My Memories Suite free software giveaway (Digital Scrapbooking)

If you've read this blog at all much, since Lilly went to be with Jesus 5 months ago, you know that we have done a lot of memory projects about Lilly.  And we don't seem to be running short of ideas either!  Memory projects are, for us, a way of working through grief, helping to heal, and keeping Lilly's memory alive.

Recently I was contacted by a woman named Liz from My Memories.  (Think digital scrapbooking.)  She had come across Lilly's blog and said she really liked it.  She wondered if I would like a free copy of the My Memories Suite software program to try myself, and one to give away.  My first thought was "LOL - I've arrived as a blogger!  A stranger has contacted me for a giveaway!"  Then I was a little suspicious.  But I did a google search and found that Liz has done this deal with a number of other bloggers and it seemed to go very well.  Then I read the reviews of the My Memories Suite software on amazon.com and found that they were all very positive.  So I agreed to give it a try.

Let me first say that I love the idea of scrapbooking. And at the same time I find it completely overwhelming!  Shortly after Lilly was born, my nephew's wife L.S. gave me a scrapbook for Lilly where she pre-made a bunch of pages and had them all ready for me to just add pictures.  I loved it.  And because I was so busy caring for Lilly, that was all I could handle.  During Lilly's life, I collected scrapbook pages I liked here and there and have just saved them.  Then our local scrapbook store shut down recently and I got a stack of paper and embellishments for pennies.  I even bought a couple scrapbooking idea/technique books at used book sales.  (Yes I like to research everything!)

So why haven't I completed my amazing Lilly scrapbook yet?  Pictures!  I have 1000s of pictures!  And I had them developed in big batches and they came back to me all out of order.  I am STILL sorting them out when I have time.  (There are times I enjoy going through them and other times it's just too upsetting, so it's hard to make steady progress.)  Since I have so many supplies, I am determined to finish the scrapbook, Lord willing, before our rainbow baby's birth in September.  But it's still overwhelming.

However, after I downloaded the My Memories Suite I was able to crank out several experimental pages in a short amount of time.  It was so easy and fun!  I got to just paste in pictures, which were all on my computer already (and importantantly - IN ORDER!)  No searching to find them. 

On the software, when you make a page, you can select from a "designer template" or make your own from scratch.  Here are two I did with the pre-designed format, adding photos, text, and embellishments:

It only took me about 15 minutes per page, and the majority of that time was in just selecting which pictures I wanted to use.  The software program is truly so easy to use, I was able to figure everything out without clicking on "help."

I also made a scrapbook page where I just started from scratch.  It too was very very simple.

I'm not an expert on page layout and design.  But I was still pleased with how the page turned out.

So what do you do, once you create a whole scrapbook?  You can upload it to the My Memories website and select a cover and have it printed.  I thought the cost was very reasonable.  I am by no means a scrapbook expert but I've observed just how expensive all the stickers and special papers and other embellishments can be.  Making a scrapbook digital can be much much cheaper.

The My Memories Suite does more than just digital scrapbook pages.  You can also create calendars.  Here is one I made in minutes:

I read somewhere that you can make greeting cards too.  I haven't figured that one out yet.  I am wondering if perhaps that function is not on the version of the software I have.  Or maybe it is done directly on their website.  And, there is a function to add music, but I did not try that one.

So!  If you've read this far I know I must have your interest!  How about it?  Want to take part of a little contest to see if you can win this simple, fun, and powerful software?  (Great soundbite, huh?)  Here is what you need to do:

1) Visit the My Memories website at:  www.MyMemories.com and pick a digital paper pack or layout that you really like.  Then leave a comment on this blog, or e-mail me at LittleFirecrackerLilly (at) gmail.com, telling me what you chose.  (If you choose to leave a comment rather than e-mail me, please be sure you leave a way I can contact you if you win.)

2) For a double chance at winning, also share with me a favorite memory of Lilly that you have, or a blog post you liked, or a picture of her you really like.  :)

This contest will END on Friday, JUNE 8th, at 6:00 p.m. (EST).  I will take everyone's names and put them in a jar for a drawing.  (Remember - if you do steps one and two above - you get TWO entries!)

If you don't win, or if you would like to just buy the My Memories Suite software, you can get a $10.00 discount on your purchase, plus a $10 coupon for the www.MyMemories.com store, by using this discount code at your checkout:

STMMMS89191

Note that you can instantly download the software after purchase, or have the software shipped to you.  On that same page, you can also click to download a free trial. 

Feel free to share this contest with your friends, family, or anyone you feel would be interested.  I look forward to hearing from you!  :)

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." - James 1:17