Hello November!

November has arrived and with it comes the warmer weather and longer days. There's only 6 weeks of school left for primary schools... and for Miss Krystal there is less than two weeks of her school left! Our family is in for some BIG changes next year as Krystal heads off to Waikato University. Interesting times!

The 'faceless' challenge

The October challenge was to create a layout that didn't show any faces... and we had a fantastic response! There was a real flurry of uploads over the weekend... and I just want to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who entered the 'faceless' challenge! There was so many different approaches to this challenge and the October gallery looks AWESOME!

The draw has now been done and I'm very happy to announce that the winner of this months challenge is... Jenny!

Love all the colours you've used Jenny... and those cocktails look really delicious!

You have won yourself a $20 voucher to spend in the shop (excludes Magnolia stamps) as well as the opportunity to be our guest designer for December! CONGRATULATIONS :)

November Layout Challenge

This months challenge will have you grabbing out all your punches and dies... the challenge is to use your die cuts in a creative way! We all know that we can punch or die cut a shape... but what about altering it a bit before adding it to your layout.

You might try inking or painting them, adding glitter, stickles, kindy glitz, layering, scrunching, stitching etc We're looking for all the different things you can do with your die cuts!

Sherryn is our Guest Designer this month and she's come up with a lovely layout! Sherryn used one of this months sketches. She's used die cuts and punches which she's embossed and then she got busy scrunching on the flower. She's also used the negative lettering on her title which looks fantastic!

Thanks Sherryn for being our Guest Designer for October!!

For my layout I got out some old photos from a trip the girls and I did to Kerikeri a few years ago. Although it was actually spring, the orange of Mikayla's shirt inspired me to use autumn colours.

The leaves were cut using one of Tim Holtz' dies and then I've inked, stamped, embossed and added dimensional magic to some of them.

So now it's YOUR turn! Grab out those die cuts and alter them... then add them to a layout and upload them into the November gallery before Midnight on 30th November and it could be you who wins a $20 shop voucher and the opportunity to be our Guest Designer for December!!

BONUS! This month we'll also be picking out 4 random winners... one per week... to receive some Tim Holtz die cut shapes... so make sure you get your layouts loaded up into the gallery!

Teresa Collins is in stock!

Teresa Collins products have arrived in the store and we’ve got two different collections in stock… (Click on any of the images for more details and prices)

First is the Giving Thanks range featuring gorgeous papers and fantastic acrylic stamps:

Gratitude Notes:

Diamonds:

Calendar:

Acrylic Stamps:

And then we’ve got the Noel collection including a set of chipboard embellishments another set of acrylic stamps!

Red Damask:

Black Damask:

Cards & Notes:

Countdown:

Definitions:

Sheet Music:

Stripes:

Chipboard embellishment sheet:

Acrylic Stamps:

And check out these fantastic crown charms!

You can find all of these products in our online shop… and remember that you can add them to your ‘pack a box’ too!

Are you after a great special?

At our recent retreat we provided a challenge pack… and the feedback was GREAT!  Everyone really loved the papers in the pack and there were some amazing layout and cards created over the weekend.

The winner of the challenge pack was Gwenda with this stunning layout:

If you like this layout and would like to have some of the same papers then you’ll love this kit!

We’ve included all 4 of the papers from the challenge pack along with one more to bring you a great paper kit!  PLUS you’ll save money…. recommended retail on these items is $10 but buy one of our kits for only $8.50 :)

Do you want to see the papers???  Here you go:

Cheerful:

Fantasy:

Make Me Smile:

 

Glee:

and Strips:

  This paper is double-sided and super easy to work with!  You can grab yours HERE!

October Challenge

The month of October is really flying by but there’s still a couple of weeks left to enter the October Challenge. 

We've got a cool challenge for you this month! You'll need photos for your layout but there's a catch... we don't want to see any faces! That's right... this month the challenge is to use one of the sketches provided and do a 'faceless' layout.

Of course you could do a layout that doesn't have an actual person in it... maybe a layout about your garden etc. But what about challenging yourself to create a layout featuring photos taken from behind someone... or of their hands... or maybe even their toes!

Our Guest Designer Erin created this layout (using one of the sketches in the October gallery) focussed on her grandchildren watching a ‘scary’ movie on TV:

Thanks for being our Guest Designer Erin!

On the weekend I finally got some creative time to get a layout done… this one focussed on my niece and her ‘static’ hair from jumping on the trampoline:

I love this photo of her… thank goodness my sister had her camera handy!

So now it's YOUR turn! Create your layout using 'faceless' photos and upload it into the October gallery by Midnight 31st October and it could be you who wins the $20 shop voucher (excludes Magnolia Stamps) and the opportunity to be the Guest Designer for December!

Why not give it a go?  We’d love to see YOUR layouts!!

