Gutter Girlz

End of the Month MOJO Oct '09

2009-10-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

One of the things we hope everyone understands with our prompts, is that they REALLY ARE for everyone!! When we say we want to see your creations, we mean CREATIONS!! Whatever you are inspired to create by us. This month, Becky asked a digital scrapper to join us for inspiration!!

Rachel Houghton (aka rh_scrapbooker) has been a scrapbooker since 1999. She switched to digital scrapbooking in 2005. As a technical writer outside the scrapbooking world, her layouts are often crisp, clean, and simple with plenty of white space She is a serious amateur photographer who totes around two cameras most of the time - her trusty Nikon D100 digital SLR and her Nikon Coolpix L15 (her "stealth" camera). She just celebrated her 10th wedding anniversary with DH Bob, and they spoil three cats shamelessly (Murphy, Willow, and Cleo). She has been a member of the digital creative team on the Ready, Set, Create e-zine since the Mar/April 2009 issue, and was published in the fall 2005 issue of Digital Scrapbooking magazine.

You can see some of her digital layouts and a LOT of her layouts on Flickr:
We hope you feel inspired to make our prompt YOUR own. HERE's our current prompt, and more inspiration for you... Leave us a link in your comments here on the blog, so we can visit your part of the gutter!!
PRIZE
Winner of our Design Team Sponsored prize from Christi, and Coffee's Shoppe is:
ladybrayton71 said... ok. I used a bra strap! Here's my take on the prompt. enjoy!
LadyB, please use the contact button in the left sidebar, and put DT PRIZE in your subject line! Send your mailing information, so I can pass it on to Christi!!
Winner of our bonus prize from DIRTY LAUNDRY is:
Nikki said... THANK U for this prompt! it was perfect for me and i fell SOOOO much better now! http://momagrln2k.blogspot.com/2009/09/im-in-gutter.html
Nikki, please use the contact button in the left sidebar, and put BONUS PRIZE in your subject line! Send your mailing information, so I can pass it on to Beth!!
Becky provided us with our next prize!! It's delish. I wish I was eligible to win!! Leaving a comment WITH A LINK TO YOUR CREATION in our Oct. prompt and our Nov. prompt (coming up on the 15th) will put you in the running for our random number generator to pick YOU as the winner!! (and puts you in the running to be invited to be our NEXT guest gutter girl.)

GUEST GUTTER GIRL
Jingle said... Thank you for an amazingly inspiring challenge! I love the DT work! Here is my take: You Want To Spread Your Wings
Jingle, we'd LOVE to have you as our guest gutter girl for our upcoming prompt on Nov. 15th!! Please send us an email using the link in our left sidebar and let us know if you are able to be our guest!! Please put NOV GUEST in your subject line.

October 15th, Prompt #30

2009-10-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks for letting me be your monthly guest designer - it was really fun! :D
THIRTY!?!? We're at THIRTY!? SO totally COOL.
This month's prompt is a little on the softer side... I hope you'll take a moment to create something and expose a little of your more vulnerable side...
THE PROMPT:
Tender. Human.
THE SONG:
Afraid by Nelly Furtado
PRODUCT/TECHNIQUE:
Bra Straps
** NO ONE used a BRA STRAP on their projects!! I double dare you to do it!! (Nikki came the closest, with a photo and her bra showing in it)
WHAT WE DID:
(click on any photo to view it larger)
Our Guest Gutter Girl, Margrethe!!
I'm a 24 year old Norwegian woman studying for a MA in Art- and Cultural Studies. Married with two cats. I enjoy Guttergirlz because it's the only challenge blog I've found that lets me bring out all the nitty-gritty stuff in a positive way, and lets me do it as messy as I want to, when I want to. Guttergirlz has become very therapeutic for me as I've been going through an assessment process over the past year. The blog has given me an opportunity to sort that stuff out and be creative at the same time. It's excellent!

I asked Margrethe if she had one word of advice for someone new to scrapping or art, what would it be?
I wish the people I first got to know when I started scrapbooking in 2008 had showed me that it's okay to play with paint and glue, that not everything has to be "perfect" - I manage to think that well enough on my own ;P All joking aside, by experimenting with different techniques and styles, I hope I can show others that anything goes.
You can visit Margrethe on HER BLOG!!

Kristy
this LO is about how there are somethings that no matter how much they hurt they stay secret. You'd think you'd get over them but you really don't. I placed the lyrics over the polaroid of me and my dad to make it seem like a running train of thought when I think about him.

Close up

Glenda
I used some of the lyrics for my title because since I was young my mom always taught us to be a leader, not a follower and to never be afraid to speak our minds. Because of this I learned not to care what other people think and to always speak up for myself and be my own person.

Patti
I decided to use the title Human and I used a verse out of the song. When I first read this prompt I knew exactly what I was going to do. This is my niece who is orphaned and I am always concerned she is not strong enough to deal with anymore that life throws at her! It was fun getting all dirty in the gutter this month. I pulled out my paint.

Becky
The lyrics of the song struck me just right as I am going through some difficult times with my daughter wanting to spread her wings and leave the nest. I just had to scrap the "moment" to remember those days when she loved being here at home.

Nikki
I kept going in all different directions with this one. A lot of the lyrics were appropriate for how I'm feeling lately...but because it's breast cancer awareness month, I went with this pic and there is hope for a cure for the title...

Susan
I LOVED the words to this song. I knew as soon as I read them that they needed to be the majority of my lo. I decided to change the 'you' to 'I' because it reminds me of when I was drinking and using. ESPECIALLY the 3rd paragraph. As an addict you always think that if everyone else would just change then the situation/world would be so much better. But AA teaches me that I have to be the change. That I'm the problem in my life. Even though you know your life is a mess it's hard to let go of that because that's all you know. But somehow, thru the grace of God, I would always find a way to pull myself back up again.

Lara
For some reason I was having so much trouble coming up with a layout idea because every time i thought of the word "human" i thought of the word "soul" which in turn made me think of U2 (ok, fine what doesn't make me think of U2 these days?) which in turn made me think of the song "Elevation" and how every time i get to experience that song live (which is 7 times now, I guess?) it catapults my soul out of my body and i don't feel like i am in a physical human body anymore. Jumping and singing "ooohhh hoooo" with 60,000+ people is absolutely electrifying! At this point I'm thinking I should rename my art journal "u2 lyric journal" but.... yeah... heh.

So, i went with the lyric and gathered some found objects since i've been cleaning out all my art stuff in preparation of purging for the move.

