View from the Shed window...

...and the prizes go to....

2010-02-08T23:09:00.005Z

Yesterday was the draw for our first Fan and Follower candy... and so each of the lucky winners below wins one of the brand new Cosmo Cricket 6x6 Pads (either Material Girl, Joy Ride or Garden Variety).

And the winners are:-

Blog Follower:- Helen Wade
Facebook Fan:- Julia Short
Twitter Follower:- Crystaltips99 (Sara Taylor)

Congratulations All!

Please email me your postal address and you're pad will be winging its way to you! (send to scrapshed@btconnect.com )

If you want to be in with a chance of winning in our next round of candy prizes...

sign up to be a Facebook ScrapShed Page Fan,
a follower of this Blog
or a Twitter Follower

....and your name will be entered into the next draw on the 21st February!

Thursday Already!

2010-02-04T19:35:00.001Z

I cannot beleive it's Thursday already!... in fact it's nearly Friday! But the good news is, we have started receiving some of our CHA 2010 orders...

The three gorgeous new collections from Graphic 45 are now in stock:-

A Proper Gentleman

Le Romantique

On The Boardwalk

And on the same day, the three lovely new collections from Cosmo Cricket also arrived:-

Joy Ride

Material Girl

Garden Variety

...which have all been flying out the door! And we are doing our best to get them to you as soon as possible!

If you are not aware, we started our Winter Sale on Sunday and we were inundated with orders, so please bare with us as we work through them all. Despatch time increases to 3-7 working days during a sale, to allow us the time to pack all your goodies!

Luckily I have had my lovely helpers in this week, Jude on Tuesday and Sarah today and tomorrow, so that helps get the packing done faster! Fingers crossed that we get the bulk of the sale orders out from the beginning of the week by Sunday... well thats the plan!

Along with this I have had a poorly doggy, who was rushed to hospital on Monday morning, he's back home now on plenty of medication to make sure he's on the mend soon!

The poor fella is still a little groggy but was pleased to see Sarah this morning, as not only is she his new best friend... Sarah is mum to the gorgeous Belle, who is now Lucky's girlfriend!

CHA Update - Expected Release Dates {Updated}

2010-02-03T12:15:00.004Z

What a crazy weekend! Hope you enjoyed seeing all the fabulous new products we have on order, its gonna be a great year! We have ordered tons of everything ready for both Inspired Retreat and the Ally Pally shows!

So... when's it all gonna arrive is the question now! Well these are the release dates from the manufacturers themselves (which will.... and often do!) vary. Most products arrive to us within 5-7 days of the release date, sometimes quicker but as soon as its here with us, you'll be able to order it!

So... in alphabetical order...

Basic Grey
Green at Heart will be released at the end of February
Kioshi will be released at the end of February
Cappella will be released in April
Max & Whiskers will be released in April
The Basics range will be released in April

Cosmo Cricket
IN STOCK NOW! {Click to go to the products in store}

Crate Paper
Will be released middle of February

Fancy Pants Designs
Will be released middle of March (paper will be available earlier but matching embellishments will be later, we have therefore selected to receive all matching products together in March).

GCD Studios
Will be released beginning of February

Graphic 45
IN STOCK NOW! {Click to go to the products in store}

Jenni Bowlin
Will be released middle of February

K&Co
Blossomwood will be available middle of February
Handmade will be available middle of February

Maya Road
Dates vary - more details to follow

My Little Shoebox
Will be released middle of February

Prima Marketing
Will be released middle of February

Scribble Scrabble
Will be released middle of February

Teresa Collins Collections
Will be available mid February

Tim Holtz Alterations (Sizzix Dies)
Will be available mid March

Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pads (New Colours)
Will be available late February / early March

Tim Holtz Idea-ology
Some are being released mid to late March, others in mid April

Tim Holtz Paper Stacks & Book
Will be available mid to late April

Tim Holtz Stamps
Will be available mid to late March

Websters Pages
will be released late February

Fan Candy, Follower Candy and Blog Candy!!

