Beyond Blogging

New Thanksgiving kit

2010-12-09T06:53:00.004-05:00

Gosh, I've been so busy the last few weeks working on new kits that I don't even know where to start with posting about them. Guess it makes sense to start with the Thanksgiving one since that holiday just passed.

The Turkey Day kit was actually a lot of fun to design. It features Creative Imaginations paper that has nothing but turkeys so of course, I had to put turkeys in the kit! The one peeking around the title is my favorite but the pilgrim turkey is also pretty cute. I also included double-mats for all your pictures. The colors in this kit are perfect for the season -- lots of orange and brown. Not enough pictures to fill all the mats? Not a problem. Use some of the mats for your journaling! At $12.50, this kit is a steal...especially since the turkeys come pre-assembled!

Enjoy!

I'm baaaaaack!

2010-12-08T07:28:00.005-05:00

Finally, after almost two years, life has settled down enough for me to actually focus on the business again and you know what that means...NEW DESIGNS! Yep, I actually have TEN new page kits designed and lots more that are just waiting on the holidays to be over so I can clear off the counter and get back to work. I've also added new titles to the store including Graduation and more.

One of my favorite new kits is the "All Boy" kit that features Doodlebug paper (one of my absolute favorites to work with!!) and some really adorable die cuts. I've had the paper sitting on my paper rack for quite a while and just couldn't find time to work with it but I am extremely happy with the result. There is also a "matching" kit that is called "All Girl" and features lots of fun flowers on Doodlebug paper. Be sure to check out the "Child of God", "Florida" (with an awesome pink glitter flamingo!), and the new "Genuine Boy" kits.

Gotta run for now but be sure to check out the store!!

Scrapbook crop in the Ohio area

2009-01-29T08:41:00.003-05:00

Woohoo!! I'm so excited -- there is a Scrapper's Dream Vacation event practically in my backyard! If you live within a few hours of the Cincinnati airport (which we all know is in KY), you should check this out! It's the 9th Annual Heartland SDV and will be held at the Holiday Inn Cincinnati Airport in Erlanger, KY. You pick a package based on how many days you want to crop and whether you want to stay at the hotel or not. This is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy one of these crops relatively close to home. Plus, you have until May 27, 2009 to pay for it. Using their website, you can even make payments so it isn't one big payment. How's that for convenience? We all know how hard it can be to come up with the money for one of these events but Nancy and her crew make it easy for you!

If you are further south, you should look into the 11th Annual Eastern Tennessee SDV. This one is held at the MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center. Last year it was absolutelybeautiful driving down through the mountains -- all the trees were in bloom and the weather was absolutely perfect! If you are interested in this one, you had better hurry -- final balances are due by March 2, 2009.

Okay, I'm going back to work restocking for the upcoming SDVs... ;) Hope to see you there!

Ronda

Magazine layouts

2009-01-19T15:42:00.002-05:00

Okay, normally I don't post much in the way of opinions but I gotta confess...I'm really thinking about stopping my subscriptions to scrapbook magazines! The last one I received (and I'm not mentioning the name) was really a disappointment. I looked through the entire thing and I think 80% of the pages only had one picture on the page!! Now, I don't know about you, but I have a LOT of photos and if I only put one picture on a page, I would have hundreds of albums. I also have a problem with the amount of embellishments on the page. Last time I checked, scrapbooks were for preserving memories and that included photos. Some of the pages I barely noticed the picture -- there was too much "stuff" on the page that drew my eye away from the real reason for the page.

How about you? What do you think about the layouts that you see in the magazines? Do you think they are a little over the top or do you like a lot of embellishment on your pages? Let me know by leaving a comment! Who knows? Maybe you can convince me that there is a reason for all of the extra stuff.

Ronda

More new kits

2009-01-19T09:42:00.005-05:00

Gosh, seems like this past weekend just flew by! My sister and I went to a "Crop Till You Drop" in West Lafayette, IN and had a blast! There were lots of wonderful people there and I managed to snag some new stamps on clearance from one of the other vendors which is always a bonus. Plus, we stayed with my friend Melissa and her family which was a lot of fun. I gotta tell you, if you are in that area and have a chance, you should definitely try to make it to one of these crops -- Melissa and her crew do a fantastic job. There was TONS of food and drink and best of all, you could crop as long as you wanted! Rumor has it, some die hards didn't leave until around 5am. ;) For only $30, it's a real bargain!

While I was at the crop, I managed to whip up three new layouts! Woohoo!! The Dad kit is one that I started many months ago and just couldn't seem to finish. I don't know about you, but I think it turned out great! I have to thank my friend Shannon for standing by me and helping me with this one, though. Although Shannon is only 9, she is already an accomplished scrapbooker with a great eye for color and layouts. Thank you, Shannon!

I also managed to finish up the Birthday Boy and Birthday Girl kits. These are a lot of fun to do -- no custom die cuts but they do have lots of bright colors. One of the fun elements in these layouts is the use of 3-D Dots to elevate the letters and some of the other stickers. This gives the layout dimension and keeps it from looking so flat. These kits include two different Doodlebug patterned papers and very bright colors of cardstock.

Got an idea for another new kit? Be sure to post it here and I'll see what I can do! Until the next time, happy scrapbooking!

Ronda

They're back...

