Meet Raisin Boat!

I am so thrilled to bring to you an interview today from Raisin Boat. If you have not met yet they are a stamp rental (and sales) company and just amazing!!! We, the designers of If It's Groovy, have been playing with their stamps for weeks now, and will be showing you so many projects using them that I can hardly contain my excitement! I hope you will feel inspired! I will be waiting to hear what you think, in fact after all projects have shown I will toss the names of each person who leaves a comment into a hat so that you too can enjoy Raisin Boat Stamps, generously donated for YOU! Each comment will earn you more chances. Cool right?

You can find them here and if you would like to visit and "like" them on Facebook go here.

Now let me introduce you to Kim and Bobbi!!!
Deb♥


Hi Kim and Bobbi! Thanks for taking time from your day to answer a few questions!

First, please tell us about you!
We both grew up in the Madison, WI area and are now raising our families here, too – yes, despite the chilly winters! J Kim is married to Mike and has a 10-year-old daughter, Bella, and a 6-year-old daughter, Alayna. Bobbi is married to Kevin and has nearly-9-year-old twins, Olivia and Tarek. We both left jobs in corporate marketing to start up Raisin Boat.

How did you start Raisin Boat? How did you decide on the cute name?
We’ve always loved stamping and scrapbooking, and we found ourselves constantly loaning out stamp sets to friends and vice versa. It just gets impossible to buy and store every single stamp set you’d ever want to use, especially since occasions and design trends change all the time! We thought rental would be a great solution – it gives access to sets for almost any given project or need without the forever-long commitment. Plus there’s no more guilt in using a set for just one image or one creation!

The name gets us a lot of raised eyebrows, but it really does have a meaningful explanation! If you take our kids’ first names and shuffle them around, you get the acronym BOAT. We’re “raisin” our kids to dream and to take a leap of faith for their passions in life like we’ve done with Raisin Boat.

Stamp Rentals? Genius idea! Can you explain a little about how it works?
Our rental service is really easy to use! Our renters just pick a plan (based on how many sets they want out at a time per month). Then they make their own Pick List of the sets they want, in the order they’d like to receive them. We ship sets out with a postage-paid return envelope, and they send them back whenever they’re done for the next ones on their Pick List! All of our plans include shipping both ways, so it’s such an affordable and fun way to stamp and scrap!
 
If a customer finds that they cannot part with the stamp set they are renting can they purchase that set?
Yes! In fact, they get an extra good deal doing this! By clicking “Buy this rental set” next to the checked-out set name in their Pick List, they keep it at a 20% discount and zero shipping cost since it’s already in their hands. Plus they automatically get the next rental on their Pick List as a replacement – no matter how many sets they’ve already received that month!

By the way, we also sell brand-new, unused sets that are not part of our rental circulation. If renters want to buy a totally new set, they still get a 20% discount on it but they do pay the shipping charge in this case. And we should also note that anyone can buy from Raisin Boat – not just renters!

So, we’re really kind of like the “library” and the “bookstore”!

What are your stamps made from?
Our stamps are made of clear photopolymer. This was the clear choice for us (sorry, couldn’t resist!) when we started producing Raisin Boat stamps because the transparent material allows such easy, error-proof positioning when making projects. (We all know how frustrating it is to stamp with a wood block and end up with a crooked phrase when the rest of the card is all done!)

It was also a storage decision – clear stamps take up so little space, and they’re lightweight to haul off to scrapbooking getaways and such. We store each of our own personal Raisin Boat stamp sets inside a plastic CD case. The stamps cling naturally to the case – so slick.

We know there are really bad clear stamps out there, but our customers will tell you that Raisin Boat sets stamp cleanly and crisply and hold ink like a true rubber stamp. If you want to try them out for yourself, our rental introductory trial is a perfect way to give them a test drive!

Because a customer will be using the stamps and sending them back to you, does it matter that stains may show on the stamps before returning? Do you recommend a special way of cleaning them?
It doesn’t matter at all! Every stamp on the market “stains”, often on the very first use – but that doesn’t change how well it stamps.

When sets are returned to us, we have a team that very thoroughly cleans the stamps with professional solution and refreshes the entire packaging before they go back into circulation. So even though some of the images may be stained, no one ever needs to be concerned about getting “dirty” stamps. And there’s also no need to worry about staining the stamps – we want you to use them and have fun with them!

