Attention Card Makers!

One of the most rewarding things about going to CHA is getting to see products first hand. As we all know, products look different in person than they do on the computer. Also...you don't always get the "jist" of the product by just seeing it online. The items from our newest vendor, Susan Louise, fall into this category. I heard about this company from a fellow store owner in Wisconsin, but I just didn't fully appreciate the line of products until I saw them in person.

Like this card? It was made in about 5 minutes!



Let me explain how it works. The images come on clear acetate sheets that look like this...



1. Choose a background paper for your image. Lighter papers work best because they make the image pop.
2. Using scissors, cut the image you want from the clear sheet.
3. Cut a window in your card to "frame" the image. This can be done with punches, templates, Silhouette or any of the basic shape dies by Lifestyle Crafts/Spellbinders/Sizzix. Make sure the window is big enough for the image to show through. (tip: make sure your image and background paper are cut bigger than your window...this allows you to glue everything down properly) If you like to ink edges, go ahead and ink the edges of your window.
4. Layer your card window on top...then your clear image behind it...then the background paper.

That's it...SO very simple!



Or...if you want to make it even easier...simply cut your image and attach it to your card with brads or eyelets. Inking the edges of the acetate will give it a more stylish look.



If you're a visual person like me...come in the store and check out the seahorse card on display. Touch it, feel it and see for yourself how very nice these images look on a finished card.

Here are more images for you to enjoy :)

Register NOW for kid's camp in August!

We have two options for the kiddos this summer!

Melissa is teaching a Crafty Kids Camp on August 8, 9 and 10.



Anna is teaching Art Camp on August 15, 16 and 17.



Both sessions run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and cost $25 per day OR $65 for all three days. The projects are ADORABLE and your kids are gonna love it!

Space is limited, so register soon :) Call the store at 563-9009 for more info.

Wonder by Authentique

I must tell you...before this paper even made it out of the back office, the staff have been oohing and aahhhing over it. It is absolutely beautiful!

Yes, I know it's July and, yes, I know it's early to start thinking about Christmas. But, is it?!? Seriously, we are less than 5 months away! If you've been in any big box stores, you know they are already gearing up for the holidays. (After all, school supply displays were set up in June and the kids were barely out of school.)

Card makers...you know you are guilty. You say every year that you're going to start EARLY this year. And, what happens? (Don't worry...you are not alone...we are here to HELP you!).

So...here we are. Ready to jump into August. It's a perfect time to start your cards and Christmas projects ;-)

Having said all that, let me introduce you to WONDER by Authentique.

Double sided papers...



6"x6" paper pads...



Stickers...



Embellishments...



And, a picture taken from my cell phone at the Authentique booth at CHA...not the greatest quality picture, but I thought it was a really cool wreath!



Happy paper crafting!

Silhouette Cameo

As you may know, we attended the Craft and Hobby Association (CHA) tradeshow this past week in Chicago. You can thank us later for bringing the heat wave home with us :)

The show was FABULOUS...and, even though the temperatures outside hovered at 100 degrees, the main theme inside was Christmas. Let me just say there are some really great Christmas collections coming soon. And, as a matter of fact, our first three Christmas lines have already shipped and are on the way to Virginia Beach :) Christmas card makers...start your engines...

The photos on Facebook that generated the most buzz were about the new Silhouette machined called Cameo. I hope I answered all the emails, but I will touch on those answers again in this email so that we're all on the same page. If you have any further questions, please comment here or shoot me an email at jen at beachscrapbooks dot com. (Have to write it like that to avoid getting spammed.)

So...here we go!

The new Silhouette machine is called CAMEO. You can now cut a true 12"x12" piece of paper!

The design is a bit more sleek looking, but all in all, the machine insides looks identical to the current model. The Cameo is expected to arrive in October, and MSRP is $299.99.



Just like the old machine, it comes with 50 free shapes. The Cameo also comes with a template to make your own "front". Look at the pictures above and below...see how one is green and the other blue? You can use the template to make that any color or pattern you want just by cutting your own paper.



Meet Jacob. He's holding the 12"x12" cutting mat for the Cameo. Price on the mat is still TBD. And...speaking of mats...Silhouette has re-designed the cutting mats so that they are BETTER and last LONGER. I never knew how much science goes into how the glue is applied to the mats! They will be in our store shortly (for the Silhouette and Silhouette SD machines).



