Wednesday, March 05, 2014

My Weekend of Teaching and Traveling

Hello crafters! I just wanted to do a quick recap of last weekend's events, and show you around Scrapbook N' More where I taught.  It's a fabulous store in New Braunfels, Texas, and sadly the only scrapbook and crafty store left in the San Antonio and Austin area. I cannot stress enough the importance of supporting our brick and mortar stores. There are so few left and this industry we love is changing somewhat with the internet, but you cannot beat the personal service and knowledge of local stores, as well as the teachers they bring in. I'm sorry if I am jumping on my soap box, but I don't want to see any more stores closing. 
I made the five hour drive to the gorgeous hill country area of Texas, and arrived to this charming, organized, and well stocked store. Susan Brown is the owner, and she is an absolute delight!
Susan carries a large supply of stamps, ribbon, tools, and the latest and greatest lines. It was impressive!
The die cutting area was filled with so many dies!
There was even an area for the kiddos!
The classroom was huge, and each lady had there own table to really spread out.
Despite a little mishap with the tools, these nine ladies made gorgeous tags Friday night. They were such a great group! I always love meeting new people and seeing their creations!
Saturday's class was a hit! Everyone made the most gorgeous wood panels in Texas style! We had a great time! I made some new wonderful friends!
This is Pat who took both classes from me!
This smiling lady is Jimmye Sue! She is the owner of the stamp company Texana Designs, which happened to be the exact stamps we were using! When she emailed to tell me she was taking the class, I was deeply honored! The lady next to her is Jildon, and she is on her design team! They were an absolute joy! Thank you Susan for being so hospitable and fun, and thank you ladies for coming to class! All of you where so enjoyable!!!
I left New Braunfels on Saturday and headed north to Waxahachie to my other home at Carolyn's house!
Carolyn had my good friend Debby Schuh teaching over the weekend, so I naturally wanted to take her classes too! We made the cutest book at The Crafty Scrapper!
During class, the crazy Texas weather took a turn for the worse. The day before it was nearly 80 degrees, and then came temperatures in the low 20's along with ice and snow. In an hours time the roads were covered in ice!

It was a whirlwind weekend, but oh so FUN!!! I truly enjoy teaching and demoing, and although it's a lot of hard work, I wouldn't have it any other way! Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all the students who come from near and far to take my classes, the store owners who keep me coming back, and all of you who support me with your wonderful comments and inspiration! MWAH everyone!!!
I hope your hands get creatively dirty soon! 


33 comments:

  1. Well it looks like a wonderful, worthwhile trip!! Great photos and I couldn't agree more re brick and mortar stores!!!

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  2. What fun you have had Anita. Fantastic shop all stocked out so well and the classroom area looks superb with lots of room to spread out. Love all the pictures. TFS. Hugs from Scotland. Rita xxxx

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  3. Love your fabulous photos Anita. I totally agree about bricks and mortar stores, they are disappearing here in England at a rate of knots too, such a shame. I wish I could visit the Scrapbook N More store, it looks amazing! I think we are all suffering crazy weather!! Anne xx

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  4. Looks like such a great store! We have one great one in Manhattan (2 hrs plus away) and one nearby that I can get to easier. Nothing like going into these stores and being greeted by name and the service you get and the sharing that goes on! We do have box stores, but they are not the same. I had one kid tell me he "didn't know" where the glue was and walked away for me to find it myself. UGH. Never went back there. Your weather seems extreme this year too! Ours in NYC has been sooooo cold, I don't remember it this bad in my entire life. Spring has to be here soon!

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  5. Looks like a great time! Well, except for the ice on the roads part!

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  6. It was great to see you and to get to spend a little time together! Glad you got to play!! :)

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  7. Gosh I would love a shop close to me like that! It all looked wonderful Anita. Nicola x

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  8. Anita ... It looks like you had a great weekend I would love to take one of your classes. Sadly, Texas is a bit of a commute from North Carolina :) However, that store looks phenomenal! I agree ... there is nothing like the brick and mortar stores for service. Glad to hear you made it back safely. What a bizarre weather situation :) -- Mary Elizabeth

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  9. What a fun weekend! Wow, that is some store! Great pic of you and Carolyn.

