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The Groove February 2007

By


The Groove

Digital Scrapbooking Inspiration – February 2007

In the Groove

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

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

 

Musings on Valentine’s Day

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

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

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

Digital Scrapbooking Tips

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

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

Scrapper Profile


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


 

 

 

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

Interested in being one of The Groove’s profiled scrappers? Write to us at [email protected] for details.

Creative Genius

Gift Coupons!

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

Think outside the “gift box” and make coupons with Scrapbook MAX!
Contest: “Be My Valentine”

Submit your favorite romantic layout to The Groove’s “Be My Valentine” contest. We’re looking for cute, funny, romantic, or all-of-the-above layouts to celebrate the month of love! Three winning layouts will be published in the next issue of The Groove. 1st prize is a $20 gift certificate to the Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack Store! 2 runners up will each receive an official Scrapbook MAX! mousepad.

To enter, publish your layout as a JPEG image using the ‘High Quality’ and ‘Web/Email’ options, and upload it to the February contest page in the Scrapbook MAX! gallery. All entries will be available for viewing. Contest closes Monday, February 26, 2007, Midnight (CST). ** Note: You must be a registered member of the Scrapbook MAX! forums to enter this contest. To register for free, click here.

“Pets” Contest Winners!

Click here to view larger image

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

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

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

Inspirations

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

 

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

 

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

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

The Groove Wants You!

We’re always looking for fresh ideas to make The Groove fun and exciting – just like our readers! Email The Groove your bright ideas today! Contact us at [email protected]

Next Month in The Groove:

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

The Groove January 2007

By

The Groove

Digital Scrapbooking Inspiration – January 2007

In the Groove

It’s a new year and we’re ready to “groove”! We are so excited about this issue and all of the upcoming issues of The Groove, your source for digital scrapbooking inspiration in 2007! Our favorite new thing: Now there are MORE PRIZES to be won in our monthly layout contest, including a $20 gift certificate to the Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack Store! Read Page 3 for details!

January’s theme is “Pets”. We love ’em, we photograph ’em, and then we scrap with ’em! A quick glance through the Scrapbook MAX! gallery tells us that we know what we’re talking about – you sure love your pets! So cuddle up with your favorite pup, kitty, ferret, tarantula, or goldfish, and get inspired by The Groove!

Musings

When I was five, I wanted a boa constrictor. I wore out many a green crayon drawing pictures of “Bruce” and his long, scaly, winding body. My parents were true sports about the whole thing, never once laughing, indulging my need to go into every pet store we passed so I could press my nose against the glass and stare at the slithering, slippery snakes. Only when my request for Bruce the boa constrictor became incessant did my dad casually deliver the fatal blow to my dream. “They eat rabbits, you know.” My eyes widened in disbelief. “Bunnies.”

Fish became my next obsession – sharks, actually. But I was old enough to know that a standard fish tank is no home for a Great White. So I tended to neon tetras and guppies and angel fish in a tiny aquarium all the while reading facts and statistics about sharks and dreaming of one day becoming a marine biologist.Years later, I’m writing this for you with a small, sweet puppy on my lap. His black coat is shiny, his back rises and falls as he sleeps. Occasionally he wakes to look up at me with the most soulful brown eyes I have ever seen. I love him more than I could have imagined. Sorry, Bruce. If only you ate kibble…

Digital Scrapbooking Tips

Groovy Tip#1: You can preview how your printed layout will look by choosing File > Print Preview.

Groovy Tip#2: Add a ruler to help you align objects: simply go to “View” in the menu, and select “Ruler”.

Scrapper Profile


Meet Marion Worthing, a “worthy” scrapper indeed (yes, we can hear you all groan at our little pun…). But seriously folks, Marion is a very talented scrapper and helpful source of advice, inspiration and support on the Scrapbook MAX! forums. Get to know her better!

Q – If we asked your friends to describe you, what would they say?
A- Do I dare ask? I think they think of me as caring and fun (I hope).

Q- How did you get involved with digital scrapbooking?
A- I have been doing regular paper scrapping, but since I bought a larger printer I started doing more and more with my computer, and since I found Scrapbook Max!, I have done very little else.

Q-Besides scrapbooking, what do you do for fun?
A- I love to travel, spend time with my family, play with my grandkids and read.

Q- Who are the most special people in your life?
A- My husband and my family.

Q- Where do you find inspiration for your layouts?
A- Everywhere.

