Sweet Shoppe Designs

Hey readers!! Meg here bringing you a special spotlight today There are soooo many fabulous scrappers in this community and I think it’s important to really show off one every now and then. Today’s scrapper spotlight is Natalie aka NatalieKW..She happens to be on my creative team so I might be a tad biased but her pages have caught my eye for a long time and she’s super sweet on top of that! Read on to learn a little more about Natalie

Name: Natalie Whitworth/NatalieKW

How long have you been scrapping: I started in May 2007 and scrapped for a couple of months until I met and started dating my husband, who took all of my spare time. I took a almost two year break until my oldest was born. I took it back up in the Summer of 2009 and have been addicted ever since.

Three favorite layouts:

Do you have a certain style? Well…I don’t know. I have more of an eclectic style, I think. I love papers! My favorite kits, and resulting pages, have awesome papers. On the other hand, I have a hard time not using most of the elements too. I think the most consistent thing about my pages is that I like them pretty full.

What inspires you when doing a layout? The kit itself. I am on some amazing teams and when I buy kits, I buy them from some pretty amazing designers here. Nothing inspires me more than being excited to use an awesome kit. I guess I should say that it’s my pictures that inspire me, but honestly, the pictures, title and journaling are usually the last things I do on my pages.

What do you do when you lose your mojo? Browse the layouts I have in my favorites across the open galleries and Sweet Shoppe’s gallery. If that doesn’t work, I always browse Aly’s gallery. Her attention to details are amazing on her pages and it usually pushes the “scrapper’s block” away.

Are you a one kit scrapper or do you mix it up? I’m usually a one kit scrapper since I mostly scrap for my creative teams. However, I love multiple alphas on a page. I also love Traci’s stitches and have been including those on my pages a lot lately.

Do you have any other creative hobbies? I’ve been known to make some really big bows for my three girls. I also create some custom vinyl designs for people to use in decorating their homes. It’s kind of like word art for your walls. I wish I could crochet and knit, but I don’t want to sacrifice the scrapping time to learn.

What is one little known fact about you? I say some words wrong. I call a wolf a “woof” and a drawer a “jore.”

Do you have any scrapping tips that you would like to pass on? Hmmm… I can’t really think of any tips, but one thing that I always have in my mind while scrapping is to push myself. Yes I scrap to preserve my family’s memories, but I also scrap because it makes me feel good. It helps me get through the stress of having three kids under three. I’ve found by warping my shadows, using actions on my photos, making my journaling look real on the page by blending it ever so slightly, have all helped me take my pages to the next level. I love finishing a layout that I can’t stop looking at because I love it so much!

I hope you enjoyed learning a little more about Natalie!!

***Now for a bonus challenge. Look thru Natalie’s Gallery HERE and choose a layout to SPIN and LIFT..ev1 loves an old school spin a lift challenge right? Just put it on your portfolio tracker post as Spin A Lift Bonus Challenge and link it up!! Enjoy ***

Hello everyone! Today we’ve got another amazing scrapper to feature for you along with one more bonus challenge for the month! So let’s get right to it by getting to know one of my favorite scrappers, Debra (4noisyboys), a little better!

Hey there everyone! I’m Debra (aka 4noisyboys). I live in sunny southern California with my husband (Rick) of 29 years, and three of my four boys. My oldest is Ryan, and he’ll be 28 this year. Casey is 25, Patrick is 23, and Eric is 19. We are kind of a crazy cat family too. We have three of them right now and they just add to all the craziness in our home.

I’ve been scrapping digitally for almost five years now. I started on PSE3 and now I’m using CS4. I started by paper scrapping and made a few books, but I hated getting everything out and making a mess. I knew there had to be a better way, so when I saw an article in a scrap magazine about digital scrapbooking, I ran out and got PSE3 and never looked back!

What was the title of your very first layout?

The title of my first layout was simply “Eric”.

When not online, what do you do?

