Desktop Photo Calendar- Tutorial and Giveaway!

Today I am going to show you how to make a simple photo calendar to keep at your desk.  THEN I have a giveaway for you.  Am I going to give you a calendar featuring photos of my baby?  No.  That would be weird.  However, I will give you the chance to win your very own copy of the digital scrap-booking software I used to make it.  Get excited.

I created my calendar using My Memories Suite.  I started with a blank album and added a floral background and then added photos of my baby and monthly calendars for 2014.  I kept it simple, but the software has lots of options for customizing with text, images, and borders.

Once I was finished, I printed the calendar out on thick card stock.  You may notice that the printed copy does not look as bright as the screenshot.  Turns out my printer was running out of ink.  I was happy with the vintage feel of it, but probably should replace my print cartridge.

I finished by cutting out the pages and clipping them on a clipboard.  This can then be hung on a wall or even propped on your desk.

Exciting, huh?  I had a lot of fun using My Memories Suite software.  I was given a free copy of the software to review and giveaway, so let me give you my thoughts on it.

Pros:

• I liked the variety of decorative elements.  Since the pages mimic real scrap-booking materials, there were lots of options for mimicking real paper. 
• Lots of project options.  I have made a card and a calendar, as well as a basic album.  There are options to create slideshows complete with music. 
• Relatively easy to use.  I opened the program and just started to play around.  I was quickly able to figure out basic commands.

Cons:

• While making the calendar, I couldn't figure out how to automatically fill in a complete 12 month calendar.  I had to add in 12 pages and then manually change each page to the correct month.
• I also couldn't figure out how to print two pages on one sheet of paper.  I'm not sure if this is a con or not.  It could be the software but it could also be me.

Overall Impression: Versatile software that is perfect for creating projects at home.  

Now that you made it through all that, want to win your own copy?  C'mon, you know you want to (peer pressure in action folks).  Enter in the rafflecopter below.  I'll announce a winner in two weeks.
a Rafflecopter giveaway I was given a free copy of this software to review.  All opinions expressed in this post are my own.

My Memories Suite Review and Giveaway

Hello readers-

Today I have some really great scrapbooking software to show with you.  I was recently given a copy of MyMemories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software to try out and share with you.  It's lots of fun.  I used to do a lot of paper crafting but have gotten out of it the last few years.  However, I frequently make photo gifts for friends and family.  This digital scrapbooking software seems to be the perfect solution for that.  Let me show you a little project I made and then I will tell you more about the software.

It's a Christmas card!  We ordered cards last year from a photo website, but this year I thought I would try my own.  My Memories definitely made this easy and fun.  I designed my own piece using one of the photo templates and then embellished it with some fun details from this Cute Santa design pack.  The software comes with design elements so you definitely don't have to buy more; however the option is there.   Once your piece is finished, you can print it yourself or order it from MyMemories.

I'm really excited to make photo books once the baby gets here.  Guess what grandma and grandpa might be getting for Christmas next year....

In case you are thinking of buying the software yourself, here are some pros and cons.

Pros-

• Easy to download and set up
• Diverse design options- allows greater control than the preset designs of most photo sites
• Lots of options for sizes and projects
• Fun!  I felt inspired to keep trying things and figuring out what to do.
• Lots of nice shortcuts like "center in page" and pre-set photo layouts

Cons-

• A bit of a learning curve.  It might take awhile to learn all the ins and outs
• Could end up costing more than you planned if you buy lots of extra design elements

Want to win a copy of this awesome software for your very own?  Enter in the rafflecopter below and I will pick a winner in two weeks!
You can also use this code STMMMS28760 to get $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store - $20 value!



a Rafflecopter giveaway
I was given this software for free to try out.  However all opinions are my own. 

Jewelry Box Giveaway

Hey All!  I wanted to let you know that I am giving away one of my owl jewelry boxes over on the Blogging Business Artisans blog.  The giveaway ends on July 19 so be sure to stop by and enter!

Create Your Style Magazine Review and Giveaway

Hi friends.  I have some exciting stuff today.  I'm giving away a magazine!  Yahoo!  Before I do that, let me tell you a bit about it.

The magazine is called Create Your Style and is all about using Swarovski crystals.  When I was contacted to review the magazine, I was skeptical.  I'm not normally a crystal girl.  But I was quite pleased when I received it.  It's gorgeous.  I sat right down and flipped through the whole thing.

The first section of the magazine is a lot of inspiration.  The second part is all about the projects.  I decided the best way to review this was to make one myself.

I made this crystal ring.  Honestly, it was hard for me.  I've never done this kind of beading before and I didn't really know what I was doing.  But I did it!  And about three beads before finishing, I saw there was a QR code on the bottom that I could have scanned to give me more details.  Oops.

So now here's the best part.  I have another copy to give to one of you!  Yay!  Just enter your info in the fancy rafflecopter below (It's my first time using it so hopefully it goes smoothly!)  Winners will be picked next week.

There is also an opportunity to win a copy on their Facebook page, so be sure to stop by there as well.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this magazine to review.  All opinions are my own. 

Birthday Giveaway!!!

Big news!  It's my birthday today.  I'm going to celebrate by getting my hair cut and a cup of coffee.  Maybe a stop in a thrift store.  Man, do I know how to party.

