I got this e-mail from MEMORY WORKS today, who I’m a consultant for. We’re always having cool promotions and I don’t want to flood my blog with them, but there are so many great things going on right now, I had to share. Just in case you want to do some shopping to celebrate July {wink} …
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We’re blasting off the Independence Day holiday with 3 firecracker promotions:
1 ~ 10% off select Patriotic Themed Products
2 ~ Free Snorkel Collection with $150 purchase
3 ~ 15% off Simple Stories Life Documented Kit
NOTE: Click on anything shown in bold and it will take you to a photo of the item :)
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PROMOTION #1
Show your patriotic pride…Save 10%
To show our pride for all things patriotic, we’re offering an additional 10% off our best selling patriotic themed collections and embellishments, including Creative Imaginations “Liberty” THEME SET, Pink Paislee’s “Starlight” THEME SETand STICKERS, and Bo Bunny’s complete “Block Party” COLLECTION! Shop now for best selection – sale ends July 5th!
“Freedom” 12×12 Layout by Sue Kendall featuring “Liberty” Theme Set from Creative Imaginations
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PROMOTION #2
When you spend $150 or more you’ll receive a 50-piece Cosmo Cricket Snorkel COLLECTION PACK (a $14.99 value)….absolutely FREE!
We’re continuing our 100 days of summer celebration. Now through July 31st 2010 (while supplies last, so hurry!), we will be offering this fabulous Snorkel papercrafting pack from COSMO CRICKET. Anyone – yes we mean anyone – placing an order of $150.00 or more will recieve this popular, best-selling kit that includes over 50 pieces of summer scrapping goodness. So whether it’s a party order, customer order or even consultant order…if it’s over $150 you qualify for the FREE* kit! But remember this kit will be available only while supplies last so swim on over and get yours today!
*FREE kit includes: 12 double-sided design paper, 18 cardstock stickers, 18 double-sided cut apart element cards, and 18 double-sided cut apart borders. Offer good only while supplies last. One free kit per order. Offer is not retroactive. Offer good on all party, customer or consultant orders of $150 net retail or more (excludes tax and shipping).
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PROMOTION #3
Sale Extended through July 5th!
Simple Stories Kit – 15% Off
If you haven’t treated your self to the goodness of our first Simple Stories release – now’s you’re chance. We’re extending our sale for just a few more days, offering an additional 15% discount off our popular “Life Documented” kit – grab yours before the low price melts away…
Life Documented Kit
Regular Price – $16.99 NOW 15% Off
Customer Sale Price – $14.44
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While you’re shopping, check out our SUMMER SAVINGS SALE with various items at great discounts – Maya mist, Xyron adhesive products, American Crafts including THICKERS, 7 Gypsies, Basic Grey, Bo Bunny, Crate Paper, Fancy Pants, Pink Paislee, and more.
Please let me know if you have ANY questions. You can leave a comment on this post, or e-mail me at scrapbookobsession(at)gmail(dot)com. Happy shopping!
CHECK THIS OUT!SCRAPBOOK UPDATE did a review of Simple Stories and they’re giving away a free kit. Just leave a comment ***ON THE SCRAPBOOK UPDATE SITE*** by midnight PST on May 31, 2010. Good luck!
I went to a crop with friends last Saturday and had a blast. I took my laptop, little Epson Picturemate PRINTER, and all my SIMPLE STORIES stuff so I could try and get caught up with my PROJECT 365. I’ve been seriously lagging, gurl … mmm hmmm! I’ve continued to take photos every day (well, I thought I had, ha) but I hadn’t scrapped or journaled anything since (gulp) early February.
At the crop, I spent the better part of 7 hours just choosing, editing, and printing 10 weeks worth of photos … yep, 70 photos! Yike, that was intense. As I went along, I realized that I hadn’t been taking an actual “photo a day” like I thought I had. There were definitely 7+ photos per week but some days I had none, other days I had 10, kwim? So printing out my photos took WAY more time than it should have, because I had to first print out photos that had for each actual date, then try to find “filler” pics that weren’t day/date-specific to fill in the blanks with.
I thought about just switching my project from “photo a day” to “7 photos per week” but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Yet in a weird way, I hated the “fibbing” that I had to do in order to have a photo to print for each day. Isn’t that psycho weird? I know. I can’t help it. I also hated that it took so much extra time and effort … It made something that should’ve been fun into a chore, a hassle, and that’s SO not what I want this project to be.
So I came away from that little nightmare experience recommitted to taking, literally, a photo per day. I put a Post It note on my kitchen cupboard that I’ll see every day to remind me. I definitely have no shortage of photo subjects, I just get so busy, I forget to take the photo sometimes. My photo today was of all the (non-perishable) stuff that was still sitting on the kitchen counter from my Costco trip yesterday. I HAYTE putting Costo groceries away. They’re even worse than regular groceries. Can I get an “amen”?!?!?
That might seem a silly thing to take a photo of, and pre-Project 365, I never would have taken that photo. But I think it will be a fun thing to look back on in years to come … “The things we used to buy at Costco and how mom hated putting them away so much, they would stay on the counter for a day or two.” Cuz that’s real life around here, folks! And that’s what my Project 365 is all about.
I’m sorry to say that I don’t have any completed pages to share. Since I was SO far behind, I decided the best way to get caught up was to use a “one step at a time” approach. Instead of printing the photos for a week, choosing the papers, embellishing, and journaling, I got ALL the photos printed and put in the page protector slots (or at least an approximation of where they will go). Then I chose the Simple Stories paper/strip/cards I would use as the base for each open slot. And that’s as far as I got.
Now I need to embellish and journal 10 weeks worth and I’ll be caught up. Well, let me rephrase that: I’ll be caught up through April 11, 2010. And then I’ll be only a week ~ no, make that two ~ behind, LOL! Wish me luck that I can get caught up by this weekend … that’s the goal.
If you’re doing Project 365 this year, how’s it going for you? Please tell me you’re not in the same dire straits as I am! And if you’re not doing Project 365, doesn’t my post make you happy that you’re not?!?!? Yeah, that’s me, a cautionary tale for Project 365.
