Smile with Melissa - photos, photobooks and scrapbooking

Making a difference.

2011-04-19T22:12:00.000-07:00

Some of you might relate to the start of this and I wish all of you could use this tool to finish.

This past weekend my six-year old and my almost two-year old got in a power struggle, and my six-year old indicated that he would like to sell the two-year old. I could hardly believe what I was hearing. He told me he "hated" his little brother. I had him sit next to me as I explained how strong "hate" is and really what he meant to say was he didn't like how is little brother was behaving. My six-year old corrected me and said," No mommy you are wrong, I actually hate him." I didn't know what to say...

I then noticed the calendar I had made for Christmas. This month has a picture of my two headstrong boys "loving" each other. Here is the picture...

I then indicated that he should look up at the picture on the wall. What happened next was unexpected and amazing...his face softened. He started to cry. Without any words he ran into the living room and gently took his little brother by hand into their bedroom so he could go find the blanket that is pictured in this calendar, and start up a game of peek-a-boo.

Taking photos is important but it is the meaning that you give to your photos that really makes the difference.

Oh the JOY of making a circle :)

2011-03-29T21:54:00.000-07:00

I am SO thankful that Pixels2pages has discovered and posted how to make circle matted photos! So easy and one of my favourite ways to crop :)

here is the link: http://www.pixels2pages.net/2011/03/14/tell-me-tips/storybook-tips/matting-a-shaped-photo-in-sbc3-0-the-easy-way/

WOW, LOVE it!!!
Oh and love the mess my little guy makes when he eats!!!

Cheers, Melissa

Yippee my first 4D!

2011-02-06T22:34:00.000-08:00

I did it all tonight, I think it was about maybe 1hr and I made a 4D book.
So very sweet, so very fast and I am so very exctied to see what it will look like.
10 pages, dropped the photos in, dragged over a couple of sayings and also wrote down some of the most memorable moments. Resized a little here and there...and VOLIA, it is uploaded with a click of the order button!

I just LOVE IT!

Now I just have to wait for it on my NEW doorstep ;)

black and white, mr ducks

2011-01-23T21:08:00.000-08:00

Ah, today was beautiful! The sun shone brightly and a hike through the park was on the agenda. The other two boys had birthday parties and playdates, so it was mommy and littles who ventured to Mission Creek to soak up those rays.

And we found ducks! Frolicking on a frozen creek, fourty or so ducks. They amused us; their tails wagging, bottoms wiggling and their voices, silly quackers.

I am enjoying my new toy and took these pictures with the IPhone, tweaked the contrast and saturation on the one and turned the obvious three into black and white images.

My daily fun factor has increased. ( I did not know that was possible)

Memory Manager Magic, and my I Phone.

2011-01-16T22:34:00.000-08:00

Another week that seemed to wizzz by and it left me with a Sunday Blog POST and a new toy that take pictures!

I decided that it was time, for various reasons, that I took the plunge and purchased an IPhone 4. It is SO lovely. So absolutely lovely.

AND...when I connect it to my computer and click on Memory Manager, MM treats it like a CAMERA. One click to bring in all of my favourite phone pictures. SWEET.

Like peanut butter and chocolate.

NOW all we need is a Memory Manager for MACs and it would be like wine and chocolate.

SIGH. SOON?

All I did in MM was reduce the saturation and increase the contrast.
Like PB and Chocolate.

Melissa

Keep moving and keep taking pictures...

2011-01-09T21:08:00.000-08:00

It is the scientist in me, I LOVE to experiment. So..panning, not for gold, but moving my camera with the subject. In these cases the subjects are my three sons.

James is Jumping for Joy!

Jack is hanging on...

This is just pure FUN! And CRAZY.

So is this!

A little organizing tidbit. I make sure I name the photos well. In Memory Manager I attach a story to the photos*, this way when it comes to finding them it is done with a click rather than a click scroll and search through the thousands of photos I have.

PURE Photo finding FREEDOM.

*Unique to Memory Manager 3.0

Always Learning...making goals and preserving memories.

2010-12-31T10:06:00.000-08:00

I am back to the blog again and so thankful to be here. With 2011 around the corner it must be the resolutions that have brought me back to this place. Truth be told I am constantly goal setting and this time at this moment the blog has come back into my goals.

