D'Uan and I are back from a much needed holiday vacation -- away from facebook, emails and back to old-fashion spending time with family after eight years of not being able to attend many family functions of all kinds! An online store has its rewards! Thank you all for your patience while we were officially gone and Happy New Year to everyone.

We want to start to start out our new year by offering you a special -- spend $100 with us and receive 40% off of Ranger product on your next order. That next purchase just might be the new Little Yellow Bicycle Valentine line that is the best ever! We preordered back in the summer and will most likely not reorder, so once it's gone, it's gone. This adorable line has been shipped and should arrive either tomorrow or Monday. Get your order in while you have the entire selection available!

Please note that everything (excluding Ranger products and the new Valentine line from LYB) is already from 30% - 50% off the regular price. If you are like us, you still need holiday lines for all those photos just waiting to be scrapbooked from Halloween to Christmas!

D'Uan and I are going to have a fire-side chat to plan for fun events ahead so please stay tuned and stay warm!

Slow it down!

December is flying by way too fast! We started our Tim Holtz "12 Tags of Christmas" last Tuesday and now we are at day 6! It's been so much fun creating these little pieces of art each day. Today I took a much needed break to have some family time. I decided that Monday I could double up and get two tags and a video done! Sure I can! I have my oldest grandson spending the night with me so it forces me to get up very early to get him off to school. This way, I'll get an early start on my tags.

I hope all of you have enjoyed seeing the tags daily and hope that some of you are getting to create one for yourself. There are so many possibilities in one tag with all the incredible techniques! Tim Holtz never ceases to amaze me with each tag he creates.

In the midst of all this tag making, somehow I've got to start Christmas shopping! I thought by not having the store that I'd have it all done by now! NOT! It seems we are every bit as busy, maybe more so. Patty and I are loving our studio and getting to play with all our things we have collected over the past 8 years. We are starting a new thing with Vintage finds. Be watching for our Etsy vintage line soon.

I hope your season so far has been blessed. Happy Holidays!

Fun and Productive day at gotta scrap!

We were busy all day today doing all kinds of fun things . . . D’Uan was working on her Day 2 Tim Holtz Christmas tag, getting it ready to post. Jennifer was adding new product to our online store all day long and I was getting ready to video D’Uan while trying to figure out what project I wanted to do first for our own Etsy store. I must say it’s fun having so many options and just the fact that it will be something vintage makes me very happy! I was thinking about decorating old frosted perfume bottles with vintage lace, old velvet flowers and leaves and embellishments or covering boxes using the same type items . . . I’ll wait until tomorrow now to decide! I picked up over the weekend a collar and cuff box with decorative hardware on top of the box that houses cuff links (from the early 1800’s) that is in need of recovering, so if I have just the right fabric, that may just be what I do first!
D’Uan, of course, will produce her third Christmas tag which I will again video – she will do this twelve days in a row, so her work is cut out for her (without as many options as me!). The only thing I contribute to the tag is that I get the privilege of selecting the ribbons and fibers.
Just in case you get snowed in on Friday, plan in advance to be stocked up with plenty of supplies for those Christmas projects – remember that we deliver (or ship) on Tuesdays and Thursdays, in which case you will be set for Friday if you are local! The weathermen are predicting that our area will receive up to two inches of snow, so join us in lighting those fireplaces, putting on the apple cider and Christmas music and create some memorable keepsakes – we will be doing the same. Take pictures and let us see your masterpieces. Stay warm! Here is our link to view the video we made today of tag #2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjJx0Gii014

December 1st Tag

I worked on my Tag #1 of 12 in our studio upstairs which overlooks a beautiful pond and gorgeous trees that have very few leaves left. I love this weather and even though it is cold, it just seems to get me in the spirit of the season. So, this tag seemed a perfect match for this kind of day...wintery!

I finished my first tag and a video and wanted to share it with you! What a great tag! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaBpFtNdjLo I did learn a great ribbon technique. I think you'll like it also. The tag took less than an hour to complete!