When I’m not online, I’m either at work, cleaning house, out walking, reading, shopping or playing Words With Friends!

What is your favorite thing to snack on when scrapping?

I really don’t snack while scrapping, but if I do have one thing, it would be tortilla chips. I can’t eat just one!

What aspect of scrapping do you think you are best at?

Since people comment on my layering and clusters, I’d have to say that is the one area of scrapping that I’m best at. I try to make simple layouts and I’ve done a few, but I really can’t stop at just a few elements. I try to use as many as I can in a kit. I’m also a template lover and hate to make a layout without one. I like to make them my own though as much as I can.

Could you share three of your favorite layouts with us?

Choosing just 3 of my favorite layouts is really hard. There are so many I love and for so many different reasons.
Here is one of me that I did, and I’m not sure if it’s the kit, the colors, or what…but it’s one of my most favorite “about me” pages.

Here’s another favorite of mine. It’s of my youngest when he was a baby. I just love any of my layouts from when my boys were small. I love using La’s kits for them too!

and here’s one I love that is of my brother and me when we were small. Jenn’s vintage style kit was just perfect for it.

Featured Scrapper Challenge (Bonus #5) for your April 2011 Scrapper’s Portfolio

One thing you notice in Debra’s Gallery is that she is great at including herself in her pages. Your challenge today is an AAM page..it can be any subject you like as long as YOU are in it.

**please note this challenge is worth 1 point and cannot be combined with other portfolio prompts except for NR bonus point for a total of 2 points.**

and some fabulous examples from our Sugar Babes:

by Dana

using What She Said by Fee Jardine

by Keely

using Love You Rain or Shine by Shawna Clingerman and Lindsay Sparkes

Don’t forget to edit your Portfolio with your page for this challenge!

NOTE: These Bonus Challenges are EXTRA on top of the Posted Portfolio Challenges.  They CANNOT be combined with any other challenge and stand alone (except New Release bonus pt).  Please feel free to PM me with any questions – nikkiARNGwife.  Thanks!

Happy Friday Sweeties!! So happy it’s Friday here – looking forward to a wonderful weekend filled with lots of fun family time!! Today we’re featuring one of my favorite scrappers – Lizzy Carroll. You probably know her better as Lizzy257. Her children are so adorable and I love all of the little details she includes on her pages!! Let’s get to know a bit more about this lovely lil lady!!

I’m a SAHM with two kids, aged 4 and 2.5. They keep me very busy, with rarely a moment to spare!! I’ve been married for 6 years and we live in the south east of Ireland. When I’m not scrapping, I love to read, or the kids and I bake together regularly.

I first looked at digi-scrapping back in Spring of 2008. I played around a little, but was heavily pregnant at the time, and once my son was born, it was another 6 months before I took up scrapping regularly. I started with Photoshop CS3 and just recently upgraded to CS5.

How often do you find time to scrap? – Not as often as I would like, lol!! I mostly scrap when the kids are in bed and the house is tidied after the day. I probably manage about an hour most days. My scrap time has been cut in half recently as my 2.5 year old decided to quit napping during the day (which was another hour of scrapping for me)!!

What is your favorite type of element to use? – I like everything, really. I think I can work with pretty much anything that’s in a kit, although I find flowers and leaves/greenery easiest to use, I guess.

Are you a kit scrapper or a hodge podge scrapper? – Mostly a kit scrapper. For CT work I tend to stick to the kit only or if there’s no alpha, for example, I’ll use another alpha. If it’s not a CT page, I still mostly use one kit, and then add a few finishing touches like stitches, a mix of alphas, etc.

What is one little known fact about you? – I am obsessed with scented candles. I have a stash of Yankee Candles in the house at all times and you’ll always find one burning somewhere in my house!!

I’ve asked Lizzy to share 3 of her favorite layouts and a bit about why they’re favorites.

This is one of my very favourite pages. I love bright, sunny pages, and it’s rare that we get beach weather, so I probably won’t get to scrap another page like this!

