Making Progress

Good morning all!
I feel like the last week has just disappeared into thin air. All three of my boys have caught the flu. But on different days. So it's just gone on and on and on and ...
Well ... you get the idea. I still have one home from school today, but I think we're on the mend.
A lot of the things I meant to accomplish this week have been put off until next week. Our hired man will be back this weekend, which means I also won't have to go to the barn next week either. No excuses for not getting things done then!
I did manage to knock a few things off my list yesterday. My first box of product arrived, I put in a few orders and I went to talk to the woman I'll be renting retail space from later in the year.
For those of you who are familiar with Strathroy, Kathleen owns Hidden Lane Framing on Frank Street and has taken on a new project. She's just bought the old Derby Inn and plans on a complete renovation. It's an old bar with rooms above and few people would be able to see any benefit in such a building. But she has a vision and is keen for a new project. I can't wait to see the finished project.
But back to me ... because she will be moving her business into the "Dirty Derby", I'm going to be able to rent her space! I love her store ... beautiful old wood floors, tin ceiling, gorgeous front windows. Every time I visit, I get more excited just thinking about when I'll be able to move in. Kathleen has also been a wonderful source of information for someone like me who has never owned a business. I've worked in a resort and in beach shops and at a drive in movie theatre and at a bank ... but this is a new animal for me. I'm hoping that I can draw on my other experiences, but it has been so helpful having Kathleen making suggestions and pointing me towards resources I didn't know were available.
I still don't have a definate date set for my first kit to reveal. I'm waiting on some product and am not sure how long things will take to travel from the States. I also have to get myself organized for shipping. So many little things to sort out. But I should have some sneaks up next week with what I've already received.
I'm also going to be looking for guest designers in the coming months. I think I'll wait on establishing a permanent design team until the store front opens ... probably September.
So stay tuned for details regarding applying for a guest designer spot. I'll be posting a call in a few weeks.
Have a great weekend!

Core'dinations

I am really loving these new Core'dinations cardstocks that have been paired with some of my favorite manufacturers. The woodgrain Cosmo Cricket is especially calling my name.
I'm not a huge user of plain cardstock these days and I like the subtle texture that these cardstocks give.

CHA Dreaming

I so wish I was at CHA. I was visiting Julie Fei-Fan Balzer's blog this morning and living vicariously through her photos.
I love that scrapbooking has become so 3-dimensional and tactile. I think that's why I could never go digital. I would miss the "feeling" of scrapbooking. I know that I'm definately missing not being able to touch all those gorgeous displays ... the felts and knits. So cozy and comfy.
Thanks Julie for taking such wonderful photos and sharing them with the poor souls who can't join you. Maybe someday :)

Addicted to Tim

Tim Holtz is going to bankrupt me.
Nevermind the new colours of Distress Inks, the wicked new embossing folders and all the other cool stuff he's come up with for CHA.
Now he's making paper. And not just regular old paper.
"double sided 12x12 papers on 80lb. cardstock. so they can be sanded, embossed, and distressed without falling apart"
I want.

Just saw these sneaks on the 7 Gypsies blog. This may be my favorite line ever from them. Sigh.




Have a great evening!

Here We Go ...

From the moment I was introduced to scrapbook kit clubs, I was hooked. I've been on a few design teams, purchased more than a few monthly kits and imagined putting my own together to share with others.
I'm finally at the point where imagination is meeting reality.
Product has been ordered and I hope to have my first kit out mid-February at the very latest.
Stay tuned for the reveal!
Please excuse the blog mess while I'm getting things set up :)