hey girs, SP here!  First, I have to tell you guys how much I absolutely LOOOOOOVED hosting this MERRY MEMORIES challenge!  It might be my favorite thing I have done as SP :o)  I think that sometimes we all spend so much time trying to make and scrap memories for our own children and/or families – that we forget how important our OWN memories are, know what I mean?  I think OUR children will one day enjoy (and appreciate) knowing more about US and our lives as children.  I’m not saying we need to have albums and albums and albums just for us…but ONE sure would be nice (that’s my goal at least…to give our son an album about ME and an album about my husband…and then one of us together before he was born)!  Anyway – I am getting a little off-topic here (what’s new?  lol)…so let me get back to the subject at hand :o)

I have thoroughly enjoyed going through each and every entry (see more here!) and honestly think every single one is a ‘winner’!  Each and every layout is so special and wonderful…and so inspiring to see!  So, choosing was NOT EASY on this, at all!  We really did not go by any specific criteria for choosing the ‘fave’ three layouts – it had to do with everything from design to journaling, etc.  So, no more rambling – HERE ARE OUR THREE WINNING LAYOUTS for the MERRY MEMORIES challenge (in no particular order)…

 First, we have CHRISTMAS CANDY by Phoebs!  It features the most adorable little photo ever, lol!  And, the journaling to go with it…only makes it that much more precious!  I think this is such a treasure to have…so YAY FOR YOU, Phoebs :o)

 Next is MY CHRISTMAS EVE ROSES by number1colba :o)  It is such a wonderfully sweet tradition that her father began…and that her husband now carries on!  Really enjoyed reading the journaling…and of course, the layout is precious, too!  LOVE IT!

 And finally, we have CHRISTMAS MORNING WITH GRANDPA by kammyam :o)  It is such a treasure of a photo, and one that I am sure is cherished, all the more now!  You can totally see the love and adoration…and all scrapped (and journaled) beautifully!

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)  In all honesty though – I think ALL OF US who participated in this challenge are WINNERS!  We each ended up with a layout to treasure (both for us and for generations to come)!

I hope to do similar challenges in the future…and hope that you will all join in the fun again :o)

That’s it for now – we’ll be back on Monday with LAYOUT OF THE WEEK!  THANKS AGAIN – everyone have a WONDERFUL and BLESSED weekend!

XOXO — sp

Shabby PrincessOther Challenges, Shoppe News, Uncategorized 5 Comments

Hey guys…SP here and i’ll try to keep this one short and sweet :o)  I think this is my first post since the new year (it’s all a blur so far, lol) – so…I wanted to officially say HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone…hope it has already been a wonderful one!

Like many of you (at least I assume, lol) – I have made some resolutions for 2011 – although, I prefer not to use the word RESOLUTION, lol!  I think that it has almost become synonymous with ‘not follow through’ :o)  And hey, while that may be VERY fitting for me – i’d still rather give myself a little hope at least, lol :o)  So – this year, I am going with DECLARATION (or maybe goal…or intention…not sure yet)!  Most are pretty standard, like BE HEALTHIER (hey – it’s on the list EVERY year and who am I to break tradition?)…read more…travel, etc.  Another huge one for me is to protect myself from the sun!  I know, that’s not a very exciting one, is it?  BUT, the truth is that it is something so important…that I do not take seriously enough.  My goal is to not leave the house without sunscreen this year!  I am not getting any younger and I have already done so much damage to my skin via the sun…I guess it’s time to at least stop making it worse :o)  Hopefully when I am older (trust me, i’m already old enough, lol) – I’ll thank the younger me for it!

Of course, there are more declarations, intentions, resolutions, goals – what have you :o)

The one that I’d really like to touch upon has a lot to do with scrapping and taking pictures!  Even though i’m ‘Shabby Princess’…and scrapping and photography are both so central and essential to my job…I’m amazed at how little I scrap these days…and even more, how few photos I take!  Granted…our little man is growing up and the ‘cute’ photo opps are few and far between (don’t get me wrong, he is stinkin’ adorable, lol – but you know what I mean)…but I should still be taking more pics than what I am!  I started thinking that what I need is MOTIVATION!  I need to be prompted and challenged and have some kind of accountability in order to make this ‘goal’ a reality!