I loved the colours in this kit of Traci’s and it was perfect for these photos

Featured Scrapper Challenge (Bonus #3) for your April 2011 Scrapper’s Portfolio. Your challenge today is a traditional Sweet Shoppe Neapolitan Challenge. Using inspiration from each of these pages by Lizzy, create a layout of your own. There is no limit to what you can use from each layout, as long as you pull at least one thing from each layout.

First Christmas

Friends Always

New Year, New Me

**Please note this challenge is worth 1 point and cannot be combined with any other portfolio prompts, except a new release bonus point for a total of 2 points.**

Here are a few examples from some of our SugarBabes

Shannon

Using Sweet Escape by Kristin Cronin-Barrow

Inspired by: Layout 1 – Corner cluster, button line, layered circles. Layout 2 – Stacked edge, circle lines. Layout 3 – Lots of layering, rectangle striping, circle frame used as element.

Jenny

Using Growing Something Good by Jenn Barrette

Inspired by: Layout 1 – Large mat, buttons and title placement. Layout 2 – Ribbons, staples, paper strips and journaling placement. Layout 3 – Circle mat and word strips

me (Laurie)

Using Bloomed by Susan Bartolini

Inspired by: Layout 1 – Single photo, button line, layered square paper mats. Layout 2 – Paper layering and ribbons. Layout 3 – Leaves, lots of flowers and string.

Darla

Using Misty Cato’s Friendship in Bloom kit

Inspired by: Layout 1 – Buttons. corner edge decoration. Layout 2 – Side edging design, small flowers, one photo. Layout 3 – Circle mat and leaves.

Thanks for playing along – can’t wait to see what you do!! Don’t forget to update your portfolio with this challenge (bonus #3). Have a wonderful weekend!!

Hello again everyone! I hope everyone is loving the challenges this month. We have such fun coming up with ideas for each portfolio and it’s even more fun to see the thread explode with all of your layouts. This week we’re featuring another long-time Babe – Jenny!

I am a SAHM to 4 kids – 2 boys and 2 girls. My oldest is 12 and my youngest is 2. I have been married to my husband, Justin, for 15 years. We currently reside in Arizona.

I started out as a paper scrapper back in the mid-90′s. After having 3 kids, I was finding it more and more difficult to pull everything out and getting anything done so I started to dabble in digital scrapbooking. In 2006, I made the complete switch to digital and have never looked back. I currently use PSE 8 to scrap all of my pages.

How long have you been a Babe?

Since 2007

Tell us a little about your scrapping “style” if you have one.

Ahh-this is a hard question. I am not sure I have a style. Most of the time I feel like I am still trying to find my style or that I just like trying different styles depending upon my mood. Overall, I think my pages are on the simple side.

What are 2 things you consider yourself to be very good at?

I enjoy the process of editing photos, photo placement and picking out coordinating papers.

What is the most challenging part of scrapping to you?

I always seem to struggle with adding the finishing touches to a layout. I am not a good embellisher (is that a word?) and it takes me a long time to feel like my layout is finished.

And here are 3 of Jenny’s favorite layouts:

I loved how everything came together in this layout – photo effects and the kit and some favorite photos of my mom and son.

I just love the details and design of this layout.

This layout is a fun memory for our family. I had fun using a more graphic-style.

Earn a bonus point by using our Featured Staffer as inspiration for a page of your own!

Bonus #2: Your challenge today is to “Lift-A-Babe”. Choose any layout from Jenny’s gallery and use it as inspiration for a page of your own.

Please note your layout as Blog Bonus #2 on your tracker.

And now for from Sweet Babe Inspiration:

by Tracy

Tracy lifted Jenny’s layout Happy, and used Chinese New Year Kit and Zodiac by Lliela Designs and DJB Mrs. Webster by Darcy Baldwin

by Celeste

Celeste lifted Jenny’s layout Cute Boy and used Who’s Your Caddy by Libby Pritchett

and by Me (Nikki)

I lifted Jenny’s layout Carnival and used Fancy Pants by Traci Reed and DJB Callie by Darcy Baldwin coming to the Shoppe tomorrow 4/9.

