Scrappin On Sundays

Hello everyone...

I know that it has been a very long time since I have posted our "Scrappin On Sundays" ...glad to be back...
I hope that everyone has had a great Holiday Season and just like me...looking forward to a Happy New Year.

We have a few sales going on that we hope...will be of great interest

Our DON'T MAKE US COUNT IT SALE started today...this is to help us out with inventory (which we dread doing next month)
With this sale...Papers and stickers are 25% off and our retired section is 80% off and we have been adding more to the retired section to make room for new merchandise

Speaking of new...we just put out the new Basic Grey "Bittersweet"...papers and embellishments and new Heidi Grace "Valentine's Day" papers and embellishments....so we are getting ready for your Valentine's Day crafting needs

For classes...we have Basics this Tuesday night and that will be it for classes for this year.
Make sure to look out for our new calendar and Breeze which should be available by the end of next week

Our...DO NOT MAKE US COUNT IT SALE ends on January 12, 2009...so make sure to stop in and see us.

Happy New Year to you all

TTFN
Alraynita

Full Circle Friday

Before I begin my last Full Circle Friday of the year, I have a big announcement for the store...

Gift Certificate Redemption Days*

December 26th & 27th, 2008

If you were lucky enough to receive a holiday gift certificate or have a certificate you haven't redeemed yet, come shop on December 26th or 27th and receive 30% off your entire purchase when redeeming a gift certificate! More special gift certificate redemption days will follow in 2009! Watch our website for more information!

*Does not apply to gift certificates purchased after 12/24/08.

I started a little annual project last year for the grandparents. Every year I make a 2-page layout for each month featuring my two little beauties. This year I did it all 100% digital but this project could easily be completed traditionally with papers and tactile embellishments. Even if you do no other scrapbooking throughout the year, you can complete this project for your own family in as little as a week. Here is the process:

Step 1 (1-2 days) - Develop 2-4 different templates using anywhere from 8-15 photos each. My 3 templates each have a different number of photos to accommodate months with lots of photos and months with not so many photos.

Step 2 (1-2 days) - Gather your photos. Edit them, print them and organize them into the months.

Step 3 (1 day) - Gather your supplies. To make it easy, chose one set of papers from a manufacturer and the matching embellishements. Make sure to get an album too.

Step 4 (4-5 days) - Assemble, assemble. Put those layouts together and put them in a book.

For my 2008 book, here are my three templates:

Okay, now for the final outcome:

You can do it! You can record your memories for an entire year! Ask our staff if you have any further questions on how to get started. Good luck!

More BIG Sales!

Yesterday started two new HUGE sales!

From now until December 24, 2008 you get

40% off every mini-album!

Acrylic, chipboard, bound with binder rings or metal coils... they are all on sale.

Making a mini album for a loved one is a great holiday gift and you can finish one quickly.

Don't know what qualifies as a mini-album? Just ask our staff.

Calling all QuicKutz QT Members:

BOGO SALE

Buy one 2x2 or 4x4 shape with your regular 30% discount, get the second shape FREE!*

This sale is for QuicKutz QT Members only.

You can join the QT's at any time, call the store for more details.

*BOGO sale is for regular priced, in-stock merchandise only. Not valid on prior orders or holds, clearance, Cookie Cutters, alphabets, 12" borders, November 2008 release shapes, or December 2008 release shapes. Consult store for further details.

Full Circle Friday - Well, sort of

We are going to take a break from the sketch this week. I am working on a ton of gifts right now and thought I would share a couple. This week I created a bucket for my girls to hold all their hundreds of little plastic animals. The collection is outgrowing the little tupperware where they are currently stored. This concept can be adapted to hold small toys of all kinds... cars, princess, Barbie accessories, crayons & markers, etc. The ideas don't stop at children. Use the bucket to hold a spa set for a friend or teenager, a family-movie-night kit for a neighbor, or just use it as fun gift wrapping!

Supplies:

• Metal bucket by EK
• Patterned Paper by Basic Grey
• Stickers by American Crafts and Basic Grey
• Rub Ons by Creative Imaginations
• Ribbons by Maya Road and unknown
• Super Tape by ThermOWeb

(Did you know W.C.S. sells this particular white bucket and other plain paint cans? They come in gallon, quart, and pint sizes.)

