Author's Choice

Um. Crystal. You totally rocked the sketch challenge!!! Love this!!!!

Thanks for sharing with us!!!

Scraplift Yourself...

Every layout you create doesn't have to be unique and amazing.....sometimes I create a layout using a technique or design that I just love..

So I scraplift myself.

I created this Tadpoles layout (March kit) using the same squares I used in my Handsome and One layouts.

So be inspired...by yourself sometimes.....

How about some tags?

Tags are a GREAT way to use up your scraps from your kits and get some use out of those dusty punches.

For the two outside punches, I gathered some scraps, punches, spray inks and paint (daubers work the best.)


Once I have punched the shape(butterfly) from the paper, I use the negative space as a stencil like so...


Just place the stencil where you want it and dab or brush the paint on. After it had dried, I layered the punched shape over top and stapled it to the tag. Then you can see the painted color through the punched shape. (You can get a closer look if you click on the first picture)

For the Smile tag, I just cut out some of the petals from the BasicGrey paper (March kit), layered them up and added a brad to the flower center.

So use up those leftovers and make some tags then when you need a gift tag in a pinch, you're ready to go!

Thanks for stopping by!
Have a great weekend!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

The TSM crew wishes you a Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Here is some St. Patty's Day craft inspiration...

I love this felt clover...

[source]

[source]

Aren't you jealous of that bow?? I am!!!

Have a great day!

In Leiu of Sneak Peeks...

*Just a reminder that there won't be a kit for April. BUT there are MANY great things coming, so stay tuned!

How about an Author's Choice? Sounds good to me!

I just love how Brandy Seitz has punched hearts in a strip and used the negative space to create a border, used doilies as masks, and that super cute doodled frame! Check it out...


What a great layout! Thanks, Brandy!
We would LOVE to see some of your work posted in the gallery! And maybe YOU could be the next Author's Choice.

Are you feeling lucky?

Huh. Are ya?
I truly am. Especially after seeing all the video clips of the events that have unfolded this past weekend. I just can't imagine. Witnessing tragedy like this really puts things into perspective. Love the ones your with and appreciate everything you have.
One of the things, I am most appreciative to have is such a strong relationship with my husband. He's my best friend, my rock. I'm so very lucky to have him in my life. He supports me in everything that I do, he loves me no matter what and he's pretty cute ;).
So, I challenge you to show us what you are feeling lucky about.
Here's my "lucky" layout...


* everything is from the March The Story Matters kit, except the manila tag and the BasicGrey alphabet.

Be sure to upload you layout to our gallery and link us up here, on this post.

Inspired Blueprints

Another favorite sketch site of mine is Inspired Blueprints!
Mandy & I {megan} have both been lucky enough to guest design for them.
It's a wonderful site filled with fantastic inspiration!

They have a {ning} site where you can share your layouts and be a part of the community!
New sketches are released on the Inspired Blueprints blog on the 1st and 15th of each month.

Now grab your Story Matters kit, pick out a sketch, and let the creativity flow!
Don't forget to upload your creations to our gallery!

I hope you have had a wonderful time this week exploring the excitment of sketches.
Have a wonderful weekend!


---------------------
Just a reminder:
Stay tuned for information about a Design Team Call!
AND, we are going to switch up The Story Matters!
We are looking to the future!
We have listened to the input and teamed it with the ideas from customers in the store, and we are coming up with some FANTASTIC ideas!

ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR ONE MONTH (For April).
Watch for details regarding the new format!!

Pagemaps

This is probably one of the most recognizable sketch sights out there. The very talented Becky Fleck heads this great site up. It's THE "go to" site if you're in a creative rut!
Penny, Amy, & I {megan} have all contributed in the past and Mandy is a part of the wonderful Page Maps 2 book!





I used the new set of March card maps for inspiration on these two cards...


{happy day banner by elle's studio}



Check out Pagemaps today!

Get Your Sketch On...

Where do you go for your favorite sketches?

Well, beside here at The Story Matters of course.

{we have a sketch the second Tues of each month.}

Speaking of... all of them have been created by our wonderful design team.

With many of them being created by the very talented Bree.

Did you know she has two wonderful sketch sights?
GET SKETCHY

{this is for all you wonderful card creaters out there}

and GET YOUR SKETCH ON

{their layout site}

What's your favorite sketch site?

Please share!

Introducing our March guest designer...

Please welcome Kelly Petersen!

