It's Halloween -- couldn't resist!

We've had this up in the store for awhile and my brother just emailed it to meso I felt like I should share -- there will be a "real" post coming later today or tomrrow!

BTW has everyone guessed how many pages Al made this weekend? She showed the to me so I can't vote -- they're beautiful -- I hope she posts some of them! :) HAPPY HALLOWEEN! -Christina

Holiday Card Swap - Sunday December 2nd

You're Invited to Participate

in the

Windy City Scrapbooking
Holiday Card Swap

Sunday, December 2nd

3:00pm - 5:00pm

Email: blog@windyscrapbooking.com to join!

Instructions:

Participants will be randomly selected into groups of six.Each participating wapper will bring 6 (six) cards with envelopes;1 card goes to Windy City Scrapbooking for Display and 5 cards are swapped amongst the group (you will not get your own card back). Each participant will leave with 5 cards received from the group. Participants can join more than one group and will have to follow the same instructions for each group.

Holiday Cards is the theme. We ask that you make quality cards to swap. There are no card making rules, only that you, yourself would like to receive the card you are swapping.

To join the swap please email blog@windycityscrapbooking.com by November 20th.

The Swap will be held at Windy City Scrapbooking on December 2nd at 3:00pm – Hope you can make it.

Does Oprah scrapbook?

Tune in to the Oprah Winfrey Show Tuesday, October 30th at 9 a.m. (I believe the replay is at 11 p.m.) You'll get to see several designers/stars talk about their favorite things -- things they can't do without. As Oprah says, we don't need things but sometimes it is just plain fun to talk about them! She (and a certain Cindy Crawford) talk about their photos and scrapbooking and photo albums! Not sure about the final edit, but when they mention scrapbooking a certain audience member does a little cheer -- watch for a red shirt in the second row -- the person so gracefully eating ice cream that falls on her shirt -- see if you recognize her! (Or maybe the cameras didn't pick up on that!)

Sorry for the late notice, but if you have a chance, watch the show -- it was fun! And let's get more celebrities scrapbooking -- they don't know what they are missing!

Hello everyone,

Hope that you had a great weekend and are looking forward to this week.I, myself, had a FAB weekend doing what I love best...Scrappin & Relaxin'...and a little Shoppin too.

I finally made it to my scrapbooking group's retreat. We had planned this retreat back in March and we finally made our journey. The place is really close to Chicago and you can go and totally relax, relate, and release.We arrived early on Thursday, had lunch and dove right into our scrapbooking supplies and got to creating. We did stop to watch Grey's Anatomy...this first night, I went to bed at 3am Friday, we all slept in, had breakfast, and scrapped some more. Some of our group had spa services. We ended up staying up til 5am this night, as with Saturday night too. Sunday came to quick and before I knew it, I was getting off the Indiana Toll road heading back into Chicago.While I was there, I did make a few calls back home to Windy City Scrapbooking and the big joke and concern was how many pages would I get done...well, I want to make this interesting for all of you. I did get some pages done and I would love for you, Windy City Scrapbooking Blog readers to let me know that you are out there and guess how many layouts I was able to complete during my 3 day stay.Just post a comment with the number that you think and I will be giving away something special. Please post your comments by Wednesday, October 31st.

So I am so excited to hear that Creative Cafe has finally arrived and even more excited that Danelle Johnson is coming to teach at the store. Besides Creative Cafe, I am also interested in seeing what else has arrived at the store and where things are going to go. I tell you...you leave for a few days and Windy City will change things in a minute. I love seeking our new things in the store, we have surprises for you in every corner.

Hope to see you this week in the store

TTFN
Al

Oops...I forgot to post a few pictures from my weekend. I went with my scrapping group...we call ourselves "Scrap On Sistahs" ...we have t-shirts, baseball shirts, denim shirts, and hoodies...we are like a little scrapbooking sorority and have a ball with each other...Enjoy

Creative Cafe is here!

We wanted to let you know that Creative Cafe is here! We ordered the Spirit Line and boy did they out do themselves with how beautiful everything is! I think my favorite part is getting to scoop the buttons!(The red is just perfect for the upcoming holiday season! :) )

There is polka dot felt as well as colored chipboard sheets. The papers are almost all double sided which makes for endless possibilities! The brads are either velvet or glass-you choose which you can't live without. The swatchbooks have so many rub-ons I can't decide which one I will get first.

