I'm so pleased! I uploaded my digital scrapbook layouts to the Walmart photo center, and BGR picked them up this morning. They look GREAT!
I had to export them from My Memories Suite to .jpg files. Then I opened them in Picture It! (which I'll continue to do until I figure out how to use Photoshop); shrunk them the tiniest little tad to fit 8" wide and then added a 2" strip of digital paper along the bottom to fill up the 10" length. When I got them, I was pleased to see that the layouts fully spanned the 8" width. I wasn't sure if they'd have a white border around them or not, but they don't (yay!). Next, I trimmed off the 2" strip at the bottom (which I'll use for something else since it's patterned) and added the layouts to my growing 8x8 album!
Showing posts with label scrapbooking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label scrapbooking. Show all posts
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Organizing my Digital Scrapbooking Accessories...
Hmmm... I've already figured out that I've screwed up a number of papers and embellishments that I've downloaded to use for digital scrapbooking layouts. I'd like to post the layouts on this blog, but I don't know the source of some of them so I won't. Also, I've already "lost" the patterned paper I did of Ozzy. I have no idea where I filed it (and I think it's one I paid for so that makes me a little miffed that I can't find it again).
I just went through my files and created new folders in the My Memories Suite Program Files: Backgrounds/Themes/Downloaded Papers/Source/Artist and Paper Title. That sounds like alot of files to be digging through, but at least I'll know where I got them and who created them. Also, I made matching folders on the embellishments side of things.
I just went through my files and created new folders in the My Memories Suite Program Files: Backgrounds/Themes/Downloaded Papers/Source/Artist and Paper Title. That sounds like alot of files to be digging through, but at least I'll know where I got them and who created them. Also, I made matching folders on the embellishments side of things.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Polaroid My Memories Suite Review #2
I played around for awhile yesterday in My Memories Suite. There are a few things that are quite annoying with it--the biggest thing is that my keyboard shortcuts won't work (I'm a keyboard person rather than a mouse person).
Second, I can't select multiple objects and do the same function to them all at the same time. For example, I had a layout with three photos on it, and I wanted to add a drop-shadow to them all. I had to individually select the photos and mash the drop-shadow button for each one. It's not a big deal, but that could be better. Plus, I had some alpha letters that were embellishments. I can't select all of them and resize them at the same time so they're the same size--I have to select each one individually and resize them. And, on the same letters, I wanted to rotate them slightly. I made them a group so I could rotate the entire "piece." Unfortunately, I can't do that since they're all grouped together. What a pain!
Also, I can't center text within a shape. For example, I made a shape to use as a journal block/background and then I typed my text on top of it. I wanted to perfectly center the text vertically and horizontally within the box, but I can't do that.
I also wish I could resize objects to a specific size. I need 1/8" brads to be placeholders for the real brads I want to add after I print the page. I know I can resize the object with the arrows, but I want EXACTLY 1/8".
I wish the text could be resized by dragging the corner of the box as Corel Draw does. Instead I have to choose the font size in a dialog box.
And, I wish I could rotate objects as I can in Picture It! which has a little arrow at the top of the box when an object is selected. Instead, I have to poke in a rotation number from -180 to 180.
Also, I don't like that I can't type a font's name and go directly to the font--I have to scroll through all of the fonts to select one. That could definitely be better.
I haven't been able to find a way to work on a 2-page spread either, and that's frustrating; I can only work on a single page at a time. I'd like to be able to see two pages side-by-side so that I can align all the elements that need to match from one page to the next. For example, if I want to make stair-stepping elements that go from left to right, and I've run out of room on the left-hand page; how am I supposed to know exactly how tall to put the first element on the right-hand page (without being able to still see the left hand page...?). (Does any of that make sense?)
Finally, I wish I could distribute the spacing of objects so they're equal distance apart as I can in Corel Draw. I have some letter embellishments I want to use that I can't get the spacing just right. That doesn't sound like a big deal to do it manually, but I shouldn't have to!
