Some people plan a quick stop for one sheet of cardstock and walk out two hours later with a full bag and no regrets. That happens a lot at one shop on the north side of Colorado Springs. Paper crafters drive in from across town, from an hour away, and even from other states just to browse its shelves.
The draw is simple: a huge stock of stamps, dies, papers and ribbon, plus a staff that knows the hobby inside and out. Specialty scrapbook stores have become hard to find, so a place like this matters to the people who still love making cards and memory books by hand. Keep reading to learn where it is, what fills its aisles, when to go, and why so many crafters treat it like a second home.
1. A Crafting Hub Off Library Lane
Tucked onto a quiet street in northern Colorado Springs, this shop has built a loyal following one card at a time.
Simple Pleasures Rubber Stamps & Scrapbooking sits at 5525 Library Ln, Colorado Springs, CO 80918, in the United States. It is a dedicated scrapbooking store, which already makes it rare in an age of big-box craft chains.
The focus here is narrow and deep. Rubber stamps, dies, patterned paper, cardstock and the tools that tie them together make up the heart of the inventory.
For Front Range residents, the location is easy to reach from most of the city’s north end. Folks heading south from Denver can work it into a trip without much detour.
Out-of-town crafters have been known to make the drive on purpose, sometimes an hour or more each way. Some visit while staying with family in town and plan the stop like a main event.
The shop carries a 4.6-star average across more than 170 opinions online, which is a strong showing for a small, independent business. That kind of consistency tends to come from years of steady work rather than a single flashy moment.
Consider this the starting point for a Saturday that may not end when you expect.
2. A Survivor in a Shrinking Hobby Niche
Plenty of local scrapbook stores have closed their doors over the past couple of decades. That trend makes the ones still standing feel a bit like a club secret.
Traveling crafters who make a habit of hunting down specialty paper shops often point out how few remain. Simple Pleasures keeps landing on their short list as a stop worth the extra miles.
Longevity shows in the customer base too. Some regulars have been shopping here for well over a decade, moving from beginner projects to advanced techniques along the way.
One shopper’s online note from more than ten years ago praised the selection and the staff. Similar praise still shows up today, which says something about how steady the store has stayed.
The shop also adapted during the pandemic years. Customers credited the owner with creative ideas that kept crafters stocked with supplies while keeping everyone safe.
That kind of flexibility is part of why the store is described as a mainstay for the crafting crowd in Colorado Springs. It has weathered changes in the hobby and in retail without losing its focus on paper.
A shop that outlasts its peers usually has a reason, and the next stop on this tour is the person behind it.
3. The Owner Who Treats Crafters Like Family
Behind many beloved small shops is one person who sets the tone. At Simple Pleasures, regulars name the owner, Cathy, again and again.
Customers describe her as caring, knowledgeable and willing to go out of her way. Several say she makes everyone feel like part of the family.
The store’s replies to online comments back that up. Thank-you notes come with first names, congratulations on gift purchases and cheerful wishes for happy crafting.
When something goes wrong, the replies stay polite. After a payment system glitch on its first day, the store reported calling the card company right away to fix the issue.
A short-staffed day that left one out-of-state shopper feeling ignored also received an apology. The tone is gracious rather than defensive.
Not every visit is perfect, and a few shoppers have left frustrated over out-of-stock die cuts or counter interactions. Still, those notes are far outnumbered by thanks for patience and kindness.
The overall picture is of an owner who sees the shop as a community, not just a cash register. As one of the store’s own replies put it, being part of this group of crafters is a privilege.
4. Walls Stacked With Stamps
Rubber stamps are right there in the name, and the shop takes that seriously.
Stamps are the single most talked-about product among shoppers. The selection is often called huge, covering themes for holidays, birthdays, nature and plenty more.
Card makers in particular seem to find what they need here. Some say they rarely struggle to locate exactly the design they came in for.
The store also tends to carry newer releases. Fans mention that the staff keeps up with the latest and greatest in the stamping world.
Stamping supplies round out the display. Inks, tools and the extras that make a stamp work on paper share space with the designs themselves.
One thing the shop does not do is make custom stamps. A shopper looking for a personalized design learned that, though the staff passed along leads to other sources.
That honest answer is helpful to know ahead of time. Come for the ready-made range, which is large enough to keep most people busy for a long while.
Fair warning for anyone on a tight budget: a stamp aisle this full has a way of turning a quick errand into a long one.
