"Dabling" in Digital

Digi-Know Newsletter

2010-03-08T22:17:00.002-07:00

Question of the month:

How do I ensure my StoryBook Creator Plus 3.0 project will not lose anything important when it's trimmed?

Click the View tab.
Select "Trimmed View" under the Preview Section. This will remove 1/4-inch from all sides of the project.
Pay close attention to the edges before your order is placed.
On custom projects, keep all elements at least 1/2-inch from all edges.

Coupon Code Reminder

Come see why everyone's talking about Creative Memories photo books. And remember to redeem your $39.95 coupon code toward the purchase of a Hardcover StoryBook before it expires!

Softcover StoryBook Sale

Create a one-of-a-kind 7x5 photo book and take $5 off when you place an order!

Upgrade and Save

This month, save $10 when you upgrade to StoryBook Creator Plus 3.0 Software.

This is the year to“Focus on Photos”

2010-01-06T22:25:00.001-07:00

Tough times usually brings with it perspective. It's time to begin remembering what is important in our lives and honoring them. Lots of us say we couldn't live without our pictures. I know for me my pictures helps me remember the good, it saves my sanity from trying to remember every little moment, and brings me so much joy.

There are always cons that come with everything. Digital has been an evolving era that keeps changing. Which means that we have to try to keep up, and with the endless possibilities with our digital files, its gets overwhelming. The past is also not forgotten, a lot of us still have printed pictures and film that we still have in boxes. They are not less important because the aren't sitting on a hard drive. All our pictures are important and deserve to be looked at and remembered.

If this is also on your mind and in your heart maybe I can help. I have a personal mission to Focus on Photos this year. I take near to ten thousand pictures a year, including my personal and family pictures. That's a lot to edit and keep up on, and sometimes my personal photos get pushed back. So I am motivated to get MY photos in albums and books.

There are many different styles and different process's to achieve these goals. I am offering a Free Focus on Photos introduction Class. We will go over the different types, styles, and ways to get our pictures into albums and books (including organizing) Then there will be different workshops available to sign up for to help you follow through with your goals. For additional information and a full schedule Click Here . Contact me at spdabling@msn.com to register for any workshops.

Votes are IN!

2009-12-12T08:58:00.001-07:00

Ok so I had a few of you comment that you would like to see me continue and some of you cancelled your subscription. SO….

I think I will give it another chance and re-invent it, which means maybe more photography and “other” digital tips and still some tips using CM products. I am actually thinking of re-designing the layout too, so give me a month and lets see what happens :)

Thanks for all your support, I wasn’t even sure you were still out there :)

Hugs

Shannon

MIA

2009-12-06T21:56:00.001-07:00

Sorry I have been MIA here. Ever Since Creative Memories started their own blog, (and it is way more awesome than mine) I can’t really compete, so I am not!

Please Check out the Software Solutions and Ideas and All about images….well check them all out! You can also subscribe to them too. I think that it might mean an end to this blog, or I might just have to re-invent it. What’s your vote?

Shannon

New Creative Memories Digital Center

2009-11-02T17:07:00.001-07:00

Starting Nov 1 the photo center was replaced with the NEW, Revamped, and totally awesome Digital Center!!

Click here to go to the New Digital Center

This is a beautiful website!!! BTW November is a great month for Savings from the Digital Center. Click Here to see Special Offers!!!

New Creative Memories Digital Scrapbook Calendar

2009-10-19T09:36:00.001-06:00

Tech Tips, New Product Review

I am so excited about this NEW product! You can download free templates for this from my site HERE

These are available for purchase through the CM photo center available November 1, 2009 for 20.99! What you need to know is that this is a 12x18 Calendar with the image area being 12x12. Now the really cool part about it is that the calendar tears off and then you have a 12x12 scrapbook print!!!

Dr. Mark Mizen Blogged about this calendar and you can read his post HERE

And this is a great Tech Tip Post from the Creative Memories blog too. Here is the LINK but it is also copied below.

Calendar Templates: Defining your time

tem•plate: A pattern or gauge, such as a thin metal plate with a cut pattern, used as a guide in making something accurately.

Wow. I made my first calendar pages this week. At first thought it was going to be cool to show you how you can drop in 12 x 12 pages or Page Prints you've already done into the calendar templates. However, that doesn't even begin to scratch at the surface of what you can do with the new calendar templates.

You can:
• import completed pages as photos and just drag and drop (or, you can copy/paste from another SBC+ file if you still have items you want to change)
• start from scratch and create something new
• make any photo or paper the background of the calendar
• change the calendar style
• change any month to a new month (switch January to July without starting over)
• change the color of anything in the calendar, change the fonts
• add photos, embellishments or text to any cell on the calendar

I discovered all kinds of versatility within the template. Check out the screen shots below to see some of the great things you can do with calendars.

cal•en•dar tem•plates: a starting point, a guide to making your calendars just the way you want.

Insert your already completed pages

1. If you haven't already, save your pages as 300 dpi jpgs. From your calendar project, click on Get Photos. Import pages you want to use as photos.

2. Drag and drop on to calendar template. Size to fit the upper portion of the template.

Change the style of the calendars & adding a photo as your background

1. It doesn't get much easier than this. Right click on the calendar grid to see the pop up menu. Go to "Use a different Calendar Style", choose your favorite from the pop up window.

2. Adding the photo as a background is amazingly simple too. From the content menu, choose your photo, right click and choose "Make background". That's it. (You can do this with paper too!)

3. Just like any StoryBook page you create, you can add any embellishments or type you like.

Personalize the calendar grid

1. Right click the calendar grid, choose "properties" from the pop up menu. From this menu, you can change colors, fonts, spacing and more as it applies to the calendar grid. (see screen shot below)

Cells within the calendar

1. Drag and drop an image or an element into any cell within the calendar. Or, right click the calendar grid and choose "Edit Calendar Cells" to add text or make other changes to the individual days of the month.

When you're all done creating your own unique and fabulous calendar grid, you can sample the grid and apply the same features to any other grid in your project.

Posted by Corinne Skoog on 10/13/2009 at 07:39 PM in Software Tips & Tricks, StoryBook Creator Plus Software | Permalink

How to Create Your Own Embellishment Files in SBC+ 3

2009-10-06T21:48:00.001-06:00

Tech Tips

This tip came from the project center...

From the Welcome screen click on the Manage my content Icon.

The Content Ribbon displays.
Select the folder where the new content will be stored.
Next create a new package in the folder to import your content to.

Packages
You can create your own personal library of favorite elements, including papers, embellishments, shapes, edges, corners and colors. You can save free art, art you personally created, or single elements saved from your projects or created elsewhere. All of your saved and created items need to be stored in a package.

To create a new package, click Create on the Content panel. Then from the pop-up menu, select Create user content package. The Create a new package dialog displays. Enter a name for your new package and choose a folder to put it in. Your new package is now displayed under the My Stuff folder. To import items into your new package click on it then select the embellishments Icon in the Get from file section. The Get Images from folders dialog box displays. Browse to the appropriate folder. Next select the images you wish to import. For this example we are choosing two images and will then click on Get selected images. The images are now imported and display in the Content manager section ready for you to use

"How did they do that?"

2009-09-22T15:48:00.001-06:00

Tech Tips

Have you seen the new Fall/Winter Catalog? They have beautiful layouts in there! If you want step by step instructions they have them on the Project Center!

Also check out the freebie section for little embellishments used on some of the layouts

Here are some of my favorite layouts...

Ingredients:

StoryBook Creator Plus 3 Software
Cottage Garden Digital Kit
Digital Freebie Cottage Garden Flower Border (click here to download)
Font - Clingy 26 pt.

How to Create:

Create a new 12x12 project.
Add photo to background.
Add second photo to page and use the custom cutter to cut out around the person. Use the blur feature to blur the edges and make them blend with the background photo.
Add ribbon 1 to each edge of the page leaving just the blue scallop edge showing on page.
Add digital freebie Cottage Garden Flower Border to bottom of page.
Add corner 1 to each corner of page.
Create text box and journal.

Ingredients:

StoryBook Plus Digital Software
Cottage Garden Kit
Digital Embellishments Cottage Garden
Fonts used: Georgia Ref

How to Create:

Create a new 12x12 project.
Add Paper15 to background.
Next add GreenButterflyCard to the background and expand it to it is much wider and stretches across the page as shown. Give it a heavy shadow.
Place two photographs onto the layout, both with a red mat with the width of three next to one another.
Add FlowerPaperClip to the left top corner of the green card as shown. Give it a heavy shadow and using the green circle when you right click on it, tilt it a bit.
Add the EpoxyTag to the page and resize it to 1.79.
Copy and past the tag 6 more times.
Place each tag at the top of the layout with half of the circle off of the page to make a scallop border as shown.
Give each a heavy shadow.
Add FlowerSwirl above photographs. Tilt it so that it is level and give it a heavy shadow.
Add Ribbon1 across the layout just below the photographs as shown. Give it a heavy shadow.
Create a text box inside the ribbon and add journaling.
Add LiveLaughLove embellishment to the right of the photographs. Give it a heavy shadow.
Add flower embellishments to the right bottom corner of the photographs. Give them a heavy shadow and layer them.
Add StitchButterfly1 to the bottom of the layout three times in three different sizes. Give them all a heavy shadow and tilt them so that it looks like they are flying around the flowers.
Add eyelet embellishments to the centers of some of the flowers as shown.
Add Button1 to a couple of the flower middles as shown.
Add Ribbon2 to the bottom of the layout, letting half of the ribbon extend off of the page. Give it a heavy shadow.

Ingredients:

StoryBook Creator Plus 3 Software
Black & White Digital Power Palette
Font Used - Mia's Scribblings (dafont.com)

How to Create:
Drop paper #4 in the Background.

Drop in Photo and enlarge.

Under the "Format Photos" Ribbon Apply the Soft Edge (note: be sure to use the drop down menu, there you will locate two options - frames and cutouts. The Soft Edge is found under "Cutouts".

To further the softness of the photo go to the Format Ribbon and under Filters select the "Soften Edge" filter you can slide it all the way to 100% if you still find you need to soften more go back in to the same filter and apply it for a second time and it will apply even more softness.
(this will allow the background paper to appear as though it is penetrating through the photo!

The next step is to draw portions of the background paper to the forefront...
To achieve this look you will go to the "Cut and Fill Ribbon" and select the background paper.
(be sure to unlock the background paper first or it will not allow you to select it)

Once you have the paper selected and opened the cut and fill ribbon you will select the "Wand Tool"
(you can leave both of the sliders at 50%)
Then start selecting portions of the paper in the white border (if you click on the black it will select too much and it will not work) just keep clicking on the white swirl etc... and then click on "COPY the selected area".

Now you will have a portion of the background paper that you can "overlay on top of the photo"

TIP: if you happened to select a little too much and it is conflicting with the image in your photo just select the "overlay" you have just created and go BACK to the cut and fill ribbon - click on an Oval or Rectangle shape and cut away the portion that is covering your photo!! works like a charm!

The bursts were cut out from Paper #1. I used the wand tool once again... zoomed up on one of the bursts and began wanding it out. Once you have one burst you can change size, color, copy, paste etc... so all you need is one. In this case I made one larger and changed the color to white and one black which is small and sits in the center of the white burst. I have one in the upper right corner and one attatched to the piece of ribbon at the bottom close to the center of the layout.

For the snippet of ribbon I used Ribbon #7 I shrunk it down quite small and applied the Soften Edge Filter to it so that it faded out on both sides (under the "Format Ribbon" you will locate Filters and in that category you will find Soften Edge).

For the title "Beautiful" go to the "Insert Ribbon" and select the "FANCY" text, use your drop down menu, choose "Select a different alpha set" and locate your Black and White Alpha Set! Then type your title!

To change the size and color of the individual letters just select the title - right click and choose "ungroup". Now your letters will be individual elements... you can then adjust size, color etc... I adjusted the color to take on a brown/taupe color and the applied a "Cord" surface to them (find "Surfaces" under the Format ribbon next to FIlters.

Tip: You will NOTICE under SURFACES that YOU NOW HAVE two options "Scale Texture" and "Amplification". Play with the NEW ampification feature as it will "amplifty" the appearance of the textures quite considerably if you desire!

