Thursday, March 24, 2011

Hope For Japan - Fundraiser

Ok, you know I have to do this!  Most of you have received the email regarding this stamp set... and a few of you have already ordered it... WELL... I'm sweetening the pot!  Each stamp set purchased for Hope for Japan will earn you 2 Drawing Tickets!!!  And before you ask... YES, if you have already given me your order, you WILL get your TICKETS!!!
Hope for Japan
Hope for Japan
 
From now until April 30, purchase this exclusive, "Hope for Japan" A-size stamp set for the special price of only $5 (retail value $7.95 US ) and Close To My Heart will donate 100% of the profits to the American Red Cross' efforts in Japan. This stamp set is beautifully designed with hearts, wings, and butterflies.  It expresses our love and hope for the people of Japan and reminds us of how our hearts are hopeful for those who are in need. 
  
I have an order that is going to be submitted Sunday.  If you are interested in owning this set, I am making a special offer to you.  I am going to pay the shipping and you will only pay $5.30 (including tax) for yours.  (no other purchase required!)
  
Here is the kicker... I HAVE to have your order by this Saturday, March 26th, no later than 5pm.
  
After this initial offer to you, you can still order it, however, it will include shipping (for a total of $5.75).  It will, however,  only be available until April 30th. 
  
There is no limit to how many you can order.  I will be asking for you to mail me a check (no credit cards or Paypal on this one) as this is non-commissionable, which means I will make nothing on it (nor do I want to!).
  
Look at these awesome examples!
I am going to purchase 10 of them and will be giving them away as prizes!  (Spring Retreat go-ers, this mean you all will have a chance to win one of 10!)

So, don't delay!  Click HERE and send me your order NOW!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Did Someone Mention FOOD?

I know it's MY Favorite Subject!!!
* * * FOOD * * * 

I am still working on the menu for the retreat... it'll be good, I promise! 

And if you've attended my retreats before,
you know we always have good and plentiful meals. 

But, Scrapbooker's cannot live on MEALS alone!

We need SNACKS!!! 
And Snacks mean EXTRA TICKET OPPORTUNITIES for you!!!

Here are the categories.  If you'd like to participate, I just need to hear from you!  Click HERE to send me an email and let me know what you plan to bring.  

EARN AN EXTRA TICKET
just for emailing me and telling me what you THINK you will bring! 

I don't need specifics, just in general.   

And for those of you who have never attended one of my retreats, you are in for a TREAT...
the SNACK TABLE is probably the most visited area of the event!  WOOHOO!!!

BEVERAGES
1 Ticket per item
(ex - a 2 liter bottle of soda, a box of hot chocolate, etc)

STORE BOUGHT ITEMS
1 Ticket per item
(ex - a full size bag of candy, package of cookies,
a cake/pie/donuts, full size bag of chips, dip, fruit, etc)

HOME MADE ITEMS
2 Ticket per item
(a full recipe of something homemade,
like a cake, cookies, snack mix, etc)

Remember, we will have endless coffee, iced tea and lemonade.

The tickets you will earn for bringing stuff will be given to you  
when you check-in and  
SHOW ME THE GOODIES!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Re-Posting of SWAPS!!!

It's been a while, so we wanted to re-post the info on SWAPS!  
 Ok... Here we go!  SWAPS!!!  This is going to be a bit different this year.  Read on and if you have any questions, ask Beth and/or Suzy Bruner!!!  Yeah... not MY inbox!  Just kidding!!!  Click HERE to email them!

Deadline for swap sign-ups will be March 31... for both.

And remember, you get an EXTRA DRAWING TICKET for EACH Swap (that's 1 for the Cards Swap and 1 for the Embellishment Swap - maximum of 2 tickets) that you sign up for AND complete!!!   

CARDS SWAP:
3 categories:   
  • Adult Birthday
  • Child Birthday
  • Thinking of You
Depending on how many sign up:  if 10 or more sign up for a category, you make 10 cards and get 10 back.  So if we have 15 people for child birthday, each one makes 10 cards and gets 10 different ones back (they would not get back one of their own.)  You would not get every card, it would just be random.  If 10 sign up, you get one of each including your own.  If less than 10 sign up, we would advise the group to make that number of cards, eight people = eight cards for example.

After reading that, here's a couple of questions with answers.
What size?  Any size is fine
Include envelopes? Envelopes are preferred, especially if you use non-traditional size cards 
How should I package them?All in one zip lock bag with your first/last name and which swap category it is on it (adult birthday, child birthday, thinking of you)
How do I label them?  If you want to label each card on the back you can, so people know which one you did.  Either way you also need to put your first / last name and which swap it is on your zip lock bag.
Can I join more than one Card Swap?  Yes, the more you do, the more variety you end up with! 


