Scrappin On Sundays...

for the last time in 2007...here is your SOS

I hope every one's Holidays were good and most of all memorable...did you take a lot of photos? I know that I did and I even managed to get into some of the shots. Make sure that you are part of your photos...remember that your family wants to know about the person behind the camera as well.
Did you get what you wanted on your lists? Scrap-related or non scrap-related? I received non scrap related gifts mostly...except what I received from my Secret Santa's, which were great scrap related gifts.
We were really busy at Windy City Scrapbooking this past week, helping with picking out the perfect scrap gift and also helping creating holiday cards, calendars, and gifts.
This week, leading into 2008, make sure that you check out our website as our classes for January will be posted in which there are some new ones like Calendar Creating with Angie, a Baby Journal with Michaelene and a Love Wall Hanging with me. Also...the new coupons for the month will be posted by the New Year along with our crop schedule, make and take schedule and big event for the month of January...I hear that we are having a BAG SALE and it is going to be HUGE!!! Look out for upcoming details.

So I have been thinking of something special to do for the year 2008 and I went to the blog of Ali Edwards and I would like to share with you part of a post of hers that I would love for all of the Breeze Blog readers to join in on for 2008...


"One little word
A single word can be a powerful thing.
It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can be sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow.
Last fall in issue two of this newsletter I wrote about the power of words and gave my top ten tips for getting those words down when you are scrapbooking. Today I want to introduce you to the idea that a single word can be a catalyst for enriching your life as well as your scrapbook layouts.
Last year I began a tradition of choosing one word for myself each January - a word that I can focus on, mediate on, and reflect upon as I go about my daily life. Last year my word was something I wanted to bring into my life in a more tangible way. My word was play.
I thought a lot about play and what it means to me. I tried to incorporate it more into my everyday and on my adventures out in the crazy world. For me, it was a lot about living without fear - about being more open to experiences with an attitude of playfulness. The word play found its way onto many scrapbook pages and into many stories I told throughout the year.
Can you identify a single word that sums up what you want for yourself in 2007?
It can be something tangible or intangible. It could be a thought or a feeling or an emotion. It can be singular or plural. The key is to find something that has personal meaning for you. This is not your mother's word or your spouse's word or your child's word - this is YOUR word.
One little word can have big meaning in your life if you allow yourself to be open to the possibilities. And here's one thing that is totally interesting: sometimes a word will pop into your brain and it will not make any sense to you right now. Give it some time. Let it percolate a bit. I have often found that our hearts speak to us in very unique ways. Maybe this is a word you need to hear but just aren't ready for it yet. Again, be open to the possibilities.You may be wondering, what in the heck does this all have to do with scrapbooking? For me, words are at the heart of what I do. The photos are a huge part, but the words bring it all home. Often times I will begin a layout with a single word. That word becomes my guide as I create my page. It helps me focus the story I am trying to tell and gives me an instant, easy graphic title approach. How often has a word directed your creativity when working on layouts?"

So after reading this again and also being challenged to do this on another message board that I belong to, I thought it would be great to do with all of you. If you are a fan of Ali, as I am, she is gearing up for 2008 so this can be a way for all of us to share, encourage, and inspire.
So I would love to share with you my word for 2008........................COMMIT
On my personal blog, I will share more of this in the upcoming year so feel free to visit my blog.
In the meantime, to get us started, I would love for you to share your word for the upcoming year...you may post anonymously if you choose to do so or with your name...I would just like to see you post to know that you are out there and will join me on this year long challenge. This will be something else that I plan on doing with " SOS" in the upcoming year on top of other things that I have in store for you.

TTFN in 07
See ya in 08
Smooches
Alraynita
http://www.inspiring2be.blogspot.com/

Oh What Fun...

Happy Holidays to everyone! I hope things are starting to slow down for you all. We had a wonderful Christmas and I have to say it is so much fun to see Christmas through a 3 year old's eyes! What a wonderful world we live in! Oh what fun we have had the past few weeks.

