Creating "Subway" Art

from summersnowart.com

Have you been drooling over all the Subway art you see on the internet and on Pinterest?  You can create your very own using StoryBook Creator 4.0.  Here are some easy directions on creating two different styles.  The examples would make gorgeous Photo Panels for the one you love for Valentine's Day.  But this concept works for any occasions.  If you have questions or need help with this technique please give me a call.

Be inspired and check out even more options here.

Please share what you create.

Managing Views in StoryBook Creator 4.0

Ever wonder what all the different view options in StoryBook Creator 4.0 mean?  This document details all the view options and shows you exactly how best to use the view options when designing your projects. In my personal experience I like to leave anything important such as a photos or journaling more like 1/2 inch in from the edge.  This gives even more room to ensure that it won't get trimmed in production.

Memory Usage in StoryBook Creator 4.0

StoryBook Creator 4.0 allows you to use very large images so that the clarity on your final project is exceptional.  Plus with our newer digital cameras having an increased number of mega-pixles our StoryBook files are becoming enormous.  This has recently been a problem with a number of customers as well as my own computer and projects.  There are several ways you can optimize the memory on your computer when working in StoryBook Creator 4.0.  I have created these step-by-step directions for you to follow. 

One of the most important things is to SAVE - SAVE - SAVE!  I know I fall into the same habit of working on a page for a long period of time and not saving during the process.  But you really save yourself a lot of frustration if you remember to save every 15 to 20 minutes.  It is especially critical if you are working on posters or calendars.  These files are extra large due to the larger size of the finished product so it is extremely important to save very frequently with these projects. 

If you have optimized the memory on a page and then decide later you want to make some changes you may have a problem is you try to increase the size of a photo or element on a page.  You will get the yellow triangle warning.  All you have to do is add that photo or element to the page again and you should be able to size it larger. 

Please call me if you have questions.

Changing your default font

I've had several questions lately about how to change the default font in StoryBook Creator 4.0.  Most likely many more of you have the same question.  It is a bit hidden in StoryBook Creator 4.0.  But here are the steps to follow.  Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.

Are you backed up?

Memories are the most precious gift of all.

You have all your photos, StoryBooks, digital content, and more stored on your computer.  What would happen if tomorrow when you turned your computer on it did not boot up?  There was no sound, nothing.  Would you be able to get all of these precious memories back?  What would happen if you had your computer stolen?  Is everything gone forever?

Backups are no fun to do. They take time and we are all short on time.  We always plan on doing a backup - after I finish this book, when the kids are done with school, after I finish this big project at work, etc. etc. etc.  But losing your data does not take into account your busy schedule.  We all need a system that is automatic - or at least as automatic as possible.

Like backups this post will not be the most interesting to read but hopefully you will glean some information that will protect you and your precious memories. 

You NEED to have an external hard drive.  This is the fastest way to create a back up and to retrieve the backup information if needed.  If you are using Memory Manager you need to set up an automatic shadow copy.  Then you need to plug in your external hard drive when working in Memory Manager.  The automatic shadow copy will do exactly as it says - it will automatically create another copy of your Memory Manager on the external hard drive when you close out of Memory Manager.  This way you will have a copy on your computer hard drive and an extra shadow copy on the external hard drive. 

StoryBooks do not back up automatically.  You must take the time to back these up yourself.  There are a few ways to do this.  You can manually navigate to the drive and folder your StoryBook is saved in and then copy this file to your external hard drive. 

The other option is when you are in StoryBook Creator 4.0 do the following:

1. Open your project
2. On the File Tab, Choose Save As, then Save Project As..
3. Choose a NEW NAME for the project such as Freye Family 2011 Backup
4. Choose a new location to save the project - your external hard drive
5. Click Save As

You have now created a copy of the StoryBook project that can be opened up in StoryBook and worked on if you lose your original copy.  You need to repeat these steps for every project. Be sure when you open the project next that you open the original project and not the backup.  That is why I suggest you add backup to the name of the backup file. 