• The green background is this canvas that the creative team at my work used for a presentation recently and i said "don't throw those scraps away!!!!" so they gave them to me.
• The caution tape comes from the meadowlands parking lot in new jersey (what trash?),
• the screen is still yet more screen from my old back porch,
• there's a sticker under there you can barely see that has two red arrows and says "this way up" that a friend of mine who works in a warehouse gave me a roll of,
• the dragonfly came from some swap or kit that i never thought i would use cause i thought it was kinda cheesy AND
• the text comes from an old old old children's story book i've been holding onto to scared to cut into but i finally dove into it last night and was tickled pink to find this story about a little airplane afraid to fly and the paper is so fragile and smells so ... old.
• Oh and my handwriting is on electrical tape!

Close up

Post a comment with a link to your Gutter Inspired creations from our Sept. 15th Prompt, and the upcoming Oct. 15th Prompt, and be entered to win one of these TWO prizes, as well as be submitted to be chosen for our next GUEST!!
BONUS PRIZE SPONSOR
Is Beth's Shop DIRTY LAUNDRY!! When we draw our winners next month, we'll give away a prize sponsored by Dirty Laundry to a second lucky girl!! The winner will be getting a handmade yoyo necklace (the one beth is wearing in her photo above!)

OUR DT Sponsored PRIZE
Thanks to CHRISTI, who is offering a prize from her etsy shop Coffee's Shoppe!! This prize is her Autumn Mini Kit!!

End of the Month MOJO Sept '09

2009-09-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

We have a couple things to bring you on this end of the month Mojo!!

AN HONORARY GUTTER GIRL
A BONUS PRIZE SPONSOR
A SWEET TECHNIQUE!!
WINNER and our NEXT GUEST GUTTER GIRL!!
OUR DT Sponsored PRIZE!

HONORARY GUTTER GIRL
Our honorary Gutter Girl is someone I came across here on the web a while ago. I'm not even 100% sure HOW she and I because contacts, but we did. I'm SO GLAD we did!! I totally enjoy her spirit, and all that she creates!! Plus, she has a shop called DIRTY LAUNDRY. I mean seriously. How could the gal who runs GUTTER GIRLZ not LOVE that!?!? Please help me welcome Beth Perry!!

Hi! My name is Beth and I live in St. Louis. I love creating, painting, making fabric jewelry and anything else that I feel like trying to learn on any given day.
Thank you for having me. This was such a blast creating from this prompt!
Lyrics from song: Just stop and take a second
As soon as I read those words in that song, I KNEW what I wanted to do. I have been wanting to make some kind of wall hanging with the awesome old lake photo I found at an antique mall in Paducah, KY.
Technique: blotted lipstick on Jenni Bowling sticker and covered with Crackle Glaze. After drying, put one more coat of clear drying glue (I used Zip Dry). The lace, star material and sewing bobbin are also antique finds.
blog: I LOVE DIRTY LAUNDRY
etsy shop: DIRTY LAUNDRY
I took the chance to ask Beth a few questions about herself!!
What is your favorite art medium?

It would have to be gesso and spray paints. I love adding texture to my projects with the gesso and I am very much addicted to Glimmer Mists right now.
What inspires you creatively?

I love mixing metal hardware, with its industrial feel, to vintage objects, such as lace and material. There is something so inspiring about mixing the the hard edges to soft textures.

How long have you been creating?

About 4 years now.

When did you open your shop? What gave you the idea?

Just recently actually.(couple of months) I started making yoyo necklaces and had quite a few orders, so I decided to open a shop. I had also started making some custom albums for a friend and figured I could put them in there too. I know there are a lot of people that would just rather buy an album then trying to make one. (no, I don't understand these people. lol...but, that's ok by me!)

Who do you draw inspiration from?

There are so many people and blogs I draw inspiration from. But, a few of my recent faves are these:

I love love LOVE the shabby chic jewelry by Beth Quinn. (cool name, too)

Pam Garrison's amazing sewing skillz never cease to wow me.

Tara Anderson uses alot of the mixing soft pretty things with contrasting black paint or metal embellishments (as mentioned in what inspires me creatively). Grunge meets frilly, if you will.

Apart from owning a kick ass etsy shop, are there any other websites we can find you on?

I have online galleries here:

Flickr

SIStv

And you can become a FB fan of Dirty Laundry HERE:
This is the AWESOME piece that Beth created with our Sept Prompt!!

BONUS PRIZE SPONSOR
Is Beth's Shop DIRTY LAUNDRY!! When we draw our winners next month, we'll give away a prize sponsored by Dirty Laundry to a second lucky girl!! The winner will be getting a handmade yoyo necklace (the one beth is wearing in her photo above!)

SWEET TECHNIQUE!!
This technique is brought to you by CHRISTI!!
Lace up your Chucks, ladies, we're about to go old school!! For this truly simple technique, all you'll need is a compass (the kind you used to use in school with a pencil, not the kind that tells direction), some paper, an ink pad if you want to edge your scallops with color, and a pair of scallop-edged decorative scissors (remember those?)!

Use your compass against your background cardstock to determine what size you'd like your circle to be. DO NOT touch the pencil to the paper at this point, just adjust the angle and move the point of the compass until you've got the circle size you want.

Now trace the circle onto the back of your patterned paper...

Use your decorative-edged scissors to cut out your circle, then ink the edges, if desired. Seriously, people, it's THAT easy!!

At the end of this process, you may notice you have one small spot where the pattern doesn't match up. Don't worry, you can easily cover that up as you can see in my finished layout.

And the great thing about this technique is that not only can you make scalloped circles of almost any size, but you could use different deco-scissors as well! Experiment and have fun...can't wait to see what you come up with!
WINNER

Our prize winner of LARA'S prize offered in Aug. EOMM by random number generator...

Ashley said... hope this link works Congratulations, Ashley!! I think I have your mailing information, so I'll pass that onto Lara!!
NEXT GUEST GUTTER GIRL!!
We ask one of our GIRLZ who take part in our challenges to be our guest every month, and this month, I'd like to invite:
papirdiva said... I just loved this prompt so much, I got up in the middle of the night last night and did it - at 3am! My layout
Margrethe!! We'd LOVE to have you be our guest next month!! Please shoot me an email using the CONTACT button in the left sidebar. Put OCTOBER GUEST in your subject, and let me know if you're interested in playing along!!
OUR DT Sponsored PRIZE
Post a comment with a link to your Gutter Inspired creations from our Sept. 15th Prompt, and the upcoming Oct. 15th Prompt, and be entered to win one of TWO prizes, as well as be submitted to be chosen for our next GUEST!! Thanks to CHRISTI, who is offering a prize from her etsy shop Coffee's Shoppe!! This prize is her Autumn Mini Kit!!

