Thursday, January 29

The Real Stars of CHA!!!

As we all know, the true stars of CHA were definitely the designer releasing all of their beautiful new creations and of course the buyers running around like chickens with their heads cut off with so much to choose from. It was a lot of work on both ends, but well worth the exciting things to come.

Most all of us were lucky enough to meet and snap some photos with a few of our favorite designers, Tim Holtz, Heidi Swapp, Jenni Bowlin, Anna Griffin, and even Deborah Norville if you can believe that! Some of them were even gracious enough to give us a video interview of some of their new collections. We can't thank them enough! We are still editing so look for more to come. Here is a video of our own Elisa and Heidi Swapp demoing her new Invisibles line.



Monday, January 26

Odd but true...

After a few hours of painful waiting on our part, Miss Hilton herself finally graced this years Winter CHA with her presence. Hilton's new Craft and Scrapbooking line, "The Paris Creativity Line" was released this Sunday. The convention was a complete mad house! The swarm appeared to be mostly picture snappers rather than buyers at this point, but they definitely meant business. Unfortunately, our girls didn't get a chance to hit her with the hard questions such as; what her favorite adhesive is , or who is a designer she admires. (I'm sure the answers would be interesting!) Still, the Simply Scrapbook Girls fought the crowd risking limbs and eyes to try and grab a few shots of Hilton and the collection for you. Much to their dismay, the girls were rushed in and out with no shots allowed. Here is what we could pull up for you. Be sure to check out the video we found of Paris's er...interview of her new line including our own Beatrice with the star herself!

***all accounts are a dramatization for entertainment purposes!
Really we all thought we were waiting in line for Hedi Swapp!!! :)




Watch Paris Hilton Unveils Scrapbooking at CHA in Celebrity Videos and Webisodes | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Thursday, January 22

CHA 2009 Baby!!!


This Friday your favorite Scrapbook girls pack it up and head to Anaheim for CHA 2009. Can I say we are a bit excited? We can hardly sleep! We assume you feel the same way sooooo here are some sneak peaks to prepare you for another year of beautiful and exciting scrapbook products. Please leave us your thoughts...what things you would love to see in your favorite store? Any things you have seen that aren't listed? Let us make this a wonderful year for all of you. Tell us what you can't live without!!!

Here are the best Sneak Peaks available. Many thanks to Wilda!!

Chatterbox
http://www.chatterboxinc.com/home/DefaultHomePage

Clear Scraps
http://www.clearscraps.com/

Cosmo Cricket-(very vintage looking mixed with modern colors)
http://cosmocricket.blogspot.com/2009/01/card-has-spoken.html

Spinner embellishments- cool!
http://cosmocricket.blogspot.com/2009/01/larry-temp-and-things-to-be-spinner.html

Crate and Paper
http://www.crateandpaper.citymax.com/orbit.html
http://www.crateandpaper.citymax.com/littlesprout.html
http://www.crateandpaper.citymax.com/Lillian.html - similar to latest of Chaterboxx

Bo Bunny
http://bobunny.blogspot.com/2009/01/cha-sneak-peek-day-one-lets-go-for-walk.html
http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/userblogpost.asp?id=40546

Cherry Arte
http://cherryarte.com/product.php?id=73

Dream Street
http://dreamstreetpapers.blogspot.com/2009/01/sneak-peek-4-of-6-mj.html

Fancy Pants
http://missfancypants.typepad.com/little_miss_fancy_pants/2009/01/sneak-peek-on-display.html
http://missfancypants.typepad.com/little_miss_fancy_pants/2009/01/sneak-peek-on-a-whimsy.html
http://missfancypants.typepad.com/little_miss_fancy_pants/2009/01/sneak-peek-summer-soiree.html
http://missfancypants.typepad.com/little_miss_fancy_pants/2009/01/sneak-peek-mixed-media-8-x-8-books.html
http://missfancypants.typepad.com/little_miss_fancy_pants/2009/01/sneak-peek-delight.html

Graphic 45
http://www.g45papers.com/blog/?p=241%20

PRIMA- Love the embroidery tags!
http://prima.typepad.com/prima/2009/01/sneaking-in-some-more-peeks.html
http://prima.typepad.com/


Sassafras...
http://sassafras.typepad.com/sassafras/2009/01/cha-sneak-peek-1-vintage-yummy.html