The Retreat was AWESOME!!

Last weekend we were all at the Bugs & Butterflies Scrap Retreat at Waihi Beach… and it was fantastic!

If you can imagine a whole room of ladies with all their scrapping supplies, classes, GREAT food, leisurely shopping and browsing then you’ll have some idea of what it was like :)

And if not… then here’s some photos taken during the weekend:

View Full Album

Thank you to all the awesome ladies who attended the retreat… you can be sure that there will be another retreat in the future!

September Challenge

Hi everyone :)

Our latest newsletter went out via email tonight so keep an eye out for it.  Our household has been thinking about the residents of Christchurch quite frequently since the earthquakes began on Saturday morning as the girls uncle and cousins live down there.  Thankfully we’ve been able to catch up via phone so at least we know they’re all safe!  If you’ve been hit by the earthquakes and the after shocks, our thoughts are with you.

The August challenge was a 1, 2, 3 challenge… 1 photo, 2 pieces of paper & 3 embellishments!

We had some great entries and everyone really made use of their double sided papers.  The draw was done last week and the winner is Erin with this gorgeous layout featuring paper weaving and embellishments chosen to reflect the bridesmaid’s outfit: Congratulations Erin!!!  You have won a $20 voucher to spend in the shop as well as the opportunity to be our Guest Designer for October!

And now onto the September challenge… this month Tricia is our Guest Designer and she’s come up with a “LOVEly” theme… all you have to do is create a layout using hearts!

Here’s Tricia’s layout that she created for us: I love all the patterned paper and the large stitched heart really brings the whole layout together!  Thanks Tricia for being our Guest Designer :)

So now it’s YOUR turn!  Create a layout featuring hearts and upload it into the September gallery by Midnight 30th September and it could be you who wins the $20 shop voucher (excludes Magnolia stamps) and the opportunity to be the Guest Designer for November!

Only 24 more days to go!!

Wow!  The time is really ticking along and there’s only 24 more days to go until the Bugs & Butterflies Scrap Retreat!

We’ve got an awesome weekend lined up for you!  Today we’ve got the first of our sneak peeks…. it’s one of our layout classes!  In this class we’re going to be using the same papers to complete two layouts!  There’s loads of techniques included in this class too!!

We’ve got 3 spaces left so if you’re thinking about coming then get in touch via email :)

July Challenge Winner announced!

Tonight we did the draw for the July challenge which was to create a layout based on an everyday occurrence in your life :)

The winner is Tricia with this gorgeous layout!Tricia has won herself a $20 voucher to spend in the Scrapbook Dreams shop as well as the opportunity to be the Guest Designer for September!

Congratulations Tricia!

Bugs & Butterflies SCRAP RETREAT!

24th - 26th September 2010 - Waihi Beach

The cost of the camp is $150 and includes:

• Two nights accomodation (Friday & Saturday)
• Friday - Supper
• Saturday - Breakfast, lunch & dinner, morning & afternoon tea as well as supper
• Sunday - Breakfast & morning tea
• Three classes - two layout classes and one technique class
• Prizes
• Retreat goodie bag
• Scrapbooking supplies available from Scrapbook Dreams & Creative Bugs
• EFTPOS available during the entire weekend

Registration and Payment information:

A $50 deposit is required on registration to secure your place for the retreat. The balance of $100 will be required to 1 September 2010. You can either transfer your payment via direct credit or pay by cheque. Details on the Registration form.

Once we have received your deposit and registration form we will confirm by e-mail that your place has been secured for the retreat.

CANCELLATION POLICY - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

AQ $50 cancellation fee will apply to all cancellations. A $100 cancellation fee will apply to all cancellations after 9 September 2010. No refunds will be given to any cancellation made less than 4 days prior to the event or for not attending the event without notification.

HOW DO I REGISTER?

Please email Shell at scrapbookdreams@xtra.co.nz

It's going to be a Scraptastic weekend!

It’s our 2nd birthday… and we’re celebrating!

This weekend marks Scrapbook Dreams’ 2^nd birthday! So we’ve got a few challenges for you to enter... and of course some goodies to give away!! We’ve got a layout challenge, a card challenge and a tag challenge but our first challenge is a Scavenger Hunt. All the details are contained right here... and all the answers are either in the shop, the forum or the gallery. So let the party commence!

There are 10 questions in the Scavenger Hunt. To enter simply send me an email with your 10 answers by Midnight Sunday 13^th June!

