Somewhere in Peoria, a paper crafter from Korea crossed an ocean to shop in one small store, and she was not the only one making a long trip. Card makers drive in from the East Valley. Former locals who moved out of state still plan return visits.
The shop is stacked with patterned paper, dies, stamps and inks, and it runs a busy calendar of classes. The twist that makes it worth bragging about is a discount outlet tucked right next door, where bargain hunters stretch their craft budget even further. Keep reading for where to find it, what fills the shelves, which classes regulars love, and the hours you need before you go.
1. A West Valley Address Worth Saving
Crafters across the Valley keep one address saved in their phones: Scraps of Love, 9516 W Peoria Ave #14, Peoria, AZ 85345.
It sits on Peoria Avenue in the West Valley, an easy weekend run for anyone in the Phoenix area. The store is a dedicated scrapbooking shop, which is rarer than it used to be.
Its focus covers supplies for scrapbooking, card making and other paper crafting projects. Classes are part of the mix too, so the place works as both a shop and a creative hangout.
Plenty of locals likely drive down Peoria Avenue without realizing what sits inside unit 14. That is a shame, because the shop holds a 4.8-star standing across more than 250 opinions online, an impressive mark for any small business.
Shoppers from the East Valley regularly call the cross-town trip well worth it. Some even come from much farther, including travelers who build an Arizona itinerary around a stop here.
So this is not a big-box aisle with a few sticker packs. It is a full brick and mortar scrapbook store, the kind many hobbyists thought had disappeared.
Before heading to the shelves, though, there is a neighbor to meet.
2. The Outlet Next Door
Here is the secret that turns a good shopping trip into a great one. Scraps of Love has a discount store right next door.
Longtime shoppers describe the outlet as packed with crazy good deals. It is the natural first or last stop for anyone watching the craft budget.
The setup makes sense for a busy paper store. New product arrives often, and the outlet gives shoppers a second place to hunt for value.
Exact outlet stock changes, so nobody can promise what will be there on a given day. That uncertainty is part of the fun for treasure hunters.
A smart plan is to browse the main store for inspiration first. Then pop next door and see what bargains might fit the same project.
Many people never learn about the outlet until a friend mentions it in passing. Now you are the friend who knows.
Just keep a little room in the tote bag, because deals have a way of multiplying.
3. Shelves Full of Big-Name Brands
Prima, 49 and Market, Mintay, PhotoPlay and Tim Holtz products all show up on these shelves. For serious paper crafters, that list alone justifies the drive.
The range is wide. Single-colored cardstock, patterned paper, kits, embellishments, stencils, inks and die cuts fill the space.
Card makers find a strong lineup of stamps and dies. Scrapbookers find designer lines that are hard to track down elsewhere.
Junk journalers and mixed media artists get attention too. Mixed media supplies appear alongside the classic scrapbooking staples.
Store-specific goodies add a personal touch. Confetti mixes for shaker cards and aprons printed with the store logo are among the exclusive finds.
Fresh items roll in for each celebration and season. Regulars mention walking out with far more than planned.
And if something is missing, the team is known for tracking it down. If they do not have it, they will try to get it.
Some shoppers prefer buying paper here over prepackaged packets at large chains. The choice simply feels more tailored to the project at hand.
4. Samples That Spark Ideas
Ever bought a stamp set and then stared at it for months? The displays here aim to fix that problem.
Finished sample projects sit out around the store. They show what a paper line, die or ink can actually become.
Cards, layouts and other crafts made by the team give shoppers a starting point. Copy one exactly or borrow a single idea, either works.
Many people say there is so much to look at that a quick visit is not enough. One rushed stop often leads to a promise to return with more time.
It is easy to lose track of the clock while browsing. Plan a relaxed window rather than squeezing it between errands.
The displays also help with tricky decisions. Seeing a finished piece can make it clear which paper pack or embellishment belongs in your cart.
Consider it a free idea board, no scrolling required.
5. Classes, Demos and Make and Takes
Thursdays have a fan club at this store. The Thursday card making class gets warm praise from those who attend.
That is only one piece of a full activity calendar. Classes, demos and make and take sessions fill the schedule.
Demos can be especially useful for tools that sit unused at home. Staff have walked shoppers through gadgets like BetterPress and Glimmer so they finally know how to use them.
Bigger events happen too. The store has hosted a long weekend Dina Wakley supporters retreat.
Friday evenings bring live sessions, helped by the later Friday hours. Some crafters now reserve that night for the store.
The social side matters as much as the skills. Class regulars talk about building friendships, swapping ideas and watching their creativity grow.
Check the store website for the current schedule and any costs, since details can change. A class is a low-pressure way to try a new technique before buying all the supplies.
6. A Team That Actually Crafts
Friendly staff comes up again and again, more than any other topic tied to this shop. That says a lot.
Owner Christina and her team are known for knowing the products because they use them. Honest recommendations help shoppers spend on things that add real value.
Staff check in to make sure people find what they need. Travelers mention feeling looked after from start to finish.
The shop is family flavored too. The owner’s daughter helps out, and a store cat named Misti has her own small following.
Not every past visit has been perfect, and one shopper a few years back felt the help was uneven. The owner responded and said the team was working to improve, and recent comments lean strongly positive.
A loyalty program adds another perk. It is described as easy to use, with discounts that can kick in quickly.
Bring your toughest paper crafting question and see who answers first.
7. Hours, Timing and Trip Planning
Timing matters, so here is the weekly schedule.
Monday through Thursday, the doors open from 10 AM to 5 PM. Friday runs later, from 10 AM to 7 PM.
Saturday hours are 10 AM to 5 PM. Sunday is shorter, from noon to 4 PM.
Friday is the best pick for anyone working a day job, thanks to those extra evening hours. It also lines up with live events.
Since it is an indoor shop, it makes a smart choice for hot summer days. Browsing paper beats a midday hike in July by a wide margin.
Allow more time than you expect. Between the main store, the samples and the outlet next door, an hour can vanish fast.
Shoppers coming from the East Valley often combine the drive with other West Valley errands. Check the website before heading out to confirm class schedules and any holiday hours.
8. Why the Drive Pays Off
A crafter who moved to Montana says there is nothing like this shop where she lives now. That kind of homesickness for a store is rare.
Scraps of Love earns it by doing several things well at once. The selection is deep, the samples inspire and the classes build community.
Then there is the outlet next door, the bonus that keeps bargain fans coming back. It turns a browsing trip into a small treasure hunt.
The shop suits scrapbookers, card makers, stampers, junk journalers and mixed media artists. It also works for someone picking up supplies for a crafty partner, since staff make newcomers feel welcome.
Not every hobby store becomes a destination. This one draws people from across the Valley and from overseas.
For West Valley locals, it is right down the road. For everyone else, it is a weekend outing with a tote bag full of results.
Go once, and the next project might already be planning itself.
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