Friday, April 25, 2008

ACD Systems: Help us build better scrapbooking software


ACD Systems, makers of popular Photo Editor software, is looking for feedback from photographers and scrapbookers on their newest edition, ACDSee Photo Editor 2008.

This new edition includes scrapper-friendly upgrades such as templates from popular digital designers, a "trim to shape" feature that makes it quick and easy to add photos to templates, easier loading of brushes and brush sets and more.

Download the beta software today... give it a try... and let ACDSee know what you think. (And send us some of your creations, too! We're always excited to see work created with a variety of software programs.)

To get started, check out ACD System's site or the vibrant community of ACDSee-using digital scrapbookers at digiscrapinfo.com.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Think Fall! Submission call for October/November issue

A rainy, gray spring has finally sprung here in Portland, Oregon. The tulips have gone from zero to sixty seemingly overnight, and today my husband's getting into the first real ritual of the season: mowing the grass.

But at the Digital Scrapbooking office, we're already looking ahead to fall. And now you, too, can relive those memories of crackling leaf piles and bounteous Thanksgiving dinners. That's right: we're looking for your eye-poppingly awesome digital layouts for possible publication in our October/November issue.

Plus, we want to hear about the digital scrapbooking communities you participate in... and all about your own super-cool blog. And we're always looking for stunning cover layouts. Check out the details of what we're looking for, and get ready to send us your work!

T3: Tips, Techniques and Tutorials
Our hands-on how-to column, "T3," features both cutting-edge techniques from our Creative Team and tips and tutorials from our talented readers. For this issue, we'll give special consideration to submissions featuring fall themes and memories of food and family togetherness. We're also looking for special time-saving tricks to shave steps off of any aspect of digital scrapbooking.

Here's what we're looking for:

Tips. Have you found a great way to use layer blending modes? A quick fix for less-than-perfect photos? Send us your tips of 50 words or fewer on any digital scrapbooking subject, along with a layout or project that illustrates the tip in action.

Techniques. Busy scrapbookers are always looking for ways to make scrapbooking quicker and easier. Send us your time- and stress-saving tricks, along with a layout or project that shows how you've used them to create.

Tutorials. Send us your projects featuring intermediate- to advanced-level techniques, along with complete instructions for achieving the look. (Check out the step-by-step tutorials in our February/March "Kick It Up" column for an idea of what we're looking for.)

Show Off Your Blog!
Have you used digital papers, brushes or other scrapbooking elements to jazz up your blog or website? Show us how you've applied scrapbooking products or techniques to enhance your online presence. We'd like to see a screen shot of your work (100K or less) and a URL where we can check out your creation for ourselves. Please also include the name and store information of any purchased items you've used. (For this call, please choose the "General Submission" category on our online form.)

Share Your Community Story
Digital scrapbookers participate in a huge variety of online communities, from Facebook groups to store-associated forums. We're looking for stories of how digital communities have made a difference in the lives of their participants. Have you been inspired to scrapbook by a special contest or challenge? Made friends with a like-minded group of scrappers? Stepped up to the plate to support a charitable cause? Share your stories and your layouts (saved at 100K or smaller) with us. (For this call, please choose the "General Submission" category on our online form.)

Are You Cover Material?
We're looking for simply amazing reader layouts to feature on our cover. For consideration, layout should have the following:
  • a single large, well-composed photo of one (or, at the most, two) subjects, preferably making eye contact with the camera
  • "only with digital" techniques combined with a clean overall design
  • legible title and minimal journaling
  • seasonal focus--for this issue, we'll be looking for fall holiday and family get-together themes
Please submit no more than three layouts to this call.

Submit your work via our online submission form. The deadline for all submissions is April 30... so put down that gardening trowel and start thinking Fall!

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Anna Aspnes' gorgeous "A Tribute" album now available on Shutterfly


What's as beautiful as a traditional scrapbook, yet as quick and easy to create as a photo book? It's contributing editor Anna Aspnes' new "A Tribute" album, available starting today at Shutterfly.

Available in both 8x8 and 12x12 sizes, this album offers drag-and-drop convenience paired with Anna's signature elegant style. Simple instructions guide you through the process of adding photos and journaling to each page, finalizing your project and ordering a top-quality printed version for delivery. Plus, her how-to articles on creating a tribute book offer inspiration for any project.

Whether you want to share the fun of digital scrapbooking with a friend or family member, or simply looking for a quick and easy way to celebrate a special person's life, check out Anna's photo book today.

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Scrapbook for the kitties!


(And the doggies!)

Digital Scrapbooking alumni board member Holly McCaig has teamed up with six other top digital designers to create an all-new kit for a great cause. The ASPCA Volume 2 kit is perfect for pet owners, animal lovers and even those without critter friends at home. It includes alphas, papers, frames, adorable accents and more in a warm and snuggly range of colors. Or, for quick-and-dirty scrapbooking jobs, check out the 10-page album designed by Kathy Wagner that's ready for you to just add photos.

The ASPCA Volume 2 kit and album cost $7.99 each. All proceeds will be donated to the ASPCA to help find homes for homeless pets and raise awareness of animal welfare issues. But they're only available through April 30, so go check them out quickly!