Looking back at 2011 and foward to 2012

The Hens' Den made their debut February 2011 and since then, it has been one big ride.  Little did we know what was in front of us for the remainder of 2011.  We set up our first web site, went live and have so much fun with it.  We also have attended several Expo's through out the year, Scrapbook Expo and Creating Keepsakes Expo and a couple of Arabian Horse shows.

What an eye opener they all were.  We had very good times and some frustrating times.  Setting up the booths is the hard part and long and frustrating.  When everything is all done and we step back and smile really big at what we put together, it is worth all the hard work.  During the shows themselves, we have been blessed to meet some really wonderful scrappers.  At the end of the show, we found it incredible just how FAST we can take down the booth...have to laugh at our selves....so glad to be on the road home but looking forward to the next one.

2011 also brought us the experience with our first Design Team.  I want to thank Elisha and Brittney, our Teen Designers, for giving us their time and efforts.   School is just too important, so they will not be joining us in 2012.
Cheri Piles will stay on as our Design Team Lead (and am I glad) and Carla Oliveria will remain on as well and she has accepted the positing of Design Team Lead Asst.  I am so darn happy!!!   We can not make this happen without them.

 In December, The Hens' Den was blessed with the growth and addition of 7 new design team members.   Their talents are amazing and I am so excited to see what their enthusiasm brings to The Hens' Den in 2012.  Please give a warm welcome to:

Carolyn Lotin

Becky Garrison

Theresa Harris

Lori McClellan

Krystle Thomas

Nicolle Kramer

Sesil Cratin - Guest Designer

Each one of these ladies are awesome and we are so darn blessed to have them with us for the 2012 year.  This just amazes me and I hope we are all they expect us to be.
There are other changes as well.  There are surprises on the horizon and hopefully you will all enjoy and appreciate them.  It takes a lot of work, effort and communication to make things come together. As the weeks roll out, we will announce each change and we welcome your comments on them all.   So excited......
Again, The Hen's Den will be attending several expo with Scrapbook Expo in July and October and Creating Keepsakes Expo in March and November and we once again will attend The Daffodil Arabian Horse Show that is held in Puyallup in April.   Please stop by and say Hi to us if you are at any of the events.
Lastly, we want to thank all of our customers for a wonderful 2011 and we look forward to seeing you again in 2012. 
Happy New Year!!!
Charlie

New Design Team Announcement!!

We are so excited and thrilled with the responses we had for design team submissions. We wish we could have chosen everyone who had submitted, there is so much wonderful talent out there!! Because there were so many submissions we could not narrow it down to just FOUR, do we draw straws? Flip a coin? No, no, we break the rules and add SIX!!

Please welcome the following new designers to the team!

Becky Garrison, GA

http://camelliacottagedesigns.blogspot.com

Theresa Harris {aka The Scrapbooking Queen}, CA

http://www.thescrapbookingqueen.com

Nicolle Kramer, NY

http://nicollelovesscrapbooking.com

Carolyn Lontin, CO

http://carolynlontin.blogspot.com

Lori McClellan, UT

http://sentimentalxpressions.blogspot.com

Krystle Thomas, NM

http://hightimesinthehighdesert.blogspot.com

Returning DT members for 2012:

Charlie LaBonte, WA - Owner/Operator

http://charlielabonte.blogspot.com

Cheri Piles, WA - Design Team Lead

http://cherinspirations.blogspot.com

Carla Oliveira, WI - Asst. Design Team Lead

http://carlascuriouslycraftychaos.blogspot.com

Over the next six days we will be introducing our newest designers individually, please stop back by to get to know them.

Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium

I so love playing with non traditional items when I am scrapbooking.  My minds likes taking projects and imaging them with a story or theme that will make them stand out.  So... I took on bird cages and
boy am I having fun

This bird cage (compliments of Carla Oliveira) was pink. I sprayed it black for a dramatic look. Using Graphic 45's Christmas Emporium Collection, I lined the inside of the cage, including the bottom. Then I cut out, inked and backed several of the sayings from the Santas Express paper. Using Stickles, I accented them all with colors that add a bit of "bling" to each of the . This was fun and has my mind going wild with other ways to use a bird cage.

Thank you for stoping by.   I hope you enjoyed your visit to my blog.

Just So Darn Happy

Christmas came early for us this year.  On December 1st, our first Grand Daughter was born.  We are now blessed with Twin Grand Sons and a Grand Daughter.

