Angie Pedersen's Scrapbooking Industry News

Memory Makers Announces 2008 Memory Makers Masters

Memory Makers Magazine recently announced the winners of their Memory Makers Masters Class of 2008.  Out of nearly 600 Masters entries received, these were the winners:

• Tracy Austin, Montgomery, Alabama
• Iris Babao Uy, Manila, Philippines
• Staci Etheridge, McKinney, Texas
• Greta Hammond, Elkhart, Indiana
• Caroline Ikeji, Alhambra, California
• Brittany Laakkonen, Superior, Wisconsin
• Amelia McIvor, Southbank, Victoria, Australia
• Lisa Pace, Frisco, Texas
• Amy Peterman, Muskegon, Michigan
• Tracie Radtke, Chicago, Illinois

The 2008 Memory Makers Masters runners-up:

• Lisa Garay, American Canyon, California
• Gretchen McElveen, Helena, Alabama
• Amy Martin, Colorado Springs, Colorado
• Kim Moreno, Tucson, Arizona
• Celine Navarro, Mireval, France
• Danielle Quarmby, Upwey, Victoria, Australia
• Genevieve Simmonds, Vancouver, British Columbia
• Mandy Steward, Lake Forest, California
• Jeniece Tackett, Belleville, Michigan
• Cindy Tobey, Kentwood, Michigan

The Masters will be "introduced" in the January 2008 issue of Memory Makers magazine.

Dodge Attempting to Set a New Guinness World Record for the World's Largest Photo Album

Dodge Creates Page in Scrapbooking History by Attempting to Set a New Guinness World Record for the World's Largest Photo Album

 

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Aug. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- To celebrate the mass appeal of the $2.6 billion scrapbooking hobby and the launch of the all-new 2008 Grand Caravan, the Dodge brand is taking the ordinary scrapbook to new proportions in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the world's largest photo album. Consumers will be invited to be part of history by adding their own unique touches to the giant album using oversized embellishments.

The Dodge Minivan Page in History album, measuring approximately 9 feet wide by 12 feet tall and containing 20 pages of photographs, will commemorate the evolution of the Dodge minivan since its introduction in 1984 and showcase the latest innovation in the 2008 Grand Caravan, the Swivel 'n Go seating system. Swivel 'n Go offers second row seats that swivel 180 degrees to face the third-row with a removable table that installs between the two rows, covered storage bins in the floor of the second-row, third-row uncovered storage and fold-in-the-floor third-row seating.

"In addition to being a top performer in the minivan market, the all-new 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan is setting the standard for storage and organization on the road," said Mike Accavitti, Director - Dodge Brand Marketing and Global Communications. "With its exclusive Swivel 'n Go seating system and table, the Dodge Grand Caravan can convert quickly and easily into the perfect scrapbooking space for busy scrapbookers 'on the go.'"

The standing world record for the largest album was set in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in 2003 and measured 3.9 feet wide by 7.8 feet tall. The new world record for the world's largest photo album will be presented at a scrapbooker's convention in Orlando, Fla., on Thursday, Sept. 6 and remain on display through the weekend. Hundreds of registered scrapbookers will be invited to "scrap" the pages of the world's largest photo album as part of the 72-hour scrap-a-thon.

Scrapbooking Tips, Tricks and Trends
Scrapbooking expert Polly Maly, contributing editor for Better Homes and Gardens Scrapbooks etc., is teaming up with Dodge to create tips to help everyone from novice to avid scrapbookers find time to get started or catch-up on scrapbooking, stay on top of the latest ways to customize pages and identify time-saving techniques.

"The most difficult part of scrapbooking is actually finding the time to do it," said Maly. "For the average scrapbooker who spends approximately eight hours a week scrapbooking, the Dodge Grand Caravan, with all of its innovative storage features, really helps scrapbookers stay organized so they can easily bring their scrapbooking totes and supplies with them on the go, as they travel to scrapbooking crops or even on vacation."

