Cleaning out the Clutter...

Nothing new for you this week, but I wanted to let you know about the awesome sale I have going on right now.. I've decided to clean out the clutter a bit, and have over 20 products headed to the vault next week.  

 

Save up to 50% on selected items now thru Thursday, January 6th.  Grab these babies before they're gone...

Here are just a few of the pretties I'm saying goodbye to...
 

 

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Have a great weekend, and happy scrapping!  :D

NEW: A La Mode

It's been a whirlwind of a week for me, and I'm sure it's been the same for you, so I'll keep this short and sweet.. About a year and a half ago, DH and I ventured into a charming little cupcake boutique downtown.  I was blown away by the glamorous and feminine decor: black and white damask, hot pink tutus, and lots of bling.  Ever since then, I've been wanting to do a kit inspired by the little shoppe.  And the time has finally come.. So I bring you A La Mode:

 

Break out the boas, the heels, your sparkliest sparkles, and all things girly!  This kit, full of super feminine details and LOTS of bling, is an absolute must-have for your little princesses - great for grown-up princesses, too!  Available at ScrapMatters & MScraps.

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I also wanted to highlight an older product that coordinates perfectly with A La Mode...

These were originally released back in May, but with a versatile and classic design, Alpha Snips will soon become one of your faves.  Stitch it down, scatter it across your page, the possibilities are endless!  Comes in both black and white - LC, #s and a few symbols.  Grab them from ScrapMatters & MScraps.

     

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And now some absolutely indulgent pages from my CT, the girls at ScrapMatters and the MScraps team...

 

Just a final reminder that all of my new releases are 20% off now thru Sunday.

Have a great weekend, and happy scrapping!

Sneak a Peek at THIS!

I finally have a new kit coming out tomorrow - to both my MScraps & ScrapMatters stores!

Hop on over to either forum for your chance to win!

ScrapMatters * MScraps

Spotlighting Melanie

Jewelle here and I get to share with you another guest spotlight today!  I've known this lady for quite some time now and we've worked together in the scrapping community as well.  Because of that I'm super excited to spotlight....

Melanie

{aka scrappymelly}

I'm married and a SAHM with two children [almost 9 years old and 20 months old] and a third on the way! I was born and raised in Georgia, but moved to California in 2001. Since then I've lived in Oregon, Las Vegas, and now Arizona. We're currently making plans to make another move, hopefully the last, to Reno. We're definitely not fans of the desert and the 110+ days we get here in the summer. When I'm not scrapping I like to read, play games, watch movies with the family and spend time in the kitchen baking. Before becoming a SAHM, I took care of other people's children as a childcare provider.

1. How long have you been scrapping?  Have you ever paper scrapped?  When did you make the switch to digi and why? I first started scrapping right after I graduated high school in 1999. I went to a Creative Memories party and fell in love. I did paper scrapping from then on, until 2007 when I read one of my sisters in law’s blog and she mentioned something about digi-scrapping. I googled it and never looked back, except to do an occasional hybrid project. I love digi because there’s no mess, no waste and in the end I save a lot of money!
2. What do you feel is your strongest scrapping skill?  Your weakest? I guess using white space. I don’t know if I would say it’s my strongest skill, but I definitely feel it’s one that I’ve improved greatly on since I started scrapping. My weakest is definitely clustering. I keep working at it though, and I think I’m starting to get better at it.
3. What advice would you give someone just starting out digi-scrapping? To not be afraid to play around and experiment with techniques. And always save and backup as often as you can!
4. Describe your scrapping "system"... What program do you use?  Where do you start first - photos, papers, elements, journaling?  Do you always have something in mind when you start, or do you let your creativity guide you?  How long does it take you to complete a layout?  I learned on, and still use, PhotoShop CS3 extended. My hubby had it already from school, so I got lucky there. I usually start out by picking a template. I’m definitely a template kind of girl. From there I either jump right in with the kit I’m using, or if I’m positive about the photos I want to use, I’ll start with them. For the most part, I just kind of go with where the page takes me from there. I usually spend about an hour on a layout.
5. On average, how much time do you spend scrapping each week?  Usually at least 2 or 3 hours a day, usually at night after my little man has gone to bed.
6. Describe your perfect scrapping environment - coffee? soda?  music?  snacks?  I have to have music playing. And I usually have something to drink – either water or Coke Zero.
7. What's your favorite thing to do BESIDES scrapping?  I love cuddling up on the couch, or in bed, and watch movies with either just my hubby or the family.
8. What is one thing you would love to do, just so you could scrap it?  Go to Disney Land. Okay, I really just want to go there, but I really do get quite jealous of all the fabulous Disney themed layouts I see so much in the gallery.
9. Who inspires you in the scrapping community?  Any person or site in particular that you look to for inspiration?  I don’t think I could pick just one person. Being a ScrapMatters Girl, I’m always looking through the gallery and I get so inspired by all the members of the community.
10. If you could have Amber create a kit just for you, what colors, theme, etc would it be and why?  I have a few old photos from high school, including ones from marching band, that I would love to have a kit to scrap with. I’d love lots of elements themed towards all the fun high school has to offer. Colors would have to cover all the most popular high school colors – for me it would be purple, gold, white and gray.

