Filling fast...

The 160 spots in the grand re-opening Super-Saver Scrapbooking sessions on Saturday, April 2 continue to fill fast.
• The 9 am session is full.
• The 10:30 am session is full.
• The openings at noon, 1:30, and 3 pm are getting fewer by the day!

Call us at 417-886-0440 to register for this super value, and make three beautiful double-page layouts using My Mind's Eye papers and embellishments for only $9.

Still trying to get settled...

We are still struggling with having too much stuff and not enough display fixtures to put them on! To fix this, we have four new displays coming in Monday, so I hope that this particular problem (not a totally bad one to have) will be taken care of.

It shouldn't be long before our outdoor sign is moved. Permits are involved, then several men and several trucks! The red strips on the old building have been scraped off, and I'll have to admit that the first time I saw the blank windows, it made me feel kind of sad. But for nostalgia's sake, we're having similar red strips put on the new building!

Studio G crop Saturday...

Our first crop in the new building was extremely well attended, so we're planning on having more of them. I'm working on the April and May calendar now. (I'm going to try really hard to get all the dates right...kind of embarrassing to have put two March 29's in the calendar last time!)

Sketch Support blog hop going on now!

I'll have to admit that, of course, I had heard of blog hops, but had never participated in one until today. As of right now, I am a blog hopper! Sketch Support, SG's popular new website created and hosted by Allison Davis, is hosting a blog hop this weekend that takes you to the blogs of all 14 Sketch Support Creative Team members. This is a great chance to see 14 different takes on the same sketch (which is also downloadable for your own use) and to win some cool prizes for commenting.

The team members are so talented! Please take the time to visit and see for yourself how much fun and inspiration Sketch Support can provide.

Kanban is here!

Cardmakers, rejoice! I think you'll love our whole wall of Kanban products. Kanban is a UK company, and the products are unlike anything we've seen before. The bulk of the items are die-cut punch-outs, many with coordinating card messages on the same sheet, designed for cardmaking. Some of the packs are die-cuts only, some are die-cuts and matching 8x12" sheets of cardstock, and some are die-cuts and matching pre-scored card bases.

Many of the themes are feminine (and there are some gorgeous "fashion" designs), but there are also some really cool masculine themes like cars and sports. Many of the designs also have foil accents.

The prices are very reasonable as well, ranging from $2.99 to $4.99. Right now, we started off with three of each design, but if they are as popular as I think they will be, we'll order again quickly!

Scrapbook Generation Grand Re-opening Countdown:

37 days until Saturday, April 2!

Join us for the celebration...

You might be one of five lucky customers 
to find a "golden ticket!"

We love everything about our new building, and can't wait to get all the finishing touches completed. Our grand re-opening festivities are going to be awesome, and we want you to share this day with us. Please mark Saturday, April 2 on your calendar, and get ready for all this fun! (And a word to the wise: the Super-Saver Scrapbooking sessions are starting to fill fast...call quickly to reserve the time you prefer!)

The first 300 adults (one per family) who make a purchase of at least $15 

on April 2 get the following:

• A goodie bag with a value of at least $25!

(includes a Scrapbook Generation page kit, fun items from My Mind's Eye, a "blackboard" mini-album from Cosmo Cricket, and more!)

• Five of the goodies bags will contain a "golden ticket!" You'll be able to redeem your golden ticket for one of five prize baskets with a value of at least $100 each. The prize baskets have been provided by

• My Mind's Eye

• American Crafts

• We R Memory Keepers

• Pink Paislee

• BasicGrey

Every adult (one per family) who makes a purchase of at least $25 
gets the following.

• choice of Scrapbook Generation page kits valued at $12.99

There are special Super-Saver Scrapbooking sessions.

• Make three double-page layouts for only $9, using gorgeous My Mind's Eye papers and embellishments.

• Get one punch on your Studio G Reward Card.