Maly offers other tips to help consumers stay up-to-date on the latest scrapbooking trends, including:

• The road of life: Scrapbooking preserves the memories from the road of life, but sometimes the road turns before you've had a chance to catch up. Don't let that road lead you astray. Stay current on your scrapbooking by taking your scrapping essentials with you in the 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and scrapping on the go - during soccer practice, waiting for the carpool, during ballet lessons or while on that special vacation.
• Inspired organization: Need some inspiration for organizing your scrapping space? Head to your local discount store and cruise the kitchen and bath storage aisles for organizational ideas, including:
  • Paper towel holders to hold spools of ribbon.
  • Decorative glass jars to house buttons and smaller embellishments.
  • Utensil jars for the perfect tool caddies.

• Organize and categorize: Whether your scrap space is a corner of your dining room table, a dedicated room in your home or your minivan, organize your supplies by category. Storing all of your embellishments, stamps, paper and tools together means more time scrapping and less time hunting for your supplies as you head out to crops. Plus, for on-the-go scrappers, the new Dodge Grand Caravan has a place for everything from the innovative in-floor or overhead storage bins to the dual glove boxes to available map pockets behind the driver and front passenger seats.


• Keep your eye on the prize: When designing a scrapbook page, decide first on the theme of your page, choose photos that will visually tell the story, then pick one focal-point photo that reinforces your page idea. To draw the viewer's eye right where you want it, either enlarge your focal-point photo or treat it to a special position and mat it.


• Don't forget to live a little: Let yourself off the hook for being "behind" in your scrapbooking. Give yourself credit for the memories you've already preserved in a beautiful way, and just enjoy the creative outlet that will pay tribute to you, your family and friends for years to come. Treat yourself to a change of scenery or a mini-vacation by taking a road trip to a favorite scenic destination or a scrapping vacation in your 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan, packed with all of your scrapbooking essentials and the work-space.
  

SOURCE: Chrysler LLC &  Yahoo! Finance.

Southern Oregon Jammie Crop Seeks Vendors

Candy Rosenberg, owner of gotembellishments.com, recently announced the launch of a new event: the Southern Oregon Scrapbook Expo, October 13 & 14th.  "We have 10,000 square foot of vendor shopping, free to the public with an exclusive Jammie Crop hosted by Amy Elkins."

Rosenberg is currently seeking local vendors in Southern Oregon and donations from manufacturers and companies. 

All the information can be found at www.jammiecrop.com. 

Scrap-A-Faire by BHG's Scrapbooks etc. Returns in Fall 2007

Bigger, Better and Longer Scrap-A-Faire by Better Homes and Gardens Scrapbooks etc., Addicted to Scrapbooking and InXpo Returns in Fall 2007

Online scrapbooking festival offers more classes, new products, more celebrity chats and more fun.

(PRWEB) August 20, 2007 -- The world's first and only online scrapbooking festival, Scrap-A-Faire™, will be twice the fun its second time around, with double the time to click, crop and shop from the comfort of your own home. The second run of this exciting Web-only event will take place Nov. 2-11, 2007, and will be co-sponsored by Meredith Corporation, publisher of Better Homes and Gardens Scrapbooks etc.®, InXpo, and Addicted To Scrapbooking, the largest online scrapbooking retailer. Interested scrappers can register beginning Aug. 22 at www.scrapafaire.com.

Thanks to the success of the debut of Scrap-A-Faire earlier in 2007, the online scrapbooking festival will run for 10 days straight, offering scrappers brand-new classes, more new products, more celebrity chat sessions and, of course, more time to shop for the latest and greatest scrapping supplies and meet new and old friends in the virtual lounge, anytime, day or night. Anyone with an Internet-connected computer can join in on the fun by registering at www.scrapafaire.com.

