Angie Pedersen's Scrapbooking Industry News

Virtual Book Tour Starts Today

The scrapbooking industry's first Virtual Book Tour launches today, April 24th, at Scrapbook-Bytes.com with a chat/crop at 3pm Central/4pm Eastern.  Angie Pedersen, author of The Book of ME three-book series on scrapbook journaling, will post a challenge and links to a digital freebie mini-kit designed by  KristyAnn Nerness.  Participants will have about four hours to work on a layout to post in the SBB Galleries, then Angie will announce the winner of the random drawing at 7pm Central. The winner will receive a set of KristyAnn's Quick Pages (sometimes called Ploppers) and a copy of Angie's new book, The Book of US.  Please join the tour launch chat in the SBB Chat Room.

Canon Releases PowerShot S2 IS

Five Megapixel Hybrid Digital Camera Features 12x Image Stabilized Optical Zoom, High Quality VGA Movie Mode, New "MovieSnap" Function and Stereo Sound

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., April 22, 2005 — Family vacations. Weddings. Sporting events. Baby's first steps. Just hanging around. Canon's new five megapixel PowerShot S2 IS digital camera allows consumers from the novice to the photo enthusiast the ability to capture high quality still images and movie clips of life's most significant events.

"Canon leads the photo industry. Our convergent digital imaging technologies allow consumers to enjoy both high quality photos and video in one portable imaging device," stated Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager of the consumer imaging group at Canon U.S.A., Inc, a subsidiary of Canon Inc. "The PowerShot S2 IS digital camera combines exceptional ease-of-use, functionality and image quality in a lightweight package."

"Digital cameras with movie capabilities have the highest penetration and primary usage rate compared to other types of capture devices," said Mike Wolf, Director of Digital Photography research at InfoTrends CAP Ventures. "The top reasons consumers use these digital camera hybrids are ease-of-use, compatibility and ability to share video clips through email," said Wolf. "The PowerShot S2 IS digital camera addresses these issues and more by fulfilling the demands for both still image photography and movie recording."

Photo Features
The five megapixel PowerShot S2 IS digital camera provides users with the high quality resolution, color and low noise that consumers have come to expect from Canon. The camera's fast f/2.7(W)-f/3.5(T) image stabilized 6.0-72.0mm 12x zoom lens (36-432mm equivalent) makes tack-sharp long telephoto shooting positively practical. When the optical zoom is augmented with the camera's 4x digital zoom, the maximum focal length effectively becomes equivalent to a 1728mm lens on a 35mm camera. Despite its extensive optical range, the lens is ultra-compact and retracts securely into the camera when it is powered down. In addition, there are two levels of close-up shooting, Macro and Super Macro. Super Macro mode enables extreme close-up shooting to 0 cm from the end of lens barrel, for creative shooting — great for shooting flowers to use in scrapbooks, on invitations and more.

• High Definition 12x Optical Zoom Lens With Image Stabilizer
• Compact 5.0 Megapixel digital camera featuring super long 12x Optical /4x Digital / 48x Combined Zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer technology, UD glass and Aspherical lens for excellent sharpness and color Compact 5.0 Megapixel digital camera featuring super long 12x Optical /4x Digital / 48x Combined Zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer technology, UD glass and Aspherical lens for excellent sharpness and color
• Takes still images up to 5.0 Megapixels while shooting movies with the new, exclusive "MovieSnap" feature
• High-quality 30 fps VGA continuous movie recording, with powerful features including optical zooming during the movie and Stereo Sound
• DIGIC II Image Processor and iSAPS Technology for superior image quality, faster camera operation and lower power consumption
• USB 2.0 Hi-Speed interface for faster downloads and file transfers USB 2.0 Hi-Speed interface for faster downloads and file transfers
• 1.8 inch Vari-Angle LCD screen for clear image previews and reviews, and special Night Display function option for clearer view of subjects in dim shooting conditions
• Wide range of system accessories including supplementary lenses and HF-DC1 auxiliary flash unit Wide range of system accessories including supplementary lenses and HF-DC1 auxiliary flash unit
• Convenience of AA Batteries

Optional Accessories
To enhance its flexibility, the PowerShot S2 IS digital camera is compatible with several optional accessories, including wide-angle, telephoto and close-up supplementary lenses. The S2 IS digital camera is also compatible with the Canon High-Power HF-DC1 auxiliary flash unit, which increases flash range up to 23 feet.

