Big Honkin' Inventory Reduction Sale

I hope you all had a wonderful time with your family and friends over the holidays!

It's crazy when you think about all the time spent preparing and anticipating this time of year, and then it's over before you know it. I always love the time spent baking together or just hanging out, talking and laughing a lot. My kids are goof balls (they come by it honestly) and they can make you laugh a LOT...it's my favorite. :oD  

Now that Christmas is over, and the New Year is right around the corner...I am looking around the store and realizing I have to count all this stuff in a couple days!!! Anyone want to volunteer to help?? Well, if you can't make it in to sit and count tons of paper and embellishments,  you can always come on down and buy a bunch of stuff at a great discount. Save some $$, spend some of that Christmas cash on stuff you really want.

(Well, everything but the consignment items)

The sale is 2 days only....December 28th & 29th (Friday & Saturday) 

Normal store hours: 10-5 on Friday, 10-4 on Saturday.

Come on down and get some great deals...and you know I always love to see you!!

Merry Christmas!!!

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other ~ Burton Hillis

Merry Christmas to you all. I hope you have a warm and wonderful time with family and friends. 

Remember to hold them close and let them know how much they mean to you!!

Life gets a little crazy sometimes.

The Christmas Open House that was scheduled for December 15th had to be postponed due to a family emergency. 

The Open House is rescheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday December 19th.

The store will be open from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

I  know it is short notice and I really do apologize for the inconvenience of this.

I hope you will have a chance to stop by to enjoy some warm apple cider, cookies and the deals going on at the store.

I also hope you all have a wonderful holiday with your friends and family!!

See you soon!

Christmas Open House and the last Make & Take

Hello!!

I have a few fun things to share with you today....so hang on to your seats! 

LAST $1 MAKE & TAKE

I want to remind you about the $1 Make & Take...just one left and it's tomorrow, Dec. 12th. (12-12-12)

Stop in anytime tomorrow to make these cute candy holders. One is a candy bar holder, the other is a Hershey Nugget holder. No need to bring a thing...just yourself and a smile on your face. (candy is included!) 

These are really easy to make, and you don't have to make them look like Santa's...you can use any patterned paper for any occasion! One of my amazing customers (Hi Rachel!!) came in the other day and needed a clever way to give a bag of microwave popcorn...so we used the candy bar holder idea, just changed the dimensions a bit. Very fun...and very clever! 

SHOW & TELL

I also wanted to share this great, and SUPER SIMPLE gift card holder with you. Again, one of my amazing customers came in to show me what she had made (Hi Nancy!!). She had done some of the cutest gift card holders...and let me tell you...they are easy peasy!!  

Check these out:

So, wanna know how easy? Just cut some patterned paper to 4" x 10".  Score the 10" length at 4" and 8". Use a circle punch to punch the tab on the 2" section (you can see it under the $ on the gift card on the right). Use some very thin (I used 1/8" Scor Tape) to adhere just the sides of the 2" pocket. Fold it up and use the corner chomper on the bottom corners. Gift card done...now just embellish however you want! I used a pack of Christmas Banners and then matched my images and card stock to the banner. I told ya....easy peasy!!

I'm going to share this quick card with you, too. 

I kinda fell in love with October Afternoon's Make It Merry papers. I love that they aren't real traditional colors. They are very retro...but so fun!

Here...take a look...

And the paper on the far right....has the WHOLE T'was The Night Before Christmas story on it!! And when you layer it on black, everything just POPS! So fun! Makes for some really quick cards if you use portions of the story as background and just add an image, sentiment or embellishment. More easy, peasy!

Okay...enough show and tell....on to the big news...

CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE

Stop by the Playground this Saturday, December 15th from 9:00 - 4:00  for a Christmas Open House. 

Shop, sing along to the radio, enjoy some Apple Cider and Eileen's Colossal Cookies...and get some fun deals!