Autumn Grace came into this world at 4:19am on 12/1/2011.  She weighted 6 lbs 12 oz and is 18 inches long. 

I now get to play with pink paper!!!.   Don't get me wrong, I love playing with all the papers but having Grandson's, you don't get to play with a lot of pink paper, embellishments or flowers.....I am in heaven!!

I can not hardly wait to hold her in my arms!!

Tim Holtz Distress Ink Season Pack

The Hens' Den has the new Seasonal Ink pack from Tim Holtz.  They have limited quantities, so hurry on over there and get yours while they last.  Click on the image and it will take you right to the store.

Design Team Call

The Hens’ Den 1st Design Team Member Call!

We have grown this year and we would love to grow more.

We are looking for 4 more talented team members who can create a minimum of two projects per month using store product that will be supplied to you.

We are looking for the following skills:

• 1 person who loves making cards
• 1 person who loves making layouts
• 1 person who loves mini albums
• 1 person who loves home décor/altered projects
  (You can be great at all of these)

We are looking for someone who:

• Is a follower of The Hen’s Den
• Has an active blog
• Is capable of meeting deadlines
• Has strong photo skills
• Can write instructions on how they created their design/layout/project

How to Apply:

• Send e-mail to info@thehensden.com with your name, address, phone number a brief description of yourself and why you would like to be a part of The Hens' Den design team.
• Submit one unpublished project showing off your strongest talent – layout, card, mini album, home décor/altered project - if chosen we will use your submission when we announce the new team members
• Link to your blog
• Link to Facebook page
• Link to online galleries
• Other information if applicable:
  Active on any message boards?
  Any other social media you actively participate in?
  Are you on any other design teams?
  Do you teach classes?

Benefits upon signed contract for one year term beginning January 1st 2012:

• A permanent link on the blog directly to your blog
• For every post a link to your blog directly to you
• Product shipped to you for the monthly deadlines
• Store discount
• If you are teaching we will post it on the websites event calendar and on the design team blog.

Deadline:
Today through December 1^{st, 2011}

Announcements will be sent out to the winners by 12/15/2011.

Please send your unpublished project & links to Info@thehensden.com with “DESIGN TEAM SUBMISSION” in the subject line.

At this time we are unable to accept international design team submissions.

Good Luck and we look forward to your submission!

Open House and Crop Party

The Hens’ Den 1^st Annual Open House and Crop Party.

The Hens’ Den has had a wonderful year and we want to have some fun with you and enjoy what we all have in common…SCRAPING!  

November 19^th 2011 from 4 pm to 7 pm we will be open and ready to welcome you for a few hours of fun, entertainment and friendship.

We are so happy to have Cheri Piles, Asst. Design Team Member for Teresa Collins Designs joining us.  She is great at helping you get over hurtles, slumps or teaching you new techniques.  Bring your projects, ideas or just come chat with us for a while.  We would love to get to know you better.  

As a bonus, print off the coupon that we have on our website, blog or FB and bring it with you to the crop and you will receive 20% any purchase you make.  

Seating is limited, so please RSVP and we will save you a seat.  Email us at Info@thehensden.com and put in the subject line “RSVP for Crop Party” and we will take care of you right away. When you RSVP, we will give you directions to our location here in Rochester Washington.

We hope to see you soon.

The Hens’ Den

An ABC Primer Collection by Graphic 45

My twin Grandson's are my subjects for most of my pictures.  They are so darn cute and I love them to pieces.   I can not wait until their little sister is born, the trio will make for awesome pictures to come.

I found an old 4 window pane and it is the subject of my crafty-ness today. (like I am a pro...lmbo).   We had so much fun on this day.  We were out by the fire pit roasting marshmallow and the boys were busy pulling the bark off of the fire wood and tossing them into the fire.   Sparks flew and we hard lots of of "ohhh'ss and "wow".    We now have bark-less fire wood..lol

In this project I play with Graphic 45's An ABC Primer Collection paper line.  I love the colors and the textures this line had to offer.  Of course, I am and HUGE fan of Graphic 45.  They have such awesome stuff!!!!

I mounted the "back" paper on the back side of the glass, then I mounted the actual pictures and embellishments on the front side of the glass.  It really give the project a 3D kind of appearance.   I love to work with these old windows. They are so really cool!!

Please let me know if you like this, I would love to hear form you.
Have a grand day!!!