• Register and pre-pay for sessions at 9, 10:30, noon, 1:30, or 3.

(This is such a great deal that no kits will be available, other than for those people who are already a member of the Super Sketch Club.)

No purchase required for the following festivities.

• free mini-classes from 10 am - 4 pm

• entry in grand prize from Scrapbook Generation

• SG's famous day-long snack buffet featuring gourmet mini-cupcakes

• DOORS OPEN AT 9 AM!

• FIRST SUPER-SAVER SESSION STARTS AT 9 AM!
• OPEN UNTIL 6 PM!

Our first Studio G crop!

This Saturday, February 26, we'll be hosting the first crop in our new classroom. This seven-hour "no frills" crop is a bargain at only $5! This is a "bring your own snacks and drinks" crop, and you can either go out to lunch, or have sandwiches or pizza delivered right to your table in Studio G. As an added bonus, you get 10% off your purchases if you attend the crop.

Looks like this is going to be a popular event! We have 26 available spots, and only seven of them are left. Grab a friend, or come by yourself and make some new friends!

Designers Challenge Club projects from January...

We're always excited to show you the beautiful creations by the members of our Designers Challenge Club. For January, they worked with My Mind's Eye papers and die-cuts, Bazzill cardstock with a punched-out design, white tulle, Maya Road stick pins, and more.

Projects by Designers Challenge Club member Diana Iverson...

Projects by Designers Challenge Club member Julia Casella...

Project by Designers Challenge Club member Charlie Meeks...

Project by Designers Challenge Club member Diana Schnake...

 

Projects by Designers Challenge Club member Charlie Meeks...

Projects by Designers Challenge Club member Diana Schnake...

Project by Designers Challenge Club member Jane Claas...

Projecs by Designers Challenge Club member Christa Allgood...

Projects by Designers Challenge Club member Christine Rantz...

Project by Designers Challenge Club member Charlie Meeks...

Project by Designers Challenge Club member Debbie Linton...

And now for something totally different...

Kanban Crafts! This company, based in the UK, makes unique products that are especially suited for cardmakers. We have a huge assortment of goodies arriving late this week, and those of you who love vintage will be in heaven. Expect lots and lots of 8x12" punch-out sheets of images perfect for cards and other craft projects. And many of the punch-out sheets come with matching background sheets so that your cardmaking process is streamlined. Items from this company will really make a nice addition to our product lines!

New products arriving soon...

The avalanche is going to start very soon! Here are some of the new collections that will be arriving over the next few weeks. Many, many other collections have been ordered, but these should be the first ones to arrive.

• Graphic 45: Le Cirque, Curtain Call;
• KaiserCraft: Magic Happens, Bubblegum Hills, Nan's Favorites, Chanteuse, Timeless;
• Creative Imaginations: Super Hero, Splish Splash, Wild Spirit, Yellowstone and Grand Canyon;
• Imaginisce: Berrylicious, Animal Crackers;
• K & Company: Botanical, Spring Blossom
• Making Memories: Dilly Dally
• Little Yellow Bicycle: Elizabeth Park
• BoBunny: Gabrielle, Ad Libs, Blast Off, Timepiece, Vicki B
• The Paper Company: Reel Me In, Sweet Beginnings, Happy Spring, Just Beachy, Bon Voyage, Party Hearty
• Jillibean Soup: Spotted Owl Soup

You know I like to tease you...

We're working on our April 2 grand re-opening hoopla, and we may have a special guest that day to help us celebrate! As soon as the details are worked out, I'll let you know who is going to liven things up around here.

We have so much talent in this area...

Christa Allgood, a member of our Designers Challenge Club, and a frequent participant in our Saturday activities, has a project featured on the Bella Blvd blog today. Christa brings in wonderful creations for Designers Challenge, so it was no surprise when she told us that her work was going to be on the BB blog. Click here to see Christa's project. Congrats, Christa!

Allison Davis free sketch class layout for Saturday...