As I told you about HERE, I had a Scrapbook Open House on Saturday. My friend who holds a monthly crop for several friends in her development’s clubhouse was kind enough to let me display all my SIMPLE STORIES merch and invite all my crop buddies and customers to come check it out.
The good news is: There were 6 of us at the crop for most of the day and I got to chat and have fun with my friends. Several customers stopped by and I was able to show them how Simple Stories works, along with some new MEMORY WORKS products I had in stock.
The bad, well okay, decent news: I sold a “moderate” amount of stuff, LOL! It wasn’t gangbusters like I had hoped, but I did sell enough to make me happy I’d done it. I think the best part was that, even for the customers who didn’t buy anything, I was able to show Simple Stories to them and every single customer seemed interested. Maybe it wasn’t in their budget for now, but hopefully it will be in the future.
Thanks for cheering me on. I know you were with me in spirit. I did have a fun day, and made some progress on my Project 365 album. I took my laptop and little Epson printer so I could try to get caught up. For my photos, I chose, edited, and printed them right there at the crop and then scrapped them (with the Simple Stories “Life Documented” kit and WRMK pocket page protectors). I didn’t do any journaling at the crop ‘cuz when I do, I tend to make mistakes. So now I’m only 1 week behind in photos and 2 weeks behind in journaling. Hey, if you knew all the stuff going on in my personal life right now, you’d be impressed, I swear! LOL :)
Overall, a fun and worthwhile day. Hope you had a scrap happy weekend, too.
I know that most scrapbook consultants have parties as the main way they get their products “out there.” Well, you know me, I have to be different, LOL! In my 3 years as a MEMORY WORKS Consultant (just had my 3-year anniversary on 2-6-10, yeah!), I’ve never officially had an MW party. Instead I prefer to have crops, where my products are for sale and customers can browse/purchase at their leisure, and now I’m having my second Scrapbook Open House.
The way an Open House works (and this is my own definition; it’s not something that Memory Works promotes as an option, per se) is that you find a customer who would like to be the hostess (they get hostess credit), decide your hours, send out flyers to your customers, offer some incentives for them to come by … and then PRAY that they do, LOL!
The first open house I did was in November 2008. I had a fabulous make-n-take, a 12×12 2-page layout with MY MINDS EYE products, that was hugely popular. It was a class kit from Memory Works, so I didn’t even have to come up with the idea or put it together. The hostess provided cookies, hot cider, and such. Ladies stopped by, did the M&T while they chatted with scrappy friends and had a snack, or they just purchased the kit and took it home. It was a great success and lots of fun.
Now with a crop (which is what I do more often) you get reservations and payment ahead of time, so you know financially how you’re doing as you go along, how much food to provide, etc. But with an Open House, other than the few ladies who might RSVP on their own, you really don’t know how many will show up. So from my perspective as a consultant, that’s a wee bit aggravating … yet the nature of the beast, so that’s okay :)
For the customer, open houses are great because they are TOTALLY at your convenience. You can stop by when you have time, stay for as little or as long as you want, do a quick shop or relax and stay awhile, chat with your scrappy friends without having to lug all your stuff like you would to a crop, get to see new products, and touch base with your consultant.
And those are all the reasons I like to have an Open House once in a while. It’s truly a win-win-win, LOL. The hostess gets free stuff, customers have an easy event to attend, and I hopefully make my customers happy and sell some things. This time, I’m most excited about it because I get to show off SIMPLE STORIES in person. I’ve been selling lots of it online (thank you, my dear customers!), but this is the first time I’ll show it off in person.
I think my job will be pretty easy, as it really does sell itself. I do look forward to seeing that A-HA moment in ladies’ eyes when they see how easy and fast it is, how fun it is to work with, and what a solution it can be to some scrapping dilemmas they might be facing.
1. That feeling of being “behind” ~ We all have super busy periods in our lives, or you just lose your mojo to scrap. Then you feel like you’re so far behind. You’re still taking photos as you always have, but they’re stacking up (literally, or at least on your computer) and how will you ever catch up?
2. You took a family trip, remodeled your house, or had a new baby and the amount of photos you took is, well, kind of embarrassing really :) You want to show off all the amazing photos and not have to skip any of them, but if you do regular layouts for every photo, you’ll need at least 2 albums … and 2 weeks of home vacation just to have the time, LOL.
3. You’d like to do PROJECT 365, 52, or 12. You want to do a weekly GRATITUDE ALBUM. You’d like to do a Year in Review album with just the best pics from each month.
Yep, Simple Stories takes care of all of these Scrapper Issues :) I think that’s why so many people have purchased it and are excited about it. It’s just a bonus that the kit itself is so dang pretty and fun. Anyway, I look forward to seeing reactions in person and hope my IRL scrap friends like Simple Stories as much as I do (wait, is that even possible???).
My Scrapbook Open House tomorrow is being held at the clubhouse of a sweet scrappy friend. She hosts a group of friends for a monthly crop, which we love because it’s free, easy, and fun! You can actually go to the entire crop day without spending any money (nice when money is tight), if you bring your own munchies and drinks. And avoid the inevitable trips to Starbucks and Michaels, LOL.
Tomorrow happens to be the February date for our monthly ‘friends crop.’ Since she’ll have the clubhouse open anyway, she agreed to be the hostess for my Open House (LOVE her!). There are usually 4 to 6 of us cropping all day from 9am to 9pm; I’m not sure how many are expected this time. Then from 10am to 8pm, I’ll have my Memory Works area set up with products, some snacks/drinks, a quick make-n-take, and free gifts for those who stop by.
I’m kind of nervous that no one will come to the Open House. You just never know. I’ve stocked up on a bunch of Simple Stories PRODUCTS ~ kits, page protector packs, cardstock packs, and even an album.
I’ll have my album available to flip through and show samples of how you can use the kit, and the M&T is made from Simple Stories products. I have copies printed of the new SIMPLE STORIES IDEA GUIDE and CATALOG.
Please keep your fingers crossed that I make some sales Saturday!
