Photo Expressions

National Scrapbook Super Sale

Where does the time fly?  I haven't posted all week again, (wrap my knuckles) but I have a good excuse!  I have been working hard on our National Scrapbook Super Sale.  National Scrapbook Day is Saturday May 5th and is celebrated all over the world.  We love scrapbooking so much at Photo Express (PE) that we are going to celebrate for a little over 2 weeks!  Woohooooo!  Watch your email tomorrow for our 4 page flyer full of fabulous specials just for you.  PE has teamed up with some great Manufacturers to bring you some special pricing on a wide variety of items.  You'll also find details of our QuicKutz Scavenger hunt in which you could win a $200 prize package!

If you aren't receiving our emailed newsletters, make sure to sign up at www.pephotos.ca .  That way you will always know what is going on (and there is always something going on!) and you'll even get a nice birthday present in the mail!  Photo Express will never rent, sell, trade, giveaway etc any of your personal information, so you can sign up with confidence.

Trust Us With Your Memories,
Michele

Scrapbooking Styles defined and Page Call

Have you ever wondered about all the different scrapbooking styles, and the people who have mastered them? Do you want to get the look, but can't seem to define what it is you like about that style? Have you struggled to find your own style in scrapbooking? Then you won't want to miss this book!

Scrapbooking: Styles Defined is the definitive guide to scrapbooking styles, their definitions, and how to get the looks you crave. Write yourself a permission slip to style. Try new things. Learn the techniques. Learn the ins and outs of each popular scrapbooking style.

This great idea book is on its way to Photo Express so watch for it soon.

The same Company is also posting a page call for its new book. Layout Blueprints is a very popular layout idea book with lots of great Blueprints and some pages that were made from them.  They are now doing a second book and are looking for layouts.  They have put out a page call (due back by April 30) and I thought some of you may be interested.  Here is the link to the information. Current page Call

Current Calls for Pages

"Layout Blueprints 2": This call is for our upcoming idea book "Layout Blueprints 2", the sequel to the highly successful "Layout Blueprints". Use the Blueprints shown below to create layouts, and email them to us for consideration. We accept paper and digital pages and international entries.

What a day!

I just spent a very long and intersting 13 hours visiting some manufacturers and scrapbook stores in Utah.

I visited American Crafts and go to see how pens were made (who knew!) which was very cool and I got to preview some of the new summer release - yummy!  I visited Pebbles Inc also and got to see their wholesale side and retail store.  Very cute store if you are ever in Orem, make sure to visit it.  I also visited quite a few other scrapbook stores and I think my favourite one was the All My Memories Retail store.  Lots of great samples and classes.

I spent most of the day at QuicKutz.  Greg showed me the May release - (if you don't yet own a Revolution, put it on your wish list as you are going to want one!  The Revolution dies for May are definitely going on my personal purchase list - all of them!)  I saw where all the different departments are and got to meet the staff that don't attend the trade shows.  Always nice to put faces to names. 

Natasha and Mark, the founders of QuicKutz came and took me out to lunch with Greg joining us also.  Went for some yummy seafood and got to talk lots about life, work, and their adoption of 3 kids from Haiti.  One daughter is arriving hopefully withing the next 2 months and they are so excited.  It is such a touching story and I really enjoyed spending time with Mark and Natasha.  They are super nice and down to earth.  Remember to pre-order your copy of the Children of Haiti Cookbook in support of the Holt Foundation and all the work they do for the kids in Haiti. The books should be arriving at PE by the end of April. I saw the cookbook today, and once I stopped looking at the gorgeous pictures of the kids, I actually took a look at the recipes and can't wait to try many of them.

After that Mark took me on a tour of the manufacturing plant.  Oh my gosh!  I would never have known how many steps go into making the dies and how immensely precise and controlled each step is.  It is absolutely mind boggling. The interesting part is that many of the steps are very similar to photo processing except they are developing a steel picture.  I was enthralled with the whole process and took lots of pictures.  I'm too tired to upload them and explain them all now, but watch for them in the next few days once I get home. 

For those of you attending the QuicKutz Soiree at PE in June, QuicKutz has arranged for a great surprise for this event.  I can't say anything yet, but stay tuned for details.

Tomorrow I head back to QuicKutz for the Manufacturers summit meeting.  Looking forward to it!

Michele

I'm in Utah!

Hi everyone!  I haven't had time to post much this week as it has been hetic getting ready to come to Utah.  I was invited to attend a Manufacturer's summit meeting here which should be exciting.  Lots of talk about what needs to change in the scrapbooking industry, what needs to stay the same, and exciting new plans.  And guess where the meeting is...???  QuicKutz headquarters!!!!  Woohooooo, doing the happy dance when I got that invitation.  So of course, I just had to come.

