Doris' Blog

Happy Halloween!!

Greetings Everyone and Happy Halloween!!  Evie has been on my mind of late.  We had a great visit yesterday where I found her in good spirits and appreciating the little bit of chocolate that I brought her.  She especially loved the broomstick cookies that Nancy Lemmon (our valued employee) made to share with her.  The other residents enjoyed those also.

Anyway, Miss Evie got a bath today and was feeling all clean and snugly so Diane Radischat (jack of all trades) took time out of her busy schedule to not only visit with Evie but also to give her a haircut.  Now Miss Evie is looking as beautiful as ever and feeling GREAT.   While there, Diane, who is great with the camera, snapped a photo of Miss Evie that I thought I would share.  Many of you may not have seen Evie in a while so it'll be a good refresher if nothing else.  You'll find her photo just after my blog is complete.  Thank you Diane for not only the haircut but for the visit.  Here is Evie's address in the event you would like to send a card.  She loves getting mail also.  Here is her address:

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

Some of you have asked me to change my Wednesday's pick to the weekend.  I believe that no matter where it lands, it will never accommodate everyone but I am happy to give it a try so beginning with Sunday, 2 November 2009, it'll be called Sunday's pick and I will post whatever on Sundays for a while.  Let me know how this is working.   So..... drum roll please...... how about all holiday rubber stamps at 20% off their regular price.  We've got lots to choose from so.... hurry - it'll run all day from noon to 4:00 pm on Sunday.

I just released the newsletter and it will soon be posted on the websight as well.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  It is full, full, full, of all sorts of stuff so take some time to look it over.  Give yourself the gift of sanity and register for a class today.  It's the best for keeping your creative spirit soaring.

Have a GREAT week and let me hear from you.  Blog comments are far and few inbetween but if you like this format, do let me know.  Until the next time.... hugs - Doris

 

 

Another Weekend Behind Us!!

Greetings Everyone!!  This was not just any weekend and its sort of sad to see it go.  This was our Oktoberfest weekend and what a GREAT weekend it was.  We had some incredible individuals in attendance and a whole host of wonderful instructors.  Those attending were delightful and delighted!!  A HUGE thanks to everyone who participated including the worker bees behind the scenes.  It was, afterall, trick or treat in the Junction where only treats were allowed.  We estimate about 1,200 children came through which is down substantially from last year.  Does not matter though because the children who did participate all had a ball and really made a killing with all the loot!! 

We all enjoyed a fabulous lunch at Lee's Asian which did not put any one to sleep since there was still lots to do in the afternoon.  All in all, it was GREAT.  Diane Radischat managed to take some photos which she has converted into a slide show for everyone to see so I've attached it to this blog just after closing.  Enjoy and let me know what you think!!

For Wednesday's pick I have decided to increase all Ten Second Studio products from 40% off to 70% off.  I do not want to order any new Ten Second Studio products which have the new packaging until most of what we have is gone so.... take advantage of this GREAT savings and think about possible gifts for the holidays.  This is like unheard of.  Don't walk - run!!

The newsletter is nearly complete.  It has some great classes listed and several new ones as well.  I'm excited to see such a terrific lineup for the holidays.  I can't wait to start making some tags for Christmas.  It's one of the most rewarding coloring events for me.  I just love the glitter, color, and homey images.  I always make lots and give them away mostly.  When it comes right down to actually putting a tag on a package, I, eh, well, can barely get them wrapped!! 

OK everyone - have a GREAT week.  Enjoy the slide show and hopefully we'll see many of you in the days to come.  Give me a call if I can help with anything.  Hugs to all - Doris

One Week To Oktoberfest!

Greetings Everyone!!  It is hard to believe that we are just one week away from hosting our Oktoberfest event.  Although attendance is down, we are still going forward with much of the original fanfare.  If you would like to register, just please call the shop ((206) 932-3891).   We have goodie bags, door prizes, a continental breakfast, a great lunch and so much more.  It'll be fun.

The economy is on much of your minds and I am no exception.  I think about it and wonder what strategies would be best to pursue.  Well, there are limited choices, however, keeping the shop full of goods and products is a main priority for me.  I believe that it insures we are functioning normally and that life happens.  Go with the flow and don't stress over what we cannot totally control.  It all sounds good and well but we can only do what we can do so.... hang tough and keep your creative spirit alive.  I think it will help anyone get through these tough times.

We have managed lots of new orders in the last couple of weeks and there is still more to come.  We just received our rubbermoon order that was placed as part of our 11-year anniversary.  Memory Box continues to wow us with all of their great images and fabulous paper.  Basic Grey papers just came in and it nearly took a u-haul to get it all into the store.  We now need more stacking trays.  Just when we think we have enough, we need to look again and order even more paper stacking trays.  There is tons more so make it a point to stop in and say hello.  You'll be glad that you did.