Be aware that these copies are of your StoryBook on the day you created the backup.  Any changes you make to the original will not be made to the backup unless you manually save the file again.

Once a StoryBook has been uploaded to the Creative Memories digital center your book will be saved there as long as your account is active.  This way you could always order another copy of a completed book if the worst happened.  But you cannot download the book and make any changes to the book.  That is why a backup of the book should also be kept on an external hard drive. 

Some people like to be extra safe and also burn their projects to a DVD.  If you are doing this you should be sure to buy an archival CD/DVD.  The ones you buy in bulk at the store are not designed for long-term storage. 

Another option is to save each page in a project as a .pdf file and back that up.  Dr. Mark Mizen covers the step by step directions on how to do that here on his blog.  The advantage to this method is that a .pdf file is universally recognized.  He is thinking very long-term and hopefully you will be able to read a .pdf file in the distant future.  The backups I talked about above are ones that you could open in StoryBook Creator Plus but not in another program.

You should also backup any content you have, especially the freebies you may be saving.  You would do this by navigating to where they are stored on your computer and copying the folders to your external hard drive.  If you don't know where they are stored go to Content Manager in StoryBook Creator 4.0 and when you hover over a package it will show you the location of the package.

You need to keep your e-mail records for any digital purchases you make from Creative Memories.  This way you have the information to download and activate the content in the future.  Anything you have purchased since September 1, 2011 is stored in your account at Creative Memories.  But anything before that you are responsible for keeping track of.  As your consultant I do not receive the activation codes and download links - only you as the purchaser receive these. 

Print out a backup up of your activation codes. To do this in StoryBook Creator 4.0 do the following:

1. Open StoryBook Creator 4.0
2. From the Welcome Page click on Manage Content
3. Click on Activation Codes
4. Click make a backup copy of my codes
5. Print this file

In addition to the external hard drive and/or CD/DVD backups there is another option called on-line backups.  There are a number of companies that provide this service.  Just Google on-line backups and you will find several.  Some of the most popular are Carbonite, Mozy, BackBlaze, iCloud.  You will need to research the different pros and cons to each of them to see which one fits your needs the best.  These services back up everything on your computer to an on-line storage facility.  This is key if you have a house fire, or a robbery and everything is gone, including your external hard drives. 

I have been using BackBlaze for some time now.  The reason I chose it was that it allowed me to back up more than one drive and I have two hard drives on my computer.  At the time I purchased it the other major options only allowed you to back up your C drive.  I believe that has now changed. 

These sites are good because they backup everything on your computer - not just the Memory Manage and StoryBook Creator Plus I have been talking about.  The one thing to be aware of with on-line backups is that they are backing up what is active on your computer.  It you delete something from your computer it will delete it from the on-line backup.  They are not a way to free up room on your computer.  There may be options available for this purpose but most on-line backups are a mirror image of what is currently on your hard drive(s).

Some people like to have more than one external hard drive.  They store one off-site at a bank vault or a relatives house. 

We have so much information on our computers that would cause major heartache is we lost it all.  Take some time to think about what works for you but please do some types of back up.

If you have read this far, thank you.  If I can help you process any of this information please let me know.  I am not an expert but can share with you what experience I do have.

Gutter View Options

The latest update to StoryBook Creator 4.0 changed the way you view the gutter when designing your book.  You now have the option of viewing the gutter of a regular book or choosing to view the gutter for a lay-flat book.  The new lay-flat option is only available in new projects that you create after the update.  If you want to use this new option in a book you are currently working on you can create a new project and import the pages from your current project into the new project. 

As always be sure to leave at least 1/4" to 1/2" inside the trimmed or gutter view of anything important such as text or photos.  This is not a perfect system and leaving some extra room assures you nothing will get cut out in the manufacturing process. 

Here is a short video that gives you all the details about the new option.

Please call me with any questions.

Digital Got It Guide!

I want to thank another consultant, Kay Clark, for generously sharing her template for keeping track of your digital downloads.  You can find this template under the My Files section of my website. It is an Excel file.  On the first worksheet there are directions on how to use the file.  Each month I will update the file with new content released that month.  Be sure to check back monthly to get the latest update. 