The meeting is on Tuesday, so tomorrow I am going to tour around here and visit with Mike (my oreo cookie dude) at American Crafts, Kenna over at Pebbles Inc, LaRita at All My Memories (and yes the camera bags are coming, they said shipping beg of May) and some scrapbook stores.  I'm also getting a tour of the QuicKutz facilites and lunch with Mark and Natasha, the owners of QuicKutz.  All in all, it will be a great day (a 13 hour day!) and I'm sure I'll have photos to show you tomorrow night.

And I just wanted to share this picture of my Cutie pie dad.   My whole family went out to dinner on Friday night to celebrate his 65th birthday (note the Canucks jersey he got along with tickets to game 5 and 7!).  My sister loves birthdays and got him this funky Happy Birthday hat, so he put it on while the waiters sang Happy Birthday to him. 

What a good sport!

Michele

Happy Birthday Marcel!

Today is our founder's/boss'/Dad's 65th birthday!  Don't worry, Marcel is not planning on retiring today or any day too soon.  Happy birthday Pops!

Trust us with your Memories,
Michele

Are you the Ultimate QuicKutz Fan?

I just know that Photo Express (PE) has many Ultimate QuicKutz Fans.  QuicKutz is on a hunt for the all-time greatest QuicKutz Fan who will win the ultimate QuicKutz weekend at QuicKutz in Utah!!! I wanted to give all of you a jump start on this contest so I've got the details they have sent us below.  Watch for more details soon on their website www.quickutz.com .  I'd love to see your entry before you send it off.  Talk about a great prize!!!  Pick me, pick me!!!!!!

Favourite Quote

My previous post also brought to mind one of my favourite quotes and something I try to live in my life:

It is one of the most beautiful compensations in life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Help this little boy named Shane

I went to Curves tonight (I love it there and struggle to find time in my life to go and excercise!) and picked up the new issue of Diane Magazine by the founder of Curves.  In the Letters was a beautiful request to help an 8 year old boy with Leukemia.  As I read it with tears in my eyes, I thought I know just the people to help make this boys dreams come true.  So I'm counting on you to read the letter below, send a Card to Shane, and then spread the word about this little boy's wish to everyone you know.  Here is the letter:

I'm writing in regard to one of my member's nephews who has leukemia.  He is going to be 8 on May 30th, and his only birthday request is to receive as many birthday cards as possible.  At our Curves, we have headed up a project with local schools and our members to ask family and friends to send him a card.  If you can highlight this in Diane, it would spread it worldwide and be amazing to a dying little boy.

His address is as follows:

Shane Bernier
PO Box 484
Lancaster, Ontario
Canada K0C 1N0

Let's work together to spread the message and help make a little boy's birthday brighter.  Don't say, ya that is a great idea and then get busy with life and forget.  Right now, at least get out an envelope and address it.  Leave it where you will see it and remember to make or buy a card and send it to Shane.

Thanks,
Michele

Vancouver Crops for Kids

There is a wonderful event happening across Canada this October 12-14th.  In 6 cities across the country, women will get together for an entire weekend of scrapbooking, laughing, socializing, classes, make and takes, giveaways and more all the while supporting the local Children's Hospitals! Registration is up now and space will be limited to 250, so don't delay in registering!

The event happening in BC is called Vancouver Crop for Kids (visit link for details) and will benefit BC Children's Hospital. This Canadian event has attracted many top name vendors and celebrities to help out with this fantastic cause.  Even if you have been fortunate enough to never have needed the services of one of Canada's Children's Hospitals, you probably know someone who has.  Also at the local levels, it has the support of many stores, vendors and teachers.  PE( Photo Express )is happy to be a sponsor of this wonderful event and will be teaching 4 classes as well as sponsoring some prize giveaways and some other surprises.  Watch for classes from myself (Michele) featuring the not even in production yet Limited Edition Holiday Gift Set 2007 from QuicKutz, Kate with an adorable Monkey Counting Book with Reminisce, Renee with the perfect gift - Desktop Calendar with American Crafts, and Tanya with a stunning as always project with Fancy Pants.  The entire cost of the classes will go directly to the hospitals, so make sure to take lots of them!  Class registration will be up around the beginning of May.

If you have any questions about the event, you can contact [email protected]

Michele

Welcome Karen and Kerry

I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome our 2 newest Scrapbook Team members, Karen and Kerry.

Both have been Photo Express (PE) customers for some time, have extensive customer service backgrounds and are as addicted to all things scrapbook related as we are - a perfect fit for our team. Make sure to give them a warm welcome when you see them the next time you are in (they will be behind the scenes for a lot of this week learning the ropes).

Welcome Karen and Kerry and I'm looking forward to the energy, ideas and enthusiasm you will bring to the PE team!

Michele

Happy Easter

A Blessed and Happy Easter (belated) to all of you.  This weekend ended up being so busy, I never got a chance to post.  We had a great weekend.  We did the Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday night (one of my really good friends was confirmed and she asked Doug and I to be her sponsors which was a great honour) and then had a great Easter egg hunt at our house on Sunday morning.

