Scrapbook MAX! Digital Scrapbooking Software http://www.scrapbookmax.com Archival Quality Digital Scrapbooking Software Sun, 05 May 2013 19:18:02 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Carena’s Sale and Scrap Challenges http://www.scrapbookmax.com/2013/04/carenas-sale-and-scrap-challenges/ http://www.scrapbookmax.com/2013/04/carenas-sale-and-scrap-challenges/#comments Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:59:53 +0000 carena http://www.scrapbookmax.com/?p=4447 read more »]]>
Welcome to a “Special Edition of The Groove” with Guest Author and Scrapbook MAX! Kit Designer Carena Scott! We are thrilled that Carena is sharing her time and talent to bring us all such amazing scrapbook inspiration.

Below you’ll learn a bit more about Carena, see some of her amazing layouts, get great invaluable design tips, a scrapbooking challenge or two, and more! Plus, there is a one-week, 20% off sale going on in Carena’s category in the Scrapbook MAX! kit store – the coupon code and all the details you need to get your discount are found at the bottom of this post.
Thanks Carena -and enjoy, everyone!

Let me Introduce Myself – Carena’s Designs

Hi everyone. For those who don’t already know me, my name is Carena Scott and I have been a digital scrapbooking designers since 2007. I have a daughter – Caitlyn – currently 10 3/4 years old and growing up way too fast. You will see Caitlyn featured in my layouts in the gallery often. I would love to scrap photos of her more often but currently she is at that awful age where she doesn’t want photos taken. Oh RATS! What am I to do? This drives me crazy and so often I have to bribe her to get a photo at all and then they aren’t always the most pleasant of expressions on her face. You know what I’m talking about – pulled faces – strange weird head angles.  Anyway that’s enough about Caitlyn. I guess she is pretty much the normal for her age.
Now as for me – I take care of my elderly mother (recently turned 80 years old). Middle of last year sadly she broke her hip while I was out helping the school with a maths class. She has recovered but hasn’t returned to what she was before the fall.
My design style I would class as REALISTIC STYLE – I love to photograph and painfully extract flowers and leaves to place into my kits. I work with a Canon G10 Camera which I just love. Gives such beautiful clear pictures and a pleasure to work with. Besides the usual scrapbooking style of flowers, ribbons, papers, embellishments I also love to explore SCENE BUILDING LAYOUTS. This for those who haven’t seen before is where you make a scene and extract people and place into the scene. Read further for a look of some examples of this. It’s great fun if you haven’t already tried it. I was very pleased when Scrapbook Max Version 2 Software was released with the eraser tool included in it. Totally awesome and ideal for these scene layouts. It takes time to get used to it but well worth the effort.
Besides designing, watching tutorials to expand my knowledge of scrapbooking and photo editing software, taking care of my family – I then try to avoid housework as much as possible, LOL, I am involved with Scouts. Previously I was a Kea/Cub leader (age group 5.5 years to 10 years) but have put this aside for now and am on the committee as Chairperson for our group. Scouts has been lots of fun and I’ve also been involved with Camps, fundraising etc.
Anyway – that gives you a small insight to me and my activities. Now it’s time to show you some of my   scrapbooking kits and layouts. I hope to meet you at SBM Forum – see the article on Let’s Explore the Forum and Gallery Together further down the page. See you there.

SALE ANNOUCEMENT – 20% OFF Carena’s Designs
from 26th April to 3rd May at Scrapbook Max Store
SEE HERE

*FULL DETAILS and COUPON AT THE BOTTOM of POST*

Panda in the Bamboo – Scene Kit by Carena’s Designs

NEW RELEASE in store now SEE HERE and ON SALE WITH COUPON
Below are some examples layouts made from the Panda in the Bamboo Collection. They have parts from some or all parts of the collection in them. The first 2 are mine featuring my daughter Caitlyn. This was when she didn’t mind photos being taken of her. LOL
The 2nd two layouts are done by Marnie and Elaine. Marnie shows the kit being used in the more traditional style of layout with photos and frames added. Elaine (right) shows her extraction skills and supreme scene building skills. She is such an expert at these. To see the layout better please visit her gallery at SBM HERE. She has another awesome layout using this kit also – see here both feature her grandchildren.
Now of course – sadly we all might not have the skills and expertise as Elaine does (which comes with many years experience) but that’s not to say we can’t make awesome layouts. This is why I love to also make CLUSTER Sets. These are so quick and easy to use. Remember not only can you use them on their own but also add other extra embellishments to them from the kits and paper packs. This is a scene cluster set but the other regular cluster sets can be used and twisted as you like. Remember to hang parts off the edge of your pages. Not everything needs to be centered. Enjoy
Whenever you are stuck for an idea, don’t know where to start? well a cluster will kick start you off. Also be sure to check out the – pre-made papers or stacked paper packs. Already the layout has been started for you.
Above is a layout I did using no papers – just a simple white background and I used a shape to give the black border – or you could start wth a black background and add a white paper. Like so often, there is more than one way to achieve a look.
I used the Cluster frame from then Panda in the Bamboo Cluster pack and popped in a photo of Caitlyn which was taken just a couple of days ago. It was a case of push her out the door to get her to stand where I wanted her and quickly snap the photo. I even threatened she wouldn’t go to Camp unless she did it for me. LOL I’m such a mean mum. It wasn’t exactly the expression I wished to capture. Best thing right now is I have all this free time while she is on school holiday camp for 5 days. I don’t think I could have concentrated properly with her around to post this for you all to read.

and another of my favourite kits is: Days Gone By Collection

by Carena’s Designs

Here we can see the Entire Collection – all available at Scrapbook Max as Individual purchases.
Below are some layout examples – The first 2 are layouts I’ve done. Yes, The one on the right is indeed ME. The one on the left is my Great grandparents.
The 2 layouts above are done by charliesnana and JeanAnn. Both fabulous layouts and I thank my Creative Team for all their work to help me show my kits to you all. They are truly inspiring.

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Lets explore the Forum and Gallery Together

For anyone who doesn’t frequent the Scrapbook Max Forum and Gallery – I wanted to show you around. There are many fun and exciting things happening and it’s a most fabulous place to not just learn new things but also make lots of new friends. I know sometimes people are concerned about interaction in Forums. You are right to think that there are a lot of suspicious people out in the internet world but if this is what is stopping you from joining us at SBM Forum, then let be assure you we are a friendly group of mostly ladies who are interested in scrapbooking. So, why not come and explore and check us out. Really we don’t bite.  Below I’ve listed some starting places for you. Can’t wait to see you – click on the links – it’s a great place to start.
  1. Introduce yourself. How long have you been scrapping? Doesn’t need to be personal information. Don’t lurk no more – We want to meet you.
  2. Check out the Video Tutorial Section HERE or our Tips Area HERE
  3. Challenges - A great place to learn and explore and interact new friends made. Everyone is welcome – in fact the more the merrier.
  4. Sharing Corner – Freebie SBM templates and Embellishments
  5. New Release information from our wonderful designers.
  6. Gallery Area - Great inspiration can be found here. Have you been short of ideas? Come visit the gallery and you won’t ever be stuck for an idea every again. We would also love you to share your layouts with us. We would love to be inspired by your layouts also.
There is really just so much to explore – this is just a starting point. Come and check it all out – and of course – come and explore my gallery where I showcase all my (Carena’s Designs) Digital Scrapbooking Kits HERE and you will find the other designers there also. Totally awesome.

