CREATIVE CHAOS from MICHAELS

So, last night, I was cruising around MICHAELS.  You know, how I like to do...  I spent some time checking out Martha Stewart's Christmas stuff - they're stocking all of her Christmas 'paper tape,' which thrilled me.  I headed over to shake down the SMASH book endcap, hoping to find the new '365' SMASH book.  They didn't have it, yet.  I turned around, a bit sad- but then: OH! Look!  MICHAELS has their own brand of SMASH books.  Yeah, they're not SMASH books- it's like when you go to Walgreens, to buy some Benadryl, cause you can't sleep and your Doctor is on to you and cut you off the sleeping pills so you're making your own with Benadryl and Budweiser beer- but instead of buying Benadryl, you buy Waladryl, cuz it's the same thing but cheaper.  I'm not making any sense at all- I guess what I thought I was going to explain was that MICHAELS has a 'store brand' SMASH book, now. 

But I don't even want to say it is a 'generic' SMASH book. 

Cuz it's better. 

It's the new CREATIVE CHAOS line from MICHAELS.  And it's beautiful.  I love all of their books.  I love that they're BINDERS instead of spiral bound.  I love the papers.  And isn't the name great?  Creative Chaos.  Love it.

Check out this one:

photo from MICHAELS.COM

Classy, huh?

They have a nice range of embellishments, cardstock stacks- everything.  Go check it out.  You won't be disappointed.  Well, if you are, there's something wrong with you.

I picked up a pack of these Polaroid-style frames:

photo from MICHAELS.COM

They're nice, sturdy thick chipboard.  And they're left plain.  Which I loved.  I love them as they are- but you could definitely add some design to them if you wanted them a bit more flashy.  I usually prefer my embellishments how I like my strippers:  totally nude.  That way, if you want to add something you can.  But once they're covered in glitter, it's all over.

I also like that the frames are left plain because of the tragedy that often befalls product too heavily decorated.  The frames are so nice- plain and sturdy- that I must give credit to the creative director or either prevented (or wasn't demanding enough to think they needed) pre-printed sayings like 'INSTANT PHOTO VINTAGE LOVE!' or even the dreaded LIVE LAUGH LOVE across the bottom.

My other favorite Creative Chaos embellishment pack that I picked up?  This nice set of envelopes in WAIT FOR IT:  KRAFT! 

photo from MICHAELS.COM

Yeahhhhh.  Two styles of sexxxy kraft envelopes.  For 3.99.  That's a bargain, dammit.

Get out to MICHAELS and pick up this stuff before the holiday shoppers pick the place clean!

I'll be back, soon, with my SUPER CHRISTMAS BANNER GOOD TIMES!

-kory

on tape and gifts and being busy

Ohhhh it's been a long week!

As usual, I've been BUSY!

I like to keep busy.  If I'm not doing something or about to do something, I feel like world will end.  Actually, I don't feel like the world will end- I KNOW it will end.

Last night, as I was leaving MICHAELS, I looked up to see a bright orange streak burning far far farrrr up in the sky.  It was much higher than a plane could be flying.  Clearly, it was an asteroid headed straight towards New Mexico.  I couldn't believe that I was going to die in the parking lot of MICHAELS.

Needless to say, it wasn't an asteroid and a survivor didn't have to pry the bag of washi tape from my cold, dead fingers.

YES!  Washi is back at MICHAELS!  The much talked about 'WALL O' WASHI' at MICHAELS!  Imagine the embarrassingly pre-teen squeal that escaped from my mouth.  You would've thought a twelve year old girl turned the corner and saw Justin Bieber- not that a handsome gentleman in his, um, late mid-thirties, saw a rack of tape.

Yeah- they call it 'crafting tape.'  Which does sound kinda classy, doesn't it?  All kinds of new designs- my favorite?  A kinda kraft chevron. 

There's a close-up for your tape viewing pleasure.  Pervert.

Just when I think that I can't be excited any further, I run across this little end-cap of joy:

7gypsies!

Loads of stamps and 'ephemera packs.'  (And up above, those nifty 'Mix'd Media Inks.'  Love those!)

I can't tell you how long I've been wanting the 7gypsies 'BEAUTIFUL' stamp.  I like the font and I like the simplicity.  And now, I can't wait to use it...

So, what else has been going on in KoryLand? 

Well, in my show business career, I just closed another hit run of HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH.  Yes, I say 'another,' because it's the third run of this same production that I've stage managed.  The show that won't quit!  And I love every second of it!

But you know how much I love to give opening night gifts to all the actors and stage crew.  I don't care how many shows I've done-  I can't help but give SOMETHING.  The energy that is backstage on an opening night is one of the most addictive drugs in the world!  And I love to fuel it by delivering a small gift to everyone. 

Like last show's opening night gift, I made the same/similar necklaces-  using some inexpensive satin cord and chains with (also inexpensive!) clasps and a variety of tokens from Tim Holtz's Idea-ology line- along with a few random charms I've found along the way.  You can really make LOTS of neatly impressive necklaces this way, for not much money at all. 

But PACKAGING is what I really enjoy.  I love using paper lunch sacks and twine (Dollar Tree!) and some embossed tags when I package my gifts.

Something seemed to be missing...though...

TELEGRAMS!!!  Just like the 'olden days!'  You know- you've seen the movies.  A show is opening and telegrams are being delivered to everyone backstage.

A quick search on the internet and I found this incredible Western Union telegram template.  All you hafta do is type your information into the boxes- it puts it into an authentic 'telegram' font and PRINT.  The website even shows you how to fold them as Western Union did!!!

There's one of my completed 'telegrams' right there- trimmed to the authentic size and all!  I didn't have any cream colored paper or newsprint, so I settled on what looked to be an attention getting 'official yellow.' 

