Merry Christmas!!
Only a few more days until Christmas...I can hardly wait! Yes, it's been crazy and busy, but I am trying to find some time to enjoy the season. My boys are now out of school for Christmas break, and I'm ready for some quality family time! I hope you all take time to enjoy family and friends this holiday season! And don't forget to take lots of photos! We need to preserve our Christmas memories for a lifetime!

Our holiday hours this week...We will be open late on Friday, the 23rd until 6:00pm. We are closed Saturday, the 24th, Sunday, the 25th, and Monday, the 26th.

We are so thankful and blessed for you...our truly amazing customers...for your support and friendships! I am also so thankful for my wonderful staff! I couldn't do it without them! I hope you all have a Happy and Blessed Holiday Season!

December - New Card Class

Sneak Peek...Card Class for Friday, December 16th 10:30am or Saturday, December 17th 10:00am. Come make 3 Technique Enhanced Christmas Cards and learn about Embossing, Twinkling H2O's, Sizzix/Tim Holtz Dies, Glitter, Inking Lace, Stamping, Tinsel, Bells, Ribbons and Bows oh my! This will be a fun filled learning session. Space is limited, so call to sign up and remember to bring a drink and snack to get you through the noon hour. We can take a short break to eat.

Hey bloggers,


I now know what my New Year's Resolution is going to be.....keeping up to date on my blog. I just can't seem to remember to take the time, but I'm hoping that's going to change!


I found some really cute ideas on the Simple Stories blog that you all might like. There are 16 Holiday Craft ideas, and the last one is just so cute. Here is the link: https://www.memory-works.com/admin/images/site/SS_HomeDecorGuide.pdf


Don't forget to take time out of your crazy, busy schedule to enjoy the holiday season.


New things on the shelf:


Echo Park Winter Park
Bella Blvd Winter Wonder
Coming soon: Fancy Pants Winterland


We are planning on using Fancy Pants Winterland for Page of the Month in January. We will be doing some sewing on our layout as well!!


Anyone interested in joining us for Page of the Month...it will be a set price each month of only $25. You will receive an album at 50% when you complete any 12 months so you don't have to start in January to receive your half-priced album. We are going to try to have a sneak peek picture of the layout in the newsletter. Just call for more details.

A few more things coming in January...Scrapbooking 101. This class will be for all those who want to get started, and just don't know where to start. This will be for beginners who are ready to organize your photos and put them in albums!

Weekend Retreat - Jan 27th-29th...Join us for a fun weekend of scrapbooking!!!!

Kayla's All Day Saturday Basic Photography Class - January 7th!

Be back soon,
Gina

Store Update

Hey everyone,

We will be re-opening on Wednesday, November 9th with regular business hours. We are still waiting for the carpet to dry so they can come clean it. Hopefully we will be back to normal soon!! We will still have class on Wednesday night and Saturday morning. We may all have to maneuver around a few obstacles here and there, but hopefully not for too long. Thank you to all of you who called, stopped by to help, and brought food. I appreciate all of you so very much!!

A few things coming in...Fancy Pants St. Nick just arrived, Basic Grey Nordic, and Smash Books and accessories. Come check it out!

Weather Update

New On The Racks Today

Fancy Pants - Summer's End
Simple Stories - Elementary
Little Yellow Bicycle - Head Of The Class
Echo Park - Season's Greetings

Lots more to come...

Halloween Tags Class

It was a fun Friday and Saturday here at the store. We had our Halloween Tags Class, featuring lots of techniques and products. Take a look at the photo and if you would like to see more stop by the store to see them all. We have several on display and lots of product in to make them. Spooky!!!!

