You Believe...

...in the power of creativity! :)

Thanks to everyone who participated!
I am always inspired!

The winner got to the heart of this site... telling the story. I personally was touched by her reflection. And since telling your story is so very important, let's reward you here for it!
Glenda! Thanks for sharing your LO and perspective with us!!The layouts were ALL incredible... there are no "losers" on this site! Just a different stroke of brilliance being recognized!

Thanks to everyone that has participated over the first 6 months of our challenges! I have learned a LOT, and I have been SO very inpired!
If you like our site, tell a friend! We love crowds! :)

Happy New Year everyone!
May your new year be healthy and blessed with daily joy!!

I Believe...

There are not enough hours in a day!! LOL!

And with that, our challenge.

It is that time of year, what you believe may be coming to the forefront... whether is Christ, Santa, or even someone you love, it is the time of you may miss someone, search for someone, or reflect on what it is you believe in and love.

With that, I want you to scrap it... You can do the obvious, that is OK (Christmas related) or you can play "off the wall". We're OK with that too... but EVERYONE believes in SOMETHING.

What do YOU believe in??

From our Designers:
Sophia:
Theresa:
Tina:
Penny:
Layouts due (post a link in the comments from a gallery or blog entry) by Sunday December 28th... but if your a little late, It's All Good! :)

How about I indulge...

...and EVERYONE wins!

OK, we have been short of RAK's since my living in a basement... and I think I have a couple still to send out! But regardless, all of you that took the time out of your busy holiday schedules to create, well, all four of you deserve recognition!! So here they all are!! All WONDERFULLY creative layouts!! Though obviously, we all have issues with sweets! LOL! Check back Weds... (hopefully! :) ) for the next challenge!

See ya soon!!

If all else fails...

...skip a week!

Are you all sick of turkey??
It is time to SCRAP!
OK, so many of you are trying to finish up cards, or gifts for the Christmas. I get it. But when you DO take a break, what do you indulge in?? What is YOUR indulgence of choice??

That it! That's the challenge! I want to hear it!! Let's see what you do for YOU when you get the chance!!

Since we skipped... challenge due December 14th at Midnight (yeah, right!) :)

OK, next thing-we are VERY privileged to have a FANTASTIC guest designer. I've met Gigi Kennedy... she is full of spunk (cute little thing actually!) and VERY creative to boot! What I love about her style is it gives you a real idea who she is, first glance! Her style is fun, original, fresh, funky, and yet she makes it look simple! She is a designer for "One Little Word" (one of my personal fav.'s in the challenge blog world!), is on the Tarisota Collections design team, and has been published too! And you need to check out her blog of ENDLESS inspiration!!
When asked what she wanted to share about herself and what she does:

I love to make stuff with paper...and ribbons...and paint...and buttons...and nowadays, my sewing machine. I've been scrapbooking for about 4 years and these days, the craft has become a way for me to keep more than just my memories, my scrapbook has become an extension of my journal & a place where I really enjoy recording what makes me tick & have some fun trying to do it artfully.

When asked to be this week's Guest Designer, I was so excited and honored! The Story Matters Team and challenges are always inspiring to me. I really enjoy how it pushes you to actually thing about and scrap some of the stories of you & your loved ones that may have gone un-recorded. It was so great to be a part of the Team for a week & play along with this challenge!!

Here is Gigi's take on the weeks fun!
And from our designers:
Penny: Seriously... it has been sitting on my table for DAYS, not quite done. :(

Sophia:Theresa:Tina:Ashleigh:Candi: She was off giving birth. :)

Kate: Has disappeared off the face of the earth... if you see or hear from her, send word. :)

Sasha: THIS girl is BUSY!!

Hopefully we'll be back to full staff soon! Typical holidays!! :)

Can't wait to see what ya come up with! ('member, Dec. 14th!)

Wait for it... :)

Challenge coming SOON... I swear! :)

I am thankful for...

...time to get things done!!

Sorry folks! Despite my goal to stay ON TRACK, we're runnin' a bit behind!

Come & check back tomorrow for the current challenge-but in the meantime:
The winner!!! :) Deana!!

OK, I know-I let her being late slide... but let's face it-I am not one to point a finger at being late! :)
And here is the other AWESOME layouts of inspiration!!! (OK, I know the snowman is corny, but I couldn't help it! I am in a winter kinda mood!)

Gigi Kennedy is our AWESOME guest designer! She was she has done, and get to know her just a bit come tomorrow!!

See ya then!

And tell a friend!! :)

Masters of the Obvious! :)

OK, so I am SURE we are not the only ones doing this type of challenge! :)

But that is OK!

EVERYONE that enters in this challenge, in addition to the traditional win, will be entered for a RAK drawing!! Yes siree Bob!! :)

OK, on with the challenge!!

Thankful...

What are you thankful for?
What does being thankful mean to you??
Go with it...
If this isn't making it easy, I don't know what would.

