Lemonade anyone? Or another freebie?!

Hi everyone,

I've heard it a million times "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." It's such a simple premise, but a great outlook on life don't you think?!

Recently I was attempting to create some digital kits for a very large non profit 2 of my 3 daughters are currently part of and all (12) of their cousins on my sisters side of the family have been apart of or are currently part of. I've had leaders and other member beg me to make them kits too! Unfortunately today I received the answer NO.

So although I can make them for myself, do layouts for my children, nieces and nephews as gifts, I can't do them for everyone who's begging me, because the organization will not grant a license for any other scrapbook designer other than the 2 paper only companies that currently have been granted a license. Oh and I was going to give them % of my sales of the product indefinately for the national, state and local groups as well. Too Sad.

So, I must be destined to make Simple Stacks and the ability to create personalize 4x6 scrapbooks from just a plain old standard 4x6 photo album a huge success! After all it's what I LOVE to do!

That said, I have to tell everyone thank you for all your nice comments!!

I just have to answer a couple today, so if you'll just indulge me...

Here's the 1st comment:

Thank You for your comment Jessica! I am so happy you have found Simple Stacks! And more than anything I am so excited for you to begin.

I've been scrapping for my daughters for a very long time now. I've found that creating these "Yearbooks" some of the most rewarding times I've spent scrapping and they are a whole lot easier than completing those pre printed baby books!

I'd LOVE to see your layouts.

There are a few ways you can share them.

After completing your layout save a copy to print and/or to re-edit (if you save these, I do since I always find spelling errors after printing). Duplicate your layout in your graphics program, so you don't work on your original. In PSP just press Shift + D, in Photoshop Elements 3 you right click then click duplicate. All the graphic's programs have that ability somewhere. Resize your duplicate layout to 72 dpi and 600x600 pixels. This size will fit in most emails, galleries etc.

You can email me your layout,

place them in your own gallery at DXD or any other gallery then email me the link so I can go look for myself,

you can put them on Photobucket, Flicker etc then email me the link,

or you can leave the link in with your comments.

Whatever is easiest for you.

This information is good for anyone wanting to share your layout! And you never know, if I have your email address' you just might find a special goody in your inbox from me. BTW - I never share emails. Just thought I'd let you know, incase anyone doesn't want to send stuff because they don't like junk email.

Here's another comment:

You're right ~hj we live in Michigan! and my dd's loved those stones!

My mom recently wanted me to read a book. I'm a slow reader and it was almost impossible to read the thing with the kids, the house, scrapping, etc. My dh found me trying to read it several times and asked "Do you really want to read that?" He really doesn't believe in "self help" or inspirational stuff, lol. At the time I said "Well no, not really. It's not my favorite type of book. But mom told me to read it. So I am." I've always done what my mom told me to do, no joke, even as a teenager, lol.

I have to say I'm really glad I did. One of the messages I got from the book is to do what I love. Problems, ie money, stress, etc. will take care of itself. I thought that was a good idea. Last year problems were everywhere and I was stressed all the time. So here I am taking more steps to do what I'm here to do, lol.

A while ago, maybe a week or so, I had a Blog Challenge 4 posted ~ I think it was 4 lol. Anyway I asked for everyone to submit a Simple Stacks Layout for publication. I had one person email with questions about where to submit a layout to for publication. Here's the post again, in case you missed it:

Anyway, my blog challenge 4 for today is to create a Simple Stacks Layout and submit it for publication! Lets show everyone that you can do a beautiful and functional scrapbook that you don't have to spend a fortune to purchase a special sized album, or so big it costs a fortune to print!!
Here are the details:
Use any Simple Stacks Template (purchased or a freebie)
Use any scrapbook kit (purchase, own designs, or a freebie. Digi Free has some great designs if you haven't found them yet.)
Submit the layout to any magazine, printed or online, with credits
Email me from July 15th to July 20th, 2008, a link or copied documentation that you submitted the layout using a Simple Stacks Template, include your full name and the Simple Stacks - Mini set you'd like.
This challenge is open to all scrappers, designers, ct's, etc.
Everyone who submits a Simple Stacks layout for publication, providing me with a link or copied documentation (so I can find out if any ever get published, lol. My own obsession, lol.) will recieve their choice of a Simple Stacks - Mini set. My Simple Stacks - Mini sets contain 4 Simple Stacks templates that will be on sale for just 98cents a set in the Digi By Design Mall during our Mid Month Madness Sale July 15th-20th, 2008. Since I will have to wait until the Simple Stacks - Mini sets are on sale this challenge will run from today until July 20th, 2008. I'd love to see everyones layouts!!

Well I put the line email me from july 15th to july 20th, 2008.... But I didn't intend for that Blog Challenge to be completed by those dates.

I just needed a way for everyone to select a prize, lol.

I know that submissions for magazines can take a while, therefore this Blog Challenge will run until.... 2009!

I really really want to show everyone Simple Stacks is one of the easiest, most enjoyable and cost effective way to scrap, lol.

Everyone who completes my Blog Challenge 4 by January 1st, 2009 will receive their choice of a)Simple Stacks - Mini sets 1-5 b) their choice of Simple Stacks - Mini sets in development or c) an even more fantastic prize that I haven't thought of yet, lol.

Help me show everyone a 4x6 standard photo album is a priceless, unique, personalized scrapbook just waiting to be created!

So sorry this post is so long. I'm just long winded today, lol.

Thank you for visiting and sharing some lemonade with me on this hot July day. It rained again so when am I ever going to be able to mow my lawn again?!

I have a special little Simple Stacks Template just for you!

Download it here

Thanks again,

Happy Scrapping,

MaryAnne