All Cutting dies and Paper Collection Packs are 25% OFF

26% OFF Scotch Advanced Tape Glider (ATG)...that makes it $19.97!! (I've seen this same thing at the other stores for $44.00)

If you have been contemplating getting this big honkin' tape gun, now is the time to do it. I understand the hesitation....I was hesitant, too, and had some questions that I found the answers to when I finally caved and bought one.  

Will it be too big to handle?

 NO...it's not too big to handle, it looks bigger than it feels in your hand. It's different from small tape runners, but it's very light and easy to handle. It has a trigger that has to be held down to dispense the tape. It takes a little bit to get used to it, but once you get the hang of it...it's like an extension to your hand.

Will I really use it?

Yes, I use it allll the time. I grab for it constantly because 1) it's easy to find when I have paper and ink and a bunch of other stuff laying all over the table and 2) because it is a strong adhesive and I know my projects aren't going to fall apart when I use it.

Is it really cost effective?

 I think so. The refills are $9.99 for 2- 72 YARD rolls (total of 216 feet at 4.6 cents a foot). The refills for the Tombow tape runners are $4.99 for 1- 52 FOOT roll (9.6 cents a foot). Yes, you have to purchase the Glider, and that seems like a bit of an investment...but it comes with 2 full rolls of adhesive! So, $9.99 for the adhesive...and with this sale, you are only paying $9.98 for the glider. 

Sounds like a great deal to me!

One more deal....

With any purchase over $25, you will receive a free magazine! You get to choose from scrapbooking, card making, mini albums, home decor and lots from Cricut. 

Magazines are always a great way to get ideas. I love looking through them. I love finding things that catch my eye, either a color combination or a shape or image...and then putting my own twist on them. Take what I like and switch out what I don't...and then the brain starts wandering and wondering what if I use these colors, or maybe that paper or I forgot I had these great embellishments or I could cut a different shape with the Cricut....and it swirls from there and then I have a huge mess...but I can always find my ATG gun!! Haha!

Anyway...I hope to see you sometime this week...and if I don't, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy your friends and family!!

A little MERRY coming your way!

Hello!
Lots of fun stuff happening at the Playground! I can't wait to share it all with you!

First up....Ranger is releasing all of the Seasonal Distress colors in STAINS! Fun...very fun.  Now I will have an easy way to make the ribbon on all of my holiday cards/tags match!!

I have the new colors ordered and they "should" be here by the end of this week. The colors I'm most excited for is "gathered twigs" and "festive berries". I'm not sure why...I have fallen in love with these two colors lately.

There is also more Winter/Christmas papers coming in, Echo Park's Winter Wishes should be here this week..I'm hoping it's not back ordered again...and October Afternoon's Make It Merry line is on back order, but hopefully shipping soon! Here's a little sneak peak for you.

Love the swirls, stripes, snowflakes, purples and blue...it's all so wintery and frosty!

This line has a lot of retro fun to it...could make some really fun pages and projects!

One more thing before I get to the good stuff...

Altered Art & Scrap Playground will be closed Thanksgiving Day, and Black Friday

My kids from North Dakota will be here for the holiday, and my daughter is very....VERY....excited to do the Black Friday shopping thing. I'm not excited about the shopping, or how tired I'm gonna be. But, I am excited about spending time with my little girl (not so little any more, she'll be 20 in just a few short weeks) and watching her shop. She shops like a pro and can go like the energizer bunny. I'm hoping at least a little of her talent will rub off on me. Wish me luck!!

Okay....on to the fun stuff. 

I received a package this week from a friend that spent some time at the store this summer. The box was packed with inspiration. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it all!!  Check this out! (Thank you Colleen...you are a doll!!!)

Starting from the back left there is a large gift bag, a legal pad cover, a small gift bag, a small notebook cover, a candy bar holder, and a Hershey nugget holder.

And guess what the FUN part is for you? 

$1 Make & Takes for the next 5 Wednesdays at the Playground!!

Stop in any time on Wednesday and make one of these fun projects. Doors are open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

We will be making 1 project a week...and this week we will be making this:

It's a great envelope/gift bag...check out the inside

So easy to make, but such a fun way to give a gift. These are great for the holidays, but can't you just see some fun designer papers on this, along with some big billowy ribbon, flowers or rosettes, chipboard die cuts, bling...oh...the ideas are endless!! Come down and make one, and then go home and make them all year long with all that paper you have!