To clean stamps before returning them, you can simply wipe them off gently with a damp rag or stamp cleaner like you would with any other stamp. If a stamp doesn’t feel as sticky as usual, it can be restored by swishing it in warm water and mild liquid soap.

How often do you release new stamp sets?
For the last year, we’ve released a new stamp set nearly every week to reach our current total of over 210 exclusive Raisin Boat sets. During the upcoming summer months, we’ll turn our focus to other exciting new product developments and preparations for the CHA trade and consumer show, but we’ll start right back up again with a series of new weekly releases in the fall. We’re always working on new set designs!

Thanks for letting us learn more about you and Raisin Boat, thanks for the opportunity to show you how we loved creating with your stamps, thanks for the sponsorship! You rock~!
Deb♥

See you tomorrow with the first project!!!

An Interview and Giveaway with Nikki Sivils

Groovy Friends I am delighted to share with you an interview I have with Nikki Sivils which will follow...but read all the way to the end because there is a GIVEAWAY!!!


Hi, Nikki! Thanks for being here and spending some time with us here at If It's Groovy today!


Well thank you so much for having me!



How did you start your art?

I’ve been doodling for years; I’ve never been a big sit down and draw kind of person but always doodling on restaurant napkins, on airplanes, car trips and I’m even known to wake up in the middle of the night and draw on the paper pad that sit on my night stand! I still doodle all the time. However I have now started to sit down and take the time to do more serious sketching. I can’t draw like a portrait of someone but I can sure draw some cute animals and fun images!


Are you a crop kind of girl or studio queen?


I’m both actually! I love my craft studio, as it’s a huge 2-room loft over the living room and kitchen. It’s also my personal office for work too. This use to be my preferred place to scrapbook b/c I get so much more done by myself at home but now that “work” is also in my home when I go to a crop I’m a machine popping out layouts like crazy! I especially like 2-day crops where you can leave your stuff and come back the next day, not having to set up my stuff all over again. Love that!
I also like going to crops because I love meeting new people at different events! I’ve met some life long friends at scrapbook crops! In fact one of my best friends I met at a crop 4 or 5 years ago and we go to crops all the time together and I even outsource work to her for my company!


When I read that you were "living your dream", I knew that I would love to have some time talking with you! Like so many other paper crafters, a little birdie told me that you like paper! Many of us have that in common! How many sheets of paper would you say you accumulated in your first year of scrapbooking and card making?


Well the thing is I started scrapbooking over 20 years ago and there wasn’t any scrapbook paper back then, instead I used magazines, newspapers, restaurant menus and construction paper. Crazy to even think that now! But when scrapbook papers started to appear I bought just a bit b/c it was so new and strange, well I’ve made up for that… I must have over a couple hundred thousand sheets of paper… seriously! (Don’t tell my hubby though.)


Paying visits to your blog, we learn that living your dream meant designing and manufacturing your own paper! That's how you do it! Create your own stash right? Can you tell us how you brought that to life?


I’ve been sketching for years and have jotted down every little detail of an image or character that I’d like to see come to life on paper. (I have several notebooks full of ideas, some of which I’ve used and some may never come to life.) Anyway I told my husband that I’d like to start designing scrapbook paper, knowing how much I loved to scrapbook he started researching the industry to find out if this is something that might be possible and what my first steps would be. Dan, my husband, is an attorney so he’s like a super great researcher that would in the end pay off big for me. Long story short, he left his law firm and started running this company with me. Which I can tell you was a huge risk and I still think his partners in the firm are thinking he’s crazy! But for me it’s in-house council, which was been wonderful…. I have not had to read one single contract, I’ve not had to spend 100’s of dollars on an attorney to negotiate contracts for me and we work really great together! But I think the best part is that his stress level has gone down by a thousand percent not having to deal with law cases, now he just has to deal with me! Bless his heart!


Please share with us about your adorable mascot!


