It's Your Story

A SHout OuT

   Wow…what a great feeling! Today was my first day back from recovering from knee surgery and I hobbled into the store and immediately my day brightened up! I must give a SHOUT OUT to the EA Girlz! The store looks awesome with loads and loads of new product. Plus, they moved the class samples up to the front and they look fantastic! Another SHOUT OUT to the talented EA Teacherz. You all did a phenomenal job at designing your classes…here’s a sneak peek at the outstanding classes being offered.

“If You Believe” Bo Bunny Word Book is Magical

Offered Just Twice

Tomorrow, Tuesday March 25 or Thursday, April 10^th

6-9 p.m.

Believe in the magic! Join us for an album that celebrates the Happiest Place on Earth! Bring those fun Disney photos and you’ll leave with a completed “Mouse”-terpiece! Oh so adorable and oh so affordable at just $35!

Only Two Spots left for Monica’s Beachy Keen Wood Banner.

Thursday, April 3^rd, 7-9 p.m.

It’s all about the Surf, Sand, Sun girls! Monica uses the new BoBunny Beachy Keen line and Kaiser Wood products to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. What a great way to display some precious beach photos. Great for any room of the house or office! Just $25.

Photoshop Elements Level One with Bevin Dunn of digitalginger.com

This Sunday, March 30^th  1-5

You’ve been asking and waiting and it’s finally here! A ½ day workshop on how to create digital scrapbook layouts with ease using Adobe Photoshop Elements. Learn the basics of page creation hands-on while you make multiple layouts throughout the class. Tour the program, learn how to start a new layout and bring in your photos, how to add digital papers and elements, learn about layers, and add simple journaling and titles to pages. Class includes FREE digital products to get you started, online class website with notes, tutorials and challenges.You will need :

• Your own laptop (PC recommended*)
• Photoshop Elements 6.0 (Free 30 day trial available at http://www.adobe.com/go/gntray_dl_trialdownloads).

Don’t miss the awesome opportunity to learn from a digital scrapbook designer!

Casey Rivas is Back with an Inspiring Mini Album

Sunday, April 13^th  2-5

It was once said, “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”  That is the theme for this special mini-book entitled, Little Wonders.  It is built around a song by Rob Thomas in which he sings there is wonder in the simplest of moments in our lives. Think of those little pink shoes your daughter favors, the way your partner laughs, the cute knock-knock jokes your son makes up, and so on.  We all have these little wonders in our lives; let's celebrate them in an album to cherish forever!  Gather up those supplies and photos of your favorite moments and join us for this class that you will not soon forget!  Created and taught by Rusty Pickle designer, Casey Rivas, you'll get the opportunity to play with some of the latest papers in the Rusty Pickle collection- Lucky!  Hues of green and blue, buttons, flowers, rhinestones and more adorn this album to make it a one-of-a-kind treasure for you and your family to enjoy! $45.

“SHE”- A Tribute to Mom by Allyon Serrato

Sunday, May 4^th  1-4

Absolutely divine…Teresa Collins would be so proud!!! Allyson has created the most amazing mini album using Teresa’s new Damask line. Black, white and teal are the colors that make the foundation for this lovely book. Would make a phenomenal Mom’s Day Gift (look at the charm on the front, isn’t it magnificent?!) Remember, Mother’s Day is right around the corner and imagine the look on her face when she unwraps a handmade gift like this one. Just $40.

Girlfriends Weekend is Coming…

Just 12 Days Away…

5 Scrapbook Celebrities

Leah Fung, Johanna Peterson, Donna Salazar, Wendy Reed and Candice Carpenter

One K-FABULOSO Weekend with Six classes, a crop, a page layout contest, goody bags, prizes and mingling with some of the industry’s finest. Plus, enjoy a catered breakfast and lunch on both days, plus a Saturday night chocolate fountain delight! Limited spots available, hurry and sign up today! 

THIS JUST IN...Leah Fung, designer extraordinnaire, just back from her African Safari...sent me these sneak peeks of the some of the FAB projects you'll be working on if you are part of the Girlfriends Weekend on April 5-6... She promises more photos soon. Think about it...six classes, four meals, a crop with scrapbook celebrities, a chocolate fountain, prizes, goody bag...what's not to love????

