Pixels2Pages

Please help the Pixies out!

Calling all p2P friends and fans - we need your input and your help! Please complete our survey and share this with your digi-scrapping friends! It may be a little harder to do the survey from a device other than a computer. There is a scroll bar to the right that you'll need to use to get to the next pages. If you have trouble viewing the survey from within the news post, try this link to go directly to it. Thanks! Jan
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1YeZ1H2_W-uyEoTRG7MYlgLp63Dzbpsve-Xp1tmc5te0/viewform

http://www.pixels2pages.net/2013/08/05/news-survey/

Free Embellishments for Artisan

"Here is a free kit for all of the Artisan users out there. It won't be on the store, but you can share the link. It's the 'Shiny Objects' kit, complete with twelve shiny objects and one shiny (silver glitter) alpha set.  Enjoy, and feel free to share the link with your friends."
http://download2.panstoria.com/content/Shiny%20Objects.pakit

StoryBook and Memory Manager FAQ’s

Creative Memories has released a FAQ’s sheet about their software.  It answers questions you may have about the continued use of these programs.  http://antiochcompany.cachefly.net/restructuring/DigitalFAQs.pdf 

If you have any questions please contact me

Artisan & Historian by Panstoria

I have been approved to be an affiliate for Panstoria, if you want the software please click on the banner above so I will get credit.  Thanks for following my blog.

So what are the differences between Storybook and Memory Manager, compared to Artisan and Historian?  Here are a couple of links that will help you answer those questions. 

http://www.panstoria.com/historian/faq/
http://www.panstoria.com/artisan/faq/

Printer Company Comparisons

Here is a comparison that I made of several different companies on how easy their software was to use, cost of the book and the quality of the finished product. 

Click here to download the Excel spreadsheet.

Creative Memories files Chapter 11

This is somewhat of a sad post.  In early spring of this year Creative Memories filed bankruptcy (Chapter 11) so they could restructure.  There have been lots of changes happening behind the scenes and different dates to remember.  

When Creative Memories, emerges as a new company in November it will have a different name and may not have the same products as we now know them.  They are simplifying their product line.  We have been told that in the future Storybook and Memory Manager will not be part of the new company. (sad face)

They are planning and working on an APP.  I do not plan to ever use an APP to scrapbook.   Having to be tied to an internet connection is not my idea of scrapbooking.  I have enjoyed the freedom and creativity of Storybook Creator and Memory Manager.  I plan to keep using these programs!   In moving forward with these two programs, please make sure you have all your important files backed up. 

Make sure you have the following backed up:

1. Storybook projects
2. Digital kits and their activations
3. Your personal kits
4. Any files you do not want to loose

Here are a couple of links for you to use for backing up your files.  4Shared has changed their download process and made it a little harder.  Click on Download under the file name, then click on FREE Download You should then be able to open the Word document.

StoryBook Creator

Memory Manager

As for dates to remember here is a list of important ones.

Please if you have digital products to order do so, as soon as possible, do not leave it till the last minute!

With all this news and the latest update, as of September 1, 2013 our consultant contracts will be cancelled and we will no longer be consultants or have a website.   If CM does not carry Storybook and Memory Manager into the new company, I will not be staying with the company.  Therefore, I will be free to start reposting all my templates I have made. 

The company who made Storybook Creator and Memory Manager have emerged with their own programs which are almost the same exact copy of CM’s.  They are called Panstoria Artisan and Historian.   Here is a link to their website  I have purchased their software and enjoy using it and we will have support!  They just announced July 25th that they are partnering with Utah Print Solutions who was the company that printed our books before CM printed in house.  I am excited for this partnership and have joined them as an affiliate and waiting for approval.  If you want to buy their software will you please buy from my link when I get approved.   It will be posted on this blog as soon as approval is given.

My plan is to still keep doing digital scrapbooking and sharing what I learn.  If you have any suggestions or input please let me know at bobsiglow@msn.com. 