First Layout

This is the first layout I ever uploaded to my gallery. My first layouts were lost when my HD crashed, but this was one of the first ones I did after a two year break from scrapping. When Mason was put in the hospital, it was totally unexpected and this photo was one of the only ones we got right after surgery.

Favorite Layouts

This layout was done during a speed scrap and I was pretty sure I wasn't going to like it. But by the time I finished it, I knew it would always be one of my favorites. I think most of it is the photo of Tori. It was taken on a car trip and I caught her completely off guard. You can't see it, but her hair is a mess - I think she looks beautiful!

 When I was working in childcare, our center always did a pumpkin contest. Each class made one [no carving] and all the kids in the center voted on their favorite. This particular year I got the idea for our class to make Mike from Monsters Inc. It was quite a project, but it turned out so awesome. Oh, and we won!

Using Stolen Moments Products 

I made this during Queen of Scrap using Amber's kit Makin' Me Happy. It's probably one of my favorites because it took so much time to pick the photos, arrange them and then get the page how I wanted it. I love that kit!

Most Recent Layout

I did this layout about a week ago and I love the way it turned out. Uncle Monty is my mother and father in law's dog and we always call him my hubby's brother. Not many of the grandkids like him because he's such a big dog, but Mason absolutely loves him.

Lovely layouts aren't they?!  Head on over to Melanie's BLOG and GALLERY to view more of her fabulous layouts!

Just Call Me Sasha - New for 12/10

Hey all... :) How are you holding up this holiday season?  Are your cards made and ready to be mailed?  How about those shopping lists?  Have you made any headway on them?  I know I've been super busy this past week - starting a new full-time job at this busy time of year is definitely going to require some serious time management.. And where do I turn when I'm in a scrappy mood and don't have all day and all night to spend in Photoshop?  Why templates, of course!  And I've got another fantastic set of CT-inspired goodies for you..

 

I love having Sasha on my CT!  Her pages are always so different and creative - I'm never quite sure what she'll come up with, but I know I always love it!  And with these easy-to-use templates {available in PSD, TIFF and PNG formats} you, too, can be scrapping like Sasha in no time!  They are available at ScrapMatters and MScraps, so feel free to shop at your store of choice.. Oh - and they're 20% off both places through Sunday, as well!  :)

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Here are some totally awesome CT pages to inspire you, as well...

 

 

    

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That's it for this week, but here's a little sneaky-sneak at my release for next week..

Spotlighting Christy

Wow, is today really the 7th of December?!  Time is moving so fast this year!  I think if I blink tomorrow will be Christmas!  With time moving so fast it feels like I just introduced you to the December guests too.  I better get to introducing our first guest for the month or the time will slip away for me to do that!  Without further ado....

Christy

{aka ChristyVW}

I live in West Michigan with my wonderful husband, two beautiful daughters and a small farm of animals! In my life before children and scrapping, I was a mechanical engineer and database developer. 