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Carena’s Recipe Challenge – GO HERE

Steps:
  1. Make a page with a solid white background.
  2. Choose one color to feature (in my example I choose blue)
  3. You can use only tones of your colour choice with black & white in your layout. (in my example the flower buds had small amounts of green – so long as it’s minimal)
  4. Use a shape to frame your entire page and color it either Black or your color choice.
  5. Add a Black and White photo and tint it in the smallest amounts of your chosen color. Must be barely detectable.
  6. Add 8 to 15 embellishments to your page. Remember only in your color tones or black and white. How you arrange them is up to you.
  7. Add some text in various sizes – a quote/verse.
  8. Remember to add shadows to all of your elements to give depth of field. Don’t over do it. Remember the rules of shadows – the greater the distance from the item to the surface – the further away the element – the closer the element the closer the shadow. Imagine your elements are laying on top of a piece of paper with the light coming from the top and slightly to the side.
  9. Lastly save and share your layout with us in the forum and gallery. Remember to give credits for the designer and kit used in your layouts in the gallery.
Here is my layout example for you to have a look at. I hope it helps inspire you and helps you understand my instructions.
Above is my Challenge Layout
Below is the kit I used: Natural Breeze by Carena’s Designs
Available at Scrapbook Max Store HERE
Below is some layouts by my Creative Team
charliesnana, emst, Victoria32 and one by myself.
For further inspiration – Check out my Gallery HERE
For everyone who joins me in the forum and participates in the challenge I have a CHALLENGE PARTICIPATION GIFT: Loving Breeze Paper and Clusters by Carena’s Designs
Challenge is OPEN from now until end of May so you have plenty of time to participate.
See you in the Challenge Forum HERE where you can get further information
but also get to see what everyone else has come up with – It’s great way to learn, make new friends
and get inspired to create, create and create even more beautiful scrapbooking layouts.
DIRECT CHALLENGE LINK HERE
FREE MINI ABOVE with Carena’s Challenge Participaton
See details above.
~~`~`~`~`~`~`~~

Kayes Famous Challenges – All about YOU!

This is what she is asking for this round.
I want this challenge to be all about YOU!
I want a themed page to be about you and something just normal in your everyday life – a
bad hair day, getting your nails done, a day in the garden are just some examples.
I would like to see at least 4 photos, they could be consecutive ones – taken one
after the other.
Easy!
SO please come and join both Kaye and myself in some fabulous challenges this month. I want
to thank Kaye for providing a number of challenges in the past months. She has so many
great ideas. If you haven’t checked them out – then please do. You can find there HERE.
Although her previous challenges have ended, you will still learn heaps from them.

Lastly that’s all I have for you this month but don’t forget to check out my SALE.
20% OFF from 26th April to 3rd May 2013 (SEE COUPON BELOW FOR DETAILS)
Hurry to enjoy the savings in my store HERE.
I’ve really enjoyed putting this newsletter together.
I hope I haven’t bored you tooo much. LOL
Have a great scrapping day. Cheers from Carena’s Designs
SEE COUPON DETAILS FOR SALE BELOW

HOW TO SAVE 20% Off on Carena Scott’s Kits Until May 3, 2013

**To get 20% off on Carena’s kits, please visit Carena’s category in the Scrapbook MAX! Digital Kits and Templates Store. Add a minimum of $5 worth of Carena’s kits to your cart, then type in the code CLUSTERS exactly as shown into the ‘Coupon Code’ field before checkout. You must type in the code at the time of purchase to get the discount. Hurry – offer is one week only and ends on May 3, 2013!

Note: Offer applies only to digital kits and templates sold in the Scrapbook MAX! Digital Scrapbooking Kits and Templates Store, on orders of $5 or more. Coupon code CLUSTERS must be typed in the coupon code field before checking out. Valid on new orders only, expires May 3, 2013. Cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts.**

]]> http://www.scrapbookmax.com/2013/04/carenas-sale-and-scrap-challenges/feed/ 0 The Groove September 2012 http://www.scrapbookmax.com/2012/09/the-groove-september-2012/ http://www.scrapbookmax.com/2012/09/the-groove-september-2012/#comments Sat, 01 Sep 2012 17:28:20 +0000 karin http://www.scrapbookmax.com/?p=4374 read more »]]>

Fall - DaraD

A lovely layout from a past Groove Challenge (February 2008)

In the Groove

**The Groove is moving to a new home!**

Beginning next month, your favorite scrapbooking newsletter is taking on a new and exciting format – on Facebook! You’ll still find all your favorite features: great scrapbooking tips and tricks, digital freebies, scrapbooking challenges, outstanding layouts by Scrapbook MAX! community members, spotlights on designers and scrappers, and more. But best of all, with our new Facebook format, instead of getting one monthly newsletter, you’ll be getting scrapbook inspiration and news posted several times a week for scrapbooking fun all month long!

Now, get even more “groove” right now on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/scrapbookmax – there’s already tons of content to explore. Be sure to “like” us in order to make sure you’re getting all the most recent updates – and don’t forget to tell your friends!

Thank you to all our loyal readers who have tuned in to The Groove each month since 2006. Throughout this issue, we’re featuring some spectacular layouts from past Groove contest for you all to enjoy!

Happy Scrapping!
The Groove Editors :)

Memories of Goin’ Retro

Retro - Fiona Storey


Remember this fun and funky contest from March 2007? We loved looking through all your great “yesterday” layouts, especially the Groove-y ones! :)

Scrapbook MAX! Designer Profile

Carolyn Ritter

Meet Carolyn Ritter, a “new” Scrapbook MAX! Digital Kit Designer, – although she has been making gorgeous designs since 2007. We’re so glad to have Carolyn aboard! If you haven’t already checked out Carolyn’s ever-expanding category in the store, now is the time! Combining a love of craft, an ability to design on many themes, and an obvious flair for color, Carolyn’s designs are sure to inspire your projects! In fact, Carolyn has shared a beautiful fall-themed freebie for you to enjoy, and a fun challenge to get you scrapping (read on for more details). Learn a bit more about Carolyn now as she introduces herself in her own words.

I’m a mom of two young adult children, a pastor’s wife and a crafter. I have always loved all types of crafts — sewing, crocheting, knitting — you name it, I liked it. So, of course, when scrapping became popular, I was right there with everyone else. I was a traditional paper scrapper for many years (and still scrap that way occasionally since I have so many things to use up).

However, I have also enjoyed working on my computer. When I found digital scrapping, I knew it was a “match made in heaven”. LOL!! But my love for the two combined didn’t stop there. I loved all the digital kits that were out there, but I just never seemed to have what I needed for my layout. That’s when I decided to really learn my program and become a designer. That was back in very early 2007. I thoroughly enjoy what I do and look forward to many more years of designing.

I enjoy creating most any type of kit and there are many things that inspire me. However, I think that my favorite ones are seasonal kits, especially fall and winter as those two seasons are my faves. As I get more kits uploaded to the store, more of those types of kits will be there. I have lots of ideas for future kits, including a wedding series. I’m excited about being part of this community!

