Trick or Treat

Happy Halloween! Some of the grandkids came by to visit tonight - aren't they cute? It's always so much fun to have them stop by and say hi! Snow White stopped by earlier this afternoon but I didn't get her picture. . . she was just as cute. The first thing they did when they came into the house was dump all of their candy on the floor to see who got the most. I remember those days. I also remember going through the kids candy to take out my favorites, because they didn't need that much sugar.

These days my taste in treats has changed. My new favorite fruit is an Asian Pear. They are really good at this time of year . . . so juicy and luscious. I ate the last one tonight and was almost tempted to make a run to the grocery store so I would have some for tomorrow's breakfast. Doesn't it look good?

It's been a good day. We have been overwhelmed with the amount of new product and boxes that have been delivered at the store. We thought things would be spaced out a little bit more, but the shelves are full and our little scrapbook store is ready for the holidays. Don't forget to check out the class calendar or stop by to see, and smell, and take home some scrapbook stuff!

Have the rest of a good week. As for me . . . Life is Great in Mesa, Arizona!

Just because . . .

I sent myself some flowers today, tulips in a funky orange pail . . . just because! I love flowers and it's a fun treat to have someone ring your doorbell and hand you a big box from FTD with your name on it. It makes you feel special! I also love tulips and was excited to bring a little bit of sunshine into the house. I hope you enjoy them as much and I am going to.

The "Countdown to Christmas" class was so much fun and it really did take us "6" hours to complete the project . . . but, we did finish and what a cute book and keepsake for holidays to come. Sherry B was the first to finish, which also broke the long standing record of Colleen always being the one to complete a class project before everyone else. Good job, Sherry!

Tomorrow is the big holiday workshop at Devine Memories. I am putting the finishing touches on my class kits and am excited to meet new people and spend time with good friends. We've have a wonderful response to the classes and want to thank all of our great customers for supporting this event. It will be a marathon day, but we will accomplish lots and have fun doing it.

Don't forget to check out the November class calendar as there are several new classes and great projects. Amy O'Neil will also be teaching a class this month and we are sooooo excited! Thanks, Amy!

Peanut Butter Toast!

I just finished putting together the kits for the "Christmas Countdown" class that I will be teaching at the store on Thursday, actually later today, and I had a craving for a piece of peanut butter toast. It had been a long time since I had done that . . . the smell of the bread toasting, spreading the peanut butter and honey, and then savoring the first bite was heavenly. I think it's the change in weather and the need for comfort food when it's late at night and you are tired. Anyway, take time to enjoy the simple things in life . . . it will put a smile on your face!

It's FALL!

I met a nice gentleman from Massachusetts on my way home from Las Vegas this last trip. He was talking about a cottage in Maine, the changing leaves of New England, and the crispness in the air. That's somewhere I would love to visit sometime. I could hardly wait for fall to come to Arizona . . . well, it's here!

When I woke up this morning I could see it, feel it, and almost taste it in the air. There is definitely a change in the weather, the Mexican Bird of Paradise are blooming, the pomegranates are ripening, the grass is browning, and I am able to leave my front door open and let some of the outdoors inside. What a wonderful time of year. This is why we live in Arizona!

I look forward to the change of seasons . . . there is something rejuvenating about starting a new life chapter . . . it helps me reflect on where I have been and where I want to be going. I remember more frequently the things I am thankful for and all of the blessing that I enjoy. One of our teachers and Design Team members at Devine Memories has issued a challenge. Check out Kim Hesson's blog and start your own gratitude journal. You might even want to scrapbook some pages of the people and things you are thankful for. It's good therapy and will help document a wonderful bit of yourself for your family and friends.

You can take it from me . . . LIFE IS GREAT IN MESA, ARIZONA!

Good to be HOME!

I have been on the road for the past week and am so glad to be home. Memory Trends was a FUN and PRODUCTIVE experience with lots of new products and ideas for the scrapbook store. We picked up some new lines, met some wonderful people, and are excited about future ventures. The new COSMO CRICKET Christmas and Souvenir lines are already in and they are soooo nice. We also expect the new BAZZILL BLING paper to be on the shelves soon. I know you will love using their new paper line for your holiday and other special events pages. We will be highlighting several of the new products and paper lines at the store . . . so come on in and see, and feel, and smell the new stuff!

I went back to Las Vegas this past weekend to conduct Board Certification exams. This was a quick trip but the company and food was great. We ate dinner at Delmonico's and everything was exceptional . . . a five course dinner with salad, bruschetta, mahi mahi, tri-tip steak, and banana foster ice cream pie. Of course, the service was excellent and you could definitely taste the Emeril "BAM" in each of the dishes.

