The first day of the month means one thing around Scrapbook Generation. Kits! All of you who are members of the "Remember Me" Club, the Generation Page Kit Club, and the Generation Card Kit Club can pick up your May kits starting Tuesday, May 1.

In other news, National Scrapbooking Day is on the horizon, and we have several ways to celebrate the event!

-- A special 12-hour luau-themed crop which includes two meals, snacks, drinks, favors, games, and prizes. There are only 4 spots left, and the price is $25.

-- A special sale Friday, May 4 and Saturday, May 5 with markdowns of up to 50% on selected items throughout the store. (This sale includes selected BasicGrey papers and monograms, Imaginisce ribbon sets, Prima flower sets, foam stamp sets, pre-made kit pages, and much more! We're also going to close out our fiber selection. We'll give you a ziploc snack-sized bag, and you'll pay only one dollar for all the fibers you can stuff in the bag!)

-- The chance to register on Friday and Saturday for one of two great prizes -- a $100 shopping spree, and Midnight Madness crops for you and three guests.

Scrapbook Generation's first ever "Remember Me" Club party just ended, and we had a great time with the more than 20 ladies who stopped by to share their progress with others. At this point, people who signed up in the beginning have received four page kits, and it was so much fun to see their pages complete with photos, and to see how they have added little extra touches to the basic kits to create a unique memory.

Donna Cartner won the prize for traveling the longest distance to attend -- 79 miles!

"Remember Me" now has 104 members, and we're continuing to add people each week. It's not too late to join, and you have the option of "catching up" with the original group which started in January, or of doing your own 12-month sequence.

Wow! It's hard to know where to start in letting you know all the new stuff (and restocking stuff) that arrived at Scrapbook Generation today, and more is coming in tomorrow. Here is a partial list of what arrived today.

Albums and album kits:

-- All the SEI album kits in boxes and bags;

-- Scrapbooks in these themes -- softball, karate, princess, dog, gymnastics, family, and travel;

-- Three new wedding styles;

-- New baby styles;

-- More of the Doodlebug reversible polka dot albums;

-- Tooled "leather" albums by Imaginisce.

Storage and tote items:

-- Five styles of camera wallets, bags, and purses by All My Memories;

-- Crimson and tan travel tote and matching embellishment tote by Mimi;

-- Four styles of embellishment totes;

-- All My Memories totes with a new swivel base;

-- Cascading storage files;

-- Clear organizers and jars by Making Memories;

-- Scrapbooking caddies;

-- Clear paper boxes by Artbin;

-- Much more!

Other stuff:

-- Tons of graduation embellishments, and a graduation album;

-- Mother's Day goodies;

-- American Crafts "Thickers" chipboard letter stickers (we got these in last week and they literally were gone in 20 minutes!)

-- Heidi Swapp photo corners in every color family;

-- Much more!

I have paint up to my elbows, but that seems appropriate after finishing six sessions of a class called "Cover with Paint!" The 60+ ladies who attended today's sessions at Scrapbook Generation seemed to have a great time as we used paint as an edging product, as a decorative element with foam stamps, and as a base for Making Memories cool new glitter glaze, which takes on different looks depending on the color of the base paint. FYI, we also have a new pearl glaze and clear glaze by Making Memories!

Even though I'm tired, I always get to the end of these busy Saturdays with a good feeling about the relationships we are building as we get to know customers on a more individual basis because of the classes. I have yet to meet a cranky scrapbooker! Everyone is so friendly, so happy to learn something new, and so appreciative of our efforts. Tired but happy would describe Karin and I quite well!

As far as new stuff goes, this next week is going to be huge for us. We're expecting three gigantic shipments which will include over 60 albums, all the new cardstock colors we've added room for, storage items galore, several styles of camera wallets and purses, graduation and Mother's Day goodies, and actually more stuff than my tired brain can think of right now. It should start hitting us by Wednesday, and I'll get specifics on the blog just as soon as we get them out.

Things are also going well in Allison's relationship with Creating Keepsakes. They have purchased one of her layouts to use for one of their online challenges in May. She's excited over the paycheck she'll get from them, and also about what we all hope is the start of something great for her. She obsesses over whether people will like her pages, but as her Mom, I don't think there's anything to worry about in that department.

Lots of new goodies today at Scrapbook Generation...

-- KI Memories: birthday collection, including papers, patterned cardstock, chipboard letters and shapes, two ribbon sets, stickers and rub-ons, and their latest, adhesive felt shapes to match!

-- Flair: a collection of papers with food in mind, ranging from coffee to picnics to recipes to gardening and more.

-- Quick Fix: a new item printed on Bazzill cardstock! All have titles that can be trimmed and distressed or inked. Some come with a coordinating quote, and others have descriptive words that can be cut and used as page accents.

Miscellaneous info...