I’m going to look on the bright side: Even if I don’t have many customers, I still get to scrapbook all day, right?
Just a quick shameless brag post, if you’ll indulge me. HERE is where one my favorite blogs, CRAFT GOSSIP.COM, linked to my Eco Scrapbooking post :) It’s kind of surreal to click on a daily blog read and see your own name staring at you. Surreal and COOL!
And HERE is where Amber (the OWNER of Memory Works!) picked my blog as the first one to be showcased on the SIMPLE STORIES BLOG. Well, she could clearly see how obsessed I am about the whole Simple Stories thing, right? LOL Anyway, she said some very nice things about my blog and it made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Here’s what she wrote:
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Blog Spotlight
It was so fun for us to scour all of the blogs and message boards – and we were seriously blown away with your blogs. There are some great bloggers out there and it was so fun for use to peek into our customers and consultant worlds. We are amazed everyday of how talented and inspirational you are. In fact, we were so inspired by what we saw that we’ll occasionally spotlight a few here on our Simple Stories blog!
I think it’s fitting that our first blog spotlight is that of Erika. I first tumbled on Erika’s blog as we had been receiving a large amount of hits from Scrapbook Obsession to our Simple Stories website and blog. Of course, I was curious to see what website this was as the hits just kept coming (and still do.) I was amazed – not only does she have highly fascinating, humorous posts she is a die-hard Simple Stories fan. Of course – that won me over J I loved how she shared her enthusiasm with her readers and even offered a pre-order option to her customers. LOVE that she puts herself out there and represents MemoryWorks in a positive, friendly and helpful way. LOVE that she’s a passionate scrapbooker and love that she doesn’t take life too seriously. So thanks Erika for brightening our day! (And Erika – don’t be surprised if you find a little goodie in your next MemoryWorks order…)
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Eeee! Did she say GOODIE???? Okay, I’m in Stalk the UPS Man mode, fer shure. {Gah, just for the legal record, I’m totally kidding about the “stalking.” It’s just a term we obsessed scrapbookers use to describe the way we jump up to peek out the window blind every time someone so much as coughs outside … when we’re expecting a scrappy package. No need to call the cops. There’s nothing to see here}.
Okay, now back to the music …
I said a hip hop the hippie to tha hippie the hip hip a hop
And ya don’t stop a rockin to the bang bang boogie
Say up jump the boogie to the rhythm of the boogety beat
Skippity we bopp we rock a scooby doo
A guess what America we love you
Cuz you rock & you roll with a so much soul
A you could rock till you 101 years old
Anyone know what song that’s from? If you do, you have my utmost respect. Hollah!
I can’t believe we already have it! Memory Works has the new Cosmo Cricket lines from CHA-Winter (just last month!). You can see them all HERE and place an order if you like. I take Paypal or check/money order; sorry, US orders only.
As many of you know who ordered Simple Stories recently, Memory Works has great customer service ~ your order is shipped within 1-2 business days of payment confirmation. Not to mention that I will be your consultant and I’ll treat you like a queen! The Scrapbooking Queen that you are.
Okay, get ready, ‘cuz I’m going to tease you with some previews of the Cosmo Cricket we have …
“GARDEN VARIETY” Theme Set
“GARDEN VARIETY” Cardstock Stickers
We also have the Elements, Chipboard, and Buttons. Cardmakers will be happy to know we have the “GARDEN VARIETY” 6×6 Mini Deck!
Oh! And these cool Paul Bunyan chipboard letters, that are so fun and different …
Now onto another line …
“MATERIAL GIRL” Theme Set
“MATERIAL GIRL” Cardstock Stickers
“MATERIAL GIRL” Journaling Cards
We also have the “Material Girl” Chipboard, Buttons, 6×6 Mini Deck, and the Flour Sack chipboard letters … oh, so cute!
The third line we have is called “Joy Ride” …
“JOY RIDE” THEME SET
Here are the “JOY RIDE” ELEMENTS
We also have the Cardstock Stickers, Buttons, 6×6 Mini Deck, Chipboard, and one of my picks, these “Blue Line” chipboard letters …
Last but not least, we have the TINY TYPE ALPHAS in Red, Blue, Brown, Green, Black, and Cream.
I will definitely be stocking up on these. I’ve always loved the similar alphas by Making Memories but I actually like this font better, plus you get those extra little stickers at the bottom. Besides, they’re only $1.50 each so why not?
MEMORY WORKS also has the new Three Bugs in a Rug that you can see HERE. We have Great Outdoors, Savannah, Little Chick, and Animal Stackers.
I’m always happy to answer your questions … just give me a shout at scrapbookobsession(at)gmail(dot)com.
The SIMPLE STORIES “Life Documented” kit by MEMORY WORKS went on sale Friday, January 15, 2010 at 9am MST … and I ordered mine 1/15/10 at 9:01 MST :) I know, I know, I lagged for a whole minute! Here is what I ordered:
And the kiwi green WRMK 12×12 D-RING ALBUM ($30.00), which comes with (10) regular 12×12 page protectors
I received my package of goodies exactly one week later (the following Friday). Usually I get MW orders within 4-5 days but, understandably, it took longer this time because they were swamped with orders. That weekend, I set about getting started with my Simple Stories kit, which I’m using to complete my PROJECT 365 for 2010.
The kit is so detailed and nice-looking, that you can definitely “keep it simple” and use nothing but what comes in the kit, by cutting the cardstock elements apart, printing out and using the digital elements, etc. and just slipping them right into the page protector slots. Adding your photos and journaling would be the rest of the process, and you’d be DUNZO! Whoo hoo, love the simplicity and quickness of that.
But after seeing Simple Stories page samples from the Memory Works design team and guest designer BRENDA HURD, I decided to go a little more elaborate with mine. I really liked how they added flowers, ribbon, stamping, and other embellishments to dress it up and have a little fun with it.
