Getting ready to create

Next weekend Terry and I are going up to Ridin Hy Ranch for a scrapbook weekend. At last count there were 90 ladies planning to attend! SO now, I have only a week to plan what I'm going to work on while I'm there. Packing up to go somewhere else is so foreign to me. Between my store and my VERY well stocked craft room at home, I am spoiled having everything at my fingertips.

I think a lot of people avoid going to crops for the very same reason. You can't bring it all with you and it's so hard to figure out how to pack.

The best advise I have found is to plan ahead. Let's face it - you are not going to accomplish five or six projects at one time, so be realistic. My max is 2 projects. That way if I get stuck or bored with one, I can switch gears and work on something else.

For example, my goal for next weekend is to get a good chunk done on a graduation album for my daughter who is a senior in high school. As a back up, I also have a stack of pet photos that need to be scrapped. So I am only bring the photos related to those projects.
Additionally, my supplies can be pared down. Since I won't be working on holiday stuff, there's no need to pack Christmas or Halloween theme stuff. I don't need "boy" stuff, "Disney" stuff, or any other specialty themes.

So what will I be bringing?
My basic tools: 12" trimmer, straight edge scissors, craft knife & cutting mat. Adhesive - tape runner, glue dots, glossy accents, and tacky tape can handle any situation I may run across on these projects. My crop-o-dile in case I need to punch holes or set eyelets. My Tim Holtz Design Ruler (it rocks!).

Then the important part - I need to pre-plan my pages. Since I know what photos I have, I can grab cardstock and paper that goes well with them. I'm not really a theme type of girl, I like making my pages based more on color than theme. I can always add stickers and other embellishments when I get back if I'm missing something.

So that's my plan.
Now I'm off to upload my photos for printing at my favorite site. Scrapbook Pictures

After Thanksgiving Crop

Don't want to fight the crowds on "Black Friday"? Or are you like me; I do my shopping at 5 am and then I'm back home by 8am or 9am. That still leaves the whole day open.

Join us for 8 hours of Creative FUN at The Inspiration Station instead! Scrapbookers and Card Makers are welcome to come and work on whatever projects you need to get done for the holidays. Need to finish your holiday cards? Maybe some recipe books to give as gifts? or perhaps just get caught up on last years holiday photos? Whatever it is you can work on it here! We'll provide the lunch and the fun, you bring your projects and supplies. 10am - 6pm Nov. 27th. Cost is $25 per person and includes lunch. Pre-registration is required.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

All of these boxes arrived in one day! So much new stuff we were trapped behind the counter with a wall of boxes.
So what came in?
New Christmas Cuttlebug folders:
Flower Soft in beautiful colors for the holidays,
Impression Obsession Stamps,
Holiday papers from The Paper Company,
and so much more I can't even remember...

Did I miss something?

Yes. I know that I did not send out the store newsletter this week. Sorry- I was away for two days at a training for a community wrap around initiative (not related to work).

Of course just because I wasn't in the store doesn't mean there wasn't stuff happening. Donna has been inundated with students for her Quick & Easy Christmas cards classes. Once again she had to add another date and we had to order in more supplies. The new date is Monday, November 16th at 6pm. There is a different Christmas Card class on Sunday, Nov. 29th which will be just as amazing but with different designs. One sample is show in the previous post.

I have also added another date for the Copic Christmas Class. The class on Nov. 15th is SOLD OUT so a new date has been added; Friday, Dec 4th at 6pm.


Some beautiful stuff arrived this week as well. The new Bo Bunny Snowy Serenade line is gorgeous with all of the papers glittered and glazed. There is even a kit for an amazing chipboard album that includes all of the materials.

Memory Box has sent us a new Winter collection that has some gorgeous sample cards with it. In fact, Donna will be recreating one of the cards in her Holiday Cards class.


Don't forget about the great Scrapbooking classes we have scheduled as well. Dawn has a beautiful fall layout class this Wednesday, Nov 4th as well as an adorable "Memories" mini album on Nov 11th. Go to the website to see the great photos!

Martha Stewart Punches back in stock!