1. Who is hosting the June ATC swap?

2. What is the theme for the June challenge?

3. What is the name of the stamp I’ve been using for the Magnolia Stamps samples?

4. What was the name of the ‘ongoing project’ for 2009?

5. Where are the Magnolia stamps being shipped from?

6. Who manufactures the ‘Victoria’ clear stamp set?

7. When are we hosting the July Scraptastic?

8. What are the two types of projects I made as samples using Glitz Designs papers?

9. Who created the online tutorial for the pleated circle?

10. Which company manufactures the Funky Flower chipboard elements?

You have until Midnight tomorrow to

email me your answers!

scrapbookdreams@xtra.co.nz

 

Simply use the sketch below to create a layout (any size) and upload it into the 2^nd Birthday gallery by Midnight tomorrow (Sunday 13^th June)

The theme of your layout can be anything you like... and please remember that a sketch is simply a place to start. Use it to inspire your creativity!

Of course when you have a birthday you usually receive cards. For this challenge you need to select one of the sketches below and create a card using

at least 3 things from the following list:

· Buttons

· Ribbon

· Stamps

· Patterned paper

· Cardstock

· Kindy Glitz

· Bling

View Full Album

Your card does not have to be a birthday card... and remember that you can turn the sketches around to suit your own style/design.

Upload your card into the 2^nd Birthday gallery by Midnight tomorrow (Sunday 13^th June)

Our final challenge is to create a tag (any size) using this sketch:

You can make the tag to go on a present, add to a layout or card... or simply for decoration!

Upload your tag into the 2^nd Birthday gallery by Midnight tomorrow (Sunday 13^th June)

Let’s face it... we all like to get the chance to win something! Especially for creating things we enjoy!

There is a small prize for each challenge... so if you enter all 4 challenges you will get 4 chances to win!

We will put everyone’s name into a draw for each challenge entry and the name that gets pulled out of the hat will receive a $20 voucher to spend in our shop during the month of June!

** Excludes Magnolia stamps! **

Place an order in our online shop THIS weekend (by Midnight Sunday 13^th June) and go into the draw to win 20% off your entire order!

** Excludes Magnolia stamps! **

I hope you’ll join us in celebrating our birthday!

Shell xx

June challenge & blog candy winner!

Hi everyone :)

Aren’t the weeks just flying by!!  We kicked off another monthly challenge at Scrapbook Dreams last week.  Do these words remind you of anything…. “Tonight Mathew I’m going to be…..”  if they do then stay tuned for all the details.

Sometimes the theme for the monthly challenges comes from the strangest places... and this month's challenge is one of those times! Just recently I was talking to a friend about the TV programmes we used to enjoy and we came up with quite a list. There was one that I just couldn't get out of my head and so it's going to be the theme for this months challenge.

So what is the theme?? "Stars in Your Eyes"

For this months layout challenge you need to create a layout either using stars or eyes (or both if you like)!

A few years ago I did this layout about playing 'Eye Spy' with my nephew... in the days before he could spell!! Trust me... NEVER play Eye Spy with a 4 year old!Our Guest Designer  Brenda has also completed a stunning layout 'staring' her wee cherub... LOVE the layout Brenda!

So now it's YOUR turn... create a layout based on the theme Stars in Your Eyes and upload it into the gallery by Midnight on June 30th and be in to win a $20 voucher to spend in our online shop PLUS the chance to be a Guest Designer for August.

Do you remember this easel card??

Thanks to those of you who became followers on this blog and left me a comment.  I’ve done the ‘name out of the hat’ draw and the winner is JENNY!

Congratulations Jenny!  This little easel card will be making it’s way to you on Tuesday :)

Hope everyone has a creative long weekend!

May MMM and Blog Candy :)

If you’re wondering what MMM stand for it’s Mid Month Motivation. In the middle of each month we provide a MMM for you to have a go at doing something creative. Unlike our monthly challenges there’s no end date, you don’t have to put it in the gallery (although we’d LOVE to see what you make!) and there’s no prize… it’s simply for motivation :)

Just lately I’ve been noticing lots of easel cards on the web so I’ve been busy this morning creating my first easel card… and they’re ridiculously easy to make!

The finished card measures 4 1/4 inches square and I really love it. Here’s the front: The bird is made from Grungepaper which I inked and stamped :) If you look in the lower right hand corner you will see a wax seal I added too.

This is the inside of the card: I used one of my new stamps (from Stampin Up) for the sentiment and I layered that on a piece I tore from an old book. Quite by accident the text from the book reads: I sat there feeling at peace with all the world while I waited and it was grand not having to talk for a bit.

Here’s what the card looks like when it’s sitting ‘open’: I really love how it all turned out! You might be wondering about the ‘easel’ part of the card… maybe this will explain:

After making just one of these I’ve totally gotten into them so I’m sure you’ll be seeing lots more of this style of card from me in the future :)

Now if you REALLY like it here’s a couple of options for you!!

• You could make your own using the tutorial I’m putting on Scrapbook Dreams.
• You could WIN this particular card by becoming a follower and leaving a comment on this blog!! I'll be doing the draw next weekend :)

I hope you decide to give these cards a go!

Shell xxx