Q- Do you have a signature color scheme or type of embellishment that you love to use?
A- Not really. I am not sure if I really have a certain style – I just start working on a page or with a picture and see what comes of it. I don’t like clutter on a page, I like the focus to be on the pictures.

Q- What is your next scrapbook project?
A- I am still trying to scrap several of my last trips. One to Bavaria last year that is half done, and my most recent trip to Las Vegas.

Q- If you could be a celebrity for one day, who would you be and why?
A- I really wouldn’t want to. I like who I am and who I am with.

Check out some of Marion’s favorite layouts:

Click on Dylan and Devyn, Sad Boy! Dylan 2003, and The Measure of a Man to view larger images.Interested in being one of The Groove’s profiled scrappers? Write to us at [email protected] for details.

Creative Genius

Check out this month’s awesome idea – a truly ingenious use of
Scrapbook MAX!:

Personalized Calendars Keep Us Close!

“A couple of my friends were moving to another country to teach for a year. I decided to make them personal calendars with pictures of their friends, as well as messages and travel tips from their closest friends. I created each month’s image using Scrapbook MAX!. I made sure to indicate all of our friends’ birthdays, and all the Canadian holidays within the calendar. I hope they will feel closer to home with these calendars.”

– Ayn Lewandoski, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada

Contest: “Pets”

Our pets are among our best friends. Furry, scaly, cuddly – they make us laugh, they love us no matter what, and we love them! This month, we want to see your best pet layout. Three winning layouts will be published in the next issue of The Groove. 1st prize is a $20 gift certificate to the Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack Store! 2 runners up will each receive an official Scrapbook MAX! mousepad.

To enter, publish your layout as a JPEG image using the ‘High Quality’ and ‘Web/Email’ options, and upload it to the contest page in the Scrapbook MAX! gallery. All entries will be available for viewing. Contest closes January 26, 2007, Midnight (CST). Good luck!

**Note: You must be a registered member of the Scrapbook MAX forums to enter this contest. To register for free, click here.

“Happy Holidays” Contest Winner

Click here to view larger image

Congratulations to our “Happy Holidays” contest winner: Linda R. from Gadsden, AL ! We love the creative “Photo Wreath” concept – what a wonderful way to showcase those precious holiday pictures! And the choice of a snowflake patterned background captures the wondrous spirit of the season.

As for all our other entries, you created the longest “short list” in The Groove history – well-done! We look forward to your enthusiasm and artistry in next month’s “Pets” layout contest.

Inspirations

Check out a great Advanced Effect! Select a picture, then go to Effects > Advanced. Now apply the Halftone effect. It creates a black and white dotted effect on your photo. Adding a blurred, gauzed, or transparent effect creates a softer image.

Click on “Family” and “Grad Photo” to view larger images.

Add Personality with Speech Bubbles! Give your layouts a playful touch with speech bubbles (find them in the “Bubbles” category under Embellishments). Insert a clever line and the laughs roll in! Works well with baby and pet pics (hint hint!)

Click on “Turkey Exhaustion” and “Cute and Dog-Tired!” to view larger images.

The Groove Wants You!

Have a Lois Lane complex? Put it to use by contributing to The Groove! We’re always looking for fresh ideas to make The Groove fun and exciting – just like our readers! Tips, musings, inspirations, ingenious scrapbook ideas – if you’ve got ‘em, we’d love to read ‘em! Email The Groove your bright ideas today! Contact us at [email protected]

Next Month in The Groove:

The Groove celebrates Valentine Romance! Plus – look for January’s “Pets” contest winner!

The Groove December 2006

By


The Groove

Digital Scrapbooking Inspiration – December 2006

Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack Store Is Now Open!

After months of making sure it was just right, Scrapbook MAX! has finally opened its Booster Pack Store! Here at The Groove we just want to say…the wait was worth it! You’ll find TONS of highly original digital kits, templates, and embellishments that you can use with Scrapbook MAX! (You can also view new items added to the store in the forums under New Releases). Search by theme or category, or even by your favorite, highly talented Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack Designer. You can even sign up to become a Designer yourself!

You’re going to be amazed at the quality and variety of premium content available at the Scrapbook MAX! store- it’s sure to take your digital scrapbooking experience to the next level! We’re so excited to have you browse around that we’re giving you a coupon code for 10% off your order. Simply fill up your virtual shopping cart, and type CHRISTMAS in the field labeled “Coupon Code” before you checkout. How’s that for an incentive? (Hurry – offer ends December 31, 2006!

 

Check out the Scrapbook MAX! Booster Pack Store today!

