Yesterday I inquired with Memory Works home office about when we could expect to get the Sn@p 6×8 albums in stock. Since Friday, I’ve had everything from the Sn@p! line EXCEPT the albums available on MY SITE. Here is the response I got, which they passed on from Simple Stories:
{SN@P! BINDER UPDATE}
From Simple Stories –
We wanted to inform our valued customers and retailers that unfortunately, upon our initial shipments we have found some quality issues in a batch of our albums and we are currently working on resolving the issue as soon as possible.
Please know that quality products are our highest priority, as we want only the best product represented for our stores, customers and Simple Stories. We are conducting quality checks on all our albums and once this is done we will resume shipping albums to our retailers.
We know you’re anticipating these new beautiful, colorful binders and we apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause. We appreciate your support for our Simple Stories and SN@P! products – it gives us great pride to help play a role in documenting your important memories. A role we take very seriously – we thank you for your understanding and patience in this matter.
Thank you,
The Simple Stories Team
So it’s disappointing to have to wait longer but I’d rather wait and have a good quality product. It seems like these quality issues are happening in our industry lately – I wonder why?
Well, bummer!
Last Friday when all the other Sn@p! items appeared on my MW site, I went ahead and ordered most of it . . . except the albums and protectors. I have a big box of Sn@p goodness due to arrive today or tomorrow. I’ll post photos when it gets here!!
As for the Sn@p! albums, I don’t mind waiting a bit but I really hope I have at least 1 red one in time to start my first attempt at a DECEMBER DAILY. {{{Fingers crossed!}}} I’m using the Simple Stories “Sn@p!” line (with a WRMK 12×12 album and protectors) for my first recent attempt at Project Life/Project 365. At least I’ll have that stuff well in advance so I can get organized.
To my customers, I’m very sorry for the delay. I hope you’ll come back and order the albums through me when they become available :) Make sure you’re subscribed to my blog for updates. As soon as I have any news on the arrival of the Sn@p albums, I’ll post about it and you’ll get the news right away in your e-mail!
On Friday, the Simple Stories “Sn@p!” line finally showed up on my MEMORY WORKS SITE ~ Yahoo! Been waiting for this gorgeousness since I saw the sneeks for CHA months ago. It’s been torture to wait, I tell ya’!
But I placed my order right way. I’m always afraid with new product releases that they’re going to sell out of stuff, lol. Would be just my luck. So I got almost the entire line and cantwaitcantwaitcantwait for it to get here.
Memory Works always ships pretty quickly – within 1 to 2 business days – so I’m expecting to receive it by Wednesday or so. Gonna’ get a box that looks a lot like that one above … squeeeeee!
{Okay, I know some of you really really hate that whole “squee!” expression but I truly try to reserve it for times I’m about to pee my pants . . . and this is one of those times, mmm kay???}
What Sn@p have you bought so far or what other recent scrappy purchases have you stalking the UPS dude?
To say I’m excited is an understatement. I’ve been waiting for this line to be available for MONTHS!
If you’re wondering what I’m talking about, I’ve posted a few images in this post. But ya’ GOTTA’ go see it all HERE. You’re going to fall in love. It’s pure happiness, my friend.
So get on over to MY SITE and order some Sn@p! for yourself!
If you placed a pre-order, please go to my website (https://erika.memory-works.com) and place your order. I will get an automatic e-mail and will immediately approve your order since you’ve already paid. All your Sn@p-py goodness will ship straight to you from our home office in Utah within 1-2 business days. Thanks!
I just ordered almost the entire line. I’ll post pics when it gets here next week.
Gah, it’s like waiting for Christmas. Tick tock tick tock … HURRY YAP ALREADY!!
Whether you get it from me or somewhere else, will you get any of the amazing Sn@p! line?
This video made by Simple Stories to show off their new “Sn@p!” line is super cute. The fun music will have your toes tappin’. If you aren’t already planning to buy this entire line, watch out! This may just convert you over to the dark side … and make sure to watch ’til the end. There is a very special and funny person* having a good time ;)
If you’d like to get your hands on summa’ this cute “Sn@p!” line, I’m taking PRE-ORDERS! It will be on my MEMORY WORKS SITE soon . . . so easy to get, just like any other online store :)
LOVE! They’re very STUDIO CALICO to me, which is another company whose stuff I almost always love. I like how BG has been releasing 2 collections together that are different but complement each other so well.