5. Paper, Paper and More Paper
Ask a paper crafter what makes or breaks a store, and the answer is usually the paper. Here, that answer is a point of pride.
Paper selection is one of the most mentioned strengths of the shop. Shoppers talk about getting lost in the range of papers, themes and designs.
Patterned sheets, cardstock and themed collections fill the racks. The variety covers simple everyday projects as well as special occasions.
Many describe the papers as unique and cute rather than the same few lines found at chain stores. That difference is often why people make the drive.
The shelves are also arranged with care. Customers mention a clean, well-organized space that makes it easier to browse without feeling overwhelmed.
That organization matters when the inventory is this large. A tidy layout helps shoppers move from one theme to the next and spot coordinating pieces.
For scrapbookers building a full album, being able to match paper, embellishments and stamps in one spot can save a lot of running around town.
Just budget some extra time. The paper section alone has a reputation for swallowing an hour before anyone notices.
6. Dies, Templates and the Ribbon Wall
Some shoppers come for one very specific thing. For a number of them, that thing hangs on the ribbon wall.
The shop’s ribbon wall has drawn crafters from out of state who wanted unique, fun ribbon for their projects. Even shoppers with mixed feelings about a visit have left happy with their ribbon haul.
Dies are another big draw. The selection of cutting dies is often described as huge, alongside templates and samples to spark ideas.
Here is a useful tip for die shopping. The system involves taking a paper slip to the counter, and popular dies can sell out.
A few customers have found that a die they picked was no longer in stock by the time they reached checkout. Asking staff early about a must-have design may save some disappointment.
Beyond dies and ribbon, the shelves hold the tools and goodies paper projects require. Shoppers mention finding everything they needed in a single trip.
The mix of embellishments and cutting tools makes the store a strong one-stop shop. It gives card makers and scrapbookers a chance to plan an entire project in one visit.
Just be ready for a ribbon detour that was never on the list.
7. Idea Boards That Spark New Projects
Stuck on what to make next? The walls might have the answer.
Simple Pleasures displays idea boards and finished samples throughout the store. Shoppers often call them inspiring.
These boards show how stamps, papers and dies can work together on real cards and layouts. Seeing a finished piece can make a pile of supplies feel far less intimidating.
For beginners, that is a big help. It is easier to choose products when there is a working example to follow.
Experienced crafters also seem to enjoy them. The samples introduce new techniques and color combinations that might not come to mind at home.
The store clearly values what customers make too. In one reply, the shop mentioned loving to see a regular’s card creations.
That back-and-forth builds a sense of shared hobby. It turns the shop into a place to trade ideas, not just buy supplies.
There is a side effect worth mentioning. Several shoppers admit they always leave with more than they planned to buy, and those inspiring boards may be partly to blame.
Bring a phone to snap notes, and maybe a firm shopping list, though it may not survive the visit.
8. Help for Every Skill Level
Helpful staff is the most mentioned topic about this store, with kindness close behind. That is a lot of praise for a small team.
Employees are described as knowledgeable, friendly and eager to help. Shoppers say the support works for beginners and advanced crafters alike.
A first-timer who had just gotten into the hobby found everything needed with staff help. That shopper also picked out gifts for the two friends who sparked the interest.
Traveling crafters mention associates checking in a couple of times during a visit. That kind of attention can be useful in a store this full.
Spouses notice too. One couple who visits together praised how knowledgeable and helpful the team is.
There have been off days, especially when the store was short on staff. A visitor once felt no one greeted them or asked about projects, which the shop acknowledged.
On the whole, though, the staff is a major reason people return. Many describe the team as sweet and caring, with customer service that does not go unnoticed.
For anyone new to stamping or scrapbooking, a few questions at the counter could save a lot of trial and error later.
9. Classes, Sales and Facebook Weeklies
Learning and saving go hand in hand at this shop.
Simple Pleasures offers classes, which give crafters a chance to pick up new skills. Shoppers mention options both in the store and online.
Sales also run in both places. That gives people who cannot make it in person a way to take part.
The owner is known for posting specials on the store’s Facebook page. Regulars mention weekly deals that keep them checking in.
For fixed-income crafters or busy households, those specials can make the hobby easier on the wallet. Watching the weekly posts before a trip may help stretch a budget.
Classes suit people at different points in the hobby. Beginners can build confidence, while seasoned crafters can try fresh techniques.
Details on current class topics and sale dates are best found on the store’s website or social channels. Schedules can change, so checking ahead is wise.
The combination of instruction and deals keeps people coming back. It turns a shopping trip into something closer to a hobby routine.
