Heads up...

When I left SG today, there were only three of the 24 spots left in the new Card Party class set for next Wednesday evening. Can't wait to see how this new concept works out...I think Katrina, Stacey, and Allison are going to be a hit combination!

Fall retreats...

Yesterday, we sent out payment reminders to those of you who are signed up for one of the two SG fall retreats in Branson. If you didn't get an email newsletter from us, please send your email address to debbie@scrapbookgeneration.com and I'll get one sent to you today.

New 'Card Party' class filling quickly...

Looks like this new class is going to be a success! There are very few spots remaining, so please call 417-886-0440 if you want to try out this fun new class with three teachers and three styles of cardmaking. The class is Wednesday, September 21 at 6 pm, and the fee is $15. (Some people have called and asked about kits for this class, and unfortunately, there are so many tools and products used that it won't work to offer the class as a kit.)

September's Debbie Sanders sketch session layout...

Back to school...or not! Although at first glance this layout is all about school, there are enough leftover "cards" of neutral themes so that it could be changed and used for just about any topic. I'm always drawn to the "card" papers (and so many companies make them now) that are divided into 12 sections of 3x4" cards, some journaling, some titles and accents. This sketch uses six full-size "cards" and pieces and parts of several others!

We'll be making the layout above in the Debbie Sanders free sketch sessions this Saturday. Your cost to make this layout? About $4. Can't beat that deal!

Just call us at 417-886-0440 to register for a session at 10 am or 2:30 pm on Saturday, September 17. 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!

If you want 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 September kit!

Card Party, part three:

Triple the fun with three teachers!
We’re heading into fall with a fabulous new monthly class called “Card Party.” The class is a triple treat all the way around. The concept is simple. Three cards. Three matching tags. Three teachers. Three separate work stations. Three totally different styles of cardmaking from Katrina Hunt, Stacey Atchley, and Allison Davis!

The class is offered Wednesday, September 21 at 6 pm, and the fee is $15. To sign up, just call 417-886-0440.

We've already shown you Katrina's card and tag, and Stacey's card and tag, four of the six items you'll be making in the Card Party class. Today, we're revealing Allison's card and tag.

One of the three cards you'll make in the new Card Party class. Allison's card features acrylic stamps by We R Memory Keepers and jewels by KaiserCraft. You'll be using one of Allison's sketches to create the card, and you'll get a copy of the sketch to take with you...it can be used over an over!

One of the three tags you'll make in the new Card Party class. Allison's tag features border punches, acrylic stamping, and colorful jewels.

September's Scrap-a-Palooza memories...
Thanks so much to those of you who were able to attend the September 10 Scrap-a-Palooza! We had a great crowd, we had lots of fun, and we'll do it all again on Saturday, January 21. I'll let these photos tell the rest of the story...

Because the weather Saturday morning was so gorgeous, more people decided to get out of their cars early and stand in line.

The line went down the sidewalk...

...and around the side of the building!

Breakfast was part healthy...

and part decadent!

Shopping at Scrapbook Generation's on-site store began the minute people got in the doors.

Papers and products are spread over the stage and about 20 tables.

There's also an area for tools and miscellaneous products.

Once again, we had a sell-out crowd of 250 people!

Sherry bought all eight volumes of Sketches for Scrapbooking, and Allison Davis was happy to autograph them for her.

Allison Davis does one of the three big-screen demonstrations. She showcased a paper strip technique, how to use bakers twine in cute ways, and her signature sketches.

Four times during the day, five people have the chance to be the one to open and win a treasure chest full of prizes. Even the "losers" get prizes from SG!

One of the lucky treasure chest winners.

Scrapbook Generation added a Vat-'O-Chocolate to show how much we appreciate our customers. It was so popular that it will be a regular feature!

The projects for the three free mini-classes were designed and donated by the team at Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker.

There are usually about 15-20 other vendors at Scrap-a-Palooza. This cupcake vendor was a new one!

Martha Roy, one of our scrapbooking customers, had an Avon booth.

There were candles...

...bags, and so much more!

Allison's trio of Christmas layouts was a sell-out class.

The Scrap-a-Palooza food is catered by Dining by Design. Because of a problem last time with an employee that affected the food service, the company's president made an appearance, apologized to the group, and brought along 300 "Sweetie Pies" to seal the deal. He left a very popular guy! (I didn't take photos of lunch and dinner -- we had sandwiches and tomato basil soup and cookies for lunch, and chicken, salad, rolls, and carrot cake for dinner.)

Pies, pies...

...and more pies!

Choosing which flavor of pie to try was a fun part of the afternoon.

A small portion of the almost 90 new paper collections at Palooza.

More of the SG store.

Three times during the day, a crowd gathered at the "corner hut" for the Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker free mini-classes.

Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker design team leader Katrina Hunt was in charge of the mini-classes, and because Nikki needed to be with her grandmother, Lexi Bridges filled in and helped teach the classes.

Katrina Hunt teaches the "stairstep" Christmas card free mini-class.

The free mini-classes are always popular.

As if the pies weren't enough of an afternoon treat, Jimmy Johns' brought by sandwiches for everyone about 4 pm. We all managed to eat again!

What a great (and tasty) donation!

Stacey Atchley rarely gets far from the checkout stand at Scrap-a-Palooza. She definitely keeps things running smoothly!

