Georgie Girl

Countdown to London: Blade Rubber Stamps

Right near the British Museum is Blade Rubber Stamps. Coincidence? I think not. 

A sad story: Local Scrapbook Store closes its doors

Thursday night prior to going to see Blood Diamond, my scrap friend & I went to one of our best local scrapbook stores (referred to as LSS on message boards, etc.).  Scrapbook Plaza has been a great resource - where I purchased my first Quickutz, experienced my first yardsale, purchased tons of Bazzill.

We knew something was different when we drove up - I immediately could tell stock was down - something was wrong.  No crops were listed on the big metal board, the staff was detached... we talked about the strange experience on the way to the movie.

Well last night, I received an Email that Scrapbook Plaza is closing its doors.  I wasn't shocked because I knew something was wrong, but I was so sad.  It's like losing a trusted friend - where I could go and the staff knew my name.  Why is that important?  Human touch, human connection is what scrapbooking is all about.  Documenting our experiences and sharing emotions.  Expressing life through color, design and techniques.

When I go to Michaels, no one cares about my hobby because I am one among many browsing silk flowers, baskets or picture frames.  When I go to AC Moore I am more preoccupied with the latest coupon or what is on sale that week knowing that the inventory turns over very rarely - same thing for months!

I do love Archivers - but it is a chain. It is fast turn over and commoditized creativity. No one knows me - nor do they want to.  After all, there is a multi-million dollar business to run.  And I don't blame them.

SO in the mix of this passion - some call a hobby - there is the Local Scrapbook Store.  My Scrapbook Plaza, my Paper Playground, my Carolina Memories... and when I'm on the road the pleasure I find in discovering a new store is like finding treasure.  A hunt! 

Chains carry the same thing - store to store... state to state.  BUT my LSS is unique.  I can go to one store and 10 miles away there is a completely different inventory.  One specializes in altered art and stamping.  Another store specializes in miles of paper, ribbon and embellishments.  Each LSS specializes in different product lines. 

Selection, diversity, human connection... all these are chipped away at when a LSS closes like Scrapbook Plaza.  A sad day.  So my role?  Seek out my other LSS... do my part.

Support your Local Scrapbook Store.

Scrapbook Store Review: Recollections Scottsdale

Recollections, owned by Michaels, is a wonderful store experience. Well thought out - specialized for scrapbookers and paper crafters - this chain has what you'd expect from a well-funded mass craft chain. Money to have the best merchandising, the deepest selections.

This store in Scottsdale was amazingly well appointed - selections of paper, embellishments, inks and even altered art items that were the latest in the magazines AND that were ahead of the trend curve here in NC.  The staff was extremely friendly.  There is even a SALE section - I warn you that the sale section is in the back and you will probably have a completely full basket by that time.... shop accordingly.

If you are a paper junkie and embellishment fiend, you will be in your element.  They do have a good selection of inks and stamps - but there is another store in the greater Phoenix area I recommend for stamping divas (A future review!).

With an amazing selection of pre-scored cards, envelopes and also plain card stock this store also covers all the basics.  Great album selection as well (similar to Archivers).

Look up the locations and check out one near you - or on your next trip!

Scrapbook Store Review: Scrapbooks Etc. Phoenix

I really enjoyed my visit to Phoenix and surrounding areas during a quick business trip in September.  I got a chance to visit three totally unique stores -- and the visit to Scrapbooks Etc. was worth the long trip out from downtown Phoenix.

Selection is amazing in this very large store. I found things I haven't seen in any of my travels including an extensive array of 7 Gypsies, Bazzill, Prima, Heidi Swapp, etc.  This store also had a unique assortment of acrylic stamps in styles and by vendors that are not common in my area of NC.  The paper room was stunning - you literally walk into a wall to wall dedicated room plush with the richness of every line of paper you can think of.  The clearance section in the paper room was astounding. 

Now on an internet site I read that the owners of Bazzill own this store - whether that's true or not, this was the most saturated Bazzill store I've been to with all options - everything you have seen in the magazines! 

