CMA's....Yes, I got to go!

Yes, I went to the CMA's with my new bff, Lisa. And, yes, I went to the Sony after-party. But, sadly, no, I did not get to meet Kenny. Kenny Chesney, that is...if you haven't had to suffer thru my story of my plans to stalk, I mean meet, him. (for those few who haven't heard my story...Lisa, a volunteer in one of my classes at CKC Nashville, invited me to the night's events thru her day job...after she learned of what huge Kenny fans Keller and I are) So, first, publicly...THANK YOU, LISA! I had a blast!!

Next, let me say, even though I did not get to meet Kenny in person, I did get to see him perform live with Dave Matthews ...wowza...loved it...as well as the the entire CMA show. It's so incredibly cool to see how they make all that happen...so many sets...so many bands...so many stars. Unbelievably cool. Then, when Dale JR came out to present an award...well, that was just icing on the cake for me. Or to quote my brother, "It's the red-neck trifecta...country music, sparkly panties (on Carrie Underwood), and a nascar star...what more could you ask for?" D, I couldn't agree more...nothing left for me to ask for in a night's entertainment.

But, it DID get better from there. We we off to the private Sony party. Even walked in on a red carpet! Was proud to be Lisa's 'plus 1' but thrilled to see my name, Kimberly Mock, actually on the list!!

Then, within minutes of arriving, there he was. Not Kenny. Danny Gokey. OMG! Any American Idol fans out there?? He's been my favorite from the first I saw him on the auditions last year. My fave of all Idol years. And, there he was. Right beside us. He said hello, then politely kept walking. Did I say, OMG? Before I could breathe, I turned around and there I saw Barbara Mandrell! And, the rest of the night was like that...turn & look & scream inside...Brooks & Dunn, Miranda Lambert, the Lost Trailers, Martina McBride, Craig Morgan, Brad Paisley, Jason Michael Carroll, Rodney Atkins, Coach Phil Fulmer (from UT)...just to name a few. And, Sony big wigs...and music producers...and fancy food & drinks...oh, so much fun!

Oh, did I say Danny Gokey?? I actually had a picture made with him, but by a professional photographer (as our cameras were not allowed...but see below)...and I hold out hope to one day see the photo...but until then, I am happy having met him, talked to him, and hugged him in a photo. And, I did make him a promise...that I would tell everyone I know to buy his new single when it debuts online on 12/14...it's called "It's only" and is amazing. So, buy it...because I told Danny we would. And, yes, just so you know, he IS as nice as he seems. The real deal.

Ok, so cameras we NOT allowed...but I did have mine hidden away...and late, late, late snapped these couple pix to prove I was there...

Nicole, Lisa, and me...late night, right before leaving....

And, see, told you there was a red carpet!

And, my only proof of Sony!

So, then I downloaded these pix online...a great one of Danny....before the show...

and a group shot from the Sony party...

I saw all of these amazing people at the party, except Carrie Underwood....she must have had a special tunnel underground or something.

Anyway, amazing. So blessed to have gone. Thanks, Lisa. I owe ya one. (but tell Kenny he's not off the hook yet!)

We'd love your input again...

(read this...and see how to save 40% off everything)


I can't believe that 2009 is coming to an end. I know, I know...there are 2 whole months in front of us. But, in our world, we only have 2 conventions left for this year...then just 5 weeks to get ready for the '10 season.

In 2008, we did 36 conventions. In '09, we will be completing 27. And, for 2010, we are scaling back even more...with plans for just 18 shows. It's all a part of my attempt to gain some balance in both my life and my business.

As many of you know, Keller is 14 now. That means he'll be gone in just a couple more years. I need to be with him more AND watch over him more...teenage years seem way worse now than when we were his age!

On the business side, I have made great efforts to balance out all aspects of our company, too. I don't want to just do conventions, although being in the classroom is my favorite place to be! I miss teaching in local scrapbook stores. I miss planning more weekend events. I want to do more cruises and make them even better.

And, I want to improve our customer service -- which I feel we've made great strides in the last few months -- and update our website. We have great changes in the works for our website, with the finishing touches being done within a couple weeks. We are so excited to show it to you soon!

I also am making more time for product development. I have so many ideas of new things to make & share...and have had no luck in adding hours to any given day, so BALANCE is my goal.

