FEATURE FRIDAY

Today, we are featuring Cat's BFF, Sharon Leonard.

Sharon lives over in the metroplex, but grew up in South Texas with Cat.   I asked Sharon to send me a short biography about herself so we could learn more about her:

Most everyone knows that Cathy and I have known each other since we were 6 years old.  We grew up down the street from each other.  We went from playing Barbies to Scrapbooking, yes scrapbooking in the 1960's when we would cut out pictures of Bobby Sherman, Davy Jones and glue or tape them into scrapbook albums.  They were not quite as sophisticated then as they are now.  Cathy and I have been roommates two times since we graduated High School and talk of the day when we retire and scrapbook the days away in our rocking chairs.

I have worked in the Medical Field for the last 38 years and am a single parent of a wonderful 18 year old.  Megan Graduated in May and is now at the University of North Texas.  She has been my life for the past 18 years and now it's time to buckle down and scrapbook all those memories.

I live in the Grapevine area and do not get to Cat's as much as I would like to but now that I have an empty nest I plan on burning up the road to Mineral Wells as much as I possibly can.

 

This is a two page layout that Sharon created using the "Genuine" collection from Authentique and featuring some photos of Megan and friends at the State Fair of Texas.  Love it!  Perfect since it is State Fair time!

More photos from the State Fair.  Perfect use of this collection from My Minds Eye.

 Look at this amazing beach layout.  Love the fish neg, the sand, and everything about this layout.  WOW!

 

Love this two page layout of a day at NRH20--fabulous!  Love the diagonal cut of the circle paper and how she "tucked" in the tickets.

One last layout from Sharon.  Gotta share some Christmas photos and this wonderful layout. 

I hope you enjoyed getting to know Sharon a little better.  I know I have enjoyed going down memory lane through these layouts of her precious Megan. 

IT'S A SEASONAL THANKFUL THURSDAY

It is Thursday, what are you thankful for?  We are thankful for our customers every season of the year.  No matter what the season, no matter what the weather, our customers are number one with us.  To show our appreciation for our customers this "spooky" season, if you show this blog post you can get 15% off of all Halloween merchandise.  That means you can save 15% off of everything Halloween, which includes:

 The My Minds Eye Lost and Found Halloween collection which has beautiful glitter and lots of cool embellishments.

Authentique's Enchanted collection on the fabulous thick and texture paper.

The really cute vintage Halloween collection by Reminisce--love those cute jack-o-lanterns.

Don't forget the beautiful new Graphic 45 Halloween line that arrived just last week. 

Then, if you get into the stamps and die, you could make this cute card! 

Remember, tonight we are open until 8:00 pm to give you more time to take advantage of this fabulous sale on all of the Halloween products in the store, including what you see above. See you there!

WOW WEDNESDAY

The winner from last weeks' blog hop, chosen by random.org, was #9 - Sandy (a different Sandy) on Sandy Trefger's blog. Congratulations, Sandy...contact Cat at the store to claim your prize!

I have a question for you...just answer in the comments below.  Would any of you have any objection to me participating by linking my blog?  I would not be eligible for the drawing, but anyone who commented on my blog would be eligible. 

We love seeing the work of our wonderful friends and customers and there is always inspiration to be found while visiting their projects. Would you like to participate, but do not have a blog? You do not have to have a blog to participate.   You can find the directions on how to link up your creations that you have in a gallery here.

To be considered for the blog candy, you must post a project that you have created. WOW Wednesday must also be mentioned in your post and be sure to let your blog readers know that there is blog candy being given away to a random participant or commenter.

I hope you will share your fabulous creations with us. If you didn't have time to create anything, I hope you will share some love on everyone else's creations--we all love that positive reinforcement!



TUESDAY TEMPTATIONS AND INSPIRATION

If you weren't tempted enough by all of the goodies posted yesterday, there is more today.....

These are some new goodies from  Fancy Pants' "The Good Life".  I am loving those banner die-cuts. 

 Look at this fabulous paper.  I love the crispness of these designs, with just enough vintage thrown in to make it absolutely perfect.

These are the matching letter and word stencils along with brads, buttons, and calendars.  Lots to dress up your pages here. 

Trisha released another sketch on Sunday for Sketch Inspiration.  Have you seen Sketch 341?

