Upcoming Newsletter

With a New Year comes new ideas and new changes here at Simply Renee.

We are starting a monthly newsletter where we will share ideas on organization with you, and welcome your ideas, pictures and thoughts to be shared with our Simply Renee followers and readers. There are a lot of creative people out there who have great ideas. One thing about organizing is that it needs to be customized for your taste, personality and methods. Since there are many different ways to organize, we want to share your ideas so we all can find something that works for us.  Email us your pictures and ideas to clipitup@gmail.com.  If we feature your idea in our newsletter then we’ll send you a $15 gift certificate to www.clipitup.com.

The first newsletter will be written by me. We are also starting a section called: Ask Renee … where you can email me any questions you have and I’ll do my best to try and answer them for you. Send emails to clipitup@gmail.com put as the subject ‘Ask Renee’.

We are excited about this upcoming year and our “NEW” Clip it Up products. They are all about building and customizing for your individual organizational needs! We’ll be showing sneak peaks soon so keep following our blog.

2011 will be an exciting year and we look forward to your ideas and working together to make your organizational needs easier!

Happy New Year!

Renee

2011

2011. For real? Like in 3 days? Wow. I know it sounds cliche' - but where does the time go? If you find it, will you let me know?

Christmas has come and gone - did you get everything you wanted? Did you get things you didn't know you wanted but love anyway? Did you spend good times with your family? Do you have a mess to clean up? Do you have a list of thank-you cards a mile long? Do you have a list of thank-you cards for cards and gifts that were sent to you but maybe you didn't send to them? *gasp* I know! Every single year we get at least 1 card, maybe a couple three from people we didn't send to. I'm not a big Happy New Year card-sender, but I do make cards for the occasion to send to the people that for whatever reason were not on the Christmas card list. For all they know - they were on the Happy New Year card list ;)

All the best to you and yours in the new year.

Design Team

Don’t forget to apply!!! It’s a great way to get Clip it Up products!

Due date for applications is January 10, but don’t procrastinate you won’t want to miss this opportunity. Here’s the official call:

Scrapbookers/Crafters/Quilters Design Team Call

We are looking for 3-5 talented designers to participate as members of our design team. Anybody who loves to scrapbook, craft and/or quilt we’d love to have you apply.

To apply please email:

· Contact Information

· Headshot or Photo

· Short Bio

· Resume including publication (if any)

· Link to your blog and usernames on pertinent online forums

· .jpegs of 3 projects (any combination of altered art, layout and/or cards)

Expectations:

· One picture of Simply Renee’s product setup and in use (does not have to hold scrapbooking products) and short review.

o YouTube video would be great if possible

· 5-6 blog entries about recent projects

o Including pictures and instructions

Compensation:

· Free Clip it Up product/s (to be determined)

· Discount on Clip it Up products

· Link to your blog on Simply Renee Inc’s blog

Deadlines:

· An average of 1 blog post a month and a list will be sent out to all members telling them when their posts are due.

Simply Renee Inc retains the right to approve or disapprove of any blog content and to change it accordingly (writer will be notified of changes) and to use the design team member’s likeness, designs, comments, blogs for publication or as we see fit, giving the design team member full and proper credit.

Submissions will be accepted now through January 10^th, 2011 at 11:59 MST. Email clipitup@gmail.com

Quote of the Week

"Those who don't believe in magic will never find it." _ Roald Dahl

Clip it Up, Toy Story and Quilting

Happy Holiday Greetings to you on this fabulous Wednesday from Rhonda!  Today I'd like to share with you another part of my crafty side.

I had a lot of fun with this project that I'm going to share with you, but first, do you remember this?

I love my floor model and it worked out just perfectly to store my fabric projects on my extra bonus tier for me!  If you are like me, sometimes we end up with more projects than time.  Having my fabric staring at me every time I walked into my craft studio was a huge motivator to work on this project!

As you know, I love to scrapbook and to create cards!  I also love to sew every once in awhile and when I saw that cute Toy Story fabric, I just knew my boys would love a quilt out of it.  The initial inspiration for this Rag Quilt came from the Samantha Walker blog.  Once I saw the simple instructions I knew that even with my novice quilting abilities, I could create this from start to finish, without having to hand it off to someone for decorative quilting. 

