RAFFIA SISTERS

More great new signs

   

    

And just wait to see what other signs we have coming.... start having your heart pound now.... 

pioneer woman

ordered and patiently waiting it's arrival

marchish....

till then at least we should have some other great cookbooks arriving soon....(and I mean GREAT) HAD LOTS OF FUN ORDERING COOKBOOK.

One question...why do they put her cooking show on Saturday....

and darn I didn't win the mixer again......(love her giveaways except so do 30,000 other people)  Any how something fun to look forward to!!  Happy Monday Friends!!!! 

WASTIN'

away again in margaritaville

looking for my lost shaker of salt

(excuse me (cute boy) could you pass the salt)

some people say that there's a women to blame but I know.... It's always "THE MANS FAULT"

aren't you glad I don't know a MARTINI song....

is there a martini song???

There are tons of reproductions now out on the market...but trust me...the quality does not come close to these.........

Wasn't this the perfect FRIDAY BLOG!!!! (that's not a question)

 

 

what's a post without a picture....sorry no picture (camera at home yesterday) ...promise I will make up for it tomorrow.  In the mean time...did you sign up for camp yet...I know some of you did!!!! 

It's what you wait for

 

Join us for our Spring Scrap Camp

Friday, March 16 -  Sunday, March 18

 

Register today

 

 

 

 

 

  ~ Here's all the details ~

 

 

Join us Friday, March 16 - Sunday, March 18 as we have a weekend of fun, home-cooked food (some healthy, some not), old friends, new friends, laughter, more fun and food, classes, give-aways, uninterrupted scrapbooking, and absolutely no responsibilities.  Dedicated to spoiling every scrapper with an atmosphere of creativity, relaxation, and a whole lot of fun, we'll be camping at the Big Horn Resort (formerly Wingate) in Billings.

 

Scrap Camp offers you 3 days and 2 nights of unlimited scrapbooking.  That's right, unlimited, we never close the scrapbook room for you to scrap your favorite memories, spend time with your friends, and learn new scrapbooking techniques- all according to your schedule.  We guarantee you will have fun "Sisters Style".

 

 

Your $150 fee includes Friday dinner, Saturday lunch, Saturday dinner, Sunday Contintenal breakfast, and all the snacks and beverages you can consume.  You get access to classes by guest instructor, plenty of space, a creative atmosphere and much, much more.  The room is available Friday morning at 9:00 for you to scrap at your leisure.  Keep going until Sunday at 4:00.  Your registration also entitles you to 10% off your shopping at Sisters (and camp) beginning the Thursday before.  Just in time for all the new CHA arrivals.  You can't beat that.

 

Optional classes will be held on Saturday and offered at an additional price.  The class descriptions and the schedule will be emailed prior to camp.  Class kits are limited so it is a good idea to sign up early.  Payment is due at that time.  Classes require additional supplies. 

Reserve your space early as seating is limited.  Half of the $150 fee must be paid at the time of sign up.  (Remaining payment to be paid by Monday, March 1 to reserve your space.)  Cancellations must be made by 5:00pm Friday, March 9 or your fee will be forfeited.   You may register in person, over the phone with a credit card or by email - raffiasisters@bresnan.net.

Located off Zoo drive at Exit 443, the Big Horn Resort is a fabulous facility for our camps providing plenty of space.  They are reserving a block of rooms with a special room rate of $99 plus tax.  Please call (406) 839-9300 and mention the Sisters Scrap Camp to get the special rate.

For more information or to secure your space, please call (406) 256-0812 or email us at raffiasisters@bresnan.net

We hope to see you there.

Boogie Monster

 

 

 

 

 

The cutest book EVER..........

omg

We're back!! (after what seems to be a life time gone)

And while there is no place like home, I am already missing the 80 degree weather we left behind in Dallas.  Before I get blabbing to much a big shout out to my girls in charge while we were gone.  And big thanks to Janelle and Tracy for stepping in on short notice and wowing us as always with their talents.  My hopes is to get them both back to blogging...I miss you guys...at least if not on their own maybe on ours.

Seems like forever since we have chatted. So where to begin.  Headed with the crew of WRS (Western Ranch Supply) to Denver on Friday.  Got there mid day and bummed around.  Then headed off to a dinner and inspirational talk type thing presented by one of the companies they get horse supplies from.

 What I learned....other than some good reminders of keeping things in life in tact....is that I need a new lesson on RODEO AND HORSES.  Now I know you would think any country girl would be well up on these things.  But cows are different than horses and rodeo is a thing of the way past for me.  Stuff to learn lesson 312!!!  (learning NEW things are WEIRD when your forty something)  

The next day was filled with appointments, boots, more boots, and yes, more boots.  Pants, more pants and yes more pants.  A few stressful moments as we look ahead with the possibility of a new store for WRS here in Billings.... (you want me to fill how much space) and then the big evening finale with a party hosted by the crew (a great crew at that) of Cowgirl Tuff Jeans.

