Today...is a great day!

Harvesting Memories

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Hugger) — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 03:57:00 +0000

Today...I interviewed Sherry Diccion of Great Scrapbook Events on the Scrapbooking Matters BlogTalkRadio Show. Sherry's a long-time Service Provider member of the NSA and is hosting this year's Harvesting Memories Crop & Shop in Mt. Clemens, MI.

Harvesting Memories is the NSA-sponsored fundraising event supporting Trees for Troops, the program to provide live Christmas tress to our military serving overseas and their families. Last year Trees for Troops delivered over 11,000 trees, including 400 to Iraq and Afghanistan. This year's goal is 12,000.

In addition to the Mt. Clemens event, I'll be hosting a four-hour online crop on Saturday, November 10. A $15 donation to Trees for Troops gets you a chance to participate in games, challenges, give aways and more!

Details are pending, but more info is posted on the Harvesting Memories web site.

ETP!

Scrapbooking's Image

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Hugger) — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 12:19:00 +0000

Today...I replied to a note from Marianne who let us know how she would like to see scrapbooking portrayed in the media:

Scrapbooking is so often ridiculed because of the following it has created. Realistically, scrapbooking has been around for many years, in fact centuries, in one form or another. As respresentatives, I would hope that the NSA provides a high standard of answers and a pride in our works.

I agreed:

Great opinion, Marianne!

Scrapbooking shouldn't be portrayed as a separate lifestyle, but simply as an extension of our lives. We're already taking photos; we're already making memories. Scrapbooking is a way for us to showcase and share them. Focusing solely on the creative aspect alienates newcomers. Scrapbooking is a great gateway to crafts, but it's not where it starts. It starts with a memory. And scrapbooking helps us appreciate the moments that become memories.

Thanks so much for your support and for expanding the passion!

ETP!

Miss me?

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Hugger) — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 04:38:00 +0000

Today...and for many yesterdays and for many more tomorrows, we've been working on the new web site. I know there have been hints and teases, but the struggle to revolutionize the scrapbooking industry, well, has some sub-struggles that also have to be endured. But the thing about struggles is that when they are over, you are freer and lighter and finally able to soar!

So, if you're ready for another teaser, go here!

ETP!

Bob Dylan promotes NSA

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Hugger) — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 16:17:00 +0000

Speaking of inspiration...

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Hugger) — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 01:58:00 +0000

Today...I share a little more from the Pottery Barn catalog. This quote hits you when you open to the first page.

On the NSA Forums, there is a Quote of the Day. Here is today's quote:

You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club. -- Jack London

And here are a few more I found on The Quotation Page:

Inspiration may be a form of superconsciousness, or perhaps of subconsciousness - I wouldn't know. But I am sure it is the antithesis of self-consciousness. -- Aaron Copland

Inspiration is wonderful when it happens, but the writer must develop an approach for the rest of the time... The wait is simply too long. -- Leonard Bernstein

ETP!

Welcome new subscribers!

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Hugger) — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 17:10:00 +0000

Today...I'm welcoming new subscribers to this blog. Thanks for signing up! I thought I'd take a minute to show you a couple of things that today's technology has for us scrapbookers.

First, look at the sidebar on the right...the heading "Check it out." Here I have a feed of scrapbooking-related stories on the Internet. When I find a neat article, I list it here for you to read, too. Generally I select articles in mainstream media that share the wonderful benefits of scrapbooking.

Next, take a look at this screen shot. It's from the NSA's fabulous new Store Locator! Now scrapbookers can type in a zip code and find a local scrapbooking store anywhere in the world! We work very hard to keep this information accurate and up-to-date so you can find an LSS wherever you go! I say "we" because NSA members and anyone who accesses the Store Locator can submit changes. So if you know of a new store or any information that is different than what is posted in the NSA Store Locator, help keep this wonderful resource accurate by submitting a change.

Two ways the NSA works to expand the passion of scrapbooking!

ETP!

PB in da house!