I wish I had a photo of the next step- but to make my telegrams look more official, I pulled out some stamps at the office and stamped "RECEIVED" in 'official' red ink.  It really added a cool detail!

There it is, all folded up!

And there they are- attached to the gift bags and tags and boxed up- ready for delivery!

Okay- that's all I got for ya, today.  I can't stay and talk for hours, ya know- I've got a mountain of work to do and then hafta run home and get to work with unpacking books, books and more books.  I clearly need to have a book SALE.

See you soon!

-k

Talking About Shopping

Doesn't it suck, wandering around a store where you know the inventory like the back of your hand? I hate knowing both every item in a store AND how long it's been there...  

But I LOVE to be surprised when new product shows up!  It's such a good feeling- kinda like a sneeze.  Surprising and feels great.  Did you know that I love to sneeze?  It feels so good.

Yesterday, I had ninety minutes to kill before I had to be at the theatre, downtown, for a production meeting.  And you know what goes through my head when I have more than 25 minutes but less than three hours to kill:  CRAFT SUPPLY SHOPPING!

I headed to 'Good Michaels' on the South side of Oklahoma City.  Why didn't I go to the one closest to me and why do I call the South Michaels location 'the good Michaels?'  Cuz its shelves are usually stocked (more and better) and they put out new product FASTER.  The location nearest me, on North May Avenue, the one I usually call 'Lunch Michaels,' goes through long periods of blank space on shelves and hooks.  Also, they either don't get new product as fast as 'Good Michaels,' or they just take their sweet time putting it out on a hook.  And that makes me crazy.  If one of my friends tells me about the kick-A new thing they just bought at Michaels- and I go- and it isn't out-  I can have a near meltdown.  Yes, that obviously tells you about the problems I clearly have with my mental state.

So, I headed down to 'Good Michaels.'  Used the time on the interstate to honk at people who don't know how to merge from the on-ramp and called my dear sweet MOM!  My nephew answered the phone.  I didn't recognize his voice- he's only just turned 13, but puberty must've hit him like a cartoon sledgehammer.  I immediately thought, "Okay, Mom either got a new cell phone number and forgot to tell me (again) or she's left my Stepfather and has run off with this new man."  No, it's just my nephew. He tells me that my Mom is upstairs.

"So..."

"Yeah, she's upstairs."

SO?!  SHE'S UPSTAIRS!  SHE'S NOT POSING FOR A PICTURE AT THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA!  RUN UP THE STAIRS AND HAND THE PHONE TO HER!

Kids.  They get lazier every day.

What the hell am I talking about?!   Oh yeah.  The hap-haps at Michaels.

First up:  The famous Michaels photo boxes.  On sale for 2.39 each.  Bargain!  I am addicted to these- I have the plain kraft ones for most of my supply storage.  I try to keep things I don't use as often in them- as it's just so much trouble for me to pull a lid off of a box.  But they look great, stacked on a shelf!  Especially if you type labels up on your computer, print them out, cut them to the right size and slide them into the label-holder-thingy.

As I said, I have about eight of the plain kraft ones- as I love kraft and the patterned or colored ones irritated me.  But these caught my eye:

Aren't those classy?  Yeah, I know.  While I am usually against 'travel decor' that depicts places I haven't actually BEEN- I love how Elizabeth Tower looks (read Wikipedia! it be getting/got a name change!).  I love the simple graphic beauty of these boxes!  You know I'd rather walk on my lips than say somethin' mean- but my first thought was, "I'm surprised they didn't screw up the cool simpleness of the design with some neon bubble writing declaring "BIG BEN BIG BEN BIG BEN" all over the sides and background."  Because that so often happens- usually with the dollar stamps.  There will be a stamp with a nice sentiment but "ruined" with a little bee dotting an 'i.'  I always imagine this happens because a designer drew up a nice little stamp and then a dippy executive enters and says, "Hmmm. Too plain.  Add a bee kissing a heart."

But why do I dislike travel themed decor depicting places I've never been?  I think it's because of that huge Eiffel tower trend-  it's mostly died out, from what I can tell, but I still see it gasping for breath amongst Hobby Lobby's decor aisles and discount stores.  It just screamed 'annoying person who can't decorate, buying an Eiffel Tower lamp at Target, then forcing all their friends to come over and see it, while exclaiming nonstop about how they've ALWAYS. LOVED. PARIS. -which, they probably even pronounce as PAIR-EEE."

Anyways- I love these boxes and think they'd even look great standing up on their sides, on a shelf-  just as I posed the boxes for the picture.

I wonder what employees think when they see me rearranging things for photos?  I know they appreciate it when I re-order their shelves and/or move things back to their correct hooks- they've told me thank you a few times.

Next UP!

From about 100 feet, I spot new product.  I don't know if 'spot' is correct, as it's more a sensation-  yes, I SENSE NEW PRODUCT.

It's FISKARS FUSE!

I can't remember if I ever told y'all about my sadness over the premiere of the Fiskars FUSE.  I love how the thing looks.  I love the options/ways it can be used.  But the design of their first round of embossing plates and dies just breaks my heart.  Seriously.  It was a sadness much like when the musical SIDE SHOW closed on Broadway.  It's that sad, ladies and gentlemen.  Here is to hoping the next round of designs is much better.  Call me, Fiskars.

So, what was it that made my day?

I finally got Mr. Holtz's TATTERED LEAVES die.  Sometime shortly after 2AM on Sunday morning, I got a 'wild hair up my ass,' as we say in Oklahoma, and wanted the Tattered Leaves die.  I had an idea.  I cursed myself for not buying it ten hours earlier when I glanced at it- then I cursed Michaels for not being open 24 hours, seven days a week.  I forgave them, as they're open on Sundays.  Then, I cursed Hobby Lobby for not being open on Sundays.