Unlike my own example {wink} I would like to encourage you to WRITE!!
Remember, I want to ALWAYS encourage you to tell your story!!!
Don't get out of the habit!
Your children will not remember that the spiderman costume in that picture, you wore nothing else for a month... or that your wearing the hat that you mom use to wear.... or the story of your crazy Aunt Marty-just a hoot, but family storyteller she truly is!
YOUR stories matter. TELL THEM! :)

OK, on the subject of thankful...
Andrea Wiebe has GRACIOUSLY agreed to be our guest designer!
Andrea is a Scrap In Style Fashionista. Has been from the start!
She is a WONDERFUL talent, and a SWEET lady! She has been published several times, and it is not surprising with her sweet style! She is a wonder with a needle and thread on her layouts! VERY inspirational!!
THANK you Andrea!!
We are thankful for YOU!
And from our ever faithful designers:

Sasha:
Tina: Penny: Inspired by a layout seen on the Sassafrass Lass blog-here is my version. :)
Sophia:
Theresa:Candi:

1- My Family

2- Healthy Kids

3- Loving Mom

4- Wonderful Dad

5- Amazing Sisters

6- Fun Friends

7- Old Traditions

8- New Beginnings

Have them in by November 23rd midnight!!
Can't wait to see what YOUR thankful for!!

Can you BELIEVE???

The computer is working... I haven't been pulled away... ON TRACK!!

Thank you EVERYONE that submitted to this challenge! I know it might have confused some that the challenge was under the winner from the previous challenge. :)

I LOVE the inspiration I get EACH time there is a challenge! DT and submission... fabulous!!!!

So... the winner THIS challenge??
Jessica!!

COME ON!!! Do ya blame us?? I mean, I am STILL chuckling! :)

There were other awesome layouts-check them out!

And come back on Weds. to check out the challenge-and we will have Andrea Weibe, Scrap In Style Fashionista as our Guest Designer! Woot Woot!! :)

What? You want a winner??

Congrats to Mindy!!
(and it isn't because you used my Memories Complete product! {wink} :) )

Thanks Mindy!! Way to go!!

Sorry for the delay in posting!!
Computer issues, plus a trip out of town ='s more problems! :)

And the other wonderful submissions!! MAN oh MAN they are fabulous!!! Seriously! Scraplift-able for SURE! :)

Reverse attack!!

The winners of the last challenge will be announced tomorrow. :)
In the mean time-the challenge!!

"The Picture Tells the Story"

Some pictures just say it... they need little to no help.
A child reaching for a door knob above their head... a look of shock or excitement... or like one of those pictures you get sent in your email. Some things are obvious. :) (Have you ever seen the one with the little boy licking his finger next to the dogs bum... sometimes it implies more than you might like! :) ) But journaling and a title will not count against you... up to you!!

So do you have a picture that tells a story all on it's own??
I also suggest that you challenge yourself to use larger photo's than your usual 4x6... that the picture be highlighted. Give it a try!! Heck-if ya get stick, just do a layout with a larger picture! :)

Layouts due November 9th (Sunday) at midnight!

And from our designers:
Candi:Theresa:
Sasha:
Ashleigh:
Sophia:
Tina:

Are you kidding me??

OK, so I am signing in on another (some one else's) computer-one withOUT my pictures of the designers LO's!! Tryin' to keep on track, and this happens!! :) We are experiencing technical problems! That'll happen when living in a basement, I guess. {sigh}

Check back soon! My very computer geek-y husband is working hard on the problem!!

Thanks everyone!!

So You Think You Can...

________________???????

:)

Reality shows... OK, so not all of you watch them (notice how I am posting AFTER the Project Runway finale? :) ) But even if you don't watch, you probably have heard their names...

"So You Think You Can Dance" is a favorite... SOOOO what do YOU think you can do??

Dance, sing, create, build, write, paint... :)

Or you can use the phrase for something different all together. Maybe a little sarcasm, or compliment? :)

Have fun.

"Make it work"

Due October 26th-Midnight! (Callie time)

Be Creative and HAVE FUN!!

Watch for a RAK VERY soon!!!

From our designers:
Ashleigh:Sasha:Theresa:Penny:Tina:AND introducing SOPHIA!!!
Give Sophia a big "HELLO"!!
I think you will agree, she is a wonderful addition to the DT!! :)
Check her out here!
Welcome, welcome!!

OK, so it's not Sunday...

Great start... I feel asleep in front of the TV waiting for my turn on the computer!!
I need to learn to use the scheduled post thing more often! LOL!

OK, so you people make it SO hard to decide on a winner each week! SERIOUSLY!!

But so it must be... :)

JESSICA!! Be sure to email me!! (PennyScrapbooks@aol.com)

LOVE how you applied the paint... love that you used an object with the poem-GREAT LO!Thank you to all that participated!!

And the next challenge will be posted on Wednesday! Promise! :)

And watch for a RAK SOON! :)

Thanks for your patience, support and encouragement!! :)

And from the rest of you crazy talented ladies that submitted!