Hi all! Kylie here! :o) Hope everyone has enjoyed their week – mine flew by …as did my whole July, really! The second half of the year tends to do that…must be that ‘downhill run’ thing – don’t you think?! And with lots on, well now, the days are skipping along way too fast for me! …Okay, enough of my <potentially endless> chit-chat (LOL!), lets get down to the important business of sharing our FREE desktop for August. I soooo enjoyed designing this one for you all. I adore the Once in a Blue Moon paper collection with a little splash of yellow cheer! So pretty!! This desktop reminds me of a lovely summer breeze flowing down the page. Ahhh…. :o) And, I’m not sure if anyone else has noticed, but it seems I have had a bit of a thing for circles this month! ;o)

CLICK HERE to download the 1024×768 version

CLICK HERE to download the 1280×800 version

As always, the text is only on SP’s very sweet “music man” example – yours will be blank :o) That way – you can customize your desktop as you wish by adding your own names, messages, photo dates etc.

And remember that you can always find our latest free desktop by clicking the FREE DESKTOPS category located on the right side of the blog!

Before I sign off, I also want to mention that – if you are interested in our free desktops, but have no idea how to insert your own photos – please visit our TUTORIALS page and refer to the USING THE PIECE-A-CAKE .PNG FILES TO CREATE AN ALBUM titles :o) We offer this tutorial in both screen shot and video format, for both Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. And, while the tutorial is not specifically for the desktops – the concepts are very much the same…and should help out a lot!

Thanks for stopping by the blog today… join us again on Monday for LOTW! :o) Wishing everyone a fantastic weekend! Happy Scrapping! :o)

and, P.S. Just a quick reminder that the Template Challenge 14 deadline is this SUNDAY, 31st of July, for those still wishing to join in the FUN and for the chance to win a $25 gift card to the Shabby Shoppe!

KylieFree Desktops, Uncategorized 23 Comments

Hey there… SP here with a super duper fun and new GALLERY GIRLS feature!!   If you frequent the Shabby Shoppe’s gallery at all…then you are SURE to have noticed our featured scrappers’ layouts - they are seriously FANTABULOUS and oh so inspiring!  I was THRILLED when Ms. Mamabean (aka Carolynn) accepted my invitation to be our latest Gallery Girl :o)  And, she has not disappointed…not only is she so incredibly sweet and funny…she is talented (like crazy talented, lol) and such a wonderful mommy!  I have really enjoyed our email exchanges…she is just as gorgeous on the inside, as she is on the outside :o)  When you get to know her via her interview questions below…I think there are two main things you will be left with…1)  her precious Charlie is everything to her…and 2)  wow, does she have some mad scrapping skills, lol!  I hope you enjoy this ’spotlight’ as much as I have…so let’s get to it!  We’ll start with a visual…a precious photo of Carolynn and her Charlie…

 Be sure to scroll down so you don’t miss the new layouts that Carolynn created specifically for this feature!  I also included one of my fave layouts from her gallery :o)  She will be uploading all of these new layouts to her gallery soon…so you can see larger images and more info about each there :o)

So, to really ’start’ the post, I wanted to share one of my fave, new layouts from Carolynn aka mamabean :o)  There is just something ‘magical’ about the page and I absolutely adore it!

 On with the interview… 

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF…

 Hello everyone, I’m Carolynn and I’m a thirty something, operational firefighter from Herefordshire in the UK. When I’m not running into burning buildings I’m busy being a mummy to my beautiful little boy Charlie who has just turned two……he is amazing and an absolute pleasure to call mine. I am single parent so it’s safe to say that life is one BIG juggle, but on the plus side when I put Charlie to bed each evening I can be completely selfish and unwind with some ’scrap therapy’ without anyone moaning that I’m hogging the computer!!
I have been in the Fire Service for just over 8 years, I absolutely love my job but I have to say that since Charlie arrived I’m a little more thorough with my risk assessments and decision making on the fire ground………how Motherhood has changed me!! There is a big misconception that us firefighters spend all day squirting blue stuff on red stuff but the truth is that operational incidents make up a very small percentage of our working day. We spend a lot of time promoting fire safety by fitting smoke detectors in domestic properties and teaching children in primary schools things like how to make 999 (911) calls and how to ’stop, drop and roll’ if their clothes catch on fire. We also spend a lot of time in between firecalls training with our equipment and keeping our competencies up to date.
In a former life (before I had Charlie and became housebound every evening!!) I was a bit of a party animal, my Summers were spent dancing in muddy fields at festivals or dancing on the beach on party islands like Ibiza and Ayia Napa………I do miss those days but life now is so much more fullfilling and I feel truly blessed to have such a happy and healthy child, becoming a mother is the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I wouldn’t change it for the world.   

 HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN SCRAPPING DIGITALLY…AND DID YOU EVER GIVE PAPER SCRAPPING A TRY?

