Sweet Shoppe Designs

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!!

Happy February everyone! This week our Featured Scrapper – Jackie (tettletop20) is another amazing scrapper whose gallery is full of gorgeous projects both digital and hybrid. Let’s get to know her a little better:

I’m a 31 year old stay at home mom to two boys. They keep me busy and make me go crazy at the same time. I love being able to stay at home with them. I live in Michigan but often wonder why because it’s so cold here! I think the summers make up for it though because it is such a beautiful state!

I started paper scrapping in high school and did that until I started digital scrapbooking in 2006 after a friend introduced me to a very simple program to use. I’ve upgraded since then to PSE 7 and would not go back! I also enjoy making hybrid cards with my digital supplies.

What are your 3 favorite elements to use?

Buttons, ribbons, and greenery.

What is your favorite SSD kit and why?

A Wonderful World by Meghan Mullens and Kristin Cronin-Barrow because it’s so bright and full of color. It makes me happy.

Why do you scrap?

I scrap to remember the memories. I want to be able to look back in 20 years and be happy that I took the time to record these things.

How often do you find time to scrap?

I usually scrap every 2-3 days and only when the kids are in bed. When I find my mojo is lacking, I usually will make a card or two. I have quite a stash going!

Here are some of Jackie’s favorite layouts:

I enjoy blocking papers when I scrap, so this layout with the blocking and the journaling is one of my favorites.

I really enjoyed the journaling part of this layout – just the basic 5 W’s. I’m also a sucker for rainbow colored things, so once I took that photo of the spoons, I knew what I was going to do with it.

Maybe it’s because my husband is in this layout, but I just love how all the colors and everything goes together. It will always be one of my favorites.

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

Jackie has an amazing gallery full of both traditional digi layouts as well as gorgeous hybrid projects. Your challenge is to choose any layout or project from Jackie’s gallery and use it as inspiration for a page/project of your own.

**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 Steph

Credits: Sweet Talk by Traci Reed and Meghan Mullens, Skritch Skratch Font by Darcy Baldwin and Zoe Pearn

by Celeste

Credits: Goodlife by Fee Jardine, DJB Fonts: In Such a Rush by Darcy Baldwin

by Kresta

Credits: Be Mine by Lauren Grier & Kristin Cronin-Barrow

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 Sweet Shoppers! I hope everyone is enjoying our challenges this month. This week’s Featured Scrapper Friday we’re featuring an amazing layout artist – Rebecca Sinclair (becca1976). Her gallery is gorgeous so let’s get to know her a little better:

I have been paper scrapping since my son was born. I always looked at digital and said, “No way! I’d never do that!” But I was wrong. A couple of years ago I dug out a Creating Keepsakes digital program and began to play with it one day. It was so much fun and I found that paper scrapping didn’t even interest me anymore! I quickly upgraded to Photoshop 7 because I wanted better control of my shadows, and about a year later I upgraded again to CS3. I’m now hooked and never have any plans to return to paper and glue.

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

My scrapping style is all over the map! Haha! I love to lift layouts, utilize templates, and try out new techniques. My goal in digital scrapping is to preserve family memories and have fun doing it!

2. Are you a kit scrapper or more of a hodge podge scrapper?

I’m definitely a one kit scrapper. Not to say that I never mix and match, but I most often stick with one kit for the entire page.

3. Describe your scrapping environment.

Wherever my laptop is. Usually in the living room, with my feet propped up, but sometimes in the kitchen when I’m cooking, or in the bedroom when I’m watching tv with my hubby. I scrap wherever and whenever I can squeeze a moment in.

4. What do you do in real life?

My husband and I, along with our four children, are church planting missionaries in Cameroon, West Africa. My role is obviously different from that of my husband’s with my primary responsibilities being the home. I home school our four kids and most of my days are spent keeping up the home front. Life is definitely a challenge. Cooking is a time consuming project and we are often without water and electricity which adds to my workload. Thankfully, we have a generator that we run quite frequently to help with the power outages. I know I make it sound like we are living out in the bush in a mud hut, but we rent a beautiful home, with mountains and waterfalls as our front yard view! It is really breathtaking! While Cameroon is still a 3rd world African country, technology is advancing quickly. We are so blessed to have an internet connection in our home that helps me stay in touch with my family and of course all of my digital scrapbooking family as well!

I also asked Rebecca to share a few of her own favorite layouts and tell us what she loves about them:

My precious little nephew! What’s not to love? He is seriously the most adorable thing ever! My brother and his wife live in California so I haven’t had the chance to meet my newest nephew yet. Scrapping him is the next best solution. The picture definitely makes this layout, which is why it is one of my favorites.

I love this shot that I got of my daughter Emma. We took some pictures on the first day of school and she was so excited. You can see it in her eyes! I love how the page turned out too. I can’t say why really. It just makes me smile. Probably because when I look at it, my adorable little girl is smiling back at me!

