Are You Impressed??

NEW Cheerleading and Gymnastics Papers

Working on getting our new CHEERLEADING scrapbook paper on our website (about 40-50 designs).  We've had so many requests for team colors, so hopefully you'll be pleased with your choices.  We've also added 3 new GYMNASTICS papers to our collection, not quite on our site yet but here are the pics for the gymnastics .  (for the gymnast's Moms....how true is that wording on the black paper?)

If you'd like to be notified when the new CHEER and GYMNASTICS papers are available for viewing on our website, please drop us a note.

www.accentalbums.com

New Monogram Album

Finally, ready to unveil our newest creation. I love the fonts and color combination (always have loved hot pink & black together).  So new, not even on our website yet...but should have it there within a day or two.  This would be great for a young girl, tween, teenage or young lady!  We work with alot of gymnasts and cheerleaders and think this will be a big hit with them. At some point we hope to offer it in different color combinations.  Please let us know what you think.  Bridal showers?? Matron and Maid of Honor gifts?  New Baby?  Lots of ideas.

www.accentalbums.com   We'll eventually have a picture on our homepage with a link to take you to the page with all of the information.
 

We have a winner!

 

Thank you for your patience as we selected the winner to our "Scrapbook Room" contest.  We had some great entries, which made it hard to select a winner.  However, when you see this room, you will be in awe.  I already asked if I could hand deliver her sign, so that I could come and play in her room.  We will be announcing the winner's name soon.

Thanks to everyone for entering our contest. Stay tuned for more contests in the future.

Contest!

   There are so many wonderful craft rooms out there and sadly, my room is not one of them.  It works for me, but  I have seen some that I just drool over and picture myself spending every waking moment in.  I saw one recently where a husband had built it for his wife. It was a separate building on their property which reminded me of a beautiful playhouse a neighbor friend had when I was growing up.

This is a contest I am so excited about because I'm hoping to get lots of wonderful entries and see some awesome rooms.  Here are the rules:

• Send your best picture of your scrap/craft room to sherril@accentalbums.com
• I will let you know that I've received your entry once it arrives
• Please be sure to put your name in the body of the e-mail.
• Once we've selected the winning entry, I will post it on the blog and notifiy the winner in an e-mail as well.
• Once the winner has received their sign, I'm  asking for one more thing.....I'd like just one more picture of your craft room but this time with a picture of the sign hanging in your scrap/craft room.
• The winner will give us permission to use the picture on our blog and/or website and any other promotional advertising that we may do.  (if I can figure out how to do it...I really want the picture to be my blog header. I know, my blog header needs a little pick-me-up).
• The winner gets a choice from 8 different color combinations (only 5 are displayed here).  If you would like to see the other 3 choices before entering, please send us an e-mail and we'll be happy to send you the link to see all 8.  These are the real deal.....they weigh 3# each and measure 36" x 6"...they are big.
• Contest is open to US residents, 18 years or older, void where prohibited
• I will pick the winner after the Creating Keepsakes Portland event that I will be attending in March.  I want to keep it open for all the scrapbookers that I will be meeting in Oregon.

Now......you've seen them, those great, fabulous, amazing craft rooms.  Do you think you've got the best scrapbook room?? Send your photo!  Do you know someone who has the best room??Please let her know about the contest.  I hope to get as many entrants as possible and want you to be one of the first to have one of these fun, decorative signs.

 

 

Boys to Men

  Would someone tell me when my sons went from boys to young men?  This fascinates me. When you're living it, there are days it seems like the whole world is in slow motion but lately it feels like life is just whizzing right by.

This pic was taken last June at my oldest's HS graduation.  Now in just a few more months the youngest will be wearing that cap and gown. Wow!  I've been thinking alot lately about the last 18 years.

Just this past weekend I decided at the last minute I'd see if my oldest wanted some company and a free dinner.  ;-)  I visited him at his college and watched 2 basketball games.  He plays baseball at school and has a part time job with the basketball team in the winter. What I found fascinating was watching as an outsider and seeing how he interacts with other adults.  Wasn't it just yesterday he was shy and clinging to me?  We had a great night and he even asked me if I wanted popcorn from the concession stand, his treat.  Wow, I remember all the games where they would pester me for more money, so they could buy the goodies at the concession stand.  Now he's buying me a treat and I didn't even ask.  Milestone.

My youngest and I have been having some great conversations and he seems to take my words of wisdom well (Ok maybe I'm the only one that thinks they are words of wisdom).  I haven't even seen any eye-rolling lately.  We talk over dinner and he doesn't even seem in a hurry to eat as fast as possible so that he can get back to texting, or get on the computer.  Love that.

When did they go from boys to men?  I know it was gradual but suddenly it feels like this all happened over night.

Florida Sunshine

  This is where I was less than one week ago. I think I was more excited about the sunny weather than attending the Sports Fest.  I called a girlfriend just to let her know I was driving with the window down.  May not sound like much, but after the amount of snowfall we've already had, that was huge. I had so much fun discovering new little towns down along the coast.  However, driving in Tampa was crazy, brought me back to my California days..........just hope noone stops suddenly. 4 days later I'm back to this:

With my other son away at college, my youngest isn't too thrilled that he's the main shoveler these days.  However...I asked him to come with me to Florida, but he had no desire.

Anyway, it was fun to hear the buzz about the SuperBowl while there.  I'm not a football fan, but it was fun listening to all the hype.  Hoping to take a trip to Florida every winter, just to feel the sun for a few days.