My passions are photos and people. Teaching and motivating. Communicating love and empowering others to do the same. This blog will let me express it all. So I am back to the blog!!!

It will be my mission in 2011 to save memories and preserve moments. My own, like this one of my beautiful sister and her son, at the Energy Plex taking a break from the running to pose. I always cherish our time together.

4 easy steps to preserve your memories.

1. Take LOTS of photos and delete the ones ( right then and there) you don't want. Quantity will allow for quality.

2. Have an import to the computer routine and use a photo organizing software that will help. I reccomend Memory Manager by Creative Memories. It will help you organize, edit and access a print location ALL within the program. I LOVE IT!

3. Print or Make Photobooks. When you have an organizing program that works for you, printing the photos that you love or making a photobook is EASY! Keeping photos on the computer is only one part of a process, not the end product.

4. SHARE your photos. People connect wih photos, reflect with photos and heal with photos. Take time to do all three. The computer is only a part but the real connection is the human to human contact. Post to share but be there to connect. Make the time to be present and celebrate the joy in the memories.

So for 2011 I will share, in person and virtually.

See you there.

Melissa

So thankful...

2010-06-17T14:52:00.000-07:00

The past few months have been a transition time for myself and I have missed being creative with my digital scrapbooking. I am OH SO THANKFUL that the click and fill pages were created. It has given me the chance to "catch-up" so quickly and not feel like I am missing out on the SCRAPPN FUN! AND...pixels2pages.net has been an endless source of inspiration, thank goodness for their updates and posts on facebook. ( It has kept me secretly engaged in a world that has felt too distant for too long)

SO....here is the latest creation of my baby Jack with a little bit of 3d-embossing magic and a little click and fill simple style.

Enjoy....Melissa

Super busy so ALL DIGI!

2010-03-30T17:39:00.000-07:00

These last few weeks have been super busy. We have put our house on the market and spring break is over.

So I had to get into the Simply Stylish pre-designed pages ( come with the $39.95 coupon) from Creative Memories to put out some fast pages of some of my most recent pics. ( Only because if I didn't do it right away I would forget why the photos made me LAUGH OUT LOUD!) Thank you to my sister who gave me the idea to put the quotes in from the movie Dumb and Dummer.

Digtial Letter Cutouts

2010-03-17T21:16:00.000-07:00

I was playing around with the flatten button and discovered that I can "punch out" letters from pictures...

Put a letter of chunky font on a photo, I used the fancy font for the ART page as it was very easy to ungroup ( under the arrange tab) and move the letters around independently of one another.

I then selected both the letter and the photo under the elements toolbar and under the arrange tab I flattened them.

With a click of my magic wand, under the cut and fill tab, I then wanded and removed the letters to leave "punched out letters"

FUN!!! I will have to do some more for a dramatic effect!!!!

Text and Fonts, thank you Lizz...

2010-03-03T19:39:00.000-08:00

Lizz Marsh is a graphic designer and a team member who has been eye-balling all that I do. (I am very thankful as she is my downline, one of my biggest cheerleaders as well as a real gift from God) What she noticed was my lack of straying from the typical default font when creating pages and working with text in Storybook Creator. Hmmm...SHE OPENED MY EYES!

I knew fonts were important, but I NEVER understood HOW important they are! Photos and Fonts MAKE A PAGE! Thank you Lizz so much for your insight into taking my pages to the next level.

The buzz word is typography...I will be using more of this in pages to come!

UP NEXT...the SOCK page! I am almost there!

Simply Beautiful! Coming...March 1st.

2010-02-24T13:13:00.000-08:00

It took me a bit to get this up to the site, single parent, three kids under the age of 5 and a weeekend at Regionals. Excuses they are not as here I am posting my new favourite combination of products...

Simply Beautiful ( Colour Line) and the Simple Start package.

Simply Beautiful is exactly it! The colours are so SPRING and everything to go with it warms my heart. My heart needs warming right now as it snowed this morning, poop on the groundhog he was wrong.

