Hi everyone!  Kylie here :o)  Hope you all had a sun-shiney and happy-scrappy weekend!  I’m back again to do Layout of the Week…which is always lots of fun for me!  Today…the Shabby Shoppe Blog LOTW title goes to…(drumroll, please!!)…

Grade 1 by the very talented georgiayost!

How cute and creative is that photograph?!  Super CUTE!!  I just love the idea of photoshopping last year’s kindergarten photo into the empty frame sweet little Kieran is holding up…sooo creative!  Wonderful use of the bright and cheery Gracie collection.  It’s the little touches that really make this page…the little paper pinwheel and button standing side-by-side, the stitched border, the paper hearts, the ‘love’ stamp – and more!…all wonderful details and all add a little whimsy to the layout and a smile to my face!  A perfect first day page!

Congratulations to georgiayost!  We hope you enjoy spending your $10 gift card in the Shoppe and we look forward to seeing more of your beautiful pages.  (Don’t forget to check your SPAM folder if you can’t find my email in your inbox).

Thanks for checking in today!  Enjoy your day/night and be sure to visit again on Wednesday…Casharina has a great little tip to share with our photoshop users!

KylieLayout of the Week, Uncategorized 2 Comments

Hi everyone…Kylie here!! :o)  Hands up if you LOVE cupcakes!! ;o)  Me. me. me – I do!! LOL!!  So, last week, Rosy shared a wonderfully delicious cupcake recipe…mmmm yummm! – orange cupcakes!!  Have you tried them yet? - trust me, you’ll love them!  Today, I’m continuing with the cupcake theme and sharing how I made this gorgeous (& party perfect, I might add!) hybrid CUPCAKE STAND project!!

 To start with I purchased a do-it-yourself-style Cupcake Stand from HERE - I love their ‘beyond the page’ products!  I then set about assembling and painting the stand.

Using a wide foam brush, I painted each individual piece with a white ‘undercoat’ and let them dry.  I then assembled the pieces and continued to apply the rest of my coats of paint – three coats of acrylic in my chosen colour (antique white), one coat of matte varnish & one coat of sparkle mod podge…a girl needs a little sparkle from time to time!! ;o)  Each coat didn’t take too long to dry and all up it took a bit over a day to finish the painting.  Just read the instructions on your paint and sealers to determine how long between coats etc.

Now for the FUN bit!! …the DECORATIONS!! :o)

Using the an affair to remember digital kit as my starting point I chose three different papers to decorate each of the scalloped cupcake tiers.  I then measured the perimeter of each tier.  You will find using a flexible sewing measuring tape the best thing for this as you can work your way easily around each scallop.  I then did a few calculations on how many 5cm-wide (2 inch-wide) strips I needed to wrap around each tier.  With this major mathematical feat achieved (LOL!!), in photoshop, I created long rectangular strips (side-by-side) at the required size, clipped my papers and printed each page.  I used a thick (120gsm) textured paper with a slight lustre…not quite cardstock but a thicker gsm than your regular printing paper.  That was just my preference…feel free to go with what you like to use!

While I was in photoshop I also worked out what other bits and pieces I wanted to print out…these goodies came from:

The PERFECT PARTY PACK is the best!  I love, love, love it! …and it perfectly coordinates with my an affair to remember cupcake-party-for-two theme!  I printed out a couple of party hats and an invitation – just for fun!  But the pieces I had to have to really make my cupcake stand a winner were the gorgeous little cupcake wrappers and circle candy covers to use as cupcake toppers.  I put together the wrappers, made my little toppers using a large tooth pick and two circle candy covers each, decorated my party hats with flowers & ribbons and customised my mock invitation!

Along with my printed Shabby Shoppe products I also used a few pink ribbons I already had in my stash and some pretty fabric flowers from HERE.  I then dug out my double-sided tape, glue dots, scissors, punches, scorer etc etc…to support my cupcake stand mission!  I used a fancy edging punch to pretty up my paper trims and then attached them around the stand with double-sided tape.  If you are looking for a more permanent decoration then I would probably go with a good craft glue and not the double-sided tape.  I then added my ribbons, flowers and some smaller candy covers discs from the Perfect Party Pack to finish off with a flourish.

