The Scrap Cabana's ChitChat Blog

The Scrap Cabana's January Weekend Scrapbook Retreat Kick Off Results

2011-03-01T22:26:00.001-06:00

Our January Weekend Scrapbook Retreat was a great success!

Until our next chit chat..... Michelle

Welcome to 2011!

2011-03-01T22:24:00.001-06:00

2011.....What a crazy start to the year 2011! As you can tell, I'm way behind on updating our ChitChat Blog....what have I missed? So much....we have had 3 very fun, successful retreats, holidays and lots of snow in the Midwest! Due to the economy, the scrapbook industry has been taking a hit as our customers have had to choose between Must Have's and Like to Haves. With that said, I have also experienced the side effects of the economy and I have had to return to the workforce Full time outside the Scrapbook Industry. I have returned to my long term love, the staffing industry. While I will still continue to focus on my love of scrappin and hosting our Weekend Scrapbook Retreats, I have had to learn to work two full-time careers to continue to support our family. I will promise to try my hardest to keep up our blog with exciting Scrappin news from our new product releases to our results of our Weekend Retreats!

Until our next chit chat..... Michelle

The Scrap Cabana's September 10, 11, 12, 2010, "SURVIVOR" Weekend Scrapbook Retreat. Castaway for a scrappin' weekend of FUN!

2010-08-07T00:43:00.003-05:00

Join The Scrap Cabana at “Hampton Island” for a Survivor Themed Weekend Scrapbook Retreat, September 10, 11, 12, 2010! In true Survivor Island theme you and your fellow scrappin castaways will be swept away for 55 hours of scrappin fun!

55 Hours of Scrappin Fun! FRIDAY 10:00 AM - SUNDAY 5:00 PM!

Participate in Scrapbook Challenges…locate the hidden Immunity Scrappin’ Idol for bonus raffle tickets, win and wear the Immunity Scrappin’ Necklace and form new scrappin alliances’! Wrap up your Cabana Crop Survivor Weekend by participating in our Tribal Council Raffle Drawing! Final Challenges and Rewards for the Sole Surviving Layout Castaway, the Sole Surviving Late Night Scrappin Castaway and the Sole Surviving Bingo Castaway! Participation in our challenges is not required so if you just want to be swept away for 55 hours of scrappin fun that’s ok too!

September 10, 11, 12, 2010 Your Escape for Scrapbooking! ONLY 28 SCRAPPIN SPOTS AVAILABLE!

If you are looking for a place to Scrapbook, meet new people and laugh then this is the event for you! Leave your career, kids, hubby, housework and worries at home and escape for a weekend of Scrapbooking! We will be hosting Weekend Scrapbook Retreats just for YOU! Join us for the entire event or if time is still limited, you may choose to come for the day!

Three Full Day of Scrapbooking! We have our own scrapbook conference room so once you unpack you do not need to repack until Sunday! Space is limited to 80 Scrappers so be sure to reserve your seat today! We fill up fast! We already have 52 Scrapper's registered as of AUGUST 2010!

Join us for a Cabana Crop Adventure with lot of scrappin’, fun, challenges, raffles and rewards! OUTSCRAP, OUTLAST & OUTCREATE your fellow scrappers!

You are free to crop all night long if you dare! Rooms are open 24 hrs for those die hard castaway scrappers!

Why not get a tribe of scrappin' friends together and escape for a weekend JUST FOR YOU! Join us for the entire event or just come for the day. You won't want to miss out on the fun!

Saturday Night Cookout Feast! (Weather Permitting, Otherwise Pizza Party!)
Unlimited Fountain Soda, Coffee & Tea
Lot's of Great Giveaways
Welcome Reward with Scrappin' Goodies!
FREE Cabana Crop T-Shirt!
FULL OR HALF Table Options (6x30 Tables)
Tribal Council Awards - Award and T-Shirts awarded for Late Nite Scrappin Sole Survivor, Layout Sole Survivor and BINGO Sole Survivor!

Excellent Raffle Prizes including our

GRAND PRIZE 12X12 CRICUT CUTTING MACHINE!

"Garage Sale Table" Earn Store Credit on Must Have's that have become Have Not's

Massage Therapist available to alleviate scrappin kinks!

Embosser on-site to create wonderful titles on your Scrappin' Albums!

Creative Memories Products, Albums, Pages and Protectors will also be available.

Our on-site store will also be open to the public so if you are unable to make it to scrap.....Be sure to stop by to browse our exciting Scrapbook Products!

Saturday 10am - 8pm / Sunday 10am - 4pm

SEPTEMBER RETREAT PRICING:

Early Bird Specials - Register by August 27, 2010

$65.00 FULL Table Option, Full Weekend Event
$50.00 HALF Table Option (Share 6x30 space, Above & Below Table)

After August 27, 2010

$75.00 FULL Table Option, Full Weekend Event
$60.00 HALF Table Option, Full Weekend Event
$55.00 Fri/Sat OR Sat/Sun FULL Table Event

HOW DO I REGISTER?

Click Here to download and print our flyer and registration form!

You may visit our website, The Scrap Cabana Weekend Scrabook Retreats to register on-line.

If you would like to mail payment, Click Here to download and print our flyer and registration form. Complete the registration form and mail with payment to secure your scrappin' spot!

We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, Pay Pal, Personal Checks, Cashiers Check or Money Orders.

If you want to scrap in a castaway tribe (group), please be sure to let me know! Invite your scrappin' friends to join in the fun! Earn $5.00 Store Credit to be used during the weekend for each NEW Scrapper you refer and attends the event. (1st time attendees only!)

Scrappin Tools that will be available for your use:

Cricut with several cartridges
Paper Trimmers
Sizzix Die Cutting Machine with tons of dies
Creative Memories oval, circle and shape cutting systems
Punches (Various sizes and shapes)

Location:
“Hampton Island”
Hampton Inn & Suites Aurora, IL
2423 Bushwood Drive, Aurora 60506
630-907-2600
(Conveniently located at I88 & Orchard Rd)
LATE CHECK-OUT 2:30 FOR ALL SCRAPPIN' HOTEL GUEST

Each Room includes Mini-Refrigerator, Microwave, and Coffeemaker
Complimentary "On the House" Hot Breakfast
Complimentary High Speed Internet Access
Coffee / Tea in Lobby 24 Hours a Day
Fitness Center
Pool / Whirlpool

We will not be handling hotel reservations. You will need to contact the hotel directly for room reservations. We have a room block under "The Scrap Cabana". You must request a room from this block to receive the discounted room rates. The room block usually ends 2-3 weeks prior to each event so book your room early!

Special Room Rates:
$86.00 King Size Sleeper (Fits 1-2)
$102.00 2 Queen Double Sleepers (Fits 1-4)

Lunch is on your own. Restaurants near by: Panera, Buffalo Wild Wings, Jimmy Johns, Starbucks, Chili’s plus many more!

Check out our pictures and comments about our Weekend Scrapbook Events on our previous Blogs or Facebook Fan Page.

We hope to see you at our Weekend Scrapbook Retreat!

Questions???
Please feel free to e-mail us at weekendretreats@thescrapcabana.com

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2010 - 2011 Future Weekend Scrapbook Retreats

2010 Retreats

Hampton Inn & Suites, Aurora, IL.

November 19, 20, 21, 2010

Timber Creek Inn & Suites, Sandwich, IL

October 15, 16, 17, 2010

2011 Retreats

Hampton Inn & Suites, Aurora, IL

January 7, 8, 9, 2011

March 10, 11, 12, 2011

May 20, 21, 22, 2011

September 9, 10, 11, 2011

November 11, 12, 13, 2011

Timber Creek Inn & Suites, Sandwich, IL

TBA

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COUPON OFFER CAN'T CROP, STOP BY TO SHOP!

Bring in this ad for 20% off your total order!*

Offer Valid September 10, 11, 12, 2010.

*Walk in's only!

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Hope to scrap with you soon!

Until our next ChitChat....Happy Scrappin!

Michelle

The Scrap Cabana

Scrappin' Highlights from our June 2010 Weekend Scrapbook Retreat!

2010-06-30T23:41:00.007-05:00

We had our first June Weekend Scrapbook Retreat and although I was worried that we moved our normal May Retreat to June and with Graduations and the summer quickly approaching, we still had a great turn out! A total of 42 scrappers! We had more new Scrappers that attended then loyal scrappers and I believe a good time was had by all!

My favorite part about our weekends is that I get to meet exciting new scrappers, visit and laugh with our loyal bunch and view all of the wonderful, creative scrapbook layouts and card creations. I’m always amazed at all the great talent we have each event! I was able to Scraplift many great ideas! I just can’t wait to use the ideas myself!

At each of our retreats we love to acknowledge our hard working scrappers! This retreat was no exception; we had rewards for our Late Night Scrappin Queen, our Layout Queen and our BINGO Scrappin Queen.

As always we award our Late Night Scrapping Queen Awards to our die hard scrappers. We had a true competition between the two rooms. Our new scappers Lori, Lisa and Stephanie were real contenders. Lisa arrived at our retreat at 4:00 on Friday and didn’t sleep until Sunday morning at 1:00am! That’s a total of 39 consecutive scrappin hours! Way to go….I would have been totally exhausted but she was a great sport and kept the coffee flowing! Our 2nd scrappin room was no exception; we had 4 late, late, late nighters. Rebecca, Dawn, Abby and Nikki, that took full advantage of their time away. Dawn logged at total of 32 scrappin hours while Rebecca, Abby and Nikki were close behind. You gals must have to have a day after the retreat to catch up on your sleep! Way to go die hards!

We had quite a few scrapper bees at this event and I’m still amazed at how many layouts they were able to complete. They must be very organized, having each page setup ready with pictures, paper and layouts already in mind! Geriann was once again our reining Layout Queen with a total of 81 completed pages! Judy was close behind with 69! One day, someone is going to give Geriann a run for her money, I mean, T-Shirt! ;) I’m so glad you were able to get so much accomplished.

Scrappin BINGO is always a hit! It’s getting harder and harder to come up with interesting squares! Our BINGO Scrappin Queen award goes to Glenda Potter! She was the first to complete her BINGO Card early on Saturday! I’m gonna have to come up with more challenging squares! Maybe I should up the Loyalty Square to 6 retreats! ;)

Although I would love to be able to sit with each scrappin group for hours, unfortunately the weekend’s fly by and I find that I don’t have enough time to speak with everyone long enough personally! I would like to mention a few scrappin moments that I found interesting….We had two Prego scrappers this event, and get this, they are both named Lori, spelled just that way, due both around the same time! We had to take advantage of this photo op by taking a photo of our two scrappin Prego’s! I wish them both the best of luck with their pregnancies’ and we look forward to seeing all the baby pictures soon! Lori D. is due in September and she is still scheduled to attend our September Retreat….I just hope baby D is willing to wait and let Mom have one final scrappin weekend before joining us…you never know….we may have our first Scrappin’ Baby!

It’s a small, small world….a new scrappin’ friend that was referred by one of our loyal scrappers was scrappin away at preserving her son’s 8th Grade trip to Washington D.C. at our retreat. As she was scrappin away, she noticed that one of the chaperones in the picture looked very similar to me! Low and behold, it was me! I was the chaperone on her son’s/my daughters 8th Grade trip to Washington D.C. and our children are mutual acquaintances! Even one better, our son’s are on the same baseball team THIS SEASON! How odd is that…it truly is a small, small world!