That’s my sweet boy, Willie-B! He’s in dog haven now healthy and chasing squirrels I’m sure! My Willie-B was a bit round in the mid-section with these little legs so when I was coming up with a mascot I used him; and since his name ended with “B” I thought Willie-B in a bee costume would be awesome. Bees aren’t meant to fly because they are much too large for their tiny wings (kind of like Willie-B and his little short legs) that I thought it would be perfect for my mascot! I also wanted to keep his memory alive for as long as possible, he was very special to me and I had gotten him about 2 years before my husband and I met so Willie-B was my little “man”! I sure miss him! I miss him every single day!

I’m also huge “dog” lover too; and I’m apart of several “Yorkshire Terrier” rescues in the Midwest! I’ve personally rescued over a 100 dogs from puppy mills (which are really bad in my area) and well just finding them lost on the streets! If you follow my blog I occasionally have a dog I’ve found or rescued and trying to find him or her a forever home. I’m VERY strict about where I place my rescues, I’ve been told its like getting past a federal agent to meet with the president! But having said that my rescues have all been successful members of their new families in their new forever homes! (Please spay and neuter your pets and don’t buy your puppies in pet stores! Okay off my soapbox now! ;)


When I saw your paper lines and embellishments I was so taken by the cute names of each paper line! How do you come up with those?


Those actually are very easy for me, I normally come up with a name of a paper line first, then start writing info and details about what I want it to be, and then start sketching until its what I want. An example is I have a new spring 2011 paper line called Max & Mollie, its named after my twin niece and nephews then I just go from their. Sometimes they break off into two different collections and even a different name, but mostly I name them first.
Examples:
My paper line “Victoria’s Street”, I designed b/c my niece, Victoria, had just moved down the street from me, well my sister, her momma did!
“Henry’s Brilliance” was named after my kiddo Henry because well I think he’s brilliant! (Don’t we all think our kids are smart!)

“Ellie’s Day Out”, it was named and designed for my niece Ellie, who is very sweet and shy.

“My Friend Birdie” is named and designed for my best friend, Birdie, who has these cute little bird legs!

“Sugar Cookie” the paper that you all get to play with, it was designed b/c my mom would make these giant sugar cookies for us on Valentines Day and we would decorate them and then eat them! That’s why the one paper called “Cookie Love” that has a huge cookie on it, its just like the one my mom use to make!

And some of my paper lines I dream up like “North Pole Nights” and “Willow Bee” these lines also each tell their own story!


How were you inspired when creating your paper products? Do you start with music, doodle, take walks?


Oops, I think I answered that in the question above… I ramble sometimes!


Which is your personal favorite? Can you show us creations with that line of paper/embellishments?


This is like asking which of my kids is my favorite! Which actually I only have one so I can say… Henry is my favorite! So I guess it would be like asking which of my 4 dogs are my favorite… I can’t pick just one!

When I actually talk about my papers individually I seem to always say “This is my favorite line….” but really I love them all. I guess “My Sweet Cherry Pie” will always be my “first born” and so I do have an attachment to it that I don’t have with the others. I design every paper line with some kind of memory or for someone or story line. Like “Victoria’s Street” which is named after my niece, Victoria, that moved down the street from me.





















































Along with running a fun business you had to have thought of downfalls too since we are living in an economy that is experiencing issues. How did you weigh the pros and cons for starting at the time you chose? Any advice you would give to someone wanting to follow this path?


Great question! Well when we very first decided to do this business the economy had not quite as tanked as bad as it has lately but we knew it was headed in that direction. So we took a risk, you have to take them if you want to live your dream. You just have too. We started the company about 9 months before our first release. It takes a ton of time and patients to start your own business. We had no friends in the industry that owned a scrapbook company so we had no one to ask for help or ask questions, we just found and did it our own way. Looking back now there are things I’d do again and many I would not, live and learn right! Be willing to make mistakes, because I’ve made some pretty bad ones! Like shipping a pallet of paper that weighted 100’s of lbs to the wrong state, not even the correct side of the United States… Oh and the best part I shipped it to a PO Box! Now that was an interesting phone call! We laugh now but it took a bit of time for me to get to that point!! LOL

It’s the hardest job I’ve ever had and the most fun and rewarding too! I’ve cried my eyes out and I’ve beamed with joy! I’m learning to not take things personal but when a paper line that you put your heart and soul into doesn’t sell well it’s hard to not blame yourself and get your feelings hurt. Once I got on a website that someone had said there was a really nice “thread” going on, on a certain forum, so I went and checked it out… there were so many nice things said that it brought tears to my eyes, then a couple of ladies were really hateful about some of my paper designs and it literally broke my heart. I cried and was really hurt, and certainly I understand my designs are not everyone’s style but words hurt when you’ve worked really hard on something and then it’s being talked badly about. So you have to have thick skin… which I’m trying to work on, but honestly not that good at.

