MyMemories Suite Scrapbook Software Review & Giveaway

I will admit it … I am a scrapbooker-wanna-be.  Unfortunately I have yet to complete one scrapbook.  Now, don’t get me wrong … I love my pictures, I love my memories and I want to pass my family history down to my next generations.  But, there’s one major obstacle I face …

Time.

Granny just really does not have the time to go through these thousands of pictures I have, create a layout for several pages of the hard-copy scrapbook, then copy/edit/design … 

do you get the picture … uh, no pun intended at all :)

Well, just in time to come rescue Granny … 

I received an email from MyMemories Suite -- a digital scrapbooking software company – asking me to try out their scrapbook software and write a review.  I was very excited to do this … especially when I still have a lot of my Mother’s original pictures, 

and I had just gotten about 700 pictures from my mother-in-law to scan … 

and that’s not to mention the hundreds (rather thousands) of pictures that I have of ours here at home. 

So, I downloaded MyMemories digital scrapbook software on my laptop and glanced around the site:  themes, backgrounds, embellishments, templates, shapes, texts/fonts/word art … add-on videos/music/links (I admit that I have not integrated these yet) … adjusting pictures through rotating, scaling, converting color...
               Various ways to share the albums – such as printing, exporting to JPEG,

creating a bound photo album, and more. 
And ... this digital scrapbook software is available in either Windows or Mac!

And I was walked through every step.

What I found was a pleasant surprise and most promising ... MyMemories was all-encompassing! Not only was it chock-full of different designs, themes, backgrounds, extras ... but I can also integrate other projects of mine into the albums.  

I have already completed 2 albums in the past week (which is 2 more than I have completed in … well, you know). 

Here are 2 sample pages from one of my albums ... and my favorite subject of all time … 

Lucy!

For this album I chose a preloaded designer template, picked each picture & “clicked” them into the photo slots.  (Even Granny can “drag and click” a picture) 

I’ve had such a great time working/playing/learning MyMemories.  It’s relaxing in the evenings … it’s easy for anyone to use … it gives a scrapbooking outlet for anyone like Granny (you know, the scrapbooker wanna-be :).   

I’m looking forward to returning to my digital scrapbooking as soon as I give you the details on the giveaway: 

So, here’s the deal …

MyMemories has offered a FREE copy of their software to one of my readers.  

 AND I also have a special promotion code to get a $10 discount off the purchase of 

My Memories Suite Scrapbook software 
PLUS another $10 coupon for

My Memories store.  
Use promotion code STMMMS69350

Now, to enter the giveaway … 

(You must be a public follower of Love, Granny in order to enter, and I will need to email the winner.)  After you have completed the entry step of your choice (or however many you want), make sure you leave me a separate comment for each. 

For one (1) entry … Visit MyMemories and pick out your favorite background or template.  Leave a comment on this post telling me which one is a favorite.  (This step is necessary to enter.)

For one (1) entry … Follow MyMemories blog 

For one (1) entry … Follow MyMemories on Twitter

For one (1) entry … Like MyMemories on Facebook  

For one (1) entry … Follow "Granny" on Twitter

(If you are already a follower, leave me a comment that you already follow Granny.) 

This giveaway will close on November 15th at midnight ... just in time for Christmas gifts!
Giveaway winner will be chosen by Random.org

Granny received a complimentary copy of My Memories digital scrapbooking software to try in exchange for a review of my honest opinion.  Granny did not receive any monetary compensation for my review.  

Baby Brother ... Princesses... Carnivals

First of all I will say ... What a weekend we had!  

There's never a dull moment in our household and this past weekend was no exception ... 

'Joe received a phone call last Wednesday and by Saturday morning was back to work. 

He only left a day ahead of schedule, but still ... 

it was 24 hours.

So, on Friday:

We went to a 3D ultrasound to "see" Lucy's baby brother ... he was so much more laid-back than his sister during her 3D ... but this baby boy has some muscles!!!