The first thing I did was measure the diameter of the lid and cut out a circle to adhere to the top. Then I cut paper strips to go on the sides of the bucket. My bucket took 2-12 inch long strips to go all the way around. In the end, however, I only used 3 sheets of patterned paper! When adhering the paper to the metal I recommend using ThermOWeb's Super Tape and place it completely around the edges of the paper. It is strong enough to keep the paper in place despite some wear and tear. After the paper is on, embellish with stickers, rub ons, Stickles, or whatever you would like.

My animal toy bucket took only about 30 minutes start to finish. It was a great quick and easy gift with a big impact. I know my little girls will love toting it around the house. With busy schedules and a shrinking time frame, quick and easy is the way to go!

Full Circle Friday

This week I pose the question “Why can’t your photo act as the background of the layout?” Our sketch this week is one photo that covers an entire 8.5x11 page. With so many companies now printing enlargements and so many personal photo printers out there it is easy to blow up that favorite photo and use it as the background of a page. This technique is not limited to 8.5x11. Try this on a 12x12, 8x8, or 6x6 layout. The trick here is not to cover up the focus of your photograph. Place the title, journaling, and accents in the photo’s white space, or in other terms, the background part of your photo.

I turned my photo black & white (well most of it anyway… more on that later) so I chose paper and embellishments that went with the mood I was going for. Journaling on your photo is easy with the American Crafts Slick Writer. That pen will write on any slick surface… plastic, glass, etc. Completely underrated embellishments, in my opinion, are the 7 Gypsies Grafter Tapes. They are just like sticker borders but made of fabric and are self adhesive. They add great texture to your pages. Instead of cutting off a piece of the grafter tape, I also rip it off to get the nice raw edge. I recommend giving the grafter tapes another look!

Supplies (mostly from my stash):
Pink Paisley patterned paper
7 Gypsies grafter tape and twill sticker
Scenic Route chipboard letters
Heidi Swapp ghost snowflakes
American Crafts Slick Writer pen
ThermOWeb Zots
Scrap paper

In case you were wondering how I got my daughter in color and the rest of the photo is in black and white, the technique is not as hard as you think. Sesil and I would be happy to show you how to accomplish that in our Get Digi class at Windy City Scrapbooking. No, I am not going to tell now… I am not going to spoil all the class surprises!

Yes Virginia, It is One Big Sale!

Just announced from W.C.S.! Today starts the first of a series of December 2008 sales. The first event is great for holiday cards, gifts, or just holiday scrapbook pages:

Holiday Sale*!!!!

December 4th - 13th

Purchase $20 of Holiday Products (Christmas or Hanukkah), get 10 sheets of regular 12x12 Bazzill (reg. price $.55) FREE!

Did I mention the brand new October Afternoon has a Christmas collection?

QuicKutz Silhouette December Special!**

Through December 23rd, 2008 only!

$199.99

(regular price $369.99)

We only have a few at this price, so shop early!

By the way, today is a DOUBLE POINTS day.

For every dollar you spend pre-tax you get two points instead of one. Collect 250 points for a 20% Off coupon. Collect 1000 points to become a member of our VIP Club!

*Promotions valid on non-sale IN-STOCK merchandise only. Not valid on previous purchases, sale prices, or special orders. No rain checks. Quantities are limited. Other restrictions apply! Not vaild with Bazzill Bling, scalloped, or other specialty cardstock.

**Promotions valid on non-sale IN-STOCK merchandise only. Not valid on previous purchases, sale prices, or special orders. No rain checks. Quantities are limited. Other restrictions apply.

Scrappin On Sundays

on a Monday...

Happy Holidays everyone...

So we are officially in the Holiday Season and I am really excited about all that is in store.
I had to take some time off this week and I was pleasantly surprised when I walked into Windy City to see all of the new items that had come in...
Where shall I begin...

OCTOBER AFTERNOON...
This was a favorite of mine at CHA this past summer and I am proud to say that we have it...we have the Night Light, Weathervane and Good Cheer collections and the collections consist of double sided papers, acrylic stamps, stickers and rub-ons.

TERESA COLLINS...
Her new line has come in for those wanting to get a jump start on Valentine's Day or for those of you who are like me, just like to collect new product (LOL)...there are new double sided papers, stamps and transparency papers

CHATTERBOX...
We have new filigree papers in from Chatterbox and it is really cute...reminds me of the KI Memories Lace Papers just in different colors and patterns.