The one thing I didn't get to do - on both trips - was take a gondola ride at the Venetian. That will have to wait until next time. One thing I did do was pick up a cold, so after I take care of a few things at the store and the house, I am going to put my jammies on and crawl into bed with a good book or movie. It really is good to be home because "Life is GREAT in Mesa, Arizona."

HI HO, HI HO, it's off to SHOPPING we go!

Just "40" hours and we will be on a jet plane to Las Vegas and Memory Trends to see, touch, and smell the latest and great in scrapbooking stuff! Are we excited? "YES" Will we have fun? "YES" Will we have time to see everything? "NO" . . . but we are sure going to try!

Here are a few links, courtesy of Scrapbooks.com, to preview websites with pictures of some of the new products which will be displayed and introduced this week. Click on the link listed by each manufacturer's name to get a peak at some of the new releases. Please leave your comments on my blog and let Devine Memories know what treasures you would like us to bring home.

3 Bugs in a Rug
Karen Foster Design

Cropperware LLC
Cosmo Cricket
Mustard Moon
Flair Designs
WUBE
Trace Industries
Technique Tuesday
SRM Stickers
s.e.i.
Scraperfect
Scenic Route Paper Co.
Sassafras Lass
Reminisce
QuicKutz
Purple Cows
Polar Bear Press
Pioneer
Piggy Tales
Paper Salon
Maya Road
Marah Johnson forCreative Imaginations
K&Company
Imagination Project
Heidi Swapp
Hambly Studios
Fiskars Brands(Cloud 9 and Heidi Grace, too)
Fancy Pants Designs
Die Cuts With a View
Deja Views
Crate Paper
Chatterbox
Bo Bunny Press
Around the Block
American Crafts
All My Memories
AdornIt with Carolee's Creations
3L Scrapbook Adhesives

The Party's Over . . .

The Sister's Crop has officially ended . . . everyone has returned safely home and before we know it things will be "back to normal", BUT, our lives have been changed and strengthened and blessed by the time we have spent together. Even though we played hard and had very little sleep, the moments of laughter, silence, creating, and pondering were way worth it! This chapter of the "Scrap Sisters" is closed for another 12 months, but the legacy lives on and each of us has left a better person. Our self worth has been uplifted, our emotional reservoirs have been filled, and we have a renewed bond and closeness with each other. Thanks Sue, Cindy, Shelie, Jen, Michelle, Brianne, and Alan for a wonderful time . . . I love you guys!

*See more pictures and journaling below of this fantastic weekend.

Sister's Crop Projects

Over the past "5" days we have completed "207" projects which include layouts, mini albums, cards, and class projects. Here are a few examples of the incredible work generated by the Scrap Sisters: Sandy the Queen Bee and Revelator; Sue the Bling Baby and Ecclectic Collector; Cindy the Interior Designer and Volumnizer; Shelie the Paper Princess and Architect; Jen the Alpha Addict and Journalist; Michelle the Rescuer and Inspirator; and Brianne the Scraplifter and Motivator.

Total hours of sleep for the marathon party was not much with all nighters Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. Average amount of sleep per day was 4.5 hours for a total of 22.5 hours for the weekend. Was this crazy? YES! Was it worth it? A BIG YES! When you love to scrap, what do you do? YOU SCRAP!

Additional projects will be posted over the next few days. We had a great time creating and hope you enjoy looking at them. Maybe you will get some ideas for your own scrapbooks . . . we are happy to share!

'40' Hours of No Sleep and Counting . . .

The "All Nighter" at the store was a lot of FUN. Dinner was catered from Cafe Rumba in Mesa and was wonderful as usual. A lot of scrapping was going on. The party started at 6:00 p.m. and ended around 4:30 a.m. when we left to go home. There was a NO SLEEPING rule and the marathon continues. Pages are being created, movies are being watched, and giggles and sillyness have gotten out of control. There have been a few catnaps in-between, but not for long. Dinner tonight at the "Cheesecake Factory" was to die for. (Thanks Amy and Chris!) Some shopping at the mall, and riding in a pink butterfly grocery cart were some of the highlights of the day! Sue, Shelie, Cindy, and Jen are in a close race for completing the greatest number of projects. Don't know if I can catch up, but Brianne, Michelle, and I have created some darn cute layouts and projects.

Stay tuned for more to come . . . soft pillows and a warm bed are a BIG temptation right now; however, "Princess Bride" is the movie of the moment and it's getting close to some of the more exciting scenes. I hope you enjoy the pictures!