National Scrapbook Day 2012

An exciting week ahead!
It's the annual NSD weekend! What?

N: National
S: Scrapbook
D: Day

National Scrapbook Day is celebrated on the first Saturday each May. It was started in 1994 by the well-known album compan, Creative Memories.  Since 1994 scrapbookers all over the county celebrate their passion for Scrapbooking on this day. 

Why should this matter to YOU?

1. Well, for starters, it's the BEST time to shop digital!
2. Digital Store owners have deep discounts, $1 kits, and graphics so cheap that you won't believe! Not a digital "scrapper"? These graphics can be used for anything and are compatible in most software programs.
3. Not only is every scrapbooking company celebrating this week, there are design challenges, crops, and giveaways all over the world! Check online or in your local community.
4. Then, of course; there is the Persnickety Prints semi-annual sale that coinsides with NSD! Yep, starting Friday you can get 25% off layout printing! (12x12, 8.5x11, 8x8) 

Checkout with coupon code: bigsale25

We have compiled a list some of our favorite designers, discounts, and links, all under one roof for your shopping convenience! Some sales have already begun. Check their stores to find out more!

Check back here Wednesday, May 2 at 5:00 PM

We are one stop in the Design House Digital Blog Hop!

Free Kit + Scrap Challenge = fun!

Teacher Appreciation Week

It's Teacher Appreciation Week!
             
Do you see these three boys? --->

They are mine. I love them, but let's be honest; we should "appreciate" these wonderful teachers every day of the week, all year long! 

The older boys have Male Teachers.
Each Day of the week, students can bring a little note or treat to their teacher.... My boys will be doing both and then some!

I am assuming Mr. Olson & Mr. Leeper don't want a berry scented body lotion, or a bouquet of flowers... geesh, why must Men be so difficult?

So, I came up with gum... they might like gum?

I created little 3x4 notecards for them to sign and take to school for the next 3 days.

 Figured I would share the love and offer these notecards to you too!

______________________

3x4 Printable Cards for the Teachers in your life, students, or anyone who might deserve it! 

These would also work great for Project Life.

We would love for you to print with us at Persnickety Prints, however, I do realize, you may need these today! Your at home printer should be just fine for this project.

I have a download link for 3 cards on an 8.5x11 and also a download link for individual 3x4 cards + 2 back print patterns. (these are formatted at 3.25x4.25 to allow for bleed)

Download 8.5x11 .PDF Printable HERE

Download Individual 3x4 cards + 2 Bonus back print patterns HERE

We love our Teachers!

Enjoy.

Celebrate Earth Day

Did you know?

• We refine and recycle silver from our silver halide photographic printing.  Silver halide crystals are a major component of photographic film or paper. The chemistry of silver halide image capture and the subsequent chemical changes that take place during processing represent the most efficient form of high-quality image capture known today. 
• We only use Recycled Papers.
• We sort and Recycle our waste.
• We’re committed to doing everything we can for our Environment. 

This Sunday, April 22, marks the 42nd Earth Day

Do something special for our Earth.

>> HOT LINKS FOR EARTH DAY <<

• On April 22, 2012, Target Stores will be giving away one recyclable bag per guest. Get Target's Earth Month Coupons for environmental friendly products sent to your phone.
• Earth Day Events & Activities from EarthDay.com
• Events around the World: from the EPA
• Green Technology: via Huffington Post
• Take a Photo on Earth Day: upload to flickr group
• State of the Environment Photo Project: Flickr Photos
• Edward Norton: Earth Day 2012: This Isn't About Tree-Hugging Anymore, It's About the Way We Live via the Huffington Post
• Top 10 Green Hotels

Inspirational Earth Day Video
Photography by: Tony Murray
Earth Song: Michael Jackson

>> HAPPY EARTH DAY! 

Ordering Photos from iPhone, Android or Windows 7

Our Free iPhone app allows you to upload photos on the run! Once installed, order and pick up your prints at Persnickety, or login from your computer to quickly place an online order.  Currently, we do not have a payment option via a mobile device for shipped orders. Local customers may pay in store. Download App

The LifePics Android app operates directly within the Android phone's operating system. Users who have installed the app will see "LifePics" as a sharing option for any photos saved on their phone, whether the app is running or not. The app also uses lazy loading technology, so users with thousands of images stored online can quickly access all of their albums without having to wait much time for the albums to load. 

Download App

Regardless of which Windows phone you are using, you can install our free app to order photos on the go, no matter where you are. To download the free LifePics Windows Phone 7 app, search for "LifePics" in the Windows Phone 7 Mobile App Marketplace on your Windows phone, or visit the Zune download page.

3 Easy Steps to Sharpen and Pop in Photoshop

An image is what you make of it.

There are so many variables that go into the perfect shot. 

Most of the time we will need to edit something. In Photoshop, there is always more than one way to change or enhance the image. Find the best way for you & soon, you should be editing with your eyes closed! (no, don't do that)

Take the above photo for example. There is great color here; her bow, the pear.... let's make it pop... ready?

1) Create a New Layer
(command J)

2) Choose Filter > Other > High Pass
(I keep it at a 10 radius or smaller)

3) Blending Mode
With the second layer active (selected), choose the blending mode drop down above. Depending on the photo, I choose Overlay or Soft Light for a slight sharpening effect. Change the opacity, or even add a clipping mask to sharpen just part of the image.

Ta-Da! Flatten Image & Save. That's it!

Surviving the Family Vacation

It is "Spring Break" for us here in Utah.  Let me start by saying, why must it be called a spring "break" or summer "vacation"? 

Sure, it is both of those things for the kids, but what about us moms? 

My BFF, Hollie, is the type of woman who lays it all out there. 

No sugar coating. Life is as real as it gets with her. 

Hollie loves her 4 kids more than anything in the world, but she will also be the first to admit that it's not all butterflies and roses. 

Sometimes I will get the venting phone call. With the latest technology, we have moved up to live voice memos of the screaming toddler, or the snoring husband (can I put that in here?).

 I can hear Hollie giggling as she hits "send".

That's just it, when Hollie is at her breaking point, she finds some way to laugh it off and move on.
I admire her for that.

On Monday, Hollie will be taking the traditional "family vacation" to Las Vegas, Nevada. A 6 hour drive with four kids, and four days of tight living quarters.
I thought she might need some assistance.... so here it is.

THE FAMILY VACATION SURVIVAL KIT

1. Power Bar Energy Blasts (1x the caffeine per 6 pieces)

2. Bath & Body PocketBac (not only sanitizes, but smells like margaritas!)

3. Village Naturals Mineral Bath Soak  (relieves aches & pains)

4. Find a dark place & hide mini flashlight (also can be used for SOS or help signals!)

5. Shock Pen (you never know)

6. Advil 200mg Tablets for Pain Relief (10 may not be enough)

7. Trident Vitality Rejuve Gum (chew really hard)

8. 2XL headphones by Skullcandy (drown out the sound)

9. Nivea Vitamin Swirl Lip Moisture (all of the disciplining can cause chapping)

Wedding Photographs

It's wedding season!


We've been busy designing and printing wedding announcements here at Persnickety.
I thought I'd share some of the recent weddings I have shot.

 

find more of me HERE

 -Lizzy