PRICES ARE INCREASING!!!

Last week, our printer told us that they are going to GREATLY increase prices on April 1st <-- no joke!

And then they are going to increase them again July 1 and again on October 1st. 

If we cannot find a new printer, we will eventually close this business.

So, shop today!

www.customscrapbookstuff.com

50th Anniversary and more! -- #922 again because we love it!!

Have you seen the changes to to #922??? 

These changes have allowed for some AMAZING papers!!!

#922 has turned into one of our favorites!
Have you seen what we've done???

50th Anniversary is SO hard to find!!!

Now you can make your own!

We have lots of golds/crafts/yellows to choose from...

And, what if you did it for a specific year?? 

You only need to make 12, so do you think you will have enough customers to buy 12 sheets of that year?

It's doable!!

Or, take a preorder for ones with specific names and/or dates!

Another idea...

royal blue

Doesn't it SCREAM 'water'???

Sunny Southern California doesn't get a lot of publicity in the scrapbooking world... so make your own!

We'll be focusing on this paper again soon, so stay tuned!

Template #922 Has Had a MAJOR Facelift!

Joe, our hero at our printing company, 

has updated 922 and has renamed it to be 922.1.

We're still going to do a couple of different takes on it, 

but I'm so excited to show you what we have so far!!

Remember these beauties??

 

Well, we finally got around to editing this template to have more options for you to create wedding and party favors!

So, the original template, you could only do capitals...

But look!! Lower case now!! YAY!

Also, the new colors are added including this one: "Seafrost" 

which is coincidentally the same color as Tiffany Blue :)

But WAIT!! There's more!!

Cursive!!!

Yes, we added some font choices!!! There are 5 right now. I will be changing out some of the fonts as we play with the template and decide what works best with it.

But aren't these so wedding-y now?? 

Some tips and hints...

Want to make the bullet point in your paper?

• 

If you want to insert a bullet to divide your words, press and hold 'ALT' and type in 0149  (this is for PC only)

Note - it doesn't work in every font. Look at your preview to be sure.

ALSO, if you are reprinting an old version of this template, you will need to "Reversion" it.

WARNING!! The old font used to only be in upper case and now is in Upper AND Lower, so you'll want to double check that your characters are right!

We hope you like the changes!!

Wow! It's been a while, eh??

We've been very busy!! We've been updating templates a little and making a long list of future plans...

 

We also made some side trips to some stores in the Reno, NV area and in the Los Angeles area.  We don't have reps so it's just Tom and I so we are trying to visit stores when we have time and are in other areas. We were so excited to meet with store owners and we added some new customers!!! YAY!

 

 

Btw, I just happen to be writing this post on a very tragic day in Sparks, NV. Tom did visit some stores in Sparks and was staying in Washoe Valley so hearing about the school shooting there and the death of a beloved teacher and the events that unfolded 10/21/13 were even more touching to us. Our hearts go out to everyone involved.

 

 

Back to happier news... Hopefully we'll be heading to some stores in the northeast in November.... We'll be in NY and ME and states in between... Where is your store? Maybe we can come and visit!

 

 

So... some changes... how about #918 Custom Calligraphy...?? Man, I REALLY need to change the names of these templates!! And the thumbnails!! UGH!! This one is particularly bad!

 

Now you can change the font size!!

 

24 point

50 point

and 120 point

 

 

Plus there are font choices! We will be changing these font choices soon.

Right now, they are same 5 font choices on #1820. But we'll change them up a little.

 

I also want to make the top words and the bottom words independent from each other. Right now they have to say the same thing and be the same colors and fonts. I hope to change that soon.

 

More changes are on the horizon! :)

Stay tuned!

#1802 - Revisiting "Sports on Fire"

This template isn't ordered a lot... it's not in the bottom 10, but it's not in the top 10 either and I thought we should show some of it's versatility again to see if maybe you are missing out on a gem?