Do you want to see what it became? 

Of course, I had to try and create a little pillowcase too.  My next one will have the pattern going in the right direction, but it still works well enough.  For instructions how to create the pillow and for a moving story about Benjamin Smiles, click here.

As I said, I'm a novice and this was a great fun project!  It is really easy, super cute and very rewarding when you complete it.  I am so excited about giving these to the kids!  Yes, you heard correctly, I am busy making another one for the baby.  Both the boys are crazy over Toy Story and I know they will enjoy their quilts and pillowcases.  By the way, you can also use your Clip It Up to store your quilting squares as you cut or build them.

I also created a fun little holiday card to share with you today.

This is just a kraft cardstock base, and some really sweet Basic Grey Jovial papers and embellishments.  I had the honor of being a Guest Designer over at Back Porch Memories and created this card using their Medley kit.  Fa-la-la! 

Thank you so much for spending a few moments with us here today!  Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season filled with magic and love!

~Rhonda

Quote of the Week

"Advice is cheap...It's the things that come gift-wrapped that count" -Horace Vandergelder (Hello Dolly)

Wall Mount A-Z

Happy Holidays to everyone! 

This month I am featuring the Clip it Up Wall Mount.  I've used mine above carts that hold my seasonal and cooking papers.  The Wall Mount hangs above the two carts and I was able to put all of my seasonal and  cooking embellishments on it.

It holds a ton of embellishments and I still have room for more!!
Using the wall mount for embellishments is just one way to use it! 

I came up with an alphabet of uses and here they are, from A-Z:
A- acrylic stamps
B- buttons, brads
C- collage clips, cards, chipboard
D- die cuts, decoupage pictures
E- embellishments, ephemera, embroidery floss
F- fabric, flowers, felt
G- German scrap
H- handmade paper, holiday craft items
I-  ideas from magazines
J- jewelry making supplies
K- knitting patterns, kits
L- letters, latchhook yarns
M- metal items, mini books
N- number stickers, new product
O- origami paper
P- photos, patterns
Q- quilling items
R- ribbon, rhinestones, rub-ons
S- scraps of paper, stickers, stencils
T- Tim Holtz products, trims
U- unfinished projects
V- velvet scraps
W- wool felting supplies
X- x-stitch supplies
Y- yarn
Z- zillions of things!!!

I hope Santa brings you lots of Clip it Up products and that 2011 will be your best (and most organized) year ever!!

Joan

Clip it Up and Baseball Hats

The cool thing about the Clip it Up Swinging Wall Arm is that I can utilize the space behind the door but not hinder the use of either door and it won't squish the hats! 

I used an elastic strip and tied loops in it to insert the clips.  As the elastic stretched, I added more loops.  I can always add another elastic string if needed to the arm. 

I added more hats and even the floopy hats that never would have worked with my old system, with a max of 9 hats, that needed the adjuster in the back to hang it from. 

BEFORE

I painted it to blend in with the white walls.

I love this option to utilize the limited space in my son's small room.

Thanks again Renee!!
Crystal Meads

Crystal- thanks so much for sharing your great idea!!! We love getting fun, new ideas from our customers. If you have a fun new way to use the Clip it Up email us at clipitup@gmail.com!

Simply Renee

The winner of the Floor Model is…

It’s that time! We  know you’re all anxious to hear who the winner is so we won’t delay … much :-)

First of all we want to thank everyone who participated and please continue to comment on our blog and facebook.  We love your comments and they make our blog better.  Also we’ll continue to have random drawings. 

Now for the drawing.  It was really hard to hit that button on random.org but we did it and we got a winner.  If it’s not you please don’t be sad, keep reading for we have 2 other drawings plus a present for everyone!

