Week 2 Kit now available!

The theme for week two is "Flashback"

Take us back in time. Maybe to your younger years, or maybe a great old picture from the attic. Or even from grandma’s attic! Maybe it’s a picture of mom in the ‘60s, Grandpa in the ‘20s, Great-grandma in the 1800's, or you in the ’80s!! Scrap a memory in time.”

You can pick up the new (oh so beautiful kit) here in the store. For the Week 2 Kit, Nikki Beaudreau, Faith True & Kasia Designs from Shabby Pickle Designs have teamed up with Cafe J & Lily Designs from After 5 Designs. All registered contestants will automatically receive the kit at a 50% discount.



This kit is not required for your themed entry, though it has been designed to coordinate with the theme, so you may want to consider using it (especially at 50% off!) ;) It is, however, required for the optional bonus round.

Instructions:

*Remember: We encourage you to use your own photos in your entries. Each week's theme has been carefully chosen so that the photo you use can be generic. You may wish to choose photos that will not reveal your identity (i.e. photos of you or your children that the judges may recognize). However, that being said, scrapping is first and foremost about your memories, so use any photo that calls to you.*

*Following the 'Flashback' theme, create your layout (layouts may be 12x12 or 8.5x11). Think carefully of what you want to express, and put time and care into your work.

*This week, all entries will be posted in the After Five Galleries. We have an advanced and beginner level for entries. If you wish to enter the beginner level, post your layout for week 2 here. You must enter the same level each week, so choose carefully. The prizes for the beginner level will not be as big as the prizes listed, but they will be similar. If you are just starting out, or are not on a lot of CTs, you may wish to enter this category.

*Advanced entries should be posted here. If you have been scrapping for a year or more, or are on one or more CTs, you will probably want to enter this level to compete for the top prizes.

Remember to login with your anonymous number in the forums before posting (forum logins are tied with gallery logins)!!

You may begin posting your layouts today, March 30. Entries may be posted through Friday, April 3, 11:59pm CST. The galleries will then be closed. Remember that if you do not enter each week by the deadline, you will be disqualified.

Bonus layouts can be anything you wish. There is no level categories for bonus entries. Bonus layouts must be 100% with the week's themed kit. Layouts that do not use 100% of the kit will be deleted. You may enter as many layouts in the bonus round as you wish. Each layout gives you a chance for the random-draw prize each week. Post bonus round entries here.

Good luck!

Week 2: Flashback!

This weeks theme is "Flashback":

Bring us back a while. Maybe to your younger years, maybe a great old picture from the attic, or even from grandma's attic!

The kit for this week will be available in the SPD Boutique on Monday, along with complete instructions. We will post again then with a link to the kit.

You do not have to have the kit to do your themed layout, but you will need it for the bonus rounds. You can see the official rules here. Do not log into the store with your registration number. Just log in as usual and you will get the discount on the kit.

Also, due to server issues, please note that the deadline for Week 1 entries has been extended by 1 day. Please get those entries in by midnight tonight!

A sneek peek of the kit:

Last Day for Week 1 Entries!

Contestants, don't forget that today is the last day to submit your week 1 entries! If you do not participate each week, you will be disqualified and removed from the discount list. Get those submissions in by midnight tonight!

FAQ: Questions & Answers

Q: How do I re-register in the forums with the number you gave me?

A: If you are already registered in either forum, you will need to log out of the forums in order to re-register. Click the logout button then click again on "register." Register with your anonymous number as your username and a different email address than you are using now. Any secondary email will be fine, as we will not use that email to contact you. We will use your email that you have on your shoppe account to contact you, so make sure THAT email is valid.

Q: Does the 75% need to be current site product, or can we use older product from the designers featured at these sites?

A: It can be any product that was once sold or is currently sold at either A5D or SPD by any of the permanent designers. You may not use product from guests or from designers that are no longer in the shoppe. The other 25% may come from any other source, including yourself.

Q: May we use kits from the Guest Designers Kits? Also charity kits such as Artemia?

A: Only products from current, permanent designers of either store may be used. Products from guests, collab kits, and charity kits cannot count toward the 75%.

