digital layouts

The Groove August 2012

August 1, 2012 By karin

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! 🙂

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:

LOs I like — 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

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:

Using a shape and shadow — 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.

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:

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!

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

The Groove May 2011

May 1, 2011 By karin

Find Carena’s kit here

HUGE SALE on Digital Scrapbooking Kits and Templates!

This month when you shop in the Scrapbook MAX! Digital Scrapbooking Kits and Templates Store, you can save a whopping 25% off your order! All you need to do is select at least $10 worth of kits, then type in the special 25% off coupon code below. (Read on in The Groove for a tantalizing ‘taste’ of the store’s amazing selection of digital products!). This is a terrific time to purchase those kits you’ve had your eye on for a while, and to stock up on amazing scrapbooking content for upcoming events and occasions!

HOW TO SAVE

To get 25% off, simply shop in the Scrapbook MAX! store and fill your cart with at least $10 worth of kits and templates. Then, type in the coupon code STOCKUP exactly as shown in the Coupon Code field before checkout. 25% will be subtracted from your total, and you’ll get dazzling kits at a spectacular price!

NOTE: This offer is only available in the Scrapbook MAX! Digital Scrapbooking Kits and Templates Store on purchases of $10 or more (offer cannot be used on Scrapbook MAX! software, Scrapbook MAX! Software Bundles, or Scrapbook MAX! Mega Expansion Packs). Coupon code STOCKUP must be used at the time of purchase and be typed in exactly as shown in the Coupon Code field. Offer expires May 31, 2011 and applies to new purchases only. Cannot be combined with any other discounts or offers.

The Groove Monthly Freebie Challenge

Each month, a designer offers a great freebie mini-kit and issues a challenge. All you need to do is download the freebie, create a layout that steps up to the challenge, upload it to the Groove challenge category in the gallery, and post a link to your layout in a reply to the challenge thread!

This month, Scrapbook MAX! kit designer Michelle McCoy is offering you an absolutely amazing freebie kit and challenging you to work on Mother’s Day Theme. But there is an intriguing twist – Michelle will be sending you a secret bonus item to work with before the challenge actually beings. For all of the details please check out the May 2011 challenge thread here.

May 2011 Featured Kits

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! Remember that you can save 25% off on orders of $10 or more when you shop in the store this month (details are above). It’s a great time to stock up on Michelle’s adorable designs!

The Perfect Time To Stock Up on Fab Kits and Templates!

As scrappers, we know that every month of the year (make that every DAY of the year) offers an occasion to scrap. With this month’s amazing 25% off ‘STOCKUP’ SALE, now is the perfect time to gather the digital kits and templates you need to make your scrapbooks for the whole year round. Stock up for kits for Easter, Mother’s Day, summer holidays, Hallowe’en – even Christmas! – getting a great deal along the way. Below are just a few samples of the amazing items we have in the Scrapbook MAX! store. We have THOUSANDS of awesome kits and templates for endless scrapbooking fun!

Find this and other egg-cellent Easter kits to scrap your Easter memories!

The fourth of July will be here before you know it! Find this and dozens of kits and templates for celebrating…

Mmmmm…find this elegant template and many more that are ideal for scrapping gorgeous pages…

If you’re looking for kits with a fresh and pretty feel, you’ll find this kit and more to suit your scrapbooking needs!

We have a kits for so many special occasions and events, you’re sure to find the perfect content for celebrating your special day. Find this naming day kit and others that will help you preserve your most cherished memories.

Look for next month’s issue of The Groove on June 1, 2011!

The Groove February 2011

February 1, 2011 By karin

In the Groove

Get inspired to scrap a Valentine for someone you love! Red is a great way to express your feelings (check out PaulaIN’s gorgeous layout above!), but as you’ll see below, you can also reach for other colours in the spectrum with dazzling results!

In this issue you’ll also find an absolutely gorgeous freebie and fun challenge from Michelle McCoy. If you’re looking for a way to get into the spirit of Valentine’s, this challenge is it!

Last but not least, we are offering an AMAZING DISCOUNT on the Forever Love Expansion Pack for Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 – and Groove Readers like you are the first to know about it! Packed with romantic templates and elegant embellishments, it’s the perfect pack for scrapbooking Valentine’s, wedding, anniversaries, and more – read on and SAVE!

Beyond Red and Pink

Here are a couple of layouts that show us not to shy away from color when scrapping tenderhearted layouts. Think spring bouquets and vibrant rainbows to express the wonder of love! The first “love”ly layout is by Gotart. While red anchors the layout, bursts of warm colors express the warmth of the heart. Love how the arrangement of the elements draws your eyes to the center. Fantastic!