So I went digging through my stash and began gathering things that I could use. I found lots of matching flowers and ribbons (Why, yes, I DO know that I have a ribbon issue! I’m on Step 7 of 12. I’ve humbly asked God to remove this shortcoming. I’m waiting to hear back) …
I decided to use one of the patterned, double-sided cardstock sheets to open my Project 365 album, with the title page/front page using one side, and then turning the page to an Introduction page on the left. {It has a bunch of personal info on it and with the nasty spammers I get on the blog, I can’t share the whole thing here, sorry … }. Here’s the bottom right of the Intro page, where I used a file tab sticker and alpha letters from the SS kit, and some light green glitter chipboard letters I had (thanks SSS SECRET SANTA!).
I printed out my photos and started popping them into the slots, along with strips, embellishment, and journaling cards from the kit. I also used one of the transparencies here, to give special honor to the photo of receiving my long-awaited Simple Stories shipment!
On the first page, I used the January month card. There’s a card for every month, which I love.
I kept the cover sheet from the kit and slipped it in a page protector, for when I take my Project 365 album {which will be my demo album} to Memory Works parties and crops.
I’m not sure why I took a photo of my WRMK album. I think because I’m in love with it and want to marry it …
I got all my P365 photos printed up to that point, which was the end of Week 3, and got them in the page protectors where I liked them. Some of the photos didn’t fit effortlessly into the slotted pages so rather than fight or force, I decided to make a front and back 12×12 layout using some of the Prism cardstock as a background.
At that point, I had a better feel for the colors and style of the kit, and went shopping in my stash again for things I could use to dress it up. I found chipboard numbers, journaling items, metal frames, and all kinds of bling. Hmmm … I’m getting so much stuff, I need a container of some kind to hold them on my desk. Shouldn’t be a problem, as I’m the Queen of Rubbermaid storage containers, LOL.
So that’s how things went on my first Simple Stories outing. Obviously, now that I’ve got the basic layout of my pages in place, it’s time to USE some of that fine stashness I’ve gathered.
I’ve never done Project 365 and I’ve never scrapbooked this way, with the divided page protectors. This is going to be a fun and growing experience for me and my scrapbooking, and I’m really looking forward to it.
Check out this cute, scrapbook-related COMIC for a good laugh. You gals who’ve been dealing with ice and snow storms will especially appreciate it :)
If you’ve been patiently waiting for a look at the Simple Stories kit I got last week and what I’m making with it, please hang in there and I’ll have something posted this weekend :)
As you probably know by now (LOL!), I’m a consultant for MEMORY WORKS, and SIMPLE STORIESis their hot new product (the very 1st product of their own!). It’s been very popular with scrappers doing PROJECT 365, or those who just want to get some fast scrapping done … while keeping it cute and stylish :) I have an online friend who wants to use this kit to get a quick scrapbook done for her 2009 family album, as she was busy with kids and craziness, and didn’t get many of her photos scrapped.
Anyway, I placed this order ~ which was #1 of 2 ~ the second that Simple Stories products went live on my Memory Works website last Friday (1-15-10). Memory Works said to expect a longer shipping time than usual because this was so popular and they have a small staff. Usually my orders ship to me within 1 business day; they said to allow 4-7 business days for Simple Stories, and that was accurate since it shipped on Day 5 and arrived here on Day 7.
As you can see, I ordered my own stuff and a bunch of extras to sell at my next crop and to friends. (I’m already holding a few things, wink). There’s my gorgeous Kiwi green album by We R Memory Keepers, the Simple Stories kits, coordinating cardstock packs, and 2 kinds of page protector packs.
My 2nd order is due here Monday … more of the same. I decided to get extras with the profits I made from the first round of selling (it sold VERY well!). Like they say, a good businesswoman reinvests her profits in her business :) I heard … and it may just be a rumor … that this could be the only run of this version of “Life Documented” kits. I mean, Memory Works will probably issue future Simple Stories kits along these same lines that coordinate and everything, but I like THIS particular kit so much, I wanted to get lots of extras while I could. You know, once they’re gone, they’re gone, kind of a thang.
I’ll be playing with Simple Stories all weekend, getting my Project 365 all caught up (Weeks 1 through 3). I’ll post close-ups of the kit contents themselves, probably on Monday because I have a very busy weekend.
Did you order Simple Stories? Didja get it yet? What do you think?
I feel like BECKY HIGGINS today! You know how everyone gets so excited over her scrapbook kits, like the school days one, and more recently, PROJECT LIFE??? Well, today is the day that theSIMPLE STORIES “Life Documented” line and accessories went on sale … 1-15-10 at 9am MST, to be exact.
Late lastnight, the CATALOG of Simple Stories items was released to consultants and boy is it purdy. It’s a .PDF file that I can e-mail to customers, and the whole line in is in there, including the much anticipated matching Prism cardstock, along with How To’s and samples. Very well done, I thought.
I was was up super late lastnight (too embarrassed to tell you HOW late….), getting all my ducks in a row with my pre-orders. I tallied down who had pre-ordered what, the amount due, and whether their Paypal payment had been received. I made sure my Memory Works WEBSITE was pulled up, that all my billing and address info was correct, and that I was logged in. Then I went to bed for a few hours (ahem…) and was up by 7am to be ready for the 8am (my time) launch.
Once the Simple Stories items were showing on my MW website, I placed my very own order for an album, kit, a Prism cardstock pack, and some page protector packs. I added extras of everything (except the album; oh, I got that cool Kiwi green color, btw!) so I have some stock to sell at my next crop. I hit Send and sang Hallelujah! Did a little happy dance. Whoo hoo, I GOT ME MINES!
Then I went to my e-mail … and felt like Becky :)
The order invoices starting coming in, right from the beginning! I checked each one to make sure the correct items were ordered that they had requested, then verified payment had been received, and hit “Order Fulfillment” on my MW website. Questions were coming in pretty regularly, and new orders that hadn’t been pre-paid, so I typed up Paypal invoices, sent them right off, received payment SO quickly (these girls are excited!…well, that or they had to leave for work, sheesh). More Order Fulfillments and lots of happy customers!
