Southwest Crafters was created by Janna and Kristan who are local manufacture reps supporting the independent retailers in the Southwest and helping to promote and educate crafters about the lines we represent

Friday, October 17, 2008

{Why we scrapbook . . . . }

STRANGERS IN THE BOX
Come, look with me inside this drawer,
In this box I've often seen,
At the pictures, black and white,
Faces proud, still, and serene.
I wish I knew the people,
These strangers in the box,
Their names and all their memories,
Are lost among my socks.
I wonder what their lives were like,
How did they spend their days?
What about their special times?
I'll never know their ways.
If only someone had taken time,
To tell, who, what, where, and when,
These faces of my heritage,
Would come to life again.
Could this become the fate,
Of the pictures we take today?
The faces and the memories,
Someday to be passed away?
Take time to save your stories,
Seize the opportunity when it knocks,
Or someday you and yours,
Could be strangers in the box.


I know it is still October and we haven't even made it to Halloween yet, but the time is now to make sure everything is set in place for a fabulous November. Make sure your customers don't allow Thanksgiving Day to slip by without documenting all of the events that they will want to remember. Help inspire them to take the time to document one of the most wonderful times of the year. I know in our house it is filled with family, food, football, and fun. Let's focus this month on the things we are thankful for and really document this wonderful time of the year. Create that special end-cap that will focus on family, fall, gratitude and all the things we are thankful for.

Gratitude Journaling & Layout Tips


As we get ready for this THANKSGIVING season,
reflect on what you’ve been grateful for in the past year:
  • Any new additions to your family?
  • Which unexpected struggles have turned into great blessings?
  • Which milestones or major events have family members experienced?
  • What birthdays, anniversaries or other celebrations have you enjoyed?
  • How have you grown emotionally, spiritually, socially and physically?
  • How do you feel about that growth?
  • What simple everyday pleasures have you enjoyed most—both by yourself and with loved ones?
  • USE SOME OF THESE IDEAS TO CREATE LAYOUTS or MINI ALBUMS

  • Turn a layout into a mini album that showcases the stories of your Thanksgiving recipes and traditions.
  • combine photos of preparing the annual Thanksgiving feast with journaling about cooking the meal (especially take note if this is the first time to cook a turkey)
  • Cooking a Thanksgiving dinner is quite the undertaking, so snap some shots of the cook as she goes to work. The photos will make a great behind-the-scenes Thanksgiving scrapbook page.
  • What about a THANKSGIVING layout without photos: create a page with same-size squares of cardstock that contain notes about what each family member is thankful for.Plan ahead and ask family members to write what they are thankful for on squares of cardstock to preserve their messages in their handwriting.
  • Make sure to get photo's of the guests at your Thanksgiving feast.
  • Create a layout with photos of the set table combined with smaller shots of your family enjoying their time together.
  • captured the details of your family’s Thanksgiving with group photos and detail shots
  • Create a scrapbook page that focuses on a single Thanksgiving family tradition—(for instance my boys play in the Turkey Bowl every Thanksgiving morning.
  • Combine Thanksgiving photos with handwritten journaling about what your thankful for.
  • Don't forget to get pictures of your little ones SCHOOL THANKSGIVING CELEBRATIONS
    They are sure to dress up as Pilgrims and Indians and have a special feast at school and learn about the first Thanksgiving.
  • Food is an important part of every Thanksgiving celebration, so why not scrap it? Create a scrapbook page about your favorite dish. Make sure to include a recipe. Catch a photo of the cook in action preparing the favorite dish.
  • Don't forget those little ones first Thanksgiving
  • Make sure to take the opportunity to get a photo of extended family and friends when they are all together. Whole-family photos can be hard to come by, so be sure to scrap yours.

