Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Delays and Blog Candy.......

Wow - I just noticed it has been over a month since I posted. I am sorry for being so absent lately. We hit a snag with the store and things got very stressful for the past month but everything is now back on track. The bad news is I won't be open by Christmas, the good news is we hired (ANOTHER) electrician and he started Monday so things are moving again. To make a long story short the original electrician we hired was given a start date, on that date he told us it would be a couple of weeks before he could start, while this did not make me happy due to my tight schedule I figure I had no choice so I patiently waited. A week in a half later when I called to confirm that he would start on Monday, he told me "well, I looks light now it may be a month or two". WHAT !!! I was not a happy camper. Again, to shorten this very long story, we solicited bids from more electricians, which here at the holiday was difficult, and finally hired a very nice man who started right away. He should have the electric roughed in by the the end of the day today; Heat and Air guys coming on Monday, Electrician finishes us after inspection on Tuesday (say a little prayer all goes well and everything passes); then drywall, drop ceiling and paint. Then.......move in!! I am hoping to accomplish moving in over the holidays.

My house "overfloweth" with merchandise for the store. I had order so much Christmas expecting to be open and now all of my pre-ordered Valentine is starting to come in. I can't wait to share this with you along with some other non-holiday inventory. I will be posting photos before the new year but to give you a little tease, I have new Cosmo Cricket, My Mind's Eye, Crate Paper, Memory Box, Theresa Collins, Basic Grey, and much more. I have a huge box of acrylic scrapbooks in all shapes and sizes as well as some new embellishments.

I have been trying to keep myself busy so that I will stop stressing over missing my deadline of December 6th to have the store open. Every year I make cards, ornaments, gifts and such to sell with part of the proceeds going to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. This is has been no exception. With everything going on I am staying up until 3 am to complete orders but loving every minute of it. To date I, with the help of a couple of friends (thanks Monica and Wanda), have made 354 Christmas Cards, 16 Recipe Card Holders, 108 Ornaments, 21 Kids Card Packs (I stamp a Charlie Brown Christmas stamp in black on a white card, 5 cards and a pack of crayons ber set for the kids to color their own cards for parents, grandparents, etc), 42 Snowman Soup Tins, 14 Hershey Nugget Tins, 16 Teacher Sets, 7 Altered 5x7 frames, 7 Theresa Collins Scrapbooks, 9 Checkbook Covers, 14 "2009" Calendars, 64 Candy Bar Wrappers, and 1 12x12 Photo Collage. Wow, I am wore out just typing that and I am still receiving order. I am very excited about receiving these orders and want to thank everyone for their support and the help in supporting the Relay for Life.

It's been a while since I have offered blog candy and think this may be a good time to do so with the Holidays approaching. Let's see what I have.........How about one of the new Cosmo Cricket Chemistry Sets and one of their Memory Boxes.







Leave a comment telling me 1 special thing you plan to do for someone else for the holiday or in the coming new year. For instance, I plan to make some craft kits to send to the Ronald McDonald House in Nashville. I have wanted to do this for a long time and while packing everything to move I will have to opportunity to purge some items and do something for someone else at the same time. I look forward to reading your comments. I will post a winner selected by random generator on Monday the 15th.

Thanks again for being so patient with me and supporting me as I still struggle to complete the store and achieve my dream. If you have any specific questions or comments about the store or any special items you hope that I carry or wish me to order for you, you email me at preciousscraps@bellsouth.net. Be sure to put "Comment on store, or Order request" in the subject line so I will know it is not spam or junk mail. Don't forget to leave a comment. And now just a couple of photos to update you on the store.....


This is the front of the building. The Precious Scraps letters are NOT actually there, I did that with my photo software so I could see what it will look like when I do put them up. (I forgot to save the original photo, that's why you are looking at this one). I now have my "real" windows and door and the front patio done. We still have lights and signage to add.


This is my front patio. We still have to seal it but I really like the detail of the edge of it. I have an antique church pew with decorative iron legs that will sit in the center. Above the bench will be a sign stating "Memories........One Page at a Time". What do you think??


This is my floor. As I mentioned in a previous post, it is stained concrete. This is after we put one coat of sealer on it. The colors really seemed to "pop" after that. We still have one more coat to do after everyone gets finished and before we move in. My fixtures are Maple and Red, thus the colors chosen for the stain.

13 comments:

Jingle said...

