Wednesday, April 23, 2008

National Scrapbook Day

In honor of National Scrapbook Day on Saturday May 3rd we will be doing a free make and take all day.
Besides the free make and take we'll also be handing out free crop certificates (value $10.00) to anyone that spends over $50.00! A crop certificate entitles you to a free night at our Friday night crop. It runs from 5:00 p.m. to midnight, you get pizza, beverages, candy, chips and prizes. You will be able to use your certificate on any Friday that you wish.
So stop in May 3rd, do a free make and take and check out all the new products we've been getting in.

I've Been Busy

I finally got in Copic sketch markers. I'm still waiting on the glass glitter markers. The Copic Sketch are so awesome, besides being alcohol based they can be used with an airbrush and are refillable! They come in wide range of colors to do shading.

Glimmer Mist Screens are in, they were worth the wait. Not only will you be able to use these with Glimmer Mist, but they'll work great with chalks and paints.

Have you seen the new 7gypsies stamp holder. I love it! I'm thinking of altering mine.

Our new Somerset Studio magazine came in too. Linda and I are challenging each other. We're keeping it a big secret until we're finished. I think that her and I should co-teach a class on this one. It will totally just be a fun thing to do, you'll just need to throw caution to the wind and trust us on this one!

Check out our new classes. Marge has her graduation mini book coming up. If you can't make the class on May 3rd, give us a call and we can get you a class kit.

Vikki has three classes coming up. An adorable 6x6 mini book, 10 graduation cards, and a day of faux.

You can't go wrong with any of these classes, they all have techniques that you can use over and over. So give us a call at 320-629-9960 and we can sign you up or get you a class kit.

Grand Opening Winners

We had five winners from our Grand Opening.
Congratulations go out to:
Amanda Stephenson
Judy Patzoldt
Barb Bramer
Jeannie Montague
and
Patzy Wenthe

Sunday, April 20, 2008

I'm Back!

Hey everyone, I'm finally back. We had a great time up in Bayfield. You have to mark your calendars for next year and come up with me! April 18,19 and 20th 2009. Next year Julie from Copper Hill B&B and I are going to host the retreat! I can hardly wait! This morning at breakfast Ron and I were brainstorming for next year. We're talking chocolate fountains, margaritas and bloody mary bars!!!!! I'll be filling you all in as we finalize details but if I were you I'd book out that date. Email me if you'd like to go on the retreat. The cost is going to be $75.00, and you'll have to book your own room. There are plenty of great B&B's in the area as well as a Motel. I can get you web addresses to book a room.

I have met the nicest people while at the crop. Thanks to all of the gang who made this such an enjoyable trip.

Next crop Lisa and Barb, Be on your best behavior so the cops leave you alone! Ha Ha! Tee! Hee!

Friday, April 18, 2008

Here's A Shout Out

I received a call at the store from a Theresa with a question about the retreat center. Either call me back on Tuesday or emial me, I didn't understand either phone number you left me so I can't call you back! Thanks so much!

Work In Progress

You'll have to remember this is still a work in progress, our tools are just coming in. After we get back from the Bayfield Retreat we are going to finish decorating.

See you all on Tuesday!

P.s. I won't be able to check emails up there, but I'll be back on Sunday night and be checking them then.

Retreat

Here are the pictures you've been waiting for. Stop in and take a tour for yourself, it looks even better in person!




Retreat...






Retreat






Retreat Pics...






Retreat Pics






Retreat Pics






Sunday, April 13, 2008

Crazy Little Stories

I don't know how many of you know this little story but... When we started this project back when I always had Feb 1st as our target date to open. Then as the date started creeping up Pat the builder guy told me it was impossible. Then one day we were down in the basement looking around when we found a piece of paper tacked to a beam. On it it said: turn the salmon on various dates and several of those dates were Feb 1st. When Marge and I read that it was confirmed we must open on Feb 1st, and we did!

So as all of you know we had our Grand Opening this weekend. I did a lot of advertising in surrounding papers. So my mother calls me up and said you'll never guess what! I said what? ( I really never know what she's going to say. My mother is a very funny woman, and some of the strangest things happen to her!) She said: I found your ad in the Pioneer, and it is right below the 50 year ago news. And guess what was in the 50 year ago news? Back in 1908 The Pine City Mercantile Co. had it's Grand Opening for it's new owners on April 20, 1908. Wow, now if I would have known that date I would have held it on the same day! (Maybe you don't know, the building I'm in now used to be The Pine City Mercantile Co.)

There is another coincidence about April 20th. My oldest brother Clifford "Butch" Larson was born on April 20th. He passed away in a motor cycle accident when he was just 16 years old. He was killed when a lady ran a red light and hit him and his friend riding the motor cycle. Apparently his head hit the stop light that stands on the Nelson's Bakery corner.

