My Review of My Pic Tales Book ~ Belle this is for you!

I am quite pleased with my 8x8 book I orderd from mypictales.com.  The book came wrapped in a cello bag and was tightly fit in to its packing box.  The cover was so nice!  I wasn't sure what to expect when I did a custom cover.  I did  simple black cover with our names on the back and the title on the front.  Instead of being limited to a few standard fonts I was able to use a font that I had in my library of fonts.  Such personalization!  I would say the cover felt laminated but I know that is not the technical term.  It is comparable to the lovely coffee table books you are able to buy in a book store. I think this year I am going to play around with a few ideas and try something different and more challenging with my cover.

At first I was a little unhappy with the quality of the print of the pages at first glance.  I had saved everything in 300 DPI and the highest quality I could.  The pages had a bit of a grainy look to them.  I pulled out the Shutterfly book I had made last year and compared the pages.  The My Pic Tales book was equal if not better quality in comparison to the Shutterfly book. I guess technology for printing for the every day book maker had not caught up to my expectations.  I can live with that.

The pages seem to be securely affixed to the binding and the quality of the paper has withstood my 2 year old looking through it (with supervision).  The edges of the pages are cleanly cut and not jagged at all.  Nice and crisp.  The whole feel of the book just oozes quality. 

My 2009 family album will be slightly different.  I have learned about bleed, canvas size, trim and safety zone.  My Pic Tales has a wonderful tutorial HERE.  It lays out all the dimensions and cutting zones so your precious pages are able to be printed in all their glory.  I had a few questions in my uploading and ordering my book and the staff was super fast at getting back to me with an easy answer.  I was able to take advantage of a coupon code found on the front page and save even more on the already awesome value of My Pic Tales.

I will be ordering from My Pic Tales again in the future and will point all my digital friend to them for their printing needs.  Go check them out and have your memories printed and bound with quality.

Photo from Mypictales.com

First Five

I was fortunate enough to be one of the first five commenter's on Lisa's Creative Corner goodies giveaway. Now, it's my turn to pay it forward. The first five people to respond to this post will get a word art made especially for them!  The quote of your choice!   This offer does have a few “rules of play”:

1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make --- but I hope you do!
2- What I create will be just for you --- one of a kind!  It will not be a freebie up for grabs...so make it what you want it to be!
3- It'll be done sometime this year (most likely it will be in the next month).
4- You have no say in the graphics other than the quote or saying.
5-The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog!

So....who will be the first 5 people?

Even if you aren't in my first five, why not start this on your blog, too? Spread more love FASTER! Ready, set.....who will the first five be??

Shabby Princess does it again!

Shabby Princess has done it again.  An awesome, FREE desktop wallpaper that you can personalize with your own picture!  Just slide in the picture, save and make it your desktop!!  The above picture is what I will be seeing for the next month on my computer.  Isn't it cute!?  All I did was slide my picture into it.  Go HERE and download it and enjoy.  Also they have a new freebie kit HERE.  Leave some love and enjoy.

Once you choose hope, anything's possible - link fixed

This is my latest word art freebie!  I am loving making these!  Click  HERE  to download it.  Sorry the link wasn't working before.

LOVE my font!!!

As promised I have uploaded and created my own handwriting using  yourfont.com.  I can't tell you how easy it was to use the program!  I would say it was easy as 1-2-3 but it was easier than that!  I thought for sure I would get frustrated at some point and time, as I often do with free programs, but it didn't happen.  The website says that you can have your own font in 15 minutes and they aren't kidding!  My biggest hold up was getting my template scanned.  I had to send my completed template with my husband to his office because we don't have a scanner at home.  If I didn't have to go through that step I definitely could have completed this project in 15 minutes.  My next project would to be to get other family members to fill out the template so I can have their handwriting to use as journaling for the scrapbooks for the girls.  Thank you to yourfont.com.  What a wonderful service you have provided.

My only regret is that I wish I had better handwriting.  But it is mine and my font was free!!

A Dr. Seuss Word Art

I saw this quote and knew it had to be turned into word art. I hope this word art will put the finishing touch on that playful page you are working on. Let me know what you think. Click on the image for the free download.

Another Word Art

I got 3 comments on my last freebie! YEAH! The above is the the results of my first tying on a circle. I thought the verse was appropriate for the shape. Enjoy and let me know if you love it! Click on the image to take you to the  FREEBIE download.

Word Art Freebie

I  have been wanting to try my hand at creating elements... not just using them.  This is my first attempts at word art.  I hope you enjoy it.  Give me feedback if you would like to see me so more!

