Last weekend I attended a 48 hour Creative Memories scrapbook retreat.  I did some planning prior to the event, mainly sorting photos among my 3 children and then picking out background papers for the theme.  My husband had a meeting that day and didn't get home till around 3:15, and I didn't get left till 3:45, which is okay because I was still packing for it.

It was a 2 hour drive from home and was held at a church camp, with dorm rooms.  I arrived about 5:30 p.m., it started at 3:00 p.m., so by the time I got settled and ate my meal, it was about 7:00 when I got started scrapping.  I slept about 5 hours each night, but that was enough for me to keep going.  Got to bed around 2:00 a.m. each night.  It wound up at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.

I am so pleased!  I completed 85 pages (minus journalling).  I have never gotten so much done as that.  I guess when you make most of the decisions before putting it together, it actually goes much faster.

I did purchase a neat product there called Memory Manager.  It helps you organize your digital photos and you can even journal in the program and then send the photos and the journalling to either Creative Memories Photo or another photo printer.  All you have to do is pop them in your album when they come back.

I  just installed the program tonight and spent some time just learning my way around it.  One thing I did was to set up sort boxes and folders within those boxes.  My hope is to sort amongst my kids for each year, then print the photos from those albums and I'll be half way to getting my pages made.

If anyone else is using Memory Manager, I would love to hear your comments and how you are using it.  I am not a CM consultant, but I do love their tools!  Happy Scrapping!!!

Kristi67

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Posted by ClassicalEducation4Me

My CM consultant/friend just gave me this for my birthday to go with my new digital camera, but I haven't installed it. It sounds like it will be a useful tool!

Kris

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Posted by Kristi67

My CM consultant told a story of another consultant that went to their convention, had her pictures on her laptop and put them in the Memory Manager, took them to a photo kiosk in the hotel and got them printed with the journalling. Then she bought the new Pic-Folio, where you basically just insert the photos and journalling in the sleeves and she had the entire album done before she got home from the trip. I see that as a real time saver. I love the creative process too much, to just stick them in the sleeves like that. But when you need to get an album done very quickly, that would be great!

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Posted by KayinPA

You must have had the time of your life! I love Creative Memories and was even a consultant for a while. I dont have a digital camera, so I cant tell you anything about the program! Sounds like you have a good plan for organizing your photos! Good job on the completing of 85 pages! WOW!

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Posted by DandelionSeeds

Ooooooo... sounds like so much fun!

Blessings,
Amy

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Posted by DandelionSeeds

Would you please spread the word about Candace's surgery tomorrow? I have a prayer list on my blog for anyone who would like to take a specific time to pray.

Thanks,
Amy

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Posted by Anonymous

I was out on the web looking for the CM Memory Manager software tutorial and I ran across your blog. Homeschoolers have always fascinated me. I don't know how you gals do it, but I give you the highest regard! I am not nearly organized or dedicated enough to try it.

I am a Creative Memories consultant, working on spreading the mission of teaching people how to tell their stories, even those that don't have a photo to go with it! The software that you were talking about IS great, and it's getting even better. They are updating it at the National Convention in August and the price will go up, so if you don't have it, buy it now for just $30 and you will get a free update when it's released.

Be sure to contact your consultant for this before August, and if you don't have one, feel free to contact me for more information.

By the way, the Memory Manager tutorial website is www.cmmemorymanager.com. It gives you a great overview of the product.

Happy album-making!
Jody

Jody Farley
Creative Memories Consultant
Waseca, Minnesota
phone: (507) 835-3002
email: jodyfarley@gmail.com
website: www.mycmsite.com/jodyfarley

Memory Keeping at Its Best!

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