Thursday, December 20, 2007

Let's welcome a new store to the SoCal area!


Times have been tough for the scrapbooking industry lately, and especially tough on local scrapbook stores. It seems like there is a new one closing every week, for one reason or another. A few months ago we heard about Table Scrapz in Placentia closing and I don't know about you, but my thoughts were, "Oh, no ... another one bites the dust!" But out of the dusty ashes of Table Scrapz has risen a new, fresh scrapbook store in the same location: The Scrappin' Table. Store owner Michelle is excited, motivated and gracious and I encourage you to stop on in when you have a chance. Product is being added to the store every day (after a brief delay thanks to the midwest ice storms!) and it looks like Michelle, with the help of her scrappy friend Tiffany, is buying nothing but the latest and greatest.

As I mentioned earlier in my blog, I will be teaching at The Scrappin' Table Jan. 23. I'd love to see some of you there ... it's sure to be a fun, productive and informational class! Find out more by clicking my calendar link to the left of this post, or visit The Scrappin' Table's blog: http://thescrappintable.blogspot.com/

Pantone's Color of the Year


There is something about color that inspires me. Especially when they are all organized and , ahem, color-coordinated. I am attracted to paint chip displays at hardware stores, new boxes of crayons and pencils, my stash of organized cardstock...

I love it when Pantone comes out with its annual color. Will we see it in more scrap stuff? Do I feel the need to paint something this color? I find the description humorous, especially when thinking from an average Jane's perspective. This Blue Iris, to me, is a bright purpley blue. But to Pantone, it is a whole lot more and represents where 2008 will be heading. See if you agree ...

"From a color forecasting perspective, we have chosen PANTONE 18-3943 Blue Iris as the color of the year, as it best represents color direction in 2008 for fashion, cosmetics and home products," explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. "As a reflection of the times, Blue Iris brings together the dependable aspect of blue, underscored by a strong, soul-searching purple cast. Emotionally, it is anchoring and meditative with a touch of magic. Look for it artfully combined with deeper plums, red-browns, yellow-greens, grapes and grays."

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Upcoming classes and make and takes!





Whew .. I am finally getting around to doing the samples that I have desperately needed to get done! The small blue book is a make and take for Auntie Amy in Riverside. I will be at the Heirloom Stamp Show there Jan. 25 and 26.
My "Clearly in Love" 6 x 6 acrylic album has already been sold out to the stores and you can see my schedule for those classes on my calendar. But I still had more stores to teach at, so I had to come up with another project! "Sweet Valentine" is an 8 x 8 acrylic album and I have, so far, have it scheduled at the new store, The Scrappin' Table in Placentia Jan. 23. The other two projects I will be teaching at the Desert Scrappers retreat Jan. 11-13 in Palm Springs. For more info about any of these classes, log on to my web site calendar by clicking the link to the left, or typing this address into your browser: www.kits2remember.com/calendar.

Handmade Holiday gifts ...



In this day and age, handmade gifts just aren't given often enough. I have been lucky to receive two handmade gifts so far this year. Scott Ogle (my DH's poker pal and hubby to my scrappy friend Judy) drilled a hole near the bottom of a wine bottle and fed Christmas lights into it. I really like this simple holiday decor item and have it displayed in my living room where I can see it all the time. The second gift is also in my living room, on a shelf that is tough to light. But the "Believe" framed shadow box scrapper April Peel of Victorville made me is just simply beautiful. She used embossing beautifully and I had a space available on my shelf - it fits in great with my snow globes and boxer dog Christmas tree! Thanks for thinking of me!

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Decemeber news from K2R

Hi, all!

I know you are hearing a lot form me this month, but I have got so many exciting things going on! I just got word that my shipment of *new* products for 2008 is on its way and I have to make room! So, ALL project kits are on sale - up to 50 percent off - for a limited time while supplies last! So, take a look around, and if you have shopped K2R before, don't forget to cash in on your points to save even more money! After shopping for everyone else, now you can say Happy Holidays to YOU! Log on to www.kits2remember.com.

Also, stay tuned for details about the brand new products available next month. Plus, if you are in Southern California, you can register for K2R classes at two 2008 scrappy events: Scrapbook Expo in Orange County and Scrapbook Alley in Ontario. Visit www.kits2remember.com/calendar for more info!

Don't forget: If you have questions about acrylic, ideas, mini books - you name it - the K2R message board is where you can post questions, answers and info for other like-minded, mini-book-making people!