AND...the Simple Start is the BEST download package I have seen thus far. The template pages are pre-designed but grey. And all you have to do is find a paper pack to work with adn fill all the grey boxes. Then drag and drop your photos in, add some text or a saying and WOW, so easy!!!! So EASY!!!! Ok really SO FAST and EASY!!!! Get the picture. it is $39.95. AWESOME... and becasue it comes with a FREE book coupon code, my book will be made and shipped to me in NO TIME :)

go to Simple Start to see and purchase the product. or
Check out digital scrapbooking at www.mycmsite.com/cre8memories

Thank you Jim Dahl and the rest of the team at CM for working hard to make the BEST books and page prints the industry has to offer.

More to come...the boys got into the down pillows this week. I wonder what THAT page will look like! Melissa

Photo Strip Fun

2010-02-04T22:28:00.000-08:00

So I have been up late nights not working on my digital stuff lately ( boo hoo) ...so tonight I finished my work and treated myself to a layout!

I love the Film Strip! And since our next class at the college is on photos and framing, it just seemed to fit!

I hope I will have more to share soon!!! (Possibly Olympic Freebies!)

Simple Photo Editing

2010-01-19T22:14:00.000-08:00

This Picture is one of my favourites taken over the holiday season. This is Matthew, he is so content with life. In this picture he just finished showing me the moon in the late afternoon sky, we had done a couple of runs tobogganing with the family and were heading back to the Huckleberry house for some hot coco, just he and I and the camera.

I used the Memory Manager softwre to edit this photo.
There is a lasso and wand feature that makes this type of colour selection effortless. I LOVE IT!

It is perfect for my digital books and for the traditional albums as well. ( The trouble is picking which one!)

Digtial Scrapbooking Glitter Trends

2010-01-15T16:01:00.000-08:00

So I was up ALL last night ( not really all night but almost) getting ready for a crop tonight/tomorrow so have neglected to put this page up! I LOVE IT...the inspiration came from the Digi KNow Facebook group, challenge is getting glitter on your page, the lightening stripe... ( I am not very good at it but will proactice I promise!) And from the song that my middle son has on repeat, " Real Gone" by Sheryl Crow. ( Lizz Marsh inspired me to put the words on the page.)

Cheers and hope to see you this weekend at Country Rhodes!!!!

Tiny Dancer

2010-01-08T19:31:00.000-08:00

I was inspired by an advert in Canadian Scrapbooking...this tiny dancer has a bit of enchanted studios mixed with creative memories best buds and discover baby boy.

And my baby boy, now 7.5 months old is crawling and cruising. He is trying desperately to keep up with the dog and his two older brothers. Life just got even busier!

Hit the Wall but the wall hit back!

2010-01-04T21:20:00.000-08:00

I think I hit the wall this evening as I was nursing the baby to sleep...two more to put to bed after that seemed near impossible, but then I thought I can so do this and then I can pop into the office to peek online and see the latest digtial creations, and maybe play a little too...and so I created a couple of labels, chatted on the phone a little and listened to maceygoodes play-list. (And contimplated downloading a little dinosaur) Hmm...and now time for a little Storybook, I know I have to go to bed but just not yet.

Resolutions 2010

2010-01-01T21:48:00.000-08:00

2010 here we come!

1. Play more

2. Laugh more

3. Sleep more

Simple but essential.

Let it Snow...

2009-12-31T00:03:00.000-08:00

The white stuff is falling like crazy out there so I thought I should post the word art challenge that I created for the facebook group Digi know as it seemed quite fitting. It is SO easy to make your own word art titles...think of a word. Brainstorm other words or phrases that relate to the key word. Create the words in different fonts and give them all shadows from the format tab. Flatten the text to make them one!

To use this word art, clcik on the image to enlarge, right click to save as. You can bring it into storybook using your content manager.

I think I might just have to use this word art in a layout for this year...tomorrow I will have to take the pictures as it looks as though this is a big storm. Thanks Lizz for reminding me that it has been forever since I posted...I guess online is always open, no holidays here!

For more word art go to the project center on my website. www.mycmsite.com/cre8memories

Click on digital scrapbooking, click on digital freebies. WOW, these gals are good!

A little bit of Digital and a little bit of Traditional

2009-12-15T09:30:00.000-08:00

Traidtional First:

This weekend I took to Summerland for a day crop with consultants Sandra G and Kimmie B. I needed that! It is incredible when you take time for yourself to create how good you feel afterwards. ( I walked the talk ) For one of the layouts I did I used the solid cardstock as the background and papered and layered squares around it. ( A little bit of inking too...) I have lost my digital camera cord so I have to wait to post the pic. Thanks ladies for that awesome experience.