I've implemented lots of changes for us already, but have come to a point (as I always do) where I need your input. Also, as always, I will reward you for your time & feedback.

Just copy & paste these questions into an email to me: kim@acidfree.com and put "FIND BALANCE" in the subject line of your email. Then, I will email you a coupon valid thru Sunday for 40% off your entire purchase!

(Oh, and if you're the wonderful customer in PA who sent Keller a Philly's hat, please email me again...thanks!)

One last thing, if you want to order t-shirts, now is the time. I have until Monday to add to our t-shirt order...so feel free to use your 40% off coupon for those. And, if you have one on backorder, I will be emailing you personally today.

Now, to my questions...
Keep in mind, these questions cover a variety of themes...and we want your ideas & input, even if you feel like the question doesn't apply to you at all.

Here goes:

MONTHLY CLUBS:
1. Is price the most important thing in a monthly membership to you?

2. If you were in a monthly club, would you like the option to "upgrade" your monthly kit to include more embellishments?

3. Do you like FLAT RATE billing that includes shipping, or prefer price of kit plus actual shipping?

4. Do you like payment options? Monthly? Quarterly?

5. Are their any holidays you do NOT celebrate or prefer not to scrap?

6. Do you like gender-neutral or more girl-only and boy-only kits?

7. Would you like VIDEO instruction to go with your kits?

8. Any other ideas?


Product-related...

INKS:
1. What are your 3 favorite 'go-to' ink colors?

2. What are your next 5 favorites?

3. Any ink color you've bought & wished you hadn't?

4. Do you prefer small ink pads (under 2") or larger ones (3" - 4")

5. Would you like one ink that works for paper, acrylic, glass, & everything?


PAPERS:
1. What are your favorite types of prints? flowers? stripes? plaids? distressed or clean & crisp?

2. Do you prefer all cardstock-weight papers?

3. Do you buy 8.5x11 anymore or just 12x12 and cut it down when necessary?


Website related....we are going to have a new section to our site called "TIDBITS", where I will cover lots of the '10 minute tricks' that I share in my classes. What questions or ideas do you have for this section? Make a list...Keller's products & any other scrappin' related questions are appreciated. (just please don't get highly technical in all the gadgets & machines out there...save those for the specific companies who make them)

Of all the ideas I receive for TIDBITS, I will choose 3 lucky winners to win a stamp set of their choice!!

Thank you for the time you took to read this...and the time I hope you will take to answer this. I can't wait to see everyone's answers & ideas!

Kim

"Give Thanks" Accordion Tag

Don't you just love this time of year? I love fall! It's my favorite season...not that it's gotten below 90 degrees much here in south GA yet, but we are ever hopeful of cool & crisp fall air. But, I love the colors of fall...the holidays to come...friends...family...oh, and some football thrown in.

This accordion tag makes the perfect gift to give this time of year...a gift someone would love to display in their home...which makes me think that I might need to make another, as this one will probably stay put in my house!

And, it's so easy to make.

First, take 2 accordion tags (yukon gold is the color I used here) and adhere the last panel of the first tag ON TOP OF the first panel of the 2nd tag. Then, fold them accordion style, so it will stand as shown.

Then, cut mats for each panel. I used 2.5"x3" mats on this one....and they are Buttercream yellow cardstock.

After corner-rounding each mat, I distressed the edges with a rust color ink pad. I then stamped GIVE on the first mat, again using the rust ink. Curle Uppercase is our alphabet set used here, but any letters will work.

Then, I stamped 1 letter on the center of each mat... T H A N K S.

Next, I took 6 of our large circle white slide mounts and distressed them almost completely with the rust ink. Then, with a burgundy ink, I used our XL background Swirls stamp on each. I just love how these slides turned out! I added ribbon snips to a couple, then adhered them all to mats, showing off the stamped letters.

I adhered all the mats in place on the tag, then reached for the burgundy ink again & one of our Scroll stamps from the Whimsical set. I stamped that above & below the first mat, then abstractly across the rest of the tag.

Then, I reached for several of our Word stamps. I put one on each panel, so the tag now says "Celebrate...honor...enjoy...adore...and cherish family." Perfect this time of year & always, don't you think?