 Now I don't usually go on about cute cowboys...ok I have never gone on about cute cowboys but hey I need a picture for this blog and I am sure this one will inspire.  So anyway, we joined the crew for a little dueling piano fun.  And fun we had.  Dancing, a smidge of drinking, more dancing, and  this...

Now who wouldn't buy Cowgirl Tuff or in this case BE TUFF jeans.... What a cutie...the model for the company...right there at the party...swoon.....ok not to worry I remembered I am not 20 but hey!!!, I was looking for Wynter.

Anyhow, I found out quickly that it is not good to go with WRS to market...YOUR TIRED THE NEXT DAY!!! Lynda is much more hmmm shall we say BORING!  That next day Lyn joined us as we finished up ordering, another nice dinner out and fun chatting away.  (late night number 2) (not so good on an old person)  

Monday we junked our way to Oklahoma City, as well as the next day as we headed to Dallas.  SOMETHING WE NEVER DO...taking an extra day and just bumming.  It was great fun.  And we even found some goodies...(to share with you later).

Then MARKET!!! This is the OMG (not the cute boy picture).  We had such a great time.  There is tons....of great new things heading our way.  Seems as though everyone had some sweet new things.   Super....SUPER  excited.  The list includes.....FAB new signs....FAB!!!!(A SUPER FIND!!)  NEW BEDDING...this company has it all.....LOVE LOVE LOVE IT....and my all time fav a great new FURNITURE LINE!!!! OMG OMG OMG!!! Oh not to mentions great jewelry, new clothes....ok seriously my heart is pounding.

 Honestly, we had a great time.  Got in some good sister talk time and enjoyed spending every last penny!!!  So now we just WAIT...but not long.  Things start to ship this week.  (and in the mean time not to worry I have plenty to blog about!!!)

HAPPY TO BE BACK!!! lOVE YA ALL! And thanks again Tracy and Janelle!!!! YOUR GREAT!!! 

 

first off....i have been jipped in the snow department! lovely has been teasing me with snow pics! so unfair! i have no idea how every surrounding area received well over a foot of snow & we didn't receive a single flake! sad face!


i've spent the past couple days scrapping, as i promised i would. i've completed 11 pages in the past 2 days. i'm almost thru the pages i had planned from retreat...then i'm free to do whatever. :) excited for that! excited to dig into my "paper & glue board" over on pinterest. *can i just say right now...pinterest is super addicting! i'm loving it though...such an array of ideas- amazing! nothing like going thru pinterest with a cup of coffee in a silent house in the morning after the kids leave for school....whoa, slow down there nellie...daydreaming again. here are 3 of my 11...

i used my cupboard knobs to hold up my page :) clever, eh?

i plan on continuing this weekend with scrappin'! hope you'll join me! and sunday...football...go ravens!!!!!!!

Crate Paper + card making = easy peasy

Holy cow is it ever snowing today and tonight....guess we are finally getting winter! 

Here are a few Valentine cards I made in no time at all, using all Crate Paper chipboard and paper.  Well, along with a few added goodies like buttons and doilies.

And  I can't waste any scraps....so I made a few bookmarks to tuck in the upcoming goodie boxes going to the college girls:

Well, I won't lie. It has been fun to blog again.  And I won't lie....it has been a challenge.  My computer is being weird, and once I download pictures, I can't get to them.  So I had to take photos, download them to my computer, move them to a flash drive to edit them (such as it was!), then take the flash to my husband's computer to do the blog post, as I could not get the photos to upload to typepad on my computer.  Sheesh..do you think maybe I have a virus problem? At least I can't complain too much, as I had another computer in the house to go to in order to get the job done.  Once I get my computer functioning again, I think I might just hop back to the regular blogging. 

Stay warm, drive safely, and have a good Thursday.

Tracy (the once in a while Sister/Raffia person)

happy scrappy new year!

hello chicas...janelle here.
i can't believe it's already the new year, yup, once again! man those things sneak up on me quicker each passing year! hope everyone is off to a great start! with each passing year it seems like i let my scrapping go more on the wayside that i like! i remember the days where i would scrap the day away...more days than not! the amount of pages that i could bust out each year was just crazy. i miss those days. i miss them dearly! i miss the love affair i had with my tape gun. i miss being covered in glitter (well, in an organized way *wink*). i miss the smell of the new packs of paper. i miss all of it. i have declared this my year of returning to what i love. taking photos. creating layouts for my girls. i have no new layouts to share because i've been submerged in chloe's 7th birthday party...but that took place yesterday! so, scrapbooking here i come. who's with me? who wants to make a commitment to scrap? who wants a challenge? who wants to make a bet with me? cmon, don't be scared! and just so you know...this kitten...chloe's baby rascal...is laughing at us...yup, let's prove him wrong! not really...but i had to post a photo, right?

so tomorrow, i will scrap & on friday i will report back here with my completed works! that's 2 days to get in gear! (alongside my other new years goal...working out & running...which i am one week in & LOVING it!)

and if you don't want to make a scrappy resolution...what other resolutions do you have!?