EMBELLISHMENTS SWAP:
1.  Ribbon/Fiber Swap.  There would be two groups of six people.   We can do more groups if there is more interest but these are the two color categories:
A.  red - yellow - blue - purple - orange - green
B.  black - white - brown - metallic - pink - light blue

Here is how this one works:  you sign up for a particular color.   (You can email us OR you can comment on the Blog to do that).  First one to pick a color gets it.  Then you bring 6 yards of identical ribbon or fiber.  It does not have to be solid color, as long as it is predominantly the color you chose.  Cut these in 1 yard lengths.  Turn your ribbon/fiber in at the retreat and you get back 6 different ones, including the one you submitted.

2.  Embellishment Swap:  Also done by color (predominantly the color you choose).  You assemble six (6) identical "kits" of three (3) different embellishments each.  Some ideas to choose from:  
·        buttons (4 pc)
·        brads / eyelets (5 pc)
·        paper / silk flowers (3 pc)
·        rhinestones (5 pc)
·        1 yard fiber / ribbon
·        a sheet or half sheet of stickers
·        die cuts (1 large or 2-3 small)
·        a stamped image on cardstock. 

You get back sets for each of the six colors in your group, including the one you submit.
A.  red - yellow - blue - purple - orange - green
B.  black - white - brown - metallic - pink - light blue
Here is how this one works:  you can choose to just put colored embellishments together with no theme, or you can choose a theme that goes with your color.  For example if you pick orange you could do Halloween or Autumn.  Pink or light blue could be baby boy / baby girl theme.  Your die cuts or stamped images can go along with your theme.  If you don't have a theme you could still do die cuts of flowers or animals that go with the color you have.  When I say identical kits, some things can be slightly different, for example buttons and paper flowers.

Categories will be:
A1 - yellow, red, blue, purple, green, yellow
B1 - black, white, brown, metallic, pink, light blue

and A2, B2, A3, B3, etc. if we need more groups.  Colors for A* and B* will remain the same.  We will let you know which group you are in by posting on the Blog and emailing participants.

How should I package them?  i.e. make a kit?  The ribbons / fiber can all be in one zip lock bag together.  Each set of 3 embellishments needs to be in its own zip lock bag.  So you'll have six baggies.  To help keep it more organized, please put these in another bag, whether a plastic WalMart bag or another zip lock bag.
How do I label them? 
For the Ribbons/Fibers:  Put your first/last name and which group swap you are in on the outside of the zip lock bag.  Either write it with Sharpie or use a stick on label.
For the Embellishments:  Put your first / last name on each embellishment bag, and which group swap you are turning it in for.
Can I do more than one Embellishment Swap?  Yes, the more you do, the more variety you end up with!

So, come on!  This is going to be fun!  I love card swaps, but I LOVE the idea of the Embellishment SWAPS!  Can't wait!

Get Ready - It's Time to Win EXTRA TICKETS!!!!

Ok, ladies... this post is just a tease!  It's to get you awake and ready!  I've got some ideas on how YOU can win some more tickets.  And with the amount of PRIZES I've ended up with YOU are going to want to win a TON OF TICKETS!!!

I'm thinking about different contests and activities and I'm open to suggestions! 

Starting tomorrow, March 23, you are going to want to keep an eye on your email!  And the blog!  Remember, you don't HAVE to post (I know some of you are having problems posting), you can always email me your responses and I will post for you!!!

OOOHHHH!  I can't wait!!!  BRING ON THE EXTRA TICKETS!!!!

So, come on!  Watch your emails and get ready to respond!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

T-Shirt Orders due by March 15th - extended to Monday, March 21st

If you haven't ordered your T-shirt yet, you still have time!  I talked to my vendor today and I actually have until Monday, BUT... that is my "drop-dead" deadline!  So, if you want one, I need to know over the weekend! 

Enjoy this beautiful weather!  I'm heading to Joplin Saturday to do 3, yes THREE, Cricut classes!!!  I'm excited!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Ok, Here's a Tricky One

Figure out how to go to my "Life with a Crazy Cropper" blog... read, follow directions and comment on the "Get a Ticket Here" post and win another DRAWING TICKET!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

T-Shirt Orders due by March 15th

I totally forgot a DATE!!!  Thanks, Robin! 

T-Shirt orders are due by March 15th!

Upcoming Important DATES!!!

Ok... I know we are all busy, so I want to help you with a reminder!
Here are a couple of upcoming dates you need to remember.

March 15 - Tombow Orders DUE!
March 23 - Close to My Heart Orders DUE!
March 31 - Final Day for SWAPS Sign Ups!
 