You can keep track of which kits you have purchsed, the date ordered, and the activation code. 

Please let me know if you need any help getting started with this spreadsheet.

Universal Format Artwork

On April 1 Creative Memories launched a new format for their digital artwork.  It is called Universal Format.  The exact same content will be available in both StoryBook Creator Format and Universal Format.  If you are using StoryBook Creator for your digital scrapbooking please continue to purchase the StoryBook Format digital artwork.  The advantages to purchasing this format is that it will automatically download into your software, the keywords are pre-coded for you, and the fancy alphabets will work better in the program.

You will want to look for one of these logos next to the digital artwork before you add it to your bag:

The Universal Format was introduced for people that are using other digital scrapbooking programs.  It is compatible with both PC's and Mac's.  The papers are all .jpg format and the embellishments are all .png format.  The Universal Format kits will have this icon next to them:

Please call me if you have any question about the different formats. 

Facebook Timeline

Are you ready to move to the new Facebook timeline?  I believe everyone moves by the end of March so now is the time to customize your own timeline.  Let your friends see just how creative you are.  You will WOW them all.  It is very easy in StoryBook Creator Plus or sbcStudio.

Here are the steps in StoryBook Creator Plus:

1. Create a new custom project
2. Make the project size 11.35 inches wide and 4.2 inches high
3. Now create and embellish to your hearts content within this new size project
4. Once you have it just how you like it go to the File Tab
5. Choose Save As - Export Current Page
6. Choose where to save it (I suggest your desktop), give it a name, and be sure to use the dropdown arrow under where you give it a name and choose .jpg as the type of file
7. Choose Save
8. Make your resolution 72 DPI and say OK

You are now ready to upload the project to Facebook.

Here are the steps to follow in sbcStudio:

1. Create a new custom project
2. Make the project size 11.35 inches wide and 4.2 inches high
3. Now create and embellish to your hearts content within this new size project
4. Once you have it just how you like it go to the Page Command along the top
5. Choose Export Page
6. Choose where to save it, give it a name, make sure you file type is .jpg and your Pixels say 72 DPI
7. Choose Export

Youa re now ready to uplaod the project to Facebook.

I can't wait to see your creations.  Please friend me on Facebook if you haven't already.  I am on as Cheryl Weinschenk Freye.

This is so easy you can change your timeline with the seasons or with your moods.  Have fun!

StroyBook Creator 4.0 Performance Optimization Tips

Creative Memories just released these tips to help you optimize the performance of StoryBook Creator 4.0. Some people are having issues with the program running slower than expected. If you are experiencing these issues try some of these suggestions. If you are not experiencing these issues then you don't need to do anything. As always please let me know if I can help you.

If you are experiencing slowness with StoryBook Creator 4.0, or are seeing errors about memory issues, here are some tips to help improve performance:

·         Restart your computer daily. This deletes temporary files that may be taking up unnecessary space and memory on your computer.

·         Close other unnecessary applications and services when running StoryBook Creator 4.0.

·         If editing a project created in StoryBook Creator 3.0, use File > Save As to save the project in 4.0 format.   Pages will load considerably faster when saved in 4.0 format.

·         Check for system and software updates, and make sure everything on your computer (including but not limited to StoryBook Creator 4.0) is currently up to date.

·         Schedule your anti-virus scans and system/software updates to run at times you are not commonly using StoryBook Creator.

·         For computers running 32-bit versions of Windows with 2 GB of RAM or less, we recommend turning on the aggressive memory management feature. The checkbox for aggressive memory management can be found under Help > Options > Page Editing. Enabling this feature may also help users with more RAM.  Some memory issues you experience may display a message suggesting you turn on this feature.  Aggressive memory management allows StoryBook Creator 4.0 to do some of the memory management  itself, eliminating issues that may result from fragmented memory. Turning on aggressive memory  management may or may not make the software noticeably slower, depending on what you are doing.  The impact on performance would normally occur when the software needs to compact memory to allocate more, so it won’t happen for everything you do.