Remembering 9/11

I read a post on Little Yellow Bicycle's blog today that I wanted to share with you.

http://littleyellowbicycle.typepad.com/my-blog/2011/09/reflections-on-911.html

2011 Garfield County Fair

2011 Garfield County Free Fair - Sept. 7-Sept. 11

Entries close in all departments
Wednesday, Aug. 31st 2011 at 5:00pm
All Exhibits must be pre-entered by August 31st
Articles not due to Coliseum until
Wednesday, Sept. 7th

You can enter by:
Phone: 237-0238
Fax: (580)249-5963
Mail: Garfield County Fairgounds, 111 W. Purdue, Enid, OK 73701
Email: sheri@chisholmtrailexpo.com
Email entries will be confirmed within 48 hours
Please include Name, Address, Telephone Number, and Age of Exhibitor

We would love to have lots of entries in the Scrapbooking and Photography Area and prizes will be presented in both!
__________________________________________________

SCRAPBOOK
Premium: $2, 1.75, 1.50
Q127 Any Design, Professional or teacher
Q128 Any Design, Amateur
Exhibit MUST BE A COMPLETE BOOK
Will not be judged in scrapbooking

SCRAPBOOKING
Professional or Teacher (considered to be person receiving part of or all of their income from scrapbooking, including selling, teaching and/or instruction.
Amateur (other than professional/teacher or youth)
Youth (considered to be a student attending school)

Contest Rules:
1. Entries must be the work of the exhibitor and his/her original design.
2. Limited to one entry per exhibitor
3. Each entry shall consist of (1) two page layout. Subject matter of exhibitor's choice. Submit layout only. Do not submit an entire album or the entry will be disqualified.
4. Scrapbook layouts may be any size 12x12, 5x7, 8.5x11 etc...
5. Journaling is required on each layout entry.
6. Each layout is required to have page protectors
7. If it is determined that an entry is entered in the wrong category, the sponsor will place it in the proper category.
8. Every effort will be made to display the entries in an attractive manner.
__________________________________________________

PHOTOGRAPHY
1. One entry per person per category
2. Prints MUST be 8x10 or 8x12 in size for adult classes and 5x7 for youth classes
3. Prints MUST be mounted on a stiff material NO BORDERS, FRAMES OR MATS
4. MUST have a sturdy hanger
5. Best of Show in each photography category will be selected and prizes will be presented. Categories are Amateur Color and Black & White.
6. Judges may switch categories of submitted photos to best fit.
7. Judges may choose not to display any photo they deem inapropriate.
8. Photos that do not follow ALL of the rules will not be judged, but will be displayed.

There is a great list of categories to choose from and I'm sure you can find one that your photo fits into. Please consult the 2011 Fair Guide for more details. We have one here at the store if you would like to see it.

Wow! Where did the summer go? It always goes by so fast. Both boys started back to school yesterday, and both had great days! Ryan is a 7th grader this year. Wow...junior high! Damon is a 4th grader this year. I just can't believe how time flies! Both have started football practice with their first games coming up after Labor Day. Can't wait till our new school and sports lines get here! I will have lots of pictures!!

I also have lots of pictures from the summer. Since it was so hot, they spent alot of their time swimming. Perfect for the new Echo Park Splash and the Simple Stories' 100 Days of Summer lines!! If you haven't seen either of these new lines, we have some layouts made with both of them. We will be using the 100 Days of Summer for September's Page of the Month class, so be sure to check it out!

UPS dropped off more boxes yesterday! We have Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium and ABC Primer, Teresa Collins Christmas Home, Basic Grey Nordic, Echo Park Happy Days, and Bo Bunny Et Cetera, Blitzen, Father Christmas, and Forever Fall. We are expecting more and more each day!

Hope everyone has a great week!

New Photography Class

The Basics of Lighting
Saturday, August 20th, 5:30PM

Class Fee is $80

Taught by Kayla

This class introduces various portrait lighting styles using mostly natural lighting and introduces artificial lighting. We will begin with classroom instruction learning different types of lighting styles then move to hands on shooting outside. Next we will introduce artificial lighting such as external flash, constant lighting and strobe lighting. We will discuss light modifiers such as diffusers, reflectors and other flash accessories. You must have a dSLR or advanced point and shoot to take this class and have taken the basic and intermediate (or advanced) photography class. A good understanding of your manual mode is highly recommended (M, Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority). If you have an external flash, reflector or other flash modifiers please bring them to class with you. This is at least a three hour course (depending on individual needs).