I also like these departures from “matchy-matchy” papers. Somehow they manage to make totally different designs and colors look like they go together. When I see lines like this on layouts, they’re always eye catching.
I’ll be getting these Basic Grey collections for sure. I love them both . . . but “Fact” slightly more. You put a composition notebook and chevrons on something, and I’m SO there.
What do you think of these 2 new collections so far?
ETA 09/29/12: Welllll . . . I found some more images for “Fact” and “Fiction”, and it appears that it’s not TWO new lines but ONE new line called “Fact & Fiction” with 2 paper pads and shared embellishments. Wait ’til you see!
So should I be thrilled or scared that I absolutely ADORE this entire “Fact & Fiction” line?!?!? Yikes. Must have about 90% of this. Word on the street is that it will be exclusively sold at Joann craft stores and be part of a Studio Calico kit. I haven’t confirmed that yet . . . just hearing the rumors.
If so, I’ll be BEGGIN’ someone near a Joann’s to pick up all these goodies for me! Gotta’ have it.
Okay, so NOW what do you think of “Fact & Fiction”? A must have or a no go?
As I mentioned HERE, I just needed to confirm with MEMORY WORKS home office that we’re still expected to receive all the new Simple Stories “Sn@p!” lines the first week of October. As of yesterday, that was confirmed so I’m going to start taking pre-orders, yippee!
HERE is a cool blog entry I did that shows big pictures of ALL the “Sn@p!” items from all 3 lines – Core, Life, and Color Vibe. One big advantage to ordering Simple Stories products from me @ Memory Works – the company who started SIMPLE STORIES – is that we always have textured American Crafts cardstock and ribbon packs to match each line!
HERE is where you can see all of the Sn@p! items on my site with prices. {Other than the page protectors which are already available, Sn@p! items will show Out of Stock until around 10/05/12}.
If you place a pre-order now, please understand that I can’t promise when these items will be available; I can only go by the estimate the Memory Works gives me :) But when they ARE available, I’ll be posting here on my blog to let you know (so please Subscribe to my blog, and you’ll get an automatic e-mail). If you pay for a pre-order, that’s when you came back HERE to place your actual order. Sound good?
Here is how the pre-orders will work:
I’ll collect and process payments until the release date. When the kits and additional items become available, I’ll e-mail you with instructions on what to do then.
{Which will be to log into my Memory Works WEBSITE, place the pre-paid for items in your shopping cart, enter your shipping address, and submit your order. I will automatically be notified that your order has been placed and, instead of having to wait for your payment to be received, I’ll be able to approve your order for processing immediately … assuming your payment has been received and processed already}.
{But don’t worry about that part right now, LOL}.
To place your pre-order now, e-mail me at scrapbookobsession(at)gmail(dot)com. Please include:
1. Item(s) requested and cost
2. Shipping name/address including zip code
3. Total due including items, tax*, and shipping/handling**
4. Payment method – check, money order, or Paypal
~ I prefer Paypal, and will e-mail a Paypal invoice to you ASAP
~ If paying by check or money order, I’ll e-mail you back with my address. Please be aware that I can’t approve your order until the check/MO have been received and cleared.
* Sales tax amount is based on the tax rate for the address you’re shipping to. There is a really cool sales tax rate lookup and calculator HERE.
** Please see THIS post for information on Memory Works shipping costs.
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns :) If you know of anyone who plans to order Simple Stories “Sn@p!” please send them my way!
Lain Ehmann over at Layout a Day.com just announced her next FREE SCRAPINAR for October and I think you’re going to love it!
Hmmm … You know that little voice in your head that talks to you but no one else can hear … yet *I* know what it’s saying right now? It’s saying, “What in Blue Cherry Hill is a ‘scrapinar’???” And since I heard your little voice alllll the way from here, I’m going to answer: A scrapinar is an online event where everyone meets up at the same bat time on the same bat channel (e.g., same website – which will be provided to you when you sign up). Lain speaks to us live, then she introduces a pre-recorded mini-scrapbook class or seminar. While all of us “students” are listening to Lain and watching the video, in another box on our computer screen, we are having an ongoing “live” (real time) chat with Lain and each other about the topic. We ask questions, make comments, share our own ideas, make jokes, whatever.
