My second option was to look for the scrapbook stores in the area. I had to go to the bookstore and look through the back pages of the scrapbooking magazines. Luckily there were several stores nearby. I went to several and in each one there were items I liked but I had to control myself from going way over my spending budget.

One of the best stores I went to was California Stampin' in Pleasanton, CA . It's a small store by American standards –just one unit in a strip mall- but has a variety of scrapping and stamping goodies. I spent more than an hour just browsing each and every nook and cranny trying to decide what to buy. Finally, I gave in to my shopping craving and bought an idea book called Simply Graphic, some papers, a few stickers and a couple of Hero Arts rubber stamps.

I was able to meet and talk to the storeowner Suzanne Slupesky. She said she has customers from the Philippines and even ships goods to them. She showed me how the Cricut works and it looked really simple to use. She has a crop room where they hold classes on new techniques. If there's anything you like which she doesn't carry, she can order these for you. You can shop on-line too. I subscribed to her weekly on-line newsletter where she gives updates on new products. So far I haven't ordered on-line from her but I enjoy seeing and drooling over the latest products.

Visit the California Stampin' website.