"From This Day Forward" Pre-Challenge

How's about a Pre-Challenge for all of you out there who wants to get the ball rolling already? I know I can't wait for the BIG Debut on September 1st and it just seems SO far away!!

So luckily, I had a challenge idea come in from the talented and clever, Jennifer French. We're calling it...."From This Day Forward." Sounds fitting doesn't it? Well, we thought since June was the month known for Weddings, ya know!?

Although this Challenge is based off of a "Wedding Theme" you DO NOT have to create a Wedding creation per se. It can be any theme of your choosing.

There are just 3 simple rules for this Pre-Challenge. These rules were prepared with love and are as follows:

1. You are to take this sketch provided by Jennifer and base your creation from it. You may take away from it, add to it, flip it, the choice is yours. Just as long as it's obvious that you got your inspiration from it. You are allowed to make ANY paper creation of your choosing whether it be a scrapbook layout, card, altered item, etc. The choice is yours!

2. You must include an item that is "something old" (6 months or older), "something new", "something borrowed" (the sketch, which is provided), and "something blue."

3. You must share the ingredients of your sweet layout AND a short description. Here's JUST an example of how this can be done:
Special Ingredients:
Cardstock Paper: Bazzill Basics
Patterned Paper: Cosmo Cricket, Jenni Bowlin
Embellishments: Flowers-Prima Marketing, Chipboard-Tim Holtz, Brads-Making Memories
Pen: Signo Uni-ball
Other: Unknown
Short Description-My son, Isaiah, is always the center of attention. We can go to a playground and all the parents have their eyes on him. He keeps me on my toes with all the dangerous and daring stunts he does or "tricks" as he calls them.

*When posting your layout on your blog/gallery you should include a working link to C.S.D.
Here's some Eye Candy for you....Jennifer created this scrapbook layout based on the rules for this Challenge and this is what she came up with. (Less the Ingredients and short Description).

What's in it for you if you play along? Well, of course we're not going to have you creating something for nothing. Silly you! Check out this prize pack Jennifer is willing to send to a random winner of this Pre-Challenge! It includes a 6x6 Basic Grey Sultry Paper Pad, Basic Grey Aura Stamps, Basic Grey Lotus Stamps, Creative Tags and American Crafts Ricky Mini Marks. PLUS a couple extra goodies too....2 handmade fan flowers especially made for you by Jennifer. *Your handmade items will be made with a different patterned paper than pictured.
**Check back on July 2nd when she gives a simple "how-to" demonstration on how to make these beautiful flowers.

Don't forget to enter a link to your layout below and to become a C.S.D. Sweetheart (Follower). You need to be one in order to win. Due date to enter for this Pre-Challenge (for the prize) will be June 30th. Winner will be announced on July 1st.

Lollipop Girl Design Team Call

Do you think you have what it takes to be a Lollipop Girl for C.S.D.???

Candy Shoppe Designs is holding a Design Team Call for the September-December 2009 Term. C.S.D. is looking for unique individuals to help keep the blog a fun place for people to keep coming back to. This call is for individuals who want to share their awesome talent, give people something to talk about and inspire others.

Lollipop Girls are expected to:
-show dedication to their position as a DT member for C.S.D., as they will be held responsible for 9 or more different layouts/projects during their 4 month term (from September-December 2009).
-be punctual!
-become a "Sweetheart" (Follower) of the C.S.D. Blog and show their presence by leaving comments. What's a "team" without Team Spirit?
-promote C.S.D. wherever possible.
-show off the C.S.D. Link Badge and Lollipop Girl Blinkie in Blogs/Forums where it's OK to.

As a DT member you will be allowed bragging rights of being a "Lollipop Girl for C.S.D." You will have your picture and fun facts about you on the C.S.D. Blog along with a link leading back to your own personal blog (if you have one). You will have your bi-weekly creations featured on C.S.D. to give our Sweethearts some inspiration. You'll have the first opportunity to contribute ideas about topics we should cover and/or challenges we should host. You can include the DT position on your scrapbooking resume and at the end of your successful 4-month term you will be sent a "Goodie Box" filled with products from C.S.D. and it's Sponsors as a big thank you for your time and commitment with C.S.D.

***Applicants should take all Lollipop Girl Requirements listed above into consideration before applying for the position.***

To Apply Please Submit:
-Your full name, nickname, address, telephone number, email, blog link (if you have one), as well as links to other online forums you take part in regularly (incl. your user names for each).
-Info. of any DT's that you are currently on or have been a part of in the past. Experience is not a requirement for this position.
-Info. of any published work. Again, not a requirement.
-A total of 7 of your favorite layouts that best represents your scrapbooking style.
-3 other projects that you are proud of. It can be cards, altered items, mini books, and even additional layouts, etc.

-21 Random Fun Facts About You.
-A headshot.
and
-A short & sweet BUT detailed essay as to why you feel you would be an asset to the C.S.D. DT. (Do you design sketches? Do you have a knack for certain areas? Do you know of any possible sponsors? Let me know!)
-Be sure to also include a detailed idea for a challenge to possibly host on the blog. Be sure to include pictures (if any). I want to see how unique you can get!

Send All Information To:
Lynnette Davis at candyshoppedesigns@hotmail.com with "I wanna be a Lollipop Girl for C.S.D." in the subject line. Due date for entries will be July 31, 2009. Designers chosen to be the Lollipop Girls for C.S.D. will be informed by August 1st via email. The DT will then be announced on September 1, 2009 during the debut of C.S.D.

Welcome to the Sweetest Blog on the Block!

Candy Shoppe Designs is a Foxy New Paper Crafting Challenge Blog that is Scheduled to Launch on September 1, 2009!!!

Paper Crafters of all skills and levels are invited to come here....Not only to participate in Creative Bi-Weekly Challenges....but to share their own "Eye Candy." In this case, that would be all your pretty little creations that you're so proud of making....which include, but are not limited to - Scrapbooking Layouts, Cards, ATC's, and Altered Items.

Along with every Submission and/or Comment you make (no matter how old the blog posting is) you have a chance at winning some Sweet Blog Candy!

Become a "Sweetheart" (Follower) and leave a comment sharing 3 Random Fun Facts About You so that we can all get to know each other a little better. Also, share how you found C.S.D.

By doing so you will be entered to win 1 of 3 Sweet Blog Candies.

Leave separate comments for each additional one of these tasks you do to get extra entries for the giveaway.
-Promote C.S.D. on your own blog by rockin' out this here Link Badge....

-Refer a friend. If another "Sweetheart" leaves a comment saying they found C.S.D. through you, you will get an extra entry for each person you will have referred to C.S.D. So go spread the news!!!

The 3 Lucky Blog Candy Winners will be picked and announced during the month of August.

The reveal of the Blog Candy will be posted along with the Winners Name(s), Random Fun Facts and their Blog Links. Blog Candies will be a Sweet Surprise!