I wanted to create a new level of excitement by introducing a new scrapping game to our weekend retreats. While we understand that our scrappers join our retreats to focus on scrappin, we do try to provide some level of excitement! While we don’t dance on the tables, every once and a while we do engage in a fun activity. This retreat, once or twice a day we would play “Show me a picture”, a new Scrappin’ game I discovered on the internet. For each room, we would announce a scene in which the scrapper would have to produce a picture that represented that scene…i.e. A 1st Birthday Cake, A person in their graduation cap, a picture of someone on a boat…etc. While I was hoping that the scrappers would enjoy this new addition to our retreats, they relished in the competition. Each picture was worth a different amount of FREE Raffle tickets and they had a blast searching through their stash of pictures. We even had a “WIPEOUT” in one of our scrappin rooms as the ladies were running to show me their pictures. After that, I decided that the first to raise their picture would be the winner, with many consolation prizes being awarded! Yes, Geriann, I’m talking about YOU! Heather, I hope you are feeling better!

We held a layout contest utilizing FREE product that we gave to our attendees! (Participation is not necessary, otherwise the product is yours to keep and use.) While we usually go with creating a similar theme, this time around it was a free for all and we awarded BONUS Raffle tickets for the best Layout Awards utilizing the freebies we provide at our retreat.

Each scrapper has the opportunity to submit and vote for a winner. Our 1st place winner was Jennifer Smith.

We had a tie for 2nd place with the award going to Nikki and Tami. Great job gals!

We also had our new Weekend Scrapbook Retreat T-shirts that were available for purchase. I believe that these shirts were a big hit and I appreciate everyone that purchased a shirt. Hopefully soon, we will have a “Caribbean Sea Blue” room full of T-shirt wearers! Check em out! We will have these available on our site soon too!

Lately, it seems that we have had a birthday celebration at each of our retreats to celebrate and this retreat was no exception….our Birthday Scrapper in June was Geriann! I hope you had a great Birthday celebration!

Our Sunday Raffle event was also a great success! We offer FREE Raffle Gifts to all our raffle ticket earners. While we did have a new raffle drawer, my niece Payton Walter was in town to pick our winners, we had a great drawing event. It never fails that at each retreat we always have one great winner that happens to win a majority of our raffles and this retreats was no exception, our lucky repeat raffle winner was Jennifer Smith! It seems like every other drawing her name was drawn! You never know who will win the raffles, sometimes it’s the scrapper that has earned/won the most tickets, while other times the winner of the least tickets comes out our winner!

Insert Drum Roll here…………Our Lucky Raffle Winners were:

Reminisce Easter Paper and Sticker Collection: Bonnie P

Reminisce St. Patty Day Paper and Sticker Collection: Abby S.

Martha Steward Paper Pack: Dawn M.

K&Company Specialty Paper Pack: Glenda P.

K&Company Scrap Pad: Glenda P.

Creative Options Ribbon Holder: Dawn M.

Creative Options Shoulder Paper Organizer: Alice S.

Creative Options Photo Box Organizer: Christine R.

Scrap Cabana Weekend Scrapbook Retreat T-shirt: Jennifer S.

30 Minute Massage at our September Retreat: Jennifer S.

Cricket Cartridge Wild Card: Jennifer S.

50% Weekend Scrapbook Retreat: Donna S.

FREE September Weekend Scrapbook Retreat: Dawn K.

We also combined all the Raffle Tickets from every container for a GRAND Prize Drawing: FREE September Weekend Scrapbook Retreat: Jennifer S.

CONGRATS to all our Raffle Winners!

My daughter, Jordan was on the Relay for Life committee this year and since she has been working hard for the past year on creating awareness, generating interest and donations, we held a special Relay for Life drawing! We raffled away a Scrapbook Tote worth over $150.00 of scrapbook products and goodies! Tickets were $3.00 for one or $5.00 for two and we raised a total of $200 for Relay for Life! Our lucky winner was Glenda Potter! Great job Jordan and a BIG Thank you to all our Relay Raffle participants!

Thank you to all our loyal returning scrappers and our new scrappin’ friends that have joined our crazy group! For each retreat that you attend with The Scrap Cabana, you are given a Loyal Scrapper button! We are seeing lots of lanyards with multiple buttons and we appreciate that you choose to join us for our weekends!

Check out all the information regarding our 2010 and 2011 Weekend Scrapbook Events! I’m confident that you will enjoy our events and we welcome new scrappin buddies to join our rapidly growing scrappin family.

We already have 46 scrappers registered for our September themed “SURVIVOR” Cabana Crop and it’s only JUNE! Space is limited to 75 scrappers and we are well on our way to filling up! Click here to view all the information on our site. You can also download our flyer and registration form by clicking here. Be sure to sign up soon as our spots are going fast! Since we missed National Scrapbook Day in May, we are honoring the event at our September Retreat! We have lots of fun planned and we hope it will be our biggest yet! Our Grand Prize Raffle is a 12x12 Cricut Cutting Machine! Hopefully we will scrap with you soon! Check out all our photos from our events on our Facebook Fan Page!

Until our next chitchat…..Happy Scrappin!

Michelle
The Scrap Cabana

The Scrap Cabana's April 12x12 Pre-Made/Cut Scrapbook Layout Kits

2010-04-27T00:00:00.001-05:00

We all love to scrapbook but how many of us actually have the time?? The Scrap Cabana now offers Pre-Made/Cut Scrapbook Layout Pages/Kits. These easy to assemble page layout kits will help you create wonderful memories in seconds! You can choose to assemble yourself or have us assemble for you for an additional minimal fee. Everything from each layout will be included in your kit with step-by-step instructions! All you need is your pictures, adhesive and minimal time! I hope you enjoy our creations!

Prom, Graduation, Mother's Day and Spring 12x12 Pre-Made/Cut Scrapbook Layout Pages/Kits!

Class of 2010 Graduation June Bug 12x12 Pre-Made/Cut Scrapbook Layout Page/Kit. Can be customized by graduation year!

Spring 12x12 Pre-Made/Cut Scrapbook Layout Page/Kit.

Boy Meets Girl 12x12 Pre-Made/Cut Scrapbook Layout Page/Kit!

Like Mother, Like Daughter 12x12 Pre-Made/Cut Scrapbook Layout Page/Kit!

Class of 2010, Graduation Block 12x12 Pre-Made/Cut Scrapbook Layout Page/Kit! Can be customized by Graduation Year!

Our Prom Queen Heel 12x12 Pre-Made/Cut Scrapbook Layout Page/Kit!

Pretty In Pink 12x12 Pre-Made/Cut Scrapbook Layout Page/Kit!

Prom Night Hearts 12x12 Pre-Made/Cut Scrapbook Layout Page/Kit!

Sweet Pea 12x12 Pre-Made/Cut Scrapbook Layout Page/Kit!

Prom Grunge 2010 12x12 Pre-Made/Cut Scrapbook Layout Page/Kit!

Customize to your School Name, School Color and Graduation Year....Yorkville, Class of 2011 12x12 Pre-Made/Cut Scrapbook Layout Page/Kit!

Prom Night 2010 Shimmer 12x12 Pre-Made/Cut Scrapbook Layout Page/Kit!

Prom Night 2010 JuneBug 12x12 Pre-Made/Cut Scrapbook Layout Page/Kit!

Until our next chit chat..... Happy Scrappin!

Michelle

The Scrap Cabana

The Scrap Cabana's June Weekend Scrapbook Retreat...Kick off your Summer Scrappin' with US!

2010-04-06T19:50:00.009-05:00

JOIN The Scrap Cabana's June Weekend Scrapbook Retreat!

Kick off your Summer Scrappin' with US!

The Scrap Cabana / Weekend Scrapbook Retreats / Join Us On Facebook

Come discover our AWESOME Scrapbook Group!

Join The Scrap Cabana for a WEEKEND SCRAPBOOK RETREAT

June 11, 12, 13, 2010

Hampton Inn & Suites

The Augusta Room

2423 Bushwood Dr.

Aurora, IL 60506

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50 HOURS OF CROPPIN' FUN!

FRIDAY 3:00 P.M. - SUNDAY 5:00 P.M.

You are free to crop all night long if you dare!

Room is open 24 hrs for those die hard scrappers!

Why not get a group of scrappin' friends together and escape for a weekend JUST FOR YOU!

Join us for the entire event or just come for the day. You won't want to miss out on the fun!

Saturday Night Pizza Party

Unlimited Fountain Soda, Coffee & Tea

Lot's of Great Giveaways

Welcome Gift with Scrappin' Goodies!

FULL OR HALF Table Options (6x30 Tables)

Awards Ceremony - Award and Sashes awarded for Late Nite Scrappin Queen, Layout Queen and BINGO Queen!

Excellent Raffle Prizes including A Cricut Cartridge!

"Garage Sale Table" Earn Store Credit on

Must Have's that have become Have Not's

Creative Memories Products, Albums, Pages and Protectors will also be available.

Our on-site store will also be open to the public

so if you are unable to make it to scrap.....

Be sure to stop by to browse our exciting Scrapbook Products!

Saturday 10am - 8pm / Sunday 10am - 4pm

JUNE RETREAT PRICING:

Early Bird Specials - Register by May 28, 2010

$57.00 FULL Table Option, Full Weekend Event

$40.00 HALF Table Option (Share 6x30 space)

After May 28, 2010

$65.00 FULL Table Option, Full Weekend Event

$50.00 HALF Table Option, Full Weekend Event

$50.00 Fri/Sat OR Sat/Sun FULL Table Event

$35.00 Fri/Sat OR Sat/Sun HALF Table Event

HOW DO I REGISTER?

You may visit our website, The Scrap Cabana to register on-line. If you would like to mail payment, please e-mail us at weekendretreats@thescrapcabana.com for your registration form. Complete the registration form and mail with payment to secure your scrappin' spot!

We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, PayPal, Personal Checks, Cashiers Check or Money Orders.

If you want to scrap in a group, please be sure to let me know! Invite your scrappin' friends to join in the fun!

Earn $5.00 Store Credit to be used during the weekend for each NEW Scrapper you refer and attends the event. (1st time attendees only!)

Check out our pictures and comments about our Weekend Scrapbook Events on our Facebook Fan Page.

Become a Fan on Facebook.

We hope to see you at our Weekend Scrapbook Retreat!

Questions???

Please feel free to e-mail us at weekendretreats@thescrapcabana.com
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2010 - 2011 Future Weekend Scrapbook Retreats

2010 Retreats

Hampton Inn & Suites, Aurora, IL.

September 10, 11, 12, 2010

November 19, 20, 21, 2010

Timber Creek Inn & Suites, Sandwich, IL

October 15, 16, 17, 2010

2011 Retreats

Hampton Inn & Suites, Aurora, IL

January 7, 8, 9, 2011

March 10, 11, 12, 2011

May 20, 21, 22, 2011

September 9, 10, 11, 2011

November 11, 12, 13, 2011

Timber Creek Inn & Suites, Sandwich, IL

TBA

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COUPON OFFER

CAN'T CROP, STOP BY TO SHOP!

Bring in this ad for 20% off your total order!*

Offer Valid June 11, 12, 13, 2010.

*Walk in's only!

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Hope to scrap with you soon!

Until our next ChitChat....Happy Scrappin'

Michelle

The Scrap Cabana

NEW 12x12 Pre-Made/Cut Scrapbook Layout Pages

2010-03-20T01:47:00.001-05:00

NEW 12X12 Pre-Made/Cut Scrapbook Layout Pages....We all love to scrapbook but how many of us actually have the time?? These easy to assemble page layout kits will help you create wonderful memories in seconds! You can choose to assemble yourself or have us assemble for you for an additional minimal fee. Everything from each layout will be included in your kit with step-by-step instructions! All you need is your pictures, adhesive and minimal time!

