Whim So Doodle

Halloween Contest!

Hello and Happy Halloween!  Oops...I may be a bit early with my greeting but there is a very good reason!

We are kicking off our Trick or Treat Pail Contest tomorrow, Saturday the 1st of September.  Each participant will decorate a small Stampendous! pail with Halloween decorations. 

The pails will then be put on display in the store where all our customers can vote on their favorite pail.  The winner will receive a huge basket of Halloween and paper crafting goodies!  Then we will take the decorated cans, fill them with approved treats and take them over to the children who are at All Children's Hospital on Halloween week!  How cool will that be?  All those kids who cannot go Trick or Treating will get beautifully decorated pails filled with fun stuff! 

How do you participate? 

-Easy, stop by The Doodle between September 1st and 22nd and purchase the pail for $3.  Decorate the pail in any Halloween decorations using stickers, papers, embellishments...whatever you choose!  Be as creative and crazy as you want! 

-List all the supplies you used on an index card and include your name, phone and email address.  Put that card inside the pail-please do not attach it to the pail in any way. 

-Then you bring your finished pail back to the store on or before September 29th to enter into the contest.  We will put all the pails on display around the store and let customers vote on their favorite! 

-The winner will be determined by whoever has the most number of votes.  Voting goes on between Monday, October 1st through Saturday, October 27th.  The winner will be announced on Monday the 29th and will be awarded a huge basket of Halloween goodies, paper crafting goodies and Doodle "goodies"!!  Oh boy...someone is gonna be VERY lucky!!

So put your creative thinking caps on!  Come by early to get your pail so you can start creating! 

The Trick or Treat Pail Contest is brought to you by....

The letters W, S and D and...

 

and...

Thanks in advance for participating in such a fun and rewarding contest!!

Jen

Class Updates

There is a bit of class "news" that I have to tell you about!

#1-There are only a couple more seats for each of the Stacey P. classes for this Saturday.  We had to cap off the numbers, so if you were thinking about coming, call ASAP to sign up.  (727) 827-4911

These Are the Days-school themed 6x6 album in all new Junkitz school collection-$40  9:30am-12:30pm

Be You Album-cute pink mini album chock full of fun stamping techniques that is devoted to YOU!-$40  1-4pm

#2-On Thursday, September 6th Desiree is teaching a class called Fabulous Fall Frame.  I took this class when Suze Weinburg taught it and fell in love with this super cool UTEE technique!  Now we have Desiree, a certified Ranger teacher in our community and is teaching for us all the time!  So, come out and see how easy and FUN it is to make this frame.  You are making it in a fall theme, but you will go home with one very important thing-the desire to make more frames!  Which is just perfect when you think of all those on your holiday gift-giving list!

This is an example of another frame made in this UTEE class and not the exact colors of the one you will be creating.  Just wanted to show you how cool these little tiles are.  And guess what?  YOU make the tiles from scratch!  Oh!  This class is so much fun!!!

#3-Class line-up change!  Leisa's class called "Important Dates" has now changed to "Seriously!".  This is a very cute album that celebrates your friends or family.  It is a sweet library pocket album that is embellished with Poppet stamps and adorned with photos of your favorite people, 7 Gypsies rub-ons and stickers.

 

Seriously!-Saturday, September 15th from 10am to 2pm.  Cost is $45

I think that is it.  Hope to see you at a class soon!  If you are in the Saturday classes with Stacey from Junkitz, you will REALLY see me then 'cause I'll be in them! 

Jen

More new stuff!

I promised you more and here it is!

Tons and tons of wonderful stuff from Fancy Pants...HUGH stamp sheets, ribbon cards, paper, punch-outs, rub-ons!  Oh my! 

Look at this cute rub-on with the quote from Dr. Seuss and that frog!  I love that frog!

New MIMI totes in red & tan and black & blue!  Very cool.  Love that the red one matches our store colors.

Stamp with this "sticky" glue pad and you can hold down glitter, micro beads, foil and more!  Very cool and stampers LOVE IT!

