Projects I LOVE ---- and my attempts to scrap-lift!

Hi everyone! We've attempted a blog numerous times at Scrapbooks Too, but we all get so busy with other things that it seems to “fall off of the radar screen." Lately, I’ve been thinking about more ways to stay in touch with you all, and what I could possibly have to share - I came up with an idea last week! I am always looking for ways to get great card, scrapbook and other samples in my store. Those of us who work here occasionally make them; I get them from other stores in “sample swaps;" customers sometimes make them; I get them from manufacturers.     

I’m going to take a sample I’m getting ready to display in the store, tell you about the person who made it, and show you what it inspired me to do! I have found that I am much more “inspired” to be a good store owner when I get time to craft, so each Tuesday I’m going to try to make the day my “blog, copy and sample” day. I’ll write blog posts, I’ll copy other people’s great designs, and make a stash of samples for the store. Oh yes---and I’ll make sure we have the products you need to replicate these ideas!

This first week I am featuring a card from a swap in which I recently participated. It was a “Spellbinders” swap with stores in the Crafters Home network. I put all the cards on the table in front of me, and I turned it over to see who made it---it was created by Gail Borstelmann, the Crafters Home office manager, and former Scrapbooks Too sales associate (and current customer). She can often be found at the store on Tuesdays, sharing  lunch with Kathy!

This card used a few of my favorite products --- Spellbinders Rose Creations die and paper from the Authentique “Journey” collection (still one of my top 5 favorite lines of all time). I also love the tag she made using Spellbinders Ribbon Tags Trio Three die (I love the fact that it’s designed to have the ribbon go through it)---and WOW---love the effect of the alcohol ink on glossy cardstock!   

From the same swap, another card was made using the Rose Creations die. This one was created by Missy Brozek, who is the Crafters Home Creative and Marketing Director. She also does all the design work on our beautiful newsletter. I think it’s so funny that she and Gail used the same die AND the same rub-ons!     

Since I love the Journey collection, I pulled out my 6x6 pad, and I called Gail to borrow her Rose Creations die (yes, I actually own 2 of them---one at home and one for the store---but of course I can’t find either one!). I decided to add a stamped image to mine---for a note to a friend I had lunch with last week –which I’ve been ready to use for awhile. My style isn’t quite as “clean” as Gail’s is, but I’m pleased with the result!     The stamps are by Riley and Company (I LOVE the moose!), and the Stickles, well they’re just Stickles! I couldn’t find my Glossy Accents (a new bottle is on a pile of stuff awaiting me at the store), so I embellished the flowers with some Crackle Accents instead. Similar to Gail’s, but with my own-self relfected.  

I was still inspired to do a little more, making use of all 7 pieces of the Rose Creations die set like Missy did. My 22nd anniversary is coming up very soon, and can you believe I’ve NEVER made an anniversary card for Ed? I've been playing a lot with the Echo Park“Times and Seasons” line, and inspired by it, I created something I love, which “feels” like my husband, even with the rose! My 17 year old told me a man should never get a card with a flower on it---WHATEVER! 

The stamped image is from an old ATC (artist trading card) set of Tim Holtz’s - Ornate Collages. Check the closeup image---perfect for the man I love. Now I have a week and a half to write something inside!

Last step---return the die to Gail’s office. I’ll slip over there before she gets in tomorrow (and before I have a chance to lose it!).      

I hope I’ve inspired you all a little bit---take some time to craft today. It doesn’t matter if you copy these exactly, or if you don’t copy them at all---remember why we all love paper so much! It’s because of the fun we have playing with it! We always love to see what you’ve created---bring your art to the store with you and show it off!

Do you feel inspired to inspire me? Every week I'll be picking something to copy---a sample in my store, one of the cards I see a customer make, a scrapbook page I feel like lifting... Want me to copy you? Please talk to me at the store, I'd love to feature different people each week!  

~ Sue

Find Scrapbooks Too on Facebook!

Visit us at www.scrapbookstoo.com!

