Reminder: Volume two of Scrapbook Generation's hugely popular Sketches for Scrapbooking book will go on sale tomorrow. The book contains 30 sketches by Allison Davis and Debbie Sanders. All the sketches from January - June 2008 sketch sessions are included, plus 15 new sketches!

Scrapbook Generation has just added over 75 papers and matching "jotters" journaling die-cuts by Luxe Designs to our supply of goodies. All the papers are double-sided, and there are eight different collections, ranging from classic black and white to a green and poppy Asian-themed group called "Sarong." Four of the groups are geometric/linear/simple designs with the positive design on one side and the negative of the same design on the back. Tons of fun!

Just wanted to let you know that the photos of Scrapbook Generation's July classes are now posted on our website, scrapbookgeneration.com.

We laughed when we opened the latest paper collection to arrive at Scrapbook Generation. The Get Happy group from Cosmo Cricket reads..."Acid free. Lignin free. Fat free. Sugar free. High in fiber. Get Happy." Anyway, after you laugh, you notice how bright and cheerful the papers are...perfect for boys or girls!

New and beautiful groups of papers continue to arrive at Scrapbook Generation!

-- My Mind's Eye's cute and colorful Garden Party collections of papers, die-cut sheets, paper packs, and matching buttons;

-- the Roughing It camping collection by Moxxie;

-- the Hot Mama collection by Glitz, a new company for us;

-- Bo-Bunny's knock-out softball and baseball collections.

FREE Saturday Seminar:

This Saturday, we're going to make 6x6 double-page layouts decorated with Doodlebug's new flocking powders. We're also going to try out their new adhesive shape and alphabet sets -- all you have to do is add glitter or flocking! During the seminar, everything is furnished for you, including adhesives! Just call to register for one of the five time slots.

Sketch Books:

I've spent most of my time this week in the office in front of the computer, working on the last few sketches for volume two of Sketches for Scrapbooking, featuring 30 original sketches by Creating Keepsakes Dream Team member Allison Davis and her goofy mom. Just like our first book, volume two will have 30 sketches, and will sell for $12.99. The books will be available beginning Tuesday, July 1.

New today at Scrapbook Generation...the Freedom collection by Reminsce, which features awesome red, white, and blue patterned papers accented by glitter! Also, for all of you who love the sugar-coated (glittered) Doodlebug cardstock, we just got in all 12 colors of Doodlebug's new patterned glitter cardstock!

A reminder about Scrapbook Generation's two fall retreats in Branson...sign up quickly if you want to attend! We have less than 15 spots available between the two events, Oct. 3-5 and Oct. 24-26! Non-refundable deposits of $50 can be paid in-store, by phone, or by mail.

BasicGrey's new Euphoria collection arrived at Scrapbook Generation earlier today! It's out and ready for purchase. Also, we have a new group called Cabana by Fiskars, which is very eye-catching, and comes with chipboard embellishments, rub-ons, stickers, and more.

We also have several great new chipboard sets by Maya Road, including flourishes and swirls, frames, arrows, crowns, and new letter sets.

I wanted to post photos of some of our newest products at Scrapbook Generation, and tell you about a few other things as well.

Shown in the photos...

-- several new styles of clear stamps by Autumn Leaves;
-- a new summery/beach collection by Flair;
-- the Passport collection by Making Memories, plus their "puffy" alphabet sets;
-- a camping collection by Rusty Pickle;
-- Fourth of July collections by Bo-Bunny, Scenic Route, and Rusty Pickle (they're are all so pretty that it's hard to choose!)

On the way, by two of our top vendors...
-- the new Euphoria collection by BasicGrey;
-- two new smaller groups called Garden Party, by My Mind's Eye.

Allison news...
I received an email about the Creating Keepsakes Convention in Tulsa yesterday, and when I went to the site to check it out, I discovered that Allison is listed as a "celebrity" who will be at the convention. She will be teaching classes at the convention, and also at CKC-Kansas City in October. It was quite fun to see her labeled that way, but weird at the same time. And if it's weird for me, I'll bet it's really a strange feeling for her! I'll be going to Tulsa with her, and hope to see some of you there!

Activity news...
In September, Scrapbook Generation will be participating in ScrapPink, a national event that benefits the Susan G. Komen for the Cure breast cancer foundation. We already have lots of great activities planned for the three days of the event, and can't wait to tell you about them. We'll be announcing all the pink fun we have planned in our next newsletter, August-September!

Father's Day...
I just wanted to take a minute and mention my dad. This will be the ninth Father's Day without him, and I still miss him greatly. He's missed so much during that time, but especially getting to know his great-grandsons, Drew and Jackson. Sometimes when I look at them, it makes me sad that he didn't live to see them, and that they won't know how wonderful he was, this side of heaven.

I also wish that he could have been around to witness the birth and growth of Scrapbook Generation! I'm not sure if he would have thought Karin and I were crazy to have plunged ahead with such a big venture, but I know he would be proud of us now!