The Hens' Den Holiday Open House

OPEN HOUSE AND HOLIDAY PARTY.... The Hens Den is having their first annual open house.. November 19th, from 4 pm to 7pm. If you are in the area, please let us know so that we can save you a seat. If you are new to scrapbooking... please join us. CHERI PLIES, Design Team Member for/With Tersaa Collins Design will be present. She is awesome!!!!!. She will love to show you the basics and get y...ou started. If you are a seasoned scrapper and you are "stuck" Cheri will help you break through and re-discover your creative side. OR.. if you simply want to join us with your current project... we are the place to be!!! Look to our website or blog in the coming days for the "entry certificate" for attendance. Print it off and come join us. Seating is LIMITED, so let us know if you will be attending and we will give you directions....(RSVP) We look forward to seeing you!!!

My Minds Eye, Stella and Rose

My son and his wife are having their 3rd child this coming December.   They have already blessed us with Twin Grandon's and now we will have our Grand Daughter... Oh My!!!... clothes, dolls, secrets and pictures...I am getting ready for the change in thought process and looking at pinks, soft pastels, bling and flowers and and and....must practice.

So, here I go, playing with papers, colors, designs that are softer and more girly....lol.  Don't worry Logan and Ethan, Grandma will still be taking lots of pictures of you two.   Your not going to get out of be my best subjects.. hehehe.

The paper is My Minds Eye, Stella & Rose.  I used Tim Holtz Distressed Ink to distress the edges.  The color I used was Old Paper.  Then I tossed in some dollies and flowers and rhinestones.    I will love the practice...lol

Boo Box

 I just love it when the Twins are over for a visit.  I get to take pictures of them, even if they don't want me too...lol.   A recent visit had them both playing games and making faces.  I took one of those pictures and copied it in black and white and used it on a Holloween project.   Take a look below and see how it turned out..

 

I used Echo Parks A Apothecary Emporium Holloween paper line.  Most of the ribbon is randome ribbon that I have in my 'supply'.  I used Graphic 45 bling, Tim Holtz Distressed ink.   

I hope you enjoyed this and thanks for stopping by.

Baby Boo

The Hens Den FIRST blog hop starts NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are so excited over at the Hens Den to do our very first blog hop. The design team has been working hard on some new product that we got in the store and we are all going to share with you what we have done using the Echo Park Halloween line called Apothecary Emporium Collection.
Here it is already October 1st, can you believe it? Well it’s true and to kick off the month and spooky Halloween, what better way to celebrate this blog hop then by giving away this Echo Park line to one lucky winner!

That’s right, the winner of our blog hop will be announced on October 3rd and you will have a chance to win the Echo Park Apothecary line that you can view you can view (HERE) in the Hens Den store, as well as a gift certificate to the store to do your own shopping!

Now what do you have to do?
First and foremost you must become a follower of the Hen’s Den Blog HERE
This is where the hop will start. Become a follower, and head on over to the next blog which will be Charlies blog. Charlie is the owner of HENS DEN. You must also become a follower of Charlie’s blog and leave a comment.

CHARLIE’s blog is : CLICK HERE (CHARLIES BLOG) After you go to Charlies blog you will then go to the next DT’s blog which will be
Cheri’s blog, become a follower and leave a comment.

Cheri’s blog is : CLICK HERE (CHERI'S BLOG) Then you will head to Brittney’s blog, become a follower and leave a comment.

Brittneys blog is: CLICK HERE (BRITTNEYS BLOG)Then head over to Elish’as blog, become a follower and leave a comment.

Elisha’s blog is : CLICK HERE (ELISHA'S BLOG)And last but not least, go to Carla’s blog, become a follower and leave a comment..

Carla’s blog is: CLICK HERE (CARLA'S BLOG)

Once you have become a follower of the Hen’s Den blog, and left a comment for all the DT member’s on their work, and became a follower of their blogs, you then need to go to the Hens Den facebook page and LIKE us. Click here (THE HENS DEN FACEBOOK PAGE) You then must leave a comment on our facebook page that you have completed the blog hop, by following all blogs and leaving comments on all blogs. Once we received this notice on FB we will enter you in for the chance to win the Echo Park Apothecary Emporium Collection.


                                                   Baby Boo!!

I am so excited for the months that are coming up.   Full of Holidays, Cheers and Family.  The most exciting is that my Son and his wife are going to bless me with anohter Grandchild.    A Girl this time,  Autumn Grace.

