My Memories Suite Giveaway!

Recently, I was approached by My Memories to conduct a review and host a giveaway on my blog 

for their digital scrapbooking software, My Memories Suite. I hadn't had much experience in this area,

 so I was nervous, but excited for the opportunity -- especially when I saw that it ranked #1 on

 Amazon and TopTen Reviews! 

When I first sat down and tried out this software, I was able to create an 8-page Christmas album in literally two minutes using pre-loaded templates and a "fast-fill" option for inserting photos. I knew then I was hooked. My second "from scratch" project was creating a two-page spread that replicated one of my hard-copy layouts.

Here is my traditional, paper-based spread:

And here is the replicated spread using My Memories Suite software.

 

I couldn't believe just how easy it was to use this software, and the amount of paper, stamps and embellishments that were available literally made me giddy. I lost myself in this software all night and I know you will too!

For my full review of this awesome software, please see my hub: http://starrynightsdiva.hubpages.com/hub/My-Memories-Suite-Digital-Scrapbooking-Software

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GIVEAWAY!

My Memories Suite wants you to get hooked on this software as I have, so they are offering one lucky winner the opportunity to download this software (retail price $39.97) for free! And, along with this free download, you will receive a $10 coupon to purchase additional design packs, background paper and embellishments. 

To enter, leave a comment on this post. For extra entries, mention this blog post on your own blog, Facebook or Twitter. (*Let me know you have done so in your comment so I can add your name the correct amount of times.)

Deadline for entries is Friday, June 8 at 8:00 p.m. EST. I will announce the winner on Saturday, June 9 and will award an exclusive code to download the My Memories Suite software shortly thereafter.

And no worries if you don't win - you will still be able to save $10 on the software with an additional $10 off towards the My Memories store by using code STMMMS79464 at checkout (a $20 value)!

Thanks for stopping by, and good luck to all who enter!

Free Furry Friends Digi Stamp and HUGE Giveaway Announcement

Hi everyone!

Hoping you will enjoy this new free digi, Furry Friends. I'm posting a black and white version, as well as a color version. I'm also excited to announce that this weekend, I will be hosting a giveaway from a scrapbook company - and you won't want to miss it!  Make sure you check back, and please enjoy these free stamps.

To use these stamps, right click over each image and choose "Save As" option.

Thanks for stopping by!

Housework Never Killed Anyone

I just finished up this custom order wall hanger for Martha-Marie in Rhode Island.

As I've mentioned, I'm lucky enough that I have a dad with a wood-working studio so I'm always able to have my frames custom-made, which in the cross-stitch world is HUGE. The pattern is from Lizzie Kate and was stitched on 28 ct Jobelan. I made no color substitutions based on Martha-Marie's wishes. I'm never super fond of stitching letters and words as I tend to get a little annoyed with all the thread changes, but surprisingly it stitched up quickly so I have no complaints. The background took the longest probably as I went back and forth about 100 times before settling on the simple stripes. I hope I made the right decision and she likes it! More projects and my second giveaway are coming so stay tuned.

Thanks for stopping by!

May TUSAL

Time to show my May TUSAL!

Not as much as I would like, but I had a rough month. I'd like to think maybe this month I just had a lot less left-over thread. :)

Here are the projects that led to this May TUSAL:

If you would like to join in the fun, make sure you check out Daffycat's Blog!

Thanks for stopping by!

Paw Prints on Your Heart

I just put the finishing touches on this quick(er) stitch, "Dogs Leave Paw Prints" by Lizzie Kate. This was a custom order for someone who recently lost their pet, so I hope they like it. I added a picture hanger to the back in case they wanted to hang it up on a wall. I'm thinking of making another one for me because I just really liked the pattern - and the little dog bone charm is so cute! 

Before:

After: 

Thanks for stopping by!

May Giveaway Winner!

I'm so happy to announce the winner of my first giveaway! I was trying to figure out the best way to pick a name, and then I came across this app called "The Hat" which is basically a virtual pick-a-name-out-of-a-hat.

First you enter all of the names into the app, and click "Shuffle." 

Then, you select "Pick individual name" and it will randomly choose your winner (with a virtual drum-roll nonetheless). 

As you can see, the winner my May Giveaway is... Pam in IL! 

Congratulations, Pam. I'm so happy to be sending out three friendship-themed patterns from Lizzie Kate and Trilogy. I hope you enjoy them!

Thanks to everyone who played along. I had a really good time meeting new people and following new blogs. I'm going to be doing another giveaway very soon. I'm hooked!

Thanks for stopping by!

It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere!

Just got through putting the last finishing touches on my "It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere" sign!

This is the before:

And here is the after:

I stitched this pattern from Amy Bruecken Designs on 28 ct ivory Jobelan and made no color substitutions. It was a fun, quick design and a joy to stitch. For the finishing, I added a photo hanger to the back so that it can be hung on a wall, or just left alone on a ledge or in a display holder. I went with a very vibrant background to really bring out the colorful fruits within the pattern. My favorite part was the lime green beads in the glass and the little olive.

I'm finishing up a few more pieces I had stitched earlier in the month, so hopefully I will be posting those shortly.

Thanks for stopping by!

And if you haven't already entered my May Giveaway, feel free to check it out here. Deadline for entries is Monday, May 14 when I announce the winner.

May Giveaway!

I'm so excited to post my May Giveaway! I had so much fun shopping for these items, I think I'm going to be doing these a lot more often. I chose a friendship theme for my first giveaway because as many of you know, I have been feeling a bit under-the-weather lately which has kept me from crafting and updating my blog as regularly - but the outpour of overwhelmingly kind e-mails I have received has really lifted my spirits.

For this May giveaway, the winner will receive these three brand new charts:

To enter, comment on this blog post. For an extra entry, include a link to your blog that links back to this giveaway post.

The winner will be announced on Monday, May 14.

Thanks for stopping by!