::ANNA::

Finding Photo Flow Winner + Special Offer

Thanks for taking the time to tell me about the challenges you have in managing photos.  It is good to know that I am not alone.  It is also through this sort of communication that classes can be improved and new ones devised.

I also loved that a couple of people already enrolled in Finding Photo Flow were willing to share their current experiences in the class.  Thanks ladies for sharing your experiences.

I agree that it really is a great class, and while I obviously can't give everyone a free seat in the class I can put my money where my mouth is and show my support for Finding Photo Flow   If you sign up now using this link and send me proof of registration, I will send you a $10.00 GiftKard to my store. Basically you can get any one of my ArtPlay Palettes or 2 of my compliment products for free with purchase.  Please note that this offer will expire as soon as all seats are filled.

The lucky winner of this great class is....

Congrats Marnie!  Please email me at anna(underscore)aspnes(at)yahoo(dot)com and I'll put you in touch with Kayla.

Will You Find Your Photo Flow?

End the photo chaos and find your photo flow.

Managing and organizing photos is the number one problem for photo enthusiasts and digital scrapbookers If you can't find your photos then how can you successfully create meaningful scrapbook pages and projects?  Knowing what photos to take, which ones to keep, and how to store them are all key principles covered in a brilliant workshop Finding Photo Flow by Kayla Lamoreaux.

I'm a big proponent of any system that frees up more of my time to create.

I first met Kayla during my years working on the Digital Scrapbooking magazine and our paths have crossed multiple times since.  You may remember the awesome guest post,  Let's Out the Elephant in the Room - Photo Libraries Are a Lot of Work!, that she did here in July.

Kayla is super savvy in the technical department and has a passion for teaching people how to best curate and manage  a top-notch photo library.  She happens to also be a Mom to 5 children, so if she has time to curate a functional photo library and create a stellar class based on her process, then you absolutely can achieve the same success in achieving photo flow too.

I followed the first release of the class in which participation was limited.  I'm still working my way through the lessons which are both inspiring and freeing.  There are 13 lessons in total and each one includes video, audio, and a handout. Lesson 5 alone includes over 20 videos in 6 different software programs!  I love her approach to providing all the options so that you can make an informed decision that is right for you.   She also challenges you to create some really meaningful pages that will be treasured for generations to come.  

Registration for Finding Photo Flow has just opened again with a new improved class format.  On registration you will have immediate access to all the content and can choose the lesson email schedule to meet your schedule and preferred pace. You can choose a 60 day class track with emails twice weekly or the 90 day track with lesson emails once weekly.  

Love the choices Kayla has made available to you.

Note that the response to this class has been awesome and registration is limited.  A BIG part of Finding Photo Flow is the Instructor Support.  It is important to Kayla that she is personally able to answer each student's questions and provide the best support to her students. To do that, she limits the number of students actively working through the lessons at one time. As classroom capacity frees up,  the class room will be re-opened.

You can learn more about Finding Photo Flow and register here.  

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I have one seat to Finding Photo Flow to give away which includes lifetime access to the classroom and forums.  Every lesson is immediately available so you can work as fast or slow as you want.  To be entered to win, please tell me:

What is your biggest challenge to managing and storing photos?

For BONUS entries:

• Follow Kayla on Twitter and/or Facebook and leave a separate comment for each action.
• Email a friend about this class and leave a comment saying why you chose to email that particular friend.

A winner will be selected randomly and posted tomorrow night.  I will select a winner on Tuesday evening MST, approximately 24 hours from now.  

Please note that this GiveAway is now closed.

3 New Ways to Learn More

There are 3 new and very cool looking classes being revealed at Get It Scrapped right now.  You might have noticed the changes in the sidebar earlier in the week as I have updated the some of the images to reflect these changes.  

I want to spend a little time today introducing you to the teachers and what you will learn in each of their classes.

Blending and Beyond by Jana Morton

I'm super-excited about this class!  Blending is afterall one of the core techniques to my own work and it's the reason I quickly transitioned from being a new paper scrapbooker to a digital artist almost 9 years ago. 

In this six week class, Jana will show you how to easily elevate your pages from traditional layouts to beautiful digital FotoART.  There are a total of 6 lessons in which you'll be able to observe Jana's entire creative process from start to finish for a creating each of her 6 layouts.  She will demonstrate 3 of her signature techniques, to include blending, what she refers as *spilling over* and extractions.  Each technique will be repeated once, so you'll get to see the same technique twice in two different layouts, through a series of live webinar and pre-recorded videos.

Here is a never before seen excerpt from one of the Blending and Beyond videos:

You can learn more about this class, read what people are saying about Jana's work and sign up here.

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Exposure by Katrina Kennedy

Katrina's passion is capturing every day ordinary moments, and not only does she know her way around a camera, she also has the knack of being able to teach you how to use one in a very clear and concise manner.  She has helped thousands of students get the most out of their camera's through her classes and on-line workshops.  She is also founder and owner of Capture Your 365 which promotes the value of taking a photo a day.

