What have I done??????

Oh my, what have I done? I just got off the phone with Niki and was telling her I wanted to open the store, buy pretty stuff and pass along some good bargains to my wonderful friends. It was that simple in my head. Boy who was I kidding. There is so much "other" stuff that has to be done that I can't seem to ever catch up. I am sure working full time still has a lot to do with that. Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining because I would not change a thing, I love my store. I guess I am just trying to explain my absence and inconsistency in updating the blog. I have great intentions and sit and imagine all the projects and photos and the new merchandise and how I am going to lay it out in the blog and every thing looks so nice.......in my head! Getting the time to make it happen is my problem. I have some wonderful friends who help me out so much....Tammey, Wanda, Jordan, Kelsey, thank you....but there just doesn't seem to be enough time. I am one of those people that has a hard time letting someone else do something for me. I feel I have to have my hand in everything. I absolutely drive Tammey crazy when she puts merchandise up and I go behind her and move it, ever so slightly, but move it just the same. One of these days I just know that I am going to get my hand slapped. lol.

Before I go any further, I want to say a huge THANK YOU to my design team. You ladies are the BEST. I appreciate you putting up with me and my scatter brain. You do amazing work and I am so blessed to have you in my life and associated with my business. Now, speaking of business......

Did you notice that schedule over to the left, WOW. I am so busy planning for classes, preparing kits and samples and stressing over "are they gonna like it". Below is a class we just completed making a paper bag album. It was so much fun. I hope everyone will see the sample and want to sign up for another class. I thought it turned out so cute.
















Not that I am looking for complements...but, isn't it cute?

I have been getting in a lot of merchandise lately, you saw a little preview in the previous post. If you have questions about pricing please feel free to send me an email.



This is a baby line from Reminisce. The papers are all double sided and have a sheen. Suggested retail is $1.49 but at Precious Scraps it is only $ .99 per sheet. The stickers and embellishments are adorable. We also have the scrapbooks to match.....very cute.


This line is from Cookbookin'. Be sure to click on the photo to enlarge so you can get a good look. I absolutely love this stuff...the retro set, Mom's Diner is to die for. The other line is from Gooseberry patch. We have embellishments for both of these sets as well as some small flip books to decorate.


This line is from Heidi Grace. Stunning papers that are embossed, flocked, and plain, the plain (meaning not flocked or embossed) is double-sided. The chipboard alpha's could go with so many of your scrapbook pages or cards. The rub-on's and stickers are adorable.



This is our Armed Forces line, again from Reminisce. Wonderful double-sided papers. I will be shopping for a more expanded line when I attend CHA in July. We currently have a small selection of Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force.





This is our sports and activities section. We have Football, Basketball, Softball, Baseball, Soccer, Golf and Cheerleading. In the Activities section we have Dance, Hunting, Fishing, and Harley Davidson.

I know, I know, this is a long post.....but I have to show you one more thing. There has been so much discussion and use of the small crocheted flowers that I had a friend on mine, that can do EVERYTHING, make some for me. I will be having these available in the store for sale as well as they can be special ordered to your color selection. Here they are.....



I started this post yesterday (Tuesday) and just finished so I am going to stop for now. I have a lot more pics to show you of some of the new merchandise but will be back this afternoon to add them. Have a great day and as always, thanks for you patience with me and I journey along this new venture and thanks for stoping by Precious Scraps. Bev

WOW .........

Okay - I am officially overwhelmed now ! I am truly sorry for being "absent" so long. I am enormously busy these days....who knew how difficult this would be? Okay, I am sure many of you knew but I didn't. Super woman here, I thought it would be simple. I have been getting box after box of merchandise, been very sick, working full time at the dental office with several out sick or on vacation and preparing for classes. below is just a sneak peak at some of the merchandise received recently as well and the Sports and Bo Bunny sections being worked on.










These item have been put into inventory and priced and just waiting to be put up in the store.....when I rearrange again to make room. There is some new Cosmo Cricket (Early Bird, Girl Friday, and Happy Camper and some of the spinner cards; Basic Grey (some of the Lime Rickey and Wisteria has arrived; Cookbookin' (Gooseberry and Mom's Diner)...I must say I personally love the Mom's Diner products. We also received several boxes of Heidi Grace. I haven't unpacked these yet so I don't have a clear photo but here is a peek.....

We received the most adorable baby line from Reminisce as well as a Armed Forces Line. (Photos coming soon).

Oh, and let's not forget GLIMMER MIST is HERE ! Several of you have been waiting on this since National Scrapbook Day and it is finally arrived. We also received the large #10 Tags and the Tag Books. The tags with the ladies should be here by next Friday they tell me. The tags are from The American Tag Co. I am also expecting the antique bronze book rings that go so well with the vintage tags.