And the beauty part is that if you get interrupted or miss it altogether, you will have a certain window of time AFTER the scrapinar to log in, watch Lain, watch the video, and read the chat transcript. Lain also shares any links, worksheets, etc. that were discussed during the scrapinar. BUT – aint’t there always a but? – you MUST register before the event to have access to it afterward (i.e., you can’t see if after the fact if you didn’t sign up to attend originally). You don’t need Skype or anything. Lain sends you instructions on how to access the “classroom” and they’re really super easy. Hey, I’m about the biggest techno-boob out there and I managed to figure it out. Just sayin’ …
The REAL beauty part is … this is all FREE if you can flippin’ believe it! I know, right?
So here are the Top 5 Reasons You Should Sign Up:
1. On Tuesday, 10/02/12, she is having Jennifer Woodbury, a creative team member for Becky Higgins’ Project Life! She will share “Project Life Step-by-Step.”
2. As soon as you sign up, you’ll be offered a special deal that you can only get by signing up for this particular scrapinar. {Hint: It involves Becky Higgins, it’s a great deal, and you won’t want to miss it}.
3. If you already love Lain, you get to spend more time with her. And if you’ve never “met” Lain, what are you waiting for guuurrrrll? She’s fun, upbeat, and always hooks us scrappers up with cool stuff.
4. The October scrapinar uses the same “live chat” and video technology that Lain uses for the TRUE SCRAP events. So this is the perfect test drive to see how it works, get any bugs out, etc. before True Scrap later in October*
5. Um, *I* will be there! DUH!
*TRUE SCRAP 4 is an amazing 2-day, all-inclusive, online scrapbooking event taking place October 21-22, 2012. You get:
Inspiration and Education from 15 A-list instructors…
Five virtual project make-and-takes…
Pre-Event PJ Party…
Virtual goodie bag…
All for one low price…
All from YOUR computer!
I’ll be attending a True Scrap event for the first time. You can probably tell how excited I am because I keep blogging about it, LOL. I just think it’s a super cool thing and I wish I would’ve found True Scrap earlier. The class I took from True Scrap 3 was the best of ANY online scrapbooking classes I’ve ever taken, and that’s what brought TS4 to my full attention. Please think about joining me. Srsly.
I also hope to see you at the free October scrapinar. Do you think you’ll attend either event?
HERE is the new Simple Stories “Sn@p!” line in all it’s gorgeous colorful Project 365-ish December Daily fun glory ;)
And HERE it is on my Memory Works website. It’s not quite available yet so it’s showing Out of Stock. But they usually don’t put items on the website until we’re almost there! Good sign, good sign.
In the meantime, you can take a look at my site and start putting your wish list together. You can see the prices, what’s included, and get a close-up picture. Like window shopping, scrappy style!
I’m waiting for a response from Home Office about the exact date I will have the “Sn@p!” items available on my website, and then I’ll decide when to start taking pre-orders. I originally heard “the first week of October” but I know they had some of the binders at Scrapfest this weekend, so I’m thinking (hoping!) we’re going to get it sooner.
Now it’s time to sign up for the next event: October 19-20, 2012!!
I’m a member, as many of you are, of the TWO PEAS IN A BUCKET scrapbook message board. I just found out that Lain Ehmann at True Scrap 4 is offering a discount on the event fee JUST for 2 Peas members. If you sign up by 09/30/12, you can save $30!
You’re going to recognize most if not all of the True Scrap 4 Instructors including:
– Heidi Swapp
– Jen Gallacher
– Jessica Sprague
– Nicole Magouirk
and many more!
Two Peas is the headline sponsor of True Scrap 4 and Lain even made a quick video just for 2 Peas community members. {And she’s stinkin’ adorable … I heart that girl!}
Simple Stories has a HUGE new collection coming out in October 2012. It’s amazingly fun and ~ I’m totally serial, it’s FEE-YOU-JUS! So grab your beverage of choice, make yourself comfy, and get ready to scroll!!
