March 15, 2010

Photo Books: Now More Simple Than Before

As a scrapbooking junkie, I’ve tried many different products over the last ten years, from traditional to digital and everything in between.

When I was offered the opportunity to try the new American Greetings PhotoWorks Studio Books I was very excited.  I love digital scrapbooking, but I’m not a fan of using software that needs to be installed on my computer.  In years past I used a Creative Memories software but it’s very expensive to buy digital accessories.  The PhotoWorks website offers a wide variety of themes including Wedding, Baby, Travel, Kids, Holidays and more.

When I discovered I could choose a theme without downloading software I was in love.  The studio books are amazing.  Each theme has a pre-designed template, fully customizable by changing the photo layout or background color, as well as the digital embellishments.

After registering for a free account and then uploading my photos to an online album; a process which took twenty minutes (more or less time may be needed depending on the volume of photos you intend to use), I was able to create an entire 8.5 x 11 photo book in under an hour.

The PhotoWorks site allows me to save any unfinished projects making it very easy to pick up where I left off without any effort.  These books are amazing!  Most projects are printed in less than 3 business days, and shipped withing 7-10 business days.  My book arrived in one week.  I’m very happy with the price as well.  Most finished books are $39.95 for the 8.5 x 11 size, but PhotoWorks offers 8 x 8 for $29.95 or 12 x 12 for $54.95.  The prices are much more reasonable than other products I’ve used in the past.

Another great benefit to using American Greetings PhotoWorks is the ability to share my project.  I was able to e-mail my project in the form of a slide show to my family members as well as give the recipients the ability to save copies of the photos (or the book itself ) to their own PhotoWorks account to create their own photo gifts.

The American Greetings PhotoWorks Studio Books are simply fantastic and I’m so glad I got the chance to use this service.  Thank you Mom Central!

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I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of American Greetings PhotoWorks and received a free photo book to facilitate my review.

They Say It’s Spring

It was a beautiful day in Wisconsin.  The sun was shining, the birds were singing and the temperatures were in the high 50s.  As my father-in-law would say, “It’s a bluebird day.”

It didn’t exactly start out on the right foot, however.  We forgot about daylight savings time and woke up at 9:00 a.m. thinking we had over an hour to make it to church on time.  It wasn’t until I checked e-mails and noticed my laptop clock had the new time adjusted.  I ran to the shower and started hollering at Doug to get his butt up and ready.  I knew I’d need helping getting Owen and Dawson ready, too.

We made it to Mass at 10:30 on the dot and resigned to sitting at the very back.  Not a single pew was available so we sat in the gathering space (a fancy term for foyer, I imagine) and could barely hear Father speaking.  All the more reason to be quiet and listen intently.  I managed to catch most of the homily.

Post worship we took both cars to the gas station for refueling because we had a grocery store perk card that would give us 80 cents off per gallon.  I love saving money!  Two vehicles full of gas for under $40 is amazing.

Back home I fed Owen and then Dawson found a Star Wars marathon on Spike TV.  He was dead to the world, glued to the TV.  I had to drag him outside to ride his bike while I pushed Owen in the jogging stroller.  We walked to the park and took the hiking path down to the Little Plover River.  Owen loved being outside and fell asleep half way to the playground.

Once we returned home I played soccer in the backyard with Dawson.  He loves to dribble the ball and shoot it into the net I got him for his birthday last September.  He’s getting really good with his soccer skills.  He starts spring soccer at the YMCA next month.  I’m so glad it will be warmer this time around.  Fall soccer was so cold last season.

Here are some fave photos from today:

It was a beautiful Sunday!  I love Spring!

March 12, 2010

Checking In

Has it really been over a week since my last post?  I swear the Earth has opened up and swallowed me whole.  I’ve been so busy job searching, raising my babies, and trying to cross the million tasks off my to-do list.

I’ve got cabin fever, too.  The snow is melting, temperatures have risen to the 40s and we are so eager to get outside.  After many long winter months, I long for warmth, sunshine and walks to the park.

And I confess, Bravo TV is so awesome right now.  I’m a Real Housewives fan.  I can’t help it.  Train wrecks.  Can’t. Tear. Myself. Away.  Thank goodness for my DVR.  After Dawson and Owen go to bed I turn on and press play.

Next Wednesday I turn 21.  Err, okay, 31.  I’m going to be 31!  I’m not really big on birthdays now that I’m in my thirties.  I still cringe when I think about it.  Why?  I don’t know.  But I do know turning 40 will kill me!  It’s only 9 years away! Yikes!

I really suck as a blogger these days.  I just don’t have the time to blog like I once did.  I want to blog.  I have posts running through my mind all the time.  Truthfully, I’m feeling the need for privacy, so instead of blogging I write in a journal.  That’s just how I feel.

Share your ideas with me.  What motivates you to blog?

March 3, 2010

Happy Birthday, Little Sister!

My sister is 25 today.  A quarter of a century old.  I don’t remember what I did on my 25th birthday.  I think I slept right through it; I was pregnant with Dawson at the time.

Rachel is out on the town, partying it up with her BFFs.  I imagine she’s having a rockin’ good time.  (Sadly, I couldn’t make it out to celebrate with her, it’s hard to get a babysitter on a week night. I owe her a night on the town.)

Raych, I hope your day was fantastic!  Happy 25th!