Fashionably Geek Challenge

Help us Lollipop Girls out so that we can gather 200 Sweethearts under the roof of the Sweetest Blog on the Block by:

• creating a posting on all of your blogs right now inviting your followers to become a Sweetheart of C.S.D.
  
• post about us on the forums that you frequent where it's okay to.
  
• Rock the C.S.D. Link Badge wherever you are able (make sure it links back to C.S.D.) and
  
• when you have done all of that come back here and leave a comment letting us know you have.

We'll give you cyber kisses on the cheek!

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Thank you Teri Hansen, Scrapaholic Sherry, Nance and Perfectly Precocious for becomming a Sweetheart of C.S.D. recently. We're so glad to have you here!

Thank you Jennifer Manis and Jocelyn Petcholan for Guest Designing.

Thank you Wendy Rago for Guest Designing and for being our Monthly Grand Prize Sponsor this month.

And thank you April and Jill for also Sponsoring us this month.

It means SO much to me that you all wanted to help make C.S.D. a more rewarding place. I feel lucky being on the receiving end of your kindness.

Sweethearts, please visit our Sponsors and see all they have to offer. You will be so glad you did!

Bad Girls Kits

Studio Calico

Memorable Seasons

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Before I announce this next exciting Challenge I have a few WINNERS to announce....the end of the month is here and 2 Challenges have also come to an end. The Lollipop Girls cast their votes and I have the WINNERS name of the Monthly Grand Blog Candy from Bad Girls Kits in my hand.....anxious to know who it is?......

Aren't you so, SO excited?.....

Yeah, I know! Me too!.....

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Oh, alright!....

For the SUPER Sweet 16 Blog Hop Challenge.....The WINNER is finnabair with her "The picture says it all" layout.

Congratulations finnabair! The Lollipop Girls absolutely loved your layout! They thought that it was SO unique and amazing. They loved your non-traditional flowers and the use of eyelets too!

For the Gesso Peso Challenge......The WINNER is Chris with her "Do you feel lucky?" layout.Congratulations Chris! The Lollipop Girls loved the story behind your design and they thought it was very cool and creative.

We have a couple of Honorable Mentions in this category too! The first one being finnabair again with her "Awe!" Inspiring Altered Canvas in gold. The Lollipop Girls said that it totally reminded them of money.

Our next Honorable Mention is Kimmy with her Fabulous Altered Canvas. Congratulations finnabair and Kimmy for a job well done and to all of you Sweethearts for participating. You each did such a wonderful job!

And last but definately not least is the WINNER for the Monthly Grand Blog Candy from Bad Girls Kits. She's one of our most loyal Sweethearts here on C.S.D. and I am SO happy to announce her as the WINNER of the Grand Blog Candy. Congratulations Jennifer Manis! You've WON!!!

Now on to the next Challenge..... Fashionably Geek Challenge
Due Date: Midnight (est) Monday, October 10, 2009

Oh! You didn't know that "Geek" was the new "Black?" Well, now you know! Let's rock this Challenge in the name of all geeks!

Rules are simple.....

-The base of your Paper Creation should be BLACK. It doesn't have to be all black or even plain black, but black. With that said, you don't have to create a layout. It can be any kind of Paper Creation (a layout, a card, a mini album, an altered item, etc.).
-The title/journaling on your Paper Creation (should you choose to add one) should be WHITE.
-You must include a PLAID, CHECKERED or ARGYLE PRINT and
-You must include an APPLE. It doesn't matter how many.

Already created a Paper Creation that fits into these rules? Awesome! Go ahead and enter it into the Challenge! They don't need to be new.

We are doing away with the POINT SYSTEM and instead strictly going by the voting from the Lollipop Girls from now on. So, do your best job and Good Luck! The Winner will be announced on 14 October.

Check out the Lollipop Girls take to this Challenge..... "My Pooh" by Lynnette Davis a.k.a. Cherry Lolita

"Always watch where you are going. Otherwise, you may step on a piece of the forest that was left out by mistake." ~ Winnie the Pooh

Patterned Papers: Making Memories, K&Co., Fancy Pants; Alphas: American Crafts; Stickers: Basic Grey; Ink: Staz On; Misc.: Buttons, Tag, apple punch out.