Make sure to stop in and see all that is NEW.

Classes are as follows for this week:
I will be teaching Basics on Tuesday night(Dec. 2nd), and also my Create L.O.V.E. class on Sunday(Dec. 7th).
Sesil has her Digi clas on Thursday(Dec. 4th) and Angie will be teaching her Altered Envelopes class on Saturday(Dec. 6th)...just give us a call to reserve your spot.

For all of you Quickutz Lovers...
The Silhouette Digital Craft Cutter is going to be on promotion for $199.99 originally priced at $369.99.
The Revolution is still on promotion for $39.99 originally priced at $149.99
One of these or both would make a great gift for someone or for yourself.

We are also having our Holiday Card Swap on Sunday, December 7th at 3:30pm...if you are interested, just give us a call to sign up...the swap is FREE and all you have to do is create 6 holiday cards(total) to swap out with the group...there is still space available.

Do not forget...even though we do not have any crops for this month, you are still able to come and use the crop room...just make sure to check our calendar on our website for classroom availability...as long as there is not a class then you are able to come in and use our classroom.

Let us know if we may assist you in anyway this holiday season

TTFN
Alraynita
Windy City Scrapbooking Team Member

Full Circle Friday

I hope you all had a fun and safe Thanksgiving!

Windy City Scrapbooking was busy, busy this morning. However we still have a couple QuicKutz Silhouettes at the special sale price of $149.99 (regularly $369.99). This price is good for TODAY ONLY (Friday, November 28, 2008)! We are also offering 20% off your entire purchase for the rest of the day. And we have some of our albums on sale for just $12, again today only. Hurry if you have your eye on something special for yourself or a loved one!

Our sketch today is a display of 4-4x6 photos, one is trimmed down to 4x2. The title is split in half and runs across the top of the photos and then continues down the side. The split title is unified with an accent.

For my layout I decided to go festive and work with photos from last year's Lincoln Park Zoo's ZooLights. I took a minimalist approach and used only 1 piece of older paper by Scenic Route, glitter letter stickers by Me & My Big Ideas, a chipboard star by Heidi Swapp, stamps by Luxe and Maya Road, and finally the Uniball White pen.

I don't pull out my stamps for scrapbooking enough. I use them a lot for cards and other smaller projects but they are great for layouts too! I used the fun Luxe border stamps with a bright silver ink to outline my photo box. To make sure I didn't stamp on my photos I put down a piece of scrap paper that covered the photos and stamped away.

There are a great line up of stamping techniques that can be used on scrapbooking pages. To learn more about your stamping options take Acrylic Stamp Challenge at Windy City. In that class you will make 4 cards and 1 12x12 layout using different stamping techniques. There are dates coming up in 2009; check the website for more details.

Happy Thanksgiving..

We are wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving from the Windy City Scrapbooking Family. Just a reminder about our Day After Thanksgiving Sale. Check out the great deals...

Day After Thanksgiving!!!

We have lots in store for November 28th -- we open at 8 a.m. to get you the best in scrapbooking Chicago has to offer!!!

Early Bird specials:

8 a.m. - 9 a.m.: receive 40% off*!

9 a.m. - 10 a.m.: receive 30% off*!

10 a.m. - 11 a.m.: receive 25% off*!

11 a.m. - 7 p.m.: receive 20% off*!

Store Specials (throughout the day):

(No holds honored prior to the sale)

Albums: Select Albums $12

QuicKutz: All 4x4 (Revolution) Shapes

excluding September and November releases, and

Goosebumpz:SingleKutz: $5.99

DoubleKutz: $10.99

QuicKutz Revolution Tool Promo:$39.99

(regular price $149.99) while supplies last!

QuicKutz Silhouette$149.99

(regular price $369.99)

We only have a few at this price, so shop early!

*Discounts on non-sale IN-STOCK merchandise only. Not valid on previous purchases, sale prices, or special orders. No rain checks. Quantities are limited. No holds prior to Friday.ALL EARLY BIRD PURCHASES MUST BE COMPLETED BY 1 P.M. Other restrictions apply.

