New Features Video Tutorial from Lesley @ The Pink Toque

Happy Sunday, and have I got a treat for you… introducing My Memories Suite VERSION 2! That’s right, you heard me correctly. Not only is there a new version to My Memories Suite with all new features, I created a video tutorial to explain it all and show those new features off!

Last month, StoryRock unveiled an all new version 2 of its famous and very popular digital scrapbooking software, My Memories Suite. Version 2 is packed with all new goodies and awesome new features that we were dying for in Version 1. It’s like StoryRock read all of the feedback of features and ideas that its users over the years have been wanting out of the software and put it in one neat little package that will make digital scrapbookers the world over very happy.

If you’ve been to the Pink Toque Craft Blog before, you know I am an avid user of My Memories Suite. I got the software over 3 years ago when it first came out, and I have been in love ever since. I don’t want to babble on forever (because the new Version 2 goodies are exciting!) but if this is your first visit to my blog and you’re wondering what all of the excitement is about and why I love this software so much, be sure to go and read my review. My Memories Suite has been the best digital scrapbooking program to ever come along and with Version 2, it just got better.

Version 2 includes 1500 new background papers, 1300 new embellishments and 20 new layouts that come built into the software for your use right out of the box. On top of that, new features such as the zoom ability, Resource Gallery, and WordArt Designer make creating beautiful digital scrapbooking pages even easier. My favorite new feature is that your text can now be curved and follow shapes. This was not something you could do in Version 1, and I love that I can create text in beautiful circular shapes or to follow the edges of a photograph right on the page. It was probably the most requested feature and question I got from readers of my blog. Before I had to tell people they could only do something like that in Photoshop, but now My Memories Suite allows you to edit curved and rounded text on the fly right in the program instead. Hooray!

Another highly-sought-after feature that a lot of people asked me about was how to view pages side-by-side so they could build double page spread layouts. Unfortunately, this was not something you could do in Version 1, but now in Version 2 it’s easy. You can also now share your digital scrapbook in a wider variety of ways, including trading cards or calendars. They’ve also streamlined the Photobook process to make it easier to create beautiful photobooks of your finished albums.

I received Version 2 last month and have been trying hard to squeeze in some digital scrapping time with it so that I could show off the new features here on my blog. I finally got around to it today, and created a new video tutorial that highlights all of the major new features available to you in Version 2. I walk you through the new things and how to use them, and it makes it easy for Version 1 users to pick right up where they left off in the old version, or for new users to My Memories Suite to see just how awesome the software really is so they can get it for themselves.

Version 1 users will love that all of the photo albums and pages they’ve created in Version 1 will be converted for them into Version 2 compatibility and that the transition will be seamless. You won’t lose anything and all of your old albums will be right there for you in Version 2, ready to go and waiting for you to use the new tools and features to enhance them even further. When you’re adding embellishments or papers, you’ll be able to easily see what items are new to Version 2, and all of the old embellishments and papers from Version 1 are collected together in a folder labeled as Version 1, so you can quickly find all of your old favorites or check out the new stuff.

Speaking of Favorites, another new feature that I just love is that I can “bookmark” the embellishments and papers that I use most often and mark it as a favorite. This means that it’s added to a special “favorites” folder so I can access those favorite items quickly anytime I want to without having to search for them every time I want to use them on my digital scrapbook page designs. I show how this works in the video tutorial.

The WordArt Designer allows you to create fun and professional looking word art for your pages easily, and is built right in to the side tab of My Memories Suite now. Type in the text you want to create into word art, select the font and sizing, line spacing, colors, fill, stroke, etc. You can add shadows or a bevel and design the perfect word art accompaniment to any page you’re working on. I also demonstrate this in the video tutorial!

I don’t know if you’ve noticed or not, but I’m really excited about the new features in My Memories Suite Version 2! I just recently finished up Family Life 2009 digital scrapbook and am eagerly looking forward to working with all new designs, layouts, and features with Version 2 in 2010. If you want more details about what Version 2 has to offer, check out the info on mymemoriessuite.com. Original users of Version 1 will be able to upgrade for a nominal fee to get all of the new features, papers, embellishments, and layouts that come packaged with Version 2 and brand new My Memories Suite users can get on board and pick up Version 2 for themselves!

I’ve spent most of the afternoon recording the latest tutorial and getting it uploaded for viewing. It ended up being 18 minutes long! Since YouTube only allows videos up to 10 minutes each, I split the tutorial into 2 parts:

Link to YouTube Video Tutorial Part 1

Link to YouTube Video Tutorial Part 2

Enjoy! Be sure to let me know if you have any questions or comments on the new video tutorials or you need help with My Memories Suite Version 2. Hope you’ve had a great weekend Happy scrapping!

Lesley  thepinktoque.com

For the LOVE of the GAME!

