Chatterblog

Home from vacation...

...and ready to kick it into high gear.

While we are slammed with CHA stuff, the design team is one of our priorities, so I can assure you we will be putting some attention that way asap. Even with the holidays this weekend (aren't you all thankful I don't have much of a life?) we still plan to break it down. I wish I could tell you how many people will be called back, but it just depends. We're keeping things open on that front.

I would tell you all about my vacation and how we broke down on the way home on the interstate outside of Chicago, but I'm sure you'd all rather see some lovely Chatterbox goodness...

Let me show you how the Studio line is REALLY supposed to look! :)

This is a layout by the sensational Linda Albrecht. Linda is hands-down one of the most amazing artists I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. Her work stuns me. I wish I could see her house. And her garden. Plus, she's just good people. And her little boy's name is Cort, which always reminds me of that old movie "The Man in the Moon." It was Reese Witherspoon's first movie and the boy in it (one of those London twins) is named Cort. And it's one of the best movies ever. And Cort is just a good name. (Much like COURT...ney...) ha. 

That said, she knows how to make a beautiful layout - and using the Studio papers like she did just blew me away. Here's another look:

The thing I love most about Linda's work - besides the incredible creativity are the layers and texture she always incorporates. It's just gorgeous, gorgeous!! There's some Artsylicious Treasures in here too (the felt - each box of treasures has buttons, jewels and this awesome felt.)

Anyway, in case you haven't met Linda, here she is (I hope her picture is as big as mine... just so I'm in good company. 

Isn't she the sweetest thing ever? I love her. Love working with her. Want her to be my BFF. (That means forever.)

Funny thing is, I've never actually MET Linda - only through email. Funny how that works, huh?

Okay... So, this is what the Studio page kit looks like:

I know. I bet you wish that picture was a little bit bigger. Sorry 'bout that.

Ok. Can't sit here blogging all day... I have DT auditions to go over!! I have made it through all of them, by the way... now we start narrowing!

Wish it was as easy to narrow my waistline. But alas, vacation eating has caught up with me!

I hope you all are having a wonderful day! 

Holy auditions, batman!

I have to admit, I was getting used to having over 50 emails in my inbox everyday. I was kinda liking it. Made me feel loved - like when you get a real letter in the mail or something. Stupid, I know, and I didn't realize how much I would miss it until it was gone. After waking up to 115 emails in my inbox only a few days ago (buncha procrastinators you are!)... today I woke up to 3. And two of them were spam.

Cruel injustice of having to end the DT auditions.

Though, I guess it's a good thing that we did. There were in total

437 Auditions.

So now you know why it's going to take some time to sort through everything.

437. That's a LOT. And a lot of great, wonderful, awesome pages.

My favorite was opening an email, scrolling down and going - 'oh, good lord.' which, if someone were watching me would probably seem like a bad thing, warranting a 'what's wrong?'

To which I would of course respond..."Another AMAZING layout. How am I ever gonna narrow this down?"

You guys are incredible. So, I'm still sorting and all that goodness and getting ready for vacation and wondering why oh why swimsuits are a must at the beach.

Since I'm going away for a little while, I think I'll leave you with a layout. Let me find one...

That's the Chatterbox Studio line. That's a page kit that was so much fun to play with. Something about the black and white of it all. It was fun to keep everything simple that way. I am terrible about taking detailed shots, so you can't see a whole lot of detail on this layout, but I can assure you, the papers are to die for.

I could see lots of this with Kohl and Alabaster Artsylicious - especially for those kind of timeless events like weddings. I should probably scrapbook my wedding. We're going on nine years here.

Lord, I'm getting old.

Ok. It occurred to me, I never really introduced myself. So, I figured I should answer my own question and tell you who I am.

First of all, you may wonder why on earth I get to be the one to help pick the CBX design team. "Her pages aren't that great anyway..." And you know what, you're right. I'll be the first one to tell you that many, many of these auditions are much better than anything I could ever come up with!! And you know what? I love it! I love seeing people who are way, way better at this than me because it inspires me!

