My Tribute to the Twilight Premiere...

One of my Gazebo Theme layouts... with a twist! This layout is currently available on ebay, with the option of adding or removing the Edward and Bella Bears!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=130274733659&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

Hippie Hippie Love Love

Dan won best costume for the 2nd year in a row... I didn't even have to bribe him to wear this!!! Of course, I should get all of the credit - I came up with this costume about 3 hours before the Halloween Party!

Twilight Junkies :)

OK. I admit. I am one of those crazy ladies in their 30's that LOVE the Twilight Series!!!! I just cannot get enough of these books- I have them downloaded via Audible and I have the actual books too and I'm going to start reading them for a 2nd time to keep myself occupied until the MOVIE comes out in November. Never thought I could read 4 books in 2 weeks but these just aren't ordinary books are they? Never thought I'd ever contemplate swapping my hubbie for a vampire named Edward either... who would of thunk it? ;) Hopefully Dan, my mortal husband, doesn't read this post or he'd think I've really flipped my lid this time.

Anyway, here is the latest movie trailer!
http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/final_twilight_trailer_is_here_20081009

Have you read her "draft" copy of "Midnight Sun" which is basically Twilight rewritten from Edwards perspective? If not, here you go:

http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/midnightsun.html

Evidently, while in the writing process she gave some rough drafts out for input- and someone ended up leaking one on the internet. Now she has decided NOT to finish it which thoroughly TICKS ME OFF. But, the rough draft is well worth reading - and it makes you want to re-read the whole series over again. If you don't have time to read... like me, who should be working creating scrapbook layouts all day for all of my wonderful customers, you can download the unabridged versions from Audible.com. I look forward to any comments you all have on this subject. Do not be afraid - join the realm of thousands of 30, 40 & 50 somethings who LOVE THIS SERIES!!

BTDLBoutique's TOP OF THE LINE Contest!

If you'd like to enter for a chance to win great prizes, click below for more information!

A Word About eBay's DSR/ SELLER RATINGS for all buyers to read!

HELP KEEP YOUR FAVORITE SELLERS ON EBAY!! PLEASE READ!

I have been selling on ebay for years now... what started out as an enjoyable venue to participate in has turned in to a convoluted mess of change- changes made by eBay executives out to line their pockets in an economic down turn. For you buyers out there, this doesn't affect you. Well, I guess it does- because as eBay begins to hike our fees and suspend us for low DSR's - it does affect the buyers because the cost of the products they shop for will go up, and sooner or later there will be fewer and fewer sellers to do business with.

The most recent eBay debacle is the suspension rule for low DSR's or "Detailed Seller Ratings". You- the buyers are given the option of leaving 1-5 stars as a way to rate the transaction between yourself and the seller. According to eBay, leaving a 4 for an for the description is "accurate", leaving a 4 for communication is "satisfied", leaving a 4 for shipping quickly is "quickly" and leaving a 4 for shipping/handling charges is "reasonable". Sound good to you? Well, not according to eBay. Starting November 1st 2008, all sellers with a lower than 4.3 DSR on ANY of the above categories will be suspended from eBay. So those sellers who have "Satisfied" customers, ship "quickly", describe their product "accurately" and have "reasonable" shipping & handling charges will no longer be able to sell to you, me or anyone else. So basically, giving any seller less than a 5 star rating can put that seller out of business.

If nothing else, this has all of us (sellers) in a panic. Ebay does NOT educate the buyer on the feedback system, or their rules for DSR's - I buy on eBay all the time, and I've left 4's and 5's when I've been perfectly happy with a transaction, not realizing that I'm helping put this seller out of business. It's sad- it makes no sense- if receiving 4's means you are a bad seller, then the buyers need to be made aware of this when they leave the feedback instead of being mislead by the ratings labeled as "accurate, satisfied, and reasonable" which ultimately translates to SUSPENSION.

Check out this link...
http://leavingfeedback.com/page2.html

"Unfortunately, the reality is that any rating lower than 5 's can have a significant negative impact on sellers and the eBay community as a whole because eBay has structured the system to reward sellers with over a 4.5 average, and to penalize sellers with under a 4.5 average."

I urge each of you, if you buy on eBay - please please please try to communicate with the seller if there are problems with a transaction before leaving your feedback and ratings. Keep in mind, that often times problems can be resolved and if the seller is unaware of an issue, and hasn't had the chance to refund or correct an error- your DSR rating can put them out of business.

The Scrapbook Exchange WEBSITE IS LAUNCHED!

Finally! WHOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOO!!!

I'm so excited! It is so much fun to add new things :) Anyway, if you have a minute - check out our new website!

THESCRAPBOOKEXCHANGE

Will You Vote for Me :)

Our local Scrapbook Store- the Craft Warehouse is having a "SCRAPBOOK QUEEN CONTEST" and I have submitted one of my favorite layouts of my little boy. Here is my submission:




If you like my layout :) Would you vote for me? You can go to the contest and vote here:

http://72.3.135.178/index.php?option=com_ponygallery&Itemid=102&func=viewcategory&catid=22

My layout is located under the "MEDFORD" location. You do have to register to vote, but you don't have to give them a lot of info to register - so if you go through the selections... and like mine, I'd be so happy if you would support me in becoming Medford's SCRAPBOOK QUEEN!!!