Art and Soul

Need a little organizational help?

After our moving and organizing, we find ourselves with a surplus of stackable paper trays.  They are sold in a box of 10 trays for $60 from Display Dynamics, which is where we acquired ours, but since ours are gently used we're giving these to you at a steal for only $2 each.  Give us a call if you need any.  We also have a few base stands for these trays at $30 each.  You don't really need a base, but they are on wheels, just in case you want to push the paper around the house... 

You're Invited!

We're going to have a little holiday soiree and we'd like to invite you to join us! Come and let us show our appreciation to our customers old and new, small and tall and everyone in between! This has been one of the highlights of every year for us, seeing everyone all together creating and spreading the holiday joy! You can bring a friend, your neighbor or just come alone and make new friends. Please leave the little ones at home this evening so you can enjoy yourself. But do plan on bringing all of the silly and crazy you have because we'll be having what I like to call a Fauxto booth (its like a photo booth only way better) and its way too much fun! 

Just give us a call to let us know you'll be attending so we have an idea of how much food and drink we should have ready. We've had a few people ask if they could bring a favorite dish to share as we've done before and you are more than welcome to bring anything you'd like. (hint hint, Jackie Lynch and her fabulous brownies I seem to never get my hands on)

We're really looking forward to this holiday event and hope to see each and every one of you there! I mean, what else do you have to do on a Monday night, right?

Just a reminder about tomorrow...

Our Sunday Social Club (formerly QK) get-together will be tomorrow December 6th, in case you've forgotten.  We will be making the beautiful Christmas vintage box you may have noticed on the counter by the register.  Some of you who don't belong to our Sunday Social Club have shown an interest in this project as well, and if you would like to show up from noon to about 2:30-ish, we'd love to have you.  The cost is $20.  We will be using sheet music and magazines that are over 100 years old.  We managed to snag this treasure while out antiquing.  We will also be using vintage lace acquired from Norma Kooi.  (Thanks Norma!).  Also, Tim Holtz designed stamps, some items from 7 Gypsies and more.  If you're coming, please bring (if you have it), distress inks (browns, blacks, red, green) and if you don't have it, of course we have extras, ink blending tool, a foam brush, a craft sheet and an apron, or wear something you don't mind messing up.  This class may take a little longer than the other ones, but if you don't finish it here, it is very easy to complete it and add the finishing touches at home. 

Also, starting tomorrow, Sunday December 6th, all things Halloween, paper, embellishments, etc. will be 60% off.  Good time to get ahead for next year. 

Black Friday Sale...

For those of you so inclined, we still have a few spots open for the all-day crop on Friday, which to remind you starts at 8 a.m. if you're up that early and will end at 10 p.m.  And YES you can leave your belongings if you want to return on Saturday at 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. 

And on Black Friday, if you would like to take 40% off your entire purchase, be in the store before 9 a.m.

If you're the type who likes to sleep a little longer, then just show up anytime before 10 p.m. and we'll give you 30% off your entire purchase. 

We will not be accepting store gift cards during the Black Friday sale.  And why, I'm sure you're asking.  Because in the past, we have offered a 20% discount on the gift cards around Christmas time and we can't really discern if you got the gift card last week or last Christmas.  Also, no additional discounts, loyalty cards or coupons can be used during the sale.  But we will most certainly stamp your loyalty card. 

And would you like to start the new year off with a $20 gift card?  Then be one of the first 25 adult women to enter the store and we'll present you with a gift card that you can use starting 01/02/2001.  If you happen to be #26 through #50 in line, we'll give you a $10 gift card. 

We will open the doors promptly at 8 a.m. Friday morning.

Have a happy happy Thanksgiving and we'll see you on Friday...

With love, from me, to you...

Wow...what a blur the past couple of weekends were with the Holiday Workshop.  I think both weekends went extremely well, everyone seemed to enjoy the kits and the projects and especially the food.  What we enjoyed most was being surrounded by happy women playing with paper.  We loved hearing the laughter and the announcements after a project was completed.  Next year we're going to get a big bell to ring for that reason alone.  And for those of you who wanted to go ahead and sign up for next year, and those of you who wanted a "Spring Fling," well...we had something up our sleeve the entire time.  And it was hard to keep this one to ourselves, because all we wanted to do was keep you happy, which is one reason we had the Alpine cake from Wright's Gourmet House. 

So now let me tell you about the next workshop we're planning.  It is called, "With love, from me, to you."  There are so many cute cute adorable cute lines coming out for Valentine's Day.  And there are other just as cute lines being released around the same time, and we really want to play with them all.  This workshop will have some Valentine's Day projects but the majority of them will be non-Valentine "love" themed.  Sounds corny, I know, but keep reading.  We all love someone or something, whether it be a husband, boyfriend, children, family member, a pet, a friend, or some special place you hold dear in your heart.  Most of the projects will be generic, meaning you can use them for almost any theme, except Christmas or the fall holidays.  No spooky cards, or turkeys caroling around the Christmas tree. 

There will be cards with spring holidays in mind (Mother's Day, Father's Day, birthdays), projects you can give as gifts, mini albums, home decor and plenty of layouts for you to make.  And there will be food, of course, possibly the chicken salad that some of you seem to love.

We will only be holding this workshop one weekend, not two like the Holiday Workshop, so if you were looking for a repeat, I'd go ahead and sign up now because our Holiday Workshop filled up rather quickly. 

The date will be Saturday January 30, 2010, and although that date sounds like something in the faraway future, my friends, that is only about 9 weeks away.  The cost for this workshop is $75.  So if you're interested, give us a call and say, "I need love."  And we'll do what we can to make that happen...

When Black Friday comes...gonna do just what I please...