2010-02-01T08:25:00.001Z

Blogger, Facebook and Twitter... all fantastic social media programs!

So we have Blog Followers, Facebook Fans, and Twitter Followers... and as promised, starting this month, we will be giving away candy (prizes!) to fans and followers selected at random.

The first draw will be on Sunday 7th February and we will be selecting:-

1 x Twitter Follower (www.twitter.com/scrapshed)
1 x Facebook Fan (www.facebook.com/pages/ScrapShed/64166979569)
1 x Blogger Follower (http://www.scrapshed.blogspot.com/)

In order to be in with a chance to win; either follow us on twitter (if you don't already!), become a 'Fan of ScrapShed' on Facebook (if you are not already!) or subscribe to/follow our blog (if you don't already!).

It doesn't matter when you start or started following, all entries have the same random chance. But remember, there are actually three chances to win, one for Twitter, one for Facebook and one for Blogger!

...and what is the prize?

One of the brand new 6x6 pads from Cosmo Cricket!

Cosmo have three new releases (Material Girl, Joyride and Garden Variety (see post here) which will be with us very soon and so each winner will win one of the brand new 6x6 pads!

Good Luck!

CHA Winter 2010 - Sneak Peek 20 - Maya Road

2010-01-24T20:00:00.002Z

And finally, the last of our CHA 2010 sneak peeks...and its to the home of the best chipboard around!

But wait to you see Maya Road's new releases from CHA 2010...its more than just chipbaord!!

But lets start with the basic chipboard....the Coaster Albums.

Then... Maya Road's new Birdcage Book Chipboard Album, which is a clever 6 x 7 inch album...

...with not only the die-cut cage front....

...but also die-cut birdies to use in your cage! Cool!

There is also a new Taylors Dummy / Dress Form album... which is too cute!

Next up... More Maya Mists! Maya Mists are gorgeous water-based misting sprays, which are formulated to work really well with chipboard.

Just look how good these chipboard numbers look

with just two light sprays of Maya Mist!

Next we have the new range of Maya Road Mini-Chip sets, Chipboard Sheets and the latest Kraft Collection

I was going to say... and finally... but its not quite! Here's a sneak at Maya Road's new stamps!

... and finally! A new product from MR called Maya Resist. Just like a masking fluid, it can be used with Maya Mists and all other mediums (so paints, inks and other glimmer sprays). Here's a fabulous series of images (from Maya Road themselves) of the Maya Resist in action.

First draw your pattern using the Maya Resist, to

create a mask and leave to dry (just a few minutes!)

Overspray with Maya Mist colours (or other medium)

Remove the Resist mask by rubbing and pulling

Tada!

I'm going to finish this peek with a few images of samples, created by the amazingly talented Maya Road Design Team, so you can see just how great these products look when you play with them!

All samples, images and resist steps courtesy of Maya Road

We hope that you have enjoyed this weekend of CHA releases... if you can't be at CHA... we'll bring CHA to you!

CHA Winter 2010 - Sneak Peek 19 - K&Co

2010-01-24T18:00:00.001Z

There are five new collections from K&Company this year... that we will be stocking...

Handmade

Poppy Seed

Serendipity

Susan Winget

Tom Coffrey's Blossomwood

CHA Winter 2010 - Sneak Peek 18 - Websters Pages

2010-01-24T16:00:00.001Z

Another of our favourite paper lines and one we have kept in stock for two years now! Websters Pages are releasing for new collections, which are their most gorgeous yet!

Garden Gala double-sided 12x12 papers

Garden Gala Stickers

Garden Gala Alphabet Stickers

Life's Portrait double-sided 12x12 papers

Life's Portrait Stickers

Life's Portrait Alphabet Stickers

Lullaby Lane double-sided 12x12 papers

Lullaby Lane Stickers

Lullaby Lane Alphabet Stickers

Seaside Retreat double-sided 12x12 papers

Seaside Retreat Stickers

Seaside Retreat Alphabet Stickers

Aren't they all gorgeous?