"Thirsty" by Jennifer French a.k.a. Orange Passion

I read the Twilight book out of curiosity. Before I knew it, I was thirsty for more!Red Cardstock-Hobby Lobby;Patterened Paper- Scenic Route (plaid) ,Chatterbox (black background);Pearls-Prima;Journal Spot-Jillibean Soup;Alphas-American Crafts;Bling-Kaiser;Pearlized Accent Ink-Smooch;Fluid Chalk-Colorbox;Flower-unknown.

"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree" by Michelle Jacknicke a.k.a. TwistedSoda Pop

American crafts remarks alpha, Black Bazzill cardstock, MM Blacktie journalling tab, Chatterbox Green Plaid, Sugar n Spice ribbons, Ric Rac, Prima flowers and leaves, Prima Say it in Crystals, Dymo labeller and MM pink staples.

"Rockin' the Librarian" by Jennifer Priest a.k.a. Butterscotch Scrapper

Supplies: Paper-Bazzill, Imaginesce, Bella Blvd, Jillibean Soup, Prima; Diecuts-Polka Dot Whimsy, K & Co. Stickers-American Crafts, Creative Imaginations; Ribbon-Creative Impressions, jenniferpriest.etsy.com; Thread-Joann's; Ink-Colorbox Chalk

"Newly Weds" by Dr. Annika Prestwich a.k.a. Pink Coffee Bean

Cardstock: Bazzill smoothies; Patterened papers: October afternoon "Road trip" series; Flowers: Prima; Apple from October Afternoon; Buttons from the Box Without Bottom in my scrapbooking room; Pearls and Bling from Kaiser kraft; Mini alpha stickers from Making Memories; Thickers from American Crafts "Dolce" and my own handwriting.

Altered Composition Book "Notes" by Sandra Polette a.k.a. Rasberry Dazzle

Fashionable geeks, like myself, must carry around fashionable composition books!Composition Book and BiC Pen, Cardstock: Bazzill, Patterned Papers: October Afternoon, 3 Bugs in a Rug, Chipboard: Fancy Pants, Alphas: American Crafts, Felt Flower: Petaloo, White Pen: Zig Opaque Writer, Stick Pin and Paint: Making Memories, Ribbon: Offray, Misc: Apple Charm, Brads, Jewels, Buttons, Thread.

Sandy loved this Challenge so much and created two things because she said she's a geek! Here's her other Paper Creation....

"Rebellious" by Sandra Polette a.k.a. Rasberry Dazzle

"I am naughty and rebellious sometimes"
Growing up and all through high school I was a geek. I wore the glasses, played clarinet in the band, made straight A's, and never questioned authority. I was even considered a "goodie-goodie" by my wild and outgoing friend Amanda. Boy, I made my parent's proud though! :) Haha! Today (I'm still a geek)-- but I'm not as straight-laced as I seem. People presume I am. I may be cautious and play it safe in general but I have seasons when I'm downright rebellious! I've done stupid things that make me wonder, "What was I thinking?!" One of those things happens to be me taking these silly pictures---and then posting them on this layout! LOL

Cardstock: Bazzill, Patterned Papers: October Afternoon, Basic Grey, 3 Bugs in a Rug, Flower: Prima, Alphas: American Crafts, Tiny Stickers: American Crafts and My Little Shoebox, White Flocking on Title: Doodlebug Design, Paint: Making Memories, Polka Dot Mask: Heidi Swapp, Misc and Don't remember: Lacing brads and twine, Apple button and jewels.

"Preschool" by Jenny Brannies a.k.a. Candy Apple Red

This layout features pictures from my little boys' first day of Preschool a few weeks ago. I used a collage template for the first time and hid my journaling under one of the pictures. I absolutely LOVE that I was able to fit five photos on one page.
Background Paper: Fancy Pants, Patterned Paper: October Afternoon. Mix of Detours and Nightlight lines, Cardstock Stickers: October Afternoon, Felt Apple: Imaginisce, Hat Pin: Heidi Grace, Alphas: Thickers by American Crafts, Other: red paperclips.

