Tuesday, October 23, 2007

A relaxing weekend retreat.....




I'm sure after this one, Jen will pull my posting rights - LOL!



Janell and I took a little trip a few weeks back. (Jen, Cindy and RAP all had other plans.) It all started out so innocently, a weekend retreat at the LSS in Peachtree City, which is south of ATL. But then it grew. (For the record, it always grows!) Janell cooked up a scheme to go to the premier scrapbook store in our area - Scrap Etc. in Hoover Alabama. Her rationalization was that we were already on I-20 anyway since she was swinging by my house to pick me up. (It didn't matter that SE was an hour and a half west on I-20!) Plus we didn't have to be in PTC until 4:00 pm. And I being the noble follower did not disagree! Honestly, in the heat of passion - it really did make sense!



We left the Exit 11 at 9:00 am (EST) sharp. We made excellent time to Alabama, and were even sitting in the parking lot at Scrapbook Mania in Pelham before they opened. Yes, we did try to get more bang for our buck and go to 2 stores since we did drive 100 gazillion miles to get there! We were in and out of both stores, had lunch, and then hit the road.



We were making excellent time, and then it all came to a grinding halt! We were faked out by all of the road construction signs and thought that it would be a minor delay. 45 minutes later - we realized that there was a little more to it. Our friendly truck driver in front of us (we like to call him Wedgie Man) was kind enough to tell us that it was a fiery collision b/w 2 18 wheelers. The local volunteer firefighters were trying to put out the fire, but were not having much luck b/c one was full of paint.




So, what do 2 scrapbookers with a digi SLR do - take pictures, of course! We met lots of new friends and witnessed many funny things. We laughed so hard that we cried. Finally after almost 2 hours of sitting there, the truck in front of us squeezed his way b/w 2 18 wheelers to go thru the median to go back westbound to the previous exit. Once he did that, we had a little wiggle room. With a cheering crowd, we were able to do the same. And once again we were on the road!
The pig trails of rural West Georgia were like the interstates in metro ATL with all of the diverted traffic. But thanks to my familiarity with the area, I was able to get us back on track. We finally made it to Highway 27 southbound, right where we had started from 10 hours & 300+ miles early. We made it to our retreat, only 4 hours late! It was a crazy trip, but it was one I will never forget! To use MAG-speak, you had to live it!!!



In honor of our little outing, I wrote a song. It goes something like this:



Croptoberfest 2007
(to the them of Gilligan's Island)



Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale,
A tale of a fateful trip
That started from Hiram, GA
Aboard a Ford SUV, not a ship.


The mate was a spineless supply hoarder
The skipper a professional shopper.
These 2 crazy gals hit the road that day
For a minor detour, a minor detour.


The weather was drizzling that day,
but the Ford Explorer cruised right on,
If not for the greed of the crazy scrapbookers
They would have been on time, right on time.


The SUV came to a screeching halt on the interstate
With MM (not Matte Magic)
The Dictator too (that's Janell for those who don't know),
The piano hauler and his wedgie-eeeee,
The golfers,
And the truck drivers and the businessmen,
Here I-20 eastbound.


The hoarder and the dictator too,
Did their very best,
To make up the time they lost,
because of their little detour to the west.


So this is the tale of the 2 scrapbookers,
They were there for a long, long time.
They had to make the best of things,
the traffic was a several mile long line.


No ice, no potties, no unsweet tea,
No Fancy Pants felt for me!
Like back in the days of Creative Memories,
As primative as can be.


So join us here for our next outing,
You're sure to get a chuckle,
It's bound to be a wild, wild ride,
so better make sure you buckle!



And now a little eye candy for ya - I bring you Wedgie Man:






Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Thanks for the Memories!



Well, it has happened... another Atlanta area scrapbook store has closed it's doors.... Matte Magic in Newnan, GA was one of the last great independent scrapbook stores. Now we wish Ms. Rose and her family a fond farewell and they pack it in. Sad really. We all really loved that store...

Monday, July 30, 2007

Where Have All the MAGS Gone?

Whew! Summer is just flying by! How did it get to be August already? Soon our thoughts will be with Back to School, the new fall season shows, and cooler weather (well maybe not soo much cooler in the south, but we can wear short sleeves that are in trendy fall colors!)

Seems like we have all been wrapped up in our day-to-day lives lately.... oh yes, there have been a few crops at our wonderful new Archivers, but over all, a quite summer for all.

Soon we will tackle the Archivers all day crop... fun! Until then, keep scrappin and dream of new toys from CHA!

Friday, June 8, 2007

Have I Told You Lately That I Love You....


That is right! I am in love..... in love with the new Archivers.... I have been there at least once a week since they opened and have cropped with Janell too! When I am at lunch I still have to remind myself that it is there and then I immediately think... Cool! followed by... About Time! Happy Scrapbooking Dreams to all!