CHA Winter 2010 - Sneak Peek 17 - Crate Paper

2010-01-24T14:00:00.000Z

I must be getting old because I remember when Crate Paper launched... was it three years ago now? Maybe longer! I remember those first five collections because I coveted them all! I think I still have a complete Seaweed collection... it was too nice to use!

In the last year of so, Crate Paper's collections have really notched up a gear... and they are really outstanding products! For CHA 2010, Crate are releasing three new collections...

CHA Winter 2010 - Sneak Peek 16 - Upsy Daisy Designs

2010-01-24T12:00:00.005Z

We love the collections that Upsy Daisy release and the quality of the cardstock weight paper makes it popular with cardmakers and scrapbookers alike. Still fairly new on the scene, they offer paper that is to too "out there" and its become a firm favouite with us!

Upsy Daisy are releasing three new collections for CHA 2010...

CHA Winter 2010 - Sneak Peek 15 - Bisous

2010-01-24T10:00:00.005Z

Kisses to you too! The Bisous (BZoo) range is unlike any other we stock, people often think the range is for beginners only... but its not! Basically each paper is a double-sided layout that is ready to go! This means that yes, you can use it on its own as a stand-alone page (just add photos and run!) or you can cut and paste and create amazing layouts using the page as a starting block.

For CHA 2010 Bisous are releasing six new collections, Away, Delight, Dream, Fun, Promise and Rainbow... and they are all gorgeous! Here is just a sampling to whet your appetite!

CHA Winter 2010 - Sneak Peek 14 - GCD Studios

2010-01-24T08:00:00.005Z

A new range for us for this year... GCD Studios with two fabulous new collections from Melody Ross.

First up is Artsy Urban...

There are 12 different papers, including 6 speciality papers, as well as a Paper Pad and Mat Pad (just like K&Co!) and tons of lovely matching embellishments too!

And next is another beautiful collection called Homespun...

CHA Winter 2010 - Sneak Peek 13 - Basic Grey

2010-01-23T20:00:00.008Z

We were going to save the best to last... but we couldn't wait! Basic Grey have been very quiet about their new releases up to this point, but we do have some sneak peek images, that have literally just been released, which give us the look and feel of their four new gorgeous collections. My favourite so far... Max and Whiskers... what's your favourite?

And as well as the four new collections, Basic Grey are also launching a "Basics Range" which will be a selection of generic papers, such as ledger paper (you'll love it Rachel!!!), dotty paper etc. It's sure to be popular!

CHA Winter 2010 - Sneak Peek 12 - Tattered Angels

2010-01-23T18:00:00.005Z

Ahhhh Glimmer Mists! We only recently started stocking these, partly due to customer requests and partly because I love using them too! So we are pleased to see that Tattered Angels have some new releases for CHA 2010 too!

Firstly, the talented Heidi Swapp has teamed up with TA to product some signature mist colours and a line of products that can be used specifically with Glimmer Mists...

...we're guessing its along the Invisibles / Masks line according to this tease showing Heidi's new colours... espescially as the mists work so well with Heidi's Invisibles line.

Tattered Angels are also introducting a brand new product... Glimmer Glaze! Not only is there a sneaky picture... there is also a You Tube Video telling all!

CHA Winter 2010 - Sneak Peek 11 - Jenni Bowlin

2010-01-23T16:00:00.003Z

We love Jenni Bowlin, even before her own signature product line was created and she used to design for Daisy D's. Again we have stocked Jenni's products right from her first releases... and they are still very popular as they have universal appeal. Jenni's papers are single-sided and lightweight, which makes them ideal for altered art, especially for covering wood, chipboard and such like!

So for CHA 2010, Jenni has one new paper release and some more fabby embellishments...

