diary of a scrapbook store owner

To blog or not to blog...

2010-09-08T13:58:00.003-04:00

That is the question....at least these days. I was thinking just this morning that I haven't really done a good job of keeping up my blog. But really, is it any wonder?

It's back to school time, and with that comes waiting at the bus stop at 8:10 and 3:30, , Karate, gymnastics, Pre-school potpourri, cub scouts, Daisy's...and that's just for the kids! For myself I have a yoga class, a new weekly Bible study, Mops and all the meetings that accompany Mops....

The business goes about the same. In addition to the two classes a month I teach here at the store, I'm working for a new school district this fall - a scrapbooking class once a month throughout the fall. And just this morning I finalized the location of a new fundraiser crop at a new location. The month after the charity crop will be the next Scrap with Shelby get away weekend, in which I teach several workshops throughout the weekend.Well, you get the idea.

One has to wonder where to find the time. Is it too much? With all of that, you'd think I'd be over-whelmed. But honestly, I don't see it that way. I like having something for me. My business. It may be small and a perpetual state of fledging, but it's mine, It allows me to create, to step outside the box, my comfort zone if you will, even if just for the hour or two I can devote to it.

I guess that's what scrapbooking is to a lot of us too, right? Sure it's preserving wonderful memories or a chance to get out with the girls... But it's also a chance to create more than what is ourselves. And that's worth making time for.

Boy's inspiration...

2010-06-22T09:37:00.005-04:00

My friend, Zhanna, blogged about me today, so I figured I would put up the project I showed her for inspiration. In truth, I took this as a class several years ago at convention and never used the actual sample. However, it was an awesome class as I've used the ideas for several gifts to other boy mommies.

Anyway, the materials used for the class were all from the hardware store. To bind the book, we used zip ties instead of rings and window screening tied up as the "bows". For decoration, we used washers, hardware and dry wall tape in various forms and my favorite, foil tape originally designed for duct work. I love to cut shapes out of the foil for really unique embellies.

Check it out. you can spend $4 a yard on "scrapbooking mesh" or you can spend $7 on a roll and have a lifetime supply. Ink it chalk it, use it in masking techniques....there is no limit. To see the whole album, go to my forum. be sure to check out all the other ideas too!

Shimmerz Technique

2010-05-15T13:00:00.010-04:00

This project is so very easy. I got the idea from the Oaks StampScrapArt Tour where I vendor called Just for Fun stamps was using this technique for cards. (If you are a card maker, check out their website for all their premade templates) They used distress inks, but I thought this was a perfect application for Shimmerz! If you like this, I am going to teach this in the August class. It will be great. Shown here is the feminine version. To see colors for the masculine version, go to the forum for the video link.

Any shape can be used with technique, but I chose vertical rectangles. Step one is to cut a template for yourself.

Use a 12 x 12 trimmer, and cut three rectangles. The margin is 1 inch at the top and bottom. Starting from the left, cut the first box 2 1/2 inches wide, starting at once inch in. The second box starts 4 1/4 inches from the left page and is 3 1/2 inches wide. Finally, the third box should be cut 8 1/2 inches in, and is 2 1/2 inches wide.

Step two. Lay the template over a fresh piece of cardstock. Gather several colors of Shimmerz spritz mists. I like to work on my Ranger Craft mat - it's a great way to keep your work space clean. Start to spray them over the template. I like to concentrate the darker colors around the edges with the lighter colors closer to the center. I then usually finish the entire project off with an extra shimmery color like Baby's Breath, Concrete or my favorite, Tuscan Sun.

Step 3 - After you've let your layout dry (usually about 15 minutes) keeping the template over the bottom paper, stamp several images all over the page. I think Staz on is the best. If you haven't tried stamping with Staz on, you will never go back! Nature stamps work beautifully for this, btw, but I could see birthday candles, different size letters or numbers, music notes... Really, there are endless possibilities.

And Voila! Remove the template and you are done! From there you have the basis of a beautiful layout. It's need only photos and some journaling, but stay tuned for next week. I 've order some of the trendy new stick pins. I'm going to finish this layout using some organdy ribbon, some lace, and those new stick pins.

To see a video of this technique, see the link in my forum here.

Lions and tigers and bears.... oh my!

2010-05-11T10:30:00.004-04:00

So I was sending a note to my meet up group this morning. Seems once again I was remiss and forgot to post the schedule to that particular calendar. I just want to smack myself sometimes...

But wait, is it really any wonder? In my note, I included all the ways to stay in touch with Scrap with Shelby. I mean, while the meetup group was once a wonderful thing for me (it immensely boosted my visibility in web search engines...) was it really worth the $150 a year I spend to keep it?

As I started posting the links, it was a bit astonishing..and more than a little overwhelming.

I mean, there is of course, this blog. Then there is my facebook page, the meetup group, the website with the classes and crops page, and of course my favorite, the forum. I didn't even list my you tube videos and apparently, I have a twitter page that my husbands plays with...

I would post the twitter link, but as you can see, I can't get in to even my own page

Do I have a point for writing all this? No, not really. I guess I am having some fun laughing at myself. In H.S. I took "Basic" as my computer course. It was cutting edge, and I remember struggling to just write that basic loop program...one little character off, and it just wouldn't work.

Fast forward 23 years and I am blogging and facebooking and managing my own website and forum, and still trying to get everything in the right place. So in a way, while technology has changed dramatically in all that time, it still seems, to a degree, that I am still stuck in that loop.

Learning from my students...

2010-05-07T13:21:00.005-04:00

So last Sat was National Scrapbooking Day. Yes, there really is such a thing, and it's usually the first Sat of May or so. I was already having a crop, but to maybe boost attendance and sales, I offered two extra hours of cropping, prizes, free technique demos and of course a special sale.

I was pleasantly surprised to have three new scrappers to the house in addition to some "regulars". Now with the regular crowd, it's a bit easier. I know their preferences, skill levels and how much they do - or don't - like demos and lessons. But with new folk, you just have to tread carefully, try not to get on their nerves and hope they like it enough to come back.

So after lunch time, I started a free demo and had some interest. I was working with SCAL with is a new program for me. I honestly told everyone I was learning too, but that I would cut anything they liked. So it went pretty well, and we continued to cut some more throughout the day, me learning as we went (can you weld them together? Can you find me a cupcake? etc etc) I still have a lot to learn, but wow, what an awesome program!

But then it got even more interesting. I noticed more and more that as I answered technique based questions about using Shimmerz Mists or stamping, more and more people would get up and come over what I had to say. What great fun! A teacher loves nothing more than willing and interested students.

But as I taught, and students learned, an interesting thing happened...As people showed me their creations using the techniques they learned, I learned more about the very techniques I was teaching.

Tammy learned that when she used paper to cover elements she didn't want misted...she could use the same technique to create a layered effect. She cranked out this gorgeous page:

So using that same idea, I took a hand cut template and layered Shimmerz for my own pattern. I just laid it down on white cardstock and sprayed with colors like rock-a-fella blue, plum passion, 4 leaf clover, and sea foam. At the end of most projects, I also tend to add a layer of tuscan sun to help blend it.

And Rachel, who was learning to stamp, reminded me how versatile stamps can be. Rachel was working one of the challenges from the Scrap with Shelby forum. Let's hope she posts the finished product soon in Rachel's Gallery

Sure you can stamp a flourish in the corners of the pages...but I forgot how stamping off the page can completely transform the page. Using the same stamp and color she did (because I loved what she did so much) I created my own background paper from shimmering lilac cardstock:

I guess that's one of the fun things about owning a store and being a teacher. Learning myself. No matter how much of an expert you become, you just never stop learning, and really, why would you want to?

I am already working on my new background pages to turn them into layouts. When I do, I will be sure to post it on the Scrap with Shelby Facebook Fan page. (Be sure to become a fan today so you don't miss any updates!)

Teaching classes - Challenges and joys.

2010-04-20T10:13:00.007-04:00

Class last night was just fun. Had another new student, and she was so excited. I love those moments, when you see the delight in their faces as their pages unfold... So cool. It's what makes this business worth doing. Helping people make their pages - it's just a great feeling.

We did masking and Shimmerz in white on black.(I told you I was into Shimmerz these days...) I found the idea on the Shimmerz Blog and did a whole class around it.

I showed everyone how to make their own mask using cardstock on the Cricut (Use the Plantin schoolbook cart circle set at 3/4 inch, with 6 spaces in between each circle. ). Even if I was able to still get the discontinued circle masks, for each student to have their own would have added $3 per person. Using the cardstock cost about .04 cents per person. It's a challenge to keep that cost down, but important to me. I want everyone to be able to afford to come, especially in this economy. We even shared the shimmerz amongst the whole class. I stocked the 1 oz bottles for those that wanted to purchase as I am confident they will sell on their own. But no need to jack up class costs un-necessarily, right?!

Challenging...that's a great way to sum up what class can be. One of the biggest challenges is finding pages that are gender neutral enough to appeal to "boy mommies" and "girl mommies". Then their are of course, the grandmoms, the singles...It's a hard job, but one I enjoy. I've been teaching classes now for close to 5 years and still love coming up with new ideas to teach.And like I said, it's those moments with student when the walk out happy with completed pages that make the challenges worth it.

I love the idea I came up for for one of June's classes. I am using some older Bella Blvd paper I found at the back of their catalog. Half the line was sold out, but the bright colors and subtle patterns just spoke to me. Shown here is the feminine version. To make it masculine, class goers will simple swap the blue and pink for the more dominant color. Pretty fun, right?

Scrapbooking Life

2010-04-19T13:08:00.005-04:00

So it was a rough weekend business wise. Went to a crop and it just wasn't a buying crowd. It can be frustrating only because there is so much work involved in setting up for a crop. It takes me about 2 hours to pack up, 2-3 hours to set up, the crop intself (in this case, 9am - 8pm which is 11 hours, then an hour to pack up, and two hours to unpack it back into the store. So for this crop, altogether I worked about 19 hours. I only made after costs, about $40 after costs. So that's $2.11 and hour....

Definately not getting rich in this business...

But there are always silver linings. I talked to a couple of new people who were interested in coming to crops. New customers are the back bone of staying open so that's good.

I practiced a demo with the new Shimmerz. I want to demo those next month down in Ocean City for the convention there, and that' s just plain fun. And I was able to complete some layouts.

I've been focusing less on milestones, and more on scrapbooking life. Those little details I want to remember, like blowing bubbles. For this one, I used the Scrappin Sports rub ons, Shimmerz,(LOL, can you tell I am loving this new product?) Crafter's Workshop Templates and of course my beloved white unibal pen. What would I do without that pen?

Want to do the same thing? I used Bo Bunny Kitchen Spice in Cinnamon (the blue side), and Shimmerz in Sea Foam and Rock-a-fella blue. To get the white circle, I used the Crafter's Workshop dot dot template with the white Unibal. I'm wondering now, if I should even add one more layer of the Shimmerz in Baby's Breath to give an extra layer of shimmer? hmmmmmm...

Next life event I'm thinking of scrapping? Eggs. That's right, eggs!

No, it's not an Easter thing... For some time now, we've been eating all natural foods, cutting out preservatives, high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors and colors. It's a challenge, but very doable, with a little homework. Now we are going for organic produce and hopefully soon, meat. For about the same price we pay now, we joined a growing co-op through a local farm that's not even 10 minutes away.

Today, I picked up local honey to help with my son's allergies to trees, weeds and grass (some believe the local bees pick up the local pollen and help with this. The stuff from the grocery won't help, it has to be local to what you're exposed to). I also bought some great looking fresh eggs. Did you know brown eggs simply come from brown chickens? It's becoming a new way of life for us, eating all natural and organic, and a part of who we are and what we believe in, so why not scrap it? It's life.

People are good

2010-04-16T09:31:00.003-04:00

AS hard as this business is, people are good. I am bringing the store to the Phoenixville Senior Center tomorrow for a benefit crop. No big deal, it's something I do all the time. However, Josh's baseball schedule was released a week ago and yep, you guess it! His first game is tomorrow.

Josh has been waiting a year to play baseball. He announced last June that he wanted to play, but the season here goes from April to June. He had just missed it. I figured he would forget all about it. But ever new session at the YMCA, he would ask, "Is it time for baseball yet?"