Beneath the Word "Beautiful" I added the "Black Flower" and then placed a tiny version of the "White Flower" inside and then scattered a few more around.

The eyelet in the center of the Flowers were created with a small black circle shape filled with a two tone (black and white) gradient (found under the "Cut and Fill Ribbon").

One other embellishment I added that is barely noticeable is the "Black Text Flower" - it is hovering in the bottom left corner beneath the snippet of ribbon and the "Beautiful" Title... on top of the photo.

All I did was add the flower on to the layout, enlarge it quite significantly so that the writing across the flower would appear quite large and then apply the "Soften Edge" Filter to it so that all you are left with is the writing angled across the bottom left hand side of the photo!

Ingredients:

StoryBook Creator Plus 3 Software
Discover Baby Boy First Year Additions
Discover Baby Boy Arrival Additions
Black & White Digital Power Palette
Digital Freebie - Circle and Flowers overlay (click here to download)
Digital Freebie - Wavy Frame (click here to download)
Font - Jane Austen 14 pt.

How to Create:

Create a new 12x12 project.
Add paper 3 from Discover Baby Boy First Year Additions to background and enlarge paper so the stars do not show.
Add black digital freebie circle and flowers overlay to page and then add the red overlay on top and align the flowers so they match up.
Add ribbon 8 from Black & White PP to middle of page and enlarge ribbon so it is wide enough to journal on.
Place red digital freebie wavy frame to page and then add your photo on top of the frame. Add white wavy frame on top of the picture and give both frames a heavy shadow.
Add flourish from Discover Baby Boy Arrival to page and use the custom cutter to cut away the stars. Copy and past three times to have a total of four flourishes. Change two to black and two to red and then place two under the upper left corner of the wavy frame and two under the lower right corner of the wavy frame.
Add title "Welcome Baby" from Discover Baby Boy Arrival to the upper right corner and change the color to black.
Add text box on top of the ribbon and journal.

This one is my most favorite!!!

Ingredients:

Storybook Creator Plus 3 Software
Cottage Garden Digital Kit
Digital Embellishments - Cottage Garden
Digital Overlays - Discover Youth
Digital Emb.- Office Supplies - Gold
Swirly Digital Alpha Set
Pet Digital Kit
Freebies: Scalloped Paper (click here to download)
Digital Emb - Sewing Room Stitches
Fonts: Aswell, Impact Label

How to Create page 1:

Start with a new 12x12 project.
From the Cottage Garden Kit select Paper18 as background.
Add the freebie Scalloped Paper as shown and fill with paper8, approximately 4.25 inches from left hand side of your page.
Now we need to create a rectangle using the shapes cutter. This rectangle is 6.45 wide X 8.71 high. Place on page as shown, approximately 1.5 inches from left hand side of your page. Change to desired color and add the Block Surface that can be found under the Format tab.
Add Ribbon1 from the Cottage Garden Kit Emb. as shown, approximately 2.25 inches from the top of the page.
From the Digital Emb-Sewing Room Stitches add four 2_StraightStitches as shown on your blue rectangle.
Add DelightYouthOverlay3 from the Digital Overlays-Digital Youth Emb. as shown to your page. I added extra flowers to my overlay by cutting, copying and pasting some of the flowers from the overlay.
From the Digital Emb-Cottage Garden kit add the yellowflower to the upper right hand corner of your photo.
To the top of the flower you just added also add EpoxyBrad2, this is found in the Cottage Garden Digital Kit Emb.
Using the Swirly Digital Alpha set add your title as shown, flatten the title and fill with Paper11 from the Cottage Garden Kit.
You may also add two black rectangles using your shapes cutter and add text boxes, adding journaling using Impact Label. Place on page as shown.
Now you can add your photo as shown, this photo measures 6.28 wide X 5.62 high.
From the Cottage Garden Embellishments add Corner1 to all four corners of your photo.
Add three SilverBrads to page as shown, these are found in the Cottage Garden Emb.
Lastly add text box and journaling as shown, for the text use Aswell as the font!!

How to create page 2:

You can copy and paste most of the elements from page one to page two and arrange as shown.
The top photo is 5.88 wide X 4.41 high.
Add eight GoldStaples to the edges of your first photo.
Add your second photo, 4.26 wide X 3.19 high.
From the Cottage Garden Kit right click on Paper5 and select cut out a new shape. Using the rectangle cutter cut a piece 4.55 wide X 3.45 high and place behind the second photo you added to your page.
Use four more SilverBrads to the corners of your second photo as shown.
You may add the Crown to your title, this may be found in the Pet Digital Kit.
Lastly add the blueprong from the Digital Emb.-Cottage Garden to the upper right hand corner of your blue box.

Creative Memories has a BLOG!!!

2009-09-18T20:34:00.001-06:00

News

I can't believe it!! I haven't been on Facebook in weeks. I thought tonight I would go and see what was going on and WHAM....I see a post from Mark Mizen with a link and so of course I love links....So I clicked and the Heavens opened up and this site http://blogs.creativememories.com/ and I thought had died and gone to heaven. It looks like this is new this week and it will be amazing!!! I am so excited, I have been preaching blogs to Creative Memories for a year and a half now....(even though my blog is less than a great example) and here I am looking at it on my screen! I cannot contain myself and I knew this was blog worthy asap!! So check it out and keep your eye on it! Great info and such a great platform for us to get even more personal with the staff at Creative Memories home office.

Yippee!!!

Shannon

Creative Memories Storybook Creator Plus 3.0 new cutting tools

2009-09-15T23:31:00.001-06:00

Tech Tips

Under the new Cut & Fill tab you will see new options for cutting and cropping.

Looks about the same, but see all those little arrows, there are some awesome new options there.

So lets dive in some more....

There are some awesome new options with the straight tool... (pretty self explanatory)

Of course our standard shapes but the new edition is the custom. And here is my confession, I was never NEVER (at all) good with the wand. This just made my life easier.

so now you can control your cut, point by point! Its amazing!!!!

moving on to More...

WhoHoo!!! I won't even go into details about what I would go through to get a rounded corner. This is amazing and even more than you see. There are several corners to choose from. And you have the ability to get very creative with this tool. You can choose which corners and the size of the cut. And this also works on papers..etc.!

Well Creative Memories, I think you have out done yourselves!!! And this is only the tip of the iceberg

Now the upgrade is $9.95 for a limited time and then goes up to $19.95! So get going and head over to my site to get the upgrade!!! (available on a disk or as a instant download)

www.mycmsite.com/shannondabling

Happy Cutting

Shannon

Creative Memories DigiKnow Newsletter September 2009

2009-09-11T08:07:00.001-06:00

(This is the Newsletter sent out from the Photo Center. If you don't get this in your email inbox every month, check your account at the Photo Center to sign up.)

StoryBook Creator Plus 3.0
September is here! And at the Home Office, we've been fast at work readying the launch of StoryBook Creator 3.0. If you thought you loved StoryBook Creator Plus before, get ready to fall in love all over again. Here's a quick look at some exciting new features:

• Decorative Editing: Twist and wrap text to fit around photos or page embellishments. With the new grid-cutting tool, corner cutters and straight-cutter option, create blended patterned edges.
• Auto-populate: After selecting photos, you can choose to auto-populate your project with them – a unique smart feature that populates templates based on photo dates and times.
• Spread Editing: View both pages of a two-page spread at the same time for easier alignment and design.

A perfect pair, StoryBook Creator Plus 3.0 and Memory Manager 3.0 give you the freedom and flexibilty to create timeless treasures for all to enjoy.

FREE Webinars Available
Learn more about how to use StoryBook Creator Plus 3.0 to it’s full potential. With all the great overviews and step-by-step tutorials, you’ll be a pro in no time! Check out the Webinars today!

New Cover Choices
Creative Memories book cloth is replacing our current linen and leatherette album covers. The new book cloth is available in eight colors, with optional window, for the same great price of $39.95 US/CAN. We think you’ll be impressed with the book cloth’s exceptional durability!

Black & White Digital Power™ Palette

Rich in design and expression, the Black & White Digital Power Palette is a stunning new addition to September's product launch. It’s versatility makes it a great buy for numerous projects. Purchase the traditional system and get a free 28-page idea booklet.

Feeling the Project Pinch? The Help Zone offers a variety of solutions for your photo dilemmas. From getting started with digital or traditional to supplemental Webinar training, let the Help Zone be your scrapbook 411. Be sure to check out our new videos page.

Free Stuff on the Project Center
Visit the Project Center often to download free, fun elements! Check out all the free artwork available now that can be used with any of our digital predesigned pages, Power™ Palettes, kits and more in StoryBook Creator Plus.

Summer, School, and Salsa....

2009-09-11T07:26:00.001-06:00

Personal

Well that pretty well sums it up.....Summer was crazy with the kids home and with the new neighbors next door it was all day play day, some days there would be up to 12 kids over. Then of course school had to come and boy was I ready! Labor day weekend my poor hubby had to get his wisdom teeth out, which happened to be the same time our tomatoes came on and so for about 4 days I was canning salsa.....maybe now I can actually turn on the computer.

Sad to say I did not reach my goal of 100 pages. I really thought I would have more time in August, but did not. So I will keep reaching for that goal.

Shannon

Creative Memories Showcase Convention

2009-08-03T22:35:00.001-06:00

News

Last Weekend was CM's Regional Showcase. This is where they release all sorts of new products, revisions, and give all the big news! I wasn't able to make it this year, but I have been scouring the Internet for any info I can find. I will be going to a post-showcase lunch meeting tomorrow, where I will get the scoop.

The most exciting is the Storybook Creator Upgrade to Storybook 3.0!!! I have been keeping a huge secret. I have been on the beta testing group for a month or so using and playing with this version!!! Amazing!!!!

New Features include....text wrapping, extra matting features, more precise cutting tools, which includes a tearing tool! Direct upload to facebook! Viewing pages side by side! The list goes on!.... expect a more detailed post later this week about all things NEW!!!

Shannon

A Challenge of Hundreds

2009-07-28T09:21:00.001-06:00

This is my 100th post!!! So it seems that is challenge is appropriate!

100 pages in 30 days!

are you up to it?

"Accept the challenges so that you feel the exhilaration of victory." -George S. Patton.

I finally realized that without a push I won't get much done. So this challenge is as much for me as for anyone else. I know that I am one of those that has a lot of ideas and intentions, but not much action or progress. I am really tired and discouraged that I never actually do much.

This summer has been a experiment for me. I have been trying a lot of new things, and the key is that I have been trying to change that feeling of anxiousness and that feeling that begins in the pit of my stomach that says its easier to say no than to try.

Well after a low week in June I realized that I needed a change, and I was the only one that could make that change... so starting with a vacation to Lake Powell I decided to start my experiment. It started with the water. I have been quite the baby when it comes to water. I have issues...lets just say its not just water but also what's in the water. So when the first opportunity came I grabbed it. I was going to attempt surfing... fall after fall, I finally got it! Then the next time I graduated to trying wakeboarding! And surprising enough I picked that up easier than surfing, it only took 2 tries and I was up.

Crash after crash instead of feeling tired and defeated I felt exhilarated. I may not have been that good at it but I did it. The experiment was as simple as just jumping in! I realized a lot about myself that week. And now it is time to extend that experiment into other aspects of my life.

Last post I told about the milestone my daughter is reaching the the change in me that it has caused and this challenge came about as a result. I am more committed to creating life. Through images and words I have felt inspired to explore life and observe it and create something that shows our life. 100 pages and I will have a completed book. 100 pages and my kids will have new memories and a new confidence. 100 pages and I will feel accomplishment and inspiration to spread. 100 pages.....what is 100 for you?

What is your challenge? What is holding you back? Do you feel like if your life was a book, would it be a story, would it tell the details of your life, would you have the photos and words to go with it? What is your story?

To make it official and maybe get a community effort going I have created a Dabling in Digital Facebook Group. Already posted is this challenge. Join the group, share with us your story. We can share our efforts. Post your pages, post your struggles, post your accomplishments....join.