OK - now for Wednesday's pick.  Well since we have so much fabulous paper how's about a paper sale!!  OK, paper is 20 percent off its regular price all day long on Wednesday, 22 October 2008.  If you are a Paper Connection member, enjoy 30 percent off.  Now this is a deal that will be hard to pass up!!

I remain busy with taxes, a newsletter due out in a week or so, the day to day business details, and, of course, some play time.  I totally enjoyed my time at the 5:00 pm to midnight crop on Friday evening.  I am making accordian fold books for our craft show scheduled in mid-November.  Mark your calendars for 14, 15, and 16 November for our annual craft show.  We have lots of vendors who are anxious for you to see what they have been working on.

I am in my usual state of "lateness".  It's past midnight and after Friday's escapade, I'm totally pooped.  I'll hopefully see many of you in the next few weeks, especially to take advantage of our paper sale.  It's a whopper.  Have a GREAT creative week and let your creative spirit soar!!

Happy Hugs to All - Doris

Wednesday's Pick

Greetings Everyone!!  Just a quick blog to post Wednesday's pick for 15 October 2008.  All Kaiser "bling" or any Kaiser product, such as the wood cutouts, are on sale for a whopping 25% off.  It will not likely to get much better than this.  Come on in to say hello if nothing else.  I'll be here all day long on Wesnesday.  Until then...... hugs - Doris

All About Oktoberfest!!

 

Diane Radischat, one of our Oktoberfest instructors, sent me the photo above and I laughed and laughed.  Have you ever seen those skinny trucks advertising for one thing or another?  I thought it was a hoot and well worth repeating in my blog.  I would love to hear from more folks regarding the Oktoberfest.  We have lots of spaces still available and would love for you to fill one of them.  Give us a call at the shop.  I am there all day Sunday so I can answer all your questions.  Class samples are available so stop in to take a look as well.

Keep those creative juices flowing!!  See you all at the shop!!  Hugs - Doris

 

 

Getting Ready For Oktoberfest!!

Greetings Everyone!!  It has been a very busy couple of weeks.  Not sure why but its been difficult to keep up with everything.  We are managing, however, and are looking forward to our Oktoberfest event scheduled for Saturday, 25 October.  We still have spaces so if you are even remotely interested, give us a call to let us know.  I would love to see this event fill to the brim.  All the samples are in the shop for your viewing pleasure so stop on in to take a look.

Before I get too far down the road, I had better announce Wednesday's pick.  Our holiday sale last week seemed to be a big hit so I'm sure we will do it again but for this week, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness, anything "pink" is on sale for 17% off the regular price.  We've got lots of pink Zutter products, pink stickers, pink paper, and the list goes on.  That is quite a savings so stock up while you can.

Friends and Company was featured on Komo news last week.  I never did see the actual taping but I did receive several calls as well as some of the other folks who were in the taping.  It was fun and I think, much to their surprise, we were very upbeat about the economy and the state of affairs.  I have gone in the opposite direction of many retailers in that I have bought more product for you and the store in the last couple of months than I have for quite a while - at least to this magnitude.  It's been fun and what is really fun is seeing so many of you oh and ah over all the new product.  I just love what we do and love that you are doing it with us!!

The Paper Connection this month is featuring great papers all with a "pink" theme.  If you would like to check out the Paper Connection, I would be very happy to help you with it.  We are 70 members strong and still growing.  This makes a great holiday gift for that special but hard to buy for mother-in-law and just a great gift for anyone who will think of you as the giver at least once a month.  Great fun with logs of great product and samples.  My sister, Pauline, is walking in the July 2009 3day walk on the east coast.  She is soliciting donations to meet her goal so in my next blog I will post information in the event that you would like to share in her journey.  She is walking for our sister-in-law, Pam who lost her long battle with breast cancer in 2001.  The Paper Connection is named after Pam's store, The Paper Connection, that she so loved also located on the east coast.  We think of her often and wish that she were physically here versus spiritually to share in all of this with us. 

As I mentioned, we are busy with one thing or another.  There are lots of classes being offered and surely something for everyone so give yourself a pre-holiday treat and attend a class.  You'll find that your stress level is reduced tremendously.  The classes are fun and generate lots of comaraderie so I highly recommend them for anyone.

That's about it for one evening.  Hope to see many of you soon.  Keep Wednesday's in mind for some great savings!!  Have a GREAT week and keep the creative spirits soaring.

Hugs to all - Doris