Just as I was happy enough to be buying my new die and just as I was finished 'testing' pens out on the roll of paper they have hanging there to do so- I dropped a pen.  When I reached down to get it- a little plastic box of brass heaven caught my eye.

Clearly, I'm not on my knees amongst the brads on a regular basis.  I had never seen these!!!

A little plastic box full of these beautiful brads.  Globes and airplanes.  My day was made, and I swear- I smiled all the way to the cashier- who turned out to be a nice lady I worked with, once long ago!  She let me use the 25% off complete purchase coupon that wasn't supposed to be valid until 4pm AND hugged me.  Now that's service!  I kept on smiling all the way to my meeting.  And that's a story leading to the layout that I'm gonna get to work on- right as soon as I hit 'publish' and pull myself back downstairs.

-kory

The Goings On- New product, jokes and more!

Whoaaaa.  There's some hot and sexy new product appearing in the 'just arrived' section at Scrapbook.com's 'superstore' and also in the 'new arrivals' section over at the Two Peas shop.  I spent my entire lunch hour- and then some- doing a little 'monitor shopping.'  What friend would I be, if I didn't share my favorites with you?! 

So here it is:  Kory K's Hot New Product Round-Up of July 27, 2012:

The first few things I have to show you are from Echo Park's newest collection, Everyday Eclectic.  It's a modern, muted yet still bright, fun set of papers- including a great page of cardstock sticker alphas.  (I grow increasingly addicted to letter stickers with each sheet I buy...) 



Everyone knows my devotion to plain old kraft- but check out the herringbone wood pattern on its opposite side.  Reminds me of the floor in an apartment I had some good times in...



The pink side goes a little too far into the 'super-girly' look that's predominate in way too many new releases- but the chevron wood pattern makes up for it and gives me the strength to carry on!



Their journalling cards are even cool.  I love the 'pay-per-view' telescope in the bottom right.  Fun!



Here's the letter alphas!  Wood and white!  Blue!  And trusty black!  I'll need two sheets of these hot little numbers (alphas?)!

Next, I've got some highlights from We R Memory Keepers Inc's new Hall Pass Collection.


That's their 12x12 piece of vintage green sexiness, 'Pop Quiz.'  Both sides are such eye-catchers, I'll need three sheets.  Two to use and one to hoard and stare at every so often.  Dammit, I love good paper designs.



That, there, is 'Classroom.'   Also from We R's Hall Pass Collection.  Journalling cards are, like alpha stickers and washi, two of my at-the-moment favorite thing to have-  I like the entire design on a small scale action/can use for almost anything aspect of journalling cards.  The 'Hello...my name is...' card makes the entire 12x12 sheet worth a dollar all on its own.



More woodgrain action!  This time from those sexily clever peoples over at Studio Calico.  Want. Now.

The last of the eyecatchers are these rolls of washi tape from Freckled Fawn.  I've not heard of Freckled Fawn- up until about a week ago, and now I seem to see them popping up everywhere.



That's 'Foreign Newspaper.'  Part of me wishes it were more monotone.  Part of me likes the colors and says, 'shut up and love it as it is...'



I couldn't help but put in some more hardcore woodgrain love.  I love wood.  I love woodgrain.  Even when it's as cartoonily done as it is here- I love it.

Hop on over to scrapbook.com and order some new nice lookin' supplies- you won't find these at Michaels!  However, you will find this:

Just kidding, Michaels, you know I love you- and I know it's hard to stay on top of the times when you have to buy for a hundreds of stores.  But really?  Discount DVDs?

So that's all, for now!  I'll be back later to fill you in on all the fun at last night's 'Mix N Mingle' at Paper Crown!  And coming up even later/after/soon, a HALLOWEEN PRESHOW!

Don't forget tonight's episode of "CRAFT WARS: LIVE with KORY AND DARLA!"  Showtime is 10/9Central, live during TLC's airing of CRAFT WARS, in the forum at Scrapbook.com!

******************
UPDATE:  RED ALERT!  RED ALERT!  Thanks to a good eye for detail and a quick response, Okienurse has alerted me that CRAFT WARS is on at 8/7pmCENTRAL tonight, not its usual 9CST, due to some kind of scheduling conflict.  SO- This makes CRAFT WARS: LIVE with Kory and Darla on at 8pmCST, too!  Thank you, Okienurse!!!

see ya there!

-kory

SHOPPING HIGHLIGHTS and living in a burning hell

Wow.  Time flies.  One minute it's beautifully cold and you're wearing a classy sweater to work - the next thing you know, it's a hundred degrees and you're miserably wondering what you did to end up in hell.  Was it the liquor?  The sleeping around?  The haircut you had in the 6th grade?  Why have I been forsaken?!  Oh, I'm still alive.  This isn't hell.  It's Oklahoma City.  Or is it?

So what's up?  Besides burning in hell?  Well, I've done a bit of shopping and I'm here to share a few SHOPPING HIGHLIGHTS with you!

Here's some highlights of recent shopping trips:



Found these nifty stamps (from The Paper Company) at Jo-Ann.  All stamps were on sale, 40% off.  As these were rather inexpensive anyways- really- such a low price I wouldn't have cared paying full price- the discount made them an even better deal!  I think they rang up at 4.19 each package.  And aren't they cool?!  I love the vintage label look of these stamps!  I could do without the 'Friends Forever' stamp, as I stopped acting like a 13 year old girl when I turned 30, but who knows- it might come in handy one day. 

Went to MICHAELS yesterday, for a lunch-hour shopping break.  Holly B. not only drove me, but shared a diet pill.  So we shopped in terrific manic style AND didn't eat.  As I was maniacally tearing through the dollar stamp bins, Holly turned a corner and spotted the above display, hidden behind a tall shelf of horrific budget patterned scrapbooking paper.  Seriously- hidden.  If it were a snake it would NOT have bit me.  Luckily, Holly has the eyes of an eagle on methamphetamines.  Budget stamps from 7Gypsies / Graphic45 / Cosmo Cricket / Hampton Art!!!  Most of the display was empty, however- which lead me to imagine that they either hadn't fully stocked this display yet OR other people had already discovered it and bought all of the best stamps.  As this was at the Michaels that's notorious for not stocking things that the other locations stocked a month ago, I'm leaning towards a stocking issue.