Megan took home a baggy full of eyeballs! Stop in and see what she's doing!!

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer! I am beating the heat and scrapbooking! I have actually gotten alot done, so I am not going to complain!

We have been ordering alot of great new products from CHA! New collections will be arriving very soon! Watch for new Fall, Halloween, Christmas, School, Sports, and some great new Everyday lines! Can't wait till it all gets here! I am still in summer mode, so I have two more awesome summer lines coming in. They are so great! Melody, however, is working on Christmas cards! You really need to see what she's doing and planning for classes. As for Megan, she's up to her "eyeballs" in........... Kayla has been talking about some new photo classes as well for this fall and she's been printing some super great new sizes of photos for some the layouts we have planned. Stop in and let us know what you've been up to! We will keep you posted on new lines as we get them in!

I Scream You Scream We All Scream for Ice Cream

Check out a new layout and card, made with the decorative strip paper rosettes die. This die can be used in a Sizzix Big Shot or the new Tim Holtz Vagabond. We have a Vagabond on display in the store now if you would like to see one and we special order both the Big Shot and Vagabond die cutting machines.

July Classes and Crops

"Saturday CROP"
Saturday, July 9th 10am-10pm
Crop fee $5
Come join us for a 12 hour crop!! We can all use some extra scrapbooking time with friends. I know I have a lot of catching up to do too! So bring whatever you would like to work on or want to catch up on, and join us! Please bring a snack to share.

Basic Digital Photography
Part 1 Monday, July 11th, 6-8PM
Part 2 Monday, July 25th, 6-8PM
Class Fee is $40
Taught by Kayla
This course provides basic instruction on using your camera to take better pictures. You will learn the basic functions of your camera, why and how to adjust various settings and learn composition for creative photography. This class is hands on so bring your camera (with good batteries), a memory card and the instruction manual. Class is split into two evening sessions.

When you call to sign up, please tell us your camera brand and model.
Includes 2 sessions and class materials for you to keep.

Quick and Classy Layout
Tuesday, July 12th, 6pm
Class Fee $18
Taught by Holli
This Quick and Classy two page layout class will take less than an hour to complete, and you will leave with an awesome layout ready for pictures! This layout will feature the American Made collection by My Mind's Eye! Perfect for a reunion, kids, patriotic, sports and lots more.

Intermediate Digital Photography
Part 1 Monday, July 14th, 6-8PM
Part 2 Monday, July 28th, 6-8PM
Class Fee is $40
Taught by Kayla
This course is designed for anyone that has taken the basic class and would like to learn more about photography and their camera. Topics include exposure, metering, flash, white balance and more! This class is hands on so bring your camera (with good batteries), a memory card, the instruction manual, and any accessories you may have. Class is split into two evening sessions.

When you call to sign up, please tell us your camera brand and model.
Includes 2 sessions and class materials for you to keep.

July Page Of The Month
Friday, July 15th, 10:30AM
Saturday, July 16th 10:00AM
Saturday, July 16th 1:00PM
Class fee $27
Taught by Melody and Gina
We will be doing a two page layout featuring the new Liberty line by BoBunny! This layout will be perfect for all your summertime pictures. We will be putting a spin on the traditional patriotic theme and showing different ways to use your supplies. You will see other layouts made with your remaining kit pieces to give you even more ideas!

Introduction To Photoshop Elements
Monday, July 18th, 6-8PM
Class Fee is $40
Taught by Kayla
This course provides basic instruction on using Photoshop Elements 8-Editor. You are not required to have a laptop or this version of the Photoshop software to participate in this class. If you do have a laptop and/or the software, however, please let us know. This is the first class in a series of project classes that will teach you the basics of editing your photos.

