Archive for December, 2009
The end of 2009. What a year!
I don’t want to say I’m glad it’s over, because I am not glad another year of my life has passed, but let’s just say I’m happy 2010 is almost here.
I have been re-reading some of my e-mails from this time last year. On 1/21/2009, I wrote, “I’m also all about making sure Scrap Your Trip is still going strong on 1/1/2010 and wishing you another Happy New Year. I am well aware that 2009 is going to be challenging, but we are up for the challenge!”
It’s not 1/1/2010 just yet, but I am happy to say that Scrap Your Trip made it through a very challenging economic year. We would have never been able to do it without the support of our wonderful and loyal SYT fans, so from the bottom of my heart (and the hearts of my 20 employees), THANK YOU!!!
2009 was a turbulent year for me. I said goodbye to my 13 year marriage, the house of 6 years that we built, 45 pounds and a large part of my identity.
But I also welcomed into my new life a new identity (one that I am still working on), a condo in a new part of town that I love living in, becoming a better parent as a single parent, the evaporation of most of my workaholic tendencies and new friendships that enrich my life and are very important to me.
I gave up New Year’s Resolutions many years ago, but each year I set an intention for the year. My intention for 2009 was Be Present. Live in the moment that I have, instead of wishing for one that has already past, or waiting for the next one to arrive. I think I did pretty well with that one.
So for 2010? My intention is: Be Happy. I think happiness is a choice. It’s not about what happens to us…it’s about how we choose to define it and what we do about it.
I choose to be happy. Life is too short to live any other way. 2010? Bring it on!
I’d like to share something I read recently. It made me happy. Maybe it will make you happy too. Seth Godin, legendary marketer, asked 70 big thinkers to think about a word or phrase about “What Matters Now” and write a 200 word essay. Some of them will really make you think.
My favorite one is the last one by novelist J.C. Hutchins on “Gumption”. I think it’s fitting as 2009 comes to a close. Here’s an excerpt:
“You can start that business. You can lose that weight.
You can quit smoking, and learn to garden, and write
that book, and be a better parent, and be all the things
you want to be … the thing this world needs you to be. It
requires courage and faith, both of which you can
muster. It requires effort — but this effortless life isn’t as
satisfying as it seems, is it?
Declare war on passivity. Hush the inner voice that
insists you’re over the hill, past your prime, unworthy of
attaining those dreams. Disbelief is now the enemy, as is
the notion of settling. Get hungry — hyena hungry. Get
fired up. Find your backbone, and your wings.
Flap ‘em. It’s the only way you’ll be able to fly.”
Want to read more? You can download the rest of the eBook here:
http://www.scrapyourtrip.com/what-matters-now.html
On to scrapbooking supplies!
I just added couple hundred items to our end-of-the-year clearance sale. There are still close to 500 items marked down 40% and over 1,000 items marked down 25%. Click here to see all the items on sale:
http://www.scrapyourtrip.com/clearance.html
And remember, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, we can always make a custom title or paper just for you! Click here to see all our custom options:
www.scrapyourtrip.com/custom.html.
See you on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/ScrapYourTrip
As always, thanks for your business. See you in 2010!
Julie Swatek, President
Scrap Your Trip®
www.ScrapYourTrip.com
‘cuz life is a trip worth scrappin’®
http://blog.scrapyourtrip.com
www.facebook.com/julieswatek
www.facebook.com/scrapyourtrip
www.twitter.com/julieswatek
December 30th, 2009
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
It’s been dropping down into the 40’s at night here in Orlando and it has been wonderful for getting in the holiday spirit. Something about 70 and Christmas just doesn’t go together, ya’ know!
My daughter has Christmas Eve and Santa all figured out.
“Mommy,” she says. “I figured out how Santa makes it all the way around the world in one night.”
“Oh really?” I ask, afraid to hear her 9-year old answer. “How’s that?”
“Time zones!”
This was not the answer I was expecting. “Time zones? What do you mean?”
“Well,” she explains. “Because of the time zones, when it’s Christmas Eve, in some parts of the world it’s yesterday and in some parts of the world it’s tomorrow. So, Santa doesn’t really have only one night to get around the world and deliver all the presents…he has three!”
You have to love 9-year old logic!
On behalf of myself and the entire Scrap Your Trip team, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a very Happy Holiday season!
See you on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/ScrapYourTrip
As always, thanks for your business.
Julie Swatek, President
Scrap Your Trip®
www.ScrapYourTrip.com
‘cuz life is a trip worth scrappin’®
http://blog.scrapyourtrip.com
www.facebook.com/julieswatek
www.facebook.com/scrapyourtrip
www.twitter.com/julieswatek
December 23rd, 2009
WOW! It’s 5:45 pm and the mailman just left with the last order from Free Shipping Day. We had all hands on deck today to get your orders out the door in time for Christmas. It took a really big team effort, but they did it! They shipped out a whopping 605 packages today!!!
The quality check and packing step of the process
Waiting for the mailman
It took Nick, our wonderful mailman, over 30 minutes to pack everything in the truck.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
See you on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/ScrapYourTrip
As always, thanks for your business.
