Ooooh! What a day it was! Truly one of the highlights of the year for us … … as we hope it was for all of you who took time off your busy schedules to come celebrate our 4th birthday with us at this most eventful crop party where we cropped like mad, shopped till we almost dropped, and went through a roller-coaster of emotions!!! All good!!!

We would have reeeeeally loved to have been able to have every single one of you who were keen to attend the crop at the party but it is unfortunately physically impossible to do so, sadly.

But, what a sight it was as we dorned our metallic party hats and got settled into our scrapping … …

Hand-made goody bags specially designed by Anne-Marie who painstakingly stamped, embossed and hand-wrote on ALL 22 goody bags which contained metal embellishments from Creative Imaginations, Prima flowers and Foof-fa-laa buttons … … everygreen stuff we just can’t do without as scrappers!

But that was not all, scrap goodies sponsored by manufacturers were given out throughout the crop to all crop attendees who finished each scrapbook project … … and boy was this by far the most productive crop in the history of Made With Love!!!

Reprising a little game we played at our 1st Anniversary celebrations … … each time a scrapper completed a scrap project, she would have to yell “I’m soooo full of love!!!” and wear this heart on a ribbon chain (designed by Kelly) that’s been modelled by my lil one Lucas in the pix below!  The scrapper would then be entitled to select an embellishment from any 1 of the 3 trays laden with embellishments kindly sponsored by manufacturers such as Making Memories, Around The Block, Prima, Technique Tuesday, 7 gypsies, American Crafts and Love, elsie by Ki Memories.

But there was more, we also reprised the game, “When Family Calls” … … with this game, each time my mobile phone rang and if the caller was a member of my family, the scrapper wearing the “heart” at that point in time would automatically be given a scrap kit worth over $50.  And there were 4 to be given away that day!!!

And oh how we scrapped …

… and scrapped …

… and scrapped …

… and scrapped …

… and WON! … :)

… and scrapped ….

… and WON!!! … :)

… and WON!!! …. :)

… and scrapped …

… and WON!!! …. :)

… and scrap like there was no tomorrow they did…

And these are just a sample of snapshots we got of some of the winners … LOs were being churned out here, there and everywhere … at times … some scrappers only got to wear the “heart” for less than 10 secs before another scrapper yelled, “I’m soooo full of love!!!” to signal that she had completed yet another scrap project … and mind you … these were not ’slap on a few pieces of paper and photos so i can win a prize’ kind of scrap projects ;)… they were quality projects with attention to detail and plenty of effort thrown in! :)

All too soon, everyone’s attention was diverted when the announcement for SHOPPING SPECIALS came!!! ;) All crop attendees listened in rapt attention as the 4 birthday crop specials were spelled out with 40% discounts offered … … the loudest cheers of course went to the ‘Pick ANY item that your heart desires at 40% discount’ crop special!!! :)

Personalised shopping bags were handed out … …

…. and in the blink of an eye … this was the scene in one of our Scrap Labs !!! LOL!!! :) …. where did EVERYBODY goooooo??

And so it was a break from scrapping, out the Scrap Lab doors and onto the retail floor as crop attendees selected a myriad of scrap supplies that went at 40% discount because we’re 4!!! ;)

But more maaaad shopping time soon came when we announced that it was SPEED SHOPPING CONTEST time!!!

Crop attendees were split into groups of 4 or 5 and given a shopping list with products totalling over $200 in retail value. Annnnnnd …. …. here’s the clincher … … the winning team gets to take home EVERYTHING in the shopping basket!!! :)

It was a relay kind of competition with the team members taking turns to go out to the retail floor to hunt for the scrap supplies and the Speed Shopper Tag had to be worn around the neck by any team member who was doing the hunting … once back at ‘home-base’ the Speed Shopper Tag would be passed on to the next team member in line to go out and hunt for more scrap supplies on the Speed Shopping List!!! :)

And off they went … … splitting the list amongst themselves … discussing shopping strategies i suppose … :)

Oooo … some serious shopping going on here … scrutinising item codes and barcodes to make sure that they got the correct items …. kekeke…. ooooooo …. were we evil … yes! You read that right!!! They were at times, only given a general product description like the brand and item type together with a barcode!!! LOL!!! :)

Oooooo ….. the frenzied grabbing of scrap supplies … …

…….. as their fellow eager beaver team-mates peeked out onto the retail floor from behind the glass windows of our Scrap Lab!!! ;P waiting anxiously for their return from their shopping spree … … oh how some of the scrappers waiting in line to get some shopping done, hollered and waved frantically at their team-mates to get back quickly if they were taking a little too long for comfort .. LOL!!! :)

And oh how swiftly they dashed about … …

Then came the all-important verification … …

And in a time of 17 minutes and 22 seconds, Team 2 consisting of 4 scrappers emerged as winners!!!

