Cuddy here on this Friday evening and somethings afoot! (make that ‘a-paw!’)  My dog-Mom Helen has been packing her suitcase and I think I heard something about there wasn’t a boarding pass for me!

In HELEN’S January 22nd e-newsletter that has just been sent out it talks about the Craft Hobby Association Winter 2010 Convention & Trade Show that Helen will be attending.

I’m interested in seeing what dog-themed scrapbooking items Helen finds while out in Anaheim.  She will be making updates to HELEN’S facebook fan page during her visit.

Click here to subscribe to HELEN’S e-mailings if you are not already receiving.

Here’s to a paws-it-ively successful CHA!

best, Cuddy
Cuddy is HELEN’S family dog and Mascot, he’ll tell you he’s underpaid in dog biscuits for writing his blog!

(Hampstead, NC) — January 6, 2010 – In time for the upcoming Craft Hobby Association show in Anaheim California the elusive gift for the scrapbooking enthusiast has been solved thanks to new scrapbooking themed HELEN’S Queen of the Crop™ gift soap set being launched by Helen’s Scrapbooking Studio.  The three-piece gift soap set, is made by Glynne’s Soaps exclusively for Helen’s Scrapbooking Studio.

The gift set with HELEN’S signature colors comes in three scents (Orange ginger, lavender chamomile, and eucalyptus) with HELEN’S signature Scrap Chat Laugh and are gift wrapped to make the perfect gift for the scrapbooker in your life.  Each 2-ounce bar is embossed with a crown for the Queen of the Crop™.

The $15.00 set is available exclusively at HELEN’S Scrapbooking Studio both online and in the studio.  Plans are to make it available for sale at select independent scrapbook retailers in 2010.

HELEN’S is featured as the ‘Mover & Shaker’ in the January/February issue of Scrapbook Business Magazine in a two page article that includes showcasing the exclusive gift soap set.  The magazine is celebrating its Tenth Anniversary this issue.

Helen Rittersporn, owner of Helen’s Scrapbooking Studio & More, said of Glynne’s Soaps, “When looking for a supplier for my custom soaps I chose Glynne’s Soaps because of three great reasons! One, their reputation for all natural soaps; two, they are a fellow local Wilmington business; and three, their flexibility to customize for my business based on my specific needs.  Working with Gayle and Jenn has been very insightful in determining package size and scents.  It was fun extending my brand into my concept of scrapbook themed gift soaps.”

Gayle Tabor, of Glynne’s Soaps said, “It is always fun to work with another business owner to find the right combination of scents, colors and packaging to reflect their business. We are excited about the gift set we have worked closely with Helen to create and look forward to a long prosperous relationship”.

All three women are social media enthusiasts and met through fellow twitter friend Sarah Barbee in the fall of 2009.  The two local Wilmington area businesses are excited about the unique opportunity the new product represents for their business-to-business success.

For more details about HELEN’S Queen of the Crop™ scrapbooking themed gift soap set email info@HelensScrapbookingStudio.com or call 910-803-0303.  For more information about Glynne’s Soaps, or about custom soaps, email glynne@glynnesoaps.com or call 910 471 SOAP (7627).

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Click HERE to Order!

Cuddy here on this New Year’s Eve wishing you a Happy New Year 2010!  Wanted to let you know the  e-postcard (<–link) for HELEN’S Scrapbooking Studio this week has been sent out.

Here’s an excerpt:  “This week there is more than one quick item to share with you — the first scrapbooking crop for 2010 is this weekend with my 2nd Annual crop diggity dawg, the Valentine’s PopUp class is next Wednesday (adorable photos below), and early bird registration has been extended for Sherry Steveson’s Jan 15 & 16 classes.  She was at the studio yesterday and the class kits we prepared are gorgeous!!”

To subscribe: click here to subscribe to HELEN’S emailing list!

Now to see what I’m drinking for my toast with my family at midnight tonight!

best, Cuddy

Cuddy here with this paws-it-ively fun and brief blog posting for December 22nd.

If you enjoy being part of HELEN’S Scrapbooking Studio community you’ll want to be sure to receive the weekly e-postcard that gets sent to subscribers of HELEN’S emailing list.  It is a short e-postcard that keeps us connected and is sent out weekly except for the week of the 15th of each month when HELEN’S e-newsletter is sent.

To subscribe: click here to subscribe to HELEN’S emailing list

Here is the link to HELEN’S Dec 22nd e-postcard.

December 22nd e-postcard highlights:
1) HELEN’S Holiday hours for her brick & mortar studio and HELEN’S online store front is open 24×7 – including gift certificates!

2) It was fun having our photo and and the story about us [me (Cuddy) and my dog-Mom Helen] in the StarNews last Friday, December 18th.  It was about our portrait being taken by photographer Dick Parrott. Here’s a link to the story in the Wilmington, NC StarNews “Despite recession, pet portraits in demand”

All for now, Cuddy!
December 22, 2009

Tonight’s Wilmington NC Tweet-Up was held at the Port City Java Downtown location. Special thanks to Fuss Budget Promotions for organizing the holiday greetings social media event!   #ilm  #tweetup

Making introductions at a tweetup is fun – I find myself asking “What is your twitter id?” and from there figuring out if we are already following each other and if not getting each other added to our lists and followers.

These tweeps were at tonight’s event:  @fussbudgetpromo, @HIEXWilmington, @glynnesoaps,  @DawnBugni, @shanbow, @gardenofwords, @TheGigabeer, @HELENSStudio,@3athlete, @dalm8ton, @NicoleCarina.   