Speaking of this Michaels location's stocking issues- they have finally restocked (most of) the Tim Holtz/Sizzix dies (and embossing folders)!  They've been missing for nearly a year.  Well, except for a single, lonely Tim Holtz 'Baroque' die which seemed to migrate randomly around the store of its own volition.  Yes.  After all of Mr. Holtz's fan-freakin-tabulous dies but this 'Baroque' die had sold, I would spot it in different places all over the store.  One day it was in the SMASH Book display, then it was suddenly hanging from a Distress Ink hook.  Another time, I saw it on top of a pile of fabric bolts in the clearance aisle.  Yesterday, there it was again- in the mixed media jewelry display.  While I considered giving the Baroque die a home of its very own, I saw (and gratefully snatched) the On The Edge 'File Tabs' die.  I'd been wanting this one for FOREVER!  Sorry, Baroque.  I'll get you one day.  I promise.  I'll make an honest die of you.

Now, for something not related to craft, but still something that caught my eye:

A 'bunny rabbit mask.'  Spotted at the new and terrific antique shop near downtown, VERDIGRIS.  This thing is horrifying.  And I want it. 

And now, for something even more horrifying than an antique bunny mask:

This ad, spotted in the back of the newest issue of one of the scrap-mags, which excitedly advertises a new line of LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE albums.  Really?  I was pretty sure the LIVE LAUGH LOVE thing was, if not dead already, definitely near death.  Is it being resurrected?  I was pretty sure this fad was completely extinct when I spotted LIVE LAUGH LOVE signs in heaping piles in the home decor sections at Gordman's and Ross Dress For Less and other classy shopping destinations.  But no.  Just when I think I won't be assaulted by this CRAP any longer-  surprise! 

Trust me, people.  It's not inspiring.  It's insipid.  And worse than that, it's overdone. 

Okay

Oh, hi! Happy Mother's Day!

Well?  It's 7:10amCST.  Was I the first to wish you a Happy Mother's Day?!  No?  What do you mean your kid woke you up with a plate of undigestable 'Cowboy Surprise,' at 5:30am?  Don't you strap them to the beds at night?  How'd they get out?!


Yeah, I know- nothing as old as a MOMMIE DEAREST joke, but really?  What a hilarious movie that was-  I mean, depending on who's side you're on...   Myself, I'm with Joan.  I don't believe for a minute she did anything so much as ground those little steak-haters.  Every TIME I see Christina refuse to eat that deliciously bloody steak, I just scream at the TV:  DON'T TAKE IT FOR GRANTED!  I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT STEAK WAS UNTIL I WAS FOURTEEN!

Anyways.  Sorry about that...  I'm back.  I'm centered.  I'm focused.

So, I went on a little round about the town shopping spree yesterday.  I left the home with all intentions of going straight to MY HEART'S FANCY - but instead, I got on the phone with Holly Busch, missed an exit, said FORGET IT and went to Da HobLobs (Hobby Lobby) and the 'brand new' Jo-Ann!   Also, I got such a late start that I was worried about being able to make it up to Edmond (where My Heart's Fancy is) and back to downtown in time for rehearsal at 1pm.

What was I on the lookout for?  Some Spellbinders.  I saw a card online that I really liked, and knew from that moment-  I GOTTA GET LABELS2.

Well, neither Jo-Ann or Hobby Lobby had it-  and they didn't have anything else that caught my eye, but after combing the store to keep an eye on inventory, I realized I HAVE GOT TO GET DOWNTOWN!

Yes,  I am still stage managing.  The play previews on 31MAY and opens the next day.  Wanna come to the preview?  I'll let you know details.  Rehearsal was pretty tough.  And made tougher due to the fact that I had a pack of Spellbinders on my back...

Oh yeah!  Did I tell you that I finally got a new cell phone?  I did.  I got the iPhone 4S.  I'd been wanting an iPhone for the longest time.  And for one reason only.  Well, two reasons.  The second reason, I'll go into later- as I've got the idea it's going to be a big enlightening post full of excitement.  The first reason I've been wanting the iPhone so badly  is because:

Instagram.

Isn't it amazing?!  And don't these layouts and other projects made using the Instagram photos just blow you away?

And yeah- I've even been using it!

Today, after rehearsal, I walked around the front of OKC's beautifully famous CIVIC CENTER MUSIC HALL, and took a picture of the front:

When I was a little stagestuck kid, going to see a show at the CCMH was a majorly big deal.  In the second grade, my Grandma took my brother and me there, to see a national tour of PETER PAN.  At the end of the show, after the curtain call, Peter stepped down front and promised to teach ALL of us how to fly.  My heart could've exploded.  I've always wanted to fly!

Well.  Along with every other hopeful kid in the audience, I followed the instructions carefully.  I bent my arm and put my right thumb into my right armpit- then the same with the left-  then-  FLAP.  And Peter made a chicken noise.  Bawk Bawk Bawk.

Yeah, really funny, weird lady dressed as a boy.  No my heart is broken and all I've got to show for it is a lifetime love of going to the theatre.

Well, that's it- the big reason I bought the phone.  To take pictures using one little free app.

Where the hell was I, ladies and gentlemen?

Oh yeah.  After rehearsal and some rest and some dinner- I headed back out, in search of a new set of Spellbinders, preferably Labels 2.  Or Labels 22.  Or all of them.  It didn't matter, the itch was so bad.

At Michaels, I found a set that interested me.  Labels 18.