Here is a quick list for you. (no need to call or email...just come on in when you have time)

5 Weeks of $1 Make & Takes

Nov. 14th - Small gift bag

Nov. 21st - Large gift bag

Nov. 28th - Legal pad cover

Dec. 5th - Small notepad cover

Dec. 12th - Candy bar cover & nugget holder

Class on Saturday!!

We will be having 3 classes on Saturday to make gift tags for your gift giving this season.

We will make 15 tags, 3 designs, 5 of each design. They are quick and easy to do, so if you need more, you can make them quickly. 

Here are what they will look like...and the details will be below.

Gift Tag Class

Date: Nov. 17th

Times: 10:00 AM, 12:30 PM, & 2:00 PM

Cost: $8.00

Bring: Just bring yourself and have some fun....this one's on me. :o)

Pick a time that works best for you and then call 721-7529 or email scrapandplay@rushmore.com to reserve a spot.

Tuesday Layout Class

The next layout class is using the Winter Fun collection pack from a new company called Carta Bella. Such fun colors and patterns. I love the blues and browns of cours, but then they added a rich dark red to the mix, and a dark teal...it all feels so comforting together. I love it!

Check out these layouts Chelsea put together:

Fabulous snowflake paper...and check out that

snowflake rosette!

Stripes, chevrons and look at the hexagons! I just

love these colors together.

Look at how amazing these colors go together.

Here's a detail shot of some of the fun on this page.

It's hard to see in this shot...but....

Chelsea used white tulle across the bottom of this page 

and it looks fantastic! So fun!

Class Details

Date: Tuesday, Nov. 20th

Time: 6-9 PM

Cost: $20

Bring: Paper trimmer, scissors, adhesive and pop dots.

Call 721-7529 or email scrapandplay@rushmore.com to reserve your spot in class.

Whew, okay....that's all I have for now...but I have been playing like a crazy woman and have more in store for you...so stay tuned!!

Have a great week and I'll see you soon!

Christmas is coming!

Hi everyone!
The holidays seem to sneak up on me every year. I'm trying really hard to keep on top of it this year...it's a struggle, but my head is still above water at this point...so wish me luck!

I know there are some of you out there that are done making your Christmas cards, and some that are over half way done with their shopping. I long to be that far ahead of the game...it's not going to happen this year, but there's always next!

Well, along with the holidays comes shorter days and less sun. (I usually count down the days until Winter Solstice, when the days start to get longer again) And with the winter days, there will be a change in business hours at the store:

NEW BUSINESS HOURS AT THE PLAYGROUND

starting Tuesday, November 6th

10:00 - 5:00 Tuesday thru Friday

10:00 - 4:00 Saturday

Closed Sunday & Monday

!!!!!!!! DON'T FORGET TO CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS THIS WEEKEND !!!!!!!!

The Christmas/Winter papers are starting to finally show up at the store...take a look at what's here already!

From American Crafts there is a bit of the Kringle & Co. line.

front 

back 

And then they had a few sheets of kraft thrown into the collection, I think they are so fun!

From Graphic 45 there is Nutcracker Sweet. Not your traditional colors, but lots of fun! I love the gingerbread men on the purple background, and the fun candy paper in color and then the same pattern in a neutral kraft color. The opposite side of this paper has a little more traditional patterns on it...but still lots of fun!

front

back

And then there is Winter Fun from Carta Bella! I love the colors and patterns they put together in this line. This line will also be used in our Tuesday Layout Class on November 20th...so be watching for photos and details on that class!!

front

back

Last (for today anyway...there's more coming in the next couple of weeks) but not least....

Bo Bunny. Yes, they are a favorite of mine...and I love the papers that arrived yesterday. One of my favorite color combinations lately is brown and blue....and that's what they used in this pretty line called Powder Mountain.