So, along those lines and thoughts – I decided to start a ‘scrap 2011′ project (no, that will not be the official name…still working on it, lol)!  I know lots of sites and blogs host these kinds of projects – though I am not sure how everyone else does theirs (I have heard of the daily photo challenges, etc.).  For me – there is just no way I could keep up with a photo a day (much less a scrapbook layout a day, or even a week, lol) – so I wanted to do something that was realistic, practical and NOT stressful, at least in my eyes :o)  I’m sure I can’t be the only one who really WANTS to join in something like this…but that doesn’t have the time or desire to do bunches and bunches!  I just can’t bring myself to start something when I know from the get-go that I won’t be able to keep up, lol!  I prefer to set myself up for success (and not failure!) :o)

I do plan to keep this project/challenge/mission somewhat simple as I can’t add too much more to my plate at this time – and I want to play along, too lol!

While I am not ready to ‘spill it’ all now – I did want to mention this much NOW so that we do not all get behind before we even get started, LOL!  SOOOOOOO – if you have any desire or interest to join in the fun…I want you to take TWO photos this week (before it’s over, lol)…of ANYTHING!  It can be of your dinner, your children, a sporting event, flowers, landscape, your nail polish, lol – IT DOES NOT MATTER!  Both photos can be from the same day (or not) - of the same event, anything!  But, the goal is to have TWO PHOTOS PER WEEK AND TWO LAYOUTS PER MONTH.  At the end of the year – you will have a gorgeous album ready to put together and print…and without all of the stress :o)  ARE YOU WITH ME?  If so – be sure to take those two photos this week (and next and the next and…)!  I’ll be back next Thursday (13 January) with all of the details and information!  Again, my sincere hope is to keep this FUN and stress-free…and most importantly – help ALL OF US to scrap 2011 and all of our wonderful memories that have yet to be made :o)

Well, so much for ‘short and sweet’, huh?  LOL…some things just never change :o)  I’ll see you back here THIS Thursday with a brand new TEMPLATE CHALLENGE (eight)!  Until then – have a great week!

xoxo — SP

Shabby PrincessInspiration, Other Challenges, Shoppe News, Uncategorized 28 Comments

Hi guys :o)  SP here!  Hope you are all having a great week and are finding yourselves all ready and prepared for the FAST-approaching holidays!  I know that I am MUCH closer after a few days of shopping and decorating and wrapping and making grocery lists, lol!  At least I feel like I am SOMEWHAT organized…even if there are still LOTS of action items on the list, lol!

Don’t miss the CHALLENGE at the bottom of the post (complete with prizes)!

Anyway…back to the post, lol!  I thought it would be so fun if our blog team all scrapped photos from their childhood holidays!  I have to tell you that I think we all enjoyed the process very much!  Well…actually, I’m not sure that ANY of us enjoyed trying to edit those ‘old’ photos…but that’s not what is important!  Just the fact that we have some photos is a blessing!  So, we’ll take the bad with the good, lol!  I have to also tell you that it was a great confirmation to me…reminding me of why I scrap and that it is such a worthwhile ‘thing’ for me to do!  My mom (hi mom, lol) is amazing…she is truly the quintessential mother…but her memory is not what it once was, lol!  She has closets full of boxes and albums with photos from probably 100 years or so.  That’s great, right?  IT IS, it really is!  Sadly, the problem is that she cannot remember anything about most of those photos…including where or when they were taken (in some, she is not even sure WHO the people are, lol)!  We have spent a LOT of time on the phone over the past couple of weeks…going back and forth trying to determine what year all of my kid Christmas photos were from.  Unfortunately, there is only one year we are SURE of, lol…the rest are all guesses and estimates based on the background (trying to figure out what house it was, thinking that might spark a memory, lol)!  I guess my point is that I am so happy that our little man will at least know a little bit about the photos I have scrapped.  My ‘creative’ style or page designs might not be anything he will care for, lol…but at least the facts will be there for him (and me, too – since my memories are already beginning to fade)!

So, how about some FUN layouts with our childhood pics?  Just a note:  we often decrease the size of our layouts here on the blog so that it doesn’t take forever to load…but I just couldn’t bring myself to do that here, lol!  Most of our photos are already so small because ‘way back when’…that’s just how they were, lol!  And, I want you to be able to really see how sweet these are :o)

The first two are mine (SP)!  You’ll notice on this one (letter from santa)…I had to put 1980ish, lol!  Mom was not sure of the date or location…so there wasn’t much for me to ‘say’ on the page!  I mentioned that I actually remember the letter (or at least the look of it) and really like the excitement in my expression :o)  I know that this doesn’t look like a super traditional Christmas page…but I wanted to coordinate with the blue in the photo (which was tiny, of course) :o)  

