Challenge 96

Happy Halloween!!

I know not everyone gets into this particular celebration but it IS everywhere...and for those who are interested, there's only something like 54 days left till Christmas! And with that in mind, I'm starting my list of holiday craft projects...there are a few! Of course, we will be introducing our new design team to you very soon (I'm sure you're dying to know who made the team!) and let me tell you, the competition was pretty intense. There were incredible applications from all over the globe. I promise, you won't be disappointed with the new team!

So let's get down to business...this week's challenge led to some fantastic results. I even managed to scrap some ancient photos that have been patiently waiting their turn so it was an all-round great challenge this week. I'm sure you'll be inspired by this week's challenge too so be sure to upload your amazing creations to our Flickr Group so that your pages can be in the race to win this month's RAK!! All you have to do is make sure you include the challenge number in the file name so we can identify it and if you watch the sidebar for the poll, your name could be one of the finalists to vote on!

Also I'd like to point out a few other contests going on:
1) scraplift one of Shelley's pages found here and upload the link to your lift in the comments section of that post. Let me point out that there are NO entries so far so the chances of winning could really be in your favor! You have until Nov 6 to upload links!!!
2)the Flickr Group membership is really growing! We're up to 66 and there's still that matter of the prize for number 100! So let's keep it rolling up.
3)The Great Pumpkin Search is well underway. It seems everyone is locating our pumpkin without difficulty and our number of blog-followers (on the sidebar) is growing as a result. There's a special on Couture Collections for registered Pumpkin Seekers...buy 3 get one free!! This will run until the end of the contest on Nov 16 so don't delay, make your selections now by visiting the LOTUS PAPERIE SHOP. Please note that the Collections listed are priced individually. If you want to take advantage of this special pricing, email me at info@lotuspaperie.com with your selections so I can email you a customized Paypal Invoice for your Couture Collections. If you aren't registered for the Shop Hop, just go HERE to join. It's free.
And so now that all that is out of the way, let's see what everyone made this week...

Vanessa

Tania

Gillian
Shelley

This is Shelley's last week as our Guest Designer. It was a thrill to have her with us and we're so glad that she could be a part of our amazing team for the month of October. Thanks for your wonderful contributions, Shelley! Hope you stick around and play along with future challenges!!

Challenge 95

It has been a week bursting with busy-ness & change. I lucked out and was able to spend a whole day in the studio before Ray started his new job to get a stockpile of layouts ready for the coming weeks so I feel ultra organized! YAY!

Our Design Team has done an amazing job with this week's sketch (as they always do!) and we want to see what you make with this one. You can share your work with us in our Flickr Group. If you haven't joined yet, please do! Our 50th member won an incredible prize pack and there's an even better one waiting for the 100th member to join so don't wait, join the flickr group! When uploading your layouts to the Flickr Group, please make sure you include the challenge number so that we know to include your page in the voting that happens at the end of each month....you never know, your page could be the winner of this month's giveaway!

Also, we're still accepting applications for Design Team hopefuls! All applications need to be received by the end of today so check out this post to learn what you can do to be a part of our creative Design Team! A big shout out to all the talented designers who've sent their applications already! Some incredible work is being shared with us and it's very exciting to tell you that so many of the applications are international (and I don't mean Canada/USA kind of international!)...Countries like England, Scotland, New Zealand, Singapore and the Netherlands! WOW!!

Oh, and one more thing before I stop talking...don't forget to register for the Great Pumpkin Search for your chance to win prizes out the wazoo!!! Registration is free and all you have to do to win stuff is find all the pumpkins that are hidden on each participating website. Mine's super easy to find! The event runs until November 16 so there's loads of time to track down all those pumpkins!

So without further ado...

Vanessa

Tania

Gillian
Shelley

Challenge 94

Here it is, time for another challenge! We've been really getting down to business with all that's going on around here...and our pages are reflecting the recent shift in gears. Everyone's pages are as gorgeous as ever!!

Keep in mind that there's tons of time for you to look back at Shelley's favorite pages that she shared with us here and link up to that post with your scraplifts of her page to win a fabulous RAK bursting with some of Shelley's favorite scrap stuff!

If you want a shot at being the lucky winner of October's Couture Collection, just upload your version of the challenges for this month (you don't have to do them all) to our Flickr Group and our design team will choose a few favorites for our readers to vote on. Just be sure to include the challenge number in your upload so we know to include it!