Take the time to create special cards for those important people in your life and let them know just how THANKFUL you are for them.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

{NEW ADDITIONS TO FLAIR'S ALL STAR SPORTS COLLECTION}




Take a look at the new All Star additions from FLAIR. Click on the image to to view it larger.
These are sure to complete your sports sections.
Everything is now in stock and shipping.
Let us know if you would like to add any of these fabulous additions to your inventory

Monday, October 13, 2008

A little more Halloween Inspirtion . . . . and Giveaways


Oh my, the Halloween fun just keeps going - there are soooooo many amazing ideas out there.
Bo Bunny has just filled their {BLOG} with even more cute ideas. There is still plenty of time to create some of this cute stuff.
They are also having a give-a-way so make sure to leave a comment on their blog for your chance at winning some spooktacular goodies.
Lasting Impressions has a bunch of really cute cards posted in their idea gallery



Templates: W5009-bold happy halloween, L9530-fancy pumpkinPaper: creamsicle pinstripe, creamsicle solid, limeade solid, lamp post black solidMatte Brads: mangoMisc: black embroidery floss, black pen, double-sided tape, mounting tape



Check out some cute Halloween Ideas using the Die Cuts With A View Halloween Glitter Stack {HERE}



Adorn It always has such cute ideas and projects . . .



{Cute Halloween Treats}

Now aren't these cute . . . A little bit of inspiration from "TINKERING INK" and their guest blogger Linda Harrison . Just another way to create a "need" for your customers to visit your store and purchase products to help make a "Spooktacular Halloween Celebration"




Friday, October 10, 2008

A Little Halloween Inspiration




We R Memory Keepers Black Out Line is blowing off the shelves. If you need more than today is the day to order - FREE SHIPPING on all $500 orders ends tonight. Restock now just in time for the holiday.


Stirring up ideas for the Halloween season?
Add a pinch of sugar coating, a dash of crushed velvet flock and heaps of vibrant color. Imagine colorful papers and cardstock stickers dusted with glitter.
Or ribbons and brads coated with rich velvety flock.
Doodlebug has also tailored the Boutique Brads and new Braddies to fit the occasion.
How’s that for a spine tingling Halloween collection?


Check out this very cool layout I found on the Bo Bunny Blog

Click {HERE} to get detailed "How To" instruction

And FLAIR has Five Hauntingly Good Ideas!
Check out the FLAIR BLOG {HERE} and see their design team's "Spellbound" creations


What about this cute little paint can Trick or Treat container Layle from Scenic Route designed for the October issue of Paper Crafts magazine using the Salem line.


Check out Tim's October Technique Challenge - what a fun demo to do in your store and look at all the techniques involved and products that can be sold.
Click {HERE} for the complete how to



Hallowhimsy product will be marked 40% off wholesale! This is a great opportunity for you to stock up before the holiday!! Turn around ship time is about 24 hours !!!! So plenty of time to restock for the Holidays.
There are a couple of items that are already sold out…Goosebumps Stickers and the Spooky Stamp. Other than that, everything is in stock and ready to ship.


Still trying to find that perfect Halloween project for your upcoming class or store display? Look no further - Imaginisce has taken care of it! Create our spooky Haunted House book using our ghoulishly great Hallowhimsy collection.{Click here}to download the PDF and click on the Haunted House image to download the template PDF. In no time at all you'll have the perfect treat for all your Halloween visitors. You can even make copies of the instructions and just put them by the product for a FREE idea handout for your customers. Or put the link on your website.
Shipping time is really quick this time of year - so if you have been inspired and found your Halloween pickins a little slim - let's get an order in today - don't delay

Wednesday, October 1, 2008


Scenic Route is excited to introduce our newest mini-line, Garland!
Deck the halls this season with Scenic Route’s new Garland holiday line! Whether your holidays are filled with cold, snowy days or warm, tropical breezes, Garland’s whimsical colors and patterns are the perfect pick for adding a creative spin to your holiday creations. This mini collection of paper, stickers, chipboard embellishments, stamps and die cuts is the perfect collection for capturing your winter & holiday memories this season.