Today...is a great day!

Today...and for many yesterdays and for many more tomorrows, we've been working on the new web site. I know there have been hints and teases, but the struggle to revolutionize the scrapbooking industry, well, has some sub-struggles that also have to be endured. But the thing about struggles is that when they are over, you are freer and lighter and finally able to soar!

So, if you're ready for another teaser, go here!

ETP!

Labels: Expanding the Passion, industry insights, Latest and Greatest

Today...plan to chat online and on air! We're back from CHA and ready to tell all about it tonight on the monthly NSA Chat Night.

Meet in the forums at 9:00 p.m. central time to chat using the NSA Shout Box

Then at 10:00 p.m click over to Scrapbooking Matters, the NSA's BlogTalkRadio show. Members of the NSA who attended the 2007 CHA Summer Show will call in and tell us about their experiences.



ETP!

Labels: industry insights, Latest and Greatest, retail tips

Today...I'm posting what Beth Hess, editor of Memorytrends Magazine, reported as trends and hot products from CHA summer (my notes in orange):

The Craft & Hobby Association Summer Show provided an array of new product collections for crafters of all kinds. New yarn textures and colors are likely to inspire papercrafters. So, too, are artist materials. One of the hottest new scrapbooking products of the show is the IOD Paintables collection from Prima. These 12"x12" sheets of cardstock feature outlines of swirls, flowers, and more and are designed to be colored in with paints, markers, color pencils, chalks, or any other color medium. Co-creator Josie Celio says, "I forget how much fun coloring is until I started with this line. It's a form of expression many of us haven't used in a long time." Judging by the crowds watching the demos and placing their orders, others agree scrapbookers are ready to incorporate more of their artistic self and products they already own, like ink pads and pens, in this way. (Watch for more about artistry in journaling and scrapbooks in the September issue of Memorytrends Magazine.)

Other Products that stood out:

• Glue Arts GlueGlider Max - a large adhesive gun runner GlueArts is a long-time sponsor of the NSA!
  
• Dove of the East - Japan Collection

Other Trends Spotted:

• Birds, Trees flocks of owls, bird-shaped chipboard mini-albums from Piggy Tales & Maya Road, penguin Christmas paper from Imaginisce
  
• Swirls, Paisley
• Calendar projects Karen Foster, Flair, and others; getting ready for Christmas gifts
  
• Unique shapes in mini albums, board books, spiral journals, etc.
• Storage, storage, storage - this category just keeps growing (and becoming more fashion-forward and in-line with today's decorating trends) I'm guessing that this product line offers a high return for both manufacturers and retailers, hence the flood
  

ETP!

Labels: industry insights, Latest and Greatest, trade magazines

Today...I'm identifying some of the products and trends I think will be hot coming out of CHA-S. What do you think?

• More of the warm, rich colors from January's CHA plus brighter blues (mentioned here)
• Texture and more texture - flocked, glitter, embroidered, stuff that screams "touch me!"
• More felt, velvet and lace, especially in rolls and ribbons, but also in flowers. Look for it from Queen & Co., Prima, Maya Road and others
• More interactive projects - see-through pages, flip books, hide & seek flap book and barn doors from Piggy Tales
• Anything transparent, like acetate, film, acrylic - the digital layered look goes beyond paper
• Home printers and multiple ways to use them - think hybrid and transparencies
• Glue Arts' Glue Glider Pro, which won the Art Materials Magazine Most Innovative Product Award - this is a must-have for serious scrappers
• Prima - with a special eye on the new Printables - something very different for scrapbooking (let's cross over to the art material aisle and grab some water brushes for our distress inks!)

Come back for more as I add to the list!

ETP!

Labels: industry insights, Latest and Greatest, retail tips

Today...I visited the press room to get a preview of what's in store for us when the show opens on Friday.

Exhibitors and other CHA members provide press kits to announce new releases, entice with sample products, and provide catalogs and digital images for print. This is an excellent way for editors to find the info they need - and bring it home - to do their job, which is ultimately to spread information.

As a Service Provider, I find the press room an invaluable benefit and ultimately a huge time saver. In one room I can gather a significant amount of information that helps me to plan my show schedule and identify the must-see exhibits. Even if it's just an updated catalogue provided, having it in hand is so much easier - and appreciated - than if I had to hunt down my prospects for information.

