A Loving Family, A New Baby, and a Digital Scrapbook!

By Heather P.

An Inspiring Story from a Special Scrapbook MAX! Scrapper

Heather P. and family

Picture this: you’re 22, pregnant, and stuck in the hospital. That’s where I was 8 years ago when I was handed my first pair of fancy-edged scissors, a heap of paper, and some stickers. Ah, those were the days when I had time to sit and painstakingly prepare pictures, hand-selected with the love and attention of a mother who had nothing better to do. Then reality hit. Hard.

4 months after our daughter was born (and I was set free from the hospital), I had a hysterectomy. Clearly, it was a busy year. Somehow time sped up and now here we are 7 years later, and my pictures are still in boxes waiting for me to pretty them up and put them in carefully-stickered albums. This is not happening.

This is the part of the story where Scrapbook MAX! becomes a hero. One year ago, my husband and I decided we were still young and cool. So, rather than have a mid-life crisis and buy a car, we decided to adopt a baby. (Note: if you are an adoptive parent, skip a few lines.) Adoption is a paperwork nightmare. At our first meeting, I already had a stack of papers an inch thick. The words from our consultant started swimming in my ears and nothing made sense. Social workers were coming to make sure our marriage, home, and even our dog was safe for a baby. And then they said we needed to create a profile.

A profile... what? Of course, being a paper scrapbooker from way back, I got out my scissors and went to town. I proceeded to work for three straight days. When I looked at my work and thought it was gorgeous, I ran to Kinko’s and Xeroxed it in color several times, and sent the Perfect Profile to the agency. The agency, upon receipt of the aforementioned Perfect Profile, told me they wouldn’t use it because it’s wasn’t digital.

Enter Scrapbook MAX!. While searching the internet for something to assist me in becoming digitally more intelligent than I already was (which was somewhere beneath the level of my daughter), I stumbled upon Scrapbook MAX!. And that was the best day ever! I downloaded, I embellished, I laughed with joy upon my new discovery. And I submitted my digital masterpiece to the agency. After twelve edits, they accepted The Masterpiece.

Pages from Heather's digital family profile

That was August 5. Copies were made and sent out to agencies across the United States. Calls began to come in. Mothers were asking us questions. And finally, one picked us. However, on October 2, we ended up parting ways with her. That was the day of my 30th birthday. I was devastated. I wanted a baby for my birthday. My husband bought me a diaper bag for my birthday (a really nice Coach one at that). As we returned from dinner, I sat in the “baby’s” room with my best friend crying. After about 15 minutes, my husband joined us to ask if I wanted a baby. That was a Monday, and on Friday, we had a baby! And without Scrapbook MAX! we would never have him.

But the story doesn’t end there! I use this product all the time. I don’t scrapbook per se with it, but I use it for other projects. It has provided our Christmas card, our baby’s birth announcement, and his “Save the Date” announcement for his upcoming finalization. I may never get to that box of pictures I need to scrapbook, and I may never get to scrapbook my digital pictures either, but I thank Scrapbook MAX! and God every time I look into my little baby boy’s face!

Jackson Brian's Baby Announcement

Congratulations to Heather and family on the arrival of Jackson Brian! Scrapbook MAX! is thrilled to have played a role in your inspirational family story. We wish you all the best.

The Groove Newsletter - February 2007

The Groove

Digital Scrapbooking Inspiration - February 2007

In the Groove

It’s February, and Scrapbook MAX! is “sharing the love” by offering you great savings on prints ordered online through SBM! There are reductions on almost all print sizes, including the popular 8 x 8 (reduced from $3.99 to only $3.49) and 12 x 12 (reduced from $4.99 to only $3.99) sizes. For more information on this high-quality, convenient, and now-even-more-affordable layout printing option, click here.

Another thing we love in 2007: Now there are MORE PRIZES to be won in our monthly layout contest, including a $20 gift certificate to the Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack Store! Read on for details on our “Valentine Romance” contest. Plus, find out who’s gorgeous layouts won January’s “Pets” contest!