So, this is the current thumbnail suggesting that you use it for football:

But this paper has a lot of options! Here are the other sports available:

• Baseball

• Basketball

• Bowling

• 8-Ball

• Golf

• Hockey

• Soccer

• White Softball

• Yellow Softball

• Tennis

• Volleyball

• Rugby

• Cricket!

Yes! You read those options correctly!

White Softball *AND* Yellow Softball!

And Rugby and Cricket!

How many often can you find items for either of those sports?!!

But, another option that not a lot of you realize, you can SKIP the sport!!!

Just do flames!!

Is something really "hot"?

Or is the local Fire Department doing an event?

Or was there a big bon fire event?

Maybe camp fires are big for you?

Take special orders and choose "Flames" for the option on this template.

Btw, we will be adding font options to this paper.

And maybe another text location....

Not sure yet!

:)

#930 Has Made Some Changes!!

We are working on adding some options into our templates and #930 has a few changes that you might really like!

Well, we really HOPE you like them!!!

 

 

So, initially, you had this:

 

Large tiles. I don't know about you, but I wasn't really a fan...

 

You could choose "No color" for the background, you could get a white solid background,

but that was it:

 

 

Well, now you can choose your background!

 

You can make the tiles smaller:

(a little less intrusive, in my opinion)

 

Or, you can choose SOLID!!!

Yes! Any color can be made a solid background!

 

 

AND!!!! Since this template has been recently modified, it has the 4 new colors available to it!

• Light Sage

• Dark Sage

• Seafrost

• Off White

 

 

With every order, you will get our updated swatch card. Please discard your old one!

So, Yay for #930!!!

And, we aren't done!!!

Let us know what YOU want to see!!!

We *LOVE* your suggestions!

NEW COLOR SWATCH!!!

There is a new color swatch available which includes our four new colors:

• Off White
• Light Sage
• Dark Sage
• Seafrost (incredibly similar to Tiffany Blue)

We are working on adding the colors to each template (sorry, they need to be added to each template specifically and individually, so it will take a little while).

All orders placed for the next few months will automatically include a new color swatch whether you order one or not.


So far, the new colors are only in a few templates, but keep your eyes open for them!

Our Customer Service Number

If you need us, our number is (478) 227-7462 and we are ALWAYS here to help!!!

If you called us in within the first couple of months that took over, you probably got a recorded message and had to leave a voicemail and wait for a call back. Often that call back was pretty quick because I had the voicemail texted to my phone...

BUT! If you've called in lately, you were asked to announce your name and wait a moment while we are reached.

That is because we've upgraded our system so that our phone system will actually track us down!!! When you call, the system searches for us and tries to reach us wherever we may be so that we can answer your call right away!!!

If, for some reason, it can't reach us, then it will go to voicemail and still text me that you called so that we can get back to you ASAP!

We are committed to providing top notch customer service!! We hope we are exceeding your expectations!!

:)

~ Tom & Gena

Welcome to #1821 - Make Your Own Background!!!

Our first brand new template is up and running!!!

 

Welcome #1821:

 

You upload your own image!!!

 

You can upload it complete, or you can add words after. There are two word blocks: Top and Bottom. Both with separate font choices and separate color choices!!!

 

Upload a picture of that old covered bridge in your area and create something for tourists.

 

Or maybe a local church that everyone gets married in.

 

Or a picture of your store with your Shop Hop theme and year.

 

Or what about a customer's baseball team?

 

The options are literally endless!!!

 

Welcome Back #903!

I told you that we found a few old templates that had been discontinued and we are dusting them off and trying to add them back.

The first one is #903: Custom Fancy Solid (incidentally, would anyone mind if I renamed all of these templates at some point?)

This is the old thumbnail:

 

I tried playing with it and it's maybe a bit "Busy":

I'm going to fool around with it a bit more when I have a moment.

 

I seldom use a white background, but in this case, I really preferred it:

 

But, then, I also made ones with just the background words:

And then, just the foreground words:

 

The fonts are a little formal, but actually pretty cool. They are hard to see on these small images on the blog, so here are some close ups:

 

 

Not too shabby!!!

