afternoon papers, embellishments or stamps. We'll pick one winner who will receive the entire new collection - Hometown.

We received a sample of these papers and if you're an OA fan, you're going to want these!

Here is just a tiny preview:

First....

we want to thank everyone who's placed an order this month and taken advantage of the free shipping.

And now on to the links and pictures. This is going to be long and picture heavy.

First, the link. I know a lot of people love Prima products but some can be intimidating. I was recently showing someone a Prima Paintable and how I'd used some of it on a card for someone. (I'll post a picture of the card later in My Gallery). I took a class once with Kelli Crowe. She's a designer for Autumn Leaves. It was actually her first class but she did a great job. We stamped images and then used watercolors to paint them in. Very cool. And it distresses the paper a little bit. Anyway, when these Paintables came out last year I'd been wanting to try it. Well, as any scrapper knows, sometimes we just can't do every technique and layout idea we have on our list to try. It wasn't until I saw THIS from Prima last week. Its a Youtube video on how to use Paintables. Its a few minutes in on the video but its a really good idea on how to use the watercolors to paint in the areas you want. I even had a package of watercolors I'd purchased after taking Kelli's class so this was perfect. Its something everyone should try - at least once.

Of course, I wasn't satisfied buying the regular, old 99 cent case that we send to school with our kids. You know the one, the store brand with 8 colors. No way, Jose. I got the deluxe case. 16 colors from CRAYOLA!!

These babys go on bright. I mean, very bright. If you want color, buy these. They are not your ordinary watercolors. They even dry with a slight 'waxy' look/feel to them. Almost like a crayon but without the crayon marks. But really cool effect. I mounted the painted area of the Paintable on black cardstock so it would pop out more.

And as any busy card-maker knows, I waited till the very last minute to make this card so I never got a picture of it. I will be getting it back from them so I can get a quick picture to post.

So, the Paintables are available in the store. Very cool product to use and at the Winter show, they introduced CLEAR Paintables. So you have cardstock ones and now clear acetate ones. Very cool.

And a mini book I've been working on. I only get 45 minutes for lunch at work so I make the most of it. Of course, by the time I drag supplies out and tools, its pretty much time to clean up. But, I did manage to get this little cutie done. I used the Book It! Chipboard pack from Fancy Pants (on clearance in the store) and painted it orange. I used all kinds of good stuff. Bazzill Scalloped papers, new Lil' Davis Designs Epoxy letters (these are fun to work with!), new Prima felt letters (another fun thing to work with - and so much more. I posted the supplied used for each page in My Gallery. But here are a few pages.

The Book It Chipboard comes with pre-cut chipboard pieces to make 2 mini albums. One 4x4 square and the one I used, the tabbed one. There are some extras like flowers in the pack as well. You can see them here. Just something cute to have on my desk at work.

And finally, I'm always searching blog out there. I love to see what you guys are creating. Its awesome when you leave comments and I can link to your blogs. There is so much activity out there in blogland. I see people posting pictures of their scrapbook rooms and 'studios'. This is my creative space. Just a note, the last time this room was this clean was when I painted and moved into it almost 4 years ago. So, consider yourself very lucky to get to see the clean room. It probably won't be this clean again once I get started on projects. (Remember when I said June was dedicated to finishing my started projects? Well, I'm working on that and cleaning up this room!)

1. Rascals Corner. Yes, he really does have a corner. Thats his chair. Thats where he sits and watches. He's truly spoiled as most pugs are. The story with this room (or loft) is that when we first moved into this house, it was out second family room. We had a futon chair and full futon in this room with an entire entertainment system set up. We had the builders install in-ceiling speakers which ROCK! This was our other space to watch movies and just relax. Or a place for me to watch tv while Bryan was wathcing the one downstairs. In true male fashion, he bought the largest tv known to man to fill the gaping hole that is the media niche downstairs. My first scrap room in this house was the spare bedroom. I outgrew that. So, I started designing the loft as my next space. Our master bedroom is large. Larger than a normal master and very hard to fill. So we moved the futon in there. The futon chair, however, stayed right where it was and became Rascal's Corner. I have my Ikea Expedit shelf there for all of my idea books and stamps. I file my clear acrylic stamp sets in 3 ring binders. I love this idea since I can see everything I have just by flipping through the pages. Oh, and I love that big window right by my desk. Lots of light during the day.

2. Computer desk and some storage. These cabinets are actually garage work benches from Lowe's. All laminate material. The printer is on a shoe rack from the closet section! Who needs the Target cubes?!? And this is where I run YSS.com from.

3. My Donna Downey Storage system. I love this thing. It holds all kinds of small things! And my Pug Webkinz sitting there.

4. Main Storage. Once again, who needs those Target Cubes? I priced those but for $25 or more a piece (!) I couldn't shell out that kind of money when I knew there was a better solution. My dad is an engineer so I worked with him on this. I designed it and he made sure it was installed properly and to every building code there might be. I spent about $175 for this. The bottom left corner are 3 of the tall cubes from the closet section at Lowes (or Home Depot - they carry the same stuff). Just the laminate stuff. I got these on sale at the time, so I paid $18 for each of them. Those Target cubes go for $25 EACH, so thats $75. See, I told you there was a cheaper option. They fit side by side.