We'll be making the layout above, which features soft, delicate colors and would work well with photos of several themes. Your cost to make this layout? Only about $4! Just call us at 417-886-0440 to register for a session at 10 am or 2:30 pm on Saturday, Feb. 19. Bring basic tools, and we'll provide you with a free computer sketch that you can use over and over!

And don't forget, we'll punch your Studio G Reward Card. Don't have one yet? No problem, we'll be happy to get you started on the way to earning some great rewards like free page kits, $20 gift cards, and other goodies!

Can't attend but would like a kit? The fee is $5, and is due at the time the request is made.

Super Sketch Club members:
Yes, this layout and sketch will be included in your February kit!

New collections everywhere!
Our shipment of paper trays finally arrived, and we managed to find a spot for every one of the collections from Scrap-a-Palooza, plus some other new groups that just arrived.

New Easter collections by We R Memory Keepers and Reminisce

Three OctoberAfternoon collections: Seaside, Modern Homemaker, and Campfire

New Lego papers and embellishments by Creative Imaginations

Space Buddies by Reminisce and Dino-Roar by Imaginisce

Enchanted by Imaginisce and Cutopia by Reminisce

Hoopla and Scarlett by Glitz

The Great Outdoors by Creative Imaginations

Cats and Dogs by American Crafts

Harry Potter by Creative Imaginations and Serendipity by Paper Loft

Lilac House by Fancy Pants

Only three spots left...

in the first retreat in Branson! If you want to attend the March 11-13 weekend, you probably should move quickly. The March 18-20 weekend has a few more spots left. We plan on providing a fun and restful getaway for scrapbookers and cardmakers who need some time for themselves. And I think you'll love the Mardi Gras theme!

Sketch Support goodies this week...

If you haven't checked out Scrapbook Generation Publishing's new "Sketch Support" website, now's the time. This is "add-on" week, and Allison has created an awesome word collage (shown above in both projects) that you can use as a model, or download and print exactly as shown in the photo.

Sketch Support is a constant source of inspiration each month, showcasing downloadable one-page sketches, two-page sketches, card sketches, and add-on sketches. Each weekday, sample pages and projects made from the sketches are shown, with directions on how to alter the sketches for your own purposes.

To check out Sketch Support, click here.

Kristi VanDoren class is being rescheduled...

The ladies in the Stencils 101 class today left a happy bunch, with three gorgeous cards. They were really thrilled with the fun new embossing techniques and products they used today, and can't wait for Stencils 102 in March.

The class that was snowed out last Wednesday night is being rescheduled for Tuesday evening, February 15 at 5:30. We can still take a few more people if you are interested. Please call 417-886-0440 to register. The fee is $15.

New Stickles colors...

There are nine new Stickles colors! Most are bold and bright, and all are definitely worth checking out.

It's hard to believe that in less than a month, our first spring retreat will be taking place. After all this cold and snow, I'm definitely ready! We'll be using a Mardi Gras theme, and the bright traditional carnival colors of green, purple, and gold have turned out to be so much fun to decorate with. We'll have masks, toss beads, and so many more bright and sparkly items that will go a long way toward helping us all shake off all the cold and gloom of January and February.

We'll be hosting two retreats, one the weekend of March 11-13 (only five spots left), and the other the weekend of March 18-20.

Our all-inclusive themed retreats begin at 3 pm on Friday afternoon and conclude at 11 am on Sunday. We limit each retreat to 40 people so that no one is crowded, either in table space or floor space. Everyone has access to extra tables for electronic items like computers and die-cutting machines. 

All meals are included in the weekend fee. We provide individual snack bags at your seat, and snack mixes and other treats are available almost all the time you are scrapbooking. Friday and Saturday evening, we have an extensive snack buffet. Saturday afternoon, we provide an ice cream sundae bar.