I’m putting ALLLLL of the sure-to-be-popular “Sn@p!” collections by SIMPLE STORIES in one place so you can see it all together … and decide which pieces you “need”. Of if you’re like me, this is going to put into perspective how much money we need to put aside to buy, well, most if not all of the “Sn@p!” collections. Yeah, it’s kinda’ scary :P
As always, I’ll be selling the entire “Sn@p!” line as a MEMORY WORKS CONSULTANT. And here . . . drumroll please . . . is the “Sn@p!” line in its entirety:
“Core Collection”
This part of the Sn@p! line contains:
– Sn@p! Binders: 6×8 albums like those in the “Mix and Match” line but in 6 fun colors {red, teal, orange, green, pink, and brown} $17.00
– Sn@p! Pocket Pages, again like the Mix & Match pages; they come in 6 configurations {10} per pack $4.00
– Sn@p! 3×4 cards “Snappy Sayings” {24} with quotes and page titles $4.00
– Sn@p! 3×4 cards “Snappy Thoughts” {24} with more room for journaling $4.00
– Sn@p! 3×4 cards “Snappy Days” {24} to track your days of the week $4.00
– Sn@p! 4×6 cards “Snappy Sayings” {24} with quotes and page titles $5.00
– Sn@p! 4×6 cards “Snappy Thoughts” {24} with more room for journaling $5.00
– Sn@p! 4×6 cards “Snappy Days” {24} to track your months $5.00
– Sn@p! Pages “Color Fusion” which are {8} 6×8 chipboard pages with colorful basic patterns $5.00
– Sn@p! Pages “Just the Basics”, {8} 6×8 chipboard pages but these have graph and ledger designs $5.00
– Sn@p! Pages “So Random”, {8} 6×8 chipboard pages with more intricate designs than Color Fusion $5.00
– Sn@p! Stickers “Icons” which contain {8} 4×6 sticker sheets fun shapes, sayings, and journal spots $5.00
– Sn@p! Stickers “Labels” with {8} 4×6 sheets of labels $5.00
– Sn@p! Stickers “Letters” with {8} 4×6 sheets of alpha stickers $5.00
– Sn@p! Stickers “Typeset” with {8} 4×6 sheets of mini alphas $5.00
– Sn@p! Pockets “3×4 Pockets” containing {6} bright basics pockets $5.00
– Sn@p! Pockets “Just the Basics Assortment” with {6} graph/ledger pockets in 3 sizes $6.00
– Sn@p! Pockets “Color Fusion Assortment” with {6} colorful pockets in 3 sizes $6.00
*ETA 10/01/12: When I originally posted the prices here, they were taken from the wholesale catalog and reflected retail prices ending in “.99”. Now that the items are listed on my Memory Works website, I see that MW rounded the prices up a penny to end in “.00” and I’ve updated them here accordingly – a minor change but I wanted to explain the edits I made to this blog entry. Thanks!
Without further adieu, here are pictures of the … SN@P! CORE COLLECTION … that I just listed above.
See what I mean? There’s A LOT! And that’s only the first of THREE “Sn@p!” collections arriving in October 2012.
“Wait. There’s more!”
Next we have the Sn@p! “Life” Collection, which consists of:
– Sn@p! Life Collection Kit, a 12×12 pack similar to all existing Simple Stories lines $21.00
– Sn@p! Life 6×6 Paper Pad $6.00
– Sn@p! Life Fundamental Cardstock Stickers, cute design icons $3.00
– Sn@p! Life Calendar Cardstock Stickers with months, days, and numbers $3.00
– Sn@p! Life Simple Basics Pack with {6} sheets of 12×12 double-sided cardstock in basic designs w/bingo cards $5.50
– Sn@p! Life Basics 6×6 Paper Pad $6.00
– Sn@p! Life Cardstock with {6} sheets of 12×12 double-sided designer cardstock $5.50
– Sn@p! Life Signature Elements, {6} sheets of cut-apart elements $6.00
– Sn@p! Life Flash Cards, {1} sheet of cut-apart 3×4 cards $1.00
Now it’s time for pictures of all the Sn@p! “Life” Collection just listed:
Last but not least, we have the Sn@p! “Color Vibe” Collection. It contains:
– Sn@p! “Color Vibe” Collection Kit including {18} sheets of 12×12 double-sided cardstock and journaling elements $16.00
– Sn@p! “Color Vibe” 6×6 Paper Pad, {36} sheets of 6×6 papers $6.00
Here is what the Sn@p! “Color Vibe” Collection looks like …
* I noticed that 2838 above is mislabeled. It says “Brown Dot/Stripe” but should be “Grey Dot/Stripe”.