This is one of my favourite pictures of the girls on the hunt.  Reminds me that it is great to not always take photos at the regular angle.  This one was taken from above in the hallway as they found eggs on the stairs.  The Easter bunny at our house writes notes as to where to look next which is great fun and ensures that all chocolate gets found so there is none left for the dogs to find.  The Easter bunny had great fun this year using all 3 levels of our house (up and down, up and down, up and down) and mentioned that he was very tired from hiding the eggs as he had to go up and down, up and down, up and down! lol

We finished the day with dinner and another Easter Egg hunt at my mom and dad's house.  It is so fun watching all the cousings together having fun and I always enjoy time spent with my siblings and their spouses.  The Easter bunny even left big chocolate bunnies for us! Here is my adorable nephew enjoying the chocolate dessert I made.

When you make your pages about Easter, don't forget to include the little traditions and things you do to celebrate.

Michele

Matt the Australian Cowboy

Just wanted to share a few randomly selected photos from the Western Crop on the weekend.  Our cute cowboy posed so patiently for close to 150 photos!

Thanks Matt for being such a great sport!  All the ladies want you back next year!

Vituri Urban comes to PE

Italian Designer good looks have come to scrapbooking!  The Vituri Urban line is in at Photo Express (PE)

The Vituri Urban Tote Purse features:
• 8 external pockets with magnetic closures
• Internal pockets for glasses, wallet, cell phone, credit cards
• 6 secure pen loops for a variety of markers and pens
• Detachable matching key chain with photo window
• Mesh water bottle pocket
• Adjustable magnetic closure strap
• Metal feet on the bottom for durability and stability
• Detachable wristlet

Available in black or Raspberry This is the perfect purse with lots of compartments to make it easy to find things and it stays standing up.  My current purse bugs me because if it isn't full it collapses and I can't find anything.  I will definitely be getting one of these.(or 2 who am I kidding - I preordered myself a black one, but love the Raspeberry too!!)This would also be a great tote to bring to a class.

The Vituri Urban Shoulder Bag features:

• Detachable shoulder strap
• External gusseted pocket for pens, wallet, glasses, cell phone
• Internal pockets for scrapbook papers, ruler, cutter
• Internal compartment for laptop
• Zippered rear pocket easily slips over roller bag handle for easy transport
• Metal feet on the bottom for durability and stability

Talk about a stylish shoulder bag.  This bag would be as comfortable in Italy as it would be taking to a crop or to the office.  Check out the inside of this beautiful bag:

Here it is empty and with a laptop inside.

Or use it for scrapbooking:

Fits a 12x12 album and paper and supplies!  It also has a holder on the back so that it will fit over the handle of the roller tote which will be arriving towards the end of April or beginning of May.  Together they will look like this:

And then to finish off the co-ordinated look there are the beautiful

The Vituri Urban Handbag features:

• Unique exterior photo windows
• Metal feet on bottom for durability
• Large zippered pouch
• Rear external pocket for easy access
• Fully lined
• Detachable matching keychain with photo window
• Convenient pockets for credit cards, cell phone and glasses
• Durable vinyl exterior

And a totally roomy interior that keeps everything organized.  No more rooting around in the bottom of your purse.

The matching wallet is the finishing touch.

Product Features

The Vituri Urban Ladies Wallet features: • Detachable shoulder strap • Exterior photo windows for showing off your favorite loved ones • Secure interior credit card slots • Pen loop • Removable check book cover with plastic carbon copy protector • Zippered coin purse • Elegant and stylish lining throughout.

Hurry in to get yours at PE today.  If you can't get in, we can also ship them to you.  Email us at [email protected] or call 604-463-3654 to make arrangements.

Trust Us With Your Memories,
Michele

Send a Thanks to QuicKutz

Tam sent me an email with a thank you that she sent to QuicKutz, thanking them for coming to PE's Western Roundup Crop, for all the prizes that they donated, and for the die for everyone at their class.  I thought this was a great idea and nice for them to get a thank you besides from me.  So if you have a moment, please send a message to QuicKutz, thanking them for coming to the crop.  You can send the email to [email protected] .

Thanks,

Michele

New April QuicKutz Dies

The new QuicKutz April shapes are in at Phoeto Express (PE).  Remember, PE is now a full line QuicKutz Dealer.  If QuicKutz has it in, PE has it in. And Crew Members, your FREE die for April is waiting for you.

Six new shapes will have you thinking Spring! Two DoubleKutz flowers, three versatile vines and a soaring bird!

The new Flower Die Set is designed to be embellished with coordinating new QuickStampz Clear Stamps (sold separately)!

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Introducing QuickStampz Clear Stamps!

New Clear Stamps cling to QuickStampz Rockers for perfect stamping, every time! They are designed to coordinate with QuicKutz products and come packaged in a collector's storage tin. • Flowers coordinate perfectly with the shapes in the new Flower Die Set (see above) • Triplets are designed after GooseBumpz embossing dies to coordinate with a full range of QuicKutz products!

Store stamps inside the collector's tin for easy access and organization!