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Hugger) — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 18:25:00 +0000

Today...the September Pottery Barn catalog came in the mail! Pottery Barn has long been a source of inspiration (or should I say desire) for scrapbookers. The colors, the organization, the homey feel, the classic contemporary style. We love it all!. Here's some of the yummy goodness that, to me, applies to scrapbooking:

page 13 - This project table has scrapbooking written all over it. Here it is in the kitchen. The labeled jars are cute, but does it bother you that they are out of order?
page 18 - These monograms are suitable for framing...and embellishing!
page 39 - Wouldn't this make a great scrap space? The white ledges and desk against the Bermuda blue walls remind me of the old-fashioned blueprints (think photos matted in white against a Bazzill Bermuda blue cardstock); the drawers of the Bedford desk are wide enough for 12x12; oh, and those adjustable pendant lamps...must-haves for lighting help!
page 46-47 - I could put this iron home-office grid to work in a scrapbook area
page 54 - the colors of the artisan-painted furniture (right) remind me of some of the collections from Cosmo Cricket (Be Good, Dutch Girl, Halfway Cafe)
page 74 - I would love to have scissors as wall art grace my scrap room; I'll even take the "V" next to the rub ons on the linen pinboard!

Inspiration can come from anywhere. After I thumbed through the PB catalog, I was inspired to spend some time straightening up my scrap space.

And you? I'd love to hear your comments about inspiration, surroundings, space, and any other thoughts that may come to mind!

ETP!

Long Live the King!

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Hugger) — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 18:19:00 +0000

Today...is the 30th anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley.

I remember when the King died (ahem, I will not disclose how old I was, but I was young enough to not know who he was). It's one of those vivid childhood memories in addition to being a milestone memory, like "where were you when Kennedy was shot?" or "where were you when the Challenger blew up?" and, of course, "where were you on 9/11?"

When Elvis died, my family was having a small reunion at my parents' house. My parents had over-stuffed, dark brown Naugahyde sofas and linoleum flooring in the den. I remember my aunts and uncles spinning yarns about Elvis, debating the earlier hits and the "fat years." It was one of the first times I remember wanting to hang out with the adults to hear their conversation instead of playing with my younger siblings or creating Lite-Brite designs. If memory serves me right, I was wearing my pink, square-framed Coke bottle eye glasses. Eww!

Where were you when Elvis left the building?

ETP!

P.S. A local restaurant, Chuy's, has several shrines of Elvis, built on their customers' love of the King.

NSA Chat Night

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Hugger) — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 16:50:00 +0000

Today...plan to chat online and on air! We're back from CHA and ready to tell all about it tonight on the monthly NSA Chat Night.

Meet in the forums at 9:00 p.m. central time to chat using the NSA Shout Box

Then at 10:00 p.m click over to Scrapbooking Matters, the NSA's BlogTalkRadio show. Members of the NSA who attended the 2007 CHA Summer Show will call in and tell us about their experiences.

ETP!

End of Summer Blog-Abration

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Hugger) — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 12:52:00 +0000

Today...is the first of August! Before we all get into back-to-school mode, I invite fellow bloggers to the End of Summer Blog-Abration at Lessons from the Scrapbook Page. You could win one of the great prizes and you'll discover new friends: real women who scrap.

And it's easy:

Add the Announcement Button to your sidebar and link it to here
Write a post inviting all your friends
Sign the Mr. Linky box with your blog site to register to win a prize
Enjoy what's left of summer!

ETP!

What Memorytrends said...

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Hugger) — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 16:16:00 +0000

Today...I'm posting what Beth Hess, editor of Memorytrends Magazine, reported as trends and hot products from CHA summer (my notes in orange):

The Craft & Hobby Association Summer Show provided an array of new product collections for crafters of all kinds. New yarn textures and colors are likely to inspire papercrafters. So, too, are artist materials. One of the hottest new scrapbooking products of the show is the IOD Paintables collection from Prima. These 12"x12" sheets of cardstock feature outlines of swirls, flowers, and more and are designed to be colored in with paints, markers, color pencils, chalks, or any other color medium. Co-creator Josie Celio says, "I forget how much fun coloring is until I started with this line. It's a form of expression many of us haven't used in a long time." Judging by the crowds watching the demos and placing their orders, others agree scrapbookers are ready to incorporate more of their artistic self and products they already own, like ink pads and pens, in this way. (Watch for more about artistry in journaling and scrapbooks in the September issue of Memorytrends Magazine.)