Soooo … those are all 3 of the new Sn@p! collections that are coming your way in October 2012. See what I mean? It’s a HUGE line!
I was trying to think how to differentiate the 3 collections in my mind and here is what I came up with:
Sn@p! “Core” Collection: 6×8 album album and all the accessories
Sn@p! “Life” Collection: 12×12/divided protector scrapping; what Simple Stories lines traditionally contain
Sn@p! “Color Vibe” Collection: 6×6 and 12×12 papers in basic colors and patterns to support the other 2 lines
I’m so in love with this line and hope that you are too! I’ll be taking pre-orders; details on how to place your pre-order will be in another post.
What do you think of “Sn@p!”?
ETA 10/01/12: Okay, I updated a few other things above so that now this blog entry matches the descriptions and prices of what’s actually on my Memory Works shopping site. And here are 2 things that are exclusive to Memory Works consultants like me:
American Crafts Coordinating Cardstock Pack, {7} sheets of textured 12×12 cardstock pack in colors to match the “Sn@p!” line $3.75
I’m now taking PRE-ORDERS until the line is in stock. Once you see it in stock HERE, no pre-order necessary. Just put it in your cart and order away :)
As new products arrive @ the MEMORY WORKS warehouse from the most recent CHA, we consultants are e-mailed .pdf files of the catalog pages to go with them. That way, we can show our customers what we have right away, even in advance of the next catalog {which in this case is due later this month ~ September 14, 2012}.
HERE I showed you the catalog pages for the 3 new Simple Stories lines, and HERE I shared what we have of the new Echo Park.
Now it’s time to show you a bunch more ~ yay! Clicking on the brand names below gives you the .pdf file of the catalog pages. They’re loaded with graphics and may take a sec … but so worth it! I’m also sharing my favorite items from each line :)
AMY TANGERINE‘s newest line, “Ready, Set, Go” and her popular “Day Book” album.
Love these papers in the Theme Set – they make me happy!
– AUTHENTIQUE “Curiosity”, “Enchanted”, “Festive” and “Peaceful”
– BELLA BLVD “Thankful”, “Birthday Girl”, “Birthday Boy” and lots of designer tapes aka washi tapes
– BO BUNNY “Apple Cider”, “Detour”, “Serenade”, “Mistletoe”, and “Rejoice”
– CARTA BELLA “Alphabet Junction”
– FANCY PANTS “Little Sport”, “The Good Life”, “Hopscotch”, and “Home for Christmas”
– MY MINDS EYE “Tangerine”, “Honey”, “Bluebell”, “Lavender”, “Lost and Found Halloween”, and “All is Bright”
– TERESA COLLINS “Tell Your Story”, “Vintage Finds”, and “Christmas Cottage”
See anything you likee? Even if you aren’t planning a purchase, what are your favorite things from above. Hey, we can window shop, right?
I got an e-mail today from Joann.com saying they had a 1-Day Only sale with up to 50% off some scrapbook supplies. I wasn’t looking for anything in particular but somehow came across “Sketches for Scrapbooking, Volume 8” by SCRAPBOOK GENERATION and remembered I want it!
I have “Sketches for Scrapbooking”, volumes 1-7 and one of the cardmaking ones. The 2 that I currently want are Volume 8 and the Travel one. I couldn’t find the travel one at JOANN.COM, though :)
Before I pulled the trigger, I did a little bit of price comparing because I had seen recently on a 2Peas post that these books were found for a good price on OVERSTOCK.COM. However, the 2 volumes I want were listed for almost full price there.
Then I looked on Scrapbook Generations’ own site to see what it would cost to get Volume 8 from them.
Scrapbook Generation: $16 plus $2 for shipping (if added to my monthly kit shipment) = $18
Joann.com: $16 at 50% off = $8 plus $6 shipping = $14
So I went with the Joann.com deal. Plus I got some scissors I’ve been needing to replace (because my lovely husband used them for something outside and never brought them back … love that man!)
I’ve had these scissors since I started scrapbooking 11 years ago and love them. They are the BEST for fussy cutting. The Fiskars scissors were $16 on sale for $11 and added $1 to the shipping.
So I got both items for $27 total.
