Saturday, March 31, 2007

Just wanted to remind you that Saturday, March 31 (today!), everyone is a winner at Scrapbook Generation! In honor of Allison's induction into the Creating Keepsakes Hall of Fame, all of our shoppers will win a prize. Just pick an Easter egg, "crack" it open, and find out your prize. It could be free Prima flowers, free stickers, a free class, free Midnight Madness crops for you and a friend, or even 10-40% off your entire purchase. Come help us celebrate!

Thursday, March 29, 2007




Some great new goodies by BoBunny arrived today at Scrapbook Generation. There are four groups which cover the following topics: Easter, little boy, cowboy, garden, grandparents, and family and friends. There are five coordinating papers in each group, plus stickers, and some groups have some extra embellishments like huge flowers with jeweled brad centers.

In addition, we also have more Bare Naked Binders in 6x6 and now in the new 9x9 size. You'll also want to check out a new chipboard purse album kit by BoBunny! It's ready to be whatever you want it to be!

Don't forget our prizes on Saturday -- everyone will be a winner!

We're still walking on clouds since Allison has been chosen for Creating Keepsakes' 2007 Hall of Fame, so we want to share some of the joy!

Stop by Scrapbook Generation this Saturday and win some great prizes in celebration of Allison's accomplishment. When you checkout, we'll have a basket of Easter eggs, each filled with a coupon for a prize of some kind. Pick an egg, and win a prize! We're giving away Prima flowers, Chatterbox doodle templates, free classes, free Midnight Madness crops, and stickers, or you might get 10-40% off your entire purchase that day!

Come celebrate with us! We'll be open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Thursday, March 22, 2007

She did it!

Allison Davis is a "Creating Keepsakes" Hall of Famer for 2007!

It's been hard for us to keep it a secret this long! Allison got the call from Lisa Bearnson about 4 p.m. on Monday. I talked to her earlier that afternoon to let her know that the calls had started, and she told me that she had a missed call on her cell phone, but I didn't think about it being THE CALL. When Ali called me at the store later and told me she was picked for Hall of Fame, I cried, to be honest. We all wanted it for her so badly, and thought she had a good chance, but hadn't really gotten our hopes up, since there are always so many great entries.

We've been walking on clouds since then, and can't wait to see her pages (and pictures of Drew!!!) in "Creating Keepsakes!"

Congratulations, Ali!


Spring has definitely arrived at Scrapbook Generation. Yesterday, we received an absolutely gorgeous assortment of hundreds of the newest items that Prima has to offer. There are the typical larger packages in new color assortments, but there is also a huge quantity of Prima's new smaller packages with just the right amount of flowers for one project -- priced at 99 cents! Another cool new feature is that many of the new packages include some polka dot flowers as well as solid colors.

As if that wasn't great enough, we also received over 60 new papers from Daisy D's, plus die cuts, plus rub-ons. Unlike the last collections which were muted pastels, these new groups are full of bright colors.

Plus, we also have a new supply of those great doodling templates by Chatterbox!

And a note about the "Remember Me" Club: We now have 95 members! I'm still pulling for 100!

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

We've had some requests to include the recipe for one of "Karin's snacks" from the spring retreat. Here it is...

Oreo Surprise Treats
-- 1 package Oreos (mashed fine)
-- small package cream cheese (softened)
-- almond bark or white chocolate (melted)

Mash Oreos and mix with softened cream cheese. Roll into small balls. Chill. Dip into melted chocolate. Place on waxed paper.
We've finally found the perfect spot in Branson for one of Scrapbook Generation's two fall retreats! Karin and I toured several facilities, and the one that overwhelmingly earned both our votes was the Branson Inn and Conference Center, located on Hwy. 76 just past Silver Dollar City.

