Hi everyone!

I haven't blogged in a while. Can't seem to find the time, or rather make the time to sit down and get it done. In addition to being at the store 7 days a week I decided I needed more to do so DH and I have gone back to college! O.K. so it's only one evening class but there's still homework! Are we insane?

We're starting to get our shipments of new product from CHA. Some of the 7 Gypsies is here. Lots of fun 97% Complete Stickers and 97% Complete Tags. We ordered their new packs of 6 x 6 paper collections and only received a few of them. There are more on the way but the ones that we have are flying out of here. The new Design Originals Tim Holtz line of 9 x 9 paper is here as well as new Design Original How To books. We'll keep you posted as new product comes in.

We have to congratulate our teacher Judy Bidwell. She has been published in the current issue of Take Ten. You'll find her work on pages 12 and 15. She has submitted her work to several publications so I'm sure we'll see her published alot more. She's taking the month of March off so we'll have her back in April teaching something amazing. She is the queen of everything altered!











Our 7 Gypsies contest is over and we certainly had some beautiful entries. In fact one was so beautiful that someone decided they couldn't live without it and helped themselves to it. Thankfully we have pictures of it! They were judged in categories and here are the winners!

Best Altered Art Project by (of course) Judy Bidwell. You may see this piece published soon. This book is amazing!










Best 12 x 12 Layout was created by Violet (sorry I forgot your last name). This is the most beautiful Heritage page I have ever seen.
She created this page as a tribute to her Grandmother whom she never knew but based it on what she had learned about her from her mother. I am still in awe of this beautiful piece of art!








The third category was Whimsy and this piece by Patricia Shawe was the winner hands down! How cute is this!!












Please forgive my photography skills. My pictures just don't do these winners justice. I think a photography class will be next on my list of things to do!

And in tribute to the piece that was heisted out of the store here is a picture. It was taken before the judging and wasn't included in the judging but, I'm sure if the judges would have been able to see it in person it would have done well.

















There are just 2 spots left in Jenny's "Bursting At The Seams" class. If you haven't seen the example go to the web site and check it out. It's all 7 Gypsies and oh so cute.

Also, look at the class samples for Patricia's class on March 18th. These books are adorable and doesn't everyone have a dog or cat that is worthy of their own brag book! There are only 4 spots left in this class, so sign up as soon as you can.

Well, that's all for now. I need to get started on my homework! YUKKKKK

TNT

Kim

WOW! Susan did it again. She helped out the Mystic Paper Blogspot by adding the counter and the time and temp. Trust me, I tried. This stuff is beyond me! Thanks so much Susan.

Now, for an update of the weekends activities. First, a huge thank you to Chris Herrmann. She did the make and takes in the store on Saturday and I don't think she ever got a chance to even take a minutes break. There was a constant crowd around the table so she never stopped. She was at it for 6 hours! Kudos Chris!

Downtown was hopping. I haven't seen that many people strolling Main Street in a long time. It was a welcomed treat. Of course, who could have not stopped. Elvis was here! Of course, he has changed his job description. Our Elvis was making kettle corn and singing on his breaks!

We are expecting our orders from CHA to be coming in soon. Keep watching the blog and you'll be the first to know.

There are a couple of spots left for Judy's class this Saturday. It's an altered book that is so great. You can personalize this book by bringing your own pictures. We'll scan and print them for you. Check our web site for pics so you'll know what kind of pictures you should bring.

Well, that's all for now!

TNT, kim

O.K. HOW WEIRD IS THIS.....

I never get flowers (sorry DH I spilled the beans) but seriously, I don't. So yesterday
sweet Patricia came by with this beautiful, sparkly bouquet. How sweet was that? My welcome home gift. Ahhhhh! I was totally shocked. Thanks Patricia they make me smile.



When I say I never get flowers I really, really mean it. So, today in walks a delivery man with this beautiful vase of flowers and guess what, they're for me. Now, I'm really shocked. I open the card with this urgency of needing to know who would do this, and guess what, NO NAME. That's right, NO NAME. It says Thank you. For all you do this buds for you. So who is this sweet but very sneaky person. If you know me, you know I can't stand not knowing!!!! You better tell me. I even called the florist and he wasn't telling me anything. Arghhhhh, I need to know!!




