Other Products that stood out:
Glue Arts GlueGlider Max - a large adhesive gun runner GlueArts is a long-time sponsor of the NSA!
Dove of the East - Japan Collection
Other Trends Spotted:
Birds, Trees flocks of owls, bird-shaped chipboard mini-albums from Piggy Tales & Maya Road, penguin Christmas paper from Imaginisce
Swirls, Paisley
Calendar projects Karen Foster, Flair, and others; getting ready for Christmas gifts
Unique shapes in mini albums, board books, spiral journals, etc.
Storage, storage, storage - this category just keeps growing (and becoming more fashion-forward and in-line with today's decorating trends) I'm guessing that this product line offers a high return for both manufacturers and retailers, hence the flood

ETP!

Hot products to warm up our winter

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Hugger) — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 04:19:00 +0000

Today...I'm identifying some of the products and trends I think will be hot coming out of CHA-S. What do you think?

More of the warm, rich colors from January's CHA plus brighter blues (mentioned here)
Texture and more texture - flocked, glitter, embroidered, stuff that screams "touch me!"
More felt, velvet and lace, especially in rolls and ribbons, but also in flowers. Look for it from Queen & Co., Prima, Maya Road and others
More interactive projects - see-through pages, flip books, hide & seek flap book and barn doors from Piggy Tales
Anything transparent, like acetate, film, acrylic - the digital layered look goes beyond paper
Home printers and multiple ways to use them - think hybrid and transparencies
Glue Arts' Glue Glider Pro, which won the Art Materials Magazine Most Innovative Product Award - this is a must-have for serious scrappers
Prima - with a special eye on the new Printables - something very different for scrapbooking (let's cross over to the art material aisle and grab some water brushes for our distress inks!)

Come back for more as I add to the list!

ETP!

Home from CHA

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Hugger) — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 20:32:00 +0000

Today...I'm home from CHA in Chicago, and as usual, it was a great trip! Do you ever feel that you are in the right place at the right time?

The highlight of the trip was meeting more members of the NSA and reuniting with the members I met last year. Look for photos and articles to come soon.

In the meantime, check out some new NSA features!

The AWESOME new Store Locator! Now interfaced with Google Maps, the NSA Store Locator identifies local retailers -- wherever you are in the world!

Check the sidebar to the right. I'm tracking interesting stories and blog posts that resonate the NSA's message to expand the passion of scrapbooking. Let me know if you find one to add.

More about CHA later, as the suitcases are unpacked and life gets to, uh, normal.

ETP!

CHA-S Press Kit Preview

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Hugger) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 03:22:00 +0000

Today...I visited the press room to get a preview of what's in store for us when the show opens on Friday.

Exhibitors and other CHA members provide press kits to announce new releases, entice with sample products, and provide catalogs and digital images for print. This is an excellent way for editors to find the info they need - and bring it home - to do their job, which is ultimately to spread information.

As a Service Provider, I find the press room an invaluable benefit and ultimately a huge time saver. In one room I can gather a significant amount of information that helps me to plan my show schedule and identify the must-see exhibits. Even if it's just an updated catalogue provided, having it in hand is so much easier - and appreciated - than if I had to hunt down my prospects for information.

I also get a glimpse of what the other categories are working on, such as Pentel's Fabric Fun Dye Sticks. Their press kit included a small canvas bag and encouraged creative time with their new product. Talk about make-n-take!

NSA members Cindy Bisson and Becky Chabot submitted press kits in the designer section, and they were on hand to preview the kits from the exhibitors. This video is just a sample of what we discovered on the show floor:

(Disclaimer: this is my first video post, so please forgive the lack of editing and the burst of exuberance at the end!)

ETP!

Manufacturer's mentioned

Bright blues:
me and my big ideas
Stemma

Skulls & Pirates:
Collected Memories Bad to the Bone albums
Rusty Pickle's Cap'n Jack and Pirate Princess Collections
Karen Foster Design's Pirate Collection
2 Daisies Designs' Heads of the Family

Celebrations:
AdornIt Halloween Collection

You ain't seen nuthin' yet!