Me = Happy Camper
What is your favorite scrapbook-related purchase or best deal lately?
40% Off Entire Purchase plus 40% Off Open Stock Scrapbook Paper 08/26 through 09/01/12. Make sure to check your ad or e-mail!
I haven’t had much luck finding anything there lately but maybe they’ll have received something new, since I’ve stayed away for about a month. If not, I’ll just get more yummy jar candles and more kraft cardstock. I bought the Recollections brand last time they had 5 for $1 and it’s excellent quality.
The new products from CHA keep rolling in! Now available on my WEBSITE are items from:
Echo Park “Documented”
Echo Park “Tailored”
Echo Park “Chillingsworth Manor”
and Echo Park “This & That Christmas”
And that’s just a tease of these 4 lines … plenty more where that came from!
You can see our Memory Works catalog pages for Echo Park HERE – it’s a .pdf with color photos so it may take a while to load.
Orders can be placed HERE and will ship directly to you from our Utah home office within 1-2 business days. I accept Paypal or we can arrange for payment by personal check. Questions? E-me,baby! scrapbookobsession(at)gmail(dot)com
Our monthly kit, MEMORY WORKS EXPRESS, is now available for sale “a la carte” for a flat price, no joining required. I thought I would mention it because it contains 2 things that are very popular right now: Simple Stories TAKE A HIKE and wood veneer shapes. Aren’t those little wooden camera shapes by STUDIO CALICO flippin’ cute?
Here is a list of what you get in the kit:
Patterned Paper
{1} 12×12 Happy Trails – Take a Hike (Simple Stories)
{1} 12×12 Back to Nature – Take a Hike (Simple Stories)
{1} 12×12 Happy Camper– Take a Hike (Simple Stories)
{1} 12×12 Adventure – Take a Hike (Simple Stories)
{1} 12×12 4×6 Journal Cards – Take a Hike (Simple Stories)
{1} 12×12 6×4 Vertical Journaling Cards – Take a Hike (Simple Stories)
{1} 12×12 Brown Wood/Map – Take a Hike (Simple Stories)
{1} 12×12 Orange Stripe/Ledger – Take a Hike (Simple Stories)
{1} 12×12 Green Dot/Prints– Take a Hike (Simple Stories)
{1} 12×12 Yellow Chevron/Grid – Take a Hike (Simple Stories)
{1} 12×12 Navy/Icons – Take a Hike (Simple Stories)
{1} 12×12 Bingo Cards/Chevron – Take a Hike (Simple Stories)
Embellishments
{1} 12×12 Take a Hike Fundamental Stickers (Simple Stories)
{1} 12×12 Take a Hike Expressions Stickers (Simple Stories)
{1} Chipboard Acorn Coaster Book (Maya Road)
{3} Wood Twigs – Assorted Styles (Maya Road)
{4} Green Leaf Trinket Pins (Maya Road)
{5} Wood Veneer Cameras (Studio Calico)
{1} River Felt Layered Details (American Crafts)
{10} Campy Buttons – Assorted Sizes & Styles (MemoryWorks)
{1} ½ Yard Orange Dot Ribbon (Creative Impressions)
{1} ½ Yard Brown Dot Ribbon (Creative Impressions)
{1} ½ Yard Green Dot Ribbon (Creative Impressions)
The price is $36.00 plus tax and shipping. It’s shipped straight from our Utah home office to you within 1-2 business days. When you buy a la carte, it’s a little more expensive than the monthly Memory Works Express price ($29.95) but there is no joining, no commitment. Well, there’s no commitment for MWE either but you do have to proactively cancel if you no longer want to receive them.
Do you have some camping, park, or outdoor photos from this summer that would work well with it? We didn’t go camping this summer but I have stacks of photos from past trips that I need to do! And I love the look of the Simple Stories “Take a Hike” line.
While perusing the interwebs for scrapbooking news – as I often do because it’s a CAPITAL way to avoid housework – I came across THIS blog post about a local scrapbook store in Minnesota that is closing.
Thanks for the Memories VIP!
Submitted by Kathy on Tue, 2012-08-14 03:25.
Big Change at VIP…
Thanks for the Memories!
V.I.P. Scrapbook will be closing its doors on September 1st. We know everyone will be wondering why we have made this decision and to be honest, it is for a variety of reasons. The current staff has had a great 3 years building our store to where it is today. We are proud of how our store looks, the new product we have continued to get in and most importantly, the relationships we have built with many customers.
