We will Miss You!!

Today has been a bittersweet day for us at Forever Memories. Sad to be closing our store, happy we have made so many wonderful friends and thankful that all our merchandise was taken home by you. We have laughed, cried, hugged and reminisced for the past two weeks with you. The phone call, e-mails, cards and well wishes have overwhelmed us.

WE ARE BLESSED!!!

Love to All

Just wanted to let you girls know that you sure will be missed!! I haven’t scrapped for a while (but it’s still downstairs waiting for my return!), but some of my best memories are when Carrie Morgan, Erica Shaffer and I used to come to crops for a mommy’s night out. Most of our kids were under 2 at the time, and it was always such a fun and NEEDED escape for a few hours! Forever Memories was the best scrapbook store around, and I never did care to shop anywhere else (one in particular, but I shouldn’t name names…). You made all your customers feel like old friends.
Thanks so much for that. Love you guys and good luck,Stacey Coggin

Debbie~ you have been so sweet and helpful everytime I entered the store. I have learned so many things from you and Debb. I am so sorry for the loss of the store. I started scrappin only a few years ago and your store is what inspired me to start. I feel like I have made true friends. You are the best and may God Bless you in many ways. I will miss seeing you often and hope that we can stay in touch....Memories last Forever!!
Thank you for everything~ Stephanie

THANK YOU IS NOT ENOUGH

Since the announcement, we have received so much encouragement, support and love. We know we have been enriched by the 5 1/2 years we have been a part of your lives. We wanted to share this post with all of you because it speaks for Forever Memories.

A Very Sad Day There is such a heaviness in my heart today. One of my favorite people in the whole world, Debbie Burks, has announced that she is closing the doors of her beloved store and one of my favorite places on the planet ... Forever Memories. The economic times are weighing heavy on lots of businesses and scrapbook stores are definitely falling victim. Forever Memories was not just a scrapbook store and it will truly be missed by those who have come to love the warm atmosphere within her walls and the feeling of "family" there. It was a place where so many wonderfully talented, creative and caring ladies met for crops, classes and just to stop by and say "hi" and see how the family was doing.I have had the distinct honor and pleasure of teaching classes and doing free Technique Thursdays for Debbie at Forever Memories. I decided to teach there and do free techniques training because the people at Forever Memories "get it". They get that selling stuff is okay and you have to do that to stay in business but it is SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT. It is about making sure your customers UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY ARE BUYING so that they can use their product to its full potential. At Forever Memories, they get that scrapbooking should be about preserving memories of loved ones for future generations. It's not about the cute layout of the month or stocking the gaudiest, sparkliest papers that will be in style for about 10 minutes. It IS about taking old photographs, letters and other sentimental items and carefully, lovingly placing them on pages that will become family treasures. It IS about expressing yourself artistically and not being afraid to try a new technique. It IS about the RELATIONSHIPS that are developed and cherished in that little community of lovely ladies who share the same philosophy. And even though the doors are closing, all of those artsy ladies are committed to staying together and continuing our friendships, sharing our ideas and encouraging each other in our artistic endeavors.Debbie provided us with that special little unique place at Forever Memories because she "got it" that scrapbooking, paper crafting and art in general is NOT about what is the new "hot lick" product just out at CHA. It's NOT about how much "stuff" you can cram into a store and shove in the face of your customers; nevermind if you know how to use it or not. It's not about sending people out of your store with sacks full of "stuff" that will sit in a craft room and end up in a garage sale because no one ever took the time to explain to them or show them how to use it. It's NOT about going from store to store and taking ideas for classes or displays because you don't have enough creative people in your own store to come up with original and unique ideas. It's NOT about lying to people who shop in your store and ask if there are other scrapbook stores in the area and you tell them "no" when you KNOW that there are. It's NOT about having an attitude of glee when another scrapbook store goes out of business ... because tomorrow, it could be your store. It's NOT about any of that.So, for those of you who are reading this blog and continue to shop at stores that have no "heart", you truly are missing out on what scrapbooking and art are all about. It's NOT about how much "stuff" you can accumulate. It's about being in a place that encourages you and challenges you to create and to become better with each piece you make. Forever Memories; the store will be missed. But, what Forever Memories stood for will live on in the hearts of those ladies who loved our little unique place and will continue to come together to create and share our art and our lives. At Forever Memories, "Scrapbooking Is A Work Of Heart" and it always will be. ~ Candy Colwell

Special Announcement

It is with deep sorrow in my heart
that I have to announce the closing of our store,
Forever Memories.
What a very difficult decision,
but because of
circumstances beyond my control,

the process must start immediately.

Starting Monday, June 8 at 10 am,
all merchandise will be 25% off.

Cash or Credit Card only

No Checks

Store Fixtures and Display Units

will also be for sale. Ask for pricing.

It has been a great honor to be a part of your lives. I appreciate so much the sharing, caring, laughter and tears as we made this journey with you. Our lives have been so enriched and I really appreciate your support of our store. I hope we have helped each other discover what the most important things in life are. So, remember as the store closes that--

MEMORIES ARE FOREVER

Calling All Creative Souls....

We invite you to join us on Monday morning at
10 am for a couple of hours of fun.
If you've not met with us before,
just bring any project you would like to work on.
There's always plenty of support,
help or opinions if needed.
Even if you are not feeling creative that day,
come visit and be inspired.
The gathering and the friendship are free!!!

Don't Forget!!

Thursday Evening

Free Techniques

GrungePaper and Colorization

Thursday May 21

6:30 - 8:00 pm

Thank You!!!

Thanks to all who participated in our first Scrap Recycle Sale.
We had lots of fun and lots of bargains!

Also, lots of requests for another sale...real soon!

Vintage Items were offered for sale.

ANNOUNCEMENT . . .

"Grandma's Apron"
Book Class
by Candy

Join us and we will make this fun book,
as well as reminiscence and share stories
of our grandmothers or other loved ones
who wore an apron as part of their
"everyday apparel."

May 19, 2009
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Class fee: $25.00

ANNOUNCEMENT . . .

"The Fairy in a Jar"
Mini Class by Candy

Only $5.00

Saturday, June 27
This class will be offered 4 times:
10:00 AM
11:00 AM
12:00 PM (noon)
1:00 PM

Reserve your spot today!

Don't Forget!!!

Forever Memories

First Annual Recycle Sale

is tomorrow,

Saturday May 16

Doors open at 10 am

Cash Only

Youth in Action Group

"Youth in Action" Group

from Ozark High
spent Wednesday afternoon
with Jacki from "Make-A-Wish"

creating pages for "Project Scrapbooks"

The girls had lots of fun plus completed 62 pages!!

What a wonderful group

to volunteer their time

for this special gift to the Wish Kids.

The scrapbooks will help them preserve their memories

and photos with their families.

If you are interested in helping

with this "Project" let us know.
Jacki will be getting new names next week
and would love to have more volunteers.