We are taking a breather from blogging and the like.

Sorry for the dusty blog. I have been trying to keep up with everything and unable to, so this was one of the victims of my hectic life. It's not gone forever, just until things can get organized and settled.

PaperCents.com is still operating at full speed.

I'll post every now and then: when there is an announcement or sale or just some other good reason to post. :) Thanks for reading!

CHA Summer New Releases - Pink Paislee

CHA is a much smaller event this year than in the past, with many manufacturers opting to stay home. I actually like this - it is less overwhelming and gives more time to build relationships with the companies and other attendees. And the products that are being shown are beautiful. My top pick so far is Pink Paislee. Why?

1 - The collections include the essentials, but don't go crazy with too many papers and embellishments. Having a few embellishments at reasonable prices makes selling the entire collection much easier, and I think it makes shopping them easier, too.

2 - The products are innovative and high quality. The glitter chipboard - not nearly as pretty online or in photos as they are in person - capture ones attention instantly with their sparkle and font (gorgeous and flexible). The Mistletoe collection has a classic style and color scheme that used for many other themed layouts.

3 - The people are great, and reflect the spirit of the company. Some staff at OTHER booths have been pushy, or even unfriendly. Or they didn't seem to want to be there. The people at Pink Paislee seem genuinely happy to help and grateful for their retailers. It's the same great service I get whenever I deal with them.

For these reasons and more, the Pink Paislee collections are the first we will be selling as pre-orders. They should be available online tomorrow! Get inspired today with their beautiful layouts and project ideas on our Flickr site.

View our Pink Paislee CHA Summer 2009 Photos.

Happy 4th of July - Free Shipping Sale

Playing with new look & feel - what do you think of this?

Click to view large image...

Found the super cool font on http://dafont.com: Sybil Green by Larabie Fonts.

Is PaperCents.com too hard to read? What would you change?

Is it better with the original font, like this?

Juggling

Focusing on what's important these days - my family, my paying job (the 9 to 5 one), a 40 lb puppy, sanity, and slowly adding all the straggling products to the website. Can't believe I have Summer 2008 products still not online.

I have lofty goals for myself pre-CHA Summer 2009. Coming soon - a contest. You can win a prize worth over $350... I can't wait to share. Just one of the things I'm working on in the wee hours of the morning!

I hope you're having a great summer! Follow us on Twitter - I'm MUCH better at posting there than here!! http://twitter.com/papercents

NBC Presents: Community

Love Joel McHale. Love John Oliver. Love Chevy Chase. I am so looking forward to this!




Source: http://www.nerdist.com/2009/05/joel-mchales-new-show-looks-fantastic.html

Where I've Been

I've been taking a little break this month. I had bronchitis and figured I needed a slow-down. I am trying to focus on getting work done at work and spending time with family after work. And my new puppy has been a total distraction - but we are really enjoying her. Still working on the biting, though. :) I will be back in full swing soon, I promise.

I do need to catch up on 2008 accounting. Okay, catch up is putting it mildly, I haven't entered one invoice or sales order for last year. Heck, I still have product from 2008 in boxes and not online! Alright, I admit - I'm a tad overwhelmed and the thought of all I have pending that I need to get done. But I'll just tackle it little by little. I have some Pink Paislee new release items to add to the site. And I'll probably cancel the BG Wisteria collection - it's not really selling it in pre-order.

I really appreciate having such great, understanding customers. I look forward to many more years of providing you with the newest product and low prices.

I will need to clear out a lot of inventory by Summer CHA, though! So please tell your friends about our clearance sale and $7.50 flat rate shipping for $75 orders. I also have a bunch of Silhouettes and ultra-low prices - these are great tools... I couldn't craft without mine! I love all the shapes available from QK that are so easy to download. And I also like using Illustrator to cut from it - you can make really cool welded shapes and words...

Love you guys!!!

Better.TV: Online How-Tos

I'm surfing the how-to videos on the Scrapbooks, Etc. Better TV site today...