 

 

 

When you are previewing your pages online, if you want to see it closer, click on "Open PDF" at the top and a PDF file will open on your computer in a MUCH larger image, with the ability to shrink or enlarge and get a better idea of what you are ordering.

 

 

 

We wish you a wonderful and prosperous week!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

VACATION!!!

Tom & I took our first REAL vacation in 2½ years this last week!! Every time that we have gone somewhere, it has been a "Trip."

You know the difference:

• a trip is when you GO somewhere, but it's for something else like a  wedding, an anniversary, a reunion, etc. We've done a LOT of that!
• A vacation is when you go somewhere just to go there and see it! :)

Buuuut.... while gone, we were in constant contact with our printer/IT guys and working on updates to the website! We made some changes, discussed future changes, set up customers with log in info... We definitely tried to keep up the momentum even though we were on the road and seldom had wifi! (We literally chose our breakfast location TWICE because they had wifi!! lol!!)

Anyway, these are a few of the accomplishments (baby steps) we made while we were gone:

• Template #901 had a bug with the color yellow which has been fixed
• When you log out, you now will go to our Blog
• We have rearranged a few of the colors - this is in preparation for adding our 3 new colors (hopefully coming soon!)
• We are looking into reorganizing the tabs at the top - we're not sure that the program will do it, but if so, I think they will make more sense.
• We found a few old templates that SS&M had discontinued. Inevitably, they were discontinued because they didn't sell well. But we think that they have potential, so we are going to add them back and then change the fonts/sizes, etc and see if you like them! (This is easier for the printer to do than adding our brand new ones, so we decided to start with this).
• We have been getting together our list of fonts. Soon, several templates will have font options.

We are also preparing to go to CHA. Are you going? We won't have booth, but find us in the aisles walking around showing people how easy our system is to use! Look for us!!

Have a great day and more soon!

Referrals...

We get requests *ALL* of the time from consumers asking for a referral to a store who carries our custom paper....

It's kind of sad because they usually start by telling us that they used to get it from "such-n-such store" but they have now closed. :(

If you have ordered since Mid-January, when we became owners, of course we know who you are and are referring customers to you! Maybe you don't make the paper that they are looking for, but maybe you'd like to consider it?

We hope to add a store locator soon, but please know that if you order, we ARE telling consumers about you!!

Thank you to all of our wonderful stores!! We're so happy to be working with you all and we hope to continue to do so for a LONG time!!


~ Tom & Gena

And The Award Goes To...

I'm a "numbers gal" (along with being a crafter - YES! You can be both at the same time!!)

so I love looking at the numbers and analyzing things!!

So, in case you are as curious as I am, I thought I'd share our Top 5 most popular templates with you

(well, year-to-date anyway)...

 

In first place:

#908 - Custom Diagonal Spirit Names

This one is BY FAR your most favorite!!!

This template holds the top spot by nearly 2x the #2 position!

 

I love it too!! I like the diversity between the two fonts and font sizes.

Plus, I think that the fonts were really good choices!

And I like the ability to have two different lines of text.

 

If you could, is there anything you would change??

 

 

 

In second place is:

#906 - Custom Spirit Names

Also quite a leader ahead of our third place template, this template is extremely popular.

 

Probably because of the two different lines of text with the ability to customize each color.

Why do you like it?

 

 

 

Coming in at #3 is

#1820 - Make It Your Own

You guys LOVE to customize!!!

 

And, stay tuned because we are still fine tuning our full-page-image-upload template,

PLUS, I have some other fun ideas in store for this template that I hope to share with you soon!

 

 

 

Your #4 selection is

#901 - Custom Marbled

We like to do companion pages with this one leaving one of the sets of words as "No Color" so that you can make a set that go together, but are different. It encourages customers to buy two sheets instead of just one.

The "suggestive sell" helps both the customer and the store! The customer gets informed about how to use the product and the store gets a higher average ticket.