Digital Scrapbooking Tips

Groovy Tip #1: Slideshow CDs are a great way to share your scrapbook with friends who don’t use email, or who can’t receive large email attachments.

Groovy Tip #2: Align your objects precisely with the Align toolbar. Go to View > Toolbars, and select Align to use the alignment options.

Scrapper Profile

Meet Bob Halberg a.k.a. poppabob. We know Bob for his beautiful work (which often highlights nature settings) and his helpful advice on the Scrapbook MAX! forums. Learn a little more about this very talented “poppa”!

Q- If you were an animal, what would you be? Why?
A- A bear. I think it would be cool to be able to sleep all winter!

Q- How long have you been digital scrapbooking and what got you started?
A- I’ve been digi-scrapping about 3 months or so. It started with a desire to put together a book for my grand-daughters so when they graduate they would have all these memories of when they were younger. I never realized at the start how much fun this hobby was going to be!

Q- What are your non-scrapbooking hobbies?
A- Almost anything to do with computers. I’m a geek. A very large geek. I also like to read and I play the guitar when no one is around.

Q- Tell us about your family.
A- I have the two most wonderful parents anyone could hope to have. I have a wonderful wife with a great sense of humor and who is very supportive of all my “hobbies”. I have 4 children that I can be proud of and 2 grand-daughters that have taught me how to be young again. My sister is a very talented paper scrapper. I bought her a copy of SBM and she just loves it too!

Q- Tell us about one layout that you are particularly proud of and why.
A- I really like the “Sunrise” layout in my gallery. It’s one of my favorite photos and encapsulates how I feel about Mother Nature.

Q- What is the best part about using Scrapbook MAX!?
A – Scrapbook MAX! makes it so easy to try different things and experiment. It’s just plain simple to use without sacrificing features! It allows you to explore the creative aspect of a layout without getting mired down in all the technical details. That and the wonderful, caring and sharing community that came with the program.

Check out some of Bob’s favorite Layouts!

Click on Sunrise, Many Faces, and Home to view larger images.

Interested in being one of The Groove’s profiled scrappers? Write to us at [email protected] for details.

Creative Genius


Holiday Spirit!

Want to celebrate the “true meaning” of Christmas? Why not collect funny and special pictures of your friends and family, and make them each a digital scrapbook that describes memorable experiences together! This scrapbook would also be a great place to tell a special person what you love and admire most about them. Isn’t that what the season is all about?

As always, share via print, email, or CD – a great way to keep in touch during the holidays!

Click here to view larger image

Contest: “Happy Holidays”

The holidays are fast approaching. It’s time once again to decorate, to sing, to eat, to gather with friends and family, and to hope for peace in the world. This month, we are looking for layouts that capture the spirit of the season, past or present. The winning layout will be published in the next issue of The Groove and the winner will receive a groovy prize!

To enter, publish your layout as a JPEG image using the ‘High Quality’ and ‘Web/Email’ options, and upload it to the contest page in the Scrapbook MAX! gallery. All entries will be available for viewing. Contest closes January 1, 2007, Midnight (CST) –the extended deadline means you can use this year’s holiday pics! **Note: You must be a registered member of the Scrapbook MAX! forums to enter this contest. To register for free, click here.

“Thanksgiving” Contest Winner

Click here to view larger image

Congratulations to our “Thanksgiving” contest winner: Nicole N. from Wabasso, MN. This layout perfectly captured the feeling of the fall season and the spirit of thankfulness. We loved the color combinations, clean design, and originality. Marvelous!

EVERYONE outdid themselves this month. The entries were gorgeous and straight from the heart. We’re looking forward to seeing your layouts for next month’s contest (see above for details)!

Inspirations

Pin it down! Add buttons, rivets, and brads to the corners of your pictures or paper scraps to create a “pinned down” look. These embellishments really add to the 3D feel of your digital scrapbook. (A special thanks to Julie C. and Carol D. for supplying these great layouts!)

Click on “First Haircut” and “Jett” to view larger images.

Embellishment Backdrop! Choose your favorite embellishment. Add a blurred effect then make it almost transparent. This blurred figure is now an interesting backdrop image for your page. Make several duplicates and scatter them across your page for a “wallpapered” look.

Click on “Christmas 2005”, “Girl’s Best Friend” and “Graduation” to view larger images.

The Groove Wants You!

Have a Lois Lane complex? Put it to use by contributing to The Groove! We’re always looking for fresh ideas to make The Groove fun and exciting – just like our readers! Tips, musings, inspirations, ingenious scrapbook ideas – if you’ve got ‘em, we’d love to read ‘em! Email The Groove your bright ideas today! Contact us at [email protected].

