Are You Impressed??

Memory Trends

On our way down to California this summer we made our annual stop at the Nike outlet.  I can't tell you how beautiful this wall of flowers was.....as pretty as this picture is, it still doesn't do it justice.  I'm getting better at having my camera ready at all times.  Hope you enjoy!

What do OJ Simpson and I have in common??  We're both currently in Las Vegas.  Although I'm sure he wasn't here to attend Memory Trends, his story would make a much more interesting scrapbook layout than mine. In just 2 1/2 hours I'll be wandering around, taking in all of the new products.  I'll try to report back with some fun findings.  I did go to the "Sneak Peek" reception last night, and got an early glimpse of some new products.  Whenever I see a new invention, I'm always wondering why I don't think of clever things like that.  I saw a couple of really fun, new products last night.

Have a great Tuesday. 

Hot, Hot, Hot!

You can never please me.....I complain when it's too cold and now I'm complaining that it's too hot.  Geez!  I loved the heat when I was a kid, played tennis all day, rode my bike for miles and unfortunately, baked way too much in it . . .  innocent (stupid) youth!  Now I'm very content when it's 80-85...but over 100..I start whining.  The good thing about the heat?? Gets me up and working very early in the morning!  What was I thinking....why didn't I have air conditioning installed when the workroom was built?? Oh well, enough whining, winter will be here soon enough and I'll be crabby about all of the snow.

I can't remember who directed me to it, but I have been reading Melody Ross's (Chatterbox) blog lately.  Wow!  She and the company have been through some major changes and such a wonderful attitude Melody has about everything and what is important.  It's made me ask myself how I would react if I were in her shoes.  Even though her podcast was long, I found every minute wonderfully, thought provokng.  She's a fighter, thats for sure . . . a quality I really admire.  If you get a chance, go to

Melody Ross' Blog and see what she's been up to.

We've added a really beautiful album to our website this week.  Our clients have special ordered this in the past, and we've finally decided to add them to our site.  We've always carried Dalee's, fabric albums, and their 8x8 leather but now they're also available in 12x12 leather.  If you're a huge fan of tuck spine albums, the way I am, you'll be happy to know that we are only ordering these larger leather albums in tuck spine.   A few more dollars but sooooo worth it!  They look great on the shelf and all of the hardware is hidden.  Love it!    We've started with 4 colors....blue, black red & tan and hope to add all of the colors before the end of the year.  Of course......they imprint beautifully!

Have a Daisy Day (speaking of daisies...I'm off to water mine now....they're looking pretty sad).

YMCA Nationals - Seattle

I think this will be our last gymnastics meet for the rest of the year and it's a biggie.  There will be boys and girls of all levels and from all parts of the US.  It should be fun and we have been busy creating some fun new scrapbook papers for them.  Designing scrapbook papers has been our big focus this year and we probably have 20+ new papers and 6 new overlays....for gymnastics alone.  Hoping to get these on our site within the next few months, after we build our shopping cart.  We keep putting this off, but I think the time has come to bite the bullet and do it.  Once we do that...the sky's the limit. We'd love to start with some of the areas that are not as well represented in the scrapbook industry.  What do you wish you were able to find more of??  We listen to all of your suggestions.

After many, many requests to add a 3-Ring binder to our website...we are happy to say that we are now carrying the American Crafts albums.  We ordered, just as they unveiled some of their great, new fun colors. I have to admit, I wasn't very familiar with 3-Ring but had heard nothing but wonderful things.  Wow, do they hold a lot of pages, and the best part is that it is so easy to take pages in and out and reorganize.   The only place on the album that we are unable to imprint is the spine, but they imprint beautifully on the cover. 

Looking forward to the drive to Seattle....and even more than that....a visit to IKEA.  Love that store! 

End of the School Year

I always feel sentimental this time of year.  Only 2 more days left and then the boys are home for summer vacation.  It's hitting me harder this year.  My oldest is a Jr. in High School.....a Senior next year!  I can't believe I'm already thinking about his graduation party......a year away!  I just know it is going to fly by.  How did I get old enough to have children this age, is the question I keep asking myself!  I haven't even begun his scrapbook but have lots of ideas floating around in my head.  I'd love to hear any ideas for great grad parties, fun scrapbook layouts, grad gifts etc.  I really want this year to be special.  My camera is going everywhere with me next year!

