Meet My Memories

I'll just come right out with it...today I am giving away digital scrapbooking software!!! :) My Memories is a wonderful company that sells both software and digital kits for scrapbooking. They also do photobooks. Their My Memories Suite Scrapbook software is an award winning software that is rated #1 by Amazon and TopTen Reviews.

They contacted me a little while ago and asked me to do a giveaway and a review of the product on my blog. My review is honest and my own opinion. You can scroll down to see it. But first...

One lucky person can win this software today!

HOW TO WIN:

1. Check out the My Memories site and browse the digital kits OR look through their gallery, then..

2. Come back and leave me a comment telling me which one is your favorite (kit or layout in gallery).

3. You can get an extra entry by spreading the word...on your own blog, on a message board or on a facebook or twitter page, just post about it then come back and leave me another comment with a link to your post.

Pretty simple. :)

P.S. If you become a fan of My Memories on facebook then you can get exclusive fan freebie kits!

Here is a layout I created using the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software:

It also uses their Empty Nest Pack kit.

MY REVIEW:

I am SO not a digital person. It takes me a long time to figure out how to do things and I often will get frustrated first. Using My Memories Suite Scrapbook software was very simple. It comes with a bunch of papers and embellishments already. And their site has a lot to offer too. I started working on my page and couldn't figure out how to add another paper on top of my paper I was using as a background. So I headed over to their blog and found a whole bunch of tutorials on how to do things, so that's nice. It looks like you can also get the tutorials emailed to you which I thought was cool. They have a bunch of templates and it seems they really push those. It certainly does make digital scrapbook easy! And the templates you can still manipulate and change it up. As with any program it will take a little bit to learn how to do things, but I promise that this program is pretty easy. I sat down in one afternoon and played around and made the layout above. It didn't take too long to learn how to do things, and when you need help, there is help available. :) Before I had my Mac and Photoshop CS3, I had another program that was very similar to this and I think I paid $90 for it. So this program for $39.97 is a great deal (and you can get it for less, just keep reading). The only thing I didn't like was that in order to rearrange your layers (bring some elements forward and move some back in your layers) you had to click on the image (which could sometimes be hard to click on because the computer thought I was clicking on another element) and then bring forward or backwards, which sometimes meant you had to do this with several different elements before you got it where you want it. But I remember having the same problem with my old program. Overall, I really think it is a good, easy program for any digital scrapbooker, but especially for those just starting the hobby. :)

The bottom line: any new software will take time to learn how to do things. This software has a lot of options for digital scrapbookers and makes it pretty easy. And it is certainly A LOT cheaper (less than $40) than Photoshop or similar programs.

Now here's the great part, even if you don't win the giveaway or if you want it right now....I have a special for you! :)

You can get a $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software AND a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store ($20 value) by using this code:

STMMMS34302

Just copy and paste the code then add it in the promo code section when you check out.

Digital scrapbooking can be fun! Hope you try it out!

Have an AWESOME day! I will draw a winner on Friday. :)

More MPCo :)

I have some more Marks Paper Company to show you.  These are both digital layouts using the English Garden kit.  

I'm in that last layout...can you guess which one is me?  :)  

Ok...still busy busy busy here so this is another short and sweet post.  Have a great day!!!!

English Garden

Here are a bunch of fun projects using the new English Garden kit from Marks Paper Company.  For the most part, I used their digital version of the kit, but just printed it and used it traditionally.  

For this first project, I was feeling a little bit flirty.  :)  I made this to hang by our bed in the bedroom.  My hubby got a kick out of it.  

For the above project I used a wooden piece from Say it with Letters and altered it.  :)  

Here, I took a house from Maya Road and altered it to make a butterfly house.  

Just another view of the same thing...

Here's just a quick digi page...

And here are some quick and easy cards...

I really LOVE the new English Garden collection from Marks Paper Company!  It's just beautiful.  