I did find out that I can copy .wmf files from the Microsoft clipart gallery into Picture It!; crop the images to size then save them as .pngs, and they can be opened in MMS with transparent backgrounds. I did this on the layout of Ozzy on the shoes. It takes a little bit of manipulating, but it definitely can be done!
Second, I can't select multiple objects and do the same function to them all at the same time. For example, I had a layout with three photos on it, and I wanted to add a drop-shadow to them all. I had to individually select the photos and mash the drop-shadow button for each one. It's not a big deal, but that could be better. Plus, I had some alpha letters that were embellishments. I can't select all of them and resize them at the same time so they're the same size--I have to select each one individually and resize them. And, on the same letters, I wanted to rotate them slightly. I made them a group so I could rotate the entire "piece." Unfortunately, I can't do that since they're all grouped together. What a pain!
Also, I can't center text within a shape. For example, I made a shape to use as a journal block/background and then I typed my text on top of it. I wanted to perfectly center the text vertically and horizontally within the box, but I can't do that.
I also wish I could resize objects to a specific size. I need 1/8" brads to be placeholders for the real brads I want to add after I print the page. I know I can resize the object with the arrows, but I want EXACTLY 1/8".
I wish the text could be resized by dragging the corner of the box as Corel Draw does. Instead I have to choose the font size in a dialog box.
And, I wish I could rotate objects as I can in Picture It! which has a little arrow at the top of the box when an object is selected. Instead, I have to poke in a rotation number from -180 to 180.
Also, I don't like that I can't type a font's name and go directly to the font--I have to scroll through all of the fonts to select one. That could definitely be better.
I haven't been able to find a way to work on a 2-page spread either, and that's frustrating; I can only work on a single page at a time. I'd like to be able to see two pages side-by-side so that I can align all the elements that need to match from one page to the next. For example, if I want to make stair-stepping elements that go from left to right, and I've run out of room on the left-hand page; how am I supposed to know exactly how tall to put the first element on the right-hand page (without being able to still see the left hand page...?). (Does any of that make sense?)
Finally, I wish I could distribute the spacing of objects so they're equal distance apart as I can in Corel Draw. I have some letter embellishments I want to use that I can't get the spacing just right. That doesn't sound like a big deal to do it manually, but I shouldn't have to!
I did find out that I can copy .wmf files from the Microsoft clipart gallery into Picture It!; crop the images to size then save them as .pngs, and they can be opened in MMS with transparent backgrounds. I did this on the layout of Ozzy on the shoes. It takes a little bit of manipulating, but it definitely can be done!
More MMS Layouts
So, I made two more layouts this morning in My Memories Suite. Neither is all that great, but I'm still learning how to make presentable stuff.
Iggy Pop's layout is made from the Bohemian Market collection from the My Memories Suite Designer Store. The frame is a freebie from Nicole Young called "Ticket to Love". The gray background on Ozzy's layout is from the Coffee and Cream collection from DSP.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
My Memories Suite Layouts
Okay... real scrapbook enthusiasts and graphic designers will probably totally laugh at the My Memories Suite pages that I made of Murray and Ozzy, but here they are anyway.
The quote on Ozzy's page says: "By associating with the cat, one only risks becoming richer. --Sidonie Gabrielle." Murray's either needs some journaling or a page title; not sure which, but that's the good thing about this software: I can just go back to the pages and keep adding or subtracting as I want.
The one of Murray is BGCoffeeCream Swirls and BGCreamySwissText from Digital Scrapbook Place. The Ozzy layout is Cellophane Flowers from the My Memories Design Store.
The quote on Ozzy's page says: "By associating with the cat, one only risks becoming richer. --Sidonie Gabrielle." Murray's either needs some journaling or a page title; not sure which, but that's the good thing about this software: I can just go back to the pages and keep adding or subtracting as I want.
The one of Murray is BGCoffeeCream Swirls and BGCreamySwissText from Digital Scrapbook Place. The Ozzy layout is Cellophane Flowers from the My Memories Design Store.
Polaroid My Memories Suite Review
Oh YAY! My My Memories Suite software arrived on Friday. I read several reviews of the software before I bought it. Most of those reviews started with the users opening the box! That's a little too detailed for me, but I wanted to write a little review of my own.