Digital Second:

There is a "Creative Memories - Go Digital" group on facebook that is run by the designers for the company. They post dicussion topics and layout challenges. Here is my contribution to the layout challenge. SO much fun to create! I played with the 3D filter, right clicking all the way! ( Right click to flatten text, right click to filter and select the 3D option) Search in groups and add yourself to join in on the FUN!

I think there is a new challenge I will have to try...

Out of the frying pan...

2009-12-07T10:28:00.000-08:00

Well this weekend was a CRAZY one. With birthday parties a cookie exchange and at the end of it all a sick little bug, I don't think I knew what day it was, or what time it was for that matter. But we did manage to have a quick picture done with Santa. Matthew didn't really want to be there and his HAT HAD to stay on. James was really excited to tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas, santa wasn't all that excited to listen ( it was the END of the day) and little Jack was thrilled, he wanted Santa's beard!

But I have the opportunity to work on a beautiful hardcover album for a local photographer. It features aerial photos featuring some of the South Okanagan's finest landmarks. And it really took me away from the crazies of sick and the shopping buzz all around. Thank you to Mike Biden for this opportunity!

I also sent away for my Christmas Cards, a little later than planned but that seems to be the way it goes. ( I will post them post Christmas...)

Have you been the Creative Memories Project Center lately? They are doing such a fabulous job of creating some fantastic Christmas gifts and crafting ideas. The Digital Facebook site also has a page contest on right now...I will post my entry later this week.

Back to sickies and a teething baby.

My new favourite place to go...

2009-11-30T21:53:00.000-08:00

Last night as I was searching for inspiration ( minor procrastination) I stumbled apon this woman and her amazing ability to create beauty. It makes me feel like I am home, time seems to stop on her website and I soak it in and lap it up! I hope you do the same.

http://www.karenika.com/

One of her courses speaks about living in the moment and doing what you want to do. So I decided I too needed a list. ( Really it is the end of the year and we all make one anyways) Personally I think I am always making one but it mostly contains milk and vegetables, and chocolate.

1. BE one with me in the quiet moments as this pertains to my spiritual being, my connection with God the Creator...more Yoga.

2. Pray on my own and with my boys. ( we do this sometimes but we can do more)
I think I am daily looking upwards and saying thank you.

3. HUGS. Sometimes with all that is going on in my life I find frustration and fear gets the better of me...I need to stop, think about why I am frustrated, acknowledge the fears and move on to make room for love and give those little boys hugs.

4. Time with friends and family...I like my evenings when I am working with my friends, but I still need more time for walks and talks. I have to work on this one.

5. Create. My business is now work, work I love but I am finding myself needing to dedicate those part time hours to get done just a bit of what I want to achieve. So now I NEED time to schedule my creative hours!

5. Photographs...2010 means new camera. SLR time.

Maybe I will be able to post my pictures...if I make the time.

Post R.ELEM. Craft Day

2009-11-28T19:48:00.000-08:00

Today we participated in the second annual Rutland PAC craft fair, although the numbers through the door weren't as high as expected it was still a great place to meet some fabulous people! Mert Schneider and her table of quirky comical gift for Christmas had me in stitches, Trina ( skilled designer) and her hand sewn bibs and wipes were fantastic. Heather's jewelry was beautiful and WELL priced and the ever talented Desiree Spenst and her altrered art was both fair priced and beautiful, but my favourite booth was that of Virgo Verona, her handcrafted Collage wall art is unique beyond words and I am in LOVE. This gal is GOOD. ( I will have more on her soon!) I have her contact info if you want to know more.

As per my work, I have LOTS to do, many people to contact and with Christmas just around the corner I HAVE to get my Christmas cards printed. Luckily I contacted Mary at Kettle Valley and she will get me going on custom cards, thank you Mary.

More ideas on what to make for Christmas, check out the Project Center for the Holiday Idea Project of the Day.

I like this one!