So, I have been scrapbooking for years now - always in one form or another. And I could blubber on about it for a long time, I'm sure, but you'd get bored and stop reading and then I'd be sad, so I'm not going to do that. The truth is, at the moment, I'm trying to remember the WHY.

Yep. I said it. I haven't done a whole lot of scrapbooking lately. And you know what? That's gotta change. Because I do have stories to tell. I am remembering, while looking through these pages that there are soooo many good, wonderful blessings and so many awesome life lessons that need to make it into my albums so everyone down the road knows what I thought/felt/believed.

And no, all of them won't care.

So, I'm not doing it for them.

I'm doing it for that one. That one great-great-great granddaughter who stumbles upon an album and dives in to see what life was life for us in 2008. I'm doing it for her. I like her already. I bet she's got long black eyelashes and never has to wear mascara. I'm jealous of her. Lucky duck.

Today I was at my mom's. We recently lost my grandmother, and I noticed when I walked in there was this very, very old jar on the table. I'd never seen it before. When I picked it up, I saw it was chock full of vintage buttons. It belonged not to my grandmother but to her mom, my great-grandma. Some of those buttons were over 100 years old. And I saw so much history right there in my hand.

And I wished I knew more about those buttons. I wonder if they made her smile the way they made me smile?

I guess that's why I scrapbook. For the one.

The one who wonders.

Oh, and just to keep in line with everyone else... this is me:

Holy darn, that's a big picture.

Sorry about that. The other one was smaller than a thumbnail.

This photo is a couple years old. I'd love to tell you I'm that thin now and that I actually have a collar bone, but I had another baby and I'll be darned if he didn't help me pack the pounds back on. Plus, I really wasn't that thin in the picture... I just found a good camera angle.

So, that's that.

Looks like all 437 of you will be waiting a little longer for me to post call-backs!!

But I promise to hurry! I promise... to try...to hurry!

:) Have a great weekend, everyone!

Spotlight on Eclectique

I've already told you I have an ongoing love affair with this line, so I thought I'd highlight it even more for fun's sake. Since I've misplaced my van keys and am housebound at the moment, I figure now's as good a time as any!

These are all the papers in the Eclectique collection. They're all double-sided though so there's even more funkiness on the back sides.

I am going to try and take some pictures of the embellishments because honestly, you need to see their dimension to really appreciate them! My favorites are the chipboard buttons, I think. But I'm loving the journal spots too!

I want to send a big THANK You out there to everyone who auditioned for the Design Team. I am amazed at what I've seen, but am now faced with the tremendous task of narrowing this search down to Round Two. The Call-back.

Last night while lying in bed completely unable to sleep due to the countless thoughts rolling around in my head, I was thinking about all the theatrical productions I've auditioned for. When I was very new at this process, I would get my heart set on one part or another (Usually something horribly stressful like the lead - which you know, is the 'best...') (Insert sarcasm here.)

Sometimes I actually got the lead, but many times I got a supporting role or even a chorus role. And I always ended up having more fun in those parts than with the pressure of being the main character in a musical or play. When I first started, not getting the part I wanted would devestate me. I would literally cry (high school - sooo dramatic) and it was impossible to see any good in playing "Dorcas" in "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" when I just HAD to be Millie! (Yes, I was really named Dorcas. All you pregnant women looking for a unique name for your new babies... latch onto that one. I don't see it hitting the top 100 baby names any time soon.)

And if your name is Dorcas, I sincerely apologize.

Anyway. Over the years, and over many more disappointments, I've discovered that often times when I don't get something I've got my heart set on, something better for me is just around the corner.

For instance - and I know honestly that I shouldn't be getting all personal on the Chatterblog, but bear with me a moment... in high school as a junior, I tried out for the Pom Squad. Long story short. I didn't make it. Devestation. Crying. Tears. Oh-the-horror-not-being-a-pom-girl!

That year I nearly killed myself with my ridiculous extra curricular involvement. I was insane. I had something all the time. If I'd had poms too, I would've gone off the deep end literally. My involved in show choir more than satisfied my need to perform (and thankfully the skirts were a little longer. I have very chubby legs.)