So on with the challenge...

Vanessa

Tania
an up-close look at something I'm gonna have to try now...cutting printed transparencies with the Cricut...OOOOOOOHHH!!!! Gillian
Shelley

Design Teams & pumpkins & prizes, Oh my!

Lots is going on! We've got a winner for our monthly Flickr Favorite. Over the last few days we've had a chance to vote on our top three picks uploaded to our Flickr Group using September's sketches. You have selected a winner and that title proudly goes to....

JackieP1102!!! Congratulations! Jackie, please email me at info@lotuspaperie.com with your mailing address and your Couture Collection will be mailed out to you this week. There were a few more great pages for September...take a look at some of them featured below...

Also, today marks the beginning of the Great Pumpkin Search. If you haven't already signed up, you might want to do so. It's free to register and in doing so, you are eligible to win a whackload of goodies and prizes. You'll be on the lookout for a pumpkin image (there's one stashed somewhere around here even!) Take a look at the SHOP LOTUS PAPERIE link to see which Couture Collections are still in stock. There is even going to be a limited edition November Couture Collection. You won't want to miss that!! Please remember that each kit listed includes the shipping for one kit. If you wish to combine shipping on multiple kits, email me so I can determine a combined shipping charge for you.

And lastly, don't forget that we are still accepting applications for designers for our Design Team so if you think you might be up for a bit of a challenge, go here to find out what's required. We are accepting applications until October 24th.

Challenge 93

Oh how I love this week's challenge. I sat down at my desk inside my freshly tidied up studio and let the wave of creativity wash over me. I knew exactly which photo I wanted to use and the rest just 'happened'. Everyone's pages this week are so inspired and full of gorgeous details. They make me wanna go back out to the studio and scrap!

If you are feeling the same way, we invite you to share what you make with us in our Flickr Group. From all the pages uploaded to the Flickr Group, each month three favorites are chosen and voted on (like on the sidebar----->) and the winner is awarded a RAK bursting with delicious scrap supplies (October's Couture Collection). Please remember that for us to include your page in our voting process in the Flickr Group, you need to include the weekly challenge number in the file name.

Also, if you haven't already done so, please vote on the poll so that our winner can be selected. It's turning into a really close race!

OH! And don't forget that we're looking for new Design Team members! The invitation to make submissions is open until Oct 24 so if you are interested, go HERE to learn more about it. This Team Invitation is open to international scrappers so let's get 'em rollin' in!!!

Vanessa

Tania

Gillian
Shelley

And the winner of the September scraplift challenge is...

Wendy Kwok! Hooray!!! Wendy's scraplift of Martha's Page can be found here and you can also check it out below. Get a load of those prizes! There's rickrack & vintage lace, tags out the wazoo, thickers & of course the prize pack wouldn't be complete without fabric. Wow, that's a ton of loot.

Wendy, I think I have your mailing address but please email it to me again (info@lotuspaperie.com) so I can be sure! Congratulations!!!!

Flickr Vote- it's up to you!

So in light of some of the changes around here, we thought it would be great for you to have a say in who wins the Flickr Challenge from now on. Below, you'll see the three pages that we've narrowed it down to and YOU get to make the final decision on who wins! The poll is found on the sidebar and is open to vote until the 15th.

Stampinmich

Jackiep1102

Tay*

Challenge 92

Can it already be time for our 92nd challenge? That just doesn't even seem right! I am not entirely sure where the time has gone or worse than that, I'm not so sure of what I did with all that time...

So many changes and still here we are scrappin' our li'l hearts out. Yay for that. Our challenge this week is a fantastic sketch that shows our last Couture Collection (for now) in a fabulous light. Our group is small for this month but we do have a new - and extremely talented- guest designer, Shelley May!

Remember to have a shot at winning October's Couture Collection, you'll need to upload pages made using October's sketches and include the challenge number in the file name in our Flickr Group. We'll post a poll here on the blog for everyone to vote on and a winner will be announced on the 15th of the month.

Alright...here it is!Vanessa

Tania
Gillian
Shelley

Meet Shelley!

It's that time again...time to introduce our newest Guest Designer, Shelley May! I found Shelley on Sis TV where her "Welcome Summer" page (see below) caught my eye. I read the journaling and literally laughed out loud. Clearly her little girl is the main subject in many of Shelley's pages but that's okay too because that Miss Kennedy is just a DOLL!!