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Hugger) — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 05:43:00 +0000

Today...I received the July/August issue of Scrapbook Business. I went straight to page 8 for Kevin Nelson's note from the editor. In his letter, he highlights the NSA's retail directory. The NSA Store Locator is like nothing else in the scrapbooking industry. Nowhere can you find a comprehensive list of retailers that specialize in scrapbooking but on the NSA site. Other lists are too expensive to join, tied to a product manufacturer, or terribly out-dated. And forget about functionality!

Thing is, we're hard at work creating a better retail directory and locator, and it's scheduled to launch very soon! So if you like the NSA Store Locator now, wait until you see what's in store next!

ETP!

Remember...the NSA lists all brick & mortar stores for free. Stores receive an enhanced listing -- with phone numbers, directions, maps, store hours, photos and more -- as a retail member of the NSA. You also will receive a monthly reminder to update your listing information.

Hands-Down favorite

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Hugger) — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 19:11:00 +0000

Today...I received the August/September Memory Makers. (ACK! September?!?) Word is out that this is a phenomenal issue and that the new Memory Makers is on track to be an all-around great scrapbooking magazine.

I did my initial scan-through and immediately felt compelled to share with you my pick of the issue. Hands down his layout, "Hands-On Mom" by Linda Harrison (pg. 76), is my favorite.

There are so many reasons why this layout works, plus it's a PERFECT example to show beginners the basic rules of design and how they can successfully scrap that pile of photos. Do you see what I see?

Rule of thirds (the photos on the right axis; the title on the top axis)
Visual triangle (pink accents)
Great use of older photos (those square black and white prints have the processing date in the white border)
Poignant journaling - short, meaningful, heartfelt
Effective title - sums it up and draws the viewer to read the journaling
Good use of patterned paper - just one sheet of a tone-on-tone graphic

And if you look closely, you can see the repetitive use of circles inspired by the patterned paper: the hyphen of the title, the brads in the visual triangle, the rhinestones in the flower, and don't forget, the round blow-up pool in the photos.

Great job, Linda, and thank you Memory Makers for showcasing this layout.

I'll get to read in detail the entire issue, but I still see something missing -- from Memory Makers and the other consumer publications - - that could really help the scrapbooking industry. Can you guess what it is?

ETP!

P.S. On a personal note (without any bearing on my decision to highlight this layout), Linda's page also is a comfort to me -- a single mother doing all I can to be a hands-on mom.

Tell me something I didn't know

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Hugger) — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 05:40:00 +0000

Today...Beth Mauro, editor of CNA Magazine, reported from GASC in Chantilly. Here are some quotes of note:

No matter what your crafting niche I highly urge you to attend consumer shows whenever possible. There is nothing better than seeing the industry through (these) customers' eyes. When crafting is your business there is a danger of getting jaded when it comes to products and projects. A short trip to a consumer show is like a shot of adrenalin.

My favorite part was seeing scrapbookers of every age, color, size and level of expertise. We saw three generations of scrapbookers visiting the show together and plenty of new moms looking to start a baby book. The crops were packed. Over a three day period, hundreds of scrapbookers dragged all their stuff in for the fun of scrapping with friends and soon-to-be-friends.

and

Digital Scrapbooking 101 classes were full as were sessions on getting photos off of your digital camera (I should take that one) and photo retouching. The fact that that attendees that come to this show are hardcore scrapbookers should prove that traditional scrapbooking and digital scrapbooking can co-exist under one roof. Will next year be the year of Hybrid Scrapbooking classes?

It boils down to this:

Always remember the customer
Scrapbooking is for everyone
Never underestimate the passion of a scrapbooker

ETP!

The benefit of dreaming big

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Hugger) — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 19:12:00 +0000

Today...I'm reminded that dreams really can come true!

Remember when I offered an invitation to create the ultimate scrapbooking web site! Well, it's being done! The new NSA site will be like no other! I'm just too excited not to at least mention how great it is going to be. For me, it's like having all my dreams come true AND dreams I didn't even know I had come true.

It's not too late to let us know your dreams for the ultimate scrapbooking web site.

Whatever your expectations are, they will be blown away!

ETP!

