Hi :o)  This is SP…here to update you on our new-ish blog schedule…coming features, changes, my design plans and more (probably too much), lol!

As is often the scenario…changes tend to come with a new year.  We have certainly had our share of changes here at the Shoppe…all around :o)  We have had a couple of team members make the decision to move on (either to other projects…or just take a step back from the ‘scrapping world’), and as a result, I have wrestled with the decision of 1)  having a call right now to add new members to the team, 2)  shutting down the blog, 3)  scaling down posts to maintain the blog with our current team members, or 4)  all of the above (lol)!  I really have put a lot of time and energy and thought and consideration (and prayer) into this decision.  The truth is that I do not have time to have an open team call right now (even with help, it is a HUGE undertaking)…and I really do not want to shut down the blog as I enjoy it so much myself, lol!  It is a LOT of work to maintain and manage…but I believe it is a worthwhile effort, so there are no plans to close it at this time (I’m happy to say) :o)

So, that really leaves me with the option of scaling back our blog posts (which are generally DAILY, excluding weekends) at this time…and enjoying our current team!  I feel really good about this decision…and I hope you will, too :o)  With that said, we will likely still have an open call in the future (possibly even near future), when I have more time to devote to it.  The team is super special and important to me…and when we add to it – I like to really spend a lot of time considering each submission and how the scrapper would mesh with our team and all of the responsibilities, etc.  It’s not something I like to do in a hurry or when I can’t give it my full attention, kwim?

What does this mean?  Really…I do not think you will notice much of a change :o)  Yes, we will be scaling back a bit, and NOT posting DAILY…but very close!  Our ultimate goal is to inspire you and to have FUN!  In general…there will be at least three posts per week…often more!  We will continue to feature the LAYOUT OF THE WEEK posts each and every Monday…will still have the monthly templates challenges…product spotlights (every other week instead of weekly)…you get the point, lol!  I can’t think of anything we are actually taking away from the blog…with the exception of the frequency of these posts.  Let’s not forget the new ‘scrap 2011′ project that is coming up (debuting tomorrow here on the blog) and more!  Of course, we also have lots of ideas for NEW content, too – and are looking forward to bringing you PLENTY of inspiring and exciting posts, as always :o)

 One of my hopes is to provide you guys with a monthly calendar (linked on the blog) laying out the basic schedule for that month (always apt to change…but it would give you a general idea).  That way – you know what to expect…at least until we all settle in with the new schedule.

Alright – that’s that…I really just wanted to bring everyone up-to-date so you aren’t wondering why there isn’t a new post every single day :o)

Moving on…lots of you have emailed asking WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO RELEASE A NEW KIT?!  lol…the honest answer is that I HOPE to release one (or two) in the next month or so.  I will tell you that I do not plan to keep up the super busy work schedule that I have maintained for the past few years.  I know some of you are thinking, HUH?  SHE DOESN’T RELEASE MUCH, lol!  Truth is that there is SO MUCH work that you never see (or could even imagine, lol)…and I find that I spend the vast majority of my time answering emails (this is a BIG one), working on the blog, maintaining the sites and other ADMIN stuff.  Sadly, it really does not leave much time for designing and being creative.  I hope to change that a little this year…but mostly, I just want to make sure that I am not constantly stressing about the next release!  That does NOT mean that I will not be designing and working, lol…quite the opposite…I hope to work quite a bit (when I have the time and am inspired)…but wish to spend my available work hours designing instead of answering emails, etc.  We’ll see how it goes…wish me luck, lol!

As many of you know…at this time last year – I was in the hospital for a decent bit of time (all worked out and thank Goodness, I am just fine now)  :o)  That really puts things into perspective for you though…and quick (at least it did for me…or so I thought, lol).  When I finally got back to work…I felt so stressed about trying to ‘catch-up’ and really continued that momentum and ‘feeling’ throughout the year.  I don’t want to do that again :o)  So, I plan to keep the Shoppe at a nice and FUN pace this year and I hope you guys will enjoy it along with me!  First and foremost (like many of you), I am a MOM and a WIFE and I love both of those roles dearly.  I am also SP and I have to tell you – I love that role immensely, too!  But sometimes, balancing the three (as well as the many other hats I wear…like all of you) is not easy :o)  This year…SP is going to have to move down the list a little bit!  She wants to ENJOY 2011 and scrap it along with you guys (smiles)!  I guess I really want to be more of a scrapper than a designer for a year, lol!

Along those same lines, I thought I’d mention that Nicole (our in-house product designer) will be taking most of 2011 off.  Nicole designs most of our piece-a-cake albums, lots of our hybrid products…and our calendars.  I’m sure you will notice a decrease in these kinds of products this year…but we hope to make it up to you next year :o)  Again, this is just all the more reason to take things a little slower this year…it just makes sense!

