Image Keepers

Christmas Project Idea

2010-11-16T12:25:00.000-06:00

“Make a deck of family playing cards and play games during Christmas break. It’s fun to remember the memories together as a family.”

What it Means to be a Gibb

2010-11-05T08:04:00.000-05:00

Candy May writes: Heritage Makers makes it easy to publish family memories. Christmas is coming, now is a great time to work on a special project. Here is what I am giving my family members for Christmas:

(http://www.heritagemakers.com/projectBrowserStandAlone.cfm?projectID=973157&productId=5

Legacy Book

2010-11-03T17:41:00.000-05:00

SUBMITTED BY SANDY MANGANI

"A picture of my deceased parents hangs on the wall in my living room and my four year old and I talk about them often. Not a day goes by that he doesn't look at those pictures and mention a story I've told. With that in mind, I'm always looking for that perfect Christmas gift for my brother and sister. Their needs are met and it's not easy to find the gift they will truly enjoy."So, I put the two ideas together. A storybook of our parents' legacy begins with them as children, outlining some significant events in their life while growing up, while in the military, going to school, their wedding, their children, and their grandchildren. I asked each sibling to write favorite memories to include. The most fun was learning what character trait each of them believes they have from each parent. I thought this would be a perfect way not only to memorialize my parents' enriching life, but a way for us to keep their memory alive through stories with their grandchildren, some of whom never got to meet them. I plan to give a book to each family for Christmas."

The Sleigh and the Key - 5x5 Storybook

2010-11-02T10:39:00.001-05:00

This true Christmas story was written by Marilyn (Brewer) Eichenlaub and features three generations of her family and their special red sleigh. For you Greene County folks, this is a local history story as well, highlighting Ruff Creek, Waynesburg and East Ward Elementary School! I just completed the scanning and layout for her. It is a 5x5 book so it is going to be so cute in the Christmas stockings of her great-grandchildren this year!

Click link below to preview:

http://www.heritagemakers.com/projectBrowserStandAlone.cfm?projectId=991199&productId=1&projectSponsor=457785 99&productId=1&projectSponsor=457785

Gallery Wrapped Canvas

2010-11-01T12:17:00.001-05:00

Not just once in a while...EVERY TIME someone opens this...it's the reaction is the same...
"WOW! I LOVE it!"

A single favorite photo or even a collage of special memories captured on CANVAS!

This high-quality, beautiful gift comes gallery-wrapped, so it's ready go hang on the wall.

Gallery-wrapped canvases in any size make the perfect home decor and they are an extra-special way to celebrate what really matters in a home - FAMILY!

Several templates available (just add your own photos) or design your own!

You can create a beautiful canvas print as a gift (or treat yourself) in 5 EASY steps! I will send you the instructions with your order and I am here to help you every step of the way.

Turn your favorite memories into a masterpiece!

PROJECT IDEA - "Back to School"

2010-07-30T08:16:00.001-05:00

Using the Softbound, Spiral bound book:

"My high school-aged kids loved making their own school planners for this year. With the younger kids, I helped them but they loved making one too. They are all excited to use them!"

- Tina S.

Preview of School Planner template from Template Gallery:

http://www.heritagemakers.com/projectBrowserStandAlone.cfm?projectID=889429&productId=73

Cards, Cards, Cards - Cards for all occasions

2010-06-15T20:06:00.000-05:00

With Heritage Makers, you can start from scratch, or choose a template & plunk in your photo(s) & add your story! Either way, you will have a high quailty, personalized card for any occasion.

All four sides are imprintable and cards come complete with envelopes. Heck, you can even have the cards mailed out for you, right through your Heritage Makers account!

Sign up today at www.MakeYourMomentsLast.com

5 generation playing cards

2010-06-03T21:31:00.001-05:00

Debbie Rasmussen recently made this fun and meaningful game and keepsake for her family reunion. Take a peek at her 5-generation playing cards!

Then make your own! Just log on at www.MakeYourMomentsLast.com

Book Template for Summer Photos

2010-06-02T20:31:00.001-05:00

Jill Means has designed a wonderful new template that is super for summer photos - 4th of July, etc. In fact, Chris Crandall just changed the text boxes and used it for her son's birthday Storybook.

http://www.heritagemakers.com/projectBrowserStandAlone.cfm?projectID=986205&productId=5

Another great reunion idea by Sherrie Wright

2010-06-01T20:45:00.000-05:00

This is an idea we did for our family reuion. My Great Grandparents are no longer alive. Most of my Great Aunts and Uncles were still alive at the time. My great grandpa was a gas station owner in the 30’s and 40’s, so my great anuts and uncles even their kids remember all the stories about the gas station. So for a keep sake we took a very old picture of my grandfather at the station. I touched up the old photo and scanned several copies of it, framed them in shadow boxes. I put a miniture old time gas station pump and minuture oil canand some minutre tools aranges them in the shadow box and presented it to the oringal children of the family. It was a huge success! It brought many tears and laughs to our reuion. That was about 7 years ago and our reioun is still talked about today. It’s all about memories and sharing them.

Fun Family Reunion Ideas

2010-05-30T20:38:00.000-05:00

Submitted by: Heidi Arave

Do you have a family reunion this summer? Here are some great ideas of fun things you can do at your family reunion to strengthen your family’s heritage!

1. Family Treasures Card game: This is a fun family game that has a playing board (laminated poster) that goes with it. To view the instructions click here.

2. I AM a Heritage Maker Activity Book: This is a great way for your kids and their cousins to get to know their heritage in a fun activity book.

3. Personalized Card Deck: Does your family like to play card games? Create your own custom deck of cards with pictures of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. There are lots of templates to choose from in the gallery (rook, old maid, go fish, face cards, etc.)

4. FAMILY LAND: This fun game is just like Candy Land, but with your family name and the family activities you enjoy doing together. It will keep the kids entertained for hours! Also, it has a deck of cards to go with it.

5. Family Cookbook: If you have time before the reunion, have family members send you a favorite recipe and a picture. Put together a family cookbook. Take the cookbook to the reunion and if family members would like a copy, you can take orders. If you don’t have time to put it together before the reunion, have your family bring their picture and favorite recipe to the reunion. Then put the cookbook together later.

6. BINGO: Create your own Bingo cards with pictures of grandparents and other relatives. This is a great way for the young kids to learn the names of their great grandparents.

Have your photos scanned while at your reunion!

2010-05-15T20:23:00.002-05:00

Attending a family reunion this year? Ask each family member coming to bring the pictures they have of Great grandma and Great grandpa, etc. (the pictures they don't let out of their site). I can scan everyone's pictures while at the reunion and then everyone gets a copy of everyones pictures and everyone goes home with their special photos- it's a win win for everyone! Of course you can always bring your photos to the shop where I offer scanning everyday!

How to make adjustments to more than one layer at a time

2010-05-10T08:21:00.001-05:00

Adobe Photoshop or Elements Tip from Designer Digitals:

Multitasking; How to make adjustments to more than one layer at a time

You can also watch this tip on video on their blog: Digital Scrapbooking Tips and Tricks: How to make adjustments to more than one layer at a time Video

With today's hectic lifestyles, we are all looking for ways to get more done in less time. When you are working in Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, you can multitask by making changes to several layers at one time.

Begin by holding the Ctrl key (Mac: Cmd key) as you select all of the layers you want to adjust.

Next, hold the Ctrl and the Shift key (Mac: Cmd + Shift) as you click on the thumbnails of each of those layers in the Layers Palette.

Finally, select Layer > New Adjustment Layer and choose an adjustment like Black and White, Hue/Saturation, or Brightness/Contrast. When you make the adjustment, Photoshop and PSE will apply it to all of the selected layers ... multitasking at its finest!

A card story to share

2010-05-02T21:44:00.000-05:00

"Whenever I send a card I make with Heritage Makers, I always get a phone call asking how I did that. People have even put them into frames as home decor! It's a fun, easy and very inexpensive way to send a card and share my special photos with others at the same time."

Annie P

Father's Day Gift idea

2010-05-01T11:47:00.001-05:00

Have you thought about what you're going to give your father and/or husband this year for Father's Day?

Let the men in your life know how much they mean to you by creating a custom storybook just for them!

We have some amazing templates in our template gallery that will make creating a beautiful storybook a cinch! A gift that your dad/husband will treasure, read and re-read for years to come.

Here are a few ideas:
Simple Father's Day book 7x5 storybook
HM Exclusive Father's Day book 7x5 storybook
10 Things we Love about Dad 7x5 storybook
What My Dad Does 7.5x10 storybook
Daddy's my Pal Greeting Card
Father's Day Card Greeting Card

Cascading; Three Ways to View Multiple Documents at Once

2010-04-30T08:17:00.001-05:00

Adobe Photoshop or Elements Tip from Designer Digitals:

Cascading; Three Ways to View Multiple Documents at Once

You can also watch this tip on video on their blog: Digital Scrapbooking Tips and Tricks: Three Ways to View Multiple Documents at Once [Video]

When you see Niagara Falls, you can choose to view it from the New York side or the Canadian side. Each side has a different perspective, but both are equally magnificent.

When you open documents in Photoshop Elements, the default view allows you to see one large document filling the Editing Window. In order to drag layers from one document to another, you need to be able to see all of your open files at the same time.

There are several ways to do this, and Adobe refers to this orientation as cascading view. It may not be like the cascades at Niagara Falls, but it's helpful nonetheless.

In Photoshop Elements:
- Select Window > Images > Cascade. You can undo this by selecting Window > Images > Maximize Mode.
- Double-click the title bar of the top image. You can undo this by double-clicking the title bar again.
- Click the double-rectangle icon between the - and the X at the top right corner of the title bar.
- Clicking the icon again takes you back to maximize mode.

In Photoshop:
- Select Window > Arrange > Cascade for the cascading view.
- Double-click the title bar to enter Maximize Mode or click the Maximize icon between the - and the X at the top right corner of the title bar.
- To switch from Maximize back to Cascading view, click the Restore Down icon between the - and the X at the far right end of the Menu Bar.

How to switch between the Brush and Eyedropper tools

2010-04-20T08:15:00.001-05:00

Adobe Photoshop or Elements Tip from Designer Digitals:

The I's Have It; How to switch between the Brush and Eyedropper tools

You can also watch this tip on video on their blog: Digital Scrapbooking Tips and Tricks: Switching between the Brush and Eyedropper tools [Video]

Do you have an I for design? You do if you are using Photoshop or Photoshop Elements!

The Eyedropper tool is a quick way to pick up a color from your photo or project. Just press the letter I on your keyboard to activate the Eyedropper tool. Then click once on your layout or photo to pick up a new foreground color.

