Digital Scrapbooking Software to the Rescue! (Review & GIVEAWAY!)

I recently had the daunting task of going through hundreds of photos on my old dying computer to deciding what to delete, what to save and most importantly- what to do with the saved photos!  I’d put off doing this task until the last possible moment, but the time had come to either do the deed or risk loosing all of my pictures to a dead PC!  

So when My Memories contacted me a few weeks ago to try out their digital scrapbooking software and share my review with my blog readers, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect!

TESTING IT OUT…

My first step was to download My Memories suite software (which was super easy to do).  Then I watched a quick My Memories intro video before getting started on my first project.  

One nice thing about this program is that each time you open the software it walks you through the process of choosing a template, size, shape and layout for your album.   

FUN WITH EMBELLISHMENTS…

Once I had my basic layout selected the fun began!  I just uploaded my pictures and background designs, added a little text and some extra embellishments.  Before I knew it I had a little album completed! 

When you're creating an album you always have the choice to either use the background papers that come with the software,  purchase more background papers or you can create your own designs.  Since I’m a surface pattern designer I choose to create some of my own background designs in Photoshop and then upload them to My Memories suite.  Designing my own backgrounds took a bit more time than it would have to use their pre-set designs, but I had a ton of fun doing it!

MY FIRST PROJECT…

For my first project, I created some fun album pages of my cat Beans.  I think they turned out great!

My Memories for Facebook Cover Photos and Blog Headers…

If you’re like me and you’ve already invested loads of time and money into learning professional design software and techniques, than you may not need MyMemories to create a web banner.  But if you’re like most people (who aren’t professional designers) MyMemories is a perfect way to create quick & simple banners. In a matter of minutes you can choose a perfectly sized layout, upload some pictures, add a nice background and upload your new banner to Facebook!

THE VERDICT... 

I’d definitely recommend My Memories suite software to anyone looking for a fun, quick and easy way to transform unorganized pictures into beautiful photo albums (digital and printed albums) without all the hassle and expense of traditional scrapbooking. 

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN…

 If you’re interested in this Scrapbooking software My Memories has provided us with a couple of generous offers.

As a special for All of my blog readers, My Memories gave me a Share the Memories code that provides all of you with a $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software… and a $10 coupon to the MyMemories.com store!

TO USE THE DISCOUNTS...

1. Go to My Memories Suite (to purchase the software) & My Memories Store (to purchase a digital scrapbooking kit or other product).
2. Select you product and place it in the shopping cart
3. At checkout, paste the Weird & Woolly code: STMMMS16614 into the Promo code box

THE GIVEAWAY...

MyMemories is also allowing me to give away one copy of their Scrapbooking software to one lucky winner (a $39.97 value)!  To enter just fill out the Rafflecoper form at the bottom of this post.

**I’ll be announcing the winner on Dec. 10th and will be contacting them via e-mail

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Disclosure:  I received a copy of MyMemories suite software in exchange for my review.  My review represents my sincere and honest opinion.  I did not receive any other compensation for this review. 

Weird Woolly Wallpaper!

Here are some of my latest surface pattern designs;

Waves Wallpaper Collection 

Waves Stationary Collection

Patterns In Progress

Here are some of my current works-in-progress.  I’m applying the skills that I learned in module 1 of The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design, to re-work the original swoosh motif that makes up my Weird Woolly Designs logo:

I’m also experimenting with some new design software programs such as Photoshop (PS) and Illustrator (AI).  I’ve finally been convinced that the freeware programs (that are fairly comparable to PS & AI) just aren’t going to cut it in the professional world of pattern design.  So I figured that there’s no time like the present to get to work becoming proficient in these essential programs.

 

 

BIG NEWS for Crewel Embroidery Artists!

I Just received this newsletter from Katherine Shaughnessy (of WoolandHoop.com) about the death of an apparently important crewel embroidery teacher- Erica Wilson- who I didn't even know existed until today.  In my view Katherine Shaughnessy was "the mother of modern crewel embroidery"- since I learned many of my skills and first became aware of the contemporary version of crewel embroidery through her book; The New Crewel.  So you better believe that I'm going to be heading right over to this article to learn more about this other modern maven on Crewel embroidery Erica Wilson.

Another HUGE piece of crewel news:  apparently Katherine Shaughnessy has written a second book entitled New Crewel: The Motif Collection- which I'm also going to be heading right over to pre-order my copy on Amazon.com!   

Erica Wilson Inspired My Crewel World,  from Katherine Shaughnessy's newsletter

Erica Wilson passed away yesterday at the age of 83. She was an extraordinary teacher, author and designer of crewel embroidery and a force behind its presence in the United States. I never met Ms. Wilson, but consulted with her by phone for my first book, The New Crewel. She was generous in her comments, making corrections and offering a few tips. For example, I have always followed her instructions for Satin Stitch, which requires outlining your design first with Split Stitch. (For those of us who do crewel embroidery, this makes all the difference!) She gave me her stamp of approval before we went to print for which I was grateful. My second book, New Crewel: The Motif Collection, goes to print this week and this morning I spoke with the publisher and was able to dedicate it to her. I learned so much from her books, especially from Crewel Embroidery, 1962, which I continue reference often. H er impact on the art of crewel embroidery is immeasurable. She will be missed! Click here to read more about Erica Wilson. 

Sincerely, 
Katherine Shaughnessy 

 
Crewelwork by Erica Wilson, Cover art from her book, Crewel Embroidery, 1962 

Website Design Help!

I've been brainstorming design ideas for my new Weird Woolly Designs website. 

I still have a lot of work to before I'm ready to settle on 1 over all look for the site-but I'd love to hear any thoughts, ideas or suggestions that you might have about these initial designs!

 

Dot Patchwork Pattern

Here is the result of an experiment in layering a few simple motifs, one on top of the other, to create a unique looking surface pattern design. 

 It was an assignment for this Surface Pattern Design e-course that I'm taking.  I would highly recommend the class

for any aspiring pattern/textile designers.  It's been a lot of fun and very informative.

An Awesome Foundation

The Awesome Foundation

 

"Forwarding the interest of Awesome in the universe, $1,000 at a time".

I just heard about this organization on NPR that is all about giving micro-loans to really awesome & unique projects.