Hello friends! :o)  It’s Kylie here…handing out (with a sunny smile on my face!) your new AUGUST project SCRAP 2012 templates!  Yep, August! <pause for effect!>…we’re officially on the downhill run now…speeding towards the end of year…and ANOTHER completed project SCRAP album on our shelves!  Now that’s exciting!! :o)  And you know what?! Scrapping the year TOGETHER makes the journey even sweeter…motivating and inspiring eachother along the way is at the very heart of project SCRAP – so if you’ve found yourself falling behind, it’s really not too late to catch back up – you’ll be so happy you did!!  Now talking about sunny smiles and sweet journeys, check out these little rays of sunshine:

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

Are you 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 2012 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 in 2012!  But, as a quick little reminder…here is the project in a nutshell:::

I truly hope you enjoy playing with this month’s fun two-page spread…filling it with your special photographs & stories, adding your fabulous Shabby Shoppe goodies…and simply creating a monthly snapshot to treasure…always & forever!! ;o)  And…of course, after all that scrapping fun, do not forget to upload YOUR pages in the 2012 project scrap GALLERY for all of us to peek at and admire!  Our dearest SP will be posting her AUGUST ‘check-in’ in a few weeks time…and will include some of that fabulous gallery inspiration using these new templates…will your pages be featured on the blog? - ya just never know!! ;o)

THANKS HEAPS for stopping by the blog today!  Make sure you visit again tomorrow…Jenelle has a TRI-umphant post for you all to enjoy!!  (OK, so I’m doing my worst best to add a pun…and when you stop by tomorrow you’ll think me seriously corny!! LOL!!)

KylieFree (not desktops), project Scrap 2012, Uncategorized 13 Comments

Hi all…Kylie here!! :o)  It has been quite awhile since I’ve posted a hybrid project…was it around Christmas time? – hmmm, where does the time go!  So…I thought it would be wise to ease back into it, lol!  (Wait until you see what I’ve got in store for next month…it’s a biggin’!!)  Today, on the other hand, is a simple little project that you can whip up in a jiffy and it is the perfect project for those of you in BACK TO SCHOOL mode!  So…what are we making today? – Lunch Box Notecards :o) …cool, huh?!

I think it is a super-cute idea to pop one of these sweet notecards into your child’s lunch box (or lunch bag!)…little notes of love, encouragement and cheery smiles!  A lil’ something to brighten their day…from someone they love.

To make your own cards:

• Create a standard paper size (8.5×11 letter or A4…whatever you normally use) work area in your photo editing software eg. PS/PSE etc
• Decide the size of each card and how many you wish to design.  I went with our Shoppe Piece-A-Cake Badge Album & Fun Flash Cards size of 3.28×2.45 inches and created eight (8) unique designs.  If you are planning to make a bulk amount you may like to consider designing them at a standard business card size and have them printed/trimmed at a photo lab…a little research goes a long way to saving time and money…and printer ink!!!
• use your shape tool to create your card base…tip: use the Fixed Size options on the shape tool bar

• next is all about building your design…clipping your papers, adding your elements and some text

For my cards (soon to be yours, once you download them!!) I used Hopscotch and it’s school additions along with a few little elements from a couple of other Shabby Princess kits.  It’s all about raiding your scrapbooking supply stash…there are so many cute things you can use…and not just standard kit elements, like a flower or two.  Why not search out the little word art sentiments or word stamps - Heartfelt, Gracie, Clementine, Barefoot and Giggle box are my faves.  Don’t forget to look in the miscellaneous and embellishments sections of the Shoppe…lots of goodies to found there – like the calendar doodles…perfect for a small notecards where it’s probably best to keep it simple and fuss free!

Time for your freebie!! :o)  You can click the image below to download the printable 8.5×11 jpeg…OR…simply click HERE!

I hope you enjoy these notecards (and find them useful)!  Thanks for checking in with us today and have a wonderful weekend!!  Monday is LOTW…see u then! xo 

KylieFree (not desktops), Hybrid Projects, Uncategorized 11 Comments

Hi all…Kylie here!  I hope everyone has had an awesome week so far.  How’s your Olympic viewing going?? – hope you’ve been getting some sporting action in…I have (well just the highlights really…I’m playing the time zone game)!!  And, how about a big welcome…to August!!  Yep!  AUGUST!! :o)  And, with every new month comes a brand new Easy-As-Pie TEMPLATE CHALLENGE from the Shabby Shoppe Blog!  Are you up for the challenge…CHALLENGE NUMBER 26…yeah, of course you are!  Joining in our monthly template challenges is super simple and so much FUN…we love bringing them to you!! :o)

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

I truly hope you enjoy scrapping this new template…isn’t it cute?!!  When I was designing it for you, I was thinking of a more portrait-style layout, rather than the everyday.  Something that you could use to celebrate that one SPECIAL photograph…or even use as an album cover.  By the way, did you happen to catch Rosy’s fantastic COVER INSPIRATION post yesterday?  Make sure you check it out while your here!  I also think this template can easily be converted into an 8.5×11 layout…if that’s your preferred scrapping size.