The picture on the bottom is our very first Happy Hour we did today! All the product is available through the Creative Cafe line. It was so easy and fast today I can't wait to see what else they have up their sleeve for more of the Happy Hours! Watch our calendar for dates and times of the Happy Hours we will be hosting. And don't forget one of the creators of Creative Cafe will be teaching at our store on November 30! Check our website for more details!

(I now have one card done and about 50 more to go!) :)

See you soon,

Susan

Holiday Gifts Ahead

Have you started to think about what you are going to make for Holiday gifts this year? Well we have! Come in a take a look at all the new Art Blacnche by EK Success. There are endless possibilities of things you can alter! Or how about coming in and taking one of our classes in November or December and give it as a gift to someone who you know would appreciate it! Everyone LOVES a handmade gift.

And if you are wondering what else is new at Windy City Scrapbooking we have gotten loads of new product in! Yummy new papers from the Color Me Silly Line by Luxe Designs that are doodling papers-these are going to be so much fun! The Figgy Pudding Collection from Basic Grey. Cosmo Cricket-Hey Sugar Collection -this is perfect to alter some of the new items from above. Have you seen the new Out & About Collection from My Mind's Eye??? Or how about Frost and Festive by My Mind's Eye as well. The long awaited Revolving Artist Trading Card Stand by 7Gypsies...plus many other new items from them as well. Doodlebug has the cutest sugar coated brads as well as glitter in tiny tiny bottles!

This weekend at Windy City Scrapbooking you will see a big change!!(Something really fun is coming and we can't wait for you to come to our "Happy Hours"!)

Hope to see you soon!

-Susan

Scrappin On Sundays

Can not believe that another week has begun...and Halloween is right around the corner.
The weather was BOOTIFUL and I did get out with my family to enjoy it.
Last week at Windy City, we had our first auction...and again, I just wanted to thank everyone who came out and we are already talking about doing it again.

What's my SOS for this week?
We keep getting new boxes in...everyday
Last week we received Queen and Company Felt Fusion ribbons, New Doodlebug, new Hambly Studios along with 33 new colors of Bazzill cardstock and they are all named after places that you travel too, like New York, London, I did not get a chance to see if there was a Chicago...I am sure that there is. Make sure that you stop by and look at the new colors.
I also think that new 7 Gypsies came in too.
This week coming up...I heard that the new Creative Cafe should be here by the end of this week. If you get a chance stop by and try out the make in take which is an introduction to Creative Cafe and also sign up for our Creative Cafe classes. Danelle Johnson, the founder of Art Warehouse and Creative Cafe will be gracing Windy City Scrapbooking on November 30th, 2007. She will be teaching 2 classes along with doing a Happy Hour too. Wanna learn more about her and all that she entails...visit her blog at http://www.everydaydanelle.typepad.com/
On her blog she even has a mention of being at Windy City as she kicks off her Creative Cafe Store Tour for the Chicago Area. Sign up ASAP...you will enjoy Danelle and her classes, I promise you.
On October 23rd, this Tuesday, it is DOUBLE POINTS DAY...that is right...instead of you getting one point for every dollar spent, you will get 2 points for every dollar spent...a great day to accumulate more points.
Make sure to check out our class schedule. We are getting into the beginning of gift giving season and we have some great classes that are geared toward that. We also have some great card making classes, in time for the holidays and also some basic classes coming up if you want to get one of your dear friends, coworkers, or fellow mommy friends into scrapbooking (there are 2 left this month and they are FREE)
This weekend there is a Happy Hour with Creative Cafe and also, the MEET UP group will be having a FREE CROP...you have to be part of the group to attend so make sure you do so and make sure you RSVP as well as space is limited.
On a personal note...I have just 3 days left to work at the store this week and on Thursday, I will be on my way to a relaxing weekend of scrapbooking with my scrapping group...Scrap On Sistah. I plan to relax and get alot done...with that being said, I must sign off now so I can go finish trying to pack.

TTFN
Alraynita

SOLD! To the highest bidder!

