Christmas in July at The Pink House!

We are excited to introduce our newest instructor. Tina is a talented and fun crafter. You will enjoy learning techniques and tips from one of the best. Come see Tina during our Christmas in July celebration on Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th. Check out the Calendar for schedule and class fees and be sure to call ahead and reserve your spot and kit. And don't forget to sign up for the all night pajama crop on Friday. Call us for all the fun details.

This is a really adorable make-n-take that Tina has prepared for you. These mini ornaments are fun to create. You will be using our newly arrived Christmas paper (different than shown) to make your very own.

You must see this card box, cards and envelopes to appreciate how cute this is! You will not only make the box and 2 cards, but Tina has a special surprise for you in this class. (Not to give it away or anything, but it involves multiple layers and a moving element.)

How sweet it is!!! This cute little candy holder is one of 3 gift ideas that you will make in this class. Who doesn't like candy presents? It takes all the guilt out of eating chocolate when it's a present, right? You'll have to come in and take a look at this trio. You have to come see me anyway to check out the new product we are receiving all week. The Mom says!

Speaking of gifts...Tina has outdone herself with this desk set. She'll show you how to make a presto-chango desk stand that can be enjoyed all year. There is a third piece take-a-long to complete the set that I'll have to show you when you come in to see me.

I'll be teaching a Cricut Design Studio class tomorrow morning, so Michelle and/or Shere will be here, too. It would be a great time to catch up on the Pink House goings on and get in on the CHA insider news! See you soon. The Mom

She's back.....

The trip around the Country was awesome and we are still vacationing. We only have today and tomorrow, then it's back to work for both of us. The kids (that would be Michelle and her built in baseball team) are going to Riverfront Park this afternoon. If you are looking for something to do, there will be free concerts and fireworks. We have been before and had great fun. Not sure if Romeo and I are going to make it, though. We put the boat in the water and watched fireworks at Short Stay yesterday. I am sun tired today and he is installing his Father's Day present. Yes, folks, it is a large mouth bass mail box. Wow! It can't compare to the jewelry I got on Mother's Day, but it's all about what makes us happy.

More trip news...We got back really late Saturday night and I have been in and out of the store and talked to some of you. The last post left off the night before our visit to the inside of the new Cowboys Stadium. What a rush that was! Not only did I get to be part of the inaugural tour day, but American Idol was holding auditions there. They told us we couldn't take pictures, but as you know I am not great at doing what I'm told. And if you ever want me to do something, just tell me I can't. So, I'll post the pics soon.

After Dallas, we went to Tennessee. We made the obligatory trip to Graceland and headed straight home after that. As wonderful as the trip was, it was good to see the "Welcome to South Carolina" sign. I spent time while we were gone really thinking about what it is that I want in life and how the store fits into the picture. I have come to the conclusion that The Pink House is a big part of the life plan. I am excited and anxious about the future and am very grateful for your support. I took steps this week to get new product and keep in touch with the new landlord across the street. I have other opportunities for location and am keeping those options open, but I feel like this is the way to go. We are firm believers in things happening for a reason, so whichever site we are supposed to be in will be. But, know that we will remain open in our current location -- 136A Red Bank Road in Goose Creek -- until the new place is up and running. Stay tuned for details.

I know this is a long post, but I have to tell you the really BIG news. We are going to CHA!!! Since it's in Orlando, I'll have my ears on the whole time. I have Mickey, Minnie, and even Fiona ears. The trip will be for business purposes, of course. (Yeah, right!) I'll tell you all about it during our Christmas in July celebration. Don't forget to sign up for the classes and the all night crop, July 24th and 25th.

Thanks to you all for your kind words of encouragement and your friendship. We will have great fun and adventure during July and in the years to come. Come see me and we'll chat.

The Mom

Trip Tick Tock...

OK, so Saturday was Travel Day One and I loved the time with my Sweetie. Then, we got to the hotel, and you know how that went. Sunday travel day was not so great, but Sunday night was great 'cause I saw my grandkids and my daughter. We took lots of pics and I'll be working on those pages soon. Romeo and I stayed in Houston for 2 nights, then Headed to Dallas. He is awesome! We are staying another night here so I can go on the inaugural Cowboys Stadium tour. And since we have to be here anyway...that's right...we went to the Dallas Galleria Mall!!! You aren't going to believe this one, but I went to a 4 floor mall and didn't buy one pair of shoes. That's because I am saving my money to buy you new toys and paper and embellishments -- oh, my!

I talked to Michelle yesterday and gave her the wish list. She has some great things on the way and now it is she who will be getting in trouble when I get back. Funny how life changes, huh? Give her a call and ask her what she bought, because I don't know yet! The closer we get to Christmas in July, the more excited I get. She has such a fun time planned. I like the way this is working out, with Michelle not working in the store, I mean. She would beg to differ with that right now. And, all kidding aside, she has my love and my gratitude for the person she is and the sacrifices she makes.

Have you reserved your crop spot yet for Friday July 24th? If not, don't let the chance get by you. It is $15 for an all night crop, with lots of surprises.

See you soon...The Mom

The trip so far has been filled with mixed blessings.