It was an honor to be asked to guest design for TSM. It is something that I have wanted to do since TSM went live almost a year ago. Can you believe it has been a year!? Anyway... a little about me. I started scrapbooking heavily when my son Tristan was born about 15 years ago and haven't slowed down any. I also have a daughter named Paige who will be 12 next week. My children are the main reason I scrapbook. I want them to have a leagacy of memories. I am 42 years old and I know when I ask my mother, "What fun things did we do for some of my birthday's?" She sadly can't remember and she never took pictures. I think I have about 50 pictures of myself (including school pictures) from the time I was born to graduating from high school. Scrapbooking is important!!

I took my love for scrapbooking a step further about 5 years ago and opened Scrapaganza with business partner and friend Beth Lemons. As Scrapaganza continued to grow we decided to go "global" in last two years and stared not one, but two new scrapbooking clubs. The Scapinista Scrapbooking Club is the stores in house club. We have one of the largest single store memberships in the entire country with over 75 members and it is still growing. With the help of some familiar names to most of you, Penny Smith and Megan Klauer, The Story Matters was launched this time last year. We are planning some very exciting changes to both of our clubs in our effort to always improve and perfect.

On a more personal note, I am a single mother and a business owner. I am either working or running kids to basketball, cheerleading, drama, track, band or somewhere else. I don't have alot of spare time, but when I do I spend it scrapping, playing the piano, reading, and spending time with family and friends. I am all over the board with my scrap style, but I definately love patterned paper. With my scrap friends I am the one known for...."Give Kelly a pile of patterns, they don't have to match, and she will come up with something!"

Sketch Week

Welcome to Sketch Week!!!

When creating with a sketch, do you create the sketch first, create the layout and then sketch, or use a sketch from one of the many sketch/challenge sites out there?

I love to use sketches from all the different sites. We will be covering a few of those throughout the week, but in the meantime please feel free to join us by using this months TSM sketch!



Here is the layout I created and then based the skech off of...



And check out this great page Mandy created using it!

{and what a great pic...cracks me up!}

Now head on over and upload yours to our gallery! Show us what you've got!

March "Author" Inspiration!

Never short on inspiration. Never.
Check out what the design team cooked up in March!

Mandy:
(LOVE these Little Yellow Bicycle square buttons!)
Megan:
(Those letters are NOT a stamp, but the letter stickers from the kit (Jillibean) traced around and then lifted! Awesome outline!) Michelle:
Shelley:



Tania:
Penny:It is with much sorrow that I have to announce that many of the designers terms are up.
They will be missed!

Stay tuned for information about a Design Team Call!
AND, we are going to switch up The Story Matters!
We are looking to the future!
We have listened to the input and teamed it with the ideas from customers in the store, and we are coming up with some FANTASTIC ideas!

ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR ONE MONTH (For April).
Watch for details regarding the new format!!

The Story Matters MARCH!

Come back a little later for ALL the fabulous inspiration from the design team...
In the meantime, here is the March Kit!

SO many announcements this fine day!! WOW again!!

Our own Megan Klauer made the Sassafras Design Team! YAY Megan!!
She ROCKS Sass, and I already knew she was their biggest fan-WHAT a great fit!!Former TSM Author Lain Ehman has a new offering-True Scrap!
Take online courses from awesome designers without leaving the comfort of your home (or spending the $ to travel!)
AND, can't forget Tania's class "In Loving Memory"!
So much excitement for a Tuesday! :)

Don't forget to do the survey below for a chance to win!

WOW! (Survey Time!)

It's quiet around here! Miss us?
Guess we were too distracted by "love", and forgot to post!
{snort}

The hens are peeking away at ways to change up The Story Matters...
(there is smoke coming from the ears and everything!)

As designers terms end, and many move on, we must contemplate-design team call? Guest design team call? Change the kits? Change the challenges? Change it all? Modify? (I think we all have a little bit of ADD to contend with , it seems! And who doesn't like change if it's good change, right?)

So answer this survey, and your up for an i-bond from Imagininsce AND three packs of glue (plain, glitter and colored!)
Let me tell you how NICE it is having a cordless glue gun in the scrap room AND around the house!!

1-Do you subscribe to a kit club, and why that one? Or why not?

2-Do you journal regularly? And would you like to journal more?

3-What is the most important thing to you when considering a kit to purchase?
Would you rather have more product and spend more, or do you want a low price, even it means less product?

4-Who are your favorite manufactures of product, or do you care?

5-What have you liked about The Story Matters? What don't you like?

AND add eny comments you think would be helpful! :)
WOuld you want pictures or instructions of product in the kits?
Do you care who the designers are, and do you want more tutorials?
Stuff like that! :)

OK! Give us your answers and we enter you in the price drawing!