Want in on some holiday fun??? Here's your challenge! Make all 12 tags, post each day on our Forum and you have the opportunity to win a basket full of Tim Holtz products! All tags must be completed by December 15th. Post as you have them completed, please. I will continue to post mine each day with a video to guide you through some of the techniques and products used. I can't wait to see your creations!

I will check in with you tomorrow through Facebook, Twitter, our Forum and our Blog. Let us know if you need anything to complete your tags. Our delivery days are Tuesday and Thursdays for those of you who are local. We ship all orders the same day they are placed online. Have a great Tuesday everyone!

12 Tags of Christmas and more...

Wow, I am amazed that it is already December 1st! Where did this year go? As I reflect on this past year I see how truly blessed we have been and though this holiday season will be so different with the store being closed, I feel the warmth of the Christmas season even more. Our customers (yes you!) have been so wonderful with your warm response of our everyday changes that happen on our website, Facebook, Twitter, You Tube and now Etsy. Ok, let's talk Etsy for just a moment...As you all know, today was Cyber Monday so...

I have spent most of today working on our Etsy store and while I am not the most experienced photo editor in the world, I have taught myself just a few things. I know that most all my photos are too large for Etsy!!! If you look at our store today, you will see I did not get far. Tomorrow is another day and yes I did think about staying up all night tonight but realized I have a Tim Holtz Tag to make and demo for you tomorrow. That, right there, was reason enough for me to call it a night. I did however look on his blog at 12:01 a.m. and nothing was there yet. I believe Arizona time is one hour earlier than our time though so I'll give him another thirty minutes or so before I really do call it a night.

Let's see...another exciting thing happened today! We are offering our DVD or online viewing of our Tim Holtz classes I taught in November at our Holiday event. If you didn't get to make it, here's your chance to make all 6 of the projects with instruction. I am also making kits and selling the entire kit for all 6 projects on our Etsy store. The price of the entire kit is $85 and if you purchase the kit, you get an additional $10 off the DVD or viewing download. This is perfect for those of you who are making gifts this season. My favorite gifts are those that are handmade.

Patty called with some great news today...our Tim Holtz stamp sets from Stampers Anonymous arrived! What perfect timing. Jen was busy all day putting product on our online store. Take a look and get them before they're gone.

Well, I'm going to try once more to get on Tim's Blog to see if I can download instructions to his first tag and get busy assembling. Look for our video tomorrow and I will do my best to show you some of the techniques he used in making his first of 12 Tags of Christmas! I will post photos of my tag on the blog tomorrow! Have a wonderful day!

So busy, we've forgotten to blog!

We have been so busy working on a major Christmas project for a company that we have not stopped for days to talk to you on our blog -- I have definitely stayed zoned in on that! We have been working day and night trying to get this project done and delivered for their big party!

So, have you logged into our forum -- it's so much fun, you gotta try it! Jennifer listed her Cricut today for sale and it is going to be a good deal for someone! It's something that many of you asked us to do so you can definitely use this site to do swaps, etc.

We just got our final draft of our new gotta scrap! logo today and can't wait to have it incorporated onto all our different sites. We think you will really like it -- it includes Bella and Scrap . . . speaking of which they both took naps last night (we worked until midnight!) in this container in which we keep ribbons. Scrap had a little trouble fitting into the space, but she managed to manuever into the tight space. We took pictures to show you! She finally just went into our closet and found herself her own "dog" house and let Bella claim the container as her own! Remember Bella's "couch" she had at the store -- yesterday was the first time she would even go near it . . . it's like she didn't want any part of it if it wasn't at the store!

Today, Jennifer inventoried our Tim Holtz stamps and we ordered many of the new ones that we have not had before -- you are going to love them! D'Uan had to reorder the Tim Holtz Christmas stamps so she can do the Twelve Tags of Christmas again. We will be videoing a different tag each time so you can make these in time for use on your own packages, garlands, etc. I never get tired of looking at these beautiful designs!

