Welcome to my third instalment here on the Aussie Scrapping Blog - Creative Communiqué. (You might like to go back and read the first two instalments - Stepping Stones and Funky Finds - Alice Fettling.)

From what I can tell mushrooms are the new owls – popping up in our crafting every where – and why not they are just too cute. This week I have gathered together some of my favourite mushroom images and found for you lots of fun tutorials too.

These little toadstool sisters (above) are actually what started me thinking about the mushroom phenomenon that is happening right now. Designed by the incredibly creative Erna who I had the pleasure of being with in a Children’s swap (well my girls did) that had been run by Mel Goodsell. Her work is truly delightful as you can see - but don’t take my word for it, pop over to her blog.

Moving right along to home décor - these glittery embroidered mushies (above) were found over at my favourite haunt - anthropologie - and as they say on site there - "Bright stitching, vibrant embroidery and a colourful print add a dash of happy to any tree." Totally what my tree will need – a dash of happy!

(Read on...)

Inspired Blueprints is currently looking for a team of talented designers.

Duties:

• Create fortnightly layouts based on the sketches provided.
• Meet deadlines for submitting layouts.
• Participate in our online community.
• Opportunities to provide prototype layouts for new sketches, however this is not an essential requirement.
• Term is from Jan-Apr 2009.

Perks:

• Opportunity to be part of the newest, upcoming sketch blog.
• You may get to work with sponsor products from time to time.

How To Apply:

Choose one of our sketches and give us your take on it. We really want to see what you can do!

Also include in your application:

• Name, address & email address
• Link to your blog or online gallery
• Details of any DTs you are currently on 

Send your application to inspiredblueprints@gmail.com by no later than 30th Nov 2008. (Please put "DESIGNER CALL" as your email subject and let us know which sketch your layout is based on.) New designers will be notified by 5th Dec 2008.

Everyone loves a freebie, don't they?! And how good are free instructions to make beautiful crafts??! Love them!

If you agree, then you'll love the free project section of Lincraft's website!

There are 28 different project sheets in the Scrapbooking and Card making section alone! There are cards, scrapbook pages, mini albums, off the page projects, invitations, and even canvases!

(Read on...)

Do you have a digital camera? Since I got mine a few years back I’ve gone from taking lots of photos to TONS of photos. How do you keep your digital shots organised? Are you an unload and forget sort of girl or do you have some sort of process you run through when you are at the computer?

I’ve been tweaking my photo organisation lately and thought I’d share a few of the steps that help me keep my gazillions of photo files under some sort of control.

(Read on for more…)

Even though I have been travelling around London and am currently in Wales which is my birthplace, it hasn't stopped me from continuing to run things from this end of the world - (with my hubbie's help of course). Isn't the internet a wonderful thing? Blogging this trip has been a lot of fun as I find using the internet very interactive, friends and family can see what I am up to more or less as it happens.  Plus I can add pictures and links to interesting places we have visited. You can check out my travel blog here.

What’s New In Store? - You can see our gorgeous November Inspirational kits featuring CherryArte His and Hers Basics paper and rub-ons (see right). There are three kits to choose from to suit your budget. The Ultimate Scrapper pack comes a wonderful assortment of embellishments such as brads, flowers and ribbons, stickers and much more - plus if you purchase this pack you will receive a Hot Off The Press Swirly Doodles Template for free.  For more information see here.

The new Christmas Range is in store from Carolees' Creations so start making those Chrissy cards now as these papers are perfect for cards.  Also we have a huge range of Christmas Brads and themed Christmas Ribbon. Choose from "Believe", "Santa and Me", "Naughty or Nice", "Our Little Elves".

Sale 30% Off Storewide - We need to clear stock and of course make room for more, so until the end of November everything in store will be discounted by 30%.

Newsletter - Why not subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates on new products, tips and techniques, product reviews and step by step project ideas, plus be first to see great specials and the monthly freebie product.  This month's monthly freebie is a Maya Road Chipboard Heart Album. See store for details...Scrap Of Your Life

'Til next time...Julie

Living Creatively is currently running a competition with a prize of a $150 voucher to spend on anything!

So what do you have to do? Make a handmade Christmas ornament. It can be sewn, knitted, crocheted, collaged, painted, drawn...and I'm sure a scrapbooked ornament would qualify too!

The ornament must be your own original design...made completely from scratch. The judges are looking for...

"We’re looking for contemporary, stylish and beautiful handcrafted Christmas ornaments. The winning entry will be judged on vision, execution, creativity and beauty."

You can enter as many times. To enter send an email with:

• 2 or 3 images of your design along with a brief description
• your name, phone number & email address

to community@livingcreatively.com.au.

Entries close on 12th Dec 2008 and the winner will be announced on 15th Dec 2008.

Read all the details here.

Good luck! :)

SCRAP GIRLS MAY RETREAT

With such an overwhelming response to our SCRAP GIRLS March Budget Cropfest we decided to hold another one just 6 weeks later - YAY!!!!! We are so excited to do this all over again.
The only difference is, we are headed to a new location.

We so hope you can make it- it's going to be GREAT! We have so many exciting things planned for this retreat.

MAY 2009
Budget Conscious CROPFEST
30th April - 3rd May 2009
Long Point Conference Centre, Long Point - South Western Sydney
Price - see below for our package options
Theme - WonderMUM
Don’t miss out!!!

The team at Scrap Girls know that times are tough and finding the time and money to get away and do what you love is hard. That is why we have come up with "The Budget Conscious CROPFEST".

(read on...)

We still have some Divalicious Kits available in store now at $35.00 this is great value.

For Christmas the Divas Designers have put together some great gift ideas in a kit. One is a hanging frame and the other a clock. These kits come with instructions as well and can be found here.

Newly arrived this week is Crate Paper Mia Collection and coming soon some new papers from Kaisercraft.

Our last Cybercrop for the year will be on Friday 5th December and if you bring a friend along and they complete one or more of the challenges you will go in the draw to win $20.00 Diva Dollars to spend! For registration please click here

Big news recently in the scrapbooking industy is that the parent company of Creative Memories has applied for protection under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code.

Chapter 11 allows businesses to re-structure and continue as a going concern (as opposed to Chapter 7 of the US Bankruptcy Code which governs liquidation or the winding up of a company including sale of assets and payment of debts).

You can read the press release here:

http://www.ibtimes.com/prnews/20081113/mn-creative-memories.htm

Or this article is quite comprehensive too:

http://www.sctimes.com/article/20081114/BUSINESS/111140028

I also found an really interesting article (below) that has a bit of Creative Memories history and a timeline of events leading up to the Chapter 11 application here:

http://www.sctimes.com/article/20081114/NEWS01/111140029

Creative Memories is putting a brave face on things, saying that no employees will be lost etc...but the fact remains that filing for Chapter 11 indicates they can't currently pay their debts.

We've had indications of downturn in the scrapbooking industry prior to this, lots of smaller scrapbooking businesses shutting up shop here and there, however an event on the Creative Memories scale is probably a warning sign of things to come in 2009.