And they are having a contest right now, check it out here on their blog.  Deadline is the 27th.  

And finally....

The Amazing Race begins at noon (MT) today!!!  That's not far away.  Our first clue will be posted on the RP blog.  I really hope you follow along, but it is also beneficial for you to do so...because they will have lots of giveaways just for those people following along, so stay tuned to their blog for that!  :)  

Have an awesome Wednesday everyone!!!!

Season of Change

Man, everything seems to be changing right now.  A lot in my life is changing.  Even in the scrapbooking world.  We are losing magazines, we are losing contests, we are losing stores and sites.  It's sad.  And the same week I got the best news ever (MLS design team) I also got more sad news.  ScrapLovers is closing the forum.  They were the first design team I tried for...and the first one I made.  Christina has been so awesome and generous and I am really going to miss the whole gang there.  But we are ending it all with a big Farewell Crop.  Would love for you to join us...especially if you have ever been a part of the ScrapLovers community.  

I also wanted to show you a couple layouts today.  Today is new release day for Kate Teague over at 2 peas.  She has two new kits for you: Happy Spring and Sunny Days.  Here are two quick layouts I made with those kits:

Hope you all have an awesome Tuesday!  

Hybrid Happy

Yep...that's me.  I love to combine my love for traditional scrapbooking with my love for digital scrapbooking.  :)  Wanted to show you a layout today where I did just that.  

I started with this digital page that I made.  It uses the fabulous "August Collection" digital kit from Marks Paper Company.

I printed it on textured cardstock.  Then I took an exacto knife and cut the photo out of the page so I could put a layer in between the photo and the page.  

And since you know how much I love lace and trim...that is what I put behind the photo.  Next I printed a collage of digital papers and cut circles out to add as flowers on my page.  I put those above the flowers that were already on my page to make them really pop.  Finishing touches of paint, glitter and gems, and you have my completed layout:

Close Up's:

Thanks for checking me out today.  :)  Have a great Friday!!!  

Supplies:

Digital kit from Marks Paper Company, Lace--unknown, Paint--Making Memories, Glitter--Stickles from Ranger Industries, Heart gems--Prima.  

Playful

Kate had a new release this week over at 2 peas.  It's a mega kit called "Playful".  Check it out here.  And see what the rest of the DT did on Kate's blog here.  Here are a couple layouts I made with the kit.  

I love the kit...it is so fun!  :)

Well I am off to Idaho today.  My sister-in-law is graduating with her masters there, so me and the kids are heading up with my parents.  Hubby is staying here.  :(  But he is taking his big licensing test on Saturday, so pray for him.  It's a long drive for us, and we are splitting it into two days.  So we will arrive tomorrow.  Long car rides are tricky....you just never know how they are going to go with a little baby...wish me luck!  :)  

NSD...

has come and gone...although there are many sites that are celebrating throughout the whole weekend.  I didn't get too much done.  :(  I did 3 layouts, one traditional and two digital.  Maybe I will get time tomorrow to work some more but I am not going to count on it.  Here are the two digi layouts I did...

I made both of them for challenges over at 2 peas.  

Well...since it is after midnight, I am going to bed.  Hope you all had a great National Scrapbooking Day!  :)  

"Soo Cute, but..." layout credits:

Paper and buttons from April's free kit (Crystal Wilkerson), Rhinestones--Emily Powers, Brush and Mask--Katie Pertiet, Circles (cream with words)--Erica Hernandez, and two small things (green pp circle and epoxy circle with tree)--Kate Teague, Fonts--Daily Birdie (AUDacious Designs) and Anthology.

"Peas" layout credits: 

Papers and elements--Kate Teague (Pea Lovin, Fruit Salad), and Crystal Wilkerson (April free kit). Stitching--Anna White, Mask and brush--Katie Pertiet. Fonts--Happy Daze, Baby Birdie and Daily Birdie (last two from AUDacious designs).