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=9806&uid=109191656111#/group.php?gid=109191656111

Happy Creating

Shannon

The Guilt Trip

2009-07-27T15:56:00.002-06:00

Random musings

Just thought I would be a little real today. My eldest just turned 8 and will be getting baptized into our religion. It has begun a guilt trip. As time goes on and I keep taking pictures and putting them on the hard drive and not really getting anything done. I have also noticed lately that my memory is failing more and more. I have been feeling like I am also forgetting the stories that goes with the pictures. They are as important and the photos.

The photos are meant to trigger memories and send us on a walk down memory lane. That thought has got me exploring the why...why is that photo important. Why am I taking the picture and also who is it for? Is it for me or my children, will they remember, will I tell them the story?

My son just said the funniest thing to my husband the other day and I don't want to forget it but I know if I don't hurry and write it down it will be lost with all the other things he has said, or how he got that scar on his knee.

I am finding that life is so hectic and time just goes by and while I'm folding laundry or vacuuming the carpets I realize that I am not taking the time to keep track of what's really important. So I am challenging myself! I am also going to extend that challenge here too. My next post I will announce the challenge and all that goes with it and I hope you will come aboard and take the challenge to remember life!

Just thinking out loud....

Shannon

Written instructions for Downloading

2009-07-09T10:51:00.001-06:00

Tuesday Tech Tips

I have written out instructions for Downloading and Importing Digital Downloads into your software. This can be very helpful. I have also attached a download that you can print off and put in your CD cover or keep it by your computer. If you are a consultant you are welcome to download and just change your information for your customers.

Digital Content

The Digital Pre-Designed Pages are great for those that like working with templates. Price for Pre-Designed pages is $7.95 per book design.

The Digital Power Palettes, Digital Power Palettes Additions, Digital Power Palettes Kits, Digital Kits, and Digital Embellishments include digital papers, stickers, and/or embellishments so you can create your pages from scratch. They can only be used using the Plus software. Prices are $3.95-$9.95

You can also find FREE Downloads that are complete templates.

Tip: Visit my Site www.mycmsite.com/shannondabling,

Go to Help Zone>Digital>Digital Content to open and view PDF’s of each Digital Kit or Pre-Designed pages.

To Purchase Digital Content:

1. Go to my site www.mycmsite.com/shannondabling

2. Go to Go to Shop Products (top bar) > Digital Scrapbooking (left column) > Digital Content Downloads, and you can see from the main page all of your options. Click on each category to see all that is available.

3. Click on the Digital Content you want to purchase and add to cart.

4. Then View Cart to Checkout

(you can sign up and make an account so you can save your information for the next time)

5. For rest of the checkout process the site will guide you through it.

For Free Downloads:

1. Go to my site www.mycmsite.com/shannondabling

2. Go to Shop Products (top bar) > Digital Scrapbooking (left column) > Digital Content Downloads >Free Downloadable Themes

3. Click Download now on the desired theme

Download instructions:

1. Download the package to your computer or external hard drive
2. Open Storybook Creator Plus software
3. From the home page, click on “CM Content” in the Art section in the top left corner
4. A CM Content box will display the content currently installed
5. Click on “Import Package” at the bottom of the box
6. In the “Look In” drop-down box, browse to the location where you saved the package
7. Double-click on the package. This will begin the install procedure.
8. Repeat from steps 5-7 for each package you have downloaded.

Other Tips:

Webinars: Go to my Site and Go to Help Zone> Webinars

You can view recorded Training Webinars or see a schedule for Live Webinars. These are very helpful for getting the most out of your software.

Also Visit the Project Center for all kinds of ideas!

http://www.mediafire.com/file/drzjtnyzqmh/CD insert.docx

Happy Downloading

Shannon

Navigating my web site...

2009-06-30T22:44:00.004-06:00

Tuesday Tech Tips
I know this is going to be short and sweet, mainly because my daughter turns 8 tomorrow and still have a lot to do for her party. But anyway I just wanted to tell you whats available from my site.

Getting to know the site:
First of all, the top navigation bar will be where you will want to look first.

Home>Our Company>Shop Products>Host a Get Together>Join my Team>Project Center>Help Zone>Host Connection

When you start on the Home Page you will notice that near the bottom of the page Creative Memories is always updating the NEW stuff that is going on, ex. what deals are going on, projects, inspirations, and more. So check there often because that changes. On the right column it has my name and CM ID. That Id number is what you use when you are at the CM photo Center. That area is where I can update my page and share files....of course non of that is set up yet, but check there soon because I will work towards getting that done.

The Our Company page has basic Creative Memories info.

Shop Products is where you can either purchase products online or view and see what is new. At the top of the left column the first option is New Products, then as the list goes one it categorizes product into section. Spend some time there and browse around. Then its easy to just add to bag. And when you are ready to check out look near the top right corner under the navigation bar there is a View your Shopping Bag link. Once you click that link it will show you what is in your bag. You can sign in or create an account. When you create an account it keeps all your info saved so its easy.

Host a Get Together section shows you all the benefits of Hosting a Get together.

Join my Team gives more info on becoming a Consultant like me.

The Project Center is somewhere you really should spend some time! When you click it, it will open a new window where you can click either Digital or Traditional sections. When you click on the Digital section> NEW digital project ideas is updated every few days with full instructions on how to create that look! Awesome! Plus this is where you can download Digital Freebies. I can't even go over all the great info available from this part of the site. You will have to visit it for yourself and see what I mean.

The Help Zone is also a very exciting place to visit too. From the Help Zone>Digital>Digital Content you can view all the PDFs of the Digital Content before you buy or Print and catalog them in a binder for reference. The training webinars are also available from the Help Zone. I challenge all my customers to view two webinars a month. You will learn so many tips and tricks you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner.

The Host Connections is the part of the site for my hosts. Hosts can go into the Host Connection with there password and create guest list, email invitations, and other things to help make your Get Together great.

At the Very, Very top Right Corner you can Sign in, View Cart, and Contact Me.

Also, down at the bottom-right of the site there is a link to the Photo Center.

So thats it....for now.

Happy surfing

Shannon

I think I fell off the face of the Planet....

2009-06-29T21:20:00.001-06:00

Well it could be true if you base it off my blog entries! I have gotten a little behind, therefore, I totally shove it to the back of my mind and pile even more on top of it. Then when I finally decide to revive myself....I just have to dive it and do it! So here I am diving!!!

I think I am going to switch up the schedule though because Monday blogging just doesn't work for me. I usually have to put all my attention on my house from the crazy weekend.

So I am thinking I will just keep Tech Tuesdays and add a little note of something on Thursdays or Fridays....we'll see. Maybe just Tuesdays during the summer. But it will feel good to get back on a schedule.

So keep coming back!

Shannon

Instructions for installing and upgrading to Memory Manager 3.0

2009-05-03T21:10:00.001-06:00

These are all tips shared from other consultants and our wonderful Tech Support.

If you already have Memory Manager 2.0 and you are upgrading you need to take these precautionary steps.

1. Open your Memory Manager Vault. (if you have more than one you need to do this with each one, open each vault one at a time and do steps 2&3)

2. On the top tab go to Memory Vault>Manage your Memory Vault. Then click on Run Health Check. If their is any thing that needs repair the program will walk you through it and it is really simple. If it is healthy it will tell you nothing needs to be done. Now this is important so that when your running 3.0 all your information will convert over.

3. Then you need to make a back up of your vaults. (I am NOT talking about a shadow copy. You need to go wherever your vault is stored and make a copy. This could take over an hour or so to copy depending on how much information there is. (I get it started and go do something else) Do this for each vault. This is really just a extra safety step, not necessary but advised because your shadow copy for 2.0 will NOT work in 3.0.

4. After you have made your back ups it time to install 3.0. Either you have Ordered a Disk or a Download from my site (www.mycmsite.com.shannondabling)

NOTE: You need to have your serial number from 2.0 to activate your 3.0 upgrade. Either have your original 2.0 case with the serial number on the back OR find your serial number by going into MM 2.0 and go to Help>About

If you have a disk just insert the disk and follow the prompts. If you are going to Download a copy you can either save or run right from the link that you click to download. I first clicked on Run, but I also re-visited the link and saved a copy so and made my own disk. Be sure to write down the serial number. You will also get a link to download the user guide.

5. Once MM 3.0 is successfully installed you can remove and uninstall 2.0. Once your vault is moved to 3.0 it will no longer work in 2.0! To remove or uninstall go to your control panel and go to add or remove programs and find Memory Manager 2.0 on the list and click remove. (these instructions may differ if you use vista)

and that's it! Easy Peesy!

I think I am in Love... with the New Memory Manager 3.0

2009-05-03T11:30:00.001-06:00

The new features of this program make me want to sing. I seriously had butterflies in my stomach when I was playing with it this morning. Last night I got upgraded right before I went to bed, and this morning I was in heaven. I really haven't gotten this excited about something since Storybook Creator Plus came out...granted I am sort of geek. (Especially when I go into best buy and run for the hard drives. )

But the interface of this new version is beautiful! Its easy to navigate and I love the one click features. Its amazing!!!

I *heart* this program

New features of Creative Memories Memory Manager 3.0

2009-05-02T21:42:00.001-06:00

top ten reasons to upgrade...

1. It's only $9.95 to upgrade! In May and June. But come July it is $15.95.

2. It detects duplicates!

3. You can now import your photos into any project new or saved to Storybook Creator Plus!

4. You can now delete a photo in the edit screen!

5. Memory Manager now has the same look as Storybook Creator Plus with the Ribbon menu across the top!

6. When importing photos you now have the choice to maintain that file structure you created, now you don't have to start over!

7. You can now clone from one photo to another!

8. Share with other 3.0 users! It now keeps all your star ratings and tell the story message when you send a image to another 3.0 user!

9. You can now quickly change all or a portion of a photo, ex. change a part or all of a colored photo to black and white!

10. IT'S ONLY $9.95! (only until the end of June!)

The NEW Memory Manager is NOW available at my website www.mycmsite.com/shannondabling

its May?

2009-05-02T13:50:00.001-06:00

umm where did April go and where was I....I know I didn't sleep through it because it seems like I didn't get any sleep but where did the last 2 weeks go?

But today there is a digi National Scrapbook Day on Facebook! I am trying to get some pages done while online at facebook and will be submitting what I get done and then I will post them here too!

This link to the event should work!

my Anniversary

2009-04-14T20:11:00.000-06:00

9 years and counting! So I will post Tuesday Tech Tips tomorrow....wow that is a tongue twister :D

Cute Quotes!

2009-04-13T22:58:00.001-06:00

Monday Product Review: Digital Expressions

Hey guys, sometimes when I am designing pages, the pictures tell a pretty good story and don't need much journaling. But sometimes a little saying or quote would just add that something special to it. If you feel this way too you should check out Creative Memories Digital Expressions. These cute saying and quotes are designed almost like a logo. They use a variety of fonts and design elements.

These all run $5.95 from my site www.mycmsite.com/shannondabling

These are the newest addition featuring BABY

Remember to see all the digital expressions in a PDF go to my website www.mycmsite.com/shannondabling then go to the Help Zone>Digital>Digital Content then scroll down until you see Digital Enhancement category and Digital expressions is the first ones listed.

Happy Monday

Shannon

I must be Crazy!

2009-04-13T22:45:00.001-06:00

Do any of you watch Oprah? I confess, I sort of do a little (which means I DVR the episodes and pick and choose which ones I want to watch, late at night, while folding laundry)

Well they have been having this series on her show about cleaning up your messy house. So this months challenge was the Home Office. (Which if you saw my office you would know that its going to take more than a month )

SO... I started my project and realized I need to separated my home stuff, like paying bills, etc from my work. I decided that it would be great if I were to put an computer armoire in my dinning room and use that as Control Headquarters. (since the table is where most of the stuff lands anyway.)

SO.... I found a used armoire a local classified website for a reasonable price and went to get it. But now the spot where I want it there is a china hutch. So I decide to list the hutch on the classified site. Which means that I have to clean out my kitchen cupboards to fit the set of dishes and other items the hutch houses. Then I think in my head that it will look so weird to replace that china hutch with such a small armoire. But if I paint the room maybe it won't look so weird. (since this hutch has been in the same place for 27 years, yes I live in my childhood home)

SO....I decide on a paint scheme and go to Lowe's and buy paint. The next day I start to prep the walls, spackle and all, and totally dismantle the whole room. I get it all done in ONE day!!! That's not easy on a Saturday with 3 kids.