Julie Swatek, President
Scrap Your Trip®
www.ScrapYourTrip.com
‘cuz life is a trip worth scrappin’®
http://blog.scrapyourtrip.com
www.facebook.com/julieswatek
www.facebook.com/scrapyourtrip
www.twitter.com/julieswatek
December 18th, 2009
The past few mornings have been really foggy here in Orlando. That “pea soup” kind of fog where you can barely see in front of you. The kids thought it was really cool that it looked like we were on the edge of the earth.
As we were pulling into school, Lauren said, “Look at all the fog on the spider webs!” There is a sidewalk bridge on the road and underneath the railings, there had to be at least 50 separate spider webs located in all the corners of the railings. Each one of them was covered in dew drops, so that you could see all the silken strands of the web.
“Ahhh. One of the many beauties of life,” she said.
That comment stopped me dead in my tracks. Would I have noticed the spider webs if she hadn’t pointed them out? Probably not. I was in “you’ve got to get to school mode and I have this to do today and that to do today” mode.
And while although she is pretty mature for her age, she is still only 9 years old. I was really proud of her for noticing “one of the many beauties of life” and for recognizing the simple beauty of a dew-laced spider web. I have always tried to teach them appreciation for things like that in nature, whether it be a gorgeous sunset, a flower or a spider web. Apparently I succeeded.
What beauty in life can you notice today?
Now, on to scrapbooking supplies!
Reminisce has developed the most comprehensive globe trotting collection ever, PASSPORTS. Passports collects 72 of the worlds most traveled destinations. From regions in the US to the top European destinations it includes the most traveled locations around the globe. Each destination has a double-sided paper with coordinating sticker and we have them all.
We also have lots of new Christmas designs from the SYT Designers, including four custom die cuts – Custom Ornament, Custom Present, Custom Santa Hat and Custom Dog Santa Hat.
Click here to see all the new items:
www.scrapyourtrip.com/1216009.html
There are 222 overstock items are 25% off – click here to see:
http://www.scrapyourtrip.com/12162009sale.html
Tomorrow is National Free Shipping Day and we are one of over 600 retailers participating. But, I wanted to extend the offer a day early to my wonderful customers! So, today AND tomorrow, is totally free shipping, with no minimum purchase, at Scrap Your Trip with delivery guaranteed by Christmas.
Okay, here is the fine print: Shipping via USPS Priority Mail only. Does not include orders with Scrap Your Trip Custom Paper or Die Cuts (we’ll still ship it free, but it won’t be there in time for Christmas). Continental US 48 states only.
On Friday, the minimum purchase for free shipping will go back to $59, so make sure you take advantage of this special Christmas promotion.
And remember, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, we can always make a custom title or paper just for you! Click here to see all our custom options:
www.scrapyourtrip.com/custom.html.
See you on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/ScrapYourTrip
As always, thanks for your business.
Julie Swatek, President
Scrap Your Trip®
www.ScrapYourTrip.com
‘cuz life is a trip worth scrappin’®
http://blog.scrapyourtrip.com
www.facebook.com/julieswatek
www.facebook.com/scrapyourtrip
www.twitter.com/julieswatek
December 16th, 2009
Dear Santa-
I know I am a grown-up, but my kids have had so much fun dreaming and making their wish list and I want to do it too!
I have been a good girl this year. (Okay, I’ve had a couple of naughty moments, but overall I’ve been good!)
So, I started dreaming too and this is what is on my wish list:
• A MacBook
• A really cool pair of black leather boots
• A pair of tickets to a Black Eyed Peas concert
• A spa day – massage, facial, manicure, pedicure…the works!
• A new trainer
• A year’s worth of Southwest Airlines frequent flier miles
• An SUV (the kids are older now and I don’t need the minivan anymore)
• A Nordstrom Visa card that magically gets paid off each month
• A trip to somewhere warm where I can be lazy and lie by the pool for a few days and do nothing else but read a good book
• Housecleaners
Thanks Santa! You are the best!
What’s on your wish list? How about a $25 Gift Certificate from Scrap Your Trip? It’s yours…absolutely free…until 11:59 pm tonight with a $100 order. You don’t even have to use a coupon code! It will just "magically appear" in your e-mail inbox
If you have a few minutes, post your "dreaming big" wish list on the blog. I really enjoyed coming up with mine!
See you on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/ScrapYourTrip
As always, thanks for your business.
Julie Swatek, President
Scrap Your Trip®
www.ScrapYourTrip.com
‘cuz life is a trip worth scrappin’®
http://blog.scrapyourtrip.com
www.facebook.com/julieswatek
www.facebook.com/scrapyourtrip
www.twitter.com/julieswatek
December 11th, 2009
Grandma and Grandpa are here! My parents are here visiting for the week from Missouri. As we were walking into the restaurant for dinner to meet them, Lauren said “It’s kind of bad when your grandparents live in another state.”
As usual, Logan was ALL about Grandpa Bob.
Lauren brought along her book “What Would You Rather… (For Kids)?” The kids get the biggest kick out of this book, but I obviously don’t share their appreciation for “kid humor”.