Holiday Project Idea of the Day-November 26, 2009

This weekend ;)

2009-11-27T14:28:00.000-08:00

This Saturday, tomorrow my mother and I will be at the Rutland Elementary School PAC Crafter's Showcase

I will be selling homemade tags, cards and takeout boxes. ( chocolate filled perfect for a teacher or co-worker)

I have a limited selection of tag punches, leaf punches, puzzle and snowflake punches onsite. For the Digital Diva's I have some great holiday gift giving ideas using the digital software! Come and check it out.

Rutland Elementary School PAC

proudly presents its

2nd Annual Crafter’s Showcase

MARK YOUR CALENDAR AND Join us on

Saturday, November 28th, 2009

10:00am – 3:00pm

At 620 webster road

• Featuring local artisans and

their unique crafts and items

• There is sure to be something for

everyone on your shopping list

• There will also be a concession

filled with yummy treats

All Day Crop on Sunday...

2009-11-21T20:23:00.000-08:00

On Sunday there is an All Day event at the Country Rhodes clubhouse in Ellison. This will be the perfect opportunity for digital interested individuals to check out the software in action and even try it out if they dare choose. Email me for more info: jeremyandmelissa@shaw.ca

But for those that need digital ideas now please go to my website and check out the project center, as we get closer to Christmas the ideas get better and better!!!!

www.mycmsite.com/cre8memories
Click on Project Center

BUSY Weekend!

2009-11-16T22:33:00.000-08:00

WOW this weekend was amazing! With a digital open house and HUGE success at Prospera the digital software is taking photo lovers to the next level. I am trying my darndest to catch up to the emails and requests for the Free Calendar and Storybook download.

We ( Prospera Ladies ) are SO pumped that we are working on setting up a digital class in Kelowna to help people create meaningful Christmas gifts, CAN WE DO IT??? Cross your fingers that we get access!

All orders must be in by December 2nd to make the shipping cut off for Christmas.

If you are free this weekend there is a Digital and Traditional Project Day at Country Rhodes Rec Center in Ellison. Nov 22nd, 10-4pm. $15. Contact me for more details and to Register.

Cheers, Melissa

Playing in Storybook

2009-11-12T14:54:00.000-08:00

Here is a quick little "how to" that I developed for my Digital Class...HAVE FUN.

Creative Memories Storybook 3.0 Plus 2009

Paper and Embellishments

Open Storybook 3.0

Click on Check for Pricing and Content

Virtual Paper Packs/Embellishments – cost money but are specific to your needs and can be used over and over again

These import directly into the program when purchased

Open www.mycmsite.com/cre8memories

Click on Project Center, click on Digital Scrapbooking

Click on Digital Freebies

Follow directions as advised for your selection (looking at importing your own content)

Create New Project or Open Project and check out your NEW content

Creating your own Content (Advanced)

Paper

This can be as simples and creating a shape, in the shapes under content ( select rectangle )

Adding punched out/created shapes( from the content- shapes button)

Copy and past the shapes

Vary the sizes ( drag and re-shape the punch)

Play with the filter (optional)

Making your own embellishment using text

Insert text in various sizes ( insert - text tab/button)

Layer your text, overlap your text

Play with the opacity and colour ( in cut and fill and in format tab)

Group your text elements ( shift and click on each text element)

Flatten your text together in the arrange tab

Right click to save as content.

Santa Presents - Digital Calendar Video

2009-11-09T20:39:00.000-08:00

I had a fabulous time in Penticton this weekend at the Santa Presents with Kim, Cathleen and Sandra and met some wonderful people looking to DO MORE with thier photos. Thank you ladies for the opportunity and thank you to all the amazing people I met along the way and the ladies that put it all together.

Calendar HOW TO:
There is a calendar how to posted on November 1st ( look to the right of the screen in the archives) but I have also found this video helping those with the software make a beautiful calendar!

http://smail01.creativememories.com/track?type=click&mailingid=1535&messageid=1801&databaseid=1554&serial=1229458504&emailid=jeremyandmelissa@shaw.ca&userid=54351&extra=&&&2018&&&http://antiochcompany.cachefly.net/video/2009/10/12x18Calendar.wmv

Digital Classes in Winfield

2009-11-05T22:33:00.001-08:00

Tonight was the start of the digital scrapbooking classes in Winfield. With 9 women and an array of abilities we managed to install the FREE software and dabble a bit in the 3.0 plus. The calendar function is quite spectacular. To be able to personalize a calendar by inserting a photo into a date square makes this software truley amazing. And then change the calendar style, font etc. LOVE IT!

