lemonade6363’s  Green-themed Layout

(This cutie is no grouch!)

In the Groove

Lucky ol’ March is here, and with it spring is around the corner! To celebrate, we’ve included fresh layouts that incorporate green as their standout color – in unexpected ways. Check them out to inspire YOUR creativity!

We also have a freebie challenge that will have you in a spring tizzy! Fiona Storey’s springlike elements are gorgeous (as usual), and they are yours to use. Find the freebies and challenge details below.

Happy March, happy spring, and let The Groove inspire your layouts this month!

Color Theory

Certain colors just go together. Sometimes this is because they are completely opposite and they help each other “pop”. That’s the case in the layout below – we love how Diana (knzus) used purples and greens grounded by white to put together this lovely layout. It all looks even fresher because the tones are muted and not too bold. Pretty and unexpected!

knzus – Love Shines From the Heart Layout

Greens and Neutrals

Another way to make greens catch the eye is to layer it on a neutral. Kimbob’s grassy green elements on a grungy, neutral background are ingenious! We love how the natural green color catches your eye, but doesn’t distract from the subject of the layout – the photos of “good friends”. Fabulous!

kimbob’s Good Friends Layout

Greening Up a Storm

This layout by sacannon was just so creative! There is so much artistry – using the main image as the background with an embossed image effect, focusing on a single frost-covered tree as the subject, and of course the pop of green (and touches of lively red), which make us think of warmth and life despite the storm. Inspired!

sacannon – Winter Storm Layout with Greenery

The Monthly Freebie Challenge

Freebie Mini-Kit by designer Fiona Storey

Each month, a featured designer offers a great freebie mini-kit and issues a challenge based on that kit.

All you need to do is download the freebie, create a layout that steps up to the challenge, upload it to the Groove challenge and post a link to your layout in a reply to the challenge thread!

This month, designer Fiona Storey has shared a free-spirited, springy kit with great colors and embellishments!

Fiona’s Challenge:

Using at least 4 items from this kit (one item MUST be a butterfly or dragonfly),  scrap a ’spring’ layout. You may add other items from other kits but remember to give credit.
 
Your page must include text that has one of the following words on it: “Spring” ”Dragonfly” or ”Butterfly”  (e.g. Like “Butterfly Dance” “Spring at Last” ). Let your creativity spring into life!

Find the freebie challenge thread here!

March 2010 Featured Kits

Looking for kits similar to this month’s lovely freebie? Here’s a few for your list, and a coupon to use, too! Below are March’s four featured kits, all by Fiona Storey.

Be sure to use the coupon code FST-MAR to get 10% off your purchase. Simply add any of the four Featured Kits to your cart in the Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack Store until March 31, 2010, and type in the coupon code FST-MAR, to receive your 10% off discount (be sure to type in the code FST-MAR exactly as shown.  Applies to new orders only).

Fiona Storey – Eternally Spring Kit

Fiona Storey -Delightful Denim Kit

Fiona Storey – Lace Dreams Kit

Fiona Storey – Naturally Yours Kit

Booster Pack Store: New Releases

Great new kits are added to the Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack Store  each month. Be sure to stop by and check out our awesome selection of embellishment kits and template sets, professionally-designed to work with Scrapbook MAX!.

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

Siobhan Kite – Bunnie Template

Julia Corley – Lilly Dreams Template

Diana Carmichael – Artwerk Kit

Watch for the next issue of The Groove, coming April 1, 2010!

 An adorable layout in red by akela

In The Groove

February is here – a month of love and romance that has us seeing red – in a good way, that is!

In this issue of The Groove, we’ve fully embraced the Valentine spirit. You’ll find “red” layouts, a “love”ly challenge and freebie by Booster Pack Store designer Diana Carmichael, a special 20% off offer on the all-new Forever Love Expansion Pack for Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 – and more!

Read on for the full scoop –  and celebrate life, love and “scrappy-ness”!

 Erase-a-rama!

Last month, we introduced an awesome new feature added to Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 – an eraser (HOORAY!)!! We called for your most creative layouts using this tool, and boy did you respond! We’ve posted some of our favorites below, but you all sure made it hard to choose. For more terrific layouts showing you what you can do with this super-easy-to-use tool, check out this thread in our forums (you’ll find some great tips and suggestions offered by our members, too!).

Carena – Caitlyn with a Crocodile Layout

kds_24_f- “Popeye” Layout  (what a face!)

omajo – Creative Layout

Eraser Tip: To zoom in on the object you want to erase, use your mouse wheel!

  The Forever Love Expansion Pack for Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 –

**SPECIAL OFFER!**

Looking for the perfect scrapbooking content to scrap wedding, bridal shower, engagement or any romantic themes? (Remember Valentine’s Day is just around the corner!).

Look no further than the Forever Love Expansion Pack for Scrapbook MAX! 2.0, on sale now for 20% off the regular price:

Click here to get 20% off Foreve Love until February 28, 2010.

Forever Love comes with everything you need to create dazzling pages that celebrate love and romance.  We send it to you as a download immediately after purchase, and  it imports automatically into Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 so you can get started right away!  This pack comes with:100+ unique, customizable wedding-themed template pages; 570+ embellishments; 140+ backgrounds; 75 paper Scraps; 18 photo shapes.

Click here to see everything you get!

You’ll love the variety of styles: elegant, contemporary, crafty, classic, fun and more!

Offer ends February 28, 2010 and applies only to the Forever Love Expansion Pack and to new orders only. You must use the special link to receive your discount. The Forever Love Expansion Pack requires Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 software. (To purchase Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 software, click here.)

Gorgeous Layouts made with content from the Forever Love Expansion Pack for Scrapbook MAX! 2.0:

The Monthly Freebie Challenge

Preview of “Love”-ly Freebie Kit by Diana Carmichael

Each month, a featured designer offers a great freebie mini-kit and issues a challenge based on that kit.

All you need to do is download the freebie, create a layout that steps up to the challenge, upload it to the Groove challenge and post a link to your layout in a reply to the challenge thread!

This month, designer Diana Carmichael has shared a gorgeous,  kit in sumptuous red and purple tones.

Diana’s challenge:

Using at least three (3) of the freebie kit items, scrap a layout using at least one of the following titles:

    Funky Love
    Love Is _____ (you fill in the blank)
    Color The World With Love
    How Do I Love Thee? (tell us the ways!)

Find the freebie and challenge here!

February 2010 Featured Kits

Looking for kits similar to this month’s fab freebie? Here’s a few for your list, and a coupon to use, too! Below are February’s four featured kits, all by Diana Carmichael.

Be sure to use the coupon code DCA-FEB, to get 10% off your purchase. Simply add any of the four Featured Kits to your cart in the Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack Store until February 28, 2010, and type in the coupon code DCA-FEB, to receive your 10% off discount (be sure to type in the code DCA-FEB exactly as shown.  Applies to new orders only). 

Evening Romance Kit

Wild Spring Kit

Tweetness Template

Little Farm Kit

Booster Pack Store: New Releases

Great new kits are added to the Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack Store  each month. Be sure to stop by and check out our awesome selection of embellishment kits and template sets, professionally-designed to work with Scrapbook MAX!.

