Doris' Blog

Product of the Day - 19 July 2008

Greetings Everyone!!  As promised, I am introducting my "Product of the Day" - GRUNGEBOARD.  I am offering all Grungeboard that we have in stock at 25% off the regular price for today only.  This product is fun, versatile, and can be used with just about any project that you might have in mind.  Grungeboard is very pliable and can be painted, inked, sanded, distressed, and used in many other ways that you might know of or even want to experiment with.  There are many fonts and shapes available for you to choose from as well.

Because I was not aware of the Seafair Parade scheduled for tomorrow from 11:00 am until about 2:00 pm, I will extend this offer for all of Saturday, 19 July 2008 and also all of Sunday, 20 July 2008.  Saturday hours are from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday hours are 12:00 (Noon) until 4:00 pm.  Hope to see you at the shop so that you can get GRUNGED.  Take a look at Tim Holtz's video for more grunge information.  You'll be glad that you did!

Until later...... hugs to all - Doris

 

Yikes It's HOT!!

Greetings Everyone!!  Well, we definitely know that summer is here and it's not letting us down.  Many folks love the hot and so do I if I am sitting in our air-conditioned shop.  Come visit.  It's pretty cool in more ways than one!!

First off, to let everyone know, we survived the 3-day street festival here in West Seattle.  Thousands of people walked the streets, ate lots of fair food, and soaked in the sun.  It was a great weekend for these folks but for us, well, it keeps our regular crowd away for the most part so we were very happy to see so many of you today (Monday) and to also have a class this evening with people enjoying Asian themed projects.  We are hoping that some folks took note of who we are from the street festival and will take time to visit later.  Next year, well, how about Las Vegas baby??

One of my purposes for this evening's blog is to introduce a program to you called "Product of the Day".  How this will work is that I will periodically post on my blog a product that will be available for that day's posting at a reduced or sale price.  My first posting is expected to be Saturday, 19 July 2008 so be on the look out for it.  The product price will be good for that day only during normal business hours.  I'm hoping that this will be fun - sort of like a scavenger hunt - never knowing exactly what you will find.  Stay tuned....

Summer is moving quickly and I continue to work diligently at projects that are my goal to finish.  I have many so if I only finish a few I will still be happy.  Here is hoping that all your summer's are going well and you are enjoying those extra hot and lazy days that only a summer can bring.

Until the next time..... happy hugs to all - Doris 

p.s.  I just updated Elaine Woodhouse to her newest blog.  Take a peek and let her know you were there.  She loves company!!

Another New Week

Greetings Everyone!!  It's Sunday evening and I was doing some computer work when I decided to stop for a bit and say hello to everyone via my blog!!  Hope the 3-day weekend worked out for everyone.  I had a wonderful 4th and hope this is true for all of you.  It almost seems so long ago now. 

Many thanks to so many of you who stopped by the shop to enjoy our 4th of July sale.  We kept busy and loved to see you stop in if only to say hello.  We not only have air conditioning but also a jug of peanut butter pretzels (while supplies last).  Yummy to enjoy as you walk through the shop.  This is compliments of Diane Radishat who seems to have an eye in spotting these yummy treats wherever she goes!

I spent this evening with family and friends having dinner which is somewhat unusual.  I don't see Alice and Leo nearly as much as I should so it was good to have them there.  I followed that up with a visit to my friend "Evie" who is in an assisted home facility continuing to adjust at such a life change and making the best of what she has.  It's tough on everyone but I know that she is well cared for and has many advantages that are not always afforded to all who might need the help.  Many of you know Evie from the shop which is why I make mention of her on this blog.  She continues to enjoy cards, visits, and letters so if you are so inclined, please do send her a quick note.  Here is her address:

Evelyn MacDonald, 4423 54th Avenue, SW, Seattle, WA  98116.Evelyn MacDonald, 4423 54th Avenue, SW, Seattle, WA  98116.

I'm looking forward to the week ahead.  Summer is slipping by quickly so make sure to make it all that you want it to be and not wait hoping for a better day.  I've been putting my painting off so here is my own advice.  So much for computer work for another evening.  I'm gonna go visit my canvas.  Have a GREAT week.  Hugs to Everyone - Doris

 

 

Have a GREAT

4th of July!!

 

 

 

Greetings Everyone!!  Hope everyone has a GREAT day tomorrow.  As you probably know by now, we are closed to celebrate the 4th but will re-open on Sat with regular hours.  The 20% off sale on regularly priced rubber stamps and stamp sets begins promptly at 10:00 am on Saturday and continues until close on Sun.  Stop in to say hello and pick up some of those "gotta haves" at a great price!!

The newsletter has been distributed via e-mail, however, the website will be delayed by as much as 3 weeks.  Ugh!!  E-mail me or drop in to pick it up if you would like one.  We have a terrific summer lineup of classes all waiting for you to share in the fun that is planned.