I also get a glimpse of what the other categories are working on, such as Pentel's Fabric Fun Dye Sticks. Their press kit included a small canvas bag and encouraged creative time with their new product. Talk about make-n-take!

NSA members Cindy Bisson and Becky Chabot submitted press kits in the designer section, and they were on hand to preview the kits from the exhibitors. This video is just a sample of what we discovered on the show floor:



(Disclaimer: this is my first video post, so please forgive the lack of editing and the burst of exuberance at the end!)

ETP!

Manufacturer's mentioned

Bright blues:
me and my big ideas
Stemma

Skulls & Pirates:
Collected Memories Bad to the Bone albums
Rusty Pickle's Cap'n Jack and Pirate Princess Collections
Karen Foster Design's Pirate Collection
2 Daisies Designs' Heads of the Family

Celebrations:
AdornIt Halloween Collection

Labels: industry insights, Latest and Greatest, pudding, trade magazines

Today...I'm reminded that dreams really can come true!

Remember when I offered an invitation to create the ultimate scrapbooking web site! Well, it's being done! The new NSA site will be like no other! I'm just too excited not to at least mention how great it is going to be. For me, it's like having all my dreams come true AND dreams I didn't even know I had come true.

It's not too late to let us know your dreams for the ultimate scrapbooking web site.

Whatever your expectations are, they will be blown away!

ETP!

Labels: About the ING, Expanding the Passion, hand holding, industry insights, Latest and Greatest, Stop the DRAMA

Today...we need to take a stand against the antiquated mindset that scrapbooking is "dowdy" or "saccharine". There is a sexy side of scrapbooking, and we don't need (nor do we want) Martha Stewart to prove it for us.

Remember the Panty Journal?

How about Scrap City?

Consider some of the scraponistas out there and their cutting edginess.

Here's me looking down my nose at the Wall Street Journal article. Dowdy? Pfh.


We missed out when we failed to own our own definition of scrapbooking. And we're still explaining that it has nothing to do with doilies.

Mike Harnett warns us of stereotyping the category. And we need to heed the warnings across the board, especially regarding product development and usage. Not every scrapper wants the latest/greatest.

The only stereotype I want scrapbooking to have is that it's an activity for everyone. Scrapbooking is so personal and personalized that it can be whatever you want it to be. But the common denominator remains: memories.

So don't let some Wall Street know-it-all or high-brow hot shot define your passion or label your look. Besides, I'm quite sure the writers of both articles saved clippings of their printed stories, even before their first by-line.

So, what are your thoughts? Got any proof to the contrary? What image should scrapbooking have? Let's create it!

ETP!

Labels: IMHO, industry insights

Today...we need to admit that the "scrapbooking as art" and "gotta have it" vacuums have been filled. We've elevated memory keeping to a level that is alienating the newcomer, and we've saturated the market with a flood of product. It's time to identify the new needs of the industry and fill them. That's what the NSA strives to do with these products:

• Up-to-date LSS locator and directory where all brick & mortar retailers can list their store for free and scrappers can find a scrapbooking store easily


• Calendar of calls for publication, for enthusiasts who want recognition and publishers who are looking for fresh contributors


• An open forum where any product, store, or sale can be discussed

What else does the scrapbooking industry really need? My guess:

• Greater global synergy


• A unified voice


• A place for everyone


• An identity people can relate to


• Tools specific to the scrapbooking industry (ah, an upcoming blog topic!)

In other words: more newcomers.

Don't fear. Not only has the NSA identified these new needs, but we've been working very hard behind the scenes to fill them to satisfaction! If you're interested in a preview, email me.

ETP!

Labels: Expanding the Passion, hand holding, IMHO, industry insights

Today...I'm pointing out the reality trend that has emerged in scrapbooking (perhaps a response to all those reality shows?). The trend has been looming, I mean, how many single photos layouts wallpapered with flowers can inspire Suzy Scrapbooker who only wants to organize and preserve her 3x5 snapshots of her teenager's ninth birthday?