And some classy envelopes.

Beautiful, huh?  You might think they're from some classy 'name' company.  Nope.  MAMBI.  Not talking' no trash to MAMBI- but I just don't see much from them-  or know much about them- or find anything I like by them...  Until these beautiful ladies!

I also picked up a 'Seal of Approval' FISKARS punch.  Why?  I don't know.  What can I say, it caught my eye.

And with my purchase (and a brief struggle of explaining WHERE the Spellbinders are and YES it is in stock, I just saw it in the cage WELL DONT LOOK IN THE BACK LOOK IN THE CAGE) the cashier said,  'Your minimum scrapbooking purchase entitles you to a free gift.'

Nice bag!

It looks kinda Tim Holtz.  If Michaels ate him.

But who am I to say anything bad about a free gift?  Some of my best friends are free.

-kory

Bargain City!

I'm sure that all you classy people out there have subscribed to MICHAELS 'Daily Deals' emails- but I can't help but spread good news.  Or bad news.  I'm talkative that way.

BUT TODAY, MONDAY APRIL 16:  ALL 12X12 PAPER PADS ARE 50% OFF.  (Also, the Recollections brands of 180-sheet and 240-sheet paper pads are 50% off all week..)

FITTY OFF, PEOPLE, FITTY!

You know where I'm going to go to at lunch?  That's right.  MICHAELS.   Because I need more paper that's 'too nice to use.' 

ALSO on sale- ALL WEEK, not just today only- the RECOLLECTIONS brand of WASHI TAPE is FIFTY PERCENT OFF!   So, 2.50 for three rolls.  That's a bargain.  That's about 84 cents A ROLL. 

See y'all, I've got a mere ninety minutes until my lunch hour and my TRIP TO BARGAIN CITY!

-kory

Washi Tape O'Mania, or: Kory Will Die For You

Washi Tape? Die?  What?

Yes.  I almost died for washi.

How?  Well.  I've decided we'll blame it on MICHEALS.  You know him-  The Ellen Bee calls him Mike.  He's a dirty son of a bitch.  Oh my, the language.  I hope that old biddy that called me out on my excitable spending isn't here, I'd hate to get on her bad side again oh what am I talking about?  Sorry, I've been hittin' the box.  Of wine.  Franzia's Crisp White.  To the rescue.  At my side.  Takin names.

What am I talking about?

That's right.  I ALMOST DIED.

How?

Well.

The ever-classy lady MIA, from scrapbook.com, let it slip that MICHAELS is carrying their own store brand of WASHI TAPE.  A few years ago, washi was something barely known to the crafty world.  I'd see it on etsy or high-class crafty sites and say, "Wow, if only I could overcome my objection to pre-paying for something and waiting, itchy-handed and heart full of longing at the mailbox every single freaking day after work for something I paid for eight days ago, I'd order some of this here WASHI tape up by the handfuls!"  That's right.  I hate ordering things, paying for them, and waiting- like an hopeful honest bride outside the mensroom door on her wedding day- for the stuff to show its dirty face.

What the hell am I talkin' about, ladies and gentlemen (Paul and Frank)?

Thank you.  Washi tape.

Well.

Tim Holtz took some of the pain away.  But she couldn't call it WASHI.

No.

Mr. Holtz called it TISSUE TAPE.

Why?  I don't know.  Ask him.

But I bought it.  Oh yeah, I bought it.

And right now, allow me to assure you-  I talk like I type.  Like a drunk telling a life-changing story.

I bought that tissue tape and I LOVED IT, all my dirty hands touching and I LOVED IT.  (I so wish you could hear my line-reading of that line, it was hilarious.)

But just like the person I am- I wanted more.

Well, the ever classy Classy Lady Rushli and others on scrapbook.com sent me on a hot and heavy run throughout the big-box town, for tapes at Target and Wal-Mart.   Yes.  The big girls got they own versions of WASHI out, now, too.

But then, Lovely Mia.  She told me the seductive tale of WASHI at Michaels.  Yes.   Ellen's boy, Mike.  He had WASHI.  His store-brand, RECOLLECTIONS- but WASHI, nonetheless.

I headed to my nearest Micheals.

Nothing.

But something caught my eye-  they had the brand new, GIANT SIZE big-ass SMASH Books in stock!  My heart fluttered (probably a symptom from past drug use).   Where there's new SMASH product, there's surely the new SMASH tape, right?!  Have you seen the new SMASH tape?  The one I'm talking about is called SWATCH and it is sexxxy.  That's right.  Three X's.  The way it's mean to be-

But no.  No SWATCH tape.  No CALENDAR tape- but-

BUT!

They did have a tempting but empty hook ready for the CALENDAR tape.

Yes.  Empty.  My nearest MICHAELS is famous for not putting out their stock on time.  Or close to on time.  I swear that they must wait for the next stock to show up, then when they have no storage space left, they begin to put the stock out-

So I did what anybody in Oklahoma City with half a dream and a need does-

I headed to the SouthSide.

Yes.  For some reason, the 'Good' Michaels is located on the South side of Oklahoma City.  I guess it's true what 'they' say about urban sprawl.

I hitched up my truck and headed to:

SouthSide Michaels.

WELL!

I was rolling in riches!   SMASH Calendar Tape!  Tim Holtz Sizzis Dies (they had TWO left!) and more!

I grabbed a roll of CALENDAR tape- and then- why hello pretty lady!

There it was.  The display of RECOLLECTIONS WASHI TAPE.  Oh, I'm sorry, madame.  Michaels calls you CRAFTING TAPE.  But look at all the options:

I immediately set my eyes on the black and white sets.  Because I'm classy that way.

But for realz- that tape with the birds, the sheet music, and the plain black?!  Cool.

I also got the other set with the more graphic pattern in black and white.

I wanted to get more- but please, no fighting, there's enough fo'ty off coupons to go around!

