hey guys :o)  SP here with a SUPER duper QUICK post today!  I just wanted to let you know that we just added a couple of fun, new products to the Shoppe!  I figure there is really no reason to reinvent the wheel here, LOL…so I’m just going to link you to the NEWSLETTER :o)  It is full of photos and previews and info about the new products, sale prices…and MORE!

So, take a peek…and most importantly – have a WONDERFULLY perfect weekend!  I’ll ‘see ya’ back here on Monday when I share the new LAYOUT OF THE WEEK with you!  Until then, XOXO — SP :o)

Shabby PrincessShoppe News, Uncategorized 2 Comments

hello hello! SP here today…with a fun check-in for our project SCRAP :o) Ya know what…I have to tell you guys…I started this project with mixed emotions – wondering if it was something I really wanted to ‘take-on’…in more ways than one, lol! It’s been a big undertaking for all of us at the Shoppe (certainly not just me, lol)…but I have to say that it has also been SO worth it! hmmm…I sound like we are wrapping up the year or something, lol…NOT YET! but, it’s just that I am SO happy to have seven months/spreads COMPLETE…I mean that has just never happened before! I don’t feel the guilt that I normally do…where I know that I am not up-to-date…and that I am missing/forgetting important events and moments from the year, kwim?! But not just that…I REALLY love the pages I have, lol! Thanks to the templates…there is a cohesive feel and flow to the pages and I am so excited to see the final book/album when we get there! So, you guys stay on track with me (the good thing is that since I do these check-ins…I CAN’T get behind, lolol)…and let’s finish STRONG :o)

Can I just tell you that I had the MOST fun with the JULY templates?! I loved Kylie’s design on these…the circle was like a ‘breath of fresh air’ – and Goodness knows I had PLENTY of photos to fill it with this month, lol! For many of us (at least in the US)…July 4th is a big part of July – and like many of you – I had LOTS of pics from our celebrations! But, the month was full of other FUN stuff, too – so I tried to balance it out a bit :o) Will definitely have to add a couple of July 4th pages in my album though…just so many pics, lol! Anyway – let’s get on with it, huh? :o) Here are my July pages…

Thankfully…I am not alone in this project :o) And, fortunately for you guys…we have more inspiration than just mine, lol! Have you guys had a chance to peek at the project SCRAP gallery lately? If you haven’t…you must do so :o) It is truly overflowing with AMAZINGLY FABULOUS inspiration for this wonderful project we have all been working on together! I love seeing how everyone interprets the templates…adds their own ‘style’ and flair! I just think it is so fun that we all start with with the same ‘blueprint’…but all end up with our own custom pages! Speaking of which…how about a few of my July faves from the project SCRAP gallery? I know it’s kinda early…but I can’t wait to see the gallery fill up with more July spreads :o)

First, we have Kylie’s! While it is SOOOOO hot here (and I’m sure for many of you, too)…I just really enjoy seeing her COOL, WINTER pages, lol! Isn’t it so fun that we experience opposite seasons at the same time? lol! I have the pleasure of having a weekly ‘screen-to-screen’ chat with Kylie…and it cracks me up that I am in a tank top and shorts…and she is all bundled up :o) But, about her pages – FABULOUS as ALWAYS! Love her use of the Darling Paper Collection…and her ability to mix and match elements and kits (to perfection)! And, I just can’t get enough of her precious nieces :o)

I am a HUGE fan of PrimevalPixie’s gallery…she has filled it with so many fabulous and FUN pages…and her July project SCRAP spread is NO exception! LOVE all of the family pics…and how it all just screams SUMMER! perfect, perfect perfect! Thank you so much for inspiring us :o)

Finally…we have jessg26′s July pages! Like me, she went with Summer Cottage (not only perfect for Independence Day pics…but for summer/beach/lake in general!) – and it was the perfect choice for all of her photos! The casual feel of the pics and papers are fabulous for hot, summer pages! and just look at that little beach cutie, lol! all of the pics are beyond precious! oh, and while you are in jessg26′s gallery – you have to see her SPLASH PARK page…it is SOOOOOOOOOOOO sweet!

