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Thursday, September 22, 2011

My Memories Suite

I was asked to try My Memories Suite software and write a review. You know I am not a digi person. They have their place, I agree... but not in any of my books. Maybe a page here or there but I like the dimensions and the feel of real cardstock. I like layering and doing my own thing. However after playing with My Memories Suite I was impressed (and that is not the easiest thing to do).
When I first tried the digi scrapbooking software I was amazed with the designer pages that came with it. I then went to the "shop" where I found lots of other pages that were free or for purchase. Prices varied and were very reasonable...and when I say page, I really mean several. You are actually getting several pages and some even come with extra embellishments for you to use that match the pages. Downloading the pages for use was a breeze as they had a Wizard and put them in the software for you (if that is where you choose) or you can save in a file of your choice for future use.
Once you get into the software, even if you don't read the instructions, you can find your way around for the most part. However I suggest you watch the countless videos they have for doing different things such as manipulating a page, making a new page as a mirror image of a page you already have which comes in handy if you want a two page layout. If you can't find a video for what you want to do then just hop on the board and someone will answer your question. Of course you can always send a direct email and get your answer that way too. I have been dealing with Liz Gardner and she is such a big help. She can be reached at liz@mymemories.com.
The designer albums are beautiful. You can manipulate the pages as you wish. Add embellishments, another photo frame, change color (if the designer allows it), make more pages or delete pages.
Don't have time to put all the photos in....no problem. Select the style of album you want open your photos and click "Fast Fill." Your album is done! All your photos are automatically added to the album you selected. (If you have more photos than what the album had on it's pages for pictures it will automatically repeat each pages of the album in order until all the photos are used.)
BTW....This is just not for scrapbooks either, it is much more. Here is a very quick video of it just so you get the feel for what can be done. Click Here!
The quality is superb! I can go on and on about it but why not check it out for yourself and if you decide to buy it then use code: STMMMS97740 (just copy and paste the code).





Below are the pages I did. These are designer pages that were free.














Still not convinced? Then don't forget to keep checking back here because one of my lucky followers will be winning a free copy of their own My Memories Suite!

Friday, September 16, 2011

Look what I did....digital!

I only had one page in my album digital. Well, here is my second although I did not have this one printed yet.


I know, it could have been better but I was just playing and seeing how to use PSE. Don't forget I have an old version (5) so it is nothing compared to nine. I already used my free trial but I do have it on my wish list.
Any ways, speaking of digital....have I got a surprise for you!
I will post it after the weekend, most likely on Monday so check back. You won't want to miss this.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Fiskateers

Another year as a Fiskateer and I am loving it. Below is the Fiskateers Way and keeping with that way it is the best time to ask you to consider joining the Fiskateers. Why? Do you like looking at other people's work for inspiration or just to see what everyone is doing? Do you like a community where you can chat when you want? Do you like joining swaps? Do you like receiving RAKs? Do you like hops and games? Like winning prizes? Would you like to learn other things to use your Fiskars product for? How about learning a new technique? And don't think we all use only Fiskars products exclusively. Most of the rules are that you only need to use ONE Fiskars product to enter your layout/card or to enter the blog hop/challenge. Don't have one? Don't fret....you will win one in no time at all and I know you will love some of the Fiskars products and will use them as part of your normal crafting supplies.
So does it all sound good? Sound like something you would be interested in?There is more...much more. For example we are having a party in each state just for Fiskateers. CT is having it on Oct. 15th which happens to be my birthday....now I can't wait until my birthday...LOL. We just finished the Lift-off Challenge which was a weekend of challenges put on by the Card Lifters and Liftateers where you do the challenge and are entered to win prizes. With something like 30+ challenges, I am sure you would have found a few that interested you. If this sounds like something you would be interested in, just ask me how to join and you too will be taking the oath of the Fiskateers Way!

Stampin Up Card

Last night I had a chance to go play with some Stampin Up products. This is the card we made using only Stampin Up items. We used their paper, stamps,and punches.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

My Favorite Layout (well....one of them any ways)

I did this layout some time ago and realized I never posted it when I went to show my granddaughter it. Seems I haven't posted a lot of my cards and layouts here. I have them on the Fiskateer site but not all of you are Fiskateers so can't go there to see them. Sorry about that. This was lifted from Vicky 1509.

This is one of my favorites of two of my granddaughters.


We did a crop (Lift off) on the Fiskateer Site and one of my challenges was to lift this layout. Quite a few played and did one heck of a job. We had so much fun on there. If your not a member and are interested in joining....ask me how.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Goodnight Irene

Hurricane Irene hit us Saturday night and into Sunday. Many lost power before we did but we were soon to follow. The coast got the tides, inland got all the rains, we got the wind and a considerable amount of rain. Everything was closed (thank goodness it was on Saturday so most people were not at work) and it was a good thing. If a tree didn't get you, the flooding did.
My daughter lives upstate (inland) so she got the water and it did indeed flood her basement. We didn't flood (I live on a very large hill) and had a sump pump, she had electricity and she had the generator...so I traded her for use of the pump for the generator. (Best trade I ever did). So things were not so bad. I mean they could have been worse....much worse. My heart goes out for those who did get it worse.
When the ban was lifted on driving we ventured out to do our swap. I snapped a few pictures of my neighborhood. I am talking in a 2 block radius of my house. This should give you some idea of the winds here. (Note our power lines are underground but it comes from the bottom of the hill which is above ground and our sub-station was closed and all power shut off as that was flooded).

How lucky they were it missed the house and landed right next to the driveway.

another tree lost

and another

another

and again...remember this is all in the 2 blocks by my house before I get to the main road down the hill 

When I got to the bottom of the hill and turned to the main road that takes me to the highway it was much the same as this where ever you looked. Only they had (some) water issues too. When I got further inland there was hardly any wind damage at all. I didn't see one tree broken but water everywhere. My daughter had 2 pumps working and still she was flooding. She hooked a third one up and it was keeping up and then I came with the forth. When we pulled up on her street we noticed a small river coming down the side of the road.
We followed it into the driveway of her house!!! This is only one of 3.

So what do you do with all this water? Just ask Wynter.....LOL.

I am just glad it is over for us and all is back to normal somewhat. I still have two trees to chop in my backyard that fell....then it will all be but a memory. I do want to say a huge "THANK YOU" to all the crews restoring power. We have crews from TX and CO just to name a few. I know there are many other states here too. They are working around the clock and I am sure they hear it from residents who are sick of being in the dark. Tempers tend to flare especially when you can't buy a generator as they are all gone and a truck (FEMA Approved) finally rolls in yesterday. Yeah....I'd be angry too. However, the crews are fantastic and doing their best. Hats off to you all!!!
Also....we have the reverse 911 here. I really didn't care much for the Mayor of Naugatuck but I will tell you what... We were aware of many things going on such as the driving ban, when crews were thought they'd have us up and running, where to go for showers, gas, etc. I really loved that information that kept coming. (They call my DH's cell phone with each update). Fantastic job there Mayor! Only thing I wish you would do is have a tree pick up....what are we all suppose to do with all these trees??? You (Naugatuck) have the equipment (or can get it) to pick these up and chip them up and use the mulch/chips on the green or where ever needed. (Bag it and sell it instead of raising taxes!)

Now that it is over I only have one last thing to say....Goodnight Irene