A Saturday class followed by browsing the aisles is a solid recipe for an easy, low-key day out.
10. Rewards That Remember You
Loyalty programs are common, but the one here has a way of meaning more than points.
The store runs a rewards program that regular shoppers appreciate. Combined with good prices, it is one reason some families stop in every time they pass through Colorado Springs.
The customer system also keeps records over time. That detail led to one of the most touching stories connected to the shop.
A shopper who had visited years earlier with her mother returned after her mother was no longer living. At checkout, the system still listed both of them.
Hearing her mother’s name brought back warm memories. The store responded that the pair held a special place in their hearts.
Stories like that explain why the shop feels personal to so many. It is a place tied to family trips and shared hobbies.
For practical shoppers, the rewards program adds real value over many visits. Signing up on a first trip makes sense for anyone likely to return.
For sentimental shoppers, it is a reminder that scrapbooking has always been about saving memories, and this store seems to understand that well.
11. Why Saturdays Disappear Here
Two hours of browsing is not unusual at this store. Some shoppers say that is exactly how long they spent just looking around.
The atmosphere is often called fun and lively. The space is nicely decorated, clean and well organized, which makes lingering easy.
A mother and daughter who drove an hour to visit loved it so much they came back the very next day. That kind of repeat trip says a lot.
The store fits several kinds of shoppers. Longtime scrapbookers, card makers, stamp collectors and curious beginners all seem to find their corner.
Families with a crafter in the group also make regular stops. One husband who tags along said the shop is a must on drives through the city.
His one wish was for a cozy nook with easy chairs for spouses. The store replied that it would look for ways to create more space.
For now, non-crafting companions may want to bring a book or plan a nearby errand. The crafter in the group is likely to need plenty of time.
Losing an afternoon has rarely felt like such a good use of the weekend.
12. Hours Worth Writing Down
Timing a trip here takes a little planning, since the hours shift through the week.
On Monday and Tuesday, the shop is open from 10 AM to 4 PM. Wednesday and Thursday run from noon to 4 PM.
Friday offers the longest window, from noon to 6 PM. That evening stretch can work well for people heading over after work.
Saturday hours are 10 AM to 3 PM. The store is closed on Sunday.
Since Saturday closes in the mid-afternoon, arriving close to opening gives the most browsing time. Anyone hoping to lose a whole Saturday here will want an early start.
Weekday mornings on Monday and Tuesday may be a smart pick for retirees and others with flexible schedules. Those early openings give a calm start to a shopping session.
Hours can change around holidays or special events. Checking the store’s website before driving across town is a good habit.
Jot the schedule on a sticky note, or better yet, stamp it on a card.
13. Payment Tips and a Smooth Trip
A little prep can make the visit even easier.
Prices are described as good, and the rewards program adds value over time. Watching the Facebook specials can help shoppers time their trips for the best deals.
Card payments are accepted. The store did have a rough first day with a new processing system a few years ago, but it reported fixing the issue quickly.
For die shoppers, a tip is worth repeating. Ask staff early whether a favorite design is in stock, since the paper slip system means popular items can run out.
Bringing a list helps too. The inventory is large enough that it is easy to get sidetracked.
Out-of-town relatives visiting the Springs may enjoy the stop as an outing. Several shoppers first came while in town visiting family.
Front Range residents can pair the trip with other errands on the north side of the city. It makes for an easy, low-cost day close to home.
Gift seekers should take note as well. The shop is a handy place to find presents for crafty friends, as at least one delighted first-timer discovered.
14. A Shop Worth the Saturday
Small shops survive on loyalty, and Simple Pleasures has earned a deep supply of it.
The store offers what crafters value most: a big selection of stamps, dies, papers and ribbon in a tidy, inviting space. It backs that up with a staff known for patience and know-how.
Not every visit has been flawless. Short-staffed days and sold-out dies have frustrated a few shoppers, and the store has answered those moments with apologies.
Still, the steady praise over more than a decade tells a clear story. People return year after year, and some bring their children, spouses and friends.
For Colorado Springs residents, it is a local treasure that saves a trip to a chain store. For crafters across the Front Range, it is a drive that tends to pay off.
Classes, sales, idea boards and a rewards program add more reasons to stay connected. The memories made here, like the mother and daughter remembered by the checkout system, may be the biggest reason of all.
Clear the calendar, grab a list and head north in the Springs. The paper will be waiting, and so will a few hours that seem to vanish on their own.
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