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  10. Your page is playing peek a boo with me. I was just here typing and then..."Marco???" ANYWAY... I was so happy to see all those smiling faces in happy places! Despite the freaky weather, it looks like a perfect weekend was had by all!
    I'm over here trying to steal peeks at the finished projects, but I'm not seeing any yet....hopefully you'll divulge that sometime?
    HUGS!!!

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  11. Looks like much fun Anita. I agree with you about supporting those brick and mortar stores. We only have one left here in Colorado Springs and I'd hate to see it go out of business.

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  12. That store looks amazing! I'm glad you & your students had such a great time.

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  13. Glad you got home safe after that ice hit town! Never been in a situation like that. Think I would just stay put! SCARY stuff. Your classroom looks fab and glad you had a good time.

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  14. This looks like a great craft store Anita, no wonder everyone is smiling!
    Alison xx

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  15. You certainly had some fun and lots of driving! I just want to thank you for continuing to support my work. It means a lot that you take such an interest. I'm trying to be a better blogger and visit more often!
    Julia xx

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  16. Looks like a great store, and a fabulous classroom space too. And everyone's deeply engrossed in creating - sign of a great class too! Glad you had a fab trip.
    Alison xx

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  17. Looks like a lot of fun and creativity. Thanks for sharing.

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  18. Anita, if I lived there, I would support the store! We do not have very many near and the one within an hour of me, just does not carry what I must have! It looks like such a great store and it must be so nice to have a great place to teach! Enjoy!

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  19. Wow What a store! That die cutting area and classroom space is an absolute dream! What a fun place to teach...you go girl!

    Amy*

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  20. Wonderful experience Anita!!!!! I'm happy for you! Barbarayaya

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  21. Great photos Anita. It looks like a gorgeous store. If I didn't live so far away, I'd hop right over.

    Gaby xo

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  22. Great looking store! I'm sure the classes were fabulous, lucky students.

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  23. You do look like you were having so much fun here Anita. I bet those who joined you had a blast. Jenny x

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  24. Wow beautiful store! And what a great area for the workshops! Love that they have a whole table for themselves. Can see that you had a wonderful time! Hugs, Sandra

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  25. Love it you taking a class while there to teach your own. We never stop learning do we? Looks like you had a good group and onward and upward Anita. xoxoxo

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  26. Wow! What gorgeous and huge shop. I've never seen that store is so great. This is dream of every scrapgirl. And the brilliant and wonderful room with dies and a place on the course is also wonderful. Your classroom looks fab and I am glad you had a good time. You looks fabulous:)
    Greetings Asia:)

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  27. It’s great to hear you had awesome time Anita!
    BTW I can’t understand why people rather buy stuff on internet than in real shops…I hate internet shopping (but here in Slovenia I don’t have other options), so I know how you are felling about stores closing!

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  28. Congrats on what sounds like some fabulous classes. Way to go!!! I also wanted to thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving such a nice comment.

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  29. It looks like you had a ball. Any chance you may make it to Australia.? Tim Holtz made the trek, & Heidi Swapp is here now. As much as I hate to admit it I do buy online. We do not have the range of goods you have in the States. And only a handful of stores who unfortunately charge sometimes double your prices. It would be awesome to meet you

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  30. Looks like you had a fab time Anita......so great to teach workshops and meet such great people. Wish we lived closer and I could take a class......we would be a great double act !!

    Have a great weekend

    Annie xx

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  31. Sounds a fantastic time was had by all Anita...I would love to attend your classes but the UK is just a little too far...that store looked amazing full of goodies... I try at all times to support the craft stores in my area...Hugs May x x

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  32. Hello Miss Anita, that workshop looks fantastic, going to one is on my bucket list, thanks for sharing...

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  33. Oh man, that store looks amazing! So much space for products AND a big classroom, too?!?!? Heaven! Sounds like everyone was thrilled.

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