Pricing and Availability
The PowerShot S2 IS digital camera is supplied with a neck strap and interface cables for USB and stereo/video, as well as a 16MB SD memory card, powerful software, and user manuals. The PowerShot S2 IS digital camera will be available in June for an estimated street price of $499.99.

Link: Canon Digital PowerShot S2 IS.

America's 100 Best: Scrapbooking/GASC

Readers' Digest recently released their list of America's 100 Best -- a listing of "a treasure trove of extraordinary people, places, innovations, and adventures...the best this country has to offer."  The list is set up by state -- here's the winner for the state of Utah:

Best Low Art: Scrapbooking
Plenty of dreams, and much more, are captured by the scrapbooking craze that's become a $3 billion-plus business in suburbia.  Quality paper is more affordable and great photos abound.  greatamericanscrapbook.com

News Source: America's 100 Best and Diva Craft Lounge

CHA Names Speakers

Speakers at the Craft & Hobby Association’s (CHA) Summer Show in Rosemont, Illinois (July 15-17), include Susan Inglis, Bob Phibbs, Mark Mayberry, and Janelle Elms.

Inglis is a specialist at developing market access for artisans and crafters. She has been running her own business for 10 years, producing handmade home accents and sweaters, and marketing specialty foods. In one seminar, she will explore key marketing elements, including defining and reaching target markets and developing and pricing new products. Her second seminar will emphasize the power of a good story and how to tell it, getting and using good press to build a business, and deciding how to use a story to grow a business and develop a strategy.

Bob Phibbs, the “Retail Doctor,” is the author of “You Can Compete: Double Sales without Discounting.” In a seminar by the same name, he’ll focus on what retailers need to compete with the big guys, including the right store facility, effective employee sales training, and comprehensive marketing. He’ll also present “Selling Like a Pro,” which uses role-playing and examples to teach participants how to get the sale.

Mark Mayberry is known for using revolutionary tactics to energize big and small companies in a wide variety of industries. He’ll share examples of what strategies have worked for other organizations and how they can be adapted to reach any company’s goals. His presentation, “Building the Dream Workforce,” will take attendees beyond empowerment to a visualization of team members that have learned to adopt and adapt the principles, practices, skills, and attitudes to be true “Dream Team” members. His “Service with Shazam!” seminar focuses on winning and keeping satisfied customers.

Elms will present “Selling on eBay: What are you Missing?,” a session on the basics of buying and selling on eBay and how to move discontinued and excess products effectively. All participants will be given access to eBay’s On Ramp program, a series of personal phone calls to get a business up and running.

In addition to the Retail Summit speakers, there will be more than 10 mega-workshops and 61 technique classes.

In other CHA news, 25 seminars from the Craft & Hobby Association’s 2005 education and convention program are available on audio CD and MP3 CD. For information, click here.

New Magazine Launch: Scrapbook Answers

FUTURE NETWORK USA ANNOUNCES SEPT ’05 LAUNCH OF SCRAPBOOK ANSWERS MAGAZINE

Brisbane, CA -- Future Network USA is proud to announce the September 2005 launch of their new consumer-enthusiast magazine Scrapbook Answers, the company’s first foray into the huge women’s crafts market, according to president Jonathan Simpson-Bint.

Continuing Future’s tradition of putting out the best magazines for widespread pastimes, Scrapbook Answers will be the ultimate hands-on how-to guide for the consumers who make scrapbooking an incredible $2.6 billion business. Scrapbook Answers will welcome beginners to the craft, as well as provide tons of product features, design studies, and valuable step-by-step articles, all done in a friendly, modern tone. Given Future’s long-time experience in covering
digital imaging and design in Maximum PC and Mac Addict, Scrapbook Answers' readers can expect a distinct digital flavor to the editorial content.