OH BOY 12X12 Pre-Made Scrapbook Layout Pages

GIRLS NITE OUT 12X12 Pre-Made Scrapbook Layout Pages

SIMPLY SWEET 12X12 Pre-Made Scrapbook Layout Pages

More to be posted tomorrow....

Until our next chit chat.....Happy Scrappin'

Michelle
The Scrap Cabana

Highlight from our March 2010 Weekend Scrapbook Retreat.

2010-03-18T01:27:00.011-05:00

Anyone have an Ostrich Sticker??? Another great scrappin’ weekend has come and gone! We were back to our favorite scrappin’ place, The Hampton Inn & Suites in Aurora. We were packed…it was definitely a cozy retreat….strangers soon became friends…..almost too tight with a total of 54 scrappin’ buddies! I promise it won’t be that tight ever again! We will have all 4 rooms at The Hampton soon….we are growing quickly with about half of our scrappers returning and half new!

One of the greatest benefits of hosting these retreats is the opportunity to see all the great creative layouts….I saw a ton of awesome creations. I only wish I had the time to look through every single layout. Cynthia P won the opportunity to attend Johnny Depps Premier for the movie Public Enemies….she really had some great pictures including one with her and Johnny (Lucky!) and her layouts were quite stunning!

Bonnie P’s was seeking stickers of any kind that depicted an Ostrich…I found a picture!...What a tough item to find….if anyone has any leads… I’m sure she would be thrilled! Good Luck on your Ostrich search Bonnie!

Kelly P had a great layout of her daughter’s birthday celebrations; she would trace her children’s hands at each birthday and incorporate the cut out into the Birthday Layout….what a great idea! Too bad my children are older or I would definitely Scrap Lift that idea!

At each of our retreats, a group of scrappers will create their own scrappin’ T’s and this retreat was no exception….Diane W. created kick butt T’s and she gave me one too! Check out the “Sisterhood of the Travelin’ Scrappers” T’s that she created….Thanks Diane! I love it!

We had two Birthday Scrappers this weekend……Erin P and Heidi M….Thank you for choosing to spend your special day with us! We hope you both had a great scrappin’ Birthday!

It seems as if everyone has definitely outgrown the half tables and all but a handful of our scrappers had the full table. As you can see from the pictures they definitely filled them with scrappin goodies! Plenty of room to spread out and hunker down for the weekend! Our Awards for Late Nite Scrappin’ Queen, Layout Queen and BINGO Queen had the typical intense competition. We had a run for the Layout Queen Award with 59 layouts completed for Lori, 64 for Denise and our Layout Scrappin’ Queen Award goes to Geriann with a total of 76! That’s that same number as our January winner! Way to go Geriann! You have to be totally organized to pump out that many layouts!

Our Late Nite Scrappin’ Queen was once again a battle of the Night Owls…..In our Palmer Room, we had a number of late nite scrappers, Christine stayed up until 4:30am Sunday morning and Die Hard Diana stayed up all night on Friday evening, all day Saturday and didn’t crash until Sunday morning at 12:30am…..a total of 33 consecutive scrappin’ hours… WHOO HOO! Now that’s what I call determination! In our Augusta Room, we once again had a battle between Late Nite Pro’s Lori, Sara, Rebecca and Anita….Anita who missed our January retreat was once again the Queen Night Owl….she stayed up until 7:30am Saturday morning and then again till 7:30am Sunday morning…AND she only took cat naps and was up again by 10:00am each day. One of our reigning Late Nite Queen’s Lori D surprised us with the great news that she is now expecting her 2nd child and will have to relinquish the crown for a while…..Congratulations on your great news and we can’t wait to meet the little one! We will sure miss you at our retreats but we want you to continue to Crop Till U Pop! We are hoping she will actually attend our September retreat with her due date only 1 week after! We will see…….

At our Scrapbook Weekends, we offer the opportunity to play Scrapbook BINGO! You earn raffle tickets just by scrappin! It is a typical BINGO card but with scrappin squares. An example of a Bingo square would be USE A PICTURE OF U ON A PAGE, or CROPPED FOR OVER 15 COMBINED HOURS, or COMPLETED 20 PAGES. It is really a lot of fun and you earn FREE raffle tickets that you can use to win Scrappin Giveaways. Usually we only have 1 or 2 scrappers that complete the full BINGO card but this retreat we had 7 Scrappers complete the FULL Page….Lori F, Christine M, Beth J, Michelle D, Rebecca H, Geriann W and Theresa M….we had to pull a name for our new BINGO Queen and the winner was……Beth J. We graced all our winners with Special Sashes that they get to keep and wear with honor. If you are an Awards Winner, you must bring the Sash back with you at your next retreat with us and wear with honor! Hopefully soon, we will have a room full of Sash wearing Scrappers…Can’t wait to see you in your Sashes again at a future Retreat! Congratulations to all our Award Winners!

As always we had some great Raffle Gifts (which are free for BINGO participants) and our Raffle Champions Were:

The Great Outdoor’s Sticker/Paper Pack by Reminisce: Dawn K.

Scrapbook Album: Lori G.

Lime Polka Dot Organizer: Beth J.

Pebbles Ribbon’s: Susan W. (Susan, you won again...be sure your daughter gives u your prize!)

Graduation Celebrations Stickers/Paper Pack by Reminisce: Bonnie P.

LaCreme DCWV Paper Stack: Dawn K.

Glitter Paper by Reminisce: Alice S.

Happy Easter Stickers/Paper Pack by Reminisce: Deb M.

Brad Organizer: Christine M.

Unwritten Stickers/Paper Pack by Reminisce: Judy J.

Shoulder Tote Organizer: Glenda
Cricut Font: Ashlynn’s Alphabet: Dawn S.
50% Off The Scrap Cabana’s Weekend Scrapbook Retreat: Christine M.

Free The Scrap Cabana’s Weekend Scrapbook Retreat: Lori D.

Congratulations to all our Raffle Champions!

We also had on hand our Exceptional Massage therapist and our Embosser. We also offered the “Garage Sale Table” again and many were able to scoop up wonderful goodies at very reasonable prices.

For each of our retreats we like to offer various contests or make-n-take options. For this event, we provided each of our scrappers with a 4X6 creative Happy Easter pad from Pebbles, Inc. Each pad included 30 sheets of paper and 4 sticker sheets. Each scrapper was offered the opportunity to create a card creation to enter into our Card Creation Contest or just keep the pad to enjoy. Each card creation that was submitted into the contest was to utilize at least 70% of the creative pad design along with any additional embellishments they preferred. We had a total of 27 wonderful, phenomenal, creative card entries into our contest. Each of the scrappers, whether they entered the contest or not, were allowed to vote once for each card they favored! Our Creative Card Contest winners were: 1st Place: Lori F, 2nd Place: Sue B. Lori won 20 additional Raffle Tickets while Sue won 10! Thank you to all for taking the time to create such creative cards! It was soooooooo hard to choose our favorites! Check them all out under our photo section on our Facebook account! Become a Fan of The Scrap Cabana on Facebook Today! The Scrap Cabana Facebook Fan

After a great weekend escape, I believe that we all had a wonderful, creative, relaxing 49 hours of scrapping fun! I didn’t even realize when I set up the weekend that this would fall on the Daylight Savings Time…Spring Forward….a number of us waited up until 2:00am and watched as our cell phones changed the time! I hit the bed close after the change! Too bad we lost that precious scrappin’ hour!

Thank you to all our loyal returning scrappers and I hope that all our new scrappers will join us once again in the future! We gave out our Loyal Weekend Scrapbook Retreat Buttons for the first time this weekend. For each weekend that you attend with us, you will receive a button to celebrate your loyalty. The scrappers displayed them with pride on their new The Scrap Cabana lanyards. Our loyal die hard fans…..

Top Honors: 7 Weekend Scrapbook Retreats:

Beth J, Judy J, Sue B, Amy A, Karen Y, Christine M, Lori F., Sue S.

6-4 Weekend Scrapbook Retreats:

Erin P, Alice S., Anita S., Heidi M, Sandra M, Tracy A, Becky A, Maria G, Diane W., Linda L., Lori G., Meg K., Lori D., Sara W., Mary N., Donna S.

We also have a number of loyal scrappers that are quickly approaching 4+ weekends, (Yes….that includes, Geriann W., Theresa M., Glenda P., Linda H., Rebecca H., Stef I., Michelle D., Karen M., Julie R., Diane N., Sara D., and Kelly P.) and we welcomed a number of new scrappers! I love that all our scrapper’s interact well together and great NEW friendships have formed from our retreats. I hope to see all of ya at our future weekend retreats and I only wish I had more time to spend with each and every one of ya! Without all of you our event would not be as fun and successful! I truly enjoyed the time away and had a few wonderful bouts of laughter.

Unfortunately, we are unable to host our May, National Scrapbook Day Weekend Retreat due to Prom activities. We will try a June Retreat in place of our May weekend and we hope that Graduation and Summer activities will not prohibit our scrappers from attending! It’s still going to be a blast!

We are also moving our National Scrapbook Day Celebrations to our September Retreat and we have lots of fun planned for this event. During our Sept. Retreat we will be holding raffles every few hours, our BINGO raffle items will include a Gipsy and a 12x12 Cricut along with tons of other great raffle prizes. Each participant will get a “Scrap Cabana” T-shirt along with lots of other goodies! We will even have a local newspaper on hand to take pics and speak with all of our scrappers for a special article! I also hope to introduce our New Scrapbook ReMix Contest….details to follow. It’s guaranteed to be so much fun and provide a lot of laughs! Hope to scrap with ya soon!

Check out all the information regarding our 2010 and 2011 Weekend Scrapbook Events! I’m confident that you will enjoy our events and we welcome new scrappin buddies to join our rapidly growing scrappin family. We already have 15 scrapper for June and 20 for September! Be sure to sign up soon as our spots are going fast! Hopefully we will scrap with you soon! Check out all our photos from our events on our Facebook Fan Page!

Until our next chitchat…..Happy Scrappin!

Michelle
The Scrap Cabana

The Scrap Cabana's March Weekend Scrapbook Retreat - Stop by to Shop!

2010-03-09T20:55:00.007-06:00

Only 3 more days till Scrappin’ Fun!

Our Weekend Scrapbook Retreat is March 12 – 14, 2010 at The Hampton Inn & Suites in Aurora, IL. Although we are full with 54 scrappers, our on-site store will be open to the public.

Stop by to browse our exciting scrapbook products!

Saturday 10am - 8pm, Sunday 10am - 4pm.

__________________________________________________

STOP BY TO SHOP, PRINT THIS PAGE AND PRESENT IT FOR

25% OFF YOUR TOTAL ORDER!*

*WALK IN'S ONLY.
OFFER VALID MARCH 12 – 14, 2010

***2 FREE STICKER SHEETS FOR EACH VISITOR*****

Hampton Inn & Suites Aurora

2423 Bushwood Drive, Aurora, IL 60506

630-907-2600

Hope to see ya soon!

Until our next Chitchat......Happy Scrappin'

Michelle

The Scrap Cabana

Brand Spankin' New Scrapbook Product Lines 2010

2010-02-15T13:53:00.000-06:00

It’s just like Christmas morning here at The Scrap Cabana….JUST IN….Brand Spankin’ NEW 2010 Scrapbook Product Lines! We are so excited that our new products have arrived.

YOU GOTTA SEE THEM ALL TO LOVE EM!

One of our favorite vendors, Reminisce, has released 6 amazing new lines. REAL SPORTS, 10 sports, Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Football, Golf, Softball, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis & Volleyball that will allow you to showcase your talented athlete in the most comprehensive sport line ever with 12x12 Double Sided Scrapbook Paper, 12x12 Die Cut Sports Icons, 3-Dimensional Stickers Sheets, Chipboard Stickers and Sticker Sheets.