My beautiful girls. I never had any sisters and I want my girls to know how blessed they are. On the technical side of this page, I love how the blocking turned out with the building block templates, and I think the photo actions by Sarah Cornish really make the page.

Featured Scrapper Challenge (Bonus #3) for your January 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 Tracy

Credits: We’re all Waiting for Something by Lauren Grier and Shawna Clingerman

Credits: Winter’s Wish by Traci Reed and Meghan Mullens

by Stephanie

Credits: New Year’s In by Traci Reed

by Kresta

Credits: Unofficially Me by Traci Reed

and by Nikki

Credits: What’s Happening? by Fee Jardine

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!

I feel like I always start out every post with “I can’t believe it’s already…” but it’s true!! Time truly does just fly on by!! So yeah, I can’t believe it’s already the middle of January!! Today we get to feature one of our awesome babes, Tracy Ducar.  She’s got such a fun style, she’s not afraid to get in front of the camera and you can’t help but smile when you see her adorable son in her layouts!! Here’s a bit more about her.

I’m a native Floridian who loves the sunshine over snow any day. My hubby and I have been married for over 10 years and we have one little man, L.J. who is the main focus of most of my layouts. Our lives changed a lot in the last year as he started Kindergarten and I went back to working part-time. Now that that job has ended, I started 2011 as a SAHM again. I also stay busy as President of our local women’s volunteer group and love to help out in our community. I also love to cook and try new healthy recipes which I hope to do more of this year after many planned trips to the gym.

I started scrapping with Photoshop CS2 in 2006 when I was looking for a way to make my son’s 1st birthday invitation and found a whole new world out there that I never knew existed. I just use a point and shoot Canon camera but I try to get the best photos that I can. I can’t imagine what I’d do without this creative outlet now. I’m so proud to be a Sugarbabe and still remember the feeling I had when I got the invitation.

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

Scrap-wise I would say that I am good at the journaling part of a layout, really getting the story behind the photo, and getting multiple photos on a page.  I take so many pics that I don’t want to leave any out.

When and where do you scrap?

I am usually sitting in the recliner in front of the TV with the laptop so that I can be out where the rest of the family is while I’m scrapping.

Do you have any hobbies outside of scrapping?

Yes, we love to fish, hunt, scallop, shop and volunteer!

If you could pick just one SSD kit, which is your favorite and why?

I have been on Traci’s CT for a long time now and her kits are always my favorites because she makes so many fun boy kits. So What? is one of those kits with so many possibilities.

I’ve asked Tracy to share three of her favorite layouts with us along with a little about why each is her favorite.

Meeting a Space Ranger – This layout just makes me happy. Buzz is one of my sons’ favorite characters and I was so excited when Manda designed this kit to match. My love of bright colors and multi-photo layouts really shows on this one.

Your Loveys – When I took this photo it was with the intent to document everything I could about all of my son’s favorite stuffed animals. I wanted it to be fun and full of life because that’s what they were to him at different stages in his young life. I love the way it turned out and really told the stories.

Eat, Drink and Be Scary – I scrap so much of my son that when I get good photos of us with our friends I can’t wait to get them on a layout. We are blessed to have both sets of grandparents that will watch him whenever so that we can get out and have a little kid-free fun every once in a while. This was just a fun night of costumes and laughs.

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

Tracy is great at scrapping those everyday moments. Your challenge is to scrap an ordinary, everyday moment.

**please note this challenge is worth1 point and cannot be combined with other portfolio prompts except for NR bonus points for a total of 2 points**

Here are  few examples for you!!

From Melissa

From me

and Sue

We can’t wait to see your pages!! Have a sweet weekend!!

Hello Sweet Shoppers and welcome to our very first Featured Scrapper Friday for 2011! This week we’re featuring someone whose gallery is absolutely full of goregousness – Kay Miller! Most of you probably know Kay already, but let’s get to know her a little better:

I’ve been digital scrapping now for 7 years. I can’t believe it! I used Photoshop Cs4 and I scrap on my beloved iMac and my Macbook pro.

How often do you find time to scrap?

I try to scrap every day. It’s something I really love to do and I rarely get tired of doing it. I homeschool the kids and while they are working independently I’ll run into my computer room and work on layouts. I also scrap at night while they’re sleeping. I stay up way too late!

What’s easier and why? Creating girl pages or boy pages?

Oh girl pages!!! I find it very difficult to scrap boy pages. The reason is there are usually no flowers! How in the world do you scrap a page with no flowers?? My little guy is going to look back at all of his pages one day and ask why I put flowers on all of them! LOL! I really love the colors of girl kits better too. Also my little girl poses and will let me take pictures of her much more willingly than my boy will.

Where do you draw inspiration from when you start a layout?

Well, these days I usually use a template!! LOL! I LOVE Cindy’s templates! I would be lost without them! I am totally backwards when I scrap. I start with the template and the kit and then after I’m done with the page, I go look for pictures to put in it. I think that comes from being on creative teams and designing for so long. I do start a layout with photos in mind from time to time but it’s not my norm.