So far, he loves it. He's learning all kinds of things... For instance, he learned yesterday that the first base was called First base, not second. I am, however, still trying to convince him that there are still only 4 bases, not one for each kid on the team. LOL

So thank you to those that offered to watch my booth tomorrow. It's nice to know I wasn't going to have to shut it down, because baby, it's baseball season!!!

I need a Back up back up

2010-04-07T14:36:00.002-04:00

So I thought I was really with it. I had a great back up system. I burned my photos to dvd and stored one copy at home, and one in my bank vault. Yes, I have a bank vault just for storing my precious valuable...no, no cash or stocks or expensive jewelry. I have the truly priceless things in there...an invitation from our wedding, the hat Josh wore home from the hospital as well as his binkie, Katelyn's Chinese documents, and lots and lots of photo DVD's.

Enter the external drive. Isn't this a great idea? Just copy everything over to this 4 x 6 inch box and no more stacks of DVD's right? Great idea...until you drop it. Yep, doesn't like to be dropped, or in my case, pushed off the top of my too small desk.

Well, I am heart sick. Of course it never stopped working and never recovered the data. I have been more than anxious to get it back. It has all the pictures of Noah in the hospital in them, as well as the first few months of his life. There are precious few pictures of him in the hospital, you see,because he was so sick. Hour to hour, we didn't know if he would need open heart surgery, intestinal surgery or what. He spent most of his time hooked up to machines and in the special care nursery. I spent my time in a rocker when I wasn't allowed to hold him, or trying to figure out how to nurse him with 6 feet of wires dangling all about.

As terrifying as it was, it was also special to me. It was just me and him, although now he was out of my body. But it was a special time of bonding for us. I was worried if I could bond to a third child after not bonding to my second. During this time, it was impossible not to. Rob spent much of his time trying to take care of the other two, and getting the drs to make sense. I will forever remember my quiet easy going husband challenging the the CHoP drs full force, protecting his own...both me and baby Noah. So while bitter along with the sweet, it was sweet none the less.

It's going to cost about $1000 to get it back if they even can. It's the "if they even can" that makes me so heartsick. I don't have the $1000 to spend on something like that. So now that I have the quote, I will have to save up for it. I'm guessing it will take me a year of "saving my egg money" to get there, and another year of being patient to see those pictures (no, I never even got to see many of them - what newborn mommy has time to sit and look at pictures?)

So lesson learned...Even if you have a back up, make sure you get a back up for your back up.

Turning over a new leaf

2010-04-06T16:04:00.002-04:00

I wonder how they do it. You know, those amazing people that always have new layouts on their blogs and brilliant things to say. How do they do that?

Do they work at 2am?

Do they have a nanny and cook?

Do they not sleep?

Or I guess the better question is, why can't I? Why has it been so long to update my blog. It sure hasn't been because I took a vacation. (OK, I did take a little trip to Orlando in Feb, and then get snowed out of PA...but that's besides the point).

I started this blog because a) I wanted to answer all those questions about what it's like to run a scrapbooking store. So many people thing it's so cool, that I wanted to bring to light what it's really like. Also, b) I wanted to promote the store...simple as that. Get a following who would like to shop with me too.

But I fell into a trap. I didn't want to post about the bad stuff, the hard part of it. I didn't want people to see the struggle stuff because that would be a bummer, right? In these hard times, who wants to read about the hard part of life...I mean we read blogs to escape all that, right? So I was going to be one of those brilliant people who had awesome new layouts all the time, and brilliant things to say (how is it that they do that again? There must be some secret....).

I wasn't going to write about getting turned down for the Ranger school or how I almost decided to close my doors in January, or how a big crop in the area turned me away as a vendor...no one wants to hear that, right? No one wants to hear about what bums me out, nor I guess do they care.

But then it wouldn't be real. And I am here to write about real.

So I am going to write it how it is. I am not going to let Manufactures pressure me to take things down off the blog because it's less than flattering to them (yup, done that), and I am not going to sugar coat how much "fun" it is working with scrapbooking every day. I'm going to tell it like it is, complete with the good the bad and the ugly.

BUT, and this is a biggie... I am also going to share my passion. I've been in business close to three years now, and it's been harrowing to say the least. I recently joked, I am a stay-at-home-mom by day and a scrapbook store owner by night, and wondwe woman in between! I have three kids under 6, a husband and household to take care of and a business to run. A business that requires technical skill (website) business knowledge (taxes anyone?) teaching skills and artistry. Sunday I had 21 people for Easter dinner. Yesterday I balanced keeping my 1 year old happy while completing a new sample layout that was needed last week for a class I am teaching down in MD. Today I was crawling all over the floor building a geotrax train layout and tonight I am going to take another stab at the business taxes I've already invested about 16 hours into....

So maybe Harrowing is not the right word....."Karazeee" might be better! But one of the things I've learned is that people don't start this kind of business to get rich, it's because they are passionate about it. They simply love what they do, and so do I.

So I am turning over a new leaf. I may not have new layouts to show you every day... (seriously, how do they do that, somebody tell me, please) but I will share my passion with you.

Thanks for reading.

Using Gel medium on a layout

2010-01-10T19:17:00.002-05:00

Hi Everyone. Don't forget about the Basic Grey monthly program with free album mentioned in the last post. The sign up link is on the web.

In the mean time, a couple of new how to videos have been added to the forum. For those of you that couldn't attend the very popular Nov class, I've show the techniques on masking and gel medium, as well as some new stamping techniques. Very easy!

Part 1 is here:

And Part 2 is here

Looking For Basic Grey Participants

2010-01-08T15:07:00.003-05:00

OK, I want to take part in the Basic Grey kit of the month. It's only available to retailers, so you won't find in a local store somewhere. Here's what you get:

Double Layout kit each month

Sketches: BasicGrey will continue to include layout sketches for every month.

Simplified, improved full-color instructions: instructions will be more basic and easy-to-follow with a large image of the layout for reference.

Techniques: each month, your students will learn one new tech- nique to incorporate in their scrapbooking.

New generic themes: your students will have different themes to choose from, with different journaling prompts so that they can scrap about whatever they want—and let their imagination and creativity soar.

FREE EXCLUSIVE ALBUM at the end - only for those that do this kit!

It will use new product instead of past lines

Can be done here at the store, or sent out as a kit - I will split the shipping with you.

Here are some samples of the kinds of layouts you might do. You will not get these layouts - these are actual classes from last year's club:

Go to this forum post if you are interested, or Email me directly. I only need 6 people to run this...

Tag #1 step 2

2010-01-08T15:06:00.000-05:00

OK, let's talk about color. What papers do you want to use? What "icon" will you use? Start thinking about color choices when picking paper.

For the base, I will show you another techniques to get a similiar effect to the distress ink. I will also show you some options to do the distress ink technique but with inks you have on hand, and if you don't have a craft mat.

So get your paper ready, include a relatively blank base like white or cream carstock, and a supply of inks or paints in colors that complement your color selections.

"12 tags" conversion contest - Tag #1

2010-01-05T08:34:00.003-05:00

We all loved the tags of Christmas from Tim Holtz, but admittedly, many of us didn't have the time to try it. Or if we did - who wants to give these works of art away to be thrown out with the wrapping, right?

OK, so what I will do is have a "tag" contest of my own where I will tackle one tag each month (12 tags = 12 months) and talk about converting it into a layout of any subject. I will (or any of you!) to talk about how to use existing materials you may have if you don't have the arsenal of Ranger products Tim has at his fingertips (bless his heart - oh to have his awesome talent!).

I can also talk about the products he uses if you do want to invest in them. If I get enough orders for say, the rock candy distress, - I usually have to buy in 3's or 6's, I will offer a 20% discount on it. Or if you are into the distress inks or the non stick craft mat (which is awesome btw...), but can't find some of the more popular colors, I can order those in at the same discount (did you know there is a whole new batch of colors coming soon?) Sounds like fun? If it's not on the web - just ask for it!

OK, here's the first tag:

For today, start with what theme you want to use. Holidays? Seasonal? Birthday? Just a good hanging around shot?

Thinking ahead theme wise, You will need either a stamped shape that you like for the swirl and the snowman. Don't have a stamp? How about a Cricut or Sizzix shape? Don't have a die cut system? Go online to Clipart and print out a generic shape on whatever printed paper you like.

I've done this and it works well. I once needed a dolphin embellishment for a layout, but didn't have one in my stash or in the store. I went online, found a children's coloring page and printed on paper that matched my layout. I cut it out and used pop dots to attach and it was perfect. You can do the same thing here.

OK, will post more tomorrow the next step

Note, challenge will be due Jan 31st entries can be posted here as links, emailed to me or posted on the forum. You will have to register first to post on the forum, but not to look. (Approving people before they can post cuts down on spamming signiifcantly!)

Remembering Christmas - Final thoughts

2010-01-04T20:56:00.003-05:00

Well I never made it back before Christmas - know why? Cause I chose to drop everything and spend 10 days dedicated to my family - no work. It was awesome!

But alas, it's time to return and I find myself although incredibly swamped, excited at what the year has to bring. But before I move on, I'd like to finish up just a little bit about remembering Christmas.

So some final thoughts.

How did you do? Did you let the holidays get to you or did you stop to take the time to remember them? Here's the biggest question of all. While you scrap those photos, and pass those albums on to your kids, how much of you is in them? Is it all the rest of your family or are you there? While it great for them to have pictures of themselves, don't forget while they are your albums now, eventually they will be their albums.

You put the pictures that important to you in your albums, but what pictures will be important to your kids - and their kids?

Let's compile a list of pictures to take with you in them.... That way you will have the list ready for next year - I'll make sure I re-post it come Thanksgiving 2010. I'll start, but please add on with your own traditions or ideas for pictures:

1) Getting your tree (at a farm, stand or down from the attic) and setting it up

2) Decorating your tree or house

3) shopping or wrapping presents

4) a tradition - maybe it's the turn over of holidays...for me it's typically Thanksgiving weekend. I put away the fall stuff and take out the Christmas. I figure if I go through all that bother, might as well have them up for awhile

5) Baking cookies or a traditional holiday fare (We make home made ravioli on my Italian side... Rob's mom makes a seafood chowder every Christmas eve for which I still need to track down the recipe)

6) Ornament shopping

7) opening presents

8) Putting cookies out for Santa (We also go outside and leave reindeer food)

9) Family time as you go visiting... who is the big host?

10) Reading the Christmas story

11) Christmas pageant

12) Those wonderful home made decorations that come home from school "wrapped" for Mom and dad

13) Your favorite gift - mine was a cheap $3 "The best Mom" coffee mug Josh bought at his school holiday shoppe. It came from his heart, so to me it's might as well be made of solid gold!)

Next year we can talk about how to fully depict the traditions these pictures represent and what you can do during the season to record those memories

For now, please add some other picture ideas!

"Might as well put God on the train"

2009-12-23T10:36:00.003-05:00

We have a Fisher Price "Little People" Nativity set. As I mentioned, we opted not to put our old very breakable glass ornaments on the tree this year. Ditto the hand-painted ceramic Nativity my mother made for me years ago. So out comes the Little people Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus.

I had Joshua put it under the tree in the right order. After all, Rob had sat down with the kids only a day or two ago to remind them of the Christmas story. In all the excitement leading up to Christmas, it's hard not to see the joy in the kid's faces, even as I continually pull them down off the ceiling and settle them down once again. But it's also hard not to flinch as they say - "I can't wait til Christmas - so I can open my gifts!"

Huh? That's not what we're teaching them. Gifts are fun, but we want to teach them that they are just a reminder of God's greatest gift - his precious Son. And the greatest gift I can give my children is to teach them that. So out comes plastic baby Jesus as we tell the story again.

What's important to you? Are you teaching your children the true meaning of Christmas? Or are you letting the stress of shopping, baking and wrapping take center stage? Are they learning to count Christmas lists or precious blessings? A family 5 streets over just lost everything they had to fire. One of the girls is Josh's age. I talked to Josh about it, so that he could learn to be grateful, because what we have here on earth is fleeting, precious, but only temporary. I want him to remember Christmas for what it truly is, not what he got under the tree or in his stocking....

What do you want your Children to remember about Christmas? What legacy will you hand down to them?

So here's the challenge part. It's the night before Christmas eve...you're swamped right? thinking about the food you have to prepare, gifts still to be wrapped, and hoping the kids will behave for just one more minute while you finish this.

Well stop. Stop and drink it in. Look at their faces. Take 5 minutes to make some hot chocolate, sit at the table and tell them the Christmas story. Get out the Bible, a children's book, anything and read it to them. Savor the joy and peace of it. Let them remember that that moment was more important to you than finishing up the last minute crazies...