Yeah, I felt like about 1% of the stress that Becky Higgins must feel the day her new kits go on sale to the general public. Gah! It’s fun, exhilarating, exciting, and stressful, all rolled into one. I know I’ve gone on and on about this kit/line, and I thank you for your patience if you normally come here just to read sarcastic scrapbook commentary and see what’s in stock at Michaels, LOL! I’ll get back to that good stuff soon, I promise. In fact, I have a VERY good article coming up that you’re going to want to read. It applies to a scrapbook industry controversy, so should be interesting, eh?
Anyway, I’m so happy today is here, excited to keep selling Simple Stories products in the future, and SO appreciative of my lovely customers and understanding SBO readers who have been nothing but wonderful to me :) Hollah!
The best part is going to be seeing what people DO with this kit. I’ve seen (MW owner) Amber’s samples on the simple stories blog, and I know the MW Design Team got the kit a day or two early and are busy creating with it. But I really want to see what the everyday scrapper like me does with it, and hear their feedback. I hope it turns out to be a good solution for Project 365’ers, for busy moms who want to get some photos in an album BEFORE their kids are grown and gone, and for new scrappers who maybe have been intimidated by traditional scrapping and might feel like this is something they can do to get started.
Again, just feelin’ the love today. Thanks to all! Have a WONDERFUL day!
ETA 1-15-10: Holy cow, the Prism Cardstock Pack (it matches with Life Documented kit) has already sold out! I hope they’ll get more soon. You get (7) pieces of pebbled, 12×12 cardstock for $3.75 …
ETA 1-18-10: It’s back! The Prism cardstock that matches Simple Stories “Life Documented” is back in stock :)
For all the details on this kit, please scroll down through my blog and see the past 7 updates. Or you can do a Search on Simple Stories and the entries will come up ~ thanks :)
Since my last update, there have been 2 new posts on the Simple Stories blog:
ALMOST HERE! (01-08-10) ~ More photos of what the kit looks like in action
RELEASE DATE (01-12-10) ~ Release date moved from January 18 to January 15
Just wanted to let you know that the planned release date has been changed from Monday, January 18, 2010 … to this Friday, January 15! For those of you who have placed pre-orders through me, make sure you go to my website ASAP on Friday and order the items you’ve pre-paid for. I don’t want you to miss out … these are going to be VERY popular kits.
The time of release is 9am MST, so figure out what time that means for your time zone if you want to be one of the first, LOL! It’ll be 8am my time (PST) and I’m going to order the kit, album, and page protectors for myself and then some extras to have in stock and sell at crops. I can’t wait to get the goods so I can start scrapping my Project 365!
Okay, I know those of you who could care less about Simple Stories are getting tired of these dang posts, so I’ll keep it short, LOL! Those who ARE interested, please post any questions here in Comments or e-mail me at scrapbookobsession(at)gmail(dot)com.
Just a quick post to say that if you requested to be on my e-mail list for Simple Stories “Life Documented” kit updates, I sent one out yesterday. If I inadvertently missed you, please let me know :)
Also, there is an online crop this weekend at SCRAP SISTERS STUDIO. Please come join us for lots of fun! I think it’s going to be a busy and fun crop, because everyone is back in the mood to scrap after the holidays. Also, lots of the country is snowbound and very cold right now, so staying inside to crop, drink some coffee or hot tea, and chat with friends sounds perfect, don’t you think? I posted my first layout challenge ever and I’m sending a small RAK to everyone who submits a layout, so come check it out. HERE is where the crop is, and HERE is where you register if you’re not a member yet. Hope to see you there!
The excitement over the Simple Stories “Life Documented” kit by MEMORY WORKS continues to build. Since my last update, there have been 2 more posts on the Simple Stories BLOG:
Q&A (1-4-10) ~ Some FAQs are answered More Elements (1-6-10) ~ Digital elements are revealed & see who the special guest designer will be
Speaking of digital elements, that’s what my TEASE was about earlier. The detailed info is in the “More Elements” post I linked to above, but here are the basics:
You print these on your choice of cardstock:
Then punch them out with this:
Fiskars 2″ Round and Round Scallop Punch
Or this:
Fiskars 2″ Round and Round Circle Punch
You print these…
… on sticker labels like this:
Avery 8167
As coincidence would have it, Memory Works currently carries both of the squeeze punches. If you would like to order either/both now, e-mail me at scrapbookobsession(at)gmail(dot)com or place your order on my WEBSITE. They’re each $17.50 and I have a feeling once the kit goes on sale, a lot of people will be ordering these so I can’t guarantee how long they’ll stay in stock.
I’m ordering the scalloped one for myself tomorrow and will be scouting out those Avery labels at Staples next time I’m there :)
Man, when I saw those scallop date tags, I literally gasped! I LURVE circle date labels like that and the fact that they were scalloped on top of it just sent me over the moon. They remind me of JILLIBEAN SOUP who makes all those cute and fresh-looking journaling spots.
I think all the free digital downloads are going to be so fun to play with, personalize, and use the heck out of.
In other Simple Stories news …
The latest date given for release of the “Life Documented” kit is January 18, a mere 11 days away! This is also from the Simple Stories blog:
——— The complete Simple Stories product line and Life Documented kit is estimated to arrive by January 18 – it may be a little earlier or a little later – but that’s our shipping estimate as of today. We will continue to keep you updated – and AS SOON as our products are available we will have them available for purchase. So let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope all goes well – that’s only 2 WEEKS away….woo hoo!!
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One last piece of news I’d like to share is this: According to an e-mail conversation I had with the home office, depending on the interest level (that means buy a kit please so they’ll keep making them, LOL!), Memory Works plans to continue releasing Simple Stories kits. These would be in 3-month intervals and have different themes. I’m so stinkin’ excited. I hope the first kit does really, really well and it encourages them to keep making more.
So, if you’re interested in Simple Stories “Life Documented” kit and the accessories that go with it, please see:
HERE about being on my mailing list HERE for shipping information
and HERE to learn about placing a pre-order
I’ve already received several pre-orders, which means once the kit become available, waiting for payment verification isn’t going to hold these girls up from getting their kit, album, and/or page protectors ordered. Very exciting!
