Mollie Cox Bryan's Blog, page 14
February 5, 2013
Reviewing “My Memories Suite” and a Giveaway
A few weeks ago, I was contacted by My Memories Suite, a digital scrapbooking company, to ask if I’d review their product. They provided me with a copy of their program for an honest evaluation. Because I’ve been so busy with SCRAPPED’s launch, it’s taken me awhile to review it and I’ve decided to review it in at least two parts.
I’m fascinated by digital scrapbooking and I’ve written a post about it here. I’ve been exploring several options and really liked several apps and programs. Until this point, I likes using Coolibah on my iPad the best, but it had several drawbacks. Mostly, you can only use their designs. I’m sort of picky about that sort of thing. Most every-day scrapbooking designers are just not my cup of tea, though I’ve able to find some good designs on Coolibah.
But it rubbed me the wrong way. Why shouldn’t I be able to buy the design I like from elsewhere and use on Coolibah?
Well, with My Memories Suite you can do that—and so much more. You can import digital designs from elsewhere and use their program. So far it’s been really easy to use. I’ve stuck with some simpler options because I’m just learning. And I used only the designs that come with the application until I get the hang of it.
Basically, it’s much less complicated than, say, Photoshop Elements, which I have, but really don’t have the time to get to know better because of the learning curve. With My Memories Suite, I can do basic scrapbooking without knowing much about all the other, more advanced options it offers. I can kind of ease into it.
That is one classy program.
This is the first page I created. It took about 15 minutes.
It’s pretty basic. But you can add more embellishments to your designs. You can also do fancy fonts and shadows and the like. They are included in the basic package, which gives you A LOT to choose from. And the interface makes it very, very, easy to figure things out.
Next, I tried to do few thematically-linked pages to capture a day of vintage shopping that I had with my girls. This designs is one of their’s, meaning the pages and elements. They provide you with the pages, which act as a sort of template. Very easy to manipulate. And extremely intuitive.
I plan to use this digital scrapbooking software a lot. I hope to do so within the next few weeks and get back to you on some of the more advanced options and I wonder if working with other designs will be as easy, or if there will be some issue there.
But I have to tell you that so far, I am thrilled with this program and the possibilites of it. Even if I just continued with simple projects, with My Memories included or purchased designs, it would be well worth the $39.97. But you don’t have to pay that much if you use this code: STMMMS1272. You should get $10 off. GREAT NEWS!
But even better news is that you have an opportunity to win this program for free. Please check out the My Memories Suite scrapbook kit designs here and tell me which one inspires you the most and why. I’m always looking for inspiration, how about you?
Check them out and leave a comment, here, on my blog.
Because I want you to take you time and peruse those designs, you have until February 13 to comment and the winner will be announced on February 14, Valentine’s Day. Remember, if you don’t win, you can still take advantage of that $10 off and have a blast scrapbooking digitally.
January 30, 2013
Five things I thought about during my morning run:
1. Mottled gray sky. Wind thrashing through the trees. It’s going to be a heck of a storm. When it finally lets go…
2. We have a new front door and it’s amazing the difference it makes in the look of our house and in the temperature-comfort level. No more breezes in the house.
3. Tonight is my digital book discussion. This is a very cool thing. All you need is a webcam and mic and you can participate for free. When you are in the virtual space, it looks like huge library. a Hope you will sign up here: http://shindig.com/event/molliecoxbryan
4. Love running outside with the wind, droplets of rain pricking my skin.
5. One sick girl is at home with me today. Sinus infections can be so nasty. She is miserable. ;(
January 26, 2013
Five things I thought about during my morning run
1. So glad I don’t have to run outside. It’s brutal.
2. The cold depresses me. All I want to do is snuggle up with a blanket somewhere and drink hot chocolate.
3. But I’ve got deadlines. And children. That’s right. The children.
4. So I’m obsessing a wee bit about this digital book discussion. I hope to see you there.
5. Scrapped. Yes, I am obsessed and need to move on. But one more week of book launch month and I will need to move on!
January 21, 2013
Interviews, Contests, and Schedules
Today, I am over at Melissa’s Mochas, Mysteries and More chatting about Scrapped, inspiration, and so many other things.
Also, we’ve rescheduled the digital book launch and discussion for January 30, 6:30 p.m. EST. Just go here to sign up. It’s free. All you need is a web cam and a microphone to participate. The plan is for me to chat a bit about the book and then take questions. Hope to see you there.
Don’t forget to enter my special giveaway with Kensington. Check it out here.