We have received more new goods including some great papers and many embellishments.  Rubber stamps, we think, are always a given.  They do arrive frequently and we've got lots!!  Check out the open catalog sales with Stampers Anonymous.  A great company with a huge host of rubber stamps including the Tim Holtz line.  Receive 5% off with a pre-order and if you are a passport holder that would be 15%.  Sweet!!

OK that's about it for now.  Take care everyone!!  Happy Hugs to All - Doris

 

 

 

It's HOT, HOT, HOT

Greetings Everyone!!  This is a really quick post since it's been a week or so since I've done anything on my blog.  It sure is hot today and it is nearly 1:00 am on Sunday morning and it is hot now also.  Can't imagine what the daytime will be like.  In any case, who wants to complain after all the wet and cold.  Stop by the shop if you are really hot.  We've got air conditioning!!  YEAH!!

Although the numbers for the Asian Influence Fest held last Saturday were down, those attending, including staff, had a ball.  We had great projects to work on and lunch was fabulous.  A special thanks to our instructors Diane Radischat, Sue Cramer, Sherry Wilson, and Elaine Woodhouse.  They are extremely talented and are so willing to share their talent with all of us.

I've been very busy trying to complete the July Paper Connection so that it is ready for the 1st of July.  Lots of folks including Jean Mendel, Sandy, Huff, and Kelly Anable are all helping with one aspect or another so it will be ready to roll on the 1st.  The newsletter has been proofed and corrections will be made tomorrow with distribution via e-mail sometime tomorrow evening so be looking for it.  The summer schedule is reduced but there are still lots of classes to choose from.

I'm sure there is lots more I could cover here, but mostly wanted to touch base with those of you who read my blog.  I shall return......................... Hugs to All - Doris

Copics Are Coming!!

Greetings Everyone!!  I spend an interesting day today attending "Certification" training for the Copic Markers which was taught by Marianne Walker who works directly for Copic.  Although many of you already know that I make a terrible student (short attention span I suppose), I did learn a lot about Copic and all of its add-ins and add-outs and let me tell you that there are a lot.

Not really sure where to begin other than you will be seeing them as soon as we are able to purchase them for the shop.  I am told that one brand is 4 months out (that is how popular they are) but we are going to get our name on the list anyway.  I suspect it will be an exciting time and if there is anything "Copic" that you would like to have ordered, please let me know.  In order to do this, you would already need some Copic knowledge I suspect.  We may conduct some in store training on this new product but no details are available just yet.

Other than that, I am rolling along with just too many things to do.  Our Asian Influence Fest is on Saturday and I am excited to have it finally arrive.  The projects are great and I am sure that those attending will have a grand time.  Our Continental Breakfast should probably be called "Continental Breakfast - Friends and Company Style".  There is lots to choose from.  Gotta keep our energy up after all!!  There are still some spaces so please do call if you are interested.

It is well past midnight but I just had to let everyone know about the prospect of having Copic markers at the shop.  I think folks will like them and they certainly have a great color range.  OK - enough babble for one blog!

Good night and have a great Friday - Hugs to all - Doris 

Another Day Almost Over!!

Greetings Everyone!!  Well, it is another day almost over.  Sort of a wierd one for the most part.  The most significant of the day is that my niece, Kayla, whom many of you know, has left for the east coast to work on my sister's farm again this year.  She thoroughly enjoyed the experience last year so she hopes to duplicate that again this year.  As usual, we will miss her tons but she has left me with lots of inspiration to get my painting done.  We worked together last week and she completed another painting as I poked along and added a brush stroke or two to mine.  I'm shooting for the end of summer to finish it and can't wait to show all of you.  Stand by.....

The numbers for the Asian Influence Fest are really down but it will be held anyway - just with reduced participation.  It should be a blast so if you are even remotely thinking that you might like to attend, just give me a call at the shop.  I'd love to get you registered.  You can view the samples in a previous blog (two back I think). 

Generally speaking, I think numbers are down in a lot of cases.  I suspect the price of gas may play a large part in the overall response to classes, events, etc.  I'm hearing it from lots of folks these days.  Keeping it local seems to be a trend that may take hold.  We'll see as more of the year evolves.  I'd like to think that Friends and Company, and West Seattle as a whole, contribute greatly to your field trips should you live a distance away.  As you already know, we have lots to offer and the community is lots of fun to shop in.  All this, we hope, contributes to making the usage of gas that less of a "bite".

This is really it for tonight.  A reminder that we are closed tomorrow, Sunday, 15 Jun, in honer of Father's Day.  I hope your day is filled with things that will create many wonderful memories.  I might even put a tomato plant and some zukes into the ground tomorrow.  Sounds like an earthy thing to do.  Take care everyone!!

Hugs - Doris

I'm Back!!

Greetings Everyone!!  Just to let you know that I am back from the east coast.  It was a worldwin but we had a ball.  My sister and her husband were totally shocked by their surprise 25th Wedding Anniversary!!  Their children gave them a fabulous celebration that will probably never be forgotten.  Lots of tears and joy were shared by all of us as their lives came to light in a photo display.  It was tough initially to see parents, grandparents and others who were part of the past 25 years but are now gone.  What a ride down memory lane. 