Now....yep, it's daisy day and boy could I use something uplifting.  The weather is crummy, drizzly and cold.  Just this weekend I was complaining how hot it was as I sat at my son's double header.  Only in Idaho will it drop 30 degrees in a day.  So....I got on the web, decided to look for some fun daisy things and found this great site with some, really bright daisy pajamas  I've already bookmarked it and thought it would be a good gift for myself in the fall.  Wouldn't these be fun to wear in the winter as the snow is piling up outside?

Have a Daisy Day!

I think "Daisy Day" sounds so much better than hump day. If I happen to update my blog on Wednesday, you may learn some new Daisy trivia, or be given a link to a website that has some fun daisy items.  I may be in the minority, but I would much rather receive a spring bouquet than roses.   So....for today, here's a bit of daisy trivia for you:

Question:  Where did the Girl Scouts get the term "Daisy" for their group for the youngest girls?

Answer: Daisy Girl Scouts was named after the founder of Girl Scouting in the USA, Juliette Gordon Low---Daisy to her family and friends.

And...speaking of daisies....One of my next projects is going to be to create a special 8x8 album, titled...."What Makes me Smile".  I've been wanting to this for some time, and I think it's something that I would love to pass down to my children some day.  I want my boys to know what are the little things that make me happy.  In fact, right now is one of the best times of the day for me.....waking up early, making a pot of coffee, opening up the windows and listening to nothing but the birds.  I love mornings and especially this time of year.  So...my challenge to you scrapbookers, is to sit down with a notepad and start jotting down anything that makes you smile, no matter how small, and consider making a mini album.  For me, I think this is going to be an ongoing album and maybe one of the things I'll pick up when I'm having a not so good day.

Have a Daisy Day!

Something to CHEER about!

Where does the time go?  Keeping up a blog isn't as easy as I thought.  Will try to be more diligent in that area!

It's been a busy couple of months.  As many of you know, our business has taken a few twists and turns over the past year....and our involvement with gymnastics has really grown.  Who ever thought??  Up until a couple of years ago, I had never taken a step into a gymnastic club.  My two teenage boys love sports, but we've always been involved with football, basketball and baseball.  Let's just say....I have a much better appreciation for the gymnast.  Wow, what dedication and time is put into the sport of gymnastics.  Don't tell my boys, but the saying......"If Gymnastics were Easy it would be called Football" is so true!  We've attended some wonderful meets this past spring with our new line of gymnastic albums and papers and transparencies!  (p & t not on website, but feel free to e-mail us if you'd like to see pics).  We attended the Nationals for Level 9 Girls in Spokane, WA.  We visited with many families and gymnasts from the western side of the states (many, many from Texas).  It was a great meet and the girls were amazing to watch.  We have another meet coming up in Tacoma, WA....The 2007 YMCA Nationals.  If you happen to be there, please stop by and say hello.

Our new unveiling......cheerleading albums.  As we have gotten to know the gymnasts more, we have realized that cheer and gymnastics go hand and hand.  These are custom created just for you!  Let us know your squad/school colors and we'll create a fun, unique album.......we will also add the cheerleader's name or mascot name, which "pops" out from the album.  Take a peek at the site , drop us a note and let us know what you think.  We love to hear your ideas......all of our products come from the great suggestions we receive from everyone. 

Got Chalk??

I'm glad I made more than one New Year's resolution.  My "Keeping my Blog Current" hasn't been very successful.  Life Happens!

Busy, busy time of year for us here.  Another year has gone by so quickly and the 2007 Great West Gym Fest is almost here again.  Wow, what an event this is going to be!  This year there will be over 1,600 gymnasts coming to compete from all over.....Alaska, Hawaii, Colorado, Washington and Oregon to name a few.  I never realized how much devotion goes into this sport...for both the gymnasts as well as their families.

Have you heard the saying...."Got Chalk?"  I hadn't either until we became involved with gymnastic competitions with our business.  They love this saying, so we are excited to reveal our new line of scrapbooks & photo albums specially designed for the gymnast.