Sept. 15th, Prompt #29

2009-09-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

So how was your SUMMER?!?! Did it fly by for you as FAST as it did for ME?!? I have had NO time it feels like!! Yet somehow, we ended up at the end of summer, and SCHOOL has started!! lol I totally haven't been able to get in a challenge in FOREVER... ::sigh::

THE PROMPT:
I'm not ur bitch, BITCH
THE SONG:
U and Ur HAND by Pink
PRODUCT/TECHNIQUE:
Lipstick

I really REALLY wanted to get this one in... lol because I HAVE SHIT to get off my chest, man. SHIT. lol Maybe I'll have to play along and comment later... For now, you'll have to be happy with THE GIRLZ and our GUEST GUTTER GIRL!!
Our guest this month is AMY!!!

Hello fellow Gutter Girlz! My name is Amy or as most would call me - Ames! I am a SAHM to 3 lovely kids and wife to my High School Sweetheart, Travis. Oh, and I am a Scrapbooking freak! I will scrap anything....seriously, I will! I would like to say a big Thank You to the Gutter Girlz for the opportunity to be their Guest Gutter Girl for the month of September! It's truly an honor, you ladies are so freakin' awesome and a true inspiration!

Glenda
I used some of the lyrics from Pink's song to describe how I feel when I get pissed off. It is something I try to work on alot but have major room for improvement on!!! I had fun posing beside this power pole that had a big "danger" sign on it to really show how nasty I can get. It's a constant struggle for me to control my temper and my mouth but I refuse to stop trying.

Kristy
This was inspired by the fact that things at work panned out and it came out that my was being covered for. Glad that's OVER!

Becky

Lara

Patti

Nikki
For the lipstick I kissed a tag and wrote "oh yeah and kiss my ass too!"

Susan
I've been thinking a lot this past week about a longterm friendship that went bad which sparked the journaling. This lo is to all the people in my past that I let use me and abuse me and toss me to the side. Now that I'm in recovery I'm so much stronger inside and can see my motives and others more clearly. I'm no ones free ride or wet blanket and I won't help anyone at my own expense anymore. The 80's punky feel of my lo really started when I added the lipstick.

Kris

Remember!! There's ALWAYS an angle to our prompts that fits YOU, because our challenges are ONLY to get the ideas running, and get you to create something you might not have thought to.
Lara is providing our PRIZE for this month!! Posting a link to your project in our comments here will put you in the drawing for her goodies!!

Remember too, that we'll be picking our NEXT guest gutter girl from this and last month's prompt!! That girl COULD be you!!

End of the Month Aug '09

2009-08-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

Brought to you by
LARA
(click on any photo to view it larger)

i used to be afraid of using acrylic paint in my scrapbooking (which i now call mixed-media).
For years I stayed away from it and used regular inkpads and stamps and spent tons of money at the scrapbook store.
One night i was watching a documentary about spray painting and thought the drippy textured paint looked so cool i would try and replicate it with some acrylic paint i had won from a LSS challenge but never opened.
That was the beginning of the end!
Now i am addicted to acrylic paint and it's usage.
Not because i can actually paint bowls of fruit or pretty sunsets or my dog's portraits - but because of how flexible it is to create abstract background and texture to any page.
Or it can emphasize that special point or photo you are scrapbooking.

You can use paint with stamps too! It's even easier to peel off after it dries than ink is to wash off!
But i think it's more fun and interesting to use found objects to stamp with.

Things that make people think - "that looks so familiar but i can't quite put my finger on what I'm looking at!"
And it's uber-cheap!
In fact everything i am about to show you that i stamped with was free - and in a good way, not a "look over my shoulder to see behind me" way!

Here are just a few examples of my favorite tools to use and examples. Let your mind wander to things you have in your closet, tool chest, basement or in the gutter down the street. Anything will become a stamp if you apply paint to it - even fruit, vegetables, hands, forks, spoons, pine cones, stones .... you get the picture.

This is my preferred brand of paint - i like the consistency the best and makes the coolest uneven textured stamping of all the different ones i've tried:

ANYWAYS -
STAMPING WITH PAINT?! Really? Is it messy?
Ya, well it can be if you're having enough fun with it. Or it can be organized and neat if you're careful. Regardless of the mood I'm in, I still always put down either a huge plastic trash bag or wax paper underneath what I'm painting just in case....

Circles are my favorite shape.
The first non-traditional item i ever stamped with remains my favorite - bubble wrap! It comes in different sizes and is almost always found somewhere for free:

My next favorite are these different size caps. The largest was the first - it's a burned out scented candle holder. The first dozen or so times i stamped with it, my layout smelled like Vanilla! The other caps I couldn't specifically tell you where they are from or where i got them. If i see an odd looking cap in the gutter i will pick it up without blinking.

I also like to use corrugated cardboard - this certainly can be found for free almost anywhere you look! I "repurposed" these coffee cup wrappers from Caribou Coffee. And these are fun to use after they've been painted up for frames and embellishment texture!

The last "tip" i'd love to share, because it's really really cool, is use a piece of cardstock or a journal as your paint palette. Keep using it until you think there's enough paint on it that it looks pretty and will make an awesome background or addition to your project. I made this pre-art art jourrnal for a friend. This back cover is the palette i used for the entire journal (it's actually hard plastic) - so all the colors match, plus in somewhat spiritual way i like the idea of reusing paint from other projects in one - it's like putting it all together, the history and where i was at in my life for those weeks i used it as a palette.

I'd like to share with you this one last project i did recently that used all of these non-traditional stampers:

It's actually a birthday card that was completely free to make. I owned all the supplies - the envelope, the chipboard from packaging, the stampers, the ribbon..... It was for an orgzanization I do the graphic design for, and it was so much fun to turn the computer off and make something by hand! In fact, the AWF did a short news story about it, you can read it here.

So, there you go!
Don't be scared to dive into paint - buy a couple of the cheapies of your favorite color (or if you have Gesso laying around) and play around a bit. Trust me, it gets addicting! You'll never look at that pasta sauce cap you're about to throw away the same again!

Rachel Here:
I just wanted to add a little to what Lara had to say!! I used to be a teacher at a preschool, and we used to use paint and all SORTS of things to create prints!! I thought I'd share THIS LINK with even MORE great ideas for using everyday things to create magic.

It's also time to share who is our winner of our prize drawing and who we'd like to invite to be our GUEST GutterGirl next month!!
Winner of our PRIZE this month:
Terra said... K, this is my first ever Gutter Girlz challenge, it was great! I think my take on it is a little (read:ALOT) different than most will be, but there's a reason :) Thanks for the Challenge! View mine HERE
Terra, use our CONTACT button in the left sidebar to send us your mailing information, and we'll get your prize out to you!! Please put AUG PRIZE WINNER in your email's subject line.
We'd like to invite our GUEST GUTTER GIRL for Sept. 15th's PROMPT:
AmesOx said... Wonderful Fabulous LO's ladies....so different and such unique takes!
Amy, please email us and let us know if you would like to be our guest!! We'll get the upcoming prompt out to you as soon as we hear from you, so you can share with us on the 15th!! Please put SEPT. GG in your email's subject line.

