The Story Matters

Wait for it...

2011-04-01T06:20:00.000-07:00

I guess you could say we like to build suspense around here! EEK!

Hang in there!

We are planning on PRIZES, ANNOUNCEMENTS, and so much more!

Be back soon with the details!!

Author's Choice

2011-03-22T08:10:00.000-07:00

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

Thanks for sharing with us!!!

Scraplift Yourself...

2011-03-21T08:04:00.000-07:00

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?

2011-03-18T05:00:00.000-07:00

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!!

2011-03-17T05:21:00.000-07:00

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]

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

Have a great day!

In Leiu of Sneak Peeks...

2011-03-15T05:00:00.000-07:00

*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?

2011-03-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-11T04:00:00.000-08:00

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

2011-03-10T04:00:00.000-08:00

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...

2011-03-09T04:00:00.000-08:00

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...

2011-03-08T04:00:00.000-08:00

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

2011-03-07T04:00:00.000-08:00

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!

2011-03-05T23:55:00.000-08:00

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!

2011-03-05T14:09:00.000-08:00

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!!

2011-03-01T08:54:00.000-08:00

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!)

2011-03-01T07:41:00.000-08:00

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!

More LOOOOOVE stuff!

2011-02-16T05:39:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day might be over, but I am still pretty immersed in the love stuff. I spent some time over at Pinterest, and came across some amazing pics representing my favorite emotion of late.

This from Rachel Ludwig:

This from Metroline6:

And how 'bout this from our own talented Michelle:

Hope this inspires you! Have a great Wednesday.

March Sneaks...

2011-02-15T05:00:00.000-08:00

mandy:

megan:

shelley:

All about love!!

2011-02-14T03:33:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day, and thanks for checking out the TSM blog for "LOVE" week! Have you purchased your February kit yet? It is all about love, too. I mean all the fab papers, cool embellishments, what's not to love? I will be sharing some wonderful "love" themed projects with you this week. Here's a LO I made using the Feb kit about my hubby and I:

Did you make any special love projects for Valentine's Day? If so, be sure to link us up here, we'd love to take a look.

Hope your Valentine's Day is perfect!!

February Guest Designer Kate O'Brien

2011-02-10T13:07:00.000-08:00

Hi there. I'm Kate! I am originally from New Orleans, Louisiana but have  been living in Seattle, Washington for a little over a year now. I love it!  Besides the ever present rain! 

I'm a mommy. I am lucky to have an amazing boyfriend who I share my life with. I love anything creative. Be it scrapbooking, photography, cooking, sewing. I just love to make things!

I was really excited to be asked to guest design this month! I hope you enjoy my work!

Spring is in the air...............................

2011-02-10T12:51:00.001-08:00

I know it doesn't seem possible but I promise....Spring IS coming!! I was perusing the gallery and picked a few of my favorite layouts that show a glimpse into all things "Springy"!!
I love the flowers and colors in this layout. And the photo is so fabulous!

The little bird and color combination makes me happy!

Butterflies............................yes please!!

More beautiful flowers!

More flowers and butterflies!!! Gotta love it! What makes you think of Spring and what inspires you?

February Sketch!

2011-02-07T06:40:00.000-08:00

Hey girls, Shelley here!! It's sketch time at The Story Matters! Thanks to our wonderful sketch creator Bree Tetz for another fabulous creation! Using your kit (any TSM kit) show us your take on this sketch!!

Here is Megan's:

Mandy's:

Here is mine:

Now let's see your take on this sketch!! Upload it to our gallery!!

February Kit Release!

2011-02-05T14:21:00.000-08:00

Every month it is the same thing... it is my new favorite kit!
But looking at the projects, I think I can't be made a liar!
This kit is EASY to work with , and very inspiring!

Vintage shoe tags, letter AND number sticker sheets in addition to the 12x12 sticker sheet
of embellishments - TONS on it!!
OH! And another FABULOUS set of journaling circles from Etsy!
AND
October Afternoon
Crate Paper
Bella Blvd.
KI Memories
Cosmo Cricket
We R Memory Keepers

...and we can't forget.
Charlene's Button Box Exclusives!

The best of the best at the best price!

So grab yourself a TSM kit! You won't regret it!

From "The Authors"

{Mandy {Michelle {Megan {Amy {Shelley
{Tania {Penny Limited Quantities, just $24.99 plus S&H!

Housewife in love....

2011-02-03T18:17:00.000-08:00

Mark your calendar for Saturday!

You're gonna love {housewife in love} our Feb. kit...

{this months book inspiration}

Tell Your Story... outside of the lines!

2011-01-31T10:50:00.000-08:00

I'll admit it. I like to color "outside of the lines".
Scrapbooking, like art, should have no boundaries.
Now I'll admit it-when I started this blog as a journaling challenge blog, it was because I thought scrapbooking without journaling was kinda pointless... at LEAST the "who, where, when"... and I am ALL in for the story behind it all.

I get it. Sometimes designers are focusing on the product, are not interested in documenting these things. But I really hope they write these important facts on the back, because in even 10 years, no one will care about the design. But anyone that would be looking at the layout will care who it is, when it happened, or what the story was or how people FELT. Or why it was important to scrapbook in the first place.

When I first came back to scrapbooking (I took many long breaks for life after my start in 1995ish) I was thrown by all the layouts with kids with random expressions, and NO writing at all... sometimes there wasn't even a title! It's gotten better... most of the time. But if we aren't leaving a legacy, maybe we should rethink the "why's"... art might be enough of a reason, but then I will still encourage the facts to be stated. And I am reminded every time I look at vintage pictures I have acquired with no notation of who is it.

OK, so you wondering what the challenge is-well of course it is journaling, but I wanted to point out layouts we have done that weren't restricted to a journaling card, or symmetrical lines on a page! "Journal outside the lines" (or use the lines outside of the standard.)

Megan does one of the best jobs I have seen journaling "wherever" on a page! (Bias I have for her fabulous work aside, I promise!) She journals in little spaces here and there, and makes it work regardless!

You may remember this from a couple of days ago! (Various kits)
Or there might be lines, but she makes them were she needs them. (January Kit)
(January kit plus her own stash)
And even though there ARE journaling cards, doesn't mean you have to ONLY journal in/on them! Whatever it takes to get the story told! (January Kit)
And if the paper on your layout HAS lines, you don't have to use ALL that space either!
(August Kit)
And here are some other examples of journaling "outside the lines"!
{Mandy (December Kit)
{Kim (January Kit)
{Penny (don't forget your white pen on dark papers!) (January Kit)And who needs lines, where there are dots! :)
{Michelle (January Kit)
Also, I wanted to show this layout again... tags have commonly been used to journal, but I especially liked Mandy's use of the tags to journal, but then they're just kinda are hangin' out! :)
(December Kit)
So journal where ever you want! And share your stories with us this week! Let's see how creative we can get!

Using more stash...

2011-01-26T08:56:00.000-08:00

After I am done using up a kit, I toss all of the leftover buttons into a bag. I take that bag with me to crops. I love those buttons!!!

I created this simple thank you card which I mailed to my grandmother with pictures of the boys from Christmas tucked inside it using the January kit. But I also mixed in a button from an older kit.