( NOW I have to make the time to finish mine and send it off while the 20% off sale is on)

How to make a Personalized Photo Calendar

2009-11-01T20:19:00.000-08:00

Please follow the steps to get the FREE Storybook 3.0 product downlaoded...

to get set up first go to: www.mycmsite.com/cre8memories
Click on Shop Products
Click on Digital Scrapbooking
CLick on Digital Scrapbooking Software
Click on FREE Storybook Creator PLus 3.0 Download

Next get those photos ready, select 4-6 of your favourite photos from each month and put them in a seperate folder ready to import into the Storybook Calendar Templates. If you are savvy you might figure out the rest without me, but stay tuned for more HOW TO's

Make your own CM Digital Calendar Step by Step:

Are your photos ready for this??!!

48-72 of your favourite photos from throughout the year. – if you have troubles getting to this point I have the perfect Christmas present for you! Memory Manager 3.0! EMAIL ME J

- Put them in a file/folder marked calendar on your DESKTOP

Step 1 – Software Ready
In order to make it, we have to get it all set up. This can be done with a couple of clicks and a little download time.

Open Storybook Creator 3.0
Click on the Software Updates at the bottom left corner of your screen (you will be directed to the internet)
Close Storybook, notice screen and program
Internet Explorer - Click on the update, make sure you click on RUN/OPEN
Follow the instructions as directed by the pop up windows

After update is complete...
click on Storybook to open the program it is now up to date to make CALENDARS

Step 2 - DOWNLOADING FREE TEMPLATES

Before you click on make a NEW project
Click on Check Pricing and Content on the top toolbar
Click on Canada
Click on Shop Products ( top toolbar)
Click on Digital Scrapbooking ( Side toolbar)
Click on Digital Content downloads
Click on FREE Downloadable Themes
Click on the FREE 3.0 Calendar Downloads or the plus Calendar template downloads ( pre-designed is FAST)

Follow the pop up instructions and make sure you click on RUN/OPEN
Don’t click on SAVE.

These will be imported INTO Storybook 3.0 directly!

Have a break, stretch or do 20 sit ups as this download continues…

Step 3 –
Once download is complete go to Storybook 3.0 main page
Click on Create New Project
Look on the side and find the 12x18 calendar option
Click on the 12x18 calendar ( make sure you select the template to open)

To Add photos from your calendar folder click on ADD
Click on get all photos
Click on Next

TADA J

Step 4 –

Your beginning calendar project should be in front of you,
Now is your time to play…

Features of Storybook 3.0

You should have January in front of you, you can change the look of January
By going to, and clicking on, the home tab at the top and then clicking on
Change this page, you can select a different layout.

After you have selected your layout…

On the right side of the screen you have a Photos tab and a pages tab
( a content tab too in plus)
Click on the Photos tab
You can drag and drop your photos from their location into the grey squares; you will know when the photo can be inserted because the grey square turns yellow.

Click on the Text boxes twice to insert your text, you can edit your font in the second tab at the top. ( Photo and Text Edit combined feature tab) *
Make sure your text is selected before you go to edit it.

The Dates can be edited as well. For 3.0 users double click on the text boxes in the calendar dates to add text. For plus users, right click and play around…or drag and drop your photos into the dates J

*In 3.0 plus you will click on the Format Photo or Format Text tab to edit your photos and text.

Ready to order?

Click on the Home tab
Click on the Order Shopping Bag

You will need to register at the Creative Memories Digital Center
Use Consultant ID # 32325673
Follow the prompts to complete your purchase!
Congrats, this is a personal, easy
and affordable Christmas gift, ENJOY!!!

Contact me if you would like a personalized calendar for your sports team…featured players, and season play schedule can be added to make something really special for the sports fan!

Melissa Harris
Creative Memories Consultant
250-491-3180
jeremyandmelissa@shaw.ca
Digital Storybooks use: #32325673
Click here to see the Newest product or to shop online for home delivery!