Next Month in The Groove:

The Groove celebrates Pets! Plus – look for December’s “Happy Holidays” contest winner!

 

 

The Groove Newsletter – November 2006

By

The Groove

Digital Scrapbooking Inspiration-

November 2006
BREAKING SCRAPBOOK MAX! NEWS

Hey groovy scrappers, there’s a great new feature in Scrapbook MAX! Now you can order high-quality, professional prints of your layouts directly through Scrapbook MAX! .

That’s right! Simply go to File > Order Prints Online in the Scrapbook MAX! menu, or click on the “Order Prints” button at the top of the Scrapbook MAX! website (www.scrapbookmax.com). You’ll be asked to follow three easy steps: 1. Publish your layouts as images, 2. Upload your prints to the link provided by the ordering service, 3. Choose from a wide variety of available print sizes (including 4×6, 8×8, 12×12, 12×18 and more!). Indicate the number of prints you want, then click on “Checkout” to complete your order form. That’s it, that’s all!

Can you think of an easier, more convenient way to get top-notch prints of your scrapbook creations? You don’t even have to leave your computer! (Well, you will have to walk to your mailbox, but we think that’s pretty reasonable.)

Professionally printed scrapbook pages make an enduring keepsake for you and your family. They also make a great gift – a perfect way to keep in touch with friends and family near and far. (Psst…Make sure you are using the latest version of Scrapbook MAX! to take advantage of this great new feature!)

Try it today!

*Shipping is a flat rate of $4.95 to USA and Canada, no matter how many prints you order. At this time, International orders can not be processed.

Digital Scrapbooking Tips

Groovy Tip #1: Choose Page >Organize to get your pages in order! Put your pages in your preferred order in the list, and click OK.

Groovy Tip #2: To fix bright or dark pictures, choose Effects > Advanced > Brightness/Contrast, then use the sliding bars to adjust Brightness and Contrast.

Scrapper Profile

Meet Estee Barry, a.k.a. Granny – an indispensable member of the Scrapbook MAX! community. We all know her as a creative designer of digital scrapbook content, a helpful advisor to fellow SBM users, and of course…as comedienne extraordinaire! Get to know more about Estee below.

Q – Tell us one thing about yourself that others are often surprised to learn.
A- I use my humor to hide my fear of people. I’m rather quiet and hate being introduced to strangers. I enjoy the (Scrapbook) Max! community, where I can relax and joke with the members.

Q- What made you interested in digital scrapbooking?
A- Ladybug (a fellow SBM community member) had a lot to do with it. I love computer graphics, but could not find the right medium for my work. I love to see people using my embellishments. It’s very rewarding.

Q- What tip would you share with a newbie to Scrapbook MAX!?
A- Read the help file in the program and use the Search option in the forum. The documentation provided by Max is excellent. And of course, the forum is wonderful. I have yet to find a community as helpful and enjoyable as this one.

Q- What is the subject of the scrapbook that you are working on right now?
A- Someone gave me pictures of their mom from the time she was a little girl, to the time she passed away and asked me to do a slide show that they could put on cds and pass out at her memorial service. It really touched my heart and I decided to make this available to others, so I’m doing an entire collection of Memorial Templates.

Q- Tell us about your three favorite layouts.
A- My favorite is Memory Lane. I used some of Max’s embellishments and some of mine, plus I created the background. Then I like “Conceal”, a memorial template, and last but not least, the Hong Kong template I did in collaboration with Moonbeam (another fellow SBM community member).

Check out some of Estee’s favorite layouts!

Click on “Memory Lane”, “Conceal”, and “Hong Kong” to view larger images.

Interested in being one of The Groove’s profiled scrappers? Write to us at [email protected] for details.

Creative Genius

Gift Tags!

Use Scrapbook MAX! to make attractive gift tags! Put a paper scrap on your page, and size it to your preference. Add a “signature” embellishment or two. “Group” your objects together (select all of your objects, then choose Edit > Group), then copy and paste your tag several times on the page – you can then duplicate this page to make a ton of tags (choose Page > Duplicate)!

Print your tags, cut them out, write your messages on them, then secure to your gifts with a hole punch and a ribbon.
Of course, you can use captions or journal text in SBM to write your messages directly on your tags. Print them out, and they’re ready to jazz up your gifts!

