About Memories & More

Holiday Tags

My girlfriends & I participate in a holiday tag exchange each year.  We have 9 in our little group this year, so we'll make 2 different tags, 9 of each & you leave the party with 18 different holiday tags.  Make sense?  Then we all gather with our favorite appetizers & cocktails at Audra's house & have ourselves a merry little holiday party.  Super fun!  I am amazed at myself...I have one of my tags totally done...very early for me as we meet on Monday!  Shhh....don't tell them how darn cute this one is!

I must confess...I saw a tag similar to this on Etsy.com (just search for holiday tags...this is the link to the tags I adored)  If you haven't been to Etsy.com, you're missing out!  It is filled to the brim with handmade goodies of all kinds.  It's like Ebay for crafters.  I bought a georgous handmade camera strap there for a friend, which reminds me, I need one for myself!  If you have some time, you might want to check it out...you're sure to be inspired!  Enjoy!

Yet another photo op

As we were putting up the Christmas tree yesterday, it occurred to me that I should be documenting why certain ornaments are my favorites.  Wouldn't it be great for Kendall to know that these little ornaments are my FAVORITE of all time?

I have 6 of these "Berly Bears".  I bought the first one at the Festival in the Pines that they used to have at Ft. Tuthill in August of every year.  These aren't your average bears...they are handcrafted from scratch...and I LOVE them!  Last year I took a photo of all 6 of them together.  I'll find it & post it so you can see how sweet they are.  Every year I look to see if I can find more, but I don't think they're being made, which is a sad, sad thing.  I would have 100 if I could!  So if "Berly Bears" is still making these ornaments, give me a call!

My mom has always painted ornaments with our names on them for anyone important to our family.  This includes pets, friends, spouses, kids, boyfriends...really, anyone who has touched our lives.  This is the one that I've had since I was a baby.  It's on my mom's tree.  The rule there is that you have to put your own ornament on the tree & any others you find important.  I'm pretty sure there are some old boyfriends in the box...they don't make it on the tree but the ornaments don't really go away...well, unless you "accidently" drop it.

Kendall has quite the collection of Barbie ornaments...which she LOVES.  Last night she told us that she wishes she had more & that now she wants Disney Princesses, too.  She was panic stricken that she couldn't find her Little Mermaid ornament, but finally, it was found & all was good!

We have quite an impressive collection of police ornaments as well (gee, I wonder why?). 

And every year my mom makes her tags for her presents using our photos.  They end up being ornaments on the tree (she signs & dates the back).  I love this tradition.  You get a little walk through time every time you put up your Christmas tree.

Do you have ornaments that are special to you?  Have you documented them?  Photographed them?  Told their story?  A little food for thought....

Twilight

Ok.  So you know Kendall & I are addicted to Twilight.  Totally addicted.  Ridiculously so addicted.  Sunday we went to see the movie a second time & it was so much better.  Same movie, don't know why it changed for me but it really was SO much better!  And I'm reading the book for a second time.  Anyway, my friend Jeannie told me she got a special Twilight present today from a student...look what it was:

Holy shit Jeannie! It's real, all right.  I feel like a school girl with a little jealous streak...I know a couple of girls who read this blog that are gonna feel my pain.  Kendall is totally jealous, too.  Totally eating her heart out :)  Phew!  Not just me!  I don't even know what to say other than Jeannie, you go girl!

Holiday Toy Drive

Every year we participate in the Law Enforcement/CASA Toy Drive.  There are so many children in our community that wouldn't have Christmas if not for the toy drive.  Not only do we have pictures with Santa to collect toys, but we offer you a discount on your purchases if you bring us toys.   Here's how it works:

Between December 1st and December 20th for each new, unwrapped to you bring you'll receive:

5% off your entire purchase for 1 toy
10% off your entire purchase for 2 toys
15% off your entire purchase for 3 toys

20% off your entire purchase for 4 toys
25% off your entire purchase for 5 toys

Discounts can't be combined with any other offer or discount or on special orders or previous purchases.  We DO NOT limit how many times you can bring us toys & use the discounts.  The more toys we collect, the better for our community.  The toy drive is always in need of things for babies & teens.  Of course they need items for all ages, but these are the two groups that they always seem to need more of.

By the way, beginning today, we're open on Mondays again!  Hope to see you!

December Classes

Basic Scrapbooking, Wednesday, December 3rd.  6pm to 7:30 pm.  $15  Learn the basics of scrapbooking...how to choose your paper, how to use the tools, how to create a layout.  We list this class on our schedule once a month, but we gladly schedule private sessions with you.  Just give us a call to set up your private class at 526-9292.

Midnight Madness, 12/5 & 12/12 6 pm to Midnight $10  Join us for a fun night of scrapbooking, card making, or just relaxing from the holiday stress!  You'll have 6 hours to work on whatever project you choose! 

