Giveaway time...

...finally.  After some technical difficulties, and without further ado, let's get on with the giveaway!

I recently received an email from a rep of mymemories.com asking if I would like to host a giveaway of their digital scrapbook software on my blog.  I'll admit, I've never done any scrapbooking in my life, unless you want to count photo collages made when I was much younger.  I've also never really talked about scrapbooks here on Pro-craft-inate so I was a little surprised that I got the offer (I know I'm not the only one to have been given the opportunity, but the others that I've found seemed like more likely blogs to host the giveaway).

At any rate, I decided to take them up on the offer because I have a boatload of digital photographs gathering virtual dust on my hard drive and because it might be nice to offer up something to my readers who have stuck by my sporadic postings.  I also thought it might be fun to try it out and see if it was something I could get into.

I downloaded my complimentary copy of My Memories Suite and was able to jump right in and create pages without much fuss.  There are a wide range of page templates included in the software, as well as embellishments, so you don't have to buy any 'extras' in order to start building albums.  If you've ever used any kind of photo editing, or painting software, you won't have any trouble navigating this program.  If you've never used that kind of software, you'll still be able to figure out what you're doing very easily.  Really, it's as easy as picking a template and choosing your photos.

Clicking buttons!  It's that easy.

This is the basic screen.  All I did here was pick my template page, add a few photos and that was it.   If there's an embellishment on the page that you don't particularly care for - take it out.  You can customize these as much as you want, or if you're on a creative roll you can start with a blank page and build it from scratch.  You can see the selections on the right - background paper, text, word art, embellishments, etc.

You don't have to stop there, though.  With the My Memories software you can add video and multimedia, hot links, music and narration to the albums you create.  How great is that?  If you build a wedding album, you could add the music from your wedding.  If you were making an album to send to the grandparents, you could add video of the kids, or recorded messages.  Sharing the albums is a snap, too.

There's a theme to my page.  Can you guess what it is?

If you don't find what you're looking for in the template choices that come with the software, there are many, many more at mymemories.com that you can choose from.  Prices range from around two dollars to ten dollars (9.99 was the most expensive I found but I admit I didn't go through all of the hundred + pages of options).  There is also a very good selection of free templates and a 'dollar store'.  Plus, they have a large number of tutorials and galleries to view if you get a little stuck for ideas.

Keep in mind that you don't have to stick with traditional scrapbook sized pages.  You can also re-size and make custom pages, calendars, cards, gift tags, invitations, announcements, etc.  Print them off at home or send them to your favourite photo printer.

All in all, I'd say the My Memories software is reasonably priced (39.97 USD) for what you get, what you can do with it and how easy it is to use.  Having said that, you could get your very own My Memories Suite (download) for free!  All you have to do is leave a comment below.  Tell me what you'd like to create, pop over to mymemories.com and tell me your favourite paper pack, or let me know that you've 'liked' the My Memories page on Facebook and you're in the draw.  Easy peasy, lemon squeasy!  The draw is open until midnight PST on September 22, 2011.  I'll be drawing the lucky winner's name out of a hat (or something like that) on Friday, September 23.

Edited to add:  If you are posting a comment as 'Anonymous', please provide an email address so that I can contact you if you win.

If you don't win, fear not!  mymemories.com are also offering a discount to any of my readers who purchase the My Memories Suite V2 software.  Use the coupon code when you buy the software and you'll get $10 off the software plus a $10 coupon for the store.  The coupon code is: STMMMS88799.  


Be sure to tell your friends about the giveaway and good luck!

A Thank You and a New, Hot Gallery...

First off, I'd like to say a big Thank You to Sara who was kind enough to mention my shop over on her blog, Saige Wisdom.  Sara included my bunting 'Hello' cards as part of her weekly {Friday Finds} post.  It was great to get her message this morning letting me know Kid & Caboodle was one of her 'finds' - who doesn't love a compliment like that?  Pop on over to her blog (click the banner below) and check it out - you'll be glad you did!

Recently, I managed to hang a few things that have been on the floor,  leaning up against the wall.  We won't talk about the pile that is still waiting.  My intention is to slowly build up a little gallery of prints, original works and other handmade goodies.  Let me tell you a little bit about what I've got so far:

If you click on the photo to the left you'll get a better view.  Top left is a fantastic print that I bought at the last Got Craft? market here in Vancouver.  It's titled 'The Kitten's Guide to Facial Hair' and features numerous kitties with moustaches and beards.  Love.  It was made by Kukubee.  Click over and check out their website.  It's the cutest thing EVER.

Top right is a butterfly I cut out of some sheet music and whacked into an Ikea Ribba frame.  I think it needs something more but for now, it lives on the wall!  As those who really know (and love!) me can attest, I have a deeply irrational fear of moths and sadly, this includes the butterfly family.  I love butterflies but I don't want them touching me.  It took all of my will power to enter the butterfly house at the Melbourne Zoo last month and it was not a long visit.  I put on a brave face for my niece but really I wanted to run shrieking from the building.  So!  Paper butterflies safely locked away behind glass are the bugs for me!

Bottom left we have another creation made by moi.  There's a great little store called Urban Source not far from where I live that sells anything and everything the collage or mix media artist (or bored kids!) could want.  They sell off-cuts of all kinds of materials, papers and other items that would otherwise end up in a recycling bin, discarded photographs, scientific slides, etc.  I got some of the papers from there and I scored the Pi cut out that just happened to fit in a frame I had on hand.  We're a bit geeky at my place so it fits right in :)

And last, but in no way least, is a Star Wars themed cross stitch that I made using a pattern I bought on Etsy.  Bombastitch is the place to go for nerdy, quirky stitching fun (although, I see they are currently on vacation and the store is closed for a bit).  I had bought this pattern to make a birthday gift for CC but it stitched up so quickly there was really no excuse not to make one for myself.  I should probably whip one up and send it to George Lucas as well (hint, hint).

Oh, and before I forget, this weekend I will be posting about my first ever giveaway!  Check back on Sunday for the deets.  Those who love scrapbooking will probably be particularly interested but that's the only clue you get.