And we’re excited to have you with us, too! Thanks, Carolyn! ;)

The Groove Monthly Freebie Challenge

Welcome Fall Freebie

Get involved in a fun challenge to expand your scrappin’ skills – and get a fun freebie in the process! This month, designer Carolyn Ritter has supplied a fabulous fall freebie that you’re going to love. The challenge is to make not one but two layouts, one on a fall theme, and one re-colored for a different seasons. Click here to get the freebie, the challenge details, and to get started!

Christmas Past

Christmas - Nannybernie

We’ve certainly had some beautiful Christmas and Holiday layouts submitted for Groove Challenges over the years! This is one of our favorites from December of 2009 by nannybernie. Feels like Christmas in September, doesn’t it? :)

Get a Discount on Featured Scrapbooking Kits

Love the style of Carolyn’s freebie above? You can get 10% off of four of Carolyne’s kits this month (pictured below) available in the Featured Content section of our store! All you need to do is add the kits to your cart, and use the coupon discount code CAR-SEP. Applies only to the kits found in the Featured Content section of our store, new orders only. Offer expires September 30, 2012.

Coffee - Embellishments

Coffee Backgrounds

Keep On Truckin

Bundle of Joy - Girl

New Releases in the Scrapbook MAX! Kit and Templates Store

Great new kits are added to the Scrapbook MAX! Digital Scrapbooking Kits and Templates Store each month. Below is just a small sample of some of new kits recently added to the store by various designers:

Fun in the Sun III – Sandrine Boarqueiro-Verdun

Fun in the Sun


New Orleans – Amanda Wittenborn

New Orleans


By Frog Pond – Carena Scott

By Frog Pond

Goodbye – and Hello!

Summer Fun - Julie Clark

This layout was The Groove’s very first content winner, all the way back in July of 2006! What a gorgeous summer layout by Julie C. – it still inspires today (isn’t that the great thing about scrapbooking? Keeping memories and moments alive)!

Well, we’ve had some great times as a monthly publication! We hope you’ll join us for our new chapter on Facebook as an even better, more interactive, more news and inspiration packed “scrapbook groove”!

Be sure to Like us on Facebook and tell your friends today. And…stay Groove-y!

– The Groove Editors :)

]]> http://www.scrapbookmax.com/2012/09/the-groove-september-2012/feed/ 0 The Groove August 2012 http://www.scrapbookmax.com/2012/08/the-groove-august-2012/ http://www.scrapbookmax.com/2012/08/the-groove-august-2012/#comments Wed, 01 Aug 2012 20:22:52 +0000 karin http://www.scrapbookmax.com/?p=4326 read more »]]>

Beach Layout - tin tin

In the Groove

There are still a few great weeks of summer left and we plan to hold on for as long as we can! We’ve included some bright, summery layouts for you to enjoy such as tin tin’s awesome beach layout above (love how the layout looks perfectly sandy!). Michelle McCoy’s cute summer freebie mini kit will be perfect for your pages, and we’re also highlighting some fun kits from the store that will add some color and punch. Read on for more details!

You’ll also find a terrific profile on designer Michelle McCoy along with some of her layouts made by Scrapbook MAX! members. And don’t forget to look for a discount on this month’s featured kits!

Scrapbook MAX! Designer Profile

Meet Michelle McCoy, a Scrapbook MAX! Digital Kit Designer, and very active challenge host – often with multiple challenges on the go! Besides her creativity and great freebies and kits, Michelle is known for her friendly, helpful personality, her courage, and her ability to make everyone feel at home! Learn more about Michelle in the profile below and get a super-cute freebie when you participate in her challenge. Thanks for sharing, Michelle! :)

Michelle McCoy

I’m thrilled to be the featured designer of the month and to be a part of the SBM community. My name is Michelle McCoy and I’m a single mom of two wonderful sons. I’m no longer able to work due to many medical conditions. I’m a Diabetic who recently had my right leg amputated. I also have heart disease, neuropathy, a rare skin disease and a kidney disease that requires me to be on Dialysis 3x a week to stay alive. It has changed my life, and I am grateful to have so much love, support, encouragement and positive thoughts from family, friends and from the scrapping community.

I got involved with digital scrap-booking while searching for a birthday card to print and came across Scrapbook MAX!. It looked interesting, so I went to the website, loved the community and the software! I’ve been hooked ever since and have been designing for almost 5 years now as Crafty Scraps. I am always trying to inspire others, whether they are first time scrappers or scrappers that have been creating beautiful things for years! My favorite kits are any with my snowmen in it! In my free time, I like to write poetry, relax with my kids and spend time with my furball – Boo Bear.

Here is a collage of a few of my favorite layouts made by the SBM community, using my kits:

Michelle's Favorite Layouts

Great collage – trust Michelle to get this creative! ;) – and beautiful layouts Lori, Jana, Sandrine and Linda!
- The Groove Editors

The Groove Monthly Freebie Challenge

August 2012 Freebie

Each month a designer shares a freebie with Groove Readers and challenges you do to something fun with it! Find Michelle’s “turtle-themed” freebie and “sticker” challenge here!

Note: The challenge takes place in the forums here. But because Michelle included two mini-tutorials, we thought we’d include it here, too. Feel free to use Michelle’s tips in any layouts you are working on!

August 2012 Freebie Challenge hosted by Michelle McCoy
(To participate in the challenge, click here.)

Instructions:

*Download my freebie kit.

*Use one of the papers in the download on your layout.

*Add a title on your page making it look like a sticker. You can do this by adding a Caption (Object > Caption), and clicking on the Advanced tab in the Caption Properties box. Here you can adjust the outline. By making the outline white and very large (I adjusted the outline size to 30.9) your caption looks like a sticker. Here is a visual aid to help!:

Click on the above image to enlarge.

*Bring in another background from the my mini kit into your work space as a Paper Scrap or a Photo.

* Change colors if needed

* Now, change the shape from your shapes folder using these instructions:

Shapes and Shadows

Click on the above image to enlarge.

*You can use anything else on your page to finish it up.

*Upload your page to the gallery, then here in the post.

* Thank you for playing!!!

- Michelle

Get a Discount on Featured Scrapbooking Kits

Love the style of Michelle’s freebie and the kits showcased in her cute collage above? You can get 10% off of four of Michelle’s kits this month (pictured below) available in the Featured Content section of our store! All you need to do is add the kits to your cart, and use the coupon discount code MMC-AUG. Applies only to the kits found in the Featured Content section of our store, new orders only. Offer expires August 31, 2012.

StoneWashed

El-Lee

Chicken Soup

Monkey Around

New Releases in the Scrapbook MAX! Kit and Templates Store

Great new kits are added to the Scrapbook MAX! Digital Scrapbooking Kits and Templates Store each month. Below is just a small sample of some of new kits recently added to the store by various designers:

Aloha - Katie Castillo

Monsters - Siobhan Kite

Play Day - Amanda Wittenborn

Summer Love

Is there anything more romantic than a beach wedding? We fell in love with fonzzy’s beach wedding layout, especially her use of the gorgeous blue background. Its color said “the sea” and also contrasted beautifully with the lighter tones of the beach and bride’s gown. Gorgeous!

Beach Wedding - fonzzy

Look for the next issue of The Groove on September 1, 2012!

