Bunting on layouts made easy!

Tando Creative have made the task of bunting on your layouts much easier now by coming up with a selection of chipboard bunting already cut for you - how clever is that! These little beauties look really good on layouts and they are slightly curved so fit across the page layout really well. I have used bunting on my layouts for a while now and they are bang on trend at the moment. Of course you can cut your own bunting and have different shapes (perhaps circles, stars, hearts) but these chipboard bunting shapes give an extra dimension to your page. The small bunting shapes are lovely for birthday cards too. Just think of all those different celebrations that go on in your life - birthdays, anniversaries, new baby - in fact any occasion that is 'special' to you. Why not give them a try!

I am still in need of some more reviews - only 2 days left to get your name in the draw for a chance to win the BLOG CANDY.

Still time to get those reviews in!

Just to remind you all that the deadline for reviews to win the BLOG CANDY for this month is the end of March. Draw will take place on 1st April. The prize up for grabs is the lovely new collection from Echo Park called 'For the Record'. I have used a couple of sheets of the patterned papers from the kit and they work really well with a multitude of different photographs. Thanks to Janice for recently reviewing some Prima Flowers. Your name is in the draw twice for that. It's as simple as can be to join in. Just log into The Scrapbook Garden website shop, find the product you want to review, click on review on the product description page, write your review and log out. Just let me know you have been in the shop and what reviews you have done by leaving a message on this blog. I have been busy creating with the new Scrapaholix Kit for April and tried to photograph the image but the camera isn't working for some reason. I have ordered Panorama Maker 3 (I know it's an old version but I like it!) and hopefully will be able to scan my images in again instead of photographing them. Hope to have some up-to-date images for you soon.

Crate Paper Portrait Collection - now in stock!

The gorgeous Crate Paper Portrait Collection has just arrived in stock at The Scrapbook Garden, along with co-ordinating Border and Phrase Stickers. I have also received in my order re-stocks of the popular Prima A4 Paper Pad - Madeline. I also have the Prima Essentials 10 Melody, Madeline and Reflections flowers that match with the A4 paper pads.

New in (and a first for me) is the 6" x 6" paper pad (Hello Luscious) from Basic Grey. I have other ranges on order and hopefully they will be in stock very soon. Other loveliness have been added to the shop today also. Why not pop over and have a look!
I am always excited when an order arrives (how sad is that) but it is like Christmas when I open it although I already know what's inside (well most of the time).

Layout using Echo Park 'For the Record'

I thought I would share with you a layout I started at the scrapbook crop on Tuesday night. I took a couple of sheets of patterned paper from the Echo Park 'For the Record' collection kit and two sheets of Bazzill cardstock (white and Gaucamole). I scraplifted a layout from this month's edition of Scrapbook Magazine (Caroline South - Sketch Challenge page 40).I didn't have any photo's with me and had no idea what I was going to use until the next day when I raided my photo box and found this lovely bright photograph taken in Florida. I added some Bazzill 'Just the Edge' cardstock strips (Pepper) and the title is made from American Crafts Thickers (Sunrise), which are from the Scrapaholix Club kit for April. This paper collection is lovely and bright but at the same time it lends itself to some heritage style layouts as well because there are some magazine/newspaper style printed papers in there as well.

Remember too that I am giving one of these collection packs away in this month's BLOG CANDY draw - so if you haven't done any reviews yet now is the time to get them in to get your name in the draw. The draw will take place on 1st April so you still have time.

Thank you for stopping by and please leave a comment to say you have visited!

I LOVE .....

I just LOVE my Cricut Machine! In fact, I would be lost without it! I suppose we all take our crafting tools for granted after a time and it is not until that essential piece of kit doesn't work or you can't find it for some reason, that you start to think how much we rely on them. The Cricut machine I have is one of the original personal cutters and is about 4 years old now - some going considering it literally gets hammered!

I use mine a lot because I use it for cutting titles, flowers, tags etc., for all the courses that I teach as well as for personal use. If it broke tomorrow (fingers crossed it doesn't), it has paid for itself twice over in terms of usage.

