hello friends

Hey friends....well, I hope that all of y'all had an AMAZING Thanksgiving! We had a BLAST!!! Everything was SUPER yummy....I ate a TON....I ate so much that I had NO room for dessert...how is THAT possible!?! It was FREEZING....but that by NO means of the imagination meant that KEVIN was going to get out of our annual family photo....we did them in front of my mother & father in law's tree....ahhh...they are sooo LOVELY! Kevin and Kane weren't participating...imagine that!!!





Ok..so store news..no real news yet..the girls are still interested..I am sending them all the books and good stuff like that tonight...so hopefully if everything goes well, they will be opening SUPER soon!





Miss Pat's Christmas Card Class is going to still be on Wednesday from 6-8...at the chic shoppe!!! YEAH! It will be fun....Hopefully..I can get momma to make some apple cider...YUM! The class on Saturday is still on toO!

so..........I better buzz....I have been super buSy..with lotS of Goodiez....plans a plenty! OMG..picked up a CRICUT for DIRT CHEAP on Black Friday....$119...are you KIDDING me?! It was an EARLY Christmas present for ME from my MOMMA...but..I have already broken it out..LOVE IT! Well..y'all have a FABULOUS nighT!

xoxo..ash

WOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Hey girls...well, thanks so much for a fabulous week last week! I enjoyed seeing all of you and getting your sweet emails....well, let me start by saying that last week was just very rough...let me tell ya...I didn't want to see the chic lil' shoppe close...but my doctor said that something had to go....so after some soul searching....I decided that it would be the shoppe instead of teaching...both things that I totally LOVE and am committed to...but in the end..it was teaching that I would choose...thinking that I could do everything else out of my home and then other windows began to open..people are so AWESOME and helpful....so my out of bizness sale commenced and ran through the week....and sales were great...that was fabulous! Thursday, I started to get that yucky cough..you know that one that sounds more like a barking rotweiller and not a cough....Friday it got worse..I felt terrible....I think that the culmination between me being so sick that I could barely breath and me closing the store made Friday one of the worst days of my life....I was sad...I cover it well though :) so....when Saturday came I woke up and looked in the mirror..pretty rested after having gone to bed at 7pm the night before..and thought to myself....today is the 6th anniversary of burying one of my very favorite persons, my PaPa Tom...and not today I am burying my store...ugh.....it was going to be a hard day..I could already tell, but something in me made me say...get over it ash...get your makeup on and get your butt down to that store..so I did....welllllllllllllllll...boy am I glad that I did!

One of my first customers was a CHIC lil' shopper/customer/class goer who was very sad about the store closing..she and I chatted and she bought lots of goodiez and said that her friend would be in later....and sure enough....her fabulous friend and her "faBuLoUs" lil' girl strolled in...after looking around this friend of mine asked why I was closing and I told her...and she then DROPPED THE BOMB ON ME and said...well, would you like to sell it?! I couldn't breathe let alone speak...I was SHOCKED and EXCITED and FLABERGHASTED! We chatted it up about the deal, then she left and went to a football game starring her awesome son...talked it over in the stands with her hubby, and her friend that had visited the store and they were game, she called me and we got the ball rolling....so it is ROLLING....

These girls are JUST SUPER!!! THey are very VERY creative...lots of the BOO BOOK ideas were that of those CHIC CHICKS..you think mine was cute..you SHOULD see THEiR'S! WOW! Ok...so they are really planning on opening before Christmas with lots of NEW gooDieZ...I am helping them with a totally SUPERB order guaranteed to knock your socks off! I will also still be able to keep my handpainted stuff in the store along with the invites....I think that the store is keeping the same name..so excited about that! The hours are going to extend! YEAH! Crops will increase :) yeah! These girls are going to do it up RIGHT..I PROMISE!

So I am SooOOOO excited for all of you at the same time..because I really think that a scrapbook store in Gainesville will work with different hours and lots of great new product! We were able to clear out a TON of paper and embellishments..so that is a great START for these girlz! I will fill y'all in with more details as I get em! Thanks for everything and listening to me babble! xoxo..ash

WOHOO!!!

Girlz....y'all are SERIouSLy amazing!!! The sales today were SOOO super for the little chic shoppe! YEAH! THANKS for another GREAT day! Yes, girlz..it is SAD, but true...I really AM closing the shoppe...I know that some of you think that I am moving down the street...but I am not..those letters on that pink sign across from Sonic were not made by me...sorry to dissapoint (hey..i teach k3...I can't spell the big words :) they are pretty cute though...just not swirly enough to be my handwriting....