Haven’t used your Storybook Software yet, and can’t make it to a class CLICK HERE
NEW online DIGITAL CLASSES J four 30 minute sessions and you are PUBLISHED

Check out my website for creative inspiration…we have a new project center that is fabulous and FULL of great ideas for ALL photo occasions
Click on PROJECT CENTER

Creating a Photo Calendar, FREE Program Template

2009-10-30T14:32:00.000-07:00

Hey folks,

I will be posting HOW to create your own Digital Photo Calendar for 2010 gift giving starting next week.

to get set up first go to:

www.mycmsite.com/cre8memories
Click on Shop Products
Click on Digital Scrapbooking
CLick on Digital Scrapbooking Software
Click on FREE Storybook Creator PLus 3.0 Download

Next get those photos ready, select 4-6 of your favourite photos from each month and put them in a seperate folder ready to import into the Storybook Calendar Templates.

If you are savvy you might figure out the rest without me, but stay tuned for more HOW TO's

HAPPY Halloween!

Retreat Time!

2009-09-16T19:33:00.000-07:00

Alert Scrapbooking Retreat!!!!

Silver Star time again...

We would love it if you could join us for a day filled with scrapbooking, gifts, and plenty of prizes at the scenic and relaxing Silver Lode Inn atop Silver Star Mountain Resort in Vernon, BC.
This is a two day, two night event starting as soon as you arrive Friday evening and finishing Sunday at 11am. This is a NON-STOP CROP, so you can try out new tools and play with new product lines. All food is included and please contact me if you have any food restrictions. There are four to a suite so please specify whom you want to stay with. Singles will be bunked with other great women so no worries if you register solo.

All croppers will take home a minimum of $40 retail in make and takes great for Christmas gifts or to keep for yourself. Make cards, catch up on your albums or just come for the FUN!!! ( Bring your own wine) All styles of Croppers are Welcome!

Date: October 16th, 17th and 18th 2009

Cost for the retreat is $195 and this includes accommodation, food, gifts and prizes. One night and day crop rates available please enquire.

Space is limited so register with:

Melissa Harris (Creative Memories Consultant) – 250-491-3180
email at jeremyandmelissa@shaw.ca

Registration Deadline: September 29th, 2009, Fees payable by phone or internet banking. Cash or Cheque drop off also. Please call me to reserve your space and email requested info to me asap.

Silver Star Scrap and Retreat ‘09

Name: Phone # : _____________
Address:
Email: __________________

Whoa it has been a while...

2009-06-25T22:04:00.000-07:00

OK, it has been too long and I have to get a one post in. Here is my new little man and the discover baby boy predesigned page I put him and the rest of the family in!

For fabulous FREE DIGI DOWNLOADS go to www.creativememories.ca and check out the project center!

How to download and use digital overlays...

2009-01-23T15:11:00.000-08:00

One of my favourite digital overlays is the Frost. ( I think it has to do with the recent addiction to snowflakes!) In this design I ovelayed the "frost" on the paper but not on the pictures. I could do this by moving the layers within the elements on the page. Keeping the photos on the top and the overlayed paper underneath it allowed me to create my own paper in a couple of fast and easy steps.

Download digital overlays at www.mycmsite.com/cre8memories

Click on Digtial Scrapbooking

Click on Digital Content Downloads

Cick on Digital Enhancements

Follow the purchasing process and ENJOY!!!

Cheers, Melissa

A Holiday Card worth sharing!

2008-12-01T20:22:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favoutire projects...as long as no one reads this before they get thier card.

I created a personalized monogramed card from an inspiration I found in digital scrapbooking. Using Storybook Creator Plus software from Creative Memories I created a 5x7 custom page print. I started with our families monogram and worked around the letter H by adding photos frames to the page:

Photo Tab, click on Add new photo frame to page

Right clicking on the photo frames I was able to adjust the aspect ratio, and also create square photo frames.

The colours I used for this card were from the Jewel Christmas Power Pallette kit.

New Pages From Summer and more Fall Fun to Come!

2008-10-07T17:47:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of new pages from this summer. No real tricks on either of these pages...the giggle was a brown sticker from the Earthy pp that I altered using the tools bar and selecting the colour button and I also added texture.

More Pages...and an awesome gift idea!!!

2008-08-06T16:17:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple more pages that were recently created...these are from a 5

x7 book I created for the boys for their Birthday, it was so EASY to do !!!

More Digital Downloads and baby to come...

