MONDAY MOTIVATION

Well, I've been laying low with this bothersome back. Wow-some days you just feel about 20 years older than your birth certificate says, ha ha. I hope you are getting lots of your Christmas shopping & creative projects done and I surely hope you take some time aside for you. Here's a layout to scraplift to get you started. Pam Boudreaux created this awesome layout with the new Jenni Bowlin products and One Heart button stackers. This paper was just perfect for Pam's photos of Savannah. KUDOS to you Pam.

FUN TIMES AT MEMORY MANIA

Thanks to everyone for joining in the fun this week for our Wine & Cheese Social. KUDOS to Rhonda for the idea of the recipe book for customers, they loved it!!! KUDOS to Christy for helping our friends put them together. Thanks to all the little elves for helping everyone complete their wish lists. And a very special Happy Birthday to Lexi.

Happy Wednesday to everyone!

I hope everyone is enjoying the cooler weather and getting into the Holiday spirit. I know I am. If you come by the store you can't help but be in a cheerful mood due to the Christmas music playing in the background and Memory Mania's elves singing Christmas Carols. So stop by and share in our Holiday Spirit and help us sing your favorite Christmas song.

We are amazed at how many people are creating their own Christmas cards compared to previous years. KUDOS to everyone doing that. If you are like me, you love sending a handmade card, but are short on time. My Mind's Eye has an awesome card kit which take less than 1 minute to create. And they have matching gift bags that are precious too. So best of all, it comes from the heart. And if you want a reason to stay out of the mall, check out our creative cafe project next week, its a mini album created in less than 1 hour.

Happy Holidays

Christy

GOT RIBBON??

Hey Scrappers,

Can you ever have ENOUGH ribbon? Libby says you GOTTA see all of this new ribbon. She has color coordinated all of the rolls of ribbon, come check it out!!

Merry Monday

Good morning Scrappers!!!
I hope you had a wonderful weekend. We sure did!!! You know how I love my traditions . . . well, the first tradition to kick off the holidays is our annual dinner with friends, we always choose a new & different restaurant and somewhere we wouldn't normally go on our own. This year we went to Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse in New Orleans, so since we were going to be in New Orleans for dinner, we decided to make a weekend of it. We arrived in N.O. early on Saturday to watch the LSU game; enjoyed our wonderful dinner (the lobster was awesome); then walked around acting a bit SILLY as we normally do when we are all together. ANyway it was a great weekend and if that is any indication for the upcoming holidays-they will be great.

Its the first week of December and many of you are thinking about sending Christmas cards. I received this from Adorn-it and its a very economical way of sending cards, check it out. http://www.adornit.com/PDF/Use_it_UP_ChristmasCards.pdf

Toddler Kit Club

I just wanted to let everyone know that the Cover page of the Toddler kit club is hanging up in the store for all to see. It is cute, bright and colorful. Just like your precious toddler!

Also don't forget about our "FREE CLASSES" at our Creative Cafe' art bar. They are every Thursday from 10:30-11:30am and 5:30-6:30pm during our Happy Hour. So stop by and let one of our friendly elves help you create a unique gift for someone or even yourself.

Christy

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Hi everyone,

I hope everyone is getting into the Holiday Spirit and looking forward to Christmas which happens to be my most favorite time of the year. For all of you Elves out there who love to scrapbook Christmas we now have a Christmas Kit club which will start in January. The cover page, end page and the 1st layout are hanging in the store for all to see and they are adorable. People have already started signing up.....it's so exciting.

I thought that I might sign up and do an entire album for my parents and give it to them for next Christmas with pictures of past Christmas Holidays of the entire family. How cool would that be for your parents to open up a box with a family Christmas album complete with photos and journaling for them to admire and reminisce over. I'll bet it will be one of their favorite gifts.

Happy Holidays Everyone and don't forget to come in and fill out a wish list for those secret elves who come in looking for gifts.

Christy

CAMP CROP A LOT CLASSES

Hey Scrappers,

Here are the 4 classes offered at CCL:

Disney Memories : Instructor: Becky RObichaux $20

Christmas Cheer - Instructor: Deneen Berdon $20

Embossing (C is for Christmas & fleur de lis card) Instructor: Debbie Gunion $20

Doodling, Easy as 1, 2, 3 Instructor: Amy Lockard $20

thanks

Tammy

Monday Inspiration

Thinking OUTSIDE the box. Sometimes we limit our ideas based on design of a paper-i love the way Jansen went outside the box for this It's a Boy layout using this fun & funky paper. Layout & supplies are displayed in the store if you would like to scraplift.