GLITTER FACTORY, 11 12x12 Cardstock Glitter Papers. Great for Scrapbooking & Card Making Projects.

Smile, Dream, Breathe, and Enjoy Life. With UNWRITTEN'S beautiful and peaceful tonal papers and coordinating stickers you will be able create harmonious layouts and projects. Awesome, Hip, Funky Scrapbook Products for Teens & Adults like! 7 12x12 Double Sided Coordinating Scrapbook Papers, 2 Awesome 12x12 Laser Die Cut Designs, Quote, Journal, Tags, Phrase and Alphabet Sticker Sheets.

This stunning GRADUATION CELEBRATION collection on Reminisce Shimmer paper is perfect for all your graduation cards and layouts. Congratulations to our 2010 Graduates.

Whether you've been camping, hiking, building campfires, having a barbeque, or just having fun outdoors. THE GREAT OUTDOORS has something for everyone. From the woods, to the lake, at a waterfall or in your own backyard this collection is designed for the adventurer in each of us. 12 12x12 Double Sided Coordinating Scrapbook Papers, Sticker Sheets, Journal and Alphabet Sticker Sheets.

This vintage inspired HAPPY EASTER collection will make all your layouts and projects HIPPITY HOPPITY.

Also JUST IN, Scrappin’ Sports & More, NEW 2010….Name of The Game Sports Cardstock Icon Stickers….great for Scrapbooking, Invitations, Card Making or Sports Banquet Decorations! 12 NEW ICON Sticker Sheets, Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Football, Golf, Hockey, Racing, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track & Field and Volleyball. A great addition to our Name Of The Game 12x12 Scrapbook Papers and Sticker Sheets.

Introducing Down On the Farm Scrapbook Collection, Field Trips, 4H, Summer & County Fairs, Livestock Competitions and Petting Zoos, we have the greatest selection to help you document your Animal Adventures. Chicken, Ducks, Sheep & Pigs, just to name a few….12x12 Scrapbook Papers and Sticker Sheets. Old McDonald would be proud!

Be the first to discover these great new 2010 Scrapbook Lines! Check em all out! The Scrap Cabana...Your Escape for Scrapbooking!

Until our next chit chat....Happy Scrappin'

Michelle

The Scrap Cabana

Introducing The Scrap Cabana's Pre-Made/Cut Scrapbook Layout Kits!

2010-02-07T22:53:00.006-06:00

Introducing The Scrap Cabana’s Scrapbook Layout Kits! So….I’ve been toying with the idea of creating Pre-Made Layout Page Kit’s all last year and I have decided that 2010 is the year to actually commit to this initiative! We all love to scrapbook but how many of us actually have the time?? These easy to assemble page layout kits will help you create wonderful memories in seconds! You can choose to assemble yourself or have us assemble for you for an additional minimal fee. Everything from each layout will be included in your kit with step-by-step instructions! All you need is your pictures, adhesive and minimal time!

We will be adding new Layouts each week, and all will be available for purchase on our site, The Scrap Cabana's Pre-Made Scrapbook Layout Kits We will begin our focus on Holidays, Sports & Travel……Simple Layouts to begin, more Elegant to follow....We’re just getting started but the possibilities are endless!

Check out our New 2010 designs!
Facebook Fan Page OR The Scrap Cabana's Scrapbook Layout Kits

Just think of The Scrap Cabana as your Scrappin’ Made Simple Escape! If anyone would like to join our Design Team, I would love to meet with you and review your layout entries…we would like to choose 2 designers to join our team! E-mail me at michelle@thescrapcabana.com if you would like to be considered for our 2010 Design Dream Team! I hope you enjoy our creations and we would be honored if you would like to choose to order any of our Scrapbook Layout Kits!

Until our next ChitChat....Happy Scrappin'
Michelle
The Scrap Cabana

The Scrap Cabana's March 2010 Weekend Scrapbook Retreat!

2010-01-29T14:04:00.005-06:00

The Scrap Cabana Weekend Scrapbook Retreats

March 12, 13, 14, 2010 Your Escape for Scrapbooking!

Three Full Day of Scrapbooking! We have our own scrapbook conference room so once you unpack you do not need to repack until Sunday! Space is limited so be sure to reserve your seat today!

Retreat Pricing:

$40.00 Early Bird Registration. Half Table. Complete Registration by February 26, 2010.
$58.00 Early Bird Registration. Full Table. Complete Registration by February 26, 2010.

AFTER FEBRUARY 26, 2010:

$50.00 Full Weekend Retreat HALF Table (Friday 3:00pm - Sunday 5:00pm) Unlimited
$65.00 FULL TABLE FOR ONE, Full Weekend Retreat
$50.00 Friday/Saturday OR Saturday/Sunday FULL Table
$35.00 Friday & Saturday Crop Half Table

50 HOURS OF SCRAPPIN FUN! Friday 3:00pm - Sunday 5:00pm

SO What is included?
Scrapbooking Space 6X30 TABLE, Either Half or Full Table Options
Continental Breakfast (Hotel Guest Only)
Unlimited Supply of Fountain Soda, Coffee & Tea.
Saturday Night Pizza Party

Make N Takes

Welcome Gifts

Great Fun & Prizes

Raffle

On-Site Store

Late Night, Most Layouts Completed and BINGO Queen Awards

If you would like to scrap with a friend or group, please let me know in advance so that we can be sure to accommodate your request. Late registration cannot guarantee reserved seating.

Location:
Hampton Inn & Suites Aurora
2423 Bushwood Drive, Aurora 60506
630-907-2600
Fax 630-907-2919
http://www.hamptoninnandsuitesaurora.com/
(Conveniently located at I88 & Orchard Rd)

Each Room includes Mini-Refrigerator, Microwave, Coffeemaker ,Complimentary "On the House" Hot Breakfast , Complimentary High Speed Internet Access , Coffee / Tea in Lobby 24 Hours a Day, Fitness Center, Pool / Whirlpool

We will not be handling hotel reservations. You will need to contact the hotel directly for room reservations. We have a room block under "The Scrap Cabana". You must request a room from this block to receive the discounted room rates. The room block usually ends 3 weeks prior to each event so book your room early!

Special Room Rates:
$86.00 King Size Sleeper (Fits 1-2) , $102.00 2 Queen Double Sleepers (Fits 1-4)

Lunch is on your own. Restaurants near by: Panera, Buffalo Wild Wings, Jimmy Johns, Starbucks, Chilis plus many more!

Registration:
You may register on-line, The Scrap Cabana Weekend Retreats, or if you would prefer to mail in registration and payment, please request a registration form by e-mailing weekendretreats@thescrapcabana.com

Earn $5.00 Store Credit to be used during the weekend for each NEW Scrapper you refer and attends the event. (1st time attendees only!)

Check out our pictures and comments about our Weekend Scrapbook Events in our previous blogs or on Facebook. Become a Facebook Fan.

OUR ON-SITE STORE WILL ALSO BE OPEN

TO THE PUBLIC SO IF YOU ARE

UNABLE TO MAKE IT TO SCRAP....

Be sure to stop by to browse our exciting

scrapbook products!

Saturday 10am - 8pm, Sunday 10am - 4pm.

PRINT THIS PAGE AND PRESENT IT FOR 20% OFF YOUR TOTAL ORDER!*

*WALK IN'S ONLY

Check out all the details under Weekend Scrapbook Retreats at The Scrap Cabana! It’s the perfect chance to catch up on all your scrapbooking!

FUTURE SCRAPBOOKING 2010 DATES:
June 11, 12, 13, 2010 Hampton Inn & Suites
September 10, 11, 12, 2010 Hampton Inn & Suites
October 15, 16, 17, 2010 Timber Creek Inn & Suites
November 19, 20, 21, 2010 Hampton Inn & Suites

Hope to see you at one of our 2010 Weekend Scrapbook Retreats!

Until our next chitchat........Happy Scrappin'
Michelle
The Scrap Cabana
Your Escape For Scrapbooking

Stacey Higgins

2010-01-28T21:34:00.001-06:00

With heavy heart we are sad to announce that our Scrappin’ Buddy Stacey Higgins lost her battle with cancer, Tuesday, January 26, 2010. We will truly miss her smiling face and contagious positivity! I truly believe she enjoyed her relaxing time away scrappin with us her precious memories. It was her ideal escape from her personal struggles. I know that her family will cherish her special creations for years to come! Stacey created a journal of her journey at CaringBridge.com and I have included the link to her journal. Stacey Higgins

We will truly miss Stacey and her family and friends, especially her scrappin' buddy, Debbie Potsick, are in our hearts and prayers. May she rest in peace in heaven with God and his Angels! Donations in honor of Stacey are being accepted at CaringBridge.com.

We will miss you Stacey!

Michelle

January 2010 Weekend Scrapbook Retreat Wrap-Up!

2010-01-20T21:27:00.014-06:00

What a great start to 2010! We held our January Weekend Scrapbook Retreat at Timber Creek Inn & Suites in Sandwich, IL. This is the first year we offered a January Retreat and we had a great turnout.

We had a total of 45 croppers attend our event. We had 20 new scrappers that joined us for the first time!

Thank you to all our new and veteran scrappers for choosing to join us!

The best thing about holding our retreats at the Timber Creek is the extra large table space. Each scrapper had their very own 8x30 scrapbook space. This allowed plenty of room for everyone to spread out and bunker down for a long eventful weekend. At each of our events, we offer contests and hold an Awards Ceremony on Sunday. This event our contest included the Late Nite Scrappin’ Queen, Layout Queen and BINGO Queen Awards. Our Layouts Queen was Brandi and she definitely took advantage of her time away….completing a total of 76 scrapbook pages! WOW…Way to go! We had two other contenders that definitely have to be mentioned, Geriann with 68 and Lori with 62. Not to shabby! Great going Gals!

We also offer the Late Night Scrappin’ Award and this too was a competition. Rebecca H., Lori D. and Sara really battled it out for the honor of earning this title! Rebecca stayed up Friday evening until 5:45 and then never went back to sleep the rest of the weekend. Granted she did take a cat nap in the most convenient location, check out the picture, but she was our true Late Nite Scrapper! This photo brings a whole new meaning to “Crop Till U Drop!” I LOVE IT!

Lori D. and Sara were also awarded the title for staying up till 5:00 on Friday evening and again 5:30 on Saturday nite. Hope you gals have caught up on your sleep!

New this retreat we graced our winners with Special Sashes that they get to keep and wear with honor. If you are an Awards Winner, you must bring the Sash back with you at your next retreat with us and wear with honor! Hopefully soon, we will have a room full of Sash wearing Scrappers…Can’t wait to see you in your Sashes at our March Retreat! Congratulations to all our Award Winners!

We had some great Raffle Gifts at our retreat and our Raffle Winners Were:

Cloud 9 Paper Pack: Nikki

Pebbles Theodore Paper Pack: Lori G.

Under the Sea Reminisce Paper & Stickers Complete Line: Rebecca K.

La Crème Die Cuts With A View Stack: Karen B.

Brad Organizer: Jennifer F.

Christmastime Reminisce Paper & Stickers Complete Line: Becky S.

Scrapbook Calendar: Nikki S.

Christmas Reminisce Paper & Stickers Complete Line: Diana S.

Life’s A Beach Cricut Cartridge: Kelly H.

Organizer Bag: Joanne

Halloweentime Reminisce Paper & Stickers Complete Line: Brandi O.