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

Michelle McCoy – i Need u Kit

Monja Wessel – My Secret Garden Elements

Katie Castillo – Cupid Kit

Shades of Red

To conclude our February issue – A wonderfully creative layout with a red theme by nannybernie.

Watch for the next issue of The Groove, coming March 1, 2010!

An adorable Christmas layout by mollie

(from the December 2009 Groove Challenge, hosted by Wendy Gibson)

 Happy New Year –

and Happy New Eraser!

You asked, and we listened! Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 now comes with an AMAZING new eraser tool!

The eraser tool is included in the latest release of Scrapbook MAX! 2.0. If you own Scrapbook MAX! 2.0, upgrade for free by going to Help > Check for Update in the menu, and follow the instructions. If you purchase Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 today, you  will immediately be sent a link to download the very latest version of the software – including the new eraser. Right now you also get 20% off  the regular price and a free mega bonus pack!)

USING THE COOL NEW ERASER!

Simply click on the photo or embellishment that you want to work with, then click on the eraser tool on the toolbar.

Holding down the left button on your mouse, “erase” the portions of your object that you want to have disappear!

Oops! Did you erase too much? Simply click on the “brush” tool on the eraser dialog, and go over the spots where you may have gotten too eraser happy. This restores your image! (Want to restore your whole image? Just select “Reset” on the eraser dialog.)

Using the eraser, my little dachshund looks like he’s popping out of the frame – how cute (and how easy!!)

LOOKING FOR MORE INFO ABOUT THE ERASER?

The Help File has GREAT information and tips about using the eraser. You can access Help by clicking on Help in the menu, and searching for the topic you want to read about. Or, click on the tool you want to learn, and click on the Help button that appears on that tool’s dialog – this will take you to just the right spot in the Help file!

The best way to learn just about anything in Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 software is to play around. But when you’re looking for a little more info, the Help File is your best friend!

SHOW OFF YOUR ARTISTIC ERASING!

The creative possibilities are endless! And we want to see what YOU do with the new eraser tool. We’re challenging you to post your layouts that show off your creative erasing talents in this thread. We will feature our favourite three in the next issue of The Groove!

The Groove Freebie Challenge!

“Golden” freebie kit by designer Steve Russell

Each month, a featured designer offers a great freebie mini-kit and issues a challenge based on that kit.

All you need to do is download the freebie, create a layout that steps up to the challenge, upload it to the January 2010 gallery (coming soon) and post a link to your layout in a reply to the challenge thread!

This month, designer Steve Russell has shared a gorgeous, golden kit for you to play with.

The challenge: Using as many items in this kit as you can, scrap a layout. Your page must include text that has the word “gold” in it (e.g. Like “Searching for a heart of gold”). Let your creativity “shine”!

Find the Challenge thread here! 

January 2010 Featured Kits

Looking for kits similar to this month’s fab freebie? Here’s a few for your list, and a coupon to use, too! Below are January’s four featured kits, all by Steve Russell.

Be sure to use the coupon code IRE-JAN, to get 10% off your purchase. Simply add any of the four Featured Kits to your cart in the Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack Store until January 31, 2010, and type in the coupon code IRE-JAN, to receive your 10% off discount (be sure to type in the code IRE-JAN exactly as shown. Applies to new orders only).

 IRE  – Love Song Kit

IRE – Hockey Player Kit

IRE- Birthday Bash Kit

IRE – Mom’s Taxi Kit

Holiday Kits for Holiday Pics!

Looking for great kits to scrap your Christmas and Holiday photos? Look no further than the Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack Store.

Below are a few great Christmas and Holiday themed kits and templates to check out. (Looking for more selection? Just type in a key word in the Search box on the store’s home page. You’ll find lovely kits and templates galore!)

 Tina Sudweeks – Bright Christmas Kit

Diana Carmichael – Christmas Love Template

Katie Castillo – Hollly Jolly Add-On Kit

Michelle McCoy – HoHo Santa Template

Siobhan Kite – Happy New Year Template

 Have a fun-filled, scrap-happy 2010!

A gorgeous  Christmas layout by Sylvia Esther

(from the December 2009 Groove Challenge, hosted by Wendy Gibson)

A Christmas layout by shanave

In the Groove

‘Tis the season to be jolly! And in this issue, we’ve definitely included some things to make you happy.

First, we’ve turned the spotlight on the “results” of some of the awesome challenges hosted by Michelle, Carena, Donna and Esther in November. You’ll be amazed at the creative range possible with their kits and of course the magic of Scrapbook MAX! 2.0!.

Next, we’ve got a simply gorgeous Christmas-themed freebie kit for you to enjoy, from Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack Store designer Wendy Gibson. Take her fun challenge and get two chances to win a FREE copy of Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 or the mega expansion pack of your choice (see full details below).

There’s also a 10% off discount coupon for this month’s featured kits, details about an amazing new Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 Wedding-themed mega pack “Forever Love” that’s just become available, and a whole lot of fun and merriment.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Wonderful New Year to you all!

This AND That!

Thanks to Esther Barry (a.k.a. Granny) for her spectacular Groove challenge last month. She challenged you to take her cool freebie items and use them in various creative ways, including playing with shape and color (super fun and easy to do in Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 – click here for a tutorial). What amazed us about this challenge was the HUGE variety of layout types that you came up with!

To show you what we mean, we selected two groove-y layouts from the challenge that are each lovely, but also super duper different from each other:
 

ValerieElaine – First Day Of School Layout

tanni  – Summer of ‘59 Layout

Variety IS the spice of life – thanks, Granny and all challenge participants! (Check out the challenge gallery by clicking here to see more layouts!)

Congratulations to challenge winners shanave and (check back for winner #2  – TBA soon!), who each won a copy of Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 software or the mega pack of their choice. Woo-hoo!

From a Wonderful Weekly Challenge!

Michelle is rocking the weekly challenges lately, and we sure love her creative and generous spirit.  Here are a couple of stand-out layouts from her Week 4 challenge:

makeyesup – Color Matching Layout

syliva esther  – My Lucky Life Layout

Beautiful! Check out all the fabulous entries for  November’s Weekly Challenges in the Weekly Challenge Gallery.

Introducing the new “Forever Love” Expansion Pack

The new Forever Love mega expansion pack  for Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 is the perfect complement for wedding, engagement, honeymoon, and bridal shower scrapbooks –  in fact, for any romantic themed scrapbook project! At the amazing price of only $29.95, you get over $195 worth of stunning content for your wedding scrapbook projects.
Whether you want to create an elegant mood with antique flourishes and classic colors, or are looking for sleek, contemporary themes, you’ll find it all in Forever Love. This expansion pack comes with:

• 100+ unique, customizable wedding-themed template pages
• 570+ embellishments
• 140+ backgrounds
• 75 paper Scraps
• 18 photo shapes
• Click here to see everything included with “Forever Love”!

 Add Forever Love to your Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 content collection today. Click here to get it today!

Note: All prices are listed in USA currency. You must own Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 in order to install the Forever Love Expansion Pack. It cannot be used with version 1.0 or with any other software.

Blinkie Bonanza!

