Creative Memories Project Center - Digital

Digital Scrapbooking Project Idea - Letter from Santa

So... the other day I read an article about how the US Postal Service has decided it will no longer allow North Pole, Alaska to do the "Letters from Santa" program. UGH! So... here's your letter from Santa.  Pretty slick and easy to set up - pair it up with the North Pole Postage Stamp Freebie for your envelope and you're all set. Here's how to put it together:

Ingredients:

• StoryBook Creator Plus 3 Software
• Nature's Whisper Digital Kit
• Jewel Christmas Digital Additions
• Digital Overlays - Winter Frost
• Font Used - Big Mister C

How to Create:

1. Create new project - choose 8.5 x 11 page (portrait)
2. Add paper7 from Nature's Whisper Digital Kit. Drag this piece of paper so it spans from top to bottom of project. 
3. Turn paper to sepia tone (click on "color" tab, then select "Sepia).
4. Add santa & reindeer sticker from Jewel Christmas Digital Additions. Using Wand (on "Cut & Fill" tab) to remove blue sky from around Sleigh and reindeer. Apply heavy shadow, then size and move to top of project as shown.
5. Add large block of text to center of project.
6. Add winterfrost5 overlay from Winter Frost Digital Overlays. Color change to deep red. Move to bottom of project. Right click on overlay, then choose "Text Wrapping", then "Element Shape" (this will allow your text to auto-wrap so it does not overlap the overlay).
7. Click back to your text layer and type all of your letter. For this sample letter, font used was "Big Mister C", point size 18 and bold.  I made "Santa Claus" a tad bit larger size.
8. To print, simply save project as a .jpg (click on "Home" tab, then choose "Save pages as". Save this file as a 300 dpi .jpg, then print onto regular 8.5 x 11 copy paper.
9. Have fun, and HAPPY HOLIDAYS! :)

NOTE: here's what the text on the sample letter says:

Merry Christmas, my good friend Jordan!I can't believe it's been a whole year since I last visited your house in Pierz! I have been checking my list, and my elves even checked it twice for me! It looks like you've been a very good boy this year - and that's great!I also heard that you are doing great in basketball this year, and you are getting very good grades because you study every night!I'm almost ready to make my big trip around the world. Mrs. Claus has my red suit all washed and ready to go. Rudolph has been waiting all year for the special night! His bright red nose will lead us right to your house in PIerz - even if it's foggy or snowing. I'll be in your area soon. Be a good boy 'til Christmas Eve! Have fun!Your friend always,   Santa Claus

Digital Scrapbooking Idea - Time Together

Ingredients:

• StoryBook Creator Plus 3 Software
• Spice of Life Digital Kit
• Scallop - Edged Strip Digital Freebie (click here to download)
• Delight Youth Digital Overlays

How to create:

1. Create a new 12x12 project
2. Place Paper 7 from the Spice of Life kit as your background paper.
3. Create a new shape.  Select a rounded edge rectangle.  Drag the shape to be slightly smaller than the size of the page. 
4. Fill the shape with paper 5 from the Spice of Life kit. 
5. Create another rounded square shape and set the color to be an off-white and drag the shape to be slightly smaller than the layer underneath. 
6. Add Delight Youth overlay 2.  Using your cutting tool cut the overlay down the middle into two separate layers.  Fill each layer with a dark purple to match your background paper.  Arrange your overlay layers to be horizontal.  Move each layer, one on the top, one on the bottom as seen in example.
7. Insert Scalloped Edge freebie.  Fill the layer with paper 1 from Spice of Life.  Drag the layer to fit just inside your top rounded square.  Copy and paste the layer.  Rotate the second layer so the scallop edge is pointing down.  Move each layer to look like the example.
8. Insert Mat 1 from Spice of Life.  Resize the Layer to fit inside your rounded square. 
9. Insert desired photos.  One vertical photo on the left and two smaller photos for the bottom right of your photo Mat.
10. Insert Spice of Life rectangle tag.  Resize to fill the empty space on your photo mat.  
11. Insert "Time Together" and change the color to match the yellow hue in your papers.  Resize to fill the space of the rectangle tag. 
12. Insert Rectangle tag 2.  Resize and place under title.  Insert a new text box and type in your date.  Size your text to fit the tag.
13. Insert the Flourish from the Spice of Life kit twice.  Rotate and resize each one to look the same as the example.
14. Insert button 2 and center it in between the two flourishes. 
15. Insert Flower 1, resize and place on the edge left side of the larger photo. 
16. Finish your work with some drop shadows and don't forget to save!

A month of thankfulness

Remember special days of the year by creating a custom calendar.  Display on an Everyday Display Board, in a scrapbook, make a custom 12 x 18 calendar or create a yearly Storybook with month by month pages.

