Launch... and a winner!!

First off, our LOAD winner!
Beth Thomas! (Or that is what I could gather from your blog profile! :) )

Simply Me said...

Super excited for the launch. I hope I win.

April 30, 2010 8:13 AM

Email Lain at: lainehmann@comcast.net

to get started on your workshop!!
YAY!

www.thestorymatters.com...
Keep watchin'! We should go live VERY soon!
The first 100 to register will be entered to win a special prize!

In addition to this first day prize...
There will be daily prize drawings, AND three GRAND PRIZE DRAWINGS at the end of the week from ALL that register, login, and join us on the forum!
Want extra entries? Upload to the gallery!
More entries still? Become a follower on the blog, join our Facebook Fan/Like page, and join the Facebook Group!

It's that easy! Enter and win some FANTASTIC PRIZES!

Come back later for more pictures of even more prizes than shared below!!

A new prize EACH day!

WELCOME!

...like the new logo?
So do we! You can see more of this artists fantastic work at her
Vol 25 blog (which will link you to her etsy store and other great links! )

The first BIG prize!!

To get the interest going... and to show you we are serious :)

We are going to start out with Lain's LOAD (Lay Out A Day) workshop!
We wanted to start with this, because the workshop starts SATURDAY!!
Check out her blog for more information!!
Even if you don't win, ya might just want to participate!
Daily inspiration, and Lain's writing... well, she is hilarious!!
And she "get's it"... what it takes to be a mom...
The demands on our time...
And our shared passion for scrapbooking!
You don't want to miss a chance to win this workshop!!

Here is a bit about Lain:
Lain was the original co-founder and CEO of Ella Publishing Co.. The author of Snippets: Mostly True Tales from the Lighter Side of Scrapbooking (CKMedia, 2008), Lain is known for her sharp wit, 30-minute scrapbook pages, Lay-Out-A-Day (LOAD) scrapbooking challenges, and love of Starbucks iced tea. As a freelance business journalist, Lain covered the rise and fall of the dot-com era from a front-row seat. A former tour guide, PR hack, boot-shine girl, and Simple Scrapbooks magazine contributing editor, Lain has a BA in Public Policy from Stanford University and an MPA in finance from Syracuse University. She lives with her husband and three children in Lexington, MA. Follow her on Facebook (Lain Ehmann) and Twitter (@lainehmann), or visit her Five Things blog.

Comment here, and be sure to add yourself as a follower (followers automatically entered in ALL drawings!!)Comnent, and get a second entry!!

And to be sure to get all announcements PROMPTLY, add yourself to the facebook fan and group pages!!

Get ready to CREATE!!!!

WEBSITE LAUNCHES IN 3 DAYS! May 1st!!!
LOTS of prize give-aways...
Here are some pictures of the prizes being offered!

My favorite tool, the I-top brad maker...
Some FABULOUS Maya Road from Shelley!
And from Megan.... uhm YUM! New GCD Studios FABULOUS product!
And some Bo Bunny from Bree!
This isn't even including what SCRAPAGANZA is going to give away!!

Stay tuned!

Did you know??
That The Story Matters designers are in the pages of your favorite magazines, and designing for your favorite companies, or offering STELLAR classes??

Yep! Find Angela in the pages of Scrapbooks Etc. THIS month!
Find me (Penny) in Scrapbook Trends April. I am also enjoy designing for Imaginisnce-and teaching at the FABULOUS store, Scrapaganza!
Bree is in Homemade AND Cards in May AND the April/May Papercrafts!
Michelle can be found regularly within the pages of Scrapbook Trends!
Shelley designs for Maya Road and Zutter!
Megan designs for Shabby Chic (COOLEST journaling cards and embellishment!) and GCD Studios.
Tania designs for Little Yellow Bicycle, Karen Foster, and teaches regularly online!
Check out her tutorial available TODAY at Write.Click.Scrapbook
Candi is going to be a demonstrator for Provo Craft!
Andrea is a Scrap in Style TV fashionista!
Miles and miles and several years of experience we want to share with YOU!

The list goes on!! This is just a few of the things the girls are doing!
Watch for announcements as to where in the world you can find The Story Matters girls!!

Now go ahead! Enter to WIN!!!

"T" minus 5 days!!! (LOTS of PRIZES SOON!)

Our website launches on SATURDAY, barring some catastrophe!

Watch for all the PRIZE announcements coming SOON!

In the meantime, how about another challenge??

A layout with NO pictures, all journaling!

Angela shows us just how fun and functional a layout of this type can be!
Check out her fantastic ribbon flowers!
Thank you Angela!!

So get YOUR "journaling only" layouts in my LAUNCH DAY on SATURDAY!
You'll want to stop by anyway... LOTS of PRIZES!! :)

Short challenge, but admit it, the longer we have, the longer we put it off! :)

See ya Saturday!! Tell your friends: FREE STUFF!!! :)

Tutorial Time!

Angela has taken the time to show us how she took Charlene's FANTASTIC custom buttons, and used them as a stamp on her layout!!

Supplies:

Textured clay button (Charlene's Button Box Custom Buttons for The Story Matters!)