Shopping at this November's online festival will be made quick, easy and convenient, thanks to new eCommerce partner, Addicted to Scrapbooking. Scrappers can fill their baskets with the latest products from exhibitors such as Adobe, Provocraft, Making Memories, Quickutz, Glue Arts, Triscape/FX Photo, ACD See Systems, Gel-a-tins, Scrapbook Obsessions, Lasting Impressions, Archivers, Ranger, Griffs Shortcuts, Mouse Memories, Reminisce, Create Digital Art, Lucidiom, Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L, Boss Kut and 7 Gypsies, and proceed to one check out.  All purchases over $25 entitle the shopper to free shipping and handling.

In February, Scrap-A-Faire's first-ever event drew thousands of fans who enjoyed the ease and convenience of the virtual festival. Since you can attend Scrap-A-Faire from the comfort of your own kitchen or couch, there's no need to travel or find a sitter. You also can make new friends or meet existing friends through email, instant messaging and online chat.

Scrappers who attended Scrap-A-Faire's first online festival were so impressed that 75 percent of those responding to a survey said Scrap-A-Faire's Internet-based classes were as good as or better than the classes they've taken at a physical location. Building on the overwhelming popularity of those online classes, Scrap-A-Faire is offering an "SBE All-Access Pass" entitling scrap-lovers to attend all 18 classes offered at Scrap-A-Faire for $99, a savings of over $300. You can still sign up for individual classes ranging from $10 to $35.

"One of the best features of this Web event is the ability to browse through exhibitor booths for brand-new products that you won't find in stores," said Jeff Myers, general manager of Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Media. "In addition to attending classes, chatting with celebrities and signing up for the show prizes, Scrap-A-Faire visitors can visit exhibitors' booths to shop for the newest scrapping tools and products without ever having to carry a heavy shopping bag around an exhibition hall!"

Some of the hottest names in scrapbooking will also be on hand to answer questions and chat with attendees. "We're excited to bring back one of the most popular components of the first show: celebrity chats," said Malcolm Lotzof, InXpo's chief executive officer. "The celebrity chats enabled attendees to ask questions of the biggest names in the industry, and this time around we plan to offer these chats in the evening, enabling more attendees to participate."

For more information on the show or to register, please go to:  www.Scrap-A-Faire.com.

SOURCE: Yahoo! News.

Epson Launches Three New Photo Printers

Epson Stylus® Photo R280 Printer, RX595 and RX680 All-In-Ones Provide Photo Enthusiasts and Creative Hobbyists with One Solution for Their Photo and Everyday Printing Needs

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Aug. 20, 2007 – Epson America, Inc today announced its newest line of printers/all-in-one's designed especially for photo enthusiasts and creative hobbyists – the Epson Stylus Photo R280, RX595 and RX680.

All three Ultra Hi-Definition models – the Epson Stylus Photo R280 photo printer, Epson Stylus Photo RX595 all-in-one and Epson Stylus Photo RX680 all-in-one – deliver a dozen 4”x6” photos in as fast as 2 minutes, 17 seconds . Users may choose their preferred format – bordered or borderless photos in popular 4”x6”, 5”x7”, 8”x10”, and letter (8.5”x11”) sizes as well as a variety of specialty media. 

Shared Features of the Ultra Hi-Definition Product Line
The Epson R280, RX595 and RX680 share a number of innovative features developed specifically for photo enthusiasts and creative hobbyists. These include:

• Picture perfect: Epson’s Auto Photo Correction feature delivers beautiful photos effortlessly by automatically correcting dark, backlit and washed-out photos, while adjusting skin tones and enhancing the richness of scenery .
• Incredibly durable prints: Epson Claria Hi-Definition Ink produces gorgeous glossy photos that are instantly dry to the touch as well as smudge, scratch, water, and fade resistant. Additionally, these photos can last more than 200 years.
• Brilliant colors: Epson’s six-color Claria ink produces rich, deep hues and vibrant, realistic colors. Each model uses individual ink cartridges so consumers only have to replace specific colors as needed.
• Borderless printing: Epson’s BorderFree® printing capability delivers borderless photos in 4”x6”, 5”x7”, 8”x10”, and letter (8.5”x11”) sizes with no perforations or edges to trim.
• Professional-looking CDs/DVDs: Epson enables users to print directly on ink jet printable CDs and DVDs, eliminating messy and sticky labels that can warp and potentially damage CD/DVD drives. Instead, users quickly and simply create personalized designs with Epson Print CD software (included) and print directly onto a CD or DVD using the convenient front-loading CD tray. Easily print over the entire surface area from the center to the edge of CDs/DVDs for a clean and professional look.

