Great Deal...Great Help....

Okay, so my camera's battery went dead and now I can't find the darned charger. I MUST have my camera for this little trip....so off I went to RC Willey in Damonte Ranch. That's where Steve bought the camera so I thought for sure that they'd have a spare charger.

So, I get there...I'm in a total rush and completely mad at myself because I left in the middle of packing clothes for this little getaway and Steve's due to be home any minute and he'll be wanting to know why I allowed myself to be distracted when we've got a 3hr drive to for this little faux-cation......(thanks Ang)

Whew.....anyway, there I am looking for a charger for my camera's battery (it's a Sony) when I spy this cool looking little HP 4x6 photo printer on a shelf. I poked at it and it didn't move or make a weird noise, but it didn't have a price tag anywhere. You see, I've been looking for such a thing ever since Martha and I got to attend the Fiskars Finest "Orange Carpet Event" in Chicago where Angela took those *smashing* photos of me with Heidi Grace and Amy of Cloud9 Design. So this fellow breezes past me and I catch his attention. Totally leaving the printer behind...the battery is my focus....my mission....

Nope. No battery. No Charger. Story of my camera's life....gotta go direct to Sony...dang!!! So, you know me....gotta make some lemonade...."hey fella, how 'bout this here printer.....how much is it?" He procedes to poke it around and finally agrees with me that there's no price on it. He heads over to his inventory thingy and comes back to tell me that it is normally $199.99 and is on sale for $99.99 ...."Say what?!"

Alright, so I'm thinkin'::: what's wrong with it??? why so cheap??? I've been pricing them and it's a total no-go for anything under $100. Naturally, I start asking questions....a LOT of questions. The suspicious kind. Needless to say, this fellow decided there were bigger fish to fry over in the car audio department...he had better things to do than listen to some suburban mom/CIA wanna-be fret over a hundred dollar purchase....so he left me.

I was a little crushed, I'll admit. But being familiar with rejection in a variety of forms, I allowed the computer with the BIG GREEN sign announcing internet access to draw the attentions of my heart, they don't call it "retail therapy" for nothin'. Besides, before MaryAnn left me in charge of the store, she showed me this magical place called "GOOGLE" where you can learn anything about anything....even how to get your key unstuck from a door lock. (surprisingly useful information....)

So I'm standing there googling this printer to find out why it's so cheap and where it falls in the line-up of HP printers as far as features and such when this guy walks up to me and says, "I hear you're interested in a photo printer??"

I figured he was probably upset about me looking at the BEST BUY website right there in his store. I got a little defensive and explained that I was trying to figure out if this printer that has an MSRP of (get this....) $249.99 and is on sale for $99.99 is a piece of junk or if it's worth taking a leap of faith and buying. A hundred bucks is hard to come by these days, ya know....

He smiled at me....I melted.....(I do that) He offered to help me find out what the deal was. Even did a little hunting for information himself....said they had a number of them on-hand and even more at their warehouse in Salt Lake. I couldn't help myself. I wanted, and therefor needed, a printer just like this one and it's model number was the highest I'd seen of all the HP printers I'd been looking at ..... it had to be a good deal. Then my phone rang....uh oh....Steve!!!!

Thank goodness the reception is bad in the store. I didn't answer and explained to my freindly fellow that my husband was probably wondering what was so important that I hadn't packed for paradise yet. Gratefully, he said, "C'mon. I'll walk you to the cashier so you can get out of here faster". Away we went.

A delightful young lady, named Dottie, rang me up. Total with tax $107.and change. AMAZING!!! It was just then that I realized I hadn't even thanked the man who'd gone out ofhis way to help me. When I turned to ask his name I half expected him to have disappeared like the lone ranger. Instead, he wrote his name on a card and thanked ME, for the sale!!! Imagine that! Gratitude for my business...Amazing!!!!

I've gotten so used to being snubbed for troubling the sales staff at various stores around town I was shocked! How refreshing is that?? Someone was actually happy that I came into their store and spent my hard-earned money on something they were offering. WOW!!

His name: Robert Evans. His department: Electronics (I think). His motivation: to do his job and do it well. He actually said he wasn't out to sell me what he thought I needed but what I thought I needed. Am I going back? You bet! Will I ask for Robert Evans? Darn Straight....he's not afraid of my questions.....that makes me feel good. Am I recommending you go to RC Willey and ask for Robert Evans....please do. He was great for me and I know he'll do a great job for you! Tell him I sent you!! See if he remembers me....