…and voila, my cupcake stand was complete!!  Well almost…can’t forget about the all-important cupcakes!!  Mmmm! …strawberry, lemon, cookies & cream, and mini chocolate ones! :o)

Hope you enjoyed my cupcake celebration post today!  I certainly enjoyed making it for you…and for me, too!!  A special little gift I made myself for a very special day! ;o)

THANKS for dropping by today…enjoy your weekend…and see you back here on Monday for another Layout of the Week instalment.  Bye for now, my dear sweet friends! XO

KylieHybrid Projects, Uncategorized 7 Comments

Hi everyone…it’s Kylie! :o)  Today, it’s TEMPLATE CHALLENGE time!!…and we are up to NUMBER TWENTY-SEVEN!

Joining in our monthly template challenge is as easy-as-pie and so much FUN…we love bringing it to you!!  This month’s template is perfect if you’ve got lots of photos to scrap – summer vacation, back to school, everyday happy snaps!  However if you only have a couple of cute pics that need scrapping?…why not use some of the photo spots to display beautiful papers or extra journaling.  Templates are a great way to jump-start your creativity and we’d love to see where Template Challenge {27} takes you!  Enjoy!! :o)

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

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

The ‘deadline’ for this challenge is SEPTEMBER 30th :o)  We will announce the template challenge winner on October 4th, when we share Template Challenge TWENTY-EIGHT.  As you probably know, we 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 (eastern time) on September 30th, and again…the winner will be announced in early October (the 4th to be exact)!

I need to add that our blog SPAM protection has been extremely vigilant the last few months.  If you do happen to add a comment and don’t see it straight away it has unfortunately been directed to our spam queue, awaiting approval.  I check this queue daily, SO DON’T WORRY, I will catch it and add it back to this post so everyone can see it, and more importantly so that you have an entry.  Apologies if this causes any confusion!

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.

Time now for some inspiration!

Here we have sweet Kim’s summer lovin’ page!

A little more outdoor fun from the lovely Rosy! 

And here is my version – in all it’s pastel glory! ;o)

Thanks heaps Kim and Rosy! :o)  You can visit the Shabby Artist Gallery anytime for a closer look and for more information about each layout – we will be uploading throughout the day/night.

…and, now that you have had a little sneak-peek at some of our ideas…we can’t wait to see what you come up with! :o)  Have FUN!! and…

{ Remember to link up to this post only to enter template challenge TWENTY-SEVEN }

And now it is time to announce the winner of TEMPLATE CHALLENGE TWENTY-SIX! – YAY!!  This time, the ‘lucky’ random number was 31… and that means that onyxdrop’s Moments & Memories layout was selected! :o)  A beautiful page, in every way!  CONGRATULATIONS, onyxdrop and a big WELCOME…I see this is your very first post!!  You should have received a $25 gift card to the Shabby Shoppe in your email box (be sure to check any spam folders) this morning…ENJOY the shoppe-ing and thanks for joining in the challenge fun!

And, as always…THANK YOU to everyone who participated in the last challenge.  We soooo appreciate it and love seeing all your wonderfully creative pages – and I have to say, everyone totally rocked the last challenge template - AMAZING stuff ladies!!

Thanks for checking in with us today…enjoy your new easy-as-pie template!  I’ll see you all back here with some hybrid inspiration tomorrow (or even Saturday – as I’m having way too much fun with it, LOL!) !  See you then! :o)

…and remember, if you do happen to add a comment with a link and don’t see it straight away it has unfortunately taken a trip to our spam queue, awaiting approval.  I check this queue all the time, SO DON’T WORRY, I will catch it and add it back to this post so everyone can see it, and more importantly so that you have an entry.

KylieFree (not desktops), Template Challenges, Uncategorized 38 Comments

Hello Shabby Shoppe readers!  Rosy here, to bring you a product spotlight featuring one of SP’s fun and versatile kits named “Smarshmallows”!  Isn’t the name so fun!