Q: In general, how do you feel about items on the layouts that are made by the contestant? (For example, word art, or using papers we've created.) I'm thinking mostly of the bonus round, where 100% of the items on the layout should be from the kit.

A: Layouts for the bonus round MUST be 100% from the week's kit. Nothing else, not even anything you made yourself.

Q: Is it possible to quit in the middle of the contest in case work gets in the way?

A: Yes, you may quit at any time. However, you must complete all 6 weeks to be eligible for any prizes.

Q: Those of us that can't participate in the contest can still play along and post for fun, right?

A: Of course you may! We encourage you to do so! However, the galleries for the contest will be for registered contestants only. You may post your layouts in any other gallery.

Q: Can we post more than one layout for each week's challenge?

A: You may submit ONLY ONE layout for each themed week's entry. However, you may submit as many as you like for the bonus round. Each layout you submit for the bonus round will be an extra chance to win the week's random draw.

Q: What about Easter? I want to join, but I'm away for Easter holiday.

A: You must complete each week to be eligible. Each week's theme will be up ahead of time and you will have a week to complete the entry. You may need to work ahead a bit to compensate for any time you will be away.

Q: Styles are just as much of a dead giveaway. I'm not worried about people figuring out which number I am. My style is just so odd, that it's silly for me to try to hide behind one. Any ideas about this?

A:Unfortunately, this cannot be avoided. However, not all the judges may recognize you. The anonymous number system is the best we could come up with. You should be true to yourself and your style!

Q: In order to receive the 50% discount on the kit of the week, do we log in to the store and use our 'normal' user/password or do we use out 'secret number'?

A: You should use your normal login. You do not have to re-register in the shoppe with your number. Re-registration is only necessary in the forums.

Q: Which gallery do we need to post our entry layouts to? A5D or SPD?

A: The entries will be posted in the galleries of the site hosting the current week's theme. The schedule is as follows:

Week 1: After Five Designs
Week 2: Shabby Pickle Designs
Week 3: After Five Designs
Week 4: Shabby Pickle Designs
Week 5: After Five Designs
Week 6: Shabby Pickle Designs

Q: If you have my name and number on file and are also judging, doesn't that defeat the purpose of the anonymous number system?

A: The only person with access to your number and name is our tech help person, and he will not be a judge during any week.

Q: Can we journal on our bonus entries? Is that counted against the 100% rule?

A: You absolutely may journal! After all, that's what scrapping is about. Feel free to use your favorite fonts for your journaling.

Q: Can we post our layouts on our blog or in other galleries?

A: Please do not post your layout anywhere else until the contest is over. That could give away your identity.

Q: Can we use no photo if we choose?

A: Photos are not required, as long as the theme requirements are met.

Q: Can we use the same layout in the bonus round as we used in the themed entry?

A: You may not use the same layout for both entries. Please create a separate layout for the bonus round.

Q: Is the 50% discount good only on release day?

A: The discount is valid for the duration of the contest for ALL of the weekly kits.

Q: Can we use stock photos?

A: Although we encourage using your own photos, we allow you to use stock photos if you wish. You may want to do this for anonymous purposes.

Q: Are scraplifts allowed?

A: Scraplifts are not allowed. We want to see your original work!

Q: Can I do my journaling in my own language?

A: Yes! Please use your own language to journal, as long as you provide an English translation in the description.

Week 1: It's So Me!

The theme for week one is "It's So Me"

Not for an all-about-me page persay, it is about the thing that people know you for. When they see this, they think of you: something that could describe you. You always wear fab shoes, or sprout the coolest hair styles. You're obsessed with a color and everyone knows it. You always say a certian word... things like that. This kit contains all the things you need to make a page that is so you!

You can pick up the new (oh so beautiful kit) here in the store. For the Week 1 Kit, Cinnamon Designs and K Studio from AFter Five Designs have joined Edeline Designs, Holly Designs, and Newlife Dreams from Shabby Pickle Designs. All registered entrants will automatically receive the kit at a 50% discount.