My dad had many personality traits that I long for, including the ability to be easy-going, slow to anger, and quick to praise. He never sought out the limelight, but was the kind of person whose opinion was valuable to any group he was a part of, because he was so rational and good-natured and wise.

I know that the reason he isn't here today is because he smoked all of his adult life. He tried to quit so many times, but nothing ever worked for long, and eventually it damaged his heart. I nagged and nagged him, and I know he tried, but he always went back to smoking. I wish there had been some way that he could have quit when it still would have made a difference. My world just isn't the same without him. He was the greatest!

My photos aren't quite as dramatic as the ones I saw in the News-Leader today, but we did get to witness some of the wrath of the flooding Friday from the safety and relative dryness of Scrapbook Generation's front porch! I had the early shift, so when I got here it was only sprinkling. When Karin drove up in the early afternoon, it was during the middle of the worst of the downpour, and she was so wet when she came in the store that she might as well have just dumped a bucket of water down her back!

At one point in the afternoon, she had me come over to the window to see the rising waters at the intersection of Battlefield and Jefferson. Some cars were going through the intersection and the water was up over the bottom of the vehicles, and anything that was coming fairly fast from the direction of Campbell and flying through the intersection splashed water so high that you couldn't see the vehicles. Quite entertaining...since I didn't have to get out in it. Scary for lots of others around the city who found themselves stranded!

Anyway, we actually had a great day here at SG! After four years, I have yet to be able to pinpoint the significance of bad weather (or good, for that matter) in determining our sales for the day.

New this week at Scrapbook Generation...

-- puffy alphabet sets by Making Memories;
-- glitter/glimmer alphabet sets by Making Memories;
-- the "Passport" travel collection by Making Memories (even has a cute embellishment "suitcase");
-- dozens of new clear acrylic stamp sets by Autumn Leaves;
-- more items for Autumn Leaves' new "Manhattan" collection;
-- the "Bottle Rocket" paper and sticker collection by Rusty Pickle;
-- a colorful camping collection by Rusty Pickle;
--and more!

It's been a great Saturday at Scrapbook Generation! I would say the most popular items today have been the patriotic papers and embellishments. They're selling so quickly that I've already re-ordered the groups by Bo-Bunny and Scenic Route, and the groups by Reminsce and Rusty Pickle should arrive early to mid-week next week.

Yesterday was also a fun day for us, because the July issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine arrived, complete with Allison's second article. The article, "Shape Up!," starts on page 93 and explains how to easily and stylishly use the theme of your page in the design of the page. Ali also has two other layouts in the magazine, on pages 32 and 76. I had the chance to see the actual pages when she stopped in the store on her way to ship them off to CK, and they are really stunning! I can't wait until the real pages are sent back to her and we can display them here in Springfield MO!

On another topic, I did Midnight Madness duties last night, and I managed to get three layouts done, which is pretty much top speed for me! I'm sharing one today that was super easy. I used the sketch I had prepared for the sketch sessions today at SG, and just made a couple of small alterations. I absolutely love the Ella collection by Bo-Bunny. Those yellows, corals, reds, and greens are so summery and fun to work with!

Lots of new stuff at Scrapbook Generation today!

-- six seasonal (limited edition) colors of Glimmer Mist...watermelon, pineapple, kiwi, sandy beach, coral, and seafoam;

-- several new sets of Autumn Leaves clear acrylic stamps, including Fourth of July and Father's Day sets;

-- four new collections of papers and stickers from Bo-Bunny, including Beachy Keen, Star Struck, Summer Cottage, and Teen Chic;

-- Fourth of July papers and stickers by Bo-Bunny;

-- Fourth of July papers and stickers by Scenic Route:

-- an assortment of patriotic embellishments (stickers, buttons, brads, flowers, etc.) by a variety of companies.

And as if that isn't enough, on Friday we'll be getting a new supply of the BasicGrey Cupcake collection (the bright group we used on National Scrapbooking Day), a new supply of the About a Boy collection by Fancy Pants that sold out so quickly, a new supply of the Manhattan collection by Autumn Leaves that is going quickly, and a new supply of the cute jungle group by Reminisce that is almost gone (again!).

"First time" new groups include several more Bo-Bunny collections, a summery group called Sunrise Smoothie by Cloud 9, and more!

Arriving sometime next week: a patriotic group by Rusty Pickle, a new beach collection by Flair, and possibly BasicGrey's new summer release, Euphoria!

I'm here by myself today (Stacey's moving into her new house!) and I think it's the busiest it's ever been with just me here! I've been signing people up for the retreats, for classes, for Midnight Madnesses, handing out kits, helping shoppers, and just generally running around like a nut! One of the SG regulars was in about noon, and I threatened to put her to work with me. And don't think I'm complaining...we absolutely love to be busy!

Anyway, I wanted to just quickly remind everyone that registration has started today for Scrapbook Generation's two fall retreats in Branson. The dates are Oct. 3-5 and Oct. 24-26. There are already just about 10 spots available in each retreat, so if you plan to attend, my advice is to be quick! You can stop by SG, or call us and pay the $50 deposit by phone. For more details, call us, check the newsletter, or our website!