Smarshmallows has a beautifully versatile color palette and lots of fun embellishments including stars, felt circles and leaves, ribbons, frames, painted swirls, buttons, and more.  If you like to embellish with ribbons or buttons then you’ll love Smarshmallows, because it has lots of them!

There is also an element pack of Round Labels – A Child’s World that matches this kit and fits in perfectly with all the other circles in the kit!

These are great to use on children’s pages, but I often use them as a base for a cluster of embellishments on any theme page.  On my “This Tricycle’s Life” page I’ve used the labels under the felt circles with buttons to create a stacked cluster.  Notice that the striped paper in Smarshmallows makes a beautiful plaid and I’ve softlight blended the star pattern into the solid neutral background.

On “Lilies” circles take center stage with circle stamps, circle photos and button flowers!  The stitching in Smarshmallows also worked perfectly as journaling lines in this layout.

Casharina has done a beautiful job of showing the girlie side of Smarshmallows and she’s also made great use of the cardboard journaler!

Kylie’s cute page is circle heaven!  I love her use of the fun alpha in the kit and the ribbons layered among the elements.

Beckie’s page is a wonderful example of the versatile nature of Smarshmallows!  With a few additions from sandbox and summer cottage, it makes an adorable beach page. I love how she’s used the swirls to mimic waves here!

Kim’s fun page makes great use of the visual triangle design principle using three felt circle embellishments.  I love how she has highlighted the” winner” photo with the circle stamp and a frame!

The Smarshmallows kit and Round Labels – A Child’s World are ON SALE for a limited time, so now is your chance to snatch them up!  Smarshmallows is only $4.50 and the coordinating Round Labels just $1.05!

Want the smarshmallows look but don’t have time to scrap…then check out the 12×12 Piece-a-Cake Album and the cute little Tin Album Project.  These fabulous timesavers are also ON SALE for a limited time!

Thanks for stopping in and be sure to check in on Thursday when Kylie brings us the next template challenge!

RosyProduct Spotlight, Uncategorized 4 Comments

Hi all…Kylie here!!  I hope you’ve all had an enjoyable and very special weekend!!  Whether you celebrated Father’s Day yesterday (like my fellow Aussies) OR Labor Day weekend in the United States OR perhaps just a happy-scrappy weekend…whatever the reason, I hope you had a lovely time spent with family and friends!! :o)

It’s my turn, once again, for choosing a favourite page from our Shabby Shoppe inspiration gallery for Layout of the Week!  Oh you (very talented!!) gals make it sooooo tough, you have no idea?!!!! ;o)  So many wonderful layouts to choose from…page after page!  In particular, I’m loving all the bright summer layouts – so much colour, so much fun!  It certainly makes the gallery a HAPPY place to be!!  So, back to having to pick only one…I picked this sweet layout:

Strawberry Jam by kirplnk

Well first off…I love fresh-picked strawberries, I love making jam, I love eating jam…so, of course, it’s no surprise that this amazing layout sparked my interest!  I love the way kirplnk has added the skillfully blended photo to the background.  The strip of red polka-dot paper bordered by pretty lace, the cute arrows, and a perfect use of kraft paper – pull it all together.  It’s a wonderful design to help tell a lovely home-made family story…from the berry picking to the sweet, sweet bottled jam!  Great work, kirplnk!! :o)  Oh and you must check out kirplnk’s amazing gallery, especially her use of the August projectScrap templates!!  Two-page perfection!!

Congratulations, kirplnk!  Watch your e-mail (and don’t forget to check your SPAM folders if you don’t see it!) for a $10 gift card to the Shabby Shoppe …and enjoy your shoppe-ing!

A big THANKS to EVERYONE that posted LO’s in the gallery last week (it was lots of fun to look through them all!)…and thanks for stopping by the Blog today, we’re so happy you did!  Rosy will be here with you tomorrow with a very special product spotlight and some beautiful scrapping inspiration.  See you then!! :o)

KylieLayout of the Week, Uncategorized 2 Comments