I have been creating and creating and creating since I took the Canvas Class at Windy City. I can't stop! I am on a roll and I hope to keep in going in January! We have made so many presents for the holiday season we seem to be whipping them out pretty fast. My husband has been helping me to get all my projects done and whoa-he really is good!!!(I think he has a better eye for precision than I do-- but don't tell him I said that! :)) Here is a picture of one of the calendars we did! I had so much fun with the 8x8 size I am going to do 2 more before New Year's Day!(You heard it here-I am going to do 2 more by New Year's Day!) The stickers and calendar are from Boxer and it makes things so easy. Plus the size is great to give as a gift! You don't have to have to many pictures and I feel like for the smaller size the creativity flows quicker!

I am really going to be working hard in January to get my self organized in my scrap space! Watch for all the fun things happening at Windy City in January to help you get organized as well! We just got a ton of new merchandise in from Cropper Hopper to help you get organized. Do you have a picture of your scrap/craft space? If so post it and if we draw your name you could win some blog candy! Make sure you put your name on your post so we can contact you! Show me your space and how you have it organized! (I will post next week a picture of mine and you can see why it takes me forever to get anything done!)

On the storefront Windy City Scrapbooking will be closed on New Year's Day! And boy do we have big plans for 2008!

Have a Happy New Year and be safe!

--Susan

SCRAPPIN ON SUNDAYS...

Happy Holidays Everyone!!!!

Just two more days until Christmas and I am very excited.
All the hustle and bustle, to get that special gift,,for that special someone, on that special day.
We have been really busy at Windy City Scrapbooking for the past couple of days either by helping someone make the perfect holiday card or make the perfect scrapbook.

What is on some of your Christmas lists?

A Quickutz Revolution?
A Quickutz Silhouette?
A Mimi Rolling Tote?
Autumn Leaves Holiday Papers with matching embellishments?
An assortment of circle punches
New Luxe rub-ons? (Not to mention their new Valentine's Day papers are in...they are just too cute)

Our 12 Days of Christmas Sale will end tomorrow ( Christmas Eve ...last day) in which all of the above is on sale along with more savings throughout the store...if you are feeling overwhelmed and not sure what to buy for that special scrapper in your life, keep in mind that we do have gift certificates, in any denomination (makes a great stocking stuffer)

Please keep in mind and we will be closed on Christmas day. We will reopen the day after Christmas and will have our normal store hours.

From the Windy City Scrapbooking Team:

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU AND YOURS

I'm Going to the Hospital. . .

Hopefully, we’ve started a tradition. We went to the hospital! No wait! There was no emergency or accident. We went to deliver a collection of handmade cards to Children’s Memorial Hospital. This year the Windy City Meet Up Group had a Card Swap. As part of the Swap each person was asked to make one additional card that would go to Children’s. The holiday season can be very difficult for those who are in the hospital for extended periods of time. Hopefully our cards and toys can bring a smile and a little happiness to these children.

Here’s a picture of Zach and the Children’s Volunteer accepting the cards and toys. In our household any extra change goes directly to the coin jar. In December all the change gets counted (at the bank). Zach then has to shop and buy cool toys for the kids at the hospital. Today he delivered the toys he had bought. Later he told me “I kinda know how Santa.feels”

Thank you to all who participated. Your time and talent is greatly appreciated. :)

Merry Christmas to All!
grace

It Is Not To Late...

I promise it is not to late to make your Holiday cards! Windy City Scrapbooking has lots of materials for you to make handmade cards. Everyone LOVES to get a handmade card. It can be as simple as cardstock and a few stickers. Make it fun this year to send out cards-don't let it be a chore!!

Here are a few samples I made with leftovers from stuff I had as well as getting a few more things from W.C.S!(Of course I can always find something I want to buy!) :)

And then the ones that all similar are a kit from My Mind's Eye(so it looks like I really did a lot of work but I didn't! These are REALLY easy to do!) And we do even have cards that you purchase for the season and all you have to do is sign your name!

As we head into the weekend I hope to see you at the store. We have a fabulous sale going on right now! Check it out at http://www.windycityscrapbooking.com/. If you are out and about don't forget about the little guys this weekend-the independent stores. So many of us lots of unique items that you can't find elsewhere!!!

