12 Challenge

Keep an eye here in the next few days for your February 12 Challenge theme.

We want to give you some time to think about the theme, what photos you are going to take on the 12th and how you want to go about it. Hopefully this week I will get a post up for you.

Hope you are joining us in the 12 challenge!

~~Melanie

Blog Contest Question #9

The never ending question - Matte or Glossy?????

I used to print my colour 4x6 photos glossy and anything larger or black and white in matte. However, I really like the way my Costco girls and guys do their matte photos. I have recently been getting my smaller ones done matte too. Who says you cant teach an old dog new tricks? *giggle*

~~Melanie

Blog Contest Question #8

Do you print your photos as soon as you take them (within reason) or do they sit on your camera/computer/film for some time before you go through and get them done?

For myself, it really depends on the situation. Usually I take the photos and then print them as needed so as not to be overwhelmed. BUT there are times where I take the photos and rush to get them printed right away.

The day K-Bear was born is a prime example. I took photos during the day of everyone and everything I could think of. I had them printed and in a little album (not scrapbook just a photo album) for my sister to look at and share during her stay in the hospital by that evening. Now, my trips I usually wait a bit. I download the 1000s I take to my computer and then I will really take the time to look through them and the pages I want to work on so I dont over print. Sometimes I still do, but it is easy to go and reprint something if I need it.

~~Melanie

MUST READ!!!!!!!!

Hey everyone!!!!!!

Do we have the February blues yet???? Tired of not spending money$$$??? Tired of not getting any me time???? Well have i got news for you!!! We at Embellished are so excited!!! We are announcing our 26 day alphabet sale!! yes you heard right ...26 days of sale sale sale!!!

here are the deets....

The sale will run from Feb 2nd to March 3rd, everyday will be a new item on sale.

We have set some rules in place for this sale so that it is fair to everyone!!!

1) You must come into the store to find out the sale of the day, although we love to hear you lovely voices on the phone, we will not divulge info over the phone, and bribes will NOT be accepted!!!!lol

2) First come first serve...this sale will only be on what stock is in the store. If an item sells out there will be no more for that day....sorry!!!


WOW!!!!! What do you think?? Excited??? There will be some awesome sales ladies....and we are excited to see all your smiling faces!!!

What a great way to start the month.....And then come join us for our anniversary crop and use all those items that you got for totally wicked deals!!!

We are looking forward to seeing all of you!!!!


The Management and staff @ Embellished!!!!

And if I may.......some Feb Kit ideas!

I had to uninstall and reinstall my scanner tonight just to get these badboys scanned to show you before I head out of town! LOL I hope you enjoy!

Please note that there are photos coming for the two layouts below that I dont have any on yet. I have to get them over the next few days in Sask.

Blog Contest Question #7

Do you scrapbook in order (cronologically) or willynilly?

I am a willy nilly (lol sorry, I *heart* that word!) scrapper. I can not scrap in order. I get bored easily, so I jump from one thing to another all the time.

Currently, I am finishing up Ireland, working on my cruise book and doing pages for my niece Keely's book (which I will have ONE YEAR photos soon! I cant believe she was one on Jan 24!!!). Of course there are always DT projects, store layout ideas and class samples throughout the year as well.

~~Melanie

Blog Contest Question #6

So, I am going to be in Sask for the next few days, so I thought I would post a few questions to cover the last few days of the month.

What is your favourite embellishment to use of a layout?

Of course, if you know me at all, you know it is BRADS! A page is not complete without being inked around the edges or brads on it. I tell ya, the different sizes, colours. The shine and matte. Oh Brads! (nor is a card class complete without brads lol).

~~Melanie

Blog Contest Questions #5

What is your favourite scrapbooking company? Line of paper or embellishments? Do you find yourself using one company over another all the time?


Myself, I am an equal opportunity scrapper :) lol I use whatever I like with my photos. I am however jonesing over the Vita Bella line lately and am using it for my entire Ireland book.

Odd, bc I usually dont use the same papers for 2 layouts - just ask Kari! It has been a challenge to make them look different and have a different feel, but the colours all made the photos pop. Crazy.

~~Melanie

Blog Contest Question #4

What do you like going on in the background while you scrapbook? Do you have to have music (any specific kind)? Or a movie/TV going? Do you require complete silence around you? Something else?

Myself, I am the epitome of blockers when it comes to noise for the most part. I like to have a movie on in the background, but before I know it, it is usually over. Then, I restart it. If I am in a groove, the same thing happens *giggle* When we get together at the store and the music is going, I usually am not paying enough attention it it. LOL I get so wrapped up in my scrapbooking that I block out the background noise. I am the same way when reading a book....hmmmm wonder what that tells me. lol

Happy Saturday!

So, got big plans for this weekend? I don't, it's toooooo cold out there! I'm glad that it's cold and snowy now instead of in August, but I can't hardly wait for spring!