Ingredients:

Storybook Creator 3

Classic Autumn Digital Power Palette Addition

Font: Andalus, Microsoft Sans Serif

Instructions:

1.  Create a new 12 x 12 project.

2.  Click Insert tab at the top of your screen and click Calendar.  Customize calendar to your preference (size and style).

3.  Add special pictures from Memory Manager to project/page, cut to fit appropriate date/dates.

4.  Add journaling and arrows.  (Arrow in Geometric Shapes)

5.  Remember your special days of the year forever.

Digital Hybrid Project Idea - Calendar Gift Idea

 

Ingredients:

StoryBook Creator Plus 3 Software

Any Creative Memories Digital Additions and Digital kits

Empty CD case

How to Create:

(These instructions are basic guidelines on how you can create your own personal calendar, you can be creative as you like and use any kits you have and desire to use)

1. Create a new custom sized document.  The size will need to be 4.7" x 5.5".

2.  Create your monthly calendar.  Choose "Insert" and on the far right of your menu bar select "add calendar to this page".

3.  Select the position and size (this can be adjusted later if necessary) and select 'create'.

4.  Right click on the calendar you just created and select "use different calendar style".  There are several different options for you to choose from.  For my example I selected the 5th option, the one with no background or borders around the dates.  But you may use any style you want.

5.  Right click on your calendar again and select "Change the month".  The left side of the window gives you a list of all the calendar elements you can change.  If you are starting with January create January and so on.  You can also select "Title style" and change the size and the font of the title.  You can also make changes to your "weekday style" and your "date style".  There are several options available to make your calendar completely custom.  (Which is very awesome!)  For my calendar I choose to use a font called "kristen".  I changed my "weekday style" to be only the first letter of the day of the week.  I also changed my month title to be just the name of the month and adjusted the size to be just one font size larger than the rest of the calendar text.  You can also change the color of your text, add borders or fills etc.  Just play around with it until you see what you like. 

6.  After you have made all of your changes click on "apply".  If you are happy with the way your calendar looks you can flatten the layer and adjust the calendar to fit on your page anywhere you want it to be. 

7.  Insert desired paper for the background.  Such as: Jan-"Winter Solstice", Nov-"Jewel Heritage", "Give Thanks" or "Spice of Life".  For Spring and summer months use kits with Fresh bright colors, "Bright Blooms", "Classic Spring" or "Classic Summer. 

8.  Insert desired photos.  Your photos can go with the theme of the month or they can be anything you desire.  Insert as many photos as you want.  See my example for different photo layout design ideas.

9.  Insert and add embellishments to your design.  Again use anything you want.  Make it fun and personal, give the designs some depth by adding some drop shadows.  

10.  Save your project as a jpeg so it can be printed.  Once you have finished your first month, change your design to reflect the next month.  Then save the file as a jpeg once again, giving it a new name such as Feb, March, etc.   

11.  Print out your project.  Once you have cut out each month they should fit perfectly into any empty, clear CD case. 

This calendar is a very simple but wonderful gift idea.  I have made these for family members and they have really enjoyed them. 

Please leave a comment if you have any questions about this project.  These instuctions have been different from other projects so please let me know if you are having problems or questions.

Digital Hybrid Project Idea - Candy Bar Placecard favors

Ingredients:

StoryBook Creator Plus 3 Software

Thanksgiving or Fall kits such as:

"Give Thanks"

"Spice of Life"

"Classic Autumn"

"Natural Beauty"

Regular sized Chocolate Hershey bar

Paper and Printer

How to Create:

1. Start with a new custom sized document, the size will need to be 5.7" x 6". 

2.  Create a new shape and select a square/rectangle shape.  The shape will need to be about 5.7" x  2.25".  Center the rectangle to be in the center of the Project. 

3.  Fill the shape with desired "Fall/Thanksgiving" paper. 

4.  Create another new rectangle shape and make the size slightly smaller than the first one, so about 5.7" x 2".  Fill this shape with another paper of your choice and center the rectangle on your project.  It should look like the first rectangle is bordering the second, see the example.

5.  Create a smaller rectangle shape and have the color be lighter so you can write or type in the person's name.  The rectangle can be put wherever you want.

6.  Embellish your design.  Add in Text or word art, I used word art stickers from the "Give Thanks" kit.  Use tags or other Fall/Thanksgiving embellishments, use leaves, buttons, ribbons, anything you want. 

7.  Save your design and print.  Once you have cut out your wrapper simply wrap it around a candy bar and use adhesive to hold in place.  If you did not type in a person's name simply write one in the space you created. 

Dinner guests are sure to love a unique personalized little treat like this.  Have fun!

