Hi all…hope everyone has had a wonderful week so far!! :o)  Kylie here with the Shabby Shoppe Blog’s next Easy-As-Pie TEMPLATE CHALLENGE!  Can you believe that we are just about to start our TWENTY-FOURTH challenge?  That makes it 2 (yep, TWO!) whole years of awesome layered-templates for anyone & everyone to easily download…& enter our seriously easy-as-pie monthly digi scrap challenges (now that’s a bit of a mouthful, LOL! – sorry girls!!)  Or maybe I should have just simply said: so much scrapping…so much FUN to all be a part of! :o)  And we’d really LOVE you all to jump right in and give our brand new template a try…

To download…CLICK HERE (or just click on the preview image below)!

This latest template really was a lot of FUN to put together for you guys! :o)  Has anyone else noticed all those bold chervon patterns popping up more and more in the world of design?  Recently, it seems that that same playful ‘zig-zag’ has been one of the hottest trends in both paper and digi-scrapping…so, I thought, why not incorporate a chic, modern and very versatile chevron motif into one of our template challenges…a little something for us all to have a bit of FUN with!

Now, let’s go over the GUIDELINES for our template challenges here at the Shoppe?!  Then be sure to keep scrolling to view some fabulous inspiration from our lovely & super-talented Shabby Artists!

The ‘deadline’ for this challenge is JULY 1st.  We will announce the template challenge winner on July 5th, when we share Template Challenge TWENTY-FIVE!  As you probably know, we now announce the winner 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 (via random.org) – 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 (US eastern time) on JULY 1st, and again…the winner will be announced in early July (the 5th to be exact)!

So again…here is 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 – SP has created a quick and simple tutorial on how to use our Easy-As-Pie templates in PSE and PS.  You can find it HERE.  We’ve 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.

Now, here is that INSPIRATION I promised you :o)  And please remember that you can always visit the Shabby Artist Gallery for more information about each layout – we will be uploading throughout the day/night…

I took a bright, fun and somewhat “galactic” approach with my new layout…and how cool is SP’s Space Boy kit…so perfect for my pics!  I love discovering some of these older kits…and I had an absolute blast (LOL!) playing with Space Boy (plus a few bits & pieces from other fave kits)!!  Deciding which papers to clip to the ‘chevron’ pieces, now, that was the best bit!

Jenelle‘s page is every inch -> star-quality!!  The first thing that catches my eye is her very clever title!  …next, the stars, a lil’ glitter and ever-so perfect starburst make the page sparkle just so!  …and finally that super-cool old tree…a perfectly magical place for little boys to play :o)

Kim‘s stunning anniversary page is so beautifully scrapped!  The color palette is divine…and I can’t get over how sweet Kim and her handsome husband haven’t changed a bit in ten years!  Forever young…and in love!  Awwww!!

I utterly adore Rosy‘s contribution to the latest template challenge!  I love how she tweaked the template to suit her style…and her ‘landscape-oriented’ photographs.  Isn’t that the most perfect Mother’s Day page?!!…an abundance of inspiration shown here!  And how wonderful does a subtle gray patterned background work with the bold reds, above, in Kim’s example and the pretty pastels that Rosy has incorporated here…so versatile and full of class!

Casharina also lovingly tinkered with the original template and made it all her own!! …an extra framed pic to triple the fun…and the journal space moved to suit!  Loving that point-form journaling typed in different colors…a fabulous way to capture the memories of a fun-filled family day!  Extra-gorgeous scrapping!! :o)

Thanks heaps girls! :o)  Now that you’ve had a peek at all our pages – ALL so different and ALL so fab!  We so hope you enjoy scrapping your very own creations…looking forward to seeing yours in the gallery and being inspired all over again!

{ Don’t FORGET to link up to this post only to enter template challenge TWENTY-FOUR }

So we’ve shared the new template with you – YAY!!!  …we’ve attached some fabulous inspiration from the team – YIPEE!!  …and now it is time to announce the winner of TEMPLATE CHALLENGE 23! – hip-hip-HOORAY!!  This time round, the ‘lucky’ number was 21… and that means that Lily_of_the_Valley’s beautiful SENIOR RECITAL layout is our winner! :o)  Such a sweet page…full of heartfelt touches!  I especially love the musical quote! :o)  CONGRATULATIONS, Susan!!  You will be receiving a $25 gift card to the Shabby Shoppe in your email box (be sure to check spam folders) this morning…have fun shoppe-ing and thanks for joining in the template challenge fun!

And, as always…THANKS to everyone who took part in the previous challenge.  We’re sooooo happy that you played along with us…and we truly loved each & every layout!  Page after page of beautiful scrapping!!

Thanks for checking in with us today…enjoy your new easy-as-pie template!  I’ll see you all back here tomorrow with a little something for Father’s Day!  See you then! :o)

KylieFree (not desktops), Template Challenges, Uncategorized 35 Comments

Hello everyone.  Jenelle here with some quick tips for using the Text Tool in Photoshop (and Photoshop Elements, as I believe it is quite a similar process).  I love playing around with type and fonts ~ I probably spend the most amount of time on my layouts choosing the right font!  What about you?  Are you a font junkie like me?!?!  LOL!

I do have a lot of fonts installed on my computer, so it is hard for me to remember them all.  However, I recently discovered a neat little trick to make the sample size larger in my preview screen.  Now,  I can get a good look at all the font styles I have available.  It is as simple as tweaking a few settings in your Photoshop program.

