Crazy

Crazy.

Noon came. No one was at the shoppe. I thought all my hard work was for naught. Then WHACK! Craziness!
But I made it.

For those of you waiting for online orders I've started packaging those and will continue on tomorrow. You should get an email from me shortly. Lots of work when you have three little kiddies you need to be home for. Hours are short.

Spent the morning at Mom's morning. Especially enjoy hanging out with Heather.

And so here's a little catch-up:

- Computer crashed last week (that's why I was AWOL at the MSS crop). Fixed now. The good news is that I did scrap though. The layouts are posted below.

- Got a wireless router, so I can now use my computer in the studio without having the scanner and printer in here. Best $50 I've spent in a while

- Got an external harddrive. I've had one on order for a while, but of course it didn't arrive in time for the crashing party. Still have to put stuff on it though.
And Bryan (it was a 250 GB that I ordered... $20 more than a 160 GB)

- MSS sale runs till Saturday. Time to stock up.

- Ordering new CHA stuff. So far Hero Arts, Basic Grey, Scenic Route. Now waiting for Fontwerks, Heidi Swapp, My Mind's Eye, 7 Gypsies, American Crafts and Elsie mostly.
If you have any product items you want please let me know. Otherwise I order blind.... well, I guess I order stuff I'm drawn too... which isn't really blind... but really really convenient for me!

- We are hot! Got an electric fireplace. Never liked them but found a chunky, plain one I adored. Brought it home! So awesome.

- The kids have been such troopers! Putting up with our nomadic life the last little while.

- Counting down to Florida. A month and a half to go.

- I'm shooting to get the February kits out for the weekend! You will LOVE them! Sneak peek here.
- Super Scrap Day is filling up! Awesome!

- Molly's losing teeth left and right.






(Eva... it's black!)

Grand Re-opening Sale Jan. 30-Feb. 3

We're mostly done! We've stayed in the same building, but almost doubled our size! We're now 1350 sq ft of scrapping goodness.
We painted and rearranged and are nearly done. You can see pics of the store further down this blog.
In order to celebrate we're having a Grand Reopening Sale! Nearly everything is on sale.

The store is also open to online purchases. However, there's just far too many products to discount in the online store, and there likely will be an inaccuarcy in the quantities because of the "instore" sales. In order to receive your discounts with your online orders, please do the following when you order...

1. Place your order as usual. The prices you see are NOT the sale prices.
2. Proceed through check-out as usual.
3. Select "cash on pickup" as your payment.
4. You will be emailed and notified of any shortages and your total.
5. Payment can be made via Paypal or credit card.

Here's the details.

Sale dates:
Tuesday, January 30th (noon)
till
Saturday, February 3rd (10pm)
* we will consider extending the sale after the weekend.

Members receive an additional 5% off sale prices.

There will be surprise give aways throughout the sale.

All Christmas items - 30%+ off
All Albums and minibooks - 20% off
All punches majorly discounted
All idea books - 30% off
All totes - 30% off
All transparencies - 30% off
All vellum - 50% off

Major lines (embellishments and papers):
All 7 Gypsies - 15% off
All Basic Grey - 20% off
All Making Memories - 20% off
All Heidi Swapp - 20% off
All KI Memories - 30% off
All Scenic Route - 30% off
All Maya Road - 20% off
All Chatterbox - 45% off
All Fontwerks - 20% off (paper - 30% off)
All Scrapworks - 40% off
All Daisy D's - 25% off
All Doodlebug - 35% off
All Lil' Davis - 35% off
All American Crafts - 30% off

Other lines (embellishments and papers):
All Crate - 20% off
All Fancy Pants - 25% off
All Cherry Arte - 45% off
All Cosmo Cricket - 35% off
Selected My Mind's Eye (Bohemia, Magnolia, etc.) - 30% off
Selected All My Memories - 45% off
All Autumn Leaves (incl. MOD and Foofala) - 20-40% off (paper - 30% off)
All Melissa Frances - 20% off
All K&Company - 35% off
All Hero Arts - 30-40% off
All Pressed Petals - 30% off
All We R Memory Keepers - 30-50% off (paper - 40%)
All BoBunny - 50% off
Selected Creative Imaginations - 15-40% off (paper - 25%)
All EK Success - 15-30% off (paper - 30%)
All Junkitz - 35% off
All Cactus Pink - 50% off
All Rob & Bob - 40% off
All 3 Bugs in a Rug - 30-40% off (paper - 40%)
All Imaginesce - 40-50% off
All Queen & Co. - 35% off
All Prima - 30% off
All SEI - 40% off
All Pebbles - 40% off
All Carolee's - 40% off
All Deja Views - 40% off
All Memories Complete - 50% off
All Around the Block - 35% off
All Me and My Big Ideas - 25-50% off (paper - 50%)
All Karen Foster - 20-40% off (paper - 40%)

Additional papers:
Arctic Frog - 40% off
Chloe's Closet - 35% off
Christina Cole - 45% off
Flair designs - 40% off
Gin-X - 50% off
Mustard Moon - 40% off
Rusty Pickle - 40% off
Sassafrass - 50% off
Urban Lily - 35% off
Reminisce - 40% off

Thanks for all your support over the years!
Enjoy!

