Archive for May, 2010
On Wednesday I was talking about all the ways I could say “Life is good”. Yesterday I was able to add something to the list. I am able to say that I am friends with my ex-husband.
We spent three hours going over the summer schedule, making lots of adjustments based on travel schedules, vacations, etc. Not a cross word was said.
We told each other about who we were dating. When he told me about the woman he is dating now, I broke out into a big smile. I am so happy for him! I just want him to be as happy as I am. We were not meant for each other, but we spent 18 years together and were the best of friends for a very long time.
I was even able to share the following story with him:
The kids and I used to listen to “Living La Vida Loca” by Ricky Martin in the car all the time. Tony HATED that song, so we could only listen to it when he wasn’t around and would have to stop as soon as he got back into the car.
When we were in the car on one of our date nights, my “gorgeous smartest guy I’ve ever met” plugged his iPhone in so that he could play music. The song he played? “Living La Vida Loca” by Ricky Martin. I threw back my head and laughed. And laughed.
It was nice to be able to share that story with Tony…and he’s the only other person who understands the significance.
So many people can’t even be in the room with their ex. Even years later. I am so grateful that after it’s all is said and done, I can still call my ex my friend. Thank you Tony.
Looking for a deal on scrapbook supplies? There are still lots of items left on our "clearance rack".
Click here to see all the clearance items:
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.
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
May 28th, 2010
“A life that at the end of the day …or the end of the week…or on your birthday, you can say to yourself, "Life is good. Life is authentic. I am happy. I am fulfilled. I wouldn’t change a thing."
These are the words I wrote back in August of last year. I put them on my calendar on 12/31 and my birthday as a reminder to me to check in and see if I was living my life the way I wanted.
On New Year’s Eve, I could agree with everything other than I wouldn’t change a thing.
Monday is my birthday. I am going to be 43 years old. This life changing journey I have been on actually began three years ago on my 40th birthday. It was like a switch flipped that day. That was the day I realized that *I* was responsible for my own happiness. And unhappiness. And that it was up to me to create a life where I felt “I wouldn’t change a thing”.
So, this year on my birthday, I can say, without hesitation, that my life is now an example of what I wrote back in August.
Life is good.
Life is authentic.
I am happy.
I am fulfilled.
I wouldn’t change a thing.
I wouldn’t change a thing. I have built a successful company that allows me to help people preserve their most precious memories. It allows me to employ over 30 people and hopefully give them the kind of work life where they look forward to each workday instead of dreading it. I get to work with my best friend, Lani. It also allows me the opportunity to live in a nice house in a nice neighborhood and send my children to a good school.
And my children? They are happy. They have a great neighborhood to ride their bikes in and lots of kids to play with. They are doing well in school, are well-adjusted and seem to have come through the divorce with flying colors.
And me? I have come through the divorce with flying colors. I have grown more than I ever thought was possible. I discovered strength inside of me that I never knew was there. Patience that I never knew was there. I lost 52 pounds. I look the best I have looked in my life. I am happy from the inside out.
And…I had a date Friday night. With the smartest guy I have ever met. Who also happens to be gorgeous. Who I have known and admired for six years. We have both recently found ourselves in the same place, divorced and newly single parents of two kids. And so begins the next chapter…
What about you? Can you honestly say to yourself "Life is good. Life is authentic. I am happy. I am fulfilled. I wouldn’t change a thing."?
I sincerely hope that you don’t have to turn your life upside down like I did to find true happiness. But do WHATEVER you have to do to find it. Life is WAY too short and too precious to waste another second of it.
So, go. Be happy. Be authentic. Be fulfilled. Live life like you wouldn’t change a thing. Scrapbook it and journal it along the way. You’ll be glad you did!
Now on to scrapbook supplies!
We’re running out of room in the warehouse again, so it’s time to say goodbye to some old favorites. We’ve added over 500 items to our clearance section. Quantities are limited and when they are gone, they are gone!
Click here to see all the clearance items:
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.
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
May 26th, 2010
Isn’t it interesting how our kids take on so many parts of our personality? I know a lot of it is the environment that they grow up in, but sometimes I think to myself "What strand of DNA did THAT show up on?"
I got an example this morning while I was straightening up the kids rooms after I dropped them off at school (a real bonus to living four minutes from school). I noticed last night that Lauren’s bathroom was kind of a mess…clothes and towels on a heap on the floor…etc. They are going to Dad’s for the weekend, so I wanted things to be picked up.
Since she is 10, and a pretty mature 10 at that, I have kind of left it to her to organize her stuff. When we moved into the house, she decided where to put everything, what went in what drawers, etc. So, I had to laugh this morning when I opened up her medicine cabinet.