We have had comments from several of you on our gmail saying that you miss our demos and personal contact -- hopefully, you will begin watching our videos as these are great ways to learn new techniques and get good ideas for your own projects. We, too, miss our contact with you, but things are going great for us online and we have been in close contact with many of you! We have tried to think of every way possible to have you involved in our online store, so we hope that you will sign on to all our different options. We look forward to growing our customers and enjoying as good a rapport with you online! And, we always want to hear from you! Gotta get back to my name tags, personalized ornaments and putting some final touches on some other decorations using my wonderful Rock Candy Distress Stickles which makes everything more wonderful! Hope to chat with you soon on our forum!

Something to "Talk" about!

Our website is growing daily. Beginning tomorrow, you will be able to communicate with fellow scrappers about anything and everything!
Make sure you visit us tomorrow, November 7th at The Comfort Suites Inn on I-30 and Dalrock between the hours of 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm for Holiday Shopping! We will have all our NEWEST product available as well as Hand-made gifts we've created.
Please visit our website and join our EMAIL newsletter so that you can get up-to-date information on upcoming events and new products and lots more. Also, while you are there, join the link at the bottom of the Home Page for Google "Friend" Connect. It's just a fun comment section to leave comments for us. Everyone see's it when they visit our website. We would appreciate it!
We are looking forward to our BIG Holiday EVENT tomorrow and are already planning for three more events in 2010! (ONE HUGE very exciting ANNUAL EVENT to be announced soon!) You will not want to miss the "ANNUAL EVENT"...there will be many celebrities in the scrapbooking industry attending it so stay tuned for more information...a little hint:(Tim Holtz)
Have a beautiful weekend and we do hope you will stop in to say hello!

Class update

We have posted photos of the TENseconds Metal/Wooden Cross that Jennifer Franz will be teaching on November 7th and the Holiday Tag/Gift Certificate Book that Patty is teaching. Many of you have signed up but we still have some openings. Please go to our website and sign up for these great Holiday Classes! You will learn so many great techniques as well as have the opportunity to shop so that you can make more for holiday gift giving. We will be bringing all our ribbon for those of you who need a ribbon fix!

We have also posted a new demo video on our website today so check it out if you want to make a really cute Halloween tag book! I am posting photos of each tag and listed below are the supplies needed for these tag. WE HAVE ALL THIS PRODUCT so Watch the video and let us know if you need anything!

Halloween Tag Book supplies used: Melissa Frances Halloween sticker sheet, Tim Holtz by Stampers Anonymous Mini Ornates and Spooky stuff, Claudine Hellmuth Sticky Back Canvas, Tim Holtz Word Keys, Type Charms, Fragments (square, oval and charms), Swivel Clasps, Muse Tokens, Keyholes, Jump Rings, Metallic Alcohol Ink, Distress Inks - Dusty Concord, Spiced Marmalade, Black Soot, Fired Brick, Crackle Paint---Dusty Concord, Spiced Marmalade, Black Soot, Rock Candy, Black Stickles, Glossy Accents and Mold-n-Pour.

Two Days Down . . .

Hope you all had a happy Tuesday and are ready for some more rain tomorrow! At least we have had a reprieve for a few days. We have been busy around here working on kits for our November 7th classes -- if you haven't signed up yet, call a friend and decide which one, two . . . or more classes you want to take. We have a good selection of classes from which to choose and many that will allow you to check off your holiday gift-giving list. We can't wait to see all of you again!

We are having our website redesigned as you have probably discovered. The design now is temporary and will change periodically. You might have also discovered that there are three stores from which to shop, so if you are looking for something specific, you should be able to find it with us! Products will be posted as soon as we receive them! The website should be finalized by next weekend. Thanks for your patience during this big transition.

D'Uan is working on Halloween tags -- one which she will show you on video tonight. If you purchase supplies to make this tag, we will include instructions on how to make the other two tags which can be made into a tag book. You will definitely want to make these adorable tags, for sure!

Halloween Tag

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdR4TlNAT5k

Hope you all enjoy!