They received tins of Maya Road Microchips, Microfelt, Clear Stamps, 5 Basic Grey rub-ons, 5 assorted patterned papers, a bottle of Prima flowers and 5 Tsukineko inks, which made it easy for everyone to split the loot!!!

 

With all the maaaad shopping …. it was time for a break … and tea-time snacks were served … lovingly made by Chenta, Winnie, Ling and Yen … on top of all the other meals they had to serve to other scrappers not from the crop!!!

After more scrapping … we thought we’d put all crop attendees’ scrapping skills to the test by playing a game called ‘DRESSED IN SCRAPS’!!!

All teams were given an identical set of scraps and other stuff to dress up a fellow team-mate!!!

Our local version of Miss J from America’s Next Top Model - Miss M from Made With Love was even roped in to coach the ‘models’ on a little bit of catwalking!!!

And what a sport everyone was!!!  Truuuly creative designs were churned from scraps … …. this was ‘haute couture’ Made With Love style!!

Oh how the fellow team-mates cheered, oblivious to the bewildered stares of other walk-in shoppers who must have thought that we had all gone bonkus!!!  

And it was this ’sunny side-up egg’ style metallic bustier complete with red crepe paper bolero that stole the show!!!

And for being such a sport, the ‘model’ won herself a Maya Road album kit whilst her ‘designers’ won for themselves an S.E.I. 1 hour album kit each!!!

But there was no relenting in the scrapping once the games were over … and more scrapbook layouts continued to be churned out by this most passionate bunch of scrappers … which were put on display for everyone to view and vote for the winner of the ‘Layout of the Crop’ contest …… which went to Erlia ….

She won for herself a scrapbook kit from the Funky Vintage Collection sponsored by Making Memories!!!

And all crop attendees who voted for her got to select yet another embellishment from our prize trays!!!

And what’s a birthday crop party without some candle blowing and cake-cutting?

Thanks soooo much Chenta for the cupcakes you baked with our lil logo on it!!! This is precious!!! Crop attendees got to take home a couple.

But this truuuuuly was the highlight of the day for us on the mwl team … … Leena and Anne-Marie, 2 of our resident designers planned this surprise for us, as they scrapped photos of us that documented Made With Love’s journey… …together with the most touching birthday wishes from a variety of scrapping friends…

No words could describe the emotions Sweech and i felt when we received this most precious and meaningful gift … Sweech and i weren’t fast enough to crawl under a rock to hide as she burst out in tears and i got all choked up with emotion and started crying too as i tried to, in between sobs to thank our dearest team of talented, passionate, hardworking dear friends like Kelly, Jasmine, Chenta and Malee without whom we would not have seen this day … and most of all … we really want to thank all of you, our dear scrapping friends who have chosen to have your scrapping needs met at Made With Love.

Ooooo … the laughter and tears as we reminisced the good ole days … truly precious moments that all lead up to this day … the experiences that have brought so many of us together … how our friendships with a number of you have grown so deep and personal because you allowed us into your lives and touched us with your friendships … we would probably never have gotten a chance to meet many of you if not for this crazy scrapbook supplies store which we call Made With Love - a name Sweech, Sandra and i thought though a lil corny …. ok… A LOT corny … LOL!! reeeeally helps us express what we are about - our love for not only scrapbooking, but a love for people, the importance of building firm friendships and helping all of us build firm bonds with our loved ones, cos that’s what it’s really about …

And so it was all of these thoughts running through my mind and more and i know Sweech too had a myriad of thoughts in her head too as we blew out the candles on our birthday cake with teary eyes and red noses!!!