It's Christmas TIME!!!!

Brooke says, "It's Christmas Time!!!!!" Don't I wish i was this talented-just walk outside with some window chalk and look at the masterpiece she created-stop in soon to see her finished version. KUDOS to Brooke for getting us in the Christmas Spirit. Don't forget to come out soon to complete a wish list so you can get what you REALLY want-some scrapbook goodies. Remember your friends-the Masterpiece Idea Book is a great idea. Mark your calendars for the wine & cheese social 5-7pm at Memory Mania on Wednesday Dec 5th.

CREATIVE CAFE

Don't miss the fun of Creative Cafe Happy Hour!!!. Libby is ready to serve you with felt, buttons, tags, whatever your little heart desires. We love it! We made a super cute accordian book, tag book, cards, wine containers, purses, and some really cute Christmas cards planned this week. Becky couldn't choose between projects, so she created 2 of them. All we want to do is sit at the bar all day, work on projects AND touch the buttons. It is so much fun! So - make a date with your friends and stop by to Creative Cafe where you will be inspired to live a creative lifestyle!

Monday INSPIRATION

Hey Girls,

Here is a freestyle layout created by design team member & teacher,

Maureen Gorman. "Isn't She Pretty". Maureen used so many cool products & techniques, you gotta see this layout in person. It is displayed by the store with products use. Hope this provides for some great scrapbook inspiration today.

THANKSGIVING

Hey Girls

Don't forget to take & PRINT pictures of Thanksgiving. Depending on your family traditions for thanksgiving, it may be the guys watching football; the ladies cutting coupons for the big day of shopping on Friday, in our home, its a big music fest at the Bullions.

We sometimes to forget to photograph those traditional things we do and that mean so much to us. Don't forget the food photos when taking pictures at family gatherings. You have to admit that food is easier to photograph than the kids running around the house or the adults that have to be photographed. Try different camera settings-how about the tulip or flower option, that will help capture all the great details of your favorite homemade casserole. I'm sure, like most families, specific people in your family are traditionally responsible for certain items, be sure to get photos of them preparing the item, presenting the item, or even eating the item. These pictures may add some unique journaling about Thanksgiving. You will laugh in future years about the burnt turkey, etc. YOu could even gather those traditional recipes from those family members and add to pocket on your Thanksgiving page-how awesome would that be for the future. What a warm way to bring back those memories of family members and special gatherings! Don’t wait until you are sitting there reminiscing about a recipe that you can’t get! You could even have some recipe cards on hand.

However you celebrate your family gathering, I wish you the best times & memories. Don't forget on Friday is the gift certificates sale 20% off that one day only!!!!! What an awesome way to get more for your money-get a $25 gift certificate for $20, OR its a cool gift for yourself too. You'll thank yourself all year long. The only stipulation is that the sale gift certificates can only be used on products that are regular priced!!! Excluded are kit clubs and any other discounted items, classes, crops, etc .

AND on Friday, Creative Cafe Happy Hour will be creating Christmas cards in 15 minutes are less.

Happy Thanksgiving

Wednesday's Tips

Okay guys we have been soooo busy at the store putting out tons of new product lines, but I wanted to stop and give you a few tips that might help get you get some of those pages and projects done.

Try using your tools in a different way than what they were intended for. For instance by using a corner rounder straight on the page then cutting you can make a scallopped border (be sure to take the paper guard off first). You can use the photo corner punch to make other embellishments as well like putting 4 back to back with all corners facing in, or putting them end to end to make a tiny frame. This way you get more usage for your money and you can create embellishments with tools that you already have.

Check off some of your Christmas List by creating a project with us at our AWESOME CREATIVE CAFE' BAR. We have Happy Hour every Thursday morning from 10:30-11.:30am and 5:30-6:30pm. We do a different project every week and these are great projects for gift giving. If you don't want to create the current project you are welcome to create a project from one of our past Happy Hour sessions. So come on in and get those creative juices flowing the Bar is OPEN!