So, all that to say... everyone that I love isn't going to make the call-back. And it's going to literally break my heart to cut anyone on my current call-back list which is very, very long. You guys are talented.

But if you don't make it, it is my hope that it doesn't deter you from writing down your stories and trying again if this is something you really want. That you don't make scrapbooking just about this. Because it's so easy to do that. Because sometimes your 'something better' is just around the corner.

And, incidentally... I made the pom squad my senior year.

:)

I am still sorting through auditions. I don't know how many call-backs we'll have yet... we aren't going to limit ourselves to a number. We'll just have to see! I am heading out of town on Sunday for a few days and if I don't get these call-backs posted before I leave, I will make it a priority when I get back next Wednesday. I am going to have my laptop with me so I can continue to enjoy all your beautiful work!

I thank you for your patience. I'm pretty sure we have close to 300 submissions, and I am diligent about looking at every single entry carefully... so everyone has the same fair shot. :)

I wish I could give you an exact date, but I don't want to make a liar out of myself!

Have a wonderful weekend!

...and find a way to pick up some Eclectique! You won't be sorry!!!

Feeling Ecclectique?

I don't really play favorites. At least I try not to. Even when one of my children is whining and crying and doing everything to wear down my very last nerve... I still TRY not to favor the good child who is asking how they can help and saying 'please and thank you' and NOT wiping chocolate pudding on the new carpet.

But I think Eclectique may be  my favorite of the new lines. (Don't tell Happy Day and Botanico because you know I love them SO SO much and would never want to hurt their feelings.)

I do love all the new lines. I love Artsylicious. I love the colors and the embellishments. But what I love most about Eclectique is that it's so funky! And, generally speaking, as a 30-something mother of three, I don't often get to be FUNKY.

So. I confessed it. I've got a funky side that wants to come out and it'll have to happen on my pages because my fashion sense isn't strong enough for it to happen there.

This layout was done by the sensational Ginger Williams.

I have no idea how I first met Ginger, but I'm so glad I did. This is her, in case you're wanting to put a face with the name:

Um. Yeah. She has perfect skin.

Anyway. Ginger is an amazing scrapbooker, and I love everything she creates! This page is no exception. See how funky it is? And cute!!

This is what Ginger said when I asked her why she scraps:

"For me scrapbooking is all about capturing the moments I share with my loved ones. I have so many days, moments, events, experiences, vacations, thoughts, and feelings that I want to always remember.  I think good photos go a long way in capturing these memories, but that they aren't always enough. The title, journaling, colors, and overall design of a layout are all a part of helping me recollect those precious memories. Scrapbooking also gives me a way to do that in a creative way--I find that a outlet for me!"

This page uses the Eclectique papers, chipboard buttons, cardstock alphabets and journal spots. And then lots of Gingery fabulous-ness!

Cute, huh?

So, anyway. About that Design team call...

(Don't you love random changes of subject?)

The deadline to enter, folks, is TOMORROW! And believe me, I have been keeping quite busy looking through one sensational designer after another. I am so excited to be able to do this!! At the same time, I have to admit, I feel completely overwhelmed. I am seeing so much - so much inspiration and just basic goodness - I'm loving it! I could pull good things - great things - out of every single audition! And by asking that 'why' - I'm learning that scrapbooking is about so much more than all the contests and accolades... it's about telling stories. And while I think we all start for that reason, maybe it somehow gets jumbled up along the way.

I'm a big fan of going back to the beginning. I think I'll start over with scrapbooking and just make pages because I love them and feel like making pages. And if they never win a prize or get lots of praise - who cares? I got a chance to really be creative... and to remember a story that stopped my heart.

Thanks to Ginger for this beautiful, funky page! And thanks to all of you who've entered the contest.

And if you haven't entered... well, stop teetering! C'mon! What are you waiting for? :)

Signed,

Your Biggest Fan

Some Happy Day to make your day Happy!

Isn't he the cutest thing ever? I've already asked Leah if we can betrothe him to my daughter. ha.

Leah Fung created this layout using Chatterbox's new Happy Day line... isn't it cute? One of my favorite things in this line are these adorable Chipboard buttons. They're dimensional without being bulky, and the colors and patterns really are... at the risk of sounding cliche... happy!