This kit is not required for your themed entry, though it has been designed to coordinate with the theme, so you may want to consider using it (especially at 50% off!) ;) It is, however, required for the optional bonus round.

Instructions:

*Remember: We encourage you to use your own photos in your entries. Each week's theme has been carefully chosen so that the photo you use can be generic. You may wish to choose photos that will not reveal your identity (i.e. photos of you or your children that the judges may recognize). However, that being said, scrapping is first and foremost about your memories, so use any photo that calls to you.*

*Following the 'It's So Me' theme, create your layout (layouts may be 12x12 or 8.5x11). Think carefully of what you want to express, and put time and care into your work.

*This week, all entries will be posted in the After Five Galleries. We have an advanced and beginner level for entries. If you wish to enter the beginner level, post your layout for week 1 here. You must enter the same level each week, so choose carefully. The prizes for the beginner level will not be as big as the prizes listed, but they will be similar. If you are just starting out, are not on a lot of CTs, you may wish to enter this category.

*Advanced entries should be posted here. If you have been scrapping for a year or more, or are on one or more CTs, you will probably want to enter this level to compete for the top prizes.

Remember to login with your anonymous number in the forums before posting (forum logins are tied with gallery logins)!!

You may begin posting your layouts today, March 23. Entries may be posted through Friday, March 27, 11:59pm CST. The galleries will then be closed. Remember that if you do not enter each week by the deadline, you will be disqualified.

Bonus layouts can be anything you wish. There is no level categories for bonus entries. Bonus layouts must be 100% with the week's themed kit. Layouts that do not use 100% of the kit will be deleted. You may enter as many layouts in the bonus round as you wish. Each layout gives you a chance for the random-draw prize each week.

Schedule for Week 1:
Kit Available Monday 3-23
Contestants Upload to Gallery: Mon 3-23 - Fri 3-27
Judging: Sat 3-28 - Mon 3-30
Public Vote: Mon 3-30

Can not wait to see the gallery full of some fantastic new layouts!! Let's get this party started!!!

Registration Open!

We are now accepting registrations for those who are eligible to participate. Registration deadline is March 21st.

Please fill out the registration form here.

Good luck!

Official Rules:

Information:

• All entrants will be asked to complete one layout a week, according to a specific theme, which will change weekly.
  
• Each week, a kit will be made available by the participating stores and will accompany the week's theme.
  
• Each week will be hosted alternately by the stores, starting with After Five Designs, and ending with Shabby Pickle Designs.
  
• Contest participants will receive 50% off the price of each week's kit.
  
• While purchase of the kit is not required, all layouts must be 75% A5D and/or SPD product.
  
• Entries will be judged weekly by a panel of pre-determined judges.
  The judges will consist each week of both store owners. Additionally, one designer and one CT member from each store will be invited each week, as well as two special guest judges.
  
• The top entries each week will then be presented for public judging.
  
• While no entrant will be eliminated, the winner(s) of the public vote will receive extra points.
  
• At the end of the 6 weeks, the top 3 entrants with the most points will be awarded prizes.
  

Bonus Round:

• Each week, there will be an additional, optional bonus round.
  
• Bonus rounds will be free-form, and have no theme.
  
• Layouts for the bonus round must be done 100% with the week's collab kit (excluding journaling).
  
• Winners each week will be chosen at random.
  

Rules:

• All contestants must participate each week for the 6-week duration to be eligible.
  
• All layouts must conform to the specific week's theme.
  
• All layouts each week must be completed by the deadline to be eligible for voting.
  
• Entries for the themed contest cannot be used in the bonus rounds.
  
• Bonus rounds are optional, and do not have to be entered each week.
  
• Entrants must be registered at both www.afterfivedesigns.com and www.shabbypickledesigns.com to be eligible.
  
• Posting of layouts will be in special assigned galleries of each site, and will alternate each week.
  
• Site CT members of either site are ineligible to participate (personal CT members of the individual designers may participate).
  
• Rude or unsportsman-like comments will not be allowed on entry postings.
  
• All rules, prizes, and specifications subject to change.
  

Coming Soon...