Scrapbook Generation sets up a huge on-site store with just about any tool, adhesive, embellishment, and paper collection you could possibly want or need. Everyone receives a generous amount of scrapbook goodies as gifts during the weekend. In addition, prizes are awarded at nightly Bingo games. Chances to win larger prizes are available through a fun process of winning "tickets."

Paid classes usually range from $10 - $20 and are taught by Debbie Sanders and Allison Davis, both authors of Scrapbook Generation's popular Sketches for Scrapbooking books. Photos are posted here on the blog as soon as available. On Saturday evening, you have the chance to enter three of your scrapbooking layouts or mini-albums in a variety of categories.

Prices for the weekend are determined by how many people are in a sleeping room. (If paying a lump sum is a problem for you, we're always willing to help work out a payment plan!)
• $285 for a single room
• $245 per person for two in the room
• $235 per person for three in the room
• $225 per person for four in the room

We're back...with lots of new goodies!
The new My Mind's Eye collections are huge, and gorgeous, as always. We have everything, including Good Day Sunshine (boy and girl), Lush 2, and Stella and Rose.

We also have an awesome collection of Dreamweaver embossing stencils and all the supplies you need to get started.

The 'Debbie sketch' layout for this Saturday...

We'll be making the layout above, which might work really well for all those miscellaneous photos we all seem to collect. Your cost to make this layout? Only about $4! Just call us at 417-886-0440 to register for a session at 10 am or 2:30 pm on Saturday, Feb. 12. Bring basic tools, and we'll provide you with a free computer sketch that you can use over and over!

And don't forget, we'll punch your Studio G Reward Card. Don't have one yet? No problem, we'll be happy to get you started on the way to earning some great rewards like free page kits, $20 gift cards, and other goodies!

Can't attend but would like a kit? The fee is $5, and is due at the time the request is made.

Super Sketch Club members:
Yes, this layout and sketch will be included in your February kit!

More snow, more snow...

Because of the continuing snowfall, and the extreme cold, Scrapbook Generation will be closed Wednesday, Feb. 9. If you are enrolled in the card class tonight with Kristi VanDoren, you'll have the option of taking it this Saturday at noon, or at an alternate time.

This is the weirdest thing. I love a good snow day! Always have, even the winter of 1980 when we didn't go to school a single day in January. Stacey and I would sprawl out in the floor next to the sliding glass door and watch the snow pile up. I loved to say "more snow, more snow!"

Today however, I was all fired up to get back to SG and work. I was so disappointed when I discovered that if I had any sense, I should stay home today. Karin and I had made so much progress yesterday on finally getting started on some of the mounds of products we still have left to put out from Palooza, and on the new CHA stuff that is already starting to arrive. She got all the new My Mind's Eye processed and out of the shelves...it's beautiful! We also have a wonderful new selection of Dreamweaver stencils, tools, and embossing pastes.

I spent the day working on the seasonal and school areas. We ran out of the acrylic paper trays right after we moved to the new building, and wouldn't you know, they are out-of-stock until mid-March (along with the 10 new display fixtures we'll be putting in the front of the store hopefully before our grand-reopening April 2). Since we're a very impatient bunch, we ordered some wire racks to use in a few areas, which freed up some trays we can now use to put out more of the collections from Palooza. And just to let you know how resourceful I am, I found 50 paper trays on eBay and was a successful bidder!

Anyway, we were really on a roll yesterday. The seasonal areas finally look decent, and the "new wall" looks fantastic! I'll post photos Thursday of the new products. Hope you enjoy your snow day, but if you have to get out, take it easy and go slow!

I'm going to go work on the sketch layout for Saturday...I'll post a photo here later today.

Here's the deal...

I'm calling it a night, and at this point, SG has 1,999 "fans." I'm hoping that when I check things out in the morning, we've crossed that 2,000 mark!

February has another beautiful class waiting...