]]> http://www.scrapbookmax.com/2012/08/the-groove-august-2012/feed/ 0 The Groove July 2012 http://www.scrapbookmax.com/2012/07/the-groove-july-2012/ http://www.scrapbookmax.com/2012/07/the-groove-july-2012/#comments Sun, 01 Jul 2012 20:43:05 +0000 karin http://www.scrapbookmax.com/?p=4276 read more »]]>

Day At the Park

In the Groove

Summer time has arrived! Time to scrap days at the beach, long afternoons on the porch, summer hikes, games and other adventures! To get you all inspired, we’ve kicked off this issue with Kimmyann’s Day at the Park. Love those summery, watermelon-like colors that evoke the tastes of summer!

You’ll also find a scrapper profile focusing on Scrapbook MAX! designer extraordinaire Fiona Storey. Fiona’s giving away a summer freebie, too along with a fun challenge. You’ll also find a discount on featured kits, and more layouts to inspire your summer scrapping!

ONE MORE THING! There’s a HUGE summer sale going on in the Scrapbook MAX! Digital Scrapbooking Kits and Templates Store! Read on to see how you can save a whopping 20% off your orders this month!

HUGE SUMMER SALE ON DIGITAL KITS!

From now until July 31, 2012 you can get 20% off on orders of $10 or more in the Scrapbook MAX! Digital Scrapbooking Kits and Templates Store. Choosing from any of the kits and templates in our store, simply add at least $10 worth of products to your cart, and type in the code SUMMER exactly as shown in the coupon code box before completing your order. This is a great time to stock up on kits for all your summer scrapbook projects!

Check out what’s new and cool, use the coupon code, and save!

Note: Offer applies only to digital kits and templates sold in the Scrapbook MAX! Digital Scrapbooking Kits and Templates Store, on orders of $10 or more. Coupon code must be typed in before checking out. Valid on new orders only, expires July 31, 2012.

Scrapbook MAX! Designer Profile

Meet Fiona Storey, a Scrapbook MAX! Digital Kit Designer, frequent challenge host, and an inspiring and helpful force in the Scrapbook MAX! community since the year it all began, in 2006! Get to know a bit more about Fiona and what inspires her to dream and create her signature designs. Fiona has also picked a few layouts of YOURS that she thought deserved the spotlight. And, she’s sharing a fun-in-the-summertime freebie and challenge with you! Thanks for sharing, Fiona! :)

Fiona Storey

I have only been designing since 2006. It all came about by accident, but then the best things always do! I was looking for a way to re-size my embellishments to fit on the handcrafted card I was designing, found Scrapbook MAX!and with hours I was totally hooked!
My designs have changed so much over the years, but I can not say I actually have a ‘style’ as such. I see a photo, an embellishment or more often than not a page that someone has scrapped and I go from there. My head is constantly buzzing with new ideas (most I never get around to making!)
My favourite scrapbook styles are vintage and romantic looking. I love flowers, lace, ribbons, bows and pearls, anything pretty and cute too!
My favourite all time designer is Silvia Romeo. I spend hours trying to design like her. She definitely challenges me to make new items and look at things in a different way. She really does the vintage look perfectly!
Currently I have several projects on the go (confused chaos works for me lol). I am working on a kit for the guys, a vintage kit, and I have something in the pipeline which is bright and cheerful. Diversity is always fun!

Some of Fiona’s favourite pages by other Scrapbook MAX!-ers

This one is by Eye (Irene) – I love her style. She takes a kit and totally transforms it into her own unique style. She has given me so many great ideas for embellishments over the years just by the way she can think outside the box.

Granmas Roses

This is by Marion. I just love her sense of humour. She can tell a complete story on her pages with little effort.

Pisa

Finally, there’s this one by Lindaathome. She is a scrapping machine! I love the diversity of her pages. Every single one is well thought out and balanced.

Delightful Denim

The Groove Monthly Freebie Challenge

Summer Fun Freebie

Each month a designer shares a freebie with Groove Readers and challenges you do to something fun with it! Find Fiona’s “Summer Fun” freebie and challenge here!

Save on Featured Scrapbooking Kits

This is your chance to get a few of our profiled designer Fiona Storey’s favorite kits at a great discounted price! Four of Fiona’s kits (pictured below) will be featured in our store all month long, and you can get them for 20% off! All you need to do is go to the Featured Content section, add $10 worth of kits to your cart and type in the coupon code SUMMER (mix and match featured kits and anything else in the store for your $10 order!).

Offer expires July 31, 2012 – full details above!

Island Cruise

Tea For Two

Garden Dreams

Sunshine and Showers

July 2012 Challenges

There’s always something going on in the Scrapbook MAX! Challenges and Contests Forum! Here’s what to keep your eyes open for:

July Challenge Schedule

July 1-31, 2012 – The Groove Monthly Freebie Challenge (Fiona a.k.a. Angelwithin)

July 1-31, 2012 – Designer Monthly Challenge (KapiScrap or KapiColors a.k.a Sandrine)

July 1-31 2012 – look for Michelle McCoy’s “Scrappin’ Challenges”

…plus there just may be an extra challenge or two in the mix!

GREAT DEAL ON SUMMER KITS!

Summer Vacation Pack

It’s one of the greatest digital scrapbooking deals going! The ‘Summer Vacation’ Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 Expansion Pack has everything you need to make awesome summer pages – professionally designed summer-themed template pages, paper scraps, embellishments, and backgrounds! It’s packed with digital content valued at over $100 – and it’s yours for only $19.95!

Check out the What’s Included page to see everything you get.

Please note that the Summer Vacation Expansion Pack requires Scrapbook MAX! 2.0.

Plunge Into Summer!

We love this mermaid-themed by Letha! How cool is this? Makes us want to dive right in and go swimming!

The Mermaids

Look for the next issue of The Groove on August 1, 2012!

]]> http://www.scrapbookmax.com/2012/07/the-groove-july-2012/feed/ 0 The Groove June 2012 http://www.scrapbookmax.com/2012/06/the-groove-june-2012/ http://www.scrapbookmax.com/2012/06/the-groove-june-2012/#comments Fri, 01 Jun 2012 19:45:03 +0000 karin http://www.scrapbookmax.com/?p=4210 read more »]]>

Purple Dream

In the Groove

Another edition of The Groove is here, packed with a scrapper profile, great discounts, freebies, challenges and more!

We’re starting things off with a dazzling layout from Scrapbook MAX! community member Aussie Annette above to get you all inspired. Sometimes its tempting – and absolutely just right – to pack your layouts with color. Other times, one color is just as dramatic. It can really make a statement. Thanks, Annette!

Scrapbook MAX! Designer Profile

KapiScrap


Meet Sandrine Boarqueiro-Verdun, a Scrapbook MAX! Digital Kit Designer, frequent challenge host, and very helpful member of our Scrapbook MAX! community! Below, you’ll get to know Sandrine a bit better, enjoy a few of her favorite layouts and comments by those who use her kits in their pages. Plus, she’s sharing an AWESOME freebie and challenge with you! Enjoy – and thanks, Sandrine! :)

Hello Dear Groove Readers!

Let me introduce myself to those of you who don’t know me yet. My name is Sandrine aka KapiScrap (or KapiColors). I was born the month of October to the last century (LOL) in Versailles, France. I have been living in the South West of France (in the “cassoulet” country) for more than 12 years.

I created my own company in 2000 at this period. I work in the development and testing (quality) software area. Two years ago I created KapiScrap & Art, which focuses on the digital scrapbooking industry. The organization has three main activities: scrapbooking kits design, resale of Scrapbook MAX! on the French market, and training courses. If memory serves, I discovered digital scrapbooking at the end of 2009.