Digital Hybrid Project Idea - Thankful Banner

Ingredients:

StoryBook Creator Plus 3.0 Software

Fall/Thanksgiving Digital kits such as:

"Give Thanks"

"Spice of Life"

"Classic Autumn"

"Black & White Digital Power Palette" alpha set 1

Printer and Paper

Hole puncher

Fall Ribbon

How to Create:

1.  Create a new 8.5" x 11" landscape project.  I choose this size because this is the size that fits my printer, I can fit two letters on one sheet of paper, if you have a larger printer or the option to print larger sizes, each letter I created is about 5" x 7.5".  

2.  Starting with the "T" and the "H" create a new square shape and a circle shape.  Because I want to fit two letters on my page the square will go on the left and the circle to the right.  Size each shape to fill the page making sure there is a printing margin around the edge. 

3.  Fill your shape with desired Fall/Thanksgiving paper.  I mostly used papers and elements from the kits listed above but you can use any you want. 

4.  Insert the letters.  I wanted to use the "Fancy" text from the "Black & White Digital Power Palette" alpha set 1, but you could also insert text and choose any font you want.  

5.  Choose Place alpha set text on page and type in your letter, such as "T".

6.  Resize your letter to fill the shape. 

7.  Insert additional embellishments, I added a few leaves and buttons, using fall colors and kits. 

8.  Once you are finished with your design, save your work as a jpeg and print out your page. 

9.  Create the next two letters, "A" and "N". 

10.  Create a triangle and oval shape.  Fill these shapes with desired paper and insert "Fancy text".

11.  Be creative and design each letter how ever you want. 

12.  Once you have printed each sheet of letters cut them out and punch two holes on each letter.  One in the upper left corner and one in the upper right. 

13.  String a fall ribbon through the holes of each letter going in the left hole and out the right hole so the ribbon is behind the letter design. 

14.  You can also tie smaller ribbons in between each letter if desired.  

15.  Tie a knot on each end of your ribbon.  Hang and display your banner any place in your home.  Enjoy!

Digital Hybrid Project Idea - Photo Placecards

Ingredients:

• Storybook Creator  3.0 Software
• Digital kits such as: "Spice of Life", "Classic Autumn", "Give Thanks" and "Natural Beauty"
• Paper and Printer

How to Create:

1.  Create a new 8.5" x 11" landscape project.  I have chosen this size because this is the size of my printer.  Each place card is about 5.5" x 4".  Document size can be adjusted depending on how you want to print your project.

2.  Create a new rectangle shape to be about 5.5" x 2.5".  Fill the shape with a darker color, brown or dark blue.

3.  Create another rectangle shape to be slighter smaller than the first and fill the shape with desired paper from any of the kits listed above. 

4.  Place the second rectangle on top of the first so it looks like it has a border around it. 

5.  Insert a photo.  Crop your photo and re size it to be about 2.25" x 3".  Arrange your photo to be on the left side of your rectangles and rotate it to be tilting upward.  Make sure the photo is rising above your rectangle, see the examples. 

6.  Add strips of paper or ribbons.  Insert a paper or a photo mat and cut out a thin rectangle shape to look like a ribbon.  Place over photo and rotate to be going across the photo and the rectangles. 

7.  Create a second ribbon if desired. 

8.  Add embellishments.  I used some leaves from the "Classic Autumn" kit and I used some buttons from the "Sewing Room Baby boy" kit.  You can use anything you want, be creative!  Add drop shadows if desired.

9.  Insert text, type in Happy Thanksgiving or the Person's name.

10.  Group all of your elements together. 

11.  Create a second photo place card following the same instructions. 

12.  Once you have created two place cards make sure they are near the bottom of the page so there is a blank space above. 

13.  Save your work and print your page.  When you cut out your place cards there are two ways you could do this.  I used an exact o knife and cut around the top of the photo and the other elements that were standing out from the rectangle.  Then I folded the paper along the top line of the rectangle so it appears as though the photo is popping out.  If that is to technical or difficult simply cut out your place card.  Take a separate piece of paper and fold it in half, cut the paper to be the same size as your rectangle shape.  Using adhesive stick your design onto the folded paper. 

This is a great idea, especially if you have kids coming to Thanksgiving dinner, they will get a kick out of seeing pictures of themselves at the dinner table.  And maybe they won't fight over where they get to sit ;)

Digital Hybrid Project Idea - Thanksgiving Dinner Invitations

Ingredients:

• Storybook Creator  3.0 Software
• Fall/Autumn Digital Kits: "Give Thanks", "Classic Autumn", "Earthy Serenity" and "Natural Beauty"
• Paper and Printer
• Fall colored Ribbon

How to Create:

1. Start with a new 8.5" x 11" landscape project. 

2.  Create two Rectangles each size will be 3.75" x 6". (One will be the front of your invitation and the other will be the back)

3.  Fill each rectangle with desired fall paper from any of the kits listed above or from any other Creative Memories kit that you desire to use. 