 I have only been digi scrapping since the begining of this year and I literally stumbled across it by chance……I can’t even remember what I was browsing for initially but I somehow found myself on the Shabby Shoppe site and I just remember thinking how on earth had I not heard about this wonderful hobby before….. that said it’s probably not something that would have interested me before I had Charlie. I’ve never been a paper scrapper in terms of documenting occasions and photographs although I would consider myself quite creative…… when I was younger I used to love making my own cards to give to friends and family and I loved art and crafts at school.

Happy to share a couple more NEW layouts from Carolynn :o)   I LOOOOOVE the firefighter layout – how great to have those wonderful photos of her daily life/work!  And, the special day with Charlie on the other layout – perfection!

HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE YOUR SCRAPPING STYLE?

 Hmmm……..this is difficult because I’m still so new to this that I don’t know if I really have a style. I like my pages to look busy with lot’s of layering and elements tucked in here, there and everywhere. I have to restrain myself sometimes though as it’s easy to make pages look a bit too cluttered which distracts from the photos. I absolutely LOVE Georgina’s (Georgeinci) layouts and I would say if any gallery has inspired me the most in developing my own style it would be hers. (It must be the Herefordshire thing….lol!) I’m in absolute awe of Kylie’s gallery too, she is incredibly talented and I can only dream of being able to cluster elements like she does……..her pages stand out a mile. 

WHAT IS THE FIRST COMPONENT OF EACH PAGE YOU CREATE…OR DOES IT VARY FROM PAGE TO PAGE?

 I always start with the photos and then spend ages agonising over a colour scheme or which kit to use, I find this the hardest part and sometimes I really struggle to get going with a layout. I’m a total perfectionist and it can take me an hour just to choose the right papers…..this is not good! If I’m not using a template I’ll have an idea of the design before I start……how many photos I want to use and where I’ll be putting the title and journaling etc. I very often just allocate a space for journaling and come back to it after I’ve added all the fun stuff! I love choosing and placing the elements on my page as this is when it really starts to come together, but my favorite bit of all which I always save until last is brushwork…….I LOVE brushes! For me they’re the cherry on the cake and I just love the finishing touch they give to a page. 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LAYOUT (TO DATE) AND WHY?

 My favorite layout would probably have to be ‘B is for Books’. It was one the first pages I made and even though my style has evolved since then  (I would love to make a few alterations to it now!) it was this layout that made me fall in love with digi scrapping and gave me the confidence to create and share more pages (thankyou Anna for choosing it for LOTW!!)

I’m so happy she chose this one…because when choosing MY fave from her gallery, it was a TIE between this and the one I ended up selecting below, LOL!  It just does not get any better than this page :o)

WHAT TIP/TECHNIQUE DO YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU HAD KNOWN WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED SCRAPPING DIGITALLY?

 I think getting to know your software better makes life A LOT easier and that only happens with time, having said that although I have been picking up tips and shortcuts along the way I know I’m still doing some things the long way round and still have loads to figure out. Brushes were something I first thought had to be extremely complicated and avoided them like the plague. I didn’t have a clue how to use them until recently and in actual fact they’re so simple and incredibly versatile I really wish I’d got to grips with them ages ago. Another technique that can really make a layout is applying realistic drop shadows, when I first discovered them I just applied the same style to every paper and embellishment and I thought they looked great,  but now I look back and think oh dear, there is such a thing as ‘too much’ when it comes to shadows…..lol. 

WHAT IN YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE INSPIRES YOU IN YOUR SCRAPBOOKING?

 Without a doubt my little boy is my main inspiration, without him I wouldn’t have any photos to scrap!! I’m now finding myself looking through his wardrobe thinking ‘Oooo I think I’ll take some photos of Charlie wearing this today as I have just the kit to match’….!! I’m always on the lookout for new colour schemes too……. as the majority of my pages are ‘boy pages’ it’s difficult not to become repetative when it comes to colours. I love browsing the Shoppe gallery for help with this, Jenelle’s pages are particularly inspiring as she has boys too.

a couple more new layouts for you…the LEMON FACE page is definitely another fave for me – love that pucker, lol!  And the BABY LOVE layout…it simply MELTS me :o)

TECH STUFF :o)  Tell us about your camera and software!

 If you’d have asked my this a couple of weeks ago my answer would have been very different but I happy to say that I am now the proud owner of my very first DSLR…..at last!!! Up until now I have been using a very basic Samsung point and shoot and have been VERY frustrated, having missed so many wonderful photo opportunities with Charlie or if  I have managed to get it fired up in time to capture the moment the pictures were often blurry and poor quality. That said my little Samsung did capture the first 2 years of my son’s life so I have a lot to thank it for. My new camera is a Canon EOS 1000D and it came with a standard 18-55ml lens. I use Photoshop Elements 9 and when I win the lottery/marry a millionnaire/save up enough money I would love to have Adobe Lightroom too……one day :0)  

FAST FIVE FACTS! 