To draw your attention to the recent surge, take these examples:

• Tara Governo's Imperfect Lives (F&W) tells the kind of wonderfully human, less-than-glorious stories that often go untold. Its pages are full of honest, edgy, quirky, humorous layouts about real life
• Tasra Dawson's Real Women Scrap and t.v. for busy women
• Memorytrends April 2007 cover story "What Women Want...and how scrapbooking gives it to them"
• The handful of blogs attacking and smacking celebs and wanna bes (and no, I won't provide the links...stay here and finish reading)

Here are some other observations. The number of inquiries to the NSA for information for LSS business plans has decreased significantly. More hobbyists are waking up to the reality that operating an LSS is 99% retail and 1% scrapbooking. Real life (i.e., kids, the mortgage, aging parents, insert "any daily stress" here) or lack of business skills, foresight or critical thinking has pushed retailers to close their doors, and the predictions are realistic. Industry politicos worn of the impending doom; the number of LSSs in the US will be down to 800 by the end of the year; this vendor is not exhibiting at CHA-S, and that vendor is not going to Memorytrends.

All this is reactionary and old news in this cyber-fast world. What we really need is to be pro-active.

Tomorrow...I'll talk about the new reality.

ETP!

Labels: IMHO, industry insights, trade magazines

Today…Creating Keepsakes announced its new editor. Replacing Tracy White is Brian Tippetts. Yep. A guy. He joins a handful of men making their way into the female-dominated world of scrapbooking. The guys have always been here; but now they’re getting face time.

CK started with Don Lampson. David Venable works side-by-side with Lisa Bearnson at QVC. And the first male Hall of Famer, NSA member Mitchell Kraft, was named in 2007.

F+W is doing it, too. David Pyle is now Group Publisher, formally held by industry matriarch Jeanne Wines-Reed. Steve Smith’s column, "Manly Memories," appears regularly in Memory Makers Magazine.

This sprinkle of men is just the beginning of the summer storm. There will be a gully-washing this year in the industry, brought on and carried out by the “guys who get it.” Are you ready to ride the winds of change?

ETP

Labels: consumer magazines, Expanding the Passion, industry insights, trade magazines

Today...CK announced the 2007 Hall of Fame. Congratulations to all the honorees...especially NSA member -- and first male HOFer -- Mitchell Kraft! I talked to Mitchell this afternoon and invited him to join me on the Scrapbooking Matters radio show. So he's scheduled to hang out tomorrow at 1:00 CST. Come listen in live, or download the show to listen later. If you have any questions you'd like to ask him, post them here. Oh, and did I mention? -- he's only 18!

ETP!

Labels: consumer magazines, industry insights, Latest and Greatest

Today...I ran across a blog post that was -- how can I say this -- not saying nice things about a certain scrapbooking something.

The premiere issue of Digital Scrapbooking Magazine hits the stands this week.

As a scrapbooker, I'm ambivilant. (I'm a die-hard paste eater).

As a scrapbooking professional, I am thrilled.

Scrapbooking is moving forward and embracing what was once deemed a threat. I'm certain that digital scrapbooking will bring more consumers to our market. We (as an industry, a community, and a network) must accept (and have been accepting) digital scrapbooking as a legitimate form of creativly preserving our memories and adjust accordingly.

Hey, anyone hear of Darwin?

In the past year, we have adjusted to this new breed of scrapbookers; but for some digital scrapbookers, we haven't worked fast enough.

So I read a blog that mentioned some message boards that talked about (i.e., slammed) the delay of Digital Scrapbooking Magazine.

Um, I can think of several things I'm more concerned about, like do I plant my Kolanches in the front beds, or do I pot them for the back patio?

And I'm serious.

So instead of deciding on my deciduous plants, I emailed DSM's associate editor, Molly Newman, and brought the drama to her attention (tweet, tweet). She was very grateful and was able to address this issue appropriately...since she now knew about it! Yes, the drama unfolded on the blogosphere instead of directly with the people that could actually deal with the issue!

This is not the first time this has happened, and I have heard countless stories of the nicest people in scrapbooking having to deal with the cruelest of comments, demands, and -- yes, I'm serious -- threats.

The internet is where democracy meets technology. It is where our wonderful freedom of speech will be overused and tested. And I encourage that.

Still, I'm a mom, and as a mom, I must remind you: if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. Or at least tell someone who can do something about it. Geez.

Let me give some of you a word of advice: if you want to be a scrapbooking professional, you need to act in a professional manner.

If you don't know what that means, then you're still an amateur.

I'm stepping down from my soapbox now.

ETP!