We wanted to thank everyone who participated in our first ever Auction! We had such a blast! Several people asked us when we were going to be doing it again! We want to give a shout out to "Auctioneer Dave" and tell him that he did an amazing job!!(And didn't he look cute in his new T-shirt?!). We would also like to thank Mary Kim of The Paper Doll House for donating a weekend at her scrap retreat

We have Windy City Scrapbooking T-shirts for sale. They are normally $20 but through the end of this month they are only $15. Why do you need on of these shirts??? 1.) They are so cool! 2.) We are going to have special "wear your T-shirt" days that you will not want to miss 3.) Everyone else has one, so why don't you? 4.) Scrapbook. You know you want to.

Thanks again for making the auction so much fun!

GOING ONCE, GOING TWICE....

SOLD!!!

These are the words many of you will here this Thursday October 18, 2007.
Windy City Scrapbooking will be hosting it's First Ever Auction...and we are so excited that you are excited.

How will it work?
Well, we asked that you, our customers, save your receipts for purchases made from 8/1/07 thru 9/31/07 and then you bring them in to turn in for auction bucks...and you will have those bucks, which is what we have been calling FUN MONEY to use towards scrapbooking supplies ranging from Quickutz fonts, cool tools and I have heard that there will be more than a few surprises. Feel free to stop by or call the store if you have any questions.

As you can see...we always have something Brewing @ Windy City Scrapbooking.

I will be working that evening and I am looking forward to the event along with seeing what has come in new.
I have been off a few days and I tell you...every day it is Christmas at Windy City...we have been getting in alot of new items from this summer's CHA...we are ready to get you ready for Halloween, take you thru Thanksgiving, right on to the Holiday Season and New Year's....and Winter CHA is right around the corner for more cool fun items to get you through the next year.

Since I was able to upload my photos last time, I will make sure to do so this Sunday coming up...or maybe I should just give you a little teaser so that you will come on in and see "WHAT'S BREWING"

Also...make sure to check out the website for our coupons that we have for this month of October
Do not miss out on some great deals that the coupons offer you
Check out http://www.windycityscrapbooking.com/ and just go to the coupon section...you will not be disappointed.

Hope to see you tomorrow
TTFN
Al

Buck Naked for Christmas!

Cosmo Cricket has done it again -- 2 beautiful Christmas/winter lines with their infamous line of "Buck Naked" chipboard pieces and dies cuts to match! Both are in-stock now as well as other new lines from My Mind's Eye, Heidi Grace, Autumn Leaves and more! Get a head start on your holiday cards, calendars, and scrapbooks before the season is upon us! Have a great day! I hope this blog entry could make you laugh! -Christina

WIN FREE STUFF

Not sure if I have told you about this before, but you NEED to check out maps2memories.com. It is a great Local Scrapbooking Store (LSS) Locator. If you travel or not, you MUST check it out to find stores whereever you live or wherever you are going! Local scrapbooking stores are the life pulse of the scrapbooking industry -- we are the people who watch what is going on, we help foster creativity, and we learn about and from our customers. We genuinely care about saving memories! It seems that there are more and more small guys closing their doors each day and we need your support to keep on being CREATIVE and passionate about what we do!!

OK -- off the soapbox and back to the subject at hand -- FREE STUFF!

Each week Maps2Memories sponsors a contest -- 2 prizes are give out each week. One way to win a prize is to send in a receipt from a Maps2Memories store, the other is to go on their website and play the "Mile Marker Contest"! The prizes vary each week, but the past couple of weeks, the prizes have been HUGE and we even know a winnner (check out their website to find out more). Here is the info I just received today about this week's prizes -- CHECK it out! -- Christina


OK-- These are AWESOME Prize Packages this week:

1. NEW Autumn line by Karen Foster Design,
2. NEW Harvest Row line by Heidi Grace,
3. Scrapbook Club Kit by Frances Meyer
4. Papers & Chipboard by K.I. Memories,
5. Embellishments by Creative Imaginations,
6. NEW Puffy Alphabet by American Traditional Designs,
7. Quik-Stik Glue by Therm-O-Web,
8. NEW Fall Keepsake Brads by Karen Foster Design,
9. Rub-ons & Soft Spokens by Me & My Big Ideas, and
10. NEW Alpha Raindots by Cloud 9, plus other assorted goodies!

Each Box is worth at least $70.00

So if you haven't yet entered our Mile Marker Quiz NOW IS THE TIME!!! (P-s-s-s-t: it's super easy-- the answer is on the website-- we even tell you where to look!!!) One entry per household per week, please.

OR

mail us a receipt from any Maps-2-Memories store. If we receive your receipt too late for this week's drawing, you are automatically entered in next week's drawing.