Technique Tuesday stamps, idea books, mini stamp sets and tiles are out of the tub and out on the sales floor.  Now all they need are good homes to go to!  Look at how cute they are!  Don't  you need a little TT in your stash?  And don't forget the free set you get if you purchase an alphabet!

The newest shapes from QK are great!  Just look at those trees!  Those were the first ones home with me.  Now if you have school-aged kids you need to see all the cuties in the school line...the bus, the chalkboard, the pencil.  There are both 4x4 and 2x2 shapes.  Leisa made the pencil just to play and it looks so cool! 

Come in and check out all the new stuff.  Come create in our crop room.  Just come and hang out!  The Doodle is a great sanctuary from the crazies of everyday life! 

See you soon!

Mmmm....what's in this?!

There were so many questions about how I made some of last weekend's crop menu items, that I've decided to just blog about what they were so everyone who was interested could try it at home.  I do have to warn you a bit first-I do not really use measurements when I cook.  I just season until it looks right!  So I am just gonna tell you what is in it without measurements and hopefully you can reproduce it!

The Oriental Chicken Salad:

Cole Slaw mix or Broccoli Slaw mix or (like I used) a combo of them both

Shredded chicken from a whole roaster from either Sam's Club or Publix

Sliced almonds

Oriental flavored Ramen Noodles ("flavored" 'cause it has no beef or pork in it for us veggies!) and the seasoning packet

Thai salad dressing from GFS (Gordon Food Service in the same plaza as the old Doodle) (now you can use any Oriental dressing, Thai is a bit spicy, so if you want a different flavor try a toasted sesame variety)

Mix the slaw, chicken, almonds, seasoning packet(s) and dressing until it is all coated to your liking.  Just before serving crunch up the Ramen noodles and stir in. 

For the huge batch I made (fed over 20) I used 5 Ramen Noodle packets, 2 whole chickens and over 1/2 jug of dressing!  You can also add mandarin oranges for a nice add in!

Grandma's Porcupine Meatballs:

Ground beef

Cooked rice

Bread crumbs (or "day old" bread if you have it on hand)

Ketchup

Honey

Eggs

Salt, pepper and my secret ingredient!  (Spicy Spaghetti Seasoning from Sam's Club...now my secret is out!!)

Put the meat in a bowl, add rice, bread, eggs, some ketchup and honey and the seasonings mix well.  If you have plastic gloves, just use your hands-it's easier!!  When it is all combined roll the mixture into meatballs sized to your liking!!  Put meatballs in roasting pan-they can touch on all sides (I don't grease the pan or anything, but if you want an easy clean-up, line pan with foil.  Mix more ketchup and honey together in bowl and pour over meatballs.  Pop in oven and cook.  I usually do mine uncovered, but they brown a bit faster, so if you want to cook longer, add foil on top. 

For those of us who don't eat meat, I took Mama Mia Garden Balls and nuked them for a few minutes to defrost, not get hot.  Then I mushed them up and added all the other ingredients and re-formed them into larger ball shapes.  Into pan with ketchup/honey sauce and bake in oven.  Mama Mia's do not need as much time in the oven or they will turn into door stops!!

Hope you enjoy!  And look for a croppin'  cookbook soon!  I love the idea and will get right to work on it!

Jen

 

Doodle Diva Retreat Weekend in Inverness

I have not told you yet about our wonderful weekend we spent a few weeks ago in Inverness at All Seasons Scrapbook Resort.

This is a house (a real house) run by two women who have it set up to be devoted to scrapbookers.  There are three bedrooms outfitted with twin and bunk beds to accommodate up to 12 croppers, a fully equipped kitchen with condiments, plates, cups, dishwasher, etc. so that you can make your own food, a dining room and a second dining/lounge area, a living room, two bathrooms and a pool with outdoor areas for sitting or sunbathing.  But best of all, the garage has been converted into a scrapbook room.  It is set up with tables and chairs, a Cricket, lots and lots of stamps, idea books and so much more!  It is enclosed and air conditioned.  It has a TV/DVD player and a radio.  It is great!  Fantastic!  There were 7 of us and the amount of space for us was PERFECT!!

