July & August  2010

Hi Stampers,

Everyone here wants to thank all of you for making our anniversary month a success!  First I want to thank you for the anniversary cards, gifts and flowers. I have always said “We have the best stampers around”.

We gave away hundreds of the FREE Stamps! Our artist, Bonalyn Barker did a great job drawing us some BBQ/Picnic, ‘Fun in the sun’ stamps for the free give away and complementary stamps.  My blog will feature a card every day this month using these stamps, so stop by and check it out, you can sign up to receive updates by email. crackerboxpalacestamping.blogspot.com For the stampers who live at a distance, our web site has FREE shipping for orders over $30.00 otherwise, a standard shipping rate of only $2.00.

The $200.00 basket drawing went to Evelyn Baker.  We had so many of you put your name in for the drawing, I decided to make up 25 bags of gifts ranging from Martha Stewart punches, very large punches, combination of stamps, embossing powders, inks, embellishments and gift certificates.  Each bag had a value of $15.00 - $20.00.  Wendy and I had such a good time drawing these 25 names we kept going and made a ‘Treat Basket’.  The last 25 names could pick one item of their choice from the basket. Some people were picked twice and did get to get a bag and a pick from the Treat Basket. This worked very well and we had so much fun, I think we will be doing this again next year!  So remember to come in next year and put your name in the drawing.

We have some new stuff in: Flower Soft in regular and Ultra Fine, Tim Holtz die cuts, will be getting the embossing folders with they are available also Cuttlebug folders will be coming in.

                        John, Vicky, Wendy and Savannah

Come on in and check out our Stamp of the Month stamps --- Always on SALE.

Great Impression stamp of the month is 50% OFF and we offer 10% off from the coordinating stamps.

House Mouse 10% OFF

Verses  10% OFF

Custom Made Stamps,

Art, Address & Business

          We offer wood mount (regular made),

EZ Cling, just rubber and self inkers (great for address stamps).

            If you would like a ‘behind the card’ personal stamp, we have a sample board for ideas. If you have any ideas of your own, bring them in and you can also add a signed signature if you like.

            We would be happy to turn your image, artwork, text or any combination into a rubber stamp. We need a clear black and white image, and gray or shading will be black when scanned so look over the image very carefully.

            The image or text does not have to be the size you want, we can enlarge or reduce it for you. John can make your text straight, curved, wavy, or wrap around.

            If the image needs work there is a $5.00 clean up fee and/or $10.00 fee to re-draw it. This will be discussed with you before we begin.  There will be no hidden charges.

 Have a Happy Birthday!!

            We think birthdays are something special, so we would like to give you a gift.  During the month of your birthday, come on in and receive a $5.00 coupon from the Crackerbox team. The $5.00 is taken off of your total purchase.

Chit Chat from Chick

Tips and tidbits

Hey my wonderful stampin’ friends!!

                      I’m not afraid to say..

                  I WAS WRONG!!

But first let me explain. I was TAUGHT wrong and my own experimenting had not made any difference.  What am I talking about?

                     FLOWER SOFT!

                Many of you may remember that I was not very happy with it… I love the concept, but I need the end result in a stamping product to be durable as well as unique.  I had asked many questions when it first came out such as:

“Do I have to use their glue only?”

        Was answered: “It is a PVA glue, any 

         PVA glue will work.” (WRONG!!!)

“What is unique about their wires? Do I have

 to use their wires?”              

         “Their wires are covered.”

“I have telephone wires, they are covered with a kind of plastic, will they work do you think?”

          “As long as they are covered,” was the

           answer.

“Any special way that it has to be applied?”

                 I was told, “Just put a little glue on it and gently lay it down into the flower soft,          then turn the wire to the other side and        gently tap it down into the flower soft.”

My results were less than spectacular and the flower soft would shed so badly, that by the time my card got to my friend, my autumn tree had become a winter one barren). Fortunately, we have not only gotten it into the store, but the company who originated it                  (from England) . . . now has a weekly webisode.  They are all 45 minutes to an hour long, and the first one was very disappointing to me. They didn’t even mention flower soft! 

But it eventually became a source that answered my questions.

                       THE FACTS:

1) You do need to use THEIR glue.

. .it is a “High Tac” PVA glue that has been specially formulated for flower soft. You do use quite a bit, but it is inexpensive compared to other glues I’ve used.

2) You need to put the flower soft into a different larger container when using it. (at the demo I’ll show you what works the best for me)

3) You NEVER dip, roll, tap the glued item into the flower soft, but rather toss the flower soft onto the project.

4) You do need to use THEIR wires. (they are

   PAPER covered. .and inexpensive. .Vicky sells 

   them for a $1.00. .and there’s enough in there to supply you with a year or more worth of cards.

      On the first demo of July, we will play with the many uses of the flower soft and explain the difference between the two textures. I’ll show you that flower soft

 “ain’t jus’ for flowers anymore!”

The other “newby” I want to tell you about are the

                  Tim Holtz Fades!”

 What can I say, but. . .

  “I love them, I love them, I love them!”

AND had not expected that they would be so different from the many cuttlebug folders, I have.

I started out with one, and now have them all.

They are unique, so different from all other companies out there.. (Sizzix, Stamping Up, etc.