See you bright and early Friday morning. I will be eating a ton and getting some rest to help everyone out on Friday. Enjoy your turkey day.

:)Sesil

Tuesday Tips

Oh my! Thanksgiving is next week. Therefore, I wanted to find something to document all the things that I am thankful for this year. As Al mentioned there are some great classes online to help me with this idea.

Melodee Langworthy:
Melodee Langworthy is such a great inspiration on how to use the stamps that we have and how to incorporate them into our projects. She is also doing videos on how to complete the album. LOVE HER. I am working on mine right now it's not to late to start. Here is the link.
http://melodeelangworthy.typepad.com/candid_thoughts_/free_grateful_blog_class/

Teresa Collins:
Another thankful class is by Teresa Collins. Love the way she shows you some great ideas on how to use her product line. She has all the directions and wonderful pictures to make her Thankful album. Here is the link.
http://www.teresacollinsdesigns.com/t-copyright.aspx

As you may know, both of these classes were inspired by our very own Susan Dallas. Both Melodee and Teresa are good friends with us at Windy City Scrapbooking and we love what they have created. I would love to see some of the albums that you create from taking these classes. Please send pictures to classes@windycityscrapbooking.com and I would like to post what you have created on our blog.

So from our family to yours have a great Thanksgiving. I will see you in two weeks. I have to get my house presentable for Thanksgiving...so enjoy. I will have some great videos to share in December. Get ready for the holiday season it is just around the corner.
:)Sesil

Scrapping on Sundays...

Here is your SOS for this Sunday, November 16th, 2008

I want to start off by sending big "THANK YOUS" to everyone who stopped by this past Saturday for our Customer Appreciation Day. Customers enjoyed mini massages, mini makeovers, mini cupcakes and even had a visit from my 'mini mes' (Alex and Allegra were with me as I stopped in) along with sales, and an all around great time. This was one of the last events that our beloved Susan took the time to plan and I think she would have been very happy with how things turned out...her spirit was definitely there and always will be.
Please continue to keep her family and friends in your prayers...


Here are our classes for this week

Holiday Tags on Monday at 6pm with Jen
Beyond the Basics on Tuesday at 6:30pm with me
Basics on Thursday at 12pm with Sesil
Birthday Rolodex at 6:45pm with Michaelene
Invitations and more on Friday at 6pm with Sesil
Home Mini Book next Sunday at 12pm with Jen
Holiday Planner next Sunday at 2:30pm with me
You may call us to reserve your spots in class or stop in to register
Our December calendar of classes will be posted very soon on our website

Speaking of classes, I wanted to share with you a Gratitude album blog class that Melodee Langworthy is hosting on her blog...the album was inspired by Susan...you may go to her blog site at http://www.melodeelangworthy.typepad.com/
Teresa Collins has also posted on her blog directions to her Gratitude album that was inspired by Susan as well(you have to scroll down to the November 6th & 7th post) http://teresacollins.typepad.com/
Both of these directions are FREE...I do plan on doing both and I would love for to share what you made once you get the directions.
Supplies for both projects are available at Windy City Scrapbooking

This Saturday, November 22nd will be the last crop of the year at Windy City. It is an ALL DAY crop for $35 and we will provide lunch and dinner along with giveaways and raffles...not sure if all the spots are taken so make sure to call us if you want a spot.

Turkey Bucks started today at Windy City Scrapbooking. For every $25 (pre-tax) you spend, you will earn a turkey buck that can be used on a future purchase and do not forget, you will also be earning your loyalty points from your purchases from now until the end of the year.

Wacky Wednesday for this week is 40% off all of LUXE acrylic stamps...I can not wait for this as I have had my eye on a couple of them

We are also having a HUGE SALE on Quickutz dies whereas alot of our 2x2 and 4x4 dies are 40% off and so are some of the alphabets...the Revolution is also still on promotion for 39.99 so make sure to stop in or give us a call for all of your Quickutz needs

Do not forget to check out our website at http://windycityscrapbooking.com/ and do not hesitate to call us if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.