"The apple of my eye" by Melissa Ferguson a.k.a. Cupcake
October Afternoon Cherry Hill Recipe Box PP, Making Memories mini alphas, glitter thickers, October Afternoon Cherry Hill Die-cut Shapes , October Afternoon Detours Fruit stand PP, Basic Grey Junebug Plaid pp.

"Log-in" by Elina Koutsouradi a.k.a. Sour Puss

School starts and you just have to let the geek out of you! I have scrapped my cute cat Gardouba sitting right on top of my keyboard, looking like he is waiting to get some internet classes, so I gave him an apple for his first day at computer class and a patterned paper with numbers for his equations, lots of distressing with scissors for my plaid paper and a tag writing his name in Greek.

Cardstock: bazzill, Patterned paper: collage press, Webster’s pages, Rub-on Alphas: Maya road, American crafts, Felt Apple: Sassafras and Journaling tag: Jenni Bowlin

Emily Nelson, Owner and Designer of E.A.D. Designs is our Fashionably Geek Challenge Sponsor. E.A.D. Designs is a family owned and operated business. Emily Nelson started E.A.D. Designs in 2002 and in a few short years it has grown into one of the largest retailers/wholesalers for Vinyl Lettering and Wall Art. With a passion for Crafts & Design, Emily was able to stay at the top of her game with the newest and hottest trends and this year she launched a Scrapbooking Vinyl Rub-On Line.

She has donated a sample of some of her Vinyl Rub-On Sets (Family Words, Time Well Spent, Vintage and What a Hoot) and they will go to 1 LUCKY Sweetheart of C.S.D. after the Challenge is over. The Vinyl is acid-free so they are perfect for your Scrapbooking Projects and the great thing about them is that they won't rub off!

Blog about our Challenge, Sponsor and Blog Candy for an even greater chance at winning if you decide to play along.

Leave a COMMENT with a link to your Paper Creation and also link up your Paper Creation with the Mister Linky Gadget so that the Lollipop Girls have an easier time voting. Thanks so much everyone! Can't wait to see what you all create!

Envelope Bookmarks Sweet Tooth Tutorial

Thank you rybarra77, Karen Dodson, Maria Ines, Ally Serrato, Kim Jaster, Lou Fu-Fu, Darien and Kary Sol for becomming a Sweetheart of C.S.D. recently. We're SO glad you decided to join us here on the Sweetest Blog on the Block!

I still need to announce the WINNER for the Busy Fashionista Clipboard Tutorial. I appologize for not doing that yesterday but I had to go support my husband's winning football team. He's a Coach on his off-time.

The Lollipop Girls have voted and they LOVED Kimmy's take to the Challenge. They thought it was chic, elegant and innovative. She took a mat board and binder clip and made her own clipboard. How clever! Congrats girly! You are our Challenge Winner. Please Contact Us to claim your prize (get info. from top right tab). The Lollipop Girls also loved these gals takes to the Challenge and they are our Honorable Mentions:

Kate B Chris
Jenny A couple of the Lollipop Girls and I also created an Altered Clipboard. Take a look!

Lynnette Davis a.k.a. Cherry Lolita Sandy Polette a.k.a. Rasberry Dazzle Michelle Jacknicke a.k.a. Twisted Soda Pop
On to our our Newest Guest Designer.... her name is Sophie Sim. She's originally from Singapore but currently resides in Australia. Colorful layouts are her favorite, patterned paper make her go weak at the knees and she claims they have voices because they speak to her.
She's going to show us a way to use up something you might never thought of using before....and that is envelopes. We all get junk mail and are guilty of going straight to the garbage with it. Here's an idea that will change your outlook on those different colored envelopes coming in....

She's going to show us how to alter those envelopes you go straight to the garbage with into bookmarks. Yes folks! Bookmarks!

1. Gather your supplies:

-envelope(s)

-scissors

-embellishments (make yourself use up all those scraps you have).