Bus Tour is Filling Fast....Hurry, Only 7 Days to Take Advantage of Early Bird Sign Up Discount!

Don't Miss The Fun Bus!!! Ever After's Third Tour de Crop is sure to be a blast! Grab a girlfriend or two...hey, we even have one gal who's grabbed her husband for the ride!!! You'll be transported in luxury to two magical destinations where you'll enjoy a sit-down tea party and prizes and make-n-takes galore....We have so much planned for you! Call the store to sign up, Just $45 if you sign up by March 31st.

Okay, gotta go ice the knee...one more big Shout Out to Sheri Weems who loaned me her ice-machine that has made my knee recovery about 100 times easier!!! You are a gem of a friend, Sheri.

Peace to all, Check your email box for exciting March Madness Savings this week!

Camille and The EA Girlz

Three Perfect Words...

Prima...

Making Memories...

KI...

Okay, well three and a half!

All New CHA-Released...Flowers, Stamps, Paper, Lace Cardstock, Embellishments...Making Memories Animal Crackers is so wonderful.

Photos to be posted soon...I promise!

Don't delay, though. The new stuff is going fast..

Shiny, Happy People...But Why????

HOW MUCH FUN CAN YOU HAVE? WHAT DO ALL THESE SMILING FACES HAVE IN COMMON? WHAT COULD IT POSSIBLY BE?

IT'S EVER AFTER'S 3RD ANNUAL TOUR DE CROP BUS TOUR...

THIS TIME IT'S A TEA PARTY THEME...THAT'S RIGHT, YOU'LL BE TREATED LIKE ROYALTY AS WE WISK YOU AWAY TO TWO MAGICAL LOCATIONS, STRICTLY SCRAPBOOKING IN CERRITOS AND COLLECTIVE JOURNEY IN REDLANDS. ON APRIL 26TH, JOIN US FOR WHAT'S SURE TO BE A DAY TO REMEMBER!

HURRY, TIME IS RUNNING OUT ON OUR EARLY BIRD SIGN UP BONUS...

Sign up by March 31st and pay just $45. The price goes to $50 on April 1st.

-huge discounts, an awesome make-n-take, a great souvenir goody bag, raffle prizes and this just in...

SCRAPBOOK ROYALTY TO DONATE CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST BEFORE WE BOARD THE BUS!!!

Don't Miss the Bus...Call a Girlfriend or two or three and sign up today!

More Great New CHA-Released Product!

Many of you know I have been out this week recuperating from knee surgery. Thank you to all who have emailed and called, your well wishes have made this week a bit easier. The surgery was a huge success, now is just the time to sit back and heal. Most of you know, I don't sit still well, so I've been catching up on reading, some movies, and emails! I wanted to make sure you are updated, so read on for exciting product news...

The great group of gals at EA has been wonderful about holding down the fort and making sure you all are well taken care of. They let me know about all the fun new goodies that have come in, and, although there are no photos (YET), I'm sure you'll enjoy knowing about their arrivals. So here goes:

-Grafton from Scenic Route! Totally awesome surf-look…bright colors…simply stunning.

-New Maya Road…lots of chipboard books. Maya Road was one of our favorites from the CHA show.

-Paper Loft heritage papers and embellishments. Perfect for those family heritage photos.

-Inque Boutique, the newest acrylic stamp company on the block. Very affordable and super cute designs.

-Lots of travel and other terrific themes from Sugartree and Stamping Station.

-Two new idea books: Photo Freedom by Staci Julian from the makers of Simple Scrapbooks

and Computer Tricks for Scrapbooking 2 by Jessica Sprague from the makers of Creating Keepsakes Magazine.

-A boatload of Bazzill cardstock...need we say more?

PLUS, a huge restock of acrylic blocks, inks, adhesives, albums (we have the new Pioneer Memories Bling Albums...so fashionable!)

Check your email box for a LUCKY coupon valid this weekend only. And remember, the weather calls for rain and that means, it's a perfect time for scrapbooking and paper crafting. Enjoy each moment, for each moment is a gift!