I highly recommend a trek out to this store when you are in Phoenix - but make sure you take an empty suitcase!

Scrapbook Store Review: Windy City Scrapbooking

Chicago has some awesome scrapbook and stamping stores. Earlier this year I went to Chicago on a business trip and researched a couple of stores to hunt down... and Windy City Scrapbooking was such a treat.  The store, located on Clyburn, is a pretty quick cab ride from downtown.  Plan on it being easier to GET there from the city than getting back -- so call a cab and spend your time shopping for about 15 minutes before they arrive.

The store is arranged by themes... and it is beautifully merchandised. Airy, organized and lovely.  A huge assortment of albums, embellishments... why basically every "IT" item is in this store.  I felt like I was stepping into a store that I would just LOVE to have near me in NC.  The staff was extremely helpful and the coolest thing was the HUGE sale section at the back of the store.  I totally racked up on paper and embellishments.  This store is a Quickutz dealer. 

I recommend Windy City Scrapbooking for the advanced or beginning scrapbooker.  It could be a dangerous trip for your wallet -- it was for mine -- but it was worth it!

Scrapbook Store Review: Memory Lane

Been on the road (can you tell??) and from Las Vegas to Orlando, FL.... scrapbooking was on my mind!  While in Orlando on two separate trips (a week apart) I stopped in twice at Memory Lane.  This is a conveniently located store (right off 528 so near the airport :-).  The owner was really helpful.  This store carries a great assortment of paper, embellishments and other odds & ends.  If your groove is stamping, this store won't whet that appetite.   I happened upon the Halloween sale and was able to get Bazzill paper for .40 a sheet (that's a steal where I'm from).  Also they feature a discount on a featured "vendor" every week or so - while on my second trip to this store it was for Scenic Route products.  The COOLEST thing about this store is the consignment wall.  This contains bagged, tagged merchandise that scrappers consign to the store on an ongoing basis.  The concept sure beats the "yard sale" concept that LSS have a couple of times a year.  I would recommend other LSS look at this option - it's a win/win.  How many of us have stuff we aren't using and are waiting till the next local "yard" sale to bag, tag and consign???   So a nice store in Orlando - and the only one that I had a really positive experience at while in the area.

Scrapbook Store Review: Viva Las Vegastamps

Upon return (been away on a whirl-wind work trip), need to bring you up to speed on a FANTASTIC place that you must visit next time you are in Vegas.  Viva Las Vegastamps is off the strip and takes a cab ride but is worth every moment.   

Ring the bell twice and the owners will bring you into the coolest stamp store west of the Mississippi.  Separated into categories, you can find every stamp from Elvis to Absolutely Fabulous, to cactus and cats.... A huge unmounted stamp table and a discount table made me swoon.  I spent a hundred (and most of those were $2 stamps).

This store isn't for those of you who are paper and embellishment fiends, but if you crave unique and affordable stamps (ones you will NOT find at your local store), then stop in here next time you need a little break from the slot machines!

Scrapbook Store Review: The Queen's Ink

I am posting this from Baltimore and have had a great trip so far!  Last evening, I visited a store in Savage, Maryland called The Queen's Ink. This store is amazing and the owner is extremely knowledgeable.  All the folks we visited with during our time there were fun and so passionate about their art.  If you are in the I-95 area between DC & Baltimore, you MUST check this store out.

The ambiance is a feast - whimsical and comfortable.  As you walk in the door there is a lovely sitting area where you can review books and chat.  This is definitely a stamper's paradise.  The selection is quite amazing, including some of the Queen's own stamps under the name "Her Majesty".  A lot of the stamps I see in the Stampington books were featured. All the latest acrylics (Adirondack bottles w/ foam stompers!), a huge selection of Golden acrylics, Twinkling H2O's, ALL of the new ColorBox "Ques", etc.  Plan to spend an hour or two just figuring out what is in the store - there are lots of nooks and crannies of delightful displays.