The Eyedropper is especially handy when you are using the Brush tool since brush images are stamped in the Foreground Color. When you are working with the Brush tool and want to pick up another color, you don't have to switch to the Eyedropper, just press the Alt key (Mac: Option key) on your keyboard to temporarily change the Brush into the Eyedropper. Click once on the new color. You'll see the Foreground chip change to reflect your new color choice.
When you release the key, the cursor changes back into the brush.

Graduation Cards, Announcements & Invitations

2010-04-15T11:40:00.002-05:00

Graduation is just around the corner! If you, or someone you know has left Graduation Announcements as one of the last things to do on the "To Do" list Heritage Makers can help. We have outstanding pricing on our cards and invitations as well as darling templates to make your graduate's announcement look amazing!

You can order the cards and invitations in groups of 10, 30, 50, or 100. The more you buy the better price you get. Keep in mind that if you ordered 100 cards, you don't have to use all 100 cards for graduation announcements. You have a whole year to use all of them, so you could even use the rest as Christmas Cards if you wished.

Here is the price break down:

7x5 Invitations (Prints on 2 sides, front and bacK)
10 = $14.95 ($1.50 each)
30= $40.35 ($1.36 each)
50= $59.75 ($1.20 each) (includes 1 month of premier membership)
100=$111.90 ($1.12 each) (includes 2 months of premier membership)

7x5 Cards (Prints on all 4 sides)
10= $24.95 ($2.50 each)
30= $67.35 ($2.25 each)
50= $99.75 ($1.99 each) (includes 1 month of premier membership)
100= $186.90 ($1.87 each) (includes 2 months of premier membership)

To see some fun ideas of what you can create using your Heritage Makers account click the links below:

Graduation card #1
Graduation card #2
Graduation card #3
Graduation card #4
Invitation #1

Remember that each template can easily be modified- you can change the colors to match the colors of the school and change the text so it says just what you want it to.

To order any of the card/invitation packages please contact me via email or phone to place your order as these specials aren't available online.

Graduation Gift

2010-04-13T11:15:00.000-05:00

Here's a couple pages from the inside of another great Chris Crandall book. She made this awesome book as a graduation gift for her nephew. She gathered photos & messages from family & put them in this book. Click the link below to see the book in it's entirety.

http://www.heritagemakers.com/projectBrowserBWC.cfm?projectID=086bcbf6-3048-6168-a4b8-9e3665344c87&productID=9

How to Determine and Change the Document Size

2010-04-10T08:12:00.000-05:00

Adobe Photoshop or Elements Tip from Designer Digitals:

Size Matters - How to Determine and Change the Document Size

You can also watch this tip on video on their blog: Digital Scrapbooking Tips and Tricks: How to Determine and Change the Document Size [Video]

In Photoshop and PSE, sometimes size does matter. When you have opened a photo or document and need to know the size, press Ctrl + Alt + I (Mac: Cmd + Opt + I) to activate the Image Size Dialog box.

This box gives you the current dimensions of your document and allows you to change the size on the fly.

In the Document Size section, you can quickly change the size, but remember that sizing UP can adversely affect the resolution of your photo. Be sure to click the Constrain proportions box to maintain the aspect ratio and avoid the funhouse effect.

Click OK to confirm the size change.

Soccer Book Templates

2010-04-01T12:12:00.001-05:00

Just add your own photos to this awesome template. What a fun way to remember the friendships made and the team spirit shared for the rest of their lives! And it could not be any easier! Preview it here: http://www.heritagemakers.com/projectBrowserStandAlone.cfm?projectID=1071522&productId=5

You can also view lots of other sports related templates in the template gallery. Visit http://www.MakeYourMomentsLast.com & see for yourself.

A Storybook Testimonial from Heidi Kern

2010-03-31T18:52:00.000-05:00

FOR MY MOTHER IN-LAW

My experience with Heritage Makers started in 2008.

My mother-in-law passed away unexpectedly at the age of 66 in August of 2007. For the funeral, we put together several posters showcasing my mother-in-law’s life.

At the time, I had not yet heard of Heritage Makers. I took the photos from the posters and scanned them into my computer. After that, I took the originals and made a traditional scrapbook for my father-in-law. He loved it.

I wanted to make a scrapbook for the four children and their families as well, but the idea of making four identical scrapbooks was overwhelming.

Early in 2008, Lynn Zeddies started her Heritage Makers business. While attending her open house, I immediately knew the solution to my “problem.” I would make Heritage Makers books.

It took me a while to get started on my books, but once I did get started, I knew that this was going to be a much better solution than making four individual scrapbooks.

I must admit that the process of making the books was also very therapeutic for me. I was still very much mourning her death, and there were times when I had to take a break from the books because I would feel overwhelmed with grief.

I was very meticulous about what backgrounds, matting, and embellishments I chose for each page. I carefully looked at each piece of art in the Premier Library (yes, I went through EVERY piece of art) to make sure everything was just perfect. I chose pieces that I thought worked well with the pictures. I put captions where I thought them appropriate, but let many of the pictures speak for themselves about who my mother-in-law was.

My husband would not look at the book I was making because of his grief, so I worked with the knowledge that I had of her. It was a difficult project, but I completed it in time to give it to everyone at Thanksgiving 2008. They were very touched by the books and I was so happy to be able to give them something to remember the life of their mom. These books will also help my mother-in-law’s grandchildren to remember who their grandma was, since most of them are age 15 and under.

After giving the books to her children, it was easy to go back into my project and make a few minor adjustments to make a book for her only living immediate family: her sister. She really appreciated the memories contained in the book about not only her sister, but the rest of her family.

After this experience with Heritage Makers, I decided that I would like to help other people capture their memories as well.

I want to encourage people to make books of their loved ones before they are gone. Ask them questions and get their stories from them. It may not seem important now, but when someone is gone, all you have left to rely on is someone else’s memories of them.

Heidi Kern

Take a look at these heritage preserving templates:
“Live Heritage Book”
“Because, You’re My Mother”

How to Glue Layers Together

2010-03-25T08:09:00.000-05:00

Adobe Photoshop or Elements Tip from Designer Digitals:

A Sticky Situation, How to Glue Layers Together

You can also watch this tip on video on their blog: Digital Scrapbooking Tips and Tricks: How to Digitally Glue Layers Together [Video]

When I scrapbook with paper and adhesive, I have two choices: Removable or Permanent tape. In Photoshop and PSE, I have the same two choices.

Linking layers is the digital equivalent of repositionable glue. To link two or more layers, hold the Ctrl (Mac: Cmd) key and click on the layers you want to link. Release the Ctrl (Cmd) key and click the chain link icon above (PSE) or below (PS) the Layers Palette. Now the layers will stick together like glue and can be resized or repositioned together. To unlink the layers, simply select the layers you want to unlink and press the chain link icon again.

Merging Layers is the digital equivalent of Super Glue. Once you merge layers, you can't undo it without going back a step or more in the History Palette. If you've completed a number of steps, this can cost you precious time, so make sure that you really want the layers together as one before you merge. To Super Glue two layers together, stack the layers one on top of the other and highlight the upper layer. Press Ctrl + E (Mac: Cmd + E) on your keyboard. This glues the two layers together.

To Super glue several layers together, hold the Ctrl (Mac: Cmd) key to select all of the layers you are merging and press Ctrl + E (Mac: Cmd + E).

How to hide the highlight on selected type in Photoshop

2010-03-15T08:04:00.000-05:00

Adobe Photoshop Tip from Designer Digitals:

How to hide the highlight on selected type in Photoshop

You can also watch this tip on video on their blog: Digital Scrapbooking Tips and Tricks: Hiding the Highlight on selected type in Photoshop [Video]

When you are working with text in Photoshop, getting the text tool and highlighting the text allows you to do a number of things like change the color, size, or even the font. But the highlight on the text is like a halloween mask. It makes it difficult to see what the text looks like underneath.

Pressing Ctrl + H (Mac: Cmd + H) on your keyboard allows you to hide the highlight on the text, so you can clearly see what the effect will look like on your project as you apply it.

To see your text in a different font, first highlight your text, then highlight the font name in the Options Bar and press the arrow keys on your keyboard. If you take the extra step to hide the highlight on the text, you can clearly see how your text will appear on your project.

How to use Ready Made Card Templates

2010-03-05T07:55:00.000-06:00

Adobe Photoshop or Elements Tip from Designer Digitals:

You can also watch this tip on video on their blog: How to use Ready Made Card Templates [Video]

One of my favorite timesavers is to use Ready-Made Card Templates to multi-task. Once I have created the card, I use the template in several other ways: as personalized gift tags, custom placecards for the table, as photo mats and as scrapbook page elements. By thinking creatively, you can stretch your budget and save a few minutes, too!

Ready-Made Card templates are designer cards that contain a transparent "window" for your photos. To get started, open a photo and a card template.

Get the Move Tool and drag the photo onto the card template document. The photo will be on top of the template, so move your cursor over to the Layers Panel and drag the photo underneath the card layer. You'll see the photo peeking through the transparent window.

Press Ctrl T (Mac: Cmd T) on your keyboard to activate the Transform controls. Use the corner handles on the bounding box to resize your photo and the circular arrow handle to twist or turn your photo.

Add text by clicking the template layer. Get the Type tool and make your font selections (font name, text size and color) from the Options Bar across the top of the editing screen. Click on the card layer and begin typing. When you are satisfied with your text, click the checkmark to confirm the type.

You can add digital elements to your card by opening the element file and using the Move tool to drag it onto the card template.

Save your card by choosing File > Save As from the Menu Bar. Give the card a new name. If you are sending your card to be printed (at http://www.makeyourmomentslast.com/ ), select the .jpg file format to flatten it and format it.

Resize your card to make tags or placecards by selecting Layer > Merge Layers and picking up the Crop tool. Type the new size in the Options Bar before dragging out a rectangle over your entire card. Click the checkmark to confirm the crop.

After printing your card, you can add 3D elements such as brads, glitter, ribbons, buttons or other items if you like. So, although card templates are predesigned, you can make them your own!

Holly Hunters "why"

2010-03-03T18:43:00.000-06:00

WHY I DO WHAT I DO

I just had to share this email I got from one of my clients (actually one of my consultant’s clients… My consultant and I teach a class together at a 55 and over community. This story just made my day!

Olga Geryak and her husband John worked on a book together telling the life story of her grandparents. She only had a few photos, but she got creative and included maps, stock photos from the time period, and the stories that only she knew.

This is a wonderful example of why it’s so important to tell your stories even if you don't have a bunch of photos to go along with them. If she didn’t get these stories down, they would have died with her someday.