If you decide to visit them yourself, please make sure to tell them you heard about them from Whim So Doodle!   

You can visit them at:  http://www.scrapbookseason.com/

You don't want to miss our photos in the Photo Album section of the blog.

Here are our Top 10 Reasons for staying at All Seasons

10-Scrapbookers love to talk.

9-The 'fridge can hold more snacks than you think.

8-Top bunks are made for skinny scrappers!

7-No matter where they go scrapbookers leave with more than they came with!

6-The best martini recipes are created after midnight.

5-Seven women in a Dunkin' Donuts drive through doesn't work!

4-Scrapbookers are much more creative when "the girls" are free!!

3-A half-hour trip to Ocala can quickly turn into a six hour shopping marathon!!

2-We want to move into the house!

1-Great memories are made while memories are being preserved!

What's new?!

I know...I know!  It has been awhile since I've given you news of what is hitting our shelves.  First let me tell you that since Jill went to the show by herself this time, we didn't get to see what she bought.  So we are just as surprised as y'all as the stuff arrives.  Stuff has been hitting our shelves for a few weeks now, so let me fill you in!  And for those of us who are "visual"  I walked around the store with a camera and took photos!  Enjoy and I expect to see you all in here soon!

This is the new Gel-A-Tins!  Oh so cute!!  You have got to see the coffee and bon-bon ones! 

These are the new embossing powders from Gel-A-Tins.  The black one is scented like black coffee, the tan one is scented like Cafe Latte, the red one is scented like cherry, the purple one is scented like schnoz-berries!! 

All new stuff from Walnut Hollow.  Soldering irons, tool boxes just for us gals and more!  Come and check out the entire line of "tools for her"!

Oh my!  Stacey has a class using this album soon called "Clearly It's a Cute Album", but you can get an album before class if you need to!  Great 6x6 acrylic album with acrylic pages.  The creative mind boggles!

The latest installments from EK's Art Blanc line.  Too many to mention, but they are flying off the shelves!  Hurry! 

Mellow...Recess...Periphery...Obscure!  All the new lines from Basic Grey are just too cool.  Totally unlike their other lines!  Plus all the fibers, embellishments, paper pads...all of it!  Come get it before the Doodle Divas buy it all up!  You know how much we love to create!

KI just put out the cutest boy and girl lines!  All the paper matches the embellishments, ribbons and more.  So if you are into that "no thinking" or "I can't match to save my life" ways of scrapping, then check out all the KI stuff!

Come on and jump on the crazy train with me!  These new organizers from Tim Holtz will make you crazy-happy!  The organize all his cool Ranger products like the Alcohol Inks, Distressing Ink Pads, Paint Dabbers and more.  Are you not in the organizing mood?  Well, these hip tins will do the trick!

Speaking of organizing...the newest from Cropper Hopper are fantastic.  See the one on the right?  It is the three-drawer one and it is perfect (PERFECT, I tell you!) for storing your foam stamps!  You will thank me for this one!

The new line of school papers and embellishments from our friends at Junkitz.  Stacey P., the owner is teaching here on September 1st and will be using this whole new line in her class.  You need to see how cute this is!

Need an album?  We've got 'em!  Tons of them in fact!  There were so many cute, new patterns that we couldn't resist.

Nobody puts Technique Tuesday in a tub!!  OK, well it is only in a tub for a short while until we wheel it out on our trolley and put it out on the floor!  Great new fonts, images and words.  I do NOT want to tell you what my personal TT bill was on Monday!  But if you spend more than $50 you get the limited edition set free!!  I'm gonna let you be surprised when you see the cute set you'll get for free!

Christmas stamps are arriving!  Are we ready for holiday card making?  Well The Doodle and Inkadinkado think you just might be!

