April 1st Challenge + Meet our Guest Designer Piradee Talvanna

Hi everyone! 

Here we are with our very first challenge. Firstly I wanted to say a HUGE thank you to everyone that has supported us in the past week...to all our new followers...to our wonderful sponsors and to my outstanding Design Team, who I must have stressed a little in the last few days...

Before I post the sketch and the criteria, I would like to remind you to have a quick read of the challenge rules and how this will work , which you will find located on the right hand side of this blog!

So on with our very first challenge...

Remember you can create a layout, card or any other project you can adapt this sketch to. If you are creating a card , off the page or altered project, the journalling criteria does not apply to you. You can use the sketch and a quote instead. 

Journalling criteria : Your journalling has to be HANDWRITTEN and at least 25 words long. 

and here is the sketch for your inspiration 

First up a HUGE welcome to our very first Guest Designer...the lovely 

Piradee Talvanna of Thailand

Hi Everyone, I'm Piradee Talvanna from Bangkok, Thailand although I'm currently working and living in Singapore with my dearest hubby. It was when I relocated to Singapore in mid-2008 for work that I discovered and fell in loving with this hobby. For me scrapbooking not only allows me to explore and challenge my creativity but also helps me de-stress after a long day at work. And the best part of it all, are the strolls through my LSS (I think I'm more of a hoarder than a scrapper) - that allows me to be a kid again (in a big candy/well scrapbooking store).

A very big thank you to Nadia for this amazing opportunity to guest design here !

Cheers,Piradee

http://www.piradee.blogspot.com/


Here is Piradee's take on the sketch...

Here is an example from one more Guest this month... Rae Cooper, the owner of Scrap Matrix, our April sponsor. Welcome! 

**WOW! Rae's layout was picked up for publication by a magazine!!! How exciting! WELL DONE RAE!!!***

Thank You Piradee and Rae for your wonderful layouts! 

Now on to the rest of our Design Team examples

Helen Tilbury 

Nadia Cannizzo

Irini Liolia

Gerry Van Gent

Irma Peredne

Nerrida Mitchell

Lou Dahlstrom

Rossella Palladino

As mentioned earlier our sponsor this month is 

who have generously sponsored all our prizes this month. Remember, they will ship internationally to ANYONE!

So what does the winner get for this challenge? 

As voted by the Design Team, the winning entry will get to come back in May as our GUEST DESIGNER and design alongside our Design team + this time the winner will also receive a HUGE

at Scrap Matrix to spend in the store here !!

The Design Team will also vote on their top 5 favourites and those 5 entries will be our FEATURED projects for this challenge. 

We will also have 1 randomly chosen winner amongst the rest of the entries. This person will receive a cool

to also spend at the Scrap Matrix store. I hope that the random draw will encourage people who are new to this craft or do not feel as confident in  sharing their work with others, to still participate in our challenges. We love to see EVERYONE'S interpretation of our sketch and criteria. 

And here are just some of the products Scrap Matrix have available as a kit..

We sincerely hope you have been inspired somewhat to start creating!!

We cannot wait to see your entries. Please upload your project to your blog or online gallery, and link DIRECTLY back to it through the link tool at the bottom of this post. 

You have until midnight, Thursday, 14th April Sydney time (Australian Eastern Standard Time) to link your entry. Please see the clock located on the top of this post for time references or the bottom of the link tool will tell you how long you have left!

Have fun!

***WINNER WINNER****

Well here we are...it has been just over 1 week that we started this blog and our give-away and now its time to announce the winner of that wonderful kit by My Scrapbook Nook.

THANK YOU to everyone who helped us spread the word about our challenge blog!!! 

I went through ALL of the comments and filtered the ones eligible for the give-away and the total number was 126..

So without further delay the winning number was....

and 108 is 

Miss Panagiota from Greece...

HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to you Panagiota...you will LOVE this kit!

Please email me here to claim your prize...