Labels: consumer magazines, industry insights, Stop the DRAMA

Today...I was cc:d on this email:

Sherry -I enjoyed speaking with you yesterday, 3/1. Your retreats of 50-70 attendees & your Great Scrapbook Event (3/31-4/1, 800 attendees) sound exciting. Thank you for helping us by using one of our catalogs as a giveaway at your events. The catalog is C&T Publishing's Create & Treasure catalog for our papercraft books & products, annually published. I am mailing you 1200 copies today, 3/2.

I appreciate you putting a link on your web site for C&T Publishing. Our URL is http://www.ctpub.com. If, for any reason, you have any questions about linking to us, I have cc'd our Web Manager, Adrianne Shroyer, so that you can contact her directly.

Thank you to Veronica for "introducing" us!

Regards,
Martha Osborn
--
Marketing Manager
C&T Publishing
Innovate. Educate. Create.
www.ctpub.com

Cool, huh?!

ETP!

P.S. Happy TEXAS Independence Day!

Labels: industry insights, matchmaking

Today...this article warns us that we --as a market/industry-- have gone overboard and scrapbooking is now alienating consumers. Perception has crossed from overwhelming to down-right frightening. From the author:

Scrapbooking is everywhere...There is even a television show about it, which I watched one time simply out of sheer disbelief.

Upon leaving the store, I had the urge to down a whiskey to counterbalance the act of purchasing scrapbooking supplies on a Friday night. But since I don't drink whiskey, I settled for a raspberry martini, which took the edge right off my uncomfortable foray into the world of scrapbooking.

It seems my old method of sitting down biannually with five photo albums and a shoe box full of pictures no longer cuts it.

...scrapbooking highlights my inadequacies in the craft department, takes too long, and makes my fingers and my neck ache.

It makes me sad, because there is only one rule in scrapbooking: If you're having fun, then you're doing it right. The author of the article was not having fun. And I don't know who looses more: that we loose a customer, or that she looses confidence in her capacity to creatively preserve her memories.

Expanding the passion is not about getting excited over the latest and greatest. It's about finding and embracing a way to integrate memory preservation into our lifestyle so we become more passionate about our life.

ETP

Labels: About the ING, Expanding the Passion, industry insights

Today...I had some wonderful telephone discussions regarding the NSA's Instructor & Designer Certification Program (IDCP). The program has been on hold while we find someone to manage the beta testing and to manage the program for the long term. This is not easy, but after my conversations, it may get a lot easier! Some members of the industry have come forward to offer some help, and that is huge!

The NSA will not roll out the IDCP until it's ready. We will only do it if it's done right. Scrapbooking deserves nothing less.

The IDCP, as envisioned in total, has the potential to revolutionize the industry and benefit all market segments, especially consumers. The IDCP also will play a big role in expanding the passion of scrapbooking. It is no small task making such an idea a reality. I'm beginning to think that we had to wait for the time to come, and now it is here.

Thank you to those NSA members who have patiently waited for the IDCP. Many thanks to the Development Team who worked diligently to create the certification portion. And thank you to the industry representatives who have offered to serve on the Beta Testing Team.

It is very exciting to come to the realization that our industry has grown to the point that there needs some form of standardization. I'm proud that the NSA will be the driver that puts scrapbookers from around the world on the the same page.

ETP!

Labels: Expanding the Passion, industry insights

Today...Rebeca Seitz provided an interview on GoDeKalb.com about her new scrapbooking fiction book due out in early March. Prints Charming (WestBow Press) is about four women with very different life paths bound together by their love of scrapbooking. The book will be available at book stores everywhere and on Amazon.com. Rebecca is doing an extensive tour to scrapbooking shows and local scrapbooking stores to promote the book.

I had the privilege to pre-read the book and provide a quote for the cover. Prints Charming demonstrates the "power scrapbooking has to develop and strengthen relationships," and that story -- even in fiction form -- needs to be told. Prints Charming's distribution will be wide-spread, and many readers, who have never been exposed to scrapbooking, will have a positive and non-threatening introduction to our passion: fiction lovers, Christian book readers, crafters, etc.

Look for more fiction titles, by Rebeca Seitz and other authors developing this genre, which help expand the passion of scrapbooking.

ETP!