Teresa Collins - Family Matter
http://teresacollins.typepad.com/teresa_collins/2009/01/cha-releasehere-it-is.html

Webster's Page
http://websterspages.ning.com/photo/storytellers-1?context=album&albumId=2089723%3AAlbum%3A14826
http://websterspages.ning.com/photo/magical-wishes-paper?context=album&albumId=2089723%3AAlbum%3A14826
http://websterspages.ning.com/photo/a-sweet-life-paper-collection?context=album&albumId=2089723%3AAlbum%3A14826
http://websterspages.ning.com/photo/magical-wishes-diecut-nature?context=album&albumId=2089723%3AAlbum%3A14826

Karen Foster- Her sparkle brads are cool.
http://www.karenfosterdesign.com/shop/product.asp?p=2032&pg=1&c=2733&o=0&s=0

Tim Holtz
http://timholtz.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/01/cha-2009-sneak-peeknew-stamp-images.html

Maya Road- Cute stuff
http://mayaroad.typepad.com/mayaroad/2009/01/day-4-youll-want-more.html
http://mayaroad.typepad.com/mayaroad/2009/01/a-tiny-peek-for-day-3.html
http://mayaroad.typepad.com/mayaroad/2009/01/maya-roads-sneak-peek-week-begins-today.html

Pink Paislee- Very cute cowboy-blue colors!
http://pinkpaislee.com/2009/01/the-winsome-collection-sneak-peek-1-fetching/

Jenni Bowlin- love the buttons!
http://www.jennibowlin.blogspot.com/
http://www.scrapbook.com/blog/view/135857.html

Tattered Angels
http://mytatteredangels.com/blog/

Bazzill- Embossed paper and paper leaves
http://www.serendipityscrapbooks.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=13922

Glitz Designs
http://www.glitzitnow.com/catalog/Glitz_Current_Catalog.pdf

Scribble Scrabble
http://scribblescrabble-scribblemethis.blogspot.com/

Scrap Within Reach
http://www.scrapwithinreach.com/subcategories.cfm?categoryoid=1&subcatoid=6&item=38

My Minds Eye
http://www.mymindseye.com/products.asp

Queen & Co
http://queenandcompany.typepad.com/queen_co_indulge_your_cre/2009/01/the-queen-goes-green-cha-releases-yay.html

Scenic Route
http://www.scrapetc.com/index.php/scrapetcblog/Scenic-Route-CHA-2009-Sneak-Peek-.html

Imaginisce
http://www.scrapbook.com/blog/lview/135431.html

American Crafts- Love the Backyard Line
http://americancrafts.typepad.com/studio/page/2/
http://americancrafts.typepad.com/studio/2009/01/cha-winter-release-stamping.html
http://americancrafts.typepad.com/studio/2009/01/cha-winter-release-craft-fair.html
http://americancrafts.typepad.com/studio/2009/01/cha-winter-release-character.html
http://americancrafts.typepad.com/studio/2009/01/cha-winter-release-baby.html

Hedi Swapp
http://www.scrapbook.com/blogs/108880/view/135893.html

SEI- Love the Mimosa line!
http://www.scrapbook.com/blogs/86728/view/135727.html



Tuesday, January 13

Get ready for Valentines Day!

TCBOTB

Stop by and grab your Valentines Day goodies why their hot! Paper, embelishments, ribbon and more for your Valentines Day memories, cards, and gifts.

Here are some great V-Day Scrapbook and Photo tips from fellow scrapper Christine Perry:

Valentine's Day is all about romance, love and friendship. It may not be a common picture-taking opportunity, but with or without a photo, there are still plenty of Valentine's Day scrapbooking ideas. Remember this February 14th and that special someone you asked to be yours with these Valentine's Day scrapbook page tips.

1. Find a Photo- just because you don't have a photo taken on February 14th doesn't mean you can't include photos in your Valentine's layout. Find a photo of you and sweetheart from another occasion to fix that problem. You can go back as far you as you want for a picture of you both together, perhaps even a wedding picture.

2. Choose a Page Title- Need some help coming up with a Valentine's Day themed title? Here are a few suggestions:

  • How Do I Love Thee?
  • I Love You
  • I Want to Kiss You All Over
  • Crazy Little Thing Called Love
  • My Heart Belongs to You
  • This Kiss
  • Always and Forever
  • High School Sweethearts
  • Soulmates
  • Be Mine

3. Choose Romantic Page Elements: Obvious choices for your page elements are hearts and roses, but look at your other scrapbooking supplies for embellishments that make you think of romance. For example, use white lace, a pink satin ribbon, red bows or Victorian accents.