What do you do with the extras from your kits?

Author's Choice

2011-01-25T08:59:00.000-08:00

KristenW totally inspired me this week to work on scrapping my Christmas photos. In fact, I have them all packed in my crop bag as I head off to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to scrap with some friends this weekend.

Lovin how she used the December kit!!! Thanks Kristen for inspiring and sharing your work with us at the TSM Gallery!

Use your stash...

2011-01-24T06:43:00.000-08:00

Do you ever use every little piece of your monthly kit? Probably not, eh?

This week, we are creating pretties by digging into our kit stash and mixing it up.

I created this winter layout by using the following from the January kit: green button, Basic Grey Marjolaine mini mono stickers, Basic Grey Pyrus pattern paper, Making Memories snowflake pattern paper, and the flap from one of the envelopes for my title/journaling area from the January kit.

I then used some of leftovers from my December kit: Basic Grey Jovial micro mono stickers and the Le P

I challenge you to mix it up and use your stash!

Card Day With Bree!

2011-01-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

I'm super excited to share these projects with you today!

Here's a Valentine Card,

It's a little ahead of schedule.

It was easy to turn wintery papers into a Love note,

with just a touch of red cardstock and a little glitter.

And instead of putting the card IN the envelope,

I turned the envelope into an embellishment on the front of the card.

You could sneak a love letter, a treat, or gift card

into the envelope if you wanted!

And here's my 2nd card

Hello Sunshine,

again i used the envelope on the front of the card, i really loved the way it looks.

This card reminds me of Grandma's garden,

And could be used for any occasion!

And instead of a third card, I made this little frame.

I used a dollar store frame.

It was dark brown, so I lightly sanded it

and added a couple of layers of acrylic paint on top.

After it dried i sanded some of the edges off to give it a chippy look.

I then used the matte that came with the frame as a base

and covered it with cardstock and patterned paper.

I layered some Prima Leaves, Prima pebbles, Webster's pages button, and a flower.

I added stickers to the journalling card to make the title,

and popped it with foam adhesive.

A giant bow, and voila,

a simply shabby chic little frame!

Don't forget to visit on the 12th and 24th of each month

for lots of

CARDS INSPIRATION.

And pick up your copies of the April, May and June CARDS magazine

to see some of THE STORY MATTERS Cards in Print!

Bree

Inspiration found...

2011-01-20T05:00:00.000-08:00

Where do you look for inspiration? And what do you do when you find it?

I love to look through magazines as well as blogs for design inspiration.

And over at decor8, they never disappoint!

I love this image.

The lines... the shapes... the colors... the white space.

mmmm.....

{source}

This makes me think leaves & rain drops...

{source}

typography within a shape...yes, please!

{source}

circles...you just can't go wrong with circles...

{source}

Hexagon's on hearts...the ideas are stirring now!

What's your favorite shape these days?

hexagon love...

2011-01-19T03:00:00.000-08:00

Hexagons are fast becoming a hot trend.
They're so fun, and country feeling, and quilty.
Oh patterns...how I love thee.

{this layout created with bits & pieces from a few past TSM kits}

I created the hexagons on this layout with my new favorite tool...the ELITE slice by making memories.
I've already used this SO much. I even created a few onsies for my ella and her twin cousins.

{Gotta get some pics of those soon.}

{and there's that great Feb kit hinding in the background}

Come back tomorrow for some great inspiration found around the web!

Sneakin in with a few more sneaks...

2011-01-18T05:00:00.000-08:00

...from Tania!

and from Penny!

Did you miss the sneaks from the other gals?
Check them out HERE.

Shape it up!

2011-01-17T05:00:00.000-08:00

I love punches...punches...punches...punches!
They are so versitale and can be used over and over again!
Love that!

So this week is going to be filled with shapes. Whether they came from punches, die cuts, or something you hand cut!
We want to see your favorite shapes!

It's no surprise that this is my favorite punch this season:

For this layout I wanted to base it around these colors:

{american crafts: mixtape}

So, using my January kit and a few things from my stash, I created this:

For this punched piece...

...I used popdots to raise the punched piece over some of that great mixtape {from my stash}.

For my title I used these...

...I bought them years ago at a junk mall. It was way before I was really "into" scrapbooking and just thought they were so neat. Now, I want more to add to my collection!

Your turn!

Create something with your favorite "shape" and share it with us in our gallery!

Just a little peek....

2011-01-15T03:00:00.000-08:00

Amy:

Michelle:

Mandy:

Megan:

Shelley:

Card Day with Bree!

2011-01-12T00:01:00.000-08:00

Are you guys snowed in like we are in AB, Canada?

I haven't left the house for 4 whole days, but I'm loving it.

It gives me some free time to do what I love best, make cards & scrap!

And this month's kit made it soo easy.

I thought I would switch it up a bit,

Still focusing on cards, but with a little twist.

For all you card makers out there

( or scrappers, you're definitely included)

I made this....

A Birthday Journal.

I have always wanted one, but have never had the chance.

Thanks to an amazing kit (with those darling little month labels)

and some snowy weather,

I was able to create one.

What's a Birthday Journal?

It's kind of like a Calendar without the years and days of the week.

It is a "who-has-a-birthday-when?- and-plan-ahead-card-making-tool"

It's where you list the birthday, with the date, under the coinciding Month.

This handy dandy little mini will allow me to make my cards in advance,

for the people I love and care about.

I don't usually make birthday cards in advance,

because I want them to be personal.

I'm not really a generic card maker...

I like to add special things for the special people that will receive it.

So instated of making them last minute,

(you know, after the presents wrapped,

you're about to walk out the door, and you realize you forgot a card.

You know the fancy handmade card

everyone has come to expect

because they know you are a paper crafter?)

In 2011 ... I WILL BE PREPARED!

New years Resolution #524

I will show up at the door,

with a handmade gift,

(New Years resolution #325)

And I will be able to present my gift

with a well designed,

gorgeous card, with all the personal touches,

made especially for that special someone.

Thanks to my little Birthday Journal.

Now if I can only find the time to fill it in....

Bree

More sketch inspiration...

2011-01-11T13:23:00.000-08:00

I wanted to share a couple of layouts that our talented authors created. First up , is this amazing layout from Michelle:

I just adore how the focus is on the photo. She managed to make a simple layout quite amazing!

Next up, one from Mandy:

Her stuff never ceases to amazing me. The way she works her paper is just unreal. Don't forget to link us up if you're trying out our monthly sketch. We'd love to see what you create!

Who loves a sketch????

2011-01-10T05:30:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone, it's Amy! I am so happy to be hanging with you this week, and am here to share our monthly sketch. This month our sketch was created by the very talented Bree:

Don't you just love it? I pulled out my gorgeous Jan kit, and here's my take on it:

I also wanted to share what our guest designer did with the sketch this month. Check out this amazing layout:

There is so much I love about this creation from Christina. I really love all the texture she created, and how she used so many photos. Very, very inspiring!

We'd love to see how this sketch inspires you. You can link us up in the comments, or just add your project to our TSM gallery. If you do, yours could be selected to get a $5 gift certificate towards your next kit.

words and such

2011-01-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

How are we doing getting our resolutions/goals scrapped? Have you chosen a word for the year instead?
Check out how min71 scrapped her word...