The reason I broach this subject is that it got me thinking of all the 'essential' tools that are on the market at the moment. Some are really expensive, some cheap as chips, but somewhere along the line we all come to depend on them so much. I recently acquired a Martha Stewart Large circle cutter to add to my collection of 'essential tools' and although not expensive (it didn't cost hundreds), I am wondering why is it that we buy these tools in the first place. I mean I was quite happy drawing around a plate (or saucer, or anything round) to get my circles, or for smaller ones just used my trusty Cricut Machine! Now, I am absolutely dependant on this cutter!

Is there some 'essential' craft tool or equipment that you can't live without? I would love to hear your views and whether you get the maximum return (money wise) out of your expensive (or inexpensive) items. Leave a comment to say you have popped by - would love to hear from you.

The Scrapbook Garden Design Team Members

At last, the decision has been made and The Scrapbook Garden Design Team members can be revealed. Before I do that, I would just like to thank everyone who has expressed an interest through this blog and by emailing me directly. It has been a very difficult decision and I was spoilt for choice. I would have liked to have given everyone who expressed an interest a chance to prove what they could do but I was only looking for 4 team members to start off with. This does mean that in the future I may be able to ask more of you talented lot to join the Team. Anyhow, here they are (in alphabetical order by surname):

Julie Dix
June Macfarlane
Julia Smith
Jaqi Wright

I made my decision purely on ability and used their blogs to show me what they are capable of doing. I am sure they will all do an excellent job with any products that they are sent and I look forward to displaying their creations on this blog and in The Scrapbook Garden Gallery.

I have added their individual blog links so you can pop over and view their creations.

Free postage offer weekend!

Just thought I would let you know that I have a FREE POSTAGE offer on for this weekend ONLY. Just spend £12.50 or more at The Scrapbook Garden shop to qualify and use coupon code: POSTFREEMAR2011 when you check-out. Sometimes the coupon codes do play up a bit (thats technology for you!), so if you have any problems, just email me and let me know.

While you are in the shop, why not write a few reviews at the same time and you could win the BLOG CANDY as well in this month's draw!

I am going to announce the Design Team Members tomorrow, so don't forget to pop by and see who has made the team.

Reviews, reviews

Hi there. Jaqi has been on The Scrapbook Garden website and written 4 reviews on Ranger Distress Ink Pads. The colours she has written the reviews on are: Spun Sugar, Tumbled Glass, Vintage Photo, Antique Linen. Thanks for these reviews and tips Jaqi - I am sure there are plenty of crafters' happy to try out some of your ideas. You have 4 entries into the draw for today for your time.

As Jaqi has shown, it is quite easy and doesn't take very long to write a review (or two) and for every review you do write until the end of March, you will be entered into the draw for the BLOG CANDY. In case you aren't sure what that is - I am giving away 1 x Echo Park 'For the Record' Collection Pack (brand new out!) to the lucky person who's name is picked (by a random number generator) on 1st April 2011.

Best of luck and keep those reviews coming in.

Crate Paper: Portrait Collection

This is the lovely new collection from Crate Paper called 'Portrait Collection' that I have on order (and hopefully will be in stock very soon).
To update you on what reviews have been done in the past couple of days: Ranger Distress Ink Pad: in colours crushed olive and black soot; Kanban: Festive Bling; 3D Foam squares - large; Jean Harlow (patterned paper); Mini Mask - Regal; Ink Blending Tool; Non-stick craft sheet; UTEE Clear; Grungepaper; Anna Griffin (patterned papers) - Flora Botanical Plum and Peyton Hot Pink Flowers. Thank you to Jaqi and June for these - your names are in the draw for these reviews.

If you wish to write your own reviews - feel free! For every review you write your name will be entered into the draw for the BLOG CANDY. You have to be in it to win it!

Wonderful response!

I have had a wonderful response from you talented lot regarding my post for Design Team members to join The Scrapbook Garden. Like I said yesterday, I will make my final decision at the end of this week. I am already spoilt for choice!

The kind of team I am looking to get is a diverse range of talents, to showcase some of the lovely products that I stock here at The Scrapbook Garden shop. I have some lovely patterned papers on order from Crate Paper and Glitz Design and will be getting all the new releases of chipboard from Tando Creative in the future.

In the meantime, don't be shy - get your names in the BLOG CANDY draw by writing some product reviews. Every review will get your name in the draw for the Echo Park 'For the Record' collection kit. You have until the end of the month to get your reviews written.