Last weekend we did end up going to Calgary. The Glenbow museum had a Marilyn Monroe exhibit that was incredible! You can't take photos of it (so much of it is still under copywrite laws) but it was still a neat exhibit. Did you know she wore a size 16? They had many of her dresses that she wore in movies and for modeling, and a replica of the one she wore over the subway grate in "The Seven Year Itch". She was so pretty.

We'd never been to the Glenbow, and quite enjoyed it. My husband had to work a half day Sat. so we didn't get away til the late afternoon, but it was still a good way to spend time as a family. And you know there will be a mini-album of the weekend coming from me... soon, I hope!

So, here is what I did with the January kit, whatcha think?I honestly love this photo of my mom in the layout below. She was seriously a little frightened, which was funny, cause I can run faster than what they were traveling.

And I actually had fun making cards this go round! LOL! I'm terribly, horribly card challenged. Really, it's kinda sad. But not only did I make cards, I made FOUR of them! That for me, is a record, I'm sure!I know that they're pretty simple, but things don't always have to be complicated to look good. At least that's what I've been telling myself!K, so I'm off to take pics of my scrap room! I'm a little behind in the designer's challenge, but I'm determined that I'm going to do it this year!

And I can't wait to show you next kit, you know, just in case you thought we forgot to tease you about it! See you soon!

~Ronni

Blog Contest Question #3

Well, I just hate when my life gets in the way of fun!!!!!!!!

So here is my next question to you - How do you deal with STRESS?

Right now, I am not dealing with it very well. I am getting it from all ends. Stress at work. Stress at home. Stress of the lack of time in my life. I usually scrapbook to relieve stress in my life. I used to anyway. My BIL has been living with me until they sell their house. Thought it would be quick........yah, not so quick. Almost 6 freakin' months later. I know they are stressed about it too. But he is in my STUDIO! So i cant just go in there and scrapbook whenever I want anymore.......

Now, I need new ideas!

COME AND GET IT!!!

Piggy Tales 60% off...

Selected Basic Grey Lines 40% off...

All left over Christmas Stock 25% off...

Are you all busy preparing for our Valentines Day Card Contest!!! Enter now... till Feb 13th. Cost is $1.00 per entry, and all money collected will be turned into a Embellished Gift Certificate for the winners as wellas a gift pack from Embellished & Merle Norman. Make the card as you wish...size, color, embellishments etc. We will determine the category (advanced or basic) . Judging will be the morning of the 14th, Good Luck Everyone....lets have some fun!

Photoshop help!!!

I am having to thank my friend Jodi for searching these out and putting them on her blog!

I know a lot of people are wondering about Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. I borrowed these links from a friend :) I hope they help you answer your questions.

http://coffeeteaphotography.blogspot.com/

http://www.photoshopessentials.com/basics/

~~Melanie

Hey, it's me, Ronni, have you missed me? Been a little busy playing with Feb's kit. Have you been teased yet about Feb's kit?? LOL, the colours, the textures, the ooh you have to wait! LOL! Sorry!

Isn't the weather crazy here? Two weekends ago, I took pictures of the snow down at the M.D. of Taber park, because I couldn't get over how much snow we had. It was almost even with the park bench seats, and in places where it has drifted, were even deeper! Crazy! And now look at the weather (can you look at weather??) I heard that it should be as high as plus 12C tomorrow.

Dude! No wonder I feel like I might be getting a cold.

Anyways, I too, have also gone back to school. Last September I started my optician's course, and last weekend I wrote my first midterm. Been a long time since I've had to write a math test, and somehow it's just as stressful as I remember it being. I get my results on Mon. and I'm starting to worry a little. Who am I kidding, I'm worrying a lot!

So I thought I'd show you a little of what I've been working on. I do have kit stuff, but you'll have to wait til next time...Here are my girls, heading-butting each other, playfully, if you can say such a thing.Check out the butterfly I made in the photo below. Now I wish I could say I came up with the idea of using a calligraphy pen nib for the butterfly body, but I didn't. And I wish I could say where I did see it done. I want to say on Tim Holtz' blog somewhere, but I'm not sure. What I can tell you, is that I stamped a butterfly, embossed it, cut it out, made a body with a pen nib and wire and carefully glued it down, praying it would stay. Then I added a little bit of stickles. A little bit piddly to do, but I think it turned out neat. What do you think?Now there's a story to my hobo gloves. I love love love my gloves. More than you should love hand socks, it's probably a little unhealthy the affection I have for my gloves. And Kari was teasing me about them. So me, being uh, me, made a layout about them. I am such a dork.

But I really do like my gloves, and love how the layout turned out. This new paper made me drool, and I love the colours, red! pink! blue! And I even threw a clock on the layout cause I like them too! LOL! I had leftover snowflake bellies from the last kit, and added them too. So much fun.