2. Cut a corner off the envelope. 3. Embellish the corner as you wish. Have fun personalizing it for your friends and/or family. You can even match the theme or character(s) of the book you are going to read next.
There you go! A handmade bookmark that can be completed within minutes. Make a bunch today for all those books your reading. Remember, these bookmarks can be used over and over again or you can simply save them after each book as a visual reminder of what you have read. This project is simple enough for kids to attempt as well and it can be a great way for them to review what they have read.
I CHALLENGE you all to create your own bookmarks. They can be this same style if you choose or the traditional style. *EXTRA POINT goes to everyone creating them in this envelope style. Link them up here to Mister Linky and leave a comment by 8 October. Make sure you are a Sweetheart (Follower) of C.S.D. for your chance to WIN a DCWV Paper Bundle Pack from Memorable Seasons. The most gracious Jill donated 180 patterned papers and I'm giving it away to 1 Lucky Sweetheart according to the Lollipop Girls votes. So, create away, submit as many as you'd like for a better chance at winning and if you haven't yet read the ABOUT US section up top, please do so for more information. Thanks!

p.s. Memorable Seasons is having an online weekend crop and would love for you to join in. You'll have a chance at winning a prize pack from My Mind's Eye. Plus, there will be special sales and prizes throughout the weekend.

Make Your Own Patterned Paper Sweet Tooth Tutorial

Thank you Cris Cunningham, allYson, Sophia, Kate, Denise, Sweet Escape and Pink Heather for becomming a Sweetheart of C.S.D. recently. We're SO glad you decided to join us here on the Sweetest Blog on the Block!

Besides the fact that it's coming to you all a day late....It's time for a NEW Sweet Tooth Tutorial and this weeks Guest Designer is Valerie Gould. She is going to show you all how to create your very own Patterned Paper.

In today's economy this technique should be very beneficial.Valerie Gould has been crafting for as long as she can remember. She admits that her whole family is crafty in one way or another and she thinks it may be in her genes somehow. Crafting has helped her through many rough times and she doesn't know where she'd be without this form of art and self expression. I'm sure we can all fully agree with her regarding this matter.

Please check out Valerie's Sweet Tooth Tutorial and try it out yourself to do something NEW!

Supplies Needed:
-White Cardstock
-White Embossing Ink
-White Embossing Powder
-Embossing Heat Gun
-2 Paint Brushes
-Acrylic Paint
-Small cup of water
-Stamp of choice

STEP 1: Gather All Supplies.

STEP 2: Using your Stamp of choice and White Embossing Ink, stamp images on the White Cardstock in any way you so desire.

STEP 3: Apply White Embossing Powder to Stamped Images and dust off excess. Repeat this process until you feel you have reached the look you want.

STEP 4: Using the Embossing Heat Gun, emboss the images as normal until they become smooth and glossy.STEP 5: Allow to cool completely.

STEP 6: In a paint tray or a device of your choosing add the Acrylic Paint of your choice.STEP 7: Add a small amount of water to the Acrylic Paint until the paint drips off your paintbrush.

STEP 8: Using the first of your two paintbrushes begin to apply the paint to your White Cardstock Paper using a back and forth hand motion and cover the entire paper with paint.STEP 9: Before the paint dries quickly take your 2nd paintbrush and swipe over the stamped images to remove any paint. You want the images to appear white through the paint.STEP 10: Allow the paint to dry.And that's it. It's SO easy! .... Now for the Challenge .... even if you don't have these embossing supplies on hand it won't matter for the Challenge I'm about to give you. If you do go out and get some embossing supplies or have some on-hand to try this technique out, then more power to you! Try the technique with this Challenge I'm about to give and I'll give you an *EXTRA POINT to go towards winning the BAD GIRLS KIT. *PLEASE READ THE ABOUT US SECTION TO LEARN ABOUT THE POINT SYSTEM.

The Challenge is to create a Paper Creation using Patterned Paper. You can achieve this in any way you deam possible. However, you may not use any pre-made scrapbooking patterned paper....you must come up with a clever idea and use something else instead or make your own!

When you have done so be sure to link up your creation to this post. All Paper Creations are due by 6 October. Winner will be announced 7 October after the Lollipop Girls have voted. The Blog Candy (shown above) will go to 1 LUCKY Sweetheart of C.S.D. Good Luck!