This was my third Tweet-Up to attend and I found myself looking for Wilmington tweetup regulars — @NatashaNDavis, and @BruceBrownNC – you’all were missed!

The doorprize was donated by my business,  HELEN’S Scrapbooking Studio and was won by Jessica Dowell. Congratulations!  She successfully won the trivia game led by Sarah Barbee.   Jessica won a HELEN’S 12×12 signature scrapbook 3-ring album and the new Winter  issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today magazine. HELEN’S is the only independent scrapbook retailer in North Carolina who carries this magazine which is published quarterly.

Jessica and Helen at Wilmington TweetUp Dec 2009

If you have never been to a tweetup and are considering attending one – I encourage you to add one to your to-do list for 2010!  Now that I’ve gone through 1000 business cards and having new ones printed, I am going to be sure to have my twitter id included – especially when at Tweet-Ups its so nice to have that information already included on your card.

Looking forward to next year’s TweetUp events!

best, Helen

p.s.  Cuddy reports that he was wondering what happened to the antlers headband – and happy to see they are now back home.  He is keeping an eye on them for Santa Paws visit!

Scrappin 'NC December Fundraiser

It was a fun time having the photo taken this evening towards the end of the Scrappin ‘NC Holiday Crop.

All proceeds will help provide a happy holiday for one family in Wilmington.

Photo, front row:  Miranda, Kelly, Helen

Back row:  Lee, Janet, Sandee, Debi, Barbara

The new Winter issue of Scrapbook & Cards Magazine has arrived at  Helen’s Scrapbooking Studio! The issue is available beginning today, December 11th!  There have been strict instructions to not release it even a day early!

HELEN’S is pleased to be an advertiser and offers Scrapbook & Cards Today Magazine Scrapbook & Cards Today Magazine as part of my Customer Elite service.
This issue has articles on glitter, beautiful multi photo layouts, holiday home décor, seasonal layouts, cards, gifts and more.  There is absolutely something for every level of papercrafter!

The quarterly magazine is only offered at independent scrapbook retailers, and is not for sale.  Be sure to stop by to get your complimentary issue and remember Helen only receives a limited number of issues, and makes them available on first-come, first-served basis.  Enjoy!

Cuddy has been snoozing, dreaming of Santa Paws and will return for the next blog.  Thanks to his dog-mom Helen for today’s post.

Cuddy here with this blog update: Happy Wednesday! These are the fudge sample flavors today at the studio courtesy of mcnally’s fudge! Turtle, Chocolate Cheesecake, and mint chocolate swirl.

And by stopping by the studio on Fudge Wednesday you will receive a coupon for 1/4 free fudge at mcnally’s, 1 mile right down the road here in Hampstead.

Between Thanksgiving and Valentines each Wednesday is Free Fudge samples at HELEN’S!

Thanks again to mcnally’s in Hampstead!

Now if only I could talk my dog-mommy Helen into getting dog-biscuits here each week!

best, Cuddy

Helen's Scrapbooking Studio is hosting Author Sherry Steveson in January

Here is a link to the press release.

The book signing is scheduled for Tuesday, January 12 from 5:30-7:30 pm at Helen’s Scrapbooking Studio & More in Hampstead, NC.

There will be four classes taught that weekend by the scrapbook author.  Sherry will be teaching two classes on Friday evening, January 15th:  When Life Gives You Lemons Making Lemonade (Friday 5:30pm-7:30pm)- $50 and Lemonade With A Twist –(Friday 8-10pm)  $50. Students will receive one copy of When Life Gives You Lemons.

The next day, on Saturday, January 16th there will be two more classes taught by Sherry Steveson:  The Scrapbook Embellishment Handbook 101 (Saturday 9am-12noon) $75 and The Scrapbook Embellishment Handbook 201 (Saturday 1pm-4pm) $75.Students will receive one copy of The Scrapbook Embellishment Handbook.

The perfect holiday gift — there is an incredible pricing offered for these classes when bundled at time of registration.  Gift certificates along with the book(s) in advance of the course can be gift wrapped for under the tree!

Bundled: Both Lemons classes, instead of $50 each x 2, can take both for $75

Bundled: Both Embellishments $125, instead of $75 each x 2, can take both for $125

Bundled: All 4 $175, can take all four for $175, big savings!

For more details about the local event, call 910-803-0303, or visit the studio in person or online at http://www.helensscrapbookingstudio.com/.

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Today’s Blog is written by Cuddy! I’m delighted to report that:

Helen’s Scrapbooking Studio & More is the November Featured Merchant at Carolina First Oleander Branch in Wilmington.

Be sure to stop in and see the display for HELEN’S.

In the group photo on the left you’ll see the green flyer for HELEN’S — if you bring in one of the green flyers on display you will receive a special goody and 30% off your entire purchase with that visit to the studio. 

Think of it as a mini-scavenger hunt!

It will be worth your effort.  This promotion ends November 30th.  (Promotion fine print: for in-stock items only, limit 1 per customer).

Photo on left Sarah, Helen, and Rob at Carolina First Oleander Branch.

HELEN’S display includes studio flyers along with layouts from the studio. Yes! those are scrapbook pages that you can flip through on the display!

The Carolina First Oleander Branch is located at 3512 Oleander Drive in front of Belk’s at Independence Mall, Wilmington, NC 28403 - 910-395-4303.

best, Cuddy

Helen’s Scrapbooking Studio & More!

Come to Shop, Stay to Crop!