Somerset Studio Seeks Digital Submissions

Via the recent Simply Digital Newsletter, a heads up on a Call for Submissions:

Somerset Digital Studio
Digital artwork is HOT right now and we’re super excited about the premier of a new publication that will feature all digital designs. Somerset Digital Studio will focus on all things digital — scrapbook pages, ATCs, collages, cards, invitations, calendars, clothing, heritage pieces — anything that is unique, distinctive, artistic and created digitally. In order to be considered for publication in Somerset Digital Studio, please send via e-mail the following for each submission: a high-res image (300 dpi, at least 6 x 6 inches), a brief paragraph describing the artwork (who's who in any photos or why you were inspired to create it), instructions on how you created your digital artwork including the specifics as to what tools, programs, etc. you used. Deadline for artwork to be received: Annually every November 15th.  This full-color 144-page magazine devoted to digital art is scheduled to be released in March 2008.

For more information, check the Somerset Studio website.

 

Two Peas Helps American Soldiers Stay In Touch

Top Scrapbooking Community Website Raises Funds for Pre-Paid Calling Cards for U.S. Soldiers

TORONTO, Aug. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Kaboose Inc., the largest independent family-focused online media company in North America, today announced that its scrapbooking property, www.TwoPeasInABucket.com, will be supporting the Scrapbooking for Soldiers fundraising efforts.

Two Peas will be donating prizes to the all-day scrapbooking crops. The events are being organized by a group of independent consultants with Top Line Creations, a scrapbooking business, to raise funds for Soldiersangels.org, which purchases phone cards for American soldiers deployed overseas in places like Iraq and Afghanistan so they can stay in touch with their families.

"We are proud to support the efforts of Scrapbooking for Soldiers and Soldiers' Angels," commented Jonathan Graff, President of Kaboose. "Kaboose is all about putting family first and what could be more important to a soldier separated from loved ones than being able to hear the voices of family members?"

Starting August 18, 2007, events will be held in over 50 cities across the United States where each scrapper will make three greeting cards - one with a message for a soldier, one blank for the soldier to send to a loved one and one for the scrapper to keep. Admission price includes meals, gifts, door prizes, a silent auction and access to onsite scrapbook vendors for shopping. Additional information on all fundraising crops that are scheduled can be found at www.scrappingforsoldiers.com.

About Kaboose Inc.

Kaboose is the largest independent, family-focused online media company in North America and one of the top-five most visited family destinations online. From pregnancy to parenting, birthday parties to scrapbooking, and entertainment to education, Kaboose has the content and applications to help parents plan and share their family life. Kaboose owns some of the world's leading online properties targeting families, including BabyZone.com, ParentZone.com, Kaboose.com, AmazingMoms.com, TwoPeasInABucket.com, BubbleShare.com; BirthdayInABox.com, Funschool.com and Zeeks.com. Kaboose trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "KAB."

Source: Kaboose Inc. and Yahoo! Finance.

New Genealogy Society Fundraiser Announced

Via Family Tree Magazine's Genealogy Insider blog:

The Federation of Genealogical Society (FGS) recently announced partnerships with several genealogy companies, including Family Tree Magazine.

These partnerships are designed to help FGS and its 500-plus member societies earn much-needed funds for programs, volunteer projects and other efforts to benefit and grow the genealogical community. When individual members of FGS societies purchase the partners’ products, those companies will donate a portion of the sales back to the societies.