CCL Class - Disney Memories

Hey Scrappers,

If you are attending Camp Crop a Lot, attached is picture of layout to be created with the wonderfully talented & entertaining mouseketeer, Becky Robichaux. I LOVE this precious Disney layout (as usual)!!! Its precious in the picture but its even BETTER in person to see the little felt stars, so if you can stop in to check it out. I love Becky's attention to detail, she is already punching away, as we speak!! You can register in the store or over the phone, 225-744-2767.

CREATIVE CAFE PROJECT THIS WEEK

Hey Girls,

Creative Cafe is so cool!!! Libby & Christy's projects have been so cool. Check out this week's project - Wine Container or Chipboard Purse!!! You can create with papers we used or choose your own to personalize. THERE ARE NO RULES, so create as you wish with these awesome products. AND, if you create both, you get a free paper pack of papers to design with!!! What can you do with a wine container or purse. Danielle & Christy had some great suggestions:

Wine Container - purse, ribbon organizer, box as gift of wine, decorate to match your kitchen to hold your wine, what else can you think of?

Chipboard Purse - Decorate for a teen and fill with things such as hairbrushes, bows, nail polish, makeup, etc. For small girls, it could be filled with plastic head bands, bow, ponyholders, etc... Small toys can be put in it for girls. It can then be used as a storage/carry case for the toy. For adults, fill with chapstick, kleenex, tylenol samples, hand sanitizer, small spray perfume, gum, mints, recipe cards, add dividers for birthday cards, holiday cards, thank you cards, etc... Use it for coupons.
These are just a few ideas wecame up with.

AND, this is the blog challenge for the month of November, so create, upload your picture & email me to be entered into prize drawing on Nov. 30.

Come by this week to create one or both of these projects. Thursday 10:30 -11:30am or 5:30-6:30 pm. Its not a class so you can come anytime during happy hour to get assistance from Libby or Christy OR you can stop in anytime the area is available and create your project on your own.

FLEUR DE LIS

OK, you know I'm crazy for fleur de lis, well, look at these from American Craft. They are chipboard and we have matching papers & ribbons too, yummy.

POP CULTURE

WOW-you GOTTA come see this awesome new line from K*i Memories. The lace cardstock, the softies, the taglines, the cool new papers, here's a pic of a few items.

BLUE LIGHT SPECIAL

The awesome COUPON sale this week is 60% off any Heidi Grace product. Must present this post for discount.

CREATIVE CAFE

Hey Scrappers,

Creative Cafe is SOO COOOL!!!!! Everyone that sees it, has to touch it, its awesome. This is an awesome little Accordian album-I've never seen one created with these products before-you have to come see what it is made of-very cool concept!!! Remember this month is our introductory month so the fee is FREE, you only pay for the supplies used.

We do have an employee scheduled to assist with projects during happy hours on Thursday 10:30-11:30 am & 5:30-6:30pm; HOWEVER, you are welcome to sit down with the recipe card & create the project on your own any other time that there is not a crop/class going on, just ask us to help you find the card & products. Here is the project we will be doing this week. We hope you will come join us for the FUN!!!

HAVE YOU PRINTED YOUR PICTURES TODAY!!!

A BIG THANK YOU!!!

To all the ladies who took my Skip and Scrap class yesterday, I want to thank you again. I had a blast! I told you this was going to be the best year ever and I think it even exceeded my own expectations. You were all so well prepared and everybody stayed right on track. The enviroment was so relaxed and FUN! You helped make this class great! This is what teaching a class is all about. THANKS!!!

DEADLINE APPROACHING FOR make/take KITS

Hey Ladies,

We are sharpening our scissors and trimmers, so this is your last chance to pre-order the 3 kit sides of the make/takes ($23.99). We will be placing orders for products needed on November 7th, so place your orders by November 6th. here are the pictures

1) Happy Holidays created by Jade Templet

2) Our Family ROCKS!! created by Christy Cochran

3) Live, Laugh, Love created by Brooke Adams

The layouts are displayed in the store-they are awesome!!!!!

CCL is just TWO months away !*!*!*

WOW-where has this year gone? Seems just yesterday was registration time and here we are already counting down . . . 2 months to go. NOVEMBER 6th is the deadline to order Tshirt, PJ Pants, Sweatshirt, Hoodie, cap or make 'n takes. Sorry, that's as late as we can make it before turning in final orders. Here are pictures of all of them.