2008-07-02T21:06:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I am now addicted to digital downloads to add embellishments to my Creative Memories Storybook Creator plus program. Primary Sewing room helped me to add some fun to this page that I was struggling to complete before. AND new products will be added in August, the BABY line! As well as whimsical doodles to add as overlay embellishments to your page.

Happy Digi Scrappn!!!

New Digital Kits Released in June!

2008-05-28T22:12:00.000-07:00

Yippee new digital themed kits and additions are being released June 1st...here is a sneak preview of colours and themes: Disney Princesses, Hannah Montana, Cars, Summer themes, and much more. Contact me for more information.

Making your 4x6's Digital

2008-05-12T22:08:00.000-07:00

This is too much fun. Taking you regular 4x6 photo and creating your own mini masterpiece. Using Storybook creator plus I created a 4x6 Landscape and played with it like a regualr 12x12. The result is a condensed 12x12 that can be printed at any location, and/or sent to relatives for all to enjoy. I made a really cute flip album for my Grandma that diplays our favourite 2008 family photos and my digital art!

Examples are soon to come!

Gone Crazy for NEW digital Templates!!!

2008-03-18T23:49:00.000-07:00

I am going crazy over the new digital palletes that Creative Memories has come up with! There are now pre-designed pages as well as paper and embellishment packages and the colours are fabulous!!!! I had to add some of my favourites from the Earthy, Pastel and Primary Lines.

Also I am so excited that my workshop is near completion...digital on Monday nights and Traditional on Tuesdays. Who knew work could be SO MUCH FUN!?!

Click for Digital Download

DigiScrapbooking

2007-10-27T21:51:00.000-07:00

I am hooked! I have started using the Creative Memories Storybook plus software and I cannot stop...check out the pages from my cousins wedding....pictures courtesy of Basil Cooper Photography. ( some of the elements are digital elements courtesy of shabby cottage)

Tis the Season

2007-10-26T07:20:00.000-07:00

Things are getting rather crazy around here! This next month will be sure to be the busiest scrapbooking month of all.

Some big dates:

November 3rd - Open house at my house
November - 7th We will be hosting an expo at the Best Western Kelowna from 7-10pm
November 20th - Mystry Hostess at my house
November 24th - ALL day crop at Country Rhodes
November 27th - Crop at Sanadalwood retirement Home

WOW, I am excited! I would also LOVE to welcome Gayle Gregory to my scrapbooking team. She is out in Ellison and is excited about her business. She is a very talented young woman who has opted to play a more intregal role with her son Mataeus and now has found that something to fufill her business building abilities, way to go Gayle!!!

I also have a simple Christmas card making suggestion: Fold a Mod photomounting paper ( from the Storybox) in half and embellish with a Holiday Sparkle Sticker and an Expressions Vellum Holiday. Easy and tasteful.

Have a Scraptastic November!

Silver Star

2007-09-24T07:52:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was my first Scrap and Retreat! I did it, with the help of many others of course. Thank you many others! The location was chilly but breathtaking and the day went by so quickly.

Great Ideas from the weekend:

- Christmas Calendar ( contact me if you want a copy of the template)
- Wine tags... WOW, these were amazing!
- Christmas Cards ( circle puncha wreath with Mod paper )

Thank you to all that came!

Welcome to my blog spot!

2007-08-08T18:45:00.000-07:00

Hello fellow scrapbookers and welcome to my blog spot! This will be a place where I will post weekly updates on new scrapbooking ideas and information. I am a Creative Memories Consultant and am SO EXCITIED to be a part of this ever changing industry.

I embrace all kinds of paper crafts, stamping and to be honest most crafting techniques. Although I am not an expert, I have been playing around with scrapbooking since I was a wee lass and have always thouroughly enjoyed cre8ting.

My lastest works include a first year in review for my youngest son. It is a month by month book that features a calendar with daily/weekly milestones and pages that highlight special events and firsts.
One of my trademarks is a hidden frog on each page for all to find. ( I used the micro meadowmaker from Creatvie Memories) I am also working on a me and my dad 7x7 album for my husbands desk at his office and a family album which marks all family gatherings and big events.

I am looking into dabbling with digital software as soon as Storybook 2 is released in Canada. There is new product that I have yet to experiment with and am looking forward to sharing new ideas with all.

Keep looking back for more great ideas and updates!