Star Song Studio

Friday, March 18, 2011

The StarSongStudio Dog has a CU Freebie for You

4:47 AM | Posted by Ann | | Edit Post

This is our third in the series of interviews with the people who are helping to make StarSongStudio a success. Today our interview is with a dog rather than a person.

Hi, Vinnie. It's nice to be interviewing you today. But we're a bit puzzled why a dog is part of the StarSongStudio team. What role do you play?

Well I have a lot of important functions. I provide on-going comic relief when things get a bit crazy. I force people to take a break from the computer even when they don't want to. But my main role is as a photographer's model. I've had this role since I was 9 weeks old so I've had a lot of practice. You can see me in a lot of layouts.

Do you enjoy being a model?

Well it's a lot of work but I do get occasional treats. It's really okay except when they dress me in dorky outfits. I think this might qualify as animal abuse. I really need to research that.

How do you plan to research it? Do you use the computer?

Oh yes. I was really active on the keyboard when I was a puppy but I got yelled at a lot so I'm on line less now. I used to insert a lot of my own greetings into instant messages (xlle.do13lln dldyldodloy3e3ll) but people rarely took the time to answer me. I'm hoping some people will leave comments here for me today. I'd like to find out what their favorite kind of treats are. I like chicken best.

When you're not working, what do you do?

Well, I'm always working. I'm a lap dog by profession. You can't imagine how hard it is to get people to sit still so you can do your job properly. That's one of the reasons I love photoshop so much. Clemens and Ann sit still for hours now. And I do a great job of role modeling how to take a great nap. I also have to run around and fetch the ball a lot for them so they can have fun playing ball. It's a lot of work keeping people entertained.

Do you have any scrapbooking tips for our audience today?

Forget the dorky outfits in your photoshoots. And definitely no hats or sunglasses.

And do you have a freebie for our fine readers?

I do and here it is!

CU FREEBIE

Vinnie is giving you four beautiful vintage spring papers, all 12" x 12" and created at 300 dpi. These papers are CU with no credit required.

You can download them here:

Vinnie sends apologies to all of you who tried to download and had problems with the link. I just redid the link and downloaded twice with no problems so it should be good to go.

Labels: cu freebies, cu products, freebies | 6 comments

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Another Interview and a Cluster Frame Freebie

6:13 AM | Posted by Ann | | Edit Post

This week, I'm introducing a few of the people who have come together to help me bring StarSongStudio to the next level.

Today, I'm thrilled to introduce the person who made this blog such a delight to behold: Rebecca known on line as Alejas did the blog design. She's totally flexible and willing to do as much or as little of the total job as you need. In my case, I needed everything. So she choose the kit she felt would work best from my store (Royal Romance) and started in, checking with me each step of the way. When she gave me the okay to get online and see the finished product, I literally gasped. Those of you who visited this blog site before she arrived know what a magical transformation it was. You can get to know her a bit here in this interview but then head on over to her blog and see her blog, layouts and kits she has designed and see what a truly talented lady she is.

1. Rebecca, how did you get started in digital design and scrapbooking?

I went about this sort of backwards. I wanted to make a video for my mom for Mother's Day. I made a page for her video and it was terrible but everyone loved the video so I vowed to do better on the next one. The best way to improve was to practice so I started making pages for my husbands family album. The word "addicted" seems overused but alas, it is what happened.

2. What do you like best about the world of digital scrapping? least?

I love leaving comments in the galleries. When I feel a bit down (which isn't very often but it does happen) the best medicine is to hit a gallery and just go crazy. I don't pass a layout. Sometimes I set a goal to comment on a certain number and sometimes I set the timer to see how many comments I can leave in 10 minutes. I can't help but smile as I'm leaving comments.

Least? Looking at a gallery and seeing that a page has been viewed 13 times but no one has left a comment. It must be the Mia (my grandma name) in me. Seriously, how hard can it be to find something positive about a page. We're all guilty of "dump and run" sometimes but that should be the exception, not the rule.

3. You're a versatile scrapper. You are on CT teams, do quality control for stores, design kits as well as design blogs. Which one of these is nearest and dearest to your heart?

I love them all but for different reasons. Being on Creative Teams allows me to experience working with different styles (sometimes very different). I love Quality Control because it is "instant gratification". I QC a kit and cross it off my list. The kit designing is new and I wouldn't be there if it wasn't for my business partner, Just Creations. She is the artist. I just take what she gives me and put my "twist" on it. The blog design falls into that instant gratification category as well. I love seeing a blog that is plain or is using one of the blogger templates turn into a true representation of the individual.