Holy HOTNESS! Here's an example of a piece of cardstock cut out using the Cameo.



And, for those questioning whether a new blade will be introduced, the answer is YES. Instead of three different caps, the new blade will have a ratchet system. It will not have interchangeable caps. You will simply turn the dial on the blade for a deeper cut. The nice thing about this blade is that it will work with the Cameo (obviously) and all older machines. PLUS...your blades that you currently own, will also work on the Cameo. All blades will work on all machines. The new blades, however, will give you a deeper cut so that you won't have to double cut your images. YAY!!! Like the new Cameo machine, these blades will also be available in October.



Another new, exciting product are Fabric Inks. Using your Silhouette, you can make templates for applying Fabric Inks to fabric. See the fabric album? The flourish was painted on. The canvas bag and shirt underneath the album? Also painted on. And...see Jacob in the above picture holding the new mat? His shirt was made using the Fabric Inks. Think screen printing. Think CRAZY COOL. This is a GREAT way for you to get all kinds of color on your surface. Coming soon.



I know it's blurry, but you can see the different colors of Fabric Inks offered below. There's also a starter kit (shown above) that will be available for purchase.



I guess it's time to get that Christmas wish list going, eh?!?

Again, the new Cameo will be available in October. Do you love it?!?

Kid's Camp in August

We're excited to announce that there will be TWO art camps for kids next month at Beach Scrapbooks.

The first session (August 8-10) will be taught by Melissa...the second (August 15-17) by Anna.

The sessions are $65 per week OR $25 per class...this way, you can sign up for all three days each week or choose the days that fit your schedule.

I will tell you though...the projects sound AWESOME, and I know your child will want to be there EVERY day!!

Space is limited, so sign your child up soon by calling the store at 563-9009.

(Click here to view the class calendar for more information.)

Have you seen the Mouse?!?

New Disney themed papers and stickers are here :)

Dog Days of Summer

Dog Days of Summer by Reminisce is here!

These paper and stickers are perfect for any dog, including puppies :)






And...always remember to check the backs of papers - just because it's a dog theme, doesn't mean you can't use it for other projects!

Thinking of cooler days :)

As with most days this summer, today's gonna be a HOT one! Take a moment and fast forward to the cooler days of October, when Halloween is right around the corner.

I know it's early, but we are lucky enough to be one of the very first stores (I think there are only two others), who received Authentique's GLOWING collection as part of a test market.

If you haven't heard about Authentique, they are a brand new paper crafting company, and we have all FIVE of their lines. Reaction to the new collections have been great so far...customers love the thick quality of the papers and the prices of the embellishments ($1.99 and $0.99).

So, back to the test market part...this is where we need your help. Come in, take a look and tell us what you like and/or don't like. Authentique wants your feedback!





Have a great day and keep cool!

Mobile blogging test

Happy Saturday! 

First...the main reason for his post is to test out my mobile blogging skills from my cell phone.

Having said that, I want to upload a picture because what's a blog without pictures?!?  This is a little something I've been working on during these last few rainy days. Familiar with Angry Birds?  Yea...my whole family is addicted. I need a layout to add to my scrapbook :)

Have a great weekend!

New Paper Company - AUTHENTIQUE

We're thrilled to introduce a brand new paper company to you...meet Authentique. We are one of the first stores to carry their products!



Their paper is made of the finest quality (go ahead, touch it!) and the embellishments are very nicely priced :)

The four introductory lines include Blissful, Journey, Uncommon and Splendid.





And, all come with a 6x6 paper pad :)



Here's a close up of some of the embellishments from the Journey collection. The larger embellishments are only $1.99 and the smaller (including alphabet stickers) are $0.99!



I know it's a bit blurry (sorry!), but here's a picture of where you can find Authentique.



Click here to check out their website...it has lots of project samples!

Tropical Splash

Happy summer! Check out the latest release by Lifestyle Crafts (formerly QuicKutz) called TROPICAL SPLASH. We love it :)

If you'd like to pre-order any dies, simply call the store and tell them the name of the die. When the shipment arrives, we'll call you :) We expect the dies to arrive next week and will update delivery dates on our Facebook page.

**Don't delay! We expect this release to be a popular one!**

For pricing info, please click here.