So take a look at her interview and get to know a little bit about Shelley and what makes her tick. Also, there are 3 of Shelley's all-time favorite pages at the end of this post for you to take inspiration from and to scrap your own version. Upload a link to your page in the comments section of this post and you could win a prize pack of some of Shelley's most favorite scrap supplies.

I'll post later with the details on the winner of the scraplift challenge from last month and her fabulous prize.

A big giant thanks to Martha for joining us in September for our challenges. Her pages brought us loads of inspo and we will continue to visit her blog and 'borrow' some of her clever design ideas...hope to see you around the Flickr group too!!

and now without further ado....
*********************************************************************
Q:Tell us a bit about you and your family.

A: I am married to one heck of a good man – Ron. We’ve been hitched now for 6 years… or is it 7? (the 7 year itch skews your memory!) We have a fabulous daughter – Kennedy – who is three. Honestly – cliché as it may sound – I never really knew life with her would be so wonderful. I also have a 9 year old fur baby, Bailey. I work from home full time and consider myself quite fortunate to be able to do so. I always hate this question – as I don’t like to brag or talk about myself… so let’s leave it at this so you can get to know me: I’m VERY sarcastic, funny, passionate about matters of the heart, I’m a dreamer, I truly feel I’m a good person with a warm heart. I love good music, a hot cuppa joe, and lots of paper and glue around me at all times.

Q: How long have you been scrapbooking and where did you get your start in this craft?

A: In doing some closet purging this summer – I learned – I’ve been scrapbooking since high school – maybe even before. We just didn’t call it that back then! I was also a stamper in elementary school. However – I really got bitten by the paper bug in 2005 – when my daughter was born. I had to do my own invites for my baby shower – and wanted something different. I walked into a local scrapbook store - $250 later that afternoon – and the rest is history! I’ve always been creative in one way or another, either with my hands sewing, embroidery, stamping or performing on the stage in plays and sketch comedy! This papercrafting thing - it’s become a passion and one day – would like to make a career out of it!

Q:What inspires your creativity when you are scrapbooking?

A: This is a toughie – I get inspiration from everything. Ads in magazines, commercials, idea books, clothing, MUSIC – but mostly I am inspired by new products. That’s all it takes most of the time. Oh – and a BIG cup of coffee and the ipod blaring!

Q:Describe your creative style

A: when you see it maybe you can explain it to me? The word eclectic comes to mind – but also clean, girlie, and often simple.

Q:What are your three favorite products/techniques right now?

A: I am in love with October Afternoon right now. I think in my own little world it was created just for me. I have a strong affection for Thickers and all things Making Memories. I’m not a big “technique” person – but do love to distress and am loosening up a bit and playing more with paint and “found” items.

Q:What project(s) are you currently working on?

A: I picked up these huge wooden butterflies with metal antennae from Joann’s about a year ago. They were regular price 19.99 – I think I paid 1.97 for them? I bought three. No intentions for them – I just did – know one day I’d alter them. I’ve got one in the works… maybe you’ll get to see it soon! :O) I’m also working on some Halloween banners for the house and our cottage we rented for a harvest camping trip in October!

Q:Describe your perfect day

A: MY perfect day would be sleeping in and waking up to the sound of the ocean. Crisp clean air and a beautiful ocean view. Coffee and fresh scones and fruit for breakfast – then a day filled with junking and antiquing. This is something I’ve dreamed of doing for ages. Lunch at a little sidewalk café, rounding out the afternoon with a mani/pedi and a massage. More shopping – and a nice dinner on the deck overlooking the ocean… and the rest of the night spent creating with all the random trinkets I found along the way!

WOOPS!

I just realized (thanks Wendy!) that I got my deadline date wrong for the Scraplift Challenge!!!! The deadline is Oct 3 NOT yesterday! So please keep on scrapping and I'll wait to see who submits...sorry for the mixup!!!

Calling All Designers!!

Have you ever thought to yourself, "gee, I'd sure like to be on that Lotus Paperie Design Team"?? If you have - or even if you haven't- this is your chance to submit your work for our Calling All Designers Open Call. November concludes the current DT session and the next is set to begin in December. We are no longer going to be using Couture Collections after this month so designers will be free to use any products they wish in their DT pages.

