Thursday, March 1, 2007

The Groove Newsletter - March 2007


The Groove




Digital Scrapbooking Inspiration - March 2007




Groovy layout by Stephen R., Arizona


In The Groove


Spring is finally on its way (of course, it’s closer for some of us than it is for others!). While we wait for the last traces of winter to disappear, let’s have some fun with this month’s Groove-y theme – Goin’ Retro!

Check out our “Goin’ Retro” contest below! And remember, retro not only refers to those wild psychedelic patterns that are showing up everywhere nowadays (especially lately in the forums, we’ve noticed!) – it includes anything from days past, including “heritage” style albums. So get creative when goin’ retro, and submit a layout that pays homage to the near or distant past!


Musings on the "Retro Craze"

Okay, class – sharpen your pencils, and copy the definition of “Retro”: Involving, relating to, or reminiscent of things past.

“Retro” seems to be an important word nowadays. It shows up everywhere. In fashion, music, television, entertainment, home decorating…the question is, why?

I’m sure we could come up with many theories on the current popularity of “going retro”. One of the most convincing is that connecting with things past makes us feel comfortable. It brings us back to a time when we had fewer worries. It reminds us of youth, old friendships, a world full of possibilities, simpler times.

Or maybe we want to “try on” an era we never got to experience the first time around. Who wouldn’t want to channel the elegance and grace of the movie stars of the 40’s, experience the energy and color of the sixties, or try a 70’s hustle on an illuminated disco floor? Going retro is the next best thing to a time machine.
Last but not least, going retro can be…FUN! In our opinion, that’s a great reason for almost anything!


Digital Scrapbooking Tips


Groovy Tip #1: Make your scrapbook into a fun screensaver by choosing File > Publish To > Screensaver.

Groovyy Tip #2: When you don’t like a change you’ve just made to your layout, you can always use the Undo/ Redo buttons found on your toolbar.


Scrapper Profile





Meet Julie LaPoint, aka MaggieMae! We all know and love her work – especially those desert sunset layouts! And of course, we are always grateful for her helpful comments in the forums. Get to know a little more about Julie!






Q - If we asked your friends to describe you, what would they say?
A - I think they'd say I'm friendly and outgoing.


Q - How did you get involved with digital scrapbooking?
A - I downloaded the Scrapbook MAX! trial version and found it to be user-friendly yet sophisticated. I was hooked on digi-scrapping within a day or two and never looked back.

Q - Besides scrapbooking, what do you do for fun?
A - I like to read and I love watching movies. If I can get up off the sofa (LOL) I like to walk with my husband and two dogs. We like to travel - especially to warm places with great beaches!

Q - Who are the most special people in your life. Why?
A - My husband of 43 years is literally my other half! Then there are our two wonderful children and nine grandchildren!

Q - Where do you find inspiration for your layouts?
A - Inspiration comes first of all from the photos - the colors, textures and feelings. Then inspiration comes from everywhere else- magazines, advertisements, television, and last (but not least!) the SBM gallery.

Q - Do you have a signature color scheme or type of embellishment that you love to use?
A - I love blues and browns and ribbons or other types of borders.

Q - What is your next scrapbook project?
A - Oh, boy! I've been putting off a heritage book for a long time. Now that I have SBM and have started digi-scrapping, I think that's my next big project.

Q - If you could be a celebrity for one day, who would you be and why?
A- Wow - this is a hard question. I'm afraid this sounds silly but maybe Queen Elizabeth* because I could wander around the palace and touch and feel history.

(*We like this choice – Julie, you could have won that Oscar!)



Some of Julie's favorite layouts!










Interested in being one of The Groove’s profiled scrappers? Write to us at newsletter@scrapbookmax.com for details.




Creative Genius
Here’s an “inspiring” use of Scrapbook MAX!: using journal text, write your favorite verse, quotation or poem on a single page. Add a gorgeous background and embellishments. Print it out on high quality photo paper, and put it in a decorative frame. You’ve just made a beautiful gift to celebrate a special event like a marriage, birth, or graduation. Or, keep it on a bookshelf for your own personal inspiration!



Contest: "Goin' Retro"


“Goin’ Retro” can summon up the psychedelic patterns of the 60’s and 70’s. Or, retro layouts can have an old-fashioned, heritage feel. The choice is yours – be creative, go retro on your own terms, and above all…enter this contest! Three winning “retro” layouts will be published in the next issue of The Groove. 1st prize is a $20 gift certificate to the Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack Store! 2 runners up will each receive an official Scrapbook MAX! mousepad.


To enter, publish your layout as a JPEG image using the 'High Quality' and 'Web/Email' options, and upload it to the contest page in the Scrapbook MAX! gallery. All entries will be available for viewing. Contest closes Wednesday, March 28, 2007, Midnight (CST). ** Note: You must be a registered member of the Scrapbook MAX! forums to enter this contest. To register for free, click here.



Be My Valentine Contest Winners!


We feel OUR temperature risin’ looking at this stunning Valentine layout, “Burning Love” by MA3, our 1st Place Winner! Congratulations - what a fab tribute to true sweethearts, your dear Mom and Dad.

And thanks for ALL of your entries. You showed us how love is celebrated in many forms – in marriages, with our kids, and even in tributes to chocolate!

Congratulations also to our runners-up, Terry T. and Racquel L.!




“Sister’s Love” by Terry T., Boise, ID and “My Kids’Expressions” by Racquel L., Culpeper, VA

Inspirations


A New Family! When Heather P. and her husband were looking to expand their family by adopting a baby, Heather created a gorgeous family profile scrapbook using Scrapbook MAX!. When baby Jackson Brian arrived, she created his announcement page! Read the full story in the online version of The Groove at www.scrapbookgroove.com (click on February).






Sectioning! Try sectioning your pages by criss-crossing various strips or borders all over the page. This actually creates several ‘frames’ within a page, allowing for interesting combinations of photos, journaling, and embellishments.




“Then and Now” by Karyn R., Sydney, Australia and “Newport Beach” by Jessica L., Gilbert, AZ



The Groove Wants You!

Have a Lois Lane complex? Put it to use by contributing to The Groove! We’re always looking for fresh ideas to make The Groove fun and exciting – just like our readers! Tips, musings, inspirations, ingenious scrapbook ideas - if you’ve got ‘em, we’d love to read ‘em! Email The Groove your bright ideas today! Contact us at newsletter@scrapbookmax.com

Next month:

The Groove celebrates Spring! Plus - look for March’s “Goin’ Retro” contest winner!




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