2009-01-07T21:54:00.002-05:00

Who's back? Why, the SBI Chef Kidz! And the What's Cookin' kit is now available again in the store! Woohoo!! For those who have never seen it, you had better run...not WALK...to the store and check it out. Last time we released it, it sold out in 2 days. :O This time I think we have enough to last for a few days but if not, I can cut more and ship them off to Teresa at Scrapbooker's Buzz to get more ready for kits. Not only that, but I am also getting ready to re-design the Chef Kidz Recipe Book kit and that will be available again as well.

Are you ready for more news about the Kidz? Well, Teresa and I are working on releasing a whole line of kits featuring the SBI Kidz! They aren't ready yet but they are on the cutting table and almost ready to be shipped to her for her magical finishing touch. Don't forget -- if the paper piecing Kidz aren't your style, check out her stamps when you visit her site. You can even pick up the Chef Kid stamp if that's more your style!

Until the next time...

Ronda

New Kits

2009-01-03T08:38:00.007-05:00

Yeah! New year, new kits in the store!!

In case you haven't stopped in the store lately, we have a few new kits waiting for you. First is the Dinosaurs kit. This one is perfect for trips to the museum or just pictures of your little one playing with the dinosaurs or even reading about them in his or her favorite book. Or how about the Halloween pictures where they were dressed up as their favorite dinosaur?

Next up is the only pre-made page kit that I currently offer...the Woodland page kit. This is one of the first kits that I did and I recently found a stash of them so I decided to put them back up on the website. Featuring lots of mats for photos, it also has a journaling block and a small title block where you can write your own. Probably the best part is the rub-ons that are already applied to the page so no tools or know-how is required! All the photo mats are pre-cut to 4x6 so just add your photos and go!

School Days, school days...yep, we have a new School Days kit! This one has lots of primary colors but it also includes a pre-assembled apple with an adorable little bookworm popping out of it! It also has a large pre-assembled pencil paper piecing, lots of mats, and even a space for your favorite school child's 5x7 picture. Be sure to order yours today!

Our last new page kit, License 2 Drive, is for all of you who have a new driver in your household. It has large street signs, plenty of mats for pictures and even a transparency that is a black and white checkered pattern. With all of the street signs pre-assembled, it only leave adding the pictures and putting all the elements on the page for you to do. And as most of you know, all of the kits include full color pictures and easy to follow assembly directions.

Whew! Okay, that's it for all of the new kits so far but rest assured -- I have lots of new ones in store for you in the upcoming weeks so be watching!

Ronda

Poems For a Page

2008-12-19T23:07:00.004-05:00

Most people know that there is a cancer walk called the Relay For Life and of course there is the Susan G. Komen Walk For the Cure for breast cancer but there are many other walks for cancer. Our family started participating in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light the Night walk each year after we lost our mom to Lymphoma last year. Regardless of which walk you participate in, It Takes Two has a Poem For a Page that is perfect for those pictures from cancer walks. It's called I Believe in a Cure and it really touched my heart when I read it. Here are a few lines from it...

I walk because I care.
I walk to honor those who no longer can.
I run because it's one small thing I can do
to make a difference.
I can give someone the courage to go on.

This is just one of the poems that I recently added to the store so be sure to stop in and check it out. I will also be adding a new kit using their Cancer Awareness paper so be watching for it!

That's it for now...time to go work on some new kits! Happy scrapbooking!

Ronda

Create Your Own Scrapbook Paper

2008-12-12T19:51:00.005-05:00

Okay, I have two REALLY cool ideas for you and they sort of go together. First, I have to tell you about a new paper company called Craft Sassy. Craft Sassy is the first printing company to print your own custom-designed scrapbook paper by the individual sheet. If you can upload a digital file, you can create your own exclusive scrapbook paper design. Traditional paper sizes (including 12” by 12”) and a variety of paper stocks including vellum and double sided printing are available. They even print to environmentally-friendly inks. Your design options are unlimited! Print scrapbook paper of your children’s artwork, a scenic landscape or a hard-to-find sport or activity. When you are looking for the exactly right piece of paper, look to Craft Sassy. Now you can print your own darn scrapbook paper!

Now, for the second thing...how about a background generator that you can use for the paper??! Visit BgPatterns and try this out. Oh my gosh...this was a BLAST!! I made some teal background paper covered with white palm tree outlines for a kit that I'm working on -- now I just need to import it into PSP and create a whole sheet of this stuff. You can pick your own background color and texture and then add repeating patterns all over it. It is a blast, whether you create paper with it or not.

That's it for now...enjoy!!

Ronda

Scrapbooker's Buzz Kids!

2008-12-09T20:59:00.004-05:00

Okay, most of you have seen the Happy Birthday Girl Scrapbook page kit (the Boy is sold out) in my page kit section, but did you know that Scrapbooker's Buzz now has their own line of stamps with these adorable little tykes?? Well, they do and they are soooo cute!! Teresa of Scrapbooker's Buzz has done a wonderful job of putting together lots of ideas for using them, too. Just check out their gallery for tons of ideas for using the kids. They have lots of cards and scrapbook page layouts posted for you to use for inspiration.