One more odd thing about April 20th, that is also Pat the builder guys birthday.

And do any of you remember when Stahlke's was Patrick In The Pines? And as you can see I didn't change the names of the businesses much: The Pine City Mercantile Co. - The Pine City Scrapbooking Co Inc and Patrick In The Pines - Scrapbooking In The Pines Retreat Center.

Whirl Wind

Wow today was like a whirl wind. We had a super busy Sunday. Before I knew it it was 4:00! My cousins Bill, Bonnie her husband Dick, and my other cousin Honey stopped by to see me. I thought that was so thoughtful! Thanks guys it was so nice to see you all.

Okay, it's official I'm letting my little girls grow up. Don't give me the bad parent of the year award, but I just got Lauren into a twin bed! She's been in a toddler bed since Ella was born. It's not that I didn't want to put her into a big bed, it's just that I couldn't find a set I liked. So I decided to get a bed frame and add the bed set if I find one. Actually Lauren and I were discussing using one of the picket fences we had left after decorating the retreat center.

Now the next big move is Ella into the toddler bed. We went to Target and got a princess bed set and blanket. She is so excited! I'm a little nervous I have to admit. Ella is one of those kids who go to bed at 8:00 and stays in bed until 9 or 10 a.m.! She loves her crib and never tries to crawl out. So without the cage (tee-hee) I'm sure she'll be hoping out of bed early! Yikes I love my extra time in the morning.

So next weekend Ron and I are off to Bayfield to bring the store on a retreat. I'll be busy this week packing and getting ready as well checking in a huge order I have coming in. At least it better come in I'm out of adhesive!

Friday Night Crops

Remember every Friday night we have crop night from 5:00 to midnight at The Pine City Scrapbooking Co Inc. If you are lucky enough to have Friday off you can come at any time you wish. The cost is $10.00 and you get food, pop, prizes, candy, chips and use of our tools and room. Each table is approx. 3x5 with a comfy adjustable chair.



Here is a reminder of our crop room rules:

You may use our tools in the workroom, please return them when you are finished so others may use them too.

At the end of the evening please pick up after your self.

Please respect others space in the crop area. We need to leave space to let others move about the crop area.

No unpaid merchandise in the crop room. Please place it on hold before bringing anything to the crop area.

Please pay for any hold tickets, and start cleaning up by 11:30 p.m.


You must be at least 13 to join us for a crop. We have to stick with this rule for the comfort of the other guests. Safety issues are always a concern, as well as consideration of the other guests. Just about all of our croppers use our room to get away from home to be without the distraction of children, phones and obligations. If you can not stick to this rule you will not be able to crop with us on Friday nights.


We love our young croppers, I have two of my own plus an older one! If you would like to crop with them, make a date for a Saturday and come with them and use our crop room. Call ahead to make sure the room isn't reserved. All we ask is you help them use the tools, clean up after yourselves, and watch them carefully in the store. Young croppers get distracted so feel free to bring them snacks, and keep the time limited so they don't get bored. I'm just speaking from experience with my little ones.


Remember our in store crop area is open as long as we are. Monday - Thursday you may use our crop area when you wish. We ask that you call ahead and make sure there isn't a class or that it isn't reserved.


Come one come all to our crops, we just ask that we all follow the rules so everyone is happy.


I thank you all for being understanding.

Grand Opening

The grand opening is going great! Saturday's make and take was a card with Flower Soft. Today I'm doing a replay of Friday because I have it all ready cut out, and I think I only did 4 of them on Friday! So stop in today between noon and 4:00 and do a card using Glimmer Mist! Don 't forget to take a tour of the retreat center. You must look in every room because each one is different.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Stop In And Take A Peak

We have been working very hard on Scrapbooking In The Pines Retreat Center. I really wanted to take photos and post them for you to see, but Savannah wouldn't let me! She wants you all to come in person during the open house to see it first hand! I've had a great response to the new space. We are still waiting on most of our tools, and I am still fine tuning some of the decorating but otherwise it looks pretty good. So if you have a minute or two stop in and check it out, have a cookie and do a free make and take!

A big thank you to Chris my new neighbor downtown. She came through with the boat oar or paddle. It looks just perfect in the Camp Lakeview room! Ahhhh I love living downtown! Where else will the hardware store deliver refrigerators and pop can holders, the Pioneer ladies stop in to chat, and the H&R Block guy bring you a bag of bagels. My new neighbors are really spoiling me. I have to say I've never felt so welcome anywhere in my life. So when you stop in to The Pine City Scrapbooking Co I encourage you to stop in at the other shops downtown and check them out. You just never know what you'll find.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Grand Opening

Hi Everyone,

I'm just reminding you of our Grand Opening at The Pine City Scrapbooking Co Inc and Scrapbooking In The Pines Retreat Center April 11, 12 and 13, 2008!