I love how she mimics the framed bird and cages with the framed journaling. Great job!!
Be sure to link us up to your resolution/goal/one little word layouts!

Please welcome Christina Klauer...

2011-01-08T03:50:00.000-08:00

Hey there TSM fans~

My name is Christina Klauer and i am from Illinois, i am married to David, my husband of 11 years, we have 4 wonderful daughters, Alyssa~10, Madilynn~8, Isabelle~6, & Olivia~5.
I am a Stay at Home Mom, and i have been scrapbooking for about 15 years, i find that my most creative time is in my jammies late at night :0). I love that their are some many ways to scrapbook & their is no wrong way, you can take it to whatever level you like. I currenty design for Xyron & Moxxie. You can visit my blog here to see more of my scrappy projects:
Random Ramblings

Thanks for having me Guest Design for January!!

Check out what Christina did with the January kit: Snowflake Sisters!

Repurposing Christmas cards

2011-01-06T05:55:00.000-08:00

Last week, when I was taking down my Christmas cards (I clothespin them to a giant framed piece of chicken wire. I'll have to show you sometime...) Anyways. When I was taking down the cards, I fell in love with one that was sent to us from my husband's grandmother. The vintage Santa was just too cool to recycle, so I decided he was going to be repurposed. I cut Santa and the sentiment out of the front of the card and used it on the following layout about our Christmas Eve tradition...

The journaling reads: Every Christmas Eve the girls get to open their "Christmas jammies". This year they were pink with frogs and a polka dot robe.

**Everything on this layout (except santa and the "jolly good cheer") came from the January TSM kit!!!

You could take all those cards you have and punch them into tags for next years gifts, or drop them off at your local Elementary School (they use them to make wrapping paper for the handmade gifts the kids make).

Kim Garner took all her photo cards and created layouts with all the photos...

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!
Happy Scrapping!

January The Story Matters Revealed!

2011-01-05T06:31:00.000-08:00

There is so much wonderfulness in this months kit!
Coordinating papers, envelopes and labels,
different colored snowflakes,
WONDERFUL etsy month tags by etsy seller ormolu,
stickers from October Afternoon and Glitz...

And as aways our designers rocked it!
We picked this months book based on the cover.
Though Santa is on the cover, he is on his way out...
It is a childrens book about sisters that hitch a ride with Santa, but it is "more about the cycle of snow and winter than Christmas per se..."
It's the cover illustration wonderful?
LOVE those snowflakes!
You'll have lots of snowflakes to work with if you choose with this kit!

This is how it works.
The Story Matters is $24.99 (+s&h) whether you buy one kit,
or you buy 12.
You are always promised then next kit.
Sneak Peeks come out on the 15th of each month.
You have until the 25th to notify us if you don't want your saved kit.
If you do, pay pal will do it's job and we will ship.
If you don't, you contact us and we cancel
(NO cancellation fee.)
Easy, really!

So give us a try!
We have challenges EVERY week!
We also spotlight a layout from our gallery every week,
and we have some FABULOUS designers to inspire.
What's not to love!

So what did our designers do with this kit?

{Penny}

{Megan}
{Amy}
{Mandy}
{Michelle}{Shelley}{Kim}
{Tania}
{Tania}

Page Maps January...

2011-01-04T07:48:00.000-08:00

...with The Story Matters!

I (Penny) contributed to Page Maps this month, and did my favorite LO (of mine anyway-I have LOTS of fav's from the other designers!!) with the December TSM kit!
There are still just a couple kits left for December! GRAB THEM!
It's a GREAT kit!

Its a new year...

2011-01-03T05:53:00.000-08:00

and we have a new challenge for you!!!
I think its safe to say that most people begin a new year with a list of goals, a resolution, or even a word... things they want to focus on in the coming months. We want to know what your 2011 goals/resolutions are!

Here's my goals layout...

I used the December TSM kit for this (except the tags, the brad and the baker's twine)

Scrap those resolutions and post them up in our gallery! We would LOVE to see them!! And don't forget to link us up so we don't miss them!
Happy New Year from the TSM Authors!

Coming soon

2011-01-02T10:15:00.000-08:00

{inspired by THIS book}

Happy New Year from The Story Matters Team!

2010-12-31T09:19:00.000-08:00

The Story Matters would like to wish you a Happy New Years and thank you for all your support over the last year! Cheers to our subscribers now and in the future! We look forward to another year of creative sharing, inspiration, friendship, and fun. Thanks for making The Story Matters a part of your story.

Author's choice

2010-12-28T18:00:00.000-08:00

Today is Author's choice and this is the layout I chose!

This layout was done by Karen Williams and was posted in our Member Gallery! First off I love the color combo she chose. Very soft and subtle. I really love how she used the punch on the top of the page......very clever! The photo, the chair, the journal spot, they all work for me! This a simple yet striking layout and that is why it is my choice for Author's choice!

Our favorite layouts of 2010..............

2010-12-27T05:55:00.000-08:00

Here at the Story Matters we are getting ready for a New Year and new beginnings. Part of celebrating a new beginning is reminiscing about where we have been.The design team thought it would be fun to submit and share with you are favorite layouts from 2010! One thing is for sure....this team is so very talented but most of all they are very good people and I am so blessed to be a part of something so positive! Here are a few flashbacks to some of our favorite layouts!

Michelle:

Tania:

Megan:

Mandy:

Shelley:
Penny:
Most of all we would like to thank you for being a part of The Story Matters kit club! We are so happy to have you with us and we encourage you to keep posting and sharing with us! We look forward to the New Year and to seeing all the wonderful creations you are making with our kit!

Be sure to post your favorite TSM layout in our gallery!

Leftovers...

2010-12-26T06:57:00.000-08:00

No not the Turkey Sandwich kind...

even better.

The Story Matters Kit Leftovers!

I keep all my bits and bobbles from my TSM kits in a bag,

and I pulled it out to make a few projects for some last minute Christmas projects.

Here are some of the Gift Tags I made using just the scraps from the kits with and added piece here and there...

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

O CHRISTMAS TREE

SNOW

SNOW (MASKED)

SEASONS GREETINGS

SNOWMAN BY INDIA (My 9 YR old)

And i also through together this card.

which Im thrilled at how it turned out!

I hope you got lots of great shopping deals today.

and Ill see you in 2011!

Bree

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T05:00:00.000-08:00

{digi kit by echo park}

Making an easy "scraps banner"....a how to:

2010-12-24T05:00:00.000-08:00

I posted this on my blog about a week ago, but I thought I'd share here too.
I made mine for Christmas, but it could easily be done for New Years or birthday parties too!

They are super easy:

Start with a bunch of circles punched from your fav papers or scraps.

Run them through your sewing machine...

Just keep sewing and adding circles until you've got the length you want!

Try different shapes!

Merry Christmas Eve everyone! Enjoy a wonderful...magical weekend!

Snowflake gift tag

2010-12-23T03:00:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I'll admit it! I'm completely in LOVE with my new snowflake punch! I can't get enough of it right now, but then {hello!} I probaly won't use it much come summer right? So why not get my $$$ out of it now. Hee! Hee!