Why am I mentioning this? Well, Teresa and I have been working together on some new projects and one of them will be out in the next few weeks. No, I'm not telling what it is but I think you are going to love it! And that's not all...we will be working together on a whole new line of page kits! Woohoo!! I'm so excited I can hardly stand it. We have talked about doing this for quite a while but now it's actually going to happen. For now, you will have to wait but trust me, you are going to want to watch for these new scrapbook page kits. Plus, we may even pass along a few new ideas for cards and other mini projects.

Till the next time!!

Ronda

New Products!

2008-12-07T09:09:00.004-05:00

As promised, I'm loading the store with new products this weekend! For those who have stopped by my booth at a crop, you may already be familiar with the Poem For a Page line from It Takes Two, but if you haven't seen these yet, you need to! I have added lots of the favorites featuring verse for baby boys and girls, Mom, Dad, and the Grandparents, but there is lots more. One of the most popular verses is a tribute to a loved one who has passed. The Remembrance Poem sells out at practically every show so if you haven't gotten it yet, now is your chance -- I just got in a new supply.

A new addition to the Poems line are the Cancer Walk Poem and the Cancer Survivor Poem. No matter whether you do the Relay For Life, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, the Light the Night walk for Leukemia & Lymphoma, or any other walk to raise money for a cancer cure, you need this poem.

Okay, that's it for this morning but I'm still restocking the store so watch the shelves closely!

Ronda

It's December already...

2008-12-05T18:38:00.004-05:00

...and I suddenly realized how long it has been since I posted on the blog! Sure, there were plenty of reasons...travel, work, grandkids, dogs...the list goes on and on but none of them are a good reason to neglect my blog so I'm making a promise to myself to try to make time at least weekly to post.

Not much to start with but keep watching...I'll be posting the first of my new kits this weekend and if you love Flamingoes, you'll love the new Florida page kit!

Until tomorrow!
Ronda

Another Scrapbookers Dream Vacation!!

2008-07-12T19:06:00.002-04:00

Woohoo!! Nancy from Dream Events emailed me this morning and asked if I would be interested in setting up as a vendor at the upcoming Camp Hill, PA. Am I interested? Of course!! These scrapbooking weekends are a blast! Imagine this...you are "forced" to sit in a HUGE room with 300+ other people for up to four days and all you have on your agenda is scrapbooking. There is music playing and massage therapists available into the wee hours of the morning to ease those tired neck muscles. Now, imagine all the wonderful vendors who bring in every scrapbooking supply you can imagine and you can walk up and browse whenever you want. No driving to the local scrapbook store...no waiting in line (unless it's Sunday morning and you are paying your tab)...and no family to distract you with demands to be driven here or there. Sound like heaven? I can vouch for it -- it is wonderful! You pick how many days you want to attend and you can even share a room with another scrapbooker to save on expenses. This truly is a Dream Vacation for scrapbookers! I have to admit, though...one of my favorite parts of the weekend is Saturday night when they crank up the music and play "YMCA" by the Village People. Those scrapbookers are up dancing in the aisles!!

The Camp Hill SDV is Thursday, July 31st through Sunday, August 3 and is being held at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel & Convention Center. Hope to see you there!!

Until the next time...happy scrapping!

Ronda

Has anyone seen my Kidz?

2008-07-10T05:30:00.006-04:00

Okay, I know I'm not the only one who has done this...I had several of the Chef Kidz from Scrapbooker's Buzz for one of my new kits and I've managed to "misplace" them. Now normally that wouldn't be a problem, but this time it has created quite a catastrophe. See, I posted the new "What's Cookin'?" kit last week and it was so popular that I sold out of all of the kits that I had within 4 days. That wasn't a problem until I realized that I had put the rest of the Chef Kidz someplace safe. Right now they are so safe that even I can't find them!! :*( Don't panic if you just have to have this kit, though...I've already sent Teresa an email begging her to make more Kidz for us. There may be a slight delay but hopefully this kit will be available again within the next week or two. In the meantime, be sure to check out the other new kits on the site.

If you have never seen the Special Delivery kit in person, you are missing out! It features an adorable stork and lots of mats to load up with pictures of that new baby plus some adorable baby themed ribbon sliders from Pebbles. As always, assembly is simple. We even assembled the stork for you so that you can focus on the rest of the layout.

We have also added a re-designed Florida kit and a Fish Tales kit, so be sure to check them out. If you are looking for overlays, be sure to check back often. I've added several new ones -- they are just waiting on me to scan them so I can add them to the website.

Until the next time...

Ronda

Layout from a customer

2008-07-03T22:43:00.005-04:00

I know, you aren't going to believe this but I'm actually posting yet again. ;) I'm hoping to starting posting on a regular basis so be sure to check back often or subscribe to our blog to be notified of updates.

Today's post is about a layout that one of my customers sent me. When I was at the Scrapper's Dream Event in Kingsport, Angie stopped in and shopped for kits. She mentioned that she already owned some of my kits and was telling me how much she liked them so I asked her if she would mind sharing one of them with me to post in the gallery. Once I get the gallery up on the site, I will include it there but for now, I wanted to display it in my blog. The kit is the Mom kit and features lots of cardstock and patterned paper along with the title "Moms are like Quilts". It also includes a quote about moms and why they are like quilts. I think Angie did a wonderful job!