1. How long have you been scrapping?  Have you ever paper scrapped?  When did you make the switch to digi and why?  I have been scrapping for about 10 years. I paper scrapped a mission trip to India and my oldest daughter's first year album. I switched to digi in the summer of 2007 when I needed to quickly make some pages for an exchange student that was living with us.
2. What do you feel is your strongest scrapping skill?  Your weakest?  I think my strongest scrapping skill is journaling. I love to tell a story on the page and for the most part don't feel a page is complete without journaling. My weakest skill? I would have to say I am patterned paper challenged!
3. What advice would you give someone just starting out digi-scrapping?  Just do it! Dive in. Ask questions. Push buttons (in your software). There is always 'un-do'!!
4. Describe your scrapping "system"... What program do you use?  Where do you start first - photos, papers, elements, journaling?  Do you always have something in mind when you start, or do you let your creativity guide you?  How long does it take you to complete a layout?  I scrap in Photoshop CS5. I almost always start my layouts with photos, then title and journaling. If I am doing CT work, the photos are selected based on the product. I usually have something in mind when I start. But, that doesn't mean I always end up where I began! Typical layouts take me anywhere from 1-3 hours.
5. On average, how much time do you spend scrapping each week?  On average, I spend about 5-10 hours a week creating layouts.
6. Describe your perfect scrapping environment - coffee? soda?  music?  snacks?  My perfect scrapping environment would be total silence! Home alone, no music, no tv, no kids calling 'MOmMy?!!'. LOL! With a nice cup of hot coffee and some calorie free chocolate!! (well, you said describe perfect, right?)
7. What's your favorite thing to do BESIDES scrapping?  Listen to my girls laughter and do things that bring them joy. 
8. What is one thing you would love to do, just so you could scrap it? Go skydiving. 
9. Who inspires you in the scrapping community?  Any person or site in particular that you look to for inspiration?  I actually find my best inspiration by looking outside the scrapping community. When I look through magazines or layout galleries for inspiration, I end up struggling to create a layout afterwards, out of fear that I will inadvertently copy something I saw!
10. If you could have Amber create a kit just for you, what colors, theme, etc would it be and why?  I think it would be great to make an album about my faith journey and would love a kit containing scripture verses, journaling prompts and other elements relating to my Christian beliefs. 

Check out these fun layouts Christy has graciously agreed to share with us shared with us! 

First Layout

This is one of my first digital layouts. I made it for my youngest daughters first year album. It is one of the only layouts that I went back and redid later after learning some new composition skills!

Favorite Layouts

One of my favorite layouts - This is actually a very simple layout, but one of my favorites because it reminds me of a great time together as a family and also showcases how far my photography skills have come - something I have worked hard on!

This layout just makes me smile. I had so much fun creating it and it tells the story of some great family memories!!

Layout Using Stolen Moments Products

Just love Amber's Second Spring collection! These pictures aren't from fall, but I thought the collection colors still worked perfectly!

Most Recent Layout

Christy has such wonderful layouts!  If you would like to see more of her layouts please visit her BLOG or her GALLERY!

Welcome December Guests

Hey all Jewelle here with some exciting Stolen Moments news!  First off it has been quite some time since I've had the opportunity to introduce our guest CTM's before I spotlight them.  This month though I am on top of things and ask that you give a warm welcome to our December guests.....

Melanie

{aka scrappymelly}

Christy

{aka ChristyVW}

In other exciting news we have a NEW member of the Stolen Moments team.  Drum roll please!!!

Sya {aka syapotter}

Sya will be joining us permanently {you may remember her as a guest in November}.  We are excited to have all three of these ladies with us and I know you will enjoy seeing their layouts here on the blog!

Lots of News!

Happy Friday, everyone!  I have a bit of news for you this week - although you likely already know it - I'm running a bit behind on the blog front lately, lol.. Anyhow.. I will be guesting at MScraps for the month of December!  I'm super excited about it, and hope to have oodles of goodies for you over there.. But, we're starting off slowly.. with this incredible alpha you can't not have in your collection!

 

 

A delicate metal alpha that will bring an air of class and whimsy to any page!   The clean lines and understated sophistication give it the versatility that will have you coming back to it again and again... Consider it the "little black dress" of alphas.. Includes upper case and numbers only.