Thankfully, on this next one – we actually know the date and location…YAY!  I do not have many specific memories of this age or particular Christmas…but I do remember having (and loving) a lite-brite, lol!  I also remember having a baby doll that went potty…only because I very clearly remember making her poo on my dad’s leg one time, lolol!  Now, THAT is a memory (wonder if he remembers?) :o)  Oh…and the toy typewriter…I always asked for office supplies, lol!  Loved playing pretend office or cashier or anything like that :o)

 OK…enough of me, lol!  thanks again, mom, for taking on the task of going through the mountains of photos to find a few for me :o)

Let’s see…who’s next?!  How about we move on to Kylie who also scrapped two pages for this ‘challenge’!  This first one (which are her first Christmas morning photos!) is sooooo beautiful and perfectly girlie!  I love the tiny little pics…especially the one with Kylie and her mom sitting on the floor!  What a beautiful photo and memory :o)  Of course, the page design is gorgeous – love all of the little squares surrounded by various elements and journaling! 

 Next from Kylie…oh my, that journaling!  What a wonderful Christmas memory (it might be too small for you to read here, so be sure to check out her gallery post)…I LOVED reading about her ‘Santa Sack or Christmas pillow case”!  Definitely a treasured memory and one worthy of being scrapped!  And, how adorable are those pics?  All of the layers of elements really just make me happy!  GORGEOUS!

 Moving on…let’s visit Lu’s childhood :o)  I just ADORE that photo…look at the BIG, pink, stuffed DOG (named Ricky), lol!  It is such a sweet photo and Lu scrapped it perfectly!  It’s so fun that you can see the Christmas tree in the background…and the journaling is just perfect!

 Next up, we have Beckie :o)  I have to say that she looks EXACTLY the same now, lol!  You know how some of us hardly resemble the baby versions of ourselves…well, not this one :o)  I would know that was Beckie any day – sooooo cute!  Great little pics…especially love the ‘portrait’ (just look at that smile)!  But really, the page design here is just gorgeous – love the elements and the ‘flow’ of the page :o) 

How about a peek into Karen’s past? :o)  Even though she did not have any photos to scrap…she didn’t let that stop her!  She had a great memory of a specific toy and chose to add a pic of that…and focus on her memory/journaling – LOVE it :o)  The memories are just as important as the pics and when you don’t have one…go with the other!  And, you’ll have to read the journaling to find out that miss Karen discovered her precious doll a little early, lol!  Too funny – and such an ADORABLE page…total perfection! 

Like Karen, Anna also could not get her hands on any of her Christmas photos…so she scrapped her FIRST Christmas memory…which is definitely worth a read, lol!  I’m pretty sure she made the ‘naughty’ list that year, LOL!  Not really, Anna is too sweet…and, who doesn’t peek under the tree?! LOL…love this page…the design and the focus on the story :o)

And, last (but certainly not least)…we have Trish :o)  And, while her photo isn’t quite as ‘old’ as the rest of ours lol – I love that it still has that ‘vintage’ look and feel to it!  It is so cute that there is someone sitting in the background (isn’t that what Christmas morning is like so often…everyone sitting on the floor, gathered around the tree)…and her little dress…and the expression, lol!  CUTE CUTE CUTE!  adorable page, too (especially the gingerbread boy and girl peeking out behind the tree, he he)!

So, there you have it…a glimpse into our childhoods!  Again, this was so much fun and something I hope we can do every now and then (it’s great motivation for scrapping some of our ‘old’ photos…which are not always at the top of the list…especially since they take a bit of extra effort)!

Now…how about a CHALLENGE?  We would LOOOOOOVE to see some of YOUR childhood holiday photo layouts (though you can do what Karen did if you do not have a photo)!  So, we are challenging you to find some of your ‘kid’ pics from holidays past and scrap them!  You have until January 6th (that’s three weeks from today) to post your layouts in the Shoppe’s BLOG CHALLENGES gallery!  We’ll go through all of the submissions and choose our favorite THREE (to be announced on January 8th)!  Each ‘winner’ will receive a $10 gift card to the Shabby Shoppe!  So, scrap away and enjoy the nostalgia…it truly is wonderful to take a trip down memory lane every now and then (especially when the memories are of fun holidays and time with family and friends)!  We can’t wait to see your entries :o)  BE SURE TO POST A LINK to your page in the Shoppe’s gallery IN THE COMMENTS SECTION of THIS post to be entered into the challenge :o)

Thanks for stopping by – have a great day (or night)!  Be sure to stop back by tomorrow as we will have TWO new posts for you!  Lu will be cooking up something yummy…and Kylie will be sharing a hybrid project with us!