• From the Menu Bar, choose Edit>Preferences>Type
• Check the ‘Font Preview Size’
• Choose ‘Large’ or ‘Extra Large’ from the drop-down menu (options will depend on your version)
• Click OK

Now you can really see all those font styles you have on your hard drive!!  I find it much easier to browse through them when they’re set at the largest size.

Also, have you noticed that some fonts come ‘packaged’ in sets with further options to make them bold and italicized, while others don’t offer you these options?  Never fear!  Your Photoshop and Photoshop Elements programs give you these options –  even when the font package doesn’t.

In Photoshop, all you have to do is :-

• Click on the Text Tool
• Highlight the text you’d like to alter
• Click on the Toggle the Character and Paragraph palette icon in the options bar
• Choose from Faux Bold, Faux Italics, Underline, Strikethrough, All Capitals (+ more) options.  They are each represented by the row of ‘T’ icons
• Then tick the check mark in the options bar to confirm your alterations

To undo the effect, simply highlight the text and click on the corresponding icon again.

Thanks for stopping by today ~  I hope this post has given you a few more tricks to add to your digi-scrapping repertoire!

Please join us again tomorrow, when Kylie will be sharing our newest Template Challenge.  We’re up to number 24 already!  Until then, happy scrapping everyone!

JenelleTips and Tricks, Uncategorized 12 Comments

Happy Monday to everyone!  This is Rosy bringing you the layout of the week.  This week’s winner is embellishedangel with her Haley is 13 layout!

 I love this layout’s happy colors that give it a fresh feel and yet are grown-up enough for a teenager page.  The design is fabulous and the photos tell the story so beautifully!  The little details with the sequins and banner add just the right amount of festivity to this well put together page.

Congratulations embellishedangel!  Look for your $10 gift card to the Shabby Shoppe in your e-mail! …and to everyone, thank you for posting all of your beautiful pages in the gallery!  We love to see what you are creating!

Be sure to stop back on Wednesday for a tips & tricks post by Jenelle!

RosyLayout of the Week, Uncategorized 3 Comments

Happy Friday everyone!! :o)  It’s Kylie here…and I am very excited to be with you for today’s special post!

If you have been following the blog…you probably know that we (the blog) recently had our 2nd birthday…and our beloved Shabby Shoppe celebrated its SEVENTH birthday!  hip-hip-Hooray!!  So, to help us celebrate we invited one and all to play a couple of  ‘party’ games.  Whooo hooo!! ;o)  Well…sooooo many of you joined in the fun & games…and that of course made our birthday all the more special - THANK YOU, THANK YOU for being part of our special month-long birthday celebrations!!  It just wouldn’t have been the same without you! :o)

The time has come to finish up our two games…but not before I hand out some PRIZES!!!

There were bunches and bunches of fabulously sweet comments and favorite blog posts linked-up for our little Link-A-Post game…and here are our three random ‘WINNERS’ using our friend Mr Random:

• Comment 6: abyhunter linked her favorite blog post ~ “Stripes to Plaid”
• Comment 4: Kimberly linked her favorite blog post ~ “Scrapping Imperfect Photos”
• Comment 34: Candice S. linked her favorite blog post ~ “Project Scrap 2012″

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)  AGAIN, thank you SO much, to everyone, for taking the time to play Link-A-Post!  It was lovely to see which blog posts have been your faves and your reasons why…you’re all sooo sweet!  And if you are interested…here is a lil’ Link-A-Post trivia! LOL!

• So many of you said it was too hard to choose…because you love them all (well, I totally agree!!!)
• Jenelle’s fantabulous Scrapping Imperfect Photos was your fave favorite!!
• You absolutely love all the tips and tricks posts…especially Casharina’s cool Re-coloring tips, Rosy’s neat little Stripes to Plaid and Kim’s top 10 tips for organized memory keeping!
• You are all big fans of Beckie’s awesome photography posts…especially this all-time favorite!
• There have been exactly 500 blogs posts (yes…Jenelle’s Thursday Thievery post yesterday was lucky number 500!!) published since May 2010!
• 24 different posts were linked as favorites…across all the different categories – learning new things with tips & tricks, focus on photos, food stuff, hybrid projects…being inspired and motivated to scrap your heart out as a result of a variety of inspiration posts, our special guests, amazing LOTW’s, gallery girls, template challenges, projectSCRAP…and fun freebies!! ;o)  The Shabby Shoppe Blog is here to inspire and it’s beyond awesome to know that we are doing just that!

I want to also take this opportunity to THANK all those that played Shabby Squiz…our second party game!!  Y’all are SQUIZ-STARS!!! :o)  I received heaps of emails - WOW, it was hard to keep up with the demand! LOL!!  I replied to every single email received within 24 hours…so if it appears that you have not yet received your Easy-As-Pie Invitation templates please check your spam and/or junk folders - it may be hiding out there.  And if you still can’t locate my reply please let me know and I’d be happy to resend it! …here’s my email address again: kylie@theshabbyshoppe.com  …just wanna make sure that you all got your templates! :o)

I hope you had bunches of FUN taking this little trip down “blog” memory lane with the Shabby Squiz questions…and are enjoying your new little birthday bash gift!

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Wishing everyone a fabulously happy and safe weekend.  We’ll be back on Monday with Layout of the Week…until then, Happy Scrapping!! :o)

…and, P.S.  Just a quick reminder that the Easy-As-Pie Template Challenge 23 deadline is SUNDAY night (12 midnight US EDT), for all those still wishing to join in the FUN and have the chance to win a $25 gift card to the Shabby Shoppe!  Don’t forget to add your comment/link to the original blog post after you upload your gorgeous layout to the Gallery! :o)

KylieBirthday Bash, Shoppe News, Uncategorized 1 Comment