And remember, a template is just a starting point…a little jump start to your creativity.  So by all means dress it up or dress it down…add to it, take off some elements, rotate it, shrink it… SCRAP IT YOUR WAY!  To help your layout grow into something special – just add your beautiful photo/s and their story, your scrapping style, and of course, all those sweet Shabby Princess products.  Perfect! :o)

Now I mustn’t forget to go over the all-important GUIDELINES for our template challenges here at the Shoppe?!  It’s a bit of a read, lol, so don’t forget to keep on scrolling to view some of the gorgeous inspiration from our super-talented Shabby Artists!

The ‘deadline’ for this challenge is SEPTEMBER 2nd :o)  We will announce the template challenge winner on September 6th, when we share Template Challenge TWENTY-SEVEN…we are rollin’ through those numbers!!!  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 2nd, and again…the winner will be announced in early September (the 6th to be exact)!

I just wanted 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.

Now, let’s move onto soaking up all that INSPIRATION…just like I’d mentioned earlier in the post :o)

Here is my first take on the new template…a black & white polka-dot page with scallops, scallops and more scallops…and a little sweetie-pie cuteness thrown in for good measure!  Speaking of a lil’ sweetie-pie…my niece is looking oh-so grown up in that i-phone pic!  Not quite her usual trackpants look! ;o)

Next, I went for a bit of beachy casualness!  I tried to keep things simple…but couldn’t resist a couple of flower clusters, LOL!

Kim scrapped one of her own baby pics…how perfectly cute is that!!  And what an amazing “heritage” style page it is…so many special details – the petite gold flowers, the ribbons, a little touch of foliage, & that sweet pendant frame!  But hey, wait a sec!…Kim is far too young for me to be uttering the H-word! (Sorry Kim!, lol!)  Casharina took full advantage of pretty patterns with her pool “party” page. (Too many ‘p’s people??)  Her girls look like they are having heaps & heaps of fun jumping into the water below…love the sisterly hand holding!  Pure aqua and sunshine smiles!!! :o)

Now we move onto a little template tinkering!!! :o)

Jenelle‘s fresh picked layout is something special!  It all comes together so sweetly and I totally feel like I’m there with the boys…can’t you just smell the clean air, the fresh picked grass, even the horse?  Ahhhh, lovely!! …and cool photo editing Jenelle!  Next… yep, it’s another page from me!  Like Jenelle I rotated the template and had a bit of fun with glasses and goose bumps!

A sweet, sweet version scrapped beautifully by Rosy!  What a special everyday moment to capture on film and on the page.  (Bedtime reading is always a favourite of mine too!)  Love everything on the page but I think the little cluster off to the side deserves a special mention – so pretty!!  Want more sweetness?  Well then…there’s nothing sweeter than a perfect rose…except for our sweet Beckie!! :o)  Beckie is back and scrapping like only Beckie can!  Amazing photograph, awesome title work and pretty pops of colour!  LOVE!!

So whether you stick close to the original easy-as-pie template or use a little creative flair & change it up a bit…have a whole lot of fun playing along with the template challenge!  We can’t wait to see YOUR PAGE!! :o)

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

And now it’s my favourite part of the post…time to announce the winner of our last month’s TEMPLATE CHALLENGE…number TWENTY-FIVE! – HOORAY!!  And the lucky number picked by Mrs Random was #20… and that means that kkb42’s totally adorable Amelia is 5 months old layout was selected! :o)  Seriously now, how cute is that sweet set of photos?  I just can’t help smiling along with her…Amelia is a such a cutie-cutie-cutie-pie!!  CONGRATULATIONS, Krystal!!  You will be receiving a $25 gift card to the Shabby Shoppe in your email box (be sure to check spam folders) today…have fun shoppe-ing and thanks for joining in the template challenge fun!

And, as always…a big, big THANKS to everyone who participated in the last template challenge.  We are thrilled that you did…and hope you are inspired to scrap some amazing pages with our newest template!

Thanks for checking in with us today!  Have a really great weekend and we’ll see you back here next week for a whole lot of fun blog posts starting with LOTW on Monday!  Bye for now and Happy Scrapping :o)

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

Hi all!!  Kylie here today with a little Food Friday goodness!!

Sunny days are here my friends…well for most of you!! LOL!  Although, as I look out my window this winter morning the sun is shining happily (for a change)…but it’s cold, cold, cold!!  ugh…shiver!  But, let’s get back to sunny “SUMMER” days and all the good things that go with them…picnics, BBQ’s, street parties…outdoor FUN!!  Every summer I make these little gems up…my mini Asian Style Chicken Burgers!  A perfectly fresh and zingy alternative to all those grilled meaty (and kinda wickedly naughty in that oh-so greasy fashion, hey?!) burgers and hot dogs.