As we approach the Holiday Season, do not forget that Windy City Scrapbooking has alot to offer to meet your holiday needs...from card making and gift giving, we have it. You may stop in and create a WISH LIST for a loved one to come in and shop for you or you may come in and shop off of a loved one's WISH LIST...and we are more than willing to assist you.
Keep in mind that we also have gift certificates available as well

TTFN
Alraynita

Full Circle Friday

Well I am back from my recent travels and adjusted back to normal life again. Though it can be a big effort I do try to make scrapbooking part of my normal everyday life. A recent way I have been making that happen is scrapbooking with my 4-yo daughter. She is very interested in scrapbooking! After our Disney vacation I got her an 8x8 scrapbook of her own to work on. She chose her own papers, some stickers, chipboard and other embellishments. Because she is only 4, I do help her trim photos and apply the adhesive but the page design and product selection I leave up to her. Even if I make some suggestions, she makes the final decision. It is so cool to see her take ownership for this project and care so much about it. So onto my proud mommy bragging, here are a few of Ella's Disney scrapbook pages:

This holiday season try making some gifts with your children... a card for their teacher, a mini album for the grandparents, a frame for dad's desk. There are many great ways to include the kids and they will have a great time too! If you are having trouble coming up with kid-friendly ideas, just ask the staff at Windy City Scrapbooking to point you in the right direction.

Ok, now onto the sketch! The November guest designer sketch didn't happen last week but there is no reason to waste a perfectly good sketch. Plus I had to stick to my challenge of starting my Disney photos. This one is a 2-page layout, 8.5 x 11. There is one focal photo and journaling on the first page and then a series of smaller photos on the second page. You will see I chose to change some of those smaller photos to blank space and embellishments.

Because my photos were pretty busy and intense, I went with a plain white cardstock background with a few bursts of color. I love the new flocked dot paper from Doodlebug and they were perfect for my design. The flocked alphabet stickers are also by Doodlebug (they come in glitter too!). The EK Disney themed embellishments are perfect for our vacation memories as the characters were the main focus of our trip. The new Technique Tuesday stamps designed by Ali Edwards are really fun and versatile, I just had to find a way to use them on my layout. The last embellishment I used was a sticker we collected from the Magic Kingdom while waiting in a line. They give away a ton of stickers there. Some the kids plastered on their shirts but I was able to hide a couple for the scrapbook.

Using memorabilia from a vacation is a great way to add a personal touch to your pages. Every vacation I take I designate a plastic bag as the "paper bag". I pick up brochures, ticket stubs, receipts, etc throughout and put them in the paper bag for safe keeping. When back home I pull out the bag while I scrapbook to incorporate the goodies into my pages. Try the paper bag on your next trip!

If you recently took or are planning a trip to Disney be sure to check out Angie's new class "Doing Disney". In the class you will complete a 2-page layout featuring Disney themed pattern paper and stickers. The class will also discuss an organizing principle for scrapbooking an entire trip to Disney World. This class is coming in January and is not to be missed by Disney vacationers!

Tuesday Tip *Tim Holtz Masks*

Hey bloggers, I am not sure if you have seen this video from Tim Hotlz on how to use his new masks. We have them at the store so come by and try these great techniques yourself. Enjoy the video.



See you on Saturday for Customer Appreciation Day.

Scrapping On Sundays

Hello Everyone...

I know it has been a long time since I have done Scrapping On Sundays...so good to be back.

I first want to personally thank each and everyone of our blog readers for all of the prayers, hugs, and love that you have sent our way here at Windy City Scrapbooking....it has been difficult for us, and just knowing that we have such a good support system from all of you makes it a little easier and for that...I thank you. Susan touched all of our lives in a very special way, and she will never be forgotten...I am not saying goodbye to her as I will continue to talk to her everyday as I have always done since I have known her...we will see each other again...




Things have been busy at Windy City as always...
For classes this week, Melissa is doing her Acrylic Stamp Challenge... For those of you who are looking to do more and learn more about acrylic stamps... Here is your chance!
I will be teaching Basics this week so if you know anyone who is looking to get into scrapbooking, have them give us a call to sign up themselves up... Keep in mind, our Basic classes are FREE.
Sesil will be teaching her Get Digi class (featuring Adobe Photoshop CS)... so for all of you who wanted to start to learn more about Digital Scrapbooking... Call and sign up for this class!!! If you are using Adobe Photoshop Elements, Melissa's version of Get Digi will be offered again soon. We will have Crop Night this Friday and there is still space available... Jen and I will be your hostesses for the evening.