·         After you have completed the primary design of a page – especially finalizing the size of your elements and photos – opt to reduce memory usage on elements on the page. To do this, right-click on an element on the page and choose Properties > Memory usage. Then choose Reduce memory usage for all elements on this page. Please note that if you enlarge an element by more than 120% after enabling this feature, the resolution of the element may be compromised. That’s why this feature should only be used after you have determined the final size of the element. However, on a page with many elements, using this feature can make a huge difference in the memory requirements.

Need a quick gift idea?

"Do you remember the last really great gift you got? You remember, don't you? You made that little happy, squeally noise and then tried to blame it on the dog? At Creative Memories we have the gumption to envision a world filled with happy, squeally noises. And you can be a major distributor." ~ Creative Memories

There is still time to create a really unique gift idea for anyone on your gift list - a photo panel.  A photo panel is a picture ready to display with no frame needed.  It is simple and classic and will take your breath away.  It is a gift that will bring a smile to the recipents face all year long. 

You can choose between the traditional type or the new metal type.  The metal ones are actually printed on metal and are gorgeous.  The whites and lighter colors of your photos will have an irridescent look.  These are beautiful for both modern photos and heritage photos.  The traditional type is a bit thicker and has a shiny acrylic type finish.  You can use the traditional photo panel as a white board.  This is great for to-do lists, menu boards, inspiration boards, etc.  The panels come in 4 sizes - 5x7 (both horizontal and vertical), 8x8, 11x8.5 (both horizontal and veritcal) and 12x12.  The 12x12 is designed to hang on a wall but can also be used on a tabletop if you have an easel stand.  The other sizes come with an easel built it. 

You can use one picture, add a quote, use your favorite album page, or design something completely unique.  If you don't have StoryBook Creator or sbcStudio you can use one of the pre-desinged templates at the Creative Memories Digtial Center.  Or if you would like to create a custom panel just give me a call and I would love to work with you to create the design of your dreams. 

These also make great teacher gifts, gifts for your boss, grandparent gifts, babysitter gifts, for your own office, for just about anyone. 

Here are a few examples of photo panels created to be used as a White Board.

The ordering deadline to ensure delivery by Christmas is December 13, 2011. Please let me know if I can help you complete your special gifts.

More ideas......

Here is a link to more photo panel ideas at the Project Center.

Calendar Options

There is still plenty of time to create a calendar for yourself or for a gift.  The ordering deadline for 2011 is December 13 to insure delivery by Christmas.

You can choose from a variety of pre-designed templates or create your own pages from scratch.  If you prefer the simple style there is a new FREE pre-designed block style collage calendar available here for download.   This template is for the PC only.  But you can find other FREE templates for both PC and Mac here for download.

If you need help creating your calendar you can watch a video that walks you through the process using StoryBook Creator Plus here and using sbcStudio here.  I am also always available to answer your questions.  

The new desk calendar at just $14.99 makes a great gift for hostesses, co-workers, teachers, grab-bags, or anyone on your gift list.  You can watch a You Tube Video on creating this new calendar with StoryBook Creator Plus  here and with sbcStudio here.

Do you have a family with an extra busy schedule and need more room than is available in the traditional calendar format to write down appointments, practices, etc.?  You can choose to reverse the calendar so the date portion is on the top 12x12 section and your photos are on the bottom 8x12 section.  It's very easy and I will show you the steps to follow here.

• First download the 2012 Calendar 12x18 Digital Blank Pages here.
• Create a new project and choose the the 2012 Calendar 12x18 Digital Blank Pages
• From the Insert Tab Choose Calendar and size the calendar to your desired size on the top portion of the calendar.  Be sure to work in the Trimmed View so your dates are not too close to the edges.

• You can then right click on the new calendar you added under the elements list and choose Calendar Style to change the style of the calendar. There are several to choose from.

• Once you have selected your calendar style you can then customize the design by right clicking on the calendar in the elements pane again and this time choosing Format Calendar.  You can then go through all of the choices on the left and totally customize your calendar.