Xyron 1.5 inch Sticker Maker

Handle (I used a button making base, but a plastic pop bottle cap would also work)

Ink

Directions:

1. Run button through Sticker Maker.

2. Adhere the plastic pop bottle cap or other handle to the button.

3. Ink and stamp…vary the pressure when stamping to generate different looks.

4. Clean the button with a wet wipe or damp paper towel…as long as you’re not using an ink for non-porous materials (i.e. staz-on), your button will be good as new, ready to use on another project!!

And here is the technique in Angela's layout!
FABULOUS! Thank you Angela!
If you try this technique, be sure to link us up here!
Check back Friday for a new challenge!!!

April Sketch Challenge Results!!

Thank you for the entries to the sketch challenge!
I love to see what everyone does with the sketch... same sketch, same product even-such different results!

Here are the entries:
And the winner drawn from the entries-Sherry! :)
Also fantastic inspiration, Colleen...
and last but not least, Mindy!
LOVE how you flipped it Mindy!
Check back tomorrow for a tutorial from Angela!!

And stay tuned! We will be announcing the GIVEAWAYS and PRIZES leading up to the launch of the website!! Prizes GALORE!!!

May Sneak Peeks!

Can you BELIEVE it is the 15th??

We are DAYS away from the the website launch!
And we have a FABULOUS May kit to "sneak"!

We hope you love this kit as much as we did!!

Does it get any sunnier! It makes ME want to BBQ and eat watermelon! :)

OK, we are going to have a contest and drawings leading up to the big LAUNCH, so stayed tune... we want it to be BIG!!

And there is still time to get your layout in for the April Sketch!
AND you can start your subscription this month so you are guaranteed a kit for May!!
Just use the "Buy" button to start your subscription!
Just $24.99 a month! (with pick-up or shipping option!)

April Sketch Challenge!

How is it time for another kit and challenge??
Time flies... let's fill some of that time with creativity!
Bree made us another fantastic simple sketch that can be used SO easily and so many ways!

The Prize? Another Prima Stamps set!!
We like to promote journaling, right? :)
A winner will be drawn from the entries!

Here's the sketch:
And from our "Authors":

Shelley:
Angela:
Tania:Penny:Ya have until April 18th midnight, CST!

Also, please feel free to use the Facebook group to upload your layouts using ANY of the kits!
We would love to show them off! You can use the Facebook album or link us here in the comments!

April Kit NOW ON SALE!!

It's the 5th!
You can now purchase the kit that has been lending SO much inspiration this last week!
And even more in this post!

Advantages of The Story Matters Kit:
*Just $24.99! (+s/H)
*Custom item &/or ephemera EACH month!
*Current/new product!
*TONS of inspiration from The Story Matters Author's/Design Team
(Design Team members that have been published, teach classes, are on manufacturer design teams, and MORE! )
*Each purchase starts a subscription, BUT you can cancel at any time! No paying more for one kit, OR having to subscribe for 3-12 months to get the best price!

Give us a try!

MAY 1ST WILL BE OUR WEBSITE LAUNCH!
With a gallery, forum... with an opportunity to interact with each other and the designers!!

On to the kit...
The "backsides"(shown w/single sided)
The Embellishments
Contents:
-Cosmo Cricket, Ready-Set-Chip "Flour Sack" Alphabet
-Karen Foster Clearly Stickers "Final Touch" flourishes
-Bo Bunny Brads (8)
-The Button Box custom handmade buttons (5)
-Clear Choice clear stamps "Journey" collection
-1 yard red/gold cording
-1 yard brown shimmer wired ribbon
-12 inches kaiser Rhinestones
-October Afternoon Thrift Shop "Last One"
-October Afternoon Thirst Shop "Good Junk"
-Cosmo Cricket Garden Variety "Sunday Picnic"
-Graphic 45 Renaissance Faire
-Karen Foster "Remembrance Damask"
-Karen Foster "Fleur de Lys Grunge"
-Reminisce Passion black glitter flourish
-Bazzill "Gulf" cardstock
-Bazzill "Java" cardstock
-Bazzill "Pomegranate" cardstock

And more from our designers for April!
Lain:

Angela:
Megan:
Penny:
Bree:
Kim:
Mini-book/project:
(Shelley)
A sewing kit! HOW cute is THIS??
Lain (To Do altered notebook-who doesn't need one of THESE!)
Cards:
(Bree)
Lain (they're all showing off with their sewing! :) ) March Challenge: more than 4 photos on your layout.
I thought we could showcase both entries!
And let's just say your both winners!
Sherry:
Mindy: And another layout I spied on Mindy's blog using mostly TSM kit!
Be sure to purchase a kit while supplies last!(Buy Button in the side bar) We will be starting March Challenges THIS WEEK!

For more April Kit inspiration, scroll down to see additional layouts! :)

Note: The Story Matters kits will always be ready for pick-up or be mailed out on the 5th... not matter what time of the day the blog or website(starting next month)launches the current kits images/information! So if you are subscribed, we are ready for ya!

Congrats Megan!

Lil Miss Ella Mae was born Monday, March 29th!
8# 3oz. and 19 1/2 inches!

I am SURE we will be seeing more pictures of Miss Ella VERY soon!Be sure to stop by her blog for an update on photos, and to say "congrats!"
WHAT a cutie!