Okie Dokie :o) I think that should do it for project SCRAP today! Keep scrapping away…and please remember to upload your layouts so we can all see! You never know just how inspiring your pages might be for someone!

I’ll be back soon-ish (hopefully by the weekend…but don’t hold me to it) with a couple of new items for the Shoppe - YAY! Won’t be a HUGE release…but I’m super excited to tell you that I am working on a new KIT (yep…a whole KIT, lolol) and am LOVING it…and having a LOT of fun with it! But, first need to get through this little release – so I can focus fully on the kit :o) Thanks for being so patient with me and my schedule! Have a great day/night! XOXO — SP

Shabby Princessproject Scrap 2011, Uncategorized 6 Comments

Hello everyone! :) Rachel here with a new product spotlight! This time we are featuring the seriously amazing hopscotch & hopscotch SCHOOL additions.

The hopscotch kit is really so versatile. I have done layouts for my spouse and I, layouts for toddlers and even school layouts with the fun additions pack. And for a limited time both sets will be on SALE at the Shabby Shoppe! The ever-cheerful, jam-packed HOPSCOTCH KIT is only $5.95! And, if you want to pick up the coordinating school ADDITIONS – they are marked down to $2.95 for a limited time as well (the sale prices go away when we post our next Product Spotlight)!

Next we have some amazing inspiration from the Shabby girls…

For more details on all of the above layouts, check out the Shabby Artist Gallery – these fun new pages will be appearing over the next day or so.  And, I would love to see some layouts from all of you, using ‘all things’ hopscotch, in our members gallery!!

Thanks for checking in with the blog today and we will see you back here on Thursday - when SP will share all the very latest on projectSCRAP 2011!  Until then, Happy Scrapping! :)

rachelProduct Spotlight, Uncategorized 3 Comments

Rachel here to bring you LOTW again!! This is one of my favorite features of the Shabby Shoppe blog. I just love being able to sit in awe at all the talent in the gallery. So it is so much fun to get to spotlight an amazing layout!

This week I have picked the layout KINDERGARTEN by con01008. I just love how it is scrapped in a rectangular format, something I have never tried. Also, I am in love with how con01008 scrapped a photo from the first and last day of kindergarten. What a great idea! To me it almost seems like in the first photo she is a little shy and unsure, whereas in the last photo it looks like she has loved the year and ready to take on anything!  That title just draws your eye in and lets you know everything right away. Love it.

 Congratulations con01008 and thanks again for sharing your exquisite page! Enjoy the $10 Shabby Shoppe gift card that has just been e-mailed to you (be sure to check your spam folder)… have fun shoppe-ing!

Thanks for stopping by the blog today and I’ll see you again tomorrow with a FUN product spotlight!

rachelLayout of the Week, Uncategorized 6 Comments

Hi all…Kylie back again as promised! :o)  We all LOVE our Shabby Shoppe products and extending them beyond the ‘page’ brings new life to them…and it also means we get to ENJOY them all the more! YAY! :o)  Today I’m sharing a fun and inexpensive hybrid project that pretty much anyone & everyone can try their hand at… making COVERED BUTTONS! This is a great way to dress-up some everyday items with a little Shabby Princess loveliness!

What you’ll need:

• Shabby Shoppe kit, paper collection and/or embellishment pack – pick out your faves!
• your preferred photo editing software (photoshop, paintshop pro etc)
• an inkjet or bubble jet printer
• t-shirt transfer paper (available at most craft stores or office/stationery supply shops)
• fabric (the thinner the better)
• an iron
• a covered button making kit (available at most haberdashery & craft stores – I paid about AUD$5.00 for mine)
• scissors
• things to decorate!

Once you have decided what you want to decorate you may also need glue, needle & thread, and/or other basic craft items to finish off your projects.