Don’t forget to edit your Portfolio with your page for this challenge!

NOTE: These Bonus Challenges are EXTRA on top of the Posted Portfolio Challenges.  They CANNOT be combined with any other challenge and stand alone (except New Release bonus pt).  Please feel free to PM me with any questions – nikkiARNGwife.  Thanks!

Happy April Fool’s Day sweeties!! Hope your day is full of fun and maybe a few innocent pranks here and there!! Today we’re featuring an awesome scrapper and that’s no joke!! Keela Fox has been a member of our community for awhile. Her husband and 3 adorable boys are found throughout her awesome gallery!!

I’ve been digital scrapbooking for 6 years. I started with Microsoft Digital Image Pro. About 6 months ago I switched to Photoshop CS5 and I love it!!

What gets your scrap mojo going? – Honestly, most of the time it’s just getting a new kit to play with. I almost always have pictures to go with every kit. It makes me excited to play!!

What do you do when you’re not online? – Cook, clean and enjoy my family

What colors do you love to work with? – I love all colors, but with 3 boys, I seem to use a lot of blue!!

Are you a kit scrapper or more of a hodge podge scrapper? – I’m a kit scrapper. I love the challenge of using what is in the kit. If I need a staple or something small, I will go to my favorite one by the same designer. I hardly ever do a hodge podge layout.

I’ve asked Keela to show us 3 of her favorite layouts and tell us a bit about why they’re favorites.

I love the dreamy tone of this kit. It is also one of my favorite pictures of my second son, Tristin.

I went back two years to find this favorite!! This is one that I keep going back to look at. It’s probably because it’s a “baby layout” – they will never be this young again!! I’m so glad I have it scrapped and that the memory is preserved.

Another recent layout. Being a kit scrapper, I love when I sit down to scrap and it all just pulls together quickly because it’s an amazing kit. One of my faves for sure!!

Featured Scrapper Challenge (Bonus #1) for your April Scrapper’s Portfolio.

Your challenge today is a traditional Sweet Shoppe Cookie Decorating Challenge. Download the cookie, decorate it with your own goodies and upload it to the SSD gallery. Don’t forget to edit your portfolio with your layout.

**Please note this challenge is worth 1 point and cannot be combined with any other portfolio prompts except for the NR bonus point for a total of 2 points.**

And here are some gorgeous layouts from our amazing Babes!!

Shannon

Credits: Bug Out by Dani Mogstad and Traci Reed

Steph

Credits: Adventures in My Backyard by Jenn Barrette, Frame It 11 by Melissa Bennett, Garden Botanicals and Tag by Julie Billingsley, File Sticker by Katie Pertiet. Font Capture it and DJB Chalk It Up by Darcy Baldwin

Sue

Credits: Chasing Rainbows by Dani Mogstad and Jenn Barrette, Boxed In by Misty Cato, Fonts are DJB Executive, DJB Amy V Print by Darcy Baldwin and Kingthings Typewriter 2

Me

Credits: Formal Elegance by Eva Kipler and Krystal Hartley

Thanks for playing along!! Can’t wait to see what you do with the cookie!!

Happy Friday everyone!! I am especially excited today because it’s only 2 more days till Spring!! YAY!! I’m also excited for you to get to know our featured scrapper, Angie Miller aka nun69, a bit better!!

I am a 40 year old recently retired SAHM! I just retired after 20 years of Naval Service and am going back to school full time at the end of March to get my Photography Degree so I can eventually open my own photography business, which is my dream job!! I have been married to Scott since December 1992 and we have 4 crazy kids! Just check out my gallery or Facebook pictures for proof!! My oldest is graduating in June and I will have 1 starting Kindergarten in August!

