Kindness – what a simple way to tell another struggling soul that there is love to be found in this world.

We love spreading kindness here at the Sweet Shoppe so much, we’ve made it part of our monthly challenge-and-reward system. Want a chance to earn a free kit or mini bundle? You’ll find the January 2023 Show Off & Shout Out thread in our This or That Challenges forum. Reply to the thread to claim your spot. Throughout the month, update it with

• links to 15 pages in the Gallery on which you’ve left a comment (we call it “leaving love”),
• an image of a layout you created this month and posted in the gallery you want to show off,
• a sentence or two about why you’re proud of the layout you created or why you love it so much,
• an image of a layout someone else created and posted in the gallery to which you want to give a shout out, and
• a sentence or two about why their layout inspires you or what you love about it.

That’s all there is to it: leave love for 15 layouts in the gallery, share your Show-Off, and share a Shout-Out, and at the end of the month, you could win a free kit or mini bundle up to $15 in value. Our winners for December will be announced soon, so be sure to keep an eye on the forum for details.

I asked some of the Sugar Babes to join me in sharing our Show-Off and Shout-Outs to wrap up the month of December. Here’s what Kiana, Krista L., Ally, Cassie, Kim E. and Krista P. had to say:

Kiana’s Show Off

Why Kiana is proud of this layout: “I’ve been wanting to document this morning routine photo … the browns of the kit were perfect and I love the title I created and the funny saying too!!!”

Kiana’s Shout Out

Why Kiana loves “Tree Hunting” by liriel: “I love that this block style pocket page tells a story with the photos. I really get the family feeling of this outing and that lasting memories made. I really love the wood title block with the fun clusters too. Super sweet page.”

Krista L.’s Show Off

Why Krista L. is proud of this layout: “I am proud of this layout because it is the start of my 10th Project Life scrapbook album!!”

Krista L.’s Shout Out

Why Krista L. loves “Project Life 2022 Week 4” by knittingbec: “I love this Project Life digital page because it has all the things I love in a PL pocket page: journaling, lots of photos, bright colors and small clusters throughout.”

Ally’s Show Off

Why Ally is proud of this layout: “These photos are from 2021, and because we have since lost most of these chickens, it felt weird to scrap about them and our first delightful foray into free-ranging. But I decided that I really loved this memory and these photos, so I made it happen, and now I love it! This kit was probably not meant to describe a chicken’s feelings upon her first experience of free-ranging, but it totally worked, lol!”

Ally’s Shout Out

Why Ally loves “November 2022” by Golya: “I love this fun calendar format for these monthly spreads! The little photos in the date boxes, the stickers, the fun little bits everywhere! This is so fun to look at!”

Cassie’s Show Off

Why Cassie is proud of this layout: “I really like how this page turned out because not only does a KCB kit with Cindy’s template make for a beautiful page but the center journaling spot was a perfect fit for my daughter’s Santa letter. I honestly had a hard time remembering and/or understanding what she was referring to when I reread the photo so having it down in legible type on this page, along with the sweet photos, is what I call perfect memory keeping!”

Cassie’s Shout Out

Why Cassie loves “Nice List” by Scrap-Therapy: “The more I look at this layout the more I love it! The hand extraction and its shadowing is phenomenal! I really like how she has scattered bits all over her page in the same way there would be a wrapping paper scraps, tags and treats mess on a table in real life! The paper scroll with the kiddos picture is also a super sweet and fun way to personalize the page!”

Kim. E’s Show Off

Why Kim. E is proud of this layout: “When I saw Cindy’s templates with a Christmas recipe theme, I knew I needed to make a layout about the gingerbread cookies we make every year. It is still a tradition even though mine are not so little anymore. So I love this layout because it captures this memory well, and I feel like every little element of the design fell into place just right.”

Kim. E’s Shout Out

Why Kim. E loves “Baking Cookies” by amyjcaz: “And while we’re on the subject of layouts about baking cookies, I LOVE this one. The pictures are so sweet and there is so much eye-candy with the elements perfectly placed in the shape of a tree. This is so creative and fun!”

Krista P.’s Show Off

Why Krista P. is proud of this layout: “I’ve been wanting to scrap some more of our favorite recipes to eventually put in a family cookbook for the kids. Cindy’s templates were the perfect push! I love the way the page turned out with the recipe and photo, plus the steps.”

Krista P.’s Shout Out

Why Krista P. loves “Worth” by AmieN1: “I love the muted photo treatment against the monochromatic white layout. Her choices here are just stunning! This family photo series and the sentiment is just so sweet, and the softness and beautiful layering made it all shine masterfully.”

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In the words of Dale Carnegie, author of How to Win Friends and Influence People, “Perhaps you will forget tomorrow the kind words you say today, but the recipient may cherish them over a lifetime.” I know that I treasure the sweet words of praise I find left on my layouts in the Gallery – it’s such a lovely feeling … so I invite you to join me in spreading that feeling around by leaving love on some layouts today!