 

 

 

And still making a strong showing at #5 is:

#927 - Custom Varied Spirit Names

I *love* this template!! I will admit, however, that it can be frustrating with certain word combinations...

I have that on my UBER long list of "to do's": to see if there is something that can be done about it. Unfortunately, my gut feeling is "no".... we'll probably have to live with it like it is!

Our workaround is to switch around words or add words to make things work out a bit better.

I still love it, in spite of its periodic frustration!!!

 

And, in case you were curious... here are the rest of the top 10:

#6 - 922

#7 - 921

#8 -907

#9 - 904

#10 - 926

 

 

 

 

So... what do you think???

 

Do you agree?

Do you completely disagree??

Which is your favorite?

And, do I dare ask, which is your least favorite????

 

The disaster area that *IS* my desk!!!!

Oh my goodness! You cannot imagine the mess on my desk right now, but it's all for a REALLY good reason!!!

 

The new color swatches arrived!!! YAY!!!

 

.... and boo....

 

Eggshell was an epic failure. :( 

It is this weird, pink-ish, lavender-ish, grey-ish... blech!

 

To create a new one will add at least a week to this process and if you haven't been completely following along, we can't add new templates or make very many changes until we choose new colors....

 

So....... No Eggshell !!!! (for now, anyway)

 

 

Seafrost however is *BRILLIANT* if I do say so myself!! Does it look familiar at all??

 

It is "Tiffany" Blue!!! So, as we head towards more templates that will work for party favors (more specifically: Wedding Favors) this color will be KEY!! And the sages turned out ok. I love Light Sage. Dark Sage is more yellow than I wanted, but I'm going to stick with it.

 

 

The next step is a "pow-wow" with the web peeps and my "wish list".

 

 

I'm starting with a little more reorganization...

Does it bug anyone else that when you log in, you get the FAQ's instead of the catalog?

I'm asking to change that.

 

And, while we are on that topic, I'm asking that when you log out,

you get redirected HERE!! To our blog!!!

It's the best place for information about CSS and what we are doing and ideas and suggestions!

 

Also, I'm trying to take out some of the dead space in the FAQs... I just don't "get" all of the extra lines...

(I'm a little "OCD")

 

 

NEXT! Add the new colors, but also reorganize some of the old ones and make new swatch samples (and fix that annoying type-o in the color "Chacoal" on our swatch sample.... really?)

 

 

 

And then there were templates...

 

We can only change a few templates per month, per our agreement.

 

I'm starting with #922

because I *LOVE* it and think it is underutilized and maybe a little "misunderstood" (lol). Plus, it has 2 errors in it (we already fixed one mistake, but there are 2 more...)

So, we'll add the new colors, fix the mistakes, and ADD FONT OPTIONS!!!

 

YAY!

 

 

But next, I really need your feedback!!!

 

PLEASE???

 

What do you think should be next????????????

 

 

#913 Custom Flourish 2

it's in the running to be next.

I'd like to add font options AND text size (so it doesn't need to be so tiny).

I also would like the option to not have the flourishes (if possible)

And I would like to have the option to have a solid background

(right now, you can only get a white or black solid background)

Thoughts???

 

 

#1808 Corkboard

it is also in the running.

It actually has a LOT of flexibility (did you see our blog post about it?)

but the fonts could be improved.

I'm looking to add new font choices and sizes,

plus allow for left/right/center justification.

 

 

Or maybe #921 Custom Stripe 1?

It's pretty popular, but could we make it better?

Add font options?

Allow you to center justify the "Text A"?

 

 

Or #905 Custom Cotton?

It's a good, solid paper, but I'd like to see:

• font options

• left/right/center justification

• font size options

Anything else on YOUR wishlist?

 

 

And #999/#904 Custom Leather Grains

I love them both (with "no color" for the bar color)

We order them a lot for our store...

They are both good, solid templates. Ordering is strong.

But if we added font options, would you like it better?

 

 

 

So, seriously, LET US KNOW!!!!

 

If you don't want to post on the blog, then email us!!

info@customscrapbookstuff.com

 

 

 

 

 

New colors!!!