I use Photoshop CS2 and have been digiscrapping since July 2006. I didn’t become seriously probably until sometime in 2007 and I’ve been sucked in ever since!!

What are the steps you go about when creating a new layout? – I try to decide if I want to scrap with a kit and then find a picture or with a picture and then find a kit to match. Then I look for the kit to match the photo or photo to match the kit. I then decide if I want to use a template or not. That usually depends on my mojo or how many pictures I have. I usually let the kit build itself and last, I always try to add the story behind the photos.

How do you organize your scrap stash? – I have folders that are labeled by stores that I buy from (there are very few). Then under that store I have each designer that I use and all their kids are in there. In my SSD folder I have an ‘Unused’ folder and once I use something it gets moved over to that designer’s folder. Then I have a CT folder that has each designer’s kit within that folder that I CT for. I also have separate templates and alpha folders for the ones I use the most.

What’s easier and why? Creating girl or boy pages? – I have to say it depends on the kit or the pictures I am scrapping. I seem to be able to do them equally, even though I scrap the girls more since they don’t shy away from the camera.

What do you do when you’re not scrapping? – Facebook, check my email constantly and hang out in a couple of digi forums. On Saturday nights I chat in the SSD forum waiting for the shoppe to go live with a few of my ‘peeps’ (Kat, Lex, Leu, Amanda, Tara, Joana and a few others that join us).

I’ve asked Angie to share three of her favorite layouts with us and a bit about why they’re her favorites.

I love this layout because the photo is worth a thousand words and it is just so Peyton!

I love this one because I normally don’t scrap myself and my husband took this picture of me and the kids. I couldn’t wait to scrap it!!

What can I say? It is sooo Abby and Meg’s kit was just perfect for the pictures!!

Featured Scrapper Challenge (Bonus #3) for your March Scrapper’s Portfolio

Your challenge today is a traditional Sweet Shoppe Cookie Decorating Challenge. Download the cookie, decorate it with your own goodies and upload it to the SSD gallery. Don’t forget to edit your portfolio with your layout!

**Please note this challenge is worth 1 point and cannot be combined with any other portfolio prompts except for NR bonus point for a total of 2 points.

Here are a couple of fab layouts using this template!!

By Nikki

Credits: All-Star by Kristin Cronin-Barrow

By Erin

Credits: On the Loose by Dani Mogstad and Shawna Clingerman

By Me

Credits: Best.Birthday.Ever by Jenn Barrette and DJB Lucy-Lu by Darcy Baldwin

Can’t wait to see what you do with the cookie!! Have a fabulous weekend!!

Happy Friday everyone! Today we are featuring long-time Sugar Babe and someone I’ve called a digi-friend for several years – Shannon (ZaCola3). As I said, I’ve know Shannon in the digi-world for a long time and I’ve always been a huge fan of hers and if you’ve peeked into her gallery you know why. So let’s get to know a little bit more about her.

I live in Midwestern Illinois and have my entire life. I have three beautiful boys: Zachary is 18 and a Senior in High School, Connor is 17 and a Junior, our little SURPRISE baby Landen is 6 and in Kindergarten. I also feel very lucky to be married to my best friend and high school Sweetheart, Scott. We will be celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary in April.

I have been scrapping since May of 2007. I use Paint Shop Pro X2. We are getting a new computer next month and I’m thinking about upgrading to X3. I get rather attached to my scrapping program and hate to switch! I have had a full version of PSCS sitting in a box for two years or more and refuse to install it-I don’t have the time for the learning curve…haha.

What do you do in real life?

I work for our local Special Education Cooperative and have for the past 14 years. Until August of 2010 I worked with 7-12 graders with Emotional/Behavior Disorders. This August started a new adventure for me, I transferred to an elementary program and now work with PK-5th grade students with ED/BD labels. It was quite a change for me, but I really am having so much fun with the new age group and all the challenges it brings.

