After so much text in my last post, this blog is thirsty for something visual. So here’s a shot I took in 2004 while David and I were visiting the beautiful north island of New Zealand. This is Piha, New Zealand’s most famous surf beach, from what I understand.

And on that note, here’s a random shout-out to our friends Down Under. Hello!

So today I’m addressing your questions about technology and how it relates to my approach to scrapbooking. I’m not super technologically gifted or anything (trust me), so I keep things at a fairly basic level.

[ what i use ]

My iMac is my sidekick, the computer that I love. I use iPhoto (this application comes with any Mac) for storing and organizing all of our photos. We use an auto back-up system with an external hard drive.

NOTE: If you’re not backing up your digital pictures … DO IT.

I do not use iPhoto for editing. I have been using Photoshop CS3 and will soon be getting the new Photoshop Elements 6, which looks so awesome and even has features that the more expensive (CS3) versions don’t even have. It’s already available for PCs and the Mac version is coming very soon.

[ other tools i use ]

Digital SLR: Canon 10D

Digital point & shoot camera (goes with me everywhere): Canon Powershot SD900 (Elph series). Great video with this too.

Scanner: Epson Perfection 4490

Color laser printer: HP Color LaserJet 3550. (If I’m not using pre-made letters or my own handwriting, I print any and all journaling with this puppy. LOVE the quality.)

Small photo printer (for 4×6 prints when I’m in a pinch): I’ve used a few of these over the years and like them all, although the technology keeps getting better. HP PhotoSmart 245, Kodak EasyShare 500, and Epson PictureMate.

Wide format printer (for 12×12, etc.): I’ve never used one, personally, but since I’m dabbling a bit with digital pages these days, I am looking forward to trying out the Epson R1900. I’ll give you my review when I do.

[ how i organize ]

In iPhoto, I organize all of our pictures in chronological/numerical order. Before I load any pictures in iPhoto, I do a quick edit through whatever batch of recent pictures I’m going to add, getting rid of any unwanted pictures (the bad & the blurry), then I re-number the batch of pictures, starting where I left off in our chronological pictures (remember they’re in numerical order). I do this with a renumbering program (File Sequencer) and I LOVE it. It takes a few seconds to renumber the whole batch and then I dump these into iPhoto.

[ getting ready to scrapbook ]

This is the process of getting my pictures from my computer (in iPhoto) to becoming physical prints that I put in our scrapbooks: I create folders (“albums” for you Mac users) in iPhoto for any category that I’m going to tackle. So let’s say I’m going to do a layout on a recent birthday. I browse through my collection of digital pictures and choose pictures that I think I may want to use. I copy these into the new folder called “Claire’s 2nd birthday”. I then draw a sketch based on how many pictures I want to use (or use a sketch I’ve already drawn) and now I know what sizes my pictures need to be. I open these pictures in Photoshop, “do my thing” (including resizing) and then upload my pictures to costco.com and pick them up!

[ editing ]

I do all of my photo editing with Photoshop but I hesitate sharing specific how-to’s because everyone’s software is different and the last thing I want to do is cause confusion. Maybe when I get Elements 6 (I’ve never used Elements, actually) I’ll share a few tips with that program since many of you probably have that. But really – there are so many experts out there (like Jessica Sprague – have you checked out her online classes?) that I’ll leave it to them to do the best explaining. You can always do a google search for tips with your specific editing software. I’m confidant that there is a LOAD of information waiting to get inside your head. : )

[ what about digital scrapbooking? ]

I am still a traditional scrapbooker, for the most part. However, I’ve been using Photoshop ever since we went digital in 2002. So I guess that makes me kind of “hybrid”, eh? Anyway, I LOVE the idea of digital scrapbooking. Think about how much physical space you could save! But at this point, I’m more of a dabbler. I actually did an entire mini album that was 100% created in Photoshop. So ultra simple but I love it. You’ll see that in CK very soon.