Just to explain...we put the listing of the classes on our blog for you to see, however to sign up you must go to our products page on our website www.gottascraprockwall.com and pay via Paypal. Once your payment has been confirmed you will be automatically signed up! I will let you know when sign up is active and it should be sometime this weekend. Hope this wasn't too confusing for you! Have a great weekend and don't forget to check out our online items...they are growing!!!

Anna Griffin 12x12 Christmas Page Layout

November 7, 2009

Anna Griffin Christmas Page Layout

2:30 - 4:00

Description: The Flora Christmas Collection from Anna Griffin brings the warmth of hot cocoa and hand-sewn stockings to life with a deep, rich palette of chocolate, mint and silver. Santa Claus, gingerbread and peppermint candies are sugared and frosted for a melt-in-your-mouth experience that will surely be the icing on your gingerbread house this season!

Supplies to bring: chestnut roan or brown cateye chalk ink, trimmer, adhesive and scissors.

Instructor: Patty Rattan

Cost: $45

Cathy Caddy

November 7, 2009

Cathy Caddy

(2 classes available)

4:30 - 6:00

6:30 - 8:00

Creator and designer of the "Cathy Caddy" Cathy Arnold will be instructing you on how to make the most adorable caddy to use for anything and perfect for gift giving. In this class you will use the TENseconds metal, prima flowers, rub ons, designer papers, rhinestones, ribbons and more. It is a fast-paced class so experience with the metal is helpful. If you take the cross class earlier, you will have that experience. There are two times available as this is a very popular class and we want everyone to be able to partake.

Supplies needed: trimmer, scissors, wet & dry glue, rub on tool, several colors of cat-eye chalks.

Cathy Arnold
Cost: $65

Holiday Tag Book

November 7, 2009

Holiday Tag Book

4:30 - 6:00

MELISSA FRANCES Vintage Attic Treasures Tag Book
Come make this adorable tag book that can be used for items such as gift certificates, stocking stuffers or a small Christmas book. This book contains FIVE - 5.5.” x 5.5.” envelopes and tags( that nestle inside). You can use for hidden “notes” or put pictures onto the tags. This little book will be covered in all of Melissa’s vintage papers and embellishments with ribbons to match! You will definitely want to include this as a gift for parents, grandparents or hard to buy for people on your gift list! You will be tempted to keep this one for yourself!

Supplies needed: Sanding tool, scissors, trimmer, cateye chalk.

Photo: coming soon!

Instructor: Patty Rattan

Cost: $45

TENseconds Metal/Wooden Cross

November 7, 2009

TENseconds Metal and Wooden Cross

2:30 - 4:00

Instructor: To be announced

Cost: $55

Photo: coming soon!

There are two crosses involved in this project – the larger wooden cross is approximately 12” x 18” which will be covered in your choice of paper( which you will provide so it will match your décor). You need to bring coordinated paper to get a collage look. The smaller wooden cross (that fits on top of the larger one) measures approximately 6” x 8 ½”. This workshop will teach the techniques needed to use this metal! The metal will be provided in different colors to match your paper and you will also have the option of selecting your favorite mold. Once you work with this metal, you will become obsessed and want to cover everything in your sight!

Supplies needed: Sanding block, your choice of scrapbook paper and acrylic paint to coordinate, scissors, pencil, utility knife (a must!). All other supplies will be provided.

Partridges in a Pear Tree

November 7, 2009

Partridges in a Pear Tree

6:30 - 8:00

Instructor: Patty Rattan

Description: Join Patty in making these adorable acrylic hanging birds for your Christmas tree, window or just for gift giving. Three graduating sizes of birds strung together with jump rings and ribbons. You will get hands on experience in stamping with Stazon inks!

Supplies needed: scissors

Cost: $35

Studio Re-loaded

November 7, 2009

Studio Re-loaded

Instructor: Duan Berendzen

6:30 - 8:00

Supplies needed: scissors, paint brushes, paper piercer.

Cost: $45

Join Duan as you learn about the Claudine Hellmuth Studio line, Ranger's newest signature designer line. This unique and quirky palette of colors, mediums, and sticky back canvas products are just the thing to incorporate a little mixed media in your projects. Not sure how to use them all? Well join the creative adventure as Duan takes her own approach with her spin on what this product line can do for you - time to experience Studio re-loaded.