Plus, that deal on the printer was FANTASTIC!!! We'll be using it in the store...come check it out!! It's all pretty and shiny.... ;-D You can find it on page 8 of their Labor Day Sale ad... turns out it's what we call in retail: a "loss-leader" - a buy so great you have to at least go into the store to check it out and while you are there you'll buy something even more expensive and maybe a few more things to go along with it....oh, and don't forget that new bedroom suite you've been dying for.... uh huh..... Ladies, they've got our number....they just don't have our batteries...at least not my Sony one..... Robert Evans....Thank you.

My faux-cation at the Hilton in paradise is waiting....see you all when I get back - Jen

Labor Day!!!!

Hey everyone!!! It's Labor Day weekend and a lot of you are out of town or setting up for picnics to celebrate the end of summer. Well, I got myself a wild hair and decided to close the store for the day. I'm sorry if this puts a wrench in your plans. Next time, I'll make the college girls keep it open for you....promise. They could probably use the hours anyway.

Okay, so here's the deal: Steve and I are loading up the kids and scurrying away to a Hilton in Sacramento. Can you believe we haven't been away as a family since February!!! This is a big deal for us....we have annual passes to Disneyland (interpret as: The Gibson's are Escapists), and we haven't even used them!!!!

Anyway, I'm on my way to get a new battery for my camera....then it's time to pack....did I tell you the pool is open until MIDNIGHT???!!!!

Hope you're having a great weekend and finding yourself grateful for a break from labor, I am....see you when we get home....Jen

Fully Loaded Layouts and Cards!!!!

Kim Goodsell has been a Stampin™ Up! Demonstrator for 9 years, and is a stamping expert! Kim has been published in the Rubber Stamper magazine, and showcased in the Stampin™ Up! Demonstrator website, and this year's Stampin™ Up! Convention! Her love for stamping and enthusiasm for cards and scrap booking shows in her work and personality! Kim's favorite thing to do is teach people the art of rubber stamping. Nothing thrills her more than to see someone get excited about stamping and to hear them say, "Wow, look what I just made!" It doesn't matter whether you are a beginner or an expert, Kim will show this class the basics of stamping and then step it up a notch or two for an impressive look. Come join us for her first class at The Scrapbook Cottage on Sept 5th from 6:00-9:00. At this class you can complete 2 double spread 12X12 layouts or make 6 cards, or a combination of 1 double spread 12X12 and 3 cards. Don't miss out, you'll love the fun and excitement of this class and you'll be sure to renew your enthusiasm for scrapbooking and cardmaking! Free "open crop" to follow after class until midnight! ---I'm bringing the Chocolate Fountain!!! See ya there!!

Spooktacular Designs w/ the Cricut

Hey there!! Got your Cricut out of the box? How about the Design Studio?? If you haven't done one or the other....get ready to! Nadine has two classes you don't want to miss!! The first is on September 12th. Then another on September 26th, just in case. You'll learn what all the fuss is about and why, now that you have the Cricut, you HAVE to have the Design Studio. The two combined allow for greater creativity, adaptability and frugality in your scrapbooking and card making.

It's called "Spooktacular Designs with the Cricut" and she's got a fantastic layout for your Halloween pictures that you need to get into your albums...they are truly amazing and by the end of the class you will be able to create such things on your own! Call or come in and get signed up, everyone has been waiting for this class...don't miss it!!! If you don't have or are unable to bring a laptop and/or the Design Studio, please be prepared to share during class. The Design Studio will be available for purchase before and after class.

Back to School

This is Moxxie's brand new School Zone line!!! Please forgive the photo....my battery is dead and I can't find my charger. So when Nadine came in to find card making supplies, I hi-jacked her phone and made her take some pictures. Great job, Nadine!!!! Really!!! Thanks!!!

So anyway, it doesn't show up really well, but these are all double sided pages. Each has the grade and some great flourishes to adorn the "solid side" then on the back you get the CUTEST patterns!! Preschool has all these "finger paint hands". First Grade has crayons, and Second Grade, my favorite, has what I like to call "dancing scissors"....they are kid's scissors set in a flower design with the repeat in varying sizes. No kidding!! Ok. So maybe you gotta see it....take a look, it's the green background up there in the photo with multi colored flower shapes.

Like the other new lines being presented this season, Moxxie's School Zone is laying up some rich colors for us along with those more complex designs we love so much. This particular line is a great way to set up your school picture layouts for each year. As a matter of fact, I'm putting together "School" albums for each of my kids with their annual school pictures and using this line all the way through 12th grade...that way each year is coordinating!!! Check it out!!