Societies can go to HelpFGS.org and download a button to put on their Web sites. Then individual members can visit to society’s site to sign up for a $24 new subscription, and Family Tree Magazine donate $6 of the proceeds to that member society and $6 to FGS.

Further information and FAQs are on the HelpFGS.org Web site.

Heritage Makers Announces New Funding

Investment Signifies Leadership in Digital Storybooking

PROVO, Utah--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Heritage Makers, the national leader in digital storybooking, announced today it has closed $1.15 million in bridge funding from a group of angel investors led by Tickle founder James Currier, serial entrepreneur Kenneth M. Woolley and T Minus 10 Ventures. Also, Kenneth T. Woolley of T Minus 10 will join the Heritage Makers Board of Directors.

Heritage Makers plans to use the financing to further advance its unique digital, web-based storybooking platform and more rapidly expand its “party plan” direct sales channel. The company reached cash flow breakeven in March 2007.

“This group of investors has a lot of experience in social networking and traditional scrapbooking,” said Christopher Lee, CEO of Heritage Makers. “They recognize the shift to the electronic scrapbooking model that is happening worldwide, but they also recognize the need for social interaction that drives the scrapbooking hobby, and that Heritage Makers is combining these two characteristics in a very unique way.”

Heritage Studio, Heritage Makers’ online storybooking program, contains everything necessary to construct a storybook -- backgrounds, borders, clip art, powerful text and photo editing tools and more. Users can create their own storybook, all the way through to high-quality hardbound printing, through the Heritage Makers’ website. Heritage Makers products and services are sold through independent sales representatives who demonstrate beautiful storybooks and the storybooking process to their clients.

About Heritage Makers

Heritage Makers, Inc. is a direct selling, party-plan company focused on storybooking, a rapidly growing new hobby for people to discover, preserve, and celebrate their unique family stories. With thousands of Heritage Consultants around the United States, Heritage Makers offers a wide range of products and services that help families use technology to tell their stories from the comfort of their own homes. Heritage Makers is a member of the Direct Selling Association.

For more information, please visit http://www.heritagemakers.com.

SOURCE: BusinessWire

New Website Provides Virtual Classroom for Manufacturers, Retailers, and Independent Craft Instructors

MyCreativeClassroom.com Combines Online Learning Opportunities with Crafty Goodness to Push Students to Explore Creativity

Hideaway, TX - August 15, 2007 – Avid about altered arts?  Bound to try book binding? Spellbound by scrapbooking?  A new online service brings those crafts together, and over 25 more – all in one place.  Combining a love for all things crafty with a touch of inner-geek, MyCreativeClassroom.com trains and encourages all flavors of craft instructors to present their creativity and knowledge in a virtual classroom.

Jeri Parks is the founder and president of My Creative Classroom.  As a professional corporate trainer and lifelong crafter, Parks recognized the need for an integrated educational delivery system that would serve a "multi-crafting" community.  "I started the company to meet many of my own needs, thinking that if I wanted these things, others probably did, too," Parks explains. "I wanted basic, intermediate and advanced courses, in all areas of arts and crafts, facilitated by talented teachers.  And I wanted to take the classes in my own home, where I would have access to my own supplies.  MyCreativeClassroom.com does all that."

Part of what sets this website apart from other educational sites is the classroom software, and the training the teachers receive.  "We use course management software that is designed for educators by educators," says Parks.  "All of our teachers receive extensive training before they ever enter the classroom.  They really understand the tools and techniques needed to make an online class interactive, fun, and effective."  Instructors also receive ongoing training to help them stay ahead of changing technology.

MyCreativeClassroom.com is currently recruiting teachers in a variety of craft mediums, such as Altered Arts, Book Arts, Calligraphy/Lettering, Candle Making, Collage & Mixed Media, Fiber & Needle Arts, Jewelry Making, Paper Arts & Scrapbooking, Digital Arts, and Sewing.  Positions are available for 20 instructors.  Teaching benefits, requirements, and applications can be found on the website at http://mycreativeclassroom.com.

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