The Mom kit is very special one to me...it was created in honor of my mother who passed away last June from complications of lymphoma. Because of this, 10% of the sales from this kit are donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society every year when we do the Light the Night Walk. Last year, our family raised $1700 for the cause. In memory of Mom, I will be doing a special offer on the website in August so be watching...you will save money while helping me raise money for a good cause.

Until next time...

Ronda

Catching Up (yet again!)

2008-07-02T21:39:00.002-04:00

Okay, okay, I know I have been a terrible blogger lately but actually I have had a semi-good excuse. I was busy getting ready for the Scrapper's Dream Vacation in Raleigh-Durham, NC. Wow! What an awesome time!! I met lots of new people and had a wonderful time. Well, until Sunday that is. That's when I finally ventured out to my car and discovered that my back window was shattered from the heat. :O I finally got it covered with plastic and taped up and got everything loaded up and on the road. I made it home at around 3am. Oh, and did I forget to mention I got stopped for speeding on the way home, too?? Gosh, what a trip but I'm home, safe and sound and ready to go again. The next one that I will be attending will be...are you ready for this???...DISNEY! Woohoo!! I am SO excited!!

More later...

Ronda

It's May Day!

2008-05-01T22:59:00.005-04:00

Gosh, where does time go? It seems like just last week there was snow on the ground and today it was in the 70's! Lots has happened since you last heard from me. First I did my first Dream Event and man was it amazing!! I had a blast! The people there were wonderful and sales were great. I took the cutter and spent most of the weekend cutting some new graduation overlays. Wait till you see them! I'll try to get photos up in the next couple of days. I did manage to get some pictures of the crowd, though, while they were doing the Village People's "YMCA" song. Talk about hilarious -- these folks were great. Teresa (Scrapbooker's Buzz) and I had a terrific time and look forward to next year's event. If you are still waiting for the Easter kit, watch the website in the next few days -- it's done and it's going live. ;)

Now that it's spring, how many of you are out taking pictures of the flowers and things? If you are like me, you are tired of taking snow pictures and you are more than ready to start on blooming things like trees and flowers. Since May is National Photography month, I thought I would offer a few photography suggestions for you. First, although I'm sure you want to take pictures of everything, try to focus your attention on the details. Let me demonstrate... the first picture here is a pear tree in my backyard. I love the blooms and I think the tree is beautiful but the first photo just doesn't do it justice. The second picture is much more beautiful to me than the whole tree. It shows a cluster of flowers with the greenery of the tree in the background. Same tree, same flowers, but looks at the difference! If I were looking at a scrapbook with the first picture, I would probably glance at it and go on but the second one would definitely catch my attention. How about you? Look at your photos and see if you are missing the details.

Okay, it's off to bed to rest up before the 3rd Annual MOPS Crop this weekend. I talked to the organizers and they have TWICE as many people this year as they did last year! WOOHOO!! Should be a fantastic time! If you signed up, I'll see you there. If not, there's always next year.

Until the next time, happy scrappin'!

Ronda

Springtime in Tennessee

2008-04-03T19:17:00.003-04:00

Gosh, it seems like forever since I've posted on here and so much has happened since then!

First, I got accepted at my first Scrapbooker's Dream Vacation (SDV)! Woohoo!! That means I get to go to Kingsport, TN next week and spend a few days with lots of dedicated scrapbookers. This is a new venue for me so cross your fingers for me. I'm really looking forward to meeting everyone. As usual, I will be taking the cutter with me and doing custom titles, overlays, and die cuts PLUS some custom word books. I will be introducing a couple of new kits so I'm hoping they do well. The crop is April 10-13th and from what I hear, it is "local" packages only. That doesn't mean you can't still travel down there -- you will just have to stay somewhere else. :) For more information, visit the SDV website.

Next, I'm vending at what I call "Kristy's Crop". Actually it isn't just hers, but it's easier to say. That will be the weekend of April 18-19. This group of ladies is always a lot of fun and there is always some very yummy food. The crop is in West Milton at the Community Grace Brethren Church. To sign up, email Kristy at bwombold@msn.com.

Just a few weeks later is the 3rd Annual MOPS Crop here in glorious Miamisburg, OH! This year's event is even bigger than ever -- it is now TWO days of scrapbook fun! It will be May 2 and 3rd at the First Church of God in Miamisburg. For more information, visit our Town Hall. This year you can even pay by credit card in the Beyond Scrapbooks store! Don't wait -- you won't want to miss out on this one. There will be lots of food, fun, and prizes.

Whew! I'm tired just thinking about all this scrapbooking! No time to rest, though...it's back to the kit re-stocking for me. Hope to see you at one of the upcoming events.

Until next time, happy scrapbooking!

Ronda

Out with the old and in with the new!

2008-02-18T10:42:00.000-05:00

Everytime I turn around, I hear about another local scrapbook store closing which really saddens me. A common theme is that they aren't making enough money to stay open or they are just burned out on the business. Running a scrapbook store isn't an easy task - -there is a constant demand for all the latest and greatest products which owners can't afford to order in unless there is space and money. There is also the competition of the chains with their 40% off coupons. Even the Dollar Tree stores are getting into the scrapbook business -- just look at the Miss Elizabeth's scrapbooking line! How can a "regular" store compete? They can but sometimes I think it is just too hard to do. Personally, I love my local scrapbook stores! I shop there at full retail for paper that I plan to use in kits to make sure that I actually like it enough to order it in bulk. How about you...do you support your local scrapbook store? If not, who's fault will it be when they close the doors?