As many of you discovered in November, Donna Thomas has a talent for making blinkies – cool, animated “tags” that can be used in forum signatures. Last month, Donna challenged you to come up with the concept, and then used her artistic talents to bring your very own personalized blinkie to life!

dillie1 described Donna’s blinkie challenge thread perfectly (and seasonally!)  as a “a Blinkie Xmas Tree”. We couldn’t agree more!

Since the blinkies are all so unique and so cool when they actually blink (lol), we invite you to check out this thread by clicking here  to see last month’s blinkie showcase. It’s kind of like taking a drive to see all the marvelous Christmas lights!

Thanks Donna and all of you blinkie dreamers! And congratulations goes out to twpclerk, challenge winner, who won a copy of Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 or the mega pack of her choice. Way to go!

A Month of Marvels!

Yet another challenge was taking place during all this fun (can you believe it? It was an awesome month!), hosted by designer Carena Scott.
With such a lovely kit, participants had wonderful time making absolute ayout magic.

Here are two that caught our eye for being beautiful, but also for being so creatively and artistically different from one another!

 scrappyaggie48 – Gabrielle Layout

TheFreeSpirit- Molly Layout

Creativity in action! Check out  Carena’s full challenge gallery here to see what you and your Scrapbook MAX! friends dreamed up!

Check back soon to see who won Carena’s challenge!

 The Groove Monthly Freebie Challenge

 The Freebie includes items from Wendy Gibson’s lovely Christmas-themed kit!

The Freebie

All this talk of challenges has made you eager for a new one, right? Well all you need to do is download Wendy Gibson’s awesome Christmas freebie kit, and get busy scrapping! Click here to find the freebie thread, where you can download your goodies.

The Challenge

Wendy’s Merry Christmas Challenge Is This:

Download the freebies, and make a Christmas-themed layout. (Fun, free and stress-free, too. Perfect for the holidays!)

Find the Challenge thread here.

The Prizes

Here’s some exciting news! Two participants in Wendy Gibson’s December 2009 Groove Challenge will be selected as winners. Each winner will get a free copy of Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 software + Life Is Beautiful mega expansion pack (or, if they already own the software, a choice of one mega expansion pack!).

Disclaimer: No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited or taxed. Prizes must be accepted as awarded (no cash value). Electronic download delivery only. The decision of the moderator is final.

December 2009 Featured Kits

Looking for kits similar to this month’s fab freebie? Here’s a few for your list, and a coupon to use, too! Below are December’s four featured kits, all by Wendy Gibson. Be sure to use the coupon code WGI-DEC, to get 10% off your purchase. Simply add any of the four Featured Kits to your cart in the Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack Store until December 31, 2009, and type in the coupon code WGI-DEC, to receive your 10% off discount (be sure to type in the code WGI-DEC exactly as shown. Applies to new orders only).

 Wendy Gibson - Christmas Traditions Backgrounds Kit

Wendy Gibson – Christmas Mini Album Template

 Wendy Gibson – Christmas Traditions Embellishments Kit

Wendy Gibson – Birthday Bash Template

Looking for that perfect Christmas or Holiday themed kit for your scrapbook pages? We’ve got an amazing selection of festive kits and templates in the Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack Store. Be sure to “stop by” the online store as you check off your list…even if that means getting something nice for yourself!

A Christmas Pooch!

If this doggie face doesn’t make you melt, I’m not sure what will! Thanks, dillie1!

Have a fun, special and Merry Christmas!

************

“Glorious” Layout by daisydilly

In The Groove

The response to NEW! Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 has been unbelievable! We love that YOU love all the amazing new features, and are blown away by the level of creativity of the layouts being produced by our community.

In this issue, we’re showing off some of these amazing layouts to inspire you! And we’ve also included awesome tips, tricks and tutorials shared by our own community members that you’re going to love using in your next project.  There’s also a terrific freebie and challenge from Granny (with two chances to win Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 software or choice of mega pack!), and a coupon to use in the Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack Store.  Information about November’s design team challenge hosted by Carena Scott is also below.

A special thanks goes out to Donna Thomas (a.k.a. autisticwonder) for a GREAT design team challenge last month. Part of the challenge was to get participants to share as many tips and tricks about Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 software as they were able. The result? A whole host of great things to try and learn in Scrapbook MAX! 2.0! In fact, the thread was so inspiring, we’ve included some of these tips throughout this issue of The Groove.  And since we don’t have room for all the great tips in our newsletter, don’t forget to browse through the October 2009 challenge thread – find out new things to try!

 Don’t have Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 yet? If you buy today, you will save an awesome 20% off, PLUS you receive a mega bonus expansion pack (“Life Is Beautiful”) absolutely **FREE**!

Bend and Curve!

No, we’re not talking about yoga – we’re talking about the cool new things you can do with text in Scrapbook MAX! 2.0!

Text is taking to a whole new level with the capability of adding bend points to curve, stretch and distort (Caption Text), and write text along a curve (ribbon text). Click here for a tutorial on getting creative with your text!

For inspiration, check out the layouts below!

dillie1 – Curacao Layout

Marion – Dancing in the Streets Layout

Adding  A Pattern!

Here’s a quick tutorial from Michelle McCoy on adding a pattern to your text with Scrapbook MAX! 2.0. Thanks Michelle – great stuff! (Hint: Click on the images to enlarge and read Michelle’s instructions. You can also find Michelle’s tutorial in the October 2009 Design Team Challenge thread)

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

 For another great tutorial (on making embellishments with Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 – COOL!), checkout poppabob’s awesome tutorial thread, complete with beautiful screenshots!

Pattern Panache!

Here are some fab layouts that showcase patterned text (love those autumnal designs!). Remember, the text you see isn’t word art (i.e., they’re not embellishemnts!). Kimmyann and KPierce typed in text to the text object box, and then in a few simple steps,  added cool patterns to the interior of the texts, and shaped the text until it looked just right!

Kimmyann – Nathan Layout

KPierce – Karen and John Layout

Tips and Tricks for using Scrapbook MAX! 2.0

Some groovy tips and tricks from Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 users!

“With Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 we can for the first time use kerning which controls the spacing between each character and each line if it is multi line text. It is very useful to save space and make certain text (like vertical text) look a lot better. From any text property window you go to the advanced tab to change the kerning.”

KPierce – October 2009 Challenge Thread

“Did you know that you can now Zoom in and out in the crop window to help making your crop selection? If you have a scroll wheel on your mouse just scroll to zoom the photo in and out while in the crop window. If you hold down the CTRL Key and scroll, the crop selection changes size! How cool is that?”

poppabob – October 2009 Challenge Thread

More Layout Inspiration!

Here are some more layouts to inspire your next project. We fell in love with the rich palette of colors used in each one. So expressive!

mortmomof2- Favorite Thing Layout

omajo – Araluen Garden Layout

sacannon – The Beauty of Autumn Layout

The Groove Monthly Freebie Challenge!

The Freebie

This month, Esther Barry ( a.k.a. Granny) takes it away! Download Granny’s freebie from the challenge thread, and take the challenge!

In this challenge, I would like you to learn/practise using some of Scrapbook MAX! 2.0’s coolest new features. (If you don’t have the full version of the software, you can still participate! Just download the free trial version here.)