Lastly, I added some buttons with glue dots....and reached for our tan Raffia (one of my absolute favorite items to use on our accordion tags) to add to the top of each tag...just unravel raffia to flatten it out, then tie a loose knot in it...take the 2 ends & smoosh them thru the tag hole, leaving the knot on the front....the stand up tag ends as shown & trim edges if necessary. Not only does this look great on tags like this, it's the best way to put a knot on a tag for a layout or card...looks great like a bow, but always stays in place AND lays flat when tag is glued down!

Ok, that's it. EASY. DECORATIVE. FUN TO MAKE. THE PERFECT GIFT.

Want more ideas & project recipes like this? Let us hear from you. What do you want to learn to use of our product line? Post here thru the blog, or email us at kellerscreations@acidfree.com.

Thanks for being our customer!

Kim

Sketch 91

Layer Stackers to highlight special photos. Cut stamped title into pieces before adding to page.

Sketch 90

This page looks like it's for Halloween...switch up the colors, though, and it would be great for Christmas (white background, red & green Stackers) or any other holiday.

Sketch 89

This page has room for 6 photos and tuck your journaling into a pocket.

Sketch 88

Cut one of our 11-in circles in half and stamp Word Stamps along the edges.

Sketch 87

Square scalloped Stackers look great "hanging" from the top of the page.

Sketch 86

This color combination could be used for so many different pages...Disney, farm, favorite school or team (Go UGA!).

Sketch 85

Our Stackers look so great layered together! Choose your favorite color combinations to make this layout.

Sketch 84

You could get up to 6 photos on this one page-depending on where you add your journaling and title! The fold-out frame is great for a peek-a-boo photo.

Sketch 83

This sketch could be used in so many different ways...just flip the sketch in different directions. Our XL tags are great for photos or journaling!

Sketch 82

Simple print papers as "photo corners", 4 x 5 1/2 in mats, andXL slide mounts make a pretty page with "framed" photos.

Sketch 81

Print Rings and a single strip of paper make a quick layout! Add another strip of paper and continue the Rings on for a simple second page!

Our Newest Arrival...

How cute are our Mini Connectors??


You can use them for smaller wall hangings....

Or add them to 12x12 layouts...

I'm loving this new smaller size! I can't wait to use them to make cards...and to tie them together accordion style...oh, so many ideas & so little time!!

We'd love to see what you come up with...email us your creations at kellerscreations@acidfree.com.

Until next time,

Kim

Happy Birthday, Keller!

Can you believe Keller is 14?? Where does time go?!

Happy Birthday, Keller! We love you & hope you have the best year ever!!

Tracy & the Kellers gang

More of our Favorite Connector Ideas...

The Connector Craze

Just a few ideas pulled from our site, for easier viewing. Enjoy!

Stay tuned for more to come!

Don't forget...

If you post the answers to the cruise questions here on the blog, don't forget to email us for your coupon code!

Cruise ???'s

We want your feedback! Even if you would never in a million years go on a scrapbook cruise, answer these questions by posting a comment here or emailing us and you'll receive a special coupon just for your time. And, we hope you would consider cruising with us...it's so relaxing, so much fun, and the most value for your money in the travel world, I believe. Like our last cruise, for example, we had 7 days and nights accomodations, travel to & from 4 separate countries, all our food & non-alcoholic beverages, and tons of entertainment on board....all for $789! That's under $113 a day. I can't go from here (south GA) to Atlanta for that per day.

Ok, back to what we want to know...please copy & paste these into an email or post a comment here.....

1 - Have you ever been on a cruise?

2 - Would you consider going on a scrapbook cruise?

3 - Is yes, would you prefer to go with or without non-cropping family members?

4 - What length of cruise is your first choice? 4 day, 5 day, 7 day

5 - Where would you like to cruise from? FLA, ALA, TX, CA, other?

6 - Where is somewhere you've never been & would like to cruise to?

7 - Any additional comments??


Ok, easy enough, right?? Answer these questions & post your answers here & then email us...or just email us the answers. By posting here first, though, everyone can read each other's ideas...an extra step, but easy. Then, we will email you an amazing coupon just for your time. How about that?!?!? Everyone wins this time...no drawing names!


And, last night, I posted a video on YouTube with one of the entertainers we had on our last cruise...check it out here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u76tfZSroLA

Also, we posted pix from our last one on the blog a few posts back...be sure to check those out, too.

We really hope you'll consider cruising with us next year.

Kim