She is SO my child! I am seriously one of the most organized people you will ever meet. All my makeup is organized and my jewelry is in little boxes and all my silverware is nice and neat. I never realized until I saw her medicine cabinet this morning how much of this part of my personality Lauren has taken on.
Thank you to everyone for sharing their surprise stories on the blog (
http://site.scrapyourtrip.com/blog2/2010/05/19/scrap-your-trip-adds-272-items-free-tag-kit/). I got all teary-eyed reading lots of them (but didn’t cry so my eyes can heal). First place goes to Amy (comment #30 – you just HAVE to read this one), second place goes to Bonnie Locey (comment #4) and third place goes to Celesa Roach (comment #3). Congrats ladies! Scrap Your Trip Gift Certificates are headed your way!
Today is the last day to get a FREE tag kit with your order of $65 or more.
Click here to see all our new items for the week:
www.scrapyourtrip.com/5192010.html
We also have 272 overstock items on sale at 25% off. Click here to see:
http://www.scrapyourtrip.com/5192010sale.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.
Hope you have a good weekend! I plan on having a great weekend! I have a date tonight with the really cute smartest guy I ever met from Wednesday’s email. I can’t wait!!!!!
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
May 21st, 2010
How do you feel about surprises? I like surprises! It’s not the easiest thing for people to surprise me though. I pay attention to little things and I have really good intuition, so I usually know something is up. The kids can never surprise me, because one of them, usually Logan, is so excited that he has to give me a "hint".
Tony Robbins has a saying about surprises that I just love. He asks "How many people here like surprises?". Usually a good percentage of the people say yes. "Bull!", he says. "You only like the surprises that you want. Surprises you don’t want you call problems".
I was having this discussion at lunch yesterday with a bunch of business people, including the smartest guy I have ever met (really cute too!). We were talking about how, as entrprenuers, we like surprises, even those that show up as problems. Because we like problems and challenges…they make us say "bring it on!"
I like surprises because it keeps life interesting. I also feel that everything happens just the way it should, so I try to be accepting of whatever life throws my way.
So how about you? Do you like surprises? What’s the best surprise you’ve ever gotten? Please post your comments on the blog. We are going to give a surprise to the person with the best surprise story!
Ok, Let’s talk new products – “Prima’s” in the house. For those of you who have never seen this vendor, you’re in for a real treat. Prima has been known in the industry for creating paper flowers that make “magic” and continue to inspire. One of the amazing reasons why we L-O-V-E Prima’s flowers are because they can be layered within each other to create your own unique flower cluster – once you get started, the ideas are endless (inked, chalked, glittered – if you can think of it, these flowers can handle it). Also, the majority of the flower packaging can be used to embellish your layouts – how cool is that? And if that’s not enough, Prima has even given us an economy line that allows us to “just give them a try” – these flowers are listed at $1.55, have three sizes and a variety of shades, including a cute polka dot print inside each package….I mean really, is there any reason not to at least check them out??? Um, did I mention that we LOVE them?
Two more new lines this week are “Great Getaway” and “Summertime” by Doodlebug. Both of these collections are “SUPERCUTE!” Oh, and one of Tiffany’s tips – ALL of Doodlebug’s collections are designed to coordinate with each other and are made to “mix and match.” We also have Karen Foster’s new spring lines, “Zoo”, “Softball” and “Baseball” – as usual, Karen Foster hit it out of the park (I know, corny joke but I just couldn’t help myself!)
“Boy Jamoree” by Carolee’s Creations is, well, a “boy jamboree.” For all of you lady golfers out there, we have “Moving Day” and “Bent Grass” by Hey, Birdie, Birdie. This vendor is going to be designing female versions of a variety of sports….be on the lookout for new lines to come….as for this one, “FORE” (ok, that was the last of my lame jokes this week)
K&Company came out with these really great kits (Boy, Girl, Traditions and School) that include anywhere from 86 to 201 different pieces, from papers to frames to dimensional stickers – we think this is a “no brainer.” And finally, we have “Oceana” by Creative Imaginations. This collection is an underwater sea adventure – it’s beautiful and whimsical and the colors of this paper make you feel like you are literally “under the sea” watching the most amazing underwater dance.
Our paper collection this week is “Just Cruisin.” We decided to hit on a couple of things that we believe are really memorable parts of a cruise but have never seen in a cruise collection before….like those unbelievable towel animals in the cabins or the muster drill at the beginning of the entire cruise vacation experience and, of course, the place settings (because, after all, what’s a cruise without food?!?) We have two styles of custom paper that is part of the line (SYT-CP-1109, SYT-CP-1109B) and a Custom Captain Life Preserver laser die cut (SYT-Custom-7325) that would look great on your layout.