4. Add Color- Red is the color of the day for Valentines' Day, but too much red on your page may overpower your focal point. Use red as an accent, and try adding more white and pink to your layout.

5. Add Your Valentine's Day Cards- Cards make decorative page elements. You can create a pocket on the page to add the cards you gave to each other. This way they can be removed so you can read the sentiments inside.

6. Write Love Letters- Journaling is just as important on a Valentine's layout as it is on any other scrapbooking page. Use the page title ideas listed above to prompt journaling ideas. You could also include handwritten love letters given any time of the year or from the past.

7. Add a Love Poem- if you want a quick way to add journaling, use a love poem or quote on your page. It's easy to find plenty of choices for poems and quotes by doing a search for "romantic poems" on the internet.

8. Photograph Valentine's Day Gifts- Include a photo of the box of chocolates or roses you received, and scrapbook the gift card. If you had a nice dinner out, put a photo of the restaurant on your page and don't forget to journal what you each ordered for dinner.

9. Remember the Kids- Children celebrate Valentine's Day too. Include cards exchanged from school mates on a special page for your children. Record their feelings about this holiday and what it means to them.

10. Dedicate a Page to Your Valentine- Instead of focusing on the couple, use a page layout to express all the reasons why you love him/her.

With a little creativity, you can create a beautiful Valentine's Day page layout even if you don't have a photo from that day. You don't even need special supplies. You probably already have embellishments with a romantic theme. Add some white and pink cardstock and some red letters, and you have everything you need to make a Valentine's Day scrapbooking page.

Christine Perry is an avid scrapbooker and has over 10 years of scrapbooking experience. Her favorite scrapbooking subjects are her reluctant teenagers. She invites you to her website, http://www.intoscrapbooking.com for more Valentines Day Scrapbooking ideas.


CI SuperSeal Spray Sealant...


Who knew that this one little can could be soooo useful. If you are asking yourself, "Why would I need that?". Let me tell you from experience that you don't know what you have been missing girl! This product is truly a dream come true for any scrapbooker who uses memorabilia, glitter, ink, and so much more. This product will actually make your mini book or page wipeable!!! Really!!! Click on the link below to check out an awesome demo video from Studio Calico...you truly won't believe you have gone this long without it. Get yours in stock now!

Monday, January 12

Guess who is back at Simply Scrapbooks?


We are proud to announce that Tracy Radford is back on the Simply Scrapbooks team! We are so glad to have her presence and energy back in our store. Please drop in to welcome her back!

New Prima Club hosted by Candra George!!!



The inaugural meeting for our new Prima Club is scheduled for Thursday, January 15th at 6:00pm. We are all very excited about this new venture being coordinated by Primadonna Candra George. This monthly kit club will meet on the second Thursday each month starting February 12th. Members will receive a package of Prima products, including exclusive and semi-exclusive products that are new to the market or not even available to the public yet! Using their kit for inspiration members are encouraged to stretch their creative wings and see what amazing layouts and projects emerge to be shared with the club at the next meeting.

Please take the time to check out Candra's blog...click here.

Saturday, January 10

Design Team Call!!!



Design team call!!!
It’s that time of year again...to show off your skills! We are now accepting submissions for our next Design Team. We would like to invite each of you to submit your work to be a part of this select group of designers. All design styles are welcome.
Should you be chosen, you will have the opportunity to receive free product and a discount on purchases in exchange for creating samples for the store and website. There are some very exciting things planned for the team members this year. We can’t wait to see your wonderful work!

The guidelines for submission and selection are as follows:

Each applicant must submit 1 two-page layout or 2 single page layouts as well as one additional project that they are proud of. The additional project may be a favorite layout, mini-album, or altered object of your choice.

Submissions must be received in the store by January, 16th.

Design team members will be selected to serve for a term of 4 months.

Each customer who visits the store between Jan 19th and Jan 30th will be given an opportunity to vote for their favorite designer. Voting will also be available via our store blog/website. Voting will be limited to 1 per person per day. No purchase necessary to vote.

Winners will be announced Feb 2nd in the store and online.

Please put your name and phone number on the back of your layouts and somewhere on your projects. Good luck & we're looking forward to seeing all of those creative ideas!