NEW Holiday Cards Just Released!

Ekcetera now has photo cards for you to spread holiday cheer this season. Come take a photo in our do-it-yourself photo studio and drop your portraits into our photo card templates, or bring in a favorite snapshot from home and we'll do all of the work for you!

Photo Greeting Cards can be ordered online at http://shop.ekcetera.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=89_90 or in the store.

All of the designs are exclusively designed by Ekcetera.

Happy Holidays!

Webster's Pages

We just received a great order of papers, Webster's Pages. They have such beautiful and elegant pages. I love the designs and use them for inspiration. They even have a line of holiday paper out. I know it's crazy to talk about Christmas before Thanksgiving, but I am defiantly ready for the season!

Fun Couple.

I met such a FUN couple on Saturday at the store. They came in and were very excited about the store. We ended up talking for about an hour. It's so great to talk to people who are into the same things you are. Paper, design, macs, internet, the topics went on. I enjoyed it. I hope to see them around again. They said they'd spread the word to all their friends about the store. :)

Laying it all out.

Check out the coffee table book I created for Vossen's photography. This is their sample album that they are going to show their clients.

http://clients.ekcetera.com/vossen/

Coffee Table Books

I'm really excited to be designing coffee table books. We are starting to team up with photographers and create great layouts and designs showcasing weddings and other special events for people. I like it because it's fun, but I also enjoy it because it takes sentimental images of peoples lives and lays them out into a story. People really respond well to them and I like giving people that feeling.

I know I'm designing one for my wedding and it's a really great keep sake to have and to show my kids and grand kids.

Great things are comin'

I'm feeling optimistic about this Fall and Winter. We've had a steady pick up in business at the store lately, and design projects have emerged. We're developing a line of Photoshop templates for people to use as greetings (preview on http://shop.ekcetera.com under downloadable designs). We're also working on our signature greeting cards we spoke about in the last couple of posts. Today, we received word about a relationship with a local photographer who is interested in having use develop templates for coffee table books to offer their couples for their wedding photographs.

All of this makes me very excited for the weeks and months to come. There's a lot on the table, but I know we can do it! We'll be needing to hire an intern to help design some things and have already seen some great candidates. We'll also be needing to hire help at the store. Someone who can play more of a management role to free up my time a little. Of course, all of this comes when we're not prepared. We end up playing a little bit of catch-up. Ideally, we could have staff on hand BEFORE a surge comes so we're ready. But, those are the digs when you're in small business.

Somethin's in the air and it's not allergens!

My turn!

Gotta love Vanessa's signature line! Can't wait to see those on our shelves. In the spirit of new card lines, I'll have one as well. Here's my signature, Sentiments by Kelly.

Sincerely Yours

I'm coming out with a line of holiday cards this upcoming season. They will be exclusively sold at Ekcetera. Keep your eyes peeled for my signature line.

Sincerely yours,

Vanessa Kimball

Creative Insomnia

With this upcoming Christmas season, Ekcetera is brining our customers new lines of Christmas/Holiday designs for your family photo greeting cards or fun and trendy cards and stationery. The ball has been rolling for me and unfortuniatly I was unable to sleep last night because of it. Although this is a good thing to allow designs to fall out of my head and have them come to life, on the other end, I am yawning more this morning.

Might have to keep my sunglasses on.

Inver Grove Heights day was great on Sunday. The business expo was nice to meet people in the community and make some connections. The weather was nice and cool as you all may know. However the sun was out and keeping us warm. I was not expecting to put on sunblock in mid September on a 55 degree day. So yes I got sun burnt. Ick. I look like Raggedy Ann mixed with a racoon. My noes is bright red and I have huge white circles around my eyes. Very trendy look if you didn't know.

It was nice to see everyone out and about.

IGH Days

Come visit us on Sunday at the IGH Days Business Expo. We'll have a booth there.

More info: www.ighdays.org

Kids Crop on Friday!

We're hosting a crop for kids on Friday, Sept. 7 from 6:15 - 8:15pm.

Info: A night out for the kids to crop! Kids will complete one 8x8 layout (2 pages) and can spend the remainder of the time working on their own pages. Includes materials for the 8x8 layout. Please bring adhesive. Cost: $16.

Here's more info about the Little Scrappers Company: www.littlescrappers.com

Call to Register!

Ekcetera is located at: 5719 Blaine Avenue Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076
651-552-6077
http://www.ekcetera.com
Hours: M-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 1-6pm

12x12 Printing Now Available!

We now have 12x12 paper (Matte & Gloss) for printing your digital scrapbook pages. Pricing is right around $6-7 per sheet depending on the quantity.

Last night we had a family that came in and had taken some photos in the photo studio earlier in the day. It was a mom whose son was going away to college. She wanted to put together a care package for him to take with him. She got a Woodwick Diffuser and we made a 12x12 layout that she printed and framed in a K&Co frame. I think she did a really great job with both the photography and the layout! It makes me so excited to see people get creative with us!

September Calendar Online

September's Workshop Calendar is now online:

http://www.ekcetera.com/EkceteraSeptemberWorkshops.pdf

Shout out!

Since we announced the opening of our blog yesterday, let's start some communication and see who's reading it. That's you! Respond to this post by commenting below. We want to know if you're out there!

Birthday Parties at Ekcetera!

Last night we had our first Birthday Party at Ekcetera. Lea and 7 of her friends had a blast making flower vases and a photo frame display for their bedrooms. The party was a success! The mom of one of the girls booked a party for her sister next week. This morning Lea's mom called to tell us how much fun they had. They were a great group of girls. We had a blast! Thanks Lea and friends!

I heart Amy Butler Designs!

So along with the new products that we have coming in this fall, I finally got my Amy Butler bag that I've been eyeing for the longest time. Now I must admit I'm not much of a traditional scrapbooker. I don't carry around my scrapbook supplies and I don't go to crops or craft classes, but I had to have this bag. I'm glad they call it the "creative" bag, so it's mulitfunctional.

I got the Sola bag (the bag on the right). I love the funky floral pattern on the outside contrasting with the stripes on the inside. For me it's perfect for my work papers, computer, lunch, and it has nice pockets on the inside and a pocket on the outside for my cellphone. The reason why I love it so much is because I love love love Amy Butler's style and patterns. You should also check out her site for her dynamic products and inspirational pieces. http://amybutlerdesign.com/

Excited about Fall.

I'm excited for this upcoming fall. We have a lot of new products coming to the store. We'll have a touch of traditional scrapbooking items. However I'm excited for more of our off the page projects and our Amy Butler Bags. I've just got to have one!!

Independent Artist Trunk Show

Had a wonderful arrangement of talent and creativity at our Independent Artist Trunk Show on Sunday! Here's a list of those presenting and their websites, check them out!

Jewelry by Kristine
Little Scrappers
Grand Strand Beads
Rox - Paper - Wood, Designs in Paper
Jane’s Prints
Cyndy Arey - Creative Memories
Heather Rabanus – Heritage Makers
Art by AJH
Momento Inc.
Just Another Day
Sweetness in Starlight
Julie Shefchik

Back From CHA

Vanessa and I returned yesterday from CHA in Chicago. We are SO excited to bring you some new products in the coming months. You will really see a change at the store. We are bringing in LOTS more creative supplies for you to make fun and exciting projects and explore your creativity. Maybe Vanessa will post and give her reaction to our trip.

We'll share more with you later on the new lines and products we'll be bringing in. Looking forward to it!