Falltime Reminisce Paper & Stickers Complete Line: Connie

50% OFF a 2010 Scrap Cabana Weekend Scrapbook Retreat: Geriann

FREE 2010 Scrap Cabana Weekend Scrapbook Retreat: Lori D.

CONGRATS TO ALL OUR LUCKY RAFFLE WINNERS!

We had a great new group of scrappers join our retreat this time. Included in the mix were two Prego friends scrappers, April and Joanne both due in May 2010! We wish them the best of luck in the remainder of their pregnancies and look forward to seeing your new little ones in pictures soon!

We also had a group of scrappers that used to work at one of my favorite Scrapbooking Store which closed many years ago. They brought lots of talent to our Card Creations contest and I hope to utilize their great experience, teaching classes at our future weekend retreats. We are so honored that our new scrappers joined our crazy scrappin group! I hope to see all of you at many more of our events!

For each of our retreats we like to offer various contests or make-n-take options. For this event, we provided each of our scrappers with a 4X6 creative Nellie’s Garden pad from Pebbles, Inc. Each pad included 30 sheets of paper and 4 sticker sheets. Each scrapper was offered the opportunity to create a card creation to enter into our Card Creation Contest or just keep the pad to enjoy. Each card creation that was submitted into the contest was to utilize at least 80% of the creative pad contents along with any additional embellishments they preferred. We had a total of 12 wonderful, phenomenal, creative card entries into our contest. Each of the scrappers, whether they entered the contest or not, were allowed to vote once for each card they favored! Our Creative Card Contest winners were: 1st Place: Nikki S, 2nd Place: Abbey S. Thank you to all for taking the time to create such creative cards! Check them all out under our photo section on our Facebook account!

Become a Fan of The Scrap Cabana on Facebook Today! The Scrap Cabana Fan Page Facebook

We had a number of enhancements at our January Retreat….on hand was our Exceptional Massage therapist and our Embosser. We also offered the “Garage Sale Table” again and many were able to scoop up wonderful goodies! New this retreat, we had a Creative Memories Rep, Kristen Johnson available with CM Albums, Pages and Protectors. If anyone would like to contact her for supplies, please check out her website, Creative Memories/Kris Johnson

We will be adding a few new perks to our future Weekend Retreats….each of our Cabana Scrappers are given a lanyard and name tag so that we all get to know each other better. We will have new The Scrap Cabana lanyards at our March Retreat and we will also be introducing our “Loyal Cabana Croppers Awards”, cool buttons that showcase your retreat attendance! What a great, fun way to display your Cabana loyalty! Check back soon as we will also be introducing our New Scrapbook ReMix Contest….details to follow in a few weeks! It’s guaranteed to be so much fun and provide a lot of laughs!

Check out our information regarding our 2010 and 2011 Weekend Scrapbook Events! I’m confident that you will enjoy our events and we welcome new scrappin buddies to join our rapidly growing scrappin family. Our March Retreat already has 26 registered scrappers! Sign up today as we only have room for 50 scrappers! Hopefully we will scrap with you soon!

Until our next chitchat…..Happy Scrappin!

Michelle

The Scrap Cabana

November Weekend Retreat Review....

2009-12-07T15:05:00.002-06:00

So...I'm a bit behind announcing our November Weekend results......Here they are.....better late than never!

The Scrap Cabana November Weekend Retreat was a big hit with our loyal croppers and our first time attendees! We had over 30 new scrappers attend our retreat with a total of 52 scrappers in all! We held our Retreat at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Aurora. This is our 8th Weekend Retreat at this location and I believe a great time was had by all!

Our event is open 24 hours, therefore we offer 50 hours of scrappin time for those die hard scrappers who actually take great advantage of this time. Everyone spreads out on Friday evening, gets comfy and creative and hesitantly leaves on Sunday evening. We have a lot of late night scrappers competing to be the die hards. This months Late Night Scrapper Award goes to Mary Odom from our 2nd room and our Late Night Duo, Lori Durling and Sara Wolfsmith from the main scrappin room. Mary stayed up all night on Friday and didn’t head to bed until Saturday evening at 11:30pm! WOW…30 straight scrappin hours, now that’s determination! Our Late Night Duo stayed up until 6:30 Saturday morning, earning their 3rd Late Night Scrapper Award. Congratulations to our Late Night Scrapper Winners, I hope that you were able to create lots of wonderful creations!

Our weekend retreats also offer a few enhancements for your pleasure. We have a massage therapist on hand and she helps loosen up those tight scrapping muscles. New this retreat, we had an Embosser on hand to add the perfect titles to your scrapbooking albums. We held our first “Garage Sale” Table this event…each scrapper was able to bring along those “Must have’s that have become Have Not’s” and sell garage sale style…the sales you earn can be used as Cabana Credit. Scrapper Vicki really benefited from our Garage Sale and sold a grand total of $170.00!

For each of our retreats we like to offer various contests or make-n-take options. For this event, we provided each of our scrappers with a 4X6 creative Snow Fun pad from Pebbles, Inc. Each pad included 30 sheets of paper and 4 sticker sheets. Each scrapper was offered the opportunity to create a Snow Fun card creation to enter into our Card Creation Contest or just keep the pad to enjoy. Each card creation that was submitted into the contest was to utilize at least 80% of the creative pad contents along with any additional embellishments they preferred. We had a total of 15 wonderful, phenomenal, creative card entries into our contest. Each of the scrappers, whether they entered the contest or not, were allowed to vote once for each card they favored! Our Snow Fun Creative Card Contest winners were: 1st Place: Lori Griffin, 2nd Place: Lori Durling. Thank you to all for taking the time to create such magnificent, creative, exceptional cards! Check them all out under our photo section on our Facebook account! Become a Fan of The Scrap Cabana on Facebook Today! THE SCRAP CABANA FACEBOOK PAGE

We added a new Award to our Weekend Retreats. Since this weekend is all about scrapping, we felt it necessary to add the award, Layout Scrappin Queen to our Awards Ceremony….the recipient of the first Layout Scrappin Queen Awards goes to…..Geriann Weisbrook! She completed a total of 72 layouts! She unquestionably took great advantage of her time away! Way to go Geriann!

At our retreats we have a wide variety of scrappers and crafters.

We had another large group join us again this November, MaryLou, Mary, Maria, Becky, Marian & Kathy P. This is their 2nd year joining us in November and we hope they continue the tradition in 2010~!
We also play The Scrap Cabana BINGO at each of retreats and each of our scrappers can earn Raffle Tickets to win FREE Scrapbook Gifts including a FREE Scrapbook Weekend by completing various challenges during the weekend. Our BINGO Winners were:
Cloud 9 Paper Pack: Susan

Blue Scrapbook Album: Alice

Halloween Reminisce Paper Pack: Carole K

Pebbles Paper Pack: Mary Lou

School Years Scrappin Sports Paper Pack, 12 Years with Stickers: Kim

Pebbles Ribbon Pack (8 Packs!): Alice

Hunting Reminisce Paper Pack: Kim

Creative Options 12x12 Paper Holder Organizer: Lori D.

Cricut Cartridge Font 123: Duvonna

Creative Options Brad Holder: Kelly T.

BOGO Scrapbook Weekend: Meg

Cricut Cartridge Font Disney: Meg

50% Off Scrapbook Weekend: Sara

FREE Scrapbook Weekend: Alice

In addition to offering our BINGO challenge we also award a BINGO QUEEN Award to our scrapper that is the first to complete her BINGO card….the September BINGO QUEEN Award goes to…..Alice Smith! Way to go!

CONGRATS TO ALL OUR BINGO RAFFLE WINNERS! Thanks for participating!

After a great weekend escape, I believe that we all had a wonderful, creative, relaxing 50 hours of scrapping fun! Thank you to all our loyal returning scrappers and I hope that all our new scrappers will join us once again in the future! Without all of you our event would not be as fun and successful!

We will be adding a few new perks to our future Weekend Retreats….for our Awards Ceremony, we will be adding The Scrap Cabana Sash’s that will be worn and on display until the next retreat winner dethrones the winner! What fun! We will also be introducing our “Loyal Cabana Croppers Awards”, cool buttons that showcase your retreat attendance!

Check out our information regarding our 2010 and 2011 Weekend Scrapbook Events! JANUARY 2010 WEEKEND SCRAPBOOK RETREAT! I’m confident that you will enjoy our events and we welcome new scrappin buddies to join our rapidly growing scrappin family. Our New Year January 2010 Event already has 21 registered scrappers! Sign up today as we only have room for 50 scrappers! Hopefully we will scrap with you soon!

Until our next chitchat…..Happy Scrappin!
Michelle
The Scrap Cabana

Halloween Design / Costume Contest

2009-11-06T21:45:00.006-06:00

The Scrap Cabana's Halloween Design/Costume Contest:

It's Halloween! It's Halloween! The moon is full and bright/ And we shall see what can't be seen On any other night. Skeletons and ghosts and ghouls, Grinning goblins fighting duels/ Werewolves rising from their tombs, Witches on their magic brooms/ In masks and gown we haunt the street /And knock on doors for trick or treat/ Tonight we are the king and queen, For oh tonight it's Halloween! -Jack Prelutsky

Of course my favorite holiday just happens to occur during my ultimate, favorite season, HALLOWEEN! I love, love, love a good Halloween Costume Party, who doesn’t? What other holiday that as Adults can we giggle with glee and eagerly anticipate as if we were still children and not be sent to the loony bin? How fun is it to ponder, craft and show off with confidence our silly, fun, award winning costume. I for one love this challenge and I’m very competitive when it comes to working the room for votes! On Halloween night, at our house, my husband takes our youngest son trick or treating, unfortunately the teens have outgrown this tradition, while I get to work the door for treat or treaters. I just love watching the youngsters slowing making their way up the sidewalk and either screaming with glee, mumbling or asking with their parents encouragement, Trick Or Treat….what is more precious?

In celebration of Halloween we are announcing our Halloween Design Contest. Not only can you submit your favorite layout or card creation, we are adding the addition of most creative Costume! (Check out our previous Award Winning Costume Photos, yes, my husband is very patient and a great sport!) Submit your favorite Halloween Design/Costume Photo on our Facebook Fan Page. Enter under Fan Photo’s. Entries are due by November 30, 2009. We will pick and announce a winner on December 1, 2009. You can also e-mail us your entry and we will submit for you- facebook@thescrapcabana.com

Best Halloween Layout/Card Creation:

1st Place: $20.00 Coupon

2nd Place: $10.00 Coupon

Favorite Halloween Costume Picture:
1st Place: $20.00 Coupon
(Good for use on all orders until January 31st, 2010.)

There is no limit to the number of entries you may submit. Since we are new to Facebook, help us make our contest a success! Don’t have a Facebook Account? It’s FREE and easy to join! Sign up today and become a Fan of The Scrap Cabana for Scrapbooking and Card Creation tips and suggestions! You’ll also have VIP Status for all our Specials & Contest Announcements!

Start sharing today……it could be worth $20~ Who can’t make use of FREE Product?

Check out our site for great Scrapbook Products to help preserve your Halloween Memories! The Scrap Cabana

Until our next chitchat……Happy Scrappin!

Michelle
The Scrap Cabana

The Scrap Cabana November Weekend Scrapbook Retreat - WE ARE NOW BOOKED!

2009-11-06T21:14:00.004-06:00

Looking for a place to Scrapbook? Just can’t find the time……

Join Us For The Scrap Cabana's Weekend Scrapbook Retreats!

November 13, 14, 15, 2009

Hampton Inns & Suites, 2423 Bushwood Drive, Aurora, IL 60506 630-907-2600

(Our November Event is Now Booked - 52 Total Scrappers! Stop by to Visit Us!)