Last but TOTALLY not LEAST!! Lara is providing our PRIZE for this month!! Posting a link to your project in our comments here or on our prompt coming up on the 15th will put you in the drawing for her goodies!! I'll put you in an extra time if you use paints and something everyday to STAMP with!! I don't know about you... but just LOOKING at that first photo with all that painty goodness makes me wanna go get messy.

Be sure too, to check out her links! It's a really cool thing she was involved in... and I know she'd like to know you checked it out!!

Aug. 15th, Prompt #28

2009-08-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

YES!! I have to say, I LOVE the diversity of what the design team comes up with every month!! This month is NO exception!! Our challenge this month, is definitely a gutter moment challenge. It's all the things that you COULD take THERE... and I love to see how everyone DID take it...
THE PROMPT:
Eat Me
THE SONG:
32 Flavors and Then Some by Ani Difranco
TECHNIQUE/PRODUCT:
Nutrition Label/Food Packaging
Here's what the gals came up with!
Glenda

Kristy
My inspiration for this is pure frustration and anger at all the BS going on at work. I REALLY needed to vent and some of the song lyrics and the "EAT ME" prompt so worked! I won't bore with alllll the journaling but I do feel kinda better now LOL!

Patti

Becky

Nikki

Kris

Susan
So I was feeling a little stumped with this one. I wanted to use the Eat Me part of the prompt, but nothing was coming to me. Then the words to the song didn't totally give me an idea either. I decided I'd do the song and then decided on this pic of my with my Dick Head Hoopla penis on my head and a show on HBO about the Bunny Ranch and sex toys was on and knew right then exactly what this lo was about. We all need a PSD right? lol And they come in so many 'flavors'! Gotta a favorite?

Lara

Rachel
I didn't have a chance to actually CREATE something for this challenge, but I just wanted to say something about what I WANTED to create....
I love the lyrics to this song... so empowering... that I can be all the THINGS and flavors of myself that I WANT to be, no matter what the nay sayers think or do... that I am not between anyone and what THEY want to be. That I am damned if I do, and damned if I don't, and so if that's the case... everyone can eat me. I will BE who I want to be. DO what I want to do. SAY what I want to say. FEEL how I want to feel... because in the end, only I know my true flavors... and without the salt of my personality, I am nothing.
and our GUEST GUTTER GIRL: April

The journaling on the cookie reads: Who do you think she'd rather live with, her _____( something close to successful, can't remember which word he used exactly) father or her welfare mother. You are never going to make something out of yourself.

These are two comments that both of my baby daddies said to me when my kids were little. The first one was just tired of giving me money and wanted me to quit school and go to work. He thought I'd be on welfare forever. The other one was always threatening to take custody of my daughter and give her a better life than I guess he thought I would give her. Funny thing is that he was living with me and I was pretty much supporting him! Yeah........

As a reminder!! We've changed the way our months work here, so anything you post between the 30th of last month, and the 29th of this month will put you in our random drawing for our PRIZE from my very OWN shop, Do Over's Vintage Boutique this month,

and for a hand picked spot as our guest GutterGirl on the 15th of next month!! Winners of both are announced on the 30th of each month, in our End of the Month MOJO post!!

Guest GutterGirl

2009-08-07T11:08:00.000-07:00

We'd like to take a moment to say THANK YOU to three of our Girlz who are stepping back into the Alumni arena!! Amy, Jan and Bree!! Thank you SO MUCH for your inspirations and efforts to make our little place here in the gutter a place people wanna be!! You will always have a place here on the team!

We asked Peggy to be our guest last month, and she needed a little bit of extra time to get her layout together. Since we've been rearranging and getting used to our new schedule, I thought it wouldn't hurt to share her page in a post all it's own.

Well, I finished my LO, and I have to say thank you for creating such an awesome challenge. I've decided for myself this may have been the first time I entered one of your challenges, but it certainly won't be the last. I enjoyed my "take me as I am" LO, but I enjoyed making this one even more.

I had to think long and hard about this challenge, and nothing came to mind ... I think I kept getting distracted by the most obvious topic LOL. However, yesterday it came to me, and suddenly everything just fell into place. I even used all the prompts that you gave us: I used part of the lyrics (I adjusted them a little bit) as a background, used "swallow" as the title, and I splattered white paint onto the brown background paper.

This was not an easy subject to scrap about, and I never would have done this without your challenge. And like I said, I had a hard time coming up with something for this prompt, and I have to admit, if I hadn't been your guest designer, I probably would have dismissed this challenge as being to difficult, though now I'm glad I did it. I don't know if you're interested or not, but I'll tell you something about the background, it may make you understand the LO a bit better.

Most LO's are made out of love, this one was created out of pure hate. I don't like to admit this, but I hate those people with all of my heart. This is why I didn't want to create a "beautiful" LO, I really wanted this LO to reflect my feelings towards these people. It's also why I changed their heads into skulls ... I still can't make a LO with their image on it.

The beautiful baby in the middle of the pic is my daughter Chloë, and the skulls are her ex-godparents, my husband's brother and his wife. A few years ago, we had an argument, and right there and then my BIL announced we should look for other godparents, because they didn't want anything to do with us anymore. My girl, about 4 or 5 at the time, was shattered. She had bad dreams and a fear of being left by me as well for many months to follow.

I'm not a vindictive person, you have to do a lot to make me stay mad at you, but don't ever touch my babies!!! Like I said before, I don't like to admit I hate those people, I don't like to hate anyone, it eats me up inside. I wish the day would come I would feel nothing when I think about them, but unfortunately, that day hasn't come yet. Hence the "hate-stitching" at the left of the page.

The journaling reads: "The mere thought that these people are on all our important photographs is not pleasant, but the fact that our sweet daughter wears their name is almost too hard to swallow".

That's why I made a copy of our marriage certificate/book (don't know the English word for this) where also our children are listed, and added the silver circle around Chloë's full name (just so you understand what that little book is doing on the LO).

Anyway, that's the background of the LO. I do hope you like it, despite the dark message it brings.

Xxx Peggy

You should be able to click on any of these photos to view them larger.

This is what I hope you take from Peggy... that it's OK to create what YOU want to create! That even when you THINK our challenge might be too out there for you, there is ALWAYS a place somewhere in the challenge that fits you JUST perfect.

In order to clear up some of the confusion our changes to how we run things, I'll try to make it simple.
Anthing created and linked to between the 30th of one month, and the 28th of the next will be considered for prizes AND guest spots!! Post your links in the challenge posts on the 15th, OR the monthly mojo posts. Prize winners and guest DT will be announced on the monthly mojo posts. I hope that helps!! lol

End of the Month Mojo July '09

2009-07-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

We've made some changes to how we are doing our prompts here, and one of those changes involves switching from two prompts a month to one in exchange for time and space at the end of the month to more specifically spotlight inspiring people and techniques. Each month, a different member of our design team will take on this job at the end of the month and share something with you. This month, that job is mine!! I wanted to share someone with you that you have already met. Her name is Staci.