What do you get when you take an old-fashioned clip and add paint, metal and embossing?

You get an awesome creation by Allie!

Yep, that's right. This Thursday Technique will have you painting wood, embossing and distressing that fabulous Ten Seconds Studio Metal Paper!

Just think of the possibilities!!

(Supplies Needed For This Technique: Wonder Tape (red-lined tape)! If you don't have any - we will have sheets available for purchase. Honestly this is some great stuff you really should have in your craft stash!)

Wild n' Wacky Wednesday!

It's another "whoop it up" Wednesday at Scrapbooks Too Wed, April 27th!

Come on over to Scrapbooks Too wearing your fuzzy or sexy robe (over your clothing please!!!) and sporting your fuzzy bunny slippers (or other...) and get an American Crafts Dear Lizzy Album Kit for ONLY $5!!!!!

YES - I SAID ONLY $5!

That is a $50 value for ONLY $5!

But there is a catch!

YOU MUST WEAR YOUR ROBE AND SLIPPERS (or have the slippers in hand) AND GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN!!
(These pictures will NOT appear on Facebook or YouTube but they WILL appear on our website- no names will be mentioned!). I, Laura, don't work that day but I PROMISE I will be there with my robe and my slippers!!!! And YES, I will have my picture taken for the website - anyone have any cool curlers I can roll up in my hair just for fun???)

Feel free to put your robe on over your clothing before coming in the store so you don't have to drive all that way and have all those other drivers "gawking" at you - although wouldn't it be fun?????!!!!!!! I can just see myself now getting pulled over by our friendly law enforcement officers - just how do I explain that???

The American Crafts Dear Lizzy Album Kit contains the following:
~12x12 Cloth post bound album
~10 page protectors
~20 sheets of 12x12 patterned paper
~100 thickers
~24 patterned chipboard shapes
~34 phrase stickers
~4 flair badges
(Retail value is $50)

NEW Tim Holtz Sizzix Dies

These new Tim Holtz Sizzix dies are "to die for"!

We have the Mini Tickets, the Tiny Tabs and Tags and Mini Openings!

Perfect for all of your crafting, scrapbooking, ATC and book-making needs, these magnetic movers and shapers Sizzix dies easily cut through both thick and thin materials, including cardstock, chipboard, fabric, foam, magnetic sheets, leather, metallic foil, paper, sandpaper, and everyone's favorite: Grunge!

These Magnetic Dies are full of endless possibilities. Because they are magnetic, they can be placed anywhere within the Movers & Shapers Base Dies (sold separately) for a custom look, and they will stay put until you decide to change the layout again. Use with base Tray L as shown below. Measuring 6" x 8 3/4", the Movers & Shapers L Base Tray can accommodate of the Movers & Shapers Magnetic Dies.

The movers and shapers dies are compatible with the Vagabond, BIGkick, Big Shot, Big Shot Express, and Big Shot Pro die cutting machines!

The 3/50 Project! Pick 3. Spend $50. Save your local community!

**All it takes is just one person to start a trend...will that person be you?

When you think of the community that you live and shop in, there are 3 very important things you need to consider.

1) What 3 independently owned businesses would you miss if they disappeared?
Is it us - Scrapbooks Too? What about your mom n' pop grocery store that you "just run into" occasionally for those last minute items? How about the cute little clothing boutique where you bought your favorite outfit? Or the cool little pet supply store on the corner where you got those awesome toys that your animals just adore?

2) Did you know if half the employed population spent $50 each month in locally owned independent businesses, it would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue. Imagine the positive impact if 3/4 the employed population did that!

3) Are you aware that for every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. If you spend that money in a national chain store, only $43 stays here. If you shop online, nothing comes home!


The 3/50 project idea is to commit $50 each month to locally owned businesses, total. Maybe that means rethinking where you currently invest your money, opting to pick up that birthday card or pair of jeans in a locally owned business instead of the big box you’ve been going to. Or maybe it means eating out just once a month because you realize slamming the brakes on all spending stalls economic recovery. It’s just that simple.