As an online business, I don't have as much of an overhead but I still have to sell the old in order to make space for the new products. Because so many of the stores around me are closing, I want to make an extra effort to give you a new source for all the latest and greatest items in the scrapbook world. In order to do that, I need to sell off some older items which means I will be adding lots of items to the website and some of those items will be on sale! Once it's gone, the shelves will be restocked with fresh merchandise, some of which is already on order. I will also be listing some limited edition kits so be sure to check back often -- once they are gone, they won't be offered again! ;)

Once the store is fully stocked, I will also go back to adding tutorials to the website to demonstrate how to use your existing products such as the Crop-a-dile, eyelet setters, and other tools that you may have purchased but never used. I'm going to be adding lots more projects to the site, too, so be watching!

Until the next time, happy scrapping!

Ronda

Scrapbooking "bargains"

2008-02-04T09:20:00.000-05:00

A couple of years ago, I talked to a lady at the Orlando Memories Expo about the Crop-a-dile. This is a tool that I love because it simplifies using eyelets...simply punch the hole, insert the eyelet, and squeeze. I was doing a demo of how to use it and I found it very interesting when this lady told me that she had already bought one but no one had ever showed her how to use it! She got frustrated with it and stuck in a drawer in her scrapbook room. Sound familiar? Believe it or not, I hear this more and more...stories about tools and the latest gadgets that people purchased but never used because the local craft store didn't have anyone to show them how to use it. Sure, she got it with a discount coupon but did she really get her money's worth?

First of all, the price was marked up above "recommended retail". I've shopped in this store lots of times and since I know what the price is supposed to be, I'm always surprised to see things marked way above that price in the stores. Why are they marked up? So that you can use your 40% off coupon without it costing them as much! Is this legal? Sure, it is! The manufacturer gives a recommended price -- stores can charge more than that if they want but they are not supposed to charge less.

Secondly, there was no one to show this lady how to use the tool. To the store, it was just another sale. A good scrapbook store would have not only shown the customer how to use the tool but would have also explained how to use all the features of the tool. Another consideration is the strength and hand size required to use the Crop-a-dile. It's not for everyone -- people with small hands tend to have a harder time using it so before I sell one, I have the person try it so that I can make sure they will be able to use it.

So my question is...was her purchase really a bargain? She bought the tool for around $20 with her coupon and took it home and shoved it into a drawer. That's an expensive paper weight in MY book! How about you? Do you have a tool that you bought and aren't sure how to use? Let me know what YOUR "bargain" buy was and maybe I can show you how to use it to get your money's worth.

Until the next time!
Ronda

Ronda

Happy Belated New Year

2008-01-18T07:33:00.000-05:00

Did you ever stop to think about how unfair the card makers are to the perpetually late person? The only "late" cards available are those for birthdays! Happy Belated Birthday! Gosh, I should probably stock up on these since it's the only kind I ever send. ;) But what about all the other occasions we forget to send cards for? How about "Merry Late Christmas" or "Sorry I missed Sweetest Day, Honey" cards? I think there may be a market for these! I know I can't possibly be the only one in the world who forgets to send cards. Got ideas for others? Post them to the comments and we'll start our own petition to try to get Hallmark to add these to their selection.

Life in our household is a little hectic right now. We are now foster parents for a beautiful boxer! We lost the our last boxer in September to cancer so after three months of being boxer-free, we decided to help out Lighthouse Boxer Rescue and foster Dalton. He's a beautiful brindle boy who needs a good home. Dalton was found in a ravine half-dead and full of fleas, ticks, and other disgusting things but after a couple of months of medical care, he is fully recovered and raring to go! This guy is a real sweetheart. He doesn't seem to have had much human contact in his life. He isn't afraid of people -- he is just a little cautious but warms up to most people within a few minutes. He loves kids, though! If you are interested in adopting Dalton and you are in the Ohio area, contact Lighthouse Boxer Rescue to complete an adoption application. If you are interested in fostering or volunteering, be sure to complete a volunteer application while you are at the site. If you aren't in Ohio but are still interested in helping a rescue group, visit the American Boxer Rescue site for links to your local group. If your favorite breed isn't boxers, don't despair -- do a google search for a rescue group.

Great! Scrapbook Events is hosting a big show in Taylor, MI this weekend at the Gibraltar Trade Center and of course, we will be set up at the show so stop by and see us! The show is Saturday, Jan 19 from 10am to 8pm and Sunday, from 10am to 6pm. There will be lots of vendors and free scrapbook classes so come on over. I will have three new kits plus a few new products to show off so don't miss it. Admission is free so there is no excuse not to go if you are within driving distance.

Okay, that's it for today...but keeping watching. I'm going to be announcing a new product that will be available soon and you are definitely going to want this! :)

Ronda

They're here!! They're here!!

2007-12-18T20:50:00.000-05:00

What's here? The Chatterbox Tag-alongs!! Whew! I've been waiting for this day for a long time. Last year, I couldn't keep these on the shelf so I was really upset when Chatterbox decided to discontinue them while they looked for a new manufacturer. The worst part was, they were discontinued right before Christmas. Believe me, I had some very bummed customers! Now, they are back in stock so get yours while they last.