Leah has been a Chatterbox girl for a very long time. I don't know how long exactly, but I know it's been at least three years because that's about how long ago it was when she took me to my first trade show and introduced me to the wonderful world of scrapbooking publication. I could go on and on about this girl, but it would embarrass her... so let's just talk scrapbooking. :)

Ok. So. This is Leah:

In all her gorgeous-ness. Which I know is not a word but really should be.

And this is why Leah scrapbooks:

I scrapbook for several reasons but here are the top 3 that come to mind. First, I am the family historian. Although scrapbooking is a craft and a fun hobby, it is also important to my family. If I don't take photos and document things like who we are, what we do, where we go, what we love and what we value, no one else will.

My second reason for scrapbooking is that it's part of my job. I really enjoy working with Scrapbooks etc. They are a super talented group of people plus so fun and friendly. Although much of my time is spent writing and working with manufacturers and designers, I do spend some time creating scrapbook pages and paper craft projects for the magazine.

My number one reason for scrapbooking is simply because I love to do it. Before I started scrapbooking, I never thought of myself as someone who was creative or even someone who would ever enjoy being creative. It's kind of funny, I've been scrapbooking for 10 years and I still find it hard to believe that I love scrapbooking as much as I do. But I do!

So there ya have it. More inspiration for you to soak up!

Keep those Design Team auditions coming until this upcoming Wednesday! I am loving looking at all the pages and especially reading all of your stories. I have no idea how to narrow this down because seriously there is something amazing about every single entry that's come through. I am so excited that you guys love scrapbooking so much, and even more excited you're writing your stories.

I read a book once, actually it's a one-woman play called "Blown Sideways Through Life" by Claudia Shear. This was back when I was in college, and I performed part of it for something or other. Well, one part of it sticks with me... it said:

"The truth is that everyone has a story. Everyone has at least one story that will stop your heart."

It's so true, isn't it? We all have a story. At least one.

...and it will only stop your heart if you write it down.

Happy Saturday!

Artsylicious

For those of you who haven't seen Artsylicious, I just wanted to introduce it to you.

Wonderful Scrapbook Designer, meet Artsylicious. Artsylicious, meet Wonderful Scrapbook Designer.

I have a feeling you're going to be life-long friends. 

When I first saw the photos of Artsylicious, I was like "oooohhhh, that's pretty!!"

And then I saw it in real life and I realized that really, no photo can do this stuff justice.

This is not like any scrapbooking stuff I've ever seen. Meant to be a foundation for every project you do, this is some beautiful, elegant scrapbooking product - the kind you will turn to over and over again. It's like a classic black dress (which, by the way, I do not own) for scrapbooking.

Like that black pair of heels that never goes out of style.

I love this stuff.

I just wanted to show it to you because it's gorgeous. gorgeous. gorgeous. I think my favorite of all of it is the flocked paper. I honestly could use this to decorate my house. And trust me, my house needs decorating, so I actually might do that! If I can get a good photo of the flocked paper, I will try to post one here, though my photo skills aren't exactly stellar... but I'll do my best! You are going to love Artsylicious.

Oh, and if you want a chance to play with some, you might want to think about entering the CHATTERBOX DESIGN TEAM AUDITION. (Scroll down for info.)

I've spent the better part of - oh - several days going through amazing, amazing layouts. Reading awesome reasons why you scrapbook. Loving every minute of it. I cannot believe how talented you guys are!!

I have to be honest. I have been a little burned out lately. Having a baby and moving to a new house will do that to you... but looking through all this creative yumminess (did I just seriously say 'yumminess?') I am actually thinking I might have to clear a spot on my desk and scrapbook! It's so inspiring!

And I really wish I could have a team of like 100! lol

So, this has been so much fun so far! Remember - I am ROOTING FOR YOU! Cheering you on! I want to see your awesome layouts because I know you've got them. So many fun stories captured and I get to read them all!

Thank you for entrusting me with them.

So... what's YOUR story? Why do YOU scrapbook? 