Then, after moving things around I realize that the hutch will work so now that I have completely emptied it and cleaned it I can now put everything back.

But all in all, the dinning room looks great! But wait a minute, the office is still a disaster!

Just thought this might make you smile,

Shannon

Digital Freebies

2009-04-09T16:39:00.001-06:00

EDIT: sorry I didn't have my full website address.

Did you know that you can Download Freebies from my site almost everyday?

YES you can! Go to my site at www.mycmsite.com/shannondabling then click on Project Center>Digital Project Ideas>Digital Freebies

or here is a direct link

http://projectcenter.creativememories.com/digital/digital-freebies/

Here are some samples of the freebies available...

SO many more too!

Happy Freebies

Shannon

Comments=Blog love

2009-04-08T15:51:00.001-06:00

At the bottom of each post is a place for you to leave comments or aka love! I love to hear your thoughts on the post and any requests for future posts. Thanks and don't forget to share the love :)

Making Two Page Spreads in Storybook Creator Plus

2009-04-07T19:50:00.000-06:00

Tuesday Tech Tip

I like to upload my beautiful finished pages to the web, like my blog, facebook page, and for some of my clients to proof their books at my proofing site. So I like to compile a second book with my pages side by side. Some times it's the only way it looks good. I really like to design pages in spreads. I really hope that this will be a new feature in the upgrade hopefully coming soon.

1. So first of all when I have a completed book I save pages as... jpegs

2. Then I start a new project and I double the width of the original book and use the same size in height. For example, an 8x8 book would measure 16x8 when looking at two pages. So I would create a new project in a custom size, which would be 16x8. Then I use the images that I saved as jpegs and "get photos" from wherever I save those.

3. Then simply drag and drop your images onto their appropriate side. Re-size if needed.

4. Then to make more pages your going to need to add more pages to the project. But instead of just adding a blank page and taking the time to re-size and re-align the images, Duplicate the page.

5. Then Drag and Drop your next image in place of one of the image that is already there.

the image will be shaded yellow and then your new image will fill that area.

6. Here is a sample of the final look.

Happy Creating

Shannon

New April Digital Content

2009-04-06T21:57:00.001-06:00

Monday Product Review

Don't you love how there is always something new every month. This month the products that I am highlighting are new alpha sets and a new Digital Office Supplies. Each of the kits are $5.95 each.

Digital Embellishments- Office Supplies II

There are 30 digital embellishments including a ruler, paper clips, notebook paper, clipboard, fax header and more...

Simple and Swirly Digital Alpha Set $5.95 ea.

These are digital replicas of the Simple and Swirly Alphas available as stickers.

Baby Club Album

2009-04-05T17:34:00.001-06:00

This is a 8x8 album that my clients receive when they sign up for the baby club. They receive photo sessions throughout the baby's first year and at the end of that year they receive a book with complied images from all the sessions. This is the first one that I designed in Storybook Creator Plus.

Here are the pages layout as two-page spreads for posting reasons. But when I made this book I used a normal 8x8 page layout for when I order it.

Testimony

2009-03-29T14:29:00.001-06:00

Over the past couple of weeks, we have been dealing with the death of a very close friend. He and his family are our neighbors and he was both of my brothers best friend. We have always been close with the family.

I went over to help his family choose pictures before the funeral to help make enlargements and I also made collages. It was a eye-opening for me to see all they had to go through to find their favorite photos.

His mother commented, that if you knew something like this was going to happen she would be more organized. She is actually one of those that are better off than some. She is actually pretty organized. She did have color coded folder for all of her kids portraits. She had most of her photos organized into shoe boxes by date. But it was still quite a process to look through two decades of photos. But it almost took just as long to look through the pictures on her computer because she had to open so many folders to look through to find the pictures she knew were there somewhere.

I am so glad though that I offered to help, I know it eased some burden during that time. I spent probably 15 hours scanning, editing, and designing to get the final product. But it was all worth it when at the viewing was over she was sitting in a chair with all of those pictures that I had done sitting in her lap almost protecting them. She loved them and I know having them will bring her some peace.

This is when I realize the importance of both my jobs. And then I start counting my blessings. Thank you Heavenly Father for the gifts you have given me.

Shannon

How I keep everything (on my computer) Organized

2009-03-18T15:27:00.001-06:00

Tuesday Tech Tips

First of all I use Memory manager as my final storage software. I used to have really big issues with keeping organized because I use two cameras. I have a small point and shoot camera that I call my purse camera, because it is always in my purse. It is so beat up and I let the kids have free reign with it and it's still truckin' along.

I also have a pro-grade DSLR that I shoot in RAW. I use this for fun shoots outside and for special occasions. I am finding that I am using it more and more for personal stuff. (But its a monster to carry around.) But because I shoot in RAW I have to convert to Jpeg before I can bring them into Memory Manager.

One of my theory's is that Memory Manager and isn't meant to replace Photoshop (entirely) but they can work together. If you are a more creative soul and like to advanced photo-retouching or more control and freedom to post-process your images you can see how I use this.

Ok back on the subject....

So I first import my RAW images into Adobe Lightroom. I then color correct, and do all my post processing in LR and then export them out into a folder. I then import those finished files into Memory Manager.

It took me a while to figure this system out. And boy was I in a mess. Raw files here, Jpeg files there, and some on this hard drive, some on that hard drive, so last October over one weekend I sat down and found everything. Anything RAW I converted to jpeg and brought them into MM and searched my hard drive for misfiled images. That weekend I imported thousands of files and got them sorted into folders.

Then a few weeks ago I realized I was missing Jack's 2nd Birthday photos. So I did even more digging and found loads of photos on disks and on a hard drive that I hadn't checked. Now I have more sorting to do, but it feels really good to have all my photos in one place.

But I do alot of posting photos online, and ordering prints and such online. So I have on my desktop these folders:

Image_Master

Print_Master

Web_Master

Exchange_Folder

(I have issues with spaces, which explains the underscore :)

My Image_Master folder holds many different types of projects and such. Basically anything that I am moving around, waiting for transfer, or even things I want to share or maybe want to play with I put in here. When I am done I delete them. This is only a holding file. I use copies of files here and in all these desktop folders.

My Web_Master folder holds anything that I am going to blog, upload, or post on facebook or web-related things. Even things that I want to email and such. Again as before this is only a holding folder. When I am done I clean it out. I do have a sub folder called CMblog for stuff I am using here.

My Print_Master folder holds anything waiting to be printed or burned to a disc to go to the printers. When I get it printed I delete it.

My Exchange Folder is for holding pictures from MM to SBC+. This is something that some local consultants suggested.

This system works well for me. I haven't made many of my own books, mostly because I knew I had stuff other places. (And I was shooting film up to 2006 with my SLR, I really loved that camera and couldn't give it up) So I have some film and some digital. It really was a mess. So I am just trying to see how I want to compile my books. But I think I am just going to start with 2008 and work my way down :)

Keep on top,

Shannon

March Digital Deals

2009-03-12T18:52:00.001-06:00

As mentioned before Memory Manager is on sale for $29.95 when purchased alone. The Click it II Collection is not on sale even though Memory Manager is in that Collection so my recommendation is...

Combine Memory Manager with the Click it I Collection! Here is the break down

Click it I includes

Storybook Creator Plus, Doodles and Swirls Content CD and Blush Blooms and Best Buds CD with Coupon worth $39.95.

Add Memory Manager and your total is $128.95 with S&H and Tax your total is $149.01

If you were to purchase Click it II which includes Storybook Creator Plus, Memory Manager and Blush Blooms and Best Buds CD with Coupon worth $39.95. Your total would be $129 with S&H and Tax your total is $149.07.

So you can see the difference. Same money....different stuff. Obviously the first option is the better deal!

apology

2009-03-11T11:45:00.001-06:00

Hey guys, sorry for the lack of posts lately. I have had some personal drama going on at home. Our basement flooded. Our water heater leaked more than 30 gallons of water. It was such a mess. But the carpet got re-laid yesterday and today the carpets are getting cleaned. So hopefully next week I will be back into the swing of things :)

New Catalog!!!!

2009-03-02T22:45:00.000-07:00

It may not feel like spring, but the new SPRING catalog is out and it is so beautiful! They did such a good job with this one. I am so excited about the new host rewards that are actually IN the catalog...so exciting. They also have some GREAT new products!!!

New Traditional, New Baby, New Girl, New Boy, New Chic, New Puzzle Punch, New Colors, LOTS New DIGITAL!!! New Featured Projects, New Baby Projects, New Inspirations, New Albums, and finally New "Old-to-New" Baby Bootie re-introduced Album in the new true 12x12!!!!!!

For all of that to make sense...you have to see a new catalog. Call or Email me at spdabling@msn.com to get one, or browse my website www.mycmsite.com/shannondabling

PS...Memory Manager is on SALE for $29.95!!!!

Happy Browsing!

Shannon

Backing up your Creative Memories Storybooks.

2009-02-17T21:48:00.001-07:00

Tuesday Tech Tips

If your Hard Drive is starting to get full with all your storybook pages and projects. Use your backup hard drive to store the original project. It is a good idea to back up a project during the mid-process in case of a crash.

1. Open your project in Storybook Creator Plus and use the Save as... find you back up hard drive and save a copy there.

2. Then Save pages as... and then save them as jpegs somewhere on your desktop.

3. Then open Memory Manager and import those pages into a new vault or create a sort box for your storybooks. It's good to have your pages there for a reference and for easy access.

Happy Scrappin

Shannon

New Products...shhhh

2009-02-16T23:21:00.001-07:00

The Regional Conventions are going on right now. Mine (Denver) was last weekend...too bad I wasn't there. So I have been scouring the CMC network to see if I can find out anything. I did see that they released new girl and boy kits and papers and two new Power Palettes Discover (boy inspired) and Delight (girl inspired) also available in digital.

Plus the cutest Punch ever...Puzzle! So for all you traditional scrappers you have to have this punch.

Sorry I don't have pictures to go along with these.

Also another favorite was these CD pockets. That you can add to any book or page. It has adhesive on the back so you can store your cd's with your books.

More to come later..

Happy News

Shannon

No Tuesday Post

2009-02-11T10:52:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was my sons birthday, so I did not get my Tuesday Post in. But here is something I made for his Birthday....

And here are the Valentines that me and my daughter made for her class....

The left side is for the girls and the right for the boys.

Product Review: Personalized Poem and Frame.

2009-02-09T21:55:00.001-07:00

(This Product is available through the Photo Center.)

For those special people in your life, a Personalized Poem & Frame is a unique,
affordable keepsake created in minutes – one they will treasure for a lifetime and
bring smiles every day.
• Poems exclusively written for Creative Memories
• Personalized with your photograph
• Easy to create, simply drag and drop your photos
• Sent to your door, matted and framed, ready to hang on your wall
• 8.5 x 16.5 Poem & Frame for $49.95

They are very easy to make. First you need an account at the Photo Center (if you already have account sign in at the top.)

Then, you have to upload the photos that you would like to use to the photo center into an album.

Then, select Photo Gifts on the top bar and select Personalized Poem and Frame from the list of products. Then just go through all the steps and you have a beautiful personalized gift or memento.

Photo Organizing Workshop

2009-02-06T15:19:00.001-07:00

Got Photos? I have a workshop that will help you organize a lifetime of photos in a very short time. Once your photos are in order, making keepsake albums for your family will be easy.

You will learn techniques for getting piles and piles of photos sorted and safely stored in a Power Sort Box by Creative Memories. The Power Sort Box will hold up to 2400 photos and is included in the fee of the class, along with handouts and supplies. There will also be an opportunity to have your photos scanned and recorded on archival discs.

Power Sort Workshop

February 28, 2009 11-4 Cost: $50

560 S Main Clearfield

email me at spdabling@msn.com to register.

Registration closes Feb 20th. Space is limited.

Making Dingbats into Embellishments in Storybook Creator Plus

2009-02-03T15:07:00.001-07:00

Tuesday Tech Tip

Dingbats are a font that uses shapes instead of letters.

First, Check out these free sites that have LOTS of dingbats

www.dafont.com

http://www.urbanfonts.com/free-dingbats.htm

Download a dingbat font to a folder or your desktop. It will be a zipped folder so you will have to right click and extract the folder.