I was so inspired by the tags that Mandy shared last week that I decided I needed to make a few quick tags for the kids' teacher gifts. Something simple using some scraps from the December kit:

{From my stash: American Crafts pink thicker}

Snowflakes & sneaks...

2010-12-22T05:00:00.000-08:00

We've got more sneaks of the January kit for you!

{Amy}

{penny}

{michelle}

Author's Choice

2010-12-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

It's Tuesday and that mean's it Author's Choice!

I want to highlight this amazing layout

by mojodawn :

I love the artsy feel, the layers and how the layout is completely made of tags!

Thank you for sharing Dawn!

Check out her blog for some great inspiration!

http://www.mojomayhem.blogspot.com/

Peace, Love, & Stress

2010-12-20T03:00:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year.
With the joy comes the stress of the holidays.
I always try to tell myself not to stress out and just enjoy those special moments.

So here's our challenge for you:
What are your holiday stresses & joys?

Here's are a couple layouts I created using the December kit.

The Stresses:

{I forgot to take a picture of my layout before taking it over to Scrapaganza, so Penny was nice enough to get one for me with her phone. Thank you!}

And the joys:

Take the challenge with us and be sure to add your layout to our gallery!

Inspiration is everywhere!

2010-12-18T05:00:00.000-08:00

While out shopping the other day, I came across a really cute gift box with a snowman on it. It just so happened to be the perfect size for a gift I was giving, so I took him home with me. After wrapping the gift, I realized I needed to make a card. And what's better than a matching set?

So here is a glimpse of the box...

He is a funny shaped fellow, so I started searching my die cut images for something similar and settled on a set of pumpkins(yep, you read that right) from the Spooky Slice Design Card. I decided on a size and cut them out and added them to the card base that I pre-misted.

I then added some of my BasicGrey stickers from the December TSM kit. "O"s for the eyes and buttons, "periods" for the mouth, and the orange border sticker by Crate Paper made the carrot nose. THEN I used some letters to create the little stick arms. Here are a couple close ups...

A strip and a rectangle of black cardstock, wrapped with some baker's twine makes the hat. And then I cut tiny slits in the card to thread the ribbon through for the scarf.

I used a tiny flower to make the whimiscal snowflakes, stamped a sentiment on a strip of paper and folded it like a banner... Voila!

Happy Holidays! I hope you enjoyed my little tutorial!

Quick tags

2010-12-17T11:12:00.000-08:00

It's FRIDAY!! And I have some quick gift tags to share with you!

With the help of my handy dandy heat gun, these tags were done in no time!
I started with plain white tags and misted them(the Glimmer Mist colors I used were: Peppermint Stick, Olive Vine, and Lemongrass). The one on the left, I punched some snowflakes and laid them out on the tag before I sprayed, when I lifted them up, I had some cute white snowflakes. Then I took some paper scraps, my Slice, and some punches to create the embellishments (you can use stickers or chipboard, too!) I topped them off with some BasicGrey alphas, a holiday stamp from my stash, and a little bit of Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Mist to give them an extra bit of shine.
Don't you think they would look great on a Kraft paper gift bag? or a gift wrapped in Kraft paper?
Thanks for stopping by The Story Matters blog!

Donate for a chance to win Decembers TSM kit (and help save a life!)

2010-12-16T11:27:00.000-08:00

I came across this post when I was blog hopping. I was visiting Stephanie Howell's blog-can't help it! Not only is she a talented designer, I love to see those lil babes! :)

ANYWAY, she linked her blog to this plea.

The Story Matters could NOT help but donate a kit.

I (Penny) myself have adopted from Ukraine, and I have seen the conditions these orphans live in-and how hard it is for them to heal if they do escape.
(that is our little Ukrainian Princess in the middle... with her crooked smile (she had a cleft palate) she is a wonderful, wild, exhausting blessing! )
Olga is special needs (she has Downs Syndrome)... and if she does not come home to a forever family, she will go to an institution. This woman is trying to raise the money to pay for her adoption by a willing family...
That is what stops many people from adopting. Cost.

Helping Olga helps save her life.

And you just might win a ipod, or a TSM kit, or one of many other prizes!

Give a little. Save a life.

HURRY, prizes drawn tonight at midnight!

Soon...a new month...a new year...

2010-12-15T03:00:00.000-08:00

...and a new kit!
Yep, it's that time again!

Sneak day!
Check out what's in store for you in January!

And now some goodness from a few of the dt gals...

{shelley}

{megan}

{mandy}

{penny}

Author's Choice

2010-12-14T05:29:00.000-08:00

It's Tuesday and that mean's it Author's Choice!

I am in love with the background asplashofsherry created on that kraft paper! wow!!

Thanks so much for sharing your layouts with us, Sherry!!

Upload your layouts to our gallery, and you too can be featured on our blog! We showcase a layout from the gallery every Tuesday!

Traditions

2010-12-13T05:00:00.000-08:00

Hello! Hello!
It's only 12 days til Christmas! Are you ready? Have you trimmed your tree? Hung your stockings? How about shopping? How is that going for you? Do you bake for the holidays? Everyone has a Holiday routine, filled with lists and traditions. At the Starner house, we decorate the house on the weekend after Thanksgiving. Sometime in the middle of the month, we bake cookies and host a cookie swap. Christmas Eve is always spent traveling from home to home visiting the extended families. And Christmas day is spent with our immediate families. My in-laws come over for breakfast, and my parents come over for dinner. Its a crazy busy month, full of love, tradition, and good food ;).
This week, we would love for you to share with us some of your traditions. It doesn't have to be about a holiday tradition, but this is the perfect time to get those down on paper.

I used the fabulous December kit on this layout, I made about trimming the tree. We do it every year on the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

* supplies NOT included in the kit are the baker's twine and the polka dot ribbon.

Do you see those buttons? Aren't they darling!?! I am in love. The stars have a sheet music pattern on them! How could you resist that?

Tell us about (better yet, show us) your holiday/non-holiday traditions!

Card Day with Bree!

2010-12-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's time for another card day.

Where has this month gone?

Im so behind on Christmas cards this year... I better get a move on..

( i think I said that last month too)

Did you know that Yesterday (Dec. 11) was your last day to ship a parcel within Canada,

to make sure it gets there in time?

Dec . 17th is your last day within your province.

I've heard you have until Dec 21st within the US, but I can't confirm it.

Can someone let me know.

So here are a few cards I made, and I need to get sent out ASAP.

This one is my favorite.

I painted some orange scrap paper with red and green acrylic paint ( watered down)

and let it dry.

I then cut out the triangles to create the banner.

I used the Basic Grey Jovial paper to matte the triangles,

i mounted them with foam dots and added a little bling and a sentiment sticker.

This one was a treat.

I was trying to figure out a way to use your stamps in a unique way

(the challenge this month)

So i used Versamark and stamped my journal block randomly

over the green patterned paper.

I then dusted it with puffy white embossing powder and heat set it

( it puffs up when it gets hot)

Then I cut out a tree shape, used white glue and vintage glass glitter for the tinsel.

Another little gemstone and a sticker and this baby was done.