Design Team - update

Thank you to everyone who has expressed an interest so far, through this blog and by emailing me directly. I will leave this post open for anyone else who wishes to express an interest in joining the Design Team here at The Scrapbook Garden until next Friday. I will announce the Design Team members next Saturday. Watch this space!

Design Team Members

How do you fancy being part of the Design Team here at The Scrapbook Garden? I am looking for individuals who can design their own scrapbook layouts, cards etc., using a variety of products that I sell. I am looking for Team Members whom I can send raw materials to (free of charge) and have them made up into projects that can be photographed and used on this blog and in The Scrapbook Garden gallery.

I don't mind you displaying the items you make on your own personal blogs - but not to enter any designs using products that I supply into any competitions or other blog candy giveaways etc.

I have some Tando Creative chipboard waiting to be made up into lovely designs and this would be the first project that you would undertake. The only specification I make is that you live in this country as it is too expensive to be posting items outside the UK. If you have a blog where you show your work - please leave a link so that I can see what you have done in the past. Please leave a comment below if you are interested in being a Design Team Member and I will get back to you.

Don't forget that the BLOG CANDY giveaway here at The Scrapbook Garden Blog is still active until 31st March.

BLOG CANDY Reviews

Just an update on the recent BLOG CANDY giveaway. Firstly, I would like to say a big 'Thank you' to those of you who have taken time out in your busy lives to stop by and review the products I have in The Scrapbook Garden shop. There are some who have not left a message once they have reviewed items, so therefore, I am changing the rules of the BLOG CANDY draw (just a very, very little bit!).

Instead of me asking for a review of a certain product each day, ANY REVIEWS that are completed (until 31st March 2011), will entitle the reviewee to have their name entered into the draw for the blog candy. I hope this meets with everyone's approval. It does mean that you have free range of products to review - so feel free. I would still like it if you left a message on this blog but if not, I will mention it the next day - that way prospective customers can see what other crafter's think of the products.

Thank you for stopping by - now get reviewing (the more reviews you do the more chances you have in the blog candy draw). I have added Jaqi into the blog candy draw (4 times) for today as she has written reviews on the following: Glitz Design Patterned Papers - Love Nest Block, Polka, Stripe and Prima: Botanical - My love (patterned paper).
Hope to see loads and loads of reviews in the coming weeks! Good luck to you all.

Blog Candy Review No. 6

For today's review I thought I would let you decide what you want to do the review on - so here goes:

TODAY'S REVIEW: Write a review on ANY PRODUCT that I stock in The Scrapbook Garden shop.

Please come back and leave a comment letting me know what you have reviewed. The rules are as before (see 5th March for further details). Best of luck and thank you for stopping by.

Just a note to say that I now have re-stocks of the Dovecraft double-sided tape in both sizes. I know a couple of you were waiting for it to come back into stock.

Tando Creative 'Birdies' back in stock!

Just to let you know that the VERY POPULAR birdcage and birds from Tando Creative are back in stock, along with the mini pack of birds and branches. These two products were very popular with the ladies at the MAX Papercraft Show at Nissan a couple of weeks ago. I have also taken delivery of the new releases from Tando Creative, which include some lovely chipboard banners (plain and scalloped) and for horse lovers a lovely horse set, complete with horses head, horse shoes and snaffle bit. The butterfly grab bag are gorgeous for those spring and summer projects and the pack contains 12 mixed sizes (2 each of 3 designs). For those of you who love your ATC's, a pack of 5 cards will cost you just £1.20! These products are of a great quality and you won't be disappointed in your purchases.

Today's review: DOVECRAFT PUNCHES (any design).

See 5th March blog for further details on how to enter - best of luck!

Blog Candy Review No. 4

Dovecraft is one of the leading manufacturers that are BRITISH and their goods are of a very good quality and are stocked by all the major craft retailers. Today's review is:

DOVECRAFT DOUBLE-SIDED TAPE (any width)

Please write your review on the website (details if you haven't already read them are on 'BLOG CANDY Giveaway' (5th March), then return to this blog and leave a comment to say that you have done the review. This review is valid for TODAY ONLY! I will then enter your name in the draw for a chance to win the BLOG CANDY (Echo Park 'For the Record' collection kit).

Thank you for stopping by and good luck!