Motivation

So I have been looking through some older photos lately...some I might have missed scrapbooking.  And I am surprised by how many I am ending up using, I thought I had scrapbooked all of those that I wanted to.  I'd rather scrapbook photos again then not scrapbook anyways.  :)  So here is a layout for you today using the Fruit Salad kit from the fabulous Kate Teague.

 

BTW...I got an amazing email from Kate this week asking me to design for her...just out of the blue!  Crazy!  :)  I am amazed at how many doors seem to be opening for me with digital stuff!   

I am feeling incredibly motivated today.  This comes after a few days of not feelin' it at all.  So I have a big....secret...project in mind that I think I am going to start on.  Wish me luck!  

Oh...and check out Kate's blog right now for a digital freebie (but only the first 200 get one). Have an AWESOME Friday!  

Supplies:

Digital papers and elements from digital kit (Fruit Salad) from Kate Teague.  Additional supplies: paper--Kate Teague (Tweety Pie kit), Paint--Emily Powers, Frame--Erica Hernandez, Journaling lines--AUDacious Designs, Fonts--Daily Birdie (AUDacious designs), Apple Chancery and CK Melton (disc), Stitching--AASPN (Anna White).  

An Awesome Deal

I played around last night and made a couple new digi layouts:

All supplies came from a fantastic mega kit called "Picnic in the Park."  And right now...you can get it for free!  When I found out, I was on it...spent $10 on awesome supplies at {we are} Storytellers (which went far since everything was on sale) and got the kit for free!  Here are the details...

If you have ever thought about trying digital scrapbooking...now is the time!  :)  Head on over to {we are} Storytellers, they have tons of great stuff!

MPCo CONTEST! :)

Yep, I will tell you about the contest but first let me share a layout with you.  It is my most recent digital layout using Marks Paper Company's August kit.  And I do believe that it is now my favorite digi layout.  :)

And now on to the contest info...

I meant to have this up earlier.  

The Challenge:  Using 75% of Marks Paper Company’s products, create a flower(s) on a scrapbook page, altered item, home décor item, mini album, you name it.  How creative can you be?  Put on those garden gloves and get growing!

The winner will receive a set of each of the Marks Paper Company paper collections (August and Old Fashioned Courtship), Digital Kits for both lines and a sponsored prize by Short Cuts - SheetLoad of Cards, which includes five (5) each of Clear and Frosted Card Blanks (10 pcs), five (5) each of Clear and Frosted Full Sheets (10 pcs), two (2) each of Gift Card Holder Folders in white, ivory, kraft and black (8 pcs).  Total retail value for this prize package is $30.00.  In addition, your winning project will be featured on the Marks Paper Company Blog and in our monthly newsletter!

When your project is complete, post a comment on their blog post that includes a link to your blog or on-line gallery so they can view your project.  Deadline for submissions is midnight (EST) April 29, 2009.  Winners will be announced on April 30, 2009 on their blog.

Don't have Marks Paper Company's products?  

• You can buy them here.
• You can download them here and use them right away!  (Just print and cut if you are not a digi scrapper).
• Use their FREE PRINTABLE product!

Their last digital freebie is available on their website.  Get it now until April 21st.

 

Here is a quick card I made using the free printable patches!  

More Digital

Thought I would post some digital layouts that I made lately.  :)

This layout was made for the On Assignment challenge over at Scrapbooks Etc.  The challenge was to use their collage template.  I used my digital stuff from Marks Paper Company.  :)  You can get that here.  

This was just a layout I made for fun.  It uses Audrey Neal's Just Be You kit.  You can find that here.  

And this layout I made for the weekly digital challenge at 2peas last week.  :)  

Credits for "We Play Games" layout:

Papers and elements--Marks Paper Company, Letters--CD Muckosky (Free Spirit), and Stitching--Katie Pertiet.  

Credits for "Watch Out":

All Audrey Neal except fonts.  

