One thing I love capturing on film at Christmas time are the beautiful lights. In contrast, one thing I hate about my digital camera is that anytime I remove the flash to give the picture a soft glow it usually comes out blurry and out of focus. To lessen the shake when you aren’t using a flash, set the timer button and hold your camera very still. By setting the timer button, it reduces the movement your hand has to make to click the shutter. I know that many of you have probably already taken down your Christmas lights, but this tip can be used throughout the year. For more camera tips, check out photojojo.com and sign up for their free newsletter.

I liked the results I got by using this technique and created a layout using Michelle Coleman’s Frosted digital kit that you can download here FREE. Since this was my first year of living alone in an apartment, I decided not to hassle with putting up a Christmas tree. I’m so thankful that when I went home my Mom set up not one, but two trees for us to enjoy this Christmas. It wouldn’t have felt like Christmas without sitting by the light of a Christmas tree and spending time with my family. Hope your holidays were filled with wonderful memories!

Create something. Inspire everyone.
GinaMarie

My cubicle is positioned next to a wall of windows and today I'm watching the sky for snow. The weather folks are predicting we'll get about six INCHES of the white stuff, which in Cincinnati is a lot! This weekend I'd like to drive a couple hours west to visit my daughter and son-in-law, but if the "blizzard" materializes that won't happen.

Surfing the Web is one of my favorite pastimes. In the mornings at home I log onto my laptop, pour a cup of coffee and check in with some of my favorite people and their blogs. You never know what you might learn while surfing. For instance, on the MM Books blog I discovered what the hot color for 2008 is. Click over and see for yourself (it's not a color I expected!).

And our Masters' blog is awesome--packed with creative ideas, step-by-step instructions for projects and just heartfelt sharing.

Some of my personal favorite sites (outside the scrapbooking world) include messythrillinglife, the NY Times (especially the books section and Sunday wedding announcements), Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love and Me&Ro jewelry. What are some of your favorites?

Stay warm this weekend and scrap something cozy!

Peace & love,
 Patty
p.s. I'm lovin' my new hair!!

In December the crafty souls who work here at F+W Publications (the publisher of Memory Makers magazine and books) share their talents and wares at a sale we call the Bizarre Bazaar. We’ve got musicians who sell CDs, artists who paint scarves, jewelry makers, knitters and more. We headed downstairs this morning to see all the goodies and to buy some handmade Christmas gifts!

That’s Katie’s good friend Grace selling her books and cards (below, left), and Christy admiring knitted scarves (below, right).


Speaking of crafts, there’s a new link on the MM home page called The Craft Directory. Check it out if you’re looking for a scrapbooking/craft store near you, or if you’re trying to locate a specific product or manufacturer.

Hope you’re staying warm and dry, and finding some time to put your own crafty skills to good use!

In Cincinnati today it's almost 60 degrees—what's up with that?! Call it what you will, but the weather patterns are weird. We've had rain for days and days; the rivers and creeks are bursting their banks. Not complaining, but all this rain comes on the heels of a drought we sweltered through last summer. And the calendar says December 11th ... shouldn't it be snowing instead of raining?

Anyway, I'm taking advantage of the mild weather and am going to walk over to the mall and pick up a Christmas gift.

I've read there's an ice storm across the Midwest of the US. What's it doing in your part of the world?

Peace and love,
 Patty

What are you hoping to capture this season? Holiday decorating? The first snow? Holiday shopping? Family traditions?

(I have to admit that I haven’t created any seasonal pages yet, although I did design my own holiday cards this year. I've also been gathering materials and photos so that when I do have a few minutes to sit down and create, I'll have my materials and notes ready to go.)

Post your projects in our Online Idea Gallery, and get inspired by others’ creativity, as well.

Note: You can search for specific themes within the gallery by clicking on the "Theme" drop-down menu.

Wishing you all a happy and inspired Monday,

Katie