So keep those pre-orders coming…and don’t hesitate to post here or e-mail me with any questions :)
If you’re interested in purchasing the SIMPLE STORIES “Life Documented” kit by MEMORY WORKS, I’m accepting pre-orders as of NOW :)
If you’re not familiar with Simple Stories, please scroll down and see my past entries on it.
Suffice to say, if you’re looking for a cool way to do Project 365 this year, or just want to get some quick scrapping done, Simple Stories may be for you. The response to this new product has been amazing ~ I think because it’s look is what so many of us consider to be “our style” and because it’s such a cool system ~ that I’m halfway afraid it’s going to sell out before I can get it to everyone who wants one.
Hence, PRE-ORDERS :) This way, I will have your payment already in hand by mid-January when the kit become available. Standby your e-mail though, because I’ll notify you when when to place your actual order!
Here is how it will work:
1. You decide which item(s) you want from the list below.
2. Add the appropriate tax for the city/county of the shipping address.
3. Add shipping/handling charges (see end of this post).
4. E-mail your request to me along with how you would like to pay (check, money order, or Paypal).
I’ll collect and process payments until the projected “Life Documented” availability of Mid-January. When the kit and 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}.
Here are the items that will be available in mid-January
(to the best of my knowledge at this time…disclaimer done…check!):
Simple Stories “Life Documented” kit for $16.99
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We R Memory Keepers 12×12 D-Ring leather albums for $30.00
Colors are RED, BLACK, CINNAMON (brown), and KIWI (green)
Note: These albums come with (10) regular (not divided) 12×12 page protectors
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We R Memory Keepers 12×12 divided page protector packages:
4×6 horizontal pockets only, 25-pack, for $11.50
4×6 vertical pockets only, 10-pack, for $5.50
12×12 regular (no pockets) page protectors, 25-pack, $10.50
Multi-Pack (various pocket configurations as show below), 10-pack, $5.50
Exclusive Simple Stories “Life Documented” page protector bundle ~ includes complete Multi-Pack PLUS (12) 4×6 horizontal pockets only, for $11.50
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To anticipate some questions you may have about the above products…
Simple Stories “Life Documented” kit by Memory Works:
Exactly what items come in the kit?
~ Please see the graphic above for specifics on the exact items you get in this kit.
What is the quality of the cardstock items?
~ I haven’t personally seen the kit, of course, but the Simple Stories blog states that “you’ll love the quality of this super-thick, heavy-weight cardstock!”
Are the cardstock items pre-cut?
~ No, they will come as a 12×12 sheet and you will cut them apart yourself. They are sized to fit perfectly within the pockets of the WRMK divided page protectors.
Will this kit allow me to scrapbook an entire year’s worth of photos or an entire Project 365?
~ This truly depends on how generously or sparingly your use the elements of the kit, and how many photos you include in your project. For example, if you’re doing a “year in review” type of album, the kit does include (12) Monthly Title Cards with a spot for journaling on the back (which would show on the next page in your album). Everything is double-sided, so it does “double duty” in your album. With all the additional elements and patterned paper provided, I would feel comfortable saying you could complete an entire “Year in Review” album with just this one “Life Documented” kit.
I’m doing Project 365 for 2010 and will be using this kit to complete it. I’m not 100% sure that I’ll be able to complete my entire project using only one of these kits. Again, it really depends on how I lay out my pages, how lightly or heavily I use the elements on each page, etc. From looking at other scrappers Project 365s from 2009, I think I’ll be able to do it with just one kit. The majority of Project 365 is filled with your photos … at least 7 slots per 2-page layout, right? Depending on what type of “pocket” protectors you use on any given layout, the use of the kit elements themselves is going to be pretty sparing.
But that’s just my own judgement … You do what you feel is right for you. If you feel safer ordering 2 kits right from the get-go, I would do that. If you have extras leftover at the end of your project, whatever it may be, you can certainly use these elements on regular scrapbook page layouts.
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We R Memory Keepers 12×12 Leather D-Ring albums:
Are the albums good quality and will they hold up to large projects?
~ I have several of these albums myself, that I use for School Days albums for my family members. These are albums that are very full and are looked at a lot, and I’ve been very pleased with the quality. The albums seem very strong and I haven’t had any problems, nor have I ever heard of scrappers being unhappy with WRMK albums’ quality.
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We R Memory Keepers pocket page protectors:
Are the pockets on the front, back, or both sides of the page protectors?
~ I was really curious about this, too, as I was trying to conceptualize how I was going to lay out my Project 365 album using “Life Documented” and WRMK pocket page protectors. So I bought a pack of the set with 2×12 vertical pocket, and (5) vertical and horizontal 4×6 pockets. The pockets themselves are on the front side of the protector only; the back side of the protector is smooth. Obviously, whatever you put in the pockets, the backside of that will show on the next page of your album (if that makes sense, LOL!). That’s why Simple Stories has everything double-sided, and you get double duty out of all the cardstock elements.
Before you decide what you want to order, THIS is a great post on the Simple Stories blog to look at closely. It has all the elements of the “Life Documented” kit in one place, and I think any other questions you have will be answered in that post.
So, as I said above, if you’d like to place a PRE-ORDER for the Simple Stories “Life Documented” kit, or the We R Memory Keepers albums or Page Protectors, e-mail me at scrapbookobsession(at)gmail(dot)com. Please include:
1. Item(s) requested and cost
2. Shipping address
3. Total due including items, tax*, and shipping/handling**
4. Payment method – check, money order, or Paypal
~ I strongly 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
* 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/handling information and costs.
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns :) If you know of anyone who plans to order Simple Stories “Life Documented,” send them my way!
Okay, I percolated on it for a while (like how I can fit a coffee reference in just about anywhere?? lol), and I’ve decided to take pre-orders for the “Life Documented” kit. I’ll post more info later today (Sunday), but as a heads up, I can take check, money order, and Paypal (preferred). I’ll make sure you know all the items available, the prices, and how to submit payment. TTFN…
Okay, ladies, I think this kit officially qualifies as a scrapbook “frenzy” LOL!