You have to except failure… some things just fail. You have to have a good support group of family and friend’s b/c I work 70 plus hours a week, which was hard for some of my family members (outside my home) to except at first. Heck I didn’t even know how much work it would take. Also I often have to ask my family for help, when I need over 1,000 make-n-takes prepped for an event I can’t do it all by myself. You’ll often find my hubby on the couch at night before a big event punching circles and cutting paper, poor guy; he had no idea what he was getting into! Hee Hee

But mostly you have to BELIEVE. Believe in yourself and that your partner believes in you too. Dan has been my rock and is allowing me to live my dream.

Where can scrap and card enthusiasts find all of the exciting products you have created?


Several places. My website is http://www.nikkisivils.com/. I don’t sell to the consumer just wholesale but I do have a store finder on my website, and an awesome gallery where my Design Team Diva’s and I have our own galleries.

My blog has lots of inspiration every month and you can experience what I’m doing in my life and with my business on a weekly base.

http://nikkisdoghouse.blogspot.com/

Also I’m on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nikkisivilspaper and Twitter.

I have to tell you that one of the absolute coolest lines I have seen from your paper lines is Dan The Record Man! Groovy, if I do say so myself! Is there a story that goes with that one? Each piece reminds me of being a teenager~really awesome right down to the inserts for the 45's! Total flashbacks!

Thank you! I’ve heard that a lot! Gotta love flashbacks, right! Well my adorable hubby was in a band in college during the 80’s and he loves music so that’s how it came to be. I named the paper line first (which is how I normally start designing) then kind of went from there. I wanted something retro and groovy! ;)

One last question today that I like to ask...What makes you a Groovy Chick? I can answer it just by taking a look at the line we were just discussing, but what does being groovy mean to you?

Hee hee… groovy is great! Who doesn’t want to be groovy! Being fun and happy with a great personality, being able to go with the flow and see the lighter side of things. Also believe in who you really are!

Thanks also Nikki for sponsoring this month's challenge! I know that the lucky winner will feel so appreciative when she receives her goodies from Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker.

No problem… one of the perks of the business is getting to share my products with people! Thanks for having me and I hope you all enjoyed play with my Valentine line, Sugar Cookie! -Nikki

We have enjoyed it SO much and cannot wait to spend the month showing all of the projects we have been creating! Thanks again Nikki, for everything!

Deb♥

HERE IS THE CHALLENGE:
Our theme here at IIG this month is to create layouts using ♥♥hearts♥♥ Why not try using Nikki's sketch below? She and I will start our interpretation of it then follow along this month for The Groovy Chicks to do the same. Email me groovydeb@yahoo.com for a chance to win delicious products from Nikki's Sugar Cookie line :)

Here's Nikki's!
























and made by Groovy Deb♥












A Little Closer:
I really loved the white hearts so I heavily glittered them. Yum!











Using a template I created the alphabets you see here was able to create a title using the Sugar Cookie line as well.

Land of the Free, Because of the Brave- An Interview

Hey Everyone! Happy Veterans Day! I asked Lead Fiskateer Cheryl from Fiskars to have a chat with me. Although Cheryl represents Fiskars and the Fiskateers with their colors of orange and green, when I first online met her I knew she also had a passion for three other colors: Red White and Blue.; I know you will love her as much as I do when you read what she shares today in this interview :) Thanks to all of you for stopping by and now I bring you Cheryl...

Hi Cheryl, Thank You so much for agreeing to be my inspiration for the Land of the Free, Because of the Brave Blog Hop. Since I first met you there was one thing extremely apparent to me, one, that in your position as Lead Fiskateer that You are the "heart" of a wonderful community that stretches across our nation and many others. Secondly, You have a sense of American Pride that I find extremely endearing. I love this country and am so proud to be a citizen and I know you do too!