-- The "Remember Me" Club now has 103 members! We are hosting a party on Sunday, April 29 from 2-4 p.m. for all the members. Invitations were sent out this week, and we'll be providing refreshments and lots of fun. Bring your album to share with the rest of the group. It'll be so much fun seeing how everyone has made the pages their own. There will even be a prize for the club member who has traveled the longest distance to attend.

-- The free Saturday Seminar on April 21, Cover with Paint, has less than five open spots, so call soon if you want to attend. We're going to use Making Memories foam stamps, acrylic paint, and a new glitter glaze!

-- We have three really great classes coming up next week: Right Now Mini-Album with Stacey Arnall (the album is a cute size, 4x10, and will capture your feelings and thoughts "right now"), wood word MOM with Stacey Arnall (BasicGrey papers, a silver charm, and cut-out flowers -- gorgeous), and ABC Mini-Album with Allison Davis (uses an entire set of L'il Davis chipboard letters, and you can pick your own descriptive words for each page on the spot and we'll print them out for you). For times and prices, check out scrapbookgeneration.com.

My report on Saturday's trial run of free "sketch sessions" at Scrapbook Generation is overwhelmingly positive, which is great, since it was one of my ideas that I wasn't exactly sure how it would play out in real life! About 30 scrapbookers attended the three sessions, and the great majority of them had never used a sketch to create a scrapbook page before. We spent a few minutes talking about some design principles, then they spent the rest of their time creating a two-page spread using the sketch I had produced just for them.

They had the choice of using the same papers I had used in my model, or they could choose their own papers. About half opted to pick out their own papers, so we had a good lesson in how many different looks you can get from the same sketch, just by changing your paper and color choices.

Here is what they had to say about the "sketch sessions," which we will offer again May 19 at 11, 1 and 2:30. Call us at 886-0440 to register.

-- "Great class! I liked the sketch idea. Nice to have help picking out papers, also. It's quick way to get pages done!"

-- "Fun class. I love leaving with finished pages."

-- "Thanks so much for the classes and the new ideas. The classes I've attended have helped me expand in my layouts, embellishments, a general enjoyment of scrapbooking. Many thanks!"

-- "I loved the theme of papers you chose. I found the sketch very easy to follow and love having a layout ready in case I just feel like I can't get started! Thank you for allowing us the chance to be part of the 'sketching' process. I love coming to your classes!"

-- "I really not only enjoyed this, but need this. I feel I am not very creative and slow when I am creative, so this helps me tremendously. I would definitely come to this again. Thanks!"

-- "This idea is great. The layout is a great help to me since I am artistically challenged. Everyone is so friendly and helpful."

-- "I am a beginning scrapper. This was very helpful to me."

-- "I love these classes. I have learned so much by coming to these. Your store has the best, most imaginative ideas. Thanks for helping my scrapbooks be so much better."

-- "Love this class! I like the design aspect of this class."

-- "I love the class. It was so helpful and I learned a lot, like internal margins and adapting a sketch. Thank you so much!"

-- "Thoroughly enjoyed the class. I'll be back!"

-- "Thanks so much for offering this class as well as the other classes that I have taken here. I have learned so much but I still have so much to learn. Thanks for all of your help."

-- "Thanks for doing a class like this. As a beginner I was a little nervous about so much freedom, but the sketch is so valuable. I really enjoyed the class."

-- "Enjoyed the design very much. Can see many ways to change it and use multiple times. Thanks so much."

-- "Thank you so much. I really enjoyed the class and will be back again."

-- "Thank you so much for this opportunity to learn more about scrapbooking. It was a lot of fun. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. I will definitely come to more."

-- "Enjoyed the class. Definitely something I will do again. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your ideas."

For those early birds out there, just wanted to give you a heads up that Scrapbook Generation will be opening at 7 a.m. this Friday, April 13! A scrapbook store in Carthage has organized a chartered bus "shop and crop" trip to the Creating Keepsakes convention in St. Louis, and we're the first stop on their two-day journey!

The bus can hold up to 50 people, and we're very honored that we're the only Springfield store chosen as a shopping destination! Karin and I will be here at 7 to greet everyone with Krispy Kremes and orange juice.

Since we're going to be here so early, we'll just stay open for the rest of you. If you need your scrapbook fix before 10 a.m. this Friday, we'll be wide awake and ready for shoppers any time after 7 a.m. See you Friday!

We had a great time Saturday at Scrapbook Generation with the 60 gals who took our "Dazzle with Die Cuts" Saturday Seminar. Using Sizzix and AccuCut die cuts, we inked, layered, embellished, and painted them, and also wove them with ribbon. Those simple scrapbooking standbys looked pretty cute after we were through with them.

This Saturday, we're trying something new with our free Sketch Sessions. I didn't have much room in the newsletter to explain things, and we've had quite a few phone calls asking for more information, so I'll try to provide that here. My vision is that we provide a service for two types of scrapbookers, first, those who are so busy that they don't get as many pages completed as they would like; and second, those who would like some help with design and color choices.

