Clearing Out!

Scrapbooking in Israel — Daily Dose #24

I started my big clearance sale today.  What fun it was to watch everyone going through all the items like goodies in a candy store.  My favorite part, as always, was when I got to meet fellow scrappers.

Whether you’re a novice or an expert scrapper, the truth  is, anybody can scrap.  It’s fun, it’s easy and an awesome way to express yourself creatively.  So, if you haven’t already stopped by for the big clearance sale… come on by.  It doesn’t get any more fun than this!

Clearance sale hours:

Wednesday, August 12th

9:30am — Noon (12pm)

and

8pm — 9:30pm

at

6b/6 Reuven St., Beit Shemesh

or

by appointment (052-864-7773)

See you there!

Happy Scrappin’!

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Summer CHA in Orlando, FL

Scrapbooking in Israel — Daily Dose #18

Well, it’s the weekend which means the Summer CHA show is over.  I wanted soooo much to attend this year, but couldn’t due to conflicts in Jewish holidays and stuff.  But that’s okay, I am soooo going to the Winter CHA show in Anaheim, CA next year.  There’s no stopping me.

But you already know what I’ll be doing this week… that’s right!  I’m checking out all the new lines of products that were released this summer at the CHA show.  Some of the best fun in scrapbooking is just looking at all the creativity of new product lines that emerges each time there’s a show.  It’s really unbelievable.  Just when you think you’ve seen it all, there’s actually more!

Have I mentioned lately how much I love this hobby?

Happy Scrappin’!

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Out with the Old…

Scrapbooking in Israel — Daily Dose #14

CLEARANCE SALE!!!!!

And once again, I need to clear my shelves.  My Daily Dose consists of me letting all you scrappers in Israel know that I’m clearing out LOADS of scrapbooking supplies.  I’m making a HUGE order in August and I need to clear the shelves.  So stop on by, check out what’s on sale and have fun browsing around.

Sorry, I haven’t got the clearance prices on the website yet.  You’ll have to come ’round and take a look.  Well anyway… it’s more fun that way, right?!

BTW… since I’m ordering new products, now’s a good time to tell me if you need something.  I’ll try to include it in my order.

Happy Scrappin’!

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A Scrapbooker’s Candy Store…

Today was such an awesome day!  After doing some long overdue grocery shopping and a few other errands, I stopped by to peek into a sewing accessories store.  No fabrics, just buttons, ribbons, yarn, fabric patches, designer sew-ons, beads, and any other embellishment you can think of for your scrapbook that would be sold in a sewing accessories store.

I was like a child in a candy store!  I was literally giggling with glee.  Living in Israel with no access to a Michael’s or a local scrapbooking supplies store (other than my own), I always feel left out of some of the great page designs when it comes to creative embellishments.  But then I discovered this little store in a nearby neighborhood and just couldn’t bring myself to leave (until I realized I needed to pick up my son from daycare). 

I figured I was just window shopping.  Peeking in to see what they have in there.  And then I ended up buying some of the most beautiful ribbon and matching fabric accents.  I have no idea what my layout will be, but I’m going to have fun with that one.

Before I leave to go design another page, I want to pass on this link to an awesome video clip of design theory for scrapbook pages: http://www.scrapbooksetc.com/Scrap-A-Faire/spring2008/class-descriptions_ss8.html.  No joke, this half-hour video clip has changed the way I look at my pages and begin my designs.  Enjoy!

Happy Scrappin’!

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On a Roll with the Scrapbooking…

Wow!  What an amazing week it has been.  Wednesday was Scrapfest 2008 and it was incredible.  I spent hours scrappin’ pages and then more hours just organizing my personal stash.  It’s amazing how disorganized things can get when you’re not paying attention.

The truth is, I’m pretty organized in general.  But lately, I’d been letting things go a bit because I just wanted to get stuff done without “wasting” time on putting it all away.  Who knew it would be 4 hours of reorganizing time.

Anyway, the batteries in my camera died and I have to recharge them.  So, as soon as that happens (tonight, I’m hoping), I’ll be posting a pic of the way cool double-page layout I did with the First Day of School pics.  I love it!

Then Thursday, I just couldn’t get all the new tools and gadgets that I stocked in my store out of my head.  So, sometime around 9pm I sat down, dug into my inventory and started fiddling with the new tools and templates. Here’s a run down:

Curvy Cutter Segment Template Set (EK Success):  Don’t even waste your money.  Putting the pieces together and taking them apart is just a complete waste of time.  I like that there’s a large oval template in there that doesn’t need piecing, but is the whole thing worth it for that one piece?  I don’t really think so.

Curvy Cutter Circle Template Set (EK Success): Way cool!  I love this template tool.  Since I opened it and started using it, I’m starting to wonder how I ever lived without it.  It’s easy and no pieces to fiddle with.  Just the template and the cutting blade (sold separately).  If you’re looking for perfect circles with an easy to use gadget, this is a must have.

