Pennies From Heaven

Yep. Still waiting with all my fixtures etc. for a good time to get a business loan etc. At least I haven't sold everything and totally given up!

Heaven Can Wait

I am so sorry I have not updated you all. Due to the economy, including all the loan issues going on, I had put a hold on Scrappywood. Yes, it is just a HOLD. I am working and paying the bills for a few months and then I will try, try again! Everything is still all in place for the store except all the funding. Thank you for all your support!!!

The Neverending Story

"Ahhhhh!" is all I have to say. Well, not really. I unfortunately started to open my store in the most difficult economic time for start-up businesses. I haven't given up. I have everything ready to open, but so many banks are not funding loans for start-up retail stores and restaurants because with the gas prices etc. people are not spending money on "extra" things. What most bankers don't know, as I'm sure most of you would would attest to, is that scrapbooking supplies ARE necessities to MANY of us. Scrapbooking is an important activity in our lives no matter what our financial status happens to be. Plus, bankers have agreed that my business plan shows how Scrappywood would be a success. We need a big local place to buy our supplies, but even more importantly, a place where we can come together to crop and take classes with dozens of people. Frustrating, huh?

Feel free to email or respond to this blog with your thoughts. My future customers' comments can be very influential! If we want a local scrapbook store, we have to show the need and desire for one! You go girls...and some guys too!

From Here to Eternity

"O.K., HELLO? Is this store happening or what, babe?" you might be asking. And yes, it HAS been a long time since I posted here. But the answer is YES. The store is still a go. Due to the way the market has been, it has taken a LONGER time than normal to go through this process. Knowing how many scrapbook stores have gone under recently and that 40% of small businesses fail in the first year, and over 80% in the first five years, I don't want to put the horse before the cart. I have learned a lot of what NOT to do in opening a business. So although it feels like eternity, I want to be careful as I start up. Everything is in a holding position right now as I wait for my final O.K. My husband said to someone yesterday that he can't believe how long I have had to stay the course, and he probably would have said "#&*%#" it if it was his project. My attitude is that at least I get a lot of preparation time to plan out the most perfect scrapbook store I can! Thank you all for being patient & supportive "pre"customers! You are awesome! And you better believe we will have a BIG party when we open!!!

The Wizard of Bazzill

You all (see I really AM a Texan now) are so awesome! What I love about the scrapbooking community is that everyone comes together and is so excited and supportive of other scrapbookers. I have really enjoyed talking with people about SCRAPPYWOOD. I know everyone has her own vision of her perfect scrapbook store. It is interesting to hear everyone's thoughts. I really do take notes and consider every idea and how feasible it is. I want to please everyone the most I can, and still have a successful business so I can actually stay around (unlike many scrapbook stores that you are aware of that have closed after a few years).

I have heard some rumors about Bazzill cardstock lately. Personally, I LOVE Bazzill. It is a great quality. I enjoy the many different textures, but most of all Bazzill seems to have the most shades of colors available. I am one of those freaks that bring my photo over to the cardstock aisle and match the color of the lady's shirt in the photo to the perfect shade of bluish Robin's Egg Bazzill. Are you like that? I know about Prism and other cardstock paper as well. I would love to hear your opinions about what kinds of cardstock that you use and why or why not.

Many of you have asked about SCRAPPYWOOD's location. It is still going to be close to the intersection of Lebanon & Preston Rd. in Frisco...close to the Kiddin' Around drop off day-care. Hea....drop off your kiddo for a while and scrapbook...how cool is that??

Welcome to Scrappywood's Blog!

Hi Scrappers!
I started this blog to keep everyone updated on the progress of SCRAPPYWOOD. As most of you know, I have been in the process of opening a scrapbook store in Frisco, Texas ever since Recollections closed. This has been a much longer process then I had imagined, but it IS coming along. I wanted to open the store full with merchandise and a full calendar of classes and crops. We are all used to what Recollections had to offer.
My vision is a shop where you feel welcomed, where we know you, where you are inspired to stretch your creative muscles, where you scrapbook with your friends, family, or meet new friends. I will provide you with quality scrapbooking and paper crafting products, especially ones you cannot find in the big box stores. I am lucky to have some great gals who will teach classes and host crops too!
Anyway...SCRAPPYWOOD will still be located in Frisco. It is taking a few more months than I hoped. I can't wait to share my vision with you all. The Recollections' gals and I have missed all of our regular customers! You will see some of them when we open. I will be doing some surveys soon to get some of your opinions about products, crop room ideas, etc. before the store build-out begins. I always welcome good ideas!