The SYT Designers have been hard at work – they have brought to you the following designs: Disney, Sports, Soccer, Archery, Scuba Diving, United Kingdom, England, Israel, Iraq, Greece, Bermuda, Hunting, Knitting, Geocaching, and Scrapbooking . We also have new custom items for you to choose from: a Custom Runners 12 x 12 Paper and a Custom Triathlon 12 x 12 Paper.
For a lot of us, tags are a “must have” so this week we are giving away our CI-TagsKit (color and sizes do vary) from Creative Café when you order $65 or more. This promo is good only thru Friday so make sure that you order early! (…and “yes, shipping is still free with this promo with coupon code: FREESHIP59.)
Click here to see all the new items:
www.scrapyourtrip.com/5192010.html
We also have 272 overstock items on sale at 25% off. Click here to see:
http://www.scrapyourtrip.com/5192010sale.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.
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
May 19th, 2010
A few weeks ago, I wrote about how good it is to cry…”If you are fully alive, then you are only ever one thought away from tears”. Well, apparently, crying is good for your soul, but not so good for your eyes!
I cried so hard the day my divorce was finalized that I gave myself “corneal edema”. Basically, my eyeballs got so swollen it changed my vision. And it hasn’t gone away yet.
I finally went to the eye doctor yesterday and she said “Your eyes are a mess!” So under doctor’s orders, I am supposed to stop crying. At least for a few weeks while the steroid eye drops do their thing and hopefully my vision returns to normal.
The average woman cries 47 times per year. That’s once every two months. Guess almost every day is a lot then, huh? LOL
Don’t worry, you won’t have to cry today over missing out on free adhesive foam squares.
You have until midnight tonight to get them FREE with your order of $59 or more.
Check out this week’s new collections!
"Senior Year" and “East Meets West” by Moxxie
“Tooth Fairy” by Karen Foster
“On the Go” by Doodlebug Designs
“Undersea Adventure” by The Paper Company
“Princess” by Carolee’s Creations
“Man of the House" by Bella Blvd
Click here to see all the new items:
www.scrapyourtrip.com/5122010.html
We also have 254 overstock items on sale at 25% off. Click here to see:
http://www.scrapyourtrip.com/5122010sale.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.
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 May 14th, 2010
As parents, I think that we secretly feel that despite our best efforts, we are going to do something to mess our kids up. At least I feel that way. Too much TV? No college for you! Didn’t make sure you got your five fruits and veggies each day? Goth teenager who speaks in one word monotone sentences for you!
But Sunday, on Mother’s Day, I felt, for the day, that I didn’t mess my kids up too bad.
The kids woke me up with breakfast in bed. Red ribbon and all. Logan drew me a rose since they didn’t have one. They were each so proud to give me the gifts they made. The gifts from their hearts. The gifts I will treasure forever.
I was so proud of my kids this Mother’s Day. They are amazing. And proud of myself. I think I didn’t mess them up too badly.
Hope you had some scrapbook moments this Mother’s Day!
For those of you that write in inquiring about what kind of adhesives, tools etc. we use here at ScrapYourTrip – well, Tiffany (an avid scrapbooker and our Design Lead) loves these dimensional foam squares by Scrapbook Adhesives. She uses them in her layouts, her cards and anything that she is using her artistic talents on. So that you can try them too, we’ve decided to give out, to the first 200 orders over $59, a free package of dimensional foam squares…and for those of you that just love them – we put them up for sale too! (This is in addition to free shipping if you use the FREESHIP59 coupon – woohoo!)
This week’s new collections include: "Senior Year" and “East Meets West” by Moxxie, “Tooth Fairy” by Karen Foster – a collection that has applied to us all at one time or another, “On the Go” by Doodlebug Designs – this line can be used for roadtrip layouts or even a layout for little boys. “Undersea Adventure” by The Paper Company takes the unique look of holographic foil and incorporates them into this line for an underwater effect (we LOVE it). We also have “Princess” by Carolee’s Creations for the little princess in your life and thank you Bella Blvd for giving us a collection that we can use for our Guys, “Man of the House.”
The SYT Designers have been hard at work, as always, they continue to design from the list of suggestions that you provide to us: Beach, Cruise, Wrestling, Boxing, Dance, Games, Nascar, Music, Drag Racing, Scandinavia, Greece, France, New York, North Carolina, Cooking, Scrapbooking, Cats, Nursing, Marines, Farming and some really cute 50’s themed die cuts. Our custom items for this week are: Custom Anchor Die Cut, Custom Writing in Sand 12 x 12 Paper that includes numbers by popular request, Custom School Pin Stripe 2 12 x 12 Paper and Custom Class of 12 x 12 Paper.