$19.99 CCL Tshirt

$32.00 Sweatshirt

$38.00 Hoodie

$32.00 PJ Pants

$16.99 CAP

CREATIVE CAFE ART BAR IS IN!!!!!!!!

OK, we've told you about it, but NOW you have to come see it for yourself!!!!! Its so YUMMY, i promise you will want to touch the 15 pounds of buttons and the many rows of chipboard, felt, etc. Its literally like a kid in a candy store!!!! LOVE LOVE IT!!!! We will have great fun during the weekly happy hours. You just stop in do your project & leave, projects range from 15-45 minutes. Here's the cool project that Libby created for this week.

Join us for our first ever Creative Cafe Art Bar happy hour. We will offer exclusive projects created by the designers of Creative Cafe that will be created right at our very own Art Bar in Memory Mania! The project cost will vary depending on the project - anywhere from $1 - $20.Participants in the weekly happy hours will receive a special Creative Cafe Club Card. It features a coffee cup for each happy hour workshop you attend that will get punched. When you fill your card, you get one happy hour workshop free! For this introductory month the workshop fee is FREE and you only purchase the supplies you want to create the project.

Just One Week Left Before Skip & Scrap

Ok ladies, this is it! The final week before Skip & Scrap. For those of you who have already registered, I can't wait to see you there! And for those who didn't, what are you waiting for? Due to the volume of kits that need to be prepped, registration needs to end by 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday night. Don't miss out on this class. It is different from any other class that you will ever attend at Memory Mania. Think of it like a Christmas Swap Meet. Not only will you be making 5 GREAT gifts, but you will also be getting ideas for making and packaging other gifts. There will be a raffle for a gift basket plus cookies and cocoa. And if that doesn't get you in, maybe the last Sneak Peek will. After shopping, making, and wrapping all those holiday gifts, curl up in a tub of hot water filled with the sweet smell of Mexican Hot Chocolate Milk Bath and RELAX!!! Just the mix smells good enough to eat. So hurry in or call to reserve your spot for this "UNIQUE" class. Hope to see you there!

P.S. And don't forget, lunch will be provided by Memory Mania.

30% Off Halloween Sale!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't forget to check out the items that are in our 30% off Halloween Sale. The sale items are random items throughout our store marked with the 30% off tag like the Sticko Phrase Pierced Ears Stickers and the Maple Lane Studio Home Decor BABY Letters. So Come on in and save big.

HOLIDAYS ARE IN DA HOUSE!

Hey Guys,

We have TONS of awesome Holiday lines in da house to get you into the Holiday mood. Lots of paper, rubons, ribbons and embellishments to get those Holiday projects ready. Don't delay because the Holidays will be here before you know it!!!

Okay for the Tip of the week: fyi-I had a little Memory Mania helper with this one!(Brooke).

When using your fonts on the Cricut Die Cutting Machine, alternate the letters of your title with the shadow feature and then just regular for some variation on your page. The shadow feature will make your letters thicker so some of your letters will be thick and some thin.

BLOG CHALLENGE

Hey Scrappers,

We have a FUN,FUN,FUN challege for November. Its a great gift idea . Look what Libby did with it. I'd love to hear/see the many different ideas you can do with this. Create the Bare Elements Wine Container or Purse. The wine container is a great gift idea with wine in it of course and what else could could you use it for??? Also the little purse is cute, you could add a little mini album in there or what else??? There is a neat webasode on Craft TV weekly, it shows you exactly what to do to create this fun project http://www.crafttvweekly.com/player.html?wid=112 . There is also a paper pack with everything to cover both projects or you can create your own. We know there are endless possibilities with this project and can't wait to see what you can do with this. BLOG Challenge ends November 23rd. Here's what you do to win a great goody bag: Create a project with one or both of these items, upload to the gallery & email me to be entered into the drawing. You may be entered into the drawing for as many projects as you create with this challege.