Just remember.

One more note, so I think we are doing well with the Christmas story. I tell Josh to set up the Nativity under the tree while I clean up breakfast table. So of course Noah crawls over to see the new toys. Before I know it, I see Josh and Noah taking the Mary, the wise men and a sheep for a ride on the Christmas train. Before I can say anything, Noah plucks one of wise men out of the train. Josh takes a minute, looks at Noah and says "Might was well put God on the train" and on goes baby Jesus.

OK, maybe I have some work to do yet.

traditions - pt 2 challenge

2009-12-18T13:33:00.002-05:00

OK, hopefully I gave you some good food for thought. What traditions are important to you? What would you like your family to remember in 30 years?

Take a picture of it. What is it? You decorating the tree? Baking cookies? Wrapping gifts? How about shopping? Maybe a particular movie? (My husband says it's never really Christmas until he's seen Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase)

Classic, truly a classic! LOL

Anyway, what's your tradition? Now write something about it. What is the tradition? Who does it involved? Is there a time you always do it? Does it mean something to you or remind you of something or someone? Now's your chance to record that memory.

Imagine if you do something like this each year and record everything in an album? What kind of treasure would that be to hand down to the next generation. I have an album with nothing but Christmas layouts in there. It's fun to look at it each year, seeing the children grow from year to year.

Well, we are expecting to get possibly two feet of snow...we never ever get that much snow. In fact, we rarely have a white Christmas! But I am prepared, even looking forward to it a bit. As I just wrote my sister:

"We are hankering down here for snow Sat and are going to make cookies, play in the snow, wrap presents, drink hot cocoa, finish decorating our tree (it only has lights) and watch Christmas movies. I expect to peel Josh and Katelyn off the ceiling about once every 5 minutes. It will be total chaos - and I can't wait!"

Of course I will have my camera at the ready too. After all, who knows when tomorrow's traditions will be born?

Remembering Christmas - Traditions pt 1

2009-12-16T10:39:00.003-05:00

What kind of traditions do you have for Christmas?

I recently talked about tree traditions on the Scrap with Shelby forum. We take for granted that traditions will always be carried down through the generations, but not always. As couples marry and make new families, some traditions are melded together, some new ones created and yet others are lost.

Like many families, my family would go on their annual ornament hunt. Each member would pick an ornament for that year and we would make a day of it. I remember looking around the brightly decorated department store and looking at each and every one. My brother would inevitable pick something hokey like a sequined ball or a lego house....My father? a bird. He loved birds on the tree. My mom would pick something more delicate like a clock or teapot. We'd unwrap them each year from their tissue and put it in it's proper owner's pile for hanging later. It was like a solemn ritual for me. We'd hang it, then my mother would hang the garland just so and the tree would be like magic.

Me - I always went for figurines. I have some from before I can even remember and I always loved them. When I was married, the ornaments came with me to my new home, guaranteeing a piece of my childhood and those Christmas memories would always would remain with me. Along with my own, I have a teapot and a bell from my mother's collection, one from my father;s childhood, and even an old faded light blue ball that hung on my parent's first tree when they were married. It's old fashioned and browned, and most of the glitter fell off long ago, but it's the one I treasure most.

This one I've had for years - one I remember always having, and even though it broke a couple of years ago, I can't bear to through it out. It resides in my China cabinet, a fond reminder of Christmas's past.

Sadly, this tradition just didn't take with my family. Perhaps it was the sheer volume of "baby's first Christmas" ornaments I've received for each child, maybe there were just too many traditions to meld and create for this one to survive. I don't know the reason why, but sadly for me, it just didn't.

But that doesn't mean it has no place in my memories, nor for those of my kids. With the birth of children comes the loss of precious irreplaceable breakables.... and so I have started taking pictures of these precious gems that may be loss in a household containing three children under the age of 6 - two of them rambunctious boys! I'm too busy now to make an album, but the important part is the pictures... I have those before these items are lost forever, and I tell their story each year when we hang them. One day when the kids are grown, and before they are ready to make their new traditions, I will be able to sit down and create the album.

Who knows, maybe when my kids are just a little older, and I am no longer a frazzled mom, perhaps we can revive this tradition and they will love it as much as I. But for me, I know I have preserved those memories to live on, and when I am gone, the ornaments will live on to tell my story.

Tomorrow I will post your traditions challenge.

Remembering Christmas - day 1 part 2

2009-12-11T15:15:00.002-05:00

OK, how did you do with the first assignment? Did you find something you were grateful for? Now how about a picture to go with it? It doesn't have to be perfect, but it does have to be a memory.

See that? See that about three pieces of laundry are folded and the rest lay undone. Wait, doesn't that ruin the picture?

So often our books are made up of "perfect" pictures. Life isn't perfect...so what. But what do I want to remember...that my laundry was always neatly folded and put away, or this day when the older kids let their baby brother play "Cars cars" with them for the first time?

And if I am smart, I'll comment that that's Noah's new taggy blanket hanging on the playpen. I just finished making it for him and it's waiting to be wrapped up. And I'll write about how the kids brought Flo's cafe over so the cars 'can get their coffee like mommy" and that Noah brought in his dinosaurs and roared the entire time.

I say let the laundry lay unfolded for another day, because all too soon, the kids will be grown, or the minute will pass. What you do with the moment will decide it's fate...is it just passing time, or does it become a memory?

Tune in tomorrow for the next installment of the series Remembering Christmas...

Remembering Christmas

2009-12-10T23:25:00.002-05:00

What has you stressed? What's preventing you from remembering these precious times? I propose focusing on something else. What can you do to remember this precious time?

Stop what you are doing. Go get a notebook or a sheet of paper. Forget everything that is bothering you. Write down one thing you are grateful for right now this minute. If you're inclined, write a little about why but it's not necessary. And if you want, share it here.

I am stressed most about my kids. They place constant demands on me to the point of exhaustion. At one point on Sunday, Noah was climbing on me to try and nurse, Katelyn was shouting "look at this look at this" every 5 seconds as Rob brought down some Christmas decorations when Josh suddenly had exposive vomit right in front of me and all over the couch I was leaning up against. stressful times...

BUT I am grateful I have these children. When Rob and I got engaged 10 years ago, it was with the knowledge that I couldn't have kids. Then we had hope, then miscarriages. Now lots of drugs, negatives tests, 2 positive ones and a trip to China later, I have these three awesome kids.

So today, instead of getting upset with them because Katelyn is nagging, Josh is jumping on the couch or Noah is cranky, I'm going to remember how lucky I am. No craky mommy - only a grateful one. I'll save this note for some journaling in my scrapbook now.

Tune in tomorrow or go to the Scrap with Shelby forum to following this series on what you can do this Christmas to save your memories....

Opening in Christmas card class

2009-12-03T21:36:00.002-05:00

Life is so crazy right now with the holidays...so crazy I am looking forward to the card class this Sat. I put on Christmas music and hot spiced apple cider and just have a good time.

There was a cancellation for the class, so if you'd like to join me, there's room for one more.

Cyber Monday scrapbook sale!

2009-11-29T20:29:00.000-05:00

I am working over time tonight to get all the sale items posted on the web for tomorrow. I have 15 pages of sale items.

You all can start shopping whenever you like, but I will be adding things for the next couple of hours. There are lots of great things I 've added that never made it to the web, but here is the link to go directly to just sale items

Enjoy!

Pink Paislee Cupid Shipping

2009-11-29T16:08:00.003-05:00

Great news, rather than waiting til mid Dec, I am get an early Christmas present - Pink Paislee's Cupid line is now shipping. It's an adorable line that has lots of uses other than Valentine's day. Check out this great layout from Pink Paislee team member Kim Watson:

Pretty neat huh? Send me an order and mention this blog entry and I will take 20% off your Cupid items. Merry Christmas early to you too!

Sale today only! Martha Stewart punches 30% off

2009-11-24T13:37:00.002-05:00

I just got word that these are in stock, but they will go fast. So if you want one, I need an order ASAP. I need to get enough to place a min order so if I don't get that, I can't place the order. Use this link to order:

http://www.scrapwithshelby.com/catalog/30offmarthastewartpunches-p-1799.html

If you're not on my newsletter list and didn't see the pictures and prices sent out, email me and I will send it right out to you. (just some on the list are daisy, botanical scallop, double loops, topiary, eyelet lace, garden trellis, daisy fan etc...)

Reminder!

1) This week (Sunday 12 - 6pm )is the Black Friday Sale - get as much as 30% off your regular purchase, and clearance items up to 60% off! Free make n take with a technique for all purchases.

2) Christmas card class is sold out, but the Christmas gift class still has openings with two new projects posted yesterday.

Crazy hectic days

2009-11-23T10:37:00.004-05:00

I was up until 2am working... I gotta stop doing that, and have hit the ground running this morning returning emails and phone calls, and working on packing and shipping orders out. My kids are difficult this morning because a) Noah is teething, b) Josh hasn't had a proper night' sleep in days and that gets him so wired I have to continually peel him off the ceiling and c) my daughter is generally a handfull. Think twice about running a business at home with small kids. It is indeed a very challenging task!

I have people throwing things at me left and right and I am having trouble keeping up. Just in the last 5 days , three more groups asked me to come and do things for them. I hate to say no because while classes are going great, Crops are all of a sudden bombing, and Dec is usually a terribly slow month for me - everyone is spending their money on Christmas.

But I can't do it all and am struggling with that. I need to work on picking what I can do well and just letting the rest go....

On the flip side, I finished two projects I have been wanting to do and I am pleased with the results.

See other great samples of the paper wreath done by Mardi and Nordica in the Scrap with Shelby Forum! Don't have time to fold all those flowers? Get those left over Prima flowers and use those up. Simply hot glue onto a floral wreath.

This will be added as an option onto my Christmas gift class. It's less than $10 to make!

Make time for you

2009-11-18T10:03:00.009-05:00

I am a SAHM - a stay at home mom - to my three kids ages 6, 4 and 1. And I run this business as owner, buyer, shipper, accountant, class designer, teacher, web maintainer etc etc.... My life for the last week consists of organizing a birthday party complete with dinosaur cake,

teaching two "play" classes complete with inking techniques, gel medium and guesso,

getting the website ready for this year's Reindeer Round up and teaching a mom's club "MNO" card class, including cutting pieces for over 50 cards.

Tired yet? Probably not - because I am sure most of you live the same crazy hectic lifestyle, am I right?

I mean just recently on the Scrap with Shelby Forum, a participant (and friend) commented (paraphrased):

I'm a "stay at home mom" who seems to never be home. Many of the things I do is all good stuff - like yesterday, I signed up to make dessert for the abused women's shelter for today. ...it's like being on one of those little hamster cages. I just want to sit home on the one day I don't need to be somewhere in the AM. ACK!! Help, please! I don't have two minutes to breathe much less time to scrapbook! Thanks & blessings, D.

She also talks about running this errand, and to the grocery store and to the dr and on and on...Does this sound familiar? I bet it does!

As I work, i watch the shows I tape on DVR. Today I was watching the biggest loser from last night. One of the contestants said something to the effect of

"I was so busy taking care of everyone else, I forgot to take care of me. Somewhere, I lost me. "

Wow - what a thought. As wives and moms, we put ourselves last. We stay up late to do the laundry or the bills and get up early with the kids. We do not have out of the home jobs, yet we work 12 - 15 hours a day - without benefits like sick or vacation days.

The thing is, we burn ourselves out, don't we? And what good are we then? When we are so tired we just throw together whatever meal is easiest, when we are too weary to play with our kids, when we just want to fall into bed at night rather than speak to our husbands - the ones who can support us most, and a chance to talk about something other than PBS Sprout characters, styrofoam cup turkeys and hot wheels.

But when there is nothing left of us, there is nothing left to take care of those we love. If we are going to take care of everyone else, then we need to start taking care of ourselves.

So Stop today. Just stop the hamster wheel from turning and ask yourself: What can I do today to stop and recharge? Plan a night out with the girls (I go out the first Thursday of every months to scrapbook with other moms - we talk more than work but that's kind of the best part). Go to the gym or go talk a walk. Go on a date with your husband. Go to the mall and don't buy anything for the kids... or scrapbook a page about you - not the kids or family.