I am SOOO super ExCiTeD about the orders that continue to come in for invites, christmas cards, and handpainted goodiez...y'all are SOOOO good to me! THANKS so mUcH!

Oh NO she didn't put a LIME GREEN feather (or two) in that fall"ICIOUS" layout on her turkey! Mishel's class OH MY GOSH...................I just CAN'T say enough about HOW cUtE it WAS! Feathers, Bling, Flowers, Chalk, those pages were LOADED to the HILT with

Precious"ness" (not a word..but it is in my book)

I have to take pics...Sandra..bring yours back PLEASE...so I can snap a quick piC!
We still have room in Miss Pat's CHIC CHRISTMAS CARD CLASS....oh GOOD griEf..those are some CUTE cardz..too! November 28 is FULL but December 1 is WIDE OPEN...lots of space!! It is either going to be at my home (which HOPEFULLY won't be SOOO full of scrapbooking stuff that is BURSTING at the seams...) or at Miss Olivia's or........(you love the orsssss) Sarah's on the Square....wherever it is.....it is going to ROCK....my teachers are THE very BEST!

ok...so.............I think that is it for now...I plan on staying open until 6 tomorrow evening..if you have a gift certificate or know of anyone that does..please send them in!!! thanks...

later sistas........

xoxo...ash

ps...I am FEELING soooooooooooooo much better....recovery is going GREaT...I did learn that the racks even WITHOUT the paper...are MUCH too heavy for me to lift...oops! Y'all are so sweet to care and PRAY for me so much! I love ALLLL of my mommas that take good care of ME!
night night! ash

WOW!!!

well well well, today was AMAZING..thanks so much to you galz that hauled off some chic goodiez...and I do stress HAULED in some cases...

thanks sOOOOOOOOOOOOO much for all of your sweet emails and comments! I appreciate your support and your friendship is TRULY awesome! What a neat bunch of chicks! I was ALSO SOOOOOOOOO Super excited to get LOTS of cross and frame orders today...YeAH! I also got some invitation orders TOO.........WOHOO!!!

Remember..that handpainted/altered goodiez, custom scrapbooks, digi razzle dazzle and invitations and LOTS MORE (haha evil laugh) will be offered....STAY TUNED for more chic bits of info!

Just to clear up a few things......I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO sorry to report...the BEauTiFuL ribbon hutch of Mrs. Hertel's is not for sale...although I did call her and tell her I was auctioning it off to the highest bidder...she threatened my life and that of my children and husband..so i better NOT sell it........(7 years and 2 c-sections...too much to lose) :) So no ribbon hutch..sorry girlz....The ribbon in it is also still for sale, but at regular price...I know..I am terrible...but I LOVE ME SOME RIBBON!!! A few of the paper racks have been sold...along with several of the spinner racks.... too!!! YEAH! I have a few tables left to sale...LOTS of cabinets...hmmmmm... some spinning chairs... and let's see what else....oh my gosh...TONS...Oh..I have the GREATEST shagadelic grooviest green couch.......it is SOOOO cute..please give it a nice home........seriously PRECIOUS....love it..it just needs some leopard pillows MEYOW.... NO ROOM for it at my house......BELIEVE ME! rats!

ok...so girls..you that are crying out there..I promise..everything is going to be ALRIGHT!!!
Just an update..can't wait for Mishel's class tomorrow night WOHOO! It is going to be SOOO awesome! YEAH!

thanks for everything! ash

all chic thingz...must come to an end..

grab a cup of coacoa..and a box of kleenex :) this is a long one...

Yes, my chic friendz....it is with MUCH sadness that I must send you this email....The Chic Shoppe is closing its doors. I have tried very hard to keep it open...but it is time...I am super sad that it has come to this! I know that many of you LOVE having a scrapbook store in Gainesville and believe me, so did I! To all of my customers...whether you bought LOTS or a LITTLE..I thank you...each and everyone of you..every LITTLE bit helped..the little pink store gave it its all...but in the end...the big guy wins...now...I can't be like the other scrapbook stores that have recently gone out of businezz slamming my customers that have taken advantage of their 40% joann's coupons...weekly HOBBY LOBBY specials....and Michael's store specials...I don't blame you...YOU WORK HARD FOR YOUR MONEY and every penny counts....these days...believe me...I know! However, most of you just don't have the extra funds to put on scrapbooking...flooding, HORRIBLE economy..shakey jobs...and believe me I KNOW all about those too! With that said, I am not selling the store to anyone...just selling almost everything in it!