Musings on Valentine's Day

Flushed cheeks, sweaty palms, butterflies in your stomach, jello legs? Yes, you’re in love! We all remember our first love, and what it feels like in those initial heart-stopping, all-consuming months of bliss. The wonderment of being swept off your feet is an experience we cherish.

However, I also like to ponder the deep and lasting relationships that have weathered years of change, hardship, surprises, and friendship. Definitions of romance transform as our connection deepens. Instead of champagne, romance means quiet talks over tea. Instead of chocolates, it’s making her favorite supper when she’s had a tough day. Instead of lengthy love letters, it’s the quickly scratched “luv ya” on the bottom of his grocery list. Instead of elaborate dates, it’s stealing away for a movie while Grandma looks after the kids.

This is not to say that roses and chocolates, and elaborate dinners are things of the past! But the ‘little’ things that connect us become so precious as time goes on. Our inside jokes keep us laughing. The fact that we have ‘favorites’ – favorite meals, favorite ways to spend an evening – is a testament to our shared experience. That, my friends, feels romantic to me!

Digital Scrapbooking Tips

Groovy Tip#1: Giving your pages meaningful names is useful when creating large scrapbooks. To rename a page, click on Page >Rename.

Groovy Tip #2: Choose different zoom levels in either the View Menu, or by clicking the “magnifying glass” near the bottom right-hand corner of your workspace. To return to a full screen view, choose Fit All.

Scrapper Profile

Meet Julie Clark from Nashville, TN - a talented scrapper, a runner of Challenges, and just an overall energetic, creative, and terrific person!

Q- Tell us one thing about yourself that others are often surprised to learn.
A- How many projects I have going on at once. I scrapbook, make DVD's, design web pages, run an on-line forum for my neighborhood, maintain about 4 blogs, and have 2 *real* jobs (I work for a foster care program and I also handle the registration for Lamaze Classes here in Nashville) - Oh! and did I mention? I have a toddler and a newborn, a husband and a house to take care of!

Q- What made you interested in digital scrapbooking?
A- I have always, always been somewhat of a "memory advocate." Ever since I was a small child, pictures and video have been so important to me. I kept photo albums and scrapbooks growing up and worked on the yearbook staff all through school. When I got married and had children, I just had more memories to keep up with! I'm a computer nerd wannabe and so I have been purposely staying away from digital scrapbooking for years because I knew that if I ever got into it, I would be hooked! (See answer #1 :lol) Thankfully, Scrapbook MAX! is so very easy to use and there was virtually no learning curve at all for me.

Q- How would you describe your scrapbooking style?
A- I don't use a whole lot of "clip art" things and I try to stay away from "themed" pages - I love layouts where the photo is the main focal point. I've started doing 2 page layouts a lot - one page with the main photo and the 2nd page with a few smaller photos and significant space for journaling the story behind the photos.

Q- What is your favorite SBM feature?
A- I cannot pick one favorite feature. (Too many cool things!) I love that you can recolor things using the Hue/Saturation/Lightness slider in the advanced features menu and I love the e-mail feature. I upload my layouts to my flickr account by e-mail and I send layouts to family and friends - It's super easy! Oh! I also love the "gauze" filter.

Q- What tip would you give to a SBM newbie?
A- I bring all of my elements into the program as photos (i.e., I don't use the "backgrounds" or "embellishments" options). Even for backgrounds - I bring them is as a "photos" and that way I can alter them by using the advanced features. Once I have the background exactly how I want it, I lock it down and then start adding elements.

Q- What are you working on right now?
A- I am working on a heritage album for my mother and a family tree album for our family. I am also using scrapbooking in my job with the foster children and helping them to deal with their losses by doing scrapbook pages about their family and their experience in Foster Care.

Check out some of Julie's favorite layouts! (See more of Julie’s work in the SBM Sharing Corner, Store, and Gallery.)

Click on Nathaniel 11 Weeks, Happy Boy, Seriously Sweet and Grammie Loves You to view larger images.

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

Creative Genius

Gift Coupons!