And some inspiration to tickle your fancy, courtesy of my CT and the MScraps girls...

  

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 I'm also releasing this little element pack that will soon become a staple in your stash..  

 

 

 

Add a touch of timeless elegance to your pages with these beautifully textured and detailed embossed bits.. Contains 3 frames, 3 tags and 3 journaling blocks.   These are available at ScrapMatters and MScraps, so you are free to shop at your store of choice.. ;)

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And finally, I'm putting the Imagination Creation Collection into my store at ScrapMatters now that Megs' guest stint is over *sob* .. ;)

 

 

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That's it for this week, but I'll see you again next Friday with 2 more fantastic new products!  Oh - and don't forget.. all of my new releases {bundles excluded} are 20% off now thru Sunday!  Happy Scrapping!  :D

Spotlighting Sya

The end of the month has crept to an end.  With the end of the month comes our last guest spotlight.  She has been working hard all month for Amber.  I think she definitely deserves some attention!  Let me introduce you to...

Sya

{aka syapotter}

I'm 25 years old, from Malaysia, a small country in South East Asia and currently teaching at a local private university, mostly teaching English Language. I'm doing my Master's in Education (TESL) and hopefully will graduate next year. I am not yet married but am blessed with 3 nieces and a nephew, so my layouts are mostly about them. 

 

 

1.  How long have you been scrapping?  Have you ever paper scrapped?  When did you make the switch to digi and why? I started scrapping back in June 2007. Earlier that year, I discovered paper scrapbooking and started getting hooked to it but because it has yet to become well-known in Malaysia, I started to search for other alternatives and came upon digiscrapping. It was like love at first sight and I have never looked back since.

2.  What do you feel is your strongest scrapping skill?  Your weakest? My strongest would definitely be my layering and clustering and weakest would definitely be the fact that I sometimes seem to stick to only one style instead of branching out to other styles of scrapping. I try to do that once in a while but I always go back to my comfort zone and what I know I am able to do well.

3. What advice would you give someone just starting out digi-scrapping?

I would tell them to just go out there and play with whatever is available. I was self-taught in PS and I find that the best way to learn to do something is just by trying.

4.  Describe your scrapping "system"... What program do you use?  Where do you start first - photos, papers, elements, journaling?  Do you always have something in mind when you start, or do you let your creativity guide you?  How long does it take you to complete a layout? I am currently using PS CS3 and hopes to upgrade to CS5 someday. As for starting a layout, it all depends on the mojo really. Sometimes I would see the photos and knew immediately what I wanted to do for the layout but more often than not, what I ended up with was usually different from what I envisioned at first. Sometimes it would take me hours just to complete a layout but when the mojo is flowing, the shortest time it would take me to complete a layout is 30 minutes.

5.  On average, how much time do you spend scrapping each week?  I'm not really sure about this, but probably about 15 hours more or less.

6.  Describe your perfect scrapping environment - coffee? soda?  music?  snacks?  I definitely have to have music. Sometimes I would get inspiration from the music that I listened to. I love listening to most Top 40 songs but I draw the line at Hard Core Rock. Definitely NOT my type of music!

7.  What's your favorite thing to do BESIDES scrapping? Spare time is really hard to come by these days but I do love to read. I recently bought a Barnes & Nobles Nook and am so in love with it and it goes with me wherever I go.

8.  What is one thing you would love to do, just so you could scrap it? Visit all the Disneyland parks in the world, which is really ironic because I recently visited Disneyland Hong Kong and I was kinda afraid to start scrapping photos from that visit because it felt kinda sacred to me somehow. 

9.  Who inspires you in the scrapping community?  Any person or site in particular that you look to for inspiration? A lot of scrappers inspire me in the community but if I have to name one person, it would have to be Cindy Schneider. I just love her style of scrapping.. As for inspiration, I found that just browsing around the galleries help. Sometimes I would stumble upon some scrappers that I have not yet discovered.

