Deep in the Heart of Texas

Sometimes a girl’s just got to get away!  When hubby announced that he wanted to spend his spring break hiking the Ouachita Trail, I thought to myself, “I could really use a fun vacation, too."  And what better way for a scrapbooker to spend spring break than touring scrapbooking stores?  That would be touring scrapbooking stores and scrapbooking, too!

This past weekend, Christen and I took our scrapbooking on the road to visit stores in Central Texas including Waco, Austin, San Antonio and surrounding areas. Thanks to Texas ScrapMania, we located 11 stores between Dallas and Gonzales, Texas, and we made it our mission to visit every single one!  We did lots of shopping, caught up with some friends, met some more scrapbookers and store owners, and spent our evenings scrapbooking in our hotel room.  Somehow, we managed to visit all but one store (Stampin’ Salado) that we missed entirely, and one other that we got to just as it was closing.  I’ve included the stores on a Google Map just like the map for the DFW stores.

View Central Texas Scrapbooks in a larger map

We took lots of pictures of our scrapbooking adventures.  If you’d like to see them, please visit our facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/CraftyNeighbor

---

In other news, Scrappin’ Bunnies in McKinney has recently announced they are closing.  It just reminds us how important it is to support those local scrapbook stores.  It’s very tempting to buy things cheaper online or at large craft stores, but don’t forget that the number one thing a local scrapbooking store has to offer is not the products they carry, but rather their knowledge and expertise.  Those big chain stores can't give you that.  I guess it's true that sometimes you get what you pay for.

---

Don’t forget to check out our crops and retreats!  http://www.craftyneighbor.com/retreats/retreats.html

Registration is open for our National Scrapbook Day Community Crop Party and our 4^th Annual Pam’s Pals Benefit Crop.  Please sign up for one of these fun all-day events and support some really great causes!

We have also extended the price guarantee deadline on our cruise registrations!  You can still sign up for just $50 and prices start at just $455 per person through April 9.  After 4/9, prices may increase, so act now!

On the Calendar....

Boy is it windy today!  Looks like March is roaring in like a lion!  Don’t let it roar by before you check out all the events going on at Crafty Neighbor!

I have an extra copy of Tim Holtz’s  “Distressables” booklet featuring lots of fun projects and techniques!  Would you like to win it?  Here’s how:

Get one chance to win for each of these:

• ·      Follow our blog at http://craftyneighbor.blogspot.com
• ·      Friend us on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CraftyNeighbor
• ·      Sign up for our mailing list: mailinglist@craftyneighbor.com
• ·      Join our meet-up group at http://www.meetup.com/craftyneighbor
• ·      Make a comment on one of our blog posts
• ·      Make a comment on one of our facebook posts
• ·      Attend one of our meet-up.com events
• ·      Sign up for one of our crops or cruises (one chance for each)

Enter before Midnight on March 9, and I will post the winner from a surprise location on Saturday, March 10!

---

Cruise with Crafty Neighbor!

Join us for one of our exciting scrapbooking and crafting cruises!  Our cruises feature fabulous food, friends, family, and tons of fun! Don't scrapbook? No problem. We still offer fabulous all-inclusive cruise pricing for your personal or family vacation getaway, so hurry and get your registration in with your $50.00 deposit to secure your spot!!!!!

Depart from

Galveston, Texas
September 15-20, 2012
on a

5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise

on the Carnival Triumph

including the ports of

Progreso and Cozumel, Mexico

Starting at just
$455* per person!

Register before 3/9/12 to get this great low price.

---

National Scrapbook Day 2012

Community Scrapbook Party

Crop ‘til you drop fundraiser!

R. L. Turner High School Cafeteria

1600 South Josey Lane

Carrollton, Texas 75006

May 5^th from 10:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M.

12 hours of non-stop cropping to benefit

R.L. Turner Orchestra Boosters

All-day cropping, make-n-takes, raffles, vendors,
games, prizes and much, much more! 

Beginner Scrapbooking Classes offered on request.

  

---

Pam’s Pals 4th Annual
“Think Pink” Benefit Crop

Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas Council

JoAnn Fogg Service Center

6001 Summerside Drive

Dallas, Texas 75252

Saturday, August 18^th
from 10:00 A.M. to Midnight

Registration is just $50.  All profits will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

In addition to cropping, we'll have a silent auction, raffles, a “Pink Page Contest”, make-n-takes, games, prizes, and so much more!

Lunch and dinner will be provided.

---

Don’t forget to check our online calendar at http://www.my.calendars.net/craftyneighbor  (you can also access it from our home page!).  We will be updating the calendar with several more crops and classes over the next few weeks!

In the mean time, try not to lose any of your scrapbooking supplies in this wind!

-- Cindy

WHEW!

Did you hear a big, “Ahhhhhhh……”? That was the sigh heard ‘round the world as all the LOAD 212 participants uploaded our final layouts and breathed a collective sigh of relief. It was a ton of work, and part of me is quite glad it’s over. I’m quite exhausted, but don’t get me wrong, this was an awesome experience. I have learned a ton about myself and my scrapbooking habits that I hope will help me make better pages faster in the future. In the mean time, I’ll just have to wait patiently for LOAD 512 (May!), and hope to get at least a few pages done in between.

 While we’re waiting, maybe you will enjoy looking at the rest of the layouts I did.  And just to make it fun, I have a prize to give away.  Post a comment and tell me which layout you like best.  On Friday, I will randomly draw one name from the comments to receive a grab-bag full of fun goodies!