Smilebox Blog

posted by Joanne, Smilebox content manager

The votes are counted and we’re pleased to announce the winners of our “Adventure in the Woods” children’s storybook contest.  We received hundreds of very creative entries.  Thank you to everyone who submitted their personal versions of our Adventure in the Woods story – they were all fantastic.  Without further ado, the winners are:

Sandra – Grand Prize, winner of a Canon digital camera

Leah – Runner Up, winner of an annual subscription to Club Smilebox

Davene — Runner Up, winner of an annual subscription to Club Smilebox

Leslie – Runner Up, winner of an annual subscription to Club Smilebox

Congratulations!

So you’ve always wanted to write a children’s book.  Here’s your chance to channel your inner Dr. Seuss and create a unique multimedia story for the child in your life.  Created by Smilebox Studios, this new and unique design features dramatic illustration by our own digital artist Mark Puskar depicting an animated adventure in the forest with an endearing purple dinosaur.  The design allows you to create your story and add your personal photos.  Or if you’re experiencing writers’ block simply use the story we’ve included.   

Kids love to hear tales of adventure — especially when they’re the main character!  Young children will enjoy listening to the tale created just for them as they watch the pages magically turn to reveal their personal story.  Readers will be able to show off their skills and read along themselves.  So warm up your fingers and create a story starring your kid, grandkid, niece or nephew.  They’ll love it.   

Get the design by opening Smilebox and typing “Adventure in the Woods” in the catalog search field.  To enter the contest, email your creation to community@smilebox.com or add the link to your blog post in the comments section below.  Our panel of judges will award the most creative entry a digital camera and two runnersup a yearly subscription to Club Smilebox.  Winners will be announced here on April 4.   Complete details on the contest are available here.

It’s been said that music makes the Smilebox.  It certainly can help tell a story, evoke a feeling or just make you smile.  With more than 1,700 songs in our music library (and more added each day!) and the ability to upload any song from your personal music library, Smilebox recognizes the power of a great song.  In the spirit of Valentine’s Day we’ve taken an unscientific poll throughout the halls of Smilebox to find the best love songs ever.  Here are our favorites.  Tell us yours in the comments section below and next Thursday, Feb. 21st we’ll randomly draw one to win a year’s subscription to Club Smilebox (a $39.99 value)! 

“Hero” - Enrique Iglesias 

“Songbird” - Fleetwood Mac

“She’s Got A Way” - Billy Joel

“The Very Thought Of You” - Nat King Cole

“I Only Have Eyes For You” - The Flamingos 

“Before Today” – Everything But The Girl

“Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye” - John Coltrane

“Just The Way You Are” - Billy Joel

“Book of Love” - Peter Gabriel

“Wonderful Tonight” - Eric Clapton

“Everything I Do, I Do It for You” - Bryan Adams

“Nothing Compares 2 U” - Sinead O’Connor

“Every Breath You Take” - The Police

“Have I Told You Lately” - Van Morrison

“True Companion” - Marc Cohn

“Wonderful Tonight” - Eric Clapton 

“The Way I Am” - Ingrid Michaelson

“Your Song” - Elton John

Thank you to the hundreds of customers who submitted Smileboxes to our “Go Green with Smilebox” holiday contest!  We had a fantastic response and a great time seeing all your creations.  Expect to see another contest this Spring!   Without further ado, the winners are (drumroll, please…): 

Pat Oliphant (Grand Prize Winner!):

Amy Cooke:

Heather Krieger:

Beth Bridgeford:

Jennifer Roberts:

Terri Teal:

The grand prize winner, Pat Oliphant, received a Canon digital camera and the runners up received a year’s subscription to Club Smilebox.  Congratulations to all our winners for submitting heartfelt creations that reflected the true spirit of the holidays.  A special thanks to our distinguished panel of judges: 

   Kathy McDonald, Parent Map 

   Laura Glass, Parent Map and Baby Loves Disco 

   Erin Manning, host of “The Whole Picture” on the DIY Network

   Brittany Beattie, Creating Keepsakes 

   Lisa Bearnson, Creating Keepsakes

   Stacy DeBroff, Mom Central 

   Juliana Thornquist, Smilebox Aviator