Once Allison finishes her big-screen demos, she posts the examples on a board so that people can get a close-up view. Lots of photos are taken as the day progresses!

Scrapbook Generation's Sketches for Scrapbooking and Sketches for Cardmaking books were popular items at Palooza!

You've got to love this group of gals who enjoy scrapbooking, dolling up, and enjoying each other's company. Five of the group are fixtures at our Saturday activities: Janus Hicklin, Christa Allgood, Kimberly Knapton, Verna Burge, and Cindy Hilgers. At far right, Emily Stovall would be here more often if she could be! She flew in from Georgia...again...just for Scrap-a-Palooza and the chance to spend a fun day with her friends, both new and old.

Contest winners...

Congratulations to our blog and Facebook comment contest winners for the September Scrap-a-Palooza!
• Blog random winner -- Erica Marshall
• Facebook random winner -- Leah Tocci
• Bonus "great answer" winner -- Penny Grimsley

All three won $25 gift cards to spend at Palooza, compliments of Scrapbook Generation!

Card Party, part two:

Triple the fun with three teachers!
We’re heading into fall with a fabulous new monthly class called “Card Party.” The class is a triple treat all the way around. The concept is simple. Three cards. Three matching tags. Three teachers. Three separate work stations. Three totally different styles of cardmaking from Katrina Hunt, Stacey Atchley, and Allison Davis!

The class is offered Wednesday, September 21 at 6 pm, and the fee is $15. To sign up, just call 417-886-0440.

Yesterday, we showed you Katrina's card and tag, two of the six items you'll be making in the Card Party class. Today, we're revealing Stacey's card and tag. Soon, we'll also be sharing Allison's card and tag.

One of the three cards you'll make in the new Card Party class. Stacey's card features acrylic stamps by Inkadinkado and Hero Arts. You'll be heat embossing using glitter embossing powders by American Crafts.

One of the three tags you'll make in the new Card Party class. Stacey's tag features border punches, acrylic stamping, and heat embossing with glitter embossing powder.

Card Party:

Triple the fun with three teachers!
We’re heading into fall with a fabulous new monthly class called “Card Party.” The class is a triple treat all the way around. The concept is simple. Three cards. Three matching tags. Three teachers. Three separate work stations. Three totally different styles of cardmaking!

• First station: Stacey Atchley, veteran card class teacher at SG and author of Sketches for Cardmaking. Stacey’s card and tag will feature products like mists and paints and glazes and inks.

• Second station: Allison Davis, designer and host of the Sketch Support website. Allison’s card and tag will be designed from sketches. (You’ll also get a copy of the sketches to take with you to use over and over.)

• Third station: Katrina Hunt, the Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker design team leader, and member of The Twinery design team. Katrina’s card and tag will showcase tools like border and corner punches, Sew Easy products, and more. This will be Katrina’s first time to teach a paid class at SG, but hundreds of you have already taken free classes with her during special events here at SG, and also at Scrap-a-Palooza. We’re thrilled to have her join our list of outstanding teachers!

The class is offered Wednesday, September 21 at 6 pm, and the fee is $15. To sign up, just call 417-886-0440.

Today, here's a view of Katrina's card and tag, two of the six items you'll be making in the Card Party class. In the next few days, we'll also be sharing Stacey and Allison's cards and tags.

One of the three cards you'll make in the new Card Party class. Katrina's card features border punches and stamping with the new Jenni Bowlin inks by Ranger.

One of the three tags you'll make in the new Card Party class. Katrina's tag features border punches and stamping with rubber stamps by Unity Stamps.

Getting ready for Scrap-a-Palooza on Saturday...

The mound of boxes has finally been conquered! We have almost all of the nearly 90 new paper collections (and all the other new products) entered into the computer system, priced, sorted, and boxed up ready for the move to Remington's Event Center for our ninth Scrap-a-Palooza. For the first time, we're able to get in Remington's for a couple of hours this afternoon, which should make our typical seven-hour allotment on Friday not quite so frenzied. Jeremy and Don will be able to get the racks set up and boxes carried in, so the rest of us will be able to start in immediately Friday morning with setting all the new products out.

Travelers reception Friday evening...

We have over 40 scrapbookers who are coming from out-of-town to attend Scrap-a-Palooza who will be stopping by SG from 5-7 Friday evening for a reception we started with the last Palooza. It was a hit in June, so we're doing it all over again. If you aren't registered, there's still time to join us for light snacks, goodie bags, and prizes for those who have traveled the longest distance. Just email me at debbie@scrapbookgeneration.com, or call us at 417-886-0440. (We also have a few who will be arriving early and are going to be cropping at SG prior to the reception. All of you are welcome to do that!)

Check out the Springfield-love on the Creating Keepsakes' blog today...
There's a great post today on the Creating Keepsakes' blog, written by Katrina Hunt of Springfield. Katrina is the design team leader for Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker, and she's designed a couple of layouts showing how to use a themed paper collection in a non-themed way. Great layouts and article!

Many of you will know Katrina because you're taken mini-classes with her here at SG, and also at Scrap-a-Palooza. This month, she's also going to be teaching a paid class at SG. More about that in the next couple of days!

Click here to see Katrina's blog post.