I’m married and I have two adorable kids: 6 and almost 10. They are, of course, my favorite models, but they are also a great source of inspiration. I’m very lucky as the youngest one loves striking poses for the photos and dressing up, leaving me with plenty of photos for different themes.

Many of my kits are kid themed since my kids are my favorite subject to scrap, and also because I like funny stuff, but not solely. During the day I work on very serious and critical topics, so when I design a kit I like getting swept away in funny characters like Mr. & Mrs. Bunnies in Hoppy Easter, my little Reindeer in Reindeer Village, or the friendly penguin in Winter Fun Penguin Style.

Winter Fun Penguin Style

Before starting to draw the items of a kit or creating papers, I think a kit as a *whole*: the style, the pallet, and I list the items. We are two persons designing at KapiScrap, so we also share the tasks as we draw everything from scratch and some items require several hours to be designed; an example is the bat in Witches Brew, or very sophisticated items like the beater in Baking Memories. My colleague (and husband) is a really great designer who has an eye for detail so for the very sophisticated items he is the right person. Some kits like Forever Adorable I & II, Hoppy Easter, Winter Fun Penguin Style though are 100% me, and I always insist that we design everything from scratch, so that means that our kits are unique.

Baking Memories

I have loads of ideas for themes… but I don’t always have enough time to design all the kits. That being said,I have asked some members of my CT to describe my “designer” work as they are the best persons to describe my style, as they work with it regularly. My girls Monkey Musing, Tigroune and Tin Tin had this to say:

“Fun, playful, colorful hand drawn elements that scream out are different from everyone else’s work. You don’t use CU items so your items are unique to only your kits. Plus your kits and templates are well thought out. You have an eye for detail which is why your work is refreshing.”

“Each of your kits has its own exclusive items which are very well designed with any detail. Your kits are always very comprehensive. What I definitively love in your kits is that they are unique, you can’t find your items in any other kits, and the quality of each item allows to print any page for a perfect result”.

Forever Adorable II

“I love that you have a lot of papers and shapes that can really make someone use their imagination, and I love that your kits are bilingual, I think that is one of the features that makes you stand out. Also you are not afraid of colors in your kits. Your templates are real original with the circle shapes…”

Thanks, Sandrine for sharing your designer story and for sharing lovely images and comments on your work! It was great to get to know a bit more about the person behind the beautiful digital scrapbooking kit and template designs!
- The Groove Editors

A couple of Sandrine’s favorite layouts (with her favorite models!):

Forever Adorable Page

"Kids" Page

Get a Discount on Featured Scrapbooking Kits

Sweet Summertime

Love this kit and the three kits showcased in Sandrine’s profile above? They are the feature kits in our store all month long, and you can get them for 10% off! All you need to do is add them to your cart, and use the coupon discount code SAB-JUN. Applies only to the kits found in the Featured Content section of our store, new orders only. Offer expires June 30, 2012

The Groove Monthly Freebie Challenge

Sweet Springtime

Each month a designer shares a freebie with Groove Readers and challenges you do to something fun with it! Find Sandrine’s “Sweet Springtime” freebie and challenge here!

June 2012 Challenges

There’s always something going on in the Scrapbook MAX! Challenges and Contests Forum! Here’s what to keep your eyes open for:

June Challenge Schedule

June 1-30, 2012 – The Groove Monthly Freebie Challenge (Sandrine a.k.a. KapiColors)

June 1-30, 2012 – Designer Monthly Challenge

June 15-31, 2012 – Mid-Month Challenge (Deanne Gow-Smith – approximate start date is the 15th)

New Releases in the Scrapbook MAX! Kit and Templates Store

Great new kits are added to the Scrapbook MAX! Digital Scrapbooking Kits and Templates Store each month.

Below is just a small sample of some of new kits recently added to the store by various designers:

Fiona Storey – Sentimental Punk:

Sentimental Punk

Katie Castillo – My Birthday Boy Cluster Frames:

My Birthday Boy Cluster Frames

Deanne Gow-Smith – Laura Jane:

Laura Jane

Shades of Purple

Sweet Springtime

Another almost-all-purple layout, this one from Scrapbook MAX! member Tigroune. While using one color can make a dramatic statement, it can also convey sweet simplicity and the perfect backdrop for a great photo like this one. Purple-licious!

Look for the next issue of The Groove on July 1, 2012!

]]> http://www.scrapbookmax.com/2012/06/the-groove-june-2012/feed/ 0 The Groove May 2012 http://www.scrapbookmax.com/2012/05/the-groove-may-2012/ http://www.scrapbookmax.com/2012/05/the-groove-may-2012/#comments Tue, 01 May 2012 17:57:54 +0000 karin http://www.scrapbookmax.com/?p=4165 read more »]]>

MOM by MAKEYESUP

In the Groove

In May, we celebrate spring, beauty, and of course Mother’s Day! We hope you enjoy this inspiring issue packed with gorgeous vintage layouts, Mother’s Day-themed freebies, awesome discounts, recent challenge winners, and more.

The beautiful layout above was shared by makeyesup in the Scrapbook MAX! Gallery – stunning!

Meet Scrapbook MAX! Designer Katherine a.k.a. MagicalReality Designs

Magical Reality Designs

I am Katherine aka MagicalReality Designs. I was born in Warsaw, Poland and moved to Canada at the age of 9. I live in Ontario with my hubby, two kids and a beautiful 1.5 years old German Shepherd named Codey. I have been a digital designer since 2007. I am in love with digital graphics, digital painting, and photography. My designs are known for a mix of magical and realistic elements – I guess that is where my designer name comes from. If I am not designing I enjoy doing hands-on crafts with my kids or anything outdoors, but I always have my camera with me! I also just realized that the first scrapbook software I ever bought was Scrapbook MAX!….haha…and never in my dreams did I think I would be selling my designs here. People always ask me how do you come up with the designs ideas? Honestly… I don’t know! I never know what I will create and usually I work on 3 or 4 different designs at once. I hope you enjoyed learning a bit about me, and please take advantage of my few favorite kits on sale (see below for details)!

The Groove Monthly Freebie Challenge

Mother and Child

Each month a designer shares a freebie with Groove Readers and challenges you do to something fun with it! Find Katherine’s “Mother and Child” freebie and motherhood-themed challenge here!

(Challenge participants will also find a special “bonus gift” from Katherine in the challenge thread in Mid-May – another great reason to take the challenge!)

Psst! Love the “Mother and Child” Freebie? Look for the full versions coming soon in Katherine’s category of the store!

Some of Katherine’s Favourite Designs – Save 10% this month!

Explore Katherine’s designs, and save on a few of her favorites! The four kits below are found in our Featured Content section of the store! You can save 10% off by adding any of these four featured kits to your cart and typing in the coupon code MAY-KAZ at checkout. Offer is valid on new orders only from the Featured Content section – expires May 31, 2012.

Never Forgotten

Paint Me Beautiful

Sea Memories

Spring Magic Part 4

Spotlight on Challenge Winners

Well, everyone’s a winner just for joining a challenge! But we wanted to put the spotlight on two very special layouts from Deanne Gow-Smith’s recent mid-month challenges that sparkled with creativity!