• Once you have the calendar set how you like you right click on the calendar in the elements pane again and choose Calendar Style and Make Default Calendar Style.  Now when you add a calendar to the top portion of the remainder of your pages it will automatically be formatted in your design of choice.  You will just need to go to Format Calendar and change the month for each page.
• After you have the calendar set up you just go to the Elements Pane on the left and click on the eyeball to the left of the original calendar (Bottom of list).  This will hide that calendar and you can then add photos to the lower section. 

• Voila!  You now have a calendar that is truly your own with plenty of space to write all your important dates.

Please let me know if I can help you in any way with your precious photos.

Memories are the most precious gift of all.

Viewing Pre-designed Pages in StoryBook Creator 4.0

StoryBook Creator 4.0 has a great new feature that enables you to better see what each pre-designed page looks like before you select it.  However you will need to "create an abstract" of any pre-designed page packages that were designed for the 3.0 version.  This is very easy to do.  It just takes a bit of time.  You can choose to do it each time you look up a pre-designed page kit or you might choose to do all of them some night when you are watching TV. 

Here are the steps you take.
1. When you are in your StoryBook Creator 4.0 project choose Change Template from the Home Ribbon.

2. You will receive a message that states that you cannot undo a template page change.  Choose OK.  This means that you can't use the undo button to get back the page you had.  But you can always go back and find that page again.  You don't want to change a page template if you have already added photos and text because you may lose the photos and text that were added.

3.  The Window on the lower right will appear and you use the drop down arrow in the blue circle.  This will open the window on the left.  (Yours will have a different pre-designed page showing) You can scroll through and choose the pre-designed pages you want to view from the list on the left (red circle).  This will give you a mini-preview of the pages in that particular kit.  When you have found the one you want you then choose Select Kit (black circle). 

4. This will open the window shown.  You will then see the message circled in blue that says "Create an Abstract for the selected kit"  Click on this and the abstract will be created.  It takes a few minutes to create.

5. Once the abstract is created you can then choose the number of photos you want on a page in area 2 (blue circle) and then click on the page you want to see large in area 3 and it will appear to the right as a large image.  Once you decide which page you want to add to your project choose change template (red circle).  Don't panic if you think the text looks like it is in a foreign language.  This is called Geeking.  It is made to resemble what text typed on the page will look like.  When you actually choose the template it will just have an "Enter Text Here" box where the Geeking is on the preview image.

Note: this may not work on some of the very old pre-designed pages. 

Please let me know if you have any questions.  I love this new feature of StoryBook Creator 4.0.

 

Alternative Uses for Creative Memories Calendars

I am sorry I haven’t updated this blog lately. As many of you know my life has been a bit unsettled in the last 6 months. My Dad passed away in May and then my Mom had a major stroke just a few weeks later. This has only increased my passion for helping others to tell their stories. Life is fragile but there is a lot to celebrate. I will try to get on a more regular schedule for updating the blog.

Creative Memories 8x12 and 12x18 calendars are on sale for 20% off through the month of October. If you don’t have time to finish your calendar by Oct 31 you can always purchase a product credit at the sale price and order the calendar within the next 180 days.

In addition to the typical calendar many customers have found unique uses for our calendars. Since the calendars are printed on a digital press, as opposed to a photographic printing process, the text and photos are much crisper. This lends itself to many uses.

Instead of thinking in terms of a calendar think about what you could print on a 12x18 sheet of paper. Remember there is a perforation at the 12x12 mark so you are basically designing on a 12x12 and a 6x12 piece.

Some people like to print 12x12 page prints on the top then use the bottom for other options. Or you can use both the top and bottom section for various size items that you then cut apart.

Some Ideas:

• Recipe cards – you can get 6 4x6 cards on the top and 3 on the bottom for a total of 9 per page. You can print recipes with a much smaller font than you would be able to with a traditional photo

• Book marks – This is a great use for the bottom section if you do 12x12 prints on the top

• Gift Tags – if you make these 2x3 size you can get 24 on the top section and 12 on the bottom section.