Now, don't get me wrong, I love them. I need to know who would be so thoughtful so I can thank them. O.K. secret person at least give me a hint.

I can't wait until tomorrow... Sweet Tooth Soiree. I am hoping for a huge turnout for Chris' make -n -takes. Our Ranger Ink order came in today. Now, don't get too excited, it's not the new Distress Inks. We are completely restocked with the original colors and we got some fun new Ranger Ink items that we saw Tim use during his demos at CHA. Speaking of Tim, here's a not so good shot I took of him. He was usually completely surrounded by all of his admirers, so getting a picture at all was difficult. He probably thought I was some weird stalker!!!

He really was the most gracious person. So patient with all of the questions that were being thrown at him.

Here are a few fun shots from CHA. Jennifer is the absolute funnest (is that a word) person to go somewhere with. The Basic Grey paper that says "Live With Intention, Play With Abandon" perfectly describes her. Her intention is to have the best Scrapbook store ever (which she does) and she plays with complete abandon!!

Here she is being serenaded by Barry Manilow. I will never understand the obsession, but to each her own. I thought she was going to make the bus stop in front of the Hotel that had his larger than life poster hanging up.

Here's a super cute picture of Jennifer hamming it up with Eric Swapp. I don't think she really wanted to be in this picture. I just wanted a picture of the shirt. Is that too funny?

With that, I'm signing off. We have a big day tomorrow and I hope I see all of you there!

TNT ~ Kim

CHA Pictures!!
Here's the Basic Grey Color Me Silly Line. Isn't it amazing how it matches Jennifers shoe! I think she planned this.

HANG TEN


OH BABY GIRL
COLOR ME SILLY
URBAN COUTOURE
OH BABY BOY

Aren't these just the cutest page ideas with the new paper? And they are even so much better in person. I have more pictures that will be in the next blog. 7 Gypsies, Design Original, Jennifer being a dork with Mr. Heidi Swapp, and of course Tim Holtz!

Here's some exciting news...Check the Arizona Republic tomorrow. Jennifer and I will be in it. They were here taking pictures today to go with the story about the Sweet Tooth Soiree. So, I bet you're wondering just what a Sweet Tooth Soiree is, well, let me tell you. Saturday is Family Fun Day in Mesa. There is a free Jazz and Blues concert at the Mesa Art Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Sirrine House will be hosting a "Be Mine - A Sirrine Valentine" from 10 a.m. to noon. Guests can make Victorian Valentines and foam rose frames to take home. From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. the Downtown Mesa Merchants will be celebrating Valentines Day with Horse and Carriage rides for $1 per person. Free entertainment that will include The Nostalgics, a popular band whose members play electric harmonicas, an Elvis impersonator making Kettle Corn. The new restaurant, Bak'd will have a band performing and Chef Tim will be making a Chocolate sculpture, Coffee Talk is having a Jazz Ensemble out front and the best part of all is that Chris Hermmann from Ranger Ink will be inour store from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. doing the cutest Valentine Make and Takes. Don't miss out! There are about 22 merchants participating and we will all have free, yes free, chocolate in our stores. For those of you with little girls, Glitter Box is doing free Up-do's and make up. It's a great time for a photo shoot and cute scrapbook pages.

Well, that's enough for this blog. I'll put more pictures up soon!

TNT

Kim

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Hi Everyone,

We are writing to you from the cyber cafe on the convention floor at CHA. Woo Hoo! It has been a couple of very long days. Just so you don't panic, rest assured that Basic Grey has been ordered and we were guaranteed preferential treatment! Yeah right! Should be shipping on February 13th. All five lines including the new gorgeous ribbons. And 7 Gypsies, no problemo...got it. We have pictures, but, as I was afraid of...we can only get dial-up internet and it kicks us off before we could ever download pics. You'll just have to wait until we get home.

Big news...got the Tim Holtz personally authgraphed stamp plus picture! Yeah baby... We also got some great tips from him today during his demo, which of course prompted us to order more Ranger Ink supplies ( be quiet Chris :) We also talked to him about teaching a class in our store which will have to be next year due to his oh so busy schedule. Can you believe he's already booked for 2006? We have had a special connection with him since he did give Jennifer his bag of chips at CHA last year. LOL Do you think he even remembers that? Oops Jennifer just informed me that she DID remind him.

