Chocolate Fudge Cake...

Life never stands still!

BUSY does not even come close to describing the product agenda I have been managing at Design Objectives. We have so much launching this year that I barely get time to nibble at a rivita (could be because they taste like core'dinations cardstock) or lick some chocolate fudge cake. Plus there was a whole lot of doom and gloom which I didn't want to get pulled into. Craft is rocking... card making, scrapbooking, jewellery making, knitting, sewing... FYI it is so en vogue to DIY ;)

So issue 3 of Creativity Life is out - and still I get emails from loads of readers who want it more regularly, and better distribution... so next issue we have sorted something out ;) I am loving the look and feel of it - seems to have evolved into quite a neat little bundle. (...and you wonder why I don't get to blog ;)

I have a favour though! I *need* your comments and feedback on the REALLY USEFUL BOX range of products. If anyone out there has ever bought some, please leave comments on WHAT you use them for, and WHY they are good/great/pants!

Lastly, there is a really special TSV airing next Friday (17th April) - might get a giveaway set for one lucky blog follower...

Becks xxxx

We lost one....

One of our apprentices has gone... See HERE!! :(

Well done for even reaching the apprentice selections... and we are sorry to see you go!

Challenge 2 is up for voting - so make sure your fav doesn't get the boot!! (BTW I voted JLS just for a change... and Tom on strictly ;)

Christmas is creeping up... {and winners!}

OK.

I have been hit by the Christmas magic. You know when you *think* you will have enough time to do everything on your never ending list - but then end up waking in a cold sweat, panicking that there is someone you have forgotten to buy for, and that you have run out of wrapping paper, mincemeat and the will to endure another week of jingle bells... WHERE does December go?!!

Anyways, I will announce the winners of all the previous Wednesday winners this week before hanging up my blog boots for the festive few weeks so I can sit back and relax before JANUARY and trade show season hit BIG TIME!! January beckons with CHA sneak peaks, Frankfurt Paperworld, Stitches (UK) and more... busy, busy, busy.

So Merry Christmas's are coming your way - and blog winners KIM (the Imagepac winner), Pam, Twinklyspangle, Gayle, Jozza, Lynsey and Martine... all send me your addresses so I can post your goodies in time to be be flung under your Christmas Tree!! xxx

P.S. See you on QVC (22nd December) at 12pm (aka noon) for an hour of CL crafting!! Some great new brands, great prices and some festive cheer. It is craft day, so expect to see We R Memory Keeper's Andrew Hiller as well as our very own CLUR (Clare Curd) for a full hour of Papermania!!

Online inspiration... budge over printed mags!

The trend is definitely not a new one... with the likes of docrafts.co.uk focus on "projects, projects, projects" attracting approx 225,000 crafters (they identified the opportunity early...) SO with craftbubble.com's launch (see yesterday's post) as well as fiskars.com launching their own e-cards...both promoting their online inspiration - do we really still love to sit down with a printed magazine?

Digital Scrapbooking (US publication) seems to think not, as it closed it's doors and went whole heartedly online only (click link for online issue: LINK.) Not the first mag to bite the dust on newsstand shelves, but definitely not the last. Both Scrapbook & Cards and Craft Life & Home both launched as dual purpose publications... serving the instant fix online and then delivering a hand held hunk of love to leaf through.

Interestingly no-one really gets excited about downloadable magazines. There is something a little remote about them, that leaves us tactical crafters wanting... We are after all in the business of touching and feeling. We may shop online in our millions - but we still get a little giddy when we walk into a craft shop. In this heightened state of euphoria sniffing paper is certainly permissible...

Already the new price point for Creativity Life (now only a credit busting £2) is proving that crafters desire a little touchy feely indulgence to flick through... BUT we fickle fashionetas are STILL looking for a quick fix online to stave off scrappers block. We want the best of both worlds (what woman doesn't?!!) and lucky for us, someone is out to deliver whatever we wish for...

So whizz around the online world of inspiration, then grab a mug on the sofa and cuddle up with a great magazine. The perfect chilly Thursday therapy.

Becks xxx

Reader's Gallery CALL OUT

Issue 3 of Creativity Life is underway - and the Readers Gallery is all about WEATHER & OUTDOORS. So please please email me your layouts (a pic of them is fine) and we will be selecting from our emails the layouts we would love to print!
With every layout which is printed, you receive a free copy of the magazine!!
Deadline: December 15th


We are also looking for a new *COVER GIRL*


One reader last issue emailed us her gorgeous photo - and won 3 layouts which our Design Team worked on for the front cover shot. So this next issue we are looking for a new COVER GIRL (or family!!) Ideally eyes looking right down the camera... and a really fresh Spring feel ;) Email me with your jpg photos (high res will be requested) and we will be selecting the winning shot to make you a front page star!!
Deadline: December 1st

Becks xx

Jet Lag and QVC Countdown...