This bold and beautiful layout by dillie1 stole our hearts! What a sweet picture of animals hanging out together in their special tent- tooooooo cute! Every pet lover out there is surely oooing and ahhing over this one. The bright colors add liveliness and fun, just like our pets do in our lives – nicely done!

BIG SALE: FOREVER LOVE EXPANSION PACK

It’s the month of romance, and what better way to celebrate than with a great deal on Scrapbook MAX!‘s most elegant, romantic expansion pack! This month, Forever Love for use with Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 can be yours for just $14.95. You save $5 off the already low price (see everything you get)!

Forever Love is a spectacular downloadable collection of 100+ unique, customizable wedding template pages, 570+ embellishments, 140+ backgrounds, 75 paper scraps and 18 photo shapes – and until February 28, 2011 you can get it all for only $14.95! But you must use this special link to get to save:

GET FOREVER LOVE TODAY!

Note: Valid on new orders only. Cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts. Prices are in US dollars and do not include any taxes or handling fees that may apply. The Forever Love Expansion Pack requires Scrapbook MAX! 2.0. Offer expires midnight, February 28, 2011.

The Groove Monthly Freebie Challenge

The Freebie:

Each month, a 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 category in the gallery, and post a link to your layout in a reply to the challenge thread!

This month, Scrapbook MAX! kit designer Michelle McCoy has shared a romantic mini-kit with you to scrap Valentines, love letters, and other matters of the heart!

Michelle’s Challenge:

“We are doing a “Double Vision ~ Love Letter” layout for this challenge…
Download my mini kit. All pieces come from both my “I Need u” Kits…Use at least 4 items from the mini to make your layout…Choose ONE photo to use, but we are going to use it twice in our layout….

Add the photo to your layout and make it big. Add some transparency to it. Then make your layout like usual adding the same photo again with no transparency added to it.

Then write a love letter to the person/people that are in the photo you are using…

*Here’s my example layout for an idea….*

Next, upload your layout to our gallery in theGroove Newsletter Challenges category, then post it here in this thread for us to see..It’s that time of month to share the love, so let’s see it!”

Find the freebie and challenge thread here!

February 2011 Featured Kits

Looking for kits with Michelle’s signature style? Here’s a few for your list, and a coupon to use, too! Below are February’s featured kits, all by Michelle McCoy (ideal for Valentine’s Day!).

Be sure to use the coupon code FEB-MMC to get 10% off any of the four featured kits. Simply add any of the Featured Kits below to your cart in the Scrapbook MAX! Digital Scrapbooking Kits and Templates Store until February 28, 2011, and type in the coupon code FEB-MMC, to receive your 10% off discount.

(Applies to new orders only)

Valentine-a-rama!

Looking for more Valentine’s kits and templates? Be sure to check out the Scrapbook MAX! Digital Kits and Templates Store! Browse the latest kits by your favorite designers, or search by key words like Valentines, love, romance, wedding, engagement, and more!

Crafty Wishes

Daydreamer’s layout, full of yummy delights and artistic creativity, is the perfect way to express our Valetine’s wish to all of you digi scrappers – may the month be filled with “sweet scrapbook inspiration”!

Look for next month’s issue on March 1, 2011!

The Groove January 2011

January 1, 2011 By karin

In the Groove

Happy New Year and Best wishes for 2011!

In this issue, we’re taking a look at lovely Christmas layouts that some of our community members have made using the brand new Christmas Wishes Expansion Pack for Scrapbook MAX! 2.0. (The first example is above by lindaathome, using the pack’s “Frosting” kit – isn’t it adorable?) Christmas Wishes is the perfect digital scrapbooking collection to help capture the holiday magic of your favorite photos. As Groove readers, you can take advantage of special introductory pricing, extended just for Scrapbook MAX!-ers like you! Read on for all the details.

You’ll also find an elegant challenge and freebie from designer Fiona Storey, and a great discount to use on her featured kits. Get into the Groove for an inspiring start to 2011!

Snow, Snow, Snow!

You know the Christmas movie, and you know the song… ValerieElaine’s layout makes you want to sing it out loud! With elements from various kits from Christmas Wishes, including “Merry Berry”, the festive brrrrr factor is vividly brought to life!

Introducing the New Christmas Wishes Expansion Pack

Celebrate the enchantment of the season with Christmas Wishes, a gorgeous collection of Christmas-themed digital scrapbooking kit and template sets designed for use with Scrapbook MAX! 2.0. Sold separately, you would pay over $100 dollars for this amazing digital content – but we’re extending our introductory pricing and offering it all to you for only $14.95 until January 31, 2011. Use the following link to get Christmas Wishes for this fantastic price:

Get Christmas Wishes today!

Note: Prices are in U.S. dollars. You must use the link above to get this discount. Cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts. Introductory pricing expires midnight, January 31, 2011. The Christmas Wishes Expansion Pack requires Scrapbook MAX! 2.0 software.