The BEST news is time well spent with my sweetie and GREAT grandbaby hugs! The less than great news was the worst hotel room ever and the beach was ridden with algae. It was heartbreaking. The gulf coast is beautiful and the sand is like baby powder. The water is so clear you can see your feet, even walking hundreds of yards out. I'll post pictures later. I drowned my sorrows in chocolate and fell asleep watching a movie. Romeo (yes, that's what I call him) was tolerant of my complaining and supportive.

Then, we got stuck in Louisiana on a bridge with no exits for over an hour. We took a detour as soon as we could and got back on I-10 again. Needless to say, my grandson was less than happy, but he was SOOOO good. I was very proud of him. I have to go now because they are on their way and we're going to breakfast. More later on the woes and beauties of Houston TX...

So, have you heard the one about the cable guy?...

If you have been trying to reach us by phone and thought we were just ignoring you, NOT SO! If you want to hear the story here goes. I'll try to do the Reader's Digest thing, but good luck with that. Last week, Michelle and I spent 2 and 1/2 days fighting with our phone service provider (no disparaging remarks from me) and finally got the phone working. I checked before the guy got off the phone to make sure. Soon after I hung up, come to find out we still couldn't make outgoing calls, which took another day. Then, Michelle came in on Thursday and called again because we had no dial tone at all. She got a message there was an outage in the area. So, okay fine, we waited. Next day, still no dial tone. Which is why you were getting the voicemail that whole time! We called again and were told that the phone modem had been unplugged. Well, we tried and tried to tell them we had no phone modem in our store. Of course, they thought we were just a couple of dingy girls with no sense. The last time I called, I was determined to get them to come fix the problem. The landlord came to help us and was very much on our side, confirming there was no equipment in the store we just couldn't find. Michelle was insistent that it was in the other business in our building. Those of you who know the background are jumping ahead of me now. The landlord went next door and of course the business owner there knew of no phone modem for our store that could have gotten unplugged. Really?!... Long story short (believe it or not, this IS the condensed version) a tech came out on Saturday, and sure enough, there was a phone modem next door connected to our side that had been unplugged. How could that be? I guess accidents happen, giving everyone the benefit of the doubt. Anyway, the phone does work for now and you can call Michelle tomorrow. If you haven't already done it, be sure to reserve your seat for the Christmas Eve crop. And don't miss out on the new i-top Tool!

Blogger followers anonymous no more

Okay, you Cricuteers -- I have a proposition for you. Sign up as a follower on the blog and get $5 off your next purchase of $10 or more. It's that easy. And, as a bonus, submit a comment for an additional surprise next time you come into the store. The Mom

Store vision changing

As you have probably heard, Michelle is going back to school and I have retired from 23 years with Prudential Financial. That is good news, not sad news. The big change in the store will be Michelle helping me instead of me helping her. She will still be contributing her talent in the art and input for product selection, but the running of the business side is now on me. I will continue my Cricut obsession and have begun setting up some classes taught by amazing instructors. Shere may be here awhile after all, Becky's Bears are oh too cute, and Michelle's creations will wow you, and that's just a teaser for now. Never fear, The Mom still rocks on...As Scottie said yesterday, we have to continue our Scrapbookers' Anonymous meetings, after all, right?

I thank you all for your ideas that really have me thinking and I get more excited every day! Be watching for schedule updates and some surprises through July. Michelle, Shere and I are cooking up something special for you, but for now, it's a secret. You can't make me talk, so don't even try it. Okay, maybe just a few hints...We have some hot new products on the way and will be doing the demos very soon. But, remember, it will all be in the planning stage until I get back in July. Keep an eye on the emails and blog updates to get in on the news, just between us girls.

I am looking for weekend support in the store so I can keep the Pink House and still get to spend time with my Sweetie. He is the epitome of the good man, something I thought to be a contradiction in terms before I came to know him. We are going on an 18 day road trip starting this weekend and I will be sending out the details of the new business structure then. In the meantime, please call ahead if you plan to visit the store, as Michelle will be balancing The Pink House and 6 kids out of school for the summer. The girls are all in Cheer Camp and Zane will soon start football again. You have to experience the family dynamic during football season to understand what that means. He is sure to be a Pro after college. (We have really emphasized the 'after college' part of that with him and believe he understands the back-up plan concept.)

I have already added two new artists to the Consignment Corner and spent quite a while with Jessica yesterday. Her husband is very supportive and involved in her projects. Be sure to visit the store to check out her framed albums. Angela has done some wonderful work with Crayons and key fobs that you have to touch to appreciate, and which you moms and altered art fans will love. Kim's Scrap-Ma-Bob bags are a hit and we will continue to carry those for you. Heidi will be leaving us soon. Her husband is being shipped out. She only has 2 of the fabulous painted pre-made pages left and may not have time to bring in more, so come on in and check out her beautiful 3-D paint cards and watercolor pages.

I sent an email out on Thursday about the 60% off craziness and the fixtures we have for you. Let me know if you didn't get it and I'll correct your email address in Michelle's distribution list. I am email stupid, so I have to send the newsletters out from hers.

Sorry about the long post, my friends. That's what happens when you occupy yourself on a sleepless night. So much spinning in my head right now that I am dizzy! (I heard that, Becky.)