Distress the Holidays

November 7, 2009

Distress the Holidays

Instructor: Duan Berendzen

4:30 - 6:00

Cost: $45

Add the look of vintage bling to your holiday projects. See for yourself how Distress and Stickles can be used in the same sentence with this innovative glitter glue unlike anything you've used before. Wanting a bit of sparkle to accent your distressed projects? Learn about Distress Stickles as we incorporate these in a hands-on project to get you ready for the holiday season, and see things with a bit of nostalgic shimmer.

Supplies needed: scissors, paper piercer

Captured Memories

November 7, 2009

Captured Memories 2:00 - 4:00

Instructor: Duan Berendzen

Cost: $45

Ranger's popular Inkssentials Memory line has just gotten even better. Hoping to find the perfect holiday project ideas for your gift giving this season? Well look no further, this workshop is for you. Duan shares a variety of tips and tricks for Ranger's Memory Capsules and the many uses for these clever compartments. Create several of your own in this workshop designed to jump start your holiday projects and capture your creativity.

Supplies needed: scissors, paper piercer

Cost: $45

END OF THE WEEK (NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH DAILY) BLOG!

For some reason, these long hours, late nights have me totally off track . . . since getting back from our trip last weekend, it seems we went from Monday morning to Friday afternoon! D'Uan has stayed at my house the entire week so we wouldn't lose any time in getting things done and we set goals and just about accomplished them just in time for her to leave to go back to her other world. We did a video of the Graphic45 stocking before she left and she took it home to download and put online for you. http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRbzyAcWVF8 This was a project we did during the sample frenzy portion of the show last weekend and one we think will definitely want to do yourself. We have the entire line of the Graphic45 Christmas line that is ready for purchase now. Jennifer has been helping us every day and has become our pickup and delivery person. We get an order in and off Jen goes to either hook up with you or take to post office. Thank you for your orders so far! Sunday night we will be launching a portion of our online store -- with more being added all the time. Please don't think we will only offer a few items -- we just want to get started!

We have already scheduled some Christmas parties that will entail invitations, gift bags, name tags, centerpieces, all that will match up with your theme. We love doing these sort of projects - it's like a Christmas workshop! So, if you need help with any parties or projects, please let us know.

Remember me mentioning a date of November 7 for a possible crop? There are no local hotels that have a conference room available for that date; however, we can reserve a conference room in Rockwall for Saturday, November 14th all day until midnight. We can only accommodate thirty-two croppers comfortably -- I am taking a straw poll this weekend just to find out if that date would be good and if you would be interested in attending a crop. It will be jam packed with fun things; details will definitely follow if there is enough interest. I have the conference room held until Monday at which time we will determine if there is enough interest. We must guarantee 32 spots or we cannot do this date -- the price would be $65 per person which includes a snack mid-morning, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner, chocolates/desserts for later. Also, if there is enough interest, D'Uan will offer two Ranger classes (her favorite!) which would be $45 each. So, if you will check your schedules and let us know by Monday morning, that would be great! We definitely are wanting to see you and do some fun make & takes we did in Houston. Post your comments on gotta scrap facebook and we will determine if this is a go! We will make sure we have ample room for more attendees at our next crop since it will be scheduled more in advance.

Everyone have a nice, relaxing weekend and enjoy this cool weather. Look forward to hearing from you and hopefully seeing you soon!

Tim Holtz Holiday Pin

Here is a two part video showing you how to make the adorable pin I made this past weekend in Tim Holtz's class. If you are interested in a kit, I have 10 available and they are $10 each. Just email me at gottascraprockwall@gmail.com and I will contact you for shipping arrangements. Check out the Little Yellow Bicycle Trick or Treat line that is on our products page at http://www.gottascraprockwall.com/ The Autumn Bliss will be available also online by Friday. Thanks for your patience as we make our transition to an online store. It will be worth your wait, we promise! More exciting news coming soon about our November event!


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