March Mid-Month Challenge – Winning Layout by Cheesepiece
The Challenge: MAKE/SHAPE YOUR OWN EMBELLISHMENTS and MAKE YOUR OWN “BACKGROUND PAPER

On the Beach

From Donna a.k.a. “Cheesepiece”

“I am delighted, flattered and honoured to be chosen as the winner of Moonbeam’s Mid Month Challenge for March….I love joining in the Challenges, and learn so much from them. They have boosted my confidence greatly, not to mention the friends I have made in the Forum.

I am really pleased with how my LO turned out. I chose the shape first, tried out a few different ways to use it. As I played with the shape the idea for the page popped into my head. I messed around with colour and transparency, I used the same shape four times, inverting it and erasing parts of it. I chose my photo and added text. The butterfly was one shape used twice. I added shadow, duplicated it, re-coloured for the top of the butterfly. The result was very pleasing to me and so easy to create.

For all you ladies out there who have yet to join in a Challenge, I say go for it. You can learn so much and have fun at the same time.”

April Mid-Month Challenge – Winning Layout by SBM Diane
The Challenge: TURN THIS “BORING” KIT INTO SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL

Twila

From Diane a.k.a. “SBM Diane”

“Thank you for the challenge Deanne! Everyone did such a beautiful job with the layouts and colors that I had no idea what I was going to create. Then, our two year old decided to jump on my lap and take a nap and gave me my color choice. I had a tough time getting the caramel color to match, but I like how it turned out. ”

May 2012 Challenges

There’s always something going on in the Scrapbook MAX! Challenges and Contests Forum! Here’s what to keep your eyes open for:

May Challenge Schedule

May 1-31, 2012 – The Groove Monthly Freebie Challenge (Katherine a.k.a. “Magical Reality Designs”)

May 1-31, 2012 – Designer Monthly Challenge (Fiona Storey)

May 15-31, 2012 – Mid-Month Challenge (Deanne Gow-Smith – approximate start date is the 15th)

A Family Story Goes On…

Last month, Kaye shared some stunning pages inspired by family photos she discovered in her parents’ photo collection. Here is another layout from this collection. Not only are the photos and layouts beautifully arranged, the journalling makes the page a true family keepsake. Get inspired to scrap your family’s story!

Three Girls

Look for the next issue of The Groove on June 1, 2012!

]]> http://www.scrapbookmax.com/2012/05/the-groove-may-2012/feed/ 0 The Groove April 2012 http://www.scrapbookmax.com/2012/04/the-groove-april-2012/ http://www.scrapbookmax.com/2012/04/the-groove-april-2012/#comments Sun, 01 Apr 2012 21:14:54 +0000 karin http://www.scrapbookmax.com/?p=4098 read more »]]>

Vintage School Layout

In the Groove

Enjoy the April issue of The Groove jam-packed with scrapper profiles, a tutorial, freebies, store discounts, challenge details, the chance to get a custom kit designed just for you…and more!

Top layout by Kaye.

Meet Scrapbook MAX! Designer Amanda Wittenborn

Welcome, Amanda – a new and already super busy designer!- to the Scrapbook MAX! Design Team. Get to know Amanda in the profile she has shared below (and enjoy some freebies that she’s shared, too!).

Amanda

My name is Amanda Wittenborn and I have been designing digital scrapbook kits since January of 2011. I have been crafty and creative my whole life, and knew that “someday” I wanted to design my own papers and elements to meet the needs I had as a scrapper. So I decided to give it a try, and I am hooked! I tend to design kits that go with what is going on in my kids lives at the moment. So you will see a new movie kit coming out from me, since we just took my youngest to see his first movie! Many of my kits are kid themed since my kids are my favorite subject to scrap! I have 2 little boys, age 6 and 2 and a wonderful hubby I have been married to for almost 10 years. Besides designing digital scrapbook kits I also teach private piano lessons.

Some of Amanda’s favorite kits:

Timeless


Timeless Kit – I was actually inspired by the floral patterns in the paper, and put together this amazing color scheme to go with them perfectly. I packed this kit with tons of texture and beautiful floral pieces. It has a vintage/heritage feel to it, I have been told the papers look like vintage wall paper. I just love how this kit blossomed and turned out!

Woodland Winter


Woodland Winter Kit - This is one of my most favorite kits I have made. I just had this fun idea to use woodland animals, but in a winter setting. Think of winter getaways and how quiet it can be during a snowfall, that’s what this kit make me think of.

Thanks for sharing, Amanda! For those of you looking for more creations by Amanda, check out her category in the Scrapbook MAX! Store. PLUS! Find a freebie from Amanda and discount on her featured kits just a little further on in this issue of The Groove!

Scrapbook Tutorial with Carena Scott: Linking Frames

Below is a wonderful tutorial on how to link frames in Scrapbook MAX!, generously shared by creative Scrapbook MAX! Designer Carena Scott. You’re sure to use this useful technique over and over again in your pages!

Hint: To view the steps at a larger size, just click on them – and flip through them by clicking on the “next” arrows that appear when you mouse over the right side of the image.

STEP #1

STEP #2

STEP #3

STEP #4

STEP #5

STEP #6

For more scrapbook tutorials and freebie kits that are Scrapbook MAX! compatible, check out Carena’s blog.

To see Carena’s beautiful selection of kits, see Carena’s category in the store.

Heritage Layout Inspiration

Heritage pages are not only beautiful, they tell such a rich story. Get inspired by Scrapbook MAX! community member Kaye’s lovely scrapbook pages (the first one is the layout featured at the top of this issue) and her story below!

From Kaye:

Don’t you agree that there is a certain charm about old black and white, and sepia photos? I look at them and my imagination takes me to all sorts of places, and I wonder what the story behind the picture is.

Letha, another Scrapbook MAX! community member, has showcased lots of beautiful scrap pages using her family’s dated photos here on the forums. It inspired me to go through my parents old photos to see what gems I could find. There were so many! I decided then and there that I was going to restore what I could and make photo books for any of the family that wanted them so that these wonderful old photos could be seen.

Dad and Brothers

A layout from Kaye’s heritage project.

Oliver Boothe

A layout by Letha that helped inspire Kaye’s ongoing heritage project.

The Groove Monthly Freebie Challenge

Movie Night Freebie

Each month a designer shares a freebie with Groove Readers and challenges you do to something fun with it! Find Amanda Wittenborn’s “Movie Night” freebie and fun movie-themed challenge here!

April 2012 Featured Kits

Are you loving Amanda’s Groove Challenge Freebie? Looking for kits with her signature style? Here’s a few for your list, all found in our Featured Content section of the store! You can save 10% off by adding any of these four featured kits to your cart and typing in the coupon code APR-AMW at checkout. Offer is valid on new orders only from the Featured Content section – expires April 30, 2012.

Puddle Jumper

Bunny Business

Happy Camper

Purple Petals

April 2012 Challenges

There’s always something going on in the Scrapbook MAX! Challenges and Contests Forum! Here’s what to keep your eyes open for:

April Challenge Schedule

April 1-31, 2012 – The Groove Monthly Freebie Challenge (Amanda Wittenborn)

April 1-31, 2012 – Designer Monthly Challenge (KapiColors)

April 15-31, 2012 – Mid-Month Challenge “From Boring To Beautiful” (Deanne Gow-Smith – approximate start date is the 15th)
From Deanne - Participants will get a bland “boring” one-color kit to work with. The goal is to transform it into “beautiful” using JUST ONE additional color. Any embies may be added but 1 color only to be added…

Have Deanne Turn Your Idea Into a Custom Kit!

