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So, first I wrote everyone's entries on little slips of paper that were added (one by one, I might include) to the Pineapple of Fun by my little helper... then they were transported from the PofF to a metal tin for proper mixing...
Then some dancing took place...
(Please ignore the piles of clothes in the background -- Kinsey is packing already. She seems to think we are going on a big trip in like, oh, 36 hours or something.)
Dancing complete, Cal drew the grand prize winner...
JUEL! Juel, I will take your grand prize to the post office tomorrow to figure out shipping!
Then Callie drew the bonus prize, an August kit from Lainey at Go. Be Creative...
MICHELLE DALLMIER! Michelle, you will be receiving a bonus prize from Lainey in the mail soon. :)
Everyone, thank you so much for your donations. We raised right around $1000 for the boys. Everyone I tell is so amazed that "virtual strangers" (pun intended) were ready to help out at a moment's notice to help these boys fulfill their dreams. I tell them, Never underestimate a scrapbooker!
My elves and I spent a fun hour at the post office getting all the packages out... well, almost all the packages out! The following people need to email me their snail mail addresses ASAP:
-Terri Bradford
-Kimberly Sacks
-Bec Kilgore
-Marty Osterhaudt
And while I have your attention, Kari Allen -- have you listened to the last podcast? You might wanna do so -- all the way through. ;) I'm just sayin'.
I know, I know... you could think I'm posting this late but I prefer to think I'm early. ;)
Here are some cool things to check out:
-The uber-cute Jodie McNally has released her first digital paper pack!
So lush and lovely it makes me want to switch teams to the digi side... I met Jodie at CHA last weekend, and she impressed me with her smile, talent, and aura of FUN (you know I'm all over that). Check out her blog for a super-funny story about her meeting Stacy Julian at CHA.
-Have you heard about Scrapbooking from the Inside Out?
It's a new kit club that is not just another kit club... it's "a kit club, an inspirational source and an online community for scrapbookers who want to explore their inner lives and deepest thoughts and dreams." If you have trouble scrapbooking yourself, or if you want to take a different take on your scrapbooking, check this out. I will be posting more about them soon, but they just launched in July and I wanted to give you a heads-up!
-August book club book has been selected...
Yeah, I am a bit late on this one... sorry! If it makes you feel any better, I haven't started reading yet. Everyone says it is a quick read. Want to join in the fun? Go to www.goodreads.com and create an account (it's free). Then search under "Groups" for the ScrapHappy book club. It's very laid-back. We start discussing 8/1 and will keep going until we run out of things to say. It is bulletin-board style, so if you finish the book later in the month, just join in when you are ready!
-Just an update -- I have received over $125 for the Monarchs -- halfway to my self-imposed goal! THANK YOU ALL FOR DONATING! :) Tell your friends about the drawing... and check the prize list for updates. :)
I try not to toot my own horn TOO much around here... or act like a salesman shilling products... the last thing I want to do is to make you feel like I'm pushing something at you every time you stop by!
But in this case, have I got a deal for you! (insert twirling of moustache and wiggling of eyebrows here...)
As you probably know, my son Ben is really into baseball. Like, the way I'm into patterned paper. Yeah, that way. His team recently was ranked as one of the top 24 teams in the nation and invited to compete in the World Series at Disney's Wide World of Sports.
Here's the catch: The team has to raise $10,000 to go. And they are leaving August 1.
Can anyone say "Miracle?"
The stars are already aligning. We were able to secure a partial sponsorship from Shutterfly (how cool is that -- the Monarch Shutterflies!?), but we still have a long way to go in the fundraising.
So here's my brilliant idea. If you so desire, I'm inviting you to donate $5 to his team (via Paypal, cash, or check). It's 100% tax-deductible because his team is a non-profit. In return, for each $5 you donate, you will be entered in a drawing to win one of many fabulous scrapbook-related prizes... with the grand prize being:
A brand-new Making Memories tote (lavender, not pink) loaded with awesome MM goodies... easily valued at over $300! (Probably more like $400 but I am in too much of a rush to add it all up). There are paper packs, rub-ons, clear transparency overlays, letter stickers, buttons, brads, tags -- you name it!