This Project isn’t an “all or nothing” campaign that insists consumers stop shopping in chains or franchises. Instead, the message is about balance-—of the money you currently spend each month. We simply ask you to redirect an affordable $50 back to the locally owned independent businesses that have been forgotten of late. Just as there are things in a locally owned store that you can’t find in a big box, there are also things in a big box you can’t find in a locally owned store. We simply need to think about where our dollars are best invested, consider the greater amount of revenue local businesses return to the community, then purchase accordingly. Otherwise, local economies suffer irreparable harm - as we have seen lately with lots of empty buildings and stories on the news.

For more information, please copy & paste the following link into your web browser:
http://www.the350project.net/home.html

It's Monday! Make a Card for just $1!

LIFE IS SWEET!

And you can really make someone's day with this sweet little cupcake card!

Susan and Amanda really outdid themselves with the cuteness on this one! Done in a fabulous blue/pink background, our smiling and waving,"Hello Cupcake", literally leaps off the page with the help of the T.H. Rosette underneath it!

So easy to make - you can use this for birthday, Valentine's or maybe even to "pop the question"!!!

All proceeds benefit VEAP - and yes, you can make extra cards for $1 each!

(please bring your favorite adhesive to this event)

*Hot Buys* This Week!

"So Sophie" Grab Bags from My Minds Eye - only $7.99 or $8.49! Sue put together some fantastic grab bags - there are paper, stickers and other fun stuff. "So Sophie" is made up of 4 different collections - "Charming", "Clever", "Graceful" and "Savvy"! These grab bags would normally retail for $20.00 but you can take one or two home for only $7.99 or $8.49. Shop early for best selection of course! (Note from Sue---I snuck in some $4.99 collections, too!) *Here is a link to see the different collections: http://www.mymindseye.com/SS/021-SS-Line.asp ***************************************** Martha Stewart Halloween & Christmas Paper Punches - 75% OFF! Yes, you read that correctly! Come get "bats in your belfry", "cauldrons in your kitchen" and do a little "hauntin' through a scary graveyard" (complete with requisite raven) - these are just some of the spooky delights that await you! But wait...there's more! You can also "deck the halls" with ornaments and wreathes and if you didn't get enough of gift-giving - there is a cool little gift punch that you just oughta have! Get back into the spirit of the holidays and stock up for next year! These will go QUICKLY---so grab 'em while you can!

INTRODUCING the 9 new Stickles from Ranger!

These amazing new colors are incredibly vibrant and beautiful, and they are sure to become some of your favorites! (And yes, I already bought every single gorgeous glittery color!!)

Here they are in all their glory - from left to right - as shown in the picture:
Tropical Tangerine
True Blue
Firefly
Midnight Blue
Paprika
Thistle
Mystic Green
Lagoon
Glam Pink

At only $2.00 per bottle you can let your art "sparkle" with this acid free glitter glue! Easily write, dot, dash, draw and embellish on paper and rubber stamping projects, candles, memory album covers and more! WOOT!

Limited Edition Valentine Card Kit - Designed by Amanda!

Limited Edition Valentine Card Kit - Designed by Amanda!

You probably don't know that Amanda is our "best kept creative secret". Alot of kits and other fun things you see in SB2 have been designed by this talented young lady!

This Valentine Card Kit is no exception! For only $10 you can easily assemble 6 fantastic cards!!

Now, I was looking at these and with just a little "tweaking" (and no big amount of creative thought needed thank goodness) these cards could easily be transformed into Anniversary, Wedding or even a "just because I care" card for your best friend!

Grab a kit today and streamline your card-making - leaving more time for YOU!

5 for $5 Saturday, Jan 29th

We know that the end of January can be dreary, cold and boring so we decided to spice it up a little and host another 5 for $5 Saturday.

On Saturday, January 29th come on over to Scrapbook Too from 11am-3pm and make 5 terrific cards! June designed them so you know they are just as cool as can be!!

(please bring your favorite adhesive to this event)