Below is just a small sample of some of the gorgeous kits that are part of Christmas Wishes – get inspired to scrap all those holiday pics! To view everything that’s included, click here.

The Groove Monthly Freebie Challenge

The Freebie:

This month, Scrapbook MAX! kit designer Fiona Storey has shared an elegant Victorian-themed mini-kit with refined sensibilities.

The Challenge:

Challenge: Using at least three (3) items – or all of them – from the freebie kit, make a page honouring a friend or person you admire.

Find the challenge thread here!

January 2011 Featured Kits

Looking for kits with Fiona’s signature style? Here’s a few for your list, and a coupon to use, too! Below are January’s featured kits, all by Fiona Storey.

Be sure to use the coupon code FST-JAN to get 10% off any of the four featured kits. Simply add any of the Featured Kits below to your cart in the Scrapbook MAX! Digital Scrapbooking Kits and Templates Store until January 31, 2011, and type in the coupon code FST-JAN, to receive your 10% off discount.

You’ll find all four kits in the Featured Content section of the store. (Be sure to type in the code FST-JAN in the coupon code field exactly as shown. Applies to new orders only)

More Snow, and a couple of doggies!

Who knew that there could be so much snow in Texas? It sure is pretty, and Kimmyann’s magical layout captures what must have been a truly enchanting site! Blending kits such as “Frosting” and “Flurries and Frost” from Christmas Wishes, Kimmyann shows us that icy blues are just as Christmas-y as red, gold, and green!

We couldn’t resist including this little page. These pups don’t always wear their jackets, but when they do, it makes for a great photo op! Elements are from a combination of “Merry Berry”, “Frosting”, “Kids Christmas”, and “Flurries and Frost” – all from Christmas Wishes.

* * A special thanks to Michelle McCoy for hosting an awesome challenge last month, where the three featured Scrapbook MAX!-er layouts, inspired by the chilly Christmas season, were taken from! Great fun – check it out for more “frosty” layout inspiration!

All the best in 2011 – see you next month on February 1, 2011!

The Groove December 2010

December 1, 2010 By karin

In the Groove

‘Tis the season, and this month we’re decking The Groove in Red, Gold, and Green! You’ll love the layouts made by our talented Scrapbook MAX! community members reflecting these rich colours. We begin above with an absolutely adorable “red” layout above by lindaathome – it warms the heart! Plus, we’re showcasing kits and templates from our store that reflect the holiday hues.

Below, you’ll also find a Christmas freebie (and friendly challenge!) from Scrapbook MAX! kit designer Diana Carmichael, perfect for scrapping Christmas past, present and future! Plus, there’s a discount coupon to use on 4 of Diana’s featured kits.

Get into the Christmas Spirit with The Groove!

Regal Red Layouts

Vivid red is the colour of holly, Christmas ribbons, and the perfect contrasting colour to set off Christmas greens. Memphisfran uses crimson red in all its glory below to showcase amazing photos. Beautiful!

Looking for a fun Christmas kit that features spectacular, vivid reds? Check out this Christmas kit from Scrapbook MAX! kit designer Katie Castillo!

Glittering Gold

The richness and shine of this precious metal tone adds instant elegance to a layout. We love the use of gold by nannybernie to mark a very special occasion – and just look at the happiness that shines from the photo, too!

Looking for a Christmas kit that glitters with golden-tones? Check out this Christmas kit from Scrapbook MAX! kit designer Siobhan Kite!

The Groove Monthly Freebie Challenge

The Freebie:

This month, Scrapbook MAX! kit designer Diana Carmichael has shared a delightful Christmas-themed mini-kit with plenty of sparkle (see preview image above)!

The Challenge:

Challenge: Using at least three (3) items – or all of them – from the freebie kit, make a page with a snowy, frosty winter theme!

Find the challenge thread here!

December 2010 Featured Kits

Looking for kits with Diana’s signature style? Here’s a few for your list, and a coupon to use, too! Below are December’s featured kits, all by Diana Carmichael.

Be sure to use the coupon code DCA-DEC to get 10% off any of the four featured kits. Simply add any of the Featured Kits below to your cart in the Scrapbook MAX! Digital Scrapbooking Kits and Templates Store until December 31, 2010, and type in the coupon code DCA-DEC , to receive your 10% off discount.

You’ll find all four kits in the Featured Content section of the store. (Be sure to type in the code DCA-DEC exactly as shown. Applies to new orders only)

Gorgeous Green

Green is the colour of Christmas trees and wreaths, and the colour of life even in the wintry days of December! We love this tribute to nature – and the colour green – by Aussie Annette.

Looking for a Christmas kit showcasing fresh greens? Check out this Christmas kit from Scrapbook MAX! kit designer Michelle McCoy!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, from The Groove! “See you next year” on January 1, 2011!