So...I am sorry I don't have a kit for everyone... :o(  But what you can look forward to is our very first challenge tomorrow and the ABSOLUTELY AMAZING Guest Designer we have lined up for you....Oh most of you would probably know her...she is from Thailand...she designs for Pink Paislee and Lily Bee...she contributes to CK magazine...any ideas? 

You need to come back tomorrow and see who it is when we have our very first reveal ...and you will also see our EXTREMELY generous prizes from our very first sponsor...

Scrap Matrix – Where your journey to creativity begins .....

A little bit about our sponsor...

Scrap Matrix is owned by Rae Cooper who after being an avid scrapbooker for a few years, Rae has committed her future to trying to bring new and exciting products to scrapbookers/card makers and crafty people around the world. 
"Matrix" is defined as a place where things begin and it is Rae's  desire to bring you not only a beginning but a home where you can fulfil every part of your creative dreams. 
Scrap Matrix has a wonderful range of products for Scrapbooking Altered Art and Mixed Media - Including Rae's own brand new Laser Cut Designs called Out there Chippy, Dusty Attic, Tim Holtz, Flowers of all descriptions, Gorgeous Laces and Trims, German Scrap, Charms and Trinkets and the list goes on.... There are also gorgeous  kits available like this album shown here...... (insert image) Rae posts worldwide and only charges actual shipping costs!!!

Be sure to head on over and take a look..... you wont be disappointed! 

These are the sort of things you can find over there...

You will be amazed at the prizes they have offered! 

See you tomorrow!

Last chance to enter our giveaway..

Have you given your self a chance to win this kit yet?

You only have a few more hours to enter our giveaway...

All you need to do is:

*grab our badge from the side of this blog  and add it to your blog's sidebar

**post about our site and our giveaway on your blog with a link back to here and a photo of our badge and our prize

**make sure you are a follower and leave us a comment here to let us know you have done all of the above.

Hurry up! I am announcing the winner tomorrow and you never know if today is your lucky day!

Meet Heather Jacob, Bente Fagerberg and Nadia Cannizzo..

Hi everyone!!

This is the last of our Design Team member introductions before we announce the winner of the **GIVEAWAY** tomorrow and officially start our challenges on April 1st!!

Introducing...

Heather Jacob - Australia

This is what Heather says about her self...

Hi there my name is Heather Jacob, I am married to Baden my soul mate ..and our treasured family are all featured in my work...there is nothing more important to me than my family..
I discovered scrapbooking in 2003 and to me this craft is the perfect combination of art, photography, beautiful paper and glorious words .. I love that I can incorporate all the arts and crafts into one amazing hobby...Creating art is a deep passion of mine..I especially love that there are no rules !!! My books are a reflection of my life..my history, my family and friends... also who I was yesterday and who I am today. I love using chipboard, stitching, beautiful colours and meaningful journaling ... I also adore getting messy with paint, " must be the kid in me" LOL...Off the page projects are a fave of mine .. tags, cards and mini books . My style is classic with attention to detail. I teach at "Seriously Scrapbooking" in Adelaide and I encourage people to scrap ALL parts of their life, even the "TOUGH" times..I also design for Imaginarium designs.. yummy chippies !!
I am sooooo excited to be part of this amazing team .. big hugz x 

My blog .. http://www.heatherartandlife.blogspot.com/

Introducing.....

