Winter CHA collections

It's that time of year -- some of the new goodies from CHA are starting to arrive! From now until late May, we should have new arrivals every week. Here are a few (but not all) of the collections we ordered, and every time we get a new group out on the shelves, I'll post photos here on the blog!

• Authentique: Renew, Seasons, Hope, Grace, Strong

• Carta Bella: Well Traveled, So Noted, True Friends, Cool Summer

• Echo Park: Brother, Sister, Easter, Oh Snap, Photo Freedom Happy Go Lucky, Bundle of Joy, Photo Freedom Vol. 1, All About a Boy, Sweet Girl, Scoot

• BoBunny: Isabella, Surprise, Prairie Chic, MamaRazzi 2, Family Is, Snow Day

• Imaginisce: Childhood Memories, Good Dog

• Graphic 45: Secret Garden, French Country

• Teresa Collins: He Said, She Said, Memories, Stationary Noted

• Simple Stories: 24/Seven, Vintage Bliss, Urban Traveler, all the new Sn@p items

• We R Memory Keepers: Simply Spring

• American Crafts: Project Life, Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm, My Girl (and every color of the new Zazz glitter glue)

• Pebbles: Party with Amy Locurto, Pool, Super Hero, Mermaid, Rainbow, Love you More, Basics Collection

• Studio Calico: Here and There, Snippets, Darling Dear

• Crate Paper: Maggie Holmes, Party Day, DIY Shop

• Pink Paislee: Luxe

• Best Creations: Farm Life, Barbeque, Dinosaur, Ocean Breeze

• BasicGrey: Hipster

• Fancy Pants: Park Bench, Down by the Shore, Trendsetter, Swagger

• Splash of Color: Cherish, Shell Seeker, Magic Cruise, Sports Fan, Easter Wishes (plus Washington, DC and New York travel items, and football, basketball and soccer items)

• Doodlebug: Flower Box, Fruit Stand, Stars and Stripes (plus washi tape and Love Letters stickers)

• KaiserCraft: 75 Cents, Base Coat, In the Attic, Bundle of Joy, Remember Me, Needle and Thread, Class Act (plus collection packs of Timeless, Check In, The Lakehouse, Miss Match, Attitude, Sears & Son, Save the Date, Periwinkle, Tropicana, Butterfly Kisses, Pickled Pear, Forget Me Not, Marigold, Botanical, Secret Admirer, and Magnolia Grove)

• Paper House: (we don't typically carry a lot of paper pads, but these were too nice to pass up; some are 6" pads and some are 12") Beaches of the World, Beaches, Cities, American Road, US Travel, European Travel, Country, Farm, Great Outdoors, Hunting, Cooking, Wild Thing (plus tons of new 3-D stickers, travel papers and matching stickers, and mini-die-cut assortments)

• Petaloo: lots and lots of flowers and butterflies

• Prima: Engraver, Lady Bird, Fairy Rhymes, Divine, Wishes and Dreams (and 47 colors of chalk ink pads)

• Reminisce: Magical, The Graduate, It's a Dog's Life, Happy Easter, Real Magic, Signature Series

• SugarTree: lots of hunting and fishing papers

• Webster's Pages: Composition and Color, Sweet Notes

• Ruby Rock-It: Carnival King

Debbie Sanders kit release for February

New Debbie Sanders kit: XOXO -- materials to make three double-page layouts, includes sketches and color photo -- $20 (limited quantities -- only about 30 available)

In addition to the brand new kit shown above, we've added several club overstock kits to our online store, and also given you a price-break on a couple of the larger multi-layout kits!

Click here to shop our online store.

Scrap-a-Palooza update

Search for a new location...
As most of you know by now, there was a mix-up with the booking of Scrap-a-Palooza at Remington's, discovered about two weeks ago. Since then, we have been working and corresponding with Chris Louzader, event planner for Midwest Family Broadcasting, to find out the location options.

We received final word yesterday that the March 2 Scrap-a-Palooza will be held in the arena annex at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds. For those of you unfamiliar with the fairgrounds, the arena (bottom right in the map below) is a complex that hosts events like livestock shows and go-cart/dirt-bike events. The annex is the attached level below the arena.

Options available...
With such short notice, many places were not available. In the end, it came down to three choices: the White River room at Bass Pro, the arena annex at the fairgrounds, and what we suggested and felt was a good one-time solution for a downsized event this time -- our old store next door.

Hard decisions...

We have struggled with our decision to not participate. We advised against this location because of our concerns about lighting, temperature control, ease of access to the building from the parking lot, and overall atmosphere. Biggest drawback: there are no restrooms in the annex where the crop will be held. For facilities, you must either go up a flight of about 25 stairs into the arena, or go outdoors to the restroom in one of the surrounding buildings. We know that there are some people for whom this would be a hardship.

Financially, Scrap-a-Palooza has been our best single-day sales event. (You are great shoppers!) If we were only interested in making money, we would probably still do it. But along with being a profitable business, we are always concerned with making sure our customers have only the best cropping experiences if our name is attached to them. 