Contest: “Thanksgiving”

Though not everyone celebrates an official “Thanksgiving Day” in November, we all have something (or someone!) for which we are thankful. We’re looking for layouts that highlight whatever or whomever you want to say “thank you” for. The winning layout will be published in the next issue of The Groove and the winner will receive an official Scrapbook MAX! mousepad!

To enter, publish your layout as a JPEG image using the ‘High Quality’ and ‘Web/Email’ options, and upload it to the contest page in the Scrapbook MAX! gallery. All entries will be available for viewing. Contest closes November 27, 2006, Midnight (CST). Good luck! **Note: You must be a registered member of the Scrapbook MAX! forums to enter this contest. To register for free, click here.

“Happy Halloween” Contest Winner

Click here to view larger image.

Congratulations to our “Happy Halloween” contest winner: Chris G. from Greenwood, LA. Adding Halloween recipes was such a creative (and tasty!) idea! And surely those are the spookiest jack-o-lanterns ever carved…

Thanks to everyone who participated and got into the “spirit”. We’re looking forward to seeing your entries for next month’s contest (see above for details)!

Inspirations

Color Coordinated. Find one or two colors featured prominently in your pictures. Build your page around that color scheme. Notice the clean, elegant, coordinated effect in these inspiring layouts (provided generously by three “groovy” readers – Kathie W., Diane M., and Marion W.!).

Click on “Working Girl”, “Seriously Sky”, and “Devyn and Bella” to view larger images.


Create an Authentic “Album” Page. Choose a paper scrap that complements your background. Shape it into a strip, and place it on the left or right side of the page. Finish the look by adding a vertical row of brads or ribbon on top of the strip. Your page now has an interesting “bound” look!

Click on “Delight”, “Bordeaux”, and “Seashore” to view larger images.

The Groove Wants You!


Have a Lois Lane complex? Put it to use by contributing to The Groove! We’re always looking for fresh ideas to make The Groove fun and exciting – just like our readers! Tips, musings, inspirations, ingenious scrapbook ideas – if you’ve got ‘em, we’d love to read ‘em! Email The Groove your bright ideas today! Contact The Groove at [email protected].

Next Month in The Groove:

The Groove celebrates the Holidays. Plus – look for November’s “Thanksiving” contest winner!

The Groove Newsletter – October 2006

By

The Groove

Digital Scrapbooking Inspiration – October, 2006

BOO! Welcome to the Halloween edition of The Groove (cool Halloween layout, don’t ya think?). Take a look inside for “frightening” tips, “chilling” inspirations, and a “spooky” layout contest! (Okay – maybe our content isn’t all that scary, but you’ve got to dig that groovy Halloween spirit!) And speaking of spirited…

NEW! Look for the Weekly Challenge in the Scrapbook MAX! forums, hosted by Julie C. Every week, Julie throws out a scrapping challenge (a theme, a type of font, a scrapping style, etc.) and looks for the best layout in that category. It’s been extremely popular right from the start– so be sure to take a look and join the fun!

Musings on Halloween

I live in the middle of Canada, and Halloween night is inevitably freezing. I recall cruel blizzards blowing into town on the very eve of October 31. Not that it stopped us – oh no! We trudged ahead in our door to door pilgrimage, pillowcases hopefully outstretched, shouting “Trick-or-Treat!” at the top of our lungs. Our mouths would water at the thought of all that candy inches from our faces, in need of parental inspection before we’d stuff ourselves silly on a school night.

But we’d first have to “stuff” our parka-ed, mufflered, mittened, capped, booted selves into our costumes. Snow White swelled to unsightly proportions. Superman looked as though the donut rather than kryptonite was his arch nemesis. We walked the streets in a stiff shuffle, bloated versions of our svelte, school-costume-party selves.

It finally dawned on me in my last year of trick or treating to masquerade in gear appropriate to the climate. I donned an ancient fur coat that had belonged to my grandmother, wrapped a scarf glamorously around my head, and sported elbow length gloves and knee high boots. I was a movie star, and oh so toasty!

Digital Scrapbooking Tips

Groovy Tip #1: To group two or more objects together, hold Ctrl, select the objects with your mouse, and choose Edit > Group from the menu.

Groovy Tip #2: To avoid accidentally moving an object, right-click on the object, then select Pin or Lock.

Scrapper Profile

He cooks, he programs software, he’s handy, he makes music, and of course… he creates awesome scrapbook layouts! Meet Stephen from Arizona – another familiar face from our friendly forum family (whew! – now that’s alliteration!). Below – check out some of Stephen’s groovy layouts.