Bente Fagerberg - Sweden

Hi I am Bente. I am thrilled to bits to be part of such  a talented bunch. Thank you so much for inviting me!
I am a Norwegian lady living with my Swedish husband of 26 years. We live in a village in the countryside outside of Swedens third city. I  like to live near a bigger city because I can go see a show , or an opera which I love.We have three beautiful girls aged 19, 16, and 10,- and since November a kitten.
I discovered scrapbooking maybe five years ago , but did not scrap as consistently as now. It has become a 'need' to play with paper every day. Playing on challenge sites has really helped develop my style. Through studying (and maybe even copying...schhhh...don't tell! ) I have learnt so much. That is the beauty of thesesites! Hopefully I can inspire a few as I have been inspired.When I am not scrapbooking or spending time with my family I co-own a small business with a friend. We sell fashion jewellery and scarves as wholesalers. It givesme a lot of freedom which I love.I was a SAHM for the best part of my life, but now the girls are older they don't need me to be there all the time.Originally I spent years at university studying the field of economy and several other subjects. During my first couple of years at work I kept on doing courses a.o. in art history.
Design teams I am on: Apart from being on the DT for Once Upon A Sketch , I am a DT member at a French manufacturer Les Papiers de Pandore (owned by Julie Blanc). I also design for Your Scrapbook Stash, a US online store  and I am a Colour Master at Color Combos Galore, a US colour challenge site.
Scrapping style would probably be defined as Shabby chic. I use a lot of distressing on my pages and even paint. I often wrinkle and tear my paper to give it a worn look. I love to use lace and twine , and of course lots of buttons. I love texture and layers and you will often find a lot of colour on my pages!
Favourite colour would probably be pink, followed by yellow and lime, and turquoise, and...... Purple is great for scrapbooking while orange causes me grief!! Lately I enjoy combinations of monochrome with white.Stepping out of the box for me would probably mean scrapping in the simple style.I love to look at white space on other peoples work though! I scrap while I am standing up at my desk.I am in the family room making a mess with all my stuff. The family is nearby and the TV is on in the background.When I'm not scrapping I am probably driving one of the children to an activity or a friends house.
-Or maybe watching sports on the TV!here is really not enough hours in the day!
 I would love to see you over at  my blog
http://paperandglueheaven.blogspot.com/

and finally introducing ...me!

Nadia Cannizzo - Australia

Hi!I am Nadia and in March of 2011 I decided to do something I have always wanted to do...start this challenge blog.  I am 32 years old and I live in Sydney Australia. Although my name doesn't suggest it, I was born and raised in Greece, and moved to Australia when I was 11. I am a mummy to two, much loved and much wanted little girls and I have been married to my husband for the last 12 years. I am a Primary School teacher and have been teaching for about 11 years. I have been scrapping/papercrafting officially for just under 2 years now and I have to say I am beyond addicted, and not a day goes past that I don't do something crafty! I mostly create layouts but just recently I have started making cards again and am enjoying the fact they are quicker and easier to make, yet I still feel I have satisfied my creative urge. 2011 is going to be a busy year for me as I will be on the Design Team for Color Combos GaloreMy Scrapbook Nook, Kraft It Up , Bird Is the Word, Pretty Paper Petals , The Studio Challenges , Show Us Your Stuff, Lets Capture These Sketches and of course design for and run this blog. I'm glad you stopped by!

Here is my personal blog 

Now that's everyone introduced!! Phewww...:o) Make sure too check back tomorrow at some point to see if you are the winner of the giveaway! There is still time to enter..click here for the details 

Bye for now!

Introducing Nerrida Mitchell, Irini Liolia and Gerry Van Gent!!

Hi everyone, its time to introduce a few more of our Design Team members...

Introducing....

Nerrida Mitchell - Australia 

Hi, my name is Nerrida, 

I live on stonefruit farm outside of Sydney, Australia and I have 3 girls, (2 big and 1 little).  My style is evolving but I always seem to go back to shabby with a few straight lines thrown in and also I love pretty and soft creams, pinks and white. I love adding little details of interest to my pages and lots of flowers (with 3 girls, what else?) LOL. 

I am on a few Design Teams being Kaisercraft, Annas Craft Cupboard, Australian Scrapbooking ideas magazine and Aussie Cards for Sale.

Hope I provide some sort of inspiration to you all.

http://www.forthememories-nerridamitchell.com/

Introducing....