President Obama - A Historical Moment

 There's no doubt, we are living in interesting and even scary times right now.  I think we are all wondering what is in store for us and our familes in the months and years to come.  I am feeling hopeful and excited to witness this historical moment in time.  I remember the feeling I had when the first man walked on the moon, even when Mark McGuire hit the record breaking homerun, but this moment in time is absolutely at the very top of my list of historical moments. As a country, we have come so far.  I've been saving clippings, writing down my feelings and am going to store it in this album to share with my sons and one day, my grandchildren, and hopefully they will in turn share it with their families.  This is exactly why I started scrapbooking so many years ago, so that I could share a part of myself with those I love.  I want them to know who I am, and when I am no longer here, who I was.

I think whether we are a Republican or Democrat, to witness this event will be a memory we will be sharing with loved ones for many years to come.

Here's to Hope, because that is the word that comes to mind as I'm watching President Elect Obama being sworn in right at this moment.

Design Contest

Our first ever Album Design contest and we couldn't be more excited to see what you all will submit.  If you  haven't seen our new album designs, please go to our site www.accentalbums.com  and see all of the new, fun albums we've been creating.  Now....we're reaching out to all of you and hope you will submit your photos, that you think would make a great "generic" album.  What that means is, we'd love your ideas that you think anyone would love to see on their very own personal album.  Some ideas......Hawaii, scenery shots, New York, sports......the list goes on.  We will continue this contest throughout the summer, and then select a winner, or in the event of a tie.....we'll choose multiple winners.  The designs and/or photos that are selected, will then be created into a custom designed album and displayed on our website, for sale to the public.  How cool is that????  You will win your own album from your design as well as having the album named after you, also on our website.  Dust off those cameras, think about those clever designs that you've always wished were the entire album cover and get submitting.  We can't wait to see your ideas.  Once we've selected the winner(s), you will be provided with a photo release submission form.

Exciting day today, in about 50 minutes......Accent Albums will be one of the guests on the Diva Craft Lounge online talk radio program.  Please join us for some fun and great information.  This is a weekly talk radio program, now broadcast in 75 countries.  Each week, they have 2 or 3 guest speakers and we were lucky enough to be invited this week. If you are unable  to join me live this week, you may still listen to the episode at  your convenience.  Please visit the site at www.blogtalkradio.com/DivaCraftLounge   

May/June Always so Busy!

How have 6 months gone by since my last post?  It has been a busy and long winter, and I am so happy that spring finally arrived.  We had record breaking amounts of snow this year, didn't think our lawn would ever be visible.  However, with those memories fading, I am so ready for the lazy days of summer.  My flowers are blossoming and I even have tomato plants this year! I'm always so good with my plants at the beginning of the summer, but about 3/4 of the way through, I become a bit lax with the watering.  I'm going to make a much better attempt this year.

My most exciting news is personal, my eldest son graduates from high school, one week from today.  Such a milestone, and like all "firsts" I couldn't be more happy for him,  Our entire family is traveling to see his graduation and I know how happy that is making him.  He's ready for the next venture in his life.  He'll be attending a small school, not far from here but not too close either...just the perfect distance.  He'll be able to experience his first real freedom and continue to play baseball, his real love (hopefully schoolwork will not be forgotten  ;-) 

My other exciting news has to do with the business and some new albums we've unveiled.   This is a special collection, since they will only be available on our site  designed by us.  We've started with 5 new designer albums, including a basketball, baseballl, beach, gorgeous flowers and a Cannon Beach album (we've had this request more than once, so we've made it available to everyone).  These albums, are all wonderfully manufactured, top loading, post bound with 10 page protectors.  For those who love the albums, but do not scrapbook, be sure to request it as a photo album.  The only diference between the scrapbook and the photo album, are the type of page protectors that are inside.  The pocket page protectors have become so popular for those not having the time, and wanting a simpler way to store their photos.

We are getting ready to launch our first ever "Design an Album" contest.  We are looking for wonderful photos that you think would make a wonderful new Designer Album for our collection.  You've seen those photos . . . you  just say Wow!  when you see them.  If you think you are interested, or you know someone that takes some great shots and would like to enter, please ask them to contact us on our site at  www.accentalbums.com .  Scenery Shots, Hawaii, Sports, etc. we're interested in all of your great ideas.  There will be prizes for the winners and if chosen, the Designer Album will be named after you, or if you prefer a link to your website if you have one.

I'm excited it's only Spring......the weather has been like summer, I want to enjoy each and every day. Did I tell you how much snow we had this winter?????  ;-)

46 Days Till Arizona

This December has had more snow than the last few winters.  I do love the 4 seasons but after having this much snow already, I'm always concerned that the next few months will follow suit.  However, this year I have something to look forward to....Arizona in February!

I've attended gymnastic events for the past 4 years and when I heard about this big meet that is held every year in Arizona, I knew I wanted to be there.  So....46 days and counting and I'll be leaving my winter sweaters, scarves and boots at home and packing a much lighter suitcase.  I heard about this meet through other customers I've met at other shows, and they say it's a fun, fun meet.  The Hardrock Cafe sponsors it, and there's motorcycles throughout the Convention Center, and denim jackets given to the gymnasts for top awards.  I've gone back and forth....drive?   Fly? and have finally decided that driving, although long, might be a fun way to go, and I won't have to worry about shipping things ahead.

I can't wait.....now back to shoveling my driveway.....seriously, we had more snow last night, and more is expected this weekend.  Good weekend to stay in!