Spring Super Scrap Day

The date has been selected for our Spring Super Scrap Day.

Join us for our annual Spring Super Scrap Day.
Scrapping, chatting, inspiration and more.
We don't host extravagant conventions. We prefer more relaxed events.
For this reason spots are limited. Sign up early to avoid disappointment.

Saturday, April 28, 2007
9am-9pm
Parkland School Multipurpose Room

$35 ($30 for Members)

Fee includes:
- 12 hours of scrapping time
- a minimum of 2 make & takes
- supper and snacks
- goodie bag
- door prizes
- shopping

Sign up here

(No sign-ups accepted after April 25th)

My boy and a Shoppe sneak peek

Spent yesterday morning at the Mom's program at the MB Church.
The first year I taught it Max (age 1) played, but Jack (age 3) stayed with me. The next year they both stayed with me. This year I knew Jack (now 5) would play with the other kids. It's just like Kindergarten and he loves school. Max (now 3) plays all day... on his own, with Jack... whatever. So I thought I'd have no problems with him either. I was looking forward to a kid-free, teaching kind of a morning.

But that was not meant to be.

About a half-hour in they come to me and ask how long they should let Max cry. Max? Crying? Since when? This boy is totally happy 99.9% of the time. I went out into the hall, and sure enough... there he was... holding one of the "babysitters" hands and crying. I asked if they could put him in with Jack's group. That would help. But apparently they had tried that and it didn't work. What? Really?
So I spent the rest of the morning teaching with a child on my hip. My happy, happy boy. My little boy who just wanted his Mama to watch him play.

P.S. Molly took that photo. Isn't it awesome? She's totally digging her camera.

Shoppe news.

Almost done. Just a couple more layouts to hang and signs to paint. Thanks to my mom and Tracy for the help they gave. And a super big thanks to my dad.... who has given me so much... and who made this all possible.
Look for the super sale next week.

Here's a sneak peek of the shoppe...

The workroom wall.

The wall of paper.
The display table at the front... currently housing a selection of Valentine's goodies.

One side.
From the back.
From the front.
I hope to post a sneak peek of the February kit on the Red Star blog this week as well.

But for now this is it. Getting ready for the sale. A special newsletter will go out this weekend with all the details.

More shoppe stuff to come

More to do this week.
Yes, it's painted. Almost everything is up on the walls (save for some Basic Grey and 7 Gypsies). Counters are moved and painted.
I'm hoping to hang my wire frame thing up today and paint "create" along the back wall. Next is "layouts" and projects on display and a disply table (if I can get Derek to bring it). The "decorating" part... that'll be fun.
Hoping to get all that done this week and have the sale next week.
The sale will be online as well (you'll just have to pick "cash on pickup" so I can calculate your discounts). More details to follow.

It's a little scary. It really feels like I have my OWN store now... even though I've had it for 4 years! LOL

At home. Painted my studio. Hoping to get that all organized for the online crop this weekend. Lots of cleaning to do here actually. Kinda slipped away from me last week with the store reno and all.

And... a wonderful woman is celebrating her birthday today. A woman who is kinder than any I've ever met... more generous... more loving and giving than anyone I know. A woman who will never read this because it requires a computer! LOL



Happy birthday Mom!
(P.S. It's an OLD picture (from 2005). I couldn't find the one I was looking for.)

Getting there

Got farther than I thought.
Mom ended up finishing the painting, so yesterday was spent putting stuff up. The counters still aren't moved, so there's lots more space I'll be able to spread stuff into once that's done. Right now stuff is tight... but it's there. There's also a fresh coat of paint on the work tables which make a huge difference.
For now most major lines are on the walls (except for 7 Gypsies and Basic Grey).
Hopefully the counters will get moved this week and next week will be spent "getting pretty". Bringing in displays, hanging stuff up... you know... the fun stuff.
So for now... pardon the mess.
It will all be rewarded with an awesome sale!!!

But tonight is Thursday. That means scrapbooking! Guess I should go pack some stuff up. I also have a birthday party at the shoppe after 4 today, so I've got to get the studio up and running.