Happy Scrappin’

Hawaii Album and fun

What could be more fun than being offered a place to stay in Hawaii for free?  Yes my husband and I were offered a place to stay for up to two months if we could have got away for that long.  We were able to go to Oahu and learn about Pearl Harbor and soak in all the beauty this island has to offer. 

It has been ages since posting and so to start moving again I thought I would share my latest album.  The nice thing about Storybook Creator is that it can do everything you want to, simple and quick or fancy and take more time.  It is up to you.

Below is a sampling of a few pages, if you would like to view the whole book click on this link.

 

Hawaii 2012

And yes with the help of Storybook Creator you can make pages, send them to Memory Manager and then export to Windows Movie maker and make a movie like this one.

Memory Manager 4.0

I am so excited about the new version of Memory Manager 4.0 that is coming out, I could just shout from the roof tops.  There are so many great new additions including, facial recognition, spell check, one click touchup, share with Facebook or make a movie with Windows Movie Maker and a whole lot more.  Here are three links for you to watch and learn about the new software update. 

Either click on the picture or Youtube video to watch, if you want full screen make sure you click on the picture not the Youtube link.

If you are interested in ordering this before it is released on my website, email me at bobsiglow@msn.com or call 801-856-7332

Favorites in Storybook 4.0

What are my favorite new things that SBC 4.0 can do, is often the question asked.  Well here you go with a my list of favorites.

On the home ribbon there is a Coordinate colors.  You can click on a picture and coordinate the papers and embellishments to your photos.  Here is an example, I had 6 samples to choose from. This expands the use of any paper or embellishments.

On the Insert ribbon is Shape (text), you can use any font you have installed on your computer to make page titles.  I LOVE this new feature.  Select your font type, color, line width and play with the compound style and dash styles for a different look.  Once your text is on your page hold the shift key down and resize it to fit your page, or you can right click and go to properties and change the size there.

On the format photos and format text ribbons there is a place you can sample a frame or text and paste it to any page in your book.  What a time saver this is to speed up our scrapbooking.

Another favorite thing for me to do is to double click on an embellishment, text or paper and use the touchup features.  You can erase, and paint things a different color (favorite) and smudge helps to erase things also.  Adjust your brush size and pressure to speed up the process. 

Did you also know that you can copy pictures from Memory Manager and paste them into SBC photos?  This is easy, you do not have to use the share feature, just copy and paste them by right clicking on a group of photos and then select copy.  Go to SBC and click the photos tab and paste the photos. 

Making your own shapes is also a lot easier in SBC 4.0.  Go to the Insert ribbon and select shape then curved or straight lines.

Instead of creating on this window, select “Save Shape in personal art kit”  Then you can use this shape for a text box if you would like for an added look to any page.

Making 3-D letters and number

Have you ever wanted to make 3-D pictures?  Well watch this video to learn how to make some that look like this.

Making 3-D letters and numbers

Double click on video to make it go full screen.

Here is a link to a previous post with instructions to the same feature.

This can be achieved in Word 2007 by:

· Insert > WordArt Select the style you want and type the font the largest it will go

· Click on the Shadow Effect and make the shadow black

· Click on 3-D effects and make the depth 36

· Click on the little arrow on 3-D there is a little image with a box in the middle and on each side there are arrows. Click the top one and do this several times until the number/letter is laying the direction you want

Downtown digital kit

Using the Pixels2Pages challenge 96, Read between the lings and their instructions to create a Vignette, and used the new Downtown digital kit (released April 2012) to make this page. 

It was a lot of fun to follow their ideas and if you are not a member of the P2P site, you are really missing out on a lot of new ideas and fun. 

April digital kits

Just wanted to share with you three of the new kits that Creative Memories has come out with April 1, 2012. 

This is the Butterfly kisses digital kit

This is Garden Blessings digital kit

This is Bunny hop digital kit and alpha set.

Here is a link to MY Creative Memories website so you can see what is new.   If you are not one of  my customers, please go to your consultants website.   There are a lot of new kits this month. 

Also new this month is the Universal Format for papers and embellishments.  This format can be used in Photoshop, and any other scrapbooking software's.   The file types are jpg and png.  When looking and purchasing the kits, please make sure you watch for the Universal Format so you purchase the correct kits.