This class will be required to participate in future project classes unless you are efficient with using the tools in Photoshop 8. You will be provided class materials the day of the class. If you have any questions or would like to sign up please call us here at the store at either 242-2767 or 233-3334 or stop by. Space is limited.

Card Class
Friday, July 22, 10:30am
Saturday, July 23rd, 9:00am
Class fee $20
Taught by Melody
You will be making beautiful Sympathy, Birthday, and/or Thinking of You cards with Pink Paislee's Butterfly Garden. Space is limited in this class so don't wait to sign up! We will be starting this class promptly at 9:00am since we also have a different class starting at 1:00pm that afternoon.

I Love Spending Everyday With You "Kite" Layout
Saturday, July 23th, 1:00pm
Class Fee $24
Taught by Dana
This two page layout class will be lots of fun! It will feature the Lime Twist collection by My Mind's Eye! Perfect for kids, sunny days, family and fun photos.

Boy/Girl Layouts
Saturday, July 30th, 10am
Class Fee $24
Taught by Dana
Pick a Girl or Boy Layout ... or choose both. These two page layouts also use the Lime Twist collection by My Mind's Eye! Come learn some fun new layering techniques with patterned paper and die cut papers, and fun ways to use the Bo Bunny Flex Ruler to make some great templates.

Twist and Shout...My Mind's Eye Lime Twist is here!!

We have layouts and some class samples for you to see. Stop by the store and check out this fun line. There are four groups...1)Fly A Kite 2)Out Of The Blue 3)Happy Go Lucky 4)Life Of The Party

Echo Park Summer Days

This new line is bright and cheery...we could not resist playing with it and here's what we came up with. Come by and check out this selection, perfect for all your summer fun photos.

Wow! Where have I been?? I am so sorry that it has taken so long to update the blog! And I do know where I've been...at end of school activities. This time of year is just so busy! But school is out now! Bring on summer!!


We have all kinds of great classes coming up in June. We are updating the calendar this week, so watch for new class dates. We are also having a crop on Saturday, June 4th. We are calling it "Slacker Saturday". Come join us 10am to 10pm for only $5, bring a snack to share, and get caught up on some scrapbooking! I know I have alot of catching up to do!! (I will need at least 8-10 signed up in order to have it.)


The National Scrapbook Day retreat was so fun! We will be posting some pictures of all the fun we had. Our next big retreat weekend will be our Birthday Bash in September. We will be having some Friday night and/or Saturday crops during the summer. We have also been having some open crop times on Friday during the day!


Lots of new lines are also coming in...Basic Grey Sweet Threads and Lauderdale, My Mind's Eye Hip Hooray and American Made, Fancy Pants To the Moon and It's the Little Things, and Echo Park Summer Days. New items coming are Basic Grey Oxford, Fancy Pants Baby Mine, Bo Bunny Liberty and Zoology, and My Mind's Eye Lime Twist!! Come check out all the new stuff!

So excited about National Scrapbook Day coming up! We are going to celebrate this weekend with an all weekend crop! We have adjusted the schedule slightly to please take note of the new times...Friday, 4pm-Midnight, Saturday, 9am-Midnight, and Sunday, 9am-4pm. We will be giving away alot of really great prizes all weekend long. It will be a really fun weekend!!

Also, we have gotten 18 new lines out!!! The store is full of fun new products! Can't wait for you to see all the great stuff we have gotten in! To make room for all of it, the clearance boxes are also getting fuller. You might be surprised at all the great stuff in the clearance section, so come check it all out. We will be posting pictures of some classes we've done and that are coming up, and some new layouts using some of the new great lines...so keep checking in.

