PayDay FriDay! Special JO-ANN edition!

People lining up at the new Jo-Ann, ready for their giftcards!

Warning- this post is full to the brim with photos.  And I'll probably ramble on and on.  So either get yourself a cup of coffee and sit back- or just run for your life.  Your choice.  But don't say I didn't warn you.

Let's hear it for one of the most exciting holidays- PAYDAY!  It happens every other Friday AND it's fun to say! Seriously.  Say it out loud.  No, with more excitement.  That's close, but you're still not selling it- nowwww ya got it-  PAYDAY FRIDAY!

A funny side note: Back when I was young and poor, it wasn't PAYDAY FRIDAY that I celebrated.  Well- it isn't as if I'm just old and rich, now- but you know what I'm talkin' about, right?  When I was 'young and poor,'    I celebrated HOT CHECK THURSDAY.  Think of that as Christmas Eve to payday Friday.  I would go out to buy things (usually only necessities) and write a paper check.  Because it wouldn't hit the bank before my paycheck did- so it wasn't technically a HOT check, but maybe a bit toasty.

Anybody who's been within earshot of me that past week or so has heard me go on and on about the new JO-ANN location, here in beautiful Oklahoma City.  Before, back in the dark ages that were, just a few months ago, we had an 'old' Jo-Ann.  Small.  Mostly fabric.  Usually one employee to cut the fabric then run up front to play cashier.  And a very small, badly stocked, sad and pathetic craft section.  Depressing.  The nearest 'big' Jo-Ann was in Norman, which is a boring forty minute drive away.  So when I heard that we were getting a big, shiny, brand new Jo-Ann, I was pumped.  One more place to use a forty percent off coupon! Whooo!

But why was I so excited about the Grand Opening party?  Yeah, they really opened two weeks ago, and yes- I'd already been twice.  BUT, for their grand opening celebration, they were not only featuring a FIFTY percent off coupon, but they were also giving away a FREE TEN DOLLAR GIFT CARD to the first one hundred people!  I was determined to the one of those first one hundred people.

I talked up my favorite partner in crime, the infamous Holly Busch, into joining me.  She's crafty and hilarious.  And a major Pinterest addict.  For real- she was even re-pinning stuff while we were waiting to get into the store.  And wait, we did...

Discussing out game plan the night before, we decided we should definitely arrive early.  At the same time, we decided it's only a ten dollar gift card, so we wouldn't be TOO early.  Time is money, too.  And, time is sleep.  Since I had decided to use a vacation day, to have the time off of work, I didn't care too much for waking up BEFORE I usually do!  We decided to arrive an hour before their 9:00am opening time.  That proved to be just right- because we were FIRST in line.  Here I am, starting the line:

As soon as we started our line- a couple of ladies got out of their mini-van to join us.  They told us about some backwoods home remedy, some kind of tree sap, that one of the ladies was using to treat a cut on her hand.  The other lady told Holly how her husband was waiting in the mini-van, sick, and unable to eat for three days.  They were going to take him to the hospital as soon as they got their craft shopping finished.  Priorities, people. 

Here we are, waiting for all the fun to begin:

It wasn't too long at all, before a really mean lookin' lady stomped up, and seeing that the electric doors were opening- that she would just get in front of us- and start her own line inside, and wait for the main doors to be unlocked.  We  thought it was kinda rude- but whatever, we were still going to be amongst the first 100!

But then, more people began arriving.  And they ALL wanted to squeeze inside the lobby area, instead of waiting in a nice, calm line.  We began to see that these ten dollar giftcards were one hundred dollar giftcards, at least in the minds of these pushy people.  By now, the line was stretched beyond the doors of the small lobby area, so were now 'in line' again! A lady behind us showed up the jewelry she makes.  A couple told us how they'd come yesterday and were back again this morning.  Yes, the grand opening party goes on three days, and YES-the free giftcards are given away to the first 100, every day, too!  But no- I will not be doing it all over again, tomorrow.

Oh!  The doors are open!  I am handed my giftcard!  Here it is- right in my hot little inky hand:

They are also having drawings for high-dollar giftcards.  I better win.  I'll even turn up the volume on my cell phone ringer, just to make sure I don't miss the call to tell me I've one a 500.00 giftcard.  And when I do, I'll return all the stuff I bought today, and then buy it all right back up again.  See, people, always have a plan.

Look at all these serious shoppers!  Is this Black Friday?  And look at that, Jo-Ann went all out with the grand opening party decor.  Four balloons.

I was hopped up on Diet Dr. Pepper and adrenaline.  Everything seemed to be discounted, and every item on the shelves seemed to be calling my name and promising sexual favors.

The Tim Holtz dies and embossing folders were all on sale.  11.99 for the Bigz dies, 9.59 for the Movers 'n Shapers, and 6.59 for the 'Texture Fades' embossing folders.  I couldn't pass that up- so I got all of the ones I didn't have...  Suffering a tiny shred of buyer's remorse, now.  How many times will I use that damn Umbrella Man embossing folder?!  No! I need it!  

I also think that I like to own one of EVERYTHING, because- when inspiration strikes, I love being able to HAVE the stuff.  Right there.  I also love having friends over, and having a huge supply of stock, just ready for happy fun creative time.  That brings me joy.  Wait, am I rationalizing all this to you or me?!