Camille and the entire EA Team

As promised, here are photos of the latest round of CHA new product lines pouring into the store. We are loving all the new, and from the looks of it, you will too! If you're receiving our email updates, you must check your email box tonight, girlfriends. We have an Outstanding Spring Forward Coupon on NEW Product!!!

My Mind's Eye: Has come out with three new lines, two are pictured here. 29th Street and Wild Asparagus: The Sequel. Absolutely charming...makes scrappin' a breeze with matching everything!

and Reminisce too! Jungle Fever, It's All Relative, Tropical Passion, Graduation, Dance and more...

Here's our friend Ghia getting excited about all the new Cosmo Cricket! (Isn't she adorable?) And Cosmo might I add would be very proud...we couldn't resist not one ounce of the new...so as you walk in the doors at EA you'll find "Get Happy", :) Cogsmo, and Fleuriste...plus, just to tantalize us some more, the new Blackboard (chipboard in black) books. Aaahhh, life is good...

Then add a little bling to your day by checking out the new Glitz Design, awesome rhinestone "frosting" and totally unique papers. Adorn-it's new Cowgirl and Cowboy are super cute and Jenni Bowlin is timeless.

Here's Simone-y checking in more...(alas, we need sustenance and sleep!)

Had to give a shout out to my BFF(2) Heidi Proulx, who brought her cropping buddies from Murrieta for a field trip to Ever After. Aren't they gorgeous? And their little guys were most precious...great job guys, letting the moms have a field day! and, finally, the day ends with the most magnificent sunset I've seen in months...aahhh the signs of spring, saying goodbye to winter, welcoming the beauty of a new season, taking a moment to soak in the beauty of creation, thanking the Creator...for a most lovely day.

looking forward to being part of your day soon...the EA girls!

Looking for Something New and Exciting?

   

Then, stop by quick…this new stuff is going fast!

-American Crafts' hugely popular Thickers (we had one gal who came in and bought one of each!), brads, photo turns...3-D Embellies Galore…

-Daisy D’s Rub-On Tape four NEW delicious borders to choose from

-New Clear Scraps Acrylic Albums: a tiara, a house, a dog bone, cool photo frames and stars and much more. A must see, and the most affordable acrylic on the block.

-Flair Designs Easter Collection. Adorable, sweet, and precious. Not too many companies have Easter designs, so get it while it's here. Remember, Easter is early this year...March 23rd!

-Kaiser Craft. The Aussies won our hearts at this show. We bought everything...AS IN EVERYTHING IN THE BOOTH. -Rhinestones, Rub-ons, Laser Cuts out of wood (how cool to paint and distress and add bling and oh my, Double-sided paper, wood shaped books and home décor. This line is selling very fast...but there's still lots to choose from.

-Teresa Collins all three new lines: Bella Girl, Boardwalk and Damask. (Couldn't resist including this photo with the star of the CHA show, debuting her outstanding new lines. And if you haven't heard about how her products work with the Zutter bind-it-all and dreamkutz, then you need to stop by for a visit and let us show you!)

Coming Tuesday (as in today!!!) ALL NEW, NEW, NEW AND WILDLY EXCITING

-Cosmo Cricket: Fleuriste, Get Happy, Cogsmo

-Reminisce: Coastal Passion, Dance Studio, Graduation, My Jungle Safari, It’s All Relative, Tropical Elements

-Carolee’s Creations

-Imaginisce For Peeps Sakes Easter line

-Jenni Bowlin: Tangerine Dream

tAKING my CAmERa Wi TH ME TODAY!!! Will POsT PiCs lATE TONIGHT!

From all of us at Ever After...Peace to you today and Happy Shopping!

A Little Slice of CHA!

Here's the scoop: I seriously have not forgotten about you all. I wrote this update a week ago, but my time was needed setting up for Operation Replenish, unpacking from the shows and catching up at the store. THE GOOD NEWS IS: We've already started receiving some of this new product! I'll post photos soon, but hurry in, the bling is flying! Also, my dear hubby posted an album of photos for me, so make sure you check that out. And, check out Candice Mclean's site http://cemdesign.typepad.com/cemdesign/2008/02/cha-update.html She was my official photographer on Tuesday and documented some of the crazy order writing and checking in with the scrapbook superstars (love that Ali E. and Teresa C.) BTW: If you know of someone who lost their home in the wildfires and has fema paperwork, please let them know about Operation Replenish in Poway next weekend, Friday-Sunday 11-5. And now for the long-awaited report...