And, NOW, we are going to see if you are reading!!!
It's simple... if you are reading this, click HERE to send me an email and TELL me you are reading my emails (THAT WILL EARN YOU AND EXTRA TICKET)  A N D
leave a COMMENT on the BLOG telling me and EVERYONE you are reading the BLOG (THAT WILL EARN YOU ANOTHER EXTRA TICKET!)!

Yes... I've GONE CRAZY!!!  TWO, that's TWO EXTRA TICKET opportunities!!! 

I'm needing validation this week!  
Humor me and win yourself some tickets!

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

What is a SCRAP POOL?

Scrap Pool, huh?  Well, I can tell you that some people are going "huh?" and some people are literally jumping up and down!

Who doesn't have scrapbook stuff they have bought and have never even opened?  Or bought a scrapbook tool and MAYBE used it... once?

Well if you fall into this category AT ALL, the SCRAP POOL is for YOU!!!

Gather up your new and gently used scrapbook items, clearly label them with your NAME and PRICE.  Bring them to the Retreat where there will be a couple of tables set up for you to drop off your stuff and watch them sell like hotcakes!

Oh, and don't forget to shop early AND often because let me tell you... this stuff goes FAST!!!
So, come on!  Get into your scrapbook stuff and clean it out and bring your stuff to the retreat where you will "clean up"!  You'll be amazed how much stuff you can get rid of!

TOMBOW Details

I've had several questions about the Tombows and I've done some research!

Here are the Tombow Stats...
#1 - Small Blue - $2.50 refills - 39 ft of adhesive
#2 - Lg Blue - $4.50 refills - 82 ft of adhesive
#5 - Lg Blue DOTS - $6 refills - 49 ft of adhesive

Click HERE to view more pricing and pictures!  Any questions, just let me know!  Deadline for ordering is March 15th! 

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Busy Tonight!

My "retreat mode" has had me working on the seating chart tonight.  I am really excited about it.  I think you are going to really like the room at this new place.  But, I want to mention a couple of things.  (Remember, I was forced to change venues AFTER I already had registrations coming in for this one!)

The room is a little smaller than at Cobblestone, but I think we are still going to have plenty of room.  PLENTY!  I have a little concern, though.  The ceilings are low and the lighting is not great.  Can't do anything about the "lowness" of the ceilings, but it does make the room look small, but I am getting used to it!

As for the lighting... all I can say is YOU have any concerns, just bring yourself a workstation light.  My contact at the hotel has said that's what everyone else who has attended scrapbook retreats there did that and were just fine!  So, we are going to go with that.

Outlets are plentiful, but it never hurts to put and extension and/or a multiplug surge protector in just in case.

Don't worry... I'll be reminding you of all of this as we get closer!  I was just sitting here tonight planning and I have to put my "thoughts" somewhere!!!  So, if you are a blog reader, you get to read my mind!

Reminder to self... put out email/blog entry about...
Scrap Pool
Food wants/needs
Snacks/drinks
Tool Table
Prize Ideas

Ok... that helps clear my head.  I'm gonna go take inventory of prizes.  Wish me luck!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

List of Attendees

Well, here goes!  Here is the list of attendees.  I know a lot of people like to see who all is coming and by putting it on here, it helps me, too! And probably those Swap Coordinators, Beth and Suzy!  And, I'm very pleased to announce I have emails for everyone who has email!  Ladies, can you believe we are only 7 weeks out from the retreat?  I can't wait.  I am SO ready to be there, be set up and be greeting all of you wonderful people!  Old friend and new friends.  I can't wait.

Alexa Martin
Alisa Stanton
Ame Kepley
Barb Francis
Becky Pearce
Berdina Beamer
Beth Bruner
Bettyann Shuert
Brenda Beamer
Brenda Boyd
Brenda Stewart
Carol Adkins
Cathey Hicks
Cathy Troy
Dawn Grizzell
Debbie Hill
Duska Carter
Erica Pennington
Gwenda Warner
Heather Cottle-Dillon
Holli Harter
Janis Purves
Jennifer Hendzlik
Jessie Kelb
Judi Hough
Julie Netland
Julie Windle
Karol Conine
Kim Lewin
Laura Huffman
Lavon McGinnis
Lennette Davis
Lindsey Amschler
Lori Ball
Lyla Crawford
Mel Davis
Michelle Leigh
Miranda Paladino
Missy Kaiser
Myriam Boter
Pam McEntire
Pam Thiesen
Pat Reitmeyer
Patricia Ervin
Rebecca Clark
Reness Nasca
Rita May
Robin Kimery
Ruth Haley
Suzy Bruner
T.C. Sanford
Tammie Patton
Tammy Flippen
Terry Hinson
Toni Huffman
Tysha Shay
Vickie Matthew Alcorn