Valentine fun...

Good Tuesday morning from guest blogger Tracy, the newest fill-er-inner you may have seen working on a Saturday at either Sisters or Raffia. 

For today I have a Valentine banner I made for my daughter's dorm room door.  I used the gorgeous Crate Paper Valentine paper and matching chipboard they have in right now at Sisters:

Here is a close up of each part:

The other items on the banner are all things I had, such as the doilys, rhinestone bling, buttons, a piece of lace, and ribbon.  I have been having fun making these for Kaitlyn, and also made her a Halloween and Christmas one. Starting with a coordinated line of paper and embellishments and then rooting around in my supplies for do-dads to pile on is lots of fun.  Next up will be an Easter one, and maybe a general spring-y one. 

For those of you that appreciate a bit of irony, thanks to Lori for asking me to guest post when I have not posted on my own blog since May!  This was the jump start/kick in the pants I needed to get back to it, so thanks for looking, and we will see you again on Thursday.  Oh, and one more thing... I won't use 'color enhance' next time on my photo editing program.  Wow.  That was a little over the top,  Trust me, the colors of the Crate Paper line are lovely red and pink and really nice!

 

Feelin Scrappy

FINALLY!!! (sorry about my flash problems)

Occasionally...

Greeting cards for all occasions

...Wishing you a beautiful life together.

...And no one could be nicer than you.

...Best wishes as you start your new life together.

...What a difference you make. 

...May your birthday be wonder-full.

...Deepest sympathies for you loss. 

...Celebrating the one and only you.  Happy Birthday. 

...Congratulations on your little miracle. 

...Let the celebration begin.  Happy birthday! 

...Hope all your birthday wishes come true. 

...Especially this one. Happy Birthday. 

...And it belongs to you. Happy birthday. 

...Lean on me.   

Design, Denver, Dallas

or Denver,design, Dallas

or Dallas, Denver, design

or Dallas, design, Denver

or design D.A. Davidson, Denver, Dallas

ok whichever, here it goes.

Back early fall I had an opportunity to work with one of our favorite customers on a little design/update at work.  We are good partners in crime and have done some work together in her home, new paint colors, moving photos, furniture, the like. So I knew that I would be in for some fun.  

Janice was helping to oversee the update of D.A. Davidson down in the old Hart Albin building.  They needed new paint colors, carpet and hopefully a new overall look.

 

Sorry for the small thumbnails but you get the point.  

We had a few guidelines that we had to follow from corporate office. CARPET choices that were a bit limiting and PAINT choices that were somewhat the same. We opted to go with a basic industrial carpet but thought we should mix up the paint.....along the way the painter suggested some mural type work, and soon we were on our way to making this historic building take a walk back in time. Janice sifted through tons of old photos, while I got to work on ordering some new chairs for the main lobby.

Emails flying, and a little convincing with the higher-ups and we were set to go.

We next (Janice) worked on getting the old photos reprinted and framed for the conference room. Talk about a great time looking at old photos....so incredible..... 

Can you just imagine downtown Billings in the day. I swear you can just stare at these pictures forever and see something new each time.

We decided a work night would be the best and as the painter did her finishing touches with the mural, we got to work hanging pictures, unwrapping chairs, lamps, and rolling out rugs.

 

The biggest impression though was the lobby.  The funny little wall with an arch through it.... a picture (as before didn't quite cut it) that's where the mural came in...

(don't mind Janice's shoe in the corner...it was a long night.)

I can't even begin to tell you what a great time this was.  And how fun it was to see it all come together like we had envisioned.  Pictures do no justice to the cars that seem to be driving off the wall. So stop down and take a look and at it will be a great walk back in time.  And A HUGE THANKS TO JANICE (missing our daily emails - LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!!!!)

With that all said, it is DENVER DALLAS!!

HAPPY NOTE: MARKET TIME!!!!  And we have a big long list of "to look fors" can hardly wait to see what is new....

Now I know your saying DENVER AND DALLAS??? Well you may remember way back  last fall, when I told you I had a new endeavour.  The past several months I have been buying clothing for the Western Ranch Supply store.  WHAT WESTERN RANCH SUPPLY HAS CLOTHING....well not here in town (YET) but in their store in Great Falls.  This new little adventure in my life came at a weird time, kicked my butt for a while with all the new computer stuff (what do you mean you don't just use paper invoices and a calculator...oh you have to enter EVERYTHING you buy into the computer), but I think I finally am getting a grip on it all and can hardly wait to go purchase some really great new western clothing.(If you know me, you know I LOVE KITSCHY WESTERN!!!)  SO... three days in Denver where Lyn will meet me and then off to Dallas. 