And, a tiny little P.S.!  You’ll notice the SHOPPE POLL way up there on the right side of the page?  If you are a fan of our FREE monthly desktops…please take a moment to vote for your size!  We want to make sure we are creating the sizes you guys want/need…and the two with the most votes ‘win’ :o)  THANKS a bunch for participating!

Shabby PrincessInspiration, Other Challenges, Uncategorized 29 Comments

HAPPY WEEKEND :o)  SP here to announce the ‘winner’ of Kylie’s awesome TRICK ‘and‘ TREAT recipe challenge!  Thank you all SO much for participating and joining in the fun!  Kylie created a yummy and challenging recipe and you girls ‘baked up’ some awesome layouts!  The ‘winner’ of this recipe challenge is the talented ROSY with her ‘playmate’ layout!  How stinkin’ cute are those pictures?  LOVE LOVE LOVE!  Congrats, Rosy – enjoy your gift card to the Shabby Shoppe (sent via email) and have fun shoppe-ing!

Thanks again to all of you who joined in the fun!  Join us back here on Monday for more layout goodness as we announce the next LAYOUT OF THE WEEK!  Until then…have a BEAUTIFUL and BLESSED weekend :o)

XOXO — SP :o)

Shabby PrincessOther Challenges, Shoppe News, Uncategorized 7 Comments

Hello everyone! It’s Kylie and I’m very excited to bring you a special little treat – a scrapbooking recipe challenge!!

It’s a little bit tricky (but not in the way you might think) and overflowing with sweet treats! :o) Simply follow the “Trick and Treat” recipe below and create your very own layout. You can take this as an opportunity to scrap a Halloween themed layout but it’s not a challenge requirement. It really is open to any theme, any idea, any interpretation you want – just follow the recipe and scrap, scrap, scrap!!

For a little added inspiration – the ‘winner’ of this “Trick and Treat” recipe challenge will receive a $10 gift card to the Shabby Shoppe!  You have a couple of weeks to participate in the challenge and comment back. To be eligible to ‘win’ you must upload your layout to the Shabby Shoppe Blog Challenge Gallery AND post a comment here on this particular blog post with a link to your layout.  All challenge entries (gallery upload and your comment) must be received by MIDNIGHT (Eastern Time) on Thursday, November 11th.  The ‘winner’ will be chosen at random and will be announced Saturday, November 13th!  Please keep in mind that all layouts must contain at least 75% SP product (purchased or free) and remember to follow the “Trick and Treat” recipe! :o) (Also this is a totally separate challenge from the our current Blog Easy-As-Pie Template Challenge Six  - so please don’t be confused!)

(Recipe card made with Muffin Man recipe card template no.5, Goose bumps kit and font is LD Twylight)

~*~ Here is a little more explanation than what’s on the recipe card ~*~

Trick!

Choose one favorite digital scrapbooking trick to add to your page. For example – blending, extraction, creative text paths, brushwork, curled corners, clipping photo masks or anything you like!

Treats!

And to go with your trick a selection of sweet treats to fill your treat ‘bag’ – oh, ummm – I meant ‘page’! :o)

• Use the typical Halloween colors – black/gray, orange, red, green, purple.  Choose one, two, three… or why not use all of them – the choice is yours!
• A combination of 2 solid papers and 3 patterned papers
• 3 photos – big or small, it’s your choice! But, one needs to be framed!
• 2 alphas and 2 fonts to use for your title/s and/or journaling
• 2 ribbons (we’ll accept ric-rac and string here too!) – one repeated or two different
• 3 different elements of your choice – flowers, buttons, rub-ons, stickers, swirlies – what ever you want! You can repeat these over the page if you want to, too!
• A star or two, or maybe more!
• A little added sparkle – this could be something as simple as shiny button or a smattering of glitter,
• And last but not least, tie up your treat ‘bag’ with a little stitching!

If you have any questions about this recipe challenge, please post a comment here! And I’ll reply to you asap!!

Here is what I made with the “Trick and Treat” recipe challenge! For my trick I chose “Photo tinting” – that is where you leave a portion of a photo in color. There is a fabulous tutorial for both PS and PSE users on the Shabby Shoppe Tutorials page. For my sweet treats I used the “too cute to spook!” Goose bumps kit (along with a couple of other Shabby Princess items). Goose bumps is the newest digital kit by Shabby Princess – and I LOVE it for Halloween layouts and also the everyday! :o)

Can’t wait to see what you create! Happy Scrapping!! :o)

 Bye for now! And, we’ll see you all back here tomorrow for Food Friday with Lu! YUM!!

KylieInspiration, Other Challenges, Uncategorized 16 Comments