The company that makes these are the same,

                BUT the designer is different)

                This is one product that you have to see in action to truly understand the difference between T!m’s and all the others out there… so I have incorporated them into the flower soft demo so that you can experience both at the same time. I can’t wait!

There is so much more that I would like to share.

Like my “fave” way to color with COPIC’s.

Drying time and place needed for flower soft.

My love affair with scor-tape.

What side of the Tim Holtz fades to color depending on the effect you are wanting from it.

The best way to make an aperture card.

Why I love Distress inks.

The many ways of the punch!

But I would never be able to get the    

    newsletter to Vicky on time!

               (I am determined to NOT be the one holding up the show this month!)

So my solution is to come ASK me about these things on the First & Third WED.  

   (Those are the Wednesdays that we do not do formal demos, thus is a great time to show

      YOUR work. . and to ask your questions

      about anything that isn’t working for you.) 

    This is one of the many PERKS of a

                 Small Business.

(I, for one, want to keep the intimacy of the small businesses around.  In our techno world.. we have lost so much on that level, as we strive to improve our knowledge on the technology level.)

I pray that God continues to

Bless Vicky and John in their Hard work,

that they put out for us to enjoy on a daily basis.

Thank you Vicky and John for working so hard for us all.

But MOST OF ALL

THANK YOU ALL FOR MAKING IT WORTH THEIR WHILE!!!!

Hearts and Hugs to you all,

Chick Alizadeh

FREE Demos

The demos have changed

We have had a lot of comments that the 2 hour demos are to long for stampers who have to add travel time.  We will be cutting down the demo times to an hour. This will allow us to focus on one technique, product or project so you will learn it thoroughly.  This will also help Chick in her prep time.  Since her life has become busier, I will be doing one demo a month also. They will be every hour on the hour starting at 1:00.  We only have space for 4-5 people, so please call and reserve a spot if you would like to have one saved.  You are able to just stop in and if there is room, you may join the demo.  We are able to set 2 chairs on the side for walk-ins, you just have to do the demo on your lap.  The Sunday ‘Round-Up’ demos Chick and I feel should still be 2 hours to cover the highlights of the 2 demos.  Again, please feel free to let us know your comments, concerns or questions.

Demo Times for Wednesdays

1:00 – 1:45      Please call and reserve a spot.

2:00 – 2:45

3:00 – 3:45

4:00 – 4:45

Demo Times for last Sunday

10:00- 12:00    Please call and reserve a spot.

12:30 – 2:30

Demos will be only the

2^nd and 4^th Wednesday and the last Sunday.

I (Chick) will be working the store the 1^st and 3^rd Wednesdays to give you an opportunity to come in and show me your creations, ask questions about what has not worked for you, or questions on something that you are confused about…or just to get a hug! I think that is what “staying small” is about. It is why I prefer to support the “little guy”. I want the human element to stay around. The Crackerbox doesn’t think of you as their “paying customers”, but as friends, an extension of their family. Like Tina Turner’s song goes “what the world needs now, is love sweet love… that’s the only thing that there is just too little of”.

July Demos

Wednesday, 14th   1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00 

Fade into Flower Soft

Flower Soft isn’t just for flowers any more.  Chick has a wonderful demo on how to use your Flower Soft with Tim Holtz Fades.  You will be surprised how well these two products go together.

Sunday, 25^th    10:00–12:00 & 12:30–2:30 

The round-up is when we will do highlights of the 2 Wednesday demos.

Wednesday, 28^th    1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00 

Medallions

I have been asked to do a demo on making the Medallions.  Well, come on in and find out how easy it is to do.  We will be making them 3 different ways.  You will be surprised at how fast and easy they are.

August Demos

Wednesday, 11^th    1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00 

Let’s Get Punchy this Summer

Get the most out of your punches.  Chick will show you how to get creative with your  Martha Stewart punches. She will show different ‘angles’ on how to use them for gorgeous designs.

 Wednesday, 25^th     1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00 

Stampscapes 102 –Scribble With pencils

Come and find out how easy it is to color (scribble) your  Stampscapes with your watercolored pencils.  I am asking this time for everyone to bring their own pencils.  This way you have your own colors to work with and easier once you get home to play.

 Sunday, 29^th    10:00–12:00 & 12:30–2:30 

The round-up is when we will do highlights of the 2 Wednesday demos.

 We have a stamper Karen, who is working with Friends of Noah.  It is an animal rescue.  I was not aware of this rescue.  I thought I would pass this information on to any of you who didn’t know about them either.  I don’t promote in our newsletter, but I know so many of you stampers are animal lovers.

Copied from their home page:

 Helping stray and abandoned animals find loving homes.

We are Friends of Noah, Wisconsin:  A non-profit 501(c)(3), all-breed animal rescue located in South Central Wisconsin serving the stray and abandoned animals that need a second chance. For more information regarding volunteering, donating, or if you just want to learn more, contact Lois at: Lois@friendsofnoah-wi.org, 608/774-3402.

http://www.friendsofnoah-wi.org/

Crackerbox Palace

25% OFF of any one item for

 the month of

July 2010

Crackerbox Palace

25% OFF of any one item

for the month of

August 2010

Any questions, please contact us: crackerbox@charterinternet.com

John and Vicky Briggs