January 13, 2013
Five things I thought about during my morning run:
1. A squirrel in the middle of the road standing up to take a look at me. What a soft-looking little white belly.
2. The weather is freaky-good. Never expected to be able to take runs like this in January.
3. My guest post on Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen. Woot. You can win a book if you comment!
4. My book launch lunch was so lovely yesterday. I love Stone Soup Books in Waynesboro!
5. Today, there’s a nice mention of SCRAPPED in one of the local papers. Sweet!
January 8, 2013
My Journey Book—a Very Special Giveaway
Last year, I was totally blown away by the gratitude I felt by so many readers contacting and telling me they loved my book. In fact I wrote a post “Love Note to Readers” about how honored I felt. And I still do.
So I knew I wanted to do a special giveaway with the publication of SCRAPPED. Something I felt my readers would truly appreciate. After giving it a great deal of thought, I made what I’m calling a “Journey” book. The idea is that it’s an empty, already (somewhat) embellished, prepared scrapbook or journal. In other words, it’s book full of templates. 
You can put your own photos and writing on the pages I’ve already prepared or use some of the many blank pages I left in the book for your own creative expression. One of the pages has a pocket that’s full of embellishments to help you create your own pages, if that’s what you choose.
The book also lifts quotes from SCRAPPED and uses some of the visuals from the book, like Tarot cards and moons and so on.
In order to win the book, just follow this link to Kensington’s Facebook page. You’ll have to hit the LIKE button. Fill out the form and, voila, you are entered.
As for me, I enjoyed crafting the book and hope that whomever wins it will love it as much as I do. In the mean time, keep reading, my friends.
January 3, 2013
Beatrice’s Take on Cookie Crandall!
You’d think that Cookie Crandall, a vegan witch who teaches Yoga, and 81-year-old Beatrice Matthews would not have much in common. But they have become good friends. Beatrice writes about Cookie today on Dru’s Book Musings. Check it out, leave a comment, and win a signed copy of SCRAPPED.
As a reminder, tonight’s event has been cancelled. We will reschedule soon.
January 2, 2013
Jungle Red Writers and My Virtual Book Launch
Today was pretty sweet. I love the Jungle Red Writers blog and today I am a guest there. What a great group of writers and readers. They made me feel very welcome. It’s not too late for you to get in on the action. So click on over there and enjoy!
Along with the good stuff, it a little bad. My virtual book launch has been postponed. Oh, it WILL happen—just not on the date and time we’ve been advertising. So stay tuned for that.
If you’ve already read SCRAPPED, please leave a review on Amazon and hit that like button. It helps so much!
December 31, 2012
Book Launch, Guest Posting, and MORE!
Today, SCRAPPED is officially out!
I’m guest posting about reflective scrapbooking today on Anastasia Pollack’s blog. If you leave a comment, you could win a copy o SCRAPPED! Keep checking here and on my FB page for news of more contests, guest posts, and exciting events.
One of the coolest things I’m doing this week is a virtual book launch. If you have a web cam, you can participate. Sign up here! http://shindig.com/event/molliecox
December 26, 2012
The Next Big Thing: Hop, Hop, Hop
As part of the “Next Big Thing” blog hop, I was tagged by the fabulous Clare O’Donohue. Check out her website and her books. Her post was last week. I’m tagging three writers who will fill you in on themselves and their projects Jan. 2. One of the goals of the blog hop is for readers to find writers they might not yet know. The lucky writers I tagged are: Cathy Willey, Kettle Macaulay, and Kate Laity.
So here’s my answers to the blog hop questions:
What is the title of your next book?
Scrapped (Cumberland Creek Mystery #2)
Where did the idea come from for the book?
This is the second book in a series and it grew out of wondering what would happen if I introduced a new character to this tight-knit group—a character even more different than Annie.
What genre does your book fall under?
Cozy mystery with an edge.
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
You should really check out my Pinterest boards to see all the actors I’ve chosen! I’ve had a fabulous time imagining.
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
An eccentric newbie comes to town, endears herself to the locals, and ends up a suspect in a murder case while her friends try to prove her innocence.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
Kensington is my publisher. I am represented by the Miller Bowers Griffin Agency.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
Three to four months.
Who or What inspired you to write this book?
I am inspired by observing the extraordinary in the every day aspect of life. I know so many people that I’d count as “every day inspirations.” I am blessed in this way. I am a firm believer that right beneath the surface in every person’s life is a great story and the spark of inspiration.
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
My characters get together and scrapbook—and I love to scrapbook—so if you’re a scrapbooker, you might find a kinship in these books. But also my new character is a witch in a small Southern town—imagine the possibilities.
Happy Holidays everyone – be sure to check out Cathy, Kate, and Kettle. I didn’t plan the alliterations, but it worked out nicely, dontchya think?