This is why I do what I do. It was great fun watching married couples work on books in our class… Some worked together on projects while others created their own personal projects. One man did a book about his lifelong love of fishing and those he’s shared the passion with (sons, grandkids, friends, brother, etc). Can’t wait to see it!

Thanks,

Holly Hunter

Hi Holly,

Thought you’d like to know “Grandma & Grandpa” arrived yesterday. How exciting and thrilling for us! We just loved it and can’t get over the quality of everything—the photos are so clear, the type is so legible, and the colors are right on. We can’t believe we created it.

Of course, I was bawling even though I wrote it and knew it so well. Just seeing it was very overwhelming. John wants to know when we start on the next one!

Hope to see you back in Trilogy in the fall, or sooner if you decide. Thanks so much for your help and have a great summer.

Olga Geryak

View other heritage preserving templates:

“Cornerstone Grandparents Basic”

“Cornerstone Parent Basic”

Amidon Elementary

2010-02-26T20:13:00.002-06:00

A STORY TO SHARE

Kara Cosby is a fantastic consultant on our team and an awesome 4th grade teacher, as well. Her first storybook was about her Student Teaching experience and I loved what she wrote about it. I thought it was a great book to share, as many kids, parents and teachers are headed back to school and it gives a different perspective - through the eyes of a teacher. A storybook credit - or even a finished book - could be a wonderful gift for a teacher.

Kara's Story:

This is my student teaching book. This was truly a life-changing experience and something I never want to forget. How can I now with a book like this? I made it only using the basic art and I think it looks great! I loved just being able to write the stories and feelings I had about my students.

http://www.heritagemakers.com/projectBrowserBWC.cfm?projectID=1cd8957c-3048-6168-daf1-84800cb172ee&productID=5

How to Print Several Items on One Page

2010-02-24T07:46:00.002-06:00

Adobe Photoshop or Elements Tip from Designer Digitals:

How to Print Several Items on One Page

You can also watch this tip on video on their blog: How to Print Several Items on One Page [Video]

One way to save a few dollars is to print several cards, tags, or other projects on one page. Here's how:

Begin by creating a new document the size you want to print. For the sample, I created a new document by opening PSE and pressing Ctrl N (Mac: Cmd N) on the keyboard. In the "New" dialog box, I chose to create a letter-sized document at 300 pixels per inch in RGB color mode For the background contents, I chose "white."

You may choose a different size or background color based on the projects you have created and the size of your photo paper. Click OK to create the new canvas.

Open the tags, cards, or other projects you have created by choosing File > Open and browsing your computer for the files.

If your PSE Project Bin is open, you'll be able to see all of the open documents at once. You could also select Window > Images > Cascade to see all of the open documents in the editing window.

In Photoshop, the command to view all documents at once is Window > Arrange > Cascade. (Photoshop CS4 directions follow.)

Get the Move tool and click on one of your projects. If it is a layered file, choose Layer > Merge Visible or press Ctrl Shift E (Mac: Cmd Shift E) on your keyboard. Click and drag the flattened image over to your new document. Holding the Shift key as you drag will center the item on the new document.

In Photoshop CS4, drag your image from the workspace to the tab of your new composite document.

Repeat the process with the remaining open files.

Maximize your print document and arrange the items on the page.

You can duplicate any of the items by selecting the layer in the Layers Panel and pressing Ctrl J (Mac: Cmd J) on your keyboard. Select the new layer and drag it into place.

With your page filled, you are ready to print directly from Photoshop or PSE by choosing File > Print or press Ctrl P (Mac: Cmd P) on your keyboard.

From the Print dialog, you can enter even more choices by selecting Page Setup > Printer > Properties. This takes you to your printer driver where you can select the paper type, size, and borderless (if available.)

Add photos while working in Studio

2010-02-23T17:07:00.000-06:00

You can add photos to an album WHILE YOU ARE WORKING ON A PROJECT!

With your project open to edit, click on the "My Photos" tab.

Select a Photo Album.

At the bottom of the left column, click on "Add Photos".

Then, just upload the photos from your computer.

Gallery Wrapped Canvas & Posters

2010-02-22T12:37:00.011-06:00

You can do anything with a Heritage Makers poster or canvas. Design your home décor special to fit your style.

Football Poster 18x12 poster
designed by Shelly Bruinsma
Template ID: 17965

Brotherly Love 18x12 poster

designed by Michelle Satchell
Template ID: 18622

Family Photo Collage 24x20 canvas

designed by Carment Dolan
Template ID: 20321

Family Black and White 20x20 canvas

Template ID: 20311

Surfer Boys by Rashelle Nelson

2010-02-21T12:28:00.000-06:00

I have two little boys who are my complete world. Izek is our oldest and he will be turning four at the end of this year. Maxwell just recently turned two. I remember being pregnant with Maxwell and thinking how much fun it would be for these two precious little boys to be so close in age (just a little over a year and a half apart). I really couldn’t wait to start teaching them what a special relationship they could, should, and would have.

When Izek was born I decided to do his room in a surf theme since I thought it could easily “grow” with his age. So now that the boys will be sharing I am just making some big boy alterations to their room. I remember thinking how fun it would be to make a surf poster to put on their wall. I wanted to make it look just like the cover of a surf magazine!

I got online and started researching magazines and what some of the headlines and covers looked like; I got even more excited. I put some adorable pictures on the poster of the boys at the beach the past two summers and some great headline/cover stories as if they were real professional surfers. I am so happy with how it turned out; it was my first canvas poster. And how memorable it turned out to be.

Now that summer has come to a close and the boys are happily sharing their new room, it melts my heart to see how much fun they have being together. I think one of my favorite quotes is “There’s no other love like the love for a brother. There’s no other love like the love from a brother” (Astrid Alauda). I love that my two little boys are best friends and that a summer heritage making project turned into something so special. Thanks Heritage Makers!

Last week for "Share the Love" charity drive!

2010-02-20T09:00:00.000-06:00

We're in the final stretch of our "Share the Love with Haiti" charity drive!

In conjunction with the “Fall in Love with Geneva” campaign in Geneva, Illinois, Image Awards & Engraving, Inc. is sponsoring "Share the Love with Haiti", a charity drive for the victims of Haiti. The company is matching, dollar for dollar, the first $500 in contributions collected at their store during the month of February, 2010.

Donations may be mailed or dropped off at their retail location:
622 W. State Street, Geneva, IL 60134

Please make checks payable to the American Red Cross.

Even if you can't contribute monetarily, you can still "share the love" by pasting this message into your newsfeeds, blogs or twitter accounts.

In the words of Stevie Wonder "A whole lotta little makes a whole lotta lot" !

We can make difference!

HM Press

2010-02-19T12:08:00.002-06:00

MAKE YOUR OWN STORY BOOK AT MAKEYOURMOMENTSLAST.COM

Heritage Makers made the best personalized gifts on the Early Show in December. This segment included personalized bags, homemade puzzles, custom stationary, personalized stamps, and more.

Early Show contributor Vera Gibbons tried out the HM site herself and made a book, which she displayed on television. As Gibbons and Early Show testifies to viewers, Heritage Makers is “the perfect gift for family members and friends, everyone has a story this Christmas they would like to preserve, an engagement, a new birth, how your kids have progressed in the last year. So why not share your story with people on your list in a personalized story book!”

Bringing the Family Together with Heritage Makers

2010-02-18T12:02:00.001-06:00

BRINGING THE FAMILY TOGETHER
I recently joined Heritage Makers and was excited to get started on my first project. Although there was only an old shoebox of black and white photos from my husband’s childhood, I decided to make a 7x5 book for him for Christmas. The book was going to be about him and his father who had passed away when Danny was a teenager. Unfortunately, there were not enough pictures to do a whole book, so I came up with another idea.

My husband, Danny, had been estranged from his two older brothers for over ten years. I decided to make each of the boys a book which I called “Life Was Good in Black and White.” I was able to use most of the pictures I had found and told the story of the family—from their parents marriage, through the birth of each boy, and to their teenage years.

Danny called his brothers who live in the same city as us and invited them out to lunch. They met a few days after Christmas and he was able to give them their books. Needless to say, the books were very much appreciated, especially since the others don't have any old family photos. The brothers have already made arrangements for another lunch and plan on getting together once a month.

Thanks Heritage Makers.

From Susan Middleton, Regina Sask , Canada

How to load and use Photoshop Brushes

2010-02-17T07:37:00.000-06:00

Adobe Photoshop or Elements Tip from Designer Digitals:

How to load and use Photoshop Brushes

You can also watch this tip on video on their blog: Digital Scrapbooking Brushes and How to Load and Use them in Adobe Photoshop or PSE [Video]

Do you feel left out in the cold when it comes to Photoshop Brushes? Many of you have emailed us asking what to do with the ABR file that comes packaged with our brushes and stamp sets.

The designers aren't shivering out in the cold, when they create those ABRrrrr files - that's a file extension for Photoshop Brushes!

Begin by downloading and unzipping a brush set. Make a note of where you have placed the unzipped folder. To load the brushes into Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, select Edit > Preset Manager from the Menu Bar. This opens the Preset dialog. Choose Brushes for the Preset type and click the Load button.

Select from your computer by clicking the Look in: menu to find the .ABR brush file.

Click on the file name and select Load.

After this imports the brushes into the Preset Manager, click Done.

Since the brush uses the Foreground color as the "ink" color, click the Foreground color chip at the bottom of the Tool bin and choose a new color. Click OK.

To stamp with the brush, press the letter B on your keyboard to get the Brush tool or click on the Brush tool in the Tool bin.

Scroll to the bottom of the Brush Picker in the Options Bar to locate the brushes you just loaded.

Click on the brush you want to use. Choose your size in the Options bar and click on your project to stamp the brush image. (In Photoshop the size slider is located in the brush picker menu.)

Photoshop brush files are great because they can be used with any of the color and Retouching tools like the Clone Stamp, Eraser and Pencil tools.

The Road Less Traveled

2010-02-16T10:37:00.000-06:00

A STORY TO SHARE
The Road Less Traveled, by Natalie Unga

I sat and relaxed on the warm Hukilau beach thinking of home and how great it will be to take a break and see my family for Christmas. Little did I know that this trip home would be nothing short of a break. My life that I had created in Hawaii would soon be stripped out of my hands. This life consisted of one semester left in school, a position as the Vice President of Clubs and Organizations and believe it or not a respective prospect for marriage. I was ready to graduate and find my place in this world. I should have known that things were just too good.
Read the rest of Natalie's story - a story of fighting cancer, on the Heritage Makers blog. CLICK HERE.

Blog change of address :-)

2010-02-15T21:02:00.001-06:00

Hopefully this will be relatively pain free ...

I've decided to move my blog posts to another address. I've done this because it seems more fitting given the names I use for my business, as well as my Facebook fan page. I felt like it should all tie in together.