Kel, in tears as well, as she blew out the candles … from being one of our students in our workshops and shopping for scrap supplies at our place, she’s become a really good friend and co-worker… …

And Jas too, from being a Scrapaholic For Life member and working on joint promos when she owned an online forum … we’ve become firm friends and colleagues …

Ooooo….how we wish the rest of the team could join us in blowing out the candles …. and if not for being in a daze and completely overwhelmed by emotion, we would have gotten all of you who attended our crop party to join us in blowing out the candles cos this celebration is every much yours as it is ours….

Sweech and i rarely get a picture together so this one’s for keeps! A reeeeeal pity that Sandra was away as she had to move house that day having moved back from China after more than a year there… …. we missed her sorely at the party …but sooooo happy that she did manage to pop by towards the end of the party … YAAAY!!!

We wished we’d been clear-headed enough to take a group photo cos it’s moments like these captured in this snapshot with friends like you that keep us going on long days and even longer nights! THANK YOU so much to all of you who took time off your busy lives to come celebrate this special day with us … … this is one day that will really stand out in our archives of precious memories.

P.S.

Thanks sooo much Anne for planning this crop with me and to Lia for the additional photos …

Luff

{e}

The 3rd Paper Trimming Speed Scrap Competition of the month was held last Thursday evening and 9 competitors gave it a try … … after all … …. $40 worth of Made With Love vouchers were at stake!!!

Competitors were given a 12×12 sheet of cardstock each and were instructed to trim the paper according to a list of measurements. One wrong cut would result in it being absolutely impossible to complete the task. :P

 

The male scrapper was careful to refer to the measurements being displayed, while the rest of the female scrappers who seemed to have photographic memories barely looked up for a 2nd look at the measurements after just once glance.:)

Those who finished were required to quickly raise their hands to indicate that the task had been completed.

Within seconds, other hands shot up in quick succession!

But in the end, the scrapper who finished first was disqualified from the race as she made a mistake on one of the measurements, and it was this scrapper who completed the paper-triming task accurately in the 2nd fastest time who walked away with the $40 worth of Made With Love vouchers!!! :)

The Doodling Speed Scrap Competition held on the following day was also equally exciting!!!

Participants of this competition were requried to doodle a replica of a doodle held up by Sandra! Hee hee! :)

Participants were required to hold up their doodling the minute they completed it … …

Unfortunately, in what was like a case of dejavu, the 1st competitor to complete the task was similarly disqualifed as their were slight inaccuracies in her doodling … …

… … which meant that this scrapper got to walk away with $40 worth of Made With Love vouchers instead as she clocked in the 2nd fastest time to accurately complete her doodling!!! Wowoweeee!!!!

So, as you can see from these 2 speed scrap competitions, speed is of the essence but accuracy counts too!!! :)

And if you’d like to pit your skills against other scrappers this week, there’s still the paper-trimming contest on Thursday at 8pm. Simply produce a minimum $40 receipt for a purchase made on the day of the competition and you automatically qualify for the competition!!!

For this month, Speed Scrap competitions will focus on the following skills on 4 days every week:-

Mondays - eyelet setting, Tuesdays - hand-stitching, Thursdays - paper trimming & Fridays - doodling!!!

So don’t be shy, you’ve really got nothing to lose and plenty to gain!!! ;) Looking forward to seeing you again soon!!! :)

Ooooooo my goodness!!! Be prepared to spend hours upon hours at our store this week as a maaaaassive load of scrap supplies have arrived at our place … … our display space for scrap supplies has been extended to the scrap labs as A GRAND TOTAL OF OVER 280 DIFFERENT BRAND NEW scrap supplies have poured in … … even as we continue to replenish many hot favourites!!! That’s a total of 280 NEW THINGS  that you can possibly add to your personal scrapbook supplies stash!!! Just think of the possibilities of what 280 different types of scrapping supplies ranging from patterned papers, embellishments and kits could do for your creative journeys!!! :)

Many of you have taken leave from work, placed kiddies with baby-sitters, bartered all sorts of favours with hubbies and loved ones for time to come to our place … … with many of you, making multiple trips within a week cos there always seems to be something new every other day :) … … buuuut a word of caution … … you just might have to continue to do ALL OF THE ABOVE AGAIN!!!!! if you see what’s come in this week!!! :)

So deep breaths everyone … be warned … as you view snapshots of our NEWEST ARRIVALS that are already up and ready for you at our place the moment the clock  strikes eleven today in the morning!!!