She is one of our alumni here. One of the first gutter girlz. She has inspired me in so many ways... in one way in particular, that I'll be sharing with you. She has been a scrapper for 7 years, and been published in Scrapbook Trends, Memory Makers, Creating Keepsakes, Scrapbooks Etc, Scrapbooking and Beyond, For Keeps & Scrapbook and Cards Today.

For those of you who aren't aware, Staci is the mother of two beautiful girls. She is also the wife of her soul mate and high school sweetheart Ed. In October of 2007, Staci and her girls lost Ed when he suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. I was one of the people blessed to know Staci before and after she lost Ed. She has inspired me in ways I would have never imagined through the sharing of her grief through her scrapbook pages. Here is my interview with her, and a few of her MANY pages that have inspired and challenged me.

When Ed passed away, when did you realize that your scrapping might be a good outlet for you to work through some of your grief? When he first passed away I honestly wondered if I would ever scrap again, and then I noticed that his boots were still by the front door, and I was drawn to photograph them. And after taking the picture...I realized that I wanted to scrap about it. So it started out as something as simple as that... and my friends that I had scrapped with every month for like 3 years....surprised me with a fundraiser crop, about a month after Ed passed away...I had not scrapped anything yet...I had started to feel the urge to scrap, but felt guilty for even thinking about it...How could I scrapbook when my husband was dead.....my friends reminded me of how much Ed supported my love of scrapbooking, he would get so excited when I would get a page published, and completely spoiled me with all the new goodies....and never said a word about all the crops I went to.....he was proud to be my Scrubby...So I think it was helpful...to scrap about him in the beginning.

Did it ever scare you to share your pages (either about Ed or not) with people when your topics weren't "happy"? I was a little nervous about sharing my layouts....when they were about Ed...I thought people would think that was wrong...whether it was about my depression....or pics of our headstone...I scrapped what I felt, and finally just felt that it was okay....probably because of the support that I found in the online scrapbook community...they let me cry, or bitch or just say life sucks!! but they never held that against me....I sometimes felt like they were sick of hearing about it...and then there were people that would thank me for sharing my story, and inturn share their story...

What would you say to someone who is struggling with the thought of scrapping something less happy? I just think about my kids and although we all want the happy Christmas pics, and birthday parties, I really think my girls will be able to get a more deep inside look at what I was going through during the time of losing their dad....and even helpful to myself was keeping a journal of just everyday fears and worries...that I look back at now to show how much I've grown...and that I am a lot stronger than I thought I was....and sharing with people is not for everyone, so if you don't feel comfortable with that...at least keep a journal for yourself.

In what ways have you felt like scrapping something along a more "heavy" train of thought has helped you heal? I'm nor sure why but when I scrap a heavy subject, and then post it online, and in turn get feedback and support....I feel this sense of freedom, like a release..and then a surge of strength......I can let go...it's out there for everyone to see.....

If you had one piece of advice to a scrapper who was grieving, what would it be? you will know when you're ready to scrapbook after a loss, and I would suggest leaving all the scrapbook "rules" behind...get painty..and dirty and free...and release all that pain on to paper.

You can visit Staci and read about her journey through her new life in SCHOOL and working toward a healthier HER on her blog STOP! It's Scrappin' Time! Look for this Fall in the fall issue of Scrapbooking and Beyond as well as Somerset Memories!!

WINNERS!! We'd like to ask
April said...Here's my LO. So excited for the next one! (GO HERE)
To be our GUEST GutterGirl for our next prompt on the 15th!! Thanks so much for playing, April!! We love that you have dived into our gutter so happily!! Please shoot an email to us using our CONTACT button in the left sidebar. Put AUG. GUEST GG in your title!! Thanks!!

And the prize winner for Nikki Z's prize is:
AmesOx said... Just couldn't wait to get started on this one!! I am absolutely LOVING these challenges SO much. http://www.flickr.com/photos/37652293@N05/3679110520/
Thanks so much for playing!! We look forward to more from you!! Shoot me an email using our CONTACT button in the left sidebar. Put JULY. PRIZE WINNER in your title and include your mailing info!! Thanks!!

Those playing in the current and upcoming prompt will be entered to win a prize hosted this month, by ME!! You'll be entered to win a kit created by me, and also available for sale in my shop Do Over's Vintage Boutique.

July 15th, Prompt #27

2009-07-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

We had a little bit of a mishap with emails for some reason, and our guest designer Patty didn't have a change to get her layout into us!! We're asking her to share with us on the 30th, and we'll be announcing our NEXT guest guttter girl at that time too!!

Are you ready? Remember we WARNED you!! lol This prompt is DEFINATELY one that can be taken into the GUTTER. At the same time, don't let that scare you!! Our designers have shared some EXCELLENT examples of how easy it is to take our challenges to WHATEVER place you are comfortable with.

THE PROMPT:
I swallow
THE SONG:
Maneater by Nelly Furtado
TECHNIQUE/PRODUCT:
White Paint Splatter

Guest JESSE:

GLENDA:

PATTI:

BECKY:
"Don't be afraid to try the prompts because maybe nothing comes to you like you thought it would. I had a hard time with this prompt but decided to take bits and pieces of the song to make my title and then use the splattered white paint. Even if it doesn't feel guttery....you can still make a pretty cool layout with some of the items given in the prompt!"

KRISTY:

Journaling reads:
You're lucky to have a woman who would do ANYTHING for you. Not only does it, but likes it. You are my one and only and you make me that way. What way? A slut. I'm that for you. I'm a MANEATER and I wish I could be more often. I make you want all of my love.

LARA:

KRIS:

SUSAN:

RACHEL:
I was running behind on this one... and I certainly wasn't feeling like getting out my paints. Then it hit me that I had some Hambly that looked AWESOME, and had a splattered paint look to it. Match that to the puffy thicker alphas... and I was ready to roll!! This challenge was tough for me, because I knew I wanted to take on this particular subject, and I was having trouble wording things the way I wanted to. In the end, I'm pretty content with how it all "came" together!! Nothing like a little last minute preasure... lol

NIKKI:

We'll be drawing for our prizes on the 30th of the month now, so this week, we'll have NIKKI'S prize carry onto then... so you have another couple weeks to get your comments in with links to our projects!!