Ayers Rock Australia

Last month’s ‘Custom Kit’ by Deanne Gow-Smith

From Deanne:

If you have an idea for a kit that you would like me to consider designing, all you have to do is email me at emaildeanne@gmail.com by April 10, 2012 with your request for a specific KIT theme. Add lots of details of what you would like to see in it: colours, type of embellishments, wordart, etc. I will select one of suggestions I receive, and create a custom designed KIT and a TEMPLATE for the winner.

Just for participating and emailing me your request and suggestions, you will receive 1 x FREE KIT valued around $5.00.

Note: THE WINNER of the custom-designed kit is invited to post a layout that they make with this kit in the Scrapbook MAX! gallery. We’d love to feature it and the story behind your request in an upcoming issue of The Groove!

Look for the next issue of The Groove on May 1, 2012!

]]> http://www.scrapbookmax.com/2012/04/the-groove-april-2012/feed/ 0 The Groove March 2012 http://www.scrapbookmax.com/2012/03/the-groove-march-2012/ http://www.scrapbookmax.com/2012/03/the-groove-march-2012/#comments Thu, 01 Mar 2012 20:43:12 +0000 karin http://www.scrapbookmax.com/?p=4045 read more »]]>

Charliesnana- Frog Layout

In the Groove

We have lots of exciting things for you in The Groove this month (including some cool “green” layouts to celebrate the month of March)! You’ll find a special spotlight on popular Scrapbook MAX! designer Deanne Gow-Smith! Deanne shares her scrapbooking story, talks about a few of her favorite layouts from Scrapbook MAX! members, and invites you to inspire her next kit design (with free kits just for making a suggestion!) More details are below!

We’ve got the scoop on two exciting and creative month-long challenges, hosted by Sandrine Boarqueiro-Verdun and Carena Scott. And you’ll also find a discount coupon to use in the store!

Scrapper Spotlight: Deanne Gow-Smith

Meet Deanne Gow-Smith, a longtime member of our Scrapbook MAX! Design Team. Below, she shares some of her story, and what she loves about Scrapbook MAX!.

Deanne Gow-Smith

Hello Fellow Scrapbook MAX!-er’s and Groove readers, Let me introduce myself to those of you that don’t yet know me. My name is Deanne Gow-Smith, a.k.a Moonbeam. I’ve been around Scrapbook MAX! so long I’m part of the furniture! :)

The day I discovered Digital Scrapbooking 6 years ago literally changed my life. Before I knew it, I became a designer at Scrapbook MAX!, and now that’s what I do! I’m not a computer whiz, but Scrapbook MAX! software is so unbelievably easy to use and yet so great in what it does, I LOVE it! In fact when I recently opened my own Online Scrapbook store I had quite a few requests from other scrapbooking software companies to feature their products on my website. They GAVE me FREE downloads of their software to try, so I could review them and possibly promote them on my site. I did try them and they were very good! BUT – guess what? They didn’t compare at all to my dear “Max” ( my affectionate name for Scrapbook MAX!)

In my opinion, with this incredible program, the online community and support, and the learning challenges, anyone can become a great scrapper. For those who haven’t ever posted their pages in the Scrapbook MAX! gallery yet – c’mon! We’d love to see what you’ve done. From a designer’s point of view, it never ceases to amaze me how with just one kit, 20 people can create 20 different layouts.

Don’t YOU love looking at the Gallery? I get so much inspiration from seeing what everyone does there. Take a look, and don’t forget to post your own work and get in on the fun!

– Deanne

We asked Deanne to share her favorite layouts recently posted in the Scrapbook MAX! Gallery, and what she liked about them!

Cheespiece - Winter Layout

I loved this layout by Cheespiece. Why? I felt cold looking at it! I love the softness, the muted frame and the way there are so many complimenting fonts … and that photo! Now I forget the cold – that face melts hearts.

Kimmyann - Norman

Really – how cute can you get? It appeals to me also because I live on a farm, too – a Beef cattle farm. Hope you’re not going to eat him, Kimmyann!! :)

Carena - Vintage Blossom

The photos in Carena’s page match the layout so beautifully. I love the skewed frame at the top – it adds interest. The page has a gorgeous soft background paper with just a couple of touches of flower clusters and a few scatterings of petals – plus plenty of ” whitespace”. A lovely layout!

Have Deanne Turn Your Idea Into a Custom Kit!

Sewing And Quilting Kit

Last month’s ‘Custom Kit’ by Deanne Gow-Smith

From Deanne:

If you have an idea for a kit that you would like me to consider designing, all you have to do is email me at emaildeanne@gmail.com by March 10, 2012 with your request for a specific KIT theme. Add lots of details of what you would like to see in it: colours, type of embellishments, wordart, etc. I will select one of suggestions I receive, and create a custom designed KIT and a TEMPLATE for the winner.

Just for participating and emailing me your request and suggestions, you will receive 1 x FREE KIT valued around $5.00.

Note: THE WINNER of the custom-designed kit is invited to post a layout that they make with this kit in the Scrapbook MAX! gallery. We’d love to feature it and the story behind your request in an upcoming issue of The Groove!

The Groove Monthly Freebie Challenge

KapiScrap-Fun-City-Challenge

This month, designer Sandrine Boarqueiro-Verdun is challenging you to use this bright, fun kit and flex your creativity with Ribbon Text, Masks, and more! You’ll be challenged to make not one but TWO layouts! Get involved to learn, have fun, and end up with a pair of incredible pages!

Visit the challenge thread in the Challenge and Contests Forum to find all the details and this colorful freebie kit.

March 2012 Featured Kits

Are you loving Sandrine’s Groove Challenge Freebie? Looking for kits with her signature style? Here’s a few for your list, all found in our Featured Content section of the store! You can save 10% off by adding any of these four featured kits to your cart and typing in the coupon code MAR-SAB at checkout. Offer is valid on new orders only from the Featured Content section – expires March 31, 2012.

Winter Fun Penguin Style

Winter Fun Penguin Style Template

Reindeer Village Embellishments

Tropical Holidays Set 2 Template

March 2012 Designer Challenge – Hosted by Carena Scott

Carena - Siggy Challenge

For this month’s designer challenge we are going to make our own ‘forum siggy’! The challenge is to use a heart shape, leaves and flowers plus any other embellishments you desire. Also, you’ll be asked to include a quote of your choice along with your forum name or real name if you wish. Background must be white – so it blends in with the forum.

You can upload a larger version into the challenge gallery to show us just like a layout but to place it into your forum signature like your challenge buttons you will need to size to 300 by 100 pixels maximum or similar so it doesn’t take up too large an area.

More details will be in the forum challenge area. Come and join the fun – brought to you by Carena’s Designs.

– Carena Scott

March 2012 Challenges

There’s always something going on in the Scrapbook MAX! Challenges and Contests Forum! Here’s what to keep your eyes open for:

March Challenge Schedule

March 1-31, 2012 – The Groove Monthly Freebie Challenge (KapiColors)

March 1-31, 2012 – Designer Monthly Challenge (Carena Scott)

March 15-31, 2012 – Mid-Month Challenge (Deanne Gow-Smith – approximate start date is the 15th)

Happy March, from The Groove!