What is the Tag-along? Well, the best way to describe it is to tell you it is a clamp-on cup and trash holder designed with scrapbookers in mind. It holds a 32 oz thermal mug that comes with the lid and straw so there's no danger of spills on your workspace. Add a ring to hang your trashbag and you have the perfect tool for all your cropping time. Not a scrapbooker? Not to worry. This unique device will clamp onto almost any table or work area. It's ideal for those who sew or quilt. It holds your drink and a bag that is convenient for all those threads that you trim. I've used a different brand of this same type item and it doesn't compare to the clamp that is on this one. My other one will slide off the table everytime I brushed against it. With this one, I've never knocked it loose.

To get yours, stop by the store and visit the "Must Haves" category or click HERE!

Happy scrapping!

Ronda

The Importance of Journaling

2007-12-05T00:05:00.000-05:00

So many times at shows, people stop and talk to me about their albums and a theme I hear a lot is how they hate to journal because they don't like their own handwriting. No surprises -- most of us don't, but I have always said that regardless, people should write as much of the journaling as they can and now I have a good reason.

For those who don't know, my mother was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in August of 2006. We were the eternal optimists and were convinced that she would live for many more years but we were wrong. My mom passed away in June of this year due to complications from her chemo. Although we were devastated, we have gradually been working through our grief. Tonight, I was looking through my bookcase and found a book that Mom bought me a couple of years ago called "The Christmas Child". Mom and I watched the movie when she was staying with me on a visit so of course she had to buy the book when she spotted it. It was sad enough seeing the book but when I opened the front cover, I saw the inscription from her in her own writing that said, "Memories are wonderful! Love you, Mom". The sight of her words in her own writing brought back a flood of memories (and of course a flood of tears). That book will stay with me always and every time I look at her handwriting, I will remember the hands that wrote them...how they held me right after I was born and grasped my hand as a child. The hands that sewed my wedding dress and cooked and baked and cleaned for all six of us kids. The hands that were becoming disfigured by arthritis with each year but were always ready with a gentle touch for a child or grandchild. The hands that we patted when she was alive and held as she died. Those wonderful hands will never write another word but I have a treasure. I have my mother's handwriting to look back at through the years and that is a memory that I will hold in my heart always.

Handwriting is such a personal part of each of us. Don't worry about how terrible you think your handwriting is -- one of these days it won't matter and your children will be thrilled to have your handwriting and all the memories it brings back.

Ronda

My Hero

2007-11-19T20:40:00.000-05:00

If you are familiar with my kits, you may recognize "My Hero" as the name of one of them. One of the embelllishments in the kit is a definition of courage which defines courage as "...the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery." This past weekend at the Memories Expo in Orlando, I met a real life hero right in my booth. She didn't look any different than any of the other people walking through the aisles and if I hadn't spoken to her, I never would have known. This lady walked into my booth, looked around, and asked if I had anything military. I pointed out the military stickers and embellishments and then showed her the "My Hero" kit. I explained that although it didn't say anything about the military, it did use paper that was associated with all the branches of the service on the background. As I walked back to the register stand, I continued to talk to her about the kit. I explained to her that 10% of the sales from the kit would be donated to SoldiersAngels.org, which is an organization that helps provide a lot of needed services to soldiers who are deployed. When I mentioned the soldiers, she looked up from the kit and I saw the tears start to creep down her cheeks. As she cried, she told me about her son...her only son...who was killed in Iraq three years ago at the age of 22. She told me how he was killed and about finding out and as she talked, the tears continued to flow. When she finished talking, she looked at me and asked me a simple question. "How can I go on? I've lost my only child. How can I go on?"

She paid for her purchases and walked away but she left, she left something behind. She left me with a renewed respect for the mothers of all soldiers and the courage that they must keep in their hearts. To all of you...mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, and all the rest...I salute you. You are the keepers of the faith. You are truly my heroes.

Ronda

Greetings from Orlando!

2007-11-14T23:06:00.000-05:00

Wow, I had forgotten how wonderful Orlando can be in November!! When we left Cleveland on Saturday, it was VERY cold but by the time we made it to Florida on Sunday, it was in the 60s and 70s. What a wonderful change!! The weather has been gorgeous all week...sunny and in the low 80s with low humidity. I've always said that I wouldn't even consider retiring to FL but I'm beginning to think I could stand this kind of weather...

Speaking of Cleveland, though, I have to tell you how much I enjoyed the crop that I participated in. It was a benefit crop for a group in Middleburg Heights. The ladies up there were a lot of fun and best of all, I got to see one of my best friends for the first time in a while. Renee, who is the director of Lighthouse Boxer Rescue, came and scrapbooked all day so we got time to catch up on a few things. Here's a photo of Renee and one of her friends. See the bucket there by Renee? Well, keep watching the web site -- we will be adding new kits to create doggy treat cans just like the one I did for Renee after the first of the year. Not only doggie treat buckets, though...the plan is to add LOTS of new kits and ideas for you to enjoy.

This week is the Orlando Memories Expo. If you are in the area, be sure to stop by and visit for a minute. I'll be in booths 804 & 806. There will be LOTS of new kits to checkout so be sure to stop in!