What gets your scrapping mojo going?

With the recent trend in fabulous template designers, a great template seems to be what really gets me wanting to scrap these days.

What is the hardest element for you to use?

STARS! I hate that a boy kit seems to mean stars-I find them VERY hard to scrap with-I have no idea why-it must be a mental block of some sort. I look at a kit with 5+ stars and get nervous.

How long have you been a Babe?

I got my invitation after an open call in August of 2008.

Here are some of Shannon’s favorite layouts:

This is quite possibly my favorite LO of all time-I took this picture last Easter-getting all three of my precious boys on the same page is a struggle-so when this page came together so beautifully I was beyond excited! Kristin and Susan did a fabulous job with this kit!

2010 was probably the most emotionally charged year I have had as a mother-this layout is so special to me on a very personal level. This sweet little princess was without a doubt the highlight of my year!

Connor HATES to have his picture taken so anytime I get a photo of him it is a momentous occasion. I love his little half smile in this shot-It makes my heart happy whenever I see this page.

Featured Scrapper Challenge (Bonus #2) for your March 2011 Scrapper’s Portfolio

Bonus #2: Your challenge today is a traditional Sweet Shoppe Spin-A-Lift. Choose a layout from Shannon’s gallery, rotate it 90 or 180 degrees, flip it or reverse it and then scrap!

**please note this challenge is worth 1 point and cannot be combined with other portfolio prompts except for NR bonus point for a total of 2 points.**

Here are some examples from our very own Sugar Babes:

by Jamie

Credits: Lil Miss Funfetti by Julie Billingsley

by Stephanie

Credits: Pinky Promise by Meghan Mullens

by Sheri

Credits: Bug Out by Dani Mogstad and Traci Reed

by Kjersti

Credits: Bunsen & Beaker by Libby Pritchett

Don’t forget to edit your Portfolio with your page for this challenge!

NOTE: These Bonus Challenges are EXTRA on top of the Posted Portfolio Challenges.  They CANNOT be combined with any other challenge and stand alone (except New Release bonus pt).  Please feel free to PM me with any questions – nikkiARNGwife.  Thanks!

Happy Friday folks and welcome to the first Friday in March!! For those of us in the northern hemisphere, that means spring is right around the corner!! YAY!! Today we’ve got a wonderful scrapper to highlight – the fabulous Paula Moore!! Here’s a bit more about her!!

I’m 44 years young. I am a SAHM to my 3 kidlets – Zakk (17), Hannah (16) and Beka (14). I’ve been married for 22 years to my college sweetie Steve and we live in Ely, Nevada. We also share our home with four very spoiled furbabies – 2 dogs and 2 cats. I am into genealogy, digi-scrapping, reading and crochet.

I’ve been scrapping since 2006. I scrap on a Mac using Photoshop CS3.

How often do you find time to scrap? -  I scrap almost daily. I work at a local gym, and the people who come in pretty much know their workout routines, so I take my laptop and scrap while I’m at work.

What is your favorite type of element to use? Hands down – flowers and stitching

Are you a kit scrapper or a hodge podge scrapper? – I would love to be a hodge podge scrapper and I’ve done some, but I am mostly a kit scrapper.

What’s one little known fact about you? – I’m a certified member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. I have written four supplements meaning, I have five ancestors that fought in the American Revolution.

I’ve asked Paula to share 3 of her favorite layouts and a bit about why they’re favorites. Here’s what she chose.

I love this layout because it landed me onto Cindy Schneider’s CT. I also love it because as I was working on it, I was thinking this isn’t coming together like I would like, but I uploaded it anyway and the first comment was from Kristin and she said it was stunning and her jaw dropped. That’s when I started to love it. I mean, if the designer loves it, how bad could it be? lol

I love this because it’s one of those that started out completely different in my head and emerged as this. I love how it all came together.