For the Love of the Game

As summer has come to an end and Fall seems like it’s going to be shorter than ever (at least here in Utah) that means a lot of sports leagues are ending. I hope that everyone took plenty of pictures and captured some incredible memories. There are some great designs in the shop to help show off those wonderful moments – make sure you check them out. I used the Victory Road Sports Pack and Soccer Goal by StoryRock to capture my son‘s first season of soccer.

When you create your layouts don’t be scared to mix and match from other kits. In the ‘Soccer Is Life’ layout I used the Victory Road Sports Pack and Soccer Goal kit by StoryRock, elements from Magical Memories from the Ettes and Company, an overlay from Kitty Designs, and Remington Portable font from Lettering Delights.

Don’t forget to check out our Facebook page for inspiration. There are tons of great tips and tricks being shared and tons of layouts that can be lifted for quick and easy flair to any design!

**You can have VICTORY ROAD SPORTS PACK for FREE when you spend $5.00 or more in the Design Shop!  So, spend $5.00 or more in the Design Shop and add the promo code: VRTEAMBOOK at check out! **

Remember: Do NOT add “Victory Road Sports Pack” to your cart ~ it will be added automatically when you enter the promo code at checkout!

Happy Scrapping!
Brooke

Page of the Week Winners from Facebook!

Hi all!  Here are the newest postings chosen for the “Page of the Week” contest on Facebook!  They are three wonderful pages ~ a VERY special CONGRATULATIONS go to Amy, Heather and Megan!

If you haven’t joined us on Facebook – you are missing all the fun!  Make sure you find our page and become a fan!  And we also are also on Twitter – make sure you check it out and follow us!

We have a great bunch of friend son Facebook that share wonderful ideas, and tips & tricks, and help and information!  So, come join the fun!  There is a link to a FREEBIE kit for our Facebook fans!  Hurry and join, that offer will end soon!

Have an amazing weekend!

… and don’t forget to make a memory today!

Lisa J.

lisaj@mymemoriessuite.com

Hi all!  Great news!  We have reached 500 fans on the Facebook page!!!  If you have not joined us yet, check it out.  Become a fan on our Facebook page and you will find the link to the FREEBIE kit that we are giving away to celebrate our new BIG numbers!

Check it out and become a Fan!  We have a lot of fun and share some great contests and ideas and tips there.

Post a page while you are there, we give away a FREE StoryRock kit of your choice every week if your page is chosen as a “Page of the Week”

Have a blessed day ~ and don’t forget to make a memory today!

Lisa J.

New MMS Creative Team Announced

We are thrilled to finally unveil our new Creative Team for My Memories Suite. Although the team is small, you will find these very talented girls to be a great source of tips, techniques and ideas. We’ve included team members with different levels of ability and experience and hope that you’ll find their creations inspiring. Follow our blog and/or Facebook for their amazing ideas in the near future.

Beth Corcoran

Hi, I’m Beth Corcoran.  I’m a happily married mother of four from the heart of Oklahoma.  When I’m not busy being the chef, maid, chauffeur, or teacher, I LOVE to do all kinds of crafts—quilting, crocheting, knitting, painting, and especially scrapbooking!  I have been scrapbooking for several years and have made many scrapbooks and other paper crafts.  I was introduced to digital scrapbooking and My Memories Suite when I received the program for Christmas of 2008.  And I just have to say that I have loved every minute of scrapbooking since I started using MMS because it is so easy and produces such beautiful results (and you don’t have to clean up the scrapping mess when you’re done)!  I’m excited to be part of the Creative Team and get to support a product that I so greatly enjoy.  You can check out my work on my blog.

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Lisa Jurrens

I live in Jacksonville, Florida and I have been scrapbooking – in some form or another for probably 20+ years.  Although raising three children (for a while as a single parent) often put the scrapbooking on the back burner.  I found it extremely difficult to keep up with the pages, since it required pulling out all of my supplies – or I would get to a page and run out of ‘just the right thing’ to complete that page.

I bought MMS last spring (2008) to do a book for my oldest daughter as graduation gift. Then,  just before Mother’s Day this year, I got the idea to create a ‘Memory Book’ for my Mom for a gift.  I literally sat for an entire weekend and scanned almost 20 years worth of pictures for this book.  I strolled down memory lane and the early childhoods of my three children for the book.  My children are now 19, 14, and 13 and there were a TON of photographs from our pre-digital days.  I put probably 150 pictures into that book.  Both those that I scanned and the ones that started digital came out BEAUTIFULLY in the printed book that came from MMS.

I joke that mostly my role as parent right now is driving my children places and writing checks for their activities!  But, when I have time at home, I love to sew (I have a website for the handbags I have made www.beelinebags.com).  I have always enjoyed creative activities and have always been involved in some sort of “artsy-fartsy” stuff!  I love traveling with my darling hubby, and we have enjoyed visiting wonderful B&B’s in several states! Visit my other blog where I post my MMS creations.

