Angie Pedersen's Scrapbooking Industry News

Pebbles Inc Designs Content for Lucidiom

Rosemont, Ill., July 17, 2008 – Retailers with scrapbooking solutions from Lucidiom Inc. now can enjoy exclusive designs from the Pebbles Inc. Share & Tell binder program, the partners announced today from the 2008 Craft and Hobby Association Summer Convention and Trade Show in Rosemont, Illinois. Pebbles Inc. is a charter member of the Lucidiom EQ Designers Alliance – a group organized earlier this year to increase the number and variety of templates available on the Lucidiom EQ platform.

The popular Share & Tell binder program was created by Pebbles founder, Brenda Birrell, as a simple and affordable system that is easy to maintain. Consumers are free to spend as much or as little time as they want creating scrapbook keepsakes. Having the products available for digital personalization on Lucidiom APM kiosks makes the program even better suited to today’s busy lifestyles.

“Busy parents and crafters don’t always have the time to invest in traditional scrapbooking and with the digital Share & Tell scrapbooking solutions from Lucidiom and Pebbles time is no longer a barrier,” said Kesley Anderson, Lucidiom vice president of scrapbook and creative business development.

Consumers with no time can simply print out 4x6 prints on Lucidiom APMs to insert in Share & Tell 12x12 protectors. Those with some time can create personalized 4x6 journaling cards to insert along with their prints. Digital scrapbooking pages also are available for consumers looking to invest the most time in their Share & Tell binder creation.

“The Share & Tell program is all about time,” said Birrell. “Now that we’ve taken this time-saving binder program digital with Lucidiom, consumers are going to have a lot more time to create lasting keepsakes with even greater speed and ease.”

The new Share & Tell content is available in stores now. For more information on the Share & Tell line, visit www.pebblesinc.com.

About Lucidiom:
With some 55,000 photo kiosks deployed worldwide, Lucidiom Inc. is the leading provider of flexible and brand-independent digital photofinishing systems. Lucidiom EQ – the complete imaging solution – enables retailers to develop in-store and online revenue streams beyond the standard 4x6 print. Lucidiom EQ features the APM photo kiosk; Luci content; Photo Folio products (including photo books, folded cards and bound calendars); EQ Printer; APM ProfitWatcher statistics tracker; Photo Finale online software; and Lab 50 management system - all connected by the APM Network. For more information about how Lucidiom empowers the "Go Beyond 4x6" digital imaging movement, visit www.lucidiom.com.

About Pebbles Inc.
Founded by Brenda Birrell in 2001 Pebbles Inc. is known for their clean & simple designs that coordinate beautifully with one another. Our goal at Pebbles Inc. is to create quality products that are quick and easy to use… We are excited to embrace the digital market and move forward as we create products and designs that will delight the consumer and make preserving our life stories much easier!

SOURCE: Imaging-Resource.com.

Anna Griffin, Inc. Goes Digital with Scrapblog

Anna Griffin to Offer Premium Digital Content via Partnership with Scrapblog.com

ROSEMONT, Ill., Jul 18, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Award-winning craft designer and paper personality, Anna Griffin, announced a partnership with Scrapblog, the first craft on the Web and leading service for creating and sharing scrapbooks online, today at the summer CHA conference (Craft & Hobby Association).

Crafters of all ages and varieties will soon be able to incorporate Anna Griffin's timeless designs into their multimedia scrapbooks created at Scrapblog.com. "With digital photography growing in popularity, it is only natural that the next big thing for scrapbooking and crafting be digital," said Anna Griffin, President of Anna Griffin, Inc. "We pride ourselves on innovation and trend setting, so for us, partnering with Scrapblog, a leader within the digital crafting community, to bring our papers and embellishments to the web just makes sense."

"The quality and elegance of Anna's creations has been an inspiration to us at Scrapblog since our beginnings," said Scrapblog Founder and CEO Carlos Garcia. "Offering Anna Griffin's designs is a major milestone for Scrapblog and for the growth of digital scrapbooking."