I’m just about done reading through Stacy Julian‘s newest book. If you haven’t already heard about it, be sure to check it out. I love that girl, first of all, and love everything she does to contribute to this hobby and this industry. And I wish we were neighbors. Really. She’s terrific. Most of you already know that. With this book, she presents her approach to tackling the process and organization of photos and EVERYthing that scrapbooking encompasses. She’s loaded with experience & great ideas and I always learn something wonderful from her.

You can pre-order Stacy’s book here.

And Jessica Sprague (digital scrapbooking extraordinaire and also a dear friend) has a new book out as well. Jessica has made a significant contribution to the scrapbooking industry, as she has helped thousands of people “get it” with digital. I love that. And I know many of you have been looking forward to this new book. Even though I’m just a “digital dabbler” (haven’t really dived into digital scrapbooking so much, but I’m using Photoshop every day with my pictures) … Jessica’s work is eye candy for me and I totally admire her. Be sure to check out this source of inspiration!

You can pre-order Jessica’s book here.

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[PS] Attention scrapbookers in Florida: I heard about a cool charity crop on February 23rd in Maitland. It’s the 1st Annual Care to Crop, and it sounds like a lot of fun. You can find information about the event here.

I’m pleased to tell you that the February Kit of the Month is my SCHOOL YEARS kit! This goes on sale February 1. One week from today. And that’s when I’ll fill you in with all the details. I tell you everything about the kit … inside and out.

The one thing I will tell you now, is that this kit will cover your child’s full school life (or yours if you want to tackle your own pictures!), from pre-school to 12th grade. I can’t wait to tell you more … and show you EVERYthing!

When it’s available for purchase on Feb. 1, you will be going to this link for all the information and purchasing. And I’ll be doing some fun things here on my blog, so stay tuned. For those of you who may not have noticed, the last few kits in the Kit of the Month program have sold out in less than a month. So remember that they go fast. I don’t want you to miss out.

The price? It’s a $185 value (!!) if you were to purchase similar components at retail (you’ll understand more when I show you everything). I’m thrilled that we are offering this for $36.95.

Ladies, ladies, ladies. Wow. Thank you so much for your responses to my sketch organization question. I got more e-mails than I ever expected and that’s wonderful. Just so you know, I intentionally pulled that post from my blog because I got more than enough great ideas. : )

So thanks again. I’ll be sharing some of your best ideas (for organizing sketches) in an upcoming issue of CK.

That’s where I’ve been this past week. I joined my favorite “techies” (David and my brother, Kevin) for Macworld conference & expo. This is the ad that has saturated the city:

And this is what surrounded me at the conference:

Thousands of Mac fanatics. Mostly guys, as you can imagine. So I was feeling a little out of place in my red sweater and plaid purse.

Or maybe this guy was feeling more out of place than me. Maybe.

Never thought I’d be found at a conference like this. All I have known are scrapbook conventions and CKUs. But you know what? I learned a few things about Macs. Got to play on the new MacBook Air. It’s a pretty little machine. Holy cow – can you believe how thin it is?

And I got to see some demonstrations of the features that Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.0 has. Ultra cool. I’m so getting that.

We had so much fun going here, there, and everywhere in San Francisco. Fascinating city, and we haven’t been able to spend this much time there before. Glad we did. And always, ALWAYS glad there are talented artists selling their work. : )

Side note: Some of you have asked where I get my jewelry. Honestly, much of it has come from street vendors in places that we have traveled.

Alrighty. So I’m back in town and have loads (of laundry, e-mails, work) to catch up on. Including many of your questions. I’ll get to that. I really will.

[ little item of business ]

If you have e-mailed to order my DVD and haven’t heard back, I just found out that the e-mail address on my website was wrong. Sorry about that. We will correct it on the link. The correct e-mail address for ordering the DVD is scrapbook@cust-serv.net. You can also call the toll free number (1-800-632-3403). I called myself and know that it’s working. If you missed the information about my new DVD, check out my Dec. 28 post or click on the Products button above.