*Note: Please be prepared to wait a while as the photos upload as there’s just soooooo much to share with you today!!! So go make yourself a nice warm cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate and be prepared as you may want to start clearing your schedule, plan for an extended lunch break, arrange for baby sitters etc. while you wait for this visual feast that will unfold before your eyes in a matter of minutes … …;)

from {Ki MEMORIES}

A mind-boggling, whopping, record breaking 120 different ALL NEW scrapbook supplies from Ki Memories have arrived and these are some snapshots of them!!! This CHA Summer ‘07 release of new designs are so much fun, just thinking of the possibilities that they bring to our projects is enough to get us all excited and keep us awake all night to bring to you these new arrivals!!!

 

from {CREATIVE IMAGINATIONS}

Close to 100 different scrapalicious scrapbook supplies that have taken our breaths away have arrived!!!

 

 

 

from {CHATTERBOX}

 

 

from {SASSAFRAS LASS}

 

from {CREATING KEEPSAKES}

Many of you Lisa Bearnson and Becky Higgins fans have been asking for these scrapbook kits, whether or not you are a newbie or seasoned scrapper … … so here we are … … we hope you’ll have heaps of scrappin’ fun with these … … all kits come complete with instructions and sketches Becky Higgins’ style …:)

But that’s not all … … because it’s our actual birthday TODAY!!! … … the Fifteenth of November, we’ve got some specials lined up for you, on top of the Birthday Treats Perks we’ve been giving you!!! So do pay us a visit today for a mad day of “scropping” - shopping and cropping fun!!!

Sandra tried her best the night before last, to recruit more people for the competitions with loud proclaimations of the $40 Made With Love cash vouchers prize giveaway for these competitions but alas … local scrappers are indeed an extremely shy bunch … with only 3 finally reporting for the competitions … …

Even though crowds thronged our place … …

… … many were happy to be spectators as they remained daunted by the task at hand … …which was to set 10 eyelets as quickly as possible … … the winner would be the scrapper first to finish with 10 eyelets set firmly.

But even with a small bunch of competitors … … it was hardly uneventful as there was a dramatic turn of events when this scrapper seen in the above pix was initially the first to complete setting 10 eyelets. Unfortunately, as Sandra was inspecting her work, an eyelet fell dramatically onto the table!!!

Feli, our Scrapaholic For Life member and a familiar face at our place, who came in 2nd was immediately declared the overall winner of the contest and she received $40 worth of Made With Love vouchers.

Competitors holding up evidence of their speedy eyelet setting skills… …

And Sweech and Sandra up to mischief AGAIN!!! Oh…beeehave … .. (said Austin Powers style) :)

By contrast, last night’s Speed Scrapping Competitions saw some serious competing from amongst 7 scrappers, most of whom were warmed up from attending a workshop… …

This time it was scrappers’ hand-stitching skills that were put to the test!!!

Some stitched better standing whilst others preferred to remain seated … …

But ultimately, it was this scrapper below SP who won the competition in record time with a rather huge lead…Yaaaaay!!!

Congratulations to feli and SP … we hope you’ll have fun spending them on stuff your heart desires!!!

And for those of us who haven’t taken the plunge yet … you can look forward to signing up for the Paper-Trimming contest this coming Thursday evening. Just make a minimum purchase of $40 in a single receipt and you’re all set to compete … and hopefully you’ll walk away with $40 worth of Made With Love vouchers. :)

And just so you know …. many of you have been asking if the Creative Cafe is a permanent fixture … yes it is … so if you’re coming from abroad for the Maya Road workshops or our other events of the month … … you’ll get to experience Make & Takes at our own little Creative Cafe right at our door-step …. here’s a close-up look of the place if you haven’t been able to make it down to our place in the last few days … …

Glass window slides open when a Make & Take session is in progress to reveal this … … ;)

Layouts Jas and i did with the new Creative Cafe products from the Spirit collection … … they’re lotsa fun to play with …

Products displayed are also available within the store for your picking … … And do keep yourself regularly updated through our blog to find out more about all that we’ll be doing with this little creative corner of ours that will hopefully add lots more scrapping fun to our lives …

We’re looking forward to seeing you again soon … … :)

Each of our dedicated designers were given a set of October Afternoon clear stamps and patterned papers which they chose, for keeps, and this is what some of them have come up with … … :)