Scrapbook Answers will publish nine issues annually plus a number of specials and will have a distribution of 150,000 copies. The magazine’s web site, www.scrapbookanswers.com, will be active with scrapbooking community news, message boards, and fresh editorial content. The scrapbooking industry growth numbers are startling: according to The National Survey of Scrapbooking in America released in June 2004, the industry grew by 4.4 million new scrapbooking households since 2001, fueling annual industry sales growth by 28% to $2.55 billion. The percentage of US households scrapbooking has increased from 21% to 24.5%, and nearly one in every four households, from 2001 to 2004.

Editor-in-chief Leslie Ayers is an avid scrapbooker, and is looking forward to combining her publishing career with one of her most rewarding hobbies. She comes to Scrapbook Answers from custom publishing company Tendo Communications, where she was the managing editor. Previously she was the senior editor at Wired News, and held numerous editorial positions at Smart Business and PC Computing magazines.

Future Network USA vice president Holly Klingel will be the launch publisher.

“Our products are known for mirroring the passions of our readers,” says editorial director Jon Phillips. “We’re excited to publish a magazine that scrapbooking fans will embrace as innovative, thorough, and in touch with their emotions.”

About Future Network USA
Future is the leading US publisher of cutting-edge games, computing, action sports and musician magazines, which sell in excess of 2.2 million copies per month. Future’s publications reach a young, active, affluent male audience and rank 13th among audited newsstand publishers in gross newsstand revenue. Its market-leading titles include Official Xbox Magazine, PC Gamer, PSM: 100% Independent PlayStation 2 Magazine, Mobile PC, Maximum PC, MacAddict, EZ Tech Guides, Snowboarding Trade News, Skateboard Trade News, Snowboard Journal, Guitar World, Guitar One, Future Music, Guitar World Acoustic, Guitar World Bass Guitar and Guitar World Legends. Future is based in the San Francisco Bay Area, with offices in New York, Los Angeles and San Diego. (www.futurenetworkusa.com)

Technorati tags: scrapbooking scrapping 

Scrapbookingkids.com Design Team Call

Scrapbookingkids.com is searching for 4 pairs of parent-child scrapbookers, as well as 2 teachers who scrapbook in their school classrooms to fill spots on our new SB Kids Design Team.

The term will run from May-September.  Members of the SB Kids Design Team will receive a monthly kit with supplies for completing one layout per month.  Parent-child team members will receive one kit for the parent and one kit for the child to complete.  Design Team Members who are children must be between the ages of 5-18, and must join with a parent.  School teachers are required to have used scrapbooking in their own classrooms, and be able to share their classroom scrapbooking ideas with other teachers who visit our web site and / or discussion boards.

Entry Deadline: Friday, April 22, 2005 by 5:00 pm EST
Design Team Members Announced: Monday, April 25th, 2005!

For more information, visit Scrapbookingkids.com.

One Scrappy Update Sent

The April edition of One Scrappy Update just went out -- are you on the mailing list to be in the know?

This edition features the latest buzz on:
Scrap Blogs
New stickers from American Traditional Design & Tumblebeasts
Epson's new scanner
Boxer Scrapbooks' new idea book & business acquisition
Creating Keepsakes' Hall of Fame winners
Scrapbooking's First Virtual Book Tour
Internet-only Premieres -- a scrapbooking TV show, and digital sb radio show

All this info -- all in one place!  YOUR MAILBOX!  You don't want to miss it!

Click here for the newsletter archives -- including the one that just went out!

Over 5,000 subscribers can't be wrong!  Subscribe NOW!

Quickutz: May

It’s all about retro for the month of May! Check out Quickutz' new retro shapes including 3 retro tiles, scooter, television, lamp, glasses and parallelogram dies. These shapes are perfect for showing a little more attitude in all of your spunky pages and paper craft projects. Click here to view the new retro shapes in detail.