I realize this post is LONG and has been all over the place, lol!  Thank you so much for indulging me and all of my rambling :o)  You all mean so much to me…I feel that I have come to know so many of you so well and truly consider you FRIENDS!  Thanks for being part of my world :o)

That’s it for today…I’m so excited to bring you our new PROJECT post tomorrow (which I need to get back to working on, lol)!  xoxo –SP

Shabby PrincessShoppe News, Uncategorized 19 Comments

Hi everyone! Denise here with this week’s Product Spotlight – the Brrrr! kit. On sale this week for $3.71.

I really liked the mix of black with the cool blues and greens in the Brrrr! kit. It’s makes for a hip winter kit that’s versatile for multiple themes, such as the everyday and especially baby boys. The sequins are great for a little sparkle on layouts and the argyle adds a great pattern for layouts.

It was fun to see the different ways the ladies used the Brrrr! kit. You can also see the teams layouts in the Shabby Artist’s gallery.

I hope the team has inspired you with our layouts using the Brrrr! kit, on sale this week for $3.71.

SP will be back tomorrow with some updates on the BLOG schedule.  Happy Scrapping everyone! :)

DeniseProduct Spotlight, Uncategorized 4 Comments

Hi everyone! It’s Kylie here! This is my very first post of the New Year and I feel especially lucky to be starting with Layout of the Week! The Shabby Shoppe inspiration gallery was, yet again, overflowing with so many wonderful pages to look through. Another week of so much talent, creativity, inspiration and special memories, making it, as always, a tough job to choose that one special layout. It was so great to see all the gorgeous Easy-As-Pie Template Challenge EIGHT entries starting to pop up too, especially since the challenge only just started on Thursday. It’s such a fun and easy template to work with and I’m soooo excited to see how more of our amazing digi-scrappers use it! Now, without further ado here is my pick for this week’s LOTW:

Caleb 2011 by Johubb!

Just look at that amazing photo and Caleb’s twinkling eyes! How could anyone not fall in love with this page! Besides the photo – which is the STAR of the page (I’m so happy Johubb chose to leave the pic nice and big so that we could all take in every single detail) – there is a fantastic mix of Shabby Princess papers, layered and angled to perfection, and just a sprinkling of elements and word art to match. All the perfect ingredients to creating a magical page! Johubb has posted some lovely layouts over the years so be sure to check out her gallery – HERE!! She’s a master at using patterned papers – LOVE that!!! 

CONGRATULATIONS Johubb, and thanks so much for sharing your awe-inspiring page (and your sweet pic of Caleb) with us! A $10 gift card to the Shabby Shoppe has been emailed to you :o) ENJOY the Shoppe-ing! 

A big, big thanks to everyone again for all the amazing layouts posted last week, and each and every week for that matter – it’s such a source of joy and inspiration to us all! 

Thanks for stopping by the Shabby Shoppe Blog today! We’ll see you all back here tomorrow with a fantastic Product Spotlight by Denise! :o)

KylieLayout of the Week, Uncategorized 7 Comments

hey girs, SP here!  First, I have to tell you guys how much I absolutely LOOOOOOVED hosting this MERRY MEMORIES challenge!  It might be my favorite thing I have done as SP :o)  I think that sometimes we all spend so much time trying to make and scrap memories for our own children and/or families – that we forget how important our OWN memories are, know what I mean?  I think OUR children will one day enjoy (and appreciate) knowing more about US and our lives as children.  I’m not saying we need to have albums and albums and albums just for us…but ONE sure would be nice (that’s my goal at least…to give our son an album about ME and an album about my husband…and then one of us together before he was born)!  Anyway – I am getting a little off-topic here (what’s new?  lol)…so let me get back to the subject at hand :o)

I have thoroughly enjoyed going through each and every entry (see more here!) and honestly think every single one is a ‘winner’!  Each and every layout is so special and wonderful…and so inspiring to see!  So, choosing was NOT EASY on this, at all!  We really did not go by any specific criteria for choosing the ‘fave’ three layouts – it had to do with everything from design to journaling, etc.  So, no more rambling – HERE ARE OUR THREE WINNING LAYOUTS for the MERRY MEMORIES challenge (in no particular order)…

 First, we have CHRISTMAS CANDY by Phoebs!  It features the most adorable little photo ever, lol!  And, the journaling to go with it…only makes it that much more precious!  I think this is such a treasure to have…so YAY FOR YOU, Phoebs :o)

 Next is MY CHRISTMAS EVE ROSES by number1colba :o)  It is such a wonderfully sweet tradition that her father began…and that her husband now carries on!  Really enjoyed reading the journaling…and of course, the layout is precious, too!  LOVE IT!

 And finally, we have CHRISTMAS MORNING WITH GRANDPA by kammyam :o)  It is such a treasure of a photo, and one that I am sure is cherished, all the more now!  You can totally see the love and adoration…and all scrapped (and journaled) beautifully!