To coupon or not to coupon

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Hugger) — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 06:25:00 +0000

Today...I responded to a question posed by retail consultants Kizer & Bender about honoring competitors' coupons. It goes a little something like this:

There needs to be a way for the independent retailer to stand apart from the larger box stores, in pricing and not just product selection and customer service. It should be something that consistently pulls the consumer into the store and rewards them for being there, not because they have a coupon, from a competitor or otherwise. Additionally, the whole notion of "couponing" cheapens he image of the category.

The National Scrapbooking Association offers a creative solution that is super simple for retailers. Every consumer member of the NSA can download and print their membership card, which shows their name, address and expiration date. The consumer presents their membership card to participating retailers for a discount of what they purchase. The retailer sets the discount (generally a percentage of 5-10%) and can adjust it to maximize marketing opportunities. For example, offering 15% off on special days like National Scrapbooking Day.

The benefits for the retailer are numerous: it's a program they don't have to manage, initiate, mantain, print, distribute, punch, etc.; there is no cost and very little risk; the responsibility is placed on the customer to keep their membership up to date and to present their card; the discount is customizable and controlled by the retailer; the discount is tied to cash flow, not dictated by the competition.

The benefits for the customer are plenty, too: there's only one card to keep up with! and additional cards can be printed if one is lost (the retailer may ask for ID to verify the cardholder); the discount applies just for walking into the store, not accumulating punch cards - which are usually lost; and there is immediate satisfaction, not guilt for spending so much money.

Best of all it allows the independent retailer to compete on a more level playing field: against other independents on the merits of service and selection, not with the box stores where there is neither.

Veronica Hugger
National Scrapbooking Association

ETP!

Don't let them define us

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Hugger) — Tue, 29 May 2007 16:39:00 +0000

Today...we need to take a stand against the antiquated mindset that scrapbooking is "dowdy" or "saccharine". There is a sexy side of scrapbooking, and we don't need (nor do we want) Martha Stewart to prove it for us.

Remember the Panty Journal?

How about Scrap City?

Consider some of the scraponistas out there and their cutting edginess.

Here's me looking down my nose at the Wall Street Journal article. Dowdy? Pfh.

We missed out when we failed to own our own definition of scrapbooking. And we're still explaining that it has nothing to do with doilies.

Mike Harnett warns us of stereotyping the category. And we need to heed the warnings across the board, especially regarding product development and usage. Not every scrapper wants the latest/greatest.

The only stereotype I want scrapbooking to have is that it's an activity for everyone. Scrapbooking is so personal and personalized that it can be whatever you want it to be. But the common denominator remains: memories.

So don't let some Wall Street know-it-all or high-brow hot shot define your passion or label your look. Besides, I'm quite sure the writers of both articles saved clippings of their printed stories, even before their first by-line.

So, what are your thoughts? Got any proof to the contrary? What image should scrapbooking have? Let's create it!

ETP!

Here's the reality:

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Hugger) — Thu, 24 May 2007 05:03:00 +0000

Today...we need to admit that the "scrapbooking as art" and "gotta have it" vacuums have been filled. We've elevated memory keeping to a level that is alienating the newcomer, and we've saturated the market with a flood of product. It's time to identify the new needs of the industry and fill them. That's what the NSA strives to do with these products:

Up-to-date LSS locator and directory where all brick & mortar retailers can list their store for free and scrappers can find a scrapbooking store easily

Calendar of calls for publication, for enthusiasts who want recognition and publishers who are looking for fresh contributors

An open forum where any product, store, or sale can be discussed

What else does the scrapbooking industry really need? My guess:

Greater global synergy

A unified voice

A place for everyone

An identity people can relate to

Tools specific to the scrapbooking industry (ah, an upcoming blog topic!)

In other words: more newcomers.

Don't fear. Not only has the NSA identified these new needs, but we've been working very hard behind the scenes to fill them to satisfaction! If you're interested in a preview, email me.

ETP!

Let's get real

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Hugger) — Wed, 23 May 2007 03:32:00 +0000

Today...I'm pointing out the reality trend that has emerged in scrapbooking (perhaps a response to all those reality shows?). The trend has been looming, I mean, how many single photos layouts wallpapered with flowers can inspire Suzy Scrapbooker who only wants to organize and preserve her 3x5 snapshots of her teenager's ninth birthday?