I love this one because it incorporates 2 of my favorite hobbies – genealogy and scrapping. I wanted to do a pedigree type page but not have it be the typical tree type page. I love how this one turned out so much that I did one for my dad as well.

Featured Scrapper Challenge (Bonus #1) for your March 2011 Scrapper’s Portfolio

Your challenge today is a traditional Sweet Shoppe Recipe Challenge based off of this layout of Paula’s.

Create a layout using the following:

2 alphas

3 ribbons/lace

11 flowers

4 buttons

1 photo

5 leaves/greenery

4 different papers

1 sequin/bead spill

1 butterfly

**Please note this challenge is worth 1 point and cannot be combined with any other portfolio prompts, except for new release bonus points for a total of 2 points**

Check out what some of our lovely SugarBabes and Designer Melissa created!!

Aly

Melissa

Nikki

Have fun with this challenge – we can’t wait to see what you do!!

February is almost halfway over and the Portfolio Thread is once again full of so much amazing talent! I hope today’s Featured Scrapper Challenge can help you add one more gorgeous page to your own portfolio so let’s get to it. Today we’re featuring  Jennifer Labre (jenn7) whose gallery is full of gorgeous designs. Let’s get to know her a little better:

I’m a SAHM to two girls, Jordan (9) and Jenna (2) and wife to Jeff. We live in Wisconsin where I am anxiously awaiting spring! Aside from scrapping, I also love reading, watching reality TV, and I’m also a digital designer.

I began paper scrapping while I was pregnant with Jordan and then discovered digital scrapping in 2005. Prior to having Jenna, I worked full-time in corporate marketing and graphic design, so it was only natural for me to start creating on the computer! I’ve used Adobe Photoshop for about 15 years. I also use Illustrator, but that is more for designing. I have a Canon Rebel Xti and love to play around with processing my photos.

How do you organize your scrap stash?

I couldn’t live without ACDSee Photo Manager. It is fabulous for organizing and finding exactly what I want to use.

What are the steps you go about when creating a new layout?

I usually start with the kit, especially if it is for a creative team layout or a product I’ve designed. Then I’ll look for a photo that will go well with that kit. I usually have all my “photos to scrap” in their own folder, already processed and ready to go. But if I need to change it to black & white or another look, I’ll usually do it at this point. Then I’ll start with the background – usually it’s a solid color or a very small print. I’ll drag in all the elements that I think I’ll want to use and start moving things around on the page, hiding, layering, etc., until I get the look I want. Then I’ll add drop shadows which really make the layout come alive for me. Finally, I’ll add the title, any journaling, and always the date.

What is your favorite color scheme to work with?

I love so many different ones! As a digital designer, I am really drawn to various color combinations. I recently finished a kit that had browns, red, orange, blue and green – vibrant colors that work really well together. I love a great color palette!

Here are some of Jennifer’s favorite layouts:

This one is one that I just adore. The photos, the memory, the cherished stuffed animal that my daughter treasures… To me it’s more about those things than the actual design. I really tried to keep it simple to focus on the photos.

Libby’s kit was just perfect for this photo of my daughter that I love.

I was lucky enough to do this for the SSD magazine and quite honestly it will always be one of my very favorite layouts. Sharing something so personal, so cherished, like the birth story of my daughter is something that I really believe in. Scrapbooking is about capturing all those important and not so important moments in our lives. I know my girls will treasure their books one day. And looking back on this layout – I know that Jenna will love to read about the day she was born.

Featured Scrapper Challenge (Bonus #3) for your February 2011 Scrapper’s Portfolio

Your challenge today is a traditional Sweet Shoppe Cookie-Decorating Challenge. Download the cookie, decorate it with your own goodies and then upload it to the SSD Gallery. (don’t forget to edit your Portfolio with your layout)

**please note this challenge is worth 1 point and cannot be combined with other portfolio prompts except for NR bonus point for a total of 2 points.**

and some fabulous examples from our Sugar Babes:

by Sari:

Credits: I Like Love You by Dani Mogstad

by Mary:

Credits: 12 Months: Mega Kit by Penny Springmann

by Shannon

Credits: I Like Love You by Dani Mogstad

Don’t forget to edit your Portfolio with your page for this challenge!