Now I will be going back to Raizin' Kane for my handpainted goodiez and the Chic Invitez & Custom Scrapbookz will still continue to be sold..just out of my CHIC HOME (it's not pink...deer heads might not look too great on that color) and on my website...which might I add is about to get an EXTREME makEoVeR! So...the frames, crosses, letterz, signs, invitez, altered goodiez...and custom scrapbookz and anything else it is that you have me do for ya (and I LOVE) are just moving across the trackzzz.....actually some of it will be sold at some different stores around town...I am excited about that and after that all is nailed down..I will letcha in! I am also HOPING to start a scrapbooking website...for the basics (ya know...spray glitter, adhesives, etc.) and fun STUFF I know that you will ALL love...who knows..maybe EVEN a kit club with all the YUMMIES that I never had in my STORE only drooled over...more to follow about that too! ANd.........the DIGITAL design team that I am on is going AWESOME...it is sooo much fun working for such an AMAZING chickie like Krystal! My font..splash of ash...is being worked on and will be a DIGITAL alphabet/font available for purchase SOON....which I am SUPER excited about...I will let yall know about that! Oh and Christmas cardz....yes, I am still doing those too...got LOTS of orderz already....and no one has seen the templates just yet..believe me Q..UTE! Y'all know me....I won't be down and out...don't you FRET! All orderz are still going to be filled...(handpainted/altered/scrapbooked).. and taken...via phone/email/website...

so.......oh yes, back to the sale................my garage isn't that big of a place..and I am LOVING being able to park in there again...........so please PLEaSe PLEASE help me get rid of all this WOnDeRfUL merchandise! There is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much paper in this store..and it's GOTTA GO..

starting Tuesday at 1:00 pm.....we will take 30% off of your total in stock scrap purchase*******(this doesn't include special order itemz)....there is a WHOLE lotta stuff to pick from....TONS actually...so get in HERE while the gettin' is good! Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh...and then there is all the other stuff....tables, sizzix dies, chairs, desks, shelves, racks, good HEAVENS...you girlz KNOW how much I have in here....that is all GOING too! so...........basically.... everything will have an UNBELIEVABLE price...get those scrap wheels going..Santa will FOR SURE be loading his sleigh with lots of goodiez....stocking stuffers a plenty

There are LOTS of you girls that still have chic gift cards..if you can't get in the store...PLEASE call ME!!! I will only be able to honor those if I have merchandise...and they can be used on altered goodiez..and custom itemz too! I am NOT that kinda gal though...I will make it good for ya!

Classes that are upcoming...no problem...we are still going to have them....just at my house...there is PLENTY of room in my den/dining room for y'all chic girlz to learn from the best! Miss Pat also added an extra class for CHIC CARDz for the 1st of December...can't remember the time...but I will post it on my BLOG!!! Oh...and there are SUCH cool places in this town that you can SCRAP....LeRetreat and Miss Olivia's will be a fun place where we can maybe have some future CROPS!!! More to come about that DEFINITLEY!

I think that all my bases are covered...so..I hope to see y'all in the CHIC PINK STORE....the doors will be closing Saturday afternoon at 3pm...so PLEASE don't make Kevin have to load up all that stuff on our 7th wedding anniversary and put it in our garage..he might not be too happy! :) If you can't make it in...please call me...OH>....Miss Mishel is STILL teaching FallICIOUS Layoutz...this Wednesday at the Chic SHoppe..there is still room in there...so PLEASE call me if you want in...they are AMAZING..of COURSE!

OH and good GRIEF...for you out there who are thinking..what about TIFF....I am taking care of her...PROMISE! She is an amazing chickie who is going to be offering custom TLC photobooks, calendars, & invites and announcements...she and I will remain CLOSE...we will not be having a DUEL on the SQUARE....she ROCKS and I LOVE her to PIECES!!!! Her kids TOOO....what will become of our lil' pink store....perhaps TUCKER will have his own HAIRSALON..for those of you out there who HAVE no idea what I am talking about....yes, her 4 year old gave her youngest little man a little haircut...we still have the curls to prove it!

So that's all chic folkz...I warned you that I talked a lot!

xoxo...ash

ImporTanT neWz...

Hey girlz...just thought that I would pass a bit of sad news on....Tiffany's Nanny has passed away. She will not be there tomorrow (wednesday and Thursday is up in the air too)...Please pray for she and her family in their time of sorrow. THANKS!