So, here's the new address: http://creative-keepsakes.blogspot.com/

If you subscribe, you may want to change your subscription. I think the worst that can happen is you get double posts, as I do have some stuff set to be posted thru the end of the year(not sure, but I guess we'll find out together!:))

So here goes!!!

Patty

TIPS & TRICKS Line Spacing in Heritage Makers Studio

2010-02-15T09:52:00.001-06:00

TIPS AND TRICKS

Line Spacing

Line spacing is the space between two lines of text. This space is important for both design and readability. At default, the line spacing in Studio is 0. But you need to remember that with each increase in font size, the spacing between lines increases while the measurement remains at 0. This is because Studio measures line spacing according to a given value that takes the measurement of each letter into consideration.To make your text more appealing, you can decrease or increase the line spacing by using the line spacing tool. If the font is bigger, you may want to decrease the line spacing so the lines of text are closer together.

This is especially helpful in large pieces of text. Readers do not want to read a line and suddenly jump ¼ inch to the next line.

Just make sure that when you adjust the line spacing, your letters do not touch or overlap. Be sure to look at all lowercase letters with hanging stems and all uppercase letters.

Take a look at more Tips and Tricks on the Heritage Makers’ blog.

Family Talk

2010-02-14T15:46:00.000-06:00

"FAMILY TALK"
SUBMITTED BY KIM BERWALD-VIAR

Kim created a game for elementary age kids with the playing cards. "Family Talk" uses all 52 cards, each with a different question on it. The questions are used as conversation starters for dinnertime with the children. Each night they pull one card from the deck and everyone at the table answers the question.

Examples of questions are:
-What is peace?
-Which one of the Seven Dwarfs are you most like?
-When you have a problem, who can you go to?
-What is your best motivator?

For your Perfect Day!

2010-02-13T19:03:00.001-06:00

Announcements

Save the date

Your Love Story

Your Wedding Album

Change of address announcements

Thank you cards

So many things can be crossed off your list in just one easy, personal place.

http://www.makeyourmomentslast.com/

For package pricing, call 630.232.1313 or email orders@imageawards.net

Hero Gifts

2010-02-12T09:45:00.002-06:00

A CARD A WEEK

By Leslie Dannelly

My husband, Mike, is in the Air Force. Through our 13 years of marriage Mike has spent quite a bit of time away from our family while he serves our country overseas. This past April, we got word that he would be deploying to Afghanistan for a year. We knew he might go this fall for four to six months, but we had no idea it would be in July for a year.

I decided I needed to find a way to help him through this time away from our family. So without his knowing, I emailed his friends and family and asked them to share funny stories and pictures about Mike. There was a “no sappy” rule—the last thing the troops need is sappiness.

I then took those stories and some of my own and made Mike a deck of cards—with enough cards to send him one a week and one for us to hand him when he finally walks off the plane and into our arms! Our three daughters love picking which card to send Daddy each week! It also gives me a chance to share with them all the funny stories of our family and friends.

Besides the cards, I made a business wall calendar for Mike to cross off days. I added some of his favorite pictures and some words of inspiration. We have an exact copy on our wall and our three daughters love crossing off days.

And one other thing I have sent him is a copy of a postcard I originally made when he was in Iraq.

The following is Mike’s words about the projects:

The calendar was something. I really needed to cross off the days during this deployment. But when it showed up, integrated with all of my favorite pictures, it became so much more. I now use it to jot down little notes to better keep track of my experiences over here. Since we have two of them, it’s nice to know that the days are being crossed off at the same time by my girls on the other side of the world.

The Heritage Makers card “Remember Kissing” is one that Leslie sent me while I was in Iraq. It uses a picture we had taken in Florida a few years back. I was very happy to get it in Iraq and just as thrilled this time in Afghanistan. Receiving those perfect memories through photographs reminds me how great our marriage is and helps me press on through tough times over here.

The cards are fantastic. They never fail to bring a smile to my face. Each one brings back memories of various fun and unique experiences that Leslie and I have enjoyed together. They contain memories that are so powerful that I am taken away as if on a vacation for just a moment with every card.

I’m very proud of my husband. He has been in the Air Force 17 years and has served away from our family many times. It does not matter how many times your spouse is deployed, gone is gone and it does not get easier. You just know you’ll get through. I’m so grateful I had Heritage Makers to make my Hero gifts to help Mike with this long year.

Take a look at Leslie’s calendar.

And see what else you can do with cards and calendars:

Biz cards 2 by Wendy Bailey

Birthday and Anniversary Organizer by Karen & Jim Stucker

Celebrating Values (and a unique business idea)

2010-02-11T09:33:00.001-06:00

CELEBRATING OUR VALUES AT THE CHATWORTH

You can create a book for so many different occasions. Weddings, births, graduations, anniversaries, and vacations are some of the most popular. But Lisa Taron created a book for a very unique contest.

Lisa is the marketing manager at the Chatsworth Retirement Suites and Bungalow in Kelowna, British Columbia. This Chartswell company was part of a Canada wide contest in which each retirement community was challenged to create projects that reflect how they practice the Chartwell values.

Chartwell announced the Values and the different communities went to work, creating posters, songs, scrapbooks, videos, etc. But Lisa knew immediately how to uniquely celebrate the values. With the help of her company’s staff, she gathered photos and chose the right words.

There was a slight delay in the shipping so she emailed the book preview to the judges to make the contest deadline. The book arrived a day later and everyone was impressed. The book quickly became the talk of the contest.

Celebrating Our Values at the Chatsworth was one of ten winners that were displayed at the annual General Managers/Head Office Conference in Bermuda. The book is now on display at the Chatsworth Retirement Suites and Bungalow where residents and visitors look at it several times a day.

Lisa will soon be finishing up her contract at the Chatsworth and plans to teach Life Story Writing workshops in the community. She wants to “encourage as many seniors and their families out there to take the time to capture life stories.”

She will also become a member of the British Columbia Seniors Living Association as a Heritage Makers consultant and will show her book to seniors homes throughout the province, encouraging them to also write such a book to celebrate their communities. Lisa says, “It’s a wonderful way to honor the residence and the people who call it home.”

Check out Lisa Taron’s Celebrating Our Values at the Chatsworth.

And see what other books you can write:

Our Journey to the Black Hills by Sandra Dovre

Letters to Heaven by Darcie Toom

How to use digital frames

2010-02-10T07:41:00.003-06:00

Adobe Photoshop or Elements Tip from Designer Digitals:

How to use digital frames

You can also watch this tip on video on their blog: Digital Scrapbooking Frames and how to use them in Adobe Photoshop or PSE [Video]

If you are trying to frame a photo, here are a few pointers that make the task a bit easier. Begin by opening a document the size and shape of your choice. Open a photo and the digital .png format frame you want to use.

Make the photo the active document. Get the Move Tool and drag the photo down onto the new document. Next, make the frame the active layer and drag it onto the new document on top of the photo. If it comes in under the photo, simply drag the photo layer under the frame layer in the Layers Panel.

Target the photo layer and use the corner handles to resize the photo. Use the side handles to turn the photo, if needed.

Your photo may be sticking out behind the frame. To delete the section behind the frame, you can get the Eraser tool and use it to erase away the excess photo. A faster way, however, is to target the frame layer. Get the Wand tool and click inside the frame.

Select the inverse by pressing Ctrl Shift I (Mac: Cmd Shift I) on your keyboard. Now target the photo layer and press the Backspace or Delete key on your keyboard.

Note: If the frame contains a drop shadow, you may need to increase the size of the selection by choosing Select > Modify > Expand. Set the expansion to a few pixels - enough to include the shadowed section.

Next week we'll continue with a tutorial on how to load and use a digital brush.

Photo Tiles

2010-02-09T20:47:00.000-06:00

Tiles: Create a tile with a picture of an ancestor or of grandma and grandpa that includes one of their favorite sayings. 1 12×12 page can make 4 tiles. Get 4 6×6 tiles at Home Depot or any home improvement store.

Gift Ideas

2010-02-08T19:03:00.000-06:00

8x8 book Summer Fun - What are you doing with your summer memories and pictures? Put them in a book and give it to your family as a Christmas gift.

11.5x8.5 Family Yearbook - Capture the year in a beautiful storybook that will be read for years to come AND be guilt free because you did something with your pictures.

Cookbook/planner - Gather favorite family/friends recipes and create a cookbook to give to friends on their birthday or to your mom/grandma for Christmas.

12x12 pages There are lots of fun home decor ideas you can do with 12x12 pages - this template is for a photo cube.

Fold Outs - Great gift for kids friends birthday parties or for grandma/great grandma for Christmas

Invitations/Postcards - Frame your invitation and give it to a friend or loved one.

Greeting Cards - Send a thinking of you card, get well soon, thank you card or just because card to someone you love. With Heritage Makers direct shipping you won't even have to leave your home!

Wedding book template available in free basic accounts!

2010-02-07T20:36:00.003-06:00

A STORY (and template) TO SHARE - Thank you, Jill!

Our teammate, Jill Means, is not only a Heritage Makers consultant, she is a professional graphic designer and she just designed this BEAUTIFUL 8x8 Wedding Storybook template. Thank you, Jill! PLUS (are you ready for this???), it's can be made with a BASIC MEMBERSHIP!!! Jill's art can be changed out with other images and the colors can be changed as well. This stunning template can be used for several different occasions and themes. One template - so many uses.

If you would like the template transferred to your account, please let me know (and please include your ID number for a faster transfer. Thanks!)

Click link below to preview Jill's beautiful new 8x8 design:

http://www.heritagemakers.com/projectBrowserStandAlone.cfm?projectID=1026191&productId=5

Sisters

2010-02-06T19:07:00.000-06:00

I just returned last weekend from my grandaughter’s baby shower in Visalia, California. Heather, my oldest, knew I wanted to create a book for all three grandaughters. She was the perfect client sending me over 160 photos numbered on the back and with a brief explanation of each photo. I used her photos as well as mine I’ve collected over the years and surprised each of them with their own copy of a “Sister’s” book. After all of the games and the baby gifts were opened I gave Heather, Megan and Paris their books to show friends and family.

Sisters
http://www.heritagemakers.com/projectBrowserStandAlone.cfm?projectId=1005346&productId=5&projectSponsor=457785

The youngest; Paris, opened her book and before she could sit down and read it, the book was passed around to four different guests before she could finally read her own copy. As I watched the girls share their stories and photos in the book, there were tears of joy and laughter and a lot of; “I remember when this was taken”, and I just sat there and watched and listened with a smile on my face. My girls have been through some tough family times and many of their family photos have been lost and destroyed, and now through Heritage Makers they each have their own keepsake of cherished times together.