The winner of the Clip it Up Floor Model is…

Bethany Collins Hardy

Congratulations!  Bethany may have been our most diligent to participate.  She posted a comment on both Facebook and our Blog almost everyday.  Persistence  really did pay off this time!She definitely deserved the win and I hope she knows we expect pictures very soon. :-)

We had 2 prizes that were never claimed so we decided to give them away to the individuals who commented the most on our Blog and Facebook.  We actually had a tie between a few so we went back to random.org and had it pick our winner. 

The blog winner is : Jbuffan (also known as Beth R.) and she won the 36” Clip it Up Ribbon Organizer!

The Facebook winner is : Joyce Casaldi and she won the Clip it Up Jumbo!

Congratulations to Bethany, Beth & Joyce! Don’t forget to email us your addresses to clipitup@gmail.com, so we can ship your prize in time for Christmas.

We really wish we could have given everyone a Floor Model so for everyone else we’re giving you 30% off your entire retail order at www.clipitup.com.  Valid today until Jan 1st, use coupon code : Christmas2010 at checkout.

Don’t forget the last day to order and receive your order before Christmas is Thursday Dec. 16. (US  only, international orders take 4-6 weeks to ship).  So hurry and get shopping!

Merry Christmas!

Simply Renee Team

 

Indulge me for a moment please while I get a little sentimental…

This is my favorite time of year!  We have November to remind us what we have and should  be grateful for, and then the month of December to remind us  that “love, hope and charity” is really the best gifts you give and receive. 

People tend to be kinder, more willing to forgive and forget,  our hearts are touched by the sadness in the world  around us and more willing to help those in need.  We all need something!  Sometimes the best gifts aren’t  wrapped with pretty paper and bows.  Sometimes it’s just a hug, smile, or random act of kindness. 

It is my Christmas wish that we will all be mindful of those around us and try to do one random act of kindness daily!  Not just this month, but throughout the whole year.  Ask yourself – What  have I done for someone today?  I can promise you if we all did this each day – the world would be a better place! 

Have a truly joyful holiday season and thanks for your support throughout the years!

Renee

Design Team Call

I know everyone is excited for today’s drawing, but we have one thing we want to announce first.  We’re looking for a new design team. I can’t believe it’s that time again.  We’ve loved our current design team and we’re so sad to let them go.  They’ve all done a fabulous job and I’m glad we still have 1 more month together. 

Due date for applications is January 10, but don’t procrastinate you won’t want to miss this opportunity. Here’s the official call:

Scrapbookers/Crafters/Quilters Design Team Call

We are looking for 3-5 talented designers to participate as members of our design team. Anybody who loves to scrapbook, craft and/or quilt we’d love to have you apply.

To apply please email:

· Contact Information

· Headshot or Photo

· Short Bio

· Resume including publication (if any)

· Link to your blog and usernames on pertinent online forums

· .jpegs of 3 projects (any combination of altered art, layout and/or cards)

Expectations:

· One picture of Simply Renee’s product setup and in use (does not have to hold scrapbooking products) and short review.

o YouTube video would be great if possible

· 5-6 blog entries about recent projects

o Including pictures and instructions

Compensation:

· Free Clip it Up product/s (to be determined)

· Discount on Clip it Up products

· Link to your blog on Simply Renee Inc’s blog

Deadlines:

· An average of 1 blog post a month and a list will be sent out to all members telling them when their posts are due.

Simply Renee Inc retains the right to approve or disapprove of any blog content and to change it accordingly (writer will be notified of changes) and to use the design team member’s likeness, designs, comments, blogs for publication or as we see fit, giving the design team member full and proper credit.

Submissions will be accepted now through January 10^th, 2011 at 11:59 MST. Email clipitup@gmail.com

Christmas Gift Idea- Make your own earrings!

Lesley here with you today and I'm going to try and convince you to make jewelry.  I was always intimidated when it came to jewelry, because I didn't know the first thing about it.  After my friend started making it and selling it, and I took a hard look at how she put it together, I realized that it's pretty doable!  All you need besides the beads is a couple tools and the basics like jump rings, head pins, earring loops.

 

 

I shot a video for you today on making the above pair of earrings.  Below are the beads and findings I needed to make these earrings, all organized in the Small Zip Bags from Simply Renee.