Doesn't it just remind you of fluffy snow? I love it!! Lots of journaling tags along with this line, they are always fun...and did you see the bunny? 3rd sheet down, the backside of the journaling tags, bottom left corner...that's a cute little snow bunny. So sweet. (I am really aching for a pet these days, and that bunny hit a soft spot)

There are 6x6 paper pads for the card makers out there, too!

There are more fun things on their way, so stay tuned.

Don't forget there is a Layout Class this coming Tuesday, you can see photos and get the details HERE.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend...and I'll see you soon!

Closed Tuesday, NEW stuff, and a Class

I'll get this out of the way right away.

The Playground will be CLOSED

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23RD

I'm sorry to do this to you all again! Altered Art & Scrap Playground is going to be making an appearance at the Taste Of Home Cooking School held at the Rushmore Plaza Holiday Inn. I am going to have a booth at this fun event! (So stop by and say "HI" if you are going...I always love to see you!)  I will be packing things up in the morning and setting up in the afternoon.  It's going to be a busy day, but I'm soooo excited about it. I am a HUGE Taste of Home fan! Love their recipes and their down-home, no-nonsense ingredients. Many of our family favorites came from a Taste of Home magazine. It's going to be great to be a part of this!

Here is a link if you want/need more information.

Okay...on to the FUN stuff!

They are here....the new Snowflake Rosette Dies from Tim Holtz!!!  They are just soooo coool looking!  (after you make them of course...that thin tan die is really nothing much to look at.)

They are so delicate and pretty. I can see them hanging from a tree, on gifts in place of bows, on tags to jazz them up...stacked up on top of each other, just because you can, and it looks great.

One die is just the large Snowflake Rosette. The other has the two smaller rosettes on it. 

And...of course I had to play a bit. 

I couldn't find any paper that I really loved for a snowflake (imagine that in a store full of paper...but it always seems to happen when I have an idea in my head), so, I made my own with stamps and ink.  I wanted blues and browns for my snowflake...and wasn't willing to sacrafice any of my Bo Bunny Snowfall from last year to do it.  

I stamped a floral/flourish type stamp in Stormy Sky Distress ink, then sponged more Stormy Sky over the whole strip. I then used my new favorite brown - Weathered Twigs - (Distress Ink of course) and stamped some Tim Holtz Snowflakes over all of that...then I sent it through with the die cut. (I really think you could use ANY stamp to make your own strip for these. You don't see the details much, it just gives you some fun texture and dimension.) This is what I ended up with.

And here are the two smaller ones. I used some leftover patterned paper for those.

Okay, on to the next thing I have been having fun playing with.

This new Tree Line die from Impression Obsession. I think I'm in love with it! 

The bottom is open, so you can make it as short or tall as you want...that seems to open up so many possibilities!

So, here is the first of many cards that I plan to make with this die. (actually, it's the first one that turned out so far...but I have so many ideas spinning around in my head...I can't wait to have the time to play more!!)

It's all white on white, with just a touch of color. The photo really doesn't do justice, because the paper that the hill and trees is cut from is the Core'dinations Glitter Silk paper, so it's fun and sparkly. The embossed swirl layer was sponged with a light touch of Stormy Sky Distress Ink and then sprayed with some Perfect Pearls to soften it and give it some shimmer. The top layer is the Stampin' Up Top Note die cut from the center of the paper and then embossed with a swiss dot embossing folder. Some pop dots in between the layers for dimension and it was done! 

And for the finale.....our next Tuesday Layout Class!

Check out these fabulous layouts using Fancy Pants' Country Boutique Collection

I love the softness of the blues, creams and grays...then that pop of black. Looks pretty classy to me.

We'd love to have you join us if you can....here are the details:

Tuesday Layout Class with Country Boutique from Fancy Pants

Date: Tuesday, November 6th

Time: 6-9 PM

Cost: $24

Bring your paper trimmer, scissors, adhesive and pop dots.

Call 721-7529 or email scrapandplay@rushmore.com to save your spot!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and I'll see you soon!