Okay, how many of you want to show your age and admit that you recognize these lyrics?  Steely Dan just rocks.  And how spot on for our celebration of Black Friday...to clarify, the day after Thanksgiving, November 27th.  Such a great week it will be.  And the day before Thanksgiving, November 25th, just happens to be the birthday of 3 amazing women who mean the world to me...Bonny, Annemarie and Lisa Schmid.  I can't reveal their ages, but I will say they don't look a day over 35.  Happy birthday girls...you know how good I am at forgetting to do something special for you, but just remember I love and adore you and am so thankful that I have y'all as friends for life. 

And if you have no real plans for the day following Thanksgiving, a.k.a., Black Friday, let me extend this invitation to you...Come crop with us, all flippin day long.  Okay, seriously...how many of you get this feeling when you're packing up your tools at the end of a crop and wish you had a couple more hours to finish this or that?  How about 14 full hours.  You don't even have to get out of your seat for food.  We'll feed you...well maybe you can feed yourself, but we'll supply the food.  Lunch and Dinner, and snacks all day long. 

You can start stalking the big sales before the crack of dawn, then come on over and plop down in a comfy chair and crop all day and well into the night.  And if that's still not enough time, come back on Saturday...we won't be feeding you then, but we'll give you directions to all the food places nearby...the Chinese restaurant next door has the best food in Pinellas County, in my opinion.  And you'll probably be sick of tradional turkey, dressing, potatoes and could certainly go for an eggroll and lo mein.

So here's the skinny...Black Friday crop, 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. $20 ($10 for members).  This will include lunch, dinner, drinks, snacks and unlimited laughter and happiness.  If you want to come back on Saturday, there will be no charge (because there will be no food).  The hours on Saturday will be 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.  And then of course, there's Sunday for you hard-core scrappers; we'll be open from noon until 4 p.m., again, no food/no charge.

And yes, yes, yes, we will be having a Black Friday SALE...hours and details will be posted closer to the date.  But it is a thumbs up...

Workshop thoughts...

I hope everyone is as excited as we are...And yes, our first workshop is bright and early tomorrow morning 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., a full day packed with creating and laughing and eating.  Here's a few tips for you first-timers and in case you old-timers have forgotten a thing or two. 

Bring only what you need.  The room will be full, standing room only at this point.  Please don't bring the rolling totes because there won't be enough room for everyone to bring one, and I will certainly trip over the ones there, so imagine if there were a room full of them.  I suggest bringing your small tool tote, photos if you choose, your trimmer and your camera.  Add some inks to your stash; we'll have some available if you forget, but if you don't like to share, bring your own; think holiday colors, black for stamping, walnut or distress for edges and an acrylic block or two. 

We'll be opening the doors to let you in a little bit before 10, but not much sooner.  And here's what we're going to do to make sure you can sit with your friends.  Come to the outside door, not the door in the store and gather your group together.  We'll assemble you there and usher you to your seat.  We're going to try our best to accommodate everyone so that we have a jolly day.

For the workshop on November 14th, we have had 2 cancellations, they can't come but they still want their kit.  So...we now have 2 seats available if anyone is interested.  And we have 1 extra kit left to sell.  Any takers?  Let us know.  I just can't wait for the food tomorrow...yummy yummy Wright's Gourmet.

Not so scary...

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, it arrived.  Webster's Pages.  Four of the most beautiful collections we've ever had in the store.  Two are perfect for Christmas pages; Home for the Holidays and Winter's Wings.  Simply breathtaking, although that description seems a bit much for paper, I think you will all agree with me.  I've not seen anything prettier.  Very vintage, and I know several of you will be running in to snatch some up (Norma? Sharon? Katie? Molly? Bonnie? Michelle?).  And if the papers alone were not perfect enough, for the love of whatever, come and see the trims.  And I am not exaggerating...these trims are sure to win best in show.  Also styling with these lines, we have vintage journaling cards, cameos, and the most perfect alphas you can imagine.

And if you're planning on visiting the most gorgeous of papers, we're open until midnight tonight, for our Friday night crop.  Saturday, we will be closing early at 3 p.m., so we can hurry home and set out candy for the goblins.  And Sunday, of course, we will be open from noon until 4 p.m. 

Have a safe Halloween...and save me some chocolate...

Cause sometimes you feel like a nut...

Seriously, I can't make this stuff up...how many of you know that today is National Nut Day?  It surely is.  I don't know what most nut lovers do on this special day that probably only comes once a year, but here's an idea...

Nutmeg from Cosmo Cricket might be a good start.  Cute family-oriented line, running a close second to my favorite Earth Love, also by Cosmo Cricket.  Apparently I didn't get the info to you quite fast enough because a few of the ladies at last night's Happy Hour had no idea it was here. 

And I don't know if this will get you in the mood for National Nut Day or not, but we've also got the new North Pole Christmas line in from Crate Paper, which BTW...this just happens to be my favorite holiday line.  We have restocked our glitter paper line too, and added a few more colors.

And to remind you ladies who attend our Sunday Social Club, it is THIS Sunday from noon until 2-ish.  And in honor of nut day, we'll be serving up some peanut M&Ms...

So have a happy Thursday and go out and crack some nuts...
 
 

This is Halloween, this is Halloween!

(this blog title is meant to be sung like the chorus from The Nightmare before Christmas. Who doesn't love a movie that is great to watch at both Halloween and Christmas!?) 

Haunted House Frame Class - $30
Saturday, October 17th 11-3pm

Show off your favorite Halloween photos in this Whimsy Haunted house frame/mini album. Learn how to make this project from scratch using the Spook Alley line from Making Memories. There are very limited spaces available so call us or stop by to register before they're all full! Here are some more details from this project: