When I started my blog, I wondered what kinds of things I’d be doing. I figured I really wanted to share tips – as that seems to be what my scrapbooking students were the most interested in. But I wanted it to be more than that. So I’ve shared info on events and I’ve told you about new products I’ve seen at the Scrapbook Expo (which BTW another is coming up and I’m SOOOO excited but that’s for another post).
But I think I’ve not done enough of two of the things I wanted to do. Have Give Aways and talk about the joys of Digital Scrapbooking!! Lucky for me I was recently given the opportunity to do both at once!!
I got to play with a copy of the #1 rated digital scrapbooking software
My Memories.
My Memories Suite version 2 software is a complete digital scrapbooking solution that provides a powerful set of creative tools and multiple sharing options that no other software can offer. Its intuitive workspace and enhanced time-saving features are perfect for a beginner to build an entire album in minutes, or to empower the design pro to build a scrapbook album masterpiece.
The software was pretty user friendly. Now, as some of you know, I’ve been doing digital scrapbooking for a while on various programs. Everything from using Word and PowerPoint to using Photoshop. So I’ll admit that I’m not the fairest example on this. But I had my mother, who while isn’t uncomfortable with computers, has never done any digital scrapbooking. So I’ll try to keep her comments in mind as well.
When it opens you see the choices of Designer Templates. For me it was great to have Photo Only Templates as well because these are just like using sketches from the magazines. There is no color to influence you. . just boxes. But for less digital scrapbooking savvy users there were some great other full color ones. There was just one thing that I would have liked to see on this. It even took me a while to realize these templates were for a whole album. Each image represents a group of templates in the same style. And you can choose which of these pages to use and what order they’ll be in. They can also be used more than once. A great feature that is a little too hidden at first. But once you choose any one you’ll realize it’s there for the future.
You’ll have the option of letting the computer fill in a group of your photos for a fast album, or you can pick and click and choose which to place where. I’m more prone to use the latter option.
As it opens my album to work in – I notice on the left side there are a bunch of designs available on the site! Such a great bonus, many are
free kits! There are samplers there and more templates. The ones at the top are free and as I scroll down there are a few more detailed ones that I can purchase. The prices seem pretty reasonable- starting at just 99cents. And it appears I can just click straight in the program and it will take me to the website to download!
I also notice a pop up that tells me that the outer edges of my page may be obscured when it is bound in a book. It has darkened the areas in question to keep me from putting things there they I won’t want cut off. Something that is so easy for people to overlook and it won’t be until you’ve printed your pages that you’ll find that mistake. Which means going back and redoing it all! I was very happy to see this feature for all levels of users.
Need to add or change your photos, it tells you to double click on the box to add a photo. A pop up asks you to pick your photos and then it lets you adjust which part of the photo to fit in the space.
Just like using any Microsoft Office program, double clicking lets you edit any element. Something most people already know how to do! I did run into a little confusion trying to change text that was already on the template but a few minutes of playing with it and I was able to do so much more. It’s very easy to add Embelishments – and there are a lot of them to add. I added a ribbon and mousing over the little boxes at each edge easily let me change the size and even rotate it and it told me when it was a 90degrees!! This is very important for me, I’m always having such a hard time getting something perfectly straight when I rotate it. Having those degress pop up means so much help in making my page look better!
And in just a few minutes I have a wonderful Scrapbook Page. Ready to post, print or email to family! Oh and did I mention - you can add videos and audio recordings! What a great gift for the Grandmother that lives far away!!
And most important, the cost. At just $39.99 this software is chocked full of features at a reasonable price. And remember there are great free downloads offered on the site to go with it. And it looks like that’s something that will keep coming.
I’ll be using this software to show some tutorials in the future!
So now on to the contest details!
Comment on this blog post and tell me if you’ve ever done Digital Scrapbooking (and what program you’ve used) or if you want to do Digital Scrapbooking and you’ll be entered to win this great software!
Want a second entry?! Go to
http://www.mymemories.com/ and choose your favorite digital paper pack or layout and then tell me which one you've choosen here in the comments for this blog!! It’s that easy.
Convinced you’ll love this software too:
Use this link to order
http://www.mymemories.com/digital_scrapbooking_software and enter coupon code STMMMS14809 which provides a $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store - $20 value!
Be sure to let me show me what you want to make with this as well!!