Whew!  Can you see just how fast we are working?  There are still SO many boxes to open and Kristen is working her fingers off getting them all opened and out!  Keep watching for more stuff!!

Oh!  I also have to tell you some Diva news!

First, let me tell you that Kim (my kindred reality TV spirit) and I went to dinner and to see Kathy Griffin over the weekend!  Since this blog is G-rated I cannot tell you much of what she said, but I can tell you that I wish I had a tissue with me 'cause the tears were rolling down my face!  She dished on Paris, Tom, Larry King, Barbara Walters and so many more!  Oh my!  What a great night...

Next, two of the gals here have daughters going off to college.  Jill's daughter, Ryan, has headed off to Rollins College in Central Florida and Jo's sweet Emily went this weekend to Florida State University.  I think that both moms are doing OK, but Jo would benefit from some hug-therapy.  So, next time  you are in the store, make sure to give Jo a big-'ole hug!!

For all you "old-time Doodlers" you will like this information.  Jamie who used to work in the store and was known for the fun crops she did with Rachel came into the Doodle last week for her first visit at the new location.  And guess what she brought with her?  A 5-day old baby!  That's right!  Our Jamie had a baby boy recently.  His name is Gavin Michael,  he is adorable, has lots of hair and as Kristen said, "teeny-tiny".  How cool is that?!  We can forward any cards or wishes you want to send to her.

I think that's it!

See  you all soon!

Jen

And the winner is...

Last month we did a QuicKutz competition to help us decide what our new, exclusive shape is gonna be!  We asked you to vote on the shape(s) you wanted to see in a 4x4 die set.  So after the tabulation we had many votes for flamingos, snakes (yikes!), many Florida themes and even a die that says "Doodle Diva".  Since the final vote goes to Jill she has chosen another popular choice-a coffee themed set!!  She chose it so that our shape would hold a mass appeal, not to mention our local appeal!!  LOL  I am not 100% sure yet what the actual shapes will be...a mug, coffee beans, a to-go cup, a french press, sugar packet, stir stick, etc. but I know that many ideas are being considered!  It will be a surprise for a little while longer.  Rats!!

Now on to our BIG winner!  We (and by "we" I mean "Jo") drew the name from all the entries and the winner of our big basket of QK goodies including one of the new exclusive shapes (when they are done!) is.....(drum roll please!!)....Tracy Workman!  Big congratulations to our winner! 

HUGE thanks to all of you who came up with such unique and cool ideas.  I have emailed them all to Chris (our new QK rep) so that they can keep all your ideas and maybe, just maybe you will see one of your ideas on a familiar piece of metal one day soon!

Jen

PS-I cannot believe how easily I glossed over the "our new QK rep" line above.  We are all grieving that we lost our beloved Spencer!  He was moved to another territory and we are missing him.  BUT, Chris is a lovely guy and we cannot wait for you all to meet him and hear stories about him.  In fact, you can see a photo of him in the Album section from our QK Weekend Getaway.

Santa Sitting update!

Three of the four days are SOLD OUT and there are just a few left for Friday!  So if you were waiting (I can't imagine why!!) but the time has arrived to sign up!  Friday is the "Workshop Santa" day and I wanted to show  y'all how cool the suit is!  His shirt is a fluffy, white poet shirt with a beautiful elfin-made vest with nautical brass buttons.  It is a very cool alternative to all those years of traditional suits! 

The cost for the sitting is $80 to be paid when you sign up-no exceptions!!  If you don't remember reading all about the Santa Sittings, just read more below and you can see all that you would need to know!

HO HO HO!

Fantastic class news!

I got a call a few days ago from the super-nice Stacy Panassidi the owner and founder of Junkitz!  Junkitz!!  We love their stuff!  In fact we are kind of addicted to their great embellishments and funky paper!  So I'm thinking, "too cool right?"  Well, it got much cooler when she asked if she could teach a class or two at The Doodle!  Ok, I was shocked!  I picked my jaw up off the floor and said, "of course"!  After a few calls and tons of emails we picked two classes that I am sure you are gonna just love!! 