Hope you’ll enjoy this visual feast as much as the rest of us on the mwl team … …

from the scrap desk of

{AIDA HARON}

Title of LO: Finally it has all come … Together

Aida’s Lovenotes: A celebration LO for MWL’s 4th birthday loaded with details using October Afternoon pps, tag and stamps, Tim Holtz stamp, alphas are Felt AC Thickers, inks are Versa Black, Dewdrop Jumbo Java, Distress Antique Linen, paper clip is 7 Gypsies, Bazill cardstock. Thanks for looking and hope everyone enjoyed MWL’s birthday gifts to all the scrappers !!! Photos are all from the MWL Blog, products available at MWL.

 

from the scrap desk of

{ANNE-MARIE TEO}

Anne-Marie’s Lovenotes: A rather long title for this LO - “God must have spent a little more time on you”.

Supplies used (available at MWL):
October Afternoon - Papers, die-cuts, clear stamps
Maya Road - Chipboard shapes
Hambly overlays
American Crafts thickers
Making Memories Crystal Brads

TFL! :)

 

from the scrap desk of

{EMELINE SEET-NG}

Title of LO: Live San Francisco

Emeline’s Lovenotes: Using the newest October Afternoon’s country Fair’s paper and clear stamps. Others: American Craft Thickers, Basic Grey Rub on and some Love Elsie’s stickers.

 

from the scrap desk of

{ERLIA ABDULLAH}

Title of LO: Be the Best that You can Be

Erlia’s Lovenotes: Mostly yummy October Afternoon goodness - available from Made With Love! More detailed closeup pics of the layout on my blog!

Supplies used:
October Afternoon Patterned Papers, Photo Corners, Stamps, Rub-ons
Heidi Swapp Border Blings (Martha)
May Art Ribbons
American Craft Thickers (Giggles)
EK Success Boorkworks Mini ABC’s and Numbers
Foof-a-La Bag-O-Buttons
Making Memories {note}worthy Glitter Diecuts
Tsukineko Versa Color Ink (Umber)
Ranger Distress Ink (Vintage Photo)
Fontwerks Clear Stamps (Fresh Foliage)
Rubber Soul Rubber Stamp (One day at a time)

 

from the scrap desk of

{FOO SOO JEN}

Title of LO: Why I Love to Scrap

Soo Jen’s Lovenotes: Here’s a LO i have been wanting to do for a long time - on why i love to scrap.

I’ve used October Afternoon PPs and lots of its stamps (they are really fun!) i stamped on Bazzill Kraft paper. Made a pocket out of Kraft paper and Hambly overlay with handstitching. Hidden journalling within. Inks used were Versafine Onyx Black, Smoky Gray, Crimson Red. Title was formed with a mixture of mostly Dream Street Alpha chipboards and Heidi Swapp Vinyl Tile alphas (i cut out the white letters so that there won’t be a block effect). Also used one Cats Life Press stamp. Other embellishments included journal stickers by KI Memories (old stash).

The top left photo was taken by Marilyn during one of our crop sessions and the other was taken by me.

 

from the scrap desk of

{LEENA LOH}

Title of LO: Truly Blessed with a Beautiful Family

Leena’s Lovenotes: I had the most wonderful time scrapping this page!! This LO used mostly October Afternoon PPs, Stamp & Rub-On.

Other products used are:
Letter Stickers - Heidi Swapp, Provo Craft, EK Success, Making Memories
Buttons - Autumn Leaves Foof-a-La (Savannah Collection
Overlay - Hambly
Lace

Thanks for looking!!

 

from the scrap desk of

{MERDREY CHEW}

 Merdrey’s Lovenotes: Loved the OA pps and stamps and rub-ons!!! Did this layout almost entirely out of OA stuff except for the letters. Created 3D flowers with the pp for a different look! TFL!

October Afternoon stuff available at MWL.

 

May you be inspired by what they’re sharing with us to create great stuff with OA scrapbook supplies you have purchased from us or are planning to ;)… … replenishments will be coming in soon for designs that have run out! We’re doing all that we can as we race against time to bring in even more supplies faster than the rate at which all of you are lapping them up!!! ;P Deep breaths all round!!! ;P… … pant pant …. ;P

{e}