HERE is the link.

Create your own font

If you are a digital scrap-booker, like me, you know how much fun it is to play with fonts.  I have been pining away for my own font.  When I say my own font I mean in my own handwriting.  You can pay for someone to make your handwriting into a font.  But who wants to do that!?   In my insomnia I found the website yourfonts.com.    Here are the answers to some of the questions you may have:

Question
Are the created fonts vector based?
Answer
Yes, the fonts are vector based and thus scalable without loss of quality. The file extension is .ttf, but the generated fonts are in fact OpenType fonts with TrueType based outlines that will work on Windows, Macintosh, and Linux computers.

Question
Is this online font generation service really free?
Answer
The short answer is: YES! The long answer is: Yes, this service is 100% free, no hidden fees and no strings attached.

Question
Can I share and sell my fonts?
Answer
Yes, when you have generated and downloaded a font through our service it is your property.

Question
What happens with the information I upload to YourFonts.com in the Upload Template process?
Answer
The information is used to generate your font. We will never share personal information. If you are concerned about your privacy, please read our privacy policy or contact us.

These answers came from the help section of the website.

I am going to download the template and have my 4 year old write her letters.  I think it would be so sweet to have her handwriting in its infancy!  I am also going to have my mom write a template for me.  I think my mom has great handwriting and I want to preserve it for my girls.

Go check it out and have fun with it!

Baby Sitter Notebook

My husband was the inspiration for this paper craft. He suggested that I do a baby sitters note pad and then post it as a freebie on the blog. I just took it one step further and used a freebie from Lauren Meader and Papertry Ink. Lauren is so generous to let us try her template for the recipe wrap-up . She and her designing friends give you great idea on how to use this versatile template. Go download it and leave her some love because I am sure you will be finding all sorts of projects for this template. Just for your information I used the Happiness freebie kit from Summer Driggs. If you download it tell her much you love it!

On to the project!

Step 1. Download the recipe wrap-up template, leave love.
Step 2. Download the happiness freebie, leave love.
Step 3. Print out 2 8 1/2 x 11 of paper of your choice from the Happiness collection. Be sure to print one side and then run them back through on the opposite side to make them reversible.

Step 4. Print out the babysitter pockets and babysitter pocket 2 file.


Step 5. Cut out all your pieces.


Step 6. Cut 3/4" off of each of the 11" sides of the background. Note the trim section of the template from Lauren.


Step 7. Follow Lauren's score lines and score the background and the pockets.


Step 8. Use double stick tape to join the 2 backgrounds together.

Step 9. Apply double stick tape to the flaps of the pockets and then fold. I found tape then folding worked better for me. If it works the other way around for you go for it!

Step 10. Affix the pockets to the folded background.
























Step 11. Print out and trim the child note pages and the emergency note page papers for the pockets. I trim them to 3"x6".















Step 12. I affixed a ribbon on the outside with double stick tape. OR you can follow the template, pierce your paper and thread string through.








You did it. Here are your freebie links from me but be sure to go to the links at the top to complete your project.! Pocket 1
Pocket 2
Emergency Papers
Child Papers

My Pic Tales

I have been on the hunt for a penny pinching way to print my digital scrapbook pages. Ideally they would be in an 8x8 bound book but I was getting to the point of finding a way of printing the pages individually and them putting them in a book.... old school style. Searching and searching the internet. Finding sites that are awesome but didn't fit my entire bill of sale.

Here were my parameters:
-Easy upload and/or easy software usage.
-8x8 hard bound book. (high quality and customer reviews are a given)
-MUST have an allotment for more than 100 pages. (I have more than 100 pages... how can I cut any memories!?)
-The price HAD to be under $100.

I was finding two out of the four or three out of the four but it wasn't until I came upon My Pic Tales did I hit 4 out of 4!! After some initial struggles with the software (my own learning curve) and working through some of my own server issues I am sure I will have what I am looking for.