June 30th, Prompt #26

2009-06-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

BRACE YOURSELVES!! We're gonna hit it HARD these next couple prompts!!
THE PROMPT:
It's all about ME.
THE SONG:
You're so Vain by Carly Simon
PRODUCT/TECHNIQUE:
FOIL

Remember: Take all or one of these pieces, and create something for YOU. Get as guttery or and clean as you need to. You can click on any of our photos to see them larger.
Please welcome our guest GutterGirl, Jesse!!
My name is Jessica and most call me Jessi or Jess. Whatever is fine with me. Scrapbooking is my passion. I think of myself as a Life Artist(thanks to Ali Edwards) and I believe that I am unique and I'm telling my stories how I want to!! I have long been a fan of Gutter Girlz and Rachel Whetzel and am so honored to be your Guest this month. Please feel free to visit my blog here: http://jessiscorner.blogspot.com to learn more about me and my crazy family and scrapbooking and thanks again for allwowing me into the Gutter family.

The story behind my layout for this time is Isabelle Kate....my 1.5 yr old daughter. It is seriously all about her. I hand painted the background and used some foil paper and the rest just sorta came to me. That song always takes me back to the movie "How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days" which I love and helped to inspire the layout!!

Becky

Close up of the foil on Becky's page!!

Glenda

Kristy

Rachel

Took this opportunity for some artistic venting... :)

Nikki

Susan

Journaling reads: Sometimes I'm selfish & self-centered. It IS all about me. But if I don't watch out for myself then who will?

Kris

Since we're switching over our guest "ways" we'll have Jesse as our guest next prompt, AND we'd like to invite PEGGY to be our next Guest GutterGirl! Peggy, if you're able, we'll share the upcoming 15th prompt with you, and share your work with the other Girlz!! Shoot me an email via the CONTACT link in the left sidebar!!
Don't forget to leave us links to your projects in the comments section!! YOU could be our next Guest GutterGirl OR... you could win our PRIZE!!

New Guest DT rules!!

2009-06-15T21:01:00.000-07:00

Woops!! I just realized that one of our changes to how we're doing things will affect your pages in the next two weeks!! Starting next month, we'll be picking our Guest Designer on the 30th of the month, and playing with us on the 15th of each month. SO. Please read Da Rulz to get a more clear picture. Only layouts submitted to THIS prompt, and into the comments section by the 27th of the month will be considered for the guest spot. Project posted until the 27th, and through the 13th of each month will ALL be considered for our monthly prizes. :) Happy Playing!!

June 15th, Prompt #25

2009-06-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

WOOOO HOOOO!!! We've been at this gutter thing for a WHOLE YEAR!! It's our anniversary, baby!! Thanks SO MUCH to all of you who have made this year a SUCCESS!! Our numbers never cease to amaze me. We couldn't have gotten them without all of YOU. We're in transition... changing the way we run things, and the team itself... I'm so excited about the year to come!! Starting next month, we'll be implementing those changes. You can read about most of them by following the links in the sidebar about our rules and submitting. So let's get to it!!
THE PROMPT:
You call me Bitch like it's a BAD thing...?
THE SONG:
BITCH by Meredith Brooks
PRODUCT/TECHNIQUE:
BLACK
Here's what the gals did with the prompt!!
Our Guest Designer:
ScrappyPug!!

Our Newest Alumni:
Adrienne

The New Girlz:
Kristy

closeups:

Susan

Patti

The rest of the Dirty Girlz:
Becky

Glenda

Lara

Rachel

Kris

Nikki

Nikki is our Design Team sponsor this month, and she got some YUMMY goodies for you all this month!!

We also have a BONUS sponsor!! Sue, from It's Always Fabulous has offered to sponsor us with some goodies from her shop!! You can play to win these prizes by taking part in this, or the June 30th challenges, and leaving a link to your project in the comments section of either challenge.
We also choose our guest designer from this pool of gals... and our Guest designer for the next two prompts, is......
JessiW said... Great layouts girls! I would love to enter the DT search, but I'll have to see if I have the time. Here is my entry for this prompt
Jesse!! Thanks so much for playing, girl!! You are AWESOME, and always here with your take on the gutter!! You can email me using the CONTACT link in the sidebar, and putting JUNE GUEST in your subject. Let me know if you're up for the spot!!

Our winner of last month's prize, picked with my trusty on line random number picker is... LadyBrayton!! "ok. it must be the painkillers from my most recent surgery, but I can't get my comment to post. here is my link BTW, loved everyone's work.----ladybrayton" LadyB, shoot me an email using the contact link in the sidebar. Please put MAY PRIZE in your subject, and give me your mailing information!! Thanks!!

Bittersweet News

2009-06-13T11:26:00.001-07:00

One of our sponsors, and the website in which GutterGirlz came to be, is not only having a HUGE sale, it IS for sale!! Our very own alumni, Christine, owner of TallyScrapper.com is going to be taking on a new job, and won't have the time to keep Tally running. The good news is, that she's hoping to sell TallyScrapper. Until she sells, or has to close it's doors, Tally is having a HUGE sale. We're talking HUGE. You can find out more about the sale HERE and if you are interested in purchasing this thriving website, you can contact Christine HERE. TallyScrapper.com boasts a large patronage, and visitors to the site daily. It's unique system of TallyPoints have blown Tally into a new level of web site. Customers at Tally are loyal, and are hoping that someone is looking for an established website to take over!!

Announcing our NEW Girlz!!

2009-06-08T14:09:00.000-07:00

First of all, I'd like to say THANK YOU to each of you who took the time to apply to our team!! We enjoyed looking over all of the applications!! With three spots to fill, we had some tough choices to make!!
We'd like to welcome to
Kristy

Patti

and Susan!!

The girlz will be joining us for our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY coming up in a few days!!! Can't wait to share with you some of the changes we're making to the site in the next year!!

Suggestion Box for 2010-2011

2009-06-08T00:39:00.000-07:00

We have 2009-2010 planned, but we will need NEW suggestions for NEXT year!! So here's where you come in. Got an idea for a prompt, technique/product or song? Just have an artist you LOVE? Leave us a comment here, and tell us about it!!

May 30th, Prompt 24

2009-05-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

Hello, hello!! One last day to submit YOUR page for consideration to become one of our NEW Designers!! The search is on... can't wait to see what you all submit to us!! Deadline is May 30th, MIDNIGHT pacific time.

THE PROMPT:
Looking Back
THE SONG:
Wasted by Carrie Underwood
PRODUCT/TECHNIQUE
TRASH/PAPER SCRAPS

Please help me welcome, as our MAY guest designer...
Carla, aka ScrappyPug!! Carla is our guest for this and our next challenge!!

Here's Carla's take on the challenge:

close up shot

Here's what the rest of the girls came up with!!
Nikki

Sarah

Glenda

Bree

Becky

Lara

Adrienne

Here's what our prize is this month!! Thanks to our sponsor, Magistical Memories!! You have a chance to win a scrap easel!!