To draw your attention to the recent surge, take these examples:

Tara Governo's Imperfect Lives (F&W) tells the kind of wonderfully human, less-than-glorious stories that often go untold. Its pages are full of honest, edgy, quirky, humorous layouts about real life
Tasra Dawson's Real Women Scrap and t.v. for busy women
Memorytrends April 2007 cover story "What Women Want...and how scrapbooking gives it to them"
The handful of blogs attacking and smacking celebs and wanna bes (and no, I won't provide the links...stay here and finish reading)

Here are some other observations. The number of inquiries to the NSA for information for LSS business plans has decreased significantly. More hobbyists are waking up to the reality that operating an LSS is 99% retail and 1% scrapbooking. Real life (i.e., kids, the mortgage, aging parents, insert "any daily stress" here) or lack of business skills, foresight or critical thinking has pushed retailers to close their doors, and the predictions are realistic. Industry politicos worn of the impending doom; the number of LSSs in the US will be down to 800 by the end of the year; this vendor is not exhibiting at CHA-S, and that vendor is not going to Memorytrends.

All this is reactionary and old news in this cyber-fast world. What we really need is to be pro-active.

Tomorrow...I'll talk about the new reality.

ETP!

It’s raining men

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Hugger) — Thu, 17 May 2007 15:30:00 +0000

Today…Creating Keepsakes announced its new editor. Replacing Tracy White is Brian Tippetts. Yep. A guy. He joins a handful of men making their way into the female-dominated world of scrapbooking. The guys have always been here; but now they’re getting face time.

CK started with Don Lampson. David Venable works side-by-side with Lisa Bearnson at QVC. And the first male Hall of Famer, NSA member Mitchell Kraft, was named in 2007.

F+W is doing it, too. David Pyle is now Group Publisher, formally held by industry matriarch Jeanne Wines-Reed. Steve Smith’s column, "Manly Memories," appears regularly in Memory Makers Magazine.

This sprinkle of men is just the beginning of the summer storm. There will be a gully-washing this year in the industry, brought on and carried out by the “guys who get it.” Are you ready to ride the winds of change?

ETP

My precious Winnifred

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Hugger) — Thu, 10 May 2007 03:52:00 +0000

Today...my beloved Winnifred died. She was my shadow. I miss her. I mourn her. I have spent the day crying. As much as I loved her, she loved me more. She taught me what it meant to love.

When I told my nine-year-old son that Winnifred died, he responded in a way that touched my heart. He's been keeping a notebook in which he's outlined letters to spell out his classmates names. He quietly brought me the notebook and showed me the names he has done so far, one per page. Then he turned to the next blank page, slid the notebook to me, and said doing Winnifred's name would help me. So I drew her name and together Joseph and I colored in the letters. Purple was Winnifred's color.

I added a few recent photos, and this make-shift memorial was created:

I've been working on a layout of Winnifred for some time now. I've scheduled some time on Friday to finish it and will post it as soon as it's done.

Pets is a hot theme in scrapbooking, now more than ever. And because of Winnifred, I know why.

ETP

Let's create something SPECTACULAR!

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Hugger) — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 23:57:00 +0000

Today...I posted a challenge of sorts on the NSA forums. I encourage participation from every market segment!

Let's create the ultimate scrapbooking web site!

It would have a community organized by...
It would have valuable resources like...a comprehensive, accurate LSS locator and mapping function!
It would be highly functional and do the most amazing things, like...tell me when a certain product has arrived at my LSS

It would be pretty to look at, and in the most appealing color combinations like...Scott would not dare change
I would visit it every day because...I could cutomize it to display everything I needed to know about scrapbooking in one place
and it would provide the latest information about...what's in the magazines

It would network me with...manufacturers who need local representatives, demonstrators and instructors
and feed me information about...money-making opportunities

and it would not...spam me with offers or announcements I really don't care about
and would never...insult the way I scrap

but most of all,
it would move me to...scrap and scrap often and openly
and make me feel...satisfied

I would love to hear what you want!

ETP!