Hey everyone! It’s Valarie VonScribe aka Val. I’m the official gossip and news reporter for Webkinz.

I’m always looking for ways to improve my room designing skills, and by visiting Webkinz HQ it’s a great opportunity to pick up tips and speak with the experts.

Last week I had the pleasure of interviewing the official designer of the Webkinz World Clubhouses, an amazing interior room decorator with 5 years of experience under his belt. If you love designing rooms as much as I do, you’ll enjoy this interview.

VAL: Hi Dodger, thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me today. I’ll be posting this interview for our Webkinz fans, and I’m hoping to get some great tips on Webkinz World design… after all, you’re an expert.

DODGER: No problem Valarie! When it comes to Webkinz World room designs, I love sharing my skills and expertise.

VAL: I’d like to start by asking you about your favorite Webkinz Pets. What was your first Webkinz Pet, and what’s your current favorite?

DODGER: My first Webkinz Pet was the Webkinz Blue Hippo, but my favorite is the Webkinz Signature German Shepherd because I think the Puppy Patrol Command Station (pet Specific item) is really cool.

VAL: How did you begin designing Webkinz World Clubhouses?

DODGER: When I first started at Webkinz HQ I thought some of our rooms needed a makeover. I pitched the idea to the Webkinz Creative Director and he encouraged me to begin designing Party Rooms. I designed them all.

VAL: What’s the best part of your job?

DODGER: My favorite part is room design. I like creating unique spaces using rare items to bring value to rooms.

VAL: Can you give us a tip on finding rare and cool items for rooms?

DODGER: I get excited about the trading rooms. By trading with other Webkinz World players you can purchase rare items, then visit the trading room to swap items. If I get a rare item in the Curio Shop that I already have, or that I don’t want, I often head over to the trading room.

VAL: What’s your favorite room theme?

DODGER: Good question! My favorite theme is the Medieval theme. It’s a rare theme from the Curio Shop that I collected one item at a time. I love the Stone Column item within the theme because it does a great job of breaking up rooms.

As a tip, place one of the Stone Columns in the south west corner of the room. As I’d said, it breaks up the room and looks fantastic.

VAL: Can you talk about some of your favorite Clubhouse rooms, and tell us how you designed them?

DODGER: Sure, the Bowling Alley, which cost approximately 35,000 KinzCash to decorate contains items from a variety of different themes. The inspiration for this theme came from bowling parties I attended when I was younger.

The flooring was from the Space mission chain, the plants are exclusive items, the lamp is from the Movie Magic theme (Movie Theater Lamp), the Scoreboard is from the Sports Fan theme, and I believe some of the furniture was used from the Upscale Condo theme. And, did you ever notice that the Bowling Alley’s Scoreboard keeps real Kinz time?!

Within the Super Chef room, I used tables from the Bon Appetite ‘Deluxe Mission Chain’, and some of the diner furniture are rare items from the Curio Shop.

In the Exercise room I used items that I earned from doing classes at the KinzVille Academy. As a tip, to keep your pets healthy and happy visit the Exercise room and put them on the exercise machines. By doing so, you’ll give your pets a health boost.

VAL: What’s the key to designing spectacular rooms?

Mixing and matching. When I design Clubhouse rooms I don’t stick with one theme. I use multiple themes that compliment each other. As an example, the textures and colors within the Wizard theme looks great when you include items from the Pirate theme, a theme that contains some lighter colors.

The medieval theme, my favorite of them of all, goes well with almost anything.

VAL: What do you think is the coolest new improvement to themes?

DODGER: This year the Christmas theme and the eStore’s Ski Village allow players to place buildings around the outside of the perimeter of a room. You can expect to see more of this, and it’s something I’m very excited about.

VAL: I’m a big fan of the Collector Room, can you tell me a bit about the design.

DODGER: Sure, the room is a mixture of different themes Valarie. I styled the room with Stone Columns and added a stained glass window featuring the sweetest fairy in Webkinz World, Alyssa. There are also some items from the Ancient Civilization theme such as the Ancient Emperor Statue, Centurion Coffee Table and Emperor’s Settee.

You might also notice a few items from the Egyptian theme; the Sofa of the Nile, Sandstone Pedestal and Royal Banquet Table added an element of style to the Collector Room.

VAL: Are you able to give us a sneak peek, or tell us about upcoming rooms?

DODGER: All I can tell you now is that we’re working on some cool new role playing rooms. One of the new role playing rooms will give you a chance to look inside a building on the KinzVille map. That’s all I’m saying for now, but stay tuned.

VAL: Thank you for taking to time to chat with me. I’m sure my fellow Webkinz fans will gain some décor skills from this interview.

DODGER: Anytime Valarie! I’m on my way to design a top secret room.

I hope you enjoyed this exclusive interview with Webkinz HQ’s Clubhouse Designer! Post your ideas and design tips in the comments below.  – VAL

What a great weekend in Arizona at the Girl Scouts of America on Friday in Phoenix and the Amy’s Hallmark in Gilbert, AZ on Saturday. We had lots of fans come out to celebrate the holiday weekend with the Road Trip team.

Dance contests, Hula Hoop contests and Webkinz Trivia were the crowd favorites!

The team also visited the Grand Canyon for the first time and found a Webkinz pet hanging from the tree! Very mysterious, how do you think it got there?

Tall Grass Trampoline	Grazing Gazpacho	South African Springbok Gift Box

The amazing South African Springbok will be leaping into Webkinz World very soon!

For this and other fabulous pets, visit Ganz eStore!

This pet has got a side step that will tip you off your feet! The Cancer Crab is a cute and curious little crustacean that might catch you off-guard, but is friendly to the max!

If your birthday falls into the Cancer sign…you’ll be the perfect pinch for the Cancer Crab!

These special pets correspond with the Zodiac calendar throughout the year. For each Zodiac sign, a different Exclusive Online Pet will be available.

Available starting this Webkinz Wednesday, June 9, 2010 only at Ganz eStore!

Introducing the new Lil’ Springtime Chicks, new Online-only Webkinz pets. This weekend only (12:01am March 20 to 23:59pm March 21, 2010 EST), adopt either of these new birds at the Ganz eStore for just 9,000 eStore points each. After March 21, 2010 they’ll still be available but for 10,000 eStore Points each. So make sure to be the Early Bird!

Lil’ Springtime Chicks in the Clubhouse!

These adorable chicks are available to in Yellow or Blue and come with matching:

• Easter Egg Chair
• CandyCorn Feed

A special Purple Chick is also available as part of this special offer, but only for Deluxe Advantage eStore Customers.

Check out the Lil’ Springtime Chicks and other Easter Specials at the Ganz eStore (ganzestore.com).

Watch the video below to see the Griffin and the Griffin House Tapestry in action.

Kinz Klips

Kinz Klips will be available in stores by early April. Stay tuned to Webkinz Newz to learn more about Kinz Klips and also keep your eyes open for information about Caring Valley Webkinz pets, also coming this April.