I am in that thick *fug* they call Jet Lag... where you feel like there is a time delay in your brain, the world is spinning, and everyone seems to be talking a little too loud and fast. The extra hour in bed was redundant, as I was awake and ticking from the wee small hours. Despite it all, it is GOOD to be home!

So the countdown - less than 24 hours, and it is QVC pour moi. Am I nervous? Heck yes... who wouldn't be?! I have some really gorgeous kits... all designer labels ;) I have a list as long as my arm of friends I would love to say hello to (so if I don't get a chance I am thinking of you all!) We also have 5 copies of the brand new issue of Creativity Life (signed by myself and Anthony Heywood) to giveaway to callers... so if you want a FREE copy be sure to phone ;)

Monday Madness will be back next week - and Wednesday Wishes will be back this week (as it is a certain little girl's birthday and we are all off to see High School Musical 3 ;) So stay tuned...

Scrapbook Apprentice D-DAY

Decision Day.

Deadline Day has passed. It ended with a massive flurry of entries piling into my inbox, and so much to choose from!! I think you are going to be surprised by who and how we have whittled down all the hundreds of entries to just a mere 12... as I am not looking for the finished article! That is the whole point of an apprentice - I want a blank canvas, almost. Someone who has something that you can't quite put your finger on...

So the BIG UNVEIL will be on November 1st - inside the magazine, and also online (www.creativitylife.com/www.creativitylifemag.blogspot.com) We will post ALL the layouts and CV for each successful candidate... and then the real hard work begins.

Challenges will arrive each month, and YOU get a voice in WHO STAYS... and WHO GOES! Each month we lose one candidate, and it will all be online for you to participate in ;)

...the search continues!

Monday Money Saving Bargains...

Question: What is better than a magazine for £2.50?! {this is NOT a trick question...}

Answer: How about a totally botox'd mag for £2?!! PLUS 4 *FREE* (it's the magic number) papers from designer label We R Memory Keepers... sneaks to follow ;)

Money Savers Spotted:

• Crafts Beautiful & my fav stamp company "PaperArtsy" have put together an exclusive Christmas kit packed with stamps, papers and little gold stars. The 25 papers feature five new double-sided patterns that have been especially designed for Crafts Beautiful. The kit also contains a total of 28 rubber stamps, each mounted on EZ mount foam and ready for use. Also included is a sheet of gold embellishments from the stylish German Scrap range - perfect for all your Christmas projects.
  Pack value £50. Special Offer Price £24.99 ...I know t isn't Wish Granted Wednesdays... but I have 5 sets of papers to *giveaway FOC*. Just leave a comment about what you lurve about Paperarsty... and Marcus Poly Pants will pick at random 5 winners!
• BOOKMARK this great (non-craft) saving site - www.madaboutbargains.co.uk
• Save 10% if you sign up for the Handy Hippo Newsletter HERE
• Glitter Glue on offer
• K&CO on offer
• Great all-rounder Tool Kit on offer
  Another stateside goodie... HERE

Bargains for anyone on a budget from HP...

• Great savings on Original HP Ink combos
  Buy one, get one half price (notebooks & printers)

Spotted a bargain at your local craft shop - leave a comment, and share the savings... Happy Monday!

Becks xxx

Creativity Life 2 ...spoiler!

I can't *really* say SPOTTED... when I have been working on this, and obviously have the inside (and outside) scoop...!!

This is the "NEW LOOK" Creativity Life! The inside totally rocks (eek I am bias ;) Some great new editions... and faces (very excited about the 5 page spread annoucing our 12 Scrapbook Apprentice Candidates it's a MUST READ!!!)

Will be giving some of these away when it is out... to get your feedback. SO stay tuned!

Becks xxxx

Eye Spy...

Oh my word...

I have just signed off some stella stuff from a new supplier for 2009. They are actually *long time* mates of mine, and are creating some brilliant booty for our January Promotion, under the Papermania banner. You are sooooo gunna love 'em (if I tell you there are 12 to collect and you will so be drooling over them all... is that too much info too soon?) Sneaks will follow in December - but before then I get shot!

Some days I *love* my job (there are other days when I just like - not love - like it...) I am getting excited as I have a few trips planned for later in the year (all in the name of bringing you fashion forward gadgets and goodies...) We also have a new partner from another longstanding company I have worked with - details to be announced in Jan!!

Other industry gossip (not really news until it is confirmed) but it looks like the company I started and left last year (ScrapGenie) may not be long for this world. It is always sad to see the industry lose a competitor, because competition means choice for the consumer. I am sure with a tough global market that this will not be the only company to feel the pinch... and the face of scrapbooking (even in the US) is changing!!