Paris who is 13 and the only sister still living at home will have these wonderful memories to hold on to until she sees her sisters again.

Megan, 19 is attending college in Santa Barbara and said she now has a piece of home to take with her to keep her sisters close at heart. The girls have always been close and are inseparable when they do see each other. As my girls are growing up they are beginning to see that as time goes by, the future will sometimes take them to different places as they each venture out into the world to make their own way.

Heather who will be 21 in December, is married and serving her country in the Army studying to become a nurse. She will welcome her first baby; Elizabeth, in October and the Ya Ya Sisterhood will add one more girl to the family. Together we created this book to help them remember to always share their secrets and dreams and love each other forever.

Here is one of their memories:
“We all three still sleep in the same bed when we are together. Daddy used to threaten to take our rooms away and change them into offices, but he never did. Daddy would tell us to hide under the covers and he would try to find us, then tickle us. Once the bedtime games were over, he would ask each of us to pick three random words, and then he would tell us a story and keep it going night after night. We looked forward to his stories and where they would take us”.

This is what it’s all about; God’s grace and the love for family, I am blessed.

Cyndee Krumholz

How to use the Warp Tool in Photoshop or the Liquify Filter in PSE

2010-02-05T07:24:00.000-06:00

Adobe Photoshop or Elements Tip from Designer Digitals:

How to use the Warp Tool in Photoshop or the Liquify Filter in PSE

You can also watch this tip on video on their blog: How to use the Warp Tool in Photoshop or the Liquify Filter in PSE [Video]

If you are looking for a fun way to add a little treat to your photos, try playing dress up in Photoshop! Adding fun elements like hats to your favorite subjects is quick and easy, but gives your photos a dramatic punch. Learning to use the Warp tool will help you make the hats fit onto your subjects' heads, making them look as if they belong there.

Begin by downloading images from the internet like these fun hats by Pattie Knox at Designer Digitals.

Felt Board Friends: Mad Hatters Christmas

Unzip your download, making a note of where you have stored the unzipped folder.

Open a photo and the hat images in Photoshop by selecting File > Open and browsing your computer for your unzipped folder. Select all of the images you want to import and click Open. The files will populate in your editing window.

Get the Move tool and drag a hat onto your photo. Resize the hat if needed by holding the Shift key as you drag a corner handle. The side handles can be used to twist or turn the image, but should not be used to resize it since it can distort the image.

Zoom in close to your hat by pressing Ctrl + (Mac: Cmd +) several times. Then select the hat layer and choose Edit > Transform > Warp to activate the Warp tool. This places a grid over your image.

Select Warp: Custom in the Options bar and then use the Move tool to click and drag the squares of the grid until the hat is form-fitted to your subject's head.

When you are satisfied, click the check mark in the Options Bar to confirm the warp.

The Transform >Warp tool is available only in the full version of Photoshop. If you are working in Photoshop Elements, you can get reasonably good results using the Liquify Filter.

After dragging the hat onto the photo with the Move tool, select the hat layer and then choose Filter > Distort > Liquify from the Menu Bar. Click the Warp tool which looks like a pointer finger and use it to push the pixels forward. In the Tool Options section, adjust the brush size and pressure of the tool, as needed.

Click OK to apply the changes to your actual image. You'll need to use trial and error to get the warp right since you can only see one layer at a time in the filter.

If you enjoyed playing with paper dolls when you were young, this technique is sure to bring back a few happy memories.

Tiffani & Marc

2010-02-04T18:20:00.000-06:00

Here's another book I made for a friends wedding reception. Their response? " OMG we LOVE it!!!!"

You can view it here: http://www.heritagemakers.com/projectBrowserStandAlone.cfm?projectID=1045903&productId=7

A Story to Share

2010-02-03T17:02:00.000-06:00

One of Heidi Arave's clients has desperately been trying to adopt a baby. Recently, for her Adoption Portfolio for the Birth Mother, she used a Heritage Makers storybook.

After she submitted the published book to the Birth Mother, she soon got a call back that she and her husband had been chosen as the parents to adopt the baby. Heidi's client was told that there were many portfolios that came through, but when the Birth Mother saw their portfolio in the form of a published storybook, she said, "This is it. These are who I want my baby to go to", without even opening the book! That someone took the time to make such a book meant everything to her.

What an incredible story about the power of Storybooking.

February 2010 Pick of the Month

2010-02-02T15:39:00.000-06:00

This is an amazing deal! I can't wait to get my hands on a 2o" x 8"! You may place your order through me to get these great prices!

Share the Love with Haiti

2010-02-01T08:50:00.000-06:00

Share the Love with Haiti this February!

In conjunction with the “Fall in Love with Geneva” campaign in Geneva, Illinois, Image Awards & Engraving, Inc. will be sponsoring "Share the Love with Haiti", a charity drive for the victims of Haiti. The company will match, dollar for dollar, the first $500 in contributions collected at their store during the month of February, 2010.

Donations may be mailed or dropped off at their retail location:
622 W. State Street, Geneva, IL 60134

Please make checks payable to the American Red Cross.

Even if you can't contribute monetarily, you can still "share the love" by pasting this message into your newsfeeds, blogs or twitter accounts.

In the words of Stevie Wonder "A whole lotta little makes a whole lotta lot" !

We can make difference!

A Pocketfull of Sunshine

2010-01-31T19:58:00.000-06:00

3rd Place Winner in the 2009 Tiny Totables contest: Jenita Varela with "Pocketful of Sunshine"

Fun Facts Storybook

2010-01-30T19:54:00.001-06:00

This fun & imaginative 7x5 book took 1st place in the Heritage Makers 2009 "Tiny Totables" Contest.

You can preview it here:

http://www.heritagemakers.com/projectBrowserStandAlone.cfm?projectId=978898&productId=3

All about you, Parker Collins

2010-01-29T19:50:00.000-06:00

7"x 5" Storybook Winners:

2nd Place: Kaye Collins with "All About You Parker Collins"

http://www.heritagemakers.com/projectBrowserStandAlone.cfm?projectID=997214&productId=3

1st Place: Wendy Bailey with "A Boy Is..."

2010-01-28T20:09:00.000-06:00

Heritage Makers 2009 Tiny Totables 1st Place Winner: Wendy Bailey with "A Boy Is..."

Dixie Burt with "Grandma Dixie's Brag Book"

2010-01-27T20:06:00.001-06:00

2009 Heritage Makers Tiny Totables Contest
5"x 5" Storybook Winners:
2nd Place

http://www.heritagemakers.com/projectBrowserStandAlone.cfm?projectId=976831&productId=1

Best Friend Cousin

2010-01-26T20:02:00.000-06:00

2009 Heritage Makers Tiny Totables Contest

5"x 5" Storybook Winners:

3rd Place

http://www.heritagemakers.com/projectBrowserStandAlone.cfm?projectId=930359&productId=1&projectSponsor=457785

Heritage Makers, Strengthening Families

2010-01-25T11:56:00.000-06:00

January 22, 2010
HERITAGE MAKERS STRENGTHENS FAMILIES
While I was driving my six year old daughter to school last week, she started a conversation about how blessed we are. She spoke of what a wonderful Christmas we had and about how spoiled we are to have such an awesome family. Then, she said something that absolutely warmed my heart. She said, “Mom, you know what would be really awesome? If Grandma and Nana were Heritage Makers too, and then we could get even more books for Christmas!”

I have been with Heritage Makers for ten months now, and during that time I have made many books, cards, canvases, scrap pages, and posters that highlight my children. I use Heritage Makers to continually remind my children of how special they are and how loved they are by their very special family.

For Christmas I made each of my children books. For my youngest daughter (2) I made her first yearbook; and for my son (4) and my oldest daughter (6), I made the VIP board books. Even with all of the toys around they each took time to look at their books from start to finish.

Heritage Makers is strengthening my family. I am truly thankful that I found this company!

Submitted by Michelle Bedard

You can sign up at http://www.MakeYourMomentsLast.com to make your own books, cards & canvases, or to become a consultant and help others learn to strengthen their families through Heritage Makers.

Wendy's Valentine Card

2010-01-25T09:15:00.003-06:00

FOR MOTHER

By Wendy Brown

My mother had been ill for about a year. In April she almost passed away and at that time she stopped smoking. She was on a miserably long, hard road for about 6 months.Then around the end of October, first of November, she had a complete change of heart. She decided not only to live, but to enjoy living—smiling through her pain and being very kind and sweet to everyone she was around. We got our old Mom back—the happy Mom we enjoyed. Life with her has not always been easy, but the good times were really good!

On Tuesday January 13, I was talking to a friend and consultant. I told her I was sure my mom would be with us for at least 1 – 2 more years. She was doing so great. And once again she was looking forward to assisted living.

Then I got on the computer to make a card for my husband for our anniversary and couldn't stop thinking of my mom. Looking through the templates I knew I had to make a card for my Mom! I decided to make her a Valentine’s Day card. I have not sent her a Valentine for many, many years. And I am usually never that on top of things.

The card was about how much I love her and how proud I was of her and the many improvements that she had made over the past few months. I had it direct shipped to her at her nursing home. I never thought once about it getting there too early.

On Wednesday January 14, I finally got the Canvas Poster I had made her for Christmas. My sister and I went to give it to her. When we took it in, she was in bed and looking very bloated. Long story short, she was hospitalized and we knew by Thursday night that she had only 2 choices: either to risk surgery and probably not live through it, or go back to the nursing home and be made comfortable until she returned home to Heaven. She chose the second option.

She had her poster in every room she was in at the Hospital. And, of course, when we returned to the nursing home we hung it up for her.

She got back on Friday afternoon, took a nap, and when she woke up the mail had come. I was able to open her card for her and read it to her while she was awake and responding. It was so hard for me to read the words I had put in there; yet it was so rewarding for her to hear, “You've come a long way baby!”

She passed away on Sunday January 18th.

If I had not made and sent that card to her that day, she would have never seen how much of a difference she had made in my life while on this earth. I would have been haunted forever that I should have made her that card. And if there were not the option of direct shipping, she would have not gotten the card during her lifetime.

Take a look at Wendy’s Valentine Card.

Also view other great card and canvas ideas:

HM EXCL, Birthday Card by Michelle Wofley

Family Canvas by Bianca Szyperski

A STORY TO SHARE - "The Rain Day Boys"

2010-01-24T15:00:00.000-06:00

Candice Buchanan (Pennsylvania) recently created this incredible storybook that was truly a labor of love over several years. I asked if she would share her story. Thank you, Candice!