And here they are hanging from my 36" Ribbon Organizer!

And here is a video, made just for you!

In case you need some close ups of the looping of the head pin, here are steps 1 - 3.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and try making jewelry sometime!  If you already make jewelry, now might be a good time to think about a Clip-It-Up for storage.  Think about Zip Bags for your crimp beads, jump rings, eye pins, wiring, clasps and toggles, not to mention seeing all your beautiful beads and pendants. 

________________________________

**GIVEAWAY ALERT**

It's Christmas, and we want one of you to have these earrings.  Please leave a comment on this post and we'll pick a winner.  If you also leave a post on my blog (earring post), you'll get an extra chance to win! Hopefully, you'll get them in time for Christmas morning!

I'll announce the winner on my blog this Friday, so you have 2 days to leave some comments.

Bye for now.

Final Week-Dec. 16 last day to order

We can’t believe Christmas is less than 2 weeks away.  We just wanted to remind you all that the last day to place orders and get them in time is this Thursday, December 16 (U.S. orders only).   Anything after that we’ll process and get out as soon as possible but it may not make it before Christmas. 

Also we have a NEW bundle pack on our website and it is a great value.

The 36” Ribbon Organizer and Attachment together are now only $78! Click here to order at this great price!

This is a great gift for the Ribbon Lover in your life.  Hurry and order!!!

Plus don’t forget the Floor Model drawing is coming up soon!!!

Quote of the Week

"A will finds a way" - Orison Swett Marden

Quote of the Week

"Wisdom is knowing what to do; virtue is doing it."

-- David Jordan, scientist

I thought I would share a quick and easy holiday garland that my 8 yr old daughter and I made to revamp up our Christmas tree this year.  It really is very flexible, use different colors for different seasons you could also add snowflakes in between the balls and hang it like a swag, endless possibilities.

1.  Use a circle punch and any paper (I used some vintage sheet music) to create 6 circles.

2.  Fold each circle in half and then glue them all together, half to half.

When you get to the last of six folded circles put the string or thread down the center and glue it together.

  

3.  I just used my hand with to space the circle. 

4.  My string is cut into 3 yard lengths to make it a little bit easier to handle.

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe holiday.

Jenifer

Clip it Up Jumbo Winner

Thanks to Teresa Collins and to everyone who posted comments yesterday.  The winner of the Clip it Up Jumbo is

Karey said...

I think my favorites are 10 and 8. On 10 the designer used gems to make a belt buckle and on 8 I like the tab. Thank you for giving us the chance to win.

Congratulations Karey!!! Email us at clipitup@gmail.com to claim your prize.

For everyone else- don’t forget about the Clip it Up Floor Model drawing.  Only 8 days left.

Simply Renee

Teresa Collins and a Clip it Up Giveaway

I'm sure you all know Teresa Collins and love her and her designs as much as we do.  We had the opportunity to meet her last year and we found out that loves the Clip it Up.  Click here to see her Clip it Up in action.

We're joining forces today to give you a chance to win a Clip it Up Jumbo.

To enter visit her blog www.teresacollins.typepad.com and then come back to ours and leave a comment on our blog telling me which Christmas tag is your favorite. (scroll through all the December posts, she's putting a new tag up every day).  You have to leave a comment on this post to be entered!!!

Winner will be announced tomorrow on our blog.  Make sure you check and see if it's you!

Simply Renee Inc

Quote of the Week

"Savor the moments that are warm and special and giggly" - Sammy Davis Jr.

Carol’s Clip it Up Video!

Technorati Tags: Clip it Up Jumbo,Scrapbook Organization,Simply Renee

Hi Everyone!

I've been showing you organizational ideas using a Clip It Up Jumbo.  Today, I want to show you my Clip It Up Jumbo, how easy it is to add an Upper Tier, and I also want to show you how much I like both the small and the large Zip Bags!

In the video, I mentioned Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas!  Be sure to visit him every day up until December 12th!  His creativity will amaze and inspire you!

I also mention my "25 Days Until Christmas" book.  Visit Ali Edward's blog for more information on a December Daily.  This is my third year creating a December book!  It's such a worthwhile project, and I love it!