Back in the day when I hung out at CKMB a lot*, someone would post a new product and before you knew it, the whole board was in a frenzy to find said item and get it in their possession ASAP. Then they would come post/brag about it, so the rest of us could be jealous :) Some examples of frenzy items: Fiskars “Threading Water” punch, Michaels $1 stamps, Basic Grey magnetic mats, and anything on sale for a fabulous price like the Heidi Swapp and My Minds Eye huge kits at Costco.
*Speaking of CKMB, I’ve been visiting again lately and it seems to have finally stopped logging me out every 5 seconds so I’m back to posting there again. Yay for me! I missed those sweet girls :)
Well, Simple Stories has reached that level, my friends. Every message board I’m on is talking about it, wanting it, and loving it. HERE is where I asked if you want to be on my e-mail list for updates about the kit, and I’ve gotten tons of requests. {Keep the requests coming…please e-mail me at scrapbookobsession(at)gmail(dot)com}.
But what I think is really going to push it over the top into Frenzyville is THIS! Yep, Simple Stories “Life Documented” by Memory Works is part of a big prize giveaway on ALI EDWARDS blog! Below I’ve copied over the part of Ali’s post that relates to Memory Works:
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One person will receive the Life Documented kit from the new Simple Stories collection by MemoryWorks.
Your photos and memories are far too important to keep in a box, store on a computer or bury in a pile. We know life is busy and at times it feels nearly impossible to keep up with all of life’s demands – yet alone find time for the things you enjoy like your scrapbook hobby and preserving your memories.
If you’re overwhelmed with too many photos…
If you’re feeling guilty for not being “caught up”…
If you’re overloaded with creative pressure and unrealistic expectations…
If you’re stressed because you don’t have enough time to scrapbook…
If you don’t know where to start…or worried if you can even keep up…
If you’re frustrated with the process of traditional scrapbooking…
If you’re looking for a better way…
Then you will love our simple and refreshing approach to scrapbooking!
MemoryWorks is beyond thrilled to introduce the new, exclusive Simple Stories scrapbook system. You can view our video here. Our innovative system was designed for scrapbookers of all levels who want to share their life stories and memories in a simple, yet meaningful, way – but without the time, guilt or stress of traditional scrapbooking.
Life Documented, the first collection in our Simple Stories series, is all about documenting a year in your life like never before. Our Life Documented kit allows you to share your story in a whole new way, while getting back to the basics of what scrapbooking is all about…your photos and memories. We’ve done all the work for you with our exclusive Simple Stories system – with beautiful pre-designed elements that you simply trim, add your journaling and then insert into pockets – along with your 4×6 photos – for quick and easy scrapbooking. No cropping. No adhesive. No stress. It’s as easy as that – sharing your photos and memories has never been easier!
In addition to the giveaway here, we’re giving away a FREE Simple Stories Life Documented kit, with coordinating divided page protectors and embellishments, a retail value well over $35. Visit www.mysimplestories.com for more details.
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OMG, that is SO exciting! Ali’s blog must be one of the most popular ~ if not THE most popular ~ scrapbook blogs out there. The exposure that blog post will provide is monumental. I’m so happy that even more scrappers will get to see what a great system and kit this is. What are you waiting for!?!?! Go enter the contest, silly! Just be sure to come back here when you’re done, K?
Since my last update, there have been 2 more posts on the SIMPLE STORIES blog and here they are:
REVEAL #5(1-1-10) ~ Alphas, Elements, Transparencies, and Papers
EYE CANDY POST (1-1-10) ~ See the whole line in one place
I think the most often asked question is “When can we get it?” and the answer is Mid-January. If you are anxious like I am and want to be one of the first to place an order, keep checking the Simple Stories blog, my blog, and get on my e-mail list. All three places will have up-to-date information. On the MW consultant message board, some of the consultants are taking pre-orders now and I’m considering doing that. I’m thinking if I had customers money already in hand, I could place the orders the second the kits are available instead of waiting until I receive payment. BECAUSE this is such a hot item, I do have a fear of them running out of kits before I can get them to all of my customers. So let me ruminate on that a bit and if I decide to take pre-orders, I’ll let ya know!
Hope you’re having a wonderful Saturday. I’m off to Costco…wish me luck! But then I get to hit Tuesday Morning and look for those cheap Thickers, and also Michaels to see what they got. My coupon isn’t good until tomorrow tho’….bummer, dude.
The response to this new line and kit by MEMORY WORKS has been overwhelming! Which, as a Memory Works consultant, excites me to no end. It feels good when so many people have such a positive response to a product that the company YOU work for sells.
So I’ve decided to do regular update blog posts here about it. Here is UPDATE #1 and UPDATE #2 in case you missed them. They don’t have “Update” in the title because I didn’t realize when I wrote them that Simple Stories/Life Documented would be such a big honkin’ deal, LOL!
I’m also going to start sending out e-mail updates to anyone who would like to be on my address list. If you would like to be on my list and receive updates about Simple Stories “Life Documented”, please e-mail me: scrapbookobsession(at)gmail(dot)com. {I would prefer you didn’t leave your e-mail address in my blog Comments, as then your personal e-mail is out there for everyone on the web to see and you will be spammed to within an inch of your life. Believe me.}
I’ve been away from the computer for the last several days, so I haven’t been able to share all the Life Documented sneak peeks they’ve been posting on the Simple Stories BLOG, but here are some links so you can get all caught up:
REVEAL #1 (12-28-09) ~ Life Documented Kit, Journal Cards, and Quote Cards REVEAL #2 (12-29-09) ~ We R Memory Keepers Albums, Page Protectors, and prices REVEAL #3 (12-30-09) ~ Title Strips, Border Strips, and Page Elements REVEAL #4 (12-31-09) ~ Journaling Mats, Quote Cards, and how they work with the Page Protectors
For this update, how about a What, Where, How kind of thing?
WHAT is Simple Stories “Life Documented” by Memory Works?
