Who said "It Never Rains in California"????

Hey Bloggerettes,
There might not be snow but it's moisture of another color down here in California. I toughed it out and wore my sandals today anyway, almost fell a few times though - I may have hydroplaned once or twice! We were at an event today that had companies presenting their newest product to us "pre-show". It's tough to make a decision what to order before we see everything. Some stuff is too good to pass up - gotta have it! We saw the catalogue from Stampers Anonymous with all of Tim's new stamps in it. We even got a free set. My boyfriend will be presenting tomorrow representing Sizzix, Advantus (Ideaology stuff) and Ranger. I'm so nervous - what if he doesn't remember me?????? Hope everyone is looking after our store while we're gone.
CIAO
Lori

Greetings from the "Yard"

Hey Bloggerettes,

VK chastised me today for not keeping up with my blogging so here it is.......

We are still in the big sign dilema. Last week we put up a temporary sign but the management company had it taken down 5 days later. Today I spotted the guy who removed it so I ran outside and began my inquisition. We had it back in our store about an hour later with instructions not to put it up again. YIKES!

Robin and I leave on Wednesday for CHA. Hopefully we will be able to blog and send pics while we're away. Make sure you go shopping at our store while we're gone!

Robin and I are in the process of moving our craftrooms to different rooms in our houses. OMG I had no idea that I had so much fabulous stuff. For the last 3 years I have been amassing lime green bags full of product. I have not scrapbooked or made one single card in 3 years in my own home. You can imagine the thrill of looking in these bags. I think I have enough brads to pave Canyon Meadows Drive (but everybody knows I love brads). I have no intention of ceasing the collection! Speaking of collections, the attached photo is ONE pile of shoes that I had to take out of one room and set up in another. Can you guess how many shoes are in this pile??? Oh and by the way, how does one loose one shoe? When I set up the shoe gallery again I ended up with 3 single shoes. Huhhhhhhhhhhhhhh were could they be, do you not remove them both - oh maybe I lost them when I had a cast on my foot because Milo pulled me off a 7' ledge along Fish Creek into the river and I did not let go of the leash. That story requires a physical re-enactment.

Thanks for looking!
CIAO
Lori

Pre-New Year's Wishes

Hey Bloggerettes,

We received our "Basic Grey" order today. We now have the 2 new collections "Sugar Rush" and "Origins". Both collections are double-sided. We also re-stocked some of the other more popular collections. Check out their website and gallery. www.basicgrey.com

The "Jewel Glitter" has also been re-stocked. We have the warm and cool transparent in abundance.

All of our sale merchandise is 75% off.

Remember we are closed Thurday and Friday. I presume Robin will be knocking them back and need a day to recover.

CIAO
Lori

Merry & Bright!

Hey Bloggerettes,

Just wanted to let you know we will be open on Boxing Day (regular Saturday hours). We are having a SALE to celebrate - 25% off your order (does not include pre-ordered/special ordered items, classes or memberships). We have cookies - hopefully there will be some left after today.

I saw on my boyfriend's website that he is releasing 12 new colors of Distress Inks. EXCELLENT. He has also teamed up with SIZZIX and they are producing steel rule dies of some of his popular Grungeboard shapes. MOST EXCELLENT.

We are having temporary lettering put up on our front facia signage - don't be alarmed at the color or font - it's only a temporary solution until we settle the situation with the management company.

Happy Holidays,
Lori

3 More Sleeps!

Okay, even though my son has given me the countdown til Christmas since the 1st of December I still felt like I was slapped in the face yesterday morning when I realized that CHRISTMAS IS THIS WEEK!!!! I am SOOO not ready! I have still got some shopping to do, baking and since I am hosting Christmas dinner this year, some grocery shopping.

Anyway, instead of actually getting anything done I thought I would post some long ago promised layouts that were either part of our Shabby Chic series or inspired by same. LOVING this class! Once this album is complete will be moving on to complete a 6X12 album. We already have a list of people interested so GET YOUR NAME ON IT if you want in! Four of the following layouts are from the classes and six were created at home. In case you don't recognize the adorable child in the photos that is me! (haven't changed a bit, right??!!