Everything about it fit our criteria, and as far as we can tell, there aren't any negatives.
-- The meeting room is spacious, with plenty of room for 50 croppers, and there are wonderful windows for a good dose of natural light during the day. The room has recently been remodeled, so everything looks brand new.
-- The sleeping rooms are neat and clean, and are located in the same building as the meeting room, so no going outside will be necessary.
-- There is a restaurant on-site where meals and buffets will be served.
-- A break-out room for classes is close to the meeting room.
-- They will allow us to have "Karin's homemade goodies," which was a deal-breaker for us!
-- We are dealing directly with the owner, and she assured us that she will work with us on any need we may have.

The dates for our fall retreats are as follows:

October 5-7 -- Branson Inn and Conference Center, Branson, MO
November 2-4 -- Inn of the Ozarks, Eureka Springs, AR

More information about each retreat will be posted on scrapbookgeneration.com in a few days, and we will begin accepting deposits in late May or early June. Prices will remain the same as our previous retreats.

To maintain the same quality atmosphere we strive to provide for our weekend croppers, we are limiting enrollment to 50 at each location. If you would like to go ahead and get your name on a list for either location, you can go ahead and do that now. We've had several out-of-state people from previous retreats request enrollment now, so we have already started a sign-up sheet.

Saturday, March 17, 2007


St. Patrick's Day has hit Scrapbook Generation in a special way! Today, among other things, we're hosting a crop for a group from the Springfield Boys and Girls Town. There are five gals and guys here ready to scrapbook the day away. They are joined by Lori Davis, who works at the facility, and by Trish Click, who volunteers her time there, and has interested the kids in her favorite hobby.

Trish and Lori are regulars at our Midnight Madness crops on Fridays, and they stayed past midnight last night, decorating for today's crop and getting things just right for the teens. Later in the day, they are going to be taking the Scrapbooking 101 class, and the rest of the time, just having a little fun, the scrapbooking way.

We had met most of the kids before today. They had dropped in to check us out a few weeks ago, and they were full of enthusiasm about coming back to scrapbook.

For some people, our store is their home away from home, and we get to know what's going on in their lives. Getting to know Trish and Lori better has been a great experience for all of us around here. Karin and I both know what it takes to work with school-age children, and we admire and applaud the efforts Trish and Lori make at Boys and Girls Town.

Friday, March 16, 2007

Today, a bunch of odds and ends...

-- Prima has left the warehouse! Sometime Thursday, a huge shipment left California on its way to Scrapbook Generation. In all honesty, I've forgotten exactly what I ordered, but with Prima, that doesn't seem to matter -- it's all good. I did load up on the new assortments, and I do remember that the company is now offering lots of smaller packages, just right for a single project, and priced so that you can indulge without any guilt. The order could arrive as early as Monday or Tuesday, and I'll blog the minute I see the UPS guy pull up in the parking lot!

-- We also have acquired several new double-sided paper collections by American Crafts. Since BasicGrey is still hogging the "new wall," we've just scattered the other new papers throughout the store.

-- Classes at Scrapbook Generation are going nuts! Marti Blattert has 14 for her Scrapbook 101 class tomorrow, and Laura Parks already has 10 for her Grandparents Mini-Album coming up next week. Amy Estes had a great turnout for her Monogram Card Set class last week, and Allison Davis also had a good group for her Recipe Box class this week.

-- I haven't had huge classes like those mentioned above, but I have had lots of fun with the ladies who have taken the first two in my series of Friends and Food classes. So far, we've taste tested chocolate truffles in the first class, and cheddar ham chowder in the second. The recipes have met with rave reviews, and we've had fun decorating boxes and jars, recipe cards, and tags. There will be more in the series in April and May!

-- Classes in the immediate future include a cute Daisy D's Purse Mini-Album with Stacey Arnall ($8 on Wednesday, March 21 at 2 p.m.) a keepsake-quality Growth Chart with Allison Davis ($12 on Thursday, March 22 at 6 p.m. and you can choose between boy or girl colors), and an adorable Easter Album in a Box with Jennifer Mattix ($8 on Monday, March 26 at 6 p.m.). For pics of the projects, go to scrapbookgeneration.com.

-- If you missed the first set of four "Free Saturday Seminars," I'll be repeating those on Wednesdays all through the month of April. Newsletters should go out the end of next week.