Exposure is also a 6 week workshop in which you'll learn how to get to grips with manual mode, adopt a better understanding of light and fully grasp the art of exposure, from correct to creative.  Katrina will teach you how to take beautiful photos in every situtation, both typical every day and in challenging lighting conditions.  Lessons are delivered in both pre-recorded video and written .pdf format.

Learn everything about Katrina's rocking class and sign up here.

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MacGyver's Project Remix by Amy Kingsford

Amy Kingsford's new class is paper-based but appeals to me because it "is about looking at what you have in front of you in new and creative ways. It’s about combining your skills, on-hand supplies and new tools and techniques to make dynamic layouts and projects."  This think-outside-the-box approach is my kind of class.  I like to stretch my mind once in a while, view other possibilities and achieve the extra-ordinary from the ordinary.  I kind of think of myself as a Macgyver but with a digital approach.

While this class is primarily intended for the paper or hybrid scrapbooker, I see the think-outside-the-box approach as having possible applications to the digital scrapbooker in the following ways:

• Use up any paper supplies you may still have lying around in hybrid layouts or projects other than scrapbooking  layouts.
• Repurpose everyday household odds and ends (which could then be scanned and extracted using Jana's instructions from Blending and Beyond, for use in digital or hybrid pages).
• Explore the possibilites in hybrid scrapbooking if you are only a digital scrapbooker.
• Take the principles of the MacGyver approach to paper scrapbooking and apply them virtually to digital scrapbooking.

Please note that these are my personal opinions and observations on the class based on my own MacGyver tendencies. You can get the low-down on the actual class content here.

I'm really loving the new Fall line-up at Get It Scrapped this year, which offers some super opportunities to hone your scrapbooking and photography skills, and all from the comfort of you own home.  As a reader of my blog you can use the coupon code 10%OFFVIAANNA  to take an additional 10% off any item in the store through Friday October 7, 2011.

AWESOME.

DigitalCrafting

Have you considered using your digital skills to create something other than a layout?

I saw these dog tags on sale at ArtsCow.com a few weeks ago and knew they would make great thank you gifts for Ella's friends, who attended her birthday party.  If you register an account with ArtsCow.com they will periodically send you some really great sales and deals on all kinds of trinkets, of which they have a HUGE variety.  You name it.  They have it.  I was able to buy these particular dog tags for $1.99 each.

I used the following free fonts to create the design according to the size specifications provided by ArtsCow for the dog tag product: area LineE (love), WC Rhesus A bta (paint), and Peace Forever.  Ella of course specified the colors and peace signs.

The design was then uploaded to ArtsCow where I was able to preview what the finished product would look like. After a few minor adjustments, they were ordered and had arrived in my mailbox within 10 days. Customer service was top-notch also.  Pretty impressive as these guys are located in Hong Kong.

Ella was thrilled with the finished product.  They were a big hit among the both the boys and girls.  Yes. Luke is totally sporting one these alongside his sister.  I loved that I was also able to share a little piece of what I do with them in a way that they understand.

Keeping my eye open for new deals and opportunities to do a few more of these projects in order to share the DigiLove.

Scrapbooking Simplified

Less is often more.

This is true in all facets of life.

This includes scrapbooking.

• Less reduces choices requiring fewer decisions.
• Less alleviates feelings of being burdened or overwhelmed.
• Less creates more available time.

When you have less of something you appreciate it more.

Consider using less in your scrapbooking in order to create more.

If you discover something you love, then do it again.

• Use a template you love.  Then do it again.
• Find a layout design that you love.  Then do it again.
• Learn a digital technique that you love.  Then do it again.
• Find a color combination you love.  Then do it again.
• Find a style that you love.  Then do it again.
• Find a source of inspiration you love.  Then do it again.
• Find a method of journaling that you love.  Then do it again.

Why re-invent the wheel if you don't have to?

Make a list of your favorite tools and techniques and use that list as a reference each time you create a page. 

Repeat the tools and techniques on the list in different combinations.

Add and subtract from the list over time in order to prevent boredom.

Tell only your favorite stories with your favorite supplies and photos to create fewer and more meaningful pages.

Less time scrapbooking = More time living.

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One of my sources for scrapbooking inspiration is still The Scrapbookers Almanac by Elizabeth Dillow, even though the book was published in 2007.  I was actually a contributor to this book, which in my opinion, includes some of my best work, in digital, hybrid and paper.

The book includes 103 projects inspired by a wide variety of anniversaries, celebrations, holidays and events that take place throughout the year.  

Elizabeth has a limited number of these books for sale at a much discounted rate, with a portion of the proceeds to benefit The Girl Effect.  

Cool site.  Awesome cause.

Instagram Love + Reminders

Instagram is a free iPhone app that allows you to quickly snap photos wherever you go, apply fun filters before sharing them on-line.  I have been playing with it for a couple of weeks now.  If you follow me on Twitter, you will have seen some of my snapshots posted as tweets.