Labels: Expanding the Passion, industry insights

Today...I'm providing a list of companies and products I reviewed on the Diva Craft Lounge from CHA:

Theme: Quality through rich, luxurious textures

Papers:
Paper Elements
Daisy Bucket
Luxe Designs

Embellishments:
Felt: Tinkering Ink, Queen & Co.
Velvet: De Ja Views, SEI, Imaginisce
Chipboard: My Mind's Eye embossed chipboard; Magistical Memories food quality chipboard
Film in the PageSage press kit

Journalling:
Karen Russell Journaler's Notebook (MT release)
Graph papers: Scenic Route, Dream Street

Color:
Black & White
Aqua
Plums

Tools:
7 Gypsies punch
Bind It All
The Slice
Karen Foster's Scraparatus
*Purple Cow's Freestyle

Organization:
Clip It Up
Arccivo
*KFD's Scrap Apron
*ScrapEze vertical paper holder (MT release)

Give the Gift of Scrapbooking:
Love Books
My Book
Speaking Up
*Photopoly
*SEI's Minute Memories (MT release)

The asterisk indicates the companies/products that deserve mention but I didn't talk about because of time or because Diva Danielle and Jan covered them.

Of course, there are many other wonderful finds at CHA, and I would love to hear about your favorites!

ETP!

Labels: Diva Craft Lounge, industry insights, Latest and Greatest

Today...I'm recovering from CHA, so here's a quick summary. For a more detailed report, listen to my segment on the Diva Craft Lounge.

The theme of this year's show was Quality -- my guess, a tactile reaction to the fast-growing digital market. Look for lots of luxurious textures in paper and embellishments like 80 pound text double sided patterned papers, embossed chipboard, and textiles like velvet, felt and corduroy. Reoccurring color themes were in black & white, teal with everything, and rich plums, burgundies and ivories. Look for a full report on the NSA web site coming soon from Debbie Hodge.

In the meantime, enjoy these photos from the show!



Diva Danielle kept busy doing a show review for Clique TV. She broadcast live from the NSA booth with me and Jan Mollet Evans. And I got to meet Rayme and his mom !!! but no photo :-(


Robin (far left) and Donna (far right) from Scrapbook Warehouse and I stopped by the Memories in Uniform booth to thank Amy Alfaro for her support of Harvesting Memories.


It wouldn't be official without a photo with the lovely Leah Fung!


I finally met Tara Whitney in person at the 2 Peas ice cream social.


Get this...green round sprinkles (peas?) on my ice cream!


Wendy and Kitty have a book due for release later this spring. They and a table full of designers gave me their take on the show during lunch.


The cool tool of the show...the Freestyle from Purple Cows. I first saw this product at PMA last March. It's finally here!

More later!

ETP!

Labels: Diva Craft Lounge, industry insights, Latest and Greatest, photos

Today...was the last day for CHA preparations. Tomorrow we fly out. Scott's been working hard getting the logistics together, and I've been sending out emails about Sneak Peeks. And don't you worry! I'm tracking the hot products for my Diva on the Road report, Wednesday, January 31 at noon pacific. Diva Danielle will be broadcasting LIVE from the NSA booth, #1508. Tune in live or listen to the archives!

ETP!

Labels: Diva Craft Lounge, industry insights, Latest and Greatest

Today...EK Success announced its launch strategy for the new Martha Stewart Crafts™ line of paper crafting, scrapbooking, and storage products, begining with limited retail distribution in May to all Michaels stores, followed by distribution to EK Elite independent craft and scrapbooking stores later this year.

Today...I highlighted this tidbit of advice offered to independents by Rob Krieger, president of Checker Distributors, in the January 2007 issue of Craftrends, page 34:

The strengths independent shops can use to their advantage...are their unique product selection, classes, and individual attention (emphasis
mine).

and he advises retailers to...

"Find suppliers who are directing their total sales and marketing efforts to make independents successful. Why depend on a supplier who is doing all they can to help chains be successful at your expense?"

Krieger goes on to encourage independents to "think outside the box" and lists suggestions like using the Internet to attract younger customers, choosing the right supplier ("Make every attempt to buy products and brand names that are not in the chains."), keeping up with trends, and offering unique classes.

I can't help but think that EK Success released word of the launch schedule as a way to avoid a communications fiasco a la Provo Craft and the Cricut. They're making sure everyone knows that the box stores will have Martha's product before they attempt to ship it to their "elite" customers. Thanks for the warning, EK, especially before you have thousands of independent reltailers decend upon you at CHA.

Independents need to think outside the box or the only place to shop for scrapbooking supplies will be inside the box stores.

Labels: IMHO, industry insights, trade magazines