Later Friday afternoon, Grandad left work early and met the family at The Cheesecake Factory (yes, a favorite of ours) for 'Joe's send-off dinner.  Can you tell "who" stole the show???

Lucy hung out with Grandad & Granny on Saturday morning while Mrs. 'Joe took her Mr. to the airport.  Then later that morning the four of us had a fun time at an area Fall Carnival.  Costumes, "trick or treating" (by a few of the shopping center tenants), pumpkin decorating, and a hay-bale maze!  Oh, and of course ... introducing Princess Cinderella ... and Cindy LOVES cotton candy (just like her Mommy & her Granny) ...

With the finished pumpkin ... 

Then yesterday after church & lunch, we went to another Fall Carnival at one of the outdoor malls.  But today, we were accompanied by yet another princess ... 

Snow White ...

So, as you can tell ... we've had a big weekend in our household.  

We are blessed ... 

we are grateful to God for His (more than) sufficient grace everyday ... 

life is good.

Now, for the "looking forward" part ... 

This week I will be having my very first giveaway!!!  I'm so very excited about this product ... and I'm sure that you will be too.  Parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends ... 

well, basically anyone who has pictures will love this giveaway.  

So, by the end of the week I will post my review & the giveaway details ... 

be on the look-out ... 

it will worth it!

ACU's, Stiletto Shoes, and Pretty Pink Tutus: DIY Chalkboard Pumpkins

Occasionally I will link my posts up to my beautiful daughter's blog at 

 ACU's, Stiletto Shoes, and Pretty Pink Tutus

... and this is one of those occasions.  

It's "that time of the year" ... pumpkin carvings, fall decorations, and ... what else? 

Oh yeah ... the most important part of all ...  

KIDS having good old fashioned fun outside :)

Well, I am one proud Momma of such a creative young lady (who just happens to be an awesome Mommy too).  Check out the link below to her blog to see  how creative 

Mr. & Mrs. 'Joe are when it comes to pumpkin carving.  

Be warned though ... there's nothing "traditional" about these pumpkins.  And her tutorial is also featured at  

One Pretty Thing - DIY craft tutorials (www.oneprettything.com) ... 

Just between me & you --- she gets her talent from her Daddy and her Grandma ... 

Her Momma jumps in and adds her two cents worth every now & then.  

So, without further ado ... the link to my talented daughter's blog  ...

(oh, she would LOVE to read your comments too ... just tell her "Granny" sent you :)

ACU's, Stiletto Shoes, and Pretty Pink Tutus: DIY Chalkboard Pumpkins: In a week or so I plan to photo bomb the mess out of this place! :) I know friends and family have been patiently waiting for me to post Luc...

Our Day Trip & Family Heritage

Last Friday my alarm clock sounded its presence at 3:15am.  Granddad had taken the day off from work (as long as you consider checking and returning messages from his phone as "taking the day off").  

He and I were taking the day to visit his parents & grandmother who live about 7 or so hours away.  Yeah, I know ... that's probably setting a record for what's considered as a "day trip".  But, it's been a while since we've been able to visit, so we headed out early that morning ...

And had a wonderful visit! 

Here's the 3 generations -- Granddad, his Mom and his Mommaw.

Granddad & I cannot believe that Mommaw is 90 years young!

Granddad with his parents.

 

All of us -- courtesy of our camera timer.

Although the visit was short, we enjoyed it very much ... just wished we had more time to spend with them.  We went out for a late lunch, then back to the house and reminisced through some old family pictures.  I picked out "several" pictures to scan, and ended up bringing home hundreds for my spare time hobby.  

(I have a really awesome idea that I am working on to implement mine and Granddad's childhood pictures.  And I have bunches of pictures to start practicing on!)

Here's a few of "bonus" pictures of years ago ... Granddad, his parents & brother in their family bluegrass band.  Music is a major aspect of his heritage, and through the years God has given Granddad the opportunity to use his heritage & gifts for His service.  