4. When you're not scrapping (and based on the list above, I'm not sure when that would be) what do you do?

My husband and I have 12 grandkids and our first (it's really his because I'm not old enough for this) great-granddaughter arrived on New Year's Day. There is always something going on. If I have to leave the computer, my favorite thing to do is 4-wheeling in the mountains in Colorado. I love being outside but it's just too hot in Texas.

5. How would you describe your scrappingstyle and your designing style?

Traditional definitely comes easiest and warm colors are what "call to me" from the stores but I try and stretch myself because I've learned to love the fantasy styles too.

6. Are there any emerging styles or trends in scrapbooking that you especially like?

In the beginning I wouldn't even consider using a template and I didn't care for the pages with lots of white space. Templates are a staple for me now. It took a while for me to figure out that you don't have to use is as it is. You can get just as creative with a template as you can with a kit. Now, I almost always start with a template.

7. Your blog designs are exquisite. Any tips or suggestions for people doing their own blogs? What do you feel really makes a blog stand out?

I think your blog should be a representation of your style just like the clothes in your closet or the way your home is decorated. It's the first look someone gets and it helps them determine if they want to stay or not.

As for tips, if you know what to do and can do it quickly, then go for it. However, if you've put it off because you DON'T know what to do or you've spent hours on it and you're still not happy then you should hire someone; especially if it's a blog you use to promote your business.

In this business, your blog needs to represent YOUR style. For some that's busy and full of graphics and for others it could be a more clean look. If you post often and your content is always changing then it might be better to go with less on the design so people don't get distracted. The most important thing is to make it "kind" on the eyes. If you choose a font that is too close to the background it makes it hard for people to read and they won't stay long.

8. Where do you get your inspiration?

Color! Colors speak to me.

9. Five adjectives that describe you as a person.

Honest

Silly

Stern

Tenacious

Sensitive

And in continued celebration of the Quick Page contest at CoolScrapsDigital featuring the very Royal Romance kit that Alejas used to decorate this blog, here is a cluster frame. The frame is designed with the elements from the kit.

To download your freebie click here:

And if you don't already have this kit, you can purchase it this week at 40% off at Coolscrapsdigital.com:

And I hope you'll be back tomorrow. We'll have another freebie available and here's a sneak peek of our next interview: StarSongStudio's own Vinnie:

Labels: freebies | 1 comments

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

CSD Contest and CU Freebie

6:24 AM | Posted by Ann | | Edit Post

Today is the first day of the Quick Page Contest at CoolScrapsDigital featuring the Royal Romance kit above that I did as a collaborative with my daughter Dawn of Morning Sun Designs. 29 talented scrappers have signed up to make quick pages with the kit. And the best part is that these quick pages will be given away free on their blogs. So check the Quick Page Contest thread at CoolScrapsDigital to pick up your FREE Quick Pages. Be sure to check each day through the end of the contest on March 26th as new ones will be added each day.

And if you don't already have the kit, you can get it here. In honor of the contest I have everything in the store, including this kit, on sale for 40% off.

You've undoubtedly heard the phrase, "it takes a village to raise a child." Well the same is true for StarSongStudio. The digital scrapbooking kits and products would not be possible without some very wonderful people who I'll be featuring in this blog over the next few days. So please stop by daily and meet them and pick up the freebies (both CU and PU) that I'll be offering in their honor.

I'll start with a special thanks to Addie, the owner and driving force behind CoolScrapsDigital.com. Addie welcomed me to the CoolScrapsDigital Store last fall and has made my transition from scrapper to designer an easy one. She is always there to assist, to promote and to support. Thanks Addie.

Today I'd like to feature my partner, husband and #1 behind the scenes person at StarSongStudio: Clemens. Clemens has been a

photographer since his early teens and his gorgeous photos are the backbone of StarSongStudio's original designs. The CU Freebie offered below is an example of his work.

Clemens is the quiet one in our partnership but I did get him to talk a bit about himself. So in his own words, here's Clemens:

That's Vinnie with him in the photo. Vinnie wants to let you know that he will be interviewed for this series as well. Vinnie is not one of the quiet ones in the household and he'll definitely have a lot to say.

1. How and when did you become involved with photography?

I started many many years ago when I was in the ninth grade and I really don't remember the details except that I thought it would be fun. In high school I was on the journalism staff and a member of the photography club. I carried around a huge twin lens reflex camera with a flash attachment and a battery back weighing about 5 lbs. strapped to my waist. I used black and white film and processed my own film. Things have a changed a bit since then.