Then go to the Control Panel and open your Fonts folder. Then open the new extracted folder and grab the TrueType Font file and drag it into the Fonts folder and your new font will install. You can now delete the folders you just downloaded from the website.

Now open your Creative Memories Storybook Creator Plus Program. Choose Open or Create a New Project.

On a Blank Page, Create a Text Box.

Then select the new font you just installed from the font menu. It will not show the name of the font but you will see the images and it will be in the alphabetical order of the name of the font.

Then type out the Alphabet A-Z.

You will be able to see all the different dingbats because each one is a different letter.

Tip: a space between each letter will make it easier when we cut them out.

Now Flatten the text box from the Layout Bar. Now you can adjust the size by dragging the corners.

By using the straight cutter tools crop the stars out in a grid pattern first by column and then by row. Then choose the option to "cut around the shaded area."

Tip: Make sure you you have all the layers selected in the row or column you are cropping.

Once your done each star should be an individual element.

Then you will save and name each one by selecting one at a time, right click and choose "Save Selection"

I named them by type and letter. So the first Star is made by the letter A, so I named it Star A.

Tip: I saved all of these into a folder that I created for all my CM stuff called "CM Content" in My Documents>Creative Memories and I always use this folder to download stuff that I will be using for SBC+

Now you have to bring these into the program by going back to the Home screen. Select the 'My Stuff' icon from the top left-hand corner.

Select File>Add Collection

Then give it an appropriate name. I would suggest using the term dingbat so you remember where you got them later. So I named mine Dingbats-Stars.

Then go to Content>Add Embellishment, browse for the folder where you saved your dingbats. Then 'Get all embellishments'

Now all these Dingbats will be available in any project from the Embellishments Panel.

And now you can use them on any page, fill with color, paper, change the opacity, etc.

Hope you enjoyed this Tutorial on Using Dingbats. As always I love to hear your feedback in the comments section of the post.

Happy Creating

Shannon

Product Review

2009-02-02T23:37:00.001-07:00

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this product. It is an oldie but a goodie. And being the first of the year I think its appropriate to showcase the PowerSort Box

If you have this box you know what I mean!

This amazing box hold up to 2400 printed photos. So if your New Year Resolution is to get your photos organized this is what you need.

This box is $37.50 and I sold the last one on my shelf today!

I will be holding a Organizing Workshop sometime this month (Just need to get the date approved by my hubby :) ) And I will work with you to get Organized and get a plan in place for completing your albums. I already have quite a few ready and waiting so email me at spdabling@msn.com to get on my list for the workshop.

Happy Organizing

Shannon

Creating Templates in Storybook Creator Plus (Part 2)

2009-01-27T20:43:00.001-07:00

Tuesday Tech Tips

Last Week I did Part 1 on Creating Templates in Storybook Creator Plus. This is Part 2, to see Part 1 click here

Using your templates:

1. Open any project using the same size of pages you created your templates as. (Remember from part 1, I created my templates 12x12)

2. Once your in your project you will be able to 'Import Page' from the Home Tab

3. Then Browse for your Templates Project (wherever you saved your project)Default should be My Documents>Creative Memories>Storybooks>Templates

You will be able to see the template pages you have created to choose from.

If there is a big red X through the page, it is the wrong size and doesn't match the project size you are working in. (see below)

4. After you import your page it will show up as the last page in your project. Just drag it to the desired page in your project in the Pages Panel.

5. Next start filling elements (by clicking on the element or selecting them in the Elements Panel on the left) from the 'Tools' Tab using the fill tools: Color, Gradient, or Paper. Click on the small arrow for more options.

6. Make it your own. Here on my finished page from the template. I switched out the stars with embellishments that matched my paper selection and digital kit. I added a second circle to mat my original circle ( by right-clicking on the circle and choosing copy, and pasting onto my page.) Then I adjusted the size and moved the layer backwards (in the 'Layout' tab) until it was behind my original circle. I added another embellishment to the lower left corner for balance. I also added a mat to my photo and moved it slightly.

This is my completed page.

Here are some samples of other templates that I created in my Templates Project

if you enjoyed this Tech Tip, you can let me know by adding a comment to this post. I would love your feedback.

Happy Creating

Shannon

Monday Product Review: Shapes

2009-01-26T21:21:00.000-07:00

Digital Shapes are the newest addition to the digital line. You can find them in the Digital Enhancements section of my website. They are the same price as Embellishments.

Digital Shapes-Tags

$5.95

"Quickly add tag embellishments to your StoryBook pages. Compatible with StoryBook Creator Plus Software, the components can be used over and over again and can be resized and re-colored to complement any project you’re working on."

Don't forget to look at all other New digital stuff.

Shannon

Creating Templates in Storybook Creator Plus (Part 1)

2009-01-20T21:02:00.000-07:00

Tuesday Tech Tips:

There is a way that you can create your own templates in Storybook Creator Plus.

I saw a similar layout in a scrapbooking magazine, so I created my own version in SBC+.

Here are the first steps for creating your own page templates.

1. Create a New Project

2. Choose your page size. Remember you can only use your template in a project using the same page size. So I chose a 12x12 page print using blank pages (I did not choose a storybook because I will be importing these pages and will not need a cover option.)

3. Name this project "Templates"

This will be the project that you will always use to create new templates.

4. Then your project will open.

5. Start with something easy. Just create a square shape in a shade of gray. Select the shape menu from the side bar. Click the arrow next to the square shape and pick create a shape. From there just make your shape any size and select a shade of gray by clicking the color box icon.

6. Keep creating shapes and keep building your template...

7. Don't forget to add an add photo box. Decide what size you want and where you might want a photo

tip: if you hold down the shift key while changing the size of the box, (or any image or element) it is a shortcut key for unlocking the aspect ratio (unlocking the size).

8. Add titles and text boxes.

9. Try adding drop shadows, embellishments, different size photo boxes, etc

10. When you are satisfied, save your page.

Now that you are done with this page... Remember DO NOT add paper, color, or photos to this page in your template project.

In part 2 I will show you how to import this page into a different project. And how to fill with colors, papers, and images.

Happy Creating

Shannon

Correction on the Romance Digital Kit

2009-01-15T10:01:00.001-07:00

There is a spelling error on one of the Romance Titles included in the Romance Digital Content CD. The quote, “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart,” is from Helen Keller, whose first name is incorrectly spelled Hellen.

Click this link: Romance Digital Content Update to open the window to Download. Follow the instructions and make sure you replace your existing content. It will recognize the activation code.

Photography Tip 5

2009-01-14T10:40:00.001-07:00

Being digital means we take more pictures, which isn't all bad, BUT you have to remember to erase the BAD ones. Editing through your images will cut down on the memory card space and hard drive space. Being able to take more pictures means you have a better chance of capturing better pictures. So getting rid of the bad ones is a good thing.

There are two ways to edit through your pics. One, you can view and erase from your camera either right after you took them or during the time you are taking them. The cons of doing it this way is risking erasing the whole card by accident and it takes battery power every time you view and erase. The pros is it frees up memory card space and saves time doing it later.

Two, (this is the way I do it) everytime I download images I first load them into Memory Manager. Then I go through just the ones that I have just downloaded . My batch is smaller and in MM I don't have a bunch of folders to open and go through I can just see everything that I just imported. Then at that same time I do any editing and then I sort them into my appropriate files. So it does take a bit longer at the time but I don't have to try to figure out which ones needs editing and deleting when I am ready to make my digital pages.

Try both ways and see which works better for you.

Happy Shooting

Shannon

Digital Desserts

2009-01-12T14:36:00.001-07:00

In February I will be having my first Digital Desserts workshop where everyone will bring their latest projects to share with each other.... and of course I will supply the dessert. This will be lots of fun because so many of you have made such Beautiful projects! Even if you haven't made anything still come and get some ideas. I will also show a few new techniques using SBC+.

Here is a page I just made:

Shannon

New! Digital Done-in-Four Webinar Series

2009-01-06T15:57:00.003-07:00

(These are Webinars created from Creative Memories. These are different than the Webinars that I have been currently offering and taught by different instructors.)

Family photos trapped in your computer? Photos scattered from your memory card to your hard drive? Would you love to have a beautiful, completed StoryBook to showcase your favorite memories?
Digital Done-in-Four Webinars are a series of four training sessions that will guide you through the process of organizing photos and completing a Storybook photobook. This series is FREE and will cover everything from how to organize and edit photos in Memory Manager to creating your StoryBook pages and designing a cover.
Sessions are available Jan. 5 through March 11, 2009, and are designed to be taken in four consecutive weeks. Access the links below to register for your first session. There are a variety of dates and times available each week. Join from the comfort of your home. A high-speed Internet connection is required.

Start the week of Jan. 5

Start the week of Jan. 19

Start the week of Feb. 2
no links available yet

Start the week of Feb. 16
no links available yet

Sessions beginning Jan 19

2009-01-06T15:48:00.000-07:00

Sessions Beginning Jan. 5

2009-01-06T15:47:00.006-07:00

Resolutions

2009-01-05T13:16:00.003-07:00

What are your Resoulutions?

Do you have Get Organized on there? Do you have anything related to getting your photos organized? What about sending more cards to family and friends? What about taking more pictures, (or less pictures)? What about learning more about your camera? (or new camera if you got one for Christmas)

Please send me an email at spdabling@msn.com and let me know. I am really getting some BIG ideas of how to expand this site "Dabling in Digital" to be more of a informational site, including local seminars, and maybe Webinars.

Let me know what your needs are so that I can address them and see where I can help.

I have resoultions too.... here they are

1. To actually put away the item in my hand and not pile it! I think that is my biggest problem to my cluttered house.
2. To lose 15 lbs!
3. To re-evalutate my business and see how I can better serve my customers!
4. To live in Spirit.

Of course if I had more on this list I don't think I would do any of them. So this is my small and hopefully manageable list.

Happy New Year

Shannon

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-23T08:32:00.002-07:00

I just want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and hope you all have Happy Holidays. As the time ticks down and I am finishing up my last minute gifts. I feel such a great gratitude for YOU my clients and the relationships that I have with you. I have made great friends along the way and without Creative Memories I would have never met some of you. Alot of you gave BEAUTIFUL books for Christmas this year and it was so inspiring to see your finished projects. I feel enriched every time I hear your stories. Please keep sharing them with me. That is what keeps me motivated and keeps me sharing the Creative Memories Mission. It is making a difference in peoples lives. And I am honored to be apart of it.

Keep Sharing

Shannon

Benefits of Storybook Creator Plus

2008-12-17T16:33:00.001-07:00

I just wanted to make sure I posted about the benefits you get by purchasing this software through me as an consultant. I am passionate about serving my customers. So with any software's that are purchase through me comes a 1 hour consultation and training at your computer, or a complete installation by me. I also offer FREE live webinars weekly M-TH.

I haven't ever received that sort of Customer Service for any programs that I have purchased. I have paid hundreds in training for photoshop.

I am committed to service my customers. Get their goals made and reached. I am even going to be offering more training and assistance starting the new year.

Happy Holidays

Shannon

Last Minute Gifts

2008-12-11T17:59:00.002-07:00

As you can tell with my lack of posting that the Holidays are coming. But I wanted to let you all in on a great sale.

20% off last minute gifts from Dec 5-20

11x14 Picfolio Milestones Album

12x12 Max Album

Mini Everday Display

Storybook Creator Plus

Power Sort Memorabilia Box

Order right from my Website and have it delivered to your door.

Happy Holidays

Shannon

Back from Thanksgiving Vacation

2008-12-02T17:43:00.003-07:00

Hi all!

I am back from my Thanksgiving vacation and it was a blast! Can't believe its time to get ready for christmas. Its taken me a few days to get back into the swing of things. But there are new December links for the Live Webinars. If you didn't receive an email with the links please email me at spdabling@msn.com

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving holiday!

Turkey Day in CA

2008-11-24T08:09:00.002-07:00

Tomorrow we hop on a plane and head for Disneyland to spend Thanksgiving with the Porters. Its become a tradition to go to Disney every other year as a family. We love it. More than anyone my Dad loves it. As his eyesight is becoming worse its more important for us to go on vacations together.