And don't forget to check out this week's project, adorable Birthday Crowns using Cloud 9 raindots-- (Click here). (And who says the crowns have to be JUST for kids?!?!)

Just get yourself entered in our contest. And keep telling your friends, and any LSS's who are not Maps-2-Memories stores. We're going to keep giving away FREE Stuff and rewarding you just for shopping our Independent Stores. Because if YOU don't patronize them, they're going to disappear...

Many THANKS to you all for helping us keep them alive!!!

P.S. And get working on your Key-2-Savings so you'll get a PERMANENT 5% DISCOUNT at ANY Maps-2-Memories store. What's NOT to love about that?!?Keep those Contest entries coming (But most importantly, SHOP YOUR INDEPENDENT SCRAPBOOK STORE!!! Their continued existence depends on YOU! http://www.maps2memories.com/

Making the Perfect Bough or Bow?

Ribbon is a staple in Papercrafting today. I use ribbon in layouts or as a delicate embellishment on cards. Making nice neat bows has always been a challenge. I find myself wasting more time trying to tie a perfect bow than actually creating. Finally a fool-proof solution and if I can do it, anyone can. I came across this in a magazine from the UK and had to try it. It really works and I am thrilled. So do you want to see how it works?





Instructions


(1) I made this little gadget out of scrap pine wood, dowels and my little Fiskars Hand Drill. It took me less than 5 minutes to put together. (I did need someone to hold the block while I drilled with my handy dandy drill)


(2) Take your ribbon (approx 6 inches in length) and place around the dowels.

(3) Cross over (as if you were tying a knot)

(4) Take end piece and pull under the ribbon (behind the dowels).

(5) Now take end piece and flip over the top

(6) Securely tie a knot

(7) Take ribbon off the dowels and Voila!! Here's the Final Product! Just trim the ends and your ready to make another. You're probably saying what I said earlier
"Now why didn't I think of this"


Hope you like the tutorial! Have a wonderful week!

TTFN
grace :)

What's Brewin' at Windy City

Are You Ready for Some Cardmaking?

Did you know Saturday, October 6th is World Card Making Day!

Windy City Scrapbooking is celebrating all day long with Make-N-Takes. The crop room will be open too . Yes you can make cards all day long!! Stop by and get some great ideas too! It's never too early to begin planning and preparing for the Holidays!

Hope to see you there.

TTFN (Ta Ta For Now)

grace :)

Scrappin on Sundays...Today

I am so sorry to be posting late...
I am to post on Sundays, this past Sunday, September 30th, I was not able to for I was celebrating my 6th wedding anniversary. It is hard to believe that my husband, Rick and I have been married for 6 years...which is a blessing to us.

Back to the show...

So this past weekend it was very busy for us...especially since we celebrated Scrap Pink Weekend with 3 days of cropping and shopping. We had a great make and take that was coordinated by Danielle, had croppers travel from Wisconsin, one of our croppers made beautiful cards that will be sent in along with her award winning layout...the whole weekend was AWESOME

Here are some pictures from this past weekend...Thanks to everyone for making this a great weekend. Do not forget that a percentage of sales will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Enjoy
TTFN
Al

I can't Wait till Saturday!!!

This Saturday Is
Celebrate World Card Making Day
At
Windy City Scrapbooking!!!

Saturday, October 6 is the second annual World Card Making Day, a holiday that celebrates the very personal connection a handmade card creates between friends and family, and kick-off the holiday card-making season––the most popular time for creating and sharing handmade cards.

In celebration, Windy City Scrapbooking is hosting an open crop (free). There will be free Make-n-Takes throughout the day to celebrate World Card Making.

Windy City Scrapbooking is excited to be a part of this worldwide event. Come on in and give it a try and see the various styles and techniques used in card making. Consider making some if not all of your holiday greeting cards. Your friends and family will feel special, having received a work of art created by you.

Help lift the spirits of children and their families by donating a hand made card to the Children’s Memorial Hospital.

“We hope to see familiar faces and meet new friends on Saturday, World Card Making Day, We open at 10:00 am until 6:00pm. The open crop is on a first-come, first-serve basis, so get their early. If you have any questions, just give us a call at 773-935-0585.

Hope your having a wonderful week - the weather is certainly cooperating!! Oh I almost forgot . . .

GO CUBS GO!

later gators,

grace