Be sure to leave us a comment below with a link to your project!! Playing and leaving a comment for this, and our challenge from May 15th will give you a chance to have your name drawn to win this prize!!

DON'T FORGET!! WE'RE CELEBRATING OUR ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY ON JUNE 15TH!! BE SURE TO COME PLAY WITH US, OUR DT ALUMNI, AND HAVE A GUTTERY GOOD TIME!!

May 15th, Prompt 23

2009-05-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

So much to SHARE with you!! We're looking for NEW Designers!! The search is on... can't wait to see what you all submit to us!!
THE PROMPT:
It's not all Roses
THE SONG:
Rock Bottom by Eminem
PRODUCT/TECHNIQUE:
PERFUME (visible or not it's not a big deal!!)
Here's what our gals did this time!! Thanks, Kristy, for joining us as our guest!!
Kristy

Becky

Glenda

Nikki

Rachel

We have a GREAT sponsor again this month!! Glenda has helped us secure a GREAT sponsor, Magistical Memories!! You have a chance to win a scrap easel!!

Be sure to leave us a comment below with a link to your project!! Playing and leaving a comment for this, and our challenge on the 30th will give you a chance to have your name drawn to win this prize!!
WINNER of the DT sponsored prize from Lara!!
Lori B said...Hi, HERE is my take on this challenge...I have never scrapped without a picture before!
Winner of our BONUS prize from Shop Crop SUEY!!
sarah said...fun fun fun! i loved this challenge. here's mine thanks so much for the inspo.
Thanks for playing, you two!! Be sure to send your mailing information through the CONTACT link in the left sidebar. Please specify which prize you won in your subject line.
MAY'S GUEST DESIGNER:
scrappypug said... I am in the gutter again!
To join us as our next GUEST Gutter Girl!! Scrappy, we've LOVED your pages over the last months, and it's time you came on for a while with us!! Shoot over an email and tell us if you can take on the next two challenges as our guest!!
Just a reminder!! The team chooses our guest designers from the comments with projects linked here on the blog!! Lots of good stuff for you if you play and share with us!! Mwah!

Summer Design Team Search!!

2009-05-14T22:20:00.000-07:00

It's amazing to me that we are still going strong and that the time has come AGAIN to choose new Design Team Members!! It's our tradition here in the Gutter, that our team members get to stay with us for as long as they feel able and willing to take on the team work. When a team member signs on, they sign on for a 6 month stay, and then at that time, they evaluate whether they'd like to stay on, or be one of our alumni! This call, we'll be saying THANK YOU to three of our Girlz next month. Stacey, Christine, Adrienne have decided that they are ready for a break, and so that means that we need to find new ~~meat~~ Girlz to take their place! The girlz will "stay on" on as Alumni, and will hopefully be joining us on future prompts for the fun of it!! We are looking to fill three spots.

TEAM INFORMATION:

By submitting, you will be signing up for 6 months worth of commitment. After that time, you can take a step back, or choose to sign up for another 6 months!
Our design team members sign up to sponsor a prize once during their time on the team. The prize can be hand made, or store bought. Please keep the prize value at around $10 dollars.
Designers should expect to do at least one of the two challenges offered each month. More is fine, but only one is necessary. Designers can work a prompt in advance and projects are due 2 days before the prompts. Prompts are posted on the 15th and 30th of every month.
Be active in commenting and thanking girlz who visit and link their projects in our challenges.
Promote Gutter Girlz in your on line communities as allowed by their Terms of Use, and Promotion of Gutter Girlz on your personal blog at prompt time!

WHAT YOU GET:

You get to first and foremost, ENCOURAGE ART!! Our team is about reaching and encouraging others to reach into places they might not reach, and explore.
Traffic to your blog from our blog through links! This site gets over 1500 hits a month. We encourage you to let that traffic work for you!!
At this time, we do not offer kit or product incentive to the design team. Hopefully one day, we'll be able to make a change on that one!!
Collaboration with some of the most AMAZING people you will have the pleasure to "know."

HOW TO SUBMIT:

Participate in the challenge issued here on the blog, for May 15th.

Leave a comment on that post, with the following information:

Start your comment with "DESIGN TEAM SUBMISSION"
A brief description of yourself and why you belong in the gutter.
Link us to your project following the May 15th challenge.
A list of communities you are able to promote GutterGirlz on.
Links to any blogs or personal sites where we can get an idea about you!
tell us what the craziest "non scrap" product/technique is that you've ever used.

Please follow up this comment with an email to us, letting us know how to email you if we choose you for the team. Use the CONTACT US link in our sidebar, and be sure to let us know which user you are, so we know who's comment matches what email. If the email link in the sidebar doesn't work for you, send an email to: guttergirlz at gmail dot com.

Submissions comments are due by the 30th of May by midnight!! We'll announce our newest dirty girlz on the 14th of June just before our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!! Late submissions will not be considered. (timeliness is just a pre req for the job, you see...)

Apr. 30th, Prompt 22

2009-04-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

WELCOME WELCOME!!
This month, we have Kristy from My Corner of the Studio as our Guest Designer!!

Getting RIGHT to it this week!!
THE PROMPT:
I'll do what I wanna do!
THE SONG:
Mind your Own Business by Chicks on Speed
PRODUCT/TECHNIQUE:
FILE FOLDER
Here's what the gals did this week!!
Kristy

Glenda

Nikki

Adrienne

Bree

Rachel

Lara

Amy

Our Designers Lara and Bree, from Shop Crop Suey are sponsoring our prizes this month!!
This one from Lara:

and our Bonus prize from Shop Crop Suey!!

Be sure to leave us a comment below with a link to your project!! Two lucky gals will be winners chosen at our next prompt!!
Don't forget!! It's ALMOST time for a DT call!! Be sure to check in with us NEXT prompt, on May 15th, for the call information!!

Apr. 15th, Prompt 21

2009-04-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

Can you BELIEVE that we are nearing our ONE YEAR anniversary!?! I'm so excited. Hoping to have some AWESOME shiznit for you all when we celebrate!!

Let's get right down to it.
WINNER of our monthly prize!!
scrappypug said...
http://scrappypug.blogspot.com/2009/03/gutter-girlz-challenge-19-wayyy-too.html there is mine!
Send us an email with your mailing information, so I can pass it onto our sponsor!! Please put MARCH PRIZE WIN in your subject.