Here is a close up of the stamped images...

And since it's getting down to the wire...

I bought these little cards from Michael's in their $1.50 bin.

I adhered some patterned paper behind the punched out Snowman

A Crate Paper border and some glitter... and it was done.

I wanted to show you non-card makers that it doesn't have to be complicated

to create your own Christmas cards.

Ok, so I saved the best for last...

Check out Mandy's card...

That girl blows my mind. What an absolutely stunning card.

The next time you'll see me post cards will be Dec 24th....

so I guess I better get done these Christmas cards

and start working on some New Years ones!

Bree

Please welcome Lynn Ghahary!

2010-12-10T05:00:00.000-08:00

My name is Lynn Ghahary and I live in New Jersey with my husband and high school sweetheart Salar and our two wild and crazy boys, Darian and Brandon. I was first introduced to the wonderful world of scrapbooking way back in 2000. As a young girl I had always loved to be artsy and creative so this hobby was right up my alley and I was hooked immediately!

I took a break from scrapbooking in 2004 when my first son was born and didn't really come back to the hobby until 2008. Now that I'm back I am here to stay and have been completely in awe at how far this amazing craft has come since we first "met" nearly 10 years ago. Scrapbooking is my creative outlet - it lets me get in touch with who I am all while preserving our most cherished family photos and memories.

Not only do I love to scrapbook but I love to create paper crafts of all kinds including cards, mini albums, and altered projects. I am lucky enough to have had my work published in several magazines including Creating Keepsakes, CARDS, Paper Crafts, Scrapbooks ETC, Scrapbook Trends, and Scrapbook & Cards Today.

In addition to scrapbooking I am also an avid gardener, bookworm, and wannabe photographer. I am also a self-professed reality TV show junkie and organzing diva.

To see more of my crafty pursuits come visit my blog at http://lynnghahary.blogspot.com.

Lynn did an AMAZING job with the December kit!

Thank you Lynn for sharing your amazing talents with us this month!

A Wedding in December?

2010-12-09T06:50:00.000-08:00

This gorgeous paper form My Minds Eye ( in the December Kit)

Inspired me to create a layout, using a photo from my wedding 10 years ago.

No it has nothing to do with the holidays,

but I hope it shows you the versatility this amazing kit provides.

First off, I want you to know we did not have the budget for a

professional photographer at our wedding.

All of our photos were taken by guests and family.

This particular photo is one of my favorites...

Its a photo of me and my daughter Haylie ( who is now 17)

The color is a little off.... but it was perfect for this background paper.

I didn't need to add many embellishments with the beautiful

glittered edge and patterned left side.

Of course I added some paint splatters,

burgundy acrylic to match the background.

I found an old cream velvet flocked "u" in my stash,.

I added a little ribbon to the monogram.

I also added a few Basic Grey alphas to finish off the title.

( The glittered plus sign is by Pink Paislee Hocus Pocus)

I punched out a few starbursts using my Martha Stewart punch.

I also punched out little circles from the Girls Paperie quilted paper,

highlighting the roses in the center.

I adhered them with foam adhesive for height.

I also made an extra one with the flip side of the paper,

and some BG alphas for the date

I cropped the photo from a 4x6, matted it with the Orangey paper,

and layered a couple of the Bazill trims around the photo.

I also used foam adhesive on the photo.

The layout is sophisticated and artsy...

Perfect to capture this moment.

Bree

Another Sketch Layout

2010-12-09T03:49:00.001-08:00

Designer Amy Coose also created a layout using this weekk's sketch. I Love how she used 4 photos instead of one. So super fab!!

Reminder: If you are inspired by this week's sketch, please share your layout with us in the TSM gallery!

Christmas Cookies.. I Mean Ornaments!

2010-12-08T06:33:00.000-08:00

I always enjoy handmade Christmas ornaments...

not only are they cute on a tree, but they make a great teacher's present too.

This year i picked up some inexpensive cookie cutters

and decided to turn them into ornaments using December's kit.

Its a pretty simple project!

Here are the directions:

Step 1: Trace your cookie cutter onto your patterned paper.

Step 2: cut out the traced shaped, allowing a 1/4" edge.

Step 3: Punch a hole in the top of your cookie cutter using your cropadile.

Step 4: Glue your cookie cutter to your paper, and let dry.

Step 5: Embellish ( I added a gem for Rudolph's nose)

Step 6: Cut 2 small pieces of crepe paper streamers. ( you could also use ribbon)

Step 7: Tie the crepe paper bow to the cutter with baker's twine and create a loop for hanging!

Thats It!

I hope you'll make a few of your own.

Bree

Author's Choice!

2010-12-07T06:12:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I wonder if I blog surf other scrapbookers sites

more than I scrapbook these days.

I love the ideas , the inspiration,

and the amazing layouts I can lift... all by clicking my mouse.

Do you know what is even better than that?

The Story Matters Gallery.

Have you guys been in there and posted lately?

You can post anything crafty.... TSM kits, or not.

We want to see what you've been creating.

And the best part is.... Your projects can be featured here..

My favorite project this time around is by one of our Authors Shelly.

I really fell in love with her luminary bag, so much that i just had to share it.

I know, I know.... i shouldn't have picked an author for this honor,

but just look at it. It's so darn cute.

I'm off to scraplift this beauty right now.

I'm thinking anybody who can make a brown paper bag

look this good deserves the extra credit.....

And wouldn't this make a great gift bag for those One-Of-A-Kind gifts?

Thanks Shelly for the inspiration (again..)

You amaze me...

Bree

December Sketch

2010-12-06T10:00:00.000-08:00

It's the busy Christmas season and the December kit was revealed yesterday...so here's a layout sketch to help you create a quick layout or two.

Mandy emailed me her take on the sketch. Wow! Doesn't she rock?

Here's the layout I created. Aren't my brother and I adorabe? ;)

Be sure to share your layout using the sketch in our gallery....

December Kit AVAILABLE NOW!

2010-12-05T10:01:00.000-08:00

This is not a kit you want to miss out on!

Just $24.99!
(Treat yourself to a little Christmas treat!)
With your purchase, your promised the next months kit.
Decide against it? (Sneaks post on the 15th.)
Contact us by the 25th, and you can cancel the delivery of the next kit!
That's it!
No extra charges for just getting one kit...
No cancellation fees.
Just you, getting fabulous current product and a design team striving to give you great inspiration, and challenges each week!

So here it is!
We kept in mind it was was the winter and the holiday season, but it can be used for SO much more!

Check out all you get for $24.99 (plus s&h)!!

1-Basic Grey, Jovial "Tartan Plaid"

1-Basic Grey, Jovial "Coal"

1-Basic Grey, Jovial "Nice"

1-Cosmo Cricket, Mitten Weather "Winter Frost"

1-Crate Paper, Snow Day Die-cut

1-Crate Paper, Snow Day "Festive"

1-Girls Paperie, Tinsel and Twig 

1-Pink Paislee, Sweetness "Pretty Lace"

1-My Mind's Eye, Lost & Found "Union Square"

1-Le Pen (Brown) by Marvy

1-Imaginisce Snag 'em stamp 

1-Basic Grey Mono stickers (alpha) Jovial

1-Basic Grey mini letter stickers (black)

5-Charlene's Button Box custom Buttons

2-Journaling Cards etsy

10-Bazzill Kraft Borders

3-Basic Grey, Jovial "Small Details" decorative stickers

1- sheet 7 Gypsies "naked" labels (black)

Here are some fabulous creations from "The Author's":

Bree:
Mandy:

Michelle:

Shelley:

Tania:
Megan:
Amy:
Penny:

Sneakin around...