We have just printed them and they are being reviewed, but we plan to add 4 colors this month:

 

Seafrost

(similar to Tiffany Blue)

 

Light Sage

 

Dark Sage

 

Eggshell

 

 

Once we review the colors, you can request a supplemental swatch. And then we will start re-doing all of the current templates to add the new colors, plus add some features (such as multiple font choices, and left/center/right justification, etc).

And, the next step is BRAND NEW TEMPLATES!!!

I know we've been saying it for a while, but it's FINALLY happening!!

YAY!!

New Template!!!

We have had the ability to print a custom page, but it wasn't as easy as I had thought it was....  There was this complicated upload process and it was incredibly manual and blah, blah, blah...

Well, we are working on a SUPER SIMPLE upload template!!!

YES!

A new template!!!

You would click on the template, upload the photo, and then even have the option to add words at the top and/or the bottom. You will have options as to which font, and which size you want that font!

Amazing!!

We are still finalizing and testing it, but it will be our first new template!

YAY! FINALLY! We've been waiting as long and as eagerly as you!!

We have a TONNNNN of other template ideas queued up too, so please stay tuned!!

Another Change....

So, we don't want you to have to be "clicking" all over the place to see our templates, so we didn't want to set up subcategories for the papers.... BUT, we did want to reorganize them...

So, we now have the "general" papers at the top - INCLUDING "Custom Leather Grain" Left just above "Custom Leather Grain" Right... (before they were probably 8 templates away from each other).

Next are all of the school papers.

Then sports, then beach, then formal, then Make-It-Your-Own, then the swatch.

We really hope you like the reorganization!!!



BTW, we *ARE* working on new templates, but there are other things that need to be done first to set us up to be able to design new templates....

First, is the reorganization, then we will add new colors (we are confirming pantone colors and getting sample print outs to be sure), then adding new fonts.... and THEN, we can get to adding new templates and modifying current ones. BUT BELIEVE ME!!! We are all working hard on getting things going! This month, we should see our first new template, and maybe 2!!! Fingers crossed!

Another "Small Step"....

Again, keeping in line with the idea of updating the website....

This one was pretty easy, but because the former owners of Scrappin' Sports had also "Stock" or "Warehouse" or "Catalog" items, when you entered to order you would go to a screen that showed the two options and you picked one: Catalog or Custom.

Well, without Catalog items, you were clicking into the website, just to click again to get to the custom paper templates.... We were able to eliminate that extra step.

So, again, not a HUGE deal, but I know it was bugging me when I would log in!!

Log in and check it out!

Baby Steps...

So, since Day 1 that we bought this business, we have wanted to make some changes and our first one happened!!

It's just something small and we will defnitely improve on it, but I know that for us, it will be VERY helpful, so we hope you agree!!


Anyway, here it is. This is in the shopping cart...

Before:

After:

Notice anything different? See anything you like????


THE TEXT!!!

The words in your text boxes from your paper that you just created will now show in your shopping cart and on your purchase order that is enclosed with your shipment!!

I know it was always so frustrating creating papers and then thinking: "Wait! Did I do that one already?" and having to keep notes as you went along and going back and opening up every image again to see if you missed one or made a duplicate.... Or getting the order and trying to reconcile it to a vague packing list.... WELL, NO MORE!!! :)

So, yes, it's a small change, but we really hope you like it!! I know that I'm excited!!

Let us know what other changes, improvements, or new styles you'd like to see! We have a long list already, but we'd love to hear your thoughts!

 

Conference Call

Friday, February 8th, we have our first conference call with the company who manages our website...

What does this mean for you?

Soon, you will see new changes on our website.

We have a lot of ideas about changes.... A few things that we are looking at:

• New colors
• New templates
• Reorganize templates to be in sections (Ie: School, Sports, General, etc)
• New thumbnails
• Possibly new paper sizes
• Etc

Do you have ideas for us? We'd LOVE to hear them!
info@customscrapbookstuff.com


STAY TUNED!