SUPER Sweet 16 Blog Hop Challenge

Welcome to Candy Shoppe Designs SUPER Sweet 16 Blog Hop Challenge. We are Officially 16 days old today and we want to celebrate BIG by giving 1 Lucky Sweetheart some awesome Blog Candy. Yes! We want to reward one of YOU for simply being a Sweetheart of C.S.D.

September 16-28

And we have the help of April (Co-Owner of STUDIO CALICO).

STUDIO CALICO is committed to inspiring creativity and they offer products that are both fun and innovative. Each month, Studio Calico combines the latest scrapbooking products with unique finds from a variety of sources while staying true to the basics. You'll find kits filled with products from a variety of manufacturers, coordinated for ease-of-use by both the advanced and novice scrapbooker.

Monthly Kits Include:
neutral + colored cardstock
patterned papers from multiple manufacturers
at least one alphabet
journaling aid(s)
variety of embellishments which may include vintage items, stamps, ribbon, chipboard, and more!
Studio Calico also offers add-on kits to supplement the main kit, or to stand alone. Whether it's a main kit or add-on, Studio Calico is devoted to providing the resources to help members put innovative products to use.

JOIN THE CLUB. GET MONTHLY KITS AND DAILY INSPIRATION.

1 Lucky Sweetheart will WIN this bright and colorful Lollipop Guild Kit....

It's SO EASY to participate in this Blog Hop Challenge!

Below is a list of all the Lollipop Girls. Click on their names (in the order you see below) to be taken to their personal blogs. They each will be giving you SIMPLE STEPS on what to do for your layouts you are to turn in for the Challenge at the end of the Blog Hop. If you wanna WIN the Delicious Lollipop Guild Kit, simply follow the SIMPLE STEPS. And that's it! The Lollipop Girls will vote on their favorite layout and the WINNER will be announced on September 29th here at C.S.D.

Rules:
1. You must be a Sweetheart (Follower) of C.S.D. and you get extra kudos for displaying the C.S.D. Link Badge on your blog.

2. Please also include a link to STUDIO CALICO whenever you post about this Blog Hop on your blog. Let's give them the shot out they so deserve.

3. You must also complete the Blog Hop in the order listed below. Please do not skip over anyone. If you find that there is a dead end somewhere through the Hop please wait a little bit as we are all on seperate time zones and schedules.

4. After each Lollipop Girl's Blog you visit you will be directed back here to C.S.D. to check-in. CHECK-IN by leaving a COMMENT under this post letting us all know 1 thing you have learned about that particular Lollipop Girl you just visited that you never knew beforehand. Also, let us know how you are coming along with your layout and anything else you'd like to share.

5. You must follow the SIMPLE STEP that each Lollipop Girl gives you on their blog. In the end of it all you should have a completed layout with YOUR interpretation of the SIMPLE STEPS the Lollipop Girls gave you.

6.. You MUST enter the layout you completed during the Blog Hop into the Challenge for the Lollipop Guild Kit Blog Candy. You may create as many layouts as you'd like by doing the Blog Hop over again for extra chances at winning.

You'll be surprised to see that even though we each gave you all the same SIMPLE STEPS, you'll interpret them differently from each other. Look how differently the Lollipop Girls interpreted the rules....

1. Jennifer Matott a.k.a. Sweettart

2. Michelle Jacknicke a.k.a. TwistedSoda Pop

3. Elina Koutsouradi a.k.a. Sour Puss

4. Sandra Polette a.k.a. Rasberry Dazzle

5. Melissa Ferguson a.k.a. Cupcake
6. Jennifer French a.k.a. Orange Passion
7. Jenny Brannies a.k.a. Candy Apple Red
8. Lynnette Davis a.k.a. Cherry Lolita


9. Jennifer Priest a.k.a. Butterscotch Scrapper

10. Dr. Annika Prestwich a.k.a. Pink Coffee Bean

When you have completed all the SIMPLE STEPS and are ready to link up your interpretation to this Challenge please use this SUPER Sweet 16 Flyer to further Advertise the C.S.D. Blog Hop on your own blogs. Let's spread the news about C.S.D. and get 200 Sweethearts by October!!!