Find something though, and re-charge. You will find that it's just that much easier to make that 4:30am feeding, or that next dinner and possibly, just possibly, you will find yourself smiling when its time to race the red hot wheels car against the blue matchbox truck....

Button Contest

2009-11-11T11:43:00.005-05:00

In case you missed it on the forum, the current contest going on is a button contest. You can create any layout like this:

or

or a project like this one from Mardi:

or anything you can come up with by using buttons. That's right - buttons! The rules are simple: You must use at least 5 buttons. The more creative the use, the better.

Deadline, Sunday, midnight, Dec 6th. Submit to me at the store or via the forum(you have to register first as a user - I do this to weed out spammers) or this blog I'll open the polls after that. Prize or prizes will be awarded for this contest.

Good luck!

.....the silver lining

2009-11-05T14:32:00.003-05:00

OK, earlier, I posted about one of the negative things about being a store owner. I promised i would be honest in this blog and so I sometimes have to post the difficult things.

But it's amazing how God works. There is always a silver lining for the clouds. My sister is a recent addition to the scrapbooking world. An artist at heart, I always knew she would be a great scrapbooker. Last spring, I finally manager to recruit her to our mad little world.

But even the best of us need at least some direction to get started, right? So I have been showing her the basics and letting her run with it. Recently I told her about the Nov class coming up and how much I was inspired to do it. Well she just did her own project and has encouraged me beyond belief.

When I wonder if I will stay open another year, when I wonder if people have lost their interest in scrapbooking... I will remember this. I will remember that I inspired this young artist to create, that I have led her and others to this amazing journey through preserving our memories and enjoying the creativity of this. I made a difference, and that is indeed a silver lining in these dark economic times, and something to cherish.

She started a blog just this week. To follow her as she continues to develop her own style, go to "will work for paper"

Manufacturers

2009-11-05T11:09:00.002-05:00

Recently I read a thread about what you wish your local scrapbook store. People posted they didn't understand why stores didn't carry some of their favorite lines.

The why is that some are so difficult, they make you want to tear your hair out. Yesterday I received a shipment from one such manufacturer. They have great prices, and unique product that I generally don't see elsewhere - two great criteria I look for in new vendors. However, they have been more than a little tough to deal with.

The first shipment took a month to get here. Why? The delivery service they used couldn't find me. Huh? UPS, FED Ex, USPS and others deliver here daily/weekly and i am all over the internet on google maps, mapquest etc... Shipment finally made it.

It was beautiful! That is, what wasn't damaged. I was double shipped some product, charged for "donation" items to my charity crop, packages were shorted by as much as 25% (what should have had 75 items would have 60) and many pieces were damaged (rhinestones missing, only half glittered - not up to my standards at all)

So after another month of pestering the vendor to correct the problem, I finally hear back only after I say I am going to dispute the charge on my credit card. I do like what wasn't damaged, so I arrange to receive a credit on a re-order. I place an order for some new items plus re-order what arrived damaged, plus some in different colors. i pester them saying I need for an 11/7 show and it needs to be here on time - not a month later.

The re-order arrived yesterday with half of it missing, and again, no invoice so I don't even know what I was charged for. I am beyond frustrated. The product sells well, but is it worth all this hasssle? I am not looking forward to the next month of "fixing" the fix.

OK, so I wrote about the downside today. But let me post something positice. The 11/7 show I mentioned is the Central Penn Crop out in Enola, PA. Let me tell you, I love this group. I've been going out as a vendor for about two years and their support has in big way allowed me to get this business going. They are supportive, and friendly, and I always enjoy going out to see "my friends" in another part of the state.

This business can be hard like any other business. But the friends you make along the way really make it worth it!

Green is the new Black

2009-11-02T20:59:00.002-05:00

I've spoken to two people in the last 24 hours who's family have been affected by unemployment for 6 months or longer. I then read a post on a scrapbooking site i often visit where one woman had purchased her favorite kind of letter in so many styles and colors she had spent $350 just on that brand of letter.

Two extremes. I say it's easy to be creative when you have $350 worth of just one letter and who knows how much else. It's much trickier - and thus way more fulfilling to my way of thinking - when you have to work with what you have.

Some very talented ladies have done just that. Deb used bread ties (I read earlier today one company was selling blank twisty ties for $4 a package....without the bread!) Manda, Robin and Mardi used packaging that would have ended up in a landfil. Excellent - more play space for my great great grandkids! Finally Nellie use old fabric from old clothing. Since I am currently sorting through old baby clothes to make into quilts, I can appreciate this line of thinking.

So I applaud you all - Job well done! Won't you join me and take a look at the ladies creations and vote for your favorite?

Go to the forum here to vote.

Scrapping from memory, not a checklist

2009-10-20T16:41:00.006-04:00

It seems like people are asking me about this more and more, so much so that I felt led to write about it.

I am a store owner, yes, but more than that I am a teacher. I am not the world's most talented scrapbook artist. Do I come up with some really outstanding layouts from time to time? Yes, but for the most part I consider myself an average scrapbooker. But I love to teach, and I love to inspire my students to find their creative side - to make them see that scrapbooking is more than just a hobby or a practical way to record history.

With a baby, you here all the time: "It goes so fast, enjoy it while you can!" I so agree, and it's so easy to lose sight of those little every day moments you cherish. But do we scrapbook those? No. How likely am I going to forget what it looks like to watch my kids blow out candles on a cake..not very likely, yet how many pictures or layouts of that do I personally have> More than I care to admit.

I found myself last year trying to find new ways to scrap birthdays, trick or treating, opening Christmas presents, going to the (same) pumpkin patch or Christmas tree farm. I was looking toward new paper or embellishments to make my pages fresh...

WRONG!

How about making my pages fresh by taking different pictures? Rather than pose Noah in front of the same pumpkin patch as his sister and older brother, how about I just focus on Noah? Him exploring his surroundings....what does he think about that tractor, what's this? grass? cool stuff! and the joy is captured in the photo

Recently I needed a bunch of pictures for a class I was taking. Rather than pull out 20 Christmas pictures or 20 birthday pictures, I decided to take new pictures. Something I wanted to remember. What's one of mom's best ways to entertain the kids when she is exhausted? Take them to the park and let them run. So decided to capture these moments as something I wanted to remember...Not posed pictures all neat and pretty. Wild pictures of children running with abandon, twirling wildly and just being kids.

The results? Fresh new layouts, and memories I will cherish for a lifetime.

So now, I am focusing on the fun, the moment. What do I want to remember? Instead of making myself crazy trying to capture "that perfect photo" moment...I focus on the moment, and the perfect photo just happens.

And when the perfect photo happens, all of a sudden you start to get fresh new layouts that are exciting again...

So go out, enjoy life, remember those special every day moments... just don't forget your camera!

2009-10-16T13:21:00.007-04:00

Yay! It's crop night! Looking forward to some play time tonight...

I've mailed off 250 cards to the military, posted the completed fabric album class in my gallery, sent out the newsletter...posted the Christmas class and page design classes through Jan and part of my house is clean. I think I deserve a break!

I'm also looking forward to spending time with my family this weekend since I missed it last weekend doing Crop for a cure.

Looking for some inspiration? I've been scouring the web looking for great samples using the product I sell. Be sure to stop by the New product section of my forum to see samples like this:

or this from the Pink Paislee blog:

or this :

Been noodling an idea for an online class... if you're interested in something like that, let me know!

Credit card woes

2009-09-28T10:35:00.003-04:00

My credit card # has been stolen several times this summer. Yes, you heard me, several times. Has been making keeping the store stocked a little tricky since my orders keep going on hold.

This one took a different approach and I was able to catch him myself. Someone *I think* hacked into 'Insert Major manufacture Here' over the weekend. "Michael Diego" emailed me with my order # saying they needed my CC info again because it wasn't working. Didn't give it to them (who emails a credit card # these days?!?) . Their email was close to 'Insert Major Manufacture Here', but not quite right so I emailed the operations mgr and put a hold on my cc just in case. But want to make sure they know what's going on. And I need to eventually take the hold off so have my 'Insert Major Manufacture Here' order!!!!

AM hoping to get some more work done on my Donna Downey fabric album tonight too. I am telling myself that I ahve to keep working hard to get it done because I need it for a sample...how else am I going to show how to use the fabric stuff?

But the truth of the matter is - it's just too cool. and I feel inspired. Something neat that only happens every so often these days. and so it makes me happy. :)

New Contest!

2009-09-26T22:40:00.003-04:00

I'm giving you a jump on the Oct contest. I'm thinking some nice Prima would be a great prize, right?

Our household has made a concerted effort to "go green". To that end, I have always tried to help my customers make the most of their money. So I am combining the two...

Make a page, altered item or project "recycling" something from your scrapbooking supplies. I have two examples:

For this one, the "journal box" is actually the backing from the stitched sassafras lass flowers I used on the layout.

For this example from Prima, they used the green packaging cards. (I am so doing this, I have the indeed flowers and paper here in the store, I have the pebble centers and the pretty butterfly, and those white flowers were just ordered and are on their way)

Due date is Nov 1 to either email me a photo, post it here or show me in the store. Plastic wrap, mfg strips, packaging, old scrap bags... anything that you can recycle into something new is acceptable. The more creative in your recycling, the more points you get.

Good luck!

sale

2009-09-22T22:40:00.001-04:00

Any Daisy D's rub ons i have left in stock, any style, any size will be .99 each while supplies last. Hinges are 1.99 down from $4.50. Sale will start tonight at midnight and end on the 24th.

Keep in mind, when I do these, they sell out fast so the one you want may sell out without notice. I will fill the orders in the order in which they were received. Sale will posted here and on the blog. You can have them shipped or picked up at your convenience.

Enjoy! Daisy D's is no more, so when they are gone, they are gone!

Inspiration

2009-09-14T22:10:00.002-04:00

Since starting the forum several weeks ago, I thought about how I can use it to not only communicate with all my customers, but have it be helpful to them. I realize I have fallen in to posting daily inspirations - either ideas how to use my product or how to be a better scrapbooker.

I look forward to my nightly challenge - what shall I post today? I see myself this winter, cozying up in my jammies, a hot cup of tea in hand, surfing the web. The best part? I find myself wanting to try the very ideas I am posting for customers.

It's a lot of work, but at the same time, there are moments when this is just plain cool.

No no no! (shaking my finger...) To see what I've posted, you have to go to the forum to see for yourself. While you're there, why not post your own little bit of inspiration?

take the good with the bad...

2009-09-13T21:54:00.003-04:00

It was a bad bad weekend in a lot of ways, but there is always a silver lining, right?

I was booked to do two events this past Saturday. I don't normally do that but both are long standing groups I work for, and I didn't want to let either of them down. So I get my sister to cover one, and me the other, and that way I can leave my husband alone. All good right?

So to cover both groups, I order in extra stock. Experience tells me I will need about $1400 worth of stuff - the more variety you bring, the more you sell. So I get lots of cute one off stuff, meaning, I only order three of them, cute appealing items that will sell quickly and never make to the web. I always like to make sure there are new things to choose from, so I order, it comes in (cute cute cute!) and I start to pack...

I get a call from my sister late the day before - she is sick, not just a little sick, but flu sick - oh no! It' s too late to get someone to cover, but try any way - no luck. OK, so I've invested this money, and instead of recouping the cost immediately, I am going to "lose" it - meaning sit on it until the next big event. Local people will buy, but not quick enough to pay the bill. And I have to cancel last minute for one of the groups...I hated to do it, but what choice did I have?

Then, to add insult to injury, the "helpers" at the event I do go to, end up breaingk a very expensive rack trying to help me pack up. It will cost me about $200 to replace it. I can't afford that right now, so I will have to do without - it's the nicest display I own....major bummer.

One would seem that all in all the whole weekend would be a major bummer, right? Ok now the silver lining part: my daughter.

To make things easier on my husband who is already watching Josh and the baby, I suggesed Katelyn come with me part of the day. So Rob drops her off along with the brand new scrapbooking supplies I have gotten her. She is so excited! So I set her up near my booth and she gets to work...She is so focused, working hard and cranking out pages. At one point she comes to me (not realizing there is a pink rhinestone stuck in her hair) and shows me how she's distressed her pages and inked the edges. Having not shown her how to do this, I asked her how she knew how, and she said "I just knew, Mom."

That's my girl!

I know I am doing something right. Now, it's sweet enough that I am passing this wonderful tradition on to my daughter, but the kicker in all this, the part that just tickles me pink? She just turned 4 last month. Here she is:

potpourri of a day...