The Challenge

So…
 
1. Use the seamless tiles in the kit to make a background (import as background>tile).
2. Import the other tiles as paper scraps to use as… paper scraps! LOL.
3. Use some of the tiles as shapes.
4. Make a caption text for your theme, and use one of the tiles as a texture for the text.
5. Use the frames and colorize them to match the colors of the tiles
6. Pins and buttons are optional

Remember – we have a great set of easy-to-follow tutorials available  if you’re looking for more information about Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 new features!

The Prizes

Here’s some exciting news! Throughout the month, Granny will be selecting two challenge winners who will each get a free copy of Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 software + Life Is Beautiful mega expansion pack (or, if they already own the software, a choice of one mega expansion pack!).

Disclaimer: No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited or taxed. Prizes must be accepted as awarded (no cash value). Electronic download delivery only. The decision of the moderator is final.

October Winners

Challenges are always great fun, and last October was particularly exciting month with super-hopping challenge threads  and copies of Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 to be won! Thanks to hosts Michelle McCoy, Donna Thomas, Fiona Storey, and Diana Carmichael for hosting great challenges that stirred up all of our creative juices. We hope that you the winners enjoy their prizes. Look for more exciting challenges with prizes and freebies in the coming months!

And here is a list of Challenge Winners!

September Weekly Challenges (Fiona Storey)
angelfaye
ryansmom66

Groove Challenge (Michelle McCoy)
Kazr
tanni
Oceania
makeyesup

October Design Team Challenge (Donna Thomas)
sacannon
O2BNGdhope
nannybernie
Kimmyann
dillie1
The FreeSpirit
nanwu
KPierce

Breast Cancer Awareness Challenge (Diana Carmichael)
Eye

Winners of Random Drawing:

MrsPeel
Marion
Liyie

November 2009 Featured Kits

Below are November’s four featured kits, all by Esther Barry.  Be sure to use the coupon code EBA-NOV, to get 10% off your purchase. Simply add any of the four Featured Kits to your cart in the Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack Store until November 30, 2009, and type in the coupon code EBA-NOV, to receive your 10% off discount (be sure to type in the code EBA-NOV exactly as shown. Applies to new orders only).

Esther Barry – Pacifica Kit

Esther Barry – When A friend Goes Away Kit

Esther Barry  – When I Grow Up Kit

Esther Barry – My Book Of Treasures Kit

Creative Tricks With Scrapbook MAX! 2.0

We all know that Scrapbook MAX!-ers are creative. Here’s a couple of totally artistic, outside-the-box ideas for things you can do with Scrapbook MAX! 2.0.

First Trick:

sacannon – Autumn Layout With ‘Handmade’ pumpkin!

“The pumpkin (in the layout above) was made entirely in Version 2. It may not be the best pumpkin, be it shows what you can do with the software. I just used two different colors of paper. Used a circle shape on each. Adjusted the circle to an oval shape. Then layered alternating colors making each one slightly smaller than the previous one.

Then using a darker paper I shrunk it down to make a stem. I used another paper of the same color, but adjusted the color slightly darker. Used the cirle shape again. Stretched it to an oval shape again. Then made it smaller and placed it under the stem of the pumpkin. I also added a slight shadow under a couple of the layers of the pumpkin.”

Second Trick:

 Using Embies to make frames

• Open your paper scrap folder again CTRL + 3
• Choose your paper scrap
• Now go to Custom Shape, Select, Browse as before
• Go to the Embie folder and choose an Embellishment with a nice clear outline, I chose my own Fiery Star
• Now click Invert Shape, OK
• Now using your embellishment has created a perfect frame, which you can lay over a photo to create a frame.

TheFreeSpirit – October 2009 Challenge Thread

Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack Store:

New Releases

Great new kits are added to the Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack Store  each month. Be sure to stop by and check out our awesome selection of embellishment kits and template sets, professionally-designed to work with Scrapbook MAX!.

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

Katie Castilllo – Stop In For A Spell Kit

Deanne Gow-Smith – Country Harvest Template

Diana Carmichael – Be Kit

November Design Team Challenge

Looking for another fun challenge, and another chance to win Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 software? Check out this month’s challenge hosted by Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack Store designer Carena Scott. Get all the details here!

Freebie “Sweetie” Mini-Kit by Carena

Look for the next issue of The Groove on December 1, 2009!

Michelle McCoy: Butterfly Layout  – made with NEW Scrapbook MAX! 2.0

You may have already heard the great news – we are thrilled to announce the release of a brand new, improved and enhanced version of Scrapbook MAX! - NEW! Scrapbook MAX! 2.0! we’ve kept the fast, fun, easy workflow of version 1, but have added in a whole lot more dazzle for your pages!

You’ll be amazed at all of the amazing artistic and creative things you can do with Scrapbook MAX! 2.0.  Bend, curve and squish your text or flow it along a curve; colorize embies and photos to your exact specifications; add outlines and patterned fills to text;enjoy complete control over the blur, distance, angle and even color of your shadows – and SO MUCH MORE! (Read our HUGE Feature List here!) PLUS – it’s all spruced up with a super fast graphics engine, awesome output quality, and more to make your scrapbooks works of art.

Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 is already a hit! In this issue of The Groove, we feature layouts from our members made with the new software and using some of the great new features. we’ve also included some handy mini-tutorial screenshots to help you get acquainted with the program.

We also have a fun new challenge and freebie by Michelle McCoy that gives YOU a chance to win a copy of the new software (see below for details!). Read on to get inspired!

Get Creative With Your Text!

In new Scrapbook MAX! 2.0, you can get creative with your text: add outlines, fill your text with patterns, images and gradients, bend, curve and distort your captions, squish and stretch your characters, and more! Below are a couple of creative examples of what you can now achieve with text in Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 – remember, what you see below are not “word art” embellishments; it’s actual typed text that you can now easily and artistically manipulate to get the results you want!

 KPierce – Memories Layout featuring curved text

 Marion – Cruise Ship Pool Area Layout featuring curved text and a gradient color fill

Mini-Tutorial #1: Step-By-Step

To Creative Text!

Below is a simple step-by-step mini Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 tutorial demonstrating how to change a plain caption into an outlined text filled with a pattern, and curved and bent into a fun shape to liven up a layout.  HINT: You can click on the screenshot images to enlarge them and get a closer look.

Remember – this is just the beginning of what you can do with text in Scrapbook MAX! 2.0! The best way to learn is to play around – you’ll be amazed at your creative possibilities!

 Step 1: Add caption text to your page. Double-click on the text to call up its Properties box.

Step 2: Set the Style of text to Image/Pattern, and choose Select Image to browse to any image on your system that you wish to use as the fill for your text.

 Browse for an image on your system – we chose an orange paper scrap from the Cloth category:

 We also chose to use the “Ridiculous” font – one of the fun new creative fonts included free with your software. Select a new font directly from the Properties box:

Step 3: Click on the Advanced tab for more options.

 Step 4: On the Advanced tab, you can check the Show Outline box to add an outline to your text. You can then pick the color for your outline from the color selection box, and adjust the thickness of your outline with the slider.