Use Scrapbook MAX! to create coupons for birthdays, Valentine’s Day, or any other special occasion! Be the coolest (and most appreciated) Grandma on the block by creating babysitting coupons so that your son and daughter-in-law can have an anniversary date. Don’t just give your daughter money for clothes; make a jazzy little gift certificate for a shopping date. The kids can get into the act by creating “I’ll cut the grass” or “I’ll wash the dishes” coupons for Mom and Dad.

Think outside the “gift box” and make coupons with Scrapbook MAX!


Contest: "Be My Valentine"

Submit your favorite romantic layout to The Groove’s “Be My Valentine” contest. We’re looking for cute, funny, romantic, or all-of-the-above layouts to celebrate the month of love! Three winning 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 February contest page in the Scrapbook MAX! gallery. All entries will be available for viewing. Contest closes Monday, February 26, 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.

"Pets" Contest Winners!

Click here to view larger image

Congratulations to our “Pets” Layout Contest 1st place winner: Donna T. from Charlotte, NC. A remarkable layout with a remarkable story! Read the complete article below!

Runners-up are Lisa S. and Lor. Thanks for your beautiful work (and showing off your wonderful pets!)

We sure loved “ooh-ing and ahh-ing” over all of your puppies, kitties, snakes, guinea pigs, fish and horses. Adorable!

Inspirations

Vintage Visions. Scan cherished photos from days gone by and use them in digital scrapbooks that will last far into tomorrow. Look to the elegant presentation of old-fashioned photo albums for layout ideas. (A special thanks to Sue. C for contributing her spectacular layout to The Groove.)

Click on "Time" by Sue C. and "Vintage Page" to view larger images.

Travel Journal. Photos capture the feeling of the places we’ve been – words recall the rich details. Whether you write a few words or recreate events point by point, journaling enhances your travel layouts and makes you feel “there” all over again. (To insert journal text, choose Object > Journal Text.)

Click on “Paris” and “Bridge Over a Lake” to view larger images.

The Groove Wants You!

We’re always looking for fresh ideas to make The Groove fun and exciting – just like our readers! Email The Groove your bright ideas today! Contact us at newsletters@scrapbookmax.com

Next Month in The Groove:

The Groove celebrates “Going Retro”! Plus - look for February’s “Be My Valentine” contest winner!

Fisher - Service Dog, Loving Friend

FISHER

More than a helper...a friend.

A good digital scrapbook layout transforms images into stories. A remarkable layout tells a remarkable story.

Above, Donna T. has shared a stunning digital scrapbook layout from a design point of view - a lovely photo serves as a backdrop and theme, photos in miniature pepper the main image with moments to remember, embellishments and frames balance the page with complementary colors and placement, and journal text draw us in to know more about the dear people and special dog at the heart of the page.

Donna has also shared the remarkable story of Fisher and her son John in writing. As The Groove's January "Pets" Layout Contest comes to a close, we wanted to make sure you all had a chance to read Donna's inspiring story about a service dog who's work, life and love made him much more than a helper, but the truest kind of friend. We invite you to read Donna's incredible story below.

Fisher is John's Canine Companion for Independence. What a difference Fisher made to all of our lives! Fisher was a working dog when we took John out to the store and out to play. Educating people to not pet Fisher when he was working or to fuss at us for having a "dog" in the store was always a challenge, but we broke ground for others to have less resistance.

The nightmares I could tell you of John running out into streets. How John would take off and how we'd find him in strangers cars in the parking lot... before Fisher came along. The harness kept John from being unannounced with his departures.

John couldn't speak, but wanted to say the commands to get Fisher to work. John was alone in his world, but had to come out of it to care for his dog.

Now, Fisher is officially our pet. He's not allowed to wear his vest anymore. He loves to go out in the car, but can't go into stores. He sleeps next to John, but has a harder time getting up the steps because of his arthritis. Fisher is a great watch dog...but he loves all people!! What a loving, fun dog!

We paid $1,500 out of pocket during training. More costs are involved in training a service dog and providing for vet costs, etc. But our time with Fisher shows that it is well worth the money.