On the right side, I used their drawers. Two stacked equaled the same heighth as the 3 cubes. Perfect. I bought a piece of laminate thats 48 inches wide and 8 feet long. Thats the desktop. More cubes on top with another piece of laminate across the very top. This piece is 24 inches wide and 8 feet long. The bottom half sticks out from the wall allowing for a little storage behind the cubes and drawers. The desktop is secured to the wall and has a piece of wood as a bracket to support it. (see, it pays to have an engineer in the house!) The upper layer is flush with the wall giving me a lot of working space. I mainly use my drafting table and this space is for visitors.

5. Music - still loving those in celing speakers!

6. My collection of KI Gloo and Glossy Accents. My two 'go-to' wet adhesives. And my bling storage. Yep, thats my Swarovski crystal collection.

7. My lamp. Curious George.

8. Journaling tags. I just keep a basket handy and all journaling cards go in there.

9. My comfy chair and craft apron.

10. Paper storage. By company.

Oh, and Elle has some new goodies in the shop. We already ordered some so look for those to start showing up with your orders!

Lots of pictures.....

and links to post later.

Links to a cool Youtube video on how to use Prima Paintables, links to mini books and more.

Check back later for inspiration!

New from Prima

We received a very large box from Prima today.

It was filled with stuff we'd forgotten we'd ordered at the show.

Check out the NEW section of the store to see everything.
New journaling matties, Paintables, felt rubons and more!

We even have some of their new felt letters in all the basic colors! (Hint, these match the new October Afternoon paper lines!)

And the sneak peaks of what the Design Team has been working on are starting to show up.

Winner of October Afternoon Goodies....

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

16

Timestamp: 2008-06-16 14:44:47 UTC
(from Random.org)

Jennifer Bush you're the winner!

You're OA goodies will be in the mail!

I want you to want me....

I need you to need me.

I'd love you to love me

I'm begging you to beg me.

In the last Newsletter, I said that I was dedicating June to music and its inspiration on our pages.

I've also said in the past that I tend dance around singing songs at the top of my lungs. This makes for an interesting evening when I'm pulling my orders for the store. My husband laughs at me.

Well, as soon as this paper arrived today, this Cheap Trick song popped into my head. I know everyone has been waiting for this paper. These paper lines just seemed to sing to me as I unpacked them and loaded images into the store.

So, for those of you who've been waiting for this, here are the October Afternoon lines. Remember, you still have a little more than 24 hours to post a comment HERE for a chance to win free October Afternoon papers!

Daydream

Detours

Rubons

MM Travel Line

There is still time to get free shipping!

You can still post comments on the blog post below for a chance to win October Afternoon papers! Deadline is Sunday at midnight!

We got a small shipment from Making Memories today. The new travel line.

Seems like everyone is coming out with travel lines! Get out there and travel! See the world!
Before we had the baby, my husband and I went on some amazing trips! Look for some layouts dedicated to our travels this week!

Are you looking for some fun summer pages? Check out some of the 'cool' summer lines we carry.

Scenic Routes Grafton
KI Lace Cardstock (Stars, Hula and Twirl)
Fancy Pants About a Boy
Prima Dude
Teresa Collins Boardwalk
Banana Frog Fireworks Stamps
Scenic Route Liberty
Petaloo flowers in a range of summery colors!

and of course, the travel papers!

Check out the Gallery to see what out Design Team has been doing with some of these products and of course, all of your other favorites!
Design Team Member Mandy Koeppen has been working hard on a Summer mini album using Scenic Route's Grafton line, along with some Hambly and other goodies! You can see it HERE!

FREE shipping extended!

Until Friday. $15.00 flat rate shipping for international orders.

Happy shopping!

More announcements and some mini-album love coming up this week!

New arrivals

I told you there would be a restock of the MM Tiny Alphas. Hurry, quick! They're limited.

We have the Blue, White, Pink and Multi in stock!

We also were lucky enough to get our hands on the new Daisy D's line - Chloe Marie. Its a mid-release. This is a new company for the Stash so we also picked up some of their AWESOME rubons. Not many companies can make rubons that go on like butta, but these are smooth! And the designs are cool.

And last but not least, Rouge de Garance is back. Sandylion picked them up and is their North American distributor. We loved their papers last time so we were quick to pick them up at CHA this year. Check out the new Ailes ou Fleurs. Pretty browns, greans and teals. (Just a hint, the Petaloo Guys flowers match these papers perfectly!) And the NEW RDG papers are double sided, thicker papers. New designs. AND (lots of and's with RDG) new diecut papers. In each paper pack, you receive one diecut sheet of cardstock and one patterned paper. So make sure you check this new collection out! And finally, some new lace cardstocks from KI Memories. Butterflies and swirls! The new papers are even more special than the last release. These papers have a light sheen to them making them glimmer.

To celebrate all of the recent new arrivals and the start of the Summer CHA sneak peek season, we're offering FREE shipping again this weekend! All US order receive FREE shipping. International customers receive $15.00 shipping. Orders over $250 are still free.

October Afternoon Freebies!!

Okay, in anticipation for this release, we're going to offer one person some FREE October Afternoon stuff.

Just post a comment here letting us know which items you're most looking forward to seeing/getting your hands on.

For us, it would be the little embellishments and the apple paper. I'm in love with the apple papers.

So, just let us know what you're waiting to get and we'll pick ONE winner.