Both classes are on Saturday, September 1st and you can start signing up right away!

The first class is called These Are The Days and it is an awesome school-themed mini album featuring the Junkitz Decor Boards.  You will be using techniques like painting with crackle medium and stamping on cork and decorating the album with the newest Junkitz line "School Days".  The cost for this class is $40 and it goes from 9:30am to 12:30pm.

The second class is called Be You Album.  This is a super-cute heavily techniqued album!  You will learn lots of great stamping techniques like stamping on foam and more. This BEautiful mini book will help you document the many faces of you!  The cost for this class is also $40 and the class time is from 1pm to 4pm.

  For some reason...probably my  limited computer skills...I was only able to get the photo of the Be You Album to load.  I think Kristen may have had more luck loading it to the calendar pages on the website!  Go check it out there to see the photos and a longer class description!

http://www.whimsodoodle.com/calendar.php

These classes are gonna let you spend some time creating great albums and spend some time with a sweet and inspirational industry leader!  Come on out and play with us!

Jen

Sizzling Summer Savings

While the temperature is still climbing outside the savings in the store are heating up too!!  Over the next few weeks you will see some deals sizzling at The Doodle. 

This weekend we will kick off our Sizzling Summer Savings with a paper sale!!  That's right-paper!  You know you love it.  You know you collect it.  Now you can do it all at HALF OFF!!  Yep!  All paper in the store is 50% off regular price.  Cardstock?  Yep!  Glitter paper?  Yep!  Embossed paper?  Yep!  New paper?  Yep!   ALL PAPER!!

The HALF OFF PAPER SALE begins tomorrow, Saturday the 11th and continues until next Saturday the 18th!  So hurry on down while supplies last.  (I would love to see y'all buy us out of paper!!  LOL)

"What's next?", you ask!  Read on, my pretties!

Starting on Saturday, August 18th and going until Saturday, August 25th (Or until product runs out) we will be having a CLOSET SALE.  This is tons of scrapbooking, rubber stamping, organizational, home decor, office supplies and school items that we are cleaning out.  You will find some fantastic deals in our "closet" so (honestly) make sure to get here very early for this sale!!  'Cause once we run out of product, the "closet door" will close!!

Next, from September 1st through the 7th you can purchase any Pulp album at 25% off and get a matching refill page for FREE!  (By my calculations, that is a double-deal!)

Then from September 8th through the 14th you will be able to take 50% off Making Memories cutters and EK Cutterbee cutters.  Great time for grabbing an extra cutter or getting one for a friend!

From September 15th through the 21st you will be able to take 50% off all PetALoo products.  Yep!  All those beautiful flowers and cute mini albums!  Think of all the gifts you will be making this season! 

And, lastly, from September 22nd until the 29th we will be selling the fully stocked PINK EK Totes for only $25!  These kits are full of over $100 worth of essential scrapbooking tools, housed in a pink flat pack.  That is one smokin' hot deal!  But there is a catch!  In keeping with the "think pink" month, we are asking that in order to get that smokin' deal you need to bring in a handmade card made for someone in need of some cheer.  We will be sending those cards to our local Hospice for them to distribute.  In fact, even if you want to participate in the card give-away, then by all means drop off a card. 

Wait!  That is not all!  For the entire month of September if you spend more than $50 you will receive a FREE Cropper Hopper Paper Holder.  This is a $6 value and will be perfect for holding all those papers you buy in the first week!! 

So, mark your calendars...turn your change in at Coinstar...eat Ramen noodles for a week...do what you can to be sure to take advantage of these sizzling savings!

All smokin' hot deals are while supplies last, are good on in-stock merchandise only, are good only for the advertised dates, cannot be applied to past purchases and cannot be combined with any other discount or frequent shopper points. 

See you all VERY soon!