So far... adequate

Okay.

So I'm nowing aiming for "adequate" by the weekend and "awesome" next week.

We're halfway done painting. Hopefully getting somethings up and organized today and the rest tomorrow afternoon.

Displays and the fun stuff will have to wait till next week.

One of my little helpers...

Mid-month and chaos

Mid-month at the shoppe.

My contributions...
Theme - office supplies

Monthly Sketch



And the newsletter's been sent out. If you haven't got it let me know and I can forward it.

You may notice that there's no coupon in this issue.
That's because we'll be having a huge sale in the next week or two...

We've finally begun moving stuff at the shoppe.


We've got everything off the walls right now. We have a semi-plan. We go back and forth with it every 5 minutes. Right now it's still funny.
Tomorrow morning the slatwall will go up on the other side of the store and we'll paint after 4 (hopefully). Then setting stuff up.
So, if anyone's willing to help set-up, let me know. I'm hoping Wednesday.
Hoping to be "adequate" for Thursday (birthday party and crop) and "awesome" for the weekend.

And... because you know I'm obsessed...

24 was a Buffy-fest last night (and tonight I assume). - Eric Balfour (Jesse on Buffy Season One Episode One and Two - Xander and Willow's best friend) plays the skinny kid in charge of something at CTU (and notice that Nadine... also in charge of something... is Audrey from Vegas Vacation... man... they just keep getting younger and younger). - One of the guys from Beer Bad Season 4 - the mid-eastern Ahmed kid/tutor who's in on something - DB Woodside (Robin Wood Season Seven) - is President Wayne Palmer - David Fury (producer on Buffy) - producer on 24

You know how happy I was!

Brrrrrrrrrrrrr

I can't believe there was school.

-40 degrees!
We slept in a bit. Thought for sure school would be cancelled. And school was... but not our division. We decided Derek would just bring Molly to school if they didn't cancel it last minute.
We got a phone call at 8:25am... Molly's bus was sitting on the highway 4 miles from town. (Her bus is usually here at 7:55am). They were sending a new bus and it would be running 25 minutes late. They were wondering if she'd be on the bus. Ummm... no. Really. That's why they cancel school when it's this cold... the buses can't even run. Apparently -41 is the cut-off. Well, I'm telling the icicles hanging off my nose that -40 is close enough.

And yay for Cindy (petes)! Baby girl #3 arrived this morning! Carys Tate. Enjoy her you guys.

Three reasons to be thrilled this woman's blogging again...
1. Mario Bros. on regular Nintendo
2. The mullet
3. She's hilarious (just read her header. And refer to number 2.)


Working on my balance. Got some binders yesterday. Going to balance my home info/financial stuff this week. Starting with 07 of course. I'm not crazy enough to delve into 06!


Kids got back to school. No complaints from them... except that Molly "accidently" bit Jack's finger on the bus ride home (don't ask). Back to school... back to normal... or as normal as WE get. Now if that TV schedule would return we'd (I'd) be great!


Went through all my scraps yesterday. Tossed a ton! Feels good (man... I was holding on to ugly paper). Who knows... maybe I'll even scrap this week!


But I have been enjoying this...




4 boxes arrived yesterday. Not sure of all the contents... only had a chance to open a couple... but there was lots of new Maya Road in two of them!!


Oh... and Ms. Leigh commented on my blog... how super cool is that!!! ;)

This year's word...

Ali's current challenge is to find a word to define 2007.
A word to work on... to inspire... to cause change... to remember....

My word is balance.

Big for this year. It's what I need.
To get ahold of things again.

Balance between "me" time and "us" time.
Balance between "work" and "home".
Between all our needs.... all five of us.
Balance between what I "want" and what I "need".
A balance of priorities.

It can all work.

Not even maybe changing balances but being conscience of them. A balance of each part of my life.... not choosing between two.

Being aware.

A balance for me.
A balance for us.


(and Ms. Ali commented on my blog... how cool is that!?!)

Mom's Morning Out

Mom's Morning Out

@ the MB Church

with Marcy Penner

from My Scrap Shoppe

Registration ~ Tuesday, January 9th ~ 9:15 - 11:15am

Classes start January 23rd ~ 9:15 - 11:15am

*Spaces are limited. Sign up early!