What do you do when you’re not online?

Oh plenty that’s for sure! LOL! I homeschool the kids for one thing. I have three dogs that I adore and I love to walk with them and play. I love love to rubber stamp and make cards. I also work with polymer clay and love to make ornaments and little figures. I enjoy reading and sometimes just doing nothing, but that’s a rare treat these days.

I also asked Kay to pick three of her favorite layouts to share with us and explain why they are faves:

I love this layout because Christmas is my very favorite time of year and because I love love Christmas kits! I buy almost all of them . Most of all though I love these pictures of me with my sweet kiddos all in our jammies on Christmas eve. These are definitely memories I want to keep.

Next to Christmas kits, winter kits are my favorite. I love doing winter layouts. I also love taking pictures of my kids playing in the snow. I love living in a climate that has four seasons and gets plenty of snow .

As soon as I finished this layout I knew it would always be one of my favorites. I adore these pictures I took of the kids on vacation and they match this gorgeous kit by Kristin and Meg so perfectly. I just love everything about how this page turned out.

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

Your challenge today is a traditional Sweet Shoppe Spin-A-Lift. Choose a layout from Kay’s Gallery, rotate it 90 or 180 degrees, flip it or rotate 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 Aly

Aly lifted Kay’s layout Cool and used products from Fishing Adventures by lliella designs

by Kjersti

Kjersti lifted Kay’s layout Berry Sweet and used products from Peace on Earth by Eva Kipler and Studio Flergs

by Amy

Amy lifted Kay’s layout Summer Vacation and used products from It’s Cold Outside by Meghan Mullens

by Nikki

I lifted Kay’s layout Christmas Love and used productes from What’s Happening? by Fee Jardine

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 New Year’s Eve Sweet Shoppers!! This is one of my most favorite holidays – I spend it with family and friends playing games, visiting museums and just hanging out always ending the day with a great dinner and just some plain old silliness!!

This last day of 2010 I bring you Valéria {valeriapiemonte} as our featured scrapper this week.  It made me so happy that she was truly honored and gracious to be featured on our Sweet Shoppe Blog!

Here’s a bit more about Valéria and make sure you check out her AWESOME gallery –  http://www.myscrapbookart.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=6298

“Hello I´m Valéria. I´m from a small town called Assis in the country side of Sao Paulo, Brazil. I´ve been married for 7 years to my dear hubby Adriano and we have 2 boys, Giovanni and Guilherme. We work together in a small business ad agency here in Brazil. My story with digiscrap started last year and I haven´t stopped since then. I think it is a wonderful addiction and makes me relax. As I am a graphic designer I began scrapping with Photoshop CS4 and never stopped. In my opinion it´s the best program to scrap. Recently I started paper scrapping as well just to see if I´m capable of creating something out of the digiworld!! And guess what? I am!! I really loved cutting papers!! That´s my newest passion!! When I´m not scrapping the other things I enjoy doing is traveling, meeting new people, watching a good movie, listening to music and the most important: spending good times beside my family.”

Q. How often do you find time to scrap?

I can only scrap when I get back from work and the kiddos are already in bed which leaves me a very short time to do it.

Q. What are the steps you go about when creating a page?

I always begin with the photo. Whenever I´m taking pictures I immediately think of which kit would match perfect to that photo. Then I choose the papers and afterwards the elements. The title is the last thing I put on a page.

Q. What is the most challenging part of a layout for you? For me the most challenging part of a layout is the journaling. I never know what to write and I always struggle with it.

Q. What was the title of your very first layout?
The title of my first layout was: Gui 12 months.

I asked Val to share a few of her favorite pages with us!

“The thing I love about this layout is the fact that depicts my travel to Europe. It was a great time of my life and it was wonderful that I could scrap about it!!”

“I just love this page because of its colors!! This kit matched perfectly to my photo.”

“This layout is my all time favorite. My whole family is there and I really enjoyed scrapping in a different shape. The title work is one of my favorite things in this page.”

Blog Bonus Challenge #5 – It’s a Spin-A-Lift!  Peruse Valéria’s gallery here http://www.myscrapbookart.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=6298 and chose a layout to lift, but make sure you spin it 90 or 45 degrees, flip it and make it yours!  Upload this layout to the SSD gallery and mark your portfolio for December with Blog Bonus Challenge #5 for one point. This challenge can be combined with a new release for an extra point for a total of 2 points.

Here are what the babes came up with!

Here is Jamie’s SAL of teacher Adriana using Libby’s Jelly of the Month:

Shannon picked cool you! and used Jennifer’s Counting Down to Christmas:

Here’s Darla’s spin on Our Christmas Wish using In This Moment 2 Scoops by Shawna and Eva

Here is my Spin on You are all I need using Dani’s A Lot Like Christmas:

I wish you a very Happy New Year to you and your family. May 2011 be the best year ever for you all!