VACATION...OK WORK!!! BUT IN A GREAT WAY.  Not to worry....got the blog covered and you're in for some fun.  Lyn will be in charge for a couple of days and then we have CHARMED our lovely friend Janelle into a couple of days and also the newest SISTER, TRACY, will be stepping in with some fun new stuff.  I promise all the Western Ranch details (such a long story) when I get back.  Till then HAPPY DAY FRIENDS!!! I WILL MISS YOU!!!!

our favs

Our great book company has come up with some wonderful new additions.

And who knows which will be the new favorite.(plus lots of the old goodies back in) Lots more to choose from but who could pass these up????!!!! Happy Day 

YOU

feelin' the LOVE

We are near done sprucing up Sisters...Valentines ready to go for all your projects...and it is SWEET....if I do say so myself.  HAPPY MONDAY!

SWEETIE PIES

It's not hard to figure out how popular banners are.  And I for one LOVE LOVE LOVE them.  In one word: HAPPY..Ok two, HAPPY HAPPY (oops three) HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY!

And how lucky for us to have a little project for something really fun. I MEAN REALLY FUN!

The story goes something like this.  You may remember me talking about our friends down at YELLOWSTONE CELLARS WINERY. (part of the reason I didn't make it off the couch New Years day to blog).  Great place to go!  Tons of fun, wonderful people and just all out nice time.  And while I must admit I have never been interested in the world of wine, one visit to the Winery and a chat with the owner Clint, and your bound to come back.  It is just so darn interesting and Clint loves to share his knowledge.

So where was I (sorry I always get off track).  

Clint just happens to have a wonderful lady in his life that is a CHOCOLATIER.  And is starting to get her business going. (LOVE NEW ENTREPRENEURS)  So we (ok, Linda and Lovely...hey, I carried it to them) got to help with the banner.

Our banner secret...it's all in the details.  Layers upon layers of goodness.  Ahhhh I can just taste the chocolates. Congrats Sheila one your great new endeavor.  Stop by and see her at the wedding show.  You won't miss the sign.  

And if your in need of a banner for a special occasion just let us know!! Happy Day!!!

catching up!

"Hi!!!

Seems like forever since we have talked."

"Yes, pretty much the same ole here, you know.  The after Christmas get you ducks in a row.  Which means taking down Christmas.  Doing some major cleaning both at home and at the stores.  No I don't have my Christmas taken down at home yet. You?  Finally have it situated in the store, and may I say still some great stuff left on sale."

"Oh ya, been rearranging putting more stuff in the sale room making room for all the stuff we will be getting at market."

"We go next weekend.  I know hard to believe already market time again.  Ya, I'm excited...I think...haven't really thought that much about it yet."  

"The kids went back to school yesterday.  Of course they were bummed.  But I think already back in the swing of things. Brad, well he is gearing up for calving before we know it.  The weather...oh if it will only hold till April and then bring on the rain (hey of course Deadwood sounds good)."

"Lyn, oh she is in the middle of a little painting.  I think me with the paint brush this fall convinced her to step in and do a little updating.  Those should be fun pictures."

"My kitchen, well I have to say I LOVE IT EVEN MORE THAN I THOUGHT I WOULD!!!  Struggling with the fact that my husband wants a tv in the kitchen...talk about ruin the whole DESIGN CONCEPT!! Oh I planned on getting some pictures...I know I have been promising but like I said earlier that whole between Christmas thing I am still working on it.  Plus you know I have a few changes I want to make and just can't decide if I should show it now or wait till I get it how I want it."

"Your right, that will be TWENTY YEARS...hmmm I'll have to think about it."

"oh the problem is that I have been watching pinterest a little to much, ha ! I knew right away I needed to make a couple of changes but you know how realistic that is sometimes....yes I have the picture...wanna see

"The dishes are what is getting me...it all goes back to that straw.  You know the straw that my kitchen design was based on.  I didn't show you.  OOPPS, got to get that to you.  Thank goodness for sippy stix." " Then you'll be able to understand my whole design dilemma." 

"What else have I been pinning...hmmmm"

"love this little beauty

You have those old house too!!  Really!"

"oh your right, the food gets me every time too.  YES ADDICTED!!  I guess there is worse."  

"So this conversation has been all about me...what you been up to???" 

Cheers and Good Fortune for the New Year

 

 

My Wishes for you and the New Year!!!

Promise to be with it tomorrow!  While I had all intentions of posting some of my fav highlights from last year...chose to spend yesterday on the couch!  So tomorrow.........back at it! Till then A BLESSED NEW YEAR!