More inspiration for you...

I'm taking a little break from the Design Team Auditions in my inbox to post another bit of encourgement and inspiration here for those of you still unsure about this whole process. I'm also listening to my daughter sing songs from "Wicked" and write stories about a little girl who is a superhero. Gotta love seven-year-olds.

*Question that needs to be answered and I thought I already answered but didn't: Yes, we are accepting submissions from outside the US.

So, maybe you're thinking you aren't good enough to try out for this team. Maybe you think because you've never been published, you don't have anything to offer, but may I remind you that at one time or another all those big "celebrity" scrappers were unpublished artists who probably had no idea they were going to spend so much of their lives influencing and changing the world of scrapbooking?

And anyway... what have you got to lose? It's not like anyone has to know you tried out. (Did I say that already? Oh, sorry. Thought it needed to be repeated!)

I have been loving reading these entries as they're coming through. I love seeing the pages. I get giddy when something pops off the screen and makes me say "oh my gosh, I LOVE that!" It's so fun! And I have to be honest... reading all the different reasons why you all scrapbook is reminding me once again why I started in the first place - something, I'm sad to say, got a little cloudy along the way. That and being surrounded by this brand new Chatterbox is making me want to clear my desk and get to work. I love that feeling - that feeling of creativity just bubbling up inside... you know the one I mean? You have to get it out or it won't let you sleep. Sometimes it's making pages. Sometimes it's painting or writing or taking pictures... Creativity sort of has a mind of its own.

That being said, I want to share another layout by another sensational artist who is amazingly creative. Jennifer Perks. Do you know Jen? If you don't, you should. Not only is her scrapbooking incredible, but she is just a wonderful person. (Don't you love it when that happens?)

Anyway. This is Jen:

Doesn't she look like someone you would want to be best friends with? I mean, seriously.

Okay. Jen stuns me with her pages. I've seen a lot of pages over the years, and I still remember this sequined layout she did (I think it was in Scrapbooks, Etc.) - where she sewed every single sequin onto the layout. And I'm telling you... there were a LOT of sequins. I think I gawked at that page for an hour. Ok, maybe not an hour... but a really long time. She definitely pays attention to detail.

This is the layout she made with Chatterbox's Love Bird line:

That's her with her sweetie. He's British. Lucky girl. lol 

Thanks Jen, for this awesome layout!

I asked Jen why she scraps. I love her answer.

I started scrapbooking shortly after my middle child was born, which was about three years ago. Looking back, I realize that this hobby has not only gotten me to capture life’s fleeting moments (which I would otherwise not be doing). It has also taught me some important lessons along the way:

1. Slow down. Be present. Pay attention.

2. Be patient.

3. Inspiration is all around, all you have to do is look.

4. Listen. (Kids say the funniest things)

5. Write it down. Right away. (Your memory stinks!)

6. Celebrate not only the big milestones, but the little moments in life.

7. Show appreciation for what you have.

8. Enjoy the process.

9. Make time for that which makes you happy and keeps you sane.

10. Create with your children, not just for your children.

I know it sounds silly, but I think scrapbooking has made me a better person, a better mom, and a better wife (albeit a bit of an annoying one that chases everyone around with the camera all the time!). But that’s not why I do it. I scrapbook because I love the creative process, the challenge it provides, and how it satisfies my practical side by leaving me a product with a purpose. I do it because it keeps me sane. But most of all, I do it because it makes me happy.

Chatterbox has so many new products right now. Things you really have probably never seen anywhere else. I'm telling ya, I don't know where Melody comes up with this stuff, but I'm glad she does!!

Maybe I'll ask if I can post a sneak peek of the new summer stuff! :)

In the meantime... what are you waiting for? Try out for the team! 

A little inspiration for ya...

Just to get you in the mood to start thinking about this awesome AUDITION we're having.

Wait. What? You're not going to enter?

Well, that's just about the craziest thing we ever heard! We have been getting lots of entries and questions, and I have to tell you... this is already incredibly exciting for me! Seeing all these great new scrapbookers, plus some of my old-timer favorites (not saying anyone is old, but you know what I mean)... it's just FUN! Like a parade of talent.