Also, note the empty spaces around the display, Michaels executives.  If *I* worked there, this mess would never happen.  Want to hire me?  I'm available.  Yes, I have a great job, but if you want someone to kick ass, take names, and put your store in order, I'm your guy.  I can also change flat tires in less than five minutes.  More on that later.

I grabbed the SMASH Calendar tape, grabbed my selection of Michaels Recollections finest, and headed to the cashier-  who was fast.  Too bad the woman in front of me and her spaced out teenage daughter weren't as fast to LEAVE AFTER THEY HAD PAID.

Seriously- what's up with this?  Pay, and move.  Pay.  Move.  It's not pay and hang out, rearrange stuff in your purse/wallet, brush lint off your boob, readjust your belt, smooth your hair, pop your gum, stare into space as you scratch your nose imagine what you're gonna do with your new ribbon IT IS MOVE. PAY AND MOVE!

I paid.  And moved.  And left.

Drove straight across the street to Hobby Lobby.  Da HobLobs.

I parked, dropped my wallet while getting out of the car, grabbed it, almost twisted my ankle, walked to the automatic doors and straight to the back where the scrapbooking magic lays-

And if I weren't wearing my shoes, I would've... I don't know-

NEW PRODUCT?!

Yes.  I can spot new product in a craft store like a streetwalker can spot a Mercedes with a lonely driver.

There it was-  new (For da HobLobs) 7 Gypsies stamps,  new ANNA GRIFFIN stamps- and well, if this Miss Anna Griffin is half as classy as her stamps at da HobLobs, well...hello Anna!  Hope that skirts as short as it looks!

I love her stamps!

Anyways.  Just like a lady in a short skirt, I didn't know what I'd do with 'em, so I kept on hobbling (twisted ankle, remember? keepin' up?) down to the Tim Holtz section of the aisle-

Wait. What?!  Distress Markers in PACKAGES?!  I haven't heard one damn word of this!

As you can see, the middle and side aisles are EMPTY.  Which means two things.  Either the denim-skirt army of Hobby Lobby's stock-matrons haven't got all the stock up, OR- the Tim Holtz army has beat me to the punch.

I bought what they had left-  two packs.  Wait.  My memory fails.  I bought one pack and hid the other- only one forty off coupon.  Five to a pack.  14.99.  With a forty off coupon, that comes to about 1.80 each.  Plus tax.

And have you used these markers, yet?!  They are amazing.  Amazing.  You can 'paint' with the BRUSH tip and WRITE with the 'FINE' tip and color stamps with- yes, every bit as amazing as- oh wait, you came here to read about my near death experience, didn't you-

I'm not one to disappoint.

After buying my tape and markers and feeling like I was once again on top of this seedy world, I jumped back on the interstate and headed back to civilization.  You know- the North side of Oklahoma City.  Haha. As if- but anyways-

The car in front of me turns on its signal and moves over to the right- into an exit only lane.

Now, normally, my super-intelligent brain takes over and says, "Now, Kory, this person surely doesn't know what they're doing...watch out."

But my brain was pre-occupied with tape and Tim Holtz Distress Markers.  I simply gave a friendly 'Welcome to the exit only lane' wave and continued on my way when SURRRRPRIZE!

The idiot- who was most likely the dumbass, in line, in front of me, at HOBBY LOBBY.  The woman who, when I thought was done WAS NOT DONE AND PROCEEDED TO: YES! NOT TO PAY AND MOVE, but instead, to play with her hair and say, "This was s'posed to be forty off" and "this was s'posed to be on clearance."  Which forced the cashier to say, "Yes, it was forty off, see the FORTY OFF ON THE RECEIPT?!  SEE THE DISCOUNT ON THE RECEIPT?!"  Yes, it must've been someone like that woman, who then, INSTEAD OF PAYING AND MOVING, played with her hair and the shopping cart, before walking SLOWLY and mindlessly towards her JAGUAR- YES- this ho, who believed her crappy forty off discount might not have been subtracted from her crappy low dollar artificial flowers, GOT IN FRONT OF ME ON THE INTERSTATE and, while still probably wondering if she saved fitty cent at da HobLobs, decided to get into an EXIT ONLY lane and then- to decide:

"Oh no, I'm too busy screwing around, I'm in the wrong lane- here, let me just SWERVE RIGHT BACK OVER A LANE!"

Yes.  The idiot swerved BACK into my lane.  Inches in front of me.  And I'm not exaggerating here- it was INCHES.  I'm still surprised they didn't hit me, but not as surprised by what happened NEXT!

I hit my brakes.

And I SPUN A 365 DEGREE CIRCLE ON THE INTERSTATE.

I ended up in the grassy ditch on the side of the interstate.  Luckily, the grassy ditch broke my spin- or I'm sure I would've ended up UPSIDE DOWN- and luckily, nobody was close behind me and HIT ME-

but I did end up with a flat tire.

And that's where we get to the next best part of the story:

I got to change a flat tire.

I love changing tires.

I don't know what it is- but I love it.  I even have one of those professional looking on-a-wheel jacks, that I keep in my truck, in the chance I get to change a tire.  I've been known to put spares on for women I work with-  one lady once gave me a bag of chips in exchange for changing her tire, when she found it flat at lunch.  And I don't stop with my professional on-wheels jack.  I also have a tire pump.  I can air up your tires, too.

I'm sure it all fits together- scrapbooking, crafting, fixing flats-

but my glass is empty and I'm young.  See ya.

-kory

On The Aisles At MICHAELS and/or: WHY AM I AWAKE?!

It's 3am.  Why am I awake?!  Better yet, WHY AM I AWAKE AT 3AM on a SATURDAY NIGHT AND STILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO TYPE?!

No.  My social life is not over.

I'm still fun.

