Digi-scrapping

I've been dabbling with digital scrapbooking for a couple of years now ever since Creative Memories came out with their Storybook Creator software. I find it more user-friendly than Photoshop Elements. There isn't the same tactile satisfaction of playing with paper and glue that you get with traditional scrapbooking, but I like having an alternative.

I was struggling with how to do our family album for 2008. I haven't kept up with my scrapbooking the way I used to and we also don't have as many pictures as we used to now that we are empty-nesters. So, I created a "year in review" photo book using the information from my daily planner as an integral part of the layouts. These are the pages from February and September:

Early next year, Close to My Heart will introduce their free online design software called Studio J™. There is no software to purchase and install; instead, you'll simply log in to Studio J from my CTMH website and start designing your layouts! All Studio J patterns are two-page layouts, chosen from Cherish™ and Imagine™, with additional combinations forthcoming from Reflections®. The initial launch of Studio J will include 25 layout patterns that can be swapped and rotated for even more variety. The paper and embellishments will be digital versions of the CTMH products we all love! I'm looking forward to trying it out!

September's Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

I think these are so much fun and a great way to find creative ideas for the current stamp of the month from Close to My Heart. There are almost 70 consultants participating this month which features September's stamp called "Treasures." Feel free to hop on and off the trail as time allows. Here's where you start: September Blog Hop.