The last post

This will be my final post for the Scrap Tales blog -- not because I am quitting, but because the store is closing.

From the owners ...

With deepest regrets we are closing Scrap Tales. Unfortunately the economy is not working in our favor and we are no longer able to stay open. We would like to thank all of you, our loyal customers, for staying with Scrap Tales during the change of ownership. It has been our pleasure as owners to get to know you, your styles and your tastes. You will be greatly missed. As Linda said, "What other kind of job can you go to and know everyone who comes in the door?" You are friends and family and we will miss you all. As independent store owners, we would ask that you continue to support the few remaining local independently-owned stores so that they can stay in business and be there for us. Sincerely, Lisa and Melissa

Yes, we are all devastated. As one of my friends said, "Scrap Tales is not just a store."


I couldn't have said it better myself.


I think all of us would agree that we have learned so much from the employees, teachers and croppers who visit the store. I can't imagine how difficult it will be to learn about new products or new techniques without Scrap Tales. And, who will we turn to when we are stuck on a layout or have an idea, but need to know how to make it work?


But, it isn't just the papercrafting products and techniques that I will miss. It is the people.


The store has served as a meeting place -- sort of our own little bar or coffee shop -- where everyone was welcome. Yes, there were often groups of people who came to the store to crop with their friends, but Scrap Tales was also a place where you didn't need friends. Once you arrived, you suddenly found yourself with dozens of brand-new friends who shared tips and supplies and made you laugh. It was a place where everyone was made welcome, whenever they stopped by.




And, in many cases, those friendships extended beyond cropping. 


Today, when I sit back and think of my dearest friends, I don't think there are any who are not associated with the store in some way -- well, at least the ones who are not related to me.
Together, we have celebrated weddings, new babies, birthdays and graduations and we have supported each other through all sorts of traumas and frustrations. 


Whether we wanted someone to celebrate with us or just listen while we vented, Scrap Tales was the place to go. And, no matter how much we spent, we knew it was cheaper than therapy.


And, that is what I will miss the most. 


So, I would like to raise a glass to Lisa and Melissa to thank them for buying our favorite store, stocking it with our favorite products, and trying to make a go of it. I am sure I speak for all of us when I tell you how much we appreciated your efforts.


And, to Linda: Thank you for all of those hours you put in. We especially appreciate all of those times when you were not supposed to be working, but took the time to answer questions or show us a new technique.


Finally, to the rest of the staff, thanks for always being there and always having a smile on your face no matter how bad your day had been.


We appreciate all of the fun you collectively have provided us with crops, classes, contests, Scrap League, yard sales, Scrap Wars and more. None of us would have such amazing scrapbooks, cards, friends or memories without you.


And, so I say my final goodbye and post the last time for Scrap Tales. Thank you for letting me be a part of the store. It was a really special place.


Love forever,
Candy


P.S. Don't forget, one of those little shopping baskets is mine!

Vacation memories

I just returned from a wonderful vacation with my husband. It was the first vacation we have taken together without children since our honeymoon. I came back relaxed, sporting a sunburn and with a camera filled with photos.

I knew I would be taking lots of photos of water, since we were going to Lake Michigan. When scrapbooking water photos, I always find it difficult to match the paper. The blues always seem to clash.

So, when I saw the new Travel Light line from We R Memory Keepers, which uses a lot of yellow, green and red, I knew they would be perfect for my pictures and I bought quite a few of the papers before I left.

Here is the first page I made from our vacation ... it features a photo of my husband and I taken by a stranger at the Sleeping Bear Dunes.

The papers are all from We R Memory Keepers. I cut the ones in the middle to 8x8. Then I inked the edges of each paper with Walnut Distress Ink. For the background paper, I folded the corner and used a Craft Glue Dot to secure.

For the smaller papers, I used a distress tool to add a bit of texture and added a few tears here and there. Then, I layered them and used Ultra Thin Glue Dots to hold them in place.

I cut a piece of white card stock to serve as my photo mat and then inked it with Distress Ink and attached my photo and then attached it to the page.

Next, I added twine from My Mind's Eye. I wrapped it around the back of the page, secured it with a Glue Dot and then cut out a small piece of leftover paper and layered it over the top.

For the title charm, I attached a clear charm by Tim Holtz to one of my photos of the dunes with Glossy Accents. This takes a long time to dry -- I let mine dry over night. Then, I trimmed the charm, added a bit of twine and attached it to my page with Craft Glue Dots. Finally, I used the Zig Photo Writer Pen to write the title on top.

For the final touches, I used metal flowers by 7 Gypsies. The one at the bottom features a button from Tim Holtz, which is attached with Craft Glue Dots to the flower and then I used Craft Glue Dots to adhere the flower to the page. The top one is adhered with a brad from Bo Bunny. The little coin is also from Tim Holtz and is also attached with a brad.

I like how the page turned out ... simple, rustic and relaxed -- just like my trip!

Pretty Posing Peacocks

It's Candy, returning with another layout idea ....

I take a lot of photos of animals, birds, landscapes and nature. I end up with plenty of beautiful photos, but I always seem to be challenged when it comes to scrapbooking them. It seems all of the products on the market either take away from the photos or are too childish. I have spent hours trying to find the perfect paper and often end up carrying the photos around for years, figuring I will find some inspiration, somewhere, eventually.

So, for these ones, I decided to try something a little different. I worked with plain cardstock, made the photos the stars and then added accents from Crafty Secrets. The journaling block, tag and vintage art piece were all on one sheet. I cut them out, added some Distress Ink and attached them to the page.

To keep it elegant, I used beautiful ribbons from Maya Road and 7 Gypsies. I also added several Dew Drops from Robin's Nest.

For the title, I colored chipboard letters from Maya Road with Distress Ink and then layered a thin coat of Diamond Glaze over the top. I love the shiny, elegant effect. Don't you?

A little patriotism

Scrapbook pages do not have to be difficult to be beautiful. If you look carefully, many companies, like We R Memory Keepers, do all of the work for you.

On this page created by Candy, she used decorative edge paper as the background. Then, she cut out the title, journaling tag and striped ribbon paper out of a sheet of accents by We R. Finally, she added some embossed stickers and a few little gummy accents, also by We R.

The page took just a few minutes, but has plenty of texture and enough elements to make it look like it took hours.