MyMemories Suite - Digital scrapbooking {Review + Giveaway}

I have to admit that as much as I am in love with crafting, scrapbooking has never been my forte. In spite of that, I love browsing through the craft shops and seeing the array of scrapbooking tools, often getting amazed by all the creative things you can do on one single sheet of 12" by 12" paper.

In wanting to challenge myself, I did a scrapbook for Angel's first birthday. If you call it a scrapbook. Basically, I printed many of her photos, pasted them onto the pattern paper, stuck on wordings and captions, and embellished them with simple things like stickers, flowers and beads.



It made me realise that scrapbooking is a hobby that takes not only passion and effort, it needs time as well. Something that I was running short of since I became a full-time housewife and then a mum. 

So, when I found out that there was a way to do scrapbooking digitally with the help of MyMemories Suite software, I was eager to give it a try.

This software includes numerous embellishments that can be altered, as well as over 30 album templates, 1,500 paper types and 1,300 page embellishments. For scrapbooking starters, the software offers a series of designer templates which comes in various themes and backgrounds that cater to different project needs. For those who are fervent and have more time to spare, you can also start your album from scratch and design every page and layer by yourself.

I find that some of the templates are really cute and pleasing to the eye, plus given that I usually only have 1-2 hours of me-time every day, these templates are highly appealing and a huge boost to jump-start my album. Another thing I like about the software is that it includes some basic photo editing tools as well, for instance you can resize and crop images, zoom in and out, and reduce red eye. You can also add image effects such as black and white, sepia, mirroring and embossing.

The use of templates does not not mean your pages don't end up looking one of a kind. You can choose from using any of the page embellishments to personalise your scrapbook which include:

1) Photos
2) Text/ Word Art
3) Shapes
4) Embellishments like brads, buttons, ribbons
5) Imprints
6) Paint your own drawings

What is fascinating is that you can even include videos, music, multimedia and narration!

Having now tried both digital scrapbooking and traditional scrapbooking, here are the pros and cons in my view.

Pros of digital scrapbooking
1) Saves time, effort and space. Is it just me and my containers or do you have the same problem storing all your supplies too?
2) No worries of fading over time
3) Option of printing it out professionally if you desire to own a hard copy. You can also share your final album online or export it into videos or jpeg images.
4) Photos can be easily manipulated and layouts can be saved for future use. You can also backup all your albums.
5) The software is easy to use and navigate
6) Makes scrapbooking a more affordable hobby

Cons of digital scrapbooking
1) Lacks the 'enjoyment' factor. Part of the fun of scrapbooking likes in laying your hands on pattern papers, punchers, scissors, markers stickers etc. Even getting glue stuck on your fingers is a kind of fun too.
2) Printed pages are all two-dimensional
3) Inability to add on extras for example, receipts/ postcards/ brochures/ tickets unless you have a scanner.
4) Sharing and reminiscing is easier when you have a album in hand, especially when you have kids. Angel and I still love to flip through her scrapbook every now and then and talk about the good times we had.
5) It is easier to get creative when you are hands-on like in the case of traditional scrapbooking.

In conclusion, I think it's best to have both options and decide on which works better for you for each project in view of time and space. At least for now, I am doing it the digital way simply because I wish to save up more time to cuddle with my baby or read a book to my preschooler.

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Digital scrapbooking can be a great way to:

1) Store beautiful memories of overseas trips

2) Make greeting cards for friends and relatives

3) Record those precious milestones of your child

It's Giveaway time! 

A Happy Mum is now giving away one copy of MyMemories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software (worth US$39.97) to one lucky reader!

Here's how to enter:

1) Leave a comment below and complete the line:
My first digital scrapbook will be about ___________________________.

2) Kindly leave your email address so I can reach you. If you do not wish to post your address, leave a comment here with your name and drop me an email at summer@ahappymum.com.

Who can take part:
Anyone in any part of the world!

Results:
This giveaway ends on 22th Apr (Mon) midnight. A winner will be randomly selected and contacted via email. Results will be announced on the following day.

Are you ready to have fun making your very own digital scrapbook?

Disclosure: A Happy Mum received a complimentary copy of MyMemories Suite for review. No monetary compensation was received and all opinions are my own. 

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Winner Announcement

Congratulations to Japhanie for being the winner! You will be contacted and be able to make your own digital scrapbook very soon! Thanks to those who took part and do stay tuned for the next giveaway!