• Favorite COLOR:  Pink (I need a daughter!)
• Favorite FOOD:  Lasagne
• Favorite MOVIE:  Bridget Jones
• Favorite SONG:  It would be easier to name my favorite genre of music which is drum n bass. My favorite song would have to be the theme tune to Postman Pat (it’s on my internal jukebox CONSTANTLY…..thanks Charlie ;))
• Favorite MEMORY:  Oooo….hard one!! I guess it would have to be the day my son came into this world and my life changed forever……he’s amazing x

 and last but not least…MY PICK (SP’s pick, lol) from Carolynn’s Gallery – HEARTS!  This page certainly captured my heart, the first moment I saw it :o)  There is just a wonderful sweetness to this page and the photo!  What’s NOT to love?  You can just ‘feel’ the thoughtfulness and love that went into the page – it is beyond special, in many ways!

Carolynn - THANK YOU bunches and bunches and bunches for inspiring us, and for inviting us into your world for a day!  It has been a complete pleasure and joy to work with you!  I know I’m not the only one that will be watching your gallery for your next post, lol!  Of course, we’ll have another new GALLERY  GIRLS post next month…SO MUCH FUN :o)

Kylie will be back with you on Friday – so, be sure to stop back by as she shares our FREE desktop for August :o)  THANK YOU ALL for stopping by…have a beautiful and blessed day/night!  xoxo –SP

Shabby PrincessGallery Girls, Inspiration, Uncategorized 7 Comments

Hello everyone! It’s Anna here, bringing you this week’s Product Spotlight! I selected the Twirl Collection – Woohoo!!! I know a few of you have had your eyes on this one and now is the time to buy because for the next two weeks it is on SALE at the Shabby Shoppe for ONLY $5.95, that’s 25% off!  Take a look! 

Look at the lovely inspiration from our team! 

For a closer look at all these layouts go the Shabby Artists Inspiration Gallery! 

Also be sure to check out our Twirl Piece-A-Cake Album and Badge Album in the shop! They are ON SALE (for a limited time only), too! 

Thanks for stopping by! Tomorrow SP will have another fabulous Gallery Girls post! Have a GREAT day! :)

AnnaProduct Spotlight, Uncategorized 1 Comment

Hello everyone!  It’s Beckie here to bring you this week’s fabulous new Layout of the Week!

First let me say that you girls are rockin’ Template Challenge 14!! You have just under a week to get your layouts in (they’re due 7/31), so don’t forget to join in!

This week’s incredible layout was created with July’s Project SCRAP template…but with a few wonderful twists!  It’s Rosy with her camping layout!

I love so many things about this layout…including camping, LOL!  I love the earthy colors she used, and that FABULOUS blending technique on that gorgeous photo of the lake.  How creative is that?!  And I love how she added in three smaller photos that really help capture the details of the experience.  It’s a great example of how you can always take any template and modify it to make it work for you! Rosy was a Gallery Girl back in March, so if you want to learn more about Rosy be sure to check out her interview!

Also, be sure to check out this fabulous post on blending that Kylie created last summer.  I could read it 10 more times and still not learn everything she shared with us, LOL!  I don’t know why I never think to do blending on my own pages, because when I see it on pages like Rosy’s layout here I absolutely love the big impact it makes!

Congratulations Rosy!!! Enjoy the $10 Shabby Shoppe gift card that has just been emailed to you (and be sure to check your spam folders)… have fun shoppe-ing!

Be sure to join us back here tomorrow when Anna brings you another delightful Product Spotlight!

BeckieLayout of the Week, Uncategorized 5 Comments

Hi everyone!! Kylie here with this month’s exciting new project SCRAP templates (two separate templates to create a ‘spread’ in your project SCRAP 2011 album)!! YAY!

Have you all been taking photos this month? I have…but not quite enough yet! Until the end of the month my camera will not leave my hands…that’s the plan, LOL! …because it’s almost time to get SCRAPPIN’ !  So, how about you…in the same boat as me? Or are you like SP who has already taken MORE than enough pics for July?! Either way, I’m going to enjoy filling the new and ‘funky’ circle-style templates…and I hope you do too!! :o)

You can click on the image above…or, CLICK HERE to download the JULY templates!

Project SCRAP ~ bundle ONE is now available for purchase at the Shabby Shoppe…CLICKING HERE will take you straight there!

PLEASE NOTE: if you participated in project SCRAP 2011 right here at the Shabby Shoppe’s BLOG…you do not need to purchase this product. Be sure to check your hard drive before purchasing :o)

New to project SCRAP? …well then, if you are not familiar with our little scrap project (if you ARE familiar with it, skip this paragraph, as always, lol)… THIS POST is a great place to learn more! Also, if you click on the PROJECT SCRAP 2011 category (on the right side of the blog)…you can ALWAYS easily find ALL posts related to the subject! It’s your go-to place if you want to keep up with everything! But, as a quick little reminder… here is the project in a nutshell:::

Be sure to post your completed July pages in the project scrap GALLERY! We sure do LOVE to see how you work with our project SCRAP templates and all the wonderful Shabby Shoppe products! :o) As always, we’ll be doing a July ‘check-in’ soon… and will, of course, be sure to include some awesome gallery inspiration with the latest templates! Until then, have fun scrapping (and photographing)!

We’ll be back on Monday with LOTW… so until then have a fantastic weekend and see you again soon! :o)

KylieFree (not desktops), Uncategorized, project Scrap 2011 17 Comments