-- There are now 93 (!!!!!) members in the Remember Me Club! We're going to host a party on a Sunday afternoon in April so that we can all share our progress so far.

-- On a totally-unrelated-to-scrapbooking-topic, I must apologize to my mother, my sister, Traci Snavely, and anyone else I've made fun of for getting hooked on reality shows. I have to confess that I'm now a "Grease: You're the One That We Want" addict. I've always loved the movie and several of its songs, and so I watched the first show just to hear some of my favorites. Now, I've watched every episode, and I'm cheering for Max to win the part of Danny in the Broadway show this summer! He's not the typical "hunk," which makes him the underdog, I guess. No muscles, face less than handsome, but he makes up for it with talent (and yes, I did call in and vote for him!). He's made it to the final three, and Sunday night I'll be glued to the television to see if he makes it to the finals! So from now on, I'll promise not to make catty remarks to those of you who can't live without a dose of "American Idol" or "The Apprentice."

Monday, March 12, 2007




Pictures don't do them justice, but I wanted you to see the four new BasicGrey collections. We have papers, tag die cuts, monograms, and mini monograms in each of the four new groups. There are also 16 distinctive new Wholly Cow rub-ons to add to the fun.

Scrapbook Generation also has a new western collection from Flair, new chipboard shapes in cute canisters by American Crafts, and new collections by Cosmo Cricket!

Friday, March 09, 2007

Since Mom is working at a retreat in Lake of the Ozarks this weekend, Karin and I are officially running the show. And man, have we got a deal for you.

Mom promised you BasicGrey on Monday? We can beat that. Be here when the doors open tomorrow and BasicGrey is all yours!!

That's right! BasicGrey CAME IN EARLY! We were expecting the shipment Monday and were very pleasantly surprised to receive it today. All four gorgeous new collections, plus all the new rub-ons, are on the wall and ready to purchase. See you in the morning!

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

I have news! "Happy BasicGrey Day" will be Monday, March 12! Just received a shipping notification from them this morning. All four gorgeous new collections, plus all the new rub-ons, will be at Scrapbook Generation by mid-afternoon on Monday.

Tuesday, March 06, 2007














First, let me say that you have not fully experienced life until you have had a weekend retreat for 30 scrapbookers scheduled for almost a year, then found out 10 days before the event that the hotel you have booked is going to be closed for renovation during your retreat! Yikes!

Last summer, Karin and I had methodically toured Branson, searching for just the right place for Scrapbook Generation's spring retreat. We signed a contract, paid a hefty deposit, and then proceeded to advertise our event and collect people's money. Periodically, I had corresponded with my contact at the hotel, and even spoke to her in person in January. We went over every detail of times, meals, and other activities. She just neglected to tell me that the hotel would be CLOSED March 2-4! I started to have a bad feeling when I called in February and most of the hotel's phone numbers were out of service. I finally found one that had a recording that mentioned renovations, but no dates were listed. I started sending a barrage of emails, faxes, and phone calls. No answer.

Finally, 10 days before our retreat, the group sales person returned one of my messages and acted like she had never heard of us. According to her, we had
a. not paid a deposit
b. not signed a contract
c. not done much of anything

I told her that
a. the hotel had deposited our check months ago
b. we HAD signed a contract
c. she was going to cause me to have a nervous breakdown

We produced the cancelled check and other documents, but that didn't help the situation much. The hotel was not going to open until April 1, and instead, she would help us find a spot at one of their "sister properties." After I explained to her that a bed and breakfast she mentioned would not be quite big enough, she asked if the location had to be in Branson. At that point, I decided that we would be better off finding our own new place than having her help!

The next day, after a few phone calls, I was beginning to be a little scared. Many of the hotels in Branson are closed in March, and the ones that were open all seemed to be booked for other events. Finally, I found one that was available. Karin and I made a quick trip south, looked things over, and quickly wrote a deposit check. We were so relieved!

Fast forward to March 2, and Scrapbook Generation's Wild West scrapbooking retreat went on as planned, just at a different location. The ladies involved were very gracious about the change, even though the accomodations were not what we had planned.