I HAVE to take a moment to recognize Antoine, one of my employees. Antoine is 100% responsible for the team that ensures that your custom paper is produced to not only meet your satisfaction but to exceed it. This week he DESIGNED, the two school custom papers and I couldn’t be prouder of him! I just love it when I get to see an employee shine!
Click here to see all the new items:
www.scrapyourtrip.com/5122010.html
We also have 254 overstock items on sale at 25% off. Click here to see:
http://www.scrapyourtrip.com/5122010sale.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.
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
May 12th, 2010
I am no longer married. On Wednesday, I signed all the paperwork. All 33 pages of it. It was the happiest, saddest day of my life.
No one gets married thinking they are going to get divorced. No one has children thinking that they will raise them as a single parent. But, as John Lennon said, "Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans."
As far as divorces go, I don’t think it could have gone any better. We went through something called the "collaborative divorce process", which I would recommend to anyone going through this. It only took a little over four months of meetings (which is actually pretty quick). When it was all over, we hugged each other and cried. I don’t think very many ex-spouses can say that.
The day before our first divorce meeting, I set a goal of getting through my divorce with grace. I’d like to think I accomplished that. Tony and I also set a goal at the first meeting of being able to co-parent effectively after all was said and done. I think we are doing a really good job with that.
Many people refer to the time after you decide to get divorced as the "Year of Transformation". It has certainly been that for me! I am not the same person I was a year ago, inside or out. I look completely different, I act differently and I feel differently. But the most amazing thing for me to discover is that this woman is who was in there all along. She just needed the outside chiseled away so that beauty and love could come from within.
I could have never gotten through this without the love and support of so many people around me. Thank you to everyone who was there for me. One of my favorite sayings is "When people show you who they are, believe them." I am so grateful for the people who showed me who they really are.
And because signing my divorce papers was such a defining moment in my life and I wanted to "anchor" it, I had them take a picture of me signing. The attorneys’ said that was a first!
Enough about that – let’s talk scrapbook supplies!
Today, for the first 200 customers (only) that order $65 or more, you will receive one BoBunny, All Stuck Up magnetic storage tin containing either brads, buttons or flowers in assorted colors (a $6.50 value)….and did I mention, that yes, free shipping is available to you with this promo? Don’t wait, only the first 200 orders over $65 will get these cute tins.
Yay! We have the Martha Stewart Scoring Board – it’s a tool that we all need for card making, envelopes, boxes, etc. The best feature about this tool is that the scoring lines on this board are only an 1/8” apart for fast, easy scoring…but that’s not all…. it also has an envelope tool and a storage compartment that houses your bone folder. The storage compartment has various card sizes and box dimensions hidden in the flap for easy envelope and box making. I love this tool, can you tell?
We have Basic Grey’s two new lines, “Max and Whiskers” and “Capella.” The really great thing about “Max and Whiskers” is that it can be used for pet enthusiasts AND for those of us that don’t have our own little critters but are just addicted to all things Basic Grey.
Capella is their version of an old-world, Italian inspired wedding line but with the soft neutral color palette of this collection it can be used for a variety of different layout themes.
The name says it all, “72 and Sunny” by We R Memory Keepers – it’s bright, cheery and looks like “retro-y” summer fun. (Yes, I know that I just made up a word but that’s the way Tiff described it and I liked it!) Next up, get down to earth with the greens and browns of “Mother Nature” and the bight colors of “Feeling Groovy” by Doodlebug Designs – we think Doodlebug is pretty groovy themselves. Our SYT paper collection this week, “For Mom” has a soft, traditional Mother’s Day feel that will help you create a beautiful layout for your Mom and the custom paper allows you to personalize it in a way that is even more special and meaningful. Finally, Karen Foster brings us “Modern Mom”, “Graduation”, and “Prom” this week.
The SYT Designers present “by request only.” The designs that we bring to you this week have been specifically requested by you, our awesome, creative customers. We have a long list of suggestions but don’t forget to send us your ideas, cute sayings, and heart’s desires….we’ll do our best to bring them to you (please be patient with us, we’re trying to get to each request just as quickly as possible but perfection takes time)
Our custom die cuts are a Custom Soccer Ball Die Cut, and a Custom Just Married Die Cut.
Click here to see all the new items:
www.scrapyourtrip.com/552010.html
We also have 248 overstock items on sale at 25% off. Click here to see:
http://www.scrapyourtrip.com/552010sale.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.
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
May 6th, 2010