We will be hosting a Weekend Scrapbook Retreat at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Aurora, IL this November just for YOU! Join us for the entire event or if time is still limited, you may choose to come for the day! Three Full Day of Scrapbooking! Space is limited so be sure to reserve your seat today!

50 HOURS OF SCRAPPIN FUN! Friday 3:00pm - Sunday 5:00pm
Goodie Bags, Welcome Gift, Raffles, Freebies!

OUR ON-SITE STORE WILL ALSO BE OPEN

TO THE PUBLIC SO IF YOU ARE

UNABLE TO MAKE IT TO SCRAP....

Be sure to stop by to browse our exciting

scrapbook products!

Saturday 10am - 8pm, Sunday 10am - 4pm.

PRINT THIS PAGE AND PRESENT IT FOR 20% OFF YOUR TOTAL ORDER!* *WALK IN'S ONLY

Check out all the details under Weekend Scrapbook Retreats at The Scrap Cabana! It’s the perfect chance to catch up on all your scrapbooking!

All Things Autumn Creation Contest

2009-09-28T20:01:00.002-05:00

All Things Autumn Creation Contest:

Since autumn is my favorite season, we wanted to kick off its arrival with our All Things Autumn Creation Contest….submit your favorite autumn layout or card creation in our NEW Monthly Contest. All things autumn ideas….Back to School, Baseball Playoffs, Football Season, Cheerleading, Marching Band, Homecoming/Dances, Fall Foliage, Fall Anniversaries, Birthdays & Special Occasions…you get the drift…. (Halloween contest to be announced in early November)

Submit your favorite All Things Autumn Creations on our Facebook Fan Page. Enter under Fan Photo’s. Entries are due by October 20th. We will pick and announce a winner on October 21st. You can also e-mail us your entry and we will submit for you- facebook@thescrapcabana.com.

1st Place: $20.00 Coupon
2nd Place: $10.00 Coupon
(Good for use on all orders at The Scrap Cabana until Dec 31, 2009.)

There is no limit to the number of entries you may submit. Since we are new to Facebook, help us make this contest a success! Don’t have a Facebook Account? It’s FREE and easy to join! Sign up today and become a Fan of The Scrap Cabana for Scrapbooking and Card Creation tips and suggestions! You’ll also have VIP Status for all our Specials & Contest Announcements!

Start sharing today……it could be worth $20~ Who can’t make use of FREE Product?

Here is one of my favorite autumn sayings:
“Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile.” William Cullen Bryant

Until our next chitchat……Happy Scrappin!
Michelle

Autumn has arrived...................

2009-09-23T21:32:00.004-05:00

Autumn has arrived…..I can’t believe the summer is over. For us in the Midwest, we really didn’t have that great of a summer, weather wise, lots of rain and we only hit 90 a total of 6 times! Very rare for us, indeed. Fall has always been my favorite season; I love how the air turns crisp, the scent of bonfires and the beauty of the multi colored landscape. It’s also great to rummage through the closet for your favorite pair of jeans and sweaters! (While also hoping and praying that they still fit!) If only the beginning of fall didn’t also indicate the conclusion of long sun filled days, the end of the sound of children playing outside and the inevitable colder weather arrival.

Lets take a second to relish in the celebration of the arrival of Autumn….School is back in session, the halls are alive with the anticipation of Homecoming festivities and Open Houses. Baseball dreams are either crushed or realized. (There’s always next year has become a ritual in this diehard Cubs Fan’s household) and football season has finally arrived! Halloween is also a huge hit with our family…..time to decorate the house, inside and out. Our outside Halloween decorations take months of planning and the children are obsessed with having the scariest front door experience for all our trick or treaters. (Very few little ones ever return...)

At The Scrap Cabana we have heaps of wonderful products to help you celebrate and preserve your autumn memories. Back to School, Homecoming Dance, Football, Baseball, Autumn and Halloween Celebrations! We have added Scrappin Sports & More "New Name of the Game" Collection that includes great 12x12 2-Sided Sports Paper and Stickers. A must have to enhance your sporting adventures. Check them all out. Very shortly we will be adding Reminisces 7 Stunning New Releases, “Safari”, "Trick or Treat", "Travel Guides", "The Halloween Collection", "Autumn Forest", "Christmastime & Santa’s Workshop". Plus the limited edition, "Miss Halloween". Be sure to check back soon for the first look at these exciting brand new products! If you haven’t had time to scrap your summer travel memories, take a peek at our “Under The Sea” New Collection from Reminisce…..lot’s of great scrapbook papers, stickers and embellishments.

We are proud to announce that October is also our Anniversary Month. We will be celebrating with various specials throughout the month. Check back in October to take advantage of our Anniversary Specials and share with us in our excitement! In our second year of business, I’m determined to commit to blogging! We will share craft tips, offer valuable links pertaining to scrapbooking and share in our excitement of all that is scrapbooking! Please follow us in our new adventure and feel free to comment and share in our passion for scrappin!
Until our next chitchat……Happy Scrappin’
Michelle
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Weekend Scrapbook Retreat September 2009 WRAP UP!

2009-09-18T16:35:00.006-05:00

The Scrap Cabana September Weekend Retreat was another magnificent getaway for our loyal croppers and our first time attendees! We held our Retreat at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Aurora. This is our 7th Weekend Retreat at this location and I believe a great time was had by all!

We had a total of 45 croppers at our September 2009 event! We had a great mix of loyal Cabana scrappers and brand spankin’ new Cabana scrappers!

Our event is open 24 hours, therefore we offer 50 hours of scrappin time for those die hard scrappers who actually take great advantage of this time. Anita Sorenson was once again our die hard scrapper earning her 3rd Late Night Scrapper Award, staying up until 7:30am Saturday morning and then again until 6:00am on Sunday. (I found out her little secret this event; she reserved a room at the hotel on Sunday evening to catch up on all her sleep!) Unfortunately she is unable to attend our November event so the award is up for grabs! Any takers??? Lori, this is your opportunity! Since we have 2 scrapping rooms at The Hampton, I also awarded another Late Night Scrapper Award to our new Cabana scrapper, Brenda Tisdale, who lasted until 4:30am on Saturday night! Congratulations to our Late Night Scrapper Winners, I hope that you were able to create lots of wonderful creations!

For each of our retreats we like to offer various contests or make-n-take options. For this event, we provided each of our scrappers with a 4X6 creative Spooky pad from Pebbles, Inc. Each pad included 30 sheets of paper and 4 sticker sheets. Each scrapper was offered the opportunity to create a Spooky card creation to enter into our Card Creation Contest or just keep the pad to enjoy. Each card creation that was submitted into the contest was to utilize at least 60% of the creative pad contents along with any additional embellishments they preferred. We had a total of 25 wonderful, phenomenal, creative card entries into our contest. Each of the scrappers, whether they entered the contest or not, were allowed to vote once for each card they favored! Our Spooky Creative Card Contest winners were: 1st Place: Sue Boylan, 2nd Place: Jamey Schuett and our Honorable Mention Winner: Maria Godoy! Thank you to all for taking the time to create such magnificent, creative, exceptional cards! Check them all out under our photo section on our Facebook account! Become A Facebook Fan of The Scrap Cabana

At our retreats we have a wide variety of scrappers and crafters. Lori Pervinich was our true die hard; she attended our event while her wedding is this following weekend. She was putting the finishing touches to her wedding programs and enjoying the time away prior to her crazy wedding festivities! Happy Wedding Lori!

The Chicago Western Suburbs Creative Crafters Group also joined us this weekend and we were very excited to have them join our group! Dolores Sendziak was our crazy card maker this weekend, completing 90 Christmas cards! Wow, now that’s what I call organized, I don’t even want to start thinking about Christmas…how bout you? Naomi was our youngest scrapper; I love it when teens are able to convey their creative abilities! We also had 2 brand spanking new scrappers attend our event, but I’ve got to tell ya, they had very artistic creations! I only wish my first layouts and cards were as good!

We also play The Scrap Cabana BINGO at each of retreats and each of our scrappers can earn Raffle Tickets to win FREE Scrapbook Gifts including a FREE Scrapbook Weekend by completing various challenges during the weekend. Our BINGO Winners were:

Sports Paper Pack: Donna S, Linda L, Kelly H, Naomi, Donna S, Linda L, Kirstin S

Pebbles Ribbon Iron: Jamey

Heidi Grace Paper/Sticker Pack: Linda L.
Scrapbook Album: Alice
Paper Loft Paper Pack: Alice

Blue Fabric Album: Mary Ann

Scrapbook Calendar: Julie

Cricut ABC Font: Erin

Heidi Grace Halloween Paper Pack: Dianne

Breast Cancer Awareness Tape Runner, Lanyard and Creative Memories Book: Jamey
Reminisce Freedom Collection Paper/Sticker Pack: July J

FREE Weekend Scrapbook Retreat: Dianne N.

What's more is we always pull an additional winner from all the raffle tickets for a special unannounced prize, Congratulations to our 50% OFF a Weekend Scrapbook Retreat: Tammy Russell!

In addition to offering our BINGO challenge we also award a BINGO QUEEN Award to our scrapper that is the first to complete her BINGO card….the September BINGO QUEEN Award goes to…..Alice Smith! Way to go!

CONGRATS TO ALL OUR BINGO RAFFLE WINNERS! Thanks for participating!

After a great weekend escape, I believe that we all had a wonderful, creative, relaxing 50 hours of scrapping fun! Thank you to all our loyal returning scrappers and I hope that all our new scrappers will join us once again in the future! Without all of you our event would not be as fun and successful!

Check out our information regarding our remaining 2009 & 2010 Weekend Scrapbook Events! I’m confident that you will enjoy our events and we welcome new scrappin buddies to join our rapidly growing scrappin family. Our November Event already has 20 registered scrappers! Sign up today as we only have room for 50 scrappers! Hopefully we will scrap with you soon!

Until our next chitchat…..Happy Scrappin!

Michelle

The Scrap Cabana

Become a Facebook Fan of The Scrap Cabana

National Scrapbook Day is May 2, 2009! Scrap with Us in Sandwich, IL or stop by for Great Celebration Specials!

2009-04-30T00:02:00.003-05:00

Celebrate National Scrapbook Day, May 2, 2009, In Style! We still have 10 Scrappin' Spots Available! Meet 50 new scrapping friends! Can't crop, stop by to visit with us! Can't stop, visit our on-line store for National Scrapbook Day Specials and FREE SHIPPING Promotion!

The Scrap Cabana

Join The Scrap Cabana Weekend Scrapbook Retreat Celebrations, May 1, 2, 3, 2009
Best Western Timber Creek Inn & Suites,
3300 Drew Ave, Sandwich, IL 60548

We welcome you to join us for our National Scrapbook Day, May 1, 2, 3, 2009 Scrapbook Weekend Retreat in Sandwich, IL.

Why not get a group of scrappin’ friends together
and escape for a weekend just for YOU!
Join us for the entire event or just come for the day!

You won't want to miss out on the celebrations!

50 Hours of Scrappin Fun.
Friday 3:00 pm - Sunday 5:00 pm.

8x30 Scrapping Table Per Scrapper
Lots of room to spread out!

2 Catered Meals
Unlimited Soda, Coffee or Tea.

Lots of Giveaways!
Goodie Bags.

30+ Raffles.
Including our Grand Prize Raffle:
12x12 Cricut Cutting System!

RAFFLE TICKETS AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC!
$1.00 FOR 1 TICKET, $5.00 FOR 8 TICKETS.
DON'T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A 12X12 CRICUT CUTTING SYSTEM! $300.00 Retail Value!
Winners need not be present to win.