Monday, June 4, 2007

NSDeux

Ok, I am slipping! I haven't updated since Carter was President! Well, maybe that is an exageration, but it feels that way! The MAGS ride again at our National Scrapbook Day Part Deux! We visited the new and oh so wonderful Archivers, ate at a wonderful place in West Cobb called Gabrielles, and then headed to the Taj M'James to scrapbook until the wee hours of the night!



Fun was had by all and we even got some work done too! Can't beat it! I think we are on to something by having two NSDs per year! I mean, they are sooo much fun why wouldn't you want two??

Monday, May 7, 2007

The Sweet Retreat was SWEEETT!

Well, what can I say?? I great time was had by all! This weekend, the MAGS decended on The Sweet Retreat which was put on by Scrapbooks Invitations, & More!



It was so much fun hanging out with Laura and the MAGS laughing and cutting up!



We cropped, shopped, and giggled a lot! We even won prizes! Janell and Cindy both won drawings and I won the mini book contest! I was so proud of my little book! (blush).





We also hit one of our favorite shops, Matte Magic for their NSD sale. Wow, Ms. Rose hooked us up! 50% of for the first hour! I spent waaaaayyyy too much and our new Archivers isn't even open yet! Yikes!



However, the best fun of the weekend was Janell discovering that she had forgotten her suitcase! She had every scrapbooking supply known to man in her scrapbag, but no clothes! Oh did we tease her! Luckily her super sweet hubbie drove over and brought her the suitcase!



Now it is time for big naps and catching up on silly stuff like housework,... yuck!

Thursday, May 3, 2007

Top Dog

Can you believe tomorrow is the day! Everything begins bright and early in the morning! Time for that last minute freak-out packing. Remember, we only have one room and we are only going to be there 2 days, so no need to bring everything you own! You should see us slepping all our bags and items to show everyone each time we get together.... I only have 2 words... Luggage Cart.

Today the top 10 comes to an end....

Top Ten Things That Will Make the Sweet Retreat SWWEEEETTT:

#1: Finished Goods.

Yes, there isn't much better than walking away from a weekend full of scrapping with finished projects. In our everyday lives, we only get an hour here or there (unless you are Janell, hee-heee) to work on our pages and projects. There is something sooo fulfilling about coming home with a newly finished project. Sigh... Can't wait!

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Part Deux!

How did we get to #2 already??? Seems like we were just on #7 or #8! Well, the packing is well under way and I know everyone is getting excited that it is almost time to go!

Top Ten Things That Will Make the Sweet Retreat Sweeeett:

#2: Fondling new scrapbook supplies!

Who doesn't love to turn the bag upside down and watch all the fun items fall onto the floor and one by one examine all the new sbing gooding that are inside?? Are you with me on this on? If not, you might want to give it a try! Very self fulfilling!! :)

Tuesday, May 1, 2007

3 Is the Magic Number

You know you remember the old School House Rock song. Why does everything seem to come in 3s?? Well, evidentally this is a very cosmically pleasing number. So the planets must be aligned for scrapbooking today(maybe that means we will get our Ali Edwards Everyday Beauty Kit from CK... but I won't hold my breath). So, on with the show!

Top 10 Things That Will Make the Sweet Retreat Sweeeeeettt:

#3: New Friends!

Since we are in our cosmic happy place today under the influence of the magic number 3, we will talk about new scrapbooking friends joining us for our hijinx! We are all very excited that Laura from CKMB is coming down to join us for the retreat. It will be great to spend the days with her cropping, shopping, and eating chocolate! New friends are magical!

Monday, April 30, 2007

#4-Almost out the door!

It's Monday and a new week has begun. By the end of the week we will be off to the Sweet Retreat! Yeah! Get your work done early this week cause it is a short week.

Top Ten Things That Will Make the Sweet Retreat SWWEEEEEETT:

#4. The Pictures! Of course one of the most fun things to do is check out the pictures after a weekend is over. They are alway so funny and we get to giggle all over again when we remember what silliness we commited!

Sunday, April 29, 2007

Version 5.0

The days are melting away and it will be time to leave before you know it. Already down to #5 (and how did it get to be Sunday already??) Right, back to task.

Top 10 Things That Will Make the Sweet Retreat SWEEEEETT:
#5: The Fellowship. No, this is not some uber sci-fi robo-geek Lord of the Rings thing (although we did have a nasty run in with some of those Magic: The Gathering card players at CKU... talk about a weird thing to have a convention for. Of course I am sure they were thinking... Scrapbooking... what a weird thing to have a convention for).

No, this is about the fellowship of being surrounded by a room full of people who take the craft just as seriously (or maybe I should say have the obession just as much) as you do. There is something wonderful about being surrounded by people who have creativity... some would say that some of those folks are weird, and they would be right, but it is still a great vibe to feel!