On Saturday, November 15th, Windy City Scrapbooking will be hosting a "CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY" and will be celebrating YOU... our CUSTOMERS. The day will be filled with projects, make and takes, massages, makeovers and much more. Make sure you check our blog and our website as we will post more about the event in the days to come and also check out http://www.cropscene.com/ for more information.

As far as new product that has arrived at our store... Let me see...
We have the new ALI EDWARDS acrylic stamps that were posted on her blog a few weeks ago...
We also have the 7 Gypsies new monogram self inking stampers, new acrylic stamps and more ATC goodies. We have Creative Imaginations Lego papers and embellishments, Crate Paper Prudence and Lemon Grass collections... both are great for doing fall pages. Chatterbox has surprised us with their new "Together" collection which has cute papers, embellishments and storage boxes that are flocked with flourishes. Speaking of flocked... Doodlebug came out with flocked polka dotted paper called La-Di-Dot papers in a wide range of colors.
We also received the Tim Holtz Distressed Stickles...which happened to be one of my favorite new items from the past week.

Now you know...I do not have photos so make sure to stop and see the new items as things always look better in person. Also when you stop in, if you have any stories that you would like to share of your Susan encounters with her son, Evan, take the time to write them down in our special memorial area. We will be putting a scrapbook together for her son Evan of all of our memories of her


Have a great week everone
TTFN
Alraynita

A request from the family of Susan Dallas...

Susan touched many lives during her time. As a request from her family we were wanting to gather all the funny and touching stories you have of Susan. We will be putting together a scrapbook of all the stories and it will be given to Evan, so he will be able to know how funny, caring and a wonderful friend Susan was to each and every one of us. Just post a comment to this entry or if you would like to write something in your own handwriting just drop it by the store.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society. Alternatively, funds may be donated in support of Susan’s young son, Evan Dallas. Checks can be made payable to Evan Dallas and dropped off at the store or mailed to the store. If you are local, and plan on attending the memorial service a request is to bring can goods to help out with the church's Thanksgiving Basket/Project Share.

Thank you again for all the loving support. Keep Susan's family in your thoughts and prayers.

Our beloved friend Susan

It is with great sadness and many tears that I post this message on our blog. Our good friend and store manager, Susan, has passed away. For all of you that know her, she was the best mother, the best wife, and the best friend you could ever have. She was the most genuine person you could ever come across -- she told it like it is and she took great care of everyone she cared about! She affected people with her beautiful smile and her great laugh. And boy could she get herself into a pickle -- you've read about some of those here on the blog (and how her face would turn bright red!!!). We are going to miss Susan to no end here at WCS. Please take a moment to leave a message for her family here on the blog and we will forward them to her family for you.

There will be a memorial gathering to share the wonderful life of Susan this Friday, November 7th from 6 to 9 p.m. with a short service during the evening at North Suburban Evangelical Free Church (northsub.com).Please feel free to come to the memorial gathering anytime between 6 to 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association in the memory of Susan Dallas.

Please keep Susan's family in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you! We love you, Susan!

Full Circle Friday

Boo To You! Happy Halloween! Of course I had to do a Halloween page today but I did something different this week... I created my entire layout digitally! Digital is a fun way to change up your scrapbooking style. Digital scrapbooking includes everything from adding text to a photo, to creating photo blocks, to creating an entire album. There is a lot of flexibility and you don't have to give up the traditional paper, stickers, rubons, etc. There is a creative, fun balance between digital and traditional scrapbooking.

If you are interested in learning more about digital scrapbooking, Windy City Scrapbooking now offers digital scrapbooking classes. Sesil teaches our "Get Digi" class with Adobe Photoshop Creative Suite 3 and I teach the same class with Adobe Photoshop Elements 6. Right now we offer this intro-to-digital class; in the next several months we may consider a more advanced class. Check out our website and class calendar for more details!

This week's sketch has a 5x7 focal photo and 2 smaller accent photos. The cool thing about sketches is that they are adaptable. I decided to flip the entire sketch vertically so it was facing a different direction.

Most of the supplies are from Designer Digitals, a great digital scrapbooking website run by Katie Pertiet. She also graciously donated all the digital elements we use in our Get Digi class at WCS. (I created the orange cardstock background myself.)

Don't Forget!