Here's what they had to say about the event...

"Being a 'first-timer' I was so impressed with everything -- but not surprised! The snacks, personalized goodies, classes, everything was so great."

"Thank you for a fabulous retreat -- as always! Great prizes, great fun, great friends. Great work, Debbie and Karin!"

"You girls are great. Awesome decor in the crop area. The snacks were delicious. I love how organized it was."

"Like it that we had more room to work!"

"This is my first time for the big weekend and I love it. I love the drawings, it creates excitement. Very well organized! The breakfast was not so great, but everything else was wonderful. Looking forward to next time."

"It was a great weekend! You all did great finding a place and getting it all set up! Thanks for a great weekend."

"This was my first scrapbook retreat and I thought it was excellent! You run a retreat just like your business, very professional and organized excellently! Theme was lots of fun and food was great. The wait staff at the Honeysuckle Inn were incredible, maybe this was meant to be! Very nice hospitality! Thank you SO much. I will return to a retreat again! Love you, love your store!"

"What you are doing well -- always trying to make it better, making sure everyone has what they need and with a smile. Conference room was wonderful, rooms are standard hotel rooms, not the Hilton, but we didn't expect that!"

"Like the large area to work in. Karin did great on the snacks. I really like coming to the retreats."

"What a fantastic event you have put together! I felt so welcome even though I knew few people. The classes were great and I appreciated the smaller size of the classes."

"The scrapbook room was very roomy, and the extras, like goodie bags, snacks, were presented very nicely and were greatly appreciated. Thanks for a job well done."

"I enjoyed it very much. It was well-organized, lots of space for working and the food was good."

" Best -- theme expression in a variety of ways...theme handmade gifts for each participant...organization...recovery from 'oops, I forgot to tell you we're closed for renovations'...bestest, mostest creative classes."

"The decor was well done! Your organizing and hard work should be commended. This was my first retreat and I had a great time! The meals were okay. However, the snacks were awesome! Thank you for all the goodies and for the opportunity!"

"Great weekend! Thanks for all the goodies and the table decorations were great. I had a wonderful time and hope to return."

"Nice facility and good food, great goodies and decor and warm hospitality. I have enjoyed it. I don't have any suggestions for improvement -- it's been fabulous."

"Perfect! Loved the space! Great snacks and prizes. Wow!"

"Wonderful weekend! Can't think of a thing that would make it better! Thanks!"

"Scrapbooking room was great! Lots of fun, great time!"

"I really enjoyed myself. I was afraid I would be by myself, but everyone was very nice and included me. I thought you ladies did an excellent job. Thank you! It was wonderful, and the classes were great, too!"

"Awesome, awesome, awesome! Everything was done so nicely. We had such a great weekend!"

"The weekend was wonderful! I liked the extra space we had in the conference room! Thank you for putting on such a wonderful retreat! Your hard work is much appreciated! I look forward to the next one."

"You guys always do a terrific job. Your decor and snacks were wonderful. The crop room was roomier. Overall, we had a great time! You guys are great."

"I have really enjoyed myself. I am looking forward to the fall."

"This is the first retreat I have been to, and I thought it was wonderful! Very organized, fun and exactly what I hoped for."

Scrapbook Generation already has one of its two fall 2007 retreats scheduled for the first weekend of November in Eureka Springs. Karin and I are going to Branson later this week to continue our search for the perfect location there. We will be trying to book a place for early October. Registration for both retreats will begin in late May or early June.

Thursday, March 01, 2007

Today is the first of the month, and that means that Scrapbook Generation's Remember Me Club Kits #3, the March Generation Page Kits, and the March Generation Card Kits are ready for club members to pick up.

It was a little crazy around here this week getting all of them ready. Remember Me now has 85 members, and overall, about 10 new people are signing up for clubs each week!

The other craziness involves preparing for our weekend retreat in Branson, which starts Friday at 3 p.m. Right now, we're up to our necks in Wild West decorations here at the store, and Karin is home baking and baking and baking so that the croppers won't have a chance to be hungry!
 
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