2009-09-08T16:34:00.005-04:00

Lots going on today...

Help me win a contest. Visit http://www.legacyretreathouse.com/ and sign up for their newsletter. If I win, I will then use that gift certificate as a raffle prize at my fundraiser. What's my fundraiser? Every year I hold a crop to raise money to send back to China to the orphanage that took my daughter in until I adopted her. What better cause that to help homeless children, right?

By the way, this is where we are going to have our first Scrap with Shelby over night weekend, so what does it hurt to go and check it out anyway?

Remember, tell 'em Shelby from Scrap with Shelby referred you!!!

Other items on today's agenda.....Ordered in a bunch of new Prism cardstock papers. I want to increase the number of colors available as you can never have too many colors to choose from, right? Prism cut their pack sizes from 50 down to 25 making it much easier. They also had an awesome card sample I think I am going to add to the Christmas card class. Isn't it cool:

Finally, my Sept new release Prima order is getting ready to ship, so I wanted to add some new items for the fall in. I think I am done ordering now for awhile, as we are going to be pretty well stocked up for the fall. I am excited to see the new Prima finally shipping as it's completely a new way of scrapbooking - and one I love! Here's just a sample of what's coming:

Krafty Collection Sample

2009-09-07T16:47:00.004-04:00

Just saw a beautiful sample with the new Krafty Collection coming in from Paper Trunks! Just may have to steal this one! Note, while this is offered as a collection of 11 sheets, I will be selling these in the store or at events by the sheet.

Christmas card exchange class

2009-09-04T10:34:00.002-04:00

Brainstorming here... Buying some stamps for an upcoming class and noticed how many cute christmas stamps for cards there are. but I always think, I don't want to buy a $10 (or more...) stamp plus the card kits etc... for one year. Might as well buy cards, right?

What do you think of doing a "stamp exchange" Christmas card class? You submit your older christmas card stamps, with a general design idea so I can help plan the day and design if need be. I have the cardstock, papers, blank cards here for purchase... So you could make 5 cards, or 10 or 20 or however long you want to stay for. And we make Christmas cards with all the different stamps. If you don't have a stamp per se, but want to make up a design using your Cricut, sizzix etc... that would be OK too. Just bring the design or enough for everyone to make at least one We could work on a Sat, order in Pizza and make a day of it.

Any interest? I'll post on the forum too to sign up for interest (not commitment.)

Not local? hmmm, maybe we can do an exchange? You make up 5 cards for each person in the group, or three if it's a large group... again, post here or on the forum to express interest.

Tim Holtz/Ranger craft mats

2009-09-02T14:18:00.004-04:00

I am placing an order for these next week. Since this is a higher ticker item I am only going to order 3 or 6. If you want one, go to the website to order.

the idea behind these is that nothing sticks to them so you can mask on them, paint, stamp and keep your work area clean, and then it just wipes off at the end...They measure 15 x 18. They retail for $18 but I will be selling this introductory price of $15.99. AFter this order, they will go back to the full retail.

Also, if there are any other Ranger items you would like, now's the time to let me know. I can put a link uo for whatever you want, but now's the time. :)

and yet more....

2009-09-01T11:32:00.002-04:00

I really want lots of people to get a chance at the card kits...

Found this on BHG and thought they were all GREAT way to use leftover scraps (can you tell I am cleaning out my stuff these days?!)

On to store business....

I was dismayed to see half my flutter butter was destroyed. UPS dropped the box on the corner and the corners on about 6 reams are all bent in. I find it difficult to ask customers to pay .85 (it's actually .92 - I run a standing discount on Bo Bunny) when it's not perfect. So new stock is on the way, and UPS is coming out "to inspect it." Whatever....dude, you 've been delivering here for 2 years, you can't figure out by now, and all the claims, not to drop the box?

Don't mind me...I was just hoping to play for my mom's night out in 2 days. I have my very own group of lovely ladies whom I've been scrapping with more and more. It's so nice to be able to work as an equal, not as the teacher or as the store owner. We all ask each other's opinions and enjoy good conversation. While most are used to that at a crop, for me, it's a luxury.

The new My Mind's Eye is coming today or tomorrow (yes, I will post on the web soon) so maybe I will play with that instead? Dinosaur boy theme is just TOO CUTE. I've linked the mfg here so as I add the new lines, they will come up. SOme I've had for awhile,just haven't had the chance to get on the web.

OK, some inspiration to win that Basic Grey kit...

2009-08-31T14:41:00.003-04:00

Here's an easy one. Make 5 of these out of scraps, and you're entered to win the contest. I saw this from Kaisercraft site of which I stock lots! Too too easy:

Helping Our Military

2009-08-30T00:00:00.003-04:00

This was posted by a scrapbooking friend of mine in a private group I belong to:

Cindy's son THOM and his unit are in the middle east and there is no where for our service men and women to buy cards to send home to their family and friends.

Cindy decided she was going to make cards for Thom to share with his unit...Several of our friends volunteered to help and I thought the Scrap with Shelby family could help too! Here is what they need... AND don't forget the ENVELOPES - they can't buy those either!

Miss You

Thank You

Thanksgiving

Christmas

Birthday

Thinking of You

I need the cards by Oct 5th so I can get them to her. Those that send me at least 5 cards will be entered for a special drawing to win a complete card kit from Basic Grey. They could choose from whatever I have in stock at that time.

Send cards to:

Scrap with Shelby
55 Glen Farms Dr
Collegeville, PA 19426

Challenge and some more new stuff...

2009-08-28T15:09:00.003-04:00

I posted this on the Scrap with Shelby forum as a new challenge. There is a prize for this one ladies, so give it a whirl...

OK, as I mentioned in the other thread, I am cleaning out. So this is a 2 part challenge...

a) Pick one section of your scrap area to organize and clean out. Take a before and after picture.

b) Use something in a layout that you haven't used in more than a year. If you have been scrapping less than a year, use something you are hoarding - you know who you are!!! It's not too beautiful to use.

I would post a picture of my scrap space but it is truly embarrassing. i've started to organize it several times which has only made it worse. Now I've come clean and gone public, so if I don't finish you can all flame and flog me!!!

New Product! Yes, I am going to go back to catching up new product. This weekend, I will add the Kitchen Spice collection. I will have it up by Sat evening... Enjoy

And here's a lovely sample. Wasn't crazy about this line initially, but this layout makes me see some serious potential!!

Foiled again...

2009-08-27T22:18:00.003-04:00

So much for the Cricut sale. I finally get a decent price on the supplies enough that I can offer a decent sale. Not much profit margin, OK very little, but at least I get to do something nice for my customers, right?

WRONG! Foiled again! Local chain store selling all cartridges, even the licensed ones at $39 this week. If I had known that, I wouldn't even have bothered.

When are mfgs going to learn that they can poop all over the little stores all they want, but eventually they will need us. They can offer the deep discounts to the chain stores, but it's us little guys that really feed the industry. And when the time comes that they need me to market their product, they should not be surprised when I don't have the space in my store for them.

$39 by the way is $16 below my C-O-S-T. How is that fair?

That's OK, there are plenty of FABULOUS mfgs who treat us little guys A-OK. We'll stick with them, won't we?

Cricut Sale - 2 days only

2009-08-26T12:38:00.002-04:00

See the Special Orders section of my website to place your order. Sorry guys, but my sale people only gave me 2 days. Maybe next time we will get more notice!

Prima Product Picks

2009-08-25T20:58:00.002-04:00

Prima is in and I am having a blast with it. Check out their Product picks (they have an excellent blog for ideas!) then check out one of my layouts below.

I know it looks like it's bulky and may sit up too high on the page. Honestly, it isn't. the stud centers aren't any higher than brads. The pearls are cut in half, come pre-adhesived and are on big sticker, so they are easy to use. I even cut some pieces off so it the flourish would look exactly as I wanted.

See the forum for the other Prima layout, but here is Cherish and Adore:

2889...

2009-08-20T08:56:00.003-04:00

Anyone? Anyone? bueller?

That's how many sheets of paper I had to sell to buy my brand new Mac computer last night for the store.

Excited to get it up and running. This old thing is just an old relic. It was only meant to be used for journaling/printing, but since my laptop died in the middle of the economy crises, I was stuck with it until business picked up.

Long term goal is to put on photoshop and a 12 inch printer/scanner so we can do some hybrid scrapbooking. I'll never go full digital - I like the touchy feely part of scrapbooking too much. But I wouldn't mind the look of a hybrid - a cross between the two - on my pages.

I don't have to like that digital is coming. But I can certainly adapt and roll with it. :)

Toying with buying some Scribble Scrabble for some upcoming classes. Trying to decide if I need the new paper or if Ic an do the same layouts with what I have. I do find it's easier to just buy what I need and tuck it away. It's the worst when prepping materials for a class only to realize you need 5 more sheets of this, or 2 sheets of that...

Problem is, as much as I like Scribble SCrabble, it's history of selling is questionable. It either sells great or not at all... A nice chunk of my clearance paper at convention was Scribble Scrabble... But the layouts are good so we'll see.

Delilah is here...along with some late nights

2009-08-19T22:45:00.006-04:00

I promised I would tell what it was like to run a scrapbook store. But I tend to tell only the pretty side, the fun of ordering new paper, the deliveries, the free samples I occasionally get. But for whatever reason, I tend to skip the negative for the most part. I guess I don't want to bum anyone out. But let me tell you, there are some late nights.

I choose to run my business part time so that I can stay home during the day with my kids. Is it wierd having a store run by appt? Yes, and I am sure I am missing out on business, but better that than to miss my kids growing up. So Iget the best of both worlds, running a successful scrapbook store and staying home with my kids.

However, that means some pretty late nights, even when I just want to crawl into bed...like tonight. But I am getting some major shipments now and it's all I can do to get it up on the web fast enough. Seriously, there is stuff that's been in the store for weeks that isn't on the web yet!

OK, on to the fun stuff. Delilah from Bo Bunny. Beautiful stuff.

In addition to the paper (the cut outs are slightly delayed, btw) I am also carrying the stickers, rub ons, flowers and stamp. And just to give you an idea on how to use it, here's some pretty samples Bo Bunny made up.

Designing new classes

2009-08-18T13:25:00.002-04:00

Possibly my most favorite and most hated chore is designing new classes. I have the team coming next month to set things up into the future, but I feel like I want to get Nov at least started before the next newsletter. AFter all, people are already signing up for Oct classes.

I love it when I get to sit and plan and play and create. When you hit on that one layout you just know will be a hit, it feels awesome., I can go back and look at that layout and never get tired of it. There's never that feeling of "I should have done this" or that little something that picks at you.

I hate it when I am under the gun and I have to work fast and all the above just comes back to haunt me, before the class, during, then after when I try to decide what to do with the sample.

Right now I am working with blank overlays. tim holtz is coming up with his own blank masking sheets...Why can't I do the same?

I bought Grafix .07 plastic sheets and have been playing. So far a) Cricut will not cut through it (will try the deep set blade next) b) a punch will if you press hard enough and c) staz on stamps B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L-L-Y on it....if you don't let the stamp slide!

Will post a tutorial on this in a day or two in our new Forum. (Bear with us as we get started...why not join us today?) The Forum will be the new home for all the techniques, lessons, challenges and Scrapbook U! information...

Flutter Butter

2009-08-16T23:47:00.009-04:00

I am working on scheduling a design team meeting so we can start making new samples and classes. I love these meetings because I get to watch some really talented people just sit and create.

Hopefully I can get them to help me come up with the workshop classes for my first overnight scrapbooking retreat. It's something I've been wanting to do for awhile and now I've got the right place with the right price point. I'll make the first announcement in the next newsletter to see who's interested.

Anyway, the reason I need a DT meeting is, the new product is starting to arrive - Woo hoo!!!!

I know Twilight and Amber Road are going to be awesome, but probably one of my favorite new releases is Flutter butter by Bo Bunny.

It works for boys, it works for girls, and I am already thinking up classes I can teach with this. Bo Bunny has already come up with a great one:

I am actually wondering if these new flocked or glitter laces will be a good accent. It arrives tomorrow (Monday). I'll be sure to let you know!

It's Pink Paislee time!!!

2009-08-14T23:04:00.006-04:00

I swear, my calendar has those big red "X's" on it, marking down the time to August 15th - the day Pink Paislee starts shipping their new lines. So in just 53 more minutes it will be the 15th - HOORAY!