Every month, we ask one of our participants to join us as our guest designer!! The design team chooses from our participants from both the 15th and the 30th, when they have linked us in the comments section!! This month, the team would like to invite
kitten91303 said...
OMGosh I had too much fun with this! It was like therapy LOL!!! http://kitten91303.blogspot.com/2009/04/gutter-girlz-challenge.html Can't wait to see the next prompt! Wonderful LO's DT!
Kitten, please email me and let me know if you would like to join us as our guest designer for the next two prompts!! We hope you'll be able to join us!! Thanks to Jenny, for taking us up this last month and joining us as our guest!!
THE PROMPT:
Liar Liar
THE SONG:
Your Love is a Lie by Simple Plan
PRODUCT/TECHNIQUE:
JEANS

LOVED the different directions that everyone took this time around!! I always do. Here's what the team did!!
Jenny

Glenda

Becky

Lara

Rachel

Sarah

Nikki

Christi

Amy

Our Designers Lara and Shop Crop Suey are sponsoring our prizes this month!! We have TWO!!
This one from Lara:

and our Bonus prize from Shop Crop Suey!!

Be sure to leave us a comment below with a link to your project!! Two lucky gals will be winners in the next two challenges!!

Mar. 30th, Prompt 20

2009-03-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

Hey gang!! How's it hangin'? We've been kicking it at the new pad on Ning, and loving it there!! If you haven't joined already, we sure hope you do!! It's going to be a GREAT place for us to share and get to know each other better!
So I wanted to talk a little bit about all that we are again... GutterGirlz is a group of girlz (that's the name) who got it in their heads that scrapping isn't ALWAYS about niceness, and politeness. Sometimes, it's about sharing yourself. Sometimes it's about going to that dark place, and once in a while, it's about getting all dirty in the gutter. What the gutter means for each of us is different. Once in a while, we might not even FEEL all that guttery. THAT'S ok too!! Here in the gutter, it's our goal to allow ALL of us, boy OR girl, to share the place that we are at NOW. It's not about keeping a memory alive for 100 years with acid free. It's about using what you FEEL and enjoying the process. Thanks so much to each and every one of you who GET that. For the comments you share between each other, and the time and energy you put into OUR site. Because what we do here, is a big deal!! We got to where we are without ANY advertising. Just word of mouth. Because of YOU. So thanks. We love you!!
Join me in welcoming Jenny!! She's our guest Gutter Gal for the next two prompts!! YOU could be next!! Don't forget to link your photos here in a comment to be entered to be our next gutter girl!! Be sure and hop over to Jenny's BLOG and tell her thanks for playing along with us!!

You'll also be entered to win our monthly prize!! This month, we're playing for a prize donated by our designer BECKY!! Thanks, Becky!! If you need to know more about the rules... CLICK HERE!

THE PROMPT:
ZIP it.
THE SONG:
Shut Up by Kelly Osborne
PRODUCT/TECHNIQUE:
Zipper

Jenny

Glenda

Kris

Nikki

Rachel

Christi

Amy

Bree

Get in there, ladies!! As you can see by the examples of our DT, the possibilities are ENDLESS with this one!!

Mar. 15th, Prompt 19

2009-03-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

It's CRAZY ass weeks like this week, that I'm SO happy that I'm not the only girl in the clubhouse. It's been a madhouse of STUFF this week, and I have to admit. This prompt was one I REALLY REALLY REALLY wanted to DO!! But... instead. I did TAXES. THAT, my friends, is the SUCK. But they are DONE and I don't have to pay, and even though I didn't get to play, WE HAVE WINNERS and we have PROMPTS!!
AND we have FORUM.

Visit GutterGirlz
Be SURE you check out the new forum!! A place to share photos, chat, email each other, and really have FUN. It's approved membership only, so you can rest assured that some person who just liked the fact that we have gutter and GIRLZ in the same sentence doesn't just join up.
On that note: A while ago, I took GutterGirlz off of Facebook. This happened when there were some questions about what FB's new Terms of Service meant in terms of ownership of what a person posts there. I didn't, and still do not want you gals to be compromised in that way, and lose ownership of what you create. Facebook has since changed its TOS to better state their intentions, and remove doubt about who owns what gets posted, but I have decided to keep the GG off as a group for now. I'll be sure to let you know if I change that. :) Just wanted you to know why we disappeared there!! We're still tweeting on Twitter, and now, able to post updates to you on ning!

Now onto the WINNING!! This month's guest designer, if she'll have us, is Jenny said... These layouts were great & this challenge just came all together while I was thinking about it yesterday. Thanks assholes
Jenny!! We loved what you did with the challenge, and we want to see more of you in the next two prompts!! Please email me, so we can chat about you joining us as our guest!! :) Guest Designers will also now be highlighted on the NING group!

Our winner of the FABULOUS prize from Christi's etsy store Coffee's Shoppe:
Tonia_and_boys_Inc. said... click here or whatever dude hope that works
Congratulations, Tonia!! Send me an email with your mailing address, and the title FEB. PRIZE so that I can pass your information on to Christi!!

BECKY is the gal whose donation will be up for grabs the next two prompts!! Check it!!

And NOW....
THE PROMPT:
Junk in My Trunk
THE SONG:
My Humps by Black Eyed Peas
PRODUCT/TECHNIQUE:
JUNK from your trunk

Here's what our guest DT did this time, and what the rest of the gals came up with!!
Patti

Glenda

Becky

Nikki

Adrienne

Amy

Kris

Bree

Lara

Christi

So come ON!! Show us your JUNK ladies!! We can't wait to see what you come up with!!

It's HERE!!!

2009-03-06T20:07:00.000-08:00

Join us on the FORUM!! Check it out, laydies... I hope you enjoy!! Can't wait to gain an even BETTER community than we already HAVE!

Visit GutterGirlz

Feb. 28th, Prompt 18

2009-02-28T07:00:00.000-08:00

Hey dirty girlz!! I'm gonna get right to it this week!! I'm busy working on getting our forum together for you, since the vote seems to be a YES for having a group that we can chat and post on a message board with!! Stay tuned on that one.
Please welcome, our guest dirty girl, Patti H!!

Remember, you might be the next guest gutter girl, IF IF IF you link us to your projects that are inspired here!!
Linking your projects from this prompt and/or the last one will also put your name in the hat for our prize this month!! (see the left sidebar for details)
THE PROMPT:
Thanks, ASSHOLE!!
THE SONG:
Fighter by Christina Aguleria
PRODUCT/TECHNIQUE:
Bandaids
Here's what the girlz created for your inspiration!
Patti

Bree

Amy

Glenda

Nikki

Becky

Lara

Adrienne

Rachel

Question:

2009-02-22T10:48:00.000-08:00

We've noticed that there are a few challenge blogs out in challenge land that offer an on line forum of sorts for their members. I want to know it that's something you all would be interested in? I know of an on line site that would be perfect for hosting the group, and allowing for chats, forum discussions, and even posting photos! I need to hear back from all of you, though. Is that something you'd be interested in, or do you like things the way they are? We'd still have the blog, and ask that everyone link from here in the comments. The group would only be an extension of us. I think we'd also make it membership by request like we do the flickr group. Talk to me! Let me know what you think, and we'll go from there!