'83

Oct '83

Oct '83

'83

May '84  (Granddad & I were newlyweds!)

I love family pictures & reminiscing ... 

don't you?
 

Family Resemblance?

I have a daunting task in front of me ... scanning family pictures.  I've had some of my Mother's family pictures for quite a while now, and now I have some of my mother-in-law's family pictures too.  I'm determined to get through all of these pictures sooner rather than later ... and I would love to get more pictures to scan as well. 

I love family photos and the memories & reminiscing that go along with each picture.  So, I promise that I will get their family memory pictures scanned and returned safely as soon as possible.  I will also scan any writing on the backs of the pictures to know who, when, where ... any information pertaining to the picture.

 We all have looked through Granddad's family's pictures over the weekend.  And I don't think I've ever seen two little ones (besides twins) who looked as much alike in my life ...  uncanny. 

My future husband was around 2 months old.

    

Our daughter at 1 1/2 months old.

Lucy's Granddad at about one month ...

Lucy's Mommy at 1 1/2 months old.

No date on this picture ...

 The future Mrs. 'Joe at 10 months old.  

"Baby Granddad" at about 2 months old ... 

Our daughter at about 2 months. 

Lucy's Granddad at about one month ... 

 Lucy's Mommy at 7 months.

Lucy with her Mommy & Granddad in Disney World Sept '11. 

  

Lucy's birthday breakfast Sept '11.

Oh, I do enjoy family pictures ... more to come later as I keep scanning!

"Little Valentine" is a ...

What a year this has been!  You can click here to read the story of my daughter's miscarriage on Easter Sunday.  As difficult as it was (and actually still is at times), a tiny angel awaits our family in Heaven.  Shortly after this, we learned that God was not finished ... yes, another grandbaby on its way!  

I've referred to this little one as Little Valentine (read here) .  But now, 
(on my 100th blog post) 
Granny can make THE gender announcement ...  

Our little granddaughter Lucy will be "big sister" to her ...

Princess-theme all around for Princess Lucy!

~~~~~ little BROTHER ~~~~~

We are excited!!!!  Granddad & I have never had a little boy besides our nephew & church kids running around our house ... so this little one will be very interesting!  

Everything is looking good in Mrs. 'Joe's pregnancy, but please still remember them in your prayers.  She had early contractions with Lucy (not Braxton Hicks, but the real thing) starting at about 5 months, and has started contractions with this little one last month.  His ETA is mid February, so we all are just trusting God to take care of this little baby boy.  

A precious granddaughter and a precious grandson ... 

we are blessed. 

Lucy is "Officially" Three Now

 We were so blessed on Saturday to have a sunny cool day to celebrate Lucy's 3rd birthday with family & friends.  Lucy's Papa & Nana S flew in for a long weekend (from several states away) to spend time with Lucy & her parents.  It was so good to have them up here & spend time with them.  And Lucy has them wrapped around her little finger just as she does us ... but isn't that what she's supposed to do?

The birthday Princess opening her gifts.

And the Princess cupcakes ... yummy :)

Lucy's birthday was actually Sept 23rd, and the day began at 6:45am with a little fist knocking on our bedroom door  

"IT'S MY BIRTHDAY! IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!! IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!"  

So, at 7am we all head out to a royal breakfast fit for a princess at Burger King ... Lucy was even ready for the downpour we would encounter outside ... but even the rain couldn't put a damper on her special day!

 

In her special Minnie Mouse nightgown & princess umbrella (and of course glass slippers)

Granddad came home early in the afternoon for a special birthday lunch at one of Lucy's favorite restaurants -- 

The Cheesecake Factory!

"Molly" & Lucy have a lot in common ... find out "what" in the American Girl series.

Granny's special birthday hug ... oh how I LOVE her hugs & smiles!

A special dessert just for Lucy :)  Our waitresses took special care of our princess.

And Granddad ALWAYS loves his hugs from his little princess :)

I never get tired of seeing this scene over & over again in our house.