Enjoy what is left of the weekend!

Saturday, April 28, 2007

Six!

Last weekend before the big event... you worker bees out there better start packing and getting ready cause Mon-Thurs will come and go as quick as you please. Time to pre-pack... that way I can make a pile without pressure and as I remember things I will put them in the pile... and so the pack spasm begins and takes form. Then I can go about my daily life and not have to worry that I have forgotten it... when it comes into my mind, it is added to the pile. Now to just keep that darn cat out of my stuff!


#6!!

Top 10 Things That Will Make the Sweet Retreat SWWEEEEEETT....

#6: Girlfriends.

That is right... no boys allowed! Put a big sign on the door to the clubhouse just like they did in the show "Our Gang." We get to leave the boys behind and talk all weekend about silly things, things we enjoy, and giggle all we want... why?? Cause we are girls! And in the immortal words of Cindy Lauper.... Girl Just Want to Have Fun!!

Friday, April 27, 2007

Lucky #7

It is actually hard to post these every day because I think of one and then think... wow, this is more important than 8 or 9, it should be further up the list. Then I realized that this is the short list... all of them are important so I can quit hording my answers.

Top 10 Things that will Make the Sweet Retreat SWWEEEEETTT:

#7: The Shopping.

Yes, part of the Retreat will be hitting as many nearby scrapbook stores as humanly possible. It is a shopping holiday! Such bliss! It wouldn't be a weekend with the MAGS unless I go home with bags full of goodies and no money! (Michelle's credit card actually shrinks....)

TGIF!!

Thursday, April 26, 2007

The day is almost over and I almost forgot to post!!!


What in the world was I thinking?? Here I am monitoring the countdown and I almost forget to post. Shame, shame on me!!


Well, we are dealing with #8... so,

#8 of the Top 10 Things That Will Make the Sweet Retreat SWWEEEEETT:

8. The Freebees! Admit it! You love the bling. I know I do. Going to a retreat is great because you are exposed to new things and get to try new tools or techniques. I love it! I always feel soooo inspired after spending time with my gals scrapping. Hmmm... love it!!!

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Number 9...

Continuing with the Top 10 list started yesterday, today it is time for number 9. So here we go....

TOP 10 THINGS THAT WILL MAKE THE SWEET RETREAT SWEEEEETT...

9. Too much chocolate!

Ever thought you could be sick of chocolate... well I never thought I could be. But now I know that it is possible to be sick of junk. It seems every time we get together and cropping, there is chocolate. Can't wait for the tasety chocolate treats!

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Announcing the MAGS Offical Sweet Retreat Top 10 List

It is official... only 10 days to the Sweet Retreat! Since we need to pass the time, how about a Top 10 list. Today we will post the topic and the first item and each day we will give out another item until it is time to leave! And just for fun, lets through a tip of the day in there for all those times that you have stressed out about getting things together before an event.

Now, before we get on to the Top 10, lets clear up the matter of the surprise. Now that parties un-named have hyped up the nature of the surprise to beyond the actual surprise, I will go ahead and reveal it!

We are pleased to announce that the MAGS won't be alone at the Sweet Retreat... Laura (nana57) from CKMB is going to be joining us! We are very excited about spending the weekend with Laura and hope she still likes us by the end of the event (hopefully we won't scare her off with the long nights and Nancy Grace).

Ok, back to our regularly scheduled Top 10 List.... so without further ado...

TOP TEN THINGS THAT WILL MAKE THE SWEET RETREAT SWWEEEEEEEEETT!

10) Time away from our families!

Don't get me wrong... we love our families, but everyone needs a break from the insanity of daily life... throw a chance to scrapbook for the entire weekend free from "Honey, where are my car keys?" or "Mommie, I wanna scrapbook with your supplies!" and that is something, huh!

TIP FOR THE DAY: When the bottle of glue gives strong resistance to your pursistant squeezing and minimal a amount of glue is coming out of the bottle.... STOP SQUEEZING! You bottle of glue is about to explode all over you and your project. (How do you know? I bet you are asking that.... see the post regarding the trip to Bham.)

Ok, see you tomorrow! Now stop that cleaning and kust go scrapbook!

Monday, April 23, 2007

Ok, here is the deal....

Since there are 11 days until the Sweet Retreat and we just can't wait... I am thinking we need an official countdown. Well, what could be better than a Top 10 list.... (thank you David Letterman!) Starting tomorrow, we will give out the topic and the first post. Oh, and I promised that I would reveal a big surprise... well, not quite time yet, but I haven't forgotten to tell you about it.... :) Stay tuned for more details!

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Scrapbook Mania!!!



Not only does the term "scrapbook mania" describe our affliction, but it is also a scrapbook store in Bessemer, AL (Bham). Janell and I took off for B'ham to take some classes at Scrapbook Mania from Angelia Wiggington yesterday. Angelia was a great teacher and is oh so very nice.