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Brooke Free

I am very excited to work with MMS. This software is how I discovered digi-scrapping and now I’m obsessed. I have been a traditional scrapper for almost 10 years and found digi scrapping about a year ago. I love the creativity and freedom that digital layouts give you and the mess free environment. I have a wonderful husband who is very supportive of everything that I do and is always inspiring me to try knew things. I am a stay-at-home mom and I love chasing my two kids around, Sam 3 years old and Ellie 18 months. I’m looking forward to this new adventure with MMS.

Visit my blog.

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Introducing Paper Trunk

New in the My Memories Suite Design shop are three top selling

collections by Paper Trunk. Paper Trunk is one of the newest scrapbook manufacturers to join our design group to offer their great designs digitally.

Carrie Postma launched Paper Trunk in the summer of 2007 becoming one of the leading manufacturers to offer recycled cardstock and superior products.

Paper Trunk continues to be eco-savvy and makes every effort to provide luxurious quality and lavish designs. Going digital is a natural step and something Carrie has always wanted to do with her designs.

Click here to visit their website.

Paper Trunk prides itself on being one of the first scrapbooking manufacturers to offer recycled cardstock and a greener option for crafting. They wanted to create a place on their website where crafters can come to find resources to scrap greener and live a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle. And of course a great way to go GREEN is to digitally scrapbook.  Click here to learn more about Paper Trunk’s ScrapGreen.

Creative Team Call

We are currently searching for Creative Team Members who know how to create beautiful scrapbook layouts and other craft items using the My Memories Suite software. If you feel you are an expert at the My Memories Suite software and want the opportunity to share your designs online with many people, then consider joining our team.

What do Creative Team Members get:
• Unlimited access to our online Design Shop
• Early access to Templates and/or Packs not in Design Shop yet
• Discount for printing professionally bound photobooks
• Participate in CT challenges with great prizes
• Your samples will be featured on the MMS website, Facebook, email promotions and other advertising campaigns
• The opportunity to be a guest blogger on the MMS company blog
• Be part of our beta test team and focus group

As a creative team member, you will be required to:

• Create at least three layouts or any type of craft sample from at least one template or pack from the Design Shop per month (one sample should be from a template or pack that is listed on the New Designs Page).

• Send layouts to My Memories Suite, and to at least two other scrapbook galleries of your choice (ie facebook.com, twopeasinabucket.com, scrapbook.com, creatingkeepsakes.com, etc). Let us know where you post your samples.

• Blog and/or Facebook about New Releases

To apply for our Creative Team, please send the following information to:
jenn@mymemoriessuite.com
• Your Name
• 3-5 Sample Layouts or other Crafts created in My Memories Suite
• A Link to your Blog or Website
• A Link to the Gallery you post to most often (if applicable)
• Explanation explaining why you would make a great CT member

MMS on Good Things Utah

Monday we had the pleasure of working with our designers “Ettes & Company” to be part of a local interest TV show called “Good Things Utah.” The projects were fun and colorful and Fayette and Annette did such a great job.

They demonstrated some darling home decor wood blocks inspired by the Heritage Blocks in our Design Shop. They used photos and their darling digital designs available in our Design Shop. These blocks would  make great gifts and would be perfect for Father’s Day.

You can also watch the Ettes on an older segment of Good Things Utah using the popular “Dude Collection” to create fun iron-on projects.

MMS Featured in Scrapbooks Etc.

I was so excited when I got my mail yesterday to find the latest copy of Scrapbooks Etc (May/June 2009). But what was even more exciting was to see their write up about the My Memories Suite software. They said, “software helps you go digi without studying a manual.”

In addition, this issue had some fun ideas about using page sketches when you scrapbook (which work great for our users too). I also loved the thoughtful ideas on how to celebrate MOM. I’ve always loved the quality of layouts and designs ideas this publication offers and hope you have a change to read it.

And we hope to start seeing more beautiful layouts and projects using My Memories Suite in your favorite magazines like Scrapbooks Etc. soon!

My Memories Suite Newsletter – March 2009

Download Free Upgrade to My Memories Suite

Have you all updated you’re My Memories Suite software to version 1.1?  If you haven’t, it’s quick, easy and you’ll love it!  Just click here and choose the Windows or Mac download.  The new version has an added calendar option under the “Share” menu that includes a Calendar Wizard to walk you through creating a calendar.  It really makes it so easy!  Despite my reliance on my electronic calendar I still love looking up every day at a beautiful printed calendar.  I just created a birthday calendar for my extended family.  I used “Lovable You” from the Ettes for the background and grabbed the calendar from the embellishment folder from “Vintage Calendar.”  Every month lists the birthdays for the month and has a picture of the birthday boy or girl.  I never forget a birthday, I get to see my cute family every day and I scored some points with my siblings, can’t beat that!
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