My sister-inlaw was in town for a visit when the software arrived so I didn't get to do anything with it beyond loading all 5 of the disks. The disks are: the installation disk and the themes of kids & sports, holidays, family times and wedding & travel. I really didn't need the sports and kids since I don't have kids and I don't like sports; however, I was afraid I'd miss out on some papers and embellishments I could use for other layouts so I went ahead and loaded that disk, too.
When I did get to play with the software, I was a little disappointed in it--okay, I was ALOT disppointed in it. The papers and embellishments are so plain and BOR-ING!
This led me to go shopping for some more exciting backgrounds and elements. I recieved a $10 off coupon to use in the Polaroid My Memories Design Shop so I loaded my shopping cart with some nice page kits (the kits range in price from $1.99 to $9.99). It took me two attempts to download the files because the first time, I did "Run" instead of "Save."
Next, I read somewhere that I could also use the freebie files I'd downloaded from some store websites (Digital Scrapbook Place, Designer Digitals, Two Peas in a Pod, etc.) and from people's blogs. I called Tech Support to find out what I needed to do to get those files into My Memories, but they didn't call back until the next day, and by then, I'd figured out how to do it on my own.
After I got the files situated, I started playing with some layouts. I used my "Cellophane Flowers" package that I paid for and a freebie called "Coffee & Cream" to make layouts of Ozzy and Murray (I'll post those later when I figure out how export them to .jpg).
I will say the software is very user-friendly--there are just so many buttons to mash that it's a little overwhelming. Every time I open the program, I find a new feature I hadn't noticed before (it would probably help if I read the user's manual!).
All of the elements and backgrounds can be resized, but I'm not sure if they can be resized to specific sizes (like, say, I want an 1/8" brad--I'm not sure if I can poke in .125" somewhere or not...?). I'll have to play around with it and find out. The reason this would be helpful is that I'm interested in adding traditional 3-D scrapbooking elements (like die cuts, eyelets, brads and buttons). If the digital elements can be resized to specific sizes, then I can use them as placeholders on the layout. Yeah... I'll have to play around with that feature (if there is one).
Next, I need to export the layouts to .jpg and upload them to Walmart's Photo Center. I want to see how well they print out in an 8x10 format (which I'll then trim down to 8x8). Since 8x8 only takes up part of an 8x10 page, I'll fill the white space with some digital patterned papers so I can laser-cut matching letters or die cuts. Ohhh... that's smart.
I also like that there are pre-made photo layouts. All you have to do is drag and drop the photos you want to use into the designated spaces. The software automatically crops the photos to fit in the spaces.
You can mat the photos easily with adjustable-sized mats, and you can use the color picker to match the mat to the papers or embellishments you've used.
Also, you can add drop shadows to the photos and embellishments to give them some dimension. That's a nice feature.
And, finally (for now), you can manipulate the photos such as converting them to black&white or sepia tone or any of several different textures. You can also crop the photos to any size or shape you want.
Overall, it is a great program; I just don't like the simple backgrounds and embellishments that came with the program. I can definitely use them, but I also need to more-spiced-up-stuff, too. I'll write more later as I discover new stuff about the software!
And, I'm really excited to be able to use this software for the scrapbook I'm making for the Biggy Iggy Auction! That will be really, really nice, I think.
My sister-inlaw was in town for a visit when the software arrived so I didn't get to do anything with it beyond loading all 5 of the disks. The disks are: the installation disk and the themes of kids & sports, holidays, family times and wedding & travel. I really didn't need the sports and kids since I don't have kids and I don't like sports; however, I was afraid I'd miss out on some papers and embellishments I could use for other layouts so I went ahead and loaded that disk, too.
When I did get to play with the software, I was a little disappointed in it--okay, I was ALOT disppointed in it. The papers and embellishments are so plain and BOR-ING!
This led me to go shopping for some more exciting backgrounds and elements. I recieved a $10 off coupon to use in the Polaroid My Memories Design Shop so I loaded my shopping cart with some nice page kits (the kits range in price from $1.99 to $9.99). It took me two attempts to download the files because the first time, I did "Run" instead of "Save."