It is a bittersweet project because it is a sad story, but it is one that is very dear to me and I think it is an important story to be honored and remembered. I started my genealogy research 16 years ago, when I was not quite 14 years old, and one of the first relatives I discovered was Bert Buchanan. His name was among a list of 17 soldiers from Greene County, Pennsylvania killed in battle in France on July 29, 1918 during WWI. July 29, happens to be a local holiday in Greene County called "Rain Day." For over a century it has rained on that day nearly every year in our county seat of Waynesburg, where I live and grew up. Rain Day involves a street vendor opportunity, a pageant, entertainment, all kinds of festivities. So as a kid, I couldn't help but be struck by the tragedy that came on this local holiday in 1918. I started to search out each boy's story and in the process found that another of the 17, Lawrence Staggers, was a cousin on my Mom's side, so I had two close relatives in this group. In college, a friend and I set out to put together a book with each boy's photo and bio, but we never had a real format to publish or share it, just a binder and loose pages. Eight years ago, I began to work with Glenn Toothman at Memory Medallion and when I shared this local history story we decided to create a Memory Medallion to be placed at the grave site of each boy so that his photo and bio could be seen by visitors. However, the boys are buried in 7 different cemeteries in Greene County and 2 in France, so most people did not know where to find them or even to look for them. After we started to work with Heritage Makers and realized that we now had a way to publish the book I had envisioned back in my college days, Glenn and I collaborated to create this beautiful storybook. It is many things in one. Glenn researched and compiled an introduction that explains "Rain Day," the significance of how these boys were selected as soldiers in WWI, their expertise and talents as machine gunners (the technology of that day) which put them on the front lines, and the unfolding of the specific battle that took their lives. I provided each photo and bio. We added some other local history items related to the boys. Then we ended with a list of their grave locations with GPS coordinates so that the book is ultimately a tour guide as well that will allow readers to go to their locations of remembrance and read their Memory Medallions.

To see a preview of Candice's "The Rain Day Boys" Storybook, click the link below:
http://www.heritagemakers.com/projectBrowserStandAlone.cfm?projectId=1163654&productId=5&projectSponsor=371314

Introduction to Heritage Makers 9-09

2010-01-24T10:00:00.001-06:00

Verse a Day

2010-01-23T18:57:00.000-06:00

Verse a Day Submitted by Tanya Teichroeb

Using a deck of cards, create a pack of inspirational thoughts. You can decorate the cards with scenic or family photos. Then, put the deck in a business card holder. You can put the cards in the window or on your desk. Then just rotate the cards for a new inspirational thought. You have enough cards to rotate for 54 days or weeks.

Make your own at http://www.MakeYourMomentsLast.com

Heartfelt testimonial about a heartfelt card!

2010-01-22T18:48:00.000-06:00

“A SPECIAL CARD TO EXPRESS MY SYMPATHY”

One of my very good friends has had some really bad luck recently. A couple of months ago she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. She started chemotherapy immediately and then had to undergo a double mastectomy. She is only 36 and has a wonderful family of five-year-old twin girls and an eight-year-old boy. She is a very strong woman and I believe she will make a full recovery!

Two weeks ago, a few days after the mastectomy, she received some more devastating news: Her mother had passed away unexpectedly in her sleep. How much more can a person take?

I was so sad for her and I wanted to send a special card to express my sympathy. So I went to Heritage Makers and found a beautiful card. I then found a special poem about the loss of a mother and another about support from friends. I copied the poems to the inside of the card, one on each side. Then I signed it with a special font and was ready to publish.

I was so excited when I went to check out and the card only cost $2.95 plus shipping of 60 cents. I had the card direct shipped to her address. It was so easy and economical, but also so personal and beautiful!

Thank you Heritage for my ability as a heritage maker to create and express love!

Thank you,

Bonnie Imperiali

See templates you can use to make your own cards:

“HM EXCL: Sympathy Card”

“Thinking of You”

A Joy to Behold - by Leslie Kirk

2010-01-21T18:37:00.000-06:00

A JOY TO BEHOLD

I recently published a book for my great-aunt’s 89th birthday.

She is the matriarch of our family and the only Kirk of her generation left. She still gets around and does much for herself, but she would not necessarily travel from Alabama to Georgia for cemetery visitations.

So, I decided to create a family history book for her. (We are lucky that I was able to trace our family history all the way back to two Revolutionary War soldiers.) I included photos of everyone I could locate, a family tree, and cemetery photos so she can visit her loved ones and pay respects anytime she wants to.

It is with great pride that I attach the thank you note she sent to me.

Thank you for allowing me to create wonderful gifts for my family and friends. I was so pleased with HM that I became a consultant.

Leslie Kirk

Attached email:

Leslie,What a joy to behold—a book more precious than gold, and dedicated to me! It is truly the treasure of my life, and I do so thank you and cherish all the hours of work in your efforts to compile it!

Words fail me in expressing just how much… you'll never know!

Yes, I held it close and tears did fall, but not for long—not to spoil or soil.

Many, many thanks are in store for you!

Much love from,

Aunt Jessie Kirk

Take a look at these templates for other story ideas:

“My Family’s Origins”

“Leaves from My Family Tree”

Placemats

2010-01-20T10:43:00.000-06:00

Placemats -
Need: 12x12 Individual Scrapbook pages, laminate at local print shop

Ideas:

-One for each family member with highlights of year with photos and stories.

-Easy gifts for family and friends
-Family and Class Reunions
-Back to School
-Birthday Parties - Party Favors
-Thanksgiving

The Power of Story

2010-01-19T18:14:00.000-06:00

THE POWER OF STORY - To Remember a Special Daddy

It's interesting how paths cross in life. While trying to find a back-to-school outfit for my daughter, I came into contact with a woman who was busy raising money for her friend, whose husband, at 26 years of age and with three children ages 4 and under, had just passed away in a plane crash, along with his father and older brother.

My heart broke as soon as I heard her story. The woman I was talking with was having fundraisers and yard sales to earn money for her friend and her three young children. "I am donating all proceeds from any sale at my store today to my friend and her family", she said.

Well, I didn't need more clothes but I did want to make another type of donation...

an 8x8 Storybook credit for her friend, when she was ready, to preserve the story and life of her husband for their three children. The store owner thanked me and said she would let her friend know.

The next day, the young widow called me. She couldn't talk long, but she gave the phone to her sister to finish the conversation. She wanted to create the book right away. The children were talking about their daddy in heaven - she didn't want them to forget his time while he was alive and the special things he did for them and how much he loved them.

So, this week, I am meeting with a young widowed mother and her three young children and we are going to put their daddy's life into a storybook that they will read every day and will treasure forever. They will remember him and they will know who is, what he stood for and that he loves them very much - forever and ever.

I cannot think of a better gift - in some little way - to bring their daddy back to them, through the power of Story.

- Chris

Moving Photos in Studio

2010-01-18T17:04:00.000-06:00

Did you know that you can now move photos from one album to another? It's true!

Just login to Heritage Studio and click on "My Albums". Open an album and click in the box next to the photo(s) you want to move.

Then, click on "Move Selected Photos" at the top of the pageSelect where you want the photos to move to.

Voila. Where's the easy button?

Tuesday Night Online Workshop (and its free!)

2010-01-17T18:19:00.004-06:00

What are you doing with your boxes of photos?
Running out of time, money or space to scrapbook?
Where are your favorite memories?
How are you going to say "I Love You" this Valentine's Day?

It's finally here! And YOU are invited to be my special guest

-
TUESDAY, January 19
Heritage Makers ONLINE Workshop
You don't even have to leave your house!
It's FREE and FUN!
You are going to be amazed at the possibilities and will be eager to get started on YOUR Heritage Makers project.
- Lots of easy and affordable ideas to preserve and share the photos and stories of your life
- Creative and personalized Valentine's Day ideas for cards and gifts!

Date: Tuesday, January 19
Time: 9 AM Pacific, 10 AM Mountain, 11 AM Central, 12 Noon Eastern
(To reserve your space for this online presentation, please click the link below)
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/483729192

Time: 6 PM Pacific, 7 PM Mountain, 8 PM Central, 9 PM Eastern
(To reserve your space for this online presentation, please click the link below)
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/846022384

After you register, you will receive an email confirmation with a personalized link to give you access to Tuesday's webinar, for the time you selected.

The Online Workshop will take less than an hour and you will love what you see about:
- Online Photo Storage
- Using Heritage Studio - Your own personal publishing website
- Creating high-quality, custom products
- Valentine Card and Gift ideas
and more!

PLUS...DISCOUNTED PRICING!

Don't forget the drawing for up to $50 in FREE Heritage Makers products!
Feel free to forward this invitation to a friend! I hope you can make it!
Please let me know if you have any questions. I'm here to help!

How to fade filters in Photoshop and PSE

2010-01-17T06:55:00.000-06:00

Adobe Photoshop or Elements Tip of the Week from Designer Digitals:

How to fade filters in Photoshop and PSE

You can also watch this tip on video on their blog: How to fade filters in Photoshop and PSE [Video]

We all have a pair of favorite jeans - the comfy ones that started out with a deep blue hue, but each memory you've made in them has faded them just a bit. A family picnic, going to the show, pizza and video nights have rendered them the perfect shade of blue.

Like the color of your jeans, you can make your Photoshop filter effect the perfect intensity as well.

Last week's tip covered how to multiply filter effects by re-running them. Today's tip helps you fade the filter down when the effect is too extreme.

To begin, open a photo in Photoshop and select Filter from the Menu bar. Run a filter by clicking the category and filter name. Make adjustments in the filter dialog box and click OK.

To fade the effect, press Ctrl Shift F (Mac: Cmd Shift F) on the keyboard. This activates the Fade dialog box. With the Mode set to Normal, move the Opacity slider to achieve the look you want.

Using this shortcut allows you to decrease the intensity of your filter without having to undo and readjust the filter settings by opening the filter dialog.

In Photoshop Elements, the best way to fade a filter is to use the Layers Panel Opacity slider feature using these steps.

Open a photo and duplicate it by pressing Ctrl J (Mac: Cmd J) on the keyboard.

Target the photo copy and run a filter.

Decrease the opacity of the filter layer by dragging the Opacity slider(in the Layers Panel) to the left.

Some Photoshop users prefer this method since it's a nondestructive way of fading filters.

I find this shortcut especially helpful when I have rerun a filter. Sometimes once is not enough, but twice is too strong. Fading the rerun might give you just the concentration you want.

Another reason to upload those photos!

2010-01-16T20:39:00.000-06:00

A STORY TO SHARE - by Chris Crandall

My sister and her family and my family and I gather at my mom and stepdad's house for Sunday dinner, each week. This time, we got a phone call from my sister. She would be late because their basement had flooded and they were desperately working to get all of their things out of the water.