Retro dies wouldn’t be complete without releasing our new Retro Square GooseBumpz embossing die. This pattern will add a hip new look to all of your die-cut shapes and letters. Try using this retro embossing die on one of the new May shapes. The result is "retrolicious"!

National Scrapbooking Day is on May 7th – and Quickutz wants to celebrate it with YOU! During the first weekend in May, QuicKutz representatives will be holding events in over 100 retail stores nationwide! Join them for a brand new make-and-take project and plenty of chances to win free QuicKutz product at each store event!

DigiScrapGal.com

Are you looking for techniques for creating extraordinary digital layouts?  Do you wish you were the queen of Photo Shop or Paint Shop Pro? Want tips and tricks for organizing digital kits? Would you like to learn the ins and outs of getting published? Do you have a digital scrapbook topic that you are passionate about and would like to share with internet radio listeners?

Introducing DigiScrap Gal!  DigiScrap Gal is home to the Digital Scrapbook Community's Internet Talk Radio Show, Talking with Tanya!

The premiere aired on April 11th!  Listen here! 

NOW SEEKING:
DigiScrap Gal is accepting applications for Featured Contributors. Approximately once a month, contributors would host a segment of the show! Featured Contributors may briefly promote their website at the beginning or end of their segment. Also, Featured Contributors will have an About "blurb" on the website.

DigiScrap Gal is looking for 2-5 minute Listener to Listener segments. Use a phone to record your segment (long distance call). Segment includes a "plug" for your website at the beginning or end of the segment. DigiScrap Gal will broadcast your segment on the show plus a text link on the main webpage.

Visit DigiScrapGal.com for more info.

FxFoto 3.0

Triscape, Inc. has released a major upgrade to its popular digital photography software for amateur photographers and scrapbookers. FxFoto 3.0 includes creativity and page layout improvements which provide professional results in an easy, cost effective package. Triscape is providing updates free of charge for all current users.

FxFoto is targeted at photography enthusiasts, advanced multimedia users and scrapbookers, giving them everything they need to organize, edit and present their digital pictures.

New features include the addition of over fifty artistic filters such as paint, motion, distortion, emboss, tint and color effects. FxFoto also offers new creative text effects allowing users to annotate pictures with outline, 3D and shadowing. New collage theme templates allow easy click and drag photo placement and click-to-edit text captions. Other additions include new collage page layout guides for printing in inches or centimeters, clipart support and a collage stamp tool, "cookie cutter" crop patterns, semi-transparent photo and clipart shadowing, photo realistic fixed-aspect frames, printing improvements, red eye enhancements, hidden photo management, improved EXIF support, and an attractive new toolbar look.

"With FxFoto 3.0, we packed a lot of advanced, easy-to-use tools without adding to its overall cost or small download size," said Steve Simonoff, president of Triscape. "Our new version helps users in every step of the digital photography process, from organizing their photos to creating slide shows and scrapbook pages. FxFoto provides a suite of serious creativity tools in a single easy application."

The free FxFoto Standard Edition is a highly complete package for organizing, correcting, and sharing digital photos. FxFoto Deluxe Collage Edition adds creativity features to the Standard Edition, which include multi-photo collages, scrapbooking support, artistic photo effects, slide shows with many 2D and 3D special effects, background music, and photo stitching for multi-photo panoramas.

FxFoto 3.0 Standard is available as a fully functional free download, while the Deluxe Collage Edition can be obtained for $29.99. A limited-time $5 discount is offered to Standard Edition users, allowing them to upgrade to the Deluxe Edition for $24.99. All editions can be downloaded at www.fxfoto.com.

Availability
FxFoto Standard Edition is free without usage or time limits. The Deluxe Edition and the Pro Media Edition are available for $29.99 and $39.99 respectively from the Triscape, Inc. Web site at http://www.fxfoto.com.

About Triscape
Triscape, Inc. www.triscape.com, was founded in 1997 and is located in Windham, New Hampshire, 35 miles north of Boston. The company is privately held and specializes in graphics software. The founder, Steve Simonoff, has started and headed three other successful technology firms in scientific software, telecommunications, and retail computer sales.