Friday, November 25, 2011

Our Holiday Window Display at Paper Paper

Thought I would share our 2011 holiday window complete with Paper Paper goodies under the trees :)




Saturday, November 19, 2011

Card Challenge

This was a card challenge that I was late on... but thought I would still share and it still made me make this great card!  I used Authentique Gathering... The colors in this collection are just yummy!!!





Friday, October 21, 2011

Echo Park Times and Seasons

This collection by Echo Park is really fantastic.  For those of us who could not get enough of For The Record, this is the perfect fix!  It has a great vintage feel and the stickers and alphas compliment the line so nicely.  This is the layout I came up with:





Supplies:  Echo Park Times and Seasons paper and journaling cards, The Twinery twine, white tag turned brown using Distress Ink, and Authentique word stickers. 

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Authentique Paper Challenge

I have completely fallen head over heels for Authentique.  Is that possible?  I created a card for their sketch challenge this month.  I get all warm and fuzzy when these sketches are posted on their blog and the little smiley faces that accompany it, make me smile.  I decided to participate in the card challenge and this is what I came up with:


I used the Uncommon collection and Blissful to create this feminine card.  A touch of May Arts Ribbon and Twinery Twine topped it off.

You have until October 12th to enter this challenge....
 
Would love to see what you all come up with! :)

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

For The Love of Art

If you have a moment please hop on over to my friend Meg's blog!  She teaches card making and mini album classes at Paper! Paper! and we are so happy to have her here.  She is very talented and has a wonderful eye for color and design.  

http://meggiroux.blogspot.com/

Friday, September 30, 2011

Grammy's Birthday Card

My Grammy turned 90... such a big milestone in one's life.  I made her this card and I am really in love with how it came out.  There are three collections used here:  Echo Park Victoria Gardens, Echo Park For The Record, and Authentique Uncommon.  If you haven't heard of Authentique yet, I suggest you check out their great products:  http://www.authentiquepaper.com/?page_id=313&cat_id=15&page=9


Sunday, September 25, 2011

Crate Paper Farmhouse Mini Album

As soon as the Farmhouse collection entered the shop I knew I had to play immediately.  A friend of mine asked if I could make a mini album as a gift for someone.  I said sure and I knew just the collection I wanted to use!  It was so easy to work with this because the chipboard embellishments are awesome and all the papers work so great together.  I had a blast!
























Saturday, September 24, 2011

Bella Blvd Finally Fall

I like to create a layout with each new collection that comes in the shop to put on display.  I couldn't wait to play with Bella Blvd Finally Fall.... love the colors, the patterns, and the chipboard!  Years ago we went to eat at this fabulous place on the Mohawk Trail to have pancakes drizzled with their own syrup.  Delish!  Afterwards we played with the camera a bit and captured some wonderful photos of my friend's daughter. 

This was taken with my webcam (I can't seem to find the camera... I know... tragedy) so it isn't the greatest quality...


Now if it just felt like Fall that would be great!  New England has been experiencing some hot muggy weather! 

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Small Business - Why I Keep Going

Owning a small business is difficult.  I don't tell anyone any different when they ask.  You have to have a lot of drive, determination, and be able to accept all the things that come with it.  You have to be a roll with the punches sort of person but also must be focused on your customers, the business, and your community.  You must love change and be willing to change often.  You must be able to accept that this is your life and 90% of the time it is your WHOLE life.  You must be willing to work and work long hours.  It is also important to realize that any time you start a business doing what you love (for me, paper crafting) you will have almost zero time to continue doing this.  Having a love for business as well as the hobby is so important. 

So why do I keep doing this? Because I love pretty paper?  Well, yes, but....there is a lot more to it than that....

Because it is rewarding.  Seeing customers eyes light up when they first enter this shop is delightful.  Watching people create wonderful items at crops makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.  Hearing the wonderful things they have to say about the product and the shop is fantastic.  Purchasing as much as I possibly can from companies who have their paper and embellishments Made in the USA... awesome!  Customers often bring in the items they have been working on to show me.... WOW!  that is priceless.  People feeling as though they can share their memories with me and how they created them is amazing. 

I also love the other side of it all (which is a must)  What can we do to make this business keep running and remain in our community?  How do we spread the word that we're here (our customers help so much with this!)  What other fun and exciting things can we add or do to get people excited?  (love this too!)  How can we change to make things better?  Change being the key word .....

In conclusion.... our customers are AWESOME

                         running a business is a roller coaster... so you must learn to keep your chin up... put your hands up and scream when you're going down the hills but laugh hysterically and screech with joy when going back up again :)  It is a ride you will never forget!  Enjoy every moment, good and bad, because it is all part of the experience!