When I was younger and living at home almost every Christmas instead of getting presents we went on a trip. We got a few things from Santa and a few things from Grandma. But for the most part our parents gave us a trip. We always knew one day Dad would lose his eyesight and he loves to go on vacation so I think its really important that we do these sort of things.

The kids have been counting down, and are excited to go and I am really excited I don't have to do any cooking!

So Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

Christmas Advent Calendar

2008-11-21T17:02:00.001-07:00

This is a Darling Advent Calendar for Christmas using the Creative Memories Everyday Display Board. It is so cute. This is one of the projects you can pre-order and put together at my Christmas workshop.

Click the picture to see it bigger.

Christmas Workshop

December 4, 6-9 at my house.

email me to get directions and to register.

spdabling@msn.com.

All about Images Blog

2008-11-20T12:38:00.003-07:00

Dr. Mark Mizen is Creative Memories Director of Technology. He now has his own blog at http://allaboutimages.wordpress.com/ to discuss digital imaging, with an emphasis on image permanence. This Blog is public and open to all. He welcomes your comments and suggestions.

This is a great resource to find out more information about this digital photos, archival products and "all about images."

Please note: All About Images Blog represents his personal views not Creative Memories' views.

Christmas Boutique and Workshop

2008-11-19T16:46:00.001-07:00

I will have a booth this Saturday, November 22 at a Holiday Boutique at the Davis Conference Center from 9am-6pm. Admission is FREE!! There will be a silent auction to go towards the Medical Expenses of baby Karson Ripps; who was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Donations will also be accepted. There will be lots of other vendors there:

Pampered Chef, Sun Kissed Quilting, AccuColor, TaylorMade Vinyl Lettering, MaryKay, MODE Purses, Designer Jeans, Carseat Canopies, Scentsy, Bows & TuTu's, Aprons, Kendee Watches, Shades of Jade, Usborne Books, Babies and Blankets, Balls N' Beads, Do Terra Essential Wellness, Itzy Bitzy Footwear, Talynn's Custom Baby Name Decor, and Cozy Blankets.

I will be featuring Gift Ideas and I will be holding a workshop to complete and put the projects together. Thursday, December 4 at my house 6pm-10pm. If you need directions or an address email me at spdabling@msn.com.

Hope to see you all there!

Shannon

P.S Check out karsonkause.blogspot.com for details on little Baby Karson.

Changes

2008-11-15T15:26:00.004-07:00

As you can tell I have been making some changes to this blog. I am adding links the the right hand side for people that stumble across this blog and may want to see the software. But for the most part it is still the same.

Does everyone get it "Dabling" in Digital :) I thought it was cute.

Monday: Product Review

2008-11-10T16:16:00.001-07:00

NEW Digital Kits!!!!

I know they are always putting new stuff up on my website but I haven't featured them here yet. So here is the most recent NEW Digital Kits.

One of my Favorites is the Jewel Heritage Digital Power Palette Kit

• 16 digital papers
• 24 digital stickers
• 18 digital titles

and its only $7.95

This is the New Earthy Serenity Digital Power Palette Kit

• 16 digital papers
• 22 digital stickers
• 23 digital titles

and it's only $7.95 too!

I'm not sure how long these have been out, but they are NEW to me so here are His and Hers Digital Kits

and these are also $7.95 ea.

They are so CUTE!

I just love the freshness of the new digital stuff that has been coming out.

And this one has been out for a little while but since its November I thought I would feature it.

It's the NEW Give Thanks Digital Kit $7.95

SO if your ready for some new stuff here it is. Check out my site for immediate purchase and downloads.....

Happy Digi Scrapping

Shannon

Tuesday Tech Tips: PDF Pages for all the Digital Kits and Pre-designs Pages!

2008-10-28T20:09:00.001-06:00

Creative Memories just updated my website this month and added this wonderful feature. If you want to view the kits and/or pre-designed pages before you purchase you can view the PDFs and see everything. Or if you have purchased kits and want a page for reference you can print all your purchased kits and make a folder or binder and have them to look at whenever. Here is the Path

Go to my Home page

then click Help Zone>Digital>Digital Content

and there will be listed all the PDF's. Then just click the one you want and it will then open a new window of adobe reader with the page right there. Then you can either Print it right there or Save to a folder.

If you print you will want to print on a color printer.

But what I would do to save ink it save it to a folder and burn a CD with all the PDFs that I want to print and then take them to a copy shop and have them printed there.

Here is the direct link to the PDFs

Click HERE

Happy Day

Shannon

Product Review: Storybook Pricing

2008-10-27T12:47:00.001-06:00

Ok guys, I just found this link that is available on my Site that shows in detail the pricing of the Storybooks. I can't believe I didn't know about this link.

So check it out HERE

This is what the web page looks like

and here's the path from the home page:

Shop Products>Digital Scrapbooking

Upcoming Workshop

2008-10-20T20:25:00.003-06:00

Hi all,

I know I have been absent here, just because I have been swamped with family portraits. But I do have some news to post here.

Croptoberfest!!! November 8 9am-4pm at the Syracuse Community Center: 1912 W 1900 S Syracuse UT

Registration fee is $25, ($5 off for earlybird registration by Oct 31)

Fee includes reserved seating, lunch, product gifts, door prizes, use of crop tools, demos, and digital classes.

Bring your laptop or photos and scrapbooking supplies. All types of scrapbooking are welcome.

Email me at spdabling@msn.com to register.

Hope to see you there

Shannon

Monday: Reflection

2008-10-06T14:41:00.001-06:00

With the economy going the way it is and with all the natural disasters that have happened in the last few years, I keep thinking what am I doing to prepare myself if something happened to me. I started thinking of my priorities.

1. Food. I have to have food to feed my family and to survive.

2. Clothes and supplies. Like a 72 hour kit. Flashlights, etc what we would take with us in case of an emergency.

3. And our pictures are a priority to me and my kids (even Riley loves looking at the albums). With my love for photos I keep thinking would they be easy to grab if I had 12 hours notice to evacuate?

I would have to answer yes! Because of Creative Memories Organizational tools I could grab my two power sort boxes, finished albums and my Laptop and external Hard Drive I would have all my photos in 10 minutes.

Now I do have about 9 months of food storage

but I don't have 72 hour kits yet. But I am getting there.

Of course I could never plan for everything but I am doing what I can and what's important to me.

Just Reflecting

Shannon

Tuesday Tech Tips: Webinars

2008-10-03T00:06:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone, Yes I know its Friday. But it still sounds better to call it Tuesday Tech Tips.

Well some of you received an email from me inviting you to join LIVE webinars weekly for the month of October. I mainly sent those to my Digital Customers. If I missed you please email me so I can send you the link at spdabling@msn.com. All my customers are welcome to attend.

Ok so if you want to join these Webinars it is well worth it. They are taught 4 days a week 9:30pm- 10:30pm from a team of consultants that are experts in their own right that LOVE Digital!

Monday: Memory Manager Basics

Tuesday: Storybook Creator Plus 1

Wednesday: Storybook Creator Plus 2

Thursday: Storybook Creator Plus 3

And then they repeat each week. Of course they are live and there is a Q&A at the end so each week could be different.

So to join in here are the steps...

1. Click on the link provided in your email.

2. Fill out the information needed to register for the webinar.

3. Click Register

4. You will receive an email with a link, phone number and code.

5. On the night of the webinar about 5-10 minutes before the starting time open your email and click the link.

6. If you have never been on a "Go to Meeting" webinar before there will be a bit of free software to download so you can see the demonstrators screen.

7. Call the phone number and enter the code.

8. Your on your way to learning new things.

And please let me know what you think! PLEASE! Feedback is the best way that we can get you what you want!

Happy Learning

Shannon

Monday Product Review: Gifts under $50 Part 2

2008-09-29T21:37:00.001-06:00

These little Paper Album Kits are SO cute and easy and only $16!

This is the Merry and Bright which is perfect for a Christmas gift. I am also going to host a Project Christmas Gifts workshop which will feature this Paper Album Kit as one of the projects.

This kit includes

• 1 Paper Album
• 6 white pages/12 sides
• 14 sheets of double-sided printed papers
• 12 double-sided photo mats
• 1 sheet of epoxy stickers
• 1 sheet of die-cut flourishes
• 1 sheet of clear title stickers in black (English only)
• 1 envelope (extra postage required)

All you need is adhesive and Photos! Tada your done! I got mine done in 15 minutes!

Go to my site or contact me for information on the workshop.

Happy Holiday Shopping

Shannon

Tuesday Tech Tips: Photography 101: Tip 4

2008-09-23T14:42:00.001-06:00

Place you subject off-center

Most people place the person or object they are shooting right smack dab in the middle of the frame.

When you place your subject off center this brings into play the "Rule of Thirds"

This is a simple rule, but probably is the most popular rules. Simply, divide the image into thirds both ways. (Some DSLR cameras already have this grid available in the view finder) Then when composing your shot, place important elements either along these lines or where the lines intersect. Here's some samples:

Here is what I'm talking about when I describe dividing the frame.

On my sample images you can see that the subject is somewhere near the intersecting points. Which makes for a better composition.

Having said all of this, the rule of thirds is also one of those rules that you can break. Sometimes you might find that you prefer the subject in the center. This is just one of those basic rules that helps you to teach yourself to compose and think before you click.

Happy Shooting

Shannon

Monday:Product Review

2008-09-23T13:09:00.001-06:00

Last Thursday my class at AccuColor went extremely well. Since I was the Host, I was also able to earn some great Host Rewards. For the months September through November as a Host and with Sales up to $400 the host can earn the $99 collections or the new Keepsake Display for $29.95. So I decided to get the Keepsake Display because it is so darn cute!

(check out the host rewards here)

Don't you agree. You can find out how to earn this for $29.95 by contacting me or clicking on the link above to my site.

Or you can order the Keepsake Display for $89.

This is a canvas-covered magnetic board that is 15x15 that includes 6 magnets. On the inside you will find a French Bulletin board with a ribbon grid that can hold photos or whatever you want. On the right side is a deeper box that has hooks for keys and a strap to keep things in place.

I can't wait to get mine...on Thursday! Yay!

Shannon

Tuesday Tech Tip: Photography 101: Tip 3

2008-09-16T12:13:00.001-06:00

Use Optical Zoom rather than Digital Zoom.

Cameras now usually have Optical and Digital zoom functionality. Now when we used to shoot film we were using Optical Zoom.

Optical Zoom uses the lens of the camera to bring the subject closer. Digital Zoom uses software to digitally enlarge a portion of the image.

So why is Optical Zoom better?

Well Digital Zoom really isn't zoom at all. It just enlarges the image. You are losing quality because of the enlargement process. So the quality is better when using Optical Zoom.

So how do I know what kind of zoom I am using?

Well your camera will use Optical Zoom first, then Digital zoom. Check you manual for ways that you can have your Digital zoom turned off or how to notify you when you have gone into Digital zoom mode.

You are better off using Optical Zoom and cropping your photo in post processing.

Happy Shooting

Shannon

Monday Product Review: Gifts under $50

2008-09-16T11:54:00.000-06:00

With Christmas coming around the corner (and will be here before we know it) Early Shopping can save you money and headache.

So I am going to start posting about those gift ideas that we want to put a lot of heart and thought behind, but not a lot of time or money.

So the Gift under $50 for today is the

Mini Everyday Display

This display makes great gifts for mom, grandmas, kids, and even dads. This display is an open frame with a magnetic back. They come with matching magnets and mini clothespins. It can either been hung or it has an easel back for standing it up.

The mini display is 11.5x11.5 with an 8x8 opening. It comes in Black, White, or Chocolate for $35! You can order this directly from my site.

There is also a larger Everyday Display (well it's called the Everyday Display) and its 18x18 with a 13.5 x 13.5 opening and its $52.

I recently made one of these for my husbands grandma for her birthday this summer. I actually forgot about a gift, we always give her some sort of photo or memory gift. So being a consultant I had one of these in inventory. Luckily, because 5 minutes before we are to start loading the car, I thought "Oh my, What am I going to do for Grandmas present." I totally spaced it! So I looked around and remembered this frame. I grabbed a few printed pictures, pulled out some paper for the background and quickly cropped and matted the few pictured I had and "TADA" a beautiful gift that looked like I spent a lot of time and money.