Until the next time, happy scrapping!

Ronda

Another local event

2007-10-18T17:48:00.000-04:00

Calling all scrapbookers! The place to be November 16 &17 (if you aren't in Orlando with me!) is the Scrap For Health at the Dayton Convention Center in Dayton, OH. I've talked to these ladies several times and if I didn't already have plans, I would definitely try to make this show! Here's what their website says...

Scrap for Health combines convenient shopping for scrapbooking,
paper-crafting and rubberstamping products, classes, health education,
health screenings and evening crop parties into one weekend of fun, while we
raise $$ and awareness for women's health.

All proceeds benefit Premier Community Health, a local 501(c)(3) non-profit
organization, dedicated to building a healthier community on behalf of Premier
Health Partners through prevention, early detection and disease self-management;
focuing on issues surrounding cancer, diabes, heart and lung health.

Sounds pretty official, doesn't it? I think what it all boils down to is...come on out and enjoy your self while helping to raise funds for the very good cause! Although I won't be there this year, I'm sending them some gift certificates good for anything on my site.

For more information or to sign up, visit their site at Scrapforhealth.org

Happy scrapping and stop back soon for another coming event notice!

Ronda

Album Embossing

2007-10-15T21:50:00.000-04:00

Okay, how many of you know what album embossing is? Let's see a show of hands... Not many, huh? Okay, of those who know what it is, how many of you have ever had an album embossed? Oh, even less, huh? Well, here is your chance to find out about it and find out what a great deal you can get. Melanie with MAC Embossing is a friend of mine and I sat with her last weekend at a crop and just drooled over her designs! I convinced her to do a couple of samples for me and we'll talk about those but first I want to explain to the novices out there what it is. Album embossing is when you take heat and a design and foils and make an imprint on an album cover or a piece of paper or ribbon or whatever takes your fancy! It can be an image or words or both and it can be done on pretty much any medium -- albums, paper, ribbons...well, you get the picture. Most people have their albums done but for those who know me, you know I'm pretty unconventional. My idea? I convinced her to try it on a piece of Bazzill cardstock and the result was fantastic! In fact, I was so impressed, that I'm planning to release a whole line of 6x6 albums in the next month or two that will feature her embossing. The first one cover she did is for a dog album (see the picture above). Melanie did a column of silver foil paw prints going down one side and my dog's name in the center. I'm telling you, it brought tears to my eyes! The second one is a little girl in the middle of the cover. Melanie added my niece's name to the lower right corner and it is spectactular! I can hardly wait to show Lauren her new personalized album once it is done. Now, what would you pay to have your name or your pet's name or even your child's name added to the front of your album? Need a graphic? Melanie is your source! She even does custom graphics! Who else offers THAT?? :O And that's not all...how about having the subject embossed on the spine of your albums so you can tell at a glance which one you are looking for? The price for this service is every bit as low as the cover but check out how fantastic this looks! No more searching through all the dark blue albums to find the one you want -- now you can use the same color for several albums and you will always be able to find the one you want.

Now, I know what you are thinking...sounds great but she's in Indiana and I'm not so how in the world am I going to get my albums embossed? Simple -- you can mail them to her. All you do is mail the cover or whatever you want to have done and she will emboss it and mail it back to you. All you have to do is visit her at her website (http://www.macembossing.com/) and tell her what you need. I guarantee, you will love the results!

And watch for those new albums coming soon to the website...

Happy scrapping!

Ronda

Catching Up!

2007-10-14T18:36:00.000-04:00

Okay, I'm not doing so well on keeping up with the blog but I'll try to do better. With the end of the show season rapidly approaching, I should have a little more time to work on it.

I just got back from a Crop Till You Drop in West Lafayette, IN -- what a lot of fun that was! Melissa does a terrific job of organizing this event quarterly so if you are in that area, be sure to check it out. Her next event will be in January.

If you missed out on that one but are in the Dayton area, here is another one you might be interested in...it's a Scrapbook Open House and weekend of cropping in Englewood, OH. Hosted by Kristy Wombold and Darlene Sipos, this is your chance to crop and shop for 20 hours!! Here is the scoop:

Where: The Englewood Earl Heck Center, located at 211 Main St in Englewood.
When: Friday, Oct 26th from 6pm - midnight and Saturday, Oct 27th from 8am to 11pm.
What to bring: You, your pictures, your supplies to crop, and of course a friend.
Cost: $30 if registered before Oct 15th or $35 after that for the whole 20 hours
Details: We will supply breakfast, lunch, drinks, snacks and a gift when you register. There will be mystery package give-aways, prizes donated by area merchants, and a grand prize on Saturday. We will have all of our Creative Memory suplies there if you run out of something or need to purchase anything throughout the day. Ronda Houston of Beyond Scrapbooks will also be there with her page kits and computerized die cut machine to cut your personalized titles or overlays.
To register: Call Kristy Wombold at 937-698-5182 or Darlene Sipos at 937-836-7539. Seating is limited so please register today! For more information, contact either Kristy or Darlene at the number listed.

I still have lots more events to pass along but they will have to wait until the next post! Be watching...