Step 5: We added our caption text to the page and right-clicked on it. From the drop-down menu that appears, we selected “Bendable”. Now we can drag and pull the dots that appear on the lines above and below our text to shape it into fun patterns. We can even right-click along those lines to add more bend points for more possibilities!

 Dragging the bend points to get our text “into shape”!

Wasn’t that easy? And aren’t the results amazing!

Check out our free trial on www.scrapbookmax.com and see what you can do! Or, better yet, buy the full version today and save 20% - PLUS get a free bonus mega expansion pack collection, “Life Is Beautiful” – full of enhanced templates and thousands of pieces of content!

Colorize and Tint – A Rainbow

of Possibilities!

You’ve never been able to adjust the tint and colorize with such precision and ease! Make all of your photos and embies color-perfect with our easy new tools that put all the control in your hands. On the Advanced tab on the Properties box for embies and photos, simply select the Adjust Color box, and use the sliders to alter Hue, Saturation, and Lightness – watch the adjustments as they happen so you can get the exact results you want!

Plus, anytime you are shown a color selection box in Scrapbook MAX! 2.0, choose More Colors to enable an eye-dropper color picker. Simply move the eye-dropper onto a color you love anywhere on your layout, and select it to colorize your object.
How cool is that!

 Omajo’s Rock And Roll Waltz Layout- embies have been colorized using Scrapbook MAX! 2.0’s new color/tint feature!

Mini-Tutorial #2:

 Colorize An Embellishment!

We made this layout and love it  – but think that a blue-toned froggie would be a better match for this page. That’s no problem with Scrapbook MAX! 2.0. HINT: You can click on the screenshot images to enlarge them and get a closer look.

Step 1: Double-click on the froggie embellishment to call up its Properties.

Step 2: Click on the Advanced tab.

Step 3: On the Advanced tab, select the Adjust color box. Then slide the Hue, Saturation and Lightness slider bars until the color is the one you want. You’ll see the changes occur in “real time” as you slide the bars.
We created the perfect denim blue for our frog with a couple of simple slider adjustments.

 Step 4: Add the colorized embie to your page and voila!

  Easy as 1-2-3! And remember, you can adjust the color of photos too with Scrapbook MAX! 2.0!

NEW in Scrapbook MAX 2.0:

Color Picker “Eye-Dropper” Tool!

HINT: You can click on the screenshot images to enlarge them and get a closer look.

Here’s another colorizing tool in new Scrapbook MAX! 2.0. Whenever you are presented with a color selection box like this:

you can use activate the eye-dropper tool to select a color from anywhere on your page as the color you use to colorize your object! (Note: in this example, we’re working with the color selector box that appears on the Caption Properties Box, but you’ll find the color selector box in other places, too!)

Simply click the arrow on the color box, and choose More Colors:

Then, move your mouse to select a color from your page as shown here (we’re selecting the pink shade of the stitched apple embellishment):

Click your mouse and the eye-dropper grabs this color to colorize your object!

 In this example, we’ve colorized our text with the eye-dropper so that it coordinates exactly with the stitched apple embellishment – how cool is that?

The Groove’s Monthly Freebie Challenge!

It’s been an exciting few weeks with the release of new Scrapbook MAX! 2.0, so we’ve made sure to provide you with a super exciting challenge and freebie! Michelle McCoy has shared a terrific freebie and a very cool challenge.

FIND THE FREEBIE AND CHALLENGE THREAD HERE!

PLUS! each week in October 2009, Michelle will be randomly selecting a layout made by a challenge participant – the creator of that layout will win a FREE copy of Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 or, if you already have the software, the mega Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 Expansion Pack of your choice (Bundle Of Joy or Back To School)!

“Stamp It” Challenge!

by Michelle McCoy

This month I thought I would try something easy, but different from the ordinary “Fall” or “Halloween” theme for October.  I think this challenge will keep your ideas flowing since there are so many ways to be creative with this.
Here is what I want you to do…
1.)  Download freebie.
2.)  Using the stamp templates provided, you are to make a layout look like a postal stamp..basically we are making our own personal stamp, but as a layout. Templates provided can be used for 12×12, 8×8, 5×7 or 4×6 in size.
3.)  You can ONLY use items from the kit provided. But you MAY change the color of anything you use and you may make other embellishments out of the backgrounds as well…
4.)  Upload your layout to the gallery and add the image or link to your page, here in this thread.
5.)  ALL participants have a chance to win the new updated Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 software (or, the Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 Expansion Mega Pack of your choice  – Bundle Of Joy or Back To School). Every week, I will randomly pick someone who places a layout for this challenge. So if you don’t win the first week, don’t’ give up, make another page for the second week, etc etc…Good luck to you!
6.)  If you would like to share your template for others to have, by all means, upload the .smt file here as well..

I hope you have fun with this one, and remember, if you have any questions…Pleeeeeeease ~ ask away…((HUGS))

FIND THE FREEBIE AND CHALLENGE THREAD HERE!

October  2009 “Featured Kits”

 
Love Michelle’s freebie mini-kit? Looking for kits with a similar style?

Below are October’s four featured kits, all by Michelle McCoy.  Be sure to use the coupon code MMC-OCT, to get 10% off your purchase. Simply add any of the four Featured Kits to your cart in the Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack Store until October 31, 2009, and type in the coupon code MMC-OCT, to receive your 10% off discount (be sure to type in the code MMC-OCT exactly as shown. Applies to new orders only).

Michelle McCoy – Autumn Bliss

Michelle McCoy – Country Roosters

Michelle McCoy – The Great Outdoors

Michelle McCoy – Jungle Buddies

 Shape UP!

 
You’ve always been able to have fun with photoshapes in Scrapbook MAX!  – but now, in Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 there’s another option: INVERT your shape! So, instead of cutting around the perimeter of your photo or scrap, you can “cut out” the interior of it (like the cookie dough that’s left on the counter after you’ve cut out the cookie!). This gives you another creative way to design layouts! Check out what Wendy and Val have done with inverted shapes below. Following that, we show you how easy it is with a mini tutorial!

 Booster Pack Store Designer Wendy Gibson uses an inverted shape  to jazz up her layout.  She used her Applelicious and School Days kits for the great elements – find them in her section of the store here.

 Valerie Elanie made this gorgeous layout making use of the invert shape feature.

Mini-Tutorial #3: Invert a Shape!

Getting creative doesn’t get any easier than this! Using Scrapbook MAX! 2.0, invert your photoshapes for endless creative possibilities! HINT: You can click on the screenshot images to enlarge them and get a closer look.

Step 1: Double-click on your photo or embellishment to call up it’s Properties. Choose Custom Shape, and then the Select button to find the shape you want to add.

 We added a “galaxy” type shape to a blue paper scrap:

Step 2: To invert the shape – meaning that we’ll be cutting the shape OUT of the paper scrap instead of around it – simply check the Invert Shape box (just below the Custom Shape box). And you’re done!

We hope that you’ve enjoyed this special issue of The Groove as we celebrate the release of New Scrapbook MAX! 2.0. Learn more about it on our site, and remember to check out our free trial at www.scrapbookmax.com. And if you buy today, you’ll save 20% off the regular price, PLUS you get the jam-packed content collection Life Is Beautiful absolutely FREE – all the details are on our site!