It is not a secret that many, many independent scrapbook stores have been closing. In today’s economy as well as the online sites and chain stores, the independent stores have a very difficult time competing. We would just like to remind everyone that if you value the individual attention, free advice, and personal service you can find in many independent stores, then we must all remember to help support them, whether it is a scrapbooking store or a small town grocery store…
When one door closes, another one opens… we, all the staff, are ready to start new chapters in our lives. Some of us have come to places in our lives where we are excited to pursue new opportunities. On behalf of all of us here at VIP, we would like to truly thank our customers that have supported us in a variety of ways. Thanks for all the wonderful memories!
The part that sticks out to me is this:
We would just like to remind everyone that if you value the individual attention, free advice, and personal service you can find in many independent stores, then we must all remember to help support them, whether it is a scrapbooking store or a small town grocery store…
I have seen or heard about statements like this in many a “goodbye” or “holy crap, I’m about to close and I need your help to save me!” posts and letters from local scrapbook stores around the country. I wonder what scrapbookers think about this kind of message being directed to them?
The feedback I’ve heard in the past has been really mixed. Some scrappers feel like it’s not their responsibility to keep LSS’s in business and others feel an obligation to them in varying degrees.
*Random LSS photo found online :)
Here are my feelings about it: As someone who lost 7 local scrapbook stores within a few years and has been relegated to shopping at Michael’s, Tuesday Morning, and one craft store 40 minutes from home, I do feel an obligation to support LSS’s. I don’t think scrapbookers SHOULD have to support their LSS financially by shopping there regularly, but I think they DO have to support them if they want them to stay open.
When times were good in the scrapbooking industry, I think manufacturers did very very well for themselves. But I don’t think LSS owners were ever getting rich, even in the best of times. {I’m sure there were exceptions but none of my 7 store owners were driving Lexi* and drinking martinis in St. Tropez}.
*That’s the plural for Lexus, right??
So when we were hit with the worst of times, LSS owners really struggled. Like I heard an owner say once, “I have to sell a LOT of sheets of scrapbook paper just to pay the light bill.” Then figure in rent, personnel costs, insurance, other utilities, minimum product orders, etc.
The markup on scrapbook products is typically about 50%. So for each $1 sheet of scrapbook paper sold, the owner is profiting only 50 cents. For those $4.99 Thickers you bought, they made a whopping $2.50. So, yeah, they gotta’ sell a lot of product to be viable. LSS’s don’t typically sell many big ticket items like electronic die cutters, larger tools, etc. {we get those for cheaper at big box stores with sales and coupons, right?}. They don’t tend to make a big profit on classes and crops. Those are “break even” events whose main purpose is to draw customers into the store, hoping they’ll buy product while there.
So tangent alert! I did it again (sheepish smile). But my point … and I do have one … is that I personally DO feel an obligation to support the local scrapbook store for almost purely selfish reasons: I want them to succeed so they stick around and I don’t have to keep schlepping to Michaels with my flippin’ coupon and spending it on Herma tab refills because I can’t find anything from this decade, much less the most recent CHA. Or walking into TJ Maxx with my fingers crossed that they have some 2-year-old Dear Lizzy stickers I missed the first time around. Ya feel me?
Two small LSS’s have opened within an hour of me recently. As soon as I heard about each store, I rushed over to support them! Well, okay, I rushed over to see what scrapbook swag they had and to sniff massive amounts of paper at once, but you know what I mean. Sheesh.
They are smaller stores, which I think is a smart way to start, and I will do my best to choose them over the big box stores as where to spend my scrapbooking budget. To me, it’s like picking up litter or letting the one-item gal go in front of me at the supermarket check-out: One person CAN make a difference in her own little way. If a lot of other “one persons” join in, we’re golden, people!
I would love to hear what you think – and please don’t hesitate to disagree. I can completely see both sides of this issue and would love to hear it all.
YAYYY!! The long-awaited and much-anticipated new lines from Simple Stories are here!!! I’ve been so anxious for these to come in, because they were certainly the talk of the town after the last CHA show. I’ve seen Handmade Holiday and Take a Hike in person and they are gorgeous! {I’m sure Harvest Lane is as well}.