Enjoyed by both paper and digital scrapbookers, Scrapblog celebrated its one year anniversary in April with more than 2.4 million Scrapblog pages. Using Scrapblog's easy-to-use, Web-based software, Digital scrapbooks created with Anna Griffin's content can be shared online with friends and family on Scrapblog.com, through email or social networks like MySpace and Facebook.

"Creating Scrapbook pages in minutes is the norm with this user-friendly application, and you don't have to deal with the mess," adds Griffin. "The days of downloading your digital photos to sit in a folder are over; say hello to technology that actually allows you to display those photos in a fun and creative way!"

Users will also be able to print their scrapblogs on high quality and fully personalized photo-books, greeting cards and calendars in August. Anna Griffin digital scrapbook designs will also be available at scrapbooking retailers via pre-paid cards that can be used on Scrapblog's service.

Anna Griffin's digital scrapbooking content will be available in Scrapblog in the coming months. Her designs have been featured in CardMaker, For the Bride, Scrap and Stamp, Creating Keepsakes, Stationary Trends, Lucky Magazine, Paper Creations, Better Homes and Gardens, Memory Makers and Scrapbooking & Beyond.

Scrapblog's premier Web-based scrapbooking application will also be available via AnnaGriffin.com.

About Anna Griffin, Inc.
Anna Griffin made her mark in the wedding industry over a decade ago by developing one of the industry's first 'print it yourself' invitations with a custom look. Today, Anna Griffin is a recognized authority when it comes to translating exquisite patterns evocative of old world style into modern, mix and match designs.

Anna Griffin, Inc.'s signature collection includes invitations, social stationery, home office and decorative papers. In addition, there are currently over 1,000 Anna Griffin licensed products in partnership with famous American brand leaders such as Lenox, Department 56, C.R. Gibson, Windham Fabrics, Burnes Home Accents, Wallies, Envelopments and Sterling Publishing. Experience the world of Anna Griffin for yourself at www.annagriffin.com.

About Scrapblog, Inc.
Scrapblog is the leader in online scrapbooking and allows users to create, share online and print multimedia scrapbooks. The Scrapblog experience turns everyday people into artists who may express themselves online in unique and personalized ways. Users can aggregate their photos and videos from multiple online sources and mix them with music, audio, text and thousands of creative elements in an environment that is truly drag-and-drop-easy. Scrapblog, Inc. is privately held and based in Miami, Florida. For more information on Scrapblog and a quick tour, please visit http://scrapblog.com/tour/tour.aspx.

SOURCE: Anna Griffin, Inc. via MarketWatch.

CHA Summer 2008: Corel Digital Photo and Painting Software

OTTAWA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Corel Corporation, a leading developer of graphics, productivity and digital media software, today announced that it will showcase its award-winning Corel Painter Essentials, Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2, and Corel MediaOne PlusPainter Essentials 4 in Booth # 2851 at the Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) Summer 2008 Convention and Trade Show. The Company will provide examples of how scrapbookers can combine digital and traditional techniques to tell their stories and express themselves in more exciting and creative ways.

According to a recent report from CHA, about 17.5 million U.S. households spent $2.5 billion on scrapbook and related “memory craft” products in 2007. However, this isn’t limited to traditional scrapbooking. Today, hybrid and digital scrapbooking – the integration of digital images and templates into traditional scrapbook pages or the creation of entirely digital scrapbook pages – are gaining traction within the industry and opening up new creative options for consumers and new revenue opportunities for scrapbooking retailers. Corel’s photo-editing and digital painting software allows users of all skill levels to easily create interesting layouts featuring beautiful images and embellishments for traditional, hybrid, or digital scrapbooking projects.

Corel Painter Essentials 4 and Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 have a suggested retail price of $99.99 US each for the full version and $69.99 each for the upgrade. Corel MediaOne Plus is available $49.99 US for the full product. All three products are also available as part of the Scrapbooking Bundle for $199.97.

To learn more about Corel Painter Essentials 4, Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 or Corel MediaOne Plus, please visit www.corel.com. For more information on the CHA Summer 2008 Convention and Trade Show, please visit www.chashow.org.