Credits for "Just Be You":

Papers--BZB Designs at Elenental Scraps (Urban Wasteland kit), Word Mat--Audrey Neal at {we are} Storytellers (Just Be You kit), Lace--Mindy Terasawa at Designer Digitals (Crazy Beautiful kit), Brushes--Katie Pertiet at Designer Digitals (Sun Rays Brushes) and Sande Krieger at 2peas (Authentic Rough Riders kit), Stitching--Katie Pertiet at Designer Digitals (Drawn Stitches kit), Pin--Katie Pertiet, Sequins--unknown.

A quick post...

to show you a digi page I made. I was inspired when I found this great "Framed Quotes" kit from the fabulous Audrey Neal. Here's my page:

Audrey's having a CT call right now, so if you are a digi scrapper...check her out. :)

"My Symphony" credits (all digital):

Paper--bzdesigns, Framed Quote--beAUDacious designs, Glitter Butterflies and Rhinestones--Emily Powers, Crochet Flowers--Tia Bennett (creme) and Patti Knox (brown), Flower on left--Shabby Princess, Stars--Patti Knox, Brad--Amy Teets, Mask--Katie Pertiet.

Quick and Simple

I have a couple of easy digital pages to share.   This first one is SUPER easy!  Took me all of 5 minutes.  :)  That's because it is a free digital template from Marks Paper Company!  But it is only available until April 7th!  So go their blog and see how to get it for free!  All I did was add my photo and change the color of the buttons.  

 I love it!  :)  This next one I created for an ad challenge over at 2peas.  

We are taking the kiddos to a movie this morning.  We are going to see "Monsters vs. Aliens" (in 3D)...should be fun!  Hope Eryn stays quiet the whole time.  We have never gone to a movie theatre with a baby before.  Do you guys do that???  I don't want to be the annoying people that brought their crying baby to a movie...but I do think she will be fine.  

Credits for "Together" layout:

All Marks Paper Company

Credits for "Fun" layout:

Papers and Elements: Marks Paper Company (downloaded at their site), Stitching: Anna White (downloaded at www.designerdigitals.com), Acrylic Letters: Patti Knox (downloaded at www.designerdigitals.com), Brush: Katie Pertiet (downloaded at www.jessicasprague.com).

No Foolin'!!!

Did you see this????  I am ecstatic!  

I was so shocked when I got the email because I didn't think I was going to make the team...it is a digital/hybrid team!  And most my experience is in traditional scrapbooking.  I pretty much thought that everyone else was more qualified for the position then I would be.  But I am honored to be picked.  This is one challenge I am excited for!!!  

I already posted one hybrid project I did with Marks Paper Company Digital Kits, you can view that here.  Here are two digital layouts I made:

I really do love MPCo papers and elements!!!  You can grab those here.  AND right now you can get them for 25% off: April 1 - April 7 only...so take advantage of that!)  

You can also receive a free digital template right now.  To get that, just post a link on your blog to the Marks Paper Company blog.  And also leave a comment on their blog.  

There are so many exciting things that are happening at Marks Paper Company this month...so make sure you bookmark that blog, join their facebook group, and stayed tuned for more!  :)  Can you tell that I am so excited about this?  

And a big CONGRATS to the rest of the digi/hybrid team:

Maggie LaMarre

Michele Ciola

Patricia Komara

Cathy Pascual

Deanna Kroll

Cindy Gilchrist

Credits for "Outakes" layout:

Papers and Elements--Marks Paper Company: August Collection (downloaded at http://www.markspaperco.com/), Stitching--Katie Pertiet (Downloaded at www.designerdigitals.com) , Photo Frame--Rhonna Farrer (downloaded at www.twopeasinabucket.com)

Credits for "She's Here" layout:

Papers and elements--Marks Paper Company: Old Fashioned Courtship kit (downloaded at http://www.markspaperco.com/), Stitching--Katie Pertiet: Drawn Stitches (downloaded at www.designerdigitals.com), Letters--Patti Knox: Be Mine Alpha (downloaded at http://www.designerdigitals.com/)

A Digital Layout

Thought I would post a digital layout that I made.  I made it for Erica Hernandez's challenge on her blog.  