Two Down, Two To Go

Only two more weeks to Skip and Scrap!!! Can you feel my excitement? I am SOOO ready for this event. I get to combine my love of projects with my love for teaching. Not only will there be great projects for you to make, but also great ideas to help you get a head start on your gift giving. This year will be the BEST yet!!! So don't wait! Start planning for your "sick" day now. Come in or call to sign up. This class is the best cure for what "ails" you. :)

Wednesday, Wednesday, It's here again!

NEWS:
Okay Bloggers, our Crash Course Beginner class is next Wednesday. If you are a scrapbooker and wish one of your friends or relatives would scrap too then here is your chance to introduce them into the scrapbooking industry. Call them up and tell them about our Crash Course beginners class. It will take them from the very basics to over the top pages which will include stamping, embossing, working with the Coluzzle, ribbon, and punches too. This way you will have a friend to crop, shop and take classes with at Memory Mania.

NEW PRODUCTS:
Also for all of you that are crazy about stamping we just got in all of the Autumn Leaves acrylic stamp sets which include Duly recorded, Postmarks, stamped and coded barcodes, Sentiments Circles, Ticketed and several more.

We also just got in an Awesome 18 Month Calendar Kit from Creating Keepsakes which makes a great Christmas gift for the scrapbooker on your list who has everything.

TIP:
Okay, this is a question that we get often at the store.

If you include a mini album or tag pull out on a page how do you store this in your scrapbook album since your pages are in page protectors?

Solution: Put your page in the page protector, then cut an opening just a tad larger than the mini album that is on your page. This way people looking at your page can just thumb through it instead of pulling the entire thing out of the page protector. The same goes for any type of pull tabs. You would just cut a slit right where your tag falls so that you can just pull it out with out having to fight with the page protector.

**NEW** SCRAPBOOK MATERIAL

Here's a post from Professor Jody:
I wanted to let everyone know that Lucas James Sorey was born on Tuesday weighing in at 8lbs 5 ozs and 19 1/2 inches long. We are all thrilled and can't get enough of our little man!
Love,
Jody and James

P.S. I wonder how quickly we will see some scrapbook pages. He is adorable & looks like he is posing. If you've had the privilege of taking any of Jody's photography classes, notice the lighting on this precious little boy-next to a window, no doubt. I can barely wait to hold this little guy in my arms soon. Tammy

CCL SHIRTS, CAPS, SWEATS, PANTS, Oh My

CCL4LFE!!!! Can't you just hear Natalie screaming this? ha ha. Look how cute the new CCL attire is!!! I just love them and can't wait to wear these NEW pants-they are soo comfortable!!! Congratulations to Shannon Cole & Darlene Quebedeaux. We took their 2 designs and combined them for the precious design you see. Remember place your orders soon. CCL Attire and make/takes are pre-order only. There is a sample of each tshirt, sweatshirt, hoodie, pants, & cap displayed in the store. Deadline for orders is November 1st.

Halloween 30% off SALE!!!!!

WOW a 30% off Halloween Sale. Can't beat that!
Come on in and check out our select items that are 30% off throughout the store. Like, My little Shoebox Chipboard titles and Holy Cow Rub ons. And don't forget that awesome kit sale as well.

The Halloween Sale will run the entire month of October.

Another Sneak Peek, Already!!!

It's already our second week of sneak peeks for Skip and Scrap. The closer it gets here, the more excited I become. I wish we had time to do every project that I come up with, but that would take a lifetime. HMMM??? A new idea just popped into my head. I'll have to work on that one and get back to you. Need a place to put that special Holiday photo? You know, the one of your little one sitting on Santa's lap? Or how about that yearly family portrait taken underneath the Christmas tree? Then this project is for you. Combine your love of scrapping into this cute gift giving idea all wrapped up in one little 8x8 package. Come by and register soon! Class is filling up fast.

Have you PRINTED your pictures today?

Just set aside 15 minutes and print your pictures!!!!

What's HOT

WOW, i think every company out there is coming out with FELT this year. What's not to love? Its soft, fuzzy, and not too thick for a page. It's great for that added dimension but flat & safe for our pages. American Craft was the first to hit the market with it-those cute little cans with the special freebie. They have also come out with more felt for that new Celebration line i pictured last week-gotta check it out. Creative Cafe (coming soon) will also offer felt embellishments, AND Queen & Co. came out with some awesome felt borders, watch for those soon in your masters kits (oops, i think that was supposed to be a secret, he he),

Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday

Well, I don't think that my news will top the arrival of Memory Mania's newest addition but I did want to let everyone know that the projects for Skip N Scrap have arrived and they are on the counter for display at the store. They are as adorable as ever and I think Danielle has out done herself this year. I will definitely be making some of those for Christmas Gifts. Who knows, if you're my friend you may just get one.