A number of years ago I was flipping through one of my (many, many) food mags and saw a recipe for something similar.  Months later, and as things generally go, when I went to make them I could not remember which magazine the recipe was in.  Typical!! ;o)  All I could remember was that they had a poached chicken, a mix of pickled vegetables and a zesty lime mayonnaise…so I made my own version up…and here it is:

~*~ Ingredients ~*~

• 24 mini bread rolls (dinner roll sized), halved.  Wholemeal or a grain style bread roll is best with this recipe but use whatever your preference is.  You could also use a standard size burger bun, if want a big serve…just halve the bread quantity to 12 or so.  And if you decide on a hot-dog-style bun then when you halve them don’t cut all the way through…you know the drill! ;o)
• 1 cup coriander (cilantro) leaves
• 1 cup mint leaves
• 2 green onions (spring onions/shallots), finely sliced
• 2 red thai chillies, finely sliced – you can add more or less chilli or a hotter variety depending on your taste

Poached chicken:

• 250ml (1 cup) fish sauce
• 6cm (2in) piece of peeled fresh ginger, roughly sliced
• 2 cloves of garlic, roughly sliced
• 100g (3oz) palm sugar – or you can use brown sugar as a substitute.
• 1 whole chicken (small to medium in size), boiling water

Pickled vegetables:

• 2 carrots, cut into julienne
• 8 snow peas (mangetout), cut into julienne
• 150ml (2/3 cup) white vinegar
• 100g (1/2 cup) white sugar
• 150ml (2/3 cup) water
• 1 teaspoon salt

Lime mayonnaise:

• 250g (1 cup) good quality mayonnaise
• Juice & zest of 1 lime
• 2 teaspoons fish sauce

~*~ Directions ~*~

• Poached chicken: Add ingredients to large saucepan.  Add enough boiling water to cover the chicken.  Over medium to high heat, bring the poaching liquid to the boil and then cook for 15 minutes.  Turn off heat and leave chicken to cool in liquid until it has reached room temperature.  Take chicken out and discard poaching liquid.  Remove and discard the skin.  Shred the meat off the bones (discard bones, of course LOL!) and place shredded meat into a large bowl.  Refrigerate until needed.
• Pickled vegetables: In a small saucepan add the vinegar, sugar, water and salt.  Simmer over a medium heat until sugar has dissolved.  Place the prepared carrot and snow peas into a heat-proof bowl and pour pickling liquid over the vegetables.  Set aside to cool to room temperature.
• Lime mayonnaise: Combine all ingredients in a bowl and refrigerate until needed.
• Assembly: Drain pickled vegetables well.  Add them to the shredded chicken, along with the fresh herbs (tear or roughly chop depending on how big the leaves are to start with), green onions and chilli.  Mix well.  Spread the bread rolls with some lime mayonnaise and then fill with the chicken salad mix.  Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and a little extra fresh red chilli (optional).

The best thing about this recipe is that you can make the three main components and store them in the fridge ahead of time.  So if you’ve got a big day planned you can prepare most it the day/night before and then just assemble on the day…too easy!

I also created two 4×6 recipe cards that you can download for free – one for the ingredients and one for the directions…yep it’s a long recipe, lol!  To jump-start my creativity I used a recipe card template from the Farm Fresh set ~ found HERE at the Shabby Shoppe!  And I loved using the GRACIE collection and a few extra pieces to scrap them…so many FUN papers!!

Just click on the image to download (or click HERE)!

Hope you enjoy making (and eating!) these yummy mini chicken burgers!  Thanks for checking in with the Blog today…we’ll see you all on Monday for the Layout of the Week!  Bye for now! :o)

…and, P.S. Just a quick reminder that the Easy-As-Pie Template Challenge 25 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)

KylieFood Stuff, Free (not desktops), Uncategorized 3 Comments

Hello everyone! :o)  It’s Kylie here today and I’m dropping in quickly to share the next set of layered templates for projectScrap 2012! Yipee!!  I fell a little behind with scrapping my June pages (a nasty winter flu had a huge hand in that!!…ick!) but I’m literally bursting at the seams to scrap my July pages.  I LOVE the new templates and have lots of photos & lots of ideas…perfect!!  How about you?…how are you going with your album…up-to-date & having FUN, I hope??  I must admit though, when I first designed this template duo I was a bit ho-hum about it…I couldn’t quite see its potential.  Then…SP added her fantabulous seasonal color scheme & a few special SP touches…and made them shine…I love how she does that!!  What a team!! LOL!!

You can click on the image below…or, CLICK HERE to download your NEW templates!!

Are you 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 2012 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 in 2012! But, as a quick little reminder… here is the project in a nutshell:::

I hope you are enjoying taking your pictures each week…& can’t wait to see them all scrapped and looking gorgeous with the help of these sparkly new templates!!  Be sure to post your finished July layouts in our specially-dedicated 2012 project scrap GALLERY…we ALL love to see how everyone works with the very latest project SCRAP templates…as well as all the beautiful Shabby Shoppe products - of course! :o)  SP will be posting her July ‘check-in’ in a few weeks time and will be including some gallery inspiration…so stay tuned for that post!

Thanks for checking in with the Shabby Shoppe Blog, today!  Wishing everyone a wonderful end of week and we’ll see you back here on Monday for another special Layout of the Week!  XOXO

KylieFree (not desktops), project Scrap 2012, Uncategorized 8 Comments