Ronda

Upcoming Show

2007-09-01T14:47:00.000-04:00

Welcome back! Just a quick note to remind you about the Midwest Scrapbook Association's Convention coming up September 7 and 8 in Indianapolis, IN. We'll be set up there right next to Scrapbooker's Buzz and just wait till you see the next products we have developed! Not only do we have new page kits featuring the SBI Kidz but we also have new mini album kits with those adorable brats! Always wanted to do a 6x6 album but couldn't come up with enough ideas to do it? Well, we've taken the work out of it and put the cute back in. ;) Be sure to stop by and check them out!

Starting this month, we will also start our monthly crops back up so be sure to reserve your seat now. I have a feeling the September one is going to fill up quick and I already have people asking about October's crop. As always, the crops are free -- I only ask that you bring a snack to share and your own beverage(s). Bring lots of pages to work on and be prepared to get a lot accomplished. I will be offering the custom cut titles at this crop, too, so make your list up now! :D For more information, check out our Townhall page.

Till the next time, be safe and enjoy making your memories.

Ronda

Upcoming weddings

2007-08-15T20:31:00.000-04:00

I want to take a moment and congratulate two of my nieces on their upcoming weddings! First, Michelle is getting married this Friday. Michelle is a veterinary radiologist in Michigan and claimed that she was never getting married. Until Joe happened, that is. ;) What a cute couple! We are planning a road trip to attend the wedding in Benton Harbor, MI at a place called the Blue Dress Barn and according to the web, there are lots of photo opportunities up there from the town itself to the lighthouse on the shores of Lake Michigan. Of course, I'm planning to take lots of pictures at the wedding itself. Good thing I just invested in a new digital camera! I bought the Fujifilm S700 and I am absolutely thrilled with it!! The picture quality is awesome. Now if I could just learn how to use all the features, I would have it made.

The next upcoming wedding is Melissa. She and Ryan will be getting married in September. This will be a tear jerker for me. I spent a lot of time with her from the time she was born until now so it will be especially hard for me to acknowledge that she is old enough to actually get married. She will be a senior at Ohio State University this fall so not only will I watch her get married, but I will also get to see her graduate from college. Gosh, that makes me feel old!

Of course, with both of them getting married, I'm already planning the gift album I will be giving them. I'll be sure to share the pictures when they are done. Speaking of albums, when was the last time you did a small album? Watch our website over the next few weeks because we are going to be introducing a whole new line of 6x6 album kits and I think you will love them! First up will be a recipe album featuring the SBI Kidz line. Want a sneak peek?? Well, here is the cover...

And if you think the cover is cute, wait until you see the inside!

That's all for today...see you again soon!

Ronda

Back to Blogging!

2007-08-09T19:27:00.000-04:00

Okay, I'm back to blogging, I guess! It took a couple of years and in fact, I sort of forgot that I had a blog but now that I found it again, it's time to start keeping it up to date. ;-)

So what's new with Beyond Scrapbooks? Well, conventions are booming! I've done 6 already this year plus a crop or two and I still have 3 conventions and 3 crops to go. I am working on kits and some new ideas for the show in Indianapolis which is just a few weeks away. Show dates are Sept 7 & 8 and the show is at the Marriott East in Indianapolis, IN. I almost didn't get in because I waited so late to submit my paperwork but at the last minute, someone else backed out and left me an opening. Woohoo! Indy, here we come!!

The latest and greatest project I'm working on now is a new album that features the SBI Kidz from Scrapbookers Buzz! Wait till you see this...it's something totally new for me. Teresa and Joan from SBI helped me in my booth at the Great American Scrapbook Convention in Grand Rapids, MI a couple of weeks ago and the planning started then. For those who aren't familiar with the SBI Kidz, you don't know what you are missing! To view them, visit the website at http://www.scrapbookersbuzz.com/. The new kidz for this kit aren't on the site yet (I don't think) but they are adorable with their white chef's hat and the batter all over their mouth. If you are in Indy, stop by and check them out.

Keep watching the website for a design change -- I'm modifying it again! I am bringing back the original village idea but with lots more buildings. I'm planning to build a library where you can view how-to's for a variety of new techniques. The first one will be using crystal lacquer which we featured as the make-n-take at the GASC show. If you stopped by and tried it, you will know what I mean when I say it's addicting! Those who tried it went nuts over it! There will be lots of pictures and maybe a video eventually if I can figure out how to do that. I will also be adding lots of new products and sample pages in the next few weeks, if time allows. In the meantime, just be patient for another couple of weeks.

On a more serious note, a few of you may know that my mother passed away in June from complications from the chemo she was taking for her Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. My family and I are doing the Light the Night Walk to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in hopes that someday, someone else's mother won't die from this incurable cancer. To donate to our team, visit my walk page at http://www.active.com/donate/ltnCincin/2148_RondaH. Ten percent from the sales of the Mom page kit will also be donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in her memory.

Until the next time, keep on scrapping!
Ronda

Welcome

2005-04-24T22:48:00.000-04:00

Welcome to my newest endeavor -- a blog spot. :) Who knows how often this will get updated, but I will try to keep up with it.

First of all, why a blog spot? Well, it's where I can sit down and post comments to you. I can let you know about conventions that I've been to and new products that I find. I also plan to share more of my own work on the site...layouts that were done just for me instead of for the business. LOL!

Check back soon and look for new posts. Until then...happy scrapping!

Ronda