On the brighter side...
With that said, we would still like to offer those of you traveling to the event the opportunity for a little Pre-Palooza fun, so we're going to continue with our tradition of hosting two in-store events. We hold Scrap-a-Palooza in high regard and would like to see it continue as a special event here in Springfield.

Pre-Palooza travelers reception and Friday crop...

• Reception: The reception will feature light snacks here at the store from 5-7 pm on Friday evening, March 1, for those of you who are traveling in to attend Scrap-a-Palooza #13. We'll have goodie bags for those of you who are registered for the reception. So that we know how many goodie bags and snacks to prepare, please register by calling 417-886-0440 or sending an email to debbie@scrapbookgeneration.com.

• Crop: We'll be hosting a free crop at SG on the Friday before Scrap-a-Palooza for those who are traveling to Springfield for the event. If you and your group will be getting to Springfield in time, feel free to arrive any time after 10 am and spend the day cropping in our classroom for free. Please register in advance because our crop space is limited to the first 16 who sign up. 

Allison Davis classes and kits...
Allison had already started preparing five classes for Scrap-a-Palooza. She is going to finish them and we will offer all five as kits. When the kits are available, we'll let you know via the three usual ways: blog, Facebook, and email.

Best wishes for Chris and MFB...

We have had a good working relationship with Chris and MFB during the past four years and 12 Scrap-a-Paloozas. Although we have a difference of opinion, we wish her the best in hosting Scrap-a-Palooza number 13 and beyond. Putting on one of these events is more work than anyone could possibly understand until they have tried it out themselves!

We suggested to Chris several scrapbooking businesses that might like to participate in our place, and it looks like KISS Crop and Shop from Joplin has agreed to be part of the event. We've heard good things about their crops in Joplin, so this should turn out to be a great partnership!

Family considerations and future Scrap-a-Paloozas...
In addition to not participating in the March 2 Scrap-a-Palooza, we will also not be taking part in any future Scrap-a-Palooza events. This decision about future events has nothing to do with what has happened the past couple of weeks, but is about family concerns and the increasing time needed as caregivers to our mother, who is dealing with significant memory issues. I know many of you have been through this with aging parents and you understand the stress and the time involved.

Final thoughts...
We are sincerely sorry for the inconvenience our not participating in Scrap-a-Palooza #13 causes those of you who are already signed up. Chris told me that she would give refunds to those who ask for them. If I can help you with further explanations or any questions you may have, please feel free to email me at debbie@scrapbookgeneration.com, or call me at 417-886-0440. Maintaining good relationships with our customers is the reason we have made this extremely difficult decision. If there is any way I can make this situation better for any of you, don't hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,
Debbie Sanders

Scrap-a-Palooza news

I've been waiting to say this until the radio station had made its announcement, but it doesn't look like it's going to be today, and I promised I would let you know today. 

SG will not be participating in Scrap-a-Palooza on March 2. There will be more details in a blog post (hopefully Tuesday) and in an email newsletter from us just as soon as Chris Louzader of Midwest Family Broadcasting sends out her own email which will tell you the new location. 

We are so sorry to not provide more details right now, and equally sorry about the news. It was a difficult but necessary decision.

February Sketch Day Two!

Sketch Day Two choices: Debbie Sanders layout, top; Allison Davis layout, bottom. Both Allison and Debbie started with identical materials -- the same two sheets of cardstock and the same three patterned papers. When you attend the class at SG, you'll decide which layout you prefer and use your materials to make that layout.

LOCAL CUSTOMERS:
We hope you can join us February 16, as we continue the new format for our twice-a-month Saturday sketch sessions by Debbie Sanders and Allison Davis! The layouts above are the choices for our February Sketch Day Two sessions.

How this works:
• Pre-register for sessions at 10am or 2pm by calling 417-886-0440;
• Bring basic tools and adhesives;
• Receive two free computer sketches;
• Make the double-page layout you like best;
• Pay for papers used -- the total usually comes to a little over $4.

Options:
• If you want to make both the Debbie and Allison layouts above, order a duplicate set of papers when you register. All duplicate sets of paper orders must be placed prior to the Saturday class.
• If you want to purchase the embellishment add-on (shown below), order it when you register. All embellishment add-on orders must be placed prior to the Saturday class. This embellishment is not used on the layout samples shown above, but is offered for those of you who want to add another level of interest and creativity to your pages.

Kits:
• All kits must be requested before the class activities take place on Saturday.
• The fee for a kit is $5, and is due at the time the request is made.
• If you need the kit shipped to you, the shipping charge is an additional $5.99.
• The best deal for our long-distance customers? Join the monthly Super Sketch Club and get the Super-Saver three layout kit, the Sketch Day One layout kit, and the Sketch Day Two layout kit (materials and sketches for five double-page layouts plus two bonus sketches) for $20 plus $6.99 shipping.

SUPER SKETCH CLUB MEMBERS:
You also get two sketches and choose which one of the layouts above you want to make.   

Options:
• If you occasionally want to make both the Debbie and Allison layouts from a particular Saturday, order a duplicate set of paper ONLINE ONLY at scrapbookgeneration.com. (Limited number of extra sets available. Once they sell out, the option is unavailable. Click here to order.