Love this app, primarily because it's easy, fun and is really helping me to stay on track with Project 365. I have the 3G and so my iPhone photos are not always of the best quality.  The filters really help with that. See top right photo in the following 365 layout (week 5).  

Digital Supplies:  AsianART Print Paperie.

I used a collection of Instagram snapshots to create the following layout tonight as a form of ArtTherapy.  I often use scrapbooking as a means of dealing and coping with challenges, as well as effecting attitude adjustment.  I'm working really hard this year to look at the glass half full, instead of half empty.  This week as been one of those weeks in which obstacles have been hurled into my path one after another. It's all part of the ebb and flow...  Seriously ebbing at the moment though.

Journaling reads:  "Random everyday moments.  Beautiful snapshots of a less than beautiful week. Proof that beauty can be found everywhere even in places you’d never expect to find it.  Week of 02/07/11"

Digital Supplies: Easy Torn Edges No. 2, ArtsyBlendz Origins Paperie, Sketchy LoopDaLoops No. 1, 8 1/2 X 11 Stitched by Anna Borders No. 1, Heart FotoGlows No. 1, ArtPlay Palette Barren Sunrise (flower and photo turn), ArtPlay Play Palette Fall No. 1 (Tape), ArtPlay Palette Weihnachtsbaum (staple), Time WordTransfers No. 1.

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Quarterly Sale Event Chat Reminder

Looking forward to my chat tomorrow at 10.00 am EST at DesignerDigitals. I'll be talking about Adding Flair in digital scrapbooking and giving away MagicSparkle Sampler freebie.  Hope you can join me.

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The Best of Digital Scrapbooking GiveAway

Last call to enter to win The Best of Digital Scrapbooking magazine.  You can find all the details about the magazine and the give away here.  I will be announcing a winner later today.

The Best of Digital Scrapbooking + GiveAway

You may or may not have seen a new Digital Scrapbooking Magazine on the shelves at your local book store.  Creating Keepsakes has recently published a special issue *Best of Digital Scrapbooking* Magazine.

I spent an hour or so on a plane perusing this magazine, which brought back lots of memories of my time as a Contributing Editor to the former Digital Scrapbooking Magazine.  It truly is the best of the work we did during the scant 2 years we were in publication.  It's content is classic, sound and reaches to the core of Digital Scrapbooking.   A little bit of everything is offered to Digital Scrapbookers of all levels and is a superb resource for those wanting to know exactly where to start.

There's even a page by me and an accompanying how-to on my signature basic blending technique.

See more of the magazine in this nifty little sneak peek.

You can also order your copy on-line and use the following coupon to get free shipping on $25 or more.

TEXTDT

But wait!

I also have a copy of the magazine to give away to one lucky reader.  Please post your answer to the following question in the comments section to enter.

What would you like to know about Digital Scrapbooking that you don;t already know?

Winner will be chosen randomly and announced on Friday, 11 Feb 2011.  

Thanks for playing!

Persnickety about your prints?

I am.

I print ALL my pages, in either photo book or single print format. I am of the opinion that if I'm going to spend my time adding some Art into my photos and stories, then I want them to be seen, touched and enjoyed.

Printing can, however, get expensive, regardless of whether you outsource or print at home.

I have an Epson R1900 printer for 12 X 12 pages and an Epson Artisan 810 for those smaller printing jobs. My personal preference is to do the majority of my printing on-line, not because it's better or cheaper necessarily, but because I would rather spend my time creating more pages than printing them.

When I first started digital scrapbooking in 2002, there were no on-line printing labs that did 12 X 12 or 8 X 8 prints, let alone all the other possibilities we have available to us today. I was living in Japan and the design of my first digital scrapbooking pages were based on the availability and budget for printing at that time.  I created at the very unconventional 5 X 7 size format.

Almost 8 years later, and there are so many more options, in terms of available printing sizes and price points.  I've watched the average 12 X 12 print prices drop from around 7 dollars to now less than 2 dollars, with the most recent introduction of discounted pricing for bulk (200+ prints) orders.

I recently had a huge number of pages printed by Persnickety Prints during their launch sale at the beginning of the year.  Their already low prices, combined with a discount and their bulk ordering benefits, was an offer I couldn't pass up. 

Last week I finally had chance to open up my box of prints.

Loved being greeted with the lime green tissue paper.

And, other the other aesthetic co-ordinating packaging details.

But to get down to business, the functional and sturdy packaging was even more impressive, and completely reusable.

I was very happy with every one of the 200 prints I had done and have no reservations about recommending their printing service.

I am now starting to organize all these prints into albums.

I use the 12 X 12 We R Memory Keepers Cinnamon 3 Ring Binder Albums, and I keep it simple.

I organize my layouts by year, however, I also have a couple of themed albums to include Christmas, Halloween, US and Ours, Ella, Luke, AAM and Eric.  I'm also planning on a starting a heritage album in the near future.

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Persniskety Prints are having another big sale May 3rd and 4th with 25% off all prints in celebration of National Scrapbooking Day.  Check out the details here.