2010-12-04T17:41:00.000-08:00

...with peeks from our guest designer!
You're going to LOVE our guest designer this month. Can't give it away yet, but check out her sneaks!

Be here TOMORROW for the reveal of the December kit!

Stamping Challenges... a technique.

2010-12-02T08:40:00.000-08:00

Hi there!
Don't miss the sneak below of December's kit! Launches the 5th!!
YAY!

OK, so I promised you a layout AND a technique.

Clear embossing and "misting".

This is the first time I have tried this on Kraft cardstock. I have done it on white, and you get a more distinct look on white, but if you want to "grunge it up" Kraft is your base! :)

ANYWAY, think about ALL the extra mileage you'd get out of your stamps, using them this way! And let me tell you... I have a LOT of stamps to get some use out of. :)

All you need is clear embossing powder, (I am a Ranger girl, so I use Ranger! It's the best!!), embossing medium, (again, Ranger rocks! Try this "Big and Bossy" pad from Ranger! LOVE that it has a clear AND a black embossing base.) and a heat gun. And of course, a stamp and mist of your choosing.

Stamp the image on your project with the clear embossing medium (versamark will do too...)
Now think of all the images you could use... random stars, circles, birds... I used the journaling lines from Kaiser that was in a TSM kit. :)

When you stamp with Big & bossy or versamark, it should look a little bit "wet" where you stamped. But not ALWAYS! Sometimes it is VERY hard to see... DON'T panic! It's there if you juiced up your stamp like you would ink! Trust me here! Part of this did not look stamped at ALL and it still worked out.

Then... sprinkle clear embossing poweder all over where you stamped. It is always good to have either good aim to get it back into the container, or a paper plate, if you don't want risk taking it from project to embossing jar. I just slid all the embossing powder over to the middle of the cardstock then funneled it back in.
Time to heat. I like this one that looks like a hair dryer, but most have the long pointy heat gun. It works either way. :) Just watch that you move along and stop heating when it melts, not when it is bubbling and burning! :)
It should look something like this...
Then, after the embossing powder cools, mist away! The mist will not cling to the embossed image! (I always get paranoid and wipe the top of the embossing after it has set a few seconds, but before the bigger drops of mist dry.)

The smaller the space between the stamped details and the darker the cardstock, the more subtle the affect will be...
Easy peasy! See, embossing-not just for card makers! :)
Thanks for stopping by! If you try this, or Megan's technique below, put it in our gallery or link us up via the comments! We LOVE to showcase layout on the blog here! :)

Now carve out some time for yourself to create today!

Don't miss it!

2010-12-01T19:38:00.001-08:00

Reveal day is fast approaching!

You do not want to miss out on the

December kit - Tidings of Comfort & Joy

Mark your calendars for December 5th - Reveal Day!

gratitude - day 30

2010-11-30T18:57:00.000-08:00

All I have to say is that I am grateful for YOU!

A special thank you for all that stopped by and those who participated...
A VERY special thanks to Sherry... she posted EACH day! Even if we didn't!
I can not WAIT to see an album from you Sherry! :)
BIG surprise her name was picked from the drawing for the i-rock!
Sherry, I will include the i-rock AND a big pack of jewels to get ya started!

Those of you stopping by, but who haven't signed up for a kit... WHAT are you waiting for! LOL!

You get a kit... right now you can try us out for $19.99 (plus s&h).
(refund through pay pal given after payment received.)
Buying your first kit guarrantees you kit for the next month... if you see the sneak peeks and decide against it, then you can cancel by the 25th! You have 10 days! So really, you can get one month for the same as staying with us a year! No extra, and no penalties for canceling! No paying extra for one months kit...

Weekly challenges, great designers, easy cancellation, awesome inspiration...
Give us a try today!

And again-THANK YOU to all the fans and customers of The Story Matters.
We started this because YOUR story matters, and we want to help you tell that story more easily!

This week's challenge!

2010-11-29T10:24:00.000-08:00

This submission below from Megan, was too good to wait for! So mine will come next...

This weeks challenge: Stamp Ideas... try a new technique, use a stamps set you haven't yet, or use an old favorite in a whole new way! We want to see what YOU come up with. OR, if you use any of the techniques you see this week, link us up! And be sure to upload to our gallery!
We would like to see come traffic! Remember! Each Tuesday is Author's pick! We pick a layout to be featured on our blog each week!

I will also be showcasing some of the stamped layouts from previous kits from our design team!
____________________________

From Megan:

Sometimes, I just need to get messy with my scrap supplies. I need to go beyond my norm & just throw it out there...literally.
I pulled all of my past {The Story Matters} kits together and started playing.

First I added some gesso & pressed it with the star stamp from the July kit...

I used the blow dryer to dry it quicker cause I'm not one to wait, which made it crackle...love that.
Sprayed it with a good amount of mist...

And then wiped off the extra mist with a papertowel...

Layered a few more stamped gesso stars on top...

And started layering, glueing, & sewing...

This was such a fun layout to create. I encourage you to let your creative side loose & throw a bit of paint & gesso around!

journaling:
I don't often take a weekend away with the girls & I was feeling really guilty about leaving ella. But I'm so glad I tagged along to CHA Chicago.

____________________________

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 29

Just one more day left! So what cha got?
It's SOOOO simple! Just link us up to your blog or gallery a post you did about what you are grateful/thankful for! Each entry is a chance to win an i-rock!! So what'cha waiting for!
Tell your story!

{penny... beautiful reminders that I am not in control.}

gratitude #28...

2010-11-28T11:06:00.000-08:00

{megan...grateful for the holiday spirit...

gratitude - day 27

2010-11-27T06:58:00.000-08:00

Be sure to blog hop the designers! Many are participating in the "30 days" regularly!
(links in the sidebar!)
{penny... scrap space}

-I am in the middle of reorganizing said scrap space! :) I took this picture after I added this vintage workbench that was my Christmas present last year!

What are YOU doing today? Shopping? Scrapping? Putting up your tree?

Gobble, Gobble!

2010-11-25T06:26:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at The Story Matters!

We are still doing the 30 days of gratitude, so be sure to count your blessings, and link us up for a chance at a prize! You can find the details HERE.

I am thankful for having the opportunity to live in this great nation, a place where I have choices, where I can travel freely, join my family in a celebration of life, and reflect on all the things that I am grateful for.

Happy Thanksgiving!

------------------------------------------
Be sure to hop on over to our designers websites-many are doing "30 Days of Gratitude" regularly, AND the INSPIRATION of these girls! AWEsome!

gratitude day 25
{penny... abundance.}

Card Day with Bree!

2010-11-24T07:48:00.000-08:00

Are you finished your Christmas cards yet?