I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and thank you for your support in 2007! I couldn't have done it without you!

Saturday, December 08, 2007

EK is asking for my opinion ....?!


Anyone who knows me knows that I am not afraid to express my opinion, and now a scrapbook company is actually asking for it! Wonders never cease!
I have been selected as a member of the EK Success consumer board for 2008! I am sure there are a few hundred of us out there, but this if fun, nevertheless. We will be asked to fill out online surveys, sometimes about products, sometimes not. I am supposed to share the products with other scrappers, so here's the first review:

They sent me the first product, the new Sticko adhesive, in a pink container (yuck! They lost a point of mine there ...). I got the mini adhesive and being the busy scrapbooker I am, this 11 feet of adhesive was gone in a flash! But, the adhesive itself was strong and easy to use, much like an ATG-type double-sided tape. It IS refillable, but I hate refilling too often, hence the reason I use the ATG gun and tape.

So, while this wasn't a huge winner with me, it was still fun filling out the survey and letting EK know my thoughts! Stay tuned for more reviews in the coming months.

Friday, December 07, 2007

"Clearly in Love" Class


This is the class project I am teaching for January and early February. If you'd like to see if I am teaching at a store near you, log on to www.kits2remember.com/calendar.

"Clearly in Love" is a 6 x 6 acrylic album that features Creative Imaginations paper and embellishments, acrylic shapes (large tag and "love" word), acrylic paint, Stickles, and of course, ribbon! This project has the hubby's stamp of approval for being romantic but not too "girlie," so, hopefully your significant other will agree when you proudly give it to them this Valentine's Day!

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

I'll be teaching at Expo!

I am excited to announce that I will be teaching at Scrapbook Expo for the first time at the Orange County show in February!
I will have two classes each morning (Friday, Saturday, Sunday), both featuring acrylic projects and promoting my new business venture, Kits2Remember (www.kits2remember.com). I hope to see some friendly faces there since this is my first time teaching at Expo!
One class, “Crystal Clear Home Décor,” will be a 12 x 12 acrylic page, which can be used in an album or as home décor – your choice. The second is “Why I Love You,” a 6 x 6 acrylic album we bind with the Bind-it-All.
For more information about my classes, please log on to ScrapbookExpo.com and click on Orange County. There will be workshop information posted there soon, if it isn’t already. Registration begins Dec. 12. I will also be at the San Diego, Ontario and Sacramento Expos, as well!
Kits2Remember will also have a booth there, and I plan to have acrylic covers, albums and shapes available in bulk, as well as chipboard in all the scrappy sizes. I am also working on getting some new and different mini book product in so that I, hopefully, have some stuff you’ve never seen – and can’t resist!
I will also need some teacher’s pets for my two classes each day. I believe the deal with Expo is a free class kit for your assistance, and I’d be happy to throw some acrylic in there as well. I also need a couple of scrappers to help out in the booth in the mornings while I am in class. I would be happy to trade you your time for lots of product. It is preferable that you have experience with the Bind-it-All and Crop-a-dile so you can easily help others who don’t. If you are interested in either volunteer opportunity, please email me: jessica@kits2remember.com.
I will continue to post updates on my blog: www.jessicaguthrie.blogspot.com, so add it to your favorites and check back often.
Truly, I really appreciate the support of so many of you who have encouraged me, supported me … and even become customers for me! Thank you so much! I look forward to seeing you guys at Expo, if not before!

Sunday, December 02, 2007

Whew! It's finished!


I have been pretty quiet on line this week because, when I am not working, I am in the garage, finishing up my labor of love, this roughly 8 x 5.5-foot canvas mural for my living room wall. It is actually four main peices that I have joined together in layers. I have had the idea for this for over a year - it was just trying to find the time to do it! I promised myself that I would start it Thanksgiving weekend, which I did. I think it took about 20 hours to do, not including organizing the materials and photos. You will note that that top left corner is a little bare. I need to get some good pictures of Rodney's parents when we visit them later this month. I plan on video taping my description of it soon, and if I can get the technology to work properly, posting it here. So keep an eye out for that!

New computer!


I have a new laptop, with a huge screen and it's GREEN! Yeah, I stupidly spent an extra $25 so that I could have a green laptop. Since K2R's logo is green, I thought I would continue the theme through to my PC. And the standard black just seemed so boring. I love the computer, it is just a pain having to reinstall programs and reset settings the way I like. Windows Vista is a challenge, too. I still can't find the "print" button, but at least the keyboard commands still work the same!