CONGRATULATIONS, girls :o)  You should have each received a $10 gift card to the Shabby Shoppe (be sure to check your SPAM folders) via email – have fun shoppe-ing :o)  In all honesty though – I think ALL OF US who participated in this challenge are WINNERS!  We each ended up with a layout to treasure (both for us and for generations to come)!

I hope to do similar challenges in the future…and hope that you will all join in the fun again :o)

That’s it for now – we’ll be back on Monday with LAYOUT OF THE WEEK!  THANKS AGAIN – everyone have a WONDERFUL and BLESSED weekend!

XOXO — sp

Shabby PrincessOther Challenges, Shoppe News, Uncategorized 5 Comments

Hi guys :o)  SP here with our latest TEMPLATE CHALLENGE!  I can’t believe we are starting our EIGHTH challenge already…time flies – especially when you are having fun scrapping, lol!  I have to tell you – I had a lot of fun designing this template…and even more fun scrapping with it!  When I actually take pictures (not often enough), I tend to take LOTS of them, lol – and end up with many favorites.  But, it’s not always easy to scrap a bunch of them on the same page (well, at least not for me, lol) – and that’s one reason that I really enjoyed this one!  It allowed me to squeeze in FIVE photos…and gave me room to journal about them…and still add fun embellishments – without seeming TOO busy, know what I mean?  I do LOVE my single (or two) photo pages…but there are times when I just need more pics :o)  So – if you ever find yourself in that same ‘boat’ – I think you will enjoy this!  And, if you are someone who generally only scraps with one photo per page…I think you will have fun with the challenge!  So, without further ado…here is our EIGHTH Easy-as-Pie layered template challenge…

So, before I share the AWESOMELY fabulous layouts that the blog team put together…let’s go through the ‘guidelines’ for the challenge!

The ‘deadline’ for this challenge is JANUARY 31st :o)  I will announce the template challenge winner on February 3rd (or somewhere around there, lol) when we share Template Challenge NINE!  We are re-arranging the blog a bit…and from now on, the winner will always be announced on the same day we debut a new template challenge.  The ‘winner’ of the challenge will receive a $25 gift card to the Shabby Shoppe!  Please note that for our template challenges…we select the ‘winner’ randomly – so everyone has a chance to win…beginners and experienced scrappers!  It’s a great way to jump in and give digi scrapping (and templates) a try :o)

In order to be entered into the template challenge – you must post your layout in the Shabby Shoppe’s gallery (in the SHOPPE BLOG CHALLENGES gallery) and then post a comment HERE at our blog (on this post only) with a link to your layout in our gallery.  This will enter you into the challenge :o)  Please keep in mind that all layouts must contain at least 75% SP product (purchased or free).  To be eligible for the challenge – you must scrap with the easy-as-pie layered template!

We also have several fun ways for you to obtain ‘EXTRA’ entries to the challenge (please note that in order to qualify for any EXTRA entries – you must first complete a layout with our easy-as-pie template and submit that to our gallery and blog) :o)

• For an extra entry, leave a SEPARATE comment letting us know that you have one of our blinkies (available by clicking on the blinkies link in the sidebar) either on your blog or in all of your forum signatures (be sure to include a link to your blog or signature in your post).
• For an extra entry, leave a SEPARATE comment letting us know that you have facebooked or twittered about our template challenge (don’t forget to include the link in your post).
• For an extra entry, leave a SEPARATE comment letting us know that you have blogged about our template challenge (again, be sure to add your blog link to your post).

So, that means that you have the possibility of entering the challenge up to 4 times! Just be sure each entry is a separate comment, as we will be using a random number generator to choose the winner.  Be sure to get your entries in by MIDNIGHT (eastern time) on January 31st, and again…the winner will be announced in early February :o)

So…here’s your newest Easy-As-Pie Layered Template! <–click this to download OR click the preview image at the top of this post :o)

Your download includes:

–12×12 Layered psd template with drop shadows (you can opt to turn them off or use your own)
–12×12 Layered TIFF template with drop shadows

In the event this is your first time scrapping with a layered template – I created a quick and simple tutorial on how to use our Easy-As-Pie templates in PSE and PS. You can find it HERE. I tried to cover the basics, but if you have any questions, please let us know and one of the Shabby Team Members will do their best to answer it.

So, how about some more inspiration from the girls (visit the Shabby Artist Gallery for more information about each layout)…

There ya go…you’ve seen how the girls and I worked with the template…now we’re super excited to see YOUR version of this challenge :o)  I sincerely hope that you have fun with this template!  HAPPY SCRAPPING!

{Remember to link up to this post only to enter template challenge EIGHT}

Shabby PrincessFree (not desktops), Template Challenges, Uncategorized 93 Comments