Cat's Meow Template
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| October 2014 |
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News Highlights Stamp Esape New Store Look AI Catalog Party New from TE Fire update |
Hi everyone!
What a busy month September was! Of course, as many of you know, there was a tragic situation here when a fire was started between Oakhurst and North Fork that raced out of control and consumed 30 homes. Many other buildings were lost and lots of other damage was done. There was so much confusion at the time of the fire, I just could not believe it. This is a good lesson in what panic can do. Our SPCA is helping with displaced animals and getting vet care for some found injured with burns. Hopefully we will be able to find their owners, too. During the fire I sent out two emails to those who attended Stamp Escape last year with contradictory information about the home of Chuck and Sharon Nugent who own Good Ol' Daze at Bass Lake. First I was told their home burned, then I was told it was still standing. Well the truth is it DID burn to the ground. The small home that was the original family home on the property, a little wood frame house, escaped the fire, but their more recently built three story home with windows overlooking Oakhurst is gone along with six generations of family treasures. Actually a firefighter told Sharon that when the fire came up the canyon and reached her home, the flames were 200 feet high and when they saw the house begin to 'melt' they had to leave. That will just give you an idea of the magnitude of the fire. I have several friends who were evacuated but were able to return to their homes, but I know others who lost everything. As always, here in this tight knit community, people are jumping in to help. I received several emails from my customers who wanted to know what they could do. I have thought it over, and decided that if you want to send gift cards, I can see that they reach people who are in need. There are so many stories about those affected by the fire, but I know many of you know of the generosity of the Nugent's. The fire displaced not only Chuck and Sharon, but their grandaughter, Dakota (she and Sharon are stampers) and several other relatives who live on the five acre property as well. Sharon is still hoping to find one of her kitties who she could not find in time to evacuate. This is a tragedy for many, not only those here in Oakhurst with this fire being the second major one this summer, but all over the state. We really welcomed a nice rain last weekend. We are hoping for some good rain and snow this winter...can't wait! Now, on to happier things! Stamp Escape! Registration forms and deposits are rolling in! Don't put it off, we take only 100 students and I think we are ahead in registrations in comparison to other years. The forms can be printed off of the website at www.catsmeowstamps.com. I think 2015 will be a lot of fun with a good variety of projects and talented teachers. Don't miss out! This month, Art Impressions is having a catalog party. If you place an order over $30 with me, you will get a free stamp of your choice. You can stop in to look at the catalog or you can look online and call or email me your order. I will place an order on October 15th and 29th. Remember, this is the company with the cute front and back images, some that work especially well with Wobbles, and they have those crazy ladies! Yesterday was quite a day. It all started last week when I made a quick trip to Paso Robles Tuesday. The Creative Stamp closed their doors so I went there to buy her plastic paper trays that we use to display our 12x12 paper. We are always out of trays and I had put off buying more, so it was worth a drive to Paso Robles. While there, I also purchased two tall, slender spinner fixtures. This was the start of a big move in the store. Yesterday, Melissa and I made a lot of changes! There are still a few things we want to do to better utilize the space, but having 107 extra paper trays really got us moving! There are things in different places (I know we dislike change), some things that have been marked down, and more room for new things. Come take a look. I can't promise you we will know where everything is for a while..... In moving, we have decided to remove from service our original black wire paper racks! If anyone wants them (one or both...they are stackable) check your space to see if they will fit. They are each 28" wide x 32" high x 14" deep. Each fixture has 30 slots for paper. They are very nice heavy black, powder coated metal. I used them stacked, 64" high. I would like $25 each or both for $40. First person to come gets them! I want to thank all of you who helped me work on the problem with the newsletter arriving to some on your inboxes encoded. Hopefully the problem is solved. It was a real mystery and caused me to spend not just hours, but days on the phone with computer 'experts' who had no idea what was going on. So much for Tech Support! I hope Fall will bring us all wetter weather, we can certainly use it. Don't forget to plan ahead for Stamp Escape.....Stop in to place your AI order and check out the store. See you soon,  What's New?Other than the new arrangement of the store.....there are also some fun new goodies. We have the Halloween collection from Taylored Expressions which includes 6x6 paper pads and matching sequins, stamps and dies. This week we will be getting the Christmas collection, also with paper, stamps, sequins and dies! Taylored Expressions is a really great little company. She has frequent releases, ships quickly and accurately! What a concept :) Memory Box has another small Christmas release. It just arrived today so we have more beautiful dies. Oh no! I have to make another prototype Christmas card....I have 4 ideas sitting on the desk to decide on the perfect one for this year.....now Dave has confused me with a die that just might make me change my mind. Time will tell! Every year we order a beautiful board program from Northwood's Rubber Stamps at Christmas. Each year they are more beautiful than the year before. You know the ones with birds, snowy scenes,and all that glitter. Just beautiful. I can see I will have to reorder some of the images already! We have received our whimsical Christmas paper, All Bundled Up, from Carta Bella. It features snowflakes, snowmen, mittens and all things that remind us of winter. It is very different from our more traditional Graphic 45 Twas the Night Before Christmas collection. We have already reordered several papers that have sold out from that collection. Don't miss our latest classes. Go to www.catsmeowstamps.com and click on Classes! Be sure to like us on facebook, too! |
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