Okay, as far as new products go we have so many that it would take me an hour just to type them up. So just to let you know, we have TONS of new products so stop on in on your way home from work and stock up on all of the goodies that you will need to get those Christmas projects out of the way.

Scrappingly Yours,

Christy

HEAR YE, HEAR YE, BABY SOREY HAS ARRIVED

Announcing the arrival of Lucas James Sorey yesterday morning, weighing in at 8 lbs. 5 ounces, just as precious as you can imagine with a head full of black/brown hair and blond eyelashes and eyebrows. As of last night, Mom and Baby were both doing quite well. Lucas' two proud sisters visited twice yesterday. The proud Dad has taken LOTS of pictures and will be emailing some out today. Mom was already asking when they could all go home!!!!!
Becky

I'm so excited, I saw Jody Monday afternoon and she was quite ready for this little guy to arrive. I'm so thrilled for Jody and her family on this awesome little bundle of joy!!!! Welcome to the "moms of boys" club. Its a whole new world. You knew he would be precious-have you seen the gorgeous girls? I know everyone is excited for Jody and feel free to post your comments here and we'll let her know about them. I will post some pictures as soon as I receive them. Congratulations and lots of Hugs, Jody!!!

Tammy

Once in a Blue Moon Special

Hey Girls,
Good morning!!!! I hope you are having a wonderful week!!! I plan to make it even better. We're still making room for NEW products-the new wall is taking over that entire side of the store, so AGAIN, its your lucky day.

BUY 3, get 1 FREE KIT SALE. This special applies to all kits on the KIT WALL ONLY (excluding any kit clubs, kits on the new wall or elsewhere in the store). As you know we rarely put kits on sale, so come in quickly while it lasts. Please present this blog special to get this great savings!!!! This special good until October 30th or while supplies last.

Skip & Scrap Sneak Peek

Okay Ladies, it's that time of year already! Feeling a little sick? Have I got the cure for you!!! Join me for the 6th annual Skip & Scrap Day on Friday, November 2nd from 9:00a.m. to 12:00p.m.. This is going to be the best year EVER!!! Starting this Friday and every Friday until the second, come by the blog and get a sneak peek at the cool projects we will be doing for the holidays. You can also go to Memory Mania and see the projects up close. While you're there, don't forget to register for this AWESOME class, as it does tend to fill up fast. This class will provide you with PLENTY of ideas to give you a good head start on the holidays. And with the afternoon to crop, you can make a dent in that gift giving list in no time flat! So sign up soon, and see you there!!!

**Hint: This project keeps on giving all year long.

Fun Project

This is my latest project. I made it to go in my sons bedroom. I wanted to do something special to decorate and to add a personal touch. I just glued paper to the wooden letters and then used an exacto knife to cut around the letters. I am going to use paint the sides with blue paint (I started on a couple letters but am not finished). I added additional paper, letters and handwriting, ribbons, embellishments, etc.

Jansen

PS I'm not sure why it's not showing in color. If you have any ideas let me know!

Wednesday's Tips

Hi Everyone,

Okay one more day and I am off to Talladega for the Nascar Race weekend and I can't even wait. Dega Bound Baby!!!! But never fear, ya know I'll bring my scrapbook gear!

Well, another tip using your clear stamps and this one is so simple you'll say why didn't I think of that. A lot of your clear stamp sets have border stamps in them or you might have a set of stamps that is all borders. Instead of using them as a straight border try putting them in a curvy or zig zag pattern when sticking the stamp onto your acrylic block. Then just ink and stamp. Now you have a curvy border stamp and this is one of the advantages of using clear stamps. You can get several different look out of one acrylic border stamp. Can't do that with a wooden border stamp Can ya?


Cute Title for a page

I recently saw this on a random website and thought it was something to think about.

A layout of a child goofing off and the title was: Time Wasted Playing is not Time Wasted. I just thought this was so cute and everyone that has kids would get a kick out of it.

Happy Scrappin,

Christy