I have been so busy preparing for classes. We have a great line up for June. Everyone has been asking for summer classes so here you go. I added a Teen and Youth Class at your request so be sure to check out the schedule on the left hand side and call to reserve your spot.

Last but certainly not least.....be sure to check out the design teams blogs. They have been very busy with the recent boxes. Oh, and don't blame Niki for not posting because it is my fault, I haven't sent her her box yet. (Niki...it is coming your way on Monday).

So as I said, I am swamped at the store. Thanks for your patience. Oh, and thanks to all the customers who check the blog and stop by the store. The local support, and by local I mean if you are in driving distance, has been increadable. And, for all of you onlinr that order from me thank you as well. I appreciate you patience and your loyalty. I still have a lot to learn and a long way to go to get the store to the point that I want but with friends like all of you I know I will get there.

In closing...our community suffered a great loss over this on May 21st, two bothers were killed in an automobile accident and 2 young boys injured and well as a driver in another vehicle. One of the brothers was to graduate the following evening the other was a classmate of my son. This was a deep impact on our community and affected a lot of people. As I stood outside watching the funeral procession go by it brought back so many memories of loosing our own son Chad as well as an enormous feeling of gratitude that we still had Kyle. My greatest sympathy to this family and prayers for a speedy recovery to all others involved in this incident.

On a lighter note, my son, Kyle, turned 21 yesterday. Happy Birthday Kyle, I love you. And, my darling husband turned....... on Wednesday. Happy birthday to you. (Yes, I know you would be sooooo very upset had I posted you age...lol). I am thankful everyday for the blessing bestowed upon me and for the people in my life. I encourage each of you to take the time to appreciate those in your life and make sure they always know how much you love them.

As always, thanks for stopping by Precious Scraps, Bev

Check out Design Team Member Claire..............

Today is all about my dear friend Claire, a.k.a. Waltzing Mouse. I insist that you jump on over to her blog to see her brand new release of her very own stamp line called "WalzingMouse Stamps". Claire has dreamed of designing for another stamp company for quite some time now and it just hasn't happened so her dear husband to her designs that she had been submitting and had some sample sets made. These stamps are truly remarkable. She will be selling the stamp sets from her blog (hopefully, later she will allow me the honor of selling them in my retail store...wink wink) and the release is today. Be sure, I insist, that you click on this link and visit Claire and tell her how wonderful you think her stamps are. I know you will want them just as I do. Congratulations Claire, I could not have picked a more deserving person than you for this venture. I wish you the very best. Love and Blessings.

Bev

She's back.........and has a lot to say....

Did you think I feel off the end of the earth? I am feeling much better and trying to catch up on everything while preparing for National Scrap Book Day all at the same time. I am truly sorry that I have been so absent but rather than bore you with the details, again I will just say a Steroid shot and a Prednisone pack and I am on the mend. I have so much to catch up on but will try not to keep you too long. I want to discuss National Scrap Book Day, Classes, New Merchandise and share a few photos of some recent projects so hand on.......

National Scrap Book Day -- if you have not made plans yet and are in the area I hope you will call and schedule to spend the day with us at Precious Scraps on Saturday, May 2nd. I can promise a day filled with fun and activities. We have a special guest coming from Jackson to share some projects as well as product samples. You WILL NOT want to miss this girl. She is sooooo talented, energetic and FUN to be around! Her enthusiasm is contagious. I think it will be fun to keep you guessing so I am not going to tell you who she is, you will just have to come and see. Some of the other activities scheduled are demonstrations with Tim Holt Alcohol Inks and Grungeboard, using BLING, and a glass etching class as well as lot's of make-n-takes. There will be CROP time schedule so be sure to bring some projects to work on. We will break for lunch and will be able to leave or feel free to bring lunch and make use of the frig and microwave. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Everyone will receive a gift bag as well as be eligible for special discounts and sales that day. There will be hourly drawings for prizes (you won't want to miss these there are some great gifts available). Hours are 10am - 8pm for a fee of $30. Spaces are limited so be sure to call the store to sign up.

CLASSES - If you have not participated in a class yet at Precious Scraps, what are you waiting for. You are missing out on so much fun. Be sure to check out the class schedule in the left hand column. This month we have some great classes listed by Bo Bunny and Basic Grey as well as many others. We have had some fun classes recently with Teresa Collins Bind it All books, Bo Bunny Word Book kit, Basic Grey Mother's Day Cards and Page of the Month as well as a Basic Scrapbook layout class and Altered Medium Classes. Be sure to find the class suited for you and give us a call.