We have tons of fun each week using visual aids and other prompts in our creative process and invite you to join us! Also, something new...Tania is joining us as a moderator starting in December so she and I will be taking turns (2 weeks at a time) offering challenges to you every week for the coming months. It is going to be one hell of a good time!!

Read the stuff below to find out the details of the Open Call...
***********************************************************************
You are:
creative, passionate, committed and know the importance of deadlines and also that your best work is what you want others to know you by.

You scrapbook for fun or to save your sanity but you do so with conviction. You scrap because you love it and rise to a challenge. You are comfortable sharing your personal journaling and photographs without censoring (unless they're addresses- we don't need any creepy stalkers showing up at our front doors! or boob shots from those breastfeeding photos - or worse, the graphic birth photos...Eeew!) You don't take life or yourself too seriously and are an open communicator. You are sensitive to others' feelings but have a positive, easygoing attitude. You are a regular blogger and enjoy sharing your work in the public forum.

We (Lotus Paperie) are:
first and foremost, a business but we understand that it's the people who make our business. We openly welcome constructive criticism (and random gifts during birthday week!) and are eager to make being on the Design Team as positive an experience as humanly possible for all involved. We are deeply committed to bringing creativity & joy to the lives of those who share in our passion for paper arts and all forms of crafting and have great respect for what others share with us. We are a warm and grateful group and eagerly anticipate growing the Lotus Paperie Team!

To make a submission you will need to email the following:
-3 of your best pages, one of which needs to be brand new and created from the sketch found below. Please only submit this page to this call and we politely request that you refrain from publishing it elsewhere until you hear back as to whether or not you are invited to join our team. We want that page to be a big surprise to all our faithful blog readers.

-write a brief bio about yourself including your scrapbooking interests/experience, as well as links to your blogs/online galleries and other design teams that you are on currently or have been in the past. Please be sure to include your mailing address & email address in your bio. Also, if you have a photo of yourself that you love, please to include that too!

-email the above items to info@lotuspaperie.com and put "Design Team Submission" in the subject line. Emails received after 9:00pm PST on October 24, 2008 will not be considered this time.

Here's the deal if you are invited to join the Design Team:
-You agree to make pages/projects reflecting each of the weekly challenges posted to the Yahoo group throughout the entire duration of your 6 month term (December 2008 - May 2009).

-Artwork can be created all at once or week by week, whatever works best for you. You will not be contacted if your submission misses the weekly deadline (thursday night, 9:00pm pacific time). If you miss more than two deadlines, your will be dismissed and your spot will become available to someone new.

-You will submit well photographed/scanned digital images of your artwork. You will make efforts to eliminate unsightly glare& shadows from your submissions. Poorly captured images will not be posted and will qualify as a "missed deadline", however, those who are invited to join the team will be given pointers to help them make the best possible digital reproductions of their work. Please request this information if you need it.

-You will promote Lotus Paperie on your blog by either a link, gallery, weekly postings of your Lotus Paperie projects or all of the above. We politely ask that you maintain & update your blog regularly as we link to you every time we post your pages and our readers do follow the links.

-You will not post pages created for the DT anywhere on the web (except for our private Yahoo group- see next point) until they have been published to the blog. NO EXCEPTIONS. If this is not respected, it will count as a 'missed deadline' after two occurrences, you will be dismissed and your spot will be available to someone new.

-You will upload your pages to our private Yahoo group. You will receive an email invitation to join the group where you will create an album to upload your pages to.

-You will participate in the once-monthly request to select your favourite submissions to our Flickr group. You will be asked to email links to your favourite page to us so we can post a poll for our blog readers to vote on. You will be permitted to cast a vote.

-If you need to terminate your position, please try to give us as much notice as possible so that we can find someone else to take your place in the team.

Having said all that, we are regular folks just like you and sometimes things happen that get in the way of our plans. We are pretty flexible and understanding. We want this to work for you as much as we want it to work for us. We want you to be happy so if life gets in the way of something crazy has happened like the dog ACTUALLY ate your page, dude, let us know so that we can come up with a solution together!

Because we are not going to continue using Couture Collections for the time being, you are welcome to make your pages with whatever products suit your fancy. That means that we openly welcome international submissions to this open call. Please make all submissions by 9:00pm PST, October 24, 2008.