• Print a large 11x14 photo and then cut it up to fit in a PicFolio Album.

• Place cards – the calendars are made on a nice heavy-weight paper so they fold in half and stand up quite nicely.

• Postcards – again a nice heavy weight for mailing. You can make a variety of different cards for sending throughout the year.

Each calendar page can be something completely different so you can do recipe cards on one and gift tags on another page and a page print on another page. The choice is yours.

Please share your own creative ideas for using the calendars.

Using the Corner Cutter in StoryBook Creator Plus 3.0

The corner cutter is such a versatile tool.  You can round the corners on your photos, similar to how you used the corner cutter in traditional albums. You can create your own background paper with unique corner cuts.  You can cut special corners on journal boxes.  You can cut all four corners the same or choose which corner(s) you want to cut.  The Basic and Corners come FREE with your purchase of StoryBook Creator Plus 3.0.  But if you fall in love with corners there are several more you can purchase under digital embellishments on my website. 

The samples shown use the Fabulous Digital Power Palette and the Fabulous Digital Corners.  Please share with me samples you create using the corner cutter.  This will help inspire others.

Creating a Grid Background

It's very easy to create a grid background in StoryBook Creator Plus 3.0.  This adds a unique effect to your pages.  It works really well with scenery pictures but given the right photo it also works with pictures of people.  You may have to play with the people photos a bit and the size of the grids to be sure you don't cut someone's face in half. 

You can also use this technique with a background paper and then fill in some (or all) of the squares with photos.

Get creative and have fun playing.  Please share your completed pages with me to inspire others.

Creating a Globe

This amazing page was created by Alyson Root.  Today's video will show you how you too can create this globe effect for your page. Remember to include your story on your page - your story is what is going to make the photos come to life and give true meaning to your page.  At this time this effect is only available in StoryBook Creator Plus 3.0



Here are the written instructions :

Creating a Globe in StoryBook Creator Plus 3.0


1. Create a block of square photo frames. The photo frames can be any size you want and you can have as many as you want but you need to have the same number of rows and columns.

2. Fill all the photo frames with photos – remember the photos in the center will be the ones that are dominate in your globe. The ones along the edges you will not see as clearly.

3. Once all the photo frames are filled select them all – go to the arrange tab and choose flatten

4. If you want a specific color between your photos on the globe go to the insert tab and under shape choose Rectangle. Size the rectangle to be the size of your square of photos. Make it the color you want or fill it with a piece of paper or gradient. Then select both your photo square and the colored square and flatten them together.

5. Go to the Format Tab and choose Filters – scroll to the bottom and choose Spherize. Be sure the Clip outside edges box is checked and say OK.

6. Enjoy your globe!


 
Please share your creations with me so I can share them with other readers.  You will inspire them with your own creativness.

Creating a Ripped Edge in StoryBook Creator Plus 3.0

Sorry for the lapse in posting entries but I was having problems with the software.  They seem to be fixed now. This recording shows you how to create a ripped edge in StoryBook Creator Plus.  It is very easy and gives you a lot of different looks for your digital projects.

Changing your paper color in StoryBook Creator Plus 3.0

Have you ever wished that blue paper was a shade of pink instead?  Or do you love to work in black and white and want more options?  Or do you really like the monochromatic look for your pages?  Well you can have all this and more with StoryBook Creator Plus 3.0.  You can take one page and change it to a myriad of different options. This short video demonstrates how easy it is to do.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

Share in the comments section what your favorite tool to change colors of a paper is.

Creating a two page spread from one photo

This video will show you how to get an absolutely breathtaking layout in your StoryBook project by spreading one photo across two pages.  It works best with a landscape photo.  Also you need to be aware that you will lose some of the top or bottom of the photo so be sure it is a photo that you don't need to see everything in the photo.  In addition to scenery photos it works well with large group photos. 

Please let me know if there is anything I can help you with.  I can't wait to see how you choose to use this in your books.