Irini Liolia - Greece 

My name is Irini and I am a work at home mum (mom) so I have an extremely messy (creative) house!!I was born and raised in Australia, I left to travel the world in 1992 and have not been back since!

I now live in Athens Greece. Scrapbooking became a part of my life when I gave birth in 2003 to my son.My work is ever evolving....paints and misting are my passion and are always present in my layouts,

I love incorporating them with pretty paper and embellishments... I don't think I have a style I just love to mess it up a bit. Ι am currently on the design teams of Get Creative, These Are A Few Of My Favourite things, Sassy Lil Sketches and The Studio. I share my creativity and snippets of family life on my blog, here The limitations of thought

Introducing...

Gerry Van Gent - The Netherlands 

My name is Gerry van Gent. I`m a mom of two adorable kids (Alexander and Leanne) and a wife of a very supportive hubby. We live happily in the Netherlands. I`m a SAHM and I have plenty of time to spend with my kids and of course I have plenty of time for my hobbies...scrapbooking and photography.I got involved with scrapbooking while my frist child was born. I was looking for a different way to display my photos and while surfing Internet I found out about scrapbooking. Needless to say I was immediately addicted and never stopped since then.What I mostly like about this hobby is that I can show my creativity with paper, to show different ways to use it and I love to be creative and inventive. I love to hand-cut and hand-stitch. Besides that, I love using paint, ink, love to distress my paper, make my own flowers, love to stamp. My layouts have always dimension and I always do my best to show that through my photos. 

 I proudly design for Webster`s Pages and My Creative Scrapbook.

My blog  Gerry's Crafts 

Welcoming Steph Devlin to our Design Team + meet Carole Janson, LG Belarmino and Helen Tilbury....

The super talented Steph Devlin, of Australia is joining has joined our Design Team!!

I am sure you recognise this name and beautiful face but just in case, here is her blog....visit her and get to know her. This girl is amazing!

WELCOME Steph!!!

and this is what Steph says about her self...

• I was a full time dancer, who has a degree in choreography, a diploma in Interior Design and Certificate in Color Consulting.
• I am obsessed by color, and I think that is what drew me to scrapbooking, being able to express my love of color in a creative forum using pictures of my kids.  Perfect.
• My birthday is February 27 same as Elizabeth Taylor.  If only we shared the same bank account.
• I am a full time mum, studying Graphic Design.
• My family consists of 2 gorgeous girls, Emma (7) and Madison (3).  They are like Day and Night both in looks and in personalities.   A gorgeous spouse who i love dearly and a very neurotic dog named "Shakespeare".
• I prefer to scrap during the day in natural light.  I am absolutely hopeless at night.  Its my computer time !!!!
• My scrapping style is very feminine, eclectic and hybrid.  I love using digital images on my work, especially text, and have a obsession with blooms and all things pretty.
• I scrap as an expression of my art, but REVEL the fact that my artwork can surround images of my girls who I adore.  Being on this team will really stretch my storytelling, and I'm still so looking forward to that aspect of this genre.
• My biggest scrapbooking influences have been , Rhonna Farrer, Cari Fennell and recently Christine Middlecamp .  These ladies jointly reflect everything I would love my scrapbooking to be.
• I am a contracted writer for Scrapbooking Memories, and my artwork has been published in CK both in the US and Australia and just recently S.M.M. Scrapbooking in Sweden, Scrapbooking Russia and Scrapbooking Trends UK.
• Currently, I'm a DT member for Websters Pages and am on the 2011 GDT for Pink Paislee.  I am also a Co-Founder & Designer of The Color Room, a challenge site designed to challenge visual artists through color challenges and Designer & DT member at Imaginarium Designs, an exciting new chipboard company in Australia.  
• Can't wait to work with these amazing artists.  I relish in new challenges, and meeting new empowering women.  It seems we have a group of them here ....