Thanks for reading – see you next month!

by Linda Pete – (The Groove  January 2009 – Black and White Layouts)

In The Groove

Is it just me, or does September feel like New Year’s to anyone else? I’m sure it’s a carry-over from back-to-school days, when summer was ending, and new books, pencils, and possibilities were in the air…In any event, it makes me feel like reminiscing a bit, like we do in January (although I’ll save the resolutions for the actual New Year!)

In this issue of The Groove, we’re going to do a little “year in review so far” for 2009. We’ve gathered a layout from each issue of The Groove released so far in 2009.We hope that you enjoy seeing some of your favorites layouts from the Scrapbook MAX! community, and find inspiration on a whole bunch of themes!

Of course, we still have everyone’s favorite – the Monthly Freebie Challenge, this month hosted by Debonair Desginer Diana Carmichael (if only her last name ended in D, too!). You’ll also find a great coupon to use in the store, and more!

A Year (so far!) In Review…

Here they are, a parade of gorgeous layouts from January (cover layout) through August. Get inspired, and remember all the countless themes and possibilities for your next scrapbooking project!

O2BNGdhope – (The Groove February, 2009 – Whimsical Layouts)

tackettup – (The Groove March 2009 – Friendship Layouts)

makeyesup – (The Groove April 2009, Two-Tone Layouts)

mh51- (The Groove May 2009 – Family Layouts, Part 1 )

Valerie Elaine (The Groove  June 2009 – Family Layouts, Part 2)

pickngrin (The Groove  July 2009 – Summer Layouts)

winnie49 (The Groove August 2009 – Birthday Layouts)

My Scrapbook MAX! Story

A while back, we asked you to share YOUR Scrapbook MAX! story with us. We want to thank everyone who has participated so far, and love the wonderful and often very touching stories that have come in. Below is one such story from Grannywin that we wanted to share with you all. ENJOY!

“I was never a paper scrapper, but when the first grandchild arrived, I searched for a digital program and found Scrapbook MAX!. I have experienced many joys when friends and family see the beautiful pictures I can now create with very little effort…The weekly and monthly challenges have inspired me to try new techniques. To really be honest, the worldwide friendships that are formed are priceless. It means just as much to leave a comment in the forum as to read the comments written by others. It has been very rewarding to share everyone’s joys but also to help share any sadness.”

 - submitted by Grannywin
Thanks for sharing your Scrapbook MAX! story, Grannywin! We’re so glad that you found this program and our community!

 The Groove’s Monthly Freebie

Challenge! 

featuring a mini-kit from designer Diana Carmichael

The Freebie Part

This month, Diana Carmichael is a lovely, free-spirited mini kit with you that is sure to make you smile!  Find the freebies in our Groove Monthly Freebie thread!

The Challenge Part

Here’s the challenge:

Download the freebie kit. Using at least three of the elements, create a layout that captures “happiness” – whatever that means to you!

Find the challenge thread here.

September  2009 “Featured Kits”

Love Diana’s freebie mini-kit? Looking for kits with a similar style?

Below are September’s four featured kits, all by Diana Carmichael.  Be sure to use the coupon code DCA-SEP, to get 10% off your purchase. Simply add any of the four Featured Kits to your cart until September 30, 2009, and type in the coupon code DCA-SEP to receive your 10% off discount (be sure to type in the code DCA-SEP exactly as shown. Applies to new orders only).

Diana Carmichael – Doggie Memories Template

Diana Carmichael – A Thousand Ancestors

Diana Carmichael – A Summer Day

Diana Carmichael – Bracket Racket

Booster Pack Store:

New Releases

Great new kits are added to the Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack Store each month. Be sure to stop by and check out our awesome selection of embellishment kits and template sets, professionally-designed to work with Scrapbook MAX!.

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

Michelle McCoy – School Spirit

Katie Castillo – School Days

Deanne Gow-Smith – A Man’s World

Look for the next issue of the Groove on October 1, 2009!

Not yet signed up for The Groove? Sign up for free today and get a link to the Groove delivered right to your inbox each month. Inspiration, freebies, challenges,  scrapper stories and more await!

Birthday Boy Layout by kimbob

In The Groove

What can be more fun than a birthday party! This month, we’re celebrating fun, festive, and fabulous birthday layouts. Whether you’re an August or February baby, you’re invited!

To kick off the party, check out kimbob’s bright, funky birthday layout above! Doesn’t it make you smile? Get inspired by this design and all the others as you enjoy this month’s issue.

We’ve also included your favorites  – freebies, a challenge, a scrapper profile, a digital kit store discount, and an AWESOME deal on PhotoSpark digital photo album software!! Read below for the full scoop.

Fun and FUNNY!

It’s a birthday – is it any surprise that things may start to get a little wacky? We love these two layouts for the laughs that they’ve captured forever. The facial expression in Pickngrin’s layout is priceless (this superman cutie apparently didn’t want anything spoiling his heroic cake – including candles!). And Michelle, Michelle – you sure know how to have fun! Great layouts that will make even a non-birthday day all right!

pickngrin – You Lit My Cake On Fire Layout

Michelle McCoy – Party Time Layout

One Week Only!: Get PhotoSpark

 Software for only $15

From the makers of Scrapbook MAX!, PhotoSpark is a complete digital album kit for Windows, perfect for anyone who loves getting creative with their photos. You can even use PhotoSpark’s content in Scrapbook MAX! - a great way to expand your kit collection (details below).

For one week only, get PhotoSpark for only $15 – that’s an awesome $24.95 off the regular price! But you have to hurry – this offer is only good until August 7, 2009!

Click here to get PhotoSpark for only $15 

(HURRY! expires August 7, 2009)

PhotoSpark comes with everything you need to make impressive albums with your digital photos. Includes professionally designed album themes and page layouts, hundreds of photo-realistic clipart images and patterns, caption and journal text features, and more.

Click here to see what’s included in PhotoSpark!

and Click here for instructions on using PhotoSpark’s content in Scrapbook MAX!.

Perfect for the person on your list who loves getting creative with their photos, including yourself!

Offer is good only on PhotoSpark software using the link given in this offer. Prices are in US dollars and do not included shipping and handling. Offer is good on new orders only and cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts.  Expires August 7, 2009.

Scrapper Profile

Meet Marshalynn, a friendly, fun scrapper and fan of Scrapbook MAX!. Get to know more about her!

Q - If we asked your friends to describe you, what would they say?
A – “With Marsha, what you see is what you get, her family is most important to her above all else. She knows when to be funny and laugh and when to be serious and get the job done”.
Q –  How did you find out about Scrapbook MAX!?
A –  A video on Youtube.

Q-  Besides scrapbooking, what do you do for fun?
A – Photography, Cross Stitching, Cooking, Decorating, Shopping and movie nights with the kids.

Q- Who are the most special people in your life. Why?
A-  My husband Rusty, most amazing man I have ever known. My girls…Staci, Katie & Meagan…they are little mini-me’s!

Q-  Where do you find inspiration for your layouts?
A- The love of my family. Colors and shapes reminds me of people so I try to match them together. Example…my Mother loved lavendar and flowers, so she gets a floral and lavendar layout.