New My Mind's Eye Stella and Rose Reveal Night

We had a super fun time at reveal night for the new Stella and Rose scrapbook collection from My Mind's Eye. Friends came by from 5pm to 7pm last Friday to view the new collections within this huge line and get some new ideas for layouts and cards. We had such a great response to it, that we've already reordered and will be receiving replacement product for what we sold this week. Be sure to stop by the store in the next few days to check it all out and if you were here that night, be sure to come by and check out more new cards made from this fantastic line of papers.

Oh my gosh...can't wait for you all to see what we are getting in!!! We have been unloading boxes for at least a week now (and yes, even more is on the way!). We are getting more and more new products out for you to see. Watch for the date for our reveal night of the new My Mind's Eye Stella and Rose. You will be the first to see this new amazing collection and yes, you will get 10% off that night and be able to see new layouts with it! Also, we will be having an "all green" 17% off sale for St. Patrick's Day. You will receive 17% off on all things green excluding new CHA releases. New products coming in are Bo Bunny, Tim Holtz, Echo Park, Little Yellow Bicycle, Basic Grey, Crate Paper, KI Memories Puffies, Thickers, new Glimmer Mist colors, and Teresa Collins. Ok...off to unload more great stuff.....

Yesterday was my husband's and oldest son's birthday! I can't believe my son is 13. I officially have a teenager. Looking back today, it doesn't seem like he should be that old. I usually take this time to look back at his life. It's amazing that there are things I have already forgotten. Things that at the time I just knew I would never forget. I am so glad that I have taken pictures of things and tried to write some things down. Journaling is my downfall, but at least the pictures remind me of what I may have forgotten.

We had parent teacher conferences last night as well. He presented us a powerpoint presentation called "All About Me". I was wondering why I had to send all those pictures to school. It had different things on there such as what he likes to do, what he likes to eat, and even what clothes he likes to wear. I am hoping he will write all those things down for me again so that I can scrapbook it. Those are the things I want to remember about my kids at each age. They grow and change so quickly, and I know that even though I think I will remember everything about that moment, I know I won't. I don't want to forget a single thing. It's easy to remember to take pictures of events such as sports, music programs, and birthday parties. Just remember to keep taking pictures and writing down the everyday things as well. Those are the memories we don't want to forget!

Another great photoshop class checked off my list! I took the Layers class last week. I have been seeing everywhere in my magazines and online all the different sized photos used on pages. It's not just the typical 4x6 photos anymore. In this class I learned how to crop and size photos and put them together in a collage. For instance, the layout I'm doing has a 4x6, 2 3x3's, and a 5x7. I can now put all these together on one sheet, print them out, and they're ready for my layout. I have also been seeing photos in sizes such as 4x12 on layouts. Now I know how to create these and make my layouts stand out with great photos! Can't wait for the next one!

I took Kayla's Photoshop Elements class last night on the organizing feature of the program. It was so great! I learned so much about how to organize my photos in a more effective manner. I usually use Windows to organize my photos, but I am now going to switch over to using Photoshop for all of that. I also learned new ways to save and back up my photos. That program can do some very amazing things. Can't wait to take the Layers class on Thursday night! Hopefully my photos will look even more amazing on my layouts after taking these classes! Can't wait to start using all I have learned so far!

Happy Birthday, Damon! I can't believe my baby is 10 years old today. Where has the time gone? He wanted spaghetti and macaroni and cheese for dinner, so that's what we had. He also wanted a white Texas sheet cake for his birthday cake. It tastes like a Katy's Pantry sugar cookie. Yummy!!!! What a great day! I am posting a picture of his birthday card I made. It is made from the new Little Boy collection by Echo Park. Just love that paper line!

Speaking of new paper lines, new collections will be shipping soon! Can't wait to see all the new products!

Happy Valentines Day! Hope everyone had a great day, and ate alot of chocolate! Just wanted to put a picture of the "I-pod" I made and gave to my boys today. Dana gave me this idea, and they turned out so cute!