For those of you who have been waiting, the Martha Stewart Branch punch and Icicle Border punch are back in stock. We use the branch punch on just about every project- it is so versatile. It can be made into a wreath, a Christmas tree, garland and more. Punched out of brown it makes great twigs for fall cards. I used it on this card as a swag.


I haven't had a chance to make anything with the Icicle Border yet, but I've seen some great cards using it not only for icicles but as frosting on a cake and dripping paint. Very cool stuff.

Donna's Class Samples

Yay!!! We got a few more samples from Donna for upcoming classes! These are filling quickly so don't wait to register.




Cards that are JustRite
Nov 12th 10am -noon or
6pm - 8pm



November Cards Club Classes

Holiday Cards
Sunday, Nov 29th

New Basic Grey

Our shelves are stocked with 2 new lines of Basic Grey:

• Eerie
• Eskimo Kisses
• Nook & Pantry

A Copic Christmas

Many of you who have signed up for the "Copic Christmas" class have requested a list of the color pens we will be using. If you have your own markers you are encouraged to bring them, but please label them clearly with your name (I used return address size labels that I print on the computer).

These are the colors that I have used on the cards (may not be complete - I'm still working on a third project!)

• Y21
• YR12
• E31
• E33
• E49
• E57
• R27
• R29
• R39
• G21
• G17
  
• G24
• G99
• YG67
• W0
• W2
  

Changes to our class schedule

This week we have been crazy-busy (Donna's card classes always do that to us!). But we did need to make a couple of schedule changes.

First off, I am very sad to say that the DeNami Pop Up class had to be cancelled. The instructor had to leave the company and there is no one available to replace her. DeNami Designs has offered to provide kits to the students who would like them. Please let us know this week if you would like one ($25 ea).

On a positive note, all of the Christmas card classes have been a huge success and we have had to add additional dates to accommodate everyone.
The Copic Christmas class on Nov 15th has only one spot left so a new date has been added, Friday, Dec 4th at 6pm.
Most of the seats in the last Quick & Easy Christmas cards class (Nov. 5th) are taken but 2 or 3 more people can still get in if you call this week.
If you are not able to get into that class, the November Card Club classes will also be Christmas theme. So that is another option. I hope to get samples for that class to show you in the next few days.

So Much New

I can't believe how much new stuff came in on Friday. I guess that's what happens when I take a day off! To be honest, I'm not sure I even had a chance to see half of it when I was in for class on Sunday.

I know some JustRite stampers came in, I saw a few of the Memory Box stamps and as I was walking out I caught a glimpse of the new Christmas line from Pink Paislee!

Thursday the new Christmas line from Little Yellow Bicycle came in. I'm not quite sure where we put it with all of the fabulous Christmas papers we already had...

Debra from DeNami Designs will be coming back to The Inspiration Station on November 7th to teach the most adorable pop up cards ever- Sign up today so you don't miss out!

Tim Holtz is at it again

Tim Holtz is at it again!

Check out his blog post for today - he did some awesome Halloween projects!

Remember we carry a full line of Tim's products - if we are out of stock on anything we carry always order it for you.

World Card Making Day- Oct. 3, 2009

Tomorrow is World Card Making Day!

Make sure you spend a bit of time making at least one handmade card for someone special. If you need help, come see me at The Inspiration Station; I can always give you ideas!

Winter treats

It's a chilly day so I made some cocoa...
This is an Impression Obsession stamp and I colored it with Copics. We have everything at the store. I'm thinking of doing this in my "Copic Christmas" class.

Celebrate Memories Crop

I just wanted to send a shout out to Lisa and Cynthia from Celebrate Memories crop. We had a great time at the crop yesterday at the Crowne Plaza in Enfield. What a nice group of ladies, and a very nice hotel. We are looking forward to joining them again at future events.

Join us at Ridin' Hy Ranch

Scrapbooking at Ridin'-Hy Ranch
Warrenburg, NY

For all scrappers, new or seasoned. Workshops, Raffle Prizes and more.

November 20-22
2 nights, 6 meals, all activities included (including Horseback Riding!)
Reserved work Spaces
$210 per person
For more info:
Kerry @ (518) 494-2742