Q-  Do you have a signature color scheme or type of embellishment that you love to use?
A-  I LOVE pinks…florals, ribbons, butterflies, lace and buttons and brads!

Q-  What’s your next scrapbook project?
A - 100+ pictures from July 4th Family BBQ and then 167+ pics taken today, spent the day in downtown Dallas with my daughter…I’m SO behind!
 
Q-  What is your favorite feature in Scrapbook MAX!?

A-  The ability to purchase the beautiful work of the pros and have it expand my library!

Q – If you could be a celebrity for one day, who would you be and why?
A-  Hard question…I would have to say Oprah Winfrey. She has the finances and ability to help so many people who seriously need a hand up in this world. If I were her, I would start with the homeless, the hungry and the sick children in the United States – we need help here at home too.

Thanks, Marsalynn! Here are some of her lovely layouts shared in the Scrapbook MAX! forums:

The Groove Monthly Freebie

Challenge! 

featuring a birthday-themed mini-kit by Steve Russell

The Freebie Part

This month, Steve Russell is sharing this fun, festive freebie set with you –perfect for any birthday bash.  Find the freebies in our Groove Monthly Freebie thread!

The Challenge Part

Here’s the challenge:

Download the freebie kit. Using at least three of the elements, create a birthday layout with your favorite birthday pics!

Find the challenge thread here.

August  2009 “Featured Kits”

Love Steve’s freebie mini-kit? Looking for kits with a similar style?

Below are August’s four featured kits, all by Steve Russell.  Be sure to use the coupon code IRE-AUG, to get 10% off your purchase. Simply add any of the four Featured Kits to your cart until August 31, 2009, and type in the coupon code IRE-AUG to receive your 10% off discount (be sure to type in the code IRE-AUG exactly as shown. Applies to new orders only).

Steve Russell – Birthday Bash Kit (full version)

Steve Russell – Mom’s Taxi

Steve Russell – Beachcomber Kit

Steve Russell – Now Appearing Kit

Booster Pack Store:

New Releases

Great new kits are added to the Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack Store each month. Be sure to stop by and check out our awesome selection of embellishment kits and template sets, professionally-designed to work with Scrapbook MAX!.

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

Carena Scott – Orange Spice Kit

Deanne Gow-Smith – Sky Pink Lime

Katie Castillo – By The Sea

Through The Years…

We love Winnie49’s birthday layout that creatively usese photos of the birthday girl “through the years.” What a terrific keepsake showing how far someone has come. Plus, that cupcake looks yummy (tee-hee!).

Look for the next issue of the Groove on Septemebr 1, 2009!

Not yet signed up for The Groove? Sign up for free today and get a link to the Groove delivered right to your inbox each month. Inspiration, freebies, challenges,  scrapper profiles and more await!

Tina Sudweeks -Summer Layout, using Tina’s template “A Summer Tease”

In The Groove

Those long, hot summer days are here again! Time to run through the sprinkler, make a pitcher of cold lemonade, and then scrap those unbeatably fun summer memories! This month, we’re showcasing layouts that capture the joyful spirit of summer, with a great palette of colors, and a touch of whimsy. We hope these layouts inspire you to scrap your own memories - between ice cream cones and bbq’s, of course!

We’ve also included your favorites below- a Scrapper Profile, and the monthly freebie challenge, hosted this month by Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack designer Donna Thomas. Kick back, sip that lemonade, and enjoy The Groove! 

Carefree!

Oh, to be a kid in summer – no worries, just endless weeks of fun! Moonlightpearl and Wendy Gibson’s layouts below remind us how to be carefree! Note the contrast in colors used, and how a rich palette or a pastel theme work equally well. Take your cue from the tones in your photo for inspiration!

Moonlightpearl – “Chris” Layout

Wendy Gibson – “Charlie Taury” Layout

Reflections on Summer

We know that summer has just begun, but we couldn’t resist including these two layouts that each have a reflective quality – a feeling of “looking back” at summertime. With the use of cool blue and grey tones, somehow these layouts hint at that touch of coolness in the air at summer’s end. Beautiful work!

pickngrin – The Sandbar Layout

Winnie49 – Summer’s End Layout

Scrapper Profile

Portrait of Lillyskite

Meet Lillyskite, a designer for the Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack Store, and all around friendly and creative person!

Q- Tell us one thing about yourself that others are often surprised to learn.
A-My Name Siobhan is Irish Gaelic and is pronounced “shi-von”

Q- What made you interested in digital scrapbooking?
A- I draw pixel graphics and was contacted by a lady to make graphics for digital scrapbooking – had no Idea about this kind of thing!lol
So I googled it and was pretty taken by what I saw..:O)

Q- Where do you get your layout ideas?
A- My imagination, mostly. I have two daughters so I usually go girly on most things.
 
Q- Tell us about your favorite feature of Scrapbook MAX!.
A- Well that would be that it is easy enough for my girls to use. So it can be a family hobby :O)

Q- What tip would you share with a newbie to Scrapbook MAX!?
A- Simply Enjoy Yourself!:O) And, do not be afraid to ask for help as there are so many lovely ladies and gents always there [in the Scrapbook MAX! forums] to help :O)

Q- What’s the subject of the scrapbook that you are working on right now?
A- Lol! Always Kids…Just fun things.
 
Q- How would you describe the style of the kits that you design?
A-I have been told I am a whimsy artist over the years so I think I will have to say “Whimsy” :O)

Q- What is your favorite time of year? Why is it special?
A-Christmas… Wish it was everyday [for] 1. The religious side, and 2. Because I really believe the world seems so much happier.
Love the Music, the decorations, just everything.
 
Q- Who inspires you? Why?
A- arrhh… This is a hard one. I took sometime to think on this. I hope you mean Life in general..:O)
Well there are so many great people, and I love true stories of struggles and survival in everyday life, and could fill 1000 000 pages of names:O) I will say it is the songwriters that can produce a song that can bring a smile or a tear or warmth to your heart. If we did not have photos,the songs would be [the photos]as they can take you to times in your past in a moment:O) I would love to have the gift to do this.

Thanks, Siobhan! Check out some of Lillyskite’s favorite layouts below (elements from her Erins Eden kit, found in the Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack Store):

The Groove Monthly Freebie Challenge!

Preview of this month’s fabulous freebie kit by designer Donna Thomas

The Freebie Part

This month, Donna Thomas is sharing this bright, bold freebie set with you – in time to celebrate the freedom of the coming summer months, and what that means to you!  Find the freebies in our Groove Monthly Freebie thread!

The Challenge Part

Here’s Donna’s challenge:

The THEME: For LOVE of FREEDOM

The CHALLENGE: Simply use at least 3 items from the kit to create a layout with the theme “For LOVE of Freedom,” and what this means to you!

Find the challenge thread here.

 July 2009 “Featured Kits”

Love Donna’s freebie mini-kit? Looking for kits with a similar style?

Below are July’s four featured kits, all by Donna Thomas. Be sure to use the coupon code DTH-JUL, to get 10% off your purchase. Simply add any of the four Featured Kits to your cart until July 31, 2009, and type in the coupon code DTH-JUL to receive your 10% off discount (be sure to type in the code DTH-JUL exactly as shown. Applies to new orders only).