Cutter Bee Piercing Bugs Rotary (EK Success):  I love the idea of this one.  What a great way to pierce holes for sewing pages.  I happen to LOVE embroidered scrapbook pages (even though I haven’t actually created any yet).  But I didn’t find the little piercing “stems” very sharp, and so they didn’t go through some of my cardstock.  A bit disappointing, but I’m going to keep at it.  I still want a layout with embroidery.

Blade Runner (EK Success):  I absolutely can’t imagine a world without my stencils, but recently, they’ve been pushed them aside for things like alphabet stickers and simply cool phrases stickers for saving time.  In addition, markers don’t work with stencils if the paper isn’t white.  I used to create all my page layouts on white paper, but now my pages are colorful and fun to look at.  So I just stopped using them.  Then I discovered this Blade Runner, which is supposed to cut the shape of the letters out from the stencil (or cut anything from a stencil template).  Unfortunately, it’s not so simple to maneuver.  In fact, I think a craft knife would be simpler and they’re not so simple to use on alphabet stencils.  I may need practice with it, but who’s got time for practice when there are little children running around.

So that’s the tool update.  I can’t wait to share yesterday’s little treasure with you, but it will have to wait until the batteries in my camera are charged and I can share pics with you.  You’re gonna love it!  Especially anyone who has too many pics from one day’s event and doesn’t want to have to choose which pics to use for the layout.  Use them all with this little creation I’ve made!  So, until next time…

Happy Scrappin’!

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Finding the Israel theme in scrapbooking

Thanks to everyone who posted about Israel and Jewish themed scrapbooking supplies.  I’m glad to see there are a few out there.  I’ve heard of some and others I haven’t.  I’ll be checking everyone out, though.

However, in all this research trying to find stickers and die cuts and other Jewish/Israel themed products, I’ve decided there still just isn’t enough out there.  And the expense of importing it into Israel is ridiculous, to say the least.

Therefore, after much discussion with my husband, we’ve decided to produce ourselves the kinds of scrapbooking supplies with a Jewish/Israel theme we think others would want.  We’ll sell them both here in Israel and export them to the States at reasonable prices.  That’s the idea, creating an inexpensive product that people will want to buy.

It will take a little while to get off the ground, and in the meantime, still have my retail store, but I’m extremely excited about this new endeavor. 

I’d love to hear more ideas out there of the types of items you’d like to see that have a Jewish or Israel theme.  Be specific, be vague.  We’ll take all suggestions into consideration.  And since we’re new to this, we’ll probably just take all suggestions, period.  The more the better.

So keep those ideas rolling.  Which holidays do you think are lacking in supplies?  What about Israel do you think should be included in a set of stickers or die cuts or embellishments?  Any phrases you wish you could purchase?  Let us know.  We’ll create it!  If there’s a want for it, then we’ll make it (that’s my new mantra).

Happy Scrappin’!

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Preparing a Scrapbooking Workshop for Teens…

I am planning a scrapbook camp for teens in August.  While I once blogged about the craziness of teaching teens to scrapbook, I am actually excited about this camp.  Yes, it’s four hours a day for a full five days!  Can you imagine?  But how completely awesome to be able to focus on scrappin’ for so long.  I mean, totally intense, eh?

So, here are the lessons I’ve learned from my previous experience teaching teens…

1. Create a Proper Lesson Plan.  I’ve broken down the week by day and each day by hour.  I think the important thing in teaching teens is making sure that every moment is accounted for.  Otherwise, if you let them go free, they’ll actually go wild!  (No offense to all the scrappin’ teens out there… I LOVE your energy or I wouldn’t be running a scrapbook camp.)
2. Ration the Materials in Advance.  Knowing exactly which tools will be used for each session means less mess and more focus.  It goes back to the freedom leads to wildness concept.  Each day of camp will focus on a different aspect of scrapbooking.  I will give the 5 to 10 minute lesson and then provide the exact materials necessary for using that technique/element.
3. Inform all Participants in Advance of the types of photos to bring.  By not specifying in advance what type of pics should be brought allows too much freedom and we’re right back at the workshop gone wild.  I’m planning a theme album to be finished in one week.  Therefore, I’m informing all the “campers” to bring pics from one event (i.e., a ski trip with friends, the prom, camping out, etc.).

With a focus and a “curriculum” in hand, I can teach the elements of scrapbooking while making sure that the hours remain focussed.  Supplies won’t become depleted and I won’t feel like a chicken with its head cut off running around the table trying to guide and help everyone there.

Teens are filled with an innocent and raw imagination that grown-ups seem to loose in their adulthood.  Their energy runs wild which helps create amazing layouts.  I can’t wait till August!

Happy Scrappin’

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