Snow, Snow go away! Now that I have snow pictures for my winter layouts, bring on spring! I am ready for warm, sunny days. And actually, I think we are going to have some of those next week. I am so excited!

We have been closed these last two days, but we are planning on opening at noon on Friday. We are still going to have our Free Valentine Swap and Crop tomorrow night. We still have a few openings. If you would like to join us, please call the store and let us know. It will be alot of fun! We already have a few adorable Valentine boxes that have been brought by, and I spent one of my snow days making Valentines. Without electricity, I might add. We were without power for 5 hours yesterday. My kids and I were all going crazy!

I did remember while I worked on some layouts at home, how much I love Crate Paper. I have been working with the new Restoration collection. Their paper is so wonderful! I must say it distresses great! Can't wait to get in more of their new lines. I will post some of the layouts I have done when they get finished. Hope to work on them at the crop on Friday night. Watch for pictures of everyone's Valentines and Valentine boxes/bags from the crop.

Til' next time....
Gina

Date Change - March Page of the Month

Due to the availability of product, after CHA, we will be moving our March Page of the Month to later in the month. It will be March 25th or 26th instead of March 4th or 5th. This will ensure we have everything we need for a great class. Thanks!

Select from:
March 25th class 10:30am
March 26th class 9:30am or 1:00pm

Free Valentines Crop February 11th

Join us on February 11th...bring your scrapbook pages, card making goodies and/or projects.

Bo Bunny "Crush" and Some Valentine Card Inspiration

Check out the new Bo Bunny Crush line...hearts, birds and swirls in pinks, reds, white and black.

It is just fantastic and has something for all the special people in your life. You will notice that it works great with all the new lace, ribbon, trinkets and Prima flowers that just came in. We have loads of inspiration around the store in the form of cards and scrapbook layouts. Please come by and check it all out. Our friends Ginger and her daughter Tammy have made some great cards pictured here http://www.glitterandroses.blogspot.com/ so be sure to head over to Ginger's blog and see what they've been up to. Also, check out Tammy's Post on her blog with some more inspiring photos from their card making day.

Oh my...where has the time gone!! The holidays were here, and now January is almost over and we haven't blogged!! We have just been so busy getting our new classes on the schedule. We are offering a new series of classes starting in February called Quick and Classy. We are so excited about this newest addition. These classes will focus on getting classy layouts done in a short amount of time! Our first will be a great Birthday themed layout using the new Fancy Pants It's Your Day collection.

We have been getting in a lot of new products!! CHA is the end of January, so we will be getting in new product from now 'til June! We are sooo excited about all of the new collections we've been seeing. Yes, we will be keeping the UPS man very busy!!

Some of the newest items we have added lately are:

Bo Bunny- Crush and Midnight Frost
My Minds Eye - Alphabet Soup collections
Teresa Collins - Celebrate Birthday collection and Blingage
Basic Grey - Hopscotch collection
Fancy Pants - It's Your Day and Love Birds...most of Love Bird's here and should have the rest this week!
Kaisercraft - Pearl and rhinestone flourishes
Charms - Hearts and Keys
Echo Park - Little Boy collection
American Crafts - Thickers, thickers, and more new thickers coming!!!!!!
Maya Road - Heart Trinket pins, cream Organza Roses Ribbon, Crystal Trinket pins, Leaf Trinket pins
Prima - Flowers, flowers, and more flowers!!

Coming Soon!
Baker's Twine - in 16 new colors!!
Little Yellow Bicycle - Twig collection
October Afternoon - Modern Homemaker and Campfire
All new collections from Bo Bunny, Tim Holtz, Little Yellow Bicycle, Fancy Pants, Studio Calico, Pink Paislee, Basic Grey, Prima, and so many more!! Can't wait till you see some of the new products coming out! Tim Holtz - has great new dies and of course idea-ology coming out. Let me know if there are any dies you would like and I will pre-order them for you.