::ANNA::

TrueScrap 3 Winner + Bonus Offer

And the lucky winner is:

Congrats Patsy!  Please email me at anna(underscore)aspnes(at)yahoo(dot)com as soon as you can :)

I just sent out a great TrueScrap 3 Bonus Special Offer to my AnnaNews subscribers.  Subscribe now and I'll forward it to you.

Teaching Again + GiveAway

I have spent a good portion of my week putting the finishing touches to a new class, ArtsyEditing Techniques for Digital and Hybrid Scrapbookers, which is only available via Lain Ehmann's TrueScrap 3, the biggest and only on-line scrapbook event taking place next month.

I'm excited.  2 days and 18 hours of unmeasurable fun with 15 digital advocates, paper crafting experts and professional photographers willing to share all their secrets and all right from the comfort of your own home.

I love the scope of this event.  Even though I'm I a digital scrapbooker I'm always learning and evolving as a digital artist and storyteller through inspiration and techniques from my paper scrapbooking and photographer friends.  I make a point of being open to ALL the possibilites.  You never know where the next source of inspiration may await.  The day I stop learning I will be dead.  Seriously. I never close a door before I have had a peek behind it first.

ArtsyEditing Techniques.  The class I'm teaching includes almost 35 minutes of video and an extensive accompanying cheat sheet outlining all 6 techniques delivered in .pdf format.  I cover 6 artsy digital techniques demonstrated in Photoshop Elements 10 designed specifically for use by both digital and hybrid scrapbookers.  I show you how to transforn an unedited photo straight out of your camera into an artsy masterpiece using brushes, blending modes and other fun Photoshop/Elements tools. 

• A Dreamy Photo Effect
• Adding a Lens Flare using Filters in Photoshop/Elements
• Creating Magical Light With Brushes
• Applying Textures
• Applying Color Gradients 
• Adding, Resizing and Rotating Text

The completed image is then intended to be incorporated into a digital or printed and scrapped traditionally according to your preference.

5 reasons why you  should need to register for TrueScrap 3:

• Cost for a total of 18 hours of quality instruction and fun costs less than a short-lived and disappointing dinner for 2 (as experienced this past weekend in Breckenridge) and includes unlimited replays.  
• You are saving on hotels, flights, expensive food, and possibly daycare.
• You get to wear your sweats or jammies all day if you want to.
• You are investing in your education to become a better storyteller and memory keeper.
• You can absolutely tell your husband you are working on these two days and assign kids, animals and/or dinner duties.  Just don't mention how much fun you'll have.

You are also going to meet a ton of like minded people....And did I mention I'm teaching!  I never teach!

Save $20 now by registering before 3/31.

Learn more about my class and listen to an audio interview I did recently with fellow TrueScrap instructor Melissa Shanhun.  Melissa lives all the way in Australia and runs Digital Scrapbooking HQ.  

The Giveaway.  I have one special seat to give away to this 2-day jam-packed extravaganza. Please go and check out TrueScrap 3, watch the video and tell me how you think this event will enrich your memory keeping.

I'll announce a winner on Sunday 18 March 2012, approx 9am EST.

NewART Sneak Peek + Announcement

NewART.  A collection of Birthday-themed products and a number of fulfilled requets coming to the store tomorrow including the significantly discounted AnnaRelease and $1.00 AnnaSelect item.

............................................................................................................................................................

TrueScrap 3.  I'm thrilled to be one of the 15 instructors selected to teach at Lain Ehmann's upcoming TrueScrap (T3) on-line event in April 2012.

I'm so excited to have the opportunity to teach again.  It's been far too long!

 In addition to 15 instructors, T3 boasts five make and takes, plus a keynote interview with Becky Higgins. Cost of entry to this coveted event includes both attendance plus inlimited replays.  

Save $20 by registering before 3/31.

My class is all about ArtsyEditing techniques in which I'll be showing you how transforn a photo out of your camera into an artsy masterpiece using brushes, blending modes and other fun Photoshop/Elements tools.  The resulting image from class is intended to be scrapped in any way you choose making this the perfect class for both digital and hybrid scrapbookers.

Catch a sneak peek of what you can expect in T3 inlcuding a glimpse of ArtsyTechniques for Digital and Hybrid Scrapbookers:

I look forward to seeing you in class.