We are having another Guest Designer Sketch for next week. Use the sketch in this link to inspire a layout (the sketch at the bottom of the post). Email a scan or clear photo of your completed layout, 500K or less, to classes@windycityscrapbooking.com by Wednesday, November 5th. All entries will be posted on next week's Full Circle Friday. Blog candy will be given away too!

Tuesday Tip * Heat Embossing*

Here is the video for this week. Have a great Halloween. Enjoy.
If you would like to see the video in high quality click here. HIGH QUALITY VIDEO




See you next week.
:)Sesil

Coupon Mania!!!

Hey guys! I wanted to give you a heads up on an awesome coupon we have going on right now!
You must go to our website http://www.windycityscrapbooking.com/Coupon.htm and print it out!

The reason I am telling you about it is because this is a great time to get a leg up on your holiday cards!!! All glitter, foil, and glazed papers are $1!!!!
Stock up on all glitter, foil, and glazed papers with a regular price over $.99. Coupon valid on in-stock merchandise only and MUST BE PRESENTED at the time of sale. While supplies last, Other restrictions apply.

That includes the glitter papers from Doodlebug! All the new Best Creations we got in-wedding,sports, holidays! And all the Heidi Grace papers that are glazed! There are LOTS of these papers through out the store!

Don't know where they are--ASK! We will help you find them!

This coupon is only good until October 31st, 2008 until 5:00 p.m.--Don't wait, RUN to Windy City and stock up on these fun papers!!

Scrappin on Sunday

Here is your SOS for this week!!

Tomorrow, October 27th is our last Manic Monday of the Month-- To complement your Halloween pages (or just to add some orange to a page) all* Simply Luxe ORANGE papers, Simply Luxe ORANGE alphabet stickers, and Simply Luxe ORANGE Jotters are 31% off!*In-stock, regular priced items only. Other restrictions apply

Tuesday, October 28th is T-SHIRT day--Wear your Windy City Scrapbooking you can choose one Halloween product and get 50% off that product!!

Thursday, October 30th is Stitchery with Angie and I think she has one more spot open!Call the store to reserve your spot now!

Friday is Halloween and we will be closing at 5:00 p.m. so we can all go trick or treating too!

Saturday we Melissa has two great classes she will be teaching- Get Digi and also Mom's Reminder book! Check out our website to learn more about these awesome classes!

We have lots of NEW product in! One of the items we know some of you have been waiting on is The Slice--well, we have it in stock! We also have all the extras to go along with it!


So this has been your SOS for the week and we hope to see you this week!
(in case you have not figured it out--I am stepping in for Alraynita!)
--Susan

Full Circle Friday

Hello! This week's sketch is a 2-page layout focusing on 1-5x7 photo with several smaller accent photos. This week I am completely going against tradition. Where are the rules that say you have to use certain colors and themes for events. I wasn't in the mood to scrap my pumpkin patch photos with the traditional orange, green, and browns. I found an old piece of Basic Grey Perhaps patterned paper on my desk and I challenged myself to use it. The colors reminded me of fall even if they are muted. I set to work and found several embellishments to work with my muted theme.

Supplies:

Scenic Route background texture patterned paper

My Mind's Eye chipboard sticker, rub ons

Maya Road sequin ribbon

Basic Grey patterned paper, Perhaps collection

Micron pen

I added a couple of horizontal elements to the top and bottom of the photos to emphasize the horizontal flow of the design. The journaling is toward the top of the design, which is different from my norm.

Tag, You're It!!!

Time for another Guest Designer Challenge! This one is due Wednesday, November 5th. Please send a scan or a clear photograph 500K or less and a supply list to classes@windycityscrapbooking.com. Again we will post all entries as long as they follow the requirements. Blog candy will be awarded too!
The sketch is for a 2-page 8.5 x 11 layout but you could easily change it to a 12x12 spread. Turn grid of elements/photos to 3x3 and change the focal photo to 8x10. That brings me to my next point... not all the rectangles on page 2 need to be photos. They can also be patterned paper, journaling, or whatever! You're creative, you'll figure out what is best!

To give credit where credit is due, I got this design from Ali Edwards. She posted some pages from a recent album on her blog and I was instantly drawn to them. She is fantastic!

Tuesday Tip Next week...