2. Speaking of the things that have changed in photography, what developments do you find most exciting.

Digital cameras for sure. I love being able to see the photographs that I take instantly and make the necessary adjustments. Digital cameras put easy picture taking into the hands of everyone. Years ago we put more time into the "front end" of photography: measuring the lighting, determining al the settings. Film and chemicals were expensive so you had to make each shot count. Now, there's more time spent on the back end. Choosing the best of many shots. Enhancing them in photoshop.

3. You've taken pictures for years. How do you feel about taking pictures specifically for digital scrapbooking.

I've taken a lot of pictures in the past. Most of them get put into a box and get forgotten. When I take pictures of gorgeous scenes, I can't completely capture all that I saw and felt in the moment. When I take photos for scrapbooking, I take an everyday object and work at making it more than just an object with good photography. I get to use a lot of things I've learned over many years and it gives me a reason to learn new techniques. I like having a reason for photography again.

4. Do you have any tips for our readers?

You can take excellent pictures at a moderate price. You don't have to have top of the line equipment. A middle of the road camera with built in image stabilization and the ability to take good close up photos is a must for photographing objects that will be extracted. Keeping the camera still is one of my top priorities. I use a tripod (or monopod) whenever possible. When I take the pictures, I use the self-timer so I'm not shaking the camera when I press the shutter release.

5. What hobbies and interests do you have in addition to photography?

I love music: classical, new age, oldies, some jazz. I play the accordion and do African drumming. I workout regularly at the gym. And I do spend a lot of time on the computer, surfing the web, communicating with friends and playing crazy games like Plants versus Zombies and Angry Birds.

Clemens and I have a freebie for you. Some lovely roses photos that he took last week and I extracted. They are CU, no credit required. You can download them here:

And if you like steampunk and heritage kits, I have a RAK for my latest kit: The Old Clock Shop going on now at CoolScrapsDigital. Just stop by and sign up in the thread and you could be the winner.

Labels: CT layouts, cu freebie freebies, cu products | 3 comments

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

CSD Quick Page Contest

3:14 PM | Posted by Ann | | Edit Post

Win! Win! Win!

CoolScrapsDigital is sponsoring a fantastic quick page contest this month. And I am thrilled that the kit chosen for this month's contest is my very own Royal Romance!!!!

So head on over and sign up here:

We will be playing for best and most favorite quick page in the house.
You will be competing against the most amazing
Scrappers and Designers in the industry, so the competition is fierce!
Not only do you get a shot at winning a phenomenal Gift Certificate for a shopping spree at CSD,
but you get to show off your talent and see how you stack up to your competition.

We will be
requiring 1 QuickPage FREEBIE created by you from the kit we will provide you on the day of the contest
...but more information coming on March 15, so stay tuned.

And you get my Royal Romance kit free to work with! It's filled with deep rich colors, lots of original elements, bling, baubles and gems. I promise you won't have any trouble creating a fantastic contest entry.

0 comments

Monday, March 7, 2011

New Kit: The Old Clock Shop

9:32 AM | Posted by Ann | | Edit Post

I'm so excited to be offering this kit since it contains extractions of many elements that surround me in my home everyday. I love antiques, especially antique clocks, watches, cupboards and cabinets. And this kit reflects that love. The kit contains 17 papers and 67 elements. It's perfect for scrapping heritage and steampunk themes, masculine layouts and everyday scraps.

Right now it's on sale for 40% off at HeritageScraps and at Coolscrapsdigital.

And some truly fantastic inspiration from my CT team:

1 comments

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Did you notice?

10:11 AM | Posted by Ann | | Edit Post

How could you not? I am thrilled with the stunning blog design that Alejas just created for me. She is an amazingly talented and super fantastic lady. You can visit her blog to see more of her work: a great steampunk blog design of her own (I so love steampunk and lots of beautiful layouts for inspiration. Speaking of steampunk, the local convention is actually having a steampunk exhibition this weekend. I can't wait to go. I've never heard of an actual steampunk exhibition. I can't wait to see what they have there. Hopefully I'll come back with lots of ideas for scrapping, both designs and layouts.

Alejas created the blogwear with the Royal Romance Kit that my daughter and I created together.

Royal Romance

0 comments

Sunday, February 20, 2011

New Collaborative Charisma & Freebie

8:33 PM | Posted by Ann | | Edit Post

KaKleiDesigns and I have once again joined together to bring you an extra large, personal use kit: Charisma. Elegant, sophisticated and classy, this kit is filled with lush satins, pearls, rich fabrics, jewels and baubles. It contains 27 papers, all 12" x 12", 300 dpi and 96 elements, all created at 300 dpi. Guaranteed to provide you with hours and hours of scrapbooking pleasure.