A quote from their web site regarding the features of the photo book:
Made of Silk coated or Glossy paper - 100 lb text or 80 lb cover (for wire-o)
Laminated custom covers or Black leatherette standard hard covers
Laser Printing
Glue bound or Wire-O Bound
Sizes: available in Landscape, Portrait and Square

And here is a quote from the same page about the hard bound photo books reguarding prices:

Minimum Price:

4.25 X 4.75 (The Brag Books) - $10.99 additional page - $0.50
5X7 (The Handy Dandy) - $19.99 additional page-$0.50
8X8 (The Scrap Book) - $19.99 Additional page - $0.50

Custom Hard Cover $5.99 extra

8.5X11 (The Classic) - $29.99 additional page-$0.50
10X10 (Square) - $29.99 additional page-$0.50
12X12 (The Legend) - $39.99 additional page-$1.00
11X17 (The Panorama) - $49.99 additional page-$1.00

Custom Hard Cover $10 Extra


I ended up getting a hard case, 8x8 (the Scrapbook), no custom cover, 108 pages and the cheapest shipping they had available. I did note that they are having a special on their hard cover books. 50% off!! (valid only until January 31, 2009) Check the front page for the code. So I got my entire book for $36.57. Shipping included. I was happy with that. If I had ordered my book through shutterfly it would have been over $100 and I wasn't able to get all 108 paged included!

Oh and another feature of My Pic Tales....they don't put their logo on you book! In fact if you have a logo they will put it on for FREE! I will let you know when my book arrives if it was worth my hunting all over the web to find this deal.


Just in case you are wondering... I do NOT work for My Pic Tales. I just came upon them and wanted to pass this information onto my other penny pinching friends!

Snowman Poop(p) A project to tuck away for next winter.

My cousin had one of these in her craft repertoire this Christmas. She is a traditional stamper/scrapper. She used a stamp for the snowman and layers of paper for the wrapper. Me being a digi-scrapper (and penny pincher) thought I would be able to recreate them in photoshop. I did use the smaller tic-tac boxes. I understand there are larger tic-tac boxes but I had a smaller one on hand so that is what you get! If there is a need for the larger one I can create one for you... just ask. The papers are from Shabby Princess Moody Blues free download. The Snowman is from badabina.

HERE is your download.

Step 1. Print out the page on card stock.
Step 2. Cut them apart.
Step 3. Score them 1 1/2" from the left and the right side.
Step 4. Cut 12" of 1/8" ribbon. I used white but red or black would be nice as well.
Step 5. Apply double stick tape width wise on the back of the wrap. I used 1/2" width of this brand.
Step 6. Center your ribbon on the tape and press to adhere.
Step 7. Wrap the Snowman Poo(p) wrapper around a small box of tic-tacs. Press the tape onto the box. This will help when you tie the ribbon.
Step 8. Tie ribbon.


If you are feeling super creative you can use a round punch to punch out the bottom of the snowman. OR you can use an exacto knife to carefully cut out the bottom of the snowman.

Baby Boy Wipes Box Cover

I got bored looking at my daughters' wipes box just sitting there on her changing table. It is nice and all but I don't know the baby on the box and it does not 'go' with her room. So I digi scrapped a 'cover'. It is a 3x6" rectangle (printed on card stock) for the front and one for the back. But that is not the freebie today!

My good friend is having a baby boy in February and I wanted her to have a cover for her box. So with the generosity of Farrah Smith and her Baby Boy kit I created these front and back plates for the Pampers wipes box. Look for the rerelease of the Baby Boy kit this January!
If you would like one for yourself here is a download for you. I printed this on card stock but I am sure you could use regular paper. I trimmed them and then applied to the wipes box with double stick tape.

Love Shabby Princess

For all those digital scrappers and those who just love free stuff for their computers, Shabby Princess is generous each month to provide you with a free desktop paper that you can drag and drop your own pictures into. Her elements and papers are some of my favorite to work with when I am creating my projects. Awesome stuff. Be sure to visit the Shoppe and pick up a few kits for all your digital scrapping needs!

Coffee Sugar Scrub

Coffee is wonderful to invigorate you in the morning. You probably have a cup of joe in the morning so why not kick start your routine and start the day with a coffee sugar scrub? The caffeine in the coffee brings the blood to the surface and helps disperse the cellulite cells (over time that is!). The olive oil is an excellent moisturizer and the oatmeal helps retain that moisture. The sugar is a great exfoliant. So this is how I make my coffee/sugar scrub.


Ingredients
Coffee Grounds
Use coffee grounds, ground to an espresso or even turkish ground. They type of coffee doesn't matter.
White Sugar (brown can be substituted if you wish)
Oatmeal (ground to a fine powder in the food processor)
Olive oil
Vegetable oil



Procedure

Combine equal parts of coffee grounds and sugar.
Add 1/2 cup ground oatmeal per 2 cups of coffee grounds.
Combine.
Stir in olive oil so the mixture looks like sloppy wet sand that you find at the edge of the ocean where the waves crash.
Add vegetable oil if you want it to be more oily. All olive oil can be used but I pinched pennies by doing 1/2 olive oil, 1/2 vegetable oil.