Melanie, my daughter-in-law, sent me a copy of her ultrasound.  Her profile is so much like her brothers, we are headed for trouble.

This layout is using Echo Park's  A Apothecary Emporium paper line.  So much fun to play with.  The colors are bold and the patterns are awesome.  I used Tim Holtz Distressed Ink to color the edges.  SURPRISE- The color I used is from Tim's new and Limited Seasonal Series. 3 dye ink pads.  The colors are Seedless Preserves, Gathered Twigs and Ripe Persimmon.   We have a very limited supply in the store.  When they are sold, they are all gone.  When your done with the blog hop, swing by the store and get yours  while they last.

Your next stop is at Cheri Piles' blog

http://cherinspirations.blogspot.com/

Happy Blog Hopping

The Hens' Den First Blog Hop

The Hens Den FIRST blog hop starts NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are so excited over at the Hens Den to do our very first blog hop. The design team has been working hard on some new product that we got in the store and we are all going to share with you what we have done using the Echo Park Halloween line called Apothecary Emporium Collection.
Here it is already October 1st, can you believe it? Well it’s true and to kick off the month and spooky Halloween, what better way to celebrate this blog hop then by giving away this Echo Park line to one lucky winner!

That’s right, the winner of our blog hop will be announced on October 3rd and you will have a chance to win the Echo Park Apothecary line that you can view you can view (HERE) in the Hens Den store, as well as a gift certificate to the store to do your own shopping!

Now what do you have to do?
First and foremost you must become a follower of the Hen’s Den Blog HERE
This is where the hop will start. Become a follower, and head on over to the next blog which will be Charlies blog. Charlie is the owner of HENS DEN. You must also become a follower of Charlie’s blog and leave a comment.

CHARLIE’s blog is : CLICK HERE (CHARLIES BLOG) After you go to Charlies blog you will then go to the next DT’s blog which will be
Cheri’s blog, become a follower and leave a comment.

Cheri’s blog is : CLICK HERE (CHERI'S BLOG) Then you will head to Brittney’s blog, become a follower and leave a comment.

Brittneys blog is: CLICK HERE (BRITTNEYS BLOG)Then head over to Elish’as blog, become a follower and leave a comment.

Elisha’s blog is : CLICK HERE (ELISHA'S BLOG)And last but not least, go to Carla’s blog, become a follower and leave a comment..

Carla’s blog is: CLICK HERE (CARLA'S BLOG)

Once you have become a follower of the Hen’s Den blog, and left a comment for all the DT member’s on their work, and became a follower of their blogs, you then need to go to the Hens Den facebook page and LIKE us. Click here (THE HENS DEN FACEBOOK PAGE) You then must leave a comment on our facebook page that you have completed the blog hop, by following all blogs and leaving comments on all blogs. Once we received this notice on FB we will enter you in for the chance to win the Echo Park Apothecary Emporium Collection.

Good luck to everyone, and have fun hopping!

Our First Blog Hop

The Hens Den FIRST blog hop.

We are so excited to do our very first blog hop, that we wanted to send out a SAVE the date so that you do not miss out.

October 1^st and October 2^nd are the dates that you need to mark down for our blog hop.

The hop will run all weekend starting at midnight September 30^th and will run through Sunday at midnight October 2^nd.

We have an AWESOME prize to give out from the Hens Den Store, want to take a sneak at what we carry? CLICK HERE http://thehensden.com/

But you won’t know what the prize is until the START of the hop on October 1^st. Trust me you are not going to want to miss out.

So mark your calendars and we can’t wait to see you come hop along with us.

Labor day visit

My Son and his wife (she is a cutie) are expecting their 3rd child in December, so I went shopping.. (like I need an excuse).   Drove over to Moses Lake  and delivered to them a crib, carset/carrier, high chair and a box plump full if little sweet girlie things!!!!....  A Girl!!!..  Autumn Grace.  Such a pretty name.   I can not wait to hold that precious, sweet baby in my arms.   I wonder if she will look like her brothers?..hummm... if she does, Daddy needs to have a stun gun for all the little boys in the neighborhood....lol

Logan and Ethan (twins) are now 61/2 years old and just entered the 1st grade.  We had so much fun playing and laughing and rough housing around.  Dad was none to happy with Grandma...heheheheh.   We took the boys and their dog, Sage, on a nice long walk.  I was ready for knap when we got done...well almost.  Their dog has more energy than the boys do, combined!!... Boys and their dog.. such a good thing.