Are you still working on them (like me)?

I thought I could share with you some Holiday Card Ideas.

How about Gift Tags?

I love making handmade gift tags, it just adds that something special to each gift.

( this one is courtesy of India my 9 yr. old)

Have you started your Christmas list.

I love making things for my friends and family.

Maybe these little gifts might spark you to create something for your list!

(record cuff bracelet)

(homemade peppermint bark)

(dipped candy canes)

(a beaded necklace witha rub on decal)

(flannel coffe cup cozy)

(a home decor project)

(recycled vintage book into Travel journal)

(decorated monogram dollar store frame)

or what about an altered floppy disk notebook,

It;s the perfect size for your purse.

( I used the November kit to decorate this beauty)

So have I got you ready to get crafting for Christmas?

I hope so.

For more ideas, and project instructions.

visit my YouTube Channel

Bree

Author's Choice

2010-11-23T06:19:00.000-08:00

Its that time again, for showcasing our favorite projects from the gallery! I just adore this layout by ckmom78. To start off, that is an amazing family photo, I love all the leaves and the trees in the background. The clean and simple design really lets you focus on that fabulous photo, and the colors of the November kit are just perfect!

Thanks for sharing your beautiful work, ckmom78!
We would love to see more of our readers and subscribers work in our gallery! Upload your layouts, and link us up! We want to see what you are creating! :)

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gratitude day 24
{penny... good friends}

What are you wishing for?

2010-11-22T07:03:00.000-08:00

So, tell us, what are you wishing for this holiday season? Peace on earth? A new camera? An iPad? A million dollars? A vacation from all the hustle and bustle? We want to know!

Megan did a layout for us. Isn't it gorgeous!?!

I had a different approach to this. I thought it would be fun to save a handwritten list of wishes from the family members to look back on in the years to come.

I took a manilla file folder, opened it up and folded the bottom up, creating a pocket, then accordion folded it in fourths, to create little pockets. I used my November kit and LOTS of Glimmer Mist, some October Afternoon stickers from my stash, my handy dandy Martha Stewart snowflake punch, and some baker's twine to top it off with a sweet bow.

We would love to see your "Holiday wishes" projects, so please link us up!

gratitude - day 21

2010-11-21T19:55:00.001-08:00

{penny... hot chocolate on a chilly day.}

It's beginning to look alot like...

2010-11-20T09:07:00.000-08:00

...december sneaks!

Mandy:

gratitude - day 19

2010-11-19T21:25:00.000-08:00

Thanks for those who have been hanging with us!

I have to say, even though I haven't had the chance to post each day, the challenge has made me THINK about what I am grateful for each day! And that's a start!

{penny... a peaceful community (as long as it lasts each time!) }

------------------

{megan...moments like these...getting caught reading books in bed when they're supposed to be sleeping.

Author's Choice

2010-11-18T19:18:00.001-08:00

Here is my layout pick of the week by ckmom78
This gal has got some great layouts in her gallery using lots of TSM kits, so go and check her out!

More Sneaks

2010-11-16T20:18:00.000-08:00

Amy C:

Also tomorrow I will be posting my layout for the challenge this week:

Thankful {Tell what you are thankful for with a layout}

I still have some goodies from my November kit, so I will post mine soon....but wanted to get you all thinking! What are you grateful for RIGHT NOW? If you are following the 30 Days of Gratitude, you probably already have a creation {or two} to post in the gallery. Show us your layouts {please}!

December sneaks...

2010-11-15T05:00:00.000-08:00

Mark your calendars for the December 5th reveal. You're gonna love it!

megan:

michelle:

shelley:

tania:
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Gratitude - Day 15
{penny... finding treasure in the everyday.}

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Try us out for just $19.99 (plus s&h).

Try us for the first time for just $19.99 ($5 off the regular rate)
OR pick up back up for $5 off!

Already subscribe-tell a friend, and you BOTH get $5 off!!

Just a little way we can show OUR Gratitude to you!

($5 will be refunded at time of payment via payment method via pay pal)

And don't forget-participating in the weekly challenges gives you a chance at $5 off also!

ALL this fabulousness, for just $19.99 (plus s&h when necessary).

FIND a better deal! :)

It's CARD Day!

2010-11-12T16:15:00.000-08:00

I had so much fun making cards this month with the new kit.

This is the very first project I made, because I love this paper.

I thought it was great for a graduation card.

OUT FOR PUB!

I also wanted to show you versatile this kit is.

I made another grad card using the kit and my cricut.
I also turned these, not Christmas themed papers -

into a Christmas card, by just adding a little glitter.

But of course, i always stay true to my artsy roots,

a little black spray paint, and a funny pun to finish this card off.

OUT FOR PUB!

And I just have to share this cutie by Mandy. Love the way she used the buttons.

Don't forget to check back on the 24th for more card inspiration!

Bree

gratitide... day 11

2010-11-11T11:40:00.000-08:00

THANK YOU so much everyone, who is participating! I hope that you are all getting something wonderful from pondering what you are grateful for! I have enjoyed traveling to new blogs, or visiting old friends!
I hope you can spring board into something creative now that you have started sharing. Each detail of our lives has a story. What's yours?
Any layout created from a "gratitude" entry will receive an extra chance in the drawing at the tend of the month!
-------------------------------------------
OK, so what am I grateful for today...
Well today, I am melancholy and struggling to go with my usual motto "choose joy".
We can't always be happy every day, right?
But I can be reminded what it is to be loved, even when I don't feel so lovable.
My kids run to me each day school ends. Hugs, kisses and snuggles.
Yep. Even on my worst day, I am loved.
(We might be a motley crew, but we love each other dearly.)
{penny... the unconditional love of family.}

Welcome our Nov guest designer...

2010-11-10T05:01:00.000-08:00

Ashleigh Sandrock

Hi fellow scrappers! My name is Ashleigh! I live in a {Small} town in Illinois. I have been with my husband for 5 years and married for a year and a half. We have a wonderful, 6 month old, sweet, little baby boy named Breckon. I have been scrapbooking since I was in 8th grade. {That seems like forever ago!} I have worked at two scrapbook stores and loved every minute. The inspiration and bond I have gained from the environment of these stores has kept me scrapbooking all these years. After college I was hired as a computer teacher in an elementary school and soon after being married had to stop working the scrapbook store gig and focus on my {NEW} family. The last 2 years have been a wonderful turn of the page in my book of life that God has created for me. All the more reason to scrap right?!

Check out her new blog here: scrappeighinks.blogspot.com

In my {SpAre} time, I LOVE to design cards and invitations. I create and sell my cards on Etsy...
{check out her beautiful digi work here: www.classeighinks.etsy.com/shop}

When I was asked to be the guest designer I was shocked, surprised, nervous, and excited all at the same time. I couldn't believe they asked me! {ME? ReAlLy?} I have had a lot of fun with this kit and making the LO's you will find below. I hope you enjoy the kit as much as I did!

Beautiful job with the kit Ashleigh! Thank you so much for joining us!

Grateful and woohoo for Ella!!

2010-11-09T10:11:00.000-08:00

My grateful pic for today...