Next, I read somewhere that I could also use the freebie files I'd downloaded from some store websites (Digital Scrapbook Place, Designer Digitals, Two Peas in a Pod, etc.) and from people's blogs. I called Tech Support to find out what I needed to do to get those files into My Memories, but they didn't call back until the next day, and by then, I'd figured out how to do it on my own.
After I got the files situated, I started playing with some layouts. I used my "Cellophane Flowers" package that I paid for and a freebie called "Coffee & Cream" to make layouts of Ozzy and Murray (I'll post those later when I figure out how export them to .jpg).
I will say the software is very user-friendly--there are just so many buttons to mash that it's a little overwhelming. Every time I open the program, I find a new feature I hadn't noticed before (it would probably help if I read the user's manual!).
All of the elements and backgrounds can be resized, but I'm not sure if they can be resized to specific sizes (like, say, I want an 1/8" brad--I'm not sure if I can poke in .125" somewhere or not...?). I'll have to play around with it and find out. The reason this would be helpful is that I'm interested in adding traditional 3-D scrapbooking elements (like die cuts, eyelets, brads and buttons). If the digital elements can be resized to specific sizes, then I can use them as placeholders on the layout. Yeah... I'll have to play around with that feature (if there is one).
Next, I need to export the layouts to .jpg and upload them to Walmart's Photo Center. I want to see how well they print out in an 8x10 format (which I'll then trim down to 8x8). Since 8x8 only takes up part of an 8x10 page, I'll fill the white space with some digital patterned papers so I can laser-cut matching letters or die cuts. Ohhh... that's smart.
I also like that there are pre-made photo layouts. All you have to do is drag and drop the photos you want to use into the designated spaces. The software automatically crops the photos to fit in the spaces.
You can mat the photos easily with adjustable-sized mats, and you can use the color picker to match the mat to the papers or embellishments you've used.
Also, you can add drop shadows to the photos and embellishments to give them some dimension. That's a nice feature.
And, finally (for now), you can manipulate the photos such as converting them to black&white or sepia tone or any of several different textures. You can also crop the photos to any size or shape you want.
Overall, it is a great program; I just don't like the simple backgrounds and embellishments that came with the program. I can definitely use them, but I also need to more-spiced-up-stuff, too. I'll write more later as I discover new stuff about the software!
And, I'm really excited to be able to use this software for the scrapbook I'm making for the Biggy Iggy Auction! That will be really, really nice, I think.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Polaroid My Memories Suite Software!
EDIT: See my Polaroid My Memories Suite Reviews here (Review #1) and here (Review #2). The second review is all the things I wish it could do, but doesn't.
Okay! It's not even here and I'm already so excited about it I can't stand it! I ordered Polaroid My Memories Suite digital scrapbooking software last week. I can't WAIT for it to get here! It was the #1 rated digital scrapbooking software on toptenreviews.com where they compared it to 14 other software products. I read all of the reviews on that website as well as other reviews on people's blogs and decided I HAD to have it!
It got check marks for pretty much every category reviewed. The only things it didn't get check marks for are: Importing from CD, cell phone and web; multiple page sizes; brushes; download additional graphics at no charge; output: PDF; Supported configurations: Windows 2000
About the only thing I see that it won't do (and I may possibly want) is print to .pdf files. I don't see how it CAN'T since you just print to .pdf just like printing to a printer. It may just print a blank page for all I know, but we'll just have to see about that.
{Wait one stinking minute! I just re-read the review, and pdfs are definitely an option! I'm not sure why it didn't get a check mark for that category? Also... I know it will do 6x6, 8x8, 8-1/2x11 and 12x12 page sizes so I'm not sure why "multiple page sizes" wasn't checked, too?}
Anyhoo, I paid $59.98 for it because I found a $20 discount. You can find that discount here (I'm not sure how long the discount is good, but it's there as of today--04/13/09).