I am taking a class tomorrow at Windy City Scrapbooking and I hope to post my project completed. I am famous for not finishing my projects! But I did post some holiday cards I made with Evan right? That has to count for something!

And remember it is not late to make your cards-even if you start after the holiday's they can be Happy New Year's cards or you can just get a jump start on your cards for next year!

Happy shopping!!

-Susan

Gentlemen, We've Made Christmas Shopping A Snap!

On Thursday, December 13th from 6-9 p.m. Windy City Scrapbooking will have awesome personal shoppers to help make your Christmas shopping easy, productive and painless.

Ladies be sure to drop off your wish list. Items purchased from your wish list will receive a 20% discount on Thursday, December 13th. You still have Wednesday and Thursday to get your list together.

And Guys - guess what? We'll even wrap the gifts for you!! How easy is that?

But, if you want to go another route, on Thursday, December 13th gift certificates purchased will also have a bonus - for every $50 purchased in gift certificates, a bonus $5 get a gift certificate that is valid Jan. 2-Jan. 31st, 2008 will be issued!

We you wish you a Happy and Memorable

Holiday Season!

Be Sure to Check Out the 12 Days of Christmas Sales!

Scrappin On Sundays

Hello everyone

Hope you had a great weekend and looking forward to the week ahead...Here is you SOS for this week.

Happy anniversary to Dave and Christina...yes, it has been one year since our cherished Christina married her dashing Dave...we expect the couple back from their anniversary trip this week and you know that Christina will have layouts hanging in the store in the next few months of their anniversary trip to Mexico...can you guess which papers and embellishments she will use? She may keep us guessing and maybe post alittle challenge for us Windy City Blog readers one her day of blogging
There is also an anniversary for an area of Windy City Scrapbooking too...it is the anniversary of our organizational area makeover. This was done by O'Brien Systems this time last year and it was really crazy since it was scheduled to be done during the same time as Dave and Christina's wedding last year. It was a challenge but as you can see very successful...we will always remember the weekend of December 9th, 2006

So what is going on at Windy City...alot as aways:

First...We have classes...make sure you check out the website for our calendar...our classes make great holiday gifts
Second...T-Bucks are redeemable until December 16th, 2007. Remember those turkey bucks that you may have accumulated last month, they may be used now until the 16th
Third...We have Men's night, which is this Thursday, December 13th. Here you may have your significant other, family members, and friends come and shop from you Windy City Scrapbooking Wish List...yes, you may come in the store and create one or just give us a call. Also on Thursday, December 13th, our 12 Days of Christmas begins...Here are all of the deals and steals for the 12 Days of Christmas:

12 Days of Christmas Sale
12/13-12/24, 2007

The following sales will be going on in store for your holiday shopping delight from December 12th-24th, 2007.

All rub-ons 15% off!

All paper and stickers 20% off!

Mimi Totes-30% off and if you spend over $150 in Mimi Product (after discount) you get a free embellishment tote! All other organizational products are 20% off!

All punches 40% off!

All retired product (in the back hallway) 75% off!
Quickutz Silhouette is $299.99 (reg. price $369.99)(Special orders must be prepaid. No other discounts apply. )

And don't forget the Revolution is on sale for $79.99! (No other discounts apply. )

Supplies are limited and not valid with any other offer!

Wow...now those are some bargains and you have alot of time to save on your scrapbooking supplies either for yourself or to give to a fellow scrapper this holiday season


Shifting gears, I wanted to announce the winner of my blog candy contest last week. It was in reference to a photo that was taken of me and Danelle Johnson of Creative Cafe when she taught classes at our store last Friday November 30th. I had asked what was missing in the photo, something that I always have with me and it as a pen...I always, always , always have a pen or two in my hair. It is such a bad habit of mine that I even fall asleep with it in my head. Sylvia is the winner of last week blog candy contest and you may pick your prize anytime this week at the store...it will be behind the counter for you. In the upcoming year, I plan on having more SOS contests, so make sure you reply and you too may be a winner...it is that simple.