Get organized!!  :)

Carol

Aphra’s Clip it Up

While shooting my video, I realized just how many Thickers and embellies I have store on my Clip It Ups.  Many of which I have had for a long time.  These cute Christmas stickers are from 2006.

And I have several packages of every color Thickers.  I think I counted twelve red ones alone.

So, I decided to issue myself a little stash challenge.  I grabbed those Christmas stickers and several sets of red and green Thickers and some scraps of patterned paper. 

Perfect for getting a jumpstart on my Christmas cards.  Here are the two cards that I had fun creating.


Both of these cards took me less than 30 minutes to make and didn't cost me a thing.  And two of my co-workers will be thrilled to receive them. 
Thanks for stopping by today!
Aphra

Billies Favorite Things-Clip it Up

Visit Billie’s blog to read the entire post.

If Oprah can have her favorite things, I can have mine too. This is my latest favorite thing, the Clip It Up by Simply Renee…

All of the rulers I have on this are from 4 drawers that I used for my ruler collection, plus 1 drawer I used for all of my rotary cutters. ..

Billie’s blog : asewingwewillgo.blogspot.com

Thanks for sharing your pictures with us Billie.  We love seeing the Clip it Up in action.  We’d love to see more pictures from our customers.  Send us pictures or links to clipitup@gmail.com.

Don’t forget to comment to win a Clip it Up Floor Model (details here).

Simply Renee

Drawing Winner

Now that we’re all back from our holiday weekend, we think it is a great time for a drawing. 

Today’s winner is JBuffan!  Congrats you win a Clip it Up Swinging Wall Arm! Email us at clipitup@gmail.com to claim your prize.

 

The Swinging Wall Arm is actually one of my favorite Clip it Up product!  I have mine in my closet to hold all my necklaces and I LOVE it!!!.

We have 2 unclaimed prizes from last week. We’ll give them a few more days.

Amber Russell Treat won the 36” Ribbon Organizer

Megan A. won the Wall Mount

If anyone  knows these ladies let them know about their prize!!!

Thanks and have a fabulous Monday.

Simply Renee

Quote of the Week

"It is not easy to find happiness within ourselves, but it is not possible to find it elsewhere" _Agnes Repplier

So many things to be thankful for…

Technorati Tags: Organize Ribbon,Scrapbook Organization,Clip it Up,Simply Renee

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our American friends!! Here in Canada, we celebrate Thanksgiving in October… but I wish you all a wonderful weekend!

Today I have a project to share with you! While I had planned on doing a “Thankful” themed project, something happened in my life that I just had to document. That is what I have decided to share with you today.

On June 1^st a little boy was born… he was adopted by two amazingly loving and caring parents. When he was 3 days old, he was airlifted to a children’s hospital where he spent the next 5 months and 13 days. It was there that this little boy took his last breath. Though I never had the opportunity to meet this little boy, he impacted my life. This is the project that I chose to share with you today.

 

I do not share this project with you to make you sad. It actually has helped me to be so much more thankful. Thankful for my 5 children. Thankful for our health. Thankful for the time that I have with them. Thankful for the opportunity to be involved in this little boy’s life by praying daily for him. Life is a journey full of ups and downs. I choose to be thankful for them all, for it is the ups AND the downs that make us who we are.

Whoo… deep stuff!! J

Now, on to some organizing tips, whadda ya say? J

First thing I want to share with you is how I keep my packages of pearls and gems.

I use a binder ring and add MANY packages of pearls to it. Then I attach the ring to my Clip it Up Upper Tier! When I want to use the pearls, I can then take the entire large ring off and take it to the table rather than have to take off each individual package I want to use! I have LOTS of these little packages… and it would take up an entire tier! Maybe I need a Mini for them? Hmmm… ;)

Second tip for you is regarding trims. I know some people have TONS of trims and ribbons. I do not. I don’t have enough to get me one of those gorgeous ribbon organizers! So, I have a ribbon issue… Here’s what I came up with!

I use the divider tabs for ribbon storage! I trim the sides down as shown below, and wrap my ribbon around!

