The Dog-Cat

Our newest non-human family member (don't tell her) is Belle, younger daughter's 3 year-old-adopted cat. But she must be part dog, because she does tricks. She begs. Oh yes, as soon as you spend more than 30 seconds in the kitchen, she is there begging for whatever you are working on. And you can get her to beg nicely for a treat. Really. Also, we caught her rolling over several times. And she sits under the table while you eat hoping for crumbs. She won't eat them, but she waits for them anyway.

The cat part of her is elusive. Just try to get a good picture of her. While she expresses some interest in the camera, she won't hold still for a camera shot.
 
Finally, we decided a bribe was in order, so that we could get her to beg for a snack.  It worked. Belle loves her snacks. You can even get her to eat the snack right out of your hand.

Copyright 2011, ACK, for Generational

Freebie Friday from My Memories

I have another exclusive quick page set for you from our friends at My Memories. I thought I'd tell you how I come up with the pictures for these pages. Usually, when I design a page, I have a picture in mind for it, so the page is totally designed with the picture in mind. With the quick pages, I look at the pages, how it is set up for photos, the colors and then pick the photos. Sometimes, like this week, that comes easy. Other weeks, it's a struggle. And since these quick pages are meant for use as two-page spreads, which I admit, I usually only do with these quick pages, it can be difficult.

But, as I said, this one was easy. My kids are crazy. Somewhere along the line they decided they were tired of the sweet sister photos and started hugging each other - viciously! You know, those are some of my favorite pictures. I've picked out some of my favorites for this two page spread.

 

Freebie Kit

 This is what I've done with the pages.

Copyright 2011, ACK, for Generational

Christmas Traditions

What more appropriate kit could I use for this week's My Memories Blog Challenge, than a Christmas Traditions kit I picked up on the Blog Train. This particular kit, "Sugar Plums" by designs by Krista really tickled my fancy. I love the colors of this kit and who wouldn't love that cute little gingerbread boy peeking out from behind the gifts?

Since most of my family's traditions center around food, I almost didn't enter this challenge. Then I took a look at the stockings hung from the mantle and knew I had my "tradition." You see, this is the first year in many years all the stockings and stocking holders have been in the same place. Our oldest daughter moved away from home and down to Raleigh, North Carolina in 2004. That year, I decorated dollar store stockings for her, her roommate and our younger daughter. Those are the large stockings on the left, which already came with embellishments - I only had to put their names on with foam letters and puffy paint. Their stocking holders - a kitty - Mandy - and a dog - Max were named for our former pets. The stockings on the right are mine and my husband's. I have wanted to get him a new stocking for years, but he loves his Goofy stocking.

This is also the first year since 2004 that we are all living in the same state. An old tradition in a new state.



Copyright 2011, ACK, for Generational

Speed Scrap!

It's getting crazy around here - what with rain, Christmas decorating, and more rain. And then there is Sunday Speed Scrap over at the My Memories FB page.  Jessica fortunately told us we would need a landscape oriented photo and so I chose one of my niece and her new hubby. Yes, they've been the subject of a scrap page before. Last one was utilizing "fancy pants" font and I used a quick page. This one I laid out on my own.

All I really added was the title and the photo. Not bad. Below is the one I did on Sunday. Each one of these speed scraps pushes me just beyond my comfort zone adding elements. The first one was done using MMS version 2 and the bottom was done with version 3, which is a little more user friendly, I think.

Copyright 2011, ACK, for Generational

My Memories - Card Making Tutorial

Are you still working on your Christmas cards? I have a great tutorial inspired by My Memories Suite. This is particularly sweet if you have upgraded to version 3.

Of course I had to check out this tutorial for myself. It's by Barb Eastwick, and is very easy.

First, get yourself version 3 of  My Memories. If you don't have it, you can get $10 off the cost of the full program using my code STMMMS18876 when ordering.  If you do have it, upgrade it. Worth every penny. (This part is my idea, not Barb's!)

Second, once you download and install the program, it will prompt you for a new album. Choose your size, which can be either a landscape or portrait album and you want the 4-1/4 x 5-1/2 inch size (5-1/2 x 4-1/4 if you choose landscape.)

Third, choose a background paper. Keep in mind when you choose a background paper and any embellishment, you have to comply with the terms of use (TOU.) Mostly, these terms mean you can use for your personal use - like making cards to send to family and friends - but NOT selling them.  I chose a paper from Barbara Marcusi that I got on the December Blog Train. If you choose a paper and decide it isn't write you can always delete it or use the Change Background tool on the menu (Arrange > Change Background.)

Fourth, choose elements, word art, what ever you'd like on the front of your card. I chose to make a frame using the Shapes - Frames option. Then I colored it using a gradient. I also did a square shape that you probably won't pick up on, to use just under the frame. I used the color picker, picking out the burgundy in the foreground paper and then fading it a bit. I wanted the design to show through. Finally I added my Word Art, "Joy to the World" from "Holiday Snows." The ribbon came from 3 Li'l Monsters, and the snowflake was also from Barb Mancusi.

When I was done, the first thing I did was save it! Then I clicked on the SHARE Album button on the control panel, export pages, and exported it as a jpeg file.

When I go to the folder where I have saved this image, I will select print:

I'll select the option to print a page of 3.5 x 5 photos.

So your screen should look like this:

Select your quality, the type of paper, and print.  Once you have printed them, cut them out. They are sized to center on a 4-1/4 x 5-1/2 card. You might want to position some nice holiday paper behind them to camouflage the white space. Add some bling or other 3-D element and you have four really nice cards.

Barb has put together a great PDF for this and you can download it here.

Copyright 2011, ACK, for Generational