We all went to her house and made a "conveyor line" of moving boxes from the wet basement. We scattered the items carefully across her backyard to dry out in the sunny, dry weather - Christmas decorations, clothing - those could be replaced. But then our hearts sank, as boxes of photos from our childhood and great grandparents came from the basement and folders of her children's artwork and schoolwork that she had saved from the time they could hold a crayon. They still loved to look at it - even a few weeks ago.

All of it was ruined. As I tried to salvage anything I could, I thought in my mind over and over again - I am so glad that my photos and even my children's artwork are all scanned and saved in my Heritage Makers photo albums and projects - and that those projects are stored and I can reorder them at any time. Because, then, even if the book or poster is damaged or destroyed, I can just order another copy.

I never said it aloud. My sister had enough to feel badly about. But, in the days ahead, I will suggest it to her. And of course, I will be adding more to my photo albums and projects now more than ever. Thank goodness for Heritage Makers - and for Premier to store all of those photos and scanned art, documents, etc.

Scanning Services

2010-01-15T20:14:00.000-06:00

We can scan all those old photos and you can start sharing all those memories today!

Simply drop 'em off (or mail them to us) ... we'll take care of the rest.

Image Awards, Engraving & Creative Keepsakes
622 W State St
Geneva, IL 60134

Fun Baby Shower Ideas using HM products

2010-01-14T19:44:00.003-06:00

Amie Austin (an HM consultant in California), recently shared these wonderful ideas for a fun and unique Baby Shower, using Heritage Makers products. The HM ideas were a huge hit and I had to share them with you!

Luncheon cards to note what the lunch/refreshments are (love how the "Luau" them and they are attached to shells too!) - Uses HM Playing Cards

* Trivia Cards about the Mommy-to-Be (This would be fun for birthdays and Bridal Showers too!) - Uses HM Playing Cards

* 7x5 Guest Sign-in Book - Formatted with childhood and current photos of the Mommy-to-Be, guests use the blank areas to write messages, parenting tips, etc. to her. Then, it's presented to her as a wonderful gift and keepsake that she will treasure for years to come.

Start planning your party at www.MakeYourMomentsLast.com

Your one convenient, easy to use, personal place for memory making!

Sweet Baby!

2010-01-13T19:19:00.000-06:00

Announcements

Shower Invitations

Baby Books

Thank You Cards

So many "to do's" can be crossed of your list at one, easy, convenient, personal place.

www.MakeYourMomentsLast.com

For package pricing call 630.232.1313 or email orders@imageawards.net

Club Premiere Video

2010-01-13T16:45:00.000-06:00

Are you ready to start DIGITAL scrapbooking and Storybooking!! See why our CLUBPremier is the most amazing new ADDICTION!! Watch this then contact me to get started. www.MakeYourMomentsLast.com ( and Premiere is on sale this month too! )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TqeT8q80l8

Kathy's Birthday Gift

2010-01-12T11:10:00.000-06:00

Chris Crandall made this 11.5 8.5 book as a birthday gift for her friend Kathy

" - Everyone emailed me photos and a birthday message for my friend, Kathy, and I made a book for the birthday girl that she LOVED! (She told me so and she tells everyone about it!) :)"

Preview it here:

http://www.heritagemakers.com/projectBrowserBWC.cfm?projectID=ff3d7ebf-9480-4778-aaa7-03a32733a3fb&productID=9

How to Re-Run Filters in Adobe Photoshop and PSE

2010-01-11T07:08:00.000-06:00

Adobe Photoshop or Elements Tip of the Week from Desinger Digitals:

How to Re-Run Filters in Adobe Photoshop and PSE

You can also watch this tip on video on their blog: How to Re-Run Filters in Adobe Photoshop and PSE [Video]

What fun I've had with my family during the holidays, snuggling up on the couch and watching re-runs of all of our favorite Christmas shows.

It's fun to watch Photoshop re-runs, too. When you are working with filters, you can run the filter again using an easy shortcut.

To begin, open a photo and select Filter from the Menu bar. Run a filter by clicking the category and filter name. Make adjustments in the filter dialog box and click OK.

To exaggerate the effect, rerun the filter by pressing Ctrl F (Mac: Cmd F).

If you have the History panel open, you'll see that the filter has been added a second time. Looking at the photo, you can see that the filter effect has been doubled, as well.

You can also run the effect on another photo by opening a second photo and pressing Ctrl F (Mac: Cmd F).

Until you run a different filter or restart Photoshop, the shortcut will continue to run the last filter using the setting adjustments.

To run the same filter with new adjustments, simply click Ctrl Alt F (Mac: Cmd Opt F) to run the filter with the filter dialog box.

I find the filter re-run especially helpful when running filters like Unsharp Mask. Sometimes one pass is not strong enough to achieve the effect you want. Now you'll know how to multiply the effect with just two keystrokes.

Why Heritage Makers?

2010-01-10T10:55:00.001-06:00

WHY HERITAGE MAKERS?

Many HM consultants and clients on our team have tried other online personal publishing companies (Shutterfly, Costco, etc.) and this is what they found, in comparing HM to the other companies:

- Template Gallery
- Heirloom Assurance Commitment
- Total Customization - Able to put photos and text wherever you want and as much as you want. Focus on STORY.
- Professional designs
- Premier Membership features for a very minimal price
- QUALITY! QUALITY! QUALITY! (Best!)
- Online Classes
- PERSONAL PUBLISHING CONSULTANT - aka ME!
- VALUE! - Great value for all that you get. You MAY (sometimes you don't - especially with our great promotions) spend a few extra dollars for HM but the quality, experience and features are worth much more than that!

Grandma's Storybook - Chris Crandall

2010-01-09T11:06:00.000-06:00

Grandma's Storybook - an 11 1/2 x 8 1/2 Storybook by Chris Crandall

This book contians pages of her journal, photos, recipes and letters - than have been scanned and turned into her own life story.

http://www.heritagemakers.com/projectBrowserStandAlone.cfm?projectID=979573&productId=9

Happy Travels

2010-01-08T18:03:00.000-06:00

This is a book I made for a client for a Christmas gift from various vacation photos. You can take a look at it here: http://www.heritagemakers.com/projectBrowserStandAlone.cfm?projectID=1153107&productId=7

Personal Publishing Consultants Wanted!

2010-01-07T20:19:00.000-06:00

Do you know anyone who is interested in working from home and being their own boss?

Heritage Makers is a GROUND FLOOR Opportunity that they/you won't want to miss!

Could you use an extra 400-600 (or more) a month?

CLICK HERE

to listen to a recorded call that explains the benefits, rewards, and income potential you can receive by becoming a Heritage Makers Consultant!

If you or someone you know is interested in riding the digital wave and making Heritage Makers a household name, please let me know. I'd love to add you/them to my team!

www.MakeYourMomentsLast.com

Jar of Tears

2010-01-06T17:30:00.002-06:00

12-31-09
PUBLISHING DAD’S STORIES
By Aldine Allen
“My father is a prolific writer. He has enjoyed writing stories for many years. For several years he, along with my mom, wrote a Christmas Story for the grandchildren every year. He would make copies and send them to each of his six children to share with their children during the Christmas holiday. Recently, he has tried to have some of his writings published, but no company would do it.

“The main reason I became a distributor was so I could publish some of his stories for him. The first one I published was “Jar of Tears,” which is a beautiful story he wrote to my mother, telling of the happy and sad tears that they have shared throughout their 69 years of marriage. I sent them the book for Christmas and I am excited for them to open it on Christmas morning and realize one of his stories has been published.

“I sent a link to many family members and three of them also want a copy. Of course, I made one for me too to share with my customers at my workshops.

“I have almost completed his compilation of Christmas stories in a 12x12 book and I am excited to get it published. I love Heritage Makers and the opportunity it has given me to publish some of the stories my father has written and to share them with other family members.”

You and your clients have so many publishing opportunities. Share the possibilities with everyone you see and talk to.

See Aldine’s father’s book here.

http://www.heritagemakers.com/projectBrowserStandAlone.cfm?projectId=1100340&productId=1&projectSponsor=399003

Do you know about the free online HM Studio classes?

2010-01-05T20:26:00.000-06:00

FREE STUDIO 3.0 ONLINE CLASSES

I wanted you to know about the basic and master techniques you can learn just by signing up. See the current class schedule and register for classes here. You can register for Introduction, Intermediate & Master classes.

Introduction to Studio Webinars
Instructed by Ixchel FairbanksTuesdays and Thursdays @ 5:00 p.m. MDT

Intermediate Studio Webinars
Instructed by Shani OgdenMondays and Wednesdays @ 5:00 p.m. MDT

Studio 3.0 Master ClassesJoin Studio Project Manager Lynda Angelastro and other Studio experts to discover new techniques for making beautifully designed pages.
Every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month @ 7:00 p.m. MDT

Project 365

2010-01-04T18:46:00.000-06:00

PROJECT 365
I challenge everyone to join me in Project 365! Take a picture everyday to capture 2010 in a special way. This template to allow you to showcase each day, and tell what yourfavorite pic of the week was. Don't just think big events, andkids...think about the little things that make you smile and shape yourlife. Anyone ...can use this template with our free account, and you canshare it next year with, or without printing it.

Preview of Project 365 12x12 Storybook:
http://www.heritagemakers.com/projectBrowserStandAlone.cfm?projectID=1180806&productId=11

then sign up & start your own at http://www.MakeYourMomentsLast.com

The power & magic of Sorybooking

2010-01-03T20:10:00.000-06:00

Kathleen Dukate (Pennsylvania) shared this great story about how the power of Storybooking affects and captures ALL ages. She made a "History Heroes" book for her 6-year-old nephew and with the excitement and "chaos" of Christmas morning all around him, he sat in the middle of the floor with his attention completely focused on his new book. It was all that mattered to him at that time. That is the power and magic of Storybooking.

Tell your love story over & over!

2010-01-02T20:03:00.001-06:00

Tell your love story over and over with a personalized Heritage Makers storybook.

Keep your memories in a place where they can live forever.

From now until February 1, 2010, save on your Valentine’s Day gift!

7x5 storybook and
greeting card
just $32.95

Contact me to place your order.

Specail pricing ends 2-1-2010.

Pick of the Month - a GREAT deal!

2010-01-02T06:54:00.000-06:00

A whole year of premier for $99.95!
Thats full access to ALL of the art, ALL of the templates, EVERYTHING for an entire year! For under a hundred bucks!

Call me to order! 630.232.1313

email: orders@imageawards.net

12 months of Premier for ONLY $99.95!

2010-01-01T20:16:00.002-06:00

It's true!!! Club Premier is coming back in January!