                        if you want to keep doing what you love to do, don't make it your business.  if you don't mind giving it up while you create a place for other people to enjoy it, then hold your nose and take the plunge!  Just remember to come up for air once in a while (that's the 10% of the time you aren't working on the business) :)

Happy Crafting!

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Why I Scrapbook Video



This is a wonderfully inspiring video...enjoy :)

12 Hour Crop - September 17th

Join us for our 12 hour crop on Saturday, September 17th - 9am-9pm.... We love having the store filled with busy ladies working on wonderful memories... For just $15.00 come crop for the whole day and dinner is included!  Just check out the crafty goodness:


September Classes

Baby Mini Album Class w/ Laura - Sunday, September 11th - 1pm
$33.00
Registration:  http://www.paper-paper.net/Class.html
Supplies to bring:  Double sided adhesive tape runner, Glue such as Fabri-Tac or Zip Dry, and pop dots.  If you have a standard hole punch, please bring it along. 
(just two spots left)

Christmas Card Class w/ Meg - Monday, September 12th - 6:15pm
$16.00
Supplies to bring:  Adhesive Tape Runner, 12" paper trimmer if you have one.


Zentangle w/ Mimi Lempart - Sunday, September 18th - 2-4pm
$35.00
All supplies are included
For more information on Zentangle:  http://www.zentangle.com/

We are super excited about all our upcoming classes!  See you soon!



Thursday, September 1, 2011

New Goodies!

We are super excited about all the new product that has come in and is coming soon

Just check out how great these collections are:



Crate paper Farmhouse has arrived!
This line makes me want to head out on my porch and ring the dinner bell!
Perfect for so many different types of pictures and fantastic for making recipe books!


 


Graphic 45 ABC Primer has arrived
Wow!  This collection is fantastic - It makes me want to go back to elementary school just for the pictures! :)  There are also great neutrals with this!






Echo Park Apothecary Emporiam has arrived
This is an awesomely spooky and cooky Halloween collection!
Don't be scarrrred... some of the papers can be used for non Halloween too!




Little Yellow Bicycle Hello Fall Shipping Soon!
Fantastic Fall Colors perfect for those pumpkin hugging pictures (we all have one don't we?)





Bella Blvd Finally Fall Shipping Soon!
Finally Fall - The title is so fitting - Summer is not my season.  I welcome Fall and Winter!  So, I can say....It's Finally Fall and it's adorable!!



We are just so super excited every time we open a new box of awesome merchandise!  I look forward to people coming in and oooing and awwwing over it!  Hope to see you soon :)

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Back To School Time

With back to school time fast approaching, we at Paper! Paper! are hoping for an easy transition for all the moms and dads out there.... and just imagine the adorable first day pictures! :)  The shop will be closed August 28th - September 6th - opening again September 7th for normal business hours.  We are gearing up for the holidays with lots of class offerings that are perfect for gift giving and great holiday lines for your card making and scrapbooking needs!  This time of year is so fun for us and we get super excited about the hustle and bustle that goes on in the shop!  I love seeing people's holiday ideas and crafty projects.  The cold weather begins and lends its self to scrapping, card making, and mixed media creativity. 

So Happy back to school time and Happy Fall and we shall see you on September 7th!  We'll even have new product in when we're open again! 

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Beginner's Scrapbooking

I love introducing people to scrapbooking.  It is such a fabulous way to spend time with friends, share memories, and be creative.  I have turned those that thought they were not crafty at all into scrapbookers! :)  This is a layout we will be making in our beginner's scrapbook class tomorrow.  I used Echo Park Victoria Gardens... so pretty!

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Winter Artist Tray

Wednesday, November 9th  6:15pm   $33.00

Winter Artist Tray

You may register online or in the store
http://www.paper-paper.net/Classtwo.html


We are already adding classes for the holidays.  I have a feeling these classes are going to be very popular!  These artist trays are great for gift giving or to put up year after year in your home :)

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Blogslacking

That is a new word I am using.  Blogslacking refers to me slacking on my blog :)  It sure is time I post something, don't you think?  I haven't had too much time to be crafty lately.  The store has been busy with classes and crops and that leaves little time to sit and work on projects, BUT I am planning a baby mini album class in September, so as soon as the collection comes in:  Simple Stories Baby Steps I will get to work creating!  Is this adorable or what??


Friday, July 1, 2011

Authentique Blissful Collection Mini Album

Yesterday a new collection was delivered to our shop.  Authentique Blissful.  The papers are beautiful.  The paper quality is amazing and the colors are fantastic!  I used the 6x6 paper pad and die cuts to create this album.  Enjoy :)