• You can order the embellishment that coordinates with the layouts this week. The embellishment this week is a $2.48 decorative sticker sheet and tiny word sticker sheet combo. This embellishment is not used on the layout samples, but is offered for those of you who want to add another level of interest and creativity to your pages. (Limited number of embellishment add-ons available ONLINE ONLY at scrapbookgeneration.com. Once they sell out, the option is unavailable. This add-on does not increase your shipping fee! Click here to order.

• If you know that you'll ALWAYS want to be able to make both the Debbie and Allison layouts, you can enroll in Super Sketch Club Double Up. For an additional $10 per month, you'll receive a duplicate set of identical materials for the Sketch Day One and Sketch Day Two portions of the club. (By doing this, you will be able to make both Allison layouts and both Debbie layouts that will be shown on the blog each month.) Sign up for Double Up by clicking here.

Pre-order 'Sketch Fusion!'

Head on over to our online store and place your pre-order for Scrapbook Generation's Sketch Fusion with Simple Stories! This idea-filled sketch book should be ready to ship later this month.

Click here to pre-order.

Scrap-a-Palooza update

I'm sorry to tell you that we still do not have a location for Scrap-a-Palooza on March 2. Chris Louzader from the radio station has been giving us daily updates about her search for the right place, and at this point, nothing of the right size has been available.

There are still a couple of options she's working on, so don't despair just yet. (Hope I'm the only one who's losing sleep over this!)

Again, please use good judgment about the event. If you are already signed up, we're working as hard as possible to still have the event in a nice place on March 2. If you aren't signed up, please consider holding off until there is news. Our worst fear is people signing up right now thinking the event is still being held at Remington's.

'Sketch Fusion' off to the printers!

The process that began just a few days before Christmas is finally completed! All 24 layouts and 24 sketches for Scrapbook Generation's Sketch Fusion with Simple Stories were sent to the printer yesterday afternoon.

For us, the excitement level for this new book is even greater than usual, because this is the first time we've included layout samples. It took longer to create the book, but the final product is something we're extremely proud of.

Working with the Simple Stories products was lots of fun, and we tried to provide a good mix of styles -- some layouts could be described as grid-oriented, while others incorporate Simple Stories blocks and strips in unique ways. All of the layouts/sketches have SO many options built in, and we've listed easy ways to change them up to add more photos, ways to change horizontal photos to vertical (and vice versa), and ways to change the look of the layout by switching out the different sizes of Simple Stories blocks and strips.

We'll begin taking pre-orders for the print book on Monday, February 11 at scrapbookgeneration.com. This will assure that you are among the first to receive Sketch Fusion with Simple Stories. The books should be ready to ship in late February or early March, depending on when Simple Stories releases their three new collections. (If you've already ordered a bundle, there is no need to place a pre-order this time.)

Retail stores that want to place a pre-order can contact us at 417-886-0440 or by emailing stacey@scrapbookgeneration.com.

February club kits!

Scrapbook Generation's first-of-the-month club kits, clockwise from top left: Generation Card Kit Club; Girl Crazy Page Kit Club; Allison Davis Hall of Fame Page Kit Club; Generation Page Kit Club; Boy Crazy Page Kit Club.

Here's a peak at our "regular" February clubs. With each of the four layout clubs, you receive papers, embellishments, and either sketches or directions to make a double-page layout. With the card club, you receive papers, embellishments, and directions to make four cards -- usually with enough materials left over to make several other cards!

To read more about these five clubs, including information on how to sign up, click here. Enroll in more than one club and you get a hefty price break on any additional club!

Project Life, and more!

Project Life will soon be available here at SG!

As many of you know, Project Life by Becky Higgins is now being sold through American Crafts. We met with Darcy from American Crafts yesterday and placed our order for everything -- yes, every core kit, mini kit, 12x12 album, mini-album, divider, envelope, paper collection, card, textured cardstock, journaling pen, photo pocket page (a zillion styles), page protector, and more!

There are so many beautiful color combinations and styles -- truly something for everyone, and the products will be available in early May.

For anyone who isn't familiar with the concept, it's all about recording the little (and big) things of daily life. The Project Life items are designed to make this quick, easy and cute, with an emphasis on it being a low stress project.

I've had the opportunity a couple of times at retreats to look at Jamie Gillham's album using this concept. It's amazing! She's gathered photos of her family with photos of things like weather forecasts, signs, sports scoreboards, printed programs, and more and combined them with cute cards covered in handwritten journaling. It's truly a gold mine of information about her family and what they do, and I know that as the years go by it will become even more of a treasure.

So, we are really looking forward to carrying Project Life here in Springfield. I'm picturing rearranging the store just a bit and having a complete Project Life section! Also, if there is enough interest, we'll also carry the products in our online store, which we're already planning to expand further in the next few months. Please let us know if you would like that option -- just email us at stacey@scrapbookgeneration.com and let us know if you would like to be able to order Project Life online!

I've also done a huge amount of ordering from the new winter CHA products -- tons of new goodies will be arriving over the next few weeks. Later this week, I'll share with you all the new collections you can expect to see soon at SG.