A Little SLICE of CHA!

By far the most talked about item on the show floor was this totally cool tool from none other than Making Memories called The Slice. This nifty must-have machine fits in the palm of your hand and will effortlessly and precisely cut shapes and alphas out of paper. We thought we had seen it all and were a little leary at first, but when we saw this bad-boy demonstrated we were SOLD! Here’s Margie Romney-Aslett giving us her little demo of the SLICE…so much fun. If interested in one of these machines, call the store to get on the interest list. They will go fast. 

EA Goes International!

Before we even left for the preshow activities, we welcomed guests at the store from the Netherlands. Here is one store owner who made an extra trip to San Diego just to see EA! How cool! Also, we had a ball getting together with store owner friends from South Africa and Australia. Here’s a sneak peek.

Nearly 40 Orders Written Before the Show Began!

Heather and I spent three days prior to the show floor opening up in Anaheim getting a jumpstart on our ordering spree. By far our favorites were BoBunny (beachy keen, teen chic, extreme teen and all the fun acrylic stamps), K&Company, Cosmo Cricket, Imaginisce, and Creative Imaginations. And Prima! OMG, the new Prima is to die for. We had fun perusing the catalog and seeing sneak peeks with Corrina Nielsen, one of the designers for Prima. Her new lines are fantabulous and all the new flowers and paintables and stamps…we had a hard time resisting!

-Teresa Collins new lines

-Jenny Bowlin

-Pink Paislee

-Maya road

-Rouge de Garance

LATE NIGHT ORDER WRITING THE NIGHT BEFORE THE SHOW CLOSED! Couldn't resist! Thanks, Heather! Couldn't have done it without you! All tolled, over 80 orders written...We had a fantastic show and will keep you updated on the new as it arrives.

Camille and the entire EA Team

The Future of Scrapbooking Is....

  ENTER....THE AGE OF DIGITAL/HYBRID SCRAPBOOKING...............

digital layouts designed by Bevin Dunn, telling a bit of the story of PMA and our quest for digital/hybrid scrapbooking. Took amazing classes from Renee Pearson of CK's Digital Scrapbooking Magazine, Candice Stringham of CK Media and the incomparable Ali Edwards (love that girl!) Left: having dinner with the Creative Imaginations team. above: Bevin's first monorail ride, what an experience! top left: hanging with Ali, our hero.

Our Quest for Digital/Hybrid Scrapbooking

So, many of you know I spent several days at the Photo Marketing Association last week learning about digital and hybrid scrapbooking. I can honestly say, without a shadow of a doubt, I was beyond terrified of the prospect of digital scrapbooking (like most scrapbook store owners!) I'm not super tech savvy...I still very much enjoy taking my 35mm photos and getting them developed the "traditional" way. But the fact remains, I have thousands (as in 1,000's) of digital photos that I've taken and stored on my hard drive and I have done nothing with them. So I was one of a few brave store owners that began their quest to find out more  about the WORLD OF DIGI.

What I found astounded me. Savvy. Fast. Easy. Beautiful. Engaging. Art. Life Captured on Film. Okay, seriously, this is DO-able. Will it replace Traditional Scrapbooking. NO WAY. Will it enhance Traditional Scrapbooking? Absolutely. Strictly digi is flat, one dimensional. But the key here is HYBRID. That's a combination of traditional and digital, in case you hadn't already figured that one out! LOL (WAY MORE on hybrid when I return from CHA next week.)

That's where Ever After steps in. We've teamed up with two huge talents to bring you digital/hybrid scrapbooking. It's a scary and oh-so-exciting venture. Yes, it's risky, but that's what being an entreprenuer is about, right? So far, the buzz is EXCITEMENT. We have excited many of you who have already called and signed up.