Our on-site store will also be open to the public
so if you are unable to make it to scrap...
Be sure to stop by to browse our exciting scrapbook products!
Saturday 10am - 8pm, Sunday 10am - 4pm.

PRINT THIS BLOG FOR 20% OFF YOUR TOTAL ORDER!*
*WALK IN'S ONLY.

We hope to see you at our Weekend Scrapbook Retreat!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly! Michelle@thescrapcabana.com

DON'T MISS OUT ON ALL THE FUN!

EARTH HOUR USA

2009-03-28T20:09:00.002-05:00

On Saturday, March 28, 2009, at 8:30 pm, I am taking part in Earth Hour-a global event in which millions of people will turn out their lights to make a statement of concern about our planet and climate change.

Sponsored by World Wildlife Fund, Earth Hour got started just two years ago and is now the largest event of its kind in the world. Last year, more than 50 million participated and the lights went out at the Empire State Building, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Sydney Opera House and the Coliseum in Rome, just to name a few. Even Google's homepage went black for the day! In Israel, President Shimon Peres personally turned off lights in Tel Aviv.

This year, Earth Hour will be even bigger-already 250 cities in 74 countries have agreed to take part including Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami and Nashville with more signing up every day. Around the world cities like Moscow, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Shanghai and Mexico City will turn out their lights.

But Earth Hour isn't just for big cities-anyone can participate. To get a better sense of the event, check out this video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Qr8QXWzT9U.

Participating in Earth Hour is easy, fun and free. I hope you will join me for this amazing event.

To sign up, visit http://www.earthhourus.org/ where you'll learn more including ways you can spread the word about Earth Hour, plus creative things to do when the lights go out in case you need inspiration!

We want the US to turn out more lights than any other country in the world during this historic event so please pass this note along to anyone you think might want to take part. Let's all turn out and take action on March 28 at 8:30 pm.

I'll update our site with our Earth Hour USA pictures soon! Tell us how you celebrated Earth Hour USA 2009!

Michelle

The Scrap Cabana Weekend Scrapbook Retreat March Wrap-Up!

2009-03-20T21:36:00.006-05:00

The Scrap Cabana’s March Scrapbook Weekend Retreat was great fun! We had 39 scrappers attend our event on March 13, 14, & 15 in Aurora, IL. I just love meeting new scrapbookers and reconnecting with our loyal scrappers. Everyone was able to create such wonderful layouts! I truly enjoy looking at all the great creations. I take away so many great ideas for my own pages, as do others.

We had 8 new croppers attend our event. Lori and Sara won our die hard scrapper award this event. On Saturday, they set a goal of cropping until 5:00am Sunday morning. They finally gave up at 4:30. High Five’s for the great attempt. They were also back down by 10:30 the next morning. Now that’s what I’m talking about!

Beth is still the reining queen of BINGO. She had half her card filled by the first day! I’m going to have to come up with harder squares!

Karen Yirsa is awarded our Loyal Scrapper Award. She had wrist surgery just last week and she still attended our retreat, she managed to scrap with one hand, now that's determination. Hope you are feeling better Karen!

I had taken tons of pictures but somehow when I went to upload they were missing! Gotta love technology, when it works it good, not so fun when it doesn’t! If anyone has any pictures, please send them to me! Our raffle winner pics did survive so I have uploaded those for your enjoyment.

Our raffle was also a big hit this weekend, I had raffled off a FREE Weekend Retreat for our May Event and the bucket was overflowing! I decided at the last minutes to pull 2 winners from this bucket so we had two lucky winners that will be joining us for our National Scrapbook Weekend in May.

A round of applause for our winners!

Photo Box: Tammy Mueller
Easter Paper Pack: Christine Morgan, Jen Ripsch
Travel Album: Karen Yirsa
Paper Pack: Kristi Hess
Illinois Sticker: Erin Probst
Red Leather Album: Stephanie Brockway
Paper Pack: Diane Naumann
Heidi Grace Pack: Lori Griffin
Ribbon Iron: Sue Spanu
Be Mine, Reminisce Pack: Tammy Mueller
Karen Foster Calendar: Diane Wildy
FREE May National Scrapbook Day Retreat: Lori Griffin
FREE May National Scrapbook Day Retreat: Christie Morgan

We are temporarily moving our retreat to a new location in May. We will be at the Best Western, Timber Creek Inn & Suites in Sandwich. It is a newer hotel and the room we have is amazing! It’s over 4,000 sq so we will have lots of room to takeover! We also have the room right off the patio so we should be able to enjoy the May weather. Let’s hope it’s nice! You never know. We needed a bigger space due to our exciting celebrations we will be having due to National Scrapbook Day! It will be a lot of fun. Be sure to celebrate with us in Style! Our grand prize raffle is a 12x12 Cricut Cutting System. I’m sure that bucket will be overflowing!

Thank you to all our March Scrappers! We appreciate that you choose to spend your weekend with us and we hope that you felt comfortable and had a great time! Can’t wait to scrap with you again!

Check out all our information regarding our National Scrapbook Day Celebrations, May 1, 2, 3, 2009, Weekend Scrapbook Retreat! Don't miss out on all the fun! Click on the picture below for all the information.

Until our next chit chat....Happy Scrappin!

Michelle
The Scrap Cabana
Your Escape for Scrapbooking!

It's Scrappin Time! Check out our March Weekend Scrapbook Retreat Information!

2009-01-30T21:10:00.006-06:00

I can’t believe It’s Scrappin Time once again! I’m so excited! Please read even if you have already registered for this event, IMPORTANT new information included!

We welcome you to join us for The Scrap Cabana Weekend Scrapbook Retreat March 13, 14, 15, 2009 in Aurora, IL. I have included our Weekend Flyer and Registration Form for those of you that would like to take advantage of this time away to Scrap and have some fun! Our Early Bird Special runs until February 20th, so be sure to take advantage of our early discounts!

Due to popular request, we have added a FULL TABLE option for our Weekend Retreats. Lot’s of room to spread out!

We will have lots of Goodies, Giveaways, Scrapbook Specials & Make N Takes! Our on-site store will also be open to the public so if you are unable to make it to scrap, be sure to stop by to browse our exciting scrapbook products!

If anyone is interested in receiving a Private Massage during this event, please let me know. If we have enough interested scrappers, I will invite a wonderful professional masseuse that will be available during the crop. She has conducted messages at a number of scrappin events in the area, is highly recommended and we would love to have her available should there be enough interest. She is available for 15 minutes increments, up to an hour, at $1.00 per minute. She will have a hotel room available for your privacy.

We hope to see you at our Weekend Scrapbook Retreat!

Check out our National Scrapbook Weekend Retreat Information regarding our May Event. http://www.thescrapcabana.com/nascdaycemay.html National Scrapbook Day is May 2, 2009! We have found a new venue for this event in Sandwich, IL, that is also an Indoor Waterpark Facility, has a McDonald’s on-site and a Full Restaurant & Bar. We will have a 4,000 sq ft room for this event and each scrapper will have a Full 8X30 Table. You won’t want to miss this SCRAPBOOKING Event of 2009! Our grand prize raffle item for this event is a 12x12 Cricut Cutting Machine! We hope to see you at both our events! SAVE THE DATES!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me either by e-mail or phone.

Tell all your scrappin friends about our event that you feel would love to take advantage of our Weekend Scrapbook Retreats!

Until our next Chit Chat....Happy Scrappin’

Michelle

The Scrap Cabana

Your Escape for Scrapbooking!

Happy New Year

2009-01-04T14:12:00.004-06:00

Happy New Year from The Scrap Cabana!

I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year! As we ended 2008, I promised myself that I wouldn’t make New Years Resolutions this year as I can never seem to honor them! BUT…since starting my scrapbook store I have found that now I truly never have enough time to scrapbook….I almost find myself taking less pictures as I am fearful I will never have the time to scrap them! How horrible is that! My kids have grown up with a camera in their face and they too were surprised that mom wasn’t following them around at every Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Holiday celebrations this year. SO….I have committed to at least scrappin 1 day a month in 2009! Doesn’t sound like much but with the scrapbook stores, and returning to the staffing industry workforce full-time this year it will defiantly be a challenge!

2008 was a wonderful learning experience for us here at The Scrap Cabana. I have learned that starting a business can be very rewarding and time consuming! I have learned more about HTML, Blogging, Marketing, Inventory and Organization then ever before. The World Wide Web is a very confusing, interesting, intriguing, intimidating place but we are learning more and more each day! Attending scrapbook conventions and wanting to order everything, while being unable, has been challenging. There were so many great scrapbook products introduced in 2008 and we strive to offer unique, hard to find items.

We hosted our first Weekend Scrapbook Retreat in March in Aurora and although it was small, we had a total of 9 scrappers, it was a great time. Since we were so small I was actually able to work on my daughter’s 8th grade trip to Washington DC that I had chaperoned in 2006. I took over 1,100 pictures so it is a treasure in itself. (Yes, I understand that was 2 years ago…see I’m so far behind) We attended the CHA Scrapbook Convention in July hosted right here in Chicago and we were so excited to view all the wonderful NEW scrapping products. This convention has been in Chicago for over 10 years and this year they will be moving to Orlando, FL. While it will be fun to get away to discover all the great new products in 2009, I can’t image the heat we will have to endure while in Florida. I’ll miss being able to drive to the city….. We also hosted a number of craft fairs this summer, quickly learning that setting up an awning can be extremely funny! My kids and I had lots of laughs and I’m grateful for those memories. If only we had someone taking pictures of this…would be a site!

Our second Weekend Scrapbook Retreat in September was a blast. We had a total of 33 scrappers and I loved that we were able to bring a bunch of strangers together to create wonderful friendships and scrapping memories. Our little event was growing nicely! Although scrappin is a great business to have, I soon learned that it wouldn’t support our family in the manner we were accustomed. I had worked full time in the employment industry for 16 years and took some time off to focus on starting our scrapbook business in 2008. Once our small business was up and running, I returned to the workforce in September 2008. It’s been a challenge focusing on two careers but my daughter has been able to learn the business, helping pick orders and shipping our product. I think it’s a great learning experience for her, although I do get the occasionally eyes rolling or UGGHH from her when I return home from work to update her on her activity! How nice would it have been to work from home while earning money while in High School? Hopefully someday she will appreciate the work ethic and responsibility she was able to gain from this experience.

We celebrated our 1st Anniversary in October! I want to thank all of our scrapping buddies that have helped us reach this awesome milestone! We wouldn’t be here without YOU! We had our final Weekend Scrapbook Retreat in November and we have a whopping 49 scrappers! How great is that? I’m just so happy that we have created an environment just for scrappers! We all need that time away to focus on scrapping without any distractions and we have been successful in creating just that! We even had a group of returning croppers that created their own shirts and they call themselves, the Cabana Croppers! How cool is that? We added over 500 new products to our site in 2008 and we look forward to adding many more in 2009!

All in all, as I look back on 2008, I don’t want to focus on our struggles and challenges but that my family is happy & healthy, we have a roof over our heads and food on the table and that we will survive this economic setback that has effected so many! I hope 2009 brings you nothing but good health & happiness!

Escape to The Scrap Cabana often in 2009 as we will be adding great new products as they are introduced. Be sure to check out our Weekend Scrapbook Retreats in 2009 and don’t miss out on our Phenomenal National Scrapbook Day 2009 Celebration on May 2, 2009. We are planning a huge celebration with lots of freebies, goodies, raffles and contest. We will also raffle off a Brand New 12x12 Cricut Cutting System! You won’t want to miss this party! Full details to be announced in mid-January!