Seriously, we have had a wonderfully exhausting time. We have one more class tonight before we can head back to the hotel. And darn it, there are no slot machines in the Convention Center. I thought Vegas had slots everywhere! I guess they figure we are getting into enough trouble on the showroom floor.

So, I guess that's enough for now. We'll be heading back on Thursday. Come by the store if you can't wait to see the pictures. I'll get them on here as soon as I can!

TNT
Kim and Jennifer

We're off! We leave tomorrow morning for CHA!!! Not too excited huh? DH is getting so tired of hearing about it I bet he wishes we were leaving tonight! So, it's 9:30 and I am sitting here blogging. Doing laundry, packing, and waiting for DH to finish taking pics for e-bay so I can take the new (awsome) camera with me. That took some negotiating. Good pics are a must at CHA. Never know who you're gonna run in to.

Today was totally hectic. And I mean that in a good way. It's almost like someone turned the light bulb on in our store and now everybody can see us! Jennifer taught an awsome class today (she's so creative). It's so much fun to see everyone come out of the classroom energized and ready to be creative!

We have 2 new teachers joining us. Jenny Coombs (Memory Lane) is teaching a class in March. A definite "must do" for all of you 7 Gypsies people! And if you're not sure what a "7 Gypsies" person is, take the class and you'll be hooked. We also have Aubrey Perkins teaching a Teen class. Appropriate, since she is a teen. She has made the best pages for teens. Think about SASSY or Girls Night Out. They are awsome and totally TEEN! Call the store for info. or check the web site. Of course, you'll have to wait until we get back, since all I can do is blog and Jennifer has to update the web site! I am not web site savvy.

So, I think the dryer is done and I can finally finish packing. Packing will be light so I have plenty of room to bring home any and everything I can find at CHA!! We'll do our best to keep you updated while we are there (providing the laptop works). I'm off to pack!

TNT

Kim

O.K. Here's a shocker for those of you that know me~I stayed until 12:30 last night! Boy am I feelin' it today. I don't know how you guys do it. I did have a great time though and got alot accomplished.

Judy taught a fun class today. Everyone left energized and ready to go home and distress something. Keep watching for her altered board book class. She's working on her sample now. FYI it is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 18th. I'll let you know more later.

We got another absolutely beautiful entry in the 7 Gypsies contest. This is going to be a very tough decision. I'm glad it's not me choosing the winner. Oh the stress!

7 days until CHA. You can't tell that we're anxious can you? I think an empty suitcase will be a necessity. As well as, good shoes, camera, pocket food, and the laptop. We've got a plan and we're stickin' to it, yeah right!

That's all my tired brain can come up with tonight. No wit, just the facts. How boring is that..

TNT

Kim

Woo Hoo! It's Friday night and we are having another fun night of chick flicks, food, chocolate (Oh, that's a food isn't it) and lots of cropping. Here I am at the computer, being unsociable, except to you blog heads. I promised you a preview of the new Basic Grey so here goes....

OH MY GOSH!!!! They have 5 (that's right FIVE) new lines. Of course, we loved them all. And I have to say, Jennifer really loved them, literally. Have you ever noticed that Jennifer pets (yes PETS) her paper. I think Nate (our new close and personal friend from Basic Grey) got a real eye opener!!

Now, back to the new lines...Like I said, there are 5. We wanted to take pictures but, Nate wouldn't go for that, so here's the new names. Just use your imagination and put it in Basic Grey mode...

Color Me Silly
Hang 10
Urban Couture
Oh Baby Boy
Oh Baby Girl

Plusssss, New Rub-ons, metal embellishments, and Ribbon (that's right baby, ribbon) that coordinates with the new papers as well as the beloved fibers.

Nate brought presents too! We now have a Basic Grey Notch Tool that you can come in and try out. It's always fun to try these tools before you buy them! We will also take preorders for anyone who is interested in reserving one. Can you tell, we had fun!

So, the CHA countdown is now 8 days. The store will be open while we're gone. We have Jessie and Ellen holding down the fort. We'll be back Thursday afternoon exhausted, excited, and extra happy I'm sure!

I hope this little preview satisfies your Basic Grey addiction for now, or at least until we get the product in our store!

TNT,

Kim