We eventually wore ourselves out and went up to pay- oh!  Another free gift!  These cool shopping bags!  I like the retro design, reminds me of Mid-Century barkcloth.

Here I am, in the parking lot, posing in front of my junky, giant 4-wheel drive truck, with my receipt:

And here, I notice the grand total on that receipt:

I got home and laid out my new stuff.  Ladies and Gentlemen:  The Haul, Part 1, JO-ANN:

Whoa, Kory, what do you mean, the HAUL: PART ONE?   Because, ladies and gentlemen- I didn't stop at Jo-Ann.....

to be continued...

Weekend Recap!

Hi everyone! 

I am so sorry to tell you all that it's Monday.

When I woke up this morning, I was confused by how bright it was- DID I OVERSLEEP AGAIN?  I overslept TWICE last week.  TWICE.   Which was a tremendous shock to me.  I am so rarely EVER late getting anywhere.  Even work.  But last week, I overslept TWICE- not even waking up until two to five minutes AFTER I was supposed to be at work.  This morning, I woke up to a blinding light.  No, it wasn't later than I thought- it had snowed!  I fought a battle with my conscience.  Do I call in 'snowed in' to work?  No.  I drive a giant four-wheel drive truck and too proudly boasted about my ability to smash through giant snowbanks to get to a bar during the last blizzard.  Dangit!  

So: No staying home and making things and hooking up the microphone to the stereo and perfoming my lounge act in the living room.  I went to work.

The ScrapShopping Weekend.  OR:  Saturday Morning at Tuesday Morning.

If you saw my previous SALE ALERT posts, you know that I was looking forward to hitting up the local TUESDAY MORNING shops to see what Tim Holtz products they had- more specifically the 'Texture Hammer.'

I woke up bright and early on Saturday morning and headed North to the nearest Tuesday Morning.  I should've checked their hours- they don't open until 10am.  It was 9:46am.  I sat in the parking lot until I saw a woman with a big bouffant bun stagger up to the front of the store and turn on the OPEN sign.  Surely that's the cue that the store is open, right?  Surely she wouldn't turn on the OPEN sign and not yet be open, right?  Wrong.  I walked up to find a locked door.  She gives me a frown and walks to the door, unlocked it- and let me in, but not before berating me about it not being 10:00, yet.   I was in a pretty good mood, so I didn't 'tell her about herself,' as my friend LaKenda would say...  Instead, I tried to be nice. 

"I'm sorry, I saw the OPEN light turn on and I thought it would be okay to try to come in..."

"No," the beast snarled.

Really?  What's wrong with YOU, lady?  It didn't get better from there, either!  They didn't have ANY of the Tim Holtz product advertised in the paper except for the RETRO GRUNGE paper pads.  I bought one,  just so I wouldn't have to leave empty-handed.  While paying, I thought I'd try to ask the Beast With A Bun if they even got the hammer or anything else in the paper-

"If it's not out there, we either didn't or it sold out!"

I seriously considered, again, 'telling her about herself.'  But I thought, 'out with anger in with love and go to another Tuesday Morning.' 

*For anyone interested in which Tuesday Morning this evil thing works at- it is this location:
9446 North May Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73120-2712
Avoid it at all costs.

I had much better luck at the next Tuesday Morning!  WhooooHOO!  I found my Texture Hammer!  For 4.99!  I also found some great American Crafts stamp sets (1.99ea), a nice, huge rotary paper trimmer (also American Crafts and for 14.99).

So, the weekend turned out to not be so bad!

Coming Soon:  More sketches !  I was hard at work, laying in bed last night.  No, perv, not that kind of 'work.'   I was hard at work on the iPad, coming up with more sketches and ideas...while watching The Walking Dead.  Glad that's back on TV!

More fun to come!

-kory

SALE ALERT!

The 'new' JOANN's GRAND OPENING!

Yes, the 'NEW' JOANN that I mentioned the other day or so, at NW EXPWY and ROCKWELL is having her GRAND OPENING shiny good time happy party this **NEXT** WEEKEND! It begins THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16 and continues until SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17!  **note: I excitedly/mistakenly read the dates as being THIS weekend- but it is NEXT weekend!  Which is even better- that's my payday weekend!

When I went in last Sunday, they gave me a sheet of coupons for 50% off one item for EACH day of the weekend.  Which, really- I gotta go ALL three days?  Okay, twist my arm.  50% off! 

ALSO- for anyone in the OKC area- the first 100 shoppers each day get a 10.00 gift card.  So, that means- with my 50% off coupon AND if I'm one of the first 100, I can get a 20.00 item for FREE.  This is IF they don't put ALL scrapbooking items 10%, causing your 50% off coupon to be useless, tho-

Let me know if you're in the area and want to meet it up at JOANN's on Saturday morning.  You can bring coffee and I'll bring .. I don't know.  I'll think of somethin'.   ;-)

-kory

Sale Alert!

    This weekend, Tuesday Morning's weekend sale circular advertises that they'll have closeout TIM HOLTZ products!  Including the texture hammer!  Also pictured were some of the long fasteners, the Retro Grunge paper pad, and the Configurations boxes!  See what I'm talking about at http://www.tuesdaymorning.com/!

     Of course, selection varies by store- but my experience at Tuesday Morning had been good- identical stock at each location.  Quantities will surely vary- so get there early for the best selection!  Prices range from .99 to 6.99. 

Get out there and get some bargains!!!

-kory