So I have pictures I'm picking up later today that I'm getting developed. I was in a minor car accident at the beginning of Dec. and while I wasn't hurt, my mini-van was written off. Long story, but it's all good, I got a new (to me) 2002 P.T. Cruiser that I've dubbed Petie (or Princess Petie when the mood strikes me) I want to take Petie out for a cruise this weekend and go on a photo shoot. I want to head towards Calgary maybe? or Waterton? or maybe I won't end up anywhere really. I don't care, just gonna take photos!

Anyways, enjoy your weekend too!

~Ronni

hi everyone!!!

Happy new year everyone!!!! Hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas, the coast was beautiful and we had an awesome trip. watch for some great photo's in upcomming Lo's

I'm home with the flu today and thought it would be agreat idea to add my Jan kit Lo's, enjoy!!!!

here are my cards, actually had a lot of fun putting them together( u know how card challenged i am...lol)

this is my niece rylee, playing in the park...I got all pictures from my sister this time for the kit, I dont get alot of pics of her kids so i did the kit with them.

this is my nephew Nolan on his first Birthday!!! what a cutie!!!

this is my oldest niece she is so sweet!!!! her name is Alexis!!

the Lo at the top is my favorite ....its gonna be my inspire word for the year...DREAM.

Love the new challenges going on and hope to see all join the 12 challenge what a great idea!!! and u must see Ronni's book in the store she did a fab job on it!!!! its a great way to remember this year 2009.

so school has started and to say the least my brain is growing...there hasnt been one nite yet that i havent had at least 2 hours of home work!!!!! I have avery small class which makes it alot of fun!! there is only 5 of us.

i miss my scrap time and have had a LO on mt desk for the last 5 days now , and my mojo has left the building!!! if u see it please return it....thanx

have a great week everyone....

tam

The 12 Challenge

Join us on the 12 Challenge. Its easy.

This challenge is based on the Stacey Jullian article and scrapbook from the January/Februrary, 2008 issue of Simple Scrapbooks. She took 12 photos on the 12th of every month of ordinary, everyday things and scrapbooked them.

We are taking the basic idea and running with it. Ronni did an amazing album called Ordinary Days, on the original idea (it is available in the store to check our and look through). She wanted to do another, but with a twist. Kari came up with the idea of having a theme each month. We brainstormed togther and came up with a bunch of themes which we are going to choose from each month.

Your Challenge:

• Take about 12 photos on the 12th of the month based on the theme that we will post on the 1st of the month. We say about 12 photos, because it gives a great overview. Feel free to do as many as you wish (but preferably more than 5 to give some insight)
• Scrapbook a layout each month with your photos - this can be any size you wish. You may want to make your own book like ronni did. ^You can bind it together when it is complete with the Bind It All system (coils, etc are available to purchase at the store, and Kari is available for a tutorial and help if you need it).
• Journal about your photos - this can be any form you wish
• Bring your book in to the store to show us (January, 2010)

Januarys Theme - Your Scrapbook Space

We cant wait to see all of the different styles, formats, pictures and takes on our themes. We hope that all of you join us in ths challenge.

~~Melanie

Valentines Day Card Contest!!!

Make it as you desire...size, color, embellishments, etc....we will determine the category of which the card will be judged…(Advanced or Basic) Cost is $1.00 per entry, winner will receive all entries in form of a gift certificate, and a gift pack from Embellished & Merle Norman...one winner per category. Judging will be done the morning of the 14th...Good Luck Ladies & lets have some fun!!!

Blog Contest question #2

What did you take pictures of this holiday season?

I have pictures of our table setting and some of the dishes from Ukr Christmas Eve supper we have on the 24th (we are not home on Jan 6 to celebrate usually so we celebrate on the 24th). I have pictures of K-bear crawling away from the present opening lol - she wasnt into it too much. I have family photos of my sister, bil and K-bear. I have a few photos of us kids that mom wanted.

January '09 Kit

Lets start the year off with a little blontest

lol I just made that up...........contest+ blog = blontest

Here are the rules:
Very simple. I am going to post a question every few days through the month of January. Post a comment to answer it. At the end of the month we will put all the people who have commented throughout the month into a draw for an awesome RAK from Kari. The more questions you comment on (only one comment per question per person please), the more you are entered.

Viola!

Todays question - How did you spend your New Years?

Kari and I got together at my place and we scrapbooked until about 3am or so! It was so awesome to hang out, watch movies, laugh - oh laugh lots - and get creative!

I finished up my January Kit designs..................oh did I mention the January kit lately? hehehe Bright colours. We wanted to put something together to take you right out this winter, cold weather gloom. I know it worked for me! I had a lot of fun with it.

I will post my ideas tomorrow before the launch on Monday!