Hey everybody!! This is Jack's World!! This line comes to us from Cosmo Cricket and it is TOO CUTE!!!! I cannot wait to start putting together my back to school photos!!!

Do you remember these "GREEN" chalkboards from school. (Before Dry Erase) I love this look!! It screams happy! There's a word strip on Strip Tease that reminds me of, get this: my DAD!!!! It says: "Can't wait 'til tomorrow 'cause I get prettier everyday." When I was a kid, my dad always walked around singing some crazy song or other. This one reminds me of him singing "Oh, Lord it's hard to be humble.....when you're perfect in every way....." Hehehe....we had so much fun....

Okay, so today's post is a bit short. We've all been working hard to get the store in order before Martha heads home tomorrow for a desperately needed 6 week break. Can you believe she hasn't been home for any length of time since April?! She needs to be there and Dad needs her to be there. Don't worry, though, she's comin' back for October's Crop for the Cure!!

By the way, have you registered for Crop for the Cure?? Get your registration in by August 30th and get entered to win a $100 gift certificate to The Scrapbook Cottage! We've got GREAT new paper and embellishments either in and available or on its way!!! Don't miss out and remember, 100% of your registration goes directly to Komen Northern Nevada!! Can't make it for the crop?? Register for a T-Shirt and you'll still be eligible for all the drawings plus you get a GREAT T-shirt!!!

Give us a call or come by and see us if you have any questions!!! When you come in be sure tell us what you think of the new layout!!!! Talk to you soon, Jennifer

Scrappy Cat w/ Kim Roberto!

Hey everyone!! This is Kim in the photo with me. I attended her 7am class the day this was taken. I have to tell you, of all the classes I took at CHA, hers impressed me the most. She was prepared, had her samples on a Power Point. It was awesome, the level of organization she had!!

So, a little about Kim. She has 2kids, a boy and a girl and a husband ( a very sweet fellow) and they live in Ohio.

Kim created Scrappy Cat with kids and teens in mind. Her products are quality. The pages are all double-sided, her clear stamps won't yellow, and her embellishments are too cute!!

The best part about Scrappy Cat? The prices! They are allowance-budget friendly!! Kim knows kids and what she knows best is that they don't have a lot of money to spend. She went to great lengths to sign on with a manufacturer that could produce quality products at lower prices. What she accomplished is fantastic!! The papers are too cute! The albums GREAT!! Embellishements out the yang. And all affordable!

So what does this mean for your kid,teen or in-between? How about a Scrappy Cat's Club? Sign up your 8 to 18 yr old for the Scrappy Cats Club and we'll offer them special discounts on all their Scrappy Cat purchases. Plus special crop classes and parties just for their age groups. Want to get them started on their own or with you? Get them their own albums, papers, trimmer and embellishments! The adhesive we have for this age group, you may like too! It's just $1.99 Nope. that's NOT a typo. For $1.99, get one for yourself and see what you think....

We'll be starting with Birthday Parties in September!!! These parties include a completed souvenir album for each attendee!!! Call us for availability and pricing! Got a Girl Scout Troop? Bring 'em on!!

Welcome to CHA Summer 2008!!

CHA was a pretty BIG DEAL for me. First, we had a ton of fun! I got to hang with Joe and Martha (mom and dad) for a long weekend, got to spend "girl time" with Michon, Angela, Amy and the rest of the Fiskateers, and got to be among the first to see all the new things being released for our fall scrapping and crafting!

Where do I start? Well, Martha and I met Joe in Chicago a day early. The show didn't start until Friday, but I saw this as an opportunity to LEARN! Many vendors had set up workshops/classes for Thursday. I pre-registered for as many as I could fit in. I wanted to see what these guys were doing to make scrapbooking more accessible in this economy and I wanted to learn some new techniques.....I know....you're wondering what the heck I'm talking about since all techniques are new to me.....

Anyway, check back on our blog regularly, there's so much I want to tell you about...and most of it's interesting!!

Later today, I'm going to log on and tell you all about Scrappy Cat and my meeting with Kim Roberto. You guys are gonna LOVE her...what a cutie!!!

'til later,
Jennifer

Weekly Kit

This week's New Release has been done for you by Kim Goodsell of Sparks. She's done all the designing for you and put her Cricut Machine to good use! "Roughin It" is the perfect layout for your camping trip or weekend hike! Get yours early, there are only 6 available!