This sketch has so many fun elements and I can see lots of really pretty pages being made using this sketch.  I hope you can play along this week and will share your creations on Cat's Facebook page.

A MARVOUSLY GRAPHIC MONDAY

*****WARNING*****

THIS POST CONTAINS GRAPHIC MATERIAL

(lots of Graphic 45 new product, that is)

 

Do you love Graphic 45 products?   Well......does Cat have new products for you.   As usual, these Graphic 45 collections are beautiful.

Cat was able to get a few pads of the beautiful Little Darlins collection that Nanci used for the ever-popular mini album class at the National Scrapbook Retreat (and its encore class at the store).   This collection is among the prettiest baby collections I have ever seen.

Is "The Nutcracker" part of your holiday traditions?  Graphic 45's Nutcracker Sweet collection is perfect for your "Nutcracker" photos.  As usual, the artwork on these papers has the very rich colors and detailed vintage artwork that we expect from Graphic 45. 

There is also a page that is all ballet slippers that would be perfect for photos of your own ballerina.  And, there are also some pages that are not "Nutcracker" specific.   

These are the chipboard stickers and the rubber stamps that match this beautiful line.

Not ready to purchase Christmas papers?  Well, Graphic 45's vintage Halloween collection is adorable.  It features vintage Halloween artwork that is not spooky at all. 

Love that gate paper.  Those moons are so cute and the clock--YUM! 

These are some adorable vintage papers by a new company.  If you are planning any pages about cooking, these will make some fabulous pages.  They would also be perfect to make a gift cookbook for a Christmas present.  Photos of family cooking during the holidays....these would work great for those photos. 

The rest of the cooking line of papers as well as a few embellishments.  I love the burlap paper and all of the vintage artwork used on this line of papers.  Reminds me of my childhood.  The artwork is all from around the 1950's.

 

Be sure to check back tomorrow for even more new product that has arrived to tempt us.

SUNDAY INSPIRATION

Cat is at The Collins Show in Orlando getting all inspired from taking lots of cool classes.  She started Saturday off with Tim Holtz...wouldn't we all love to start our day taking a class with Tim?  That was just the beginning of a very busy and exciting day.

Look at this amazing fold-out album she made.  Sizzix has a die that makes this and you can attach several together and make the album as big or little as you wish.  WOW--I can't wait to see this in person. 

 She made this card using glitter, stickers, copics, and a Sizzix die.  LOVE it.

I have a feeling this will be a hit here at the store.  A cute recipe drawer using the 7 gypsies card drawer and some Canvas Corp. products.  LOVE it!

She even had homework...finish up this window shadow box project by Canvas Corp.  Love that ribbon valance!

Cat really doesn't have to go to classes to get creative...look what she came up with after we made our snowman screens last week.  She went home and made this adorable pumpkin screen.  LOVE it!

If the weather outside is too cool for you, just stay inside and scrapbook.  Sounds like a good excuse to me!  Check back tomorrow to see some more new product that has arrived at the store.  See you then!
 

IT'S CATURDAY

 ....and while the Cat's away, the mice will play.. 

(not really...Ray, Valerie, and I are manning the store while she's gone)

Cat's in Orlando at The Collins Show learning all kinds of new things to come back and share with us.  This show is non-stop classes that she can bring back and teach here at the store. 

Wish you could go?  Well, we aren't Orlando, but you can enjoy the same kind of experience, with Cat's creative twist, by attending

"You Ought to be in Pictures"

October 19th and 20th.   

This event is non-stop classes with the twist of everyone dressing as their favorite movie star.  The cost is $65.00 and you will go home with a large canvas project, some two-page layouts, and other projects.  Here are some peeks at part of what we will be making:



 two page layout

part of the canvas project, a custom made name for your project

another two-page layout

and another two page layout.

 

These events are always loads of fun.  Remember the Murder Mystery Weekend:

Ann playing her part as a princess.

Ray playing his part as the murder victim.

 

Then there were the cutthroat competitors during Scrapbook Island:



Everyone working away on their challenges so they wouldn't get cropped out.

Teresa Montalvo and her winning entry in one of the challenges.

 

There is still time to sign up for the fun and creativity during "You Ought to be in Pictures."  Hurry and call the store to reserve your spot so you don't miss out on this fun event.

 

See you there!