I. CAN'T. WAIT.

So here's the scoop...Amber Road and Twilight will ship immediately with Mistletoe & Co shipping Oct 1 and Cupid shipping Dec 1.

I've already listed everything I'm going to carry at this point so take a look. If there is something you want that I am not carrying, let me know. It's hard to guess what people love and I do my best. Below are some highlights, my favorites really from each, but you've GOT to see the whole lines.
Twilight:

Amber Road:

Mistletoe & Co

Cupid:

And of course, we can't forget the fabulous new Expression Glitter letters in four colors (shown here in cherry):

I'm going to be checking all week for my deliveries!

25% off Basic Grey

2009-08-14T10:48:00.002-04:00

As some of you know, I've been on the fence about what to do with their new lines and I've madee a decision. I am NOT going to carry the indiviudal paper lines, but instead am placing a single order Monday for what people specifically want.... at 25% off.

Hey, just because I am irritated with them doesn't mean you all should suffer, right?

So if you are interested in the paper collection kits, stickers, rub ons, woolies or cards kits drop me a note (Eerie, Eskimo kisses, Indian Summer or Nook and PAntrty only). I'll give you the details on how to order BY MONDAY. Sorry, it does not qualify for free shipping but I won't zap you either. Unlike some companies, I constantly update my shipping charts to reflect actual costs. And you local folks or Central Penn Crop folks can pick up it up free of cahrge.

OK, so call me by MONDAY. Store phone is 484-973-1232

I feel better doing this. Taking care of my customers should be my #1 priority and so this makes me feel like I am doing that.

Btw, I am going to stock all the new bling and bling it on so you don't have to pre-order that. :)

Surprise Secret Sale

2009-08-12T11:54:00.004-04:00

OK, I as I go through the inventory after convention and am checking off what is sold out and discontinued, I am pleasantly surprised just how much is gone from my older stuff.

BUT, there is always room for improvement, right?

So if you read my blog your reward is a secret sale. That's right, a sale just for you. I'll newsletter a sale in a few weeks, but it won't be as good. So for everything that I brought to convention that is still in stock, take 20% off (my already discounted prices mind you)... UNLESS it Creative Imaginations - then take 40%. You can have it shipped for the standard rates or pick it up no charge.

JUST PUT 20/40% IN THE COMMENTS SECTION AND I WILL MANUALLY TAKE IT OFF YOUR ORDER.

The thing is, it has to still be in stock. I am still marking the paper out of stock (keep in mind I have 800 items so this taking me some time). So for example, I think all the old Fancy Pants is gone (there is still some of the Summer Soiree and Delight). I am just starting the paper now so keep in mind, you may not get your paper, OK?

For best selection shop now, because like I said, I will announcee this sale to my regulars in about a week.

Remember now, it's everything I brought to convention. Does not count anything new announced at CHA (which isn't even on my website yet) nor the smooch which is already discounted anyway.

the down side of owning a store

2009-08-06T23:29:00.002-04:00

I've said it before, the more brilliant the design and creativity, it seems the worse they run their business. I spent the better part of my week trying to explain to a very well loved and popular mfg that I can't sell what's not in the store.

They kept telling me how I was going to lose out on this incentive and that if I didn't order by yesterday. I just laughed. In the end I know I can order all I want, but it will just backorder and someone else will sell it. In the past, I ahve waited as long as 2 months for them to ship my order and even then, main pieces were back ordered and thus cancelled.

To be fair, they have tried to re-do their delivery times, so that all the stores in one area get the product at the same time. So much for fairness, however, read on.

What upset me the most about said company, is that they let another large company come and pre-sell all the new stuff at convention before anyone else even had a chance to order it. This other company even bragged about how they were the only ones to sell it. This upset me a great deal.

I explained it all to the sales manager, who took it upon herself to call me direct when I suggested to her sales rep that we were no longer a good fit. This practice undercuts the local scrapbook stores. The local stores...after all, are the ones that take care of you all, that takes the risk of buying new stuff so you all aren't staring wistfully at the shelves at AC Moore and Michael's and Joannes at the same stuff you've been looking at for the last year. The other company, the one that overcharged and took all the sales just packed up and moved on to the next CKC while people like me stayed behind to explain why *I* didn't have the new stuff.

I could almost see the patronizing smile coming through the phone. They let the other company have it first in an effort to "market it" and "drive excitement" so we could order and order these lines in. uh-huh. because you all are going to buy what you already have, and then re-buuy it, right? Whatever. And what really irks me is that somehow, I ended up feeling like the bad guy because I still wouldn't order and work with the other sales gal (there's a lvoely story all it's own behind that too)

It's just a bummer though, because these new lines are some of the best I've seen in a long time. But I don't see the point in ordering since so many bought it at convention, or took classes with it. Sorry to be a bummer today, but I think it's important that you all know what happens behind the scenes.

I did after all say I was going to write about what it really was like to run a scrapbook store. It ain't all stickles and bling all the time. Sometimes, its a big ugly embellishment in exactly the wrong place and it won't come up without tearing your paper. Sometimes, it's finishing the perfect page only to look down and realize you've mispelled your own kid's name in the title.

Anyone have any thoughts? Do I continue to support this well known, well loved company and risk losing money on these new lines or just go with the other companies who seem to operate with a little more sensitivty to the little guy?

I really would like to hear what you all think. Btw, the companies I have listed like Fancy Pants, Pink Paislee etc...are awesome. Don't think I am talking about them!

Christmas...in August?

2009-08-05T18:58:00.001-04:00

Christmas may come in Dec for the rest of the world, but for us scrapbookers, it comes after CHA!

I am loving some of the new lines out there. Just wanted to give a sneak peak of what to expect. Here is just a taste of the new Fancy Pants. Shown is Christmas magic - I've ordered the entire line:

Here is some of the Trick or Treat line. I like the paper because while it's meant to go with the embellishments, I also feel like it could stand alone. Also, sometimes you want a more serious page, and not so much a "cutesy" page - especially for Halloween. I did order more of the embellishments because really, can you have too many Halloween embellies?!

I'll show some of the other stuff I am ordering tomorrow.

Smooch

2009-08-04T14:46:00.002-04:00

Hand still hurt from convention, saw dr today and am getting it x-rayed soon.

Smooch Acent Ink and Pearlescent watercolors still a hit. Listen gals, if you want it, place an order so I can order the appropriate amount in, OK. I am working on getting the store re-stocked but remember, I have to order in $200 minimums and it takes at least 3-4 days for me to get it. I'm more than happy to get everyone everything they want, but I am sure you want me to get the new stuff too, right?

The first batch of smooch will be here Friday and I will placec a 2nd order this weekend, but unless I hear from people, I am going to move on to the new stuff. Okie dokey?

Convention is over - on to bigger and better things

2009-08-03T20:34:00.002-04:00

Wow! Does my body hurt! I can't believe what a crazy wonderful time we had at CK convention this weekend. To all those wondering will I do it again next year, the answer is yes - and we'll do it better! I've learned more about what people want and I will make sure to be better stocked with the good stuff - and what not to bring at all!

I will also make sure I know the show hours. I could have sworn my paperwork said the vendor floor opened at 10am Sat morning - oops! But my amazing, incredible volunteers saved me. Man, did they ever work hard.

I have a winner from the raffle basket, but I will announce that tomorrow when I can verify that "S" gave me a valid email. If she didn't, it's on to the next person!

OK, on to bigger and better things...CHA was last week so all the new stuff is coming out. I made enough money to buy some fun things so I already have all the new Pink Paislee stuff ordered. Abbey Road and Twilight, I'm' told, will ship August 15th. Mistletoe will ship in Oct and Cupid in Dec. I liked cupid a lot because it was just pretty - not to Valentine-y if you know what I mean.

My Prima order is already in and has been for a month. Still, I need to restock most of what I had from them, so I might add some additional goodies...

So my other tasks for this week (besides putting the store in some semblance of order and figuring out what needs to be re-stocked or discontinued) are putting together my Fancy Pants order (oh my gosh I love their new glitter cuts) and Bo Bunny (I SO want that santa stamp - it screams out tags!).

Thanks for all your support this weekend! I look forward to seeing all those new faces I met here at the store.

CK Convention Demo's

2009-07-31T13:47:00.002-04:00

This year at the Valley Forge CK convention we are demoing Smooch and Pearlescent Paints.
Here are two Video's of Shelby's Demo!

Smooch Demo

Pearlescent Paints Demo

Convention!

2009-07-30T22:23:00.001-04:00

I spent 12 hours setting up for the convention and I am exhausted. I still have to put together some stuff for tomorrow so off I go. Robtook some videio of us setting up, so i'lll ask him to post some of it.

Hope to see many of you there!

Here We Go! - CK Convention Setup

2009-07-30T19:05:00.002-04:00

Here is a quick video of us setting up the booth at the Valley Forge PA CK convention.

1 day to convention

2009-07-29T23:54:00.002-04:00

I have been packing up a storm despite Murphy's law trying to get in my way.... Losing a baby sitter (and thankfully re-finding one) for Noah on set up day, losing power while trying to pack up and hurting my back. What a trip! But there is certainly an air of excitement too.

A solicitor interupted my work to try and sell me magazines. Um no! I'm busy. Rob made the comment we should hang a sign; "No soliciting or you will be embellished!" It was a well needed laugh at the end of a long day.

It's almost midnight and I still have several hours of work ahead. Tomorrow night this time, I will have the booth set up and ready to greet customers..... now THAT'S a good thought!

2 days to convention

2009-07-28T20:04:00.002-04:00

Another busy day getting ready. I received my shipment from Prima and got that all priced and ready to go. Hopefully my last order from Notions will come tomorrow instead of Thursday....would be so helpful to get that priced and boxed with everything else.

Funny story, I found my dog pilfering through my Prima box. He saw all those items wrapped in plastic and thought, "there must be a bag a chips here somewhere!" ha ha ha.... Nope, just some really beautiful flowers and tags, and paper, and trims and rub ons....

Still working on my cozy corner and getting the stuff together for the extra raffle. I have an ad in the booklet to tell people to stop by. Also, anyone who brings me a customer will get a raffle ticket for each friend (in addition to their Pink Paislee) gift.

Still so much to do. I've been trying to get some decent sleep but I think tonight marks the first of many late nights!

There are still some crop openings for anyone who wants to come.

3 days to convention

2009-07-27T23:30:00.002-04:00

Price, price, price... that's all I'm doing. But I do have my "cozy corner" ready to go. What's my cozy corner? You'll have to stop by and see!

4 days to convention

2009-07-27T08:52:00.003-04:00

T-shirts arrived! I am so happy to be selling these, and all my volunteers in the booth will be wearing one too. Back by popular demand is "Runs with Decorative scissors" It's a favorite everyone loves and I never see it anywhere.

Also, I custom ordered teal shirts: "Rock is dead. Long live paper and scissors!" AS you can see, my son couldn't resist giving one a test run!!!

They are just too cool. Make sure you get yours early because I only ordered about a dozen of each.

5 days to convention

2009-07-26T21:46:00.003-04:00

Well. ladies, here it is.... 5 days to convention and I find myself terrified. All I can picture is my standing in the middle of a swamped convention hall, croppers 30 deep in line with their purchases at every booth...... but mine.

I know every business has it's growing pains, but ladies, this hurts!This is some scary stuff. I know to the other vendors this is old hat but to me, I am nervous. I am carrying about 5 times the stock I usually do and that's a lot of dough going out on a gamble.

I just put the last order in for stock to get here the day before convention. The paints were indeed a hit so I ordered 30 more sets...

Off to get a good night's rest before this crazy week commenses...

7 & 6 days to convention

2009-07-25T05:21:00.003-04:00

Convention tickets are sold out. Those went fast! Still have discount coupons for anyone who needs...

Convention will have to hold off for now. It's time for one of my many trips out to Harrisburg. On these weekends, I take a couple of hours, pack up the store and get up at 4:30 or 5a, to drive a couple of hours out to Harrisburg.

They have a wonderful Central Penn crop set up there. I spend the day visiting with "regulars" some of which whom have become dear friends, and new customers as well. I sell my wares as they work from 9am to midnight! I then pack it all up and come home again. It's a very long day, but worth it.

Today I will do some convention prep as I dry run some of my demos and get feedback about the product. While it's too late to order from any mfgs (except Pink Paislee - they totally rock on ship times!), I can still get an order in with the distributor who has a 3 day ship time.