Homespun Paper Range

Homespun Journaling Cards

Bingo Tile Alphabet Stickers

Polka Dot Labels

Embellished Butterflies

CHA Winter 2010 - Sneak Peak 10 - Scribble Scrabble

2010-01-23T14:00:00.017Z

Scribble Scrabble is a fairly unknown scrapbooking manafacturer, but it is another range that we have supported since their first release in 2007. They manufacture high quality, double-sided, cardstock weight papers that are lovely to use.

For CHA 2010, they have three new releases...

CHA Winter 2010 - Sneak Peek 9 - Fancy Pants Designs

2010-01-23T12:00:00.001Z

love Fancy Pants... its another of those manufacturers that we carry the whole line for (and restock when it sells out - where possible of course!). They haven't disapointed us with four new collections... plus a new "Artist Edition" range....

Artist Edition

CHA Winter 2010 - Sneak Peek 8 - Glitz Designs

2010-01-23T10:00:00.003Z

Way back when, we stocked the first ever releases from Glitz Designs... they were ok. OK, they were a little different and they didn't sell so well. The papers were great quality (everyone said so!) but the designs were a bit lacklustre. Then..... the new Glitz products came out, some were ok, some were great... and even the great Tim Holtz used some Glitz products!

But now....? Well the latest releases are just so lovely... we've ordered them all!

First is Kismet.... fresh and distressed all at the same time!

Next is Vintage Love....

And next... is Distressed Couture.

As this sneak peek is a little short... I've included a couple of the gorgeous samples using these new products created by the Glitz Girls!

Kismet

Distressed Couture

Vintage Love

CHA Winter 2010 - Sneak Peek 7 - Teresa Collins

2010-01-23T08:00:00.012Z

There are four gorgeous new collections being released from the lovely Teresa Collins for CHA 2010! I love the quality of Teresa Collins products (I'm just a bit partial!) so all four of these ranges are tugging at my heart strings... or should that be purse strings?

Anyway... first up are the Chic Bebe collections... one for the boys and one for the girls... and there are nine papers in each collection, all double-sided so 18 designs per collection.

Chic Bebe Boy 12x12 Papers

Chic Bebe Boy Chipboard Accents

Chic Bebe Boy Alphabet Stickers

Chic Bebe Boy Clear Stamps

Chic Bebe Girl 12x12 Papers

Chic Bebe Girl Chipboard Accents

Chic Bebe Girl Alphabet Stickers

Chic Bebe Girl Clear Stamps

Next up we have the GORGEOUS Mr & Mrs collection... perfect for wedding albums, cards and mini-books and in timeless black and white! Personally I love it!

Mr & Mrs 12x12 Papers

Mr & Mrs Chipboard Accents

Mr & Mrs Alphabet Stickers

Flocked Chipboard Covers

Which look AMAZING when made into a mini-book like this Make & Take being run at CHA!

And last... but by no means least...'cos there's no place like home right? The final release from Teresa is Welcome Home. And once again it includes nine 12x12 papers....

Welcome Home 12x12 Paper

Welcome Home Chipboard Accents

Welcome Home Alphabet Stickers

Welcome Home Clear Stamps

There are also 12x12 transparancies to match the collections, just like this one below... but take a look at Teresa's sample layout using the transparancy ... totally gorgeous!

CHA Winter 2010 - Sneak Peek 6 - Cosmo Cricket

2010-01-22T20:00:00.006Z

There are three gorgeous new releases from Cosmo Cricket for 2010... and we got our order in early as we know how much everyone loves Cosmo!

There's also stickers and chipboard to match all the above ranges... plus these new Tiny Type Alphabet stickers!

CHA Winter 2010 - Sneak Peek 5 - My Little Shoebox

2010-01-22T18:00:00.001Z

here are six brand new releases from My Little Shoebox for CHA 2010. As you know, we are big fans of MLS and carry their entire range... and have since day one! I remember their first releases like it was just last month as they were so gorgeous! (We still carry them in stock if you are interested!)