You can see all the new lines HERE and order them right now HERE.
Please let me know if you have any questions: scrapbookobsession(at)gmail(dot)com.
You can easily place your order from my Memory Works WEBSITE. I’ll send you a Paypal invoice (or you can arrange to pay by check). Once payment has cleared, your items will ship directly to you from our Utah home office within 1-2 business days. Easy peasy lemon squeezy!!
Also, now is a great time to check out my website because Memory Works is having a sale!
Out with the old…in with the new!
It’s that time again… to say good-bye to some of our old favorites as we say hello to our brand new product line up for Fall and Winter of 2012!
**Starting Wednesday, August 15, 2012 all items that will not be carried over into the next catalog will be discounted up to an additional 25% off**
This is good news for you! This is a great time for fantastic savings on some of your favorites from Bo Bunny, BasicGrey and My Minds Eye to Bella Blvd, Echo Park and even older Simple Stories collections.
And if you’re a MEMORY WORKS CONSULTANT like me, you get your usual 20% off PLUS the additional 25% from the warehouse sale. I’m no math major, but that sounds like a lot to me!!
So now would be a great time to sign up to be a consultant. Please check out my WEBSITE and see all the great products we carry, including SIMPLE STORIES, Basic Grey, My Minds Eye, Echo Park, and many more.
Just e-mail me and I can send you a worksheet that explains the 2 types of Memory Works Consultants. Both have very low sign-up fees, low or no minimums, and great flexibility with how you choose to run your business – from a hobbyist just buying for themselves to big business mogul :)
I checked with the home office at MEMORY WORKS to see when we consultants will have access to these lines and can start taking orders. Here is what I found out:
First week of August – Simple Stories Harvest Lane, Handmade Holiday, and Take a Hike
{any day now … eee!!!}
First week of October – Simple Stories Sn@p line
********* I am taking pre-orders on the “Sn@p” line *********** Please see the bottom of this post
In case you haven’t already been drooling over these 4 new lines, here they are :)
{ETA: Sorry, this post got too long so I only showed ya’ “3” new lines below. I’m going to do a separate post about Sn@p!}
SIMPLE STORIES “HANDMADE HOLIDAY”
The last 2 items are new to Simple Stories! We’ve added the Sn@p cards to *just* the Handmade Holiday line. The 3×4 tablet will retail for $3.99 and the 4×6 tablet for $4.99. This will make “Handmade Holiday” especially perfect to use for your DECEMBER DAILY projects, yeah? Keep the tablets handy in your purse, on your nightstand, or your scrap table and easily record your memories as you go. No pre-cutting required!
SIMPLE STORIES “HARVEST LANE”
SIMPLE STORIES “TAKE A HIKE”
Regarding prices for these 3 new Simple Stories lines ~ Handmade Holiday, Harvest Lane, and Take a Hike: If you are reading this blog post BEFORE the 3 new lines are released, please check out the SUMMER FRESH line to see what they’ll be. Prices will remain the same.
All images and layouts (not mine; I wish!) are courtesy of the SIMPLE STORIES BLOG.
If you would like to order any Simple Stories products, I would be happy to help! Just find them HERE on my website and place your order online. I will send you a Paypal invoice and your order will be processed upon receipt. It will be shipped directly to your US address from our home office in Utah within 1-2 business days.
As of this blog post, the 3 new lines are not yet available on my website. As soon as they become available (open, open, open!!), I will do a blog post. If you’re as anxious as I am, please sign up to receive my e-mails and you’ll be the first to know {okay, technically, the second …} when I have the lines available for order.
Don’t forget, we always carry the We R Memory Keepers (WRMK) 12×12 albums and divided page protectors that Simple Stories is designed to work with, including the hard-to-find Multi Pack of page protectors. Find ’em all HERE.
This is always a great deal. Only $39 + shipping for $160 worth of PINK PAISLEE product! I’ve bought a PP box in the past and WAS VERY HAPPY. I’m skippin’ it this time because I didn’t have a lot of favorites in this year’s collections.
But if you did, I urge you to check this out! And if you order the box, please post some pictures and come here to link us up! I wanna’ see, I wanna’ see!!!
All the details to order a Pink Paislee “Warehouse Sale” grab box are RIGHT HERE. Hurry! You only have until 08-14-12!!
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