NEW Merchandise - I have been getting in some of the new merchandise recently and would love to tell you about just a few. First up is the Everlasting line from Cosmo Cricket. The colors in this line have to been my favorite so far and has the most beautiful chipboard accessories. Here are a few photos (prices are listed at the end)





12x12 Sheets $ .79 ea, Journal Sheets and Strip Borders $ .99 ea, Chipboard $4.99 ea, Ribbon Set $5.99, Stickers $1.99 and Collection Kits are $14.99

Next up is Autumn Leaves Pretty Poppies line. I saw this line and immediately thought of Lisa Johnson (Lisa if you have not received any of this yet, I would love to send you some as a gift) I love Lisa's creations, she is such a talented young lady. The line is a very vibrant red, yellow-green and black line featuring poppies (of course) that look as if they are going to jump off the page. Some of the pages are embossed or glittered. I hope that you can see the detail in the photos below.






I tried to get a close up of the embossed and glittered portions of the paper. They are simply stunning up close.

Embossed and Glittered paper are $1.50 ea, other 12x12 paper is $.60 ea. Chipboard pack $5.99, 3-D Embellishments and Ribbon $3.99 ea.

Up next is some Bo Bunny that I recently received as well as a couple of projects showcasing the line. This line is called Grease Monkey. The papers are wonderful for a young boy, a grown man or even a fast driving young lady. You will see what I mean when you check out the photos of the paper.




This first project was created using the Grease Monkey line and a Piggy Tales Slider Book. I simply love working with these books they are so fun and have so much potential. We currently have the Slider Book, Drawbridge Book and Barn Door Books as well as the accessories. This book was created by Tammey Taylor a dear friend and local design team member. Tammy did an awesome job and has gone on to create a couple more books for gifts. I will have to ask here to let me share the baby boy book she created, irresistible is the word that comes to mind. But for now, here is the Grease Monkey book:



The only thing I added was the duck tape (yes, I said duck tape, and tire marks from my nephews toy tractor. I just felt these two elements were calling my name and Tammey was ever so gracious to let me add them. She WAS a little apprehensive when I told her I wanted to add duck tape) But she loved it after I took it home that night and added it and showed her the next morning. The next time she came it I had added the tire marks and we agreed that we make a great collaboration! I also added the spring on the front of the book with the sprog popping out. These are so much fun to play around with. Thanks Tammey for letting me put my two cents worth in.

Here is a wood frame I covered using the Bo Bunny Grease Monkey with me great-nephew Trent featured riding his 4-wheeler.



And finally, a project featuring the Penny Lane line from My Mind's Eye and my great-niece Brook. Isn't she adorable. She and Trent were out playing in a field of headed-out turnip greens for hours. When Trent walked up on the field he said it was a "Fairy Land of Marigolds", now that is a future scrapbook page. My sister took these photos in black and white but I felt I wanted to add a pop of color so I used my Copic markers to color the bunch of "flowers" that Brook was holding. I changed the color up to go with the the second frame project with some paper from Basic Grey.





Well that is finally it, thanks for hanging in there with me. All of the supplies used in the projects feature here are available through the store. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

If you are interested in any other merchandise seen on the blog just leave me a comment or shoot me an email at preciousscraps@bellsouth.net and I will be in touch with you. Thanks for stopping by Precious Scraps, Bev.

Oh yeah, one more thing, quickly. Wanted to share a photo of the front window sign I made using my Quickutz Silhouette and vinyl and a couple of Basic Grey rub-ons. I think it turned out pretty good. The other photo is of a sign I did for some dear friends of mine using the same technique. Enjoy.




Okay, I'm done now....

Easter Page and a Wedding photo.....

First and foremost, my mom's wedding was on Saturday. I know many of you are probably sick of hearing me talk about this but just skip this part if so..... My dad passed away of cancer in Sept. of 2000. Since then my mom has been alone. She met Ron, her husband, at a dance that she had been attending with some of her older girlfriends who were also widowers. Anyway, true love blossomed and they dated over a year and finally tied the knot on the 4th. Both were glowing and you could feel the love in that little church. I am so happy for my mom and Ron to have a second chance at love and to be able to feel those voids in their lives and in their hearts. Here is an unaltered photo I took before the ceremony. When we get the professional photos I will post a few of those as well so you can see the bride and groom.



My Mom, waiting for the wedding to start. Isn't she so pretty ?


Again, waiting for the wedding to start (L-R) my sister Kim, my sister Peggy, Maid of Honor, my mom, and me


This is a page that Tammi did for an Easter Layout and offered to allow me to use it for a class. I absolutely love the page, the way she wove the ribbon through the scalloped edge of the Die Cut paper is unique.


This is my page. I had to change Tammi's to a 2-page layout for a class I am teaching on Thursday so this is the end result. Hope everyone likes it. It is from Making Memories Flower Patch line. It also incorporates Papertrey Inks New Leaf paper for photo backgrounds and the grass and egg die cut from Quikutz. The glitter paper used for the eggs is from DCWV.

Thanks for stopping by Precious Scraps, Bev