I've spent most of the day working on my 'super secret super exciting' project.  You know, the one that I'll surely build up so much that when you see it, you'll say, "Really?! THAT is what you've been going on about?!"

The rest of the time I've spent drinking boxed wine and watching movies.  Yeahp.  It was movie night at the SCRAPiVERSE household.  I mostly listened/sang along from my workspace.  Yes, sang along- cuz we played HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH on da big screen!   I love this movie/show.  I stage managed the stage version, during its 'hit long run' here in OKC.  And I never got tired of it.  Usually, by the end of a show that I'm stage managing, I'm sick of it-  begging every night that the curtain goes up that the actors just talk really fast and I can go home early- but with HEDWIG, I was in heaven.  I was a big, big fan of the show during its original Off-Broadway run in NYC.  I used to fly to New York and stay in hostels just to see it!  Of course, I was much younger and much more adventurous that I didn't have any problem sharing a room/bunk beds with 11 strangers.  But it was 17.00 a night, in NYC, with free breakfast!  I would've slept ON a stranger 17.00 a night!

But I digress.  However, remind me to tell you of my 'staying in NYC at the infamous Carter Hotel' days, one day, too!

Anyways.

Last night, Holly joined me for an evening of crafting and smack-talking.  We had to run to Michaels at 8pm for supplies.  They close at 9pm, and yes, we were still wandering around the store and they had to get on the intercom to tell us to make our decisions and head to the front.

Check this out:

They're selling these scrapbook paper sized frames for 2.00 each.  That's a good price for a decent looking frame.  And if you're like me, and think you've gotta hang that cool mustache paper on your wall- this is a steal.  Michaels.  Two bucks.  Tell them Kory sent you and to tell the girl who works the line nearest to the exit on Saturday night that he doesn't think she's a very nice person.

And speaking of the great punk rock musical that is HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, let me leave you with this photo that I took backstage at the production that I stage managed, on the last night of its run:

Isn't that a great photo?  Why, thank you.  I'm very proud of it, myself.

When I wake up, it'll be Sunday and I've got lots of stuff to do, so I've gotta make like a nail and press on...

see ya

-kory

"Sometimes, I feel just like Mary's donkey..."

What a day.  I have had a killer headache all damn day.  The kind that makes you sick to your stomach.  The kind that makes you want to throw your Cricut Expression 2 at anyone who makes a noise.  The kind that makes you leave work at 1 and call it a day...

So that's what I did.  No, not throw my Cricut.  Leave work at 1.  I thought my head was going to explode.  And since we can barely get the cleaning people to vacuum the office, I went home.

But I stopped by Michael's on the way home.  Did you know that my middle name is Michael?

What a good day to stop my Michaels!  Check out what I found in the ONE DOLLAH MAKE YOU HOLLAH aisle:

New stamps!  These are pretty cool.  I love the lion with the crown and the giraffe with the frilly collar and party hat.  Notice my attention to detail with the upside down 'Have Fun' stamp.  These coordinate well with last Spring's vintage circus stamps from the dollar aisle.  And I loved those!

I bought one of each they had in this set- I don't know if there are any others.  Since my nearest Michaels is famous for not having ALL the stamps in the set/collection, I'll hafta check the more reliable/better stocked location on the South-side.  In my dreams, there's one more stamp in the set, an elephant in a tutu or something.

I laid on the couch, watching Kitchen Nightmares for a bit, before getting up for make a couple of cards.  

First up, a very simple card, using one of my favorite stamps.

 

I used my newest set of Spellbinders!  Labels #5, which I found on clearance at JoAnn for 5.97.  That's a bargain, if you didn't know it...  I love the little guy peekin' out of the window.

For my next card, I used my newest Daniel Torrente stamp.  

I did my favorite technique from Mr. Holtz, 'Wrinkle Free Distress.'  How fun is it to do that?!   Then I stamped the little heartbreaker on top, and colored him with more Distress Inks.  I got the, what's it called?     Text bubble?  Chat bubble?  What's it called?!  Anyways, I got the bubble in a set of them, for a dollar, at Michaels, and stamped the HI with my typewriter letter stamps that I seem to want to use on everything lately.  I stamped a houndstooth background with Tea Dye Distress Ink onto a card made from white cardstock and glued the guy on!  I can't wait to write something inside and send him to someone!

Last night, the sky was pink.  Really!  It was purty as can be, and I wanted to see if I could take a picture of it-  I went into the backyard and here it is-  and I still thought it was so purty that I had to show y'all!

There ya go- stamps, two cards, and a picture of a pink sky!

-kory

Totally Forgot What Else I Had To Say: Trip To Michaels...

Alright- so I admit that my mind is not the best.  It's been through lots, I tells ya.

This post is in addition to the rambling/semi-insane post below- 

But yes,  Monica Lewinski did once really let me have it-  it was embarrassing and Holly Busch was involved via text messages. 

What I forgot to include in all that was:

I made my in person trip to Michaels, during my lunch hour, to investigate their "NEW PAPERCRAFTING SHOP!"

There's nothing new.  They've lied to us.  There were a few sheets of flimsy scrapbook paper that I didn't recognize.  There were some new stickers from that elusive, boutique line of 'Recollections' stickers (haha).  That was it.  Big surprise.

But a couple of cheap things caught my eye:

Some American Crafts THICKERS- classy, huh?  And another issue of Papercrafts Magazine.  I like this magazine. 

Aaaaaaand:

Moustache stickers!  From MAMBI.  Note the marks on my wrist.  That's not a barcode, it's from 'testing' markers while shoppping at Michaels. 

I can't wait to find something to stick these moustaches on...   Or maybe I'll just grow a moustache.  But it wouldn't look classy on me, I'd just look like an old drunk.  So I'll have to make due with moustache stickers.

-kory

The 'NEW' Papercrafting 'SHOP' at Michaels??