On a positive note, Creativity Life has just signed up with a new publisher - so we are moving the furniture... next issue is a blinder! Scrapbook Apprentice is hotting up; and some contestants have already been short listed - so don't miss out on the opportunity to get PAID for doing what you love!! You have to be IN IT TO WIN IT ;)

I *need* your photos!

We are hot on the heels of issue 1, working on the covershot for Creativity Life numero duo. (I am seriously jumping up and down with glee since bezzy mate Holly McCaig said issue 1 was wicked... How mind blowingly *hip* would it be to get her in the mag?!!) SORRY - I digress...! Still a little "star struck" ;)

Anyways, I NEED you to submit your best Christmas shots, as I am currently searching for my front cover gal (or boy, family, dog, cat... or Christmas tree ;) Send your high res photos to me HERE and the winning shot will be credited, and the featured finished cover layout sent to you (all the hard work is done by us, and you can sit back and relish at least one great layout without labour!)

DEADLINE: September 1st... so get submitting!

Small Print:
We will contact the winning photographer via email and include it on our cover for issue 2.
By submitting your photo, you are allowing us to use it in print and promotional activity, and your photo must be your own artwork.
The winner will receive a complete layout and a free issue of their featured cover shot.

We are also teaming up with CANON in issue 2 to bring you a pretty special competition... so watch this space!

Want to be our next Scrapbook Apprentice and be PAID to design? Enter our comp today and fight for your chance to be put through your paces!!

Playing with the website...

We (this is the 'royal' we - meaning NOT me ;) have been playing with www.creativitylife.com/ and have added a new download - free sketches. We are also busy uploading our gallery content ready for launch... and so keep watching this space! I have some exciting news... but will have to wait to share it ;)

New video available HERE all about that crazy cool flocking powder and Stick With It transfers from Doodlebug. Have to say that I am utterly hooked on those wee bottles... and I have a set to just *look* at, as well as the full size babies to use... a girl can simply not have enough!!

Counting down...

Tuesday will see the launch of both a brand new magazine... and a website (www.creativitylife.com) I am all for sneak peaks.. so here is a look at the front page ;) The features are just getting uploaded on Monday... so men with tech heads are busy ferreting away to prep it for lift off.

Fingers crossed!!!

Do you have a Scrapbook CLUB?

I have the wonderful task of collating lists of clubs for the new Creativity Life BLOG... and so need your help (I sound like Dora the Explorer here...) If you have a club you want featuring send me all the details... right down to the dates, times, costs (if any) and contacts... I want to know it all!!!

We will start featuring clubs in future issues of Creativity Life... so start sending details ;)

Creativity Life... spoiler!

I could give you just a wee spoiler or I could give you the full monty... and never one to avoid indulgence I have for your viewing pleasure the front cover of the *new* magazine hitting shelves on July 1st!

Make sure your store has them in stock - as it will sell for a mere £2.50 (leaving more cash for stash...) It includes a plethora *word appreciation moment of projects, news, gossip, inspiration and a few tongue in cheek editorial bits (I could not resist!)

We have a new BLOG - http://www.creativitylifemag.blogspot.com/ which we will start to play with... and the website (which will include some fun new stuff) is due to launch end of June/beginning of July.

So much to do... so little time!

Bank Holiday.... breather!

I have unwrapped my last Core'dinations paper rack... straightened my last peg with BasicGrey rub-ons on.... and stroked my last flocked patterned paper sheet from Doodlebug (well - at least as a DO roadie ;)

I have hung up my car keys and am passing the mantle of 'enthusiast' with a pen and clipboard to Beckie Dreyer for the finale Edinburgh show next week. I will be knee high in pages to approve for Creativity Life issue 1 instead, and whilst I have loved to be with the team; I am soooooo looking forward to you all seeing this magazine...

<<<<<< Sneak Peak at our new website...!!!


The website will launch with FREE downloads, and some special exclusives {details to follow} and the techy brains behind it, are working hard (no breaks or food and water allowed) to make it look and feel a little *special*... not one peel off in sight ;)

I should sheepishly admitting to admiring a CLUR CURD card that had a peel off on it. BUT in my defense, she had hidden it (so sly) beneath a coloured permanent ink that made it look like a glossy black embossed edging. That is why she does what she does... to catch craft snobs like me out ;)


Enjoy the long weekend!
Becks xx

...what ARE we up to?

What are we up to... you will have to tune into issue 1 of Creativity Life to see!!

Becks xxxx

Coming Soon...

I will let you have a wee sneak next week... but our *new* mag is out in the May issue of Creativity! You will get 4 pages of unadulterated scrapping... with a little hint of what is to come in our fully fledged premier issue, out July 1st! If you are chomping at the bit, you can grab copies in stores from May 1st, or even log onto creativity.co.uk (launching soon!!) with a FREE DOWNLOAD option...