I sometimes use a dot of removable adhesive to stick the trim to the base. Then I use a pin to keep it together after I wrap it! Perfect for my favorite trims that I want to keep right there with me!

Thank you for sticking with me thru this post! I wish you a HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Until next time…. Happy Organizing!

Tina

Supplies:

Patterned paper and embellishments: Pink Paislee, Alpha’s: American Crafts, Flowers and butterfly: Prima, Chipboard: Magistical Memories, Technique Tuesday, Pearls; Basic Grey, Doily; Dollarama, Chipboard hearts: Doodlebug, pins; Maya Road, Stamp: Inkadinkadoo

All good things…must come to an end!

Well, I had the privilege to be a part of the first and only design team for Tim Holtz!

With Tim’s hectic schedule and  travels, I don’t know how he gets anything done, so adding a design team and what goes along with that became too much and he felt it was only fair to us to discontinue it!

If you want to read his write-up about it,  go to: http://timholtz.typepad.com/my_weblog/

I just wanted to thank all his friends and fans who visited our website to see the projects I posted for Tim.  It was such an honor and privilege to be asked, let alone be named among all the other amazing artists.  I completely felt out of their league, but I so enjoyed the challenge!

Since starting my business, I haven’t had the time to be  creative.  My goal this year was to get back to being the creative person  I’m capable of being.  I claimed the BIG room in my house as “mine” and created a work area I LOVE being in! Next, when my friend Diane, (Graphic 45) asked me to help her with her steampunk line, I was sooooo nervous because she is AMAZING!  I did their hats, the dress form, and some projects for her booth.  It was the first time anyone in the business saw me as a “creative type” instead of just an “organizing type”.  Two weeks later, I got an e-mail from Tim asking me to be on his Design Team!  See…setting goals really help make things happen!

Thank you Tim for this amazing opportunity to push myself, re-create my crazy life, and return to what I love and need to do to feel like I’m being true to who I am!

It was an AMAZING ride while it lasted and I appreciate being on the best Design Team you ever had – and the only one!!!  :>)

Loved the journey!

Renee

Random Drawing- 36” Ribbon Organizer

Congratulations to Amber Russell Treat she is the winner of today’s random drawing for a 36” Ribbon Organizer. Amber email us at clipitup@gmail.com to claim your prize. 

Thanks to everyone who has commented on our facebook page, and blog!  Keep the comments coming.  The Floor Model drawing is coming up quick.

Simply Renee

Quote of the Week

"One cannot have too large a party" - Jane Austen

Gnomes and Minis

I went to a scrapbooking crop this past weekend.  As I looked out over the room, I saw Clip it Ups on many tables.  What a great way to take alphabets, embellishments, stamps and more!  The Clip it Up makes it easy to see what you have, easy to transport your things and doesn't take up much table space.  Everyone I talked to loves their Clip it Ups!!

This is a layout I made at the crop.  It's my great-nephew, Milo, in his Halloween costume.

I'd like to share ideas for using the Mini Clip it Up.  It may be the smallest member of the Clip it Up family, but it certainly is just as hard working as its bigger family members! I am using my mini for my Slice cards and Cuttlebug embossing folders.

This has saved me lots of room and makes it easier to see what I have. The items are also more easily accessible.  I removed the Slice cards from the boxes they came in and put them into small bags, along with the design booklet.

 
There are, however, many other uses for the Mini Clip it Up....
It would be helpful when building a house or doing home remodeling/improvements.  Bills from contractors, receipts, ideas from magazines, paint samples, room sketches, fabric swatches for furniture, even countertop chip samples all fit wonderfully on the Mini!

  
Other ideas for the Mini are:  Barbie clothes and shoes, clear stamp sets, beads, bags of buttons and/or brads sorted by color, nuts and bolts for the garage or basement workbench, on a teacher's desk for notes, lunch slips, attendance cards, upcoming meetings...  The Mini Clip it Up can be used in many different ways!

Joan Liddle

Don’t forget to comment and be entered into random drawings and the big one for the Floor Model (drawing to be held in December).