Happy Holiday Shopping

Shannon

Monday: Product Review

2008-09-08T09:28:00.001-06:00

Page Frames:

I just ordered my first Page Frame. I am so excited to make a page and display it in this frame. I have so many different ideas. I have a thought about making a monthly calendar, or the family rules. I also would like a page that shows off the kids. WOW (that's more than one page frame.)

Think about what you would like to frame and see up on the wall. Now imagine that you could create it yourself in Storybook Creator and change it out whenever you want! Now that sounds like fun!

There are also so many different options for these frames:

Frame colors are:

Black:

Mahogany:

White:

Mat Options are:

White, Black, Chocolate, Olive, and Cream

Frame Sizes are:

16x16 with 12x12 Mat Opening

16X16 with 8x8 Mat Opening

and 11x11 with 8x8 Mat Opening

Just go to my Site to check this amazing product. Its under the Inspired Surrounding Category. You can also purchase right from my web site and have it directly shipped to you! Yay!

Happy Shopping

Shannon

Tuesday Tech Tip

2008-08-26T13:54:00.001-06:00

For Todays Tech Tip I think I will give a little photo lesson about details using yesterdays post as an example.

Yesterday I was my daughters first day of school. (second grade) and I wanted to capture the details that would show the excitement building until that day. I took a picture of a clock just minutes before it was time to wake up.

And of the calendar with the date circled.

This is letting me tell the story with pictures. And details show what was happening.

Don't forget to get a few candid's when they don't really know your shooting. I know its hard when these little ones that we take so many pictures of, automatically put on their "smile" face and strike a pose. But these of Madison in her class room tell more about the story.

Maddie is really hard to get candid's of too. Sometimes the only ones I can get are when she asleep :)

Happy Shooting

Shannon

First Day of School

2008-08-25T16:02:00.001-06:00

Since today is such a personal day I am substituting today's post with a personal one.

Today is the first day of school for my daughter Madison.

Maddie has been so excited to start school. I have been ready to have more structure in my day too. But Jack is going to miss her so much. Sam is not quite old enough to entertain Jack. Jack grows bored playing with Sam just after a few minutes. But when Maddie is there they can all play together for hours. But Jack will start pre-school next week so that should help.

This morning Maddie went through her check list and got ready for the day. She has been counting down the days until school. So of course we took pictures this morning.

7:30 wake up call!

Shannon

Monday: Product Review

2008-08-20T08:34:00.002-06:00

The product review for today is the School Power Paletts and Digital Kits.

With school just around the corner, I know I am getting ready to get more scrapbooking done. I really want to finish up last year so that I am not getting behind. While Maddie is my only one in school I think it will be a great idea to not get behind! (true intentions)

So with back to school night coming up me and my daughter sat down and made this little card for her teacher from the School Digital kit.

There are so many uses for this program! Keep the ideas coming.

Shannon

Tuesday: Tech Tips

2008-08-19T18:17:00.001-06:00

On my last post I showed how I made a 4x6 card for my daughters teacher.

Most invitations I make are 4x6 so instead of making a whole bunch of documents I make one project named invitations and then I can keep adding pages for new invitations and they are all sized 4x6.

You can also use this idea for page prints.

Short and Sweet for today

Shannon

Look and See

2008-08-15T07:52:00.001-06:00

How much fun we had at showcase!

These photos are from the 2 early days at Vicki Morgan's Lakehouse!

These are the Wonderful Morgan's! It was an Honor to get to know them and hear their stories about all the years of business with Creative Memories. I also loved to hear about their Family Legacy from the very beginning starting from Lee's Fathers Book Plate Company. Thank You from the bottom of my heart for you hospitality and friendship!

Shannon

Tuesday: Tech Tip

2008-08-12T08:53:00.001-06:00

If your using Storybook Creator Plus there are always new things to learn. One thing that I learned about the software by attending a Q&A Training for the Software is that you can save the font, font size, and color by sampling a text box that you have applied all the changes that you want and then applying them to another text box. (Under the Text Tab) (see photos) This is a great tip and will be a time saver!

Monday: Product Review!

2008-08-11T19:29:00.001-06:00

For this Monday's Product Review is the New Recipe Digital Kit. Since I didn't have any pictures I did receive this Digital Kit in our Goodie Bag that we got from Showcase Convention! So here are some of the pre-designed pages....

Don't you Love IT!

It will be available Sept 2 at my site!

Recipe Book Digital Kit $7.95

it contains: 22 papers, 31 stickers, 27 titles, 7 recipe card journaling boxes, Alpha set

8x8, 11x8.5, 12x12 Pre-designed Pages $7.95 per size

contains 2o pre-designed pages. (customizable with Storybook Creator Plus)

Showcase Product Review

2008-08-06T23:56:00.000-06:00

So instead of Monday product review or Tech Tuesday I am going to do a large Showcase Product Review post. So here it is.

Creative Memories released a lot ALOT of NEW and GREAT products that I am really excited for. Too many to show pictures of or links for so just go to my site to see all the new products. Most are available Sept 2, but some are available now.

So first of all Digital Products!

New Digital kits are:

The most darling Recipe Book Digital Kit! Now you can make the most darling cook book you have ever seen with your own family or favorite recipes! What a concept! :P

SCHOOL Kits!!!!! yay! Primary High School and Elementary Kits!

Sports Kits too! Football, Baseball, Basketball, and Soccer in the Primary Color Schemes.

Jewel Achievements Digital Power Palette Kit.

New Autumn Kits! Primary Halloween, Autumn, Earthy Autumn, Patel Autumn, and Jewel Autumn.

New Christmas Kits! Primary and Jewel Christmas.

Now Traditional Products and Other Stuff:

All these Digital Downloads are also available in Paper Kits.

Remember the Leaf Maker? ITS BACK by popular demand for a limited time.

Now here's some exciting news:

NEW SIDE LOADING SLEEVES for your Traditional Albums. Now you can slide your digital page prints into a Side Loading Sleeve and add up to 45 pages into the new true 12x12 albums! No cropping or pasting! yay!

AND... EXPANDABLE PICFOLIO ALBUMS! The 11x14 PicFolio Minutes Coverset now expands with 11x14 Multi-Pocket Sleeves and 11x14 Side-Loading Memorabilia Sleeves.

WOW! And That's not all.

Remember the Power Sort Box, one of my favorites just got better with the Power Sort Memorabilia Box! Now you can store you favorite things all in one box.

And one last Favorite...

The New Keepsake Display. This one might be harder to explain but I'll give it a whirl.

Its play of the Everyday Display board. But it opens up with organizational features like a French Bulletin board on one side and a deeper box that can store papers, invitations, artwork, etc with hooks for keys too. And the front is a magnetic board that can be used to display a calendar, artwork, etc....

So that's it for today, more next week

Shannon

Showcase Showdown!

2008-08-04T14:13:00.000-06:00

I am sitting in the Minneapolis airport right now writing this post unwinding from a very stimulating weekend. Friday, Saturday and Sunday was the National Showcase Convention for Creative Memories. There were 4000 high energy, very excited, scrapbook crazy women there! It was very fun. It was my first showcase but I found out that it was quite a tradition for consultants to go every year for a little Girl time!

It was a great experience to be able to have training sessions, recognition, banquets and networking opportunities with fellow consultants.

I really miss my kids and husband and am ready to board that plane and head home. But I enjoyed every minute of showcase!

I am combining Monday Product Review with Tuesday Tech Tips so I can share the new products that were released and presented at showcase. Yay! Big News!!!!!

More tomorrow....

Shannon

Looking For People to Join Me!

2008-07-27T20:46:00.001-06:00

Lately it seems like the more digital people are going that I have had people asking me about the business opprotunity from Creative Memories.

I know there are so many out there that need a solution to help them get their Digital photos safe and organized.

Creative Memories has and are following the trends and offering great products to keep their mission alive. Creative Memories believes in and teaches the importance of preserving the past, enriching the present, and inspiring hope for the future.

I love working for Creative Memories and I believe in their mission. I am looking to sponsor consultants that would love to run a home based business.

Right Now until the end of the month there is a special offering for the consultant kit. Click here to find out more and to you can sign up right there.

Summer Slacker

2008-07-25T18:12:00.001-06:00

So summer is crazy and I am off and on again with this blog so I found a new video on youtube from Creative Memories that I am going to share for todays post. Also I leave next week for Showcase Convention in Minnesota. I so will be MIA here. But the good news is when I return I should have a lot of great stuff to share!!!!

Enjoy the video!

Product Review

2008-07-09T08:21:00.001-06:00

Ok so I have bagged the Monday and Tuesday thing, but I will get a Product Review and Tech Tips posted each week.

So... Creative Memories is really stepping it up for their Digital Content! I am so pleased! They usually only release New Product quarterly BUT they have been releasing New Digital Products almost monthly. YAY! Available August 1 is Baby! Baby girl and Baby boy.

Here they are:

Soft Baby Boy Digital Kit $7.95

Soft Baby Girl Digital Kit $7.95

Bright Baby Boy Digital Kit $7.95

Bright Baby Girl Digital Kit $7.95

These are exactly the same as the retiring baby paper products. I don't have pictures for you but check my site after August 1st to see and buy.

Also Available August 1st is

Digital Embellishments Doodles $5.95

And if that's not enough there are New FREE Downloads at my site August 1st

Soft Baby Boy Pre-designed Pages in 7x5 softcover, 8x8, 11x8.5 and 12x12

Soft Baby Girl Pre-designed Pages in 7x5 softcover, 8x8, 11x8.5 and 12x12

Bright Baby Boy Pre-designed Pages in 7x5 softcover, 8x8, 11x8.5 and 12x12

Bright Baby Girl Pre-designed Pages in 7x5 softcover, 8x8, 11x8.5 and 12x12

So if your thinking about using Photoshop...

2008-07-03T08:26:00.000-06:00

SO for this weeks Tech Tips (which I know today is Thursday, I'm thinking of not calling it Tuesday tech tips) Tuesday was Madison Bday and Wednesday was Laundry day so Tech Tips is today...

anyway...

If your thinking about using photoshop watch this and tell me Photoshop isn't complicated

Monday: Product Review New Digital Kits

2008-06-30T15:05:00.000-06:00

June 1 there was a bunch of new Digital Kits added to the product line! And I know lots of people are going to be very excited to see the New Disney Digital Kit! yay!
So here they are:

New Pre-designed Pages in Disney and Romance, available sizes are 12x12, 8.5x11, or 8x8 each size sold separately for $7.95ea

New Digital Power Palettes are:

Romance $9.95

Disney Vacation $7.95

Primary Vacation $7.95

Jewel Vacation $7.95

Romance Wedding $7.95

New Power Palette Additions available in the Themes Disney Earthy, Primary, Jewel, and Pastel. Check out my site to see the pictures of them . These are all $3.95ea What a good Deal!

Earthy Summer, Birthday, and Outdoors $3.95ea

Jewel Summer, Birthday, and 4th of July $3.95ea

Primary Summer, Birthday, and Zoo $3.95ea

Pastel Summer and Birthday $3.95ea

Disney Pooh, Mickey, Cars, Hannah Montana, Princess $3.95ea

And there are a whole bunch New Embellishments

Office Supplies in Gold and Silver $5.95ea

Expressions of Travel $5.95ea

Digital Overlays: Florals and Swirls $5.95ea

Sewing Room in Romance and Primary $5.95ea

Whew! Wow isn't that alot! So go check them out and all of these you can purchase right from my site for instant downloads!

Tuesday: Tech Tips

2008-06-25T10:10:00.001-06:00

So today is Wednesday, I know. But I was a little under the weather yesterday. So you get Tuesdays on Wednesday!

So Today's Tech Tip is on making categories for Memory Manager.

I have been struggling with not making categories based on years. I know I didn't have to but I couldn't seem to wrap my head around the year thing. But at Saturdays workshop I was able to finally get all my categories and folders worked out. So I am going to share what I came up with that works for me. Of course your life is different but maybe this will help you to set it up.

So Here is a screenshot of how my folders are named and organized...