Credits: Paper--Erica Hernandez: retroACTIVE Paper Pack, Elements--Erica Hernandez: Feeling Bookish Elements and Feeling Bookish Bookish II Tabs, Tags and Tickets (all downloaded at www.twopeasinabucket.com). Frame--Erica Hernandez: Martha(downloaded at www.twopeasinabucket.com). Also used Glitter Rhinestones--Emily Powers: Blossom (downloaded at www.memorymakersmagazine.com), Stitching--Katie Pertiet: Drawn Stitches (downloaded at www.designerdigitals.com), Letters--Mindy Terasawa: Crazy Beautiful (downloaded at www.designerdigitals.com), Computer Font--CK Classical (disc).

Now Were Rockin' with Photoshop

Woo Hoo!  Finished my first LO from the Now We're Rockin' with Photoshop class by Jessica Sprague.  Here it is:

And my family comes home today!  Yeah!  My hubby and two kids have been in Nebraska again.  This time I stayed behind.  I've been really sick, and I was able to sleep a lot while they were gone.  But I am so happy that they will be coming home today!  :)

Way Back When

Holy cow!  Remember a long time ago when I was taking that Jessica Sprague class and was posting my first digital pages?  Well that was in May.  I didn't finish the class, I actually had one more assignment to do.  Well...I am proud to say that I have finally finished it!!!  Thank goodness I didn't have a deadline for getting Jessica's information from the class.  So, here it is, my final project from the Up and Running with Photoshop class:  

And truth be told, I had signed up for and paid for the next class, "Now We're Rocking with Photoshop" and I never even started it.  So...I plan to get on that one too.  :)  Soon I will post my assignments for that class.

Week 3 of Up and Running

I can't believe we are already 2/3 of the way through the Up and Running with Photoshop class with Jessica Sprague.  I have really learned a lot so far.  :)  I am thinking of signing up for her next class too.  Well here is this week's work:

All credits: Jessica Sprague (and her team).

Credits: Template--Jen Caputo, Papers--Rhonna Farrer (Boys kit on 2peas)

Credits: Template--Jen Caputo, Papers--Dana Zarling (Average Joe kit downloaded at www.DesignerDigitals.com) and Amy Teets (Whitie Tighties), Stitching: Amy Teets (Sunporch kit)

More Digital

** I will do the drawing for the Rusty Pickle kit tonight, so if you haven't had time to do it yet...there is still time.  :)  **

Here is my work from week 2 of the Jessica Sprague "Up and Running with Photoshop" class.

This one was really my first page doing it all on my own.  All of our previous LO's we have been walked through everything.  This time the assignment was just to use the white paper and use more than one photo...then play and see what you create.  It took me a LONG time and I must have used the "step backwards" option a million times...but I am learning.  

Credits on 2nd LO (first LO is all Jessica Sprague):
White paper and stitching--Amy Teets; Borders, Gaffer tape, Cardboard elements, and Stamped Moments brush--Katie Pertiet; journaling tag--Jennifer Pebbles; Star and Circles brushes--Rhonna Farrer. Fonts: Cracked (title) and CK Weez Bold (journaling).

Learning Digital

I have decided to take the "Up and Running with Photoshop" class offered by Jessica Sprague.  I had been wanting to for awhile, and the timing was just perfect for this one.  I will never be a full-on digital scrapbooker...I love the hands on too much, but I often do pages that would be considered hybrid, and I think that learning photoshop would greatly increase my current scrapbooking skills.  :)  So, as we approach week two of this Up and Running course, I thought I would share with you what I have done in week 1.  :)  It has been fun!