I plan to create a special gift for my husband this year since we can't buy gifts this year. I am pretty excited about it!

LaurieG said...

My husband and I have been helping a local family that has 5 children with purchasing a little bit of groceries every week for them. We plan to continue doing this in the new year as well. God has blessed us and we enjoying being able to pass those blessings on.

Monica said...

Love the lil computer Generated Store Title across the top of teh building! LoL
The pics are great but the store is much more awsome in PERSON!
I'm glad everything is finally comming back together and almost complete! I know you and Larry are also!
As for doing something SPECIAL this holiday season..I plan to GTG with my FRG group and make holiday Cards/Gifts for our Soldiers currently serving in Afganistan...*suppose to be* doing that sometime this week!

Happy Holidays,
Monica

Unknown said...

sorry that you won't open when you thought that you would - just know that it will be the pefect time when you do open! i'm going to sign up with the police dept in januar - they have a program called - you are not alone - you make phone calls to shut ins to make sure all is ok with them..how sad that someone doesn't get phone calls from friends and family everyday...i also know that i will get back double fold what i give to them!
can't wait to see the of your store with the "REAL" name on the front!
take care

IamDerby said...

Oh your store is coming along so nice Beverly! Its so exciting to watch it come together for you! I am going to donate food to the food bank this year.

mommaladystamper said...

Your shop is really coming along great! Who knows, I may come from IN. One special thing I am going to do this Christmas season is cherish my family. I always do, but since the passing of my sister, and now my Mother, you don't realize how special and great your family and friends are. Alice Roushia

momelisse said...

I really feel for your disappointment in the store opening delay - I know you've put your heart and soul into this... but by this time next year the delayed opening won't mean a thing! I plan to kick it up a notch sending cards and notes to my son who is leaving the friends and community of college life for a new job in a strange city. He'll know he's loved and ALWAYS will have a place to call home.

Unknown said...

Hi Bev - I'm excited to hear how things are coming along!! It's looking good!! The one thing I hope to do is to be a better daughter!! my baby (30) brother will be moving out soon and my wee mumsy will need a little extra!! ps. respectfully omit myself from the blog candy - I can't expect you to pay postage to Ireland!!!Lol - hugs and prayers.

Scrapping Julie said...

BEV, glad things are back on track. i am ready to make that road trip to Dover. Try not to stress too much, everything happens for a reason. I love cosmo cricket! thanks for the opportunity
so far we have given to food drives and toys for tots. you have really out done yourself. i think i would be passed out in fetal position foaming at the mouth!! teehee. cant wait to meet you!
julie

Laura Evangeline said...

Eek! I'm excited! It's really coming along! You're totally going to have to give a virtual tour since I can't be there for a whole year! I've been making cards here for all the soldiers in my section, but combat crafting has it's limitations. I guess it's just another creative challenge! :-) Send me your snail mail address, because I have something fun for you! Hugs!!!

Kevin Renz said...

Hi Beverly,

Thanks for the update. I can't wait to see your dream finally come to life. I can't even imagine how stressful it is dealing with how everybody else works.

We like to contribute to the random giving tree at the mall or local stores.

Nicole said...

Hi Beverly, How exciting having your own store, I am EN-VVVV-IOUS!

Every year my sister-in-law adopts a family (usually a single mom with children) and EVERYONE in the entire extended family donates money to this family for her to go shopping with. I mean, not just immediate family members, but aunts/uncs, cousins, grandparents, nieces, nephews, in-laws of in-laws, etc... AND I even ask my friends here if they want to donate (which of course they do).

The family usually ends up with much needed clothing, toys for kids, small appliances for mom, walmart/grocery gift cards for necessities, bags of canned goods, cereals and extra money for electricity, etc. We love doing it every year!

Best Wishes on the store and Merry Christmas!

Serendipity said...

Oh Beverly - so sorry about the electrical delay! But with most construction projects, things happen that are beyond your control! I only wish that you were located closer to me so I could frequent your store in person on a daily basis!!! It's coming along quite nicely and I'm so excited for you!

As for what I'm planning on doing this next year is donating hand-made cards to the troops thru http://cardsforheroes.org/

My son is currently on his second tour of Iraq, and has had to leave behind his new wife and it has been difficult for all of us to say the least. But I'm hoping someone will use the cards I donate to help other soldiers keep in touch with their family and friends. Thanks!