And here is the really cool part -- EVERYONE who donates will receive a prize pack from me worth AT LEAST $5. So you donate $5 tax deductible, you get a chance at winning $300 worth of product, and you are guaranteed at least $5 in goodies. What's not to love???
A few details:
-All donations must be received by 7/30 -- next Wednesday -- so I can get the prizes out before I leave for Orlando.
-Grand prize drawing will be held 7/31.
-Shipping on the grand prize is going to be a wee bit expensive -- maybe $40 via UPS? I will SPLIT the shipping cost on the tote with the winner.
-Please tell your friends! I would love to make at least $250 on this -- that means 50 donations of $5.
-You will get one entry for each $5. If you donate $10 you will get two entries and will receive at least $10 in product.
Any questions? Let me know.
HEY... one really cool lady (Juel) has made a very generous donation and has offered to double her donation if we make it to $500... think we can do it???
ETA: You guys rock! Here's my PayPal address: [email protected]. Make sure to include your mailing address so I can send out your goodies!
If you want to send a check or cash, just email me or leave a comment and request my mailing address.
MORE INFO! I am getting prize donations, so I will add the list here:
-One gorgeous August "Lavender Vanilla" kit from Go. Be Creative and the lovely Lainey Molin!
Go somewhere else!
Hahhahaha... I really am amusing myself with that one.
You know me, I want to create an indexed blog entry complete with tons of reference links and photos... but if I wait for that, YOU will be waiting a very long time! Instead, here's a collection of coolio snaps from our weekend... more to come!
One thing I noticed at the show is the plethora of mini albums and books. LOVE THAT! Why make an 8x8" album when a 4x4" will tell the story just as well (and be way cuter and easier to display and use less product...!).
Here are a few "mini is big" elements from the show...
From Prima:
From We 'R' Memory Keepers (look how adorable -- little tiny page protectors... Oh my goodness, it's like the little cute puppy of scrapbooking!)
From Jenni Bowlin (the angle on this makes it look much larger than it is -- it's really about 3" high)
And then here we are at the Simple booth where we were celebrating our new special issue, Mini Albums in an Evening (don't you love how we're ahead of the curve, setting the trends, just as cool and hip as can be??)... adorable Angie setting up the mini candy dispensers...
And our make-and-take, with the fabu Wendy Smedley and Megan Hoeppner...
The Sweet Shoppe was so sweet! I liked the mint-flavored chips the best.
More coming on the Mini Album special issue next week (including, of course, a chance to win one of your own...). Do you create mini albums? Why? Why not?
Can you believe it... Episode 47 is finally up! It is far from perfect, but it's done, and that is what counts. :)
In this episode, you'll hear:
-A review of Serendipity Scrapbooks monthly kit club. I've posted some of my projects from the kit over the past few days, so look back at last week if you missed 'em.
This is July's kit... I used a previous month's, but you can just see all the goodies you get!
-I'll also talk about WorldWin papers
-And give you an update on my book projects and more!
-Oh, and I announce the winners of the Scenic Route contest from our last podcast.
Take a listen, and then come back and tell me you are glad I posted it, even if it's not perfect. :)
I wish you were here, too! Chicago is:
-Muggy
-Busy
-Crazy-fun!
We're catching up with old friends (Stephanie and Heidi Grace -- yes, THAT Heidi Grace!)
We're enjoying cupcakes (from Chatterbox)
We're getting read for make 'n' takes and celebrating our new special issue!
And of course, we're seeing lots of fun new products... more on those tomorrow!
This morning we had a terrific breakfast with Shutterfly, and we got a preview of their new products and services... expect some coolio things from them soon!
Dinner tonight was with Fiskars -- ditto that, ladies - SUPER fun stuff. Real Chicago pizza, good company, and giveaways (which I will share with you of course... stay tuned).
How are you doing?