We're ready to show off the new store and the retreat center, I can't wait to show you all the beautiful bedrooms! We've been decorating like crazy, and it is paying off! All the ideas in my head are taking shape on the walls. Make sure you stop in April 11, 12 & 13 for our Grand Opening. Book your room at the the grand opening and receive our introductory offer of $50.00 a night.

We've gotten in new product again at The Pine City Scrapbooking Co Inc stop in and check it out. Melissa Frances, AMM storage, Bo Bunny and Flower Soft just to mention a few.

For our Grand Opening we are offering $5.00 off of your $25.00 purchase. Just mention this email!

While in at the store do our free make n' take. We will be doing a different one each day. Friday we will be doing a card with Glimmer Mist, Saturday will be a card using FLOWER SOFT, and Sunday is to be determined!

Stop in for refreshments and check us out. I think you'll like what you see!

See you at the store,

Marni

Sunday, April 6, 2008

I Really Need A Boat Oar

Ron and I just got back from a marathon trip to Arkansas! No joke! Ron was planning on going to his meeting by himself, but I just couldn't let him drive all that way by himself. So I hopped in the van with him and 11 hours later we were in Arkansas. My mother stayed at our house with the kids. We returned home about 10:00 p.m. Saturday night. Our stay down there was short but I did find a few great decorations for the new scrapbooking retreat!

Ron was busy putting closets, tables and chairs together. We are still waiting on our electrical inspection but so far so good! The place looks great! I've been busy making window panes to put up in the bedrooms. I've got a bubblegum pink one done, next one I have layed out is a western theme. The last one I have to do is a great big window and I'm not sure what I'm going to do with that one.

Alert: Some offensive languge used. I use it only to tell a story, not to offened anyone.

Here's a shout out! I NEED A BOAT OAR! Not a good boat oar. One that looks like it has been laying out in the weeds and is even rotting! I have looked high and low and have given up on my search. I have the perfect decoration for the Camp Lakeview bedroom but I can not find a boat oar.

I hate to go with plan b because... Okay here is the story: A long long time ago my dad wanted a canoe. My mother thought it was senseless because she was terrified of water. Besides we were kinda poor, and the money could've been used for something useful. Anyway my dad usually got what he wanted so he got his red canoe. I only remember the red canoe laying upside down in the weeds as a kid (man I wish a had a picture of that).

Okay now where was I going with this story... Ah yes, fast forward to 2 years ago give and take a few months. My mother and I went down to the twin cities to see James VanPraugh the psychic . We were sitting towards the back when he started reading a guy ahead of us. This is sort of how it went: By the way this guy could not relate to any of this, but we could relate to all of it. He asked the guy about a canoe, and an old tackle box that had been misplaced. He was stuck on this for a long time repeating it over and over. Then he said someone had passed with something with the belly, and had a lot of pain. He kept repeating, those God damn doctors didn't know what they were doing. Then he asked if he knew a Marge or a Alfred?

My Mother and I were going crazy and knew this reading was for us. The red canoe was huge, my dad loved it so much he wouldn't sell it, he let it rot in the weeds instead. My mother had just been hunting for a tackle box for my cousin Dan that was my Father's Brother's tackle box and she really wanted Dan to have it but couldn't find it. My Dad died of complications of a AAA which is an abdominal aortic aneurysm. When my husband found my Dad dying he was in a HUGE amount of pain. My Dad was out of it for the month he suffered, but when he did speak some of his first words were: get the God damn doctor. My Dad would totally say that the God damn Dr's didn't know what they were doing. The Marge and Alfred... Alfred is my Grandpa on my Mother's side and of course Marge would come with him, Alfred was her dad and Marge is my mother's sister whom had just passed. WOW!

Before the reading he took us through meditation, which I have taken to like a duck to water. I've meditated all my life through cronic pain from Lupus. Anyway after our meditation my Mom and I who were pretty much sitting alone, looked at each other funny. I asked her, did you smell that? And she just shook her head with those funny wide eyes she does! We both smelled perfume out of nowhere!

So my Mother and I have decided whomever goes first will ring the phone to let the other one know that we are watching out for them. My mother retired from the telephone company, we thought that would be a great sign from above!


So anyway this is why I need a boat oar and why it is so important to me. Oh yeah and the Camp Lakeview, it gets its name from my Dad's business that he had forever Lakeview Printing.