Sorry Ladies... Trying to fight a migraine. I have not had a chance to edit the video. It will be a quick card with heat embossing. So see you next week. :)sesil

Full Circle Friday

Hello and welcome to our first guest designer challenge! I have some fantastic layouts to show you inspired by this sketch (shown in order of submission):

"Perfect" by Cheryl H.

Papers and chipboard alpha letters from the KI memories travel clipboard kit
Making memories tiny alphabet
Office supplied cool columns ivory by imagination project
Stick pin
brads
SNU twine

"Pretty Young Thang" by Sylvia S.

Background - a recycled postal service priority box
Patterned Paper - Heidi Swapp
Letters - Thickers - vinyl
Butterflies - Making Memories
"Love" Journaling Block - Maya Road
Flourish - Made using The Crafters Workshop stencil, Stickles and recycled transparency from an acrylic stamp set.

Journaling reads: "I'm beginning to see less of my precocious little girl and more of a young lady".

"Apple Picking" by Alexandra M.

Supplies:
solid cardstock: Bazzill
stickers:Basic Grey's Beat It
red flocked paper and crushed velvet red brad: Doodlebug Design
acrylic stamp: Autumn Leaves
inkpad:Versa Magic ( Jumbo Java)
title:Quickutz Chemistry.
3 red brads:American Crafts

"Nemesis" by Christina V.

"My Angel" by Melissa B.

Bazzill Bling Cardstock
Basic Grey Patterned Papers, Rub Ons, and Brads
Creative Imaginations die cut paper
Tim Holtz Grundge Board
Heidi Swapp Flower
Making Memories journaling notebook
Uniball white pen

Thank you to all who submitted a layout! I think it is so wonderful to showcase the talents of our customers. As promised I will have some blog candy for you at the store. It will be available after Sunday, October 19th.

There will be another guest designer challenge posted soon, watch the blog for details! Have a great weekend!

WOW! New product!!!

I walked into the store after being on vacation and all I can say is WOW! There is so much new product I am not sure how I am going to catch up!

I thought I would share a few pictures of some of the new items!
For those of you who love Basicgrey we just got in the full line of Urban Prairie and Granola!!!

And for those of you who have waited to buy a QuicKutz Revolution now is the time!!
For a limited time it is on promotion for $39.99!!! This is just in time for the holidays!!

Imaginisce has a beautiful line called Fairest of Them All! It can be used for a baby girl, little girl or even a trip to Disney!










And I just wanted to mention for new stuff came in from Maya Road! Lots of new mini albums--so now you time to work on your holiday projects!

Tuesday Tip *Halloween Treat Bag*

Here is a video showing you a quick and easy way to jazz up a Halloween Treat Bag.
Enjoy.



Here is the same video on you tube.

This week we are getting back to the basics... a 12x12 layout with two uncropped 4x6 photos side-by-side. Getting back to the basics doesn't have to be boring though! The sketch also has a circle element in on corner with two embellishments running along the sides of the photo block.

I love new products that come into the store so it should come as no surprise that I chose the brand new Basic Grey Urban Prairie papers, stickers, and brads for my layout. Sesil, Cheryl, and I just put the new Urban Prairie and Granola collections from Basic Grey on the floor Thursday evening!

Supplies:

Basic Grey Urban Prairie patterned papers
KI Memories Glitter Lace paper
Basic Grey Urban Prairie stickers
Basic Grey Urban Prairie brads
Bazzill stretchy gingham ribbon
Maya Road flower gems
Micron Pen

Supplies from my stash:

Making Memories metal frame
American Crafts Thicker Stickers

I matted my photo block with an oversized mat of patterned paper. I also added in the glitter lace paper mat off center to add some interest.

I used a circle shaped journaling sticker but decided to use a metal frame over the top that has been in my drawer WAY TOO LONG! Sometimes I will just pull out something in my collection and challenge myself to use it on a layout. That metal frame was my challenge for this layout.

To border the photo block I used a combination of a sticker and ribbon. I accented the sticker with the small brads.

Overall this layout took me about 15 minutes to complete once I had my supplies chosen. Gotta love a quick beautiful layout!

Don't forget about the October Guest Designer sketch. Email your layouts by Wednesday, October 15, 2008 to be published on our blog. I will have some blog candy for everyone that enters!