NOTE: These Bonus Challenges are EXTRA on top of the Posted Portfolio Challenges.  They CANNOT be combined with any other challenge and stand alone (except New Release bonus pt).  Please feel free to PM me with any questions – nikkiARNGwife.  Thanks!

Happy Friday everyone!! Hope you’re enjoying the fabulous month long birthday celebration here at SSD!! Today we’re featuring super sweet and talented Sari Underwood.  Let’s get to know her a little better!!

I live in Florida with my husband, 2 kids and 2 beagles. I have lived here almost all of my life. I have been a stay-at-home-mom since my oldest was born and she is now 6. That’s what led me to digital scrapbooking and then photography. I’m a children’s photographer now, although being home with my son is my main priority. I love Starbucks, my Mac,  a day out shopping with my friends, browsing the hand-made goodness on Etsy and getting that elusive photo of my kids since they run from my camera!! I started digital scrapbooking in early 2005. I use an iMac, Photoshop CS4 and Lightroom 3.

How long have you been a babe? – I was invited to the Babe team in August 2007! I can hardly believe it’s been that long!!

What is the most challenging part of scrapping for you? – Lately it’s been staying creative. There are so many great templates out there and it’s sometimes hard for me not to use them! I also don’t have the amount of free time that I used to have to just browse the galleries and be inspired by all the talent out there.

What is your favorite color scheme to work with? – It used to be, without a doubt, pinks and girly colors. Since having my son and scrapping his pages, I’ve noticed a shift in the colors I use now. There are lots of browns and blues!

Do you have any other hobbies outside of scrapping? – My other big hobby was photography which has now become more than a hobby. I launched my photography business in 2009.

I’ve asked Sari to share 3 of her favorite layouts with us.

I still love this one because it documents a specific time. She is 6 now, so I had already forgotten some of the things she said as a toddler and this page brought it all back! Now I want to do a similar page with my son, who is almost 2!

What can I say? Those first photos of daddy and baby are always a fave!

I love this one because it’s about my love for scrapbooking and what it means to me!

Featured Scrapper Challenge (Bonus #2) for your February 2011 Scrapper’s Portfolio.  Your challenge today is a traditional Sweet Shoppe Neapolitan challenge. Using inspiration from each of these pages by Sari, create a layout of your own. There is no limit to what you can use from each layout, as long as you pull at least one thing from each layout.

Fall Family Fun

Super

Cousins

**Please note this challenge is worth 1 point and cannot be combined with any other portfolio prompts, except a new release bonus point for a total of 2 points**

Here are some examples from our fabulous Sugar Babes

Aly

Inspired by: Layout 1 – string, buttons, tag, paper strips and 2 page background. Layout 2 – scallop, heart, photo borders and clustering on the edge of the page. Layout 3 – flowers, word art and 2 photos.

Credits: So Happy Together by Shawna Clingerman and Jenn Barrette, So Very Susan by Darcy Baldwin

Darla

Inspired by: Layout 1 – string and 1 photo. Layout 2 – circle shapes, stars and scallop edge. Layout 3 – paper strips design, stitching on photo and bold title.

Credits: Once Upon a Boy by the SSD Designers, Perfectly Krafty by Jenn Barrette, Put Me In Coach and Rambunctious by Julie Billingsley, Bold Brush Work by Misty Cato, font is DJB Hayley Print by Darcy Baldwin

Tracy

Inspired by: Layout 1 – stacked patterned paper and buttons on photo. Layout 2 – scalloped edge, photo placement and journaling placement. Layout 3 – scattered small elements and string.

Credits: Put on a Happy Face by Traci Reed

Have fun with this challenge!! Can’t wait to see your layouts!! Happy weekend!!