Scrapbooking Memories Masters announcement - so excited I nearly burst

In 2008 I started my scrapbooking journey after visiting my then Local Scrapbook Store Tomorrow's Memories in December of 2007 whilst working on a card for my parents, and what a journey it has been!  From very early on I knew I would love to achieve being named a Scrapbooking Memories Master, even though I had not been scrapbooking for very long and I even entered the competition that year!  I enjoyed the process SO much and although I didn't make the 'shortlisted entries' (back then it was those that got to send their work in) I knew I would enter again as I just LOVED what I had personally achieved in what I created.  Of course, life never goes to plan and at this same time I had fallen pregnant with my first boy, and I was SOOO thrilled!  It mean't that I dreamt about entering including planning in my head what I was going to create, but just not getting around to it.  I had a boy and that saw my scrapbooking style change a great deal - developing a 'male' scrapping style that was very different to my feminine one.  I then fell pregnant with my second child and again... just didn't get around to entering, despite creating one of the projects for it... Again I had a boy which set the more male scrapping in stone... As I refuse to put a flower on male layouts (unless there is a female in there too), it has really pushed my creativity.  

This year I really saw my two very different styles start to marry together and change again.  When I started creating for this year's Master's compeition, I thought... maybe I follow elements of current scrapping styles that were different to mine... then I thought NO the competition is not just about winning and wouldn't be me if I didn't stay true to my style of scrapping.  AND I'm so glad I did!  I can't say I enjoyed the process as much as the last time, only because at the time I was quite sick and kept putting off my creating until the last minute when I pushed myself to at least get my entry in this year and hope for an Honerable Mention.  It meant I created 3 of the 4 projects in a week which is NOT me at all... it usually takes me a week to create one layout!  Guess it was all in my head and it just came flooding out!  Well looking back now it totally paid off to push myself through it as three months ago I got the most exciting call from Scrapbooking Memories Masters informing me that I had won... I was to be one of the 10 next serving Masters!  And that is my master's story/ journey.

 I want to congratulate the 9 other masters that were named today.  I am so thrilled to be serving my term as a master along side you all.  So many talented and inspiring artists to share this special time with.    

Anita Stokes

Gail Lindner

Heather McMahon

Kaye Grieve

Kerryn Lawson

Leeann Pearce

Leonie Neal-Dawson

Sue Smith

Tarrah McLean

I would also like to officially thank Scrapbooking Memories for seeing what they did in my work, and to give me this honour!  The prize for winning this competition was absolutely amazing, and I would also like to thank each of the sponsors for their generosity in each pack we received.  

To all the lovely people that have sent me messages of congrats, I would also love to say thank you, makes the day all that more special (still pinching myself that all this is happening!).

SO with all that being said, I thought what better way than to have a giveaway to celebrate!  

Yes you saw that right... GIVEAWAY!!!

I will be putting together a prize pack that will include items from each of the sponsors of the competition!  

I thought... so many out there would LOVE to get their hands onto the prizes we won, so what better way than to share some!!  

BUT you will have to do something.... As I have just moved my blog to this new address, I would love some new followers, so if you want to be in the running for this prize pack you will need to follow my blog and leave a comment at the bottom of this post letting me know which of the sponsors provides your favourite products.    You have until 14th January 2013 to do this, allowing plenty of time for people to stop by, so please spread the word.

I am also going to have more exciting news for those that are interested in learning a little more about creating my style of scrapbooking while getting some AWESOME product to work with while you do.  So that is just an extra reason to follow...  

And you don't need to be local either!!  So stay tuned for that one!  

Again, congrats to the other ladies that were also successful, now head to your newsagent next week to get your copy to check out all the amazing work and to know which ladies got Honorable Mentions this year... a feat in itself!  I know I can't wait to get my hands on a copy!!!