Q-Tell us a little about yourself.

A- My wife Shelley and I have lived in Phoenix, AZ area for many years. We have no children, but have two Black Labrador Retrievers that might as well be. I enjoy doing anything creative, so I’ve done many careers concurrently… I’m a professional chef, musician, programmer, multimedia developer and cabinet maker. I run my own software development business from my home.

Q- How did you get started on digital scrapbooking?
A- I’ve worked as a developer and designer on scrapbooking-type programs in the past, but I’ve never done any kind of traditional scrapbooking. For the last 15 years, I’ve created many CD-ROM interfaces, websites, games and programs, so when Scrapbook MAX! came along, it was a great fit.

Q- Where do you get your layout ideas?

A- Many of my influences come from ordinary everyday things or objects. I’ll see something on television or in the store and say “I can use that idea for a scrapbook page!”. Sometimes I think of a general category, like “Travel”, then think of a theme that will be appealing to the masses. I never really know what my layout will be until it’s finished. I’ve always been known for “thinking outside the box,” so many people have said that my scrapbooking style is very different.

Q- What is your favorite Scrapbook MAX! tip or trick?

A – Using an image swatch as a quick border around a photo.

Q- What are your hobbies/interests (other than digital scrapbooking of course)?
A- I love to travel, do photography, shoot video, play with my dogs and swim. I’ve recently started going to concerts. I love all types of movies and music.

Q- Who is your favorite movie star?

A- My favorite actor is Robert Deniro – He is one of those “once in a lifetime” actors that is great in anything he does. My favorite actress is Marg Helgenberger – great dramatic actress in both movies and television.

Some of Steve’s favorite layouts!

Click on “Happy Halloween”, “Winter”, and “Basketball” to view larger images.

Interested in being one of The Groove’s profiled scrappers? Write to us at [email protected] for details.

Creative Genius

Self-publish a picture book!

A great project to do with the kids: Write out a draft of a short story- either an original or a retelling of a favorite. Think like a picture book – keep one action or event to a single page. Now get out the costumes and props and take a picture to accompany each page. Then the scrapping fun begins – put your text and pictures together with Scrapbook MAX!, print it out, and bind it in an album. You are now a published author and your children are the stars of their very own book!

Contest: “Happy Halloween”
It’s Halloween season – time for pumpkins, candy, costumes, black cats and full moon fever! To get into the “spirit”, The Groove is hosting a “wary, scary” layout contest! We want ghosts, ghouls, and goblins – even if they are the “cute” variety. Send us your best Halloween page layout…if you dare! The winning layout will be published in the next issue of The Groove and the winner will receive an official Scrapbook MAX! mousepad!
To enter, publish your layout as a JPEG image using the ‘High Quality’ and ‘Web/Email’ size options, and upload it to the contest page in the Scrapbook MAX! gallery. All entries will be available for viewing. Contest closes October 25, 2006, Midnight (CST). Good luck! **Note: You must be a registered member of the Scrapbook MAX! forums to enter this contest. To register for free, click here.
“Back to School” Contest Winner!

Click here to view larger image

Congratulations to Kristy C. from Rockford, MI – our “Back to School” layout contest winner! Besides the adorable scholars en route to class, we love the summery sunflowers that compliment the yellow and black school bus in the background. What a good eye!
Top marks to all entries! We’re preparing ourselves to be “scared silly” (in a good way!) by your submissions for next month’s contest.

Inspirations

Variations! Choose a “focal” picture for your page. Paste several copies of the picture, each cropped differently. Or, surround your main picture with several other pictures taken from the same photo session, and bring your page to life! (Thanks to Kristy C. who provided the adorable “Dylan” layout!)

Click on “Dylan”, “Friends”, and “Birthday” to view larger images.

Totally Textured! Add texture and interest with photo effects. Right-click on your photo, then choose Effects and experiment with the options in the list. Hint: Emboss and Crackle create particularly “touchable” images.

Click on “Grasshopper”, “Baby Boy”, and “Gardening” to view larger images.
The Groove Wants You!

Have a Lois Lane complex? Put it to use by contributing to The Groove! We’re always looking for fresh ideas to make The Groove fun and exciting – just like our readers! Tips, musings, inspirations, ingenious scrapbook ideas – if you’ve got ‘em, we’d love to read ‘em! Email The Groove your bright ideas today! Contact us at [email protected]
Next month:

The Groove celebrates Thanksgiving! Plus – look for October’s “Happy Halloween” contest winner!