So, are you wondering what we got to do Friday night? What would be so important that we would actually close the store early? Well, here it is. We were invited to a Retailers Appreciation Party hosted by Janna's Gifts and Heidi Swapp.
We saw some of the new Heidi Swapp products and got to use them in break out workshops that were set up throughout the house.





This is the super cute pink neon sign that let us know we were in the right place.

These are our friends from Making Memories Unforgettable in Tucson with Liz Eaton.

And of course, here's Jennifer and Eric Swapp in total shock at the beautiful page she just created! This is why I like being behind the camera!

We had a great time meeting other store owners, sharing ideas and the most fun of all was the product that Heidi and Janna's Gifts sent us home with, not to mention the food!

Today has been a very busy and productive day for us in the store. A little redecorating here and there, and alot of brain storming about CHA next week. What to order? So much new and exciting product out there. Jennifer will be attending CHA while I hold down the fort (can you hear the whining begin?). I'll keep you posted when Jennifer calls to tell me how much FUN she's having and what she is ordering (sniffle). All I can say is that she better come home with lots of STUFF for me!

So, that's it for now. I'm off to my boring job of housework!

What A Day It Was!

Wow, was yesterday ever a blast. We had a huge class going, and not just any class. It was Jennifer Wagner's Family A to Z class. You know when the teacher starts out saying "Are you ready to get messy?", you're in for a lot of fun.













And fun it was! It was very creative, loud, and MESSY! If you're signed up for this class here are some pointers, no fancy clothes, an apron might be a good idea, no recent manicures, and alot of stamina. Everyone was so pleased with all of the techniques they learned. In fact, there were so many techniques taught that the class ran overtime and a few people will be back during the week to finish up.

We also had the pleasure of having Carol Wingert and Tena Sprenger here for the signing of their new book Artful Memories. If you haven't seen this book yet come by and check it out. It is fabulous. We still have a few copies left that they signed for us cuz you won't want to leave without it once you see it.

Here we are with Ellen (employee extraordinaire), Tena, Jennifer, me, and Carol. Tena and Carol stayed busy signing books and spending time chatting with our customers. They even got to meet Jolene whom they have corresponded with through their blogs. It was like seeing old friends meet up again.

So it was a very special day for us. Lots of creative buzz in the store. How could that not happen with so many talented people under one roof? I gotta tell you, it makes me wish I had time to even think about being creative. Some how balancing the checkbook and placing orders doesn't fall under the "creative" category for me. I'm going to make it a point to start taking every darn class taught in this store and force myself to get the creative juices flowing again. And I better do it quick because my brothers 50th birthday is coming up and I really want to get a book made for him. Do you think he'll appreciate being reminded that he's 50? Do I care? Heck no! I can't wait to fill a book with every dorky picture I can find of him growing up! Isn't that what little sisters are for?

And the fun goes on....tomorrow evening Judy will be here demonstrating how to create Artist Trading Cards. Stop by and join in. Judy will also be hosting a swap each month in our store. If these cards have been a mystery to you, Judy will answer all of your questions and get you started. She is also bringing her collection of ATC's for you to check out. You'll see how quickly you can start your own collection and how much fun it is to see other artists ideas.

So, how was that for a busy weekend? Whew, I'm tired!

Til next time

Hello again! It's been a very long and busy four months since I have taken the time to write in this blog. If you haven't been in for awhile we are in our new "old" store. To say that we love it would be an understatement. Rick and Mike did an awsome job of remodeling for us. There are so many things that we love about this store that we couldn't name one favorite! Are you wondering who won the grand prize at our Grand Opening? The lucky winner is Kim Babson. Here she is with her stash!



Our Grand Opening was fantastic. We thank everyone who came and made it such a special weekend. Our teachers, Chris, Ellen, Jennifer, Judy, Michelle, and Susan did some great make and takes and demos. I think everybody loved seeing and hearing about all of their creative ideas. Let's just say those ladies ooze creativity. How lucky are we? Are you wondering who won the grand prize at our Grand Opening? The lucky winner is Kim Babson. Here she is with her stash!

And the presents that our customers brought or sent to the store were so nice. Let's see, there's the card holder that Shirley Seay made for us. How perfect is that! A 7 Gypsies card holder no less. A Jar Fairie to watch over our store, from Susan Johnson, along with some beautiful strawflowers. A bunch of the most purple carnations you have ever seen from Colleen Jew and Mary Beth Culp. I had pictures of all of these, but can I find them right now? No...they're somewhere in the deep dark files of my computer. You guys spoil us! Thanks!

For those of you that got to meet Jennifer Wagner at the Grand Opening I don't need to tell you how talented she is. There are more of her creations posted on the web site along with the pictures and descriptions. Judy Bidwell is hard at work getting ready for the Altered Recipe Book class. I will be calling everyone next week with the inside info. Ellen has truly come up with the most adorable purse scrapbook. It's an Ellen original, and different from the one she taught at Memory Lane. Susan Johnson is teaching her classes on Sundays. I know that doesn't work for alot of you, but if Sunday is a good day for you look at her "How To Be Happy" altered book. Sundays are nice and quiet, not the usual hustle and bustle that we have during the week.

In addition to our big store move, Jennifer and I both moved to new houses. In my case I have to say a new "old" house kinda like the store. It was built in 1915 and still needs alot of work. Jennifer is much closer to the store now and can spend more time at the store after she goes to her other full time job. YUK!! A direct quote from Jennifer "I say SUPER YUK!"

Here's one picture I did find, so I'll leave you with a beautiful view of the new store.

Til next time, and I promise it won't be four months!

Kim and Jennifer

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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