1 - To learn how to make these cool projects
2 - To learn how to make the videos themselves
3 - To see if most of what I'd put in the videos is already there.

Where do you go for online how-to's? Do you prefer them as photos/writing or as videos?

CHA products coming soon!

I am in the process of adding the new releases from BasicGrey and Pink Paislee to the website. I am still debating which other new releases to order, even though that means I've missed some specials. I'd rather under-order this time around and be alive for CHA Summer!

I don't think I'll be ordering the Making Memories release. Here's why... Though just about EVERYONE loves MM - it is EVERYWHERE. It's at my Target, at Michael's. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised to see it at the grocery store or CVS. Everywhere. And I just have a hard time selling products that are everywhere without selling at or below cost. And really... what's the point of doing that?

While I love giving you great deals - a little margin is needed to make this thing worthwhile (and, believe me, the margin is LITTLE). Thank God I have a day job, or there would be no PaperCents.com.

I really try to order product lines that are otherwise hard to find. It is very scary to have have a stock room full of product and find it driving a shopping cart down the scrapbooking aisle at Target!

Tell me why I'm wrong! Leave a comment below.

So, that's my whining for the month - mostly done for educational purposes, I swear. Next month's whine? The high cost of shipping - it really costs us at least as much as we charge. It is ridiculously expensive to ship paper (which is heavier than you might think!)

CHA Product Survey

Complete our five-question CHA survey now, and you'll be registered for a chance to win $25 in FREE CHA Winter '09 product!

Begin Survey

Update: I thought you might be interested in how people are voting so far! Here are the brands people love (5) or hate (1)... as of 1:34PM EST. Click for larger view.



Another Survey Update: Here are some brands/products you'd like to see added to PaperCents.com.