BUT, the big news for you is that I am hosting a giveaway.  To give a gift to you!  I recently made some small fabric bags using an owl stamp (tutorial coming tomorrow) and decided I didn't need two new bags.  So I am going to give one away! 

*****GIVEAWAY CLOSED*****

TO ENTER:  

Leave a comment on this post telling me which bag you would like, the red or the tan. 

BONUS ENTRIES (LEAVE AN ADDITIONAL COMMENT FOR EACH):

1. Like A Bird In The Hand Art on Facebook

2. Follow A Bird In The Hand Art on Twitter

3. Spread the word!  Post about this giveaway anywhere on the web.

4. Make up a poem and post it here.  This is just because I like silly poems.

Contest closes on Tuesday April 10 at noon.  I will announce the winner here on April 11.  If you don't regularly check this blog, make sure you leave an email address so I can get in touch with you.

I Won Some Earrings!

A little while back, I entered a giveaway on bespoke.  I guess my giveaway luck continued because I won an awesome pair of earrings from michvanetta!

Cute, huh?  Even the packaging was awesome.  I couldn't wait to open it so I took a post-unwrapping picture, but you get the gist, right?

I Won! I Won!

Ladies and gentlemen, last week I won not one, but TWO giveaways.  How awesome is that?  Amazing!!

First, I won a really cool necklace kit from Annie Howes.  It comes in an adorable little tin box and includes enough materials to make 6 necklaces (or rings, magnets, whatever you want to turn them into).  I have made one necklace so far and it was easy and fun!  Here it is:

Second, I won this awesome apron from Drapes of Wrath.  I haven't used it for real yet, so here I am posing in it.  I'm not actually pouring tea, I'm just that good of an actress.

Initial Necklace Giveaway Winner!

 Exciting news!  The numbers have been crunched and the data analyzed.  Alright, numbers were entered into a random number generator BUT the point is, a winner has been chosen!  The winner of the custom initial necklace is....

Congratulations Mandy!  I will be emailing you today to get a mailing address.  Once I have completed your necklace (an M in that lime green fabric) I will get it in the mail to you.  Yay!!

Initial Necklace Giveaway!

I have good news and bad news.  The bad news is I don't have a bird of the month for you today.  You will have to spend August pining away for a new species to learn about.  The good news...I'm giving away a necklace!

I've just added some initial necklaces to my shop and would love to give one away in celebration of this new item.  I have some necklaces all done and ready to ship and I will also be offering a custom order option.

Initial Necklace- M

So how do you win?  Well, leave me a comment here and let me know what letter you would like to win and what color(s) you would prefer.  That's it!  I'll pick a winner two weeks from today (8/15) and then make you a custom necklace!

Initial Necklace- J

I Won a Giveaway!

Oh man, I am so excited.  I recently won a giveaway from Pretty Things blog.  My prize, some really pretty sequins and vintage beads.  I'm so excited!  Plus, isn't the packaging adorable? 

Bracelet Giveaway Winner!

And the randomly selected winner is...drum roll please... bababdadadadadadadada....

Comment #6: nrb378 said... Love the bracelet! It's Rebecca from TN. Hope you got the IronCraft postcard.

It's Rebecca from TN!  This actually works out nicely since I got her postcard from the Iron Craft Challenge, I feel like I can repay the favor.  Please contact me and let me know an address I can send it to.  I hope you enjoy it!

In other news, I'm working hard to get ready for a show this weekend.  Anyone in the Seattle area should definitely stop by the Maple Valley Craft Bazaar (see facebook event or my show tab for details).  This week I will be talking a bit about my process in getting ready, as well as featuring a few other artists that will be there.  I'd love to hear from you if you will be at the show as well.

To kick off the week, here are a few of my display pieces so far.  My motto is a display piece can be found almost anywhere.  Kitchen supplies are my favorite and I love a good thrift store. 

I'm guessing this started as a kitchen spice rack, but I'm using it for bracelets and possibly small paintings.

A Target veggie holder that will instead hold fabric gift bags.

A few small white dishes to hold earrings and bird charms.

Bracelet Giveaway!

Exciting news!  I am having the first ever giveaway on my blog!  This means that you have the opportunity to win a fabulous prize!  Lately, I've been making lots of shrinky-dink bird tags to use as tags on my fabric bags (remember this example?).  While doing this I thought, hey, I want to make a charm bracelet out of these!  The bracelet is made with six bird tags made from my original paintings: cardinal, song sparrow, blue jay, blue tit, rose-breasted grosbeak, and eastern bluebird.  And now I want to give it away!  Check out these pictures of the bracelet and then see below for how to enter.

Charm Bracelet Modeled by the Lovely White Bird Statue

6 Different Bird Charms

Closes with a Heart-Shaped Clasp

How to Enter:
Leave a comment here on my blog for this post.  That's it!  It's great if you want to follow me or share this giveaway, but follow your heart on that one.  Just leave me a comment and make sure there is a way for me to contact you (in case you miss the winner announcement).

I will announce the winner on Monday April 25th so get your comments in by Midnight PDT on Sunday April 24th.  Winner will be chosen randomly from the comments and will be sent the bracelet in the mail.  Good luck!