4.  On the front of your invite insert a text box and type in desired wording.  Ideas: "You are Invited", "Please Join Us", "Give Thanks", etc.  You could also use word art from any Creative Memories kit, I used the "Give Thanks" kit in my example.

5.  On the back side of your invitation insert another text box and type in the information such as: date, time, place etc.  Choose desired font and change your font size so the text fills a good portion of the space on your invite. 

6.  Use embellishments to complete your design.  Leaves and other fall elements are perfect for a Thanksgiving theme.  See the kits listed above for some great elements you can use.  On my second example I cut out circles from the various papers in the "Natural Beauty" kit. 

7.  Add drop shadows and any other embellishments to finalize your design.  

8.  Save your project and send it to your printer. 

9.  Cut out both sides of your invite and stick them together with desired adhesive. 

10.  If you want you can add a finishing touch by tying a ribbon on the top, but this step is not totally necessary if you do not have ribbon available. 

Digital Hybrid Project Idea - Thanksgiving Dinner Place Cards

Ingredients:

• Storybook Creator  3.0 Software
• Fall/Autumn Digital Kits: "Give Thanks", "Classic Autumn", "Earthy Serenity" and "Natural Beauty"
• Paper and Printer
• Any colored card stock you desire to use

How to create:

1.  Begin with creating a new 8.5" x 11" landscape project.  (I have chosen this size because I am printing these from my home computer, if you have a larger printer or access to print a larger size, the size of this project does not have to be limited to your printing capabilities).

2.  Create a new rectangle shape, the size of the rectangle will need to be 3" x 2".  At this size you can fit 12 place cards on one 8.5" x 11" sheet of paper.

3.  You may design your place cards how ever you want.  In my example I created 3 different designs, copied and pasted them. 

4.  Starting with your first design fill the rectangle shape with desired paper from any of the kits listed above or from any other Creative Memories kit you desire to use. 

5.  Embellish your design.  Use some elements from the "Earthy Serenity" kit or use some leaves from the "Classic Autumn" kit.  Be creative and use any elements you desire. 

6.  Add text or word art to your design.  The "Give Thanks" kit has a lot of great word art options.  If you want your Place card to have a person's name on it simply insert a new text box and type in the desired name.  Adjust the font size to fit within your design. 

7.  Once you have created your first place card, group all of the items together.  You can do what I did in my example and copy the group and paste it 3 times or you can simply create a new design. 

8.  Save your work and send it to your printer. 

9.  Grab your card stock or other paper.  Fold it in half.  Cut out your place cards and adhere one to the folded paper.  Cut the paper around the place card and do the same thing for each one. 

10.  If you don't want to mess around with cutting a pasting you can simply change your design.  If you have 4 rows of place cards simply delete the first and third row so there is a blank space above the designs.  After they are printed cut the paper in half and then fold each half in the center or just above the tops of the place cards and cut along the lines of your design. 

Digital Hybrid Idea - Thanksgiving Napkin Rings

Ingredients:

• Storybook Creator  3.0 Software
• Fall/Autumn Digital Kits: "Give Thanks", "Classic Autumn", "Earthy Serenity" and "Natural Beauty"
• Paper, Printer, Scissors and adhesive

How to Create:

1.  Create a new 8.5" x 11" landscape project. 

2.  Choose a desired shape for your ring center.  I choose a circle because I wanted to use my Creative Memories Circle puncher, if you have one of these it makes cutting a lot easier.  The size of the circle is 1.5".  If you don't have the circle puncher that is fine, you will just need some scissors.   The other shape I used is from the tags in the SB3 shapes.  An oval or a rectangle would also be a nice option.

3.  Fill your shape with desired papers from any of the kits listed above or from any other "Fall" kit. 

4.  Add any desired embellishments.  Because these are so small you don't need very many to fill the space, make it simple but creative.  Use word art from any of the kits listed above.  I used "family" from the "Natural Beauty" kit.  I also used some word art from the "Give Thanks" kit.

5.  Once you have created your first design group the items used together.  If you want you can copy and paste your design.  In my example I created three designs for each shape and copied them each once.  But you may do as many as you need or desire.  I try to fit as many on a page as possible just for the purpose of not wasting paper when I print them, but you can do this however you want. 

6.  Create a band/ring to go around your napkin.  Using the rectangle shape, the size will need to be 4" x .75".  

7.  Fill your shape with desired paper.  Copy and paste and arrange on your page so that you have an equal amount of rings to go with your ring centers. 

8.  Save your work and print.  ( I choose to use a heavier high gloss photo paper, but you can use whatever you have available).  Cut out each item on your page. 

9.  Using adhesive attach the rings to the ring centers.  Then slide them onto some napkins.