Spring has arrived in Utah

On Pixels2Pages.net this week they challenged us to use a predesigned page, blueprint or a template you would not normally use.  Then we were to locate our favorite embellishments and make a border for our page.   Add a title and journaling.  

What I used:

1. The Click and Fill IV page 12
2. The background paper was from the Enchanted PP
3. Embellishments are from the North American Road Trip CD

Here is what I started with and the finished page.

The photos are from my yard.  The apricot blossoms, crocus and daffodils.   Spring is my favorite season when everything is new and beautiful.

If you are not a member of the Pixel2Pages.net site, you are really missing out.  They have something new for you everyday.   There are videos, freebies, blueprints, challenges and a whole lot more.  If would like information contact your Creative Memories Independent Consultant for help and information.  I would be happy to answer any questions. 

Make these cute paper roses

Here are the instructions so you can make your own roses.   This website has so many ideas for making flowers, bows and more.  http://www.ellinee.com/fabulous-freebies/

Link to make roses instructions 

Link to rose pattern to print and save

When I made my roses, I used the website pattern, took it into Storybook and flattened the image.  Then I used the magic wand and cut around the pattern, so I could fill it with Creative Memories papers.  The project size I used was 11x8.5 portrait and made the pattern fit the page.  Make sure you keep the original aspect ration.  So from what I learned from this website, here are my roses.   I am sure you could reduce the size of the pattern to make smaller roses.

Have fun and happy cropping.

Frame it Up

Pixels2page.net gave me the instructions for this page.  I love following them everyday and it is so worth the subscription.  So many great new ideas, blueprints and freebies. 

Challenge 93 - Frame it up by Cathie Owens
Spring digital kit
Microsoft Sans Serif 12
Algerian for Title

Pixels2Pages.net

Have you wondered where you can get great new ideas and training on Storybook Creator, Memory Manager, take better pictures and a whole lot more.   Well I am here to tell you that the Pixies have all the answers.  You have to check out www.pixels2pages.net and see all you can learn and do.  There is a free trial section, check it out.   If you purchase a subscription, you will get freebies every week that are fantastic.

Here are a couple of links to help you learn more about the website. 

Creative Memories blog Digital 411

Pixels2Pages.net What is a subscription?

Facebook group Pixels2Pages

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Happy cropping

Pixels2Pages.net

I just love Pixels2Pages.net.  They have a lot to teach you and challenge you.  Join in the fun and join the digi love.  I would never be without my subscription.  Check this out.

Cutting tools in SBC 4.0

Come and learn how to use the cutting tools and touch up tools in Storybook Creator 4.0.  There are so many neat tools to use and ways you can use them.  Find an image on google or anywhere on the internet, scan a image and then touch it up.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at bobsiglow@msn.com

If you want to save the image to use at a later date, make sure you right click and select save selection, then save to your personal art kits.  This is great for building your own embellishments.

Cutting tools in SBC 4.0

Double click on the image to view a larger version and in the bottom right corner you can make it go full screen.

Aspect Ratio in SBC 4.0

Have you wondered why in 4.0 every time you resize an element it gets distorted?  Well you can either right click on every element and lock the aspect ration.   OR you can hold your shift key down while resizing a picture, embellishment or paper and it will lock the element as you resize. 

Happy Cropping

Pixie Power

Thanks to Pixels2Pages.net, this pages was possible.  I loved how the background paper, the photo frame and embellishment all go together.  You to could have freebies like this if you joined www.pixels2page.net

Using Microsoft Word Art with SBC

Do you want to learn how to make this effect in Storybook Creator 4.0?  You have to use Microsoft Word to help get this effect.  Here are your instructions:

1. Go to the Insert tab in Word and click on WordArt

2. Select your WordArt style

3. Type your text

4. Click the down arrow by Text effects and select 3-D (off axis 1 top)

5. Click the down arrow by Text effects and go to the bottom of the menu and select 3-D rotation options

6. On the next menu select 3-D Format – play with the different options to get the effect you want.

7. When you get the effect you want, right click and copy

8. Go to SBC and right click and paste.

9. Use the magic wand and erase the white background. (it is easier if your background on the page is a dark color)

10. You may have to use other cutting tools to touch up the cut. You can also double click on the image and use the eraser to touch up the image.