With Holidays I named the folders with the month of the holiday so that they are listed in order. The kids are named with letters in front so that they are listed in order too. And these are general categories and then when I am in the folder I can then click on the year below to see the category in years. I hope this helps!

Shannon

Monday: Product Review

2008-06-23T23:03:00.001-06:00

Digital Kits:

With new releases of Digital Kits it can be a bit confusing. So, hopefully I can clear things up a little.

First, there are Digital Power Palettes. These are Digital versions of the Paper Power Palettes. These typically are $9.95

Second, there are Digital Pre-designed Pages available in the storybook sizes. Each size is sold separately for $7.95

Third, there are Digital Power Palette Additions. These are smaller collections that match the Power Palettes that are for specific themes. These are $3.95

Fourth, there are Digital Power Palette Kits. Now this is where I get confused. But these are specialty kits (Disney, wedding, etc) priced at $7.95

Fifth, there are Digital Enhancements. These are collections of embellishments that are versatile. For example the office supplies have staples, envelopes, paper clips, etc. These are typically $5.95.

lastly, they have Digital Kits that are not a part of the Digital Power Palettes, I am not actually sure they are still adding to this line but there are some existing digital kits. These are all priced at $7.95

New Products are released often so make sure you check my site regularly to see what's new. www.mycmsite.com/shannondabling

Shannon

Tuesday: Tech Tips- Backing up in MM

2008-06-17T10:57:00.000-06:00

OK so here we go with a Tuesday Tech Tip!

I know I have stressed the fact that Backing Up is important, so I am going to share this way cool feature in MM. (Memory Manager)

Ok so the first thing when starting in MM is to bring all your photos into a Memory Vault. (one is already set up when installing the software, but it does have sample photos in there, so I went ahead and made a new vault for my photos) see below

then even before you organize anything you should create a shadow copy to another drive. see below

Now, what happens is whenever that drive is connected the shadow copy automatically updates! YAY! (my ultimate favorite feature)

Shannon

Back from Minnesota

2008-06-06T21:08:00.002-06:00

So I got back from Minnesota last week and I had a great time! Even though I was in Meetings all day it was such a great experience. I was so surprised by the way the meeting was set up and how it was conducted. It was facilitated by a professional facilitator so the meeting was completely all on fair ground. (if that makes any sense) But anyway, I met Dawn Oldham there, who has been with the company as a consultant for 20 years and leads the field with unit sales. But she was so personable and fun to be around. We were up both nights until 1 am talking. It was so awesome getting to know her and be inspired by her. I am really excited for the future of this company and what opportunities that might come along just by being there at those meetings. So I decided to sign up for their showcase convention which is held in Minnesota at the first of August. So it will be great to go back there again.

Here are some recent layouts

2008-05-10T10:10:00.001-06:00

I did these in storybook creator plus and used a baby digital kit that I already had.

True 12x12 albums

2008-03-04T13:02:00.002-07:00

Yes it's true! Creative Memories is re-inventing their album sizes! To meet demand and to keep up with the industry they are resizing their albums to a true 12x12. No more cropping! There albums are now more universal then ever! What does that mean for all the other albums....well whatever albums you have sitting on your shelves with the intention of finishing an album project all you need to make sure you have enough page refills (each album hold a total of 3) and page protectors too. Creative Memories has committed to keep making those products for an ample amount of time (18 months) to give us all enough time to buy the supplies we need.

New Products Part 2

2008-03-04T12:20:00.002-07:00

I did tell you all that Creative Memories released new products!!! And I said I would post again letting you know more. So here it is...but there is so many new products that I am sending you this link to the new products page on my personal website. There are just too many for me to post. YAY! Click here to see the new products

News from Regionals

2008-02-20T15:01:00.000-07:00

NEW PRODUCTS!

My two favorite words from Creative Memories Regional Convention held right here in Salt Lake City. I had a great time meeting other consultants from my unit. They are so great and fun. Hopefully I can post pictures later, (as soon as I get some from Lorene) I did miss out on the late night in the hotel room since I was commuting from home so I could still take care of Sam through the night. Which was a whole lot of laughing and jumping on the beds ; )

Any way, The BIG news is the change of the albums. The current albums are 1/2 inch shy of 12 inches on the width, so.... Creative Memories is adding that 1/2 inch on all the pages, page protectors and albums, making a True 12x12 size. So the old albums will not fit the new pages!!! But the good news is there is a 18 month transition period so that both sizes will be available.

I got to go get ready for my Digital Class at AccuColor Copy Center that is tonight from 7-9 if you want to come. I hold this class once a month. I will post a schedule and address in a few days along with some more New Products

If you just can't wait to know more check out my website.... www.mycmsite.com/shannondabling

more coming...
Shannon

Monday: Product Review "New Digital Kits"

2007-11-12T15:52:00.000-07:00

The New Digital Kits are now available online at my store to purchase and download. Here's how it works.

1. Go to my site www.mycmsite.com/shannondabling

2. Go to Shop Products > Digital > Storybook 2.0 Content Download OR Storybook Plus Content Download ( depending on which version of the software you are running)

3. Click on the Digital Kit or Kits you want to download and add to cart.

4. Then View Cart to Checkout

(you can sign up and make an account so you can save your information for the next time)

5. For rest of the checkout process the site will guide you through it.

BUT... let me also explain the difference in the Digital Kits

There are the Fixed Template Versions of all the different styles. Those are mainly for those that like working with templates either using the Storybook 2.0 or Plus. Price for Fixed Templates are $7.95

Then there are just the Digital Kits. Those can only be used using the Plus software. It includes digital papers, stickers, and embelishments. So you can create your pages from scratch (no templates) Price for Kits are $9.95

Here are samples of the two NEWEST styles both available in Templates and Kits.

Left: Candy Cane

Right: Starry Night

Fixed Templates: $7.95 ea

Digital Kits: $9.95ea

Happy Scrapping

Shannon

Tuesday:Tech Tips "Back-Up EVERYTHING"

2007-11-06T21:22:00.000-07:00

So I was going to have another photography tip, but because of my own recent problems I am here to voice that it is important to back everything up!

On Saturday I took my laptop and external hard drives to a location to work on editing a past wedding, when someone walked by and tripped on my cords, pulling my hard drive to the floor. Just enough to kill it. I did have that wedding backed up but I did not have some other jobs backed up and now I am in a flurry trying to get the data recovered. It could cost up to $2000 to get it recovered, of course I could never spend that much. But the moral of this story is to back everything up!

Luckily for those that use Memory Manager, they have an awesome back-up system. You can copy all your images to CD/DVDs, to another hard drive, and make multiple vaults right from the software! Pretty Cool!

SO....BACK UP you files, DO NOT throw away negatives, and if possible store at a different location than your computer, and pictures like a safety deposit box or a fire-proof safe.

Memories are that important. It rings especially clear when I have read stories of the victims of the California fires. Most stories mention that they either got their pictures out safely or they lost everything including all their pictures. And I know that if I ever had to evacuate my home besides getting my family out safe I would do all I could to get my memories too!

Shannon

Monday: Product Review "Collections"

2007-11-05T15:40:00.001-07:00

The Holiday Season is officially here. I was in Target today and they were decorating it for Christmas and I realized that there is only 7 weeks until Christmas! eek! Well for another gift giving idea, today's product review is the Starter Collections.

The collections are products bundled together to get the basic tools for what fills each specific need. Creative Memories has done all the hard work and has put the best with the best, and when you order during a Get Together they are discounted too. So call me to get your order on an already scheduled Get Together or to schedule your own. So, here are the pictures and descriptions of all the collections...

Traditional Collection:
Price $137.50

This is a great collection for those that want to or already love to scrapbook in albums. This includes everything you need to finish an album.

12 x 12 Coverset (your choice) $25
12 x 12 Refill Pages (your choice) $17
Power PaletteTM (your choice of $39.50 palettes) $39.50
12 x 12 Page Protectors
Tape Runner
Fine-Tip Basic Pen Set
Personal Trimmer
12-inch Straight Trimmer
12-inch DecoFile™ Folders (6/pk)
Memory Mate™ Tools Tote
Memory Mate Essentials Pocket

Picfolio Collection:

Price (US) $84.20

This is perfect for those that have lots of pictures and want to catch up fast. These slip-in albums are perfect to finish up a quick photo projects.

PicFolio™ Milestones Album ($44) your choice
Memory Manager™ Software
Everyday Milestones Album Kit
Tape Runner
Fine-Tip Black Pen
Memory Mate™ Project Tote

Digital Collection:
Price (US) $134.90

This Collection is perfect for the digital photographer! Even the not-so-computer-savvy people out there would love to see the simplicity of these softwares'. Perfect for the non-scrapbooker type that loves photo albums or the scrapbooker that is ready to take it all digital!

Memory Manager™ Software
StoryBook Creator Plus
StoryBook Plus Content – Collection 1

Organizers Collection:
Price (US) $73.00

If you are or know someone that has boxes of photos that has a desire to "one day" get them organized...this is a perfect collection. Everything you need to get your photos organized. (even if you never get them in albums, its great to have them stored and protected.)

Power™ Sort Box
Power Sort Mini Box
Power Sort Dividers (12/pk)
File Mate
File Mate Folders
Photo Labeling Pencil

Memory Keepers Collection:
Price (US) $205.45

This is for the person that wants it all!

12 x 12 Coverset (your choice) $25
12 x 12 Refill Pages (your choice) $17
Power Palette (your choice of $39.50 palette) $39.50
PicFolio™ Milestones Album (your choice) $44
12 x 12 Page Protectors
Tape Runner
Fine-Tip Basic Pen Set
Personal Trimmer
12-inch Straight Trimmer
Memory Mate™ Tools Tote
Everyday Album Kit
Power Sort Box
Photo Labeling Pencil
Memory Manager™ Software

Tuesday:Tech Tips Photography Tip 2

2007-10-23T08:59:00.000-06:00

Ok so here is your next photography tip:

Move in Closer

Almost any shot will look better if you take two or three steps closer to your subject. Filling the frame entirely with your subject will make a terrific difference to your photos. Just when you think you have moved closer take one more step closer. But if your digital it doesn't hurt to take a few. Try seeing the difference by taking one farther back and taking more as you move in closer.

Alternatively, instead of moving closer, use the Optical or Digital Zoom of your camera to get a close up shot. Preferably Optical zoom.

When taking shots of family and friends, most people place the subject's full body in the frame, or place head and arms in the shot. Instead, fill the frame with your subject's FACE only - particularly if they are smiling or are in a moment of reflection.

With less clutter in the image, there's less to draw the eye away from the main subject of your photo. Also, human faces (particularly children's faces) are something we all feel pleasure looking at. Think back and remember that when you are looking at a picture we tend to try to see the face. Have you ever had to put the picture right in front of your face to try to see the faces?

If you can't get close enough when you're taking the shot, you can zoom in later using photo editing software - crop out everything except the subject's face and see what a difference it makes. But be careful to not to try to do this often because you lose the quality of the picture, meaning less pixels per inch.

Here are some examples:

In this picture you can't even see his expression. (jack at age 1)

Here his expression is the main subject.

Even though he isn't smiling, the focus goes right to his eyes.

This is one Maddie took of Sam, she is very good with this tip, everything she takes is very, very close. Especially her self-portraits (see below) haha...lol she is quite the photographer!

Monday: Product Review

2007-10-22T21:10:00.002-06:00

This is a new format size for albums. 12x10! Who knew that changing the size of the album would make it easier? Obviously Creative Memories knew. So here it is folks, a reinvented way to quickly put pages together without cropping, plus they did it in beautiful colors! So this holiday season give memories to your loved ones.

12x10 Landscape Album in Dijon

12x10 Landscape Album in Lily Pad

12x10 Landscape Album in Peacock

12x10 Landscape Album in Cranberry

It’s a speed tool, it’s a storyteller, it’s the limited-edition 12 x 10 Landscape Album! Fit two 4 x 6 photos horizontally or three 4 x 6 photos vertically – with no cropping! Fit even more photos on a page with cropping! Combine with any of the Shades of Paper Packs, Short Cuts™ Paper Packs and Great Lengths™ Stickers for the ultimate speed tool. Retail Price: $36.00 Buy it now on my website www.mycmsite.com/shannondabling

Happy Scrapping

Shannon