Donna Thomas – Circus Clowns Kit

Donna Thomas – Blue Dot Special Kit

Donna Thomas – Birthday Paper Maker Shapes

Donna Thomas – Around The World Templates

Fresh and Sweet! 

Kimbob- One Fine Day Layout

We love this pretty and whimsical layout featuring a gorgeous wedding photo. While many wedding layouts are embellished with traditional or old-fashioned elements, kimbob shows us that sweet, contemporary elements can be just as romantic. Get inspired by this precious layout!

The Patriotic Spirit!

Grannywin – Happy Birthday America Layout

Many nations around the world celebrate important holidays in July. Grannywin’s pays tribute to the birth date of the United States, celebrated on July the 4th, with fireworks-inspired elements and a delicious slice of apple pie. Mmmmm…the layout is so sweet, you can almost taste it!

Booster Pack Store:

New Releases

Great new kits are added to the Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack Store each month. Be sure to stop by and check out our awesome selection of embellishment kits and template sets, professionally-designed to work with Scrapbook MAX!.

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

Michelle McCoy – Jerry Kit

Fiona Storey- Angel Whispers Template

Diana Carmichael- A Sweet Sorbet Kit

Look for the next issue of The Groove on August 1, 2009!

Not yet signed up for The Groove? Sign up for free today, and get a link to The Groove delivered to your inbox each month. Inspiration, freebies, challenges, scrapper profiles and more await!

A lovely page honoring Dad, by Valerie Elaine

In The Groove

In this second issue honoring parenthood and family, our focus falls on fathers. With love and understanding, they care and nurture us in the way that only dads can! We hope that you’ll enjoy the very special dad layouts features in this issue of The Groove.

You’ll also find your favorite features below, like the Scrapper Profile, and of course the Monthly Freebie Challenge, this month hosted by Fiona Storey (angelwithin) of the Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack Store.  Look for a special discount coupon, and more digital scrapbooking inspiration!

Cherished Fathers

Below are three amazing layouts that honor the memory of tremendous fathers. The love and creativity apparent in the designs are a tribute to the special people they remember. Thanks to these three ladies for sharing their scrapbooking ideas as well as their heart-felt memories.

Marion – A Two-Page Layout, My Visit With Dad

mswizard- Sharing Words For Dad

Michelle McCoy – Miss You Layout

Scrapper Profile

Debby, a.k.a. fourfoxes

Meet Debby, a familiar face in the forums and avid digi scrapper! Some may know her as fourfoxes, and those who do know about her helpful nature and creativity. Get to know Debby better by reading her profile!

Q- Tell us a little about yourself.
I have been happily married to my husband, Doug for the past 18 years.  We have two beautiful daughters, Jenniveve age 16 and Allyse age 13.  I worked for 18 years in a doctor’s office, the last 10 as their office manager.  I currently work at the local elementary school for lunch/recess time and also in the after school program.  When I have time I LOVE to do digital scrapbooking.  I also enjoying reading, going to the gym with my friend and the occasional “girls night out” parties! 

Q- How did you get involved with digital scrapbooking?
I was always a traditional scrapbooker but it was time consuming and expensive so it sort of fell by the wayside.  One day I was “surfing the web” when I stumbled upon this wonderful product called Scrapbook MAX! downloaded the trial version and within a couple of hours I was totally hooked!  That was in 2006 and I’m still lovin’ every minute of it!

Q- If you were to create a scrapbook that included the most important people in your life, who would be on those pages? Why?
Funny you should ask that question because I have actually begun to do just that!  I have started a scrapbook about my parents.  I lost my mother in 2000 and my dad just two years ago.  Since that time, I have inherited many photos that belonged to them.  My sister and I have had such fun going through them and deciding what photos to include in the scrapbook.  Oh, the memories!  My parents were (and always will be) my heroes and I want to be able to pass on what they meant to me and what they were like to future generations. 

Q- What inspires you to create a layout? Where do you begin?
I usually begin with a photo.  I look to see if any one thing pops out at me that would guide me to a background or some type of frame.  Once that is chosen I just let my mind go wild and sort through the many wonderful kits I’ve aquired and go to work, many times using things from all over the place for just the right look.  If I can’t find anything in my kits that says – yeah, that’s it! – I try my hand at making my own paper and embies with RealDrawPro 5 or PhotoShop Elements.  Sometimes I truly amaze myself with the results!  LOL

Q- Tell us about your favorite feature of Scrapbook MAX!.
There are just so many, how do I choose?  I guess that the one feature that I love to use is the effects. When you choose advanced under the effects tab you can do so many different things and make a true ‘one of a kind’ layout. 

Q-What is the topic of your current scrapbook project(s)?
Besides my parent heritage scrapbook I’m working on my sister’s grandchildren’s albums.  I love to work with children’s photos.  They are so inspiring!  I’m also working on a school memory scrapbook for each of my daughter’s as well.

Q- What is your all-time favorite food?
Well, my favorite food would have to be . . . . .Italian!  I enjoy making my own pasta sauce with fresh herbs when I have the time.

Mmmmm…sounds delicious… Thanks for sharing, Debby!

Check out some of Debby’s favorite layouts below!

Our Dear Dads!

They hold us, guide us, teach us, and love us. Here are two very different but both very eye-catching layouts that tell dad how much we love and appreciate them.

eye – I Will Be Home For Christmas Layout

 Kimmyann- tribute to Dad through the years layout

The Groove Monthly Freebie Challenge

Fiona Storey’s “Male Order” Freebie Mini-Kit

The Freebie Part

This month, Fiona Storey is sharing this very attractive, masculine freebie set with you – just in time for Father’s Day.  Find the freebies in our Groove Monthly Freebie thread!

The Challenge Part

Here’s Fiona’s challenge:

“Seeing it is June and most of us will be celebrating Father’s Day this month, I thought Fathers would be an apt theme! Using at least 3 embellishments and 1 paper from the Male Order mini kit scrap a page or card with a Father Theme.”

Find the challenge thread here.

June 2009 “Featured Kits”

Love Fiona’s freebie mini-kit? Looking for kits with a similar style?

Below are June’s four featured kits, all by Fiona Storey. Be sure to use the coupon code FST-JUN, to get 10% off your purchase. Simply add any of the four Featured Kits to your cart until June 30, 2009, and type in the coupon code FST-JUN to receive your 10% off discount (be sure to type in the code FST-JUN exactly as shown. Applies to new orders only).

Fiona Storey – Violet Hill Kit

Fiona Storey – Male Order Kit

Fiona Storey – Dinosaurs Kits

Fiona Storey – Naturally Yours

Booster Pack Store:

New Releases

New kits are added to the Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack Store each month. Be sure to stop by and check out our awesome selection of embellishment kits and template sets, professionally-designed to work with Scrapbook MAX!.

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

Carena Scott – Sweet Pea Part One

Siobhan Kite – Lil Miss Pink

Katie Castillo – A Pocket Full of Posies Kit

Look for the next issue of The Groove on July 1, 2009!

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