Once this is all stirred around and combined you are ready to package. I found containers at Sunburst Bottle Co. I used the 8 oz. clear with black lid I even got the coordinating shrink bands for that extra special professional look. I am sure there are other packaging companies out there but this is the company I went with. If you happen to choose this particular size container I have a label for you. I printed this on a sheet of self adhesive sticker sheet, cut them apart and put them on the container before I put on the shrink band.

Enjoy!

PS Also pictured are the personalized coffee sleeves I had blogged about HERE.

MMM Caramel

Yet another penny pinching idea for the holidays is to make caramel. I know what you are thinking. "Sarah. Come on now. You are crazy. Do you think I have time to sit, watch and stir a pot just to make caramel?" I am telling you this is easy peasy.

Get a can of sweetened condensed milk. Take the label off. Put it in a pot of water. Make sure the entire can is submerged. Boil for 3 hours. Whala! Caramel. Did you catch that? Just boil the can in water. The sugars in the milk and sugar IN THE CAN caramelize making a wonderful caramel. The fabulous thing is you can boil as many cans as you can fit into your largest pot. As long as they are able to be covered in water you are good to go!

Now for some safety:
Do not let the water run out in your pot. The can will explode.
Do not put a dented can in your pot. It will explode.
Let the cans cool completely (over night) before handling them.

Once you have your cans cooled put on the label I have provided for you and present with a couple of apples. In case you don't like my label or want to customize your own this label is 3 inches high and 9 1/2 inches long.
My label for you

Don't forget to make a few extra to have on hand for an impromptu hostess gift.

Create a Custom Cup Sleeve

Something that I found to be a cute thing to give to the coffee lover in you life is a custom coffee cup sleeve. I used the template from Some Random Dude found here. He is more than generous with offering the template.

Using PSP ( but use what you have)
For my purposes I did up the DPI to 300 and then erased the instructions. Then I duplicated the layer and was able to fit 2 on a 8 1/2 x 11" paper. I used papers and fonts that I was able to download for free HERE. I then printed them on to card stock paper. I think my paper is 110 lb. But I think anything over 90 lb. will work. I cut them out and then hot glued them onto the cardboard sleeve you get with your coffee at your local coffee shop. ( minor trimming is required) Don't feel like spending $4 for a cup of coffee just to get the cardboard sleeve? Just ask the barista for a few. I am sure they will be more than happy to give you a few. Be sure to smile and say thank you!

Now to my friends... act surprised when you are given this gift. I just had to get it up on the blog and share this penny pinching idea with the world! To those friends who do not see their name...your sleeves are not completed. So if you have any requests just e-mail me!

Photos

I think a penny pincher's best friend is a digital camera.  Take a picture and if it is not right delete the picture.  If it is close to right edit the picture.  No more buying film, taking pictures, hoping they are going to turn out, sending them off to be developed and being disappointed only 15 or so of them are usable.  Now you have to do something with them!  

My newest obsession is digital scrapbooking.  I have always looked longingly at the rows and rows of beautiful scrapbooking paper, scissors, pens, embellishments and doo-dads.  But the penny pincher in me just didn't allow me to take the plunge.  I was worried about getting the most bang for my buck.  What if I cut wrong?  Wasted paper? What if I tore the picture when making a circle cut?  I would have to have that picture reprinted wasting more time and money. What if I messed up my journaling with my poor spelling?  I do not like my handwriting so I wouldn't have one of those elegant or kitchy pages.   It just was not worth it to me.  

Jump forward to last August when I was able to convince my hubby to sit down and show me a few editing techniques using Adobe Photoshop.  After a bit of struggling and a few stomped feet (mine) I was able to figure out the bare bones of the program.  Looking for what to do with my newly cropped and enhanced photos I went on line to find a cheap way to have the prints printed.  At the time my Wal*Mart was offering prints for $.24 each.  I was on the hunt to see if I could pinch a penny or two with an online company.  I discovered Shutterfly (there are others out there) and the photo books that they had available.  I was happy to find that you could upload your photos and they would be printed and bound in a hard bound book.  I loved that they had templates that you just dragged, dropped your photos and you had a page completed.

So there you have it.  A great way to save the expenses of film pictures, the expense and frustration (to me) of traditional scrapbooking and pinch yet another penny.