To answer a few questions:

1. No, you do not have to use Chatterbox on these first three submissions. Just send us your all-time favorites and we won't hold it against you if it's not Chatterbox! (Promise!)

2. These first three submissions will not be put up on the blog. If we send you a box of product for the call-back then THOSE layouts might be used on the blog. (I originally had that posted wrong in the audition call so I wanted to clear that up!)

3. Yes, you should enter. ha.

Since my background is in theatre, I have to tell you a secret. As a director (or in this case a DT coordinator...) I'm really rooting for you! I want you to win the part (or in this case, the spot on the team!) There's NO risk here - and really, no one ever has to know that you're going for it! I've always been one of those people who is awfully careful who I share my dreams with... but I just wanted to do a little bit of encouraging for those of you who are still on the fence.

And I thought a little inspiration might lift your spirits.

This is Greta Hammond:

Do you know Greta? If you don't, you should! She is one good cookie. I had the privilege (and I do mean privilege) of meeting Greta at CHA last summer when I was sickly and pregnant and just in rare form and she was absolutely one of the highlights of my trip. So sweet and genuine. One of the nicest people. I asked Greta why she scrapbooks because, you know, it's on my mind since you all have to answer that question as part of your audition...

Here's what she had to say:

I'm not going to lie. I could give you all kinds of reasons about how I want to document my kids lives so that they have something to look back on. I could tell you that I'm the family historian and if I didn't do it, no one would. I could say that my kids and family love to look at the pictures and stories about themselves. I could tell you all these things and they would be true; however, the reason I keep scrapbooking is more selfish. I scrapbook for me. I scrapbook for the creative outlet, I scrapbook for the sense of accomplishment and I scrapbook because it is something I love to do. Plain and simple!

I love Greta's take on it. Nothing wrong with doing something for yourself.

Greta had the chance to work with our Botanico line recently and here's what she came up with:

Isn't it beautiful? The layout AND the products! (Thanks to Greta for doing such an amazing job!)

Wouldn't you love a chance to play with some of this stuff? Why not enter!?? A box of goodies could be all yours for the call-back!

C'mon... what are you waiting for??

It's gonna be a blast!

Let's start off with something really FUN!

Chatterbox Design Team

AUDITIONS!

Wait. Stop right there. If you think this is just another design team call, you’re wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

Chatterbox isn’t looking for a Design Team. We’re looking for a group of storytellers. We’re looking for people who love to find new ways to make their projects mean something. We’re looking for people who want to go back to the beginning and remember why they started doing this in the first place. Are we looking for you?

Here’s the breakdown:

1. Send your three best layouts (or projects) and your resume (or a basic idea of where your work has been published or what you’ve done in the past) to me at courtneyrwalsh@gmail.com Please write “Chatterbox Design Team Audition” in the Subject Line. Previously published pages are welcome.
2. Please also send us a short paragraph answering the question “Why do you scrapbook?” within the body of your email. If you do have an online gallery, feel free to include the link for us!
3. Next is the Call-back. The designers we are considering will receive a box of product to create a layout or two to be published on the ChatterBlog. We will send all deadline information and other details when we ship out your product. These pages may be used for publication on the ChatterBlog. We will let you know!
4. Finally, once we’ve seen the call-backs we’ll make a decision on who we would love to join us as part of the Chatterbox team. We are currently looking for approximately 8 designers.  As a member of the Chatterbox Design team, you will be compensated for your requested designs.  More details will be given to you when you are invited to join the team.

ETA: The deadline for the first round of submissions is: Wednesday, June 25th.

Chatterbox Designers are a group of people committed to creating inspiration for their fellow scrapbookers. They are looking to do more than sell product, but to inspire creativity. They will not only use the Chatterbox products, but their own words and vision to do so. And you don’t have to be a published scrapbooker to apply. Of course, if you are, that’s fine too!

So how do you get your chance to try out for the Chatterbox Team?

I’m so glad you asked. It’s simple, really. It’s going to work like an audition for a theatrical production. We want to see your best work. Your favorite layouts and projects.