Off I go!

8 days to convention

2009-07-23T13:00:00.004-04:00

Tickets are in! I will start to mail or email those of you who have ordered the tickets. Boy, they can work fast when the want to!!!

"Flowers are the sweetest things God ever made, and forgot to put a soul into. ~Henry Beecher, Life Thoughts, 1858"

.....Yes, what he said! It's raining down flowers at Scrap with Shelby and there are some really beautiful ones. I love especially the new Camelot roses coming just in time for convention, as well as the trellis and gallery roses too. These are my favorites:

9 days to convention

2009-07-22T19:09:00.004-04:00

If you haven't yet gotten your $3 off coupon here at the store, let me know. I just received an email coupon I can pass on.

I worked on compiling a known customer list today - what a chore! People who were here at the store aren't too much a problem. But if you've never registered for something online, or you've only bought items out on the road, I may not have you. PLease, if you think you are not on the list, email me to check, OK? Volunteers will be staffing the booth. They will have no idea if you are a customer or not. If you aren't on the list, you don't get a gift.

And remember, to get a gift, you have to bring a friend. Coming alone? No problem! Just strike up a conversation during class, in the snack line, at the water fountain... any warm body will do! LOL

Received word that Prima is indeed on the way! I love their new fabric tags and embellishments... See for yourself this quick sampling:

How about a nice elegant die cut:

Or some cute canvas stitched tags or fabric embellishments?

Or one of many pre-stitched papers (no need for sewing machine here!)

Really, there is just so much to see!

10 days to convention

2009-07-21T17:20:00.002-04:00

YES! I finally was able to reach someone at CK to get the vendor faire tickets - Hooray! I will be getting in 30 tickets, and 10 have already sold. You can use this link to order the discount tickets. $4 if you pay in cash and pick up directly, $5 if you pay by credit or need them mailed.

I was able to place one last Prima order to guarantee I'd have some fresh new things in. Some are so new, I never thought I would get them! I'll work on adding to the web this week...

And the t-shirts are on their way per my vendor. Can't wait to see the custom teal shirts I had made... Rock is dead long live paper and scissors!

Still 11 days (continued)

2009-07-20T12:20:00.001-04:00

Just posted another sneak peek of new product I am bringing to convention.... Invisibles! Check out my website for a quick video...

11 days to convention

2009-07-20T12:16:00.002-04:00

Swamped! Working on two orders for some great stuff to bring...

Some basic info:

Vendor floor is open on Friday, July 30th (9 or 10 – 6pm) and Sat 9am – 5 pm. Tickets are $10 at the door, but I have $3 discount coupons here right now. (Friday, they usually let early entry people in only at 9am – these are people that bought 4 or more classes and get in free). I assume this year is the same but don't know for sure as I opted to skip classes.

I’ve been told that I can order $4 tickets. However, I’ve called CK three times and they are not calling me back. I am going to try a different contact today and see if I get further. I will let everyone know via email blast and blog by the end of the week one way or the other… If they don’t call me back by Friday I will assume I just can’t get them.

Just a friendly reminder…Bring a friend to my booth and those on my customer list get a free Pink Paislee gift and an entry for a special gift basket. For every friend you bring me, you get another raffle ticket for the basket. To be on my customer list, you had to have attended a crop or class or made a purchase in the last year.

For those wondering, I am already ordering new product being announed next week at CHA. After CK convention, I will start to post some of the things that will start arriving in August. :)

12 days to convention

2009-07-19T23:07:00.003-04:00

What a fun day! The entire design team came over today to brainstorm demo samples, sneak peak new products and learn about some new techniques. Wow! Did they ever come up with some great ideas! And the layouts, well... you will just have to come to booth 328 to see them.

Here's just one sample, created by Amanda. She used several products in the Pink Paislee Captivating line including paper, brads, letters and chipboard. She also used the chipboard letters but added a twist by coating them in Doodlebug sugar coating for some glitz! Who says you can't use glitter or bling for boy layouts?!

14 days to Convention

2009-07-17T16:04:00.006-04:00

Yesterday and today was "demo" day. That is, I was working on things for my demo table. A mAke and take doesnt' really fit me. I don't sell one big product like most, I sell a little of this, a little of that, and a chance to learn.

That's really what Scrap with Shelby is all about, learning a little something new every time you come.

So I am going to have a demo table full of all kinds of products for people to learn about and try out. Some of these products have been used in past classes, others possibly will be. In any case, it's a chance to try something new.

So here's a sneak peak at a brand new product. Pearlescent water colors from Yasumoto. They are so easy to use. Just stamp any fillable image and fill in with the paint. The best pasrtt? The smaller set is only$3.99 and the larger set is only $5.99 - very affordable, especially with the new trends of charging more and more ($3.00 paper - are you kidding me?!)

I will demo in more detail, so don't miss stopping by the booth. If I am doing something else, just ask for the paint demo - and try it for yourself!

Getting Ready for convention

2009-07-17T15:58:00.002-04:00

Yes, I have neglected you all. If you signed up to see what it is like running a scrapbook business, then I can sum it up for you in word: busy.

There is always something to do, and right now is now exception. Yes, summer is supose to be the slow time of the year, but business is (thankfully) exploding right now. Never one to sit back and see what happens, I decided to take it a step further, so I signed up to vendor and the Creative Keepsakes convention in Valley Forge.

Oh. My. Gosh.

What was I thinking? Am I crazy?! Nuts?! Actually, I am very excited, and I can't think of a better time to do this. However, that leaves very little time for writing blogs... So I am pricing all the new product, half of which hasn't even made on to the web site yet! Read on to hear more about getting ready. I will try and post a little each day on what I am doing before the big day.

Hope you are going, and if you are, please know I have $3 discount tickets free with any purchase, or anyone who comes to a crop or class this month.

New mfgs

2009-05-13T19:17:00.004-04:00

OK, what's funnier, that I found a red rhinestone on my breast pump last night, or that I found a sticker on Noah's neck this morning?! LOL

This month, I signed up for direct accounts with Bo Bunny and Prima (I will load their new stuff on the web next week when i get back from the convention). That's good news because while Notions carried some of their things, they were somewhat limited in choice. OR, it would be so popular by the time I got my order in, they'd be out.

Now I can order direct and have a full selection and actually get it when I want it.

But having a distributor is also good. It means I can order in smaller quantities and thus be able to afford my styles or colors. AND it means I can try out new companies without meeting the high minimums. This month, my sales rep annouced they were picking up:

Rusty Pickle
October Afternoon
My Sentiments Exactly-Stamps
Impression obsession-Stamps

Now I know I dropped Rusty Pickle because they were so darn difficult to work with. But maybe this means I can get some of the more cool items without dealing with their craziness. And I checked out October Afternoon....waaaaaaay cool stuff!

You know you're a scrapbook store owner when...

2009-05-12T23:20:00.002-04:00

This will make you all laugh - I know I chuckled!

I went into the kitchen tonight to get my breast pump (I have a 6 month old and I pump once a day)... As I'm headed down the stair, something catches my eye.

What's that bright and shiny on my breast pump?

a red rhinestone of course...what else?!

May Contest

2009-05-12T08:40:00.001-04:00

In celebration of my layout being chosen for the Basic Grey Gallery, use the new Basic Grey Wisteria or Porcelain line in an original layout OR CARD of your choice. Or, feel free to again use a Pencil Lines sketch or come up with your own design. Extra points if you use a Daisy D’s rub on like I did.

Better yet, email me back the names of what items I used (listed in the Basic Gry Gallery) and take 25% off any Wisteria or Daisy D’s items of your choice either online or in store (no limit). Again, product should be 85% products from Scrap with Shelby and is due by midnight June 12th. Page can be emailed to me or shown to me at the store. Winner’s entry will be published in the July newsletter. Winner will receive a selection from the new Bo Bunny’s Calypso line which is new in today. Good luck!

April March Contest Winner

2009-05-11T20:58:00.004-04:00

No, I haven't forgotten the March/April contest, really! I've just been busy getting ready for the convention down in Ocean City, MD this weekend, busily stocking up on all kinds of goodies...

Anyway, I had some really outstanding submissions this month, and wanted to post the top three. In third place, Diane N. :

In 2nd place, Andrea S. (Andrea wins a free crop):

And finally the winner, Tammy H!

Tammy wins a selection from the Wisteria collection from Basic Grey.

Congrats to all on a job well done! Next contest will be announced shortly, so stay tuned!

May Newsletter Tip of the Month

2009-05-11T20:42:00.004-04:00

Tinting clear rhinestones with alcohol ink:

OK, Here is a step by step on how I dyed the rhinestones. I learned this from Tim Holtz - check his website for amazing how to videos (and then come back to me to buy the product!)

Step 1. Get your bling, alcohol ink, a q-tip and some blending solution. The blending solution will let you lighten, blend or take off the alchohol ink.

Step 2. Carefully (a little goes a long long way!) add a drop of ink to coat the rhinestone.

Step 3. Let it set for just a minute

Step 4. Start to blend the color. If it's too dark, use some blending solution on a q-tip to lighten. If you want more color, add another drop!

Step 5. Voila! Beautiful jewel tone rhinestones in just the right color!

There you have it kiddies! To read my entire newsletter, register on my site as a user or email me directly at shelby@scrapwithshelby.com

2009-04-15T12:21:00.001-04:00

Taxes....again

2009-04-14T22:49:00.003-04:00

OK, really, I am not trying to put off this month's project. It's just these darn taxes are making me crazy.

Yes, I know. It's April 14th and my (business) taxes aren't done. So shoot me.

Hey, you wanted to know what owning a scrapbooking business was like, well I guess that involves the not so fun stuff too...

Like figuring out the cost basis (confession: I didn't actually know what a cost basis was, I had to look it up) of a business vehicle only to realize I didn't have to include the cost basis because the car was sold in 09 not 2008...you make one little mistake (well, it didn't ask me when I sold it, just if I sold it! so much for easy interviews...)

Only turbo tax wouldn't let me take that part out, so I had to delete the entire vehicle and re-add it back in.

Still not done. I don't know what the interest is that I paid in 2008 because since I sold the car, I no longer have an online account to request it, so I have to call them and hope they give it to me....

Then on to state taxes. They wanted to know had I purchased out of state product that I didn't pay tax on. Um hello! Only ALL my inventory. Only I already paid the use tax on it, so why are they asking me that again? goofy I tell you.

And the kicker? My state sales tax and use tax is due toe 20th. pppffft!

On the flip side. My sister, a brand newly converted scrapbooker sent me her second layout tonight, and it was to DIE for. I mean, does THIS look like like the work of an amateur or a newbie? I think not. Guess who the newest member of my design team is?!!!

Products used: Tim Holtz Flourish mask, Ambrosia rub ons, Pink paislee Vintage Moon - Moon Glade paper, Creative Imaginations Fright Night dusk paper and the Pop fashion stamps and rhinestones.

Way to go Amanda! Email me and I will give you Amanda's instructions...

Hop - step one

2009-04-12T23:25:00.005-04:00

Oops! Sorry about that...I wanted to get right to it, but life got in the way. Ha ha, imagine that...life got in the way of scrapbooking, like that ever happens! LOL

Anyway...Here is my inspiration:

Nothing but a gift bag...right? But something about the simple design just caught my eye. I thought it would make a pretty cute Easter page. And added bonus? it would be quick and easy as well. So off I hop to go find some paper to make this cute bag...er, I mean layout. LOL

Finding Inspiration

2009-04-06T20:14:00.002-04:00

Everget stuck? You're ready to work, you *gasp* have the time...and nothing.

I've heard designers say...look around you for inspiration. I hate it when they say "look in deecorating magazines for color schemes and ideas..." I want to say, if I were a designer and saw those things, I wouldn't be sitting here with no ideas coming to mind, right?!

Well it happened. I was struck by something I saw at the grocery store and immediately I thought, there it is, there's my next lay out! It finally happened - Yay!!! Does that mean I am finally becoming a designer? I dunno, but who cares... I went from "nothing" to sumpin' !!

Tune in tomorrow for the my inspiration, and the rest of the week as I create my "inspired" Easter page.

taxes

2009-04-05T21:18:00.003-04:00

OK, all Ic an say is doing business taxes really stink! I've been doing them for about 60 hours now, and it just stinks...like trying to find the fair market value for 2006 for the van I sold last month...or what I paid for electricity and utilities without the Quicken file I lost when my laptop died last Nov.