Letha - Exotic Fish Layout

Look for the next issue of The Groove on April 1, 2012!

]]> http://www.scrapbookmax.com/2012/03/the-groove-march-2012/feed/ 0 The Groove February 2012 http://www.scrapbookmax.com/2012/02/the-groove-february-2012/ http://www.scrapbookmax.com/2012/02/the-groove-february-2012/#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:00:15 +0000 karin http://www.scrapbookmax.com/?p=3943 read more »]]>

Valentine Layout

In the Groove

February is the month of love, romance and sharing love-ly pages with friends! We have a jam-packed issue for you this month with gorgeous layouts, a freebie challenge, the chance to get a custom-made designer kit, and the latest scrapbook news!

Enjoy the “Valentine’s” edition of The Groove, starting with SBM Diane’s gorgeous layout above – recently a “Layout of the Day” featured on our new official Scrapbook MAX! Facebook Page (more details below)!

**NEW**Visit our Scrapbook MAX! Facebook Page

Come visit our brand new Scrapbook MAX! Facebook Page. There are lots of reasons to stop by, including our Tip of the Day, Designer Kit of the Day, and our Featured Layout of the Day selected from our gallery (it just might be yours!). We also keep you up to date with the latest scrapbooking news and kits.

There’s lots of fun already and we’re just getting started – lots more to come! So stop by our page, leave us a comment, tell your friends, “like” us, and get in on the fun!

The Groove Freebie Challenge

Michelle McCoy - Groove Freebie

This month, designer Michelle McCoy is challenging you to make lovely valentine-inspired pages with her adorable freebie mini-kit, and practice your “colorization” skills using the tools in Scrapbook MAX!2.0.

Visit the challenge thread in the Challenge and Contests Forum to find all the details and the cute freebie kit.

February 2012 Featured Kits

Are you loving Michelle McCoy’s Groove Challenge Freebie? Looking for kits with Michelle’s signature style? Here’s a few for your list, all found in our Featured Content section of the store (and great for Valentine’s layouts)! You can save 10% off by adding any of these four featured kits to your cart and typing in the coupon code FEB-GROOVE at checkout. Offer is valid on new orders only from the Featured Content section – expires February 29, 2012.

Beary Love

Love Me

Love U Fuzzy

Paris Cafe

New Kits Inspired by Scrapbook MAX! Scrapper

Scrapbook MAX! user Linda DuBois shared this wonderful story with us about how a search for a particular kit inspired a Scrapbook MAX! designer’s special creations…

Mount Rushmore

I have the most wonderful experience with Scrapbook MAX! that I would like to share with you. My name is Linda DuBois and I am very, very, new to digital scrapbooking. I am so new that I easily become overwhelmed looking for the right papers and embellishments to create my pages with. I have Photoshop Elements, and can use it, but stumbled across Scrapbook MAX! and immediately purchased it, and thus started my love for Scrapbook MAX! and their kits and templates.

My husband and I are retired, and this past fall, we finally were able to take one of our dream vacations in our motor home. We live in PA and had certain places in the west that we have wanted to visit most of our lives. So, our new adventure began and my desire to scrapbook our adventure became a dream. I wasn’t making much progress with my pages, even with the beautiful kits available for Scrapbook MAX!, and the ability to even use other papers and embellishments from other sources. It just wasn’t coming together.

I asked Scrapbook MAX! designer Deanne Gow-Smith if I could send her pictures of my pages and tell her what I didn’t like.This was the start of a very endearing dialogue between Deanne and I. Before I knew it, Deanne was busy creating three very custom and special kits just for my scrapbooking needs. I do not know how, but Deanne somehow knew exactly the look that I was trying to achieve. Her new kits for Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, and Yosemite are absolutely stunning, and are exactly what I wanted for my pages. What a wonderful way to scrapbook. If you need something, these ladies will create it just for you! Thanks Deanne for the wonderful pages, and thank you Deanne and Scrapbook Max for making my job documenting this wonderful trip so easy.

– Linda Dubois

What a great story, Linda! Thank you for sharing it with us, and for sharing your lovely layouts (below). It sounds like you had a true holiday adventure, and a great experience remembering it through your pages!

Yellowstone Hot Springs

Yellowstone Cave

Deanne Wants to Design A Theme Based on Your Ideas!

From Deanne Gow-Smith:

I recently had the experience of custom designing three kits for a Scrapbook MAX! Community Member, Linda. Linda had been a a trip to Yosemite, Yellowstone and Mt. Rushmore and had photos to make a memorable scrapbook but needed the KITS.

I enjoyed making them so much with all her input for desired elements that I wondered if there are many other scrapbookers who would like a KIT made especially for them with a theme maybe they have been unable to find anywhere. So, I came up with this idea:

If you have an idea for a kit that you would like me to consider designing, all you have to do is email me at emaildeanne@gmail.com this month (February 2012) with your request for a specific KIT theme. Add lots of details of what you would like to see in it: colours, type of embellishments, wordart, etc. I will select one of suggestions I receive, and create a custom designed KIT and a TEMPLATE for the winner.

Just for participating and emailing me your request and suggestions, you will receive 1 x FREE KIT valued around $5.00.

Note: THE WINNER of the custom-designed kit is invited to post a layout that they make with this kit in the Scrapbook MAX! gallery. We’d love to feature it and the story behind your request in an upcoming issue of The Groove!

Travel Kits Deanne designed for Linda:

Yellowstone

Find Yellowstone in the store here.

Yosemite

Find Yosemite in the store here.

February 2012 Challenges

There’s always something going on in the Scrapbook MAX! Challenges and Contests Forum! Here’s what to keep your eyes open for:

February Challenge Schedule

February 1-29, 2012 – The Groove Monthly Freebie Challenge (Michelle McCoy)

February 1-29, 2012 – Designer Monthly Challenge – January 2012 (KapiColors)

February 15-29, 2012 – Mid-Month Challenge (Deanne Gow-Smith – approximate start date is the 15th)

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Here’s a great idea (and awesome photo and layout) from lgenosky. Why not make personalized Valentine’s cards with your kids pics right on them? Smaller sizes are the perfect thing to print out and distribute to family, school friends, etc.! Wishes that are truly from the heart!

Valentine Card

Look for the next issue of The Groove on March 1, 2012!

]]> http://www.scrapbookmax.com/2012/02/the-groove-february-2012/feed/ 0 February 2012 Challenges and Freebies http://www.scrapbookmax.com/2012/02/february-2012-challenges-and-freebies-2/ http://www.scrapbookmax.com/2012/02/february-2012-challenges-and-freebies-2/#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:55:18 +0000 karin http://www.scrapbookmax.com/?p=4017 read more »]]>

Michelle McCoy - Groove Freebie

In this month of Valentines, share your love of scrapbooking by joining a scrapbooking challenge!

Michelle McCoy – The Groove February 2012 Monthly Challenge (Freebie Mini kit!)

Challenge theme: Colorize to match the included swatch, and make original embies using included papers and your own shapes.

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Deanne Gow-Smith – Moonbeam’s Mid-Month Challenge

Challenge theme: Starts on or around February 15, 2012

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Sandrine Boarqueiro – Designer Monthly Challenge

Challenge theme: Starts on or around February 1, 2012

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Michelle McCoy – Look for Michelle’s ongoing Scrappin’ Challenges

Chock full of freebies, prizes and great scrapbooking ideas!

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