We have two Holiday Card Classes coming up that you won't want to miss!  The first is Saturday, December 6th at 11 am.  Cost is $20.  Here's what we'll be making:

Five super cute cards!  Love that my favorite one is all blurry....oh well.  It looks a bit like a snow globe in person.

Also on December 6th, Holiday Decor from 1 pm to 3 pm.  Cost is $25.  We'll be making a great Santa garland to hang wherever you like!  We'll use chipboard, glitter, punches & jingle bells....just to name a few!

The second Holiday Card Class is Wednesday, December 10th at 6 pm.  Cost is $20.  Here are the cards you'll make at this class:

Five more super cute cards! 

Holiday Gifts to Give, Thursday, December 11th, 6 pm.  Cost is $25.  You'll be making this fun snowman box & gift card holder...which can hold anything you'd like (cash is always good :) but so are love coupons!)

And join us, Saturday, December 13th from 9 am to 11 am as Santa makes his yearly stop at our store!  Colleen Timmons will be on hand to take professional photos with Santa...and all you need to do is bring a new, unwrapped toy (min 1 per person, please) for the Law Enforcement Toy Drive.  Then, the following week, we'll have prints of your photos & CD's for you as well.  Bring your kids...spouses...girlfriends...pets...for this great photo op!

Calendar Class, Saturday, December 13th at 11 am $40  You'll make this super cute 7x15 calendar using the most incredible Amy Butler papers & embellishments!  No photos are necessary!

We'd love to schedule a private class for you & your friends!  We can teach a class that's on the schedule already or create a brand new one for you...whatever you choose!  Give the store a call to set up your private class today!  928-526-9292.

And the December Page Contest Winner is...

(I'm SO excited about this one!)

Jeff Schwartz!  Jeff has submitted a page for almost all of the page contests...this is his first win!  Congratulations!

Happy Thanksgiving!

photo taken at the Coconino County Fair in August, in anticipation of Thanksgiving :)  Have a happy day!

QuicKutz deals that can't be beat!

QuicKutz has authorized us to have an AWESOME sale on a whole lot of very cool products!  This Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) we'll have alphabets as low as $10!  Zip a Round Binders for just $6.99!  Select 4x8 alphabets for just $20!  Revolutions for just $50!  Select border dies for just $10!  All regular priced QuicKutz 50% off!  Really, the deals are AMAZING!  Quantities are limited so come in early for the best selection because when they're gone, they're GONE! 

*sale is limited to stock on hand and cannot be combined with any other discount or offer.  Not valid on previous purchases.

Come to the store Friday and check out our other great "Black Friday" deals!  You won't want to miss out!

Fun Holiday Card Idea

Just saw this on Ali Edwards blog this morning.  It's from Martha Stewart, who, by the way is doing a fun Christmas Workshop.  There are certainly some clever ideas there!  I'm loving this way of hanging holiday cards.  And when your done with the cards, Ali has a clever idea to scrapbook them all, using a Marvy Giga Square punch (we sell them...it's the purple one).  It's just a hair over 2" & you punch out the areas of the card you like the most, of the holiday photos that tell the story & create a layout similar to this  one on Ali's blog (clever, don't you think?)  

Thanksgiving

Can you believe Thanksgiving is just 2 short days away?  Me neither!  I'll be sending out our weekly email shortly, but wanted to remind you of a few things first (don't get our weekly email?  send me your name & email address to aboutmemories@safeaccess.com & I'll add you to the list!)

• The food drive continues until Wednesday, November 26th at 3 pm.  At that time, we'll take the cans we've collected to the food bank by La Fonda.  We've collected a lot of cans & hope to collect even more!  Thank you!  Read about the food drive by clicking here.
• We're closing at 3 pm on Wednesday.  We'll re open at 10 am on "Black Friday" and will have some KILLER deals for you!  Check back here for the details!
• The post below really needs your comments.  Let your voice be heard!  
• It's not too late to make little Thanksgiving treats for your celebration!  We have an adorable K & Company Party in a Pad kit that includes:  napkin rings, place mats for the kids with activities, decorations, goodie boxes & MORE!  What fun for the kids...or even the adults to put together!  

• Mark your calendars now for Santa's visit!  He'll be here Saturday, December 12th from 9 am to 11 am.  Just bring a new, unwrapped toy for the Law Enforcement Toy Drive (one or more per person being photographed, if you can) & have you family photo taken with Santa for FREE by Colleen Timmons.  We'll have photos & a cd ready for you the following week.  I wanted to point this out early because we all know what killer deals you're going to find this weekend.  Add a few toys & things for kids in need to your holiday shopping list.  It won't cost you much & will be good for your heart as well as the kids!  Every year, the toy drive runs short of things for teens...curling irons, flat irons, hair dryers, iPod type things, handheld video games, you know the kind of stuff teens like.  And babies are always in need, too.  I'm so very passionate about this toy drive.  I'd rather not receive presents myself.  I want them all to go to the kids.  Honestly. 

More to tell you about....check back later today!