"Crate Paper - whole line - paper and their embellies, die cuts
October Afternoon - paper & stickers - don't care about their die cuts
American Crafts - This should be number one - all time fave company - love everything they make but especially their papers, thickers and rubs."
I don't follow specific brands too much - I just look for clean and simple designs and the availability of coordinating products.
My Minds eye
Fancy Pants (paper)
I am happy with the brands you carry.
I love everything from Bo Bunny, Maya Road, Heidi Grace, October Afternoon, Melissa Frances. I like My Mind's Eye, Crate Paper, Creative Imaginations, Tim Holtz. I would like to have as many products as possible from each line. I really prefer to be able to purchase everything from one site...the paper, embellishments, chipboard, etc. I'll stop because this list could be so long!
Not sure.
"3 Bugs in A Rug
Daisy Bucket"
"Crate paper
dream street
I really like all inclusive kits and don't mind spending more if it makes it easier and less time involved"
Creative Imaginations, Creative Cafe, Art Warehouse - love their stamps, swatchbooks and papers
"October Afternoon- papers, clear stamps, rub-ons and embellishments Hero Arts- Stamps"
"Adorn It sets
Bella Blvd
Sassafrass
Mostly like papers but also bold rubons and embellies"
Bazzil Basics
I Love Black Market Paper Society!! Get these papers :)
More American crafts
Disney papers.
Jenni Bowlin (if you don't already have?)
"Bo Bunny - papers, embellies, kits
Stampers Anonymous - Tim Holtz stamps"
October Afternoon...ALL OF IT!! :)
More Heidi Swapp ghost things. Some divided page protectors if you haven't added them yet...
"I love everything October Afternoon
Sassafras Lass papers and embellishments"
LOVE October Afternoon! Fun new stuff too http://octoberafternoon.typepad.com/
"Hambly Studios
paper, transparencies, rub-ons"
I love all that you have! Ribbon and brads that would coordinate as well as suggested Stickles that would coordinate to collections would be a great help.
Oh I wouldn't change a thing. Your products are great!
Sassafras Lass papers, stamps
Wish Blade replacement blades and mats
American Crafts - their papers, thickers, and embellies!
American Craft, Coordinations
Bo-Bunny Press
"fancy pants- all the coordinates
my minds eye- all the coordinates
crate- all the coordinates"
Not sure.
My minds eye - paper and embellishments
You have already listed my favorite.
I really love October Afternoon products.
"Ohter lines that I like a lot are Sassafra Lass, Little Yellow Bicycle, Daisy Bucket, We R Mermory Keepers,Bo Bunny, Fancy Pants and My Mind's Eye.
I hope that you that soon I can buy in your store."
Cuddle bug, Sizzix dies
I really love Kimberly Poloson's collections and can hardly wait to get Nature's Flora Collection.
The new DCWV paper pads.
"American Crafts
Kokuyo
Bazzill cardstock"
Teresa Collins
little yellow bicycle
"7 Gypsies
Technique Tuesday"
I can't think of any brands that you are missing...:)
You already carry my 3 favorite brands!
Nothing really - like distressed, more bohemian style instead of loud, graphic or cute.
"K&Company--their papers are great and colorful, cheery. Any of their products are wonderful.
Mary Englebreit papers, etc. Don't know if anyone sells/can sell these products.
Prima's 'Got Flowers'--really cute. They also have 'Iced Got Flowers'.
Always looking for styrofoam, pins (pearl heads or glass in colors), sequins."
Fancy Pants or Little Yellow Bicycle - love their papers and embellies
I think you should carry more ribbon. I love the American crafts ribbons you had.
More We R Memory Makers Albums
Tim Holtz and Ranger Arts
Sassasfrass Lass - October Afternoon - Paper and embellishements
Bazzill Cardstock in as many colors as possible
i love american crafts as well.
"October Afternoon
Sassafras Lass"
Tweezerbee, Cutterbee (TOOLS)
Little Yellow Bicycle
"Prima flowers
We R Memory Keepers"
"Sassafras Lass - everything
Hambly - everything... well, paper and rub ons."
webster's pages, cherry arte, october afternoon, glitz
Bo Bunny, teresa collins,
"Collage Press papers
October Afternoon Papers
Sassafras Lass papers"
bobunny,
"Anna Griffin - All
My minds eye - All"
"I love packs that are all inclusive... papers and embellishments. Everything already matches and are included.
I would also like to see more baby boy things."
"Coordinating embellishments are always good!
Prima is a fav of mine, too. And it looks like they are venturing into paper."
"Jenni Bowlin - papers and embellishments.
Hambly - I have the hardest time finding their papers & transparencies. Love their rub-ons too.
October Afternoon - always love their products.
College Press - has a great patterned papers."
"love bo bunny and fancy pants as well as heidi grace
i love it all"
K and company- paper, embellies etc.
"Technique Tuesday - clear stamps
Imaginisce - paper pads
Crate Paper - packages of paper(not individual sheets)"
"fancy pants
american crafts"
I guess I sort of lean towards the cutesy side so I love Bo Bunny. I also love K&Company and Daisy D's.
"I really like Heidi Grace as well.
papers mostly but sticker sheets too.
Better variety of thanksgiving/fall papers too"
Prima Marketing--papers & flowers
"7gypsies- Photo & ATC carousel. 7gypsies- Tags, stamps.
Organization products"
"There is this new one: Bella Blvd. their complete lines are very pretty!
The rest I like you carry them already."
Can't think of much...you carry lots of great stuff.
none that I can think of right now
"Glossy extras-Heidi Swapp
Pattern Paper-October Afternoon
Snowflakes-American Craft
Decorative Edge Tablet & Album-Love Letters-Little Yellow Bicycle
Snowflake plastic sheet-KI Memories"
"Sassafras Lass- love papers, embellishments, alpha stickers, stamps, journal stickers
October Afternoon- love all products
American Crafts- their newest lines(everyday, travel, romance)"
imaginesce
Sassafras Lass papers
I love Kaisercraft embellishments and I really like some of the Tim Holtz/Ranger stuff. I especially love Stickles.
I like Bo Bunny. I love cuttlebug embossing folders, Spellbinders dies, Stamps Happen stamps.
Imagenesce? paper stickers.. all of it.
Keiser Craft is nice.
fancy pants is a wonderful brand! Would love for yo to carry there paper, fibers, cardstocks, chipboard, acrylic pieces.
"Fancy Pants
Bo Bunny"
October Afternoon
"I would love to see some green products , some European vintage stuff, postcards, charms, baggage tags etc and more from the young designers at like from Etsy
also some gypsy, hippie not so in the box embellies"

CHA, Obama, and More

It's been a while! So, I thought I'd do a catchup post.