11. Now you can select your image and cut around the person using the cutting tools.

12. Cut the persons legs horizontally and put the top part on top of the number and the legs under the number (in the elements panel)

13. This project takes some playing and experimenting to get it right, don’t get discouraged.

Hope these instructions make sense, I will be making a video in the near future on how to make this kind of a page.

Happy cropping

StoryBook Creator 4.0

Want to learn how to import Storybook 3.0 projects into version 4.0?  This video will show you how to bring in the 3.0 projects and then save them to version 4.0.  It will also show how to use a new filter and how to switch between projects. 

I love SBC 4.0 and it’s clean new look.  There are so many new things you can do with the software.  More videos will be coming in the near future.

Here is a direct link to the video http://youtu.be/iqkV1uSwV_4

StoryBook Creator 4.0 is coming

There is a new version of the BEST digital scrapbooking software coming out real soon.  Here is a link so you can see the top 10 new things added.  I can not wait for this new software to come out.  Watch for training videos on this blog as I learn how to use the new changes.

Consultant websites and ordering

Listed here are the changes to your consultants website when ordering.  The changes are good and I personally like how it adds your total as you go.  The other thing I like is that if you leave your computer for a while and come back you do not loose all you have selected.  You will have to sign back in but your selections are still there.

1.  Click on Shop on line then Digital scrapbooking and then new products.

2.  Click on Select under each package to buy.   There is a small version of the package under more views. 

3.  Click on Add to Bag to order.  Watch the top right corner for your cumulative total.  Even if you leave for a while it will save your order.  You will have to log back in but the selections will still be there.  After you add the item to your shopping cart and you want to order more products, click on "Keep Shopping"  If you are ready to check out, click on "My Bag (with the list of items and total $) 

4.  Then click the green Continue to Checkout and fill out your name and address information.  Fill out the Payment method.  Go to Rewards and Discounts and enter any information there.  Then click Order now on the right side. 

5.  Shows your order with the links to see your downloads and print your order.

6 & 7.  click Download to start your download and install your package.

 

New Products for Fall 2011

Take a look at this video and see all the new products that are coming your way.  Also Storybook Creator 4.0 is coming.

 

We will have a new tape runner coming out.

You will now be able to design your own traditional covers take a look at this video.

 

Updates for Storybook will include:

StoryBook Creator Plus 4.0 Upgrade

Over $60 of free content, including:

Serene Digital Kit

Serene Digital Overlays

Serene Digital Alpha Set

Just Fun Digital Kit

Just Fun Digital Overlays

Just Fun Digital Alpha Set

2012 Calendar 12x18 Digital Predesigned Pages

2012 Calendar 8x12 Digital Predesigned Pages

$24.95 U.S./$26.95 CAN

Overlays – make your own

 

Take your special picture and turn it into an overlay.  Here is how you do it.

Under the Format Tab, select the Filter option. Within these filters, you will find the Threshold Filter. I set the threshold to 128. The colors I chose were black for the low color and white for the high color.

I then lowered the opacity to 40% in the Format tab. 

The paper I used under the overlay photo was from the Classic Nativity Digital Additions paper 2.  For the frame I used the same paper as the background and cut the center out.  Added a 3-D filter, then added my photos and text.  One simple quick and fun page to make.

August 2011 new products

Hey look at some of the new doodling digital shapes and basic stitching embellishments. 

This page is just creating the shapes and embellishments

This page has filters and surfaces added to the shapes and embellishments.  You can also use color, gradients and papers.

There are also new sports additions to add to your collections.  There are golf, gymnastics, ice skating, martial arts, swimming and track and field. 

Storybook 3.0 and sbcStudio downloads are 50% off.  All digital downloads are 30% off.  It is a great time to go shopping on your consultants website.