10.  If you could have Amber create a kit just for you, what colors, theme, etc would it be and why?

I like all things girly and definitely have a crush on anything pink, white and brown. And oh, I recently fell in love with the English style type of decorating so it would be great if there's a kit like that.

 

Oldest Layout

This is not my first LO but the oldest one that I still have. It's of my nephew. I cringe when I look at this because of the lack of shadows and the use of the different colored alphas.

 Favorite Layouts

This one was of my college friends taken 2 years before we graduated. It was really crazy that most of us are on different life path and scattered all over the place now.

This one was a remake from a horrible layout that I did in 2008. Loved it so, so much better.

Using Stolen Moments Products

I used Into the Night for this one. Awesome, awesome kit.

Most Recent Layout

I've always wanted to experience snow, hence this page. The photos were taken from Google..

Aren't her layouts wonderful?!  I know I am always inspired by them!  Be sure and check out more of Sya's stunning layouts in her GALLERY!

Cyber Monday Coupon Blog Hop!

I'm making this quick... For those of you who don't know, Cyber Monday is the Monday after Black Friday when you can find all kinds of yummy sales online.. Well, since ScrapMatters already {and is still} having an awesome Black Friday sale, some of the designers wanted to supplement those sale prices with additional discounts... in the form of a blog train, of course.. ;)

You should have just come from Jen Graham's blog - http://gltcblog.wyldgrahamcrackers.com/ - and here's what I have to offer...

Use the code smd_cyber_15 to get 15% off anything in my store.. CU & Custom Services included!

Next up, stop by Val's blog - http://geniabeanascraps.com- to see what awesome deals she has cooked up for you... Happy hopping!  :D

New BLACK FRIDAY Goodies!

Well happy Black Friday, everyone!  If you're just getting back from braving the crowds in the wee morning hours, congratulations!  For those of you still heading out - best of luck!  I've never done the crazy sale hunting myself, but I think I'd like to at least once in my life.. This year, though, just a quiet morning at home with the family.. :)

 

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Anyhow, I have 3 fantastic new releases to show you this week, but first, a message from our sponsor.. ;)

 

You can find out more details and schedules for the chats and speed scraps HERE.

 

With sale prices this low, if you've been holding out on purchasing one of your favorite kits, now is the time to do it.. Perhaps one of these is getting a little too comfy in the warm confines of your wish list..

 

 

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Now - you may recall the Boxed Up Advent Calendar I released last week.. Well, I'm also offering the templates for the boxes in 3 sizes - perfect for gift-giving, creating your own custom advent project, and so many other fun uses, as well!  I, personally, am looking forward to handing out matching hand-made necklaces to the girls/women in our family in their own personalized gift boxes.. What can YOU think of to use them for?

 

 

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I've also teamed up this week with an old ScrapMatters alum - By Becca - to create this absolutely stunning holiday kit!

 

A beautifully traditional Christmas kit with subtle vintage undertones, plenty of gold accents, and just the right amount of sparkle - perfect for adding a bit of class and elegance to your holiday pages.  We never even talked about the kit having any sort of vintage feel to it, but we both managed to put just the right combination of things together to give it a classic, turn-of-the-century feel.. I'm really SO pleased with how it came out!  :D 

I also have this coordinating alpha, but it's SO timeless and wonderful, it can work with pretty much any kit you choose...

 

 

A classic vellum alpha with a subtle damask pattern, edged in a delicate glitter detail - perfect for winter, holidays, weddings, special occasions, and so much more!  Comes pre-shadowed in 5 colors: red, green, gold, blue & pink.  Upper & lower cases, numbers and some symbols.

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Now check out these killer CT pages.. There were so many I couldn't include them all, but definitely keep an eye on the galleries this weekend - there is some serious talent out there, kids... ;)

 

 

 

 

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My newsletter subscribers got this matching freebie.. If you're not already subscribed, you should be.. ;)

 

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And now - the winner of this week's sneak peek contest is.... jovita!  Email me for your coupon.. 

 

And of course, be sure to check back here on Monday for a coupon blog hop - special coupons to supplement the Cyber Monday sale from select ScrapMatters designers.. Until then.... Happy Scrapping!  :D