It's supposed to be really awesome because it supports common file types (like .jpg and .png) so you can use the backgrounds and elements with other software. And, I can make all kinds of really cool layouts by just adding my pictures to pre-made templates or by designing my own layouts with their embellishments and backgrounds! How much fun is that?! See I'm stark raving wild about it and I don't even have it yet! I wish it would hurry up and GET HERE ALREADY!
Oh yeah... I don't think I'll ever use these features, but it allows you to add music and recordings to digital pages you copy to CD. I can see using this if we had kids and we got them to sing happy birthday to grandma or grandpa, for example. But the only singing that goes on around here is when the dogs howl at 3:30 in the morning!
You can also download the pages to an iPod which I pretty much think is stupid. That's like trying to view someone's vacation pictures on a digital camera screen (which my parents just had to do when their neighbor returned from a trip to Mexico)! It's just too dang small!
Okay! It's not even here and I'm already so excited about it I can't stand it! I ordered Polaroid My Memories Suite digital scrapbooking software last week. I can't WAIT for it to get here! It was the #1 rated digital scrapbooking software on toptenreviews.com where they compared it to 14 other software products. I read all of the reviews on that website as well as other reviews on people's blogs and decided I HAD to have it!
It got check marks for pretty much every category reviewed. The only things it didn't get check marks for are: Importing from CD, cell phone and web; multiple page sizes; brushes; download additional graphics at no charge; output: PDF; Supported configurations: Windows 2000
About the only thing I see that it won't do (and I may possibly want) is print to .pdf files. I don't see how it CAN'T since you just print to .pdf just like printing to a printer. It may just print a blank page for all I know, but we'll just have to see about that.
{Wait one stinking minute! I just re-read the review, and pdfs are definitely an option! I'm not sure why it didn't get a check mark for that category? Also... I know it will do 6x6, 8x8, 8-1/2x11 and 12x12 page sizes so I'm not sure why "multiple page sizes" wasn't checked, too?}
Anyhoo, I paid $59.98 for it because I found a $20 discount. You can find that discount here (I'm not sure how long the discount is good, but it's there as of today--04/13/09).
It's supposed to be really awesome because it supports common file types (like .jpg and .png) so you can use the backgrounds and elements with other software. And, I can make all kinds of really cool layouts by just adding my pictures to pre-made templates or by designing my own layouts with their embellishments and backgrounds! How much fun is that?! See I'm stark raving wild about it and I don't even have it yet! I wish it would hurry up and GET HERE ALREADY!
Oh yeah... I don't think I'll ever use these features, but it allows you to add music and recordings to digital pages you copy to CD. I can see using this if we had kids and we got them to sing happy birthday to grandma or grandpa, for example. But the only singing that goes on around here is when the dogs howl at 3:30 in the morning!
You can also download the pages to an iPod which I pretty much think is stupid. That's like trying to view someone's vacation pictures on a digital camera screen (which my parents just had to do when their neighbor returned from a trip to Mexico)! It's just too dang small!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Auction Scrapbook
Patty Woodbury got back to me that the handmade scrapbook is a great idea. I upped the opening bid to $30 or $40 since that's only $3 or $4/page--without the covers! It probably should be $50 instead, but I wonder if anybody would pay that much?
Also, Sharon Yates (Eika's new mom) wrote me an e-mail that she'd love to see an auction item where people can mail in occasional photos to be scrapbooked. That's a good idea, but I don't know how to word it so that it makes sense, and I certainly don't know how to make it into a doable auction item. So... I wrote her back and let her know if she wants scrapbook pages of Sophie and Eika, I can do them for her, and I'll donate the proceeds to IGRF. It's just a thought, and I'll see what she says.
Also, Sharon Yates (Eika's new mom) wrote me an e-mail that she'd love to see an auction item where people can mail in occasional photos to be scrapbooked. That's a good idea, but I don't know how to word it so that it makes sense, and I certainly don't know how to make it into a doable auction item. So... I wrote her back and let her know if she wants scrapbook pages of Sophie and Eika, I can do them for her, and I'll donate the proceeds to IGRF. It's just a thought, and I'll see what she says.
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