“Would you rather have a head that reflects light like a disco party ball OR puff up like a blowfish when you sense danger?”
“Would you rather have a ketchup dispensing navel OR a pencil-sharpening navel?”
“Would you rather fight a tiger with no front legs OR a rhino with no back legs?”
See…I think you have to be a kid to appreciate these. I know Grandma and Grandpa didn’t know WHAT to think!
Would I rather WHAT?!?
Lauren is cracking herself up!
There are 158 brand new scrapbooking supplies for you to choose from this week. Lots of new Christmas items in stock, including Designer Paper Pads from K&Company, items from EK Success, Martha Stewart, and of course, lots of exclusive Scrap Your Trip designs. We also have "Amber Road" from Pink Paislee, "Domestic Goddess" from Graphic 45, "Headlines Cardstock Stickers" from Doodlebug, sports scrapbooking supplies from Scrappin’ Sports & More and Karen Foster and lots of new EK Success designs.
The SYT designers were working on the following themes this week: Christmas, Sports, Water Polo, Chess, Japan and Southwest.
We have two custom Christmas die cuts – a wreath and a stocking.
This is the third year for our custom Christmas stockings. As a matter of fact, the stocking was the first custom die cut we ever created back in 2007. I saw an embroidered stocking in the Pottery Barn catalog and brought the picture into our designer Tiffany and said "Can you figure out how to do this with paper?" Well, she did and that has led to over 150 die cuts that we can customize for you to help make your scrapbooks uniquely yours.
Click here to see all the new items:
www.scrapyourtrip.com/1292009.html
There are 158 overstock items are 25% off – click here to see:
http://www.scrapyourtrip.com/1292009sale.html
Would you like an early Christmas present? Just place an order for $100 or more between Wednesday, December 9 and Friday December 11, and we’ll send you an electronic Gift Certificate for $25! No coupon code needed. It will be e-mailed to the e-mail address used for your order. Keep it for yourself…give as a gift…it’s up to you. Merry "Early" Christmas from the gang at Scrap Your Trip!
Congrats to Rosemary Garay of California! Rosemary – you won the Slice! It’s on it’s way
And remember, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, we can always make a custom title or paper just for you! Click here to see all our custom options:
www.scrapyourtrip.com/custom.html.
See you on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/ScrapYourTrip
As always, thanks for your business.
Julie Swatek, President
Scrap Your Trip®
www.ScrapYourTrip.com
‘cuz life is a trip worth scrappin’®
http://blog.scrapyourtrip.com
www.facebook.com/julieswatek
www.facebook.com/scrapyourtrip
www.twitter.com/julieswatek
December 9th, 2009
I hope you are sitting down for this. My Christmas tree is up. And decorated. With lights AND ornaments. This is a really big deal for me! For the last two years, my tree hasn’t gone up until Christmas Eve. Lights on only because it gets put away that way. No ornaments.
I promised myself that this year would be different. That wasn’t the memories of Christmas I wanted my kids to have.
The kids had an absolute blast putting all the ornaments on the tree. I started off giving a little guidance as to ornament placement, but they were having no part of it. So, I let them do their thing and they were so happy!
I am happy too. My condo is totally decked out. Candelabras in every window. So many colored lights that you can read by the glow they give off.
After the kids went to bed, I quietly sat in a chair in the living room. Felt like a little kid because I was so happy with all the colored lights. Got out one of my pretty notebooks and started journaling about all the good things in my life and all the reasons I have to be grateful this Christmas. It was a long list.
On to scrapbook supplies!
160 brand-new items this week, including "Kitchen Spice" from Bo Bunny, "Chivalry" and "Lego" from Creative Imaginations. We also have 64 new sticker designs from EK Success.
The SYT designers were working on the following themes this week: Afghanistan, Alaska, Amsterdam, Aruba, Beach, Camping, Caribbean, Cheerleading, Christmas, Disney, Fall, Football, Games, Germany, Italy, Louisiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Recipe, Running, Sports, Thanksgiving, Themepark, Travel, Wrestling and Zoo.
We have two custom die cuts – Custom Camping Photo Frame Laser Die Cut and Custom Cheerleader Uniform Laser Die Cut.
Click here to see all the new items:
www.scrapyourtrip.com/1202009.html
There are 160 overstock items are 25% off – click here to see:
http://www.scrapyourtrip.com/sale12022009.html
Want a chance to win a Slice Think Pink Cordless Design Cutter Kit? Every eligible order placed between December 2 and 11:59 Pacific December 4 is automatically entered to win! Click
here for full prize and drawing details.
And remember, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, we can always make a custom title or paper just for you! Click here to see all our custom options:
www.scrapyourtrip.com/custom.html.
See you on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/ScrapYourTrip
As always, thanks for your business.
Julie Swatek, President
Scrap Your Trip®
www.ScrapYourTrip.com
‘cuz life is a trip worth scrappin’®
http://blog.scrapyourtrip.com
www.facebook.com/julieswatek
www.facebook.com/scrapyourtrip
www.twitter.com/julieswatek
December 2nd, 2009