A scrapbook sketch is like a blueprint for making a page, and it can make scrapbooking a breeze! For this Saturday, I have designed a sketch for a two-page layout, and the sketch is formatted much like the ones we used in our monthly layout contests the first couple of years we were open.

We're offering three free sessions, at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. During the session, you are given a copy of the sketch (which includes specific sizes of page elements and photos), free. You are responsible for purchasing your own papers at the session. I'll have a sample page made with the suggested cardstock and papers, or you can choose papers in your own color combinations. You will need to bring your own cutting tools and adhesives, although those also will be available for purchase.

You will have time to build your page, using the sketch, and if you want any help, I'll be available to offer suggestions for titles or other embellishments you might like to add. The session will be a quick and inexpensive way to get a designer look! To register, just call us at 886-0440.

I personally love creating scrapbook pages from sketches. I use them all the time, and love how you can use the same ones over and over and get totally different looks, just by changing the color scheme and papers.

New today at Scrapbook Generation, six new colors of acrylic paint by Making Memories! We also have Making Memories' three new glazes (including glitter glaze), but I'm hiding them and going to debut them at the next Free Saturday Seminar, "Cover with Paint" on April 21!

Design Team member Laura Parks takes her turn at center stage today, as we introduce you, in-depth in their own words, to each of Scrapbook Generation's talented group. (Laura has the cutest class coming up next Monday evening -- it's an album shaped like a purse, and would make a great Mother's Day gift!)

Design Team Member #6: Laura Parks
Occupation: In-home daycare provider
Spouse: Gregg
Children: Taylor 11 and Tucker 9
Hobbies other than scrapbooking: camping, reading, spending time at the beach, cooking and baking, coming up with new dishes and treats

-- How long have you been scrapbooking? "I've been scrapbooking for 10 years."

-- When and where do you usually scrapbook? "At my kitchen table, whenever time allows. My stuff is usually laying out so when I get a few minutes I can work on a project."

-- How many pages do you complete in an average month? "Some months two, some months six, some months none."

-- Describe your scrapbooking style. "I wouldn't say I have a style. Sometimes my pages are all junked up and sometimes they are very simple -- mostly they are in-between, but almost also have ink on them. I just can't not do it!"

-- What do you enjoy most about scrapbooking? "The thing I enjoy most about scrapbooking is the actual process of putting a layout together. I love it when my pictures and my paper and my extras all come together. I also love that I am able to tell a story with my scrapbooks, the story of our life!"

--Why did being on the Design Team at Scrapbook Generation appeal to you? "I wanted to be on the Design Team to number one challenge myself to make the best pages I can. And number two to hopefully inspire other people."

-- Why is Scrapbook Generation your favorite scrapbook store? "The selection is great, but what I like most is that when I walk in the door whoever is behind the counter calls me by name -- and they even know Gregg when he comes through the door!"

It's the first of the month, so that means kits, kits, and more kits to those of us working at Scrapbook Generation! Members of the "Remember Me" Club, Generation Page Kit Club, and Generation Card Kit Club can pick up their April kits beginning today.

I also have big news for the last 30 of the "Remember Me" Club members -- the albums and chipboard letters, which have been languishing in the K & Company warehouse in Kansas City for what seems like an eternity, are actually on their way to us. I have a FedEx tracking number! There is a chance they will arrive today, but if not today, surely tomorrow. Just as soon as we get them unpacked, we'll start calling you if you are a store pick-up person, or we'll start shipping if that is the plan you're on.

Miscellaneous news...

-- For any of you who missed our free February Saturday Seminars, I'm repeating those in April on Wednesday afternoons. This Wednesday is "Crazy for Chipboard," and I'll show you three great ways to turn a blah piece of chipboard into a dazzling embellishment for your pages. You'll make a two-page 6x6 layout, and we provide all materials and supplies you'll use, even adhesives! Just call us at 886-0440 to sign up.

-- On Thursday, I have a tasty class offered at two time slots. It's the Friends and Food Series where we provide a simple, delicious recipe and a paper crafts way to make the presentation to a friend spectacular. We'll be tasting the world's best peanut butter cookie recipe (and you'll probably get several to take home with you to munch on later!), then decorating two gift bags and tags. We'll also decorate a recipe card for you to keep. The class is $8 and is offered at both 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. You can see a photo at scrapbookgeneration.com.

-- Friday, we have another one of our popular Midnight Madness crops scheduled. For $10, you get seven hours of cropping, plus all of the pizza, drinks and snacks you can hold.

-- Saturday, I'll be teaching the first of our second series of free Saturday Seminars. The 10 and 11 a.m. classes for Dazzle with Die Cuts are full, and the 1 and 3 p.m. classes both just have one opening. There is still room in the noon and 2 p.m. classes. The class will focus on how these simple scrapbooking basics can become the star of any page with just a few extra touches. Just call 886-0440 to register.