PAPER ART AND SCRAPBOOKING CLASSES

Class Structure:

Project One: Altered Canvas

Project Two: Star Mini Book
Remaining Classes: Scrapbooking
*Please bring your "Basic Kit" to every class. This includes a trimmer, scissors, pencil, eraser, ruler, pen and adhesive

Class Fee: $10
Includes the following:
- canvas (Project One)
- bottlecap (Project One)
- chipboard (Project Two)
- "Words to Live by" sheet (Project Two)
- instruction for both projects
- supplies available for purchase (during the project classes the supplies available will be specific for those projects)
- assistance in choosing items for your projects (if arranged ahead of time)

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

Project One: Altered Canvas

We will be creating a unique altered 9x7 canvas in this class. A perfect way to get your pages out of your albums and on display. You can choose to create one just like the sample, or get creative and add your own embellishments. This project works great with scraps and bits of product you may have lying around. Feel free to bring embellishments you'd like to include (like rub-ons) or substitutions from your stash for the items marked "optional".The following is a supply list IF you're interested in creating a canvas like the sample.

This item is on display at the shoppe, so I'll get an image up ASAP.

You will need to bring:

- 9x7 canvas (supplied)
- modge podge (or a white craft/school glue if you decide not to use a final protective coat on your canvas)
- foam brush (for applying modge podge)
- emery board
- one 4x6 photo (horizontal or vertical)
- one (or two) large flower. I used a large Heidi Swapp flower (optional)
- bottlecap (supplied)
- hammer (if using the bottlecap as a center for the flower)
- one piece of patterned paper (or more). I suggest a thicker paper, like Basic Grey
- chipboard letters. I used Heidi Swapp Chipboard letters (optional)
- ribbon or lace (optional)
- "bling"/gems (optional)
- scrap paper or embellishments for bottlecap
- your "Basic Kit"

Project Two:

"Words to Live By" Star Mini Book

In this class we'll be making a unique album that looks as good open as it does closed.






You will need to bring:
- cardstock
- 2 sheets of 1 color (2 - color C) and 3 sheets each of two different colors (3 – color A and 3 – color B) for a total of 8 sheets
- ribbon
- patterned paper
- 4 coordinating sheets
- small flower (I used a Heidi Swapp flower)
- large brad (I used a Karen Foster Biggie Brad)
- push pad/cork board and paper piercer (optional)
- printout including title and proverbs (supplied)
- chipboard (2 pieces 6x4” each) (supplied)
- bone folder/stylus (optional)
- bulldog clips or paper clips (optional)
- your "Basic Kit"

Scrapbooking portion:

Upon completion of the two projects, the rest of the time will be devoted to scrapbooking. Bring your pages and supplies and come create!

** If you are a beginning scrapbooker OR new to "modern" scrapbooking I encourage you to take one of our "101" classes to make the most of your time at Mom's Morning Out. See our website (www.myscrapshoppe.com) for our class schedule.


If you have any questions you can contact me at marcy@myscrapshoppe.com or 362-4697. Feel free to stop by My Scrap Shoppe at 262 Main st. for your supplies or for assistance in assembling your kits for the projects.

You'll find other classes of note on our class calendar... Wednesday, January 17th - 6:30pm ~ "Remember 2006" Altered Board Book Tuesday, February 6th - 6:30pm ~ Altered "Love" Frame "101" Classes every month

Refreshed and rarin' to go

Had a great time in Grand Forks. It's amazing how many people from town you'll see at the C'mon Inn!!! Too funny! A nice relaxing "weekend"...

- had a great visit with an old friend from school
- lots of swimming
- lots of shopping... but it was all on sale and all very needed. I swear the kids all went through another growth spurt! I hate it when their pants are more than an inch off the floor!
- had a TiVO debacle (of course right before we were leaving which totally ruined that afternoon)... and found the Angel DVDs for $19.99 there... but because of the "incident" I just left them there. Grrrrr... Hope I can find them somewhere else.
- found a Diego "Rescue Pack" for Max (which he loves) and a Mater "Brand new" for Jack (which he loves as well).

Got home and rushed to the shoppe to get out the kits.

You can check them out here.

This was a spur of the moment trip. Derek told me at supper the day before we left. Had to make arrangements to send my printer off to be repaired, make arrangements for Thursday night crop, for the kits, for helping Dad "move" at the store.... spur of the moment just doesn't work for me. But it's all good. The newsletter is out as well. Now just to get the February kits off to the girls and I'm good.

And I finally got this frame done. I got it for Christmas. It's probably 4 feet tall or so. I previously had printed out black and white copies of some of my favorite pictures from 2006, so I put those in the 4x6 spots and altered the others (inspired by Ali's canvas).

I really like it. We have nothing in our bedroom (for decor anyway), so this is hung in between our two tall and narrow windows! Looks really pretty there! I smile everytime I walk past it!

Have a great weekend all!!!!!