I also want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. You, our customers and friends are what keep Lori and I going everyday when stuff is hitting the fan! We are very grateful and you have all made this so worthwhile. Looking forward to seeing you all on Boxing Day.

Robin

'Tis the Season To Be Merry

Hey Bloggerettes,

It's a beautiful day in the neighbourhood. The sun is shining, the temperature is acceptable, the roads are drivable - it's all good.

I have posted our January class schedule on the blog. Have a peek.

FYI: The 2 new lines of Basic Grey are on their way.

Friday night was a "cookiefest" with our BWB group. Not a crumb was left for either Robin or I on Saturday morning - "what up with that!"

We have been spoiled by our CWB group of scrapbookers. They are sooo good to us. Thanks gals.

I want to share some personal information with you because I am OVERJOYED. My brother was diagnosed "Cancer Free" last week. We have been through a tough year with his cancer and can now breathe a big sigh of cautious relief. Thankfully he will still be monitored very closely. Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers.

Merry Christmas

Lori

Holy White Stuff!

Hey Bloggerettes,

I've dug out of my igloo and I'm ready to chat. Does it feel like Christmas now???????

Please take note of our holiday hours on the calendar - let your husbands know that we are closed all day Chrismas Eve so they must get their Gift Cards before that. Some times we only have the $500 ones left (ha, ha, ha).

Our order of "Rose Moka" arrived this week. Rose Moka is a Canadian company based in Quebec. We have the "Equinoxe", "Chic Grunge" and "Vintage Glam". They have a nice gallery of layouts to check out too.

We received a great assortment of "Jewel Glitter Ritz" that adheres beautifully to double sided tape and feels like burnished velvet.

"Doodlebug Craft Keepers" in all sizes are also on the shelves.

Have you been following my boyfriend's (Tim Holtz) blog??? He is doing the "12 Tags of Christmas" again. Love them!! Of course I will be doing a class on these tags in the new year. Class size is limited to 6 but I have a feeling I will be doing more than one class a month. We do 3 tags per class so it takes 4 months to complete all 12.

VK, if you made it to your desintation, please comment on the blog - you know how I worry!

"Basic Grey" has announced 2 new collections - "Sugar Rush" and "Origins". They will ship at the end of December.

You will notice something different outside our store. The management company of the mall decided to change all of the awnings. They tore down our lovely hot pink awning on Friday. The replacements will all look like the one outside "Weight Watchers". How boring. We haven't decided what we are going to do but we definitely want it to be unique fun like us!!! Any suggestions?????

CIAO
Lori

New and exciting!

Hey Bloggerettes,

Some really cool stuff has come in lately. You better get to it before Robin gets to it!

We've carried Collage Press before and were just waiting for their new line of Christmas (Joy Ride) to come out. I've attached their website so you can take a peak. (Their images are copyrighted and can't be transferred to a blog.)

www.collagepress.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=13

Also on the shelves are:

October Afternoon's "Report Card"
Creative Imagainations "Passion for Fashion", "Lionel Trains", "123 Celebrate Me"
Ten Second Studios "Big Mamma" and "Big Daddy" dies along with the Humungo Mat sets

I'll try to upload some pics later.

Greetings to all of our sick and wounded customers. You know who you are! We miss you.

CIAO
Lori

Random Rantings

Hi Everyone;

Thought I would share a few photos that Lori was describing in her last blog. Enjoy.
Also wanted to let everyone we got some AMAZING product in the store yesterday and today. Yesterday we got a box full of Melissa Frances stuff. I was drooling (and of course took a bagful home). Some of it didn't even reach the shelves - it was chaos as everyone was rummaging through the basket. Time to re-order already! Today we got a big box of bling - a new company that we are carrying called Zva. Really great stuff (and great prices). I am REALLY looking forward to next week when the Jenni Bowlin order comes in - lots of cute baby stuff and some Christmas thrown in.

I have to say how much I am enjoying taking the "Shabby Chic" classes that Lynn is teaching. I so look forward to the class every week and I am so inspired (I even managed to knock off 2 layouts last night). Even though I have been scrapbooking for 15 years I am still learning a ton (I guess you really can teach old dogs new tricks)!

Lori and her brother travelled to surprise her mom for her 75th birthday this weekend. Happy Birthday Joan!

Have a great weekend everybody!

Robin