About Corel
Corel is one of the world’s top software companies with more than 100 million active users in over 75 countries. We develop software that helps people express their ideas and share their stories in more exciting, creative and persuasive ways. Through the years we’ve built a reputation for delivering innovative, trusted products that are easy to learn and use, helping people achieve new levels of productivity. The industry has responded with hundreds of awards for software innovation, design and value.

SOURCE: BusinessWire.

AdornIt to Host Blog Party

Recently announced on Carolee's Creations' AdornIt blog:

Georgana Hall is throwing a "summer blog party" the week of June 16-20. "All week I will be posting summer ideas, scrapbook challenges, inspiration, recipes, etc."

3M and Stampin' Up! Announce Partnership

SALT LAKE CITY/ST. PAUL – June 5, 2008 - Scotch 3M’s Stationery Products Division, major manufacturer of adhesives and computer accessories, and Stampin’ Up!, a leading manufacturer of decorative rubber stamps and crafting supplies have formed a joint marketing agreement. Both companies anticipate the agreement will produce substantial increased reach to crafters in the billion-dollar US craft market and beyond.

“The synergy created by this program will be outstanding,” says Stampin’ Up! CEO Shelli Gardner. We are very excited about the cross-promotional opportunities with a great company like 3M.”

The agreement signals a first between a direct-sales craft company and a craft materials retailer. In an industry marked by constantly changing creative styles and equivalent-quality products, successful companies are focusing on strategies to move their products to the forefront. In this highly-visual industry, visibility is everything.

Some have expressed surprise at the joint agreement since many of the companies’ products overlap. However, the companies see the agreement as a way to strengthen the crafting industry overall, and that strengthens each of their businesses indirectly.

“With fierce competition and the economy tightening, we see scrapbooking retail stores closing every day,” says Gardner. Some of our products do compete, but in order to keep customers engaged and active, we need to offer as many interesting product choices as possible and let them make their own buying decisions.”

As a result of the agreement, select Stampin’ Up! craft projects and Web site URL will be printed on the front of 3M’s crafting products’ packaging. 3M customers may access Stampin’ Up!’s Web site to view custom craft project concepts. Both companies anticipate that the added exposure will increase their bottom lines.

“Millions of customers are familiar with Stampin’ Up! product and its quality,” says Amy Swartz, Stampin’ Up! sales and marketing vice president. “Customers scanning rows of 3M adhesives and recognizing a Stampin’ Up! project made with a stamp set they own will be an attention grabber, and the association with Stampin’ Up!’s quality is inherent. This is a fabulous opportunity for both of our companies to benefit from the association of two strong brands.”

Stampin' Up!, a 19-year-old, $240-million, direct-sales company, designs and manufactures decorative rubber stamp sets and offers accessories for home décor, greeting cards, craft projects and scrapbooking sold through home workshops by a network of independent sales consultants called Stampin' Up! "demonstrators." For more information, www.stampinup.com ; 1.800.STAMPUP

SOURCE: Stampin' Up!.

K&Company Launches Recycled Paper Crafting Line

Leading Paper Crafting Company Partners with Habitat for Humanity to Help Plant Trees at Newly Built Homes; Product to Be Available at Michaels and Wal-Mart This Spring

KANSAS CITY, MO (May 14, 2008) K&Company, one of the nation's largest designers and manufacturers of scrapbooking albums, papers and embellishments, is launching the first widely-available paper crafting line that is comprised of recycled and reusable product and packaging.  As part of the product launch, K&Company also is introducing the "Plant a Family Tree" program where crafters and consumers can go online to make a donation to Habitat for Humanity Kansas City to provide a tree for every new home they build this year.

Both of K&Company's recycled lines will be available this spring.  The Amy Butler Lotus line will debut in May.  The comprehensive crafting collection will include paper pads, 12 X 12 scrapbook albums, two scrapbooking tool caddies and a variety of detailed embellishments.  The recycled packaging was specifically designed to be reused in scrapbook layouts and craft projects.  Products will be available nationally at Michael's stores in May 2008 and will retail for $1.99 - $31.99.

The ReMake line will be available at Wal-Mart starting in June 2008.  The collection, comprised of 100 percent recycled materials, as well as recycled, reusable and biodegradable packaging, includes soy-ink printed colored cardstock (available both as 12 X 12 paper and patterned mat pads), chipboard alphabets, cards and envelopes. All ReMake products will retail for $4.88.

