Digital Scrapbooking and a My Memories Giveaway

A couple of weeks ago I was contacted from My Memories to see if I would be interested in trying their digital scrapbooking software, My Memories Suite, and hosting a giveaway. Although I am a big scrapbooker, digital scrapbooking has always been a little scary for me {the computer and I don't always get along so well}. BUT, I have always wanted to try it and I thought that this would be the perfect opportunity!

The software was super easy to download and install even for a non-computer person like me. There are a ton of layout options to choose from as well as different papers, embellishments, photo mats, etc.  In about 15 minutes I had already completed a layout {and I am not a fast worker!}

{Can you believe that they didn't bring me any driftwood back from that beach??}

Anyways...once your layout is done, you can just print it out on your home printer or convert it to a JPEG file and have it printed at a store just as you would with your regular photos. {I like to order my pictures from Scrapbook Pictures since they have such a large assortment of sizes} There is also an option to have them professionally printed as an album or calendar.

Want to make your layout even more fun? You can add video, web links, music and narration to your page to make it completely interactive and keep all of your memories stored in one place! You can then share your pages as a movie, DVD, interactive album or even on the ipod. How cool is that? Check out this You Tube clip for more information {more in the second half}.

My Memories has hundreds of fabulous digital paper packs and layouts to download {some are even free!}.  Create scrapbook layouts, photo books, mini-albums, party decor, printables - so many possibilities!!  Here are a few of my favorites:

This back to school pack would be great for some back to school layouts or teacher gifts.

I know some of you are already thinking about Halloween, so here are a few of the Halloween packs {the first one is a freebie!}  Think of all the cute printables you could make!

If you are planning a Halloween party, these paper packs would also be fabulous for making party decorations or Halloween treat bags.

I love the colors in this Road Trip pack and the versatility of the papers and embellishments.

And I am always on the hunt for great boys designs!

Cute, eh?

I also like the idea of hybrid scrapbooking where you do some of the scrapbooking digitally {like all of the tedious photo cropping, layout design, etc}, print it out, and then add some traditional scrapbooking elements to give it a true 3-D effect.

And since I have back to school on the brain here, here's one more project from me.  One of the things that I love most about summer is not having to rush around in the morning to get the kids off to school.  Mornings are just not our thing around here.  Since school will be starting up again in less than two weeks, I have been trying to come up with some kind of incentive chart for the kids to give them an extra boost in the mornings {one for me would be nice too!}  I did this one up in about 5 minutes using the Boys in Charge pack {one of the free packs that comes with My Memories Suite}

 {yes, my camera lens needs a good clean!}

I just printed it out, trimmed it down, and added some red cardstock behind it.  If Matthew does a good job at sticking to his morning schedule, he will get a tick in the box {down in the left corner}.  We have a little point system around here that I use for good behavior so at the end of the week I will add up the checks and add them to Matthew's other points that he has earned during the week.

Given how fun and easy these projects were, I can't wait to play around with it some more.  Think what a little practice could do!

Want to play too?  My Memories is offering one lucky reader a FREE My Memories Suite software package {valued at $39.97 USD}

TO ENTER: Go check out the My Memories website, come back here and leave me a comment to let me know what your favorite digital pack or layout is {1 entry}

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES: {Please leave a separate comment for each one}

• Follow My Memories on Facebook and/or their Blog.
• Follow Clean and Scentsible though Google Friend Connect, Networked Blogs, Facebook, and/or Twitter

This giveaway is open to residents of the United States and Canada only.  The giveaway will be open until September 4th at midnight.  The winner will be chosen from Random.org. on September 5th, 2011 and notified by email {so please make sure I have your contact information!}

My Memories is also offering everyone else $10 off the My Memories Suite software AND a $10 credit to the My Memories store!  At checkout, just enter the code STMMMS82281 {you might want to just copy and paste it to avoid typos!}

Now go and get caught up on your photos!  If you have any digital scrapbooking experience, I would love to hear from you too!  Show me what you've done!