T&C, TLC and DSB (See what I did there?)

I am happy to report that T&C is back in the garage, mended and looking quite lovely, and is receiving extra TLC after her ordeal. (For those of you confused, just read Tuesday's post) In fact, if you're here for the opportunity to laugh hysterically at my misfortune, you'll want to scroll down to Tuesday's post. This one is pretty much all business.

I do a lot of work with Dollar Scrapbooking and I have some upcoming shows that I need to recruit workers for. If you would like to work any of these shows with me, I need help on Thursday for set-up, Friday and Saturday during the show hours to run the booth, and for 2-3 hours after the show closes on Saturday to break down the booth. The pay is $10 an hour in cash, or $20-worth of product per hour. You can mix and match the pay as you see fit. Parking and lunch are provided for all-day workers. If you leave a comment here or follow the link to e-mail me, I'll send you more information about the shifts available.

The shows I will be doing are:

Scrapbook Expo - Chicago (St. Charles) - August 23-25

Simply Southern Convention - Huntsville, Alabama - October 4-6

CK Convention - Seattle (Bellevue) - November 1-3

Also, I will not be there myself, but Dollar Scrapbooking will have a booth at the Scrapbook Expo - San Jose (Santa Clara) August 10-11. Kristi (the owner) was on the waiting list for that show and wasn't able to get enough booth space to offer the typical dollar store booth that we set up at every other show. Instead, she will have a small booth that will sell only pre-packaged kits. The product kits will be themed and will include a variety of coordinating materials for rock-bottom prices.

DSB is able to offer so many fabulous items for a dollar because Kristi buys discontinued and overstock merchandise in bulk quantities. Occasionally she also gets deals on higher-priced items that she can't offer for a dollar, but she can sell for a fraction of the original retail price. One of those current special values is a large shipment of Heidi Swapp albums in 9x9 and 12x12 size.

What Kristi will offer at the San Jose show only, is a pay Make n Take to create a decorated album in one of 6 different themes. So that you aren't waiting in line, you simply stop by the booth, sign up for a half-hour time slot, and return to the booth 5-10 minutes before that time to claim your spot. She'll have all the tools and supplies you need to decorate your album. A lot of the supplies will be table supplies, meaning shared, but you will have some leftover product to take home.

Another option, for people pressed for time, is to buy the "to-go" album kit, which includes step-by-step instructions and all of the supplies except paint. The price is higher for the "to-go" kits because we can't share supplies and so we have to include a lot of complete packages in the "to-go" kits. Either way, though, at the table or in the "to-go" kit, these decorated albums are a great deal, and are priced well below the retail value of the supplies.

Here are the 9x9 Album designs:

I chose colors that can be used for a boy or girl name. If you think the flower is too girly for a boy album you can eliminate it and use the layered middle embellishment without the petals.

It's California, and so I thought it fitting to offer this album design. There will be a template to paint the Mickey head on the album. Oh, and each album comes with 20 page protectors - space for 40 layouts!

The Travel album can be made with the window album (shown above) or with the windowless spiral album and Kristi will have both types at the booth. On all of the albums the chipboard letters start white and then get blinged up with paint, tape, beads, brads, etc. You can choose to follow my design exactly or do something a little different with your supplies.

The Love album is a "to-go" kit only because the album is plain chipboard and must be taken apart, painted pink, and then re-assembled. (Too time-consuming for a half-hour slot) The "O" is actually recycled packaging from one of the embellishments turned into a bead shaker.

There are also two 12x12 Album options:

 

This is our first time trying a booth concept like this, so I hope it will be successful. I'm sure if any kits remain at the end of the show Kristi will offer them on her website or sell them at future shows until they're gone. So if you can't come to San Jose but you desperately want a kit, I would suggest following the link to Dollar Scrapbooking and clicking on the "Contact Us" button for Kristi's e-mail. She can put you on a waiting list for the leftover kits. Make sure you tell her which one you're interested in. She did not finalize the pricing on these kits before leaving for a show this weekend, so I'll update this post with prices when I find out.

And now I move on to the arduous task of planning two birthday parties. Karl and Emma will be 9 next week. Hard to imagine!

RKQOTD (Emma: Mom, why does everyone's hair, even people with blond hair, look dark when it gets wet? Me: Uh . . . )

Comments

[valerie]

hey - at least she didn't ask what it means when someone says "the collar and cuffs don't match."

holy freaking crap!!! those albums are too stinking cute!! is she gonna sell them on the website, because there is no freaking way i can get to San Jose. fingers are crossed! thanks, hon!

[Sibylle]

Ugh, so diassapointed you are not coming to California. I spazed for a moment thinking I was going to finally have the chance to meet you, again. Ofcourse, the 1st time was CKU San Jose Eons ago, but then I didn't know how big you were in Europe, just loved your rub-ons. Now, I'd go all star struck on you.

So glad the T&C is back in the garage, you brought tears to my eyes for the painful memories of the monster scratch on the back of my Tahoe. Same deal, just different Dumas.

[Amy B.]

so sorry about your van. :( that's so sad. (and totally something I would do, btw. I'm the type of mother that has to count heads when she loads her car to be sure she doesn't leave someone somewhere.)

btw, tell Emma that it's because the water makes it so the hair doesn't reflect as much light.

[Tammy J.]

Karen,

You and Kristi need to schedule a show SOON in Tampa, Florida. I'd love to meet you and work the booth sometime. :)

I am SO loving this booth concept. I HATE having to wait for make 'n takes whether they're free or not. These albums and the kits are definitely worth paying for, and it's very cool that you're doing a sign-up schedule for the make 'n takes. Great ideas!

-- Tammy

[kelz]

the albums are amazing!

[Alana M]

You are killing me, just killing me. You have a chance to come to beautiful San Jose and you PASS? Sheesh. Great concept and I love all the albums. I thought of going to the show but we have a birthday party to throw on Friday and a BS camping trip Sat and Sun. I hope the albums sell like hotcakes!

[Alana M]

And who makes all those letters? I couldn't find them on the dollar website....

[Michelle]

Hi Karen,
Any chance you will be at the San Diego Expo?

I have been reading your blog for a few months now and you are so funny!
Anyway I am glad your car is ok now!
Have a great week!

--Michelle

[wendy]

i just realized you are coming to my neck of the woods (i live about 20 min. from the conv. center in st. charles).

let's talk!

[CathyB]

My sis pointed me towards your updates. I am moving to the Chicago area next week and may be available to help in the booth. I need times of the open shifts. Send me an email and I will see what I can do.

Love your stories.

[Leslie]

Hey!! I totally don't live in Seattle, but was considering attending that convention anyways. I'd LOVE to work the booth. Drop me a line and I'm going to talk to my hubby about attending. (Free airfare, you know!!)

BTW . . . still planning on being in Colorado next weekend . . . but DH (Doodie Head) hasn't made an itinerary yet. Was trying to show up for your teaching gig, but can't commit yet! Argh!!!

[Deanna Shain]

I would love to help you in the booth at the Seattle (Bellevue) show. I am available the entire show so let me know what you need.
-Deanna

[cathyb]

Hey Karen I lost your email about the dates and times for the set up for the St Charles booth. I am available on Thursday and would like to work the whole day.

Can you please resend me an email with the information I need?

Thanks
CathyB

[Bernadette]

Just tried to email you but I live in Seattle and go to the convention every year. I can help with set up (done that a few times), days of and break down. Let me know!

[Ramya Nagaraj]

The art work is beautiful & well cordinated with a professional finish. It's beautiful!