Inauguration - Wow! My 3 and 6 year old both got to watch it on TV during school. I was so glad they did! In the evening, I asked my little guy...

What is the new President's Name?
- Obaaama
Oh, Obama for your Mama?
- NOOOO. Baraaaack Obaaaama. (Think tone: You're a moron, mom.)

Puppy - You may have heard that our family got a puppy a few weeks ago. This is my first dog ever and it has been quite a transition, but she is melting our hearts and learning so much! She's a 9 week old black mix: golden retriever/black lab. I must post pictures.

CHA Winter 2009 starts Sunday! We are cutting back like you are, so we are staying home for this one (we'll definitely drive to Orlando for CHA Summer, though!). I figured I'd rather put the money to PRODUCT! But since we would like to spend wisely, I'd LOVE to hear what products/brands you most want us to get. I'll post a survey (tomorrow, I hope) for you, but until then - I'd love your comments!!! To those going - ENJOY!!! We'll catch you at the next one.

The Boss Kut Gazelle is now Vista 64 Compatible

From BossKut:
******************
Boss Kut announces that Gazelle is one of the few personel die cutters which now work with Microsoft Vista 64. There have been several inquiries as to when this would be available and you can now tell your customers that the Vista 64 driver is available for the Gazelle.
******************

Click here for more information about the Boss Kut Gazelle.

If you are interested in purchasing a Boss Kut Gazelle, we can order one for you! SRP is $529. E-mail me for our price (it's too low to post). We will do our best to beat any price online!

Happy Tuesday!

Font Organizing

Happy New Year! I've got the organizing bug, so on that theme...

If you are like me, you have hundreds (or thousands) of fonts that you downloaded for free from various sites (my fav: DaFont.com - very organized, great fonts). Digging through these fonts can be challenging. I have two software recommendations for you that will help.

First a tip: DO NOT INSTALL ALL YOUR FONTS. This will terribly slow down your software, like Word, Illustrator, etc. because it tries loading them. Install your most used and leave the rest organized in a folder (on your machine or external hard drive). I have mine on both my main computer and a backup on an external hard drive - ready to use on any machine I'm near!

Okay, now that we have settled that - I have tried digging through all my fonts and putting them in sub folders based on theme, style, etc. I have never gotten past the "B"s. Yes, I have way too many fonts.

But I have do have many fonts organized in sub folders (the ones included on the PaperCents.com Font CD that comes with the Silhouette and Wishblade). And to sort through them and find the perfect font, I use AMP Font Viewer. It has worked splendidly for a long time. AND IT'S FREE.

You can preview many fonts at once and jump through your uninstalled fonts without having to install them. You can also categorize them here, but I prefer sorting them into sub folders. It's more permanent and flexible that way.

My new favorite font software is FontExpert, which I will probably purchase today (trial version expired). It costs $60, so you really need to be a font geek. I justify the cost in time saved.

After using the trial version, I'm kind of addicted. I have found it to be faster and easier to use than AMP Font Viewer. Also, I can organize the font files right in FontExpert. With AMP Font Viewer, I have to use Windows Explorer as well, and it's much more time consuming. You can try before you buy, so try it out and let me know what you think!

Do you have a favorite font software? I'd love to try it before I buy FontExpert!

And here are my font categories, if you are interested: _favorites (underscore keeps it at the top of the list), all-boy, all-girl, dingbat, fancy, funky, letterbat, plain-simple, print-cut-outline (for cutting the negative out), retro, script-handwriting.