Surgery newz...............I made it through the surgery...poor Dr. K was soo behind..the surgery was scheduled for 10:30 and I didn't get in until 5:30...gotta LOVE those emergency c-sections...but the cool thing was one of them was one my friends...she and her husband adopted a little boy from Russia thinking that they couldn't ever get PG...well, looks like they did because she delievered a BEauTifuL baby girl yesterday morning! YEAH! Anywho..the surgery (mine) was a total success...Dr. K got in there and got everything she was after..the cyst was the size of a baseball.WOW! I have three incisions and the surgery lasted about 2 hours...My MOm was a TOTAL trooper..she stayed the WHOLE day and wouldn't eat either b/c I couldn't...I came out of surgery HUNGRY as a BEAR...well, that proved to be a disaster..because OBVIOUSLY my body DIDn'T like the food/anethesia/pain meds/stress combo...and I LOST EVERYTHING for about 8 hours.......NICE! I got to stay in Hotel la NTMC for a night..it was FUN..let me tell ya..between getting sick every 10 minutes and crying from the pain...It was a LOVELY getaway! Now...I am all better...got dismissed about 5pm....and had dinner ready for me...my sweet daughter, her best friend and my team teacher Sherry..made mini pizzas and muffins for us..my mom made a cowboy stew and a cake..we are TOTALLY spoiled..my nanny is bringing us food tomorrow...and some more of our friends are bringing supper on Thursday! WOOHOO! Apparently being fileted like a fish has it's perks!

So girlz...we are thinking that the store is going to reopen on Friday afternoon...we HOPE! Don't forget the Sell-O-Rama....it is set for Friday and Saturday at the Civic Center...lots of FAbuLoUs FiNdS!

nighty night...I am off for some much needed sleep..it has been a LONGGGGGGGGGGGGGG two days!

xoxo..ash

hey girlz...

Hey friends...it's ash...well, tomorrow is the BIG DAY....my surgery starts at 10:30..should be a pretty easy deal...but I won't be at the chic shoppe this week....so Miss Tiff will be holding down the fort! Due to the FABULOUS response to the sale last week...we will be having it aGaIN! So while the cats away.......there will be a CHIC SALE! so..........all the single sided patterned paper will be 10 for $5 WOHOO!!! This includes EVERYTHING that is one sided...there is some SERIOULSY precious stuff in this CHIC SHOPPE that you won't want to miss!

Also, if you are going to be needing anything handpainted or altered..please let us know..we would LOVE to do that for ya...but things get craZy around the holidays so we would love to get those in the works for ya!..ahh...yes, it is ALREADY that time again..can you BELIEVE it! The Christmas cards that we are doing..are SOOOO precious...look for those HOPEFULLY to be unleashed at the end of the week..I will be WORKING on them while I am "recovering" I need a day after today to recover beFORe my surgery...I think that I have cleaned EVERYspot in my HOUSE....and have done about 18 loads of laundry...my poor laundry room is just plum tuckered out right now! Also the medicine that I was given to CALM me down....made me TOTALLY crAzy..complete with crying fits and frantic"ness" and that is SOOOOOOOO not me! ahh...all in a days work, right?!

So..........I hope that Tiff will be seeing you this week! Getcha some of that awesome paper for your halloween layouts......OH and Speaking of LAYOUTS...you need to check out the AMAZING layout that Miss Betty Lou did for the Chic Shoppe....she showed off how BLESSED she is with a BEAUTIFUL layout full of circles, buttons, fiber and many PRECIOUS pictures of her family...she truly is BLESSED and so are we to have her layout GracinG our ribbon hutch! Check it out! You will be insPiReD! PS..........I haven't told miss pat this yet, but her CLASS on the 28th is TOTALLY packed....and there is a GROWING waiting LIST for this class...so MAyBe if we SweeT TalK her...she will do ANOTHER ONE...Also...Fall"icious" is filling up quite nicely...but there is still some spots...so Miss Mishel would LOVE for you to be there for that one! These girls ROCK....and we are SO very BleSsEd to have them teaching for us!

ok...so that's it chic chicks....you can email me if you would like..nothing funny...laughing is probably not good for the ole' gut....wish that they could do a little nip and tuck while they are in there.......hmmmmmmmmmmmm....not a bad idea! Maybe I will mention that! :) Have a FABULOUS night..........oh ...my email is chicandscrappi@hotmail.com I would LOVE to hear from y'all! WOHOOOO..go COWBOYS! Oh......here are a few links to my TWO PEAS layouts..hopefully I will be adding more this week! http://twopeasinabucket.kaboose.com/userprofile.asp?user_id=342348

Talk to y'all soon!

Ash