Announcements

1.  The After-Christmas Sale ends at midnight EST tonight.  Nows the time to scoop up everything you need at a 30% discount for the Holiday Album Series, and the pre-designed album, if you're interested in getting your Christmas photos quickly and artistically into a  20-page photo book.  The next post will be revealed tomorrow.

Please note that all products on sale product have been placed in a special Christmas Sale category. The discount on these products will only be visible after the item has been placed in the cart and you view cart.  

2.  Finding Photo Flow by Kayla Lamoreaux is re-open for registration.  For $69.00 you get membership to the Finding Photo Flow website and community where you have access to all the training materials, support, and inspiration.  You can also connect with Kayal and others who are getting a handle on their photo library and finding their Photo Flow in a way that works for them.  Read more about this opportunity and how it will help you eliminate your own photo chaos here and here.  

I think this is one of the best learning opportunities on the web for memory keepers and scrapbooker.  You can't scrapbook efficiently if you can't find your photos. Sign up today and when you send me proof of registration, I will send you a $10.00 GiftKard to my store to sweeten this already great-value-for-money deal.

3.  New AnnaLift.  The inspiration just keeps on coming.  Join in on the challenge for a chance to win a $5 GiftKard to my store each week, or post in the AnnaGallery and you could be selected as a Guest AnnaTeamer for 2 weeks.  This new customer appreciation program provides the opportunity for one person to be randomly selected as an AnnaTeamer for a period of 2 weeks, during which time you'll be invited to a private forum and receive 2 AnnaReleases for free.

NewART + ArtPlay Palette Winner

NewART is now available in the store.  The are 9 NewProducts at 20% discount, one $1.00 item and the entire AnnaRelease can be scored at a 36% discount. AnnaNews subscribers can look forward to a little extra something in the NewsLetter tomorrow.

I'm particularly loving the colors for this latest Palette.  Note that I have kept many of the baby-themed elements off the papers so that they can be easily repurposed for non-baby/child-themed layouts and projects.  I think it's a great Palette for heritage photos.  Check out how the AnnaTeamers and ArtPlayers are using it in the AnnaGallery.

.........................................................................................................................................................

Thank you for all the input with regards to products you'd like to know more about.  I will use your comments to create a master list from which I'll create tutorials for both the blog and the AnnaNews NewsLetter over the coming months.  I'll also be responding to your comment over the next few days. I appreciate you taking the time.

The Winner of the ArtPlay Palette Sweet Baby:

Who ever said 13 is an unlucky number?

Congrats Kyla!  Please email me at anna(underscore)aspnes(at)yahoo(dot)com to claim the new Palette.

...........................................................................................................................................................

Wishing you a safe and happy weekend.

Artplay Palette Winner

The general consensus seems to be that there will be time to scrap after the holidays ~ I tend to agree.

While I'm not personally happy about the number of layouts I'm creating at the moment, I don't want to miss a single beat.  I guess I'm more interested in making the most of living life now and I'll deal with documenting it later when time permits.

Heading of to the Squadron Christmas Party tonight, if Eric ever gets home from work.  His new role as First Shirt definitely makes for some long hours, though it beats him being away anytime.

The winner of ArtPlay Palette Retro Holiday:

Congrats Romy! Please email me at anna(underscore)aspnes(at)yahoo(dot)com.

NewART is now available in the store.

Midweek ArtSale, Updates, NewART + GiveAway

There is a LOT happening at AnnaAspnesDesigns at the moment and so here's the nuts and bolts of it:

[1] MidWeek ArtSale.  15 hand selected products this week discounted by 30%  from Wednesday through Friday morning (when the new products release).  This is a weekly event in which the number of products on sale will vary.  Discounted products appear before the NewReleases in the On Sale category.

Inspiration from AnnaTeam using the featured ArtPlay Palette Nativity:

Eszter Baranyi | Christmas

Phylis Dillon | Gates of Heaven

Chris Asbury | Nativity

[2] Holiday Special Offer.  Spend $15.00 or more throughout December and get the ArtPlay Palette Santa Nicholas Add-On for free.