Let me scooch back a little and start at the beginning :) Memory Works is a direct sales scrapbooking company that has been around for 7 years. It is run by Amber and Kevin Crowell (husband and wife) from Utah, USA. Over the years, they have built a wonderful and successful business with consultants from all over the country selling the “latest and greatest” scrapbooking products direct to the customer. Until now, Memory Works has sold products made by other companies, such a My Minds Eye, Basic Grey, Pink Paislee, and Bo Bunny.
Beginning in January 2010, Memory Works will manufacture and sell their OWN product line called Simple Stories. The first release from this line is called “Life Documented” and it consists of paper (not digital*) scrapbooking elements, and it works perfectly with the We R Memory Keepers 12×12 D-ring albums and regular/pocket page protectors that Memory Works already carries. *The kit itself is paper but there will be a free digital element to it also.
WHEN will Simple Stories “Life Documented” items be available to purchase?
The We R Memory Keepers 12×12 D-ring albums and page protector packs are currently for sale through any Memory Works consultant. I notice that as of now, the Celery green color is out of stock, but other colors are available. My assumption is that the Celery color will be in stock when the kits are.
Speaking of which, the Simple Stories “Life Documented” kits are projected to be available for purchase in mid-January. MW does not believe in promising something until they have it in their hands, so they will not take orders until they actually have the product and know they can fulfill the orders. (My VERY OWN OPINION is that Memory Works trying to avoid a fiasco like Becky Higgins/Creating Keepsakes had with their Project 365 kits last year at this time….man, that got ugly!).
So, if you would like to order the albums and page protectors now, you can, or you can wait until the kit comes in and get everything at once. Totally up to you. Either way, I hope you will consider ordering from me (yeah, I have no shame…) and you would do so HERE. Instructions are HERE.
HOW does the Life Documented kit work and would it be a good fit for Project 365, Project 52, and the like?
The concept of Simple Stories is just that: SIMPLE. Take photos, get them in an album, embellish, journal, DONE. Sure, we scrapbookers are creative types, and we love to make more detailed and complicated layouts a lot of the time. But what if you’re super busy like me and find you don’t have the time to scrapbook that you used to? What if you took a big trip with lots of photos and are now daunted by the prospect of getting all those fab photos into one album, and getting it done, like, sometime this century?
Maybe your solution is Simple Stories. Take your 4×6 photos (no cropping necessary), slip them into divided page protectors like THESE from We R Memory Keepers, slip in some embellishment by way of nicely designed accents made from heavy cardstock, jot down some journaling on a predesigned card, and you’re done.
If you’re planning to do Project 365 in 2010 (or Project 52, Project 12, etc), you can see this will be perfect for these projects. The page protectors come in many different configurations, with different sized pockets, vertical and horizontal 4×6 photo slots, etc. so you can personalize it exactly how you like. Many of you have already purchased the PROJECT LIFE kit by Becky Higgins and that is awesome. Rock on, Project Life sistas! She gives you a lot of product for the price and her clean, simple style is very appealing. However, if the style of her kit doesn’t appeal to you, or you did her Project 365 last year and maybe want to try something with a different layout and look this year, check out Life Documented :)
WHERE can you order Simple Stories “Life Documented”?
You can order from any Memory Works Consultant. If she has her own website, you can order directly from there. If she doesn’t, you can tell the consultant what you want and she will place the order for you. My website is HERE. I take check and money order, but prefer Paypal as you will get your order quicker (since I don’t have to wait for payment in the mail before I can place your order).
No matter which consultant you order from, and where she and you are located, your order will ship from Memory Works in Utah. So it is NOT necessary to find a “consultant near you”, kwim?
Do you think a lot of your friends might like “Life Documented” or other Memory Works products? Want to earn a 20% commission on everything you sell and/or buy for yourself? Consider becoming a Memory Works CONSULTANT {starts as low as $20 sign-up!}. If you do sign up, I would love the free product credit I get if you put in my consultant number (wink).
WHY should I wait for Life Documented kit, when Project 365 starts tomorrow?
I have asked myself that same question, LOL! I’m going to do Project 365 for the first time in 2010 (HERE is where I agonized over the decision). Of course, I’m anxious to get started and afraid of falling behind. Waiting for 2 weeks into the new year before I can order Life Documented seems counterintuitive, right?
But I figure that once I receive “Life Documented”, it’s so super easy, I can get caught up in one scrapping session. Starting tomorrow on January 1, I’ll begin taking my daily photo and jotting some quick journaling about it in my dayplanner, notebook, or a Word document. {This is a practice I’ll keep up throughout the year}. Then when I get the kit, I’ll print out my 2 or 3 weeks of photos and pop them into the page protectors, copy over my journaling onto the pre-done journaling cards, add a few embellishments and accents, and I’m caught up. Piece a cake, I tell ya. So I’m not worried about it…
I like the “Life Documented” kit so much more than Becky’s that it’ll be worth the wait. Here are some pix so you can see how different they are:
A peek of PROJECT LIFE
A peek of LIFE DOCUMENTED
What I’ve been hearing on the message boards is that one kit or the other is “your style,” so it’s nice that there are 2 options we can all choose from, don’t you think? Yay, OPTIONS! We LOVE options!
ETA: I’ve been getting inquires from outside of the States, so I want to clarify that question. Standard shipping within the Continental US is $8.45 for up to an $87.99 purchase. For higher charges, there is also Rush shipping and shipping to APO/FPO, Alaska, Hawaii and US Territories. As of now, Memory Works does NOT ship outside of the US but, if you’re willing to pay the actual shipping costs, I can have any Memory Works products shipped to me in California, and I will ship them to you :)
So, I hope I’ve answered your questions about Simple Stories “Life Documented” by Memory Works. If I haven’t, please leave me a comment and I’ll answer in my next Update.
If you would like updates by e-mail, please e-mail me as explained above. And one last thing…
HAPPY SCRAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Have a safe, fun, and fabulous night :) Our plan includes pizza, movies, a fire in the woodstove, board games, and staying home where it’s safe and warm. I know, just livin’ The Vida Loca over here, ain’t we? {I do plan to break out the Dirty Martinis at some point, so if you see me on the scrapbook message boards tonight and I’m not making much sense, I’m probably PUI…Posting Under the Influence…ha!}