The Groove November 2010

November 1, 2010 By Scrapbook MAX

In the Groove

This month, our theme is “Those Beautiful Blues”. Who says that the blues have to be sad? Not the fab scrappers in our community! We know you’ll enjoy and get inspired by the gorgeous blue-toned layouts featured this month – from deep, inky indigos to powder blues, you’re sure to fall in love with blue all over again!

We’ve also got a fun feature story about two Scrapbook MAX! -ers meeting in person, and of course the ever-popular monthly freebie challenge hosted this month by Katie Castillo (with a 10% coupon to use in the store!). Read all the details below.

Happy Scrapping!

Babies in Blues

We love the different moods created by different shades of blue. The deep blue has an intensity that draws you in, while the pale blue suggests dreamland. Well done, ladies!

Purple’s Like Blue, Too!

We love the purpley blue magic in this layout. So soothing and elegant! The border made of greenery really makes everything “pop”!

Thanks You Breast Cancer Challenge Participant!

Last month, we held a one-week challenge to raise money in support of breast cancer research. Participants were asked to donate whatever they could to help this great cause…and your generosity was absolutely amazing!

Over the course of that one week, you helped us raise over $1500!! We are thrilled with the results and couldn’t have done it without your generosity. A HUGE thanks to all who participated.

WAY TO GO!!

Scrapbook MAX! Special: Scrapbook MAX! Friends Get Together In Person!

…and it almost didn’t happen, as you’ll discover by reading the journal text in this great layout (click on the layout to enlarge it)! Read how dedicated Scrapbook MAX!-ers Michelle and Maureen decided to meet when they realized they’d be in the same location. They enjoyed putting real faces to names, and we just loved to hear about it. Scrapbooking really does bring people together!

The Groove Monthly Freebie Challenge

The Freebie:

Each month, a 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, Scrapbook MAX! kit designer Katie Castillo has shared a lovely 5 x 7 page based on her Applelicious line of designs (see sample images).

The Challenge:

Make 3 layouts with Katie’s freebie page. For the first page, pop in the perfect photos, but don’t change anything else (you can add journaling if you wish). For the second page, using the same photos, rearrange the embellishments and other elements to layout the page in a different way. For your third page, choose new photos, and alter the colors of the page (you can rearrange the items on this one or leave Katie’s layout intact).

Find the challenge thread here!

November 2010 Featured Kits

Looking for kits with Katie’s signature style? Here’s a few for your list, and a coupon to use, too! Below are November’s featured kits, all by Katie Castillo.

Be sure to use the coupon code KCS-NOV to get 10% off any of the four featured kits. Simply add any of the Featured Kits below to your cart in the Scrapbook MAX! Digital Scrapbooking Kits and Templates Store until November 30, 2010, and type in the coupon code KCS-NOV , to receive your 10% off discount.

You’ll find all four kits in the Featured Content section of the store. (Be sure to type in the code KCS-NOV exactly as shown. Applies to new orders only)

Blues in Twos

Two more fabulous blue-toned layouts to cap off this special colour-themed issue of The Groove. Sassy’s takes inspiration from the soothing waves, and makes us feel like dangling our toes in the water. Melissa was inspired by the blue eyes of the star of her layout, using gorgeous moody shades.

Look for next month’s issue of The Groove on December 1, 2o1o!

digital layouts

In the Groove

Scrapbook MAX! Designer Profile

The Groove Monthly Freebie Challenge

Get a Discount on Featured Scrapbooking Kits

New Releases in the Scrapbook MAX! Kit and Templates Store

Summer Love

HUGE SALE on Digital Scrapbooking Kits and Templates!

HOW TO SAVE

The Groove Monthly Freebie Challenge

May 2011 Featured Kits

The Perfect Time To Stock Up on Fab Kits and Templates!

In the Groove

Beyond Red and Pink

**BIG SALE: FOREVER LOVE EXPANSION PACK**

The Groove Monthly Freebie Challenge

February 2011 Featured Kits

Valentine-a-rama!

Crafty Wishes

In the Groove

Snow, Snow, Snow!

Introducing the New Christmas Wishes Expansion Pack

The Groove Monthly Freebie Challenge

January 2011 Featured Kits

More Snow, and a couple of doggies!

In the Groove

Regal Red Layouts

Glittering Gold

The Groove Monthly Freebie Challenge

December 2010 Featured Kits

Gorgeous Green

In the Groove

Babies in Blues

Purple’s Like Blue, Too!

Thanks You Breast Cancer Challenge Participant!

Scrapbook MAX! Special: Scrapbook MAX! Friends Get Together In Person!

The Groove Monthly Freebie Challenge

November 2010 Featured Kits

Blues in Twos

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BIG SALE: FOREVER LOVE EXPANSION PACK