So, fresh from MLS themselves, here are the latest offerings:-

CHA Winter 2010 - Sneak Peek 4 - Prima Marketing

2010-01-22T16:00:00.002Z

Five beautiful collections are being released from Prima Marketing for CHA Winter 2010.

As well as new "Say It In Pearls" sets, called Say It With Pearls & Roses in a variety of colours and styles:-

CHA Winter 2010 - Sneak Peek 3 - Tim Holtz Idea-ology

2010-01-22T13:56:00.003Z

Tom Holtz has really outdone himself this time with the latest releases of his Idea-ology line from Advantus Corp.

There are three 12x12 paper stacks to be released, and each stack contains 36 double-sided, cardstock weight, patterned papers. But rather than just containing 12x12 sheets, the stacks also contain 6x6 mini versions of the designs (4 on a sheet), 2x2 snippets (the entire 12x12 is shrunk to 2x2 inches) and sheets of atc sized designs and border strips...all in the same stack! So each stack is perfect for scrapbooking, mini-books, ATCs and altered art projects. Perfect!

Plus Tim has put pen to paper once again for a new book called "Compendium of Curiosities". This is a 77 page "how to create" book filled with ideas on every Idea-ology product Tim has designed.

There are also new releases of Tim's famous "bits and pieces", including new findings, such as:-

Locket Keys and Watch Faces

Ruler Ribbon and Memo Pins

Accoutrement Buttons - Curio Knobs

Adornment Charms and Foundation Box Feet

CHA Winter 2010 - Sneak Peek 2 - Tim Holtz Distress Inks

2010-01-22T13:30:00.001Z

Following on from Ranger Ink's current 24 colours of the popular Tim Holtz Distress Inks, twelve new colours have been releases for 2010.

CHA Winter 2010 - Sneak Peek 1 - Tim Holtz Stamps

2010-01-22T11:43:00.016Z

Well here are the first of the sneak peeks from the new CHA 2010 releases... and from the grungemeister himself!

Twelve new sets of Tim Holtz stamps from Stampers Anonymous!
(Click the images to see larger)

Happy New Year!

2010-01-21T19:07:00.003Z

Ok... so I am a little behind.

In fact I am a lot behind!

My November blogging never really got started before I was once again swamped and then December was a right off... I would like to say it was due to Christmas but that wasn't the case.

Still its a new year now and a new start for ScrapShed! We ran out of space in the middle of last year and have been struggling to get everything in a way that makes it easy to operate on a daily basis. So... First job was to remove *everything* from the Shed and pretty much start again... and so thats what happened.

With all that was going on at the end of last year, we didn't have much time to upload all the new stock that continued to arrive and so second job... sort out the stack of invoices and get the new stock online! Admittedly a lot of it came to various shows with us, so its not all bad but after 10 days, I have just two invoices left to get online! YAY! I think I have uploaded over 700 items in that time.

Anyway... the worst is over! There is light at the end of the tunnel! Stock is ready to go back onto the new new racking (2nd time we have had new racks) and then its just a little bit of counting to be done and we are ready to re-open with our MASSIVE Winter sale.

Just in time too, as we have been placing loads of orders for all the fabulous new CHA releases and there are some lovely new items being released this year! Can't wait! I shall be posting "Sneak Peaks" (Sneak Peeks? Sneek Peeks?... who knows!) over the next five days... so watch out for those!

Blogging at Breakfast

2009-11-02T08:10:00.000Z

Blogging for Scrapbookers - Day One

Today is day one of Shimelle's Blogging for Scrapbookers and I am going for the "little or no time" quick option... (you'll know what I'll mean if you are taking the course!)

I want to make sure I keep up with this class and so, for me, I think that is going to mean 'blogging at breakfast'.