[ love one another ]

This display is not only fun for the Valentines theme that some of us are thinking about already, but a daily reminder to love one another.

So I’ll leave you today with a thought: Are you upset with someone? (Don’t tell me. It’s just a rhetorical question.) Take a load off your shoulders and let go of unkind feelings. Just love that person. Life is too short.

[ ps ]

I added the text on my pictures using Adobe Photoshop. You can likely do this with any photo editing software. Maybe you can add a quote or scripture about love on one of your favorite “love” pictures. Then print it and display it for the Valentines season. Or for much longer. My display is just a plate rack and the pictures are in “frameless frames” (that’s what I call them … not sure what they’re really called). I got mine at Pier One Imports. Also check your local craft store or shop that carries frames.

[ I heart ck events ]

A little flashback. This was one of my classes at CKU-Provo in the summer of 2004. Any chance you were there? Back then, I may have been teaching a class on creative lettering or border ideas or color-blocking ideas or something you would NOT see me teaching now. : )

By the way – if you want to see a taste of CKU, there are some fun videos on the CK site. Go here and click on “The CKU Experience”.

[ me & cku ]

Some of you have asked where I’ll be teaching in 2008.

I have chosen to cut back with my work travels, allowing me to be at home with my family even more. Our babies are growing up so fast. I’ve been teaching for a decade and have had amazing experiences, have met seriously special people, built friendships with people I will have otherwise never met, and have been to more cities than I can remember (thank goodness I do a year-end travels list every year so I can go back & look!).

What I’m trying to say is, I won’t be teaching this year. I LOVE teaching, but it’s time for a break in that corner of my work and I feel really, really good about the decision. I’ll add that I think the CK events are terrific, and there is an incredible staff behind the scenes working very hard to bring the best of the best into one place. One event at a time. Every scrapbooker should attend one at some point! Be sure to look into the information here. There may be a CKU or CKC coming to your neck of the woods this year.

And, of course, if I make an appearance somewhere, or happen to teach something locally or whatever … I will be sure to note this on my blog. Pinky promise.

[ CKU is coming to YOU! ]

Mark your calendar to watch Lisa on QVC on Feb. 4, where she will sell the CKU-in-a-box kit. I’ll be in touch as we get closer with more details. I am part of this project and it’s our way of bringing CKU right to your living room.

Found these at Ross recently (so you KNOW they were a great deal) and thought they’d be perfect as a cluster of three on our dining room table. Except I’m not a big fan of raffia. So I bought some pretty ribbon, pulled off the raffia and did a little switch-a-roo.

Do you have something around your house that just needs a little tweaking, or it just needs your personal touch? Feel free to share your home decor tips related to this idea.

Some of you have tradition-related goals for this year. I love that. It’s one of my goals as well. Thought I’d share one of our favorite family traditions, which we started when Porter was a baby. For each child’s birthday we do handprints on canvas. This is Porter’s collection.

How to do it: Paint the base first (regular acrylic paint that you can find at the craft store), then paint his/her hand with a different color of paint. Very carefully help them press their hand down on the canvas, pressing on each part of the hand and every finger. Then on the count of three, we lift the hand off the canvas quickly – like taking off a bandaid. Of course it’s much easier as your kids get older. Trying to get a one-year-old to spread their fingers, etc. is no easy task.

I totally have a vision of this collage of handprints on our kids’ walls when they’re older. For now, we have them on a shelf in the playroom and they’re seriously one of my very favorite treasures.

PS – Those little easels (holding some of Porter’s art below the handprints) are from Michael’s. Check your local craft store in the picture/frame/art/easel department.

Added note: While the paint is already on the child’s hand, have them do a few more handprints on cardstock so that you have that for their scrapbook, or the family scrapbook, or who knows what you might want it for. But you can’t go back and do handprints from when they’re younger.