So, after I end this blog session, I will pull out my scrapping supplies and fulfill my monthly New Years Resolution! This will be my year to commit to scrapbook! I challenge all scrappers to commit to a specified scrappin time in 2009! Send me a comment to set your New Years Scrapping Commitment. We can motivate each other!

I’ll end with this special quote that I find appropriate to our quest…..

”We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.” ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Until our next chitchat……Happy Scrappin and Happy 2009! Thanks for letting us be a “little” part of your memories!

Michelle
The Scrap Cabana
Your Escape For Scrapbooking!

Happy Holidays

2008-12-24T23:09:00.005-06:00

Happy Holidays!

The Scrap Cabana wishes everyone a Healthy, Happy, Holiday Season! We are so thankful for our family; our good health and our freedom to enjoy life to the fullest! Whatever your beliefs we hope that you find joy in the holiday season.

May the meaning of the season be deeper, its friendships stronger and its hopes brighter!

To a joyful present and a well remembered past. For these are the events that we strive to remember with our scrapbooking treasures. Thanks for letting us be a little part of your memories!

Until our next chitchat……Happy Scrappin and Best wishes for Happy Holidays!

Michelle
The Scrap Cabana
Your Escape For Scrapbooking!

The Scrap Cabana Weekend Retreat November Wrap-Up

2008-12-18T22:45:00.012-06:00

The Scrap Cabana hosted another wonderful Weekend Scrapbook Retreat in November at The Hampton Inn & Suites in Aurora. We had a great response to our event, with over 49 Cabana Croppers! (I borrowed that new name from a group of returning croppers who created their own shirts to celebrate our weekend event! Check out their picture!) How cool is that! I’m so glad that everyone enjoys our weekend events and that they took the time to create such wonderful custom shirts celebrating our time together! I’m thinking of expanding on their idea to create our own special “Cabana Cropper” paraphernalia to honor their creativity. They say “Imitation is the greatest form of flattery!” I believe in spreading this concept during out events as it pertains to scrapbook layouts & card creations!

All in all, I believe everyone had a great time. Lots of fun was had creating wonderful scrapbook layout creations. We also had a new group of card makers that are so talented! I only wish I could be so creative. I have included a mixture of phenomenal layouts that our scrappers created during the weekend.

Our event is open 24 hours, therefore we offer 50 hours of scrappin time for those die hard scrappers who actually take great advantage of this time. Anita was our die hard scrapper at our September event and she definitely lived up to her reputation at our November event. She was our late night die hard, scrapping into the wee hours of the morning once again. If only we had her stamina! She is not able to attend our March event and I will have to find a suitable die hard replacement. Any takers?

Overall I believe everyone had a great time….our Sunday Raffle was also a big hit with lots of winner! Check out all our photos.

Due to our growth, we are seeking another facility to hold our events. While everyone had a great time, we are quickly running out of space and my number one concern is that everyone is comfortable and has enough space to spread out and focus on scrappin! We have adapted the motto “No Worries, this is your time to focus on scrappin” so I need to be sure to accommodate that motto! Check back often to follow our adventures in scrappin! We really do have a lot of fun and I’m so excited that our group of on-line strangers has grown into a scrappin family!

Check out our information regarding our 2009 Weekend Scrapbook Events at our on-line scrapbook store, The Scrap Cabana Weekend Scrapbook Retreats! I’m confident that you will enjoy our events and we welcome new scrappin buddies to join our growing scrappin family. Hopefully we will scrap with you in 2009!

Until our next chitchat…..Happy Scrappin!

Michelle

The Scrap Cabana.com
Your Escape for Scrapbooking!

The Scrap Cabana's 1st Anniversary Celebration!

2008-09-30T23:50:00.006-05:00

We made it through the first year! Thank you for all the support! A few years ago I had a crazy idea to start an on-line scrapbook store. I have been scrapbooking for over 12 years and I was really frustrated that I could not find one scrapbook source for my favorite scrappin subjects. My family, children, including their school & sporting accomplishments and our family travels. Since I had so many memories to scrap, I originally decided to move forward instead of starting from the beginning! My focus was to create a school years scrapbook for each of my children, committing to keeping it current! The second was to document all our family travels since this was really the only time we were focused on family activities without all the day to day interruptions. Every time I would go to the local scrapbook store, they had the same school year, sports and travel scrapbooking products! I wanted more! So, I came up with this idea to start a scrapbook supply source focusing on travel, sports and school year products! I wanted to offer a large assortment in these areas so that if others were also discouraged with the limited supply available locally they would have an additional source where they were free to surf till their hearts were content! What better place than the World Wide Web, where from the comfort of your own home, you could oooh and aahhh at all the great products available? I had been working in the staffing industry for 16 years and I really wanted to focus on creating this new adventure! Many smart, intelligent people warned me that turning my hobby into a business venture wasn’t the brightest idea but I threw caution to the wind and decided to take that leap! Thus began my newest adventure, The Scrap Cabana.

How did you ever come up with that name, you may ask? After searching and searching the web for scrapbook names that weren’t taken, I was reminded of our vacation travels once again. Whenever we travel, our family must spend at least half the time in or near the water. We find the most relaxing environment at the pool or at the beach is chilling in a Cabana. When you rent a Cabana, you never have to worry about finding enough vacant lounge chairs, the television is available for my sports loving hubby and sons, and I don’t have to make 15 trips to the concession stand for my hungry children who never seem to want to eat at the same time! It may cost a bit more, but we have found that it is, what’s that commercial jingle….Priceless! So, we wanted a name that reminded us of one of our favorite places….while offering a similar environment where you could escape to scrapbooking from your favorite chair, couch or even bed, multitask while watching your favorite TV show or even eat & drink if you felt compelled! Whaala…….The Scrap Cabana. You’re Escape for Scrapbooking! Clever, huh?!? We think so!

My family has been extremely supportive during this crazy, hectic and even sometimes scary journey and I cannot thank them enough for all their support! It has been a struggle establishing our name on the World Wide Web but we are taking it one day at a time. Our motto is “Keep it Simple, Keep it Current!” And my favorite quote has always been, “Anything is possible!”

We are so excited to be celebrating our 1st anniversary! We want to thank all of our scrappin buddies that have helped us reach this awesome milestone and we look forward to being your favorite source for scrapbooking products in the future. While our focus will continue to be based on Scrapbooking products for Travel, Sports, Hobbies & School Years, we have gradually introduced other scrapbooking themes and will continue to keep an eye open for fun, classy, funky & unique scrapbooking items.

Even during these times of economic challenges, we hope that you will still capture and preserve your most precious memories through scrapbooking! At The Scrap Cabana we appreciate your business! We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for YOU! I find it very exciting to share our awesome scrapbook treasures with those who actually appreciate them! I love being able to contribute to preserving your most precious memories! Your hard work will be appreciated for years to come! Thanks for letting us be a “little” part of those memories!

Thanks for taking time to read all about our journey! I hope you share in my joy and passion and be sure to take time to surf the site! http://www.thescrapcabana.com/. We will have lots of specials during our Anniversary month of October! Check back often as we will switch up the specials and savings thought out the month! I hope you will find the site easy to navigate and full of exciting products! Check our blog often, as I will continue to relive bits & pieces of the tale of our journey along the way! I will also be sure to update the site with exciting new products as often as I can! If you have a favorite product line that you do not see, be sure to drop me a line and I will check it out……we encourage suggestions, comments and critiques! Feel free to call, text, snail mail or E-mail me at michelle@thescrapcabana.com

Until our next chitchat.....Happy Scrappin!

Michelle
The Scrap Cabana
Your Escape For Scrapbooking

The Scrap Cabana November 2009 Weekend Scrapbook Retreat Information

2008-09-10T20:05:00.014-05:00

Are you yearning to scrapbook but just can't find the time? Do your kids, family and work responsibilities dominate your life and time? Me too! While this is all good, we need to carve out some time for ourselves! I have been an avid scrapbooker for over 12 years and I am very interested in meeting local scrappers and getting together for Scrapbooking Marathons!

Our next Weekend Scrapbook Retreat is November 21, 22, 23, 2009 in Aurora, IL at The Hampton Inn & Suites. Join us for the entire event or if time is still limited, you may choose to come for a day or two days! Space is limited so be sure to reserve your seat today! Get a group of friends to join in on the fun and make it an annual event!

Click on the flyer to the left to check out all the details!

I have also included a registration form for more detailed information.

Join us for this great event! It’s the perfect chance to catch up on all your scrapbooking! OR at least have a bit of fun! Our Scrapbooking room is open 24 hours for those die hard scrappers! We are in a secure hotel conference room so once you get out all your scrapping goodies and spread out, you don't need to pack up until you leave! Room is locked after the last scrapper finally gives up for the evening.

If you are looking for a place to Scrapbook, meet new people and laugh then this is the event for you! Leave your career, kids, hubby, housework and worries at home and escape for a weekend of Scrapbooking!

Check out our site link to the right of this blog for more detailed information!

Until our next chitchat.......Happy Scrappin'

Michelle

The Scrap Cabana

Your Escape for Scrapbooking!

The Scrap Cabana Weekend Scrapbook Retreat - September 5, 6, 7th Wrap-Up

2008-09-08T13:27:00.047-05:00

The Scrap Cabana hosts Weekend Scrapbook Retreats in Aurora, IL at The Hampton Inn & Suites. We just hosted our 2nd Scrapbook Weekend on September 5,6,7 and it was a great success! We had such a great time and lots of scrappin' fun! Our scrapbook events are growing quickly and we had 33 scrappin' buddies attend our September Event!

At our Scrapbook Weekend, we play Scrapbook BINGO! You earn raffle tickets just by scrappin'! It is a typical BINGO card but with scrappin' squares. An example of a Bingo square would be USE RIBBON ON YOUR PAGE, or SCRAPPED FOR OVER 8 HOURS IN ONE DAY, or COMPLETED 10 PAGES. It is really a lot of fun and you earn raffle tickets that you can use to win Scrappin' Giveaways.

Everyone was busy scrappin' the weekend away! Our scrapping room is open 24 hours for those die hard scrappers and we took total advantage of the time away. Scrapper Anita was our late nite die hard staying up until 5:30 AM! She stayed up in time to catch the wonderful hot breakfast that the Hampton host for all overnight guest! After catching a few hours of sleep, she was back at it by 11:00 AM! What a tropper! Scrapper Beth completed a whopping 30 pages! She was also busy earning her Scrapbook BINGO tickets and she completed the full Scrapbook Bingo card! Scrapper Erin was our honored returning guest....she has attended both of our scrapbook weekends and we were so happy she came back for more! Thanks Erin! Scrapper Kim A is expecting her second child in a few weeks and we were so happy she was able to join us! Any day now.....we will be thinking about you and wish you the best!

With so much time to focus on just scrappin', we created lots of wonderful scrapbook layouts! Just look at our creations! Click on the picture for a close up! (Some are not upright and I have tried to correct but they keep going back sideways!)

Once all the BINGO raffle tickets were earned, we held our Scrappin' Raffle at the end of our event on Sunday. The Scrappin' Raffle was very exciting and highly anticipated! We had a lot of different winners so no one dominated the raffle! Check out our winners......

The Scrap Cabana Scrapbook Weekend Retreat Bingo Winners: Scrapper Beth, Jackie (2), Hilda (2), Anita, Trina, Alice, Sue, Judy (2), Kathy & Kim

Congratulation Winners!!!
Our weekend was a lot of fun and other than being sleep deprived, I believe it was a success! Please join us for our next Scrapbook Weekend Retreat in November! It's just around the corner and definitely worth it!

Until our next chitchat.........Happy Scrappin'

Michelle

The Scrap Cabana
Your Escape for Scrapbooking!