My blog: http://www.stephdevlin.typepad.com
My gallery:  Scrapbook.com (http://www.scrapbook.com/myplace/index.php?mod=galleries&u=394209)

Now moving on to some more introductions....

Introducing ......

Carole Janson - Australia

This is what Carole says about her self...

I am more than excited to be on the Once Upon A Sketch Design Team. I live in Central Queensland with my 2 children Sarah 15 and Chaise 5 and my darling Husband Michael, we have been married now for 23 years.

I love being creative and designing with paper so Scrapping just seem to fit for me I love designing pretty and masculine projects and I love anything cute, bright and fun especially embellishments and most of all stickers. I have been scrapping now for more than 8 years and still love it, I love to create layouts, card basically anything that inspires me.

I am a 3 dimensional scrapper but I also love creating my on embellishments and fun bits and pieces for my projects anything busy in a clean way.

I am currently designing for Aussie Scrap Source wholesales and Pinkpaislee Karen Foster and Petaloo manufacturers.

I also love spending time with my gorgeous family, jogging and Jet Skiing with hubby when I can.

My blog is http://www.carolejansons.blogspot.com/

Introducing .....

LG Belarmino - The Philippines 

This is what LG says about her self ...

My name is Lady Grace Belarmino but everyone simply refers to me as "LG". I live in Manila, Philippines and have been married to Regie for 3 years. I am blessed to have a family who is very supportive of my craft to the point that they too, dabble with scrapbooking. We currently have one gorgeous 2 year old daughter Hannah, who serves as my model for most of my pages. I have a Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts and I Majored in Advertising Design.I currently work from home as a full-time Training Manager.

I started scrapbooking on December 2008, just a few months after my daughter was born. I was searching for the right hobby that incorporates my family and my passion for arts. It took me a few months of researching and reading about this hobby before I decided to give it a try. My first works were definitely a far cry from my current ones. It was the challenge of making a better layout that kept me going on. There was no looking back since then. I was hooked and I don't intend to stop. I have already created more than 500 layouts to date and it will continue to grow.

I started this hobby to preserve memories in an artistic way. It was not for fame or recognition, but simply for the joy and fulfillment that the craft brings. Being accepted in design teams, winning prizes, and being published are only additional perks. What I am really passionate about is telling MY FAMILY'S STORY in the best way I know how, and that is through scrapbooking.

I am currently designing for Kaisercraft, Cosmo Cricket, Pebbles Inc, My Scrapbook Nook and Scrapbook Circle. You can learn more about me by visiting my blog at  http://scrappinworld.blogspot.com/.

Introducing...

Helen Tilbury - South Africa

This is what Helen says about her self...

My name is Helen Tilbury & you can find my blog @ http://helentilbury.blogspot.com

I live in Durban, South Africa.  The weather is more often than not hot & humid & you can find me tinkering away in my little home studio with my air-conditioning set to 21 degrees celsius!  I have a wonderful & tolerant husband who allows me to pursue my vocation liberally & we share 4 precious children aged 17, 16, 13 & 10, plus 3 over-indulged fur babies (cats!).

I am currently part of the Challenge Design Team over at Scrapbook Challenges  - a wonderful Ning community full of supportive fellow papercrafters.

I am a work-at-home mum & could always make an extra buck as a taxi-driver as my kids have me driving all over the province regularly for sports matches & social activities!  I am a fashion designer by profession but my love of scrapbooking & photography has long since super ceded my love of fabrics.  I have enjoyed an enduring affair with pretty paper & embellishments for 7 years now & can't imagine a life without the smell of new papers & the anticipation of my next delivery of scrapbooking goodies in the mail!  I don't believe in labelling my style as I design to suit the mood & subjects of my pages but I endeavour to always push my creative limits & constantly grow with my craft.

I will be back tomorrow with some more introductions.

There are only 4 days left to take part in our giveaway....see below or click here...

And stay tuned for the announcement of our first GUEST DESIGNER....and our FIRST challenge which will go live on April 1st!