Scrappy Links

Embellish It!

My favorite source for Basic Grey products has launched a blog.  The online store Embelish it! now has a blog as well.  Here are some layouts featuring their newest line, Webster's Pages

Embellish It! also travels to shows and expos where you are able to grab your Baisc Grey pads in person (as well as paper from other companies like Jenni Bowlin, Pink Paislee, Fanci Pants).  They also have lots of vintage Basic Grey on sale.  It's a great place to source a line of Basic Grey paper that your local scrapbook store no longer carries, but you have to have more of.  Enjoy!

Teri Hansen

 

   

Scrapbook Retreats

Do you ever have the urge to get away?  Get away and scrap that is.  How fun would it be to get together with your friends and have a long weekend of doing nothing but scrapping, shopping and eating?  Check out these sites to set up a retreat near (or not so near) you!

Scrappin' Escapes for Southern California and Nevada

Wisconsin Scrapbook Weekends for Wisconsin  

Cream of the Crop for Michigan 

Scrapping Dream Events for Georgia

Scrapping Dream Events for New Jersey (sold out for 2009, two already planned for 2010)

Personally, I'm going to hit the Scrappin' Escape in Southern California in November.  I hope you find an event that works for you.  Enjoy!

Teri Hansen 

Rouge de Garance

I love the paper from Rouge de Garance.  This is a French company that makes all things scrap-related and makes them well.  They just released a collection to celebrate the Eiffel Tower's 120th anniversary called "Gustave"

 

Kind of like a French Bo Bunny meets Basic Grey don't you think?  The next papers re from the "Adele" collection and it's more along the lines of a French Bo Bunny meeting Cosmo Cricket.

You can even make a recipe box.  So cute!

You can search their website for a retailer near you.   Enjoy!

Teri Hansen

October Afternoon

There are manufacturer blogs that feature their products and design teams.  Then there's a gem of a blog that features their talented customer's work.  October Afternoon features many creations from their fans and I think that's really cool because there are many talented scrappers out there.  The best a fan can hope for is to be put in a gallery or win a weekly challenge.  I like that October Afternoon actually features their fan's work.

Check out their blog and if you're a fan, you might be featured too.  Enjoy!

Teri Hansen

Scrapbooking Roads & Shop Hop Fun!

I am doing the So Cal Shop Hop where you visit as many of the 37 scrapbook stores that are participating as you can between August 7-23.  The shop hop is organized by Scrapbooking Roads, and it turns out they organize shop hops throughout the United States.  How exciting!  I will not plan another vacation until I check out their site first. (You can always make time to check out new scrapbook stores can't you?)   Here are some of the upcoming shop hops

Michigan Shop Hop

Amish Country Shop Hop  

And there are also online shop hops as well.  For the So Cal shop hop, if you visit 16 stores, you are entered to win prizes.  Visit all 37 stores and you are entered to win the grand prizes.  Every store has make and takes and you get discounts on almost all of your purchases.  You even get a cute store button, if you make a minimum purchase, that's good for 20% off your purchases later on.  Such a deal, and such a great way to support our local scrapbook stores!  Enjoy!

Teri Hansen

Sassafras Lass Warehouse Sale With a Side of Boxed Goodies

The main reason I would consider moving to Utah is to be able to attend the warehouse sales of various manufacturers.  That is the only thing that would make me give up the mild weather of Southern California (ok that and being close to The Art Nest.)  Click on Sassafras Lass to find out about the warehouse sale on Saturday, August 15th.

And now you can do something that was previously impossible.  You can shop a warehouse sale from the comfort of your own home.  How?  by purchasing a box of goodies from the warehouse sale.  Sassafras Lass even makes it easy by allowing you to call in or email an order for the boxes of goodies.

That's a great idea that more manufacturers should try to duplicate.  Enjoy!

Teri Hansen

Jenni Bowlin Design Team

This is not the easiest blog to find.  The first few times I went to Jenni's website I missed it completely.  And while Jenni has a blog herself, you need to go to the design team's blog for the latest in Jenni Bowlin goodies.  And you will not be disappointed.  I am a huge fan of JB and I love the layouts and techniques her design team comes up with.  For example, you'll find this cool layout by JBDT member Michelle McCord

You will also find detailed instructions on how to achieve the distressed look, including pictures

Using a steak knife will give you this shabby, distressed result

This is definately a great blog you won't want to miss.  And if the shopping bug bites you, you can click over to her internet store JBS Mercantile.  Look for her amazing monthly kits like this

 

Enjoy!

Teri Hansen

Craft Storage by Art Bin

What is a crafter/scrapper to do with all of the cool things we buy?  We have to store them somewhere don't we?  And it should be easy to transport as we like to gather in groups to craft.  Art Bin is available at arts & crafts stores, but you really need to see the website to view the whole collection.  And don't limit yourself to just the paper crafts section because in other sections you'll find great storage products like these

  

And my new personal favorite!

What a cool way to keep all of your embellishments and tools organized!  Enjoy!

Teri Hansen

BINGO!

I really like Bingo cards and the way they look on layouts.  Here's some new Bingo cards coming soon to a scrapbook store near you.  First up, these cool, customizable cards from Tattered Angels.

 

If you have never Glimmer Misted before, no worries.  There's great tutorials on how to Glimmer Mist on their website (scroll down and it's on the right side of the page).

Do you prefer your Bingo cards ready to go?  Then check out these cards by Jenni Bowlin.

 

Such cute additions to go with the adorable Bingo cards she has already.  Look for these cards at a store near you in mid-August.  Enjoy!

Teri Hansen

A tidbit from CHA

Hi Everyone,

As today is my decompress day (read more here) I have so much swirling through my head about what I saw and what I heard throughout the CHA show in Orlando, Florida this last week.

We all know where we are economically, no one has to give any reminders on that point, but what I have seen come of this in the scrapbooking industry is a comaraderie that was not there before.  The dog eat dog days are over, and the realization that we as an industry must start to pull together, think creatively and work together to keep this industry alive. 

As a business owner myself in an unrelated industry, I already knew that and started doing that years ago in preparation for what was to come.  The paper and craft industry is just now grabbing hold of this, with only seconds to spare.

The spirit of collaboration with each other is very relevant in this economic climate, and it was a true pleasure to talk to companies that realize that it is for the benefit of every one to think outside of the box.  It is so important to keep the industry of preserving memories alive for now and all future generations.

Be sure to support your local scrapbook stores, spend that extra dollar, show that you care and keep our industry strong for the little guys too!

-Candy Rosenberg