Basic steps:

• Choose what Shabby Shoppe products you want to use and add them to a blank work area in photoshop etc. The size of the work area will be the same size as the transfer paper you will be printing on. For my buttons I chose one element for each button, but feel free to layer papers and elements to design whatever look you want for your new button. Depending on the size of button you are making you may need to resize your elements…measure the button shell and use the ruler guides in your program to manually resize or just resize the image prior to dragging and dropping onto your work area. Also ensure there is enough space around each ‘designed button’ to allow for cutting and tucking the material around and under the button.
• Print onto the ‘t-shirt’ transfer paper. There are generally two types of transfer paper – one for light fabric and one for dark fabric. I used the dark variety as I like the matte finish better…personal preference really! :o) Make sure you read the printing instructions on the paper pack because sometimes you have to reverse the elements prior to printing – you don’t want to end up with back-to-front letters after transferring, hey?! LOL!! So my advice is to read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully prior to printing.
• Follow the ‘t-shirt’ transfer paper manufacturer’s instructions for the ironing process too as they differ product to product. As we are covering small buttons it’s best to choose a thin, light-weight material – I chose a very light-weight white cotton-blend. Making buttons with a thicker material will prove extremely difficult, especially with the added layer of the iron-on transfer.
• Cut around each of the button designs leaving enough fabric as a border to allow for tucking in.
• Follow the manufacturer’s guide on your ‘Button Covering Kit’ to make your buttons. But generally, you press the fabric and ‘button shell’ into the ‘holder’ with the ‘pusher’.  Trim the fabric closer if required. Remove the ‘pusher’ and tuck the fabric into the shell. Snap the ‘button back’ into the ‘button shell’ with the ‘pusher’ and then peel out finished button from the ‘holder’. Too easy! My tip when making your actual button is to use a little double-sided tape between the fabric and the ‘button shell’ to ensure that your design doesn’t move off-centre when you push it into the plastic ‘holder’.

Once you have made your covered buttons you can go-to-town prettying up whatever you like!! :o) Here is what I did:

Back-to-school time… freshly sharpened pencils… new pencil cases – sound familiar?! Why not personalize yours or your kids (hey, kids can make these easy buttons too!!) new cloth pencil cases! For the pink case (from HERE) I used the cute button alpha and a sweet little ladybug from the Sweetie-pie kit. And for the adorable little owl pouch (sourced from HERE) I made use of some of the giggle box kit ‘epoxy buttons’ and an alpha. I hand stitched each of the buttons onto the cases. I think they turned out pretty neat!!!

I often see pretty little covered button hair clips… now I can make my own – Shabby Shoppe style!! And so can you!!! :o)  I didn’t need to sew the buttons onto the clip so instead of using a button back from the Covered Button Making Kit I just measured and cut out a circle of strong cardboard the same size of the ‘button back’. That way I had a flat surface to glue the button to the metal hair clip. You make the button in exactly the same way…with the button shell, holder and pusher… you just use your DIY cardboard circle instead of the ‘button back’ which has the ‘sewing hole’ therefore making it impossible to glue the button flat against the clip, does that make sense? Hope so!! ;o) Here I made use of two sweet little elements from the Occasions kit. And added a little gathered ribbon to one set, just for fun! I used craft glue to glue down all the components. Quick little gifts for my nieces!!

Ever feel like your fridge or magnetic board magnets are a bit on the boring side? Again…covered buttons to the rescue!! I needed a flat back to my buttons again, so used a little circle of cardboard as my button back. I stuck the “giggle box” buttons onto the bulldog clips (sourced from HERE) with a glue dot and a little extra craft glue. For the little ‘hopscotch flower’ magnets I used a thinner cardboard as my button back so that I could glue in little round magnets (available at most craft stores) and they would still sit reasonably flush with the button edges. Voila…new look stationery supplies!

Hope you enjoyed today’s “cute-as-a-button” hybrid inspiration, lol!! I had fun bringing it to you!!  And remember, there are so many different ways of using the covered button idea…not just the above examples…so have a blast experimenting! Why not share your finished projects in the gallery – we’d LOVE to see what you made using your Shabby Princess products!

Wishing you all a lovely, lovely weekend! Join us again on Monday for another beautiful LAYOUT OF THE WEEK! Bye for now! :o)  

KylieHybrid Projects, Uncategorized 8 Comments