Making New Friends

I love meeting new people who scrapbook and inspire me.  Today I visited a blog by one of my new Facebook friends and I was really blown away by how talented she is.  Stop by her blog and follow her!
http://mistysscrapbookcorner.blogspot.com/

If you ever have any blogs that you think are worth sharing, let me know!  I would love to check them out and add them to my roster!!!

Happy Scrapping!
Natalie

Good deals equal happy me!

The other day I went into Michaels to buy a Xyron 510 because I had a 40% coupon.  As I was walking up and down the aisles I noticed one of their dollar bins as having small containers of flocking.
So I bought each set of 4 colors for $1 a set.  I am glad that they were in small amounts, as I don't use much on my projects, but didn't want to pay so much for huge bottles! 

Adobe Photoshop Elements 8

I am so excited, I got Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 in the mail today!  My dear Hubbs got it as the Deal of The Day on Amazon and then it has a $20 rebate which will bring it to $34.99!  I think our Costco sells it for $80!

One of the reasons I wanted APE 8 is it's ability to open AI files!  This is important when you use a die cutting program like Make the Cut or Sure Cuts A Lot as well as the other programs that go with the various die cutting machines.

If you use APE in any version, you know this program is great for more than pictures, it is also great for digital scrapbooking and making scrapbook sketches.

I would like you to know that I have heard of some people having problems with this product.  I can attest that every once in a while it will freeze and crash.  I can also attest that if I restart my computer before starting this program it usually avoids this type of problem.  I have heard people say they don't like the interface or this and that about it.  However; for what I use this product for, editing photos, creating digital photo creations, and creating scrap sketches, I love it.  I also have used it to convert images into blackouts that I can then save and then cut out on my die cutting machine.  

Here are some links to reviews on this product:
PC World
Photography Blog
PC Mag

Rest In Peace Michael Dupey

I just found out today that Michael's founder, Michael Dupey, passed away on May 1st.  I would like to offer up thanks to him and his vision of a craft superstore, which has allowed me innumerable opportunities to express myself and my fellow crafters.  I pray that his family is comforted in this time of grief and that others will raise up to continue his vision and hard work.

If you'd like to read more, please see this article at Scrapbook Update.

May's Altered Art Project

For May I chose to alter a huge monogram 'H' at the If It's Groovy blog.  I also have a link to the tutorial for the technique.  The finished project looked much prettier in real life, but I don't have the lighting expertise it requires!  This technique was found on YouTube and the link for it is mentioned in the tutorial I made. 

I had a great time learning how to expand my technique repertoire!  I am starting to look at objects I see in retail/craft stores or second hand stores and yard sales as blank canvases that come in many shapes and sizes.