Blog Candy Review No. 3

Bazzill has to be one of the leading suppliers of cardstock and I have asked for this product to be reviewed in today's review:

Todays Review: BAZZILL TEXTURED CARDSTOCK (any colour)

Once you have written your review, please come back and leave a message in the comments box to say which colour of card you have done your review on. This review is only valid for today and is open to everyone to join in. Thanks for stopping by!

Blog Candy Review No. 2

Today's product review is:

Write a review on: Ranger Glossy Accents

Please leave a message on this blog to say that you have written a review. This applies to today only! Thanks for stopping by. Another product to review tomorrow.

BRAND NEW BLOG CANDY GIVEAWAY - starts today!

The brand new BLOG CANDY giveaway this time is this fantastic Echo Park 'For the Record' Collection kit, which contains 12 sheets of 12x12 patterned papers, 1 sheet of 12x12 element stickers, 1 sheet of 12x12 Alphabet stickers (phew!). To be in with a chance to get your hands on this little lovely - here's what you have to do:

Write a review on a product that you have ACTUALLY USED that I sell at The Scrapbook Garden. Write only 1 REVIEW EACH DAY - on the actual day. If the review is written after the day requested this will not count.

For EACH review that you write I will add your name into the draw for that day. EVERYONE who writes a review EACH DAY will be entered into the draw.

Each day I will post the product that I wish you to write a review on and once you have, please come back into the blog to let me know that you have written it.

Lets get started: todays product review is - RANGER DISTRESS STICKLES (in any colour).

How to write a review: Firstly, log into The Scrapbook Garden website shop (you will need to have a customer account to do this). Find the product I have asked you to write a review on - write the review and log out. Return to this blog and leave a simple message saying that you have completed the product review for that day. EVERYONE who reviews the designated product for that day will be entered into the draw. Best of luck to you all!

DRAW DATE: 1st April 2011

Beauty (layout 3)

This is the third layout I have managed to get out of the Scrapaholix Kit for March using The Crafter's Workshop Journaling Blurb template as the technique. I inked around the journaling blurb which I cut from one of the patterned papers and inked the lines so I could write my thoughts on. This is the grown up version of the little girl in yesterday's layout taken a couple of years ago (so she is more grown up still!).

I have used a similar layout before but I liked how the circles (with words) patterned papers lend themselves to this type of layout. I just added some 'Thickers' for my title and kept it within the circle to keep the lines on the layout clean.

Because the original photo colours didn't really match any of the patterned papers (they are VERY COLOURFUL), I just converted the photo to black and white (problem solved!).

A note to the ladies of Boldon Scrapaholix Club - I hope these layouts give you some inspiration on what photographs to bring along on Tuesday - see you all then.

Little Charmer (layout 2)

This is the second layout I have created using the Scrapaholix Club kit for March. I used the journaling blurb template to capture my thoughts on when I took these photo's (they were taken over 15 years ago, but I remember it as if it was only yesterday!). I wanted to use these photo's together as I took them one after the other (without the aid of a digital camera) and feel very proud that they came out so well. I used words printed on one of the patterned papers as 'sub titles' and made my own tile sticker type title by stamping the main title 'Little Charmer' using a mini alphabet stamp set (cost about 99p), then layered them onto squares of patterned paper. The title is deliberately 'crooked' as I wanted it to look a bit quirky!

There are 6 sheets of patterned paper in the kit this month, so I have another layout to post tomorrow. Please leave a comment so I know you have stopped by.

Scrapaholix Club Layout for March (1 of 3)

This is the first layout using the Scrapaholix Club kit for March. The technique this month is The Crafter's Workshop Template - Journaling Blurb (which I love!). This template has sooo much mileage and they last like forever.I used one of Anam Stubbington's sketches (last month's technique) for the layout as I thought the circles in the patterned papers just screamed out to be used this way (plus I like circles on my layouts). The patterned papers are from Dovecraft and to be honest wouldn't be what I would choose normally (but I say that practically every month when I get the kit!) but I was pleasantly surprised how they turned out in the end.

I have two more to post - so watch this space over the next few days.

The winner is .....

At last, the day of the draw and the winner is .......

10
Random Numbers generated Mar 1 2011 at 13:50:44 by www.psychicscience.org

Congratulations to Jules. Please email me with your address so that I can post your prize out to you.

A big THANK YOU to everyone who has spared the time each day to take part. Unfortunately, there can be only one winner but keep checking back as I will be posting details of another FREE BLOG CANDY draw - very soon.