I get up at 7am-ish every day (although right now its 6am-ish as I deliberately haven't put my watch back so I get the extra hour every day which allows me to get more done! - its psychological but it works!)

My days are pretty full and finding time to do anything is hard at the moment; but if I have the intention, I also need to find the time and so blogging while I eat my toast and drink my morning cuppa seems like a good routine at the moment.

I also need to set realistic and achievable goals (trying to be a good student!), so here we go...

To maintain and update the blog as regularly as possible,

...with useful news, information and inspiration

...which is fun to read.

To make blogging

...and daily life journaling/scrapbooking part of my life, in someway.

If you are also taking Shimelle's Blogging class and have popped over to read my blog... thanks so much for taking the time... its much appreciated. I am really looking forward to reading all your blogs in the coming weeks too!

Blog Mission #1

2009-10-25T17:06:00.002Z

OK I have started on the road to blogdom with Shimelle and have decided that my blog needs to be much prettier! I like the three columns but need to make me funkier...

So my "Blog To Do List..." looks like this so far:-

1. Make Blog Prettier

I'm sure this will get longer....

Drawing a line...

2009-10-21T15:35:00.005+01:00

Ok so I have just signed for Shimelle's new online scrapbooking class for bloggers and decided to breathe new life into this old blog.

I started it almost two years ago, after already running another for two years before that, and then never really had the time to keep it up but I miss the opportunity of using the blog facilities!

Just read back through the old posts (all four of them LOL) and laughed when I saw the last post from Feb 2008 said "we are thinking of doing shows..." I found it funny as in the 18 months since that post we have done 8 shows as well as running the online store full time. So perhaps that's why THAT was my last post! Soon as we decided to do it, we did it and had time for not a lot else!

Anyway, so see that below... that big fat line..? That's a line drawn under the old blog and I'm getting ready to start anew... with Shimelle's help of course!

~~~~~THE BIG FAT LINE!~~~~~

Oh Gawd...

2008-02-12T08:24:00.001Z

...we are thinking of starting to do shows - you know Ally Pally and such like.

We have the racks etc its just if I/we (mainly *I* it has to be said) have the energy and time.... watch this space!

Am I a blogger?

2008-02-05T09:32:00.002Z

I am so remiss at blogging! Perhaps its more to do with the fact that I have no time... none at all! If I am not checking in the boxes of (lush!) stock that arrive daily, I am uploading stock to the website (and all that entails!) and if I am not doing that, then I'll be packing orders.

Actually, that's usually the bulk of my day; packing orders I mean, well at least 9am - 4pm anyway. Of course if we have tons of orders, packing parcels can easily be 6am-8pm!

Peeps are always surprised how long it takes to pack one order, I mean its not like grabbing one book of the shelf and popping it into an envelope! I've had a number of lovely peeps work here over the past 4 years and, on average, it takes me 15-20 mins to pack one order but thats because I know where everything is! Some orders; the ones with 40-50 different items, can take much longer, even over an hour! I had an order once, that took 2.5 hours to pack - mind it was HUGE!

But even with the average of 20 mins an order... in a 8 hour day, thats only 24 orders sent out... which is often a lot less than we receive! And that's if all parcels take 20 mins!

Right... back to the parcels!

Visitors to the Shed!

2008-01-26T22:01:00.004Z

'The Shed' became a reality, rather than just a name late last year - long story that was on another blog somewhere... LOL... and now we can have visitors to come and shop! We have had a few lovely scrappers come and visit and today was the turn of Ann, who regularly designs for us.

Ann took some photos of the shed for her blog, so thought I should add them here too!

OOO More New Stock!

2008-01-18T16:31:00.000Z

...loads more stock arrived today, more of the fabulous Fancy Pants 12x12 stamps (expensive - but you get a lot for your money!) plus the new ranges from Collage Press - Grayson Hall and Margot - both really lovely! Plus all the really useful Journaling Cards too.