Tammy Roberts, a member of the Graphic 45 Design Team, will be teaching this precious baby mini-album two times in February...Tuesday, February 8 at 10 am and Thursday, February 24 at 6 pm. Tammy has creating a keepsake with Graphic 45's Baby 2 Bride collection. The fee is $20. On her blog, she shows many of the inside pages, so just hop over to the right sidebar "links to our favorite places" for a link that will show you lots and lots of detail!

Gorgeous card class approaching...

Don't forget that you have a couple of chances to make three beautiful cards and learn some fun embossing techniques with new SG teacher Kristi VanDoren. The class is being offered Wednesday evening, February 9, at 5:30 and Saturday, February 12 at noon. The fee is $15, and we'll have a complete selection of Dreamweaver stencils available for purchase, including the two used for the cards shown above. It's fun to see that you can get totally different looks from the same stencil! To register, please call 417-886-0440.

Another great class for February!

This cute layout is being offered tonight, February 7, at 6 pm. "Be My Valentine" has lots of heart accents to highlight a special relationship. You can attend the class this evening, or we have a few kits already packaged, since we knew weather might affect our classes this month. This is an Allison Davis class, and the fee is $15. The fee for a kit is the same price. Register for either by calling us at 417-886-0440.

Timeless Treasures class for February...

I hope you can join me for the Timeless Treasures class this month...we'll be using vintage papers in red, black, cream, and pale green, and adding in some crocheted lace, brads, ribbon flowers, Making Memories glitter brads, Maya Road chipboard, and adding a few finishing touches with Tattered Angels' Glimmer Glam and Rangers' Distress Stickles. The class is offered twice: Monday, February 14 at 6 pm and Thursday, February 17 at 2 pm.  Fee for the class is $15.

BasicGrey 'playdate' Sugar Rush triple layout class for February...

Tuesday, February 22
Check out the BasicGrey Sugar Rush triple layouts "playdate" class. You'll use a BasicGrey kit with detailed directions and color photos to make one double-page layout and two single-page layouts, complete with chipboard shapes and rub-ons. With playdate classes, you pick the start time and work at your own pace. The layout models are on display for you to refer to. The class has no formal teacher, but assistance is available from the SG staff. You can start your class at 10 am or later, however, class time is over at the regular store closing time of 7 pm. 

Bring a friend, or stop by for a needed getaway for just yourself! The fee for the class is $20. (This class is available as a kit for the same fee.)

BasicGrey 'playdate' Sugar Rush card class for February...

Thursday, February 10 and Friday, February 25
We'll be offering our popular BasicGrey cards "playdate" class on two days. You'll use a BasicGrey kit with detailed directions and color photos to make eight cards with envelopes. The kit includes stickers, rub-ons, and chipboard shapes. With playdate classes, you pick the start time and work at your own pace. The card models are on display for you to refer to. The class has no formal teacher, but assistance is available from the SG staff. You can start your class at 10 am or later, however, class time is over at the regular store closing time of 7 pm. 

Bring a friend, or stop by for a needed getaway for just yourself! The fee for the class is $15. (This class is available as a kit for the same fee.)

Designers Challenge Club's December projects...

The Designers Challenge Club met the third week of January to display their projects, and we're proud to show them to you. They worked with cooking themed papers by The Paper Company, including some matching fabric paper.

Projects by Designers Challenge Club member Charlie Meeks, below...

Projects by Designers Challenge Club member Diane Schnake, below...

Project by Designers Challenge Club member Annetta Svagera, below...

Projects by Designers Challenge Club member Christine Rantz, below...

Project by Designers Challenge Club member Janice Owers, below...

Projects by Designers Challenge Club member Crystal Moody, below...

Project by Designers Challenge Club member Julia Casella, below...

Projects by Designers Challenge Club member Christa Allgood, below...

And here's a pep talk for January projects! We've had a not-so-great turnout for the past two Designers Challenge Club meetings (December craziness and January sickness have been to blame!), so we're hoping to see each and every member at our February meeting...with at least one project!