Keep in mind...for those of you who missed Danelle's classes last week...we still have kits available for purchase...feel free to contact us at the store for more information and yes...we will ship kits to you if need be.

I wanted to leave you with some parting photos...One is of our lovely holiday window that Melissa worked so hard on this month..I love the idea of the jars with the patterned paper and even gift wrapping the boxes and using patterend paper too...see how scrapbooking is not just for scrapbooking anymore, you may also decorate with it. Also, here is a photo of our creation table for this month...it will change out weekly this month so make sure to stop by and take a peak of how you may recreate some layouts, cards, etc. for yourself or someone else this holiday season. Gather Inspiration from our Creation Table.

Do not forget to check out our website for more information on any of the above that I mention plus alot more information is there...psst...especially look at the coupon section...just print it out and bring it in to redeem what is on there...I even hear there is a special BONUS coupon from us that will help inspire you in 2008 on our coupon page.

This has been your SOS for this week


TTFN
Alraynita
http://www.inspiring2be.blogspot.com/

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas. . .

On Sunday, December 2nd Windycity Scrapbooking had its Holiday Card Swap! Talk about creativity - they were truly beautiful!!! Each person received five different cards back and the sixth card is currently on display at the store. In about 10 days these cards will be delivered to Children's Memorial Hospital for the families of children currently being treated.

Don't worry if you missed the card swap, I think there is a rumor started that a quarterly themed swap is on the horizon.
Thank you to all who participated. There were a couple of participants who had never before made cards - this was their maiden voyage. They could of fooled me - their cards were incredible!! Thank you again and here are a couple of pictures of the participants and their works of art.

Merry Christmas!
grace

Scrappin On Sundays...

Wow...what a week, weekend and week ahead for Windy City Scrapbooking

We are still recovering from the after Thanksgiving sale...thank you again for coming out and shopping which will help us make room for the new.
Speaking of new...we have alot of new items in this week. I had the joy of putting out the new Autumn Leaves Christmas line...with patterned papers, glitter papers, die cut papers, felt ribbons, buttons and other embellishments, I would have to say that this is one of my favorites. New Fancy Pants chipboard shapes, felt shapes, transparencies and clear stamps came in. New Quickutz shapes came in and much more...too much to mention.
We had the honor of hosting Danelle Johnson of Creative Cafe on Friday. She was gracious to teach 2 AWESOME classes and also a Happy Hour. The classes were really something. I was not able to take the classes since I was working but I got a glimpse of what the ladies made and I am so glad that we do have kits from both classes available for purchase, as I will be getting one of both. Danelle is really a great instructor and I will make sure to take her classes next time she comes to Windy City Scrapbooking to teach. Christina had the pleasure of taking both classes and Susan and Jen took one while Sesil and Melissa took another one.
A great time was had by all that took the class. The Creative Cafe concept is really a great one and if you haven't taken the time to come in and see it in person...here is a little glimpse along with more photos from the night.






So Christmas is around the corner...I can not believe that it is already December. This week in the store, we have alot of classes going on...everything from Basics to Stitchery, we have a Mommy and Me class of Ornament making along with an Invitations and more class and other Holiday Gift giving ideas. We also have Happy Hours going on this week that will consist of the Creative Cafe concept and again...we will have kits available at the store for Danelle's class that she taught this past weekend if you were not able to attend...just contact us at the store for more details (we ship anywhere in the United States too.)

I heard that the Memory Mixer is on sale where you can by Version 2 and get Version 1 for free and we also still have Quickutz Revolutions on sale too...these two sales will last until 12/24/07 or while supplies last.
I also heard that the coupons for this month are great...make sure to check them out on our website www.windycityscrapbooking.com and be on the lookout for our 12 days of Christmas along with our Men's Night this month.

Whew! I hope I got it all...
This is your SOS for this week and I leave with some more photos to share of our classes with Danelle...my favorite is the one with me and her.
Speaking of that photo...I have a blog candy contest...based on that photo of me with her, can you tell the one thing that I always have with me or on me that I do not have in the photo...answer by 12/7/07 right here and I will notify the winner.










TTFN
Alraynita
www.inspiring2be.blogspot.com