What are you waiting for? Jump on board and experiment and learn with us. Check out our calendar for these amazing classes, already starting to fill. Trust me, when you see what you can do digitally, you'll want to come along for the ride. The future of scrapbooking awaits you!

OFF TO CHA...

I've only been home four days, but I'm just hours before leaving for CHA pre-show events. We've assembled a huge team of adventure-seekers to hunt down the coolest gadgets and paper designs offered. Candice Mclean will be our official "sneak peek" photographer. Watch the blog for details.

Off to Seize the Day, Camille (a proud traditional scrapbooker and soon-to-be hybrid scrapbooker too!)

Scrapfest-tivities! Ever After is in da House!

Scrapfest was a Blast! Team Ever After had a ball at the first annual Scrapfest, organized by our friend Tracy Johnson. 200 ladies scrapbooking for nearly 28 hours over two days! Give a shout out to Monica Martin, EA instructor and cheerleader, for helping design the Ever After table centerpiece. The theme "It's a Sweet TrEAt at EA won first place! Then, in a landslide vote, she went on to win Queen of the Crop in the page layout contest. Camille wore her blue and gold in honor of the bolts and sneaked away to watch the game. The Bolts gave it all they had against the undefeated Patriots and Camille rejoined the scrapfestivites with a Blue-and-Gold Light Special! Here's a sneak peek from our good friends Leah Fung and Johanna Peterson. We couldn't resist posting this oh-so-fun videowebisode created at scrapfest. Enjoy!

Leah's Scrapbook Room

Love is in the Air!  As promised, here are photos of some of the yummy new treats lining the shelves here at EA.

-Daisy D's Sweetheart line is perfectly Vintage Romance infused into today's papercrafting world. Wonderful papers and stickers and rub-ons and rhinestones and buttons and oh my!!!!

-The Queen is In the House! Queen&Company's new Valentine's Felt Fusion is way to delicious. And the Queen has created some adorable brads shaped like conversation hearts and lips and x's and o's. There's even two acrylic stamps! Can you say "Be Mine"!?

-BASIC GREY'S Two Scoops of lucious new paper, stickers, rub-ons and yes, ACRYLIC STAMPS! This line is so fun...just the perfect blend of pastels. Basic Grey usually flies of the shelves, so get it while it's here! The new rub-on tool is quite cool too! We've already sold half the shipment of tools!

Acrylic is HoT, hOT, HOT! Don't miss MOnica's Awesome Acrylic Album class All You Need is Love on Sunday, January 27th. What a nice treat for your sweeheart. Call the store to sign up today.

ATC ROLODEXES ARE HOT! And Master Designer Candice Mclean has outdone herself here. 2008's Gonna Be Great and we're off to a great stART with this Awesome Class Project. YOU'LL COMPLETE THE ENTIRE YEAR in this fast-paced 5 hour workshop. Just $75, includes the rolodex or $45 if you already have one! What a deal!!!! The rolodex class has been offered before at a much higher cost, so this is a huge value! And did we mention? You get the entire year done in one class!! Give a shout out to Candice for designing such a masterpiece!

One More Class that Can't be Missed. Jessica Guthrie of Kits2Remember joins us for ONE NIGHT ONLY. She's a wiz with the Zutter Bind-it-All and she'll show us how to create amazing acrylic albums using the Bind-it-All tool. You'll learn lots of new techniques in this fun and inspiring class. Space is limited...kits are available... ONE NIGHT ONLY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5TH...

aND ...CHECK YOUR MAILBOX FOR THE EXCITING INFO ABOUT LUXE DESIGNS COMING ON FEB. 9TH. NOT JUST ONE, BUT TWO AMAZING TALENTS, INCLUDING THE OWNER OF LUXE DESIGNS PAMELA LAMBIE. EMILY ADAMS WILL TEACH A ONE-OF-A-KIND MINI BOOK USING THE NEW LUXE TRINKET LINE...SO, SO, SO DELICIOUSLY ADORABLE.

off to sET UP for SCRAPfeST! We can't wait to see you all there. and thanks for all your prayers and concerns about my knee. Doc says surgery is needed...but I'll definitely wait till after CHA!

Until next post, be kind, pay it forward, choose forgiveness, seize the day

Camille and the entire EA team