Did anybody else see this ad and get as confused as I did?

What?  NEW?  PAPERCRAFTING SHOP?  AT MICHAELS?

Excuse me, but WHERE at or in Michaels is this located?

I know the stock at Michaels better than any employee there-  seriously.  I know what they carry, how much they carry, what they sold last week, what didn't sell last week, and how much they'll probably move by next week. 

The need to hire me.

I usually go to Michaels on my lunch hour- that way, I'm out of the office for an hour, and after 5, I can go home and play with my new supplies instead of spending that precious time out buying the supplies.  I know, I know, I'm a genius.  But because I go to Michaels on my lunch hour, I'm usually wearing my 'badge' on a lanyard, the keycard thingy that unlocks the door to the office- you know what I'm talkin' about.  Well, it's amazing how a keycard on a string can make a guy look 'official,' because while I'm searching through the shelves at Michaels, I'm often appoached by a customer who thinks I work there- and needs help finding things.  Usually because they asked a cashier first and got was told, 'Well, IF we have it, it'll be over there.'  And then they wave their hand in a direction that covers a wide area of any certain corner of the store. 

So, it's no surprise they mistake me for Employee of the Month when they see me on my hands and knees, straightening up stock on the shelves or putting lost items back on their pegs.

What the @$!# am I talking about?

Oh yeah- this ad.  SO WHERE is this new 'Papercrafting Shop' in Michaels?  Nothing has been moved around at my local store.  There's no 'more styles.'  Unless you count a little rack of Recollections' finest plastic 'bling' or fifteen more stacks of Jolee's worst- I'm missing something.

Has anyone seen any changes at their Michaels? 

-kory

"Obsession is more than just a perfume!"

I got a hot tip from an unnamed source at 11:07am CST.  Mr. Holtz's sanding grip refills were are marked clearance at Michaels for a dollar each.  Yeah, they're just little rectangles of sandpaper.  And I've tried sandpaper and those sandpaper 'sponges' from the hardware store- but they really don't work as well for me,  Or I'm getting the wrong strength/grade/whatever it's called- but I really like these!

So I ran over to Michael's on my lunch break.   Grabbed five packages of Mr. Holtz's fine sandpaper and noticed- oh, Distress Stickles! Three packs! Three bucks!  So grabbed the package containing Vintage Photo, Frayed Burlap, and Walnut Stain.  Those are also three of my favorite Distress Inks.  What a high!

There were boxes everywhere.  And actual, real life employees walking around!  They were (GASP!) STOCKING THE SHELVES!  While I'd love to believe those boxes were filled with all the latest and greatest products from Scraptopia, we all know it's just a bunch of shiny Jolee's crap.  But a guy can dream.

While I'm lost in my sensual scrappy daydream, I stumble upon a new display.  I ain't seen this before!

It's a new (newish?) line from Hampton Art, called Ditto.  The designs were very simple and clean.  Love them.  Really liked the large wood-mounted stamps, priced at 3.99 (?!), especially 'Large Circles' and 'Groovy.'  Really great background stamps, and sized perfectly to be used on a standard A6 card.  And only 3.99?!  They also had an assortment of resist die-cut chipboard shapes, color mists (those didn't look too interesting- but I'm still reeling from my discovery of Mister Huey's), stamp pads, and some packages of masks.  They are also worth looking it- very cool shapes. 

Here's a close-up of some of the stamps.  I feel they give off a young, modern, clean look.  Very decent stamps for this price!

I picked up the large flower shape, third from the left on the bottom row.  But I can already tell I'll be back, soon, for 'Groovy.'

Oh my, why am I being tested so?!  Email from Paper Arts, a great store here in the OKC area: ALL TIM HOLTZ DISTRESS MARKERS ARE IN, buy individually or the entire set with a discount!  Please, please, twist my arm, Paper Arts!!!
-kory

Couponathon!

This week's sale highlights:
50% off coupon at Michaels!
The regular 40% off at da HobLobs.
40% one regular item at JOANN, plus some random sewing coupons- however, if you are in the OKC area, the new location has 50% coupons for each day of the Grand Opening, this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, as well as a 10.00 gift card to the first 100 people each day. Arrive early, first come, best dressed, all that...


As much as I want to complain about Mondays, they can have their light and bright moments.  One of my favorite 'Monday Moments?'  (And can I ever stop thinking up little catchy names for things? No.  Probably not.  Sorry.)

My favorite 'Monday Moment' happens before 8am.  Every Monday.  I settle into my cubicle with a cup of coffee and moments later, my boss walks through the door.  Most people might not like to see their boss walk through the door.  But I love her.  She looks a bit like Joan Collins in her Dynasty days, with the withering glare to back the look up.  She's also hysterically funny and both gets and enjoys my sense of humor.  I can't ever think about quitting because I can't leave my boss.  So, what happens when she walks in the door?  She throws the HOBBY LOBBY and MICHAELS newspaper ads/circulars onto my desk.

And then I clip out my coupons.

Yes, I do have all the apps on my phone.  The Michaels app.  The Joann's app.  And I have the Hobby Lobby coupon webpage saved as a bookmark on my phone's screen.  But they tend to be a bit slow- especially the Michaels app.  I have to start loading it about the time I reach fourth in line to the cashier.  There's never a short line at Michael's. 

But I love my paper coupons.  They're convenient.  I like having a wallet full of them.  I also like having extras.  If the app is working, I use it and give the paper coupon to whoever looks the nicest in line behind me.  And by 'looks the nicest,' I don't mean 'the most attractive.'  I mean the one that looks to be, or is, the most polite.  That means someone who isn't yapping into their cell phone or complaining about one thing or another or or or....

Because if I make life better by sharing my coupons, maybe that will assuage my guilt over not recycling my wine bottles.  I do try to remember the recycling bin, I really do.

-kory