I'm hoping this finds everyone well and in good spirits.  Although I am working on another newsletter for July and August, there are lots of classes in the month of June so do take a look and bring a friend along.  We all know that the price of gas and, the economy in general, is affecting all of us but we hope that, as a treat to yourself, you'll consider signing up for a class or two.  Like with most things, our class registrations are down and we'd like to see them pop up again.  So, do all of us a favor and get registered today.  We also still have openings for the Asian Influence Fest.  See the video in my previous post.

That is it for tonight.  I spent a good part of today trying to fix a "broken" computer.  How frustrating is that?  I'm beat from the trip back so need to get some sleep.  Until later....

Happy Hugs to All - Doris

Less than a month to go!!

Greetings Everyone!!  We have less than a month go before the Asian Influence Fest takes place.  I am very excited about the projects that are being offered and I already know that the choices participants need to make will be difficult.

If you have already registered, now you need to select which projects you would like to work on for the morning session and followed by the afternoon session. 

The morning choices include Diane Radischat and Sue Cramer.  Both of their projects are shown in the video below.

The afternoon session includes Sherry Wilson and Elaine Woodhouse.  Their projects are also included in the video below.

Obviously, it is best to view the projects in person so, if you are able to stop by the shop, please do so.  All projects are in the shop for your viewing pleasure.  Payment of $75.00, which includes lunch at Tom Yum Koong, needs to be dropped off at the shop or mailed ASAP.  The restaurant is located just south of Liberty Bell which is where two of the sessions (AM and PM) will take place.

Thank you all so very much for your interest in the Asian Influence Fest.  It expects to be loads of fun and, as you will see for yourselves, the projects are fabulous.  If you have any questions, please do give me a call ((206) 932-3891.  I am available over the next three days and will then find myself on a sprint to the east coast.  Call the shop and my dynomite staff will be glad to help.

A special thanks goes to Diane Radischat who put the video together on a very short notice.  I hope you enjoy it and are able to make your selections as soon as you view it.  Leaving a message at the shop ((206) 932-3891) is also possible.  Until the next time..... Hugs to All - Doris

My Oh My

My oh my time sure has a way with itself.  It's been several days since I've blogged but it feels just like yesterday.  Lots has been going on and I'm not even sure that I can recap it all here but I'll certainly hit the highlights.

My best and favorite experience since I last blogged is the visit that my brother, Robert, and nephew, Michael, treated us to for several days.  Michael even celebrated his 18th birthday here in Seattle.  They were travelling from east coast NH.  The rest of my family lives in nearby ME.  Alice, Leo, Kayla, and I had an absolute ball the whole time they were here.  We even took some time to play some east coast card games that I have not played in several years.  It was a blast.  We did lots of non-traditional sightseeing which was refreshing.  For Michael's 18th birthday, we took him to Skyland Ranch in Gold Bar (recommended by Rita Noble) where he and Kayla had a leisurely horseback ride with a guide.  They both had loads of fun and the rest of us (whose butts we did not think would fit on a horse) settled in for some great views and a little BS'ing in a roundtable format in the open outdoors.  It was fabulous and we followed up on it with a terrific picnic lunch.  That is something I have not done in who knows how long.  A GREAT time was had by all.  I really hated to see them leave but duties called (work and school) on the east coast.  When I got to the shop this morning, it too was a eye opener for me in that I had to get back to work as well.

Speaking of the shop, we made (with the help of my brother and nephew) some slight modifications and moved a few of the racks around which allows us to use several new panels that were not being utilized.  We've got a little bit of room for new product which I am very excited about.  It was nice to realize that these changes were possible and would allow us some new areas to hang some of the new products.  We recently received a ton of new stickers and embellishments that are super cool.  Now that they are up, stop in to take a look and let me know if you like the new setup. 

While Kayla and Michael were off to the acquarium on Saturday, my brother and Alice, indulged me in the Puyallup Rubber Stamp Show for one hour (it almost took longer to get there!).  I had a fabulous time and I was able to get exactly what I wanted out of the expetrience.  I felt like a speed demon as I raced from booth to booth touching, feeling, talking, and you name it.  It was total fun and I was so totally happy to be able to attend - even for just an hour.  I can't honestly say that I was able to spot anything new but I was able to connect with several great vendors who will likely adorn our shelves in the future and also meet up with lots of great folks that are not only customers but also friends.  I got my share of hugs so I was happy!!

The shop is stocked full with everthing imaginable.  We have a little bit of everything so I think we would have whatever your heart desires.  I hope those of you who attended the Puyallup show picked up a coupon from Friends which could mean that we'll see you soon.  I also hope that you were able to find some treasures which hopefully you will share with us.  We love to see what others are up to so make it a point to bring it by the shop.

This is probably enough rambling for one evening.  I hope you are getting prepared for summer and have lots of things planned which will include feeding your creative spirits.  Have a great week!!

Until the next time..... hugs to all! - Doris

TIP of the week:  Peppers with three bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating (like in a salad).  Peppers with four bumps on the bottom are firmer and better for cooking.