Good gravy...I am going to keep better records this year, I am going to keep better records this year, I am going to keep better records this year.....

Whirlwind day...

2009-03-28T21:31:00.002-04:00

It's crazy, absolutely crazy.. I am sitting on the floor in my empty store emptying out the contents of my clearance bin, in order to have something to hang in my booth at the convention center tomorrow.

To say that shopper's liked the new product would be an understatement!! The Flourish brackets? one left. Alissa flowers? gone. Baptism stickers? gone ballet stickers? gone... again!(I have got to order more ballet stuff!!!) In fact all of the stacked titles are gone. Not to mention that almost $1800 worth of inventory I ordered this week that is almost all gone. Only thing left of that is the paper, which has been selling very well too.

The big hit of the show in particular seems to be the overlays (some left) and transparencies (all gone).

So there is going to be a lot of late nights this week (again...LOL) while I take down the items I won't be re-stocking and adding the new sold out items that never made it to the web, but will be re-ordered. I estimate having to update literally hundreds of products to get the website back up to date... but that's a good problem to have.

Shop-a-holic..

2009-03-24T23:06:00.002-04:00

Seriously, when it comes to scrapbooking supplies, I want it all! I can control myself when it comes to clothing, even shoes and purses...But when it comes to the store, it's so hard. There are so many cute things to buy!

Met a new sales rep today, and she brought me so many tempting things! While it's definately a fun part of owning a store, it's can also be the hardest. What do I like? What do I like that will sell? And what don't I like, but I know will sell anyway?

For instance, I don't like water paper. But I did buy some last year because it was a great price, and I thought, I think people do like this stuff...and of course it sold like hot cakes!

nd just speaking of paper...it's the hardest thing to bring in. Every one wants new paper, but it's the most expensive to buy. It costs $10 - $18 just to bring in one paper pack, and there are usually 6 prints to each style. But it takes time to get that money back before you start making a profit (I have some paper in my clearance bin that I've had more than a year!) I'm bringing in at least 4 new paper lines this week, so you do the math...It gets expensive quick!

So I have at least 5 catalogs to go through and wish and drool over...I am hoping I do so well this weekend I can order what I want.

Then again, I may bomb, right?

Ugh! I think I've been having panic attacks for weeks now. Just a couple more days and my first convention show will be over. PLease let me do Okay...so I can buy more paper. LOL

Impromptu Winner!

2009-03-23T22:03:00.003-04:00

Congratulations Julie! As a thank you for leaving a comment on the web, you win this "Sweet Baby" page kit in your choice of boy or girl. Email my your address (shelby@scrapwithshelby.com) and I will send you your kit when it's released next month. :)

Busy busy week.... Today I ordered flame retardent spray for my table cloths (convention fire code), tried to redeesign and order new business cards (no go) priced several hundred sheets of paper, bought 160 paint brushes for goody bags and tracked my order from distributor to make sure the almost $2000 worth of stuff actually gets here before Friday.

Wheh...I'm going to bed. Maybe tomorrow I will get business cards!

Sweet Baby - Final page

2009-03-20T10:01:00.002-04:00

Friday and the first day of spring....and the night of a crop. Thankfully, there is not too much going on today. Hopefully I can get things ready pretty easily. Clean the bathroom and kitchen, bake brownies or cake, set out sodas and pretzels...

But first, let's finish up the Sweet Baby lay out.

1)Choose where your pictures will be. I just laid out brown cardstock as place holders, rather than juggle pictures around.

2)Lay out the squares in a pattern around the cardstock. I laid it all out first and then glued it down when I liked how it looked. No rulers, just eye it as best you can.

3)Using Kaisercraft rhinestones in aqua, and a dinner plate as a template, I out a circle around the whole thing.

4)Finally, I cut a title using the Opposites Attract cartridge frfom my Cricut Expression.

Voila! hope you like it! I will be designing the classes for April, May and June this weekend..I'll be sure to take pictures of those for posting later this summer.

Sweet Baby - step 2

2009-03-19T18:28:00.004-04:00

Sorry I can't get on every day, but it gets so busy trying to run my family AND run my store. It's no wonder, I don't have time to pee until dinner sometimes, and I realized I only ate one meal today...

Anyway, I taught this layout to the ladies out in Blue Bell the other night, and they did a great job! So easy...the hardest part is cutting out all those squares. Speaking of which.

OK, remember when I said you wanted to get about 6 coordinated papers? Well, you're going to cut about 6 - 10 one and a half inch squares in each color, then corner round the squares. Some of the papers I used were just scrap, but others included GCD studios Sonata , Sunset Silhouette and Zen Bamboo.

(Hint, the George cartridge for the Cricut Expression here at the store will cut corner rounded squares. Remember, you can use the Cricut for just a $1 all night at Friday night crops).

Next installment? Laying it all out.

Sweet Baby

2009-03-17T09:20:00.002-04:00

New Project. Entitled mine Sweet Baby (Yay! Noah finally has a layout to call his own!), but really could be anything. This was mostly scraplifted from CK, but I added a 2nd page and some of my own elements. I am teaching the completed project tonight to my ladies in Blue Bell. Follow along if you like.

Start with two pages of white cardstock. For tomorrow, pick about 6 colors of coordinated colors in either monochromatic or contrasting colors. I chose greens, blues and yellows.

Bloom where you are planted

2009-03-16T16:55:00.004-04:00

Don't have a lot of time to write today. Had an outside crop to vendor at on Saturday. That means I had to get the store packed up Friday, do the crop, then get it all unpacked for tonight's class....all with a sleepy- but-refusing-to-sleep 4 month old!

By the way, if you did attend the Saturday St James crop, and you did get a goody bag, here is the picture I promised of the finished product from the page kit. Sorry it's so dark - I'm so rusheed today! I titled mine "Bloom where you are planted" Sorry I couldn't the "where you are planted" part to show up better. Maybe I should re-do with lighter letters? You can see it much better in person, so maybe I'll just leave it alone or leave for my "free time" LOL

2009-03-13T11:46:00.002-04:00

OK, it's the moment you've been waiting for all week, right?! The box is mostly done. I do plan on decorating cards and adding recipes, but that will be an ongoing procoess.

I used the new Bo Bunny silk flowers in Pet shop and U Bug me, with buttons from my embellishment bar in the centers. "Recipes" was added using a mix of the Bo Bunny bare naked chipboard and flourishes, with some basic grey letters added for interest. Finally, trracing some of the natural lines in some sparkling Stickles added a nice final touch.

I loved working on this, and hope you enjoyed following me along. If you liked these Promenade papers, trying using them for this month's contest!

PS - If you love the new Bo bunny colors, stay tuned... I will be adding the other accessories to the web site just as soon as I can get my cranky little one to sleep. Papers will be added next month (backordered, darn it!)

Recipe Box Day 4

2009-03-12T10:36:00.000-04:00

Getting close! Only one more day, and my little project will be compete. The photo box is a standard size box available anywhere, so tomorrow, I'll post all the dimensions, should you want to try this yourself.

OK, so on to the sides of the base of the box. This time I used Petticoat paper. I thought the stripes would add some nice contrast. Now you can handle this one of two ways.... You can cut the paper to match the size of the box sides, or you can wrap it under the box "present" style. I chose to wrap the sides under and miter the corners by folding the paper under.

back sidee of paper with folded corners:

Sides of base:

Base and lid together:

Up tomorrow? I'll add a label for the box and decorate it some to make it even more fun and pretty. I have a shipment with some new flowers coming in... I'll have to see if they match!

Day 3 Recipe Box

2009-03-11T10:05:00.001-04:00

This project is going so fast, I can't believe how quickly it's going from ugly to beautiful (...if I do say so myself).

OK, next step is similiar to the last. Measure the sides of the lid and cut the paper to the same size. Again, I cut it slightly smaller so as to just bump up against the edges.

When I do these types of projects, I use my Diamond Glaze. While it's fun to work with on top of paper, it's perfect for use as an adhesive. Just beware, a little goes a long way!

While I used the Dreams paper for the top, I opted for Pinwheel for the sides of the lid.

So far so good! Tomorrow, I'll do the sides of the base.

Day 2 of the recipe box

2009-03-10T22:07:00.000-04:00

Recipe box has definately struck a chord with some... I received an email from D.B. :

"I love the recipe box idea and can attest to how much your kids will love having them as the go off on their own (it happens all too soon). My kids were forever calling me for their favorite recipes and I am thinking that I should be helping my daughter-in-law gather hers for the five grandkids! One graduates from high school next year already.

The recipe box class is one I would definitely sign up for! That would help me get started - the more I think about this, it is a perfect Christmas present for our family tradition, started in 2008, "The Gift Of Words". No store-bought presents for each other - only criteria is that the gift you give others has to involve "words". It was a great success and the first year's creations were imaginative and treasured the day they were received."

Hmmmmm, a class making a recipe box....That's a great idea! If you're interested, let me know. I only need about 4-5 people to run a class, and we could do this one in under 2 hours easily.

Anyway...Time for another 10 minutes of work. I've measured the top of the box lid and cut the paper to the same size only slightly smaller. Why?

When I do these projects, I let the paint show through...much easier than trying to get the paper edges to meet up perfectly. I'd make myself crazy trying to get that perfect and in the end, probably fail anyway! So I cut the paper slightly smaller to let those painted edges show through.

Tomorrow? I'll do the sides of the box lid.

March/April Contest

2009-03-10T18:47:00.000-04:00

As promised, here is the next monthly contest!

Use the new We R Memory Keepers Promenade line as well as one of the Pencil Line sketches below to create a single or double page layout for any theme. Layout should be inspired by sketch but not a direct copy. The more unique (but clearly sketch inspired) the more you score with the judges.

Again, product should be 85% products from Scrap with Shelby and is due by midnight April 30th (show it to me at the store, email me or post here on the blog). Winner’s entry will be published in the May newsletter/blog. Winner will receive a selection from Basic Grey’s new Wisteria line which I will have available early April. Good luck!

Recipe Box

2009-03-09T16:10:00.000-04:00

I make killer salsa and guacamole. I’m not bragging. Seriously…it’s one of my few talents. Anyone who has had it, loves it. I've had people who think they don't like guacamole (um, that stuff in a jar is NOT guacamole!) say they absolutely love it! So it’s not surprising that it makes a regular appearance at our dinner table.

Friday night, one of my design team members was working on a recipe album. Now, I have never really understood the purpose of doing recipe albums or boxes up scrapbook style. I mean come on! How can I work on something like that when I am a year behind scrapbooking my kids (yes, Noah is 4 months old, and doesn’t have a single page devoted to him yet)? But I always smile politely because, hey, they are kind of cool even if it's not my cup of tea, right?

Anyway, when the crop as over, she was nice enough to leave behind an extra copy of a recipe that she had put in her book. Being the Mexican food junkies we are, I decided to make it Saturday night. And I had a revelation...

As I cooked, I thought about how appetizing it looked with the greens of the cilantro and the red of the enchilada sauce…and it hit me.

How often had I craved the regular dinners my mom made when I was growing up? I can remember walking into the kitchen and the delight I would feel when I realized she was making one of my favorites. I make good chili, but I can’t make it exactly like my mom does. And although my brown chop suey is good, it’s not exactly my moms. I’ll be honest though, I’ll be happy if I never had pepper steak and stuffed green peppers again! Man, I hated those!

My kids will have their favorites too, I’m sure. And I thought, wouldn’t it be nice if when they are out on their own, they could have those recipes? Better yet, in the far away future, when I am gone, they can look back fondly and remember warm family dinners...and make them for their kids.

So I was wrong, and I ahve learned my lesson. It’s not a silly project – it’s a brilliant one…one I plan on doing . I’ll be making my own recipe box this week spending only 10 minutes a day or less. Check back every day to see my progress.

I chose the ugliest photo box I could find... recycling at it’s best, making something beautiful out of a yard sale wannabe Follow me along...and if you send me your recipe project, I'll share my guacamole and salsa recipes!

Paint the edges where the paper will bump up. No need to waste paint and do the whole box, just the corners and edges will do.

Tune in tomorrow! I'll start adding paper to make my ugly box into a beautiful recipe box.

February contest winner

2009-03-09T15:54:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to Brenda Kenny for winning the Tinsel Town layout contest. Brenda won a collection of papers and stickers from the Promenade line.

There were some other great layouts too. Check them out!