Hi Deb. First, I want to say thank you for the encouraging and loving words. I do love this country and the principles it was founded upon. I'm grateful I live here and can first hand (having lived overseas for six years) tell you that it is a wonderful and beautiful land!

Thank you!

Nation. To me that word means so much and I am absolutely honored when I see the Red, White and Blue American flags flying. Will you tell me what is is like for you?

I love seeing flags flying and patriotism displayed in a proud manner. The 'Grand Ol' Flag' has endured many a things and it's symbols of fifty states united, democracy and freedom stand tall. One thing that saddens me is when you see people in this land disgrace the flag. Our armed services have sacrificed for the symbol of 'Old Glory' and the freedoms the flag stands for! Long may she wave!

Have you or your family members served in our military? What branches?

My grandfather and several great uncles served in the Army, I have a brother in law that served almost thirty years in the Navy, my dad served in the Vietnam War in the Navy as well and my husband served as a Marine in Operation Desert Storm and Shield. I have several dear friends who also serve in different branches in the services. I'm so grateful that all of my family returned from their duties overseas. I'll never forget welcoming my husband home from the Persian Gulf. A memory of yellow, red, white and blue, tears, love, and pride engraved in my mind. We even had a military wedding . . .


















How did having family serving affect you and how you feel about being an American?

I grew up appreciating the sacrifice that those who serve in the armed forces provide for us as Americans. I also grew up with a respect of those that serve and the principles they serve for . . . this country, freedom, and more. I'm assuming that may be why I married my husband (partially).

I grew up in an area where there were two large Marine Corps bases (El Toro and Tustin) and the town was buzzing with young men and women who serve our country. Jet fighters would fly over our home and it reminded me of feeling protected. They have since been closed but it was such a big part of our history here in Southern California.
Again, I'm grateful for being an American . . . first hand I've seen what an impoverished country is like and experienced lack of freedom. While America today has some issues . . . I am grateful for freedom and the people in our nation from the farmer or cowboy to the NY business man or Amish family member.

In our hobby of crafting we preserve so much of our personal history with day-to-day activities, have you spent time also scrapbooking travels in your role as a Military Supportive Wife and friend? If so, what type of emotion was evoked by scrapbooking at times such as those as personal as being in places far from your loved ones? Did your crafting hobby help to subside during those times or allow for you to meet others sharing in this hobby?

When my husband was away in the Persian Gulf I didn't scrapbook however I have preserved memories of this time and my father's service in the Vietnam war since. I want my daughter to share in the pride and joy (although frightening at times) experienced when a loved one serves his/her country. I work in public service/law enforcement and still have the opportunity to serve our country and community and that also gives me a since of joy. I have also scrapped many of these memories and even shared my skills in scrapbooking to help fund raise for the military, our troops overseas and the community.

On Veterans Day as we honor those who have served in our military is there someone special that you would want to talk with us about? Pictures?

I'd love to share one of my favorite pictures with you of my dad and his best friend on a beach which was bombed days later. To this day they are still the best of friends. It's amazing the bond of serving together (especially in war) creates. My father had two daughters and so did Terry . . . both families (united by war basically) are close and have enjoyed sharing one in another's lives. I think this is the only photo we have of them in Vietnam and one we cherish!
















Do you have special ceremonies, parades, celebrations that you participate in on Veterans Day?

Each year at my daughters school they hold a Veterans Day parade. They ask relatives that have served in the armed services to join their school age family members and walk in the parade. It gives teachers, parents, spouses and other family members the opportunity to recognize these men and women for their sacrifice and service! It's a fun parade!
We also enjoy our annual Fourth of July parade here in Lake Forest. We've been attending for at least twenty years and enjoy all the patriotic festivities surrounding this event. It's a favorite every year and another opportunity to recognize those that have served past and present for our country. Our family also loves all things American . . . hot dogs, baseball and Apple pie :)








Thank you for taking time with me today. Many wishes for a Happy Veterans Day and Thank You for all that you do to be a concerned, loving, caring and giving citizen who truly shines with love of her country and what she stands for, Land of the Free, Because of the Brave.

From sea to shining sea, as citizens I am hoping you'll thank that man or woman who serves or has served our country. God bless America!

One last thing from Cheryl and that is a quote she loves by our 16th president...


America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.
Abraham Lincoln