To further replenish the Earth's trees, K&Company also is launching the Plant a Family Tree program.  Visit www.kandcompany.com/donate to make a donation to help plant a tree for a family at a new Habitat for Humanity home.  In return for the donation, contributors will receive a package of free, uniquely designed digital downloads including a "green" blog button and banner, an email signature attachment, a screensaver and a PDF to help virally spread the word on this important campaign.

K&Company will match contributions up to a pre-set cap each year.  In addition to providing financial donations, K&Company also will donate their time on local building projects and will provide a scrapbook to all Kansas City families on move-in day which will commemorate the construction of their new beautiful home.

"We are delighted to partner with K&Company on this project," explains Yahna Gibson, executive director of Habitat for Humanity Kansas City. "We provide basic landscaping for our homeowners, but new trees are something we are unable to afford. What a blessing to our families to be able to truly plant roots in their new home."

Adornit Launches Adornit Digital

The team at Adornit recently announced the launch of Adornit Digital.  The online store offers digital scrapbooking kits, quick pages, diecut art (to use with blade cutters), and vinyl decals for laptops.

Adornit Digital is currently seeking guest designers - email your resume to digital/@/adornit.com for consideration.

Making Memories Seeks Product Designer

Posted today on Monster.com:

[The Making Memories] Product Design team is seeking a Product Designer to complement our current initiatives and goals in the design and development of new products related to scrapbooking.  As a Product Designer, you will also have an opportunity to participate in various promotional opportunities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conceptualizes, plans and executes design projects as assigned by Product Design Team
• Responsible for generating product layouts, creating die lines, and adjusting color for various scrapbooking products
• Updating and editing various designs, patterns, artwork, and/or ideas
• Conceptualizing 3D design and apply in a 2D format
• Prepping illustrator and Photoshop files to be sent to press
• Brainstorming, developing and designing paper crafting products with the product design team

This position is in the Centerville, UT home office.

PURSuE Your Art! & Kitchen Sink Stamps Host Design Contest

PURSuE Your Art! Changeable art purse has partnered with Kitchen Sink Stamps for a "designer purse" contest. Five women from the Kitchen Sink Design team created a unique purse design, using a PURSuE Your Art! Changeable art purse and a set of Kitchen sink stamps.

The public is now invited to vote for the best design. Leave a comment on this blog post to enter a drawing to win PYA!'s new one pocket style purse.  The purse design that gets the most votes will determine which Kitchen Sink Stamp set will be given away.

Voting ends Friday, March 14th. A random number will be picked for the winner, and will be announced on the PYA! blog.

The winner has until Monday, March 17th (Midnight EST), to claim their prize. After this date, another winner will be selected.

Pink Paislee launches "The Facebook Of Scrapbooking"

February 25, 2008 - Taking an innovative approach to the idea of brand awareness and consumer interaction, Pink Paislee, LLC is the first scrapbook manufacturer to launch a networking community that focuses on everything creative.  Quickly gaining the reputation as "The Facebook Of Scrapbooking" with its members, the community is a hub of activity for scrapbook artists, retailers, and friends of Pink Paislee.

"We wanted to give our fans a place to interact with one another while sharing their Pink Paislee projects," explains Rebecca Cross, owner of Pink Paislee. "We knew instantly that a normal message board combined with a photo gallery wouldn't work for our needs.  With the Live Pink network our members can share videos, project photos, link up with friends, start discussions, take our Pink Polls, win prizes and more.  With over 400+ members joining in just 48 hours I think we made the right decision to launch this next generation style of community," said Cross.

Live Pink also features members weekly through a "Pretty In Pink" spotlight and has plans to hand out "Pink Slips" to guest artists monthly.

How To Join: Visit http://livepink.ning.com or go to the Pink Paislee homepage and click on "Live Pink" in the banner.

About Pink Paislee
Launched in 2008, Pink Paislee, LLC is a new scrapbook manufacturer, recently debuting over 60 products for the craft and hobby industry.