12 months of Premier for ONLY $99.95!
or
12 months of Premier PLUS a 12x12 Storybook credit (great for yearbooks!) for ONLY $159.95!

The 12x12 is a perfect size for your yearbook. Get the book and a whole years worth of art for a great price.

This is a fantastic deal! All the art you could possibly want for an entire year! Contact me to order!

What is Yearbooking?

2009-12-30T20:12:00.000-06:00

Yearbooking is the hottest and greatest way to capture, preserve and share your family's 2009 (or any year) memories in a beautiful hardbound book.

There are LOTS of 12x12 Storybook Yearbook/Family Album templates in the Template Gallery. Be sure to check them out and share them with your friends, family, clients and contacts.

Check out the great info and template ideas at www.MakeYourMomentsLast.com !

Shortcuts for Creating New Layers in Photoshop and PSE

2009-12-29T19:44:00.001-06:00

Another great tip from Designer Digitals:

When you are working in Photoshop and Elements, you can start fresh with a new canvas or layer.

Pressing Ctrl N (Mac: Cmd N) on your keyboard creates a new canvas with a dialog box to allow you to make choices about the size, resolution and background.

Pressing Ctrl Shift Alt N (Mac: Cmd Shift Opt N) creates a new transparent layer the size of your document. The new layer will be created one position above the selected layer. Clicking the Create a New Layer icon in the Layers Panel performs the same function.

Press Ctrl Shift N (Mac: Cmd Shift N) to open the new layer dialog box so that you can name the layer, select the blending mode and opacity as well as creating a clipping mask with the new layer. Holding the Alt key (Mac: Opt key) as you click the Create a New Layer icon in the Layers Panel gives you the same dialog box.

To create a new layer one position below the selected layer, hold the Ctrl key (Mac: Cmd key) as you click the Create a New Layer icon.

How to Adjust the Leading in Lines of Text

2009-12-26T09:40:00.001-06:00

Taken from Designer Digitals e-newsletter:

The vertical distance between the lines of text is called "leading" which is easy to remember once you realize that the word comes from a time when type was set by hand in printing presses. Strips of lead were inserted between the lines of text as spacers, so line spacing has become known as leading.

Increasing the vertical spacing makes your text easier to read and can help you fill in a journaling space when your story doesn't contain many words.
Begin by using the Move tool to drag a journaler onto your scrapbook page. Get the Horizontal Type tool and choose your font name, style, size, and color in the Options Bar. Click on the top left corner of your journaling block and type your text.

When you are finished, highlight the text and move your cursor to the Options Bar across the top of the editing window.

In Photoshop Elements, you can either choose a leading from the leading drop-down menu or position your cursor over the leading icon until it becomes a horizontal arrow. Moving this scrubby slider to the right increases the distance between lines, while moving it to the left decreases the distance between the lines. Watch your text alignment change as you scrub from left to right until it aligns with the lines on the journaler. Click the green checkmark in the Options Bar to confirm the leading.

In Photoshop, choose the Paragraph and Characters palette icon in the Options Bar (or select Window > Character) and view the Character tab. Choose a leading from the leading drop-down menu or use the scrubby slider to adjust the distance between the lines. Click the checkmark in the Options Bar to confirm the leading changes.

Make your own Snowglobe Ornament

2009-12-22T10:09:00.019-06:00

This fun DIY project is from the equally fun Photojoto newsletter. Enjoy!

Step 1: Drink Up!
First, empty out the liquor bottles. Drink as many as you can in the space of five minutes.
Repent. Rethink. Repeat.
When you’re done, peel off the labels, wash the bottles and let them dry inside and out.
Take two aspirin and a nap. Then move on to Step 2.

Step 2: Mixology
In a container that has a spout, mix equal parts of corn syrup and water.
Make enough liquid to fill all the snowglobes you want to make.

Step 3: Sparkle Sparkle!
Fold a piece of paper of scrap paper in half. Pour some glitter* into the the valley of the fold.
Now use the creased paper like a funnel to help you pour glitter into the bottle without spilling it everywhere.
*FYI, you can make realistic-looking “snow” by shredding a white PVC pipe with a cheese grater. Weird, right?

Step 4: Cut ‘Em Down to Size
Crop your photo to that size in Photoshop (or whatever program you’re into these days).
Print the photo and use scissors to cut it out.

Step 5: Seal ‘Em Up
Waterproof the photo by covering it completely with packing tape. Cover both sides and make sure there’s nowhere for water to seep in.

Step 6: Roll ‘Em Up
Roll the photo up small enough to fit into the neck of the bottle. Bending it around a pencil helps.
Insert the rolled-up photo into the bottle. The photo should flatten out on its own, but if it doesn’t, use the end of the pencil to poke it back into shape.

Step 7: Fill ‘Er Up
With a steady hand (see why you needed a nap?) pour the liquid carefully into the bottle.
Fill it up to the top, then put the cap back on the bottle.

Step 8: Tie It Off
Cut a 5-6″ length of colored string, and tie a knot around the neck of the bottle. Then tie a larger loop so you can hang your ornament on the tree.

Step 9: Hang ‘Em High
That’s about it! Go hang your fabulicious new ornament on your Festivity Object of choice, be it Kwanzaa tree, Christmas shrub or Festivus pole. Happy holidays!

Gift Certificates

2009-12-14T21:37:00.000-06:00

* Gift Certificates - Though publishing deadlines may be passed or coming soon, giving a Heritage Makers Gift Certificate allows for ultimate creativity for the recipient to preserve and share their photos and stories however they wish in the product that is given. Contact me or visit my web site for this season's specials & new products. http://www.MakeYourMomentsLast.com

ONLINE Business Showcase

2009-12-07T09:40:00.003-06:00

Tuesday December 8, 2009 - 6 PM Pacific, 7 PM Mountain, 8 PM Central, 9 PM Eastern (This event repeats every week.)

Heritage Makers is a strong and growing company that offers a world-class home-based business. Heritage Makers consultants share their story and an overview of the exciting and rewarding opportunity of being a Heritage Makers personal publishing consultant - and how to get started!

Location: This is a free online event and can be attended from any computer with an internet connection. If the computer does not have speakers, a phone will be needed to hear the audio portion.

RSVP:https://www1. gotomeeting. com/register/ 621306121

Free Online Workshop

2009-12-07T09:36:00.001-06:00

ONLINE WORKSHOP - Invite your friends!

Tuesday December 8, 2009 9 AM Pacific, 10 AM Mountain, 11 AM Central, 12 Noon Eastern

This is an ONLINE event and can be attended from any computer with an internet connection.

This online Workshop will include:

* Introduction to Heritage Makers

* Importance of preserving and sharing family photos and stories

* Live demonstration of Heritage Studio

* Great ideas for Quick Christmas and Hanukkah gifts, Holiday Cards, using Heritage Makers products!

* Current Promotions

* FREE Templates that are NOT available in the Template Gallery

* Drawing for FREE Heritage Makers publishing credits

MUST RSVP TO ATTEND - please share the link below:https://www1. gotomeeting. com/register/ 770466715

Holiday Hits week 3 - Gallery Wrapped Canvas!!!

2009-12-01T21:09:00.000-06:00

What an awesome gift idea! Now is the time to invest in gallery wrapped canvas! Choose from 3 sizes! Drag, Drop & gaze upon your work of art! Contact me for this amazing pricing then create away at http://www.MakeYourMomentsLast.com

Merry Merry!

Heritage Makers now has live chat to help with your projects!

2009-11-30T11:50:00.000-06:00

It just keeps getting easier & easier! Heritage Makers now offers Live Chat!
Live chat is a great tool to ask questions, get responses, and continue working on your projects or other work at the same time. Make sure that when you select the live chat—found on the contact us page—that you have all the workshop info, account info, and any other relevant info relating to your call ready so CS can help you out as quickly as possible.

Start your Heritage Makers journey today at http:www/MakeYourMomentsLast.com

November is leaving and so is this GREAT SALE!

2009-11-30T09:36:00.015-06:00

Choose from these great gifts or create them all! They are ALL ON SALE TODAY ONLY!

MEANINGFUL - Preserve and share your special photos and memories
AFFORDABLE - Save up to 60% with this sale!
EASY - There are LOTS of beautiful and fun pre-designed templates to choose from - just add your own photos and text!
OR create your own design however you wish!

Click on the headings below for images and details.

SWATCH BOOKS
These pocket and purse-friendly books are perfect to create your own:
- Brag Books
- Favorite Recipes
- Baby Albums
- Grandkids
- Sports Teams
- "Our Family"
...and more!
Purchase a package of 5 Swatch Book credits for ONLY $49.95 - that's only $9.95 each!
Regular Price: $24.95 each

WIREBOUND BOOKS
This is a Heritage Makers favorite! These books are very popular to create custom cookbooks, planners, journals, storybooks and MORE!
Purchase a package of 5 Wirebound book credtis for ONLY $74.95 - that's only $14.95 each!
Regular price: $24.95 each

CALENDARS
These custom, high-quality calendars are a huge hit in every family! Customize each month with favorite memories and photos and even the dates!
2 great sizes to choose from!
11x8.5 (folds with spiral in middle, traditional) - Only $19.95 each! (Regular price: $24.95)
11x16 (full page, spiral and hook at top) - Only $24.95 each! (Regular price: $29.95)

QUICK ANSWERS to FAQ's:

1. Can packages/credits be shared?
Absolutely! You can share the cost of and the credits in your package with others. I can help set them up with a FREE Heritage Makes account, if they do not already have one, to transfer the credits to.

2. Do I have to have my project finished today to publish?
No. You have an entire year from the date of your purchase, to use the credits whenever you wish. Plus, you do not have to publish the same project with all of the credits.
BONUS TIME: Now, you can extend your publishing credits for an ADDITIONAL year, in 3-month increments. So, you can get this great price today and you have 2 years to use your credits.

3. How do I place an order?
Just give me a call or an email. As your personal publishing consultant, you just let me know what you want and I will personally place your order for you - no lines, no hassle, no fuss! It's so easy and everyone is going to LOVE your gifts!

If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. I will be happy to help you.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: These SALE prices END TONIGHT at 9 PM.

I look forward to hearing from you and helping you and your family have a very Merry and Meaningful Christmas.

Swatch Book Sale! $9.95 each! (ends 11-30-09, so hurry!)

2009-11-29T11:42:00.003-06:00

Contact me today at info@imageawards.net . 5 Swatch books for only $49.95!!!!

Holiday HIts Week 2! Wire-bound books!

2009-11-23T16:37:00.002-06:00

Sale ends November 30, 2009 - email me to purchase! Patty@imageawards.net
visit www.MakeYourMomentsLast.com or www.ImageAwards.net for more great gifts.

Happy Thanksgiving!