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 :)