[3] Guest Teacher at Masterful Scrapbook Design.  This month I have joined Lynnette Penacho, Emily Pitts, Doris Sander, and Dina Wakley at Masterful Scrapbook Design as a guest teacher on the topic of *The Scrapbook Canvas".  This month months lessons are all about the scrapbook page canvas, beginning with the options you have for its base, moving onto the first layers and foundations you place upon on it, and delving into the many ways you can fill a canvas.

Masterful Scrapbook Design is a membership site that teaches you how to scrapbook for a nominal monthly fee.  Each month there is new topic of interest, a panel of guest teachers, comprehensive designer lessons and seminars, plus live webinars.  Read more about MSD and how it can help you take your scrapbooking to the next level.

[4] Finding Photo Flow Price Increase.  Finding Photo Flow by Kayla Lamoreaux will increase to $69.00 in Januray 2012.  You can read more about Finding Photo Flow and learn how to get a $10.00 GiftKard to my store, or get in on the action and register here.

[5] The Holiday Album.  I have the first 2 lessons from Katrina Kennedy's Capture Your Holiday class in hand and am raring to go...  We just need to get the tree up :)   Luke's sporting endeavors are taking up much of our weekend but I'm not worried about it. I have never really been inclined to follow the crowd and it's quite typical for us to get up tree up mid-December.  It's equally typical for it not to come down until the end of January also.  It's just how we roll.

The festivities are scheduled to commence this weekend in the Aspnes home and I intend to start my Holiday Album next week with weekly posts and instruction on putting each double page spread together. The exact day of the post is likely to vary until the end of the year due to the holidays after which I'll adopt a regular Friday posting until the album is complete.  I anticipate the process to run through January into February 2012, so enjoy your holidays now and we'll deal with the photos and stories later.  

Read more about Holiday Album Planning.  

[6] NewART.  There are 8 NewART products coming to the store tomorrow.  All NewReleases are offered at a 20% discount for one week.  There is also one $1.00 AnnaSelect item and the opportunity to purchase the entire release with a more substantial discount.

[7] GiveAway. I'm giving away an ArtPlay Palette Retro Holiday this week.  

Tell me how you get your scrapbooking done through the busy holiday season?

I'll select and post a winner tomorrow Friday 9 December at 5.00pm EST.  *Please note this GiveAway is now closed*

Holiday Cheer FlashSALE + Special Offer

OScraps is half way through its 12 Days of Christmas celebration, which includes challenges and daily blog posts from the OScraps team, as well as freebies, special offers and sales from 12 of the designers at the Oscraps store, including myself. 

We are basicallly celebrating and sharing in the holiday traditions from around the world.

Today is Day 6 of the celebration and it's Nikolaustag (St. Nicholas Day).  German, Austrian and German Swiss children left a pair of shoes outside their door last night and are waking today to find them filled with sweet treats, unless they have been naughty of course....In which case they are filled with coal.  I spent much of my childhood in Germany and it was a tradition we took part in each year.  During my college years I spent a year teaching English in Austria in which I witnessed Krampus in all his wickedness.

Anna and OscrapsTeamer, Amber Ries has written a great post today on the OScraps blog about the origins of Santa Claus and the different Santa's around the world.  As always she provides some great inspiration, a special challenge and all the information about todays one day only FlashSALE and a Holiday Special Offer that you won't want to miss.

............................................................................................................................................................

There is also a live chat taking place tonight at 9.00pm EST with Joe Sliger from Wacom on ReneeTV. Joe will be demonstrating tablet techniques with Photoshop and will also be giving away a Wacom Bamboo Capture pen tablet to one lucky participant.

TwiggyTechnique Winner

Beautiful pages ladies!

Congrats Teresa!  Email me at anna(underscore)aspnes(at)yahoo(dot)com :)

Thanks for playing.

Today

Little Man is turning 7 years old.  It's crazy but I swear I see the big man in him.

There were presents, namely Lego.

A panda-clad Ella fresh out of bed.

Gratitude.

And yet more turkey sandwiches.

The week is off to a pretty good start by all accounts.  

...........................................................................................................................................................

A special CyberMonday discount was dispatched to AnnaNews subscribers last night with some other happy announcements and the coupon is good through midnight tonight.  Sign up for my free NewLetter and I'll forward it on to you.