My sweet boy has been fighting the flu since last Friday afternoon. I am so grateful that his fever has come down from 105...to about 102. What a difference 3 degrees makes, LOL! Now, of course, I'm not feeling good. I'm the only one in my fam who's gotten my flu shot, so I'm hoping, PRAYING, that I will be spared. Nothing is worse that when mommy is sick. :(

Did you see that we were featured on Ella Publishing?? Thanks so much, Ella...you're defintely a fave of ours here at TSM!

I've been checking out all the peeps that have been playing along with our 30 days of gratitude...I wanted to share a pic I just love from Sherry's blog:

If this doesn't make you think grateful, I don't know what will. Thanks, Sherry, for playing along with us!

Don't forget to link us up if you've posted something you're grateful for. You don't have to have a picture, so give it a try.

I'm off to rest with my sweet boy. ~Healthy Vibes, Healthy Vibes, Healthy Vibes~!

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{penny... old friends.}

yes... I use to train dolphins for . And I got to visit these old friends last month.
I am fortunate for these memories. I am grateful to have had the chance to visit the marine lab where I worked, and to visit these old boys! (There are two at the facility...)
NMFS# 13602

Happy Monday!

2010-11-08T04:58:00.000-08:00

Do you like Mondays? I personally, do not. No matter how much I plan, they always feel unorganized and rushed to me. I don't like that feeling at all. I will say that with our 30 Days of Gratitude, at least I find myself being grateful this morning. For what, you ask? That these two snuggled in for a nap and I got a picture!

This week is sketch week, and y'all know how much I love a sketch! I whipped this up yesterday:

and used the gorgeous November kit (available right here) to create this layout:

The November kit is just packed with so much stuff, I still have more left over, so look for a little something else later this week. I'd love for you to create something with this sketch, then link us up so we can oooh and ahhhh over it!

Don't forget to link up your gratitude posts, and hopefully you'll have a great Monday!

All about friends & fam...

2010-11-07T09:12:00.000-08:00

Check out what the design team did with the Friends & Family challenge...

Megan:

Amy:

Michelle:

November {Choosing Gratitude} on Sale now!

Friends and Family Challenge Inspiration...

2010-11-05T21:53:00.000-07:00

Well, now that the November Kit is released (see below), I can now share my Friends and Family inspiration!
I chose my husband... I have known him for 25 years. We dated in high school. We married when I was 29... LONG story. But I can truly say, I do love him more each day. In a new way, a little bit more...
He is my rock, my provider, my lover and friend. I am the luckiest woman alive.
He is a FANTASTIC father, and even though there are little things that bug me (yeah, like I'm not annoying) I can't imagine a better match. :)

So here's the layout I came up with. I sewed quite a bit. I used two punches. And I kept most everything down the middle. Abandoning my favorite "design triangle"...

So go ahead, create something for a friend or family member!
We will pick one to get $5 off a kit!
Gratitude day 6...
{penny... time together discovering new places and things.}

Come and get it!

2010-11-05T06:59:00.000-07:00

This kit...oh, this kit...it's gonna be a quick seller...

so go get yours today!
(Due to technical difficulty, link still says Oct.-if you check out now, you will get Nov.
Working on this as you read this!)

(not shown: Basic Grey "Wander" Road Map)

Inspiration?...oh yes...we've got that!

Amy:

Shelley:

Michelle:

Megan:

Tania:
Penny:

MandyKay:

Kim:

Don't forget about the {Friends & Family} challenge going on! Come back tomorrow for more inspiration using the November Kit: Choosing Gratitude.

gratitude - day 4

2010-11-04T00:28:00.000-07:00

{penny... a place to call home.}

{megan...this place...a place I hope my kids remember & cherish always.}

{Amy...for her two, silly, sweet, lovable kiddos.}

gratitude - day 3

2010-11-03T08:19:00.000-07:00

{penny... unexpected joy on regular days. like rainbows. }

{megan...a strong family.}

{mandy... healthy, happy children.}

grateful - day 2

2010-11-02T07:55:00.000-07:00

-just getting here? you can join in! tell us something you are grateful/thankful for. do it everyday, or once in awhile, in the month of november. each time you do and link us up, that is an entry in a prize package... to start with an i-rock, and to grow the more that participate.
use a picture you took today, have in your files, or borrowed (legally :))... whatever the case, each time you post and share, you are entered to win! because sharing what your grateful for might just spur you on to creativity and telling your story. and we are ALL about that!

{megan: the room we have to run, hunt, camp, play, explore...}

{penny: healthy, happy, exhausting kids!}
(bree: her man! :) }

It's November-30 Days of Gratitude begins!

2010-11-01T10:43:00.001-07:00

OK, so maybe you realized that...
In the interest of "Thanks"giving, and being inspired by facebook entries, I thought
"WE should do 30 days of gratitude!"
So there you go!
Post each day on your blog (or each day you eek out some time for this) with a picture of something you are grateful/thankful for! And link back to us!
We will do a prize drawing for a BIG prize package! No seriously! BIG!
And we'll have it boxed and READY TO GO on the 30th!
The more of you that participate, the bigger it'll get!
How about we start with an i-rock... the number of jewels will depend on YOU! :)
Each day you post a gratitude entry, and link us here, you will be entered!

I am going to be a good here, and pay tribute up front to my beliefs...
I am grateful for the oppurtunity for personal relationship.
Yes-I am grateful for God himself. I'll start with that. :)

And with that, this picture:
What else have I been up to? As you heard, Megan and I were able to crop together this weekend... and BOY did I get some things done!
SO here are a few MORE November sneaks! :)
And another from Mandy!
Can you wait?? I can't! :)

So link away! Day 1...

This WEEKS challenge-Friends and Family.
Since your taking all these GREAT pictures of you friends and family, why not scrap one this week, upload it to the gallery!
Silly me did a layout with the NOVEMBER kit, and so your gonna have to wait for my inspiration! :)
You can of COURSE use a TSM kit to enter (with extra credit, of course!) but everyone is eligible to with any supplies. The winner gets $5 credit for any months TSM kit! If you subscribe, you will be refunded $5!
Go forth and create! :)

more sneaks comin at ya...

2010-10-31T08:20:00.000-07:00

Penny & I spent yesterday with a great group of gals at the Halloween Scrapaganza crop. We had a ton of fun, a costume contest, & I finally got to meet a former {scrapaganza design diva}... who by the way, is also going to be our guest designer for November!
{Hint, hint local gals...can you guess who it is?}

Here are a few sneaks of the layouts I completed using the new November kit!
{Available November 5th!}

Are you spending this spooky weekend scrappin away?
~meganklauer

Countdown...

2010-10-29T18:49:00.000-07:00

It's only about a week away from the reveal of the November kit!

Need a few more sneaks to temp you?

Well, we've got 'em!

Mandy:

Michelle:

Have a wonderful {spooky} weekend!

what are you up to these days?

2010-10-26T06:45:00.001-07:00

Two of our design team members have been making some amazing new layouts using the October kit {safe haven}.

Penny:

And I just have to share this beautiful photo that Penny used on this layout. Great capture Penny!

MandyKay:

Hello...total wow on the button use!

We have some amazing girls here, right? Be sure to check out the gallery & upload what you've been up to!