One super cool thing is that Amy from the CKMB met up with us and had dinner on Friday night and then took 2 classes with us on Sat. We all had lunch together, visited Scrap Etc, and got to see Amy's house. She lives up on top of a mountain in Bham and is very pretty and inviting. Not to mention her backyard is wonderful! We all had a great time visiting Scrap Etc and talking with Monique.

The highlight of the day was making 2 very cool mini books from Angelia. The books were so cute and cool... wish I had that much talent for sure! The only bad part of the day having an entire bottle of glue explode on my and my album... needless to say it startled me! I was covered in glue, but hadn't dug into the book yet so it was spaired.

More to come... Time to start getting ready for the Sweet Retreat!

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

All work and no play

Makes the MAGS go stir crazy! Yes, it has been while since the last post. But with everything going on in our daily lives, there wasn't much fun to annouce. However, that time is over! It is time to play and what could be more fun than taking scrapbooking classes from a "scrap-celebrity?" Janell and I are going to take the drive to Birmingham on Sat to take a few classes at Scrap Mania! Very exciting. But wait, there is more! Amy from the CKMB is going to join us! And we will of course hit Scrap Etc!! Of course a full report will be made.

Now, on to even more important business.... Somehow it became mid-April (I am sure it happened when I wasn't looking). That means the Scrap Retreat is only a few short weeks away!! Can you believe that it is almost here? They are having a minibook contest, so all MAGS get cracking on those books!

Oh, I almost forgot.... a super huge major MAGS annoucement is coming.... sorry, I can't tell you what it is quite yet (give a girl a break, I have to save some of my juicy news for another post... besides, I just like pulling everyone's chains!). Needless to say, this has only happened once before and we didn't think that it would work out for the Sweet Retreat, but the planets were aligned! So stay tuned for more silliness!

Last, but definitely not least, a HUGH congrats to Donna for getting a job at the super cool new Archivers in Marietta! Yeah!!!!!

Until then my friends, dream of the new ARCHIVERS!

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Ode to a Bind It All

Oh Bind It All (to the tune of O Christmas Tree)

O Bind It All, O Bind It All,
Your coils they intice me.

O Bind It All, O Bind It All,
You let me create so freely.

If I could only get my hands,
wrapped around your brand new box.

O Bind It All, O Bind It All,
You hold my pages oh so tightly.


http://www.binditall.com/binditall.html

I mean, who wouldn't want one anyway?? They are small, lightweight, and they punch through chipboard like butter! I am doing the "good vibes" dance so Ms. Rose from Matte Magic will come through for us and order us some Bind It Alls. If not, I am following Whippet's (from CKMB) advice and ordering from Ms. Bonnie.

(Unfortunately, no Bind It Alls were fondled in the making of this post)

Brought to you by: The Sleepy Blogger

Friday, March 16, 2007

Its So Nice Lets Do It Twice!

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Well, now that we are on the threshold of Spring, NSD (National Scrapbook Day) is just around the corner... the holiest of days for scrapbookers. But this year we had a delimma.... continue on with the traditional crop at the T'ashma James or attend the new and sure to be super fabulous Sweet Retreat put on by our favorite girls at Scrapbook Invitations & More. Talk about a problem...

So, NSD is so nice, why not do it twice??? We will proclaim 2 NSDs this year... of course we will celebrate the NSD in early May by attending the Sweet Retreat (don't say you weren't warned), but now we will also have our very own Faux NSD in late May to celebrate the arrival of our fantastico new Archivers in Marietta. Then it is back to the T'ashma James to crop and nibble on delicious NSD treats (usually consisting of chocolate).

Now that is a plan!

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Archivers



Got the winter doldrums?? Nothing cures that more than an offical MAGS get-together! Since is was Rosemary's birthday too, it was a perfect reason to celebrate! We headed out for a weekend full of fun, shopping, cropping, and eating. The Mall of Georgia was our goal... Archivers it is... swimming pools and movie stars... oh wait... wrong story line.

We tricked Rosemary into going to Starbucks so we could set up her mini birthday celebration... complete with gifts and lots of fun birthday props.




Then it was on to shop at our favorites.... Archivers and Ulta. What could be better, they were next door to each other. We cropped the night away at Archivers (after we ran out of money shopping, what else could we do?). We had a great time and the only thing that was harmed was a MM (not Michelle Mullenix or Matte Magic) paper piercer. I still don't know how that thing got bent....



Anyway.... I digress..... We spent too much, we ate too much (some of us drank too much coffee), and we cropped just enough.

Oh, I forgot the best part.... we found out that we are getting a brand spankin' new Archivers of our very own in Marietta!!! Yahoo! That was the talk of the weekend for sure!
I just love my MAGS!!