This year we are involved with the USA Competitions in Florida, MASSTARS in Massachusetts and our very own Funtastics here in Coeur d' Alene.  Good luck to all of the competitors!

Christmas Letdown

Another wonderful Christmas....so much anticipation before it arrives and them WHAM it's over.  Always a bit of a letdown but also a bit nice to get back to our routine again.  Our tree is already down, a little earlier than normal...but not much of a choice this year.  As we watched TV last night, we suddenly heard something and my son was the first to say....."Well that didn't sound good".  Yep.....the tree went over.  Not sure if the cat was a part of it or not, but that was a sign to me that the tree and all the decorations needed to come down.  The boys weren't thrilled to get the ladder out, and all the boxes back down..but we did it.

The house is almost back to normal, and we're back to work again creating albums.  Seems the organization bug has hit a few and getting their photos into albums is on the list.  If you haven't gone to our site lately, we hope you'll take a moment and see the new Disneyland albums that were created for a customer recently.  We added one to the homepage, but you'll also find a different one on the "Custom From Your Photos" link.  The companion 8x8 album turned out fun too.

Yes, I do like having a resolution or two every year and mine is scrapbooking our family photos more this year.  As our business has grown, I haven't made the time for my own personal scrapbooking.  I'd like 2007 to change that.

Happy New Year to you all!

Thoughtful Gifts

As I wrap all my packages, I'm always thinking about Christmas' past, gifts I've given and gifts I've received.  I've tried to raise my sons to really be thoughtful with their gift giving, and not be the man at the department store at 10 p.m. Christmas Eve still trying to find the perfect gift.  My husband always put such thought behind his gifts to me, and I've wanted my boys to learn that.  They can start with me...and then continue with their wives someday.  This statue was given to me from my oldest son when he was about 12 or 13 years old.  I remember when I opened it, it was a gift I NEVER would have guessed in a million years.  He watched me as I opened it and I could tell was really excited to give it to me.  As I studied it, I then asked him how he came to pick this out for me, and he said..."because you're always looking at the deer that come into our yard and saying how beautiful they are".  I have to tell you....that observation made me feel so special.....he listened to what I had to say, and months later as he was out shopping and spotted this, he remembered my appreciation for the deer.  This week as we've been getting ready for Christmas, I've been hearing my boys whispering and calling each other into their rooms to show each other what they bought for me.  I love that!!! I love that they love giving to each other and to me.  They're teenagers too...which makes it even more special in my opinion!

OK....wonder what it will be this year.  I mentioned a cute little sportscar this year quite a few times....could it be???  NOT!  I don't think their jobs at the golf course will pay for that.  Whatever it is, I will be thrilled because I know that thought went behind it.

Merry Christmas to you all!

Christmas Traditions

This is the time of the year that I always feel so reminiscent about my childhood...how I felt about Christmas as a child, waiting for Santa to come which seemed like forever, the games, begging my Mom and Dad to wake up at 2:00 a.m. because there was no way I could go back to sleep. Although, this is also a time of much stress it is one of the happiest times of the year for so many.

As our business is growing, I have a much finer appreciation for the small business owner and the countless hours that are put into something that is so near and dear to us.  This year I have made it my goal to purchase gifts for my family and friends from the smaller businesses.  When I made this decision it really opened my eyes to many, many talented people that I didn't know were out there.  Speaking of traditions and memories........one of the things my Mom used for decorating the dining room table were placements.  These placemats were the face of Santa, made of a sort of straw woven material.  I don't think they were very expensive but I do remember loving these, and commenting about them every year.  About 3 years ago...one of my gifts, from my Mom was 6 placements that I absolutely adore.  They are actually even cuter than hers....but, shhh. don't tell.  As I sat there and looked at each one, I realized they are all handpainted, as each one is a tad different than the others.  I decided to look this artist (Carole Shiber) up on the web (gotta love the web!) and found her site.  Sorry to say, my Santa is no longer there but she has some other absolutley wonderful products.  I love the stocking one...and have my eye on some of the flowered ones once the mounds of snow melt.  Take a peak at.........Custom Placemats, Napkins & Coasters .

Back to the tree.....lights are going up and then all of the fun accessories get put out.  Can't wait to see what memories they will conjure up.  Each year, it always seems new again.