Do you wish you could share online photos and video with more pizazz?  Do you want to have a digital scrapbook but need it to be done for you, using your own photos?  Well, look no further, you need Smilebox!  I have tried it out and I must say I am impressed with all that it offers.  It's an application for your computer that allows you to share photos, put them in clever slideshows, make photo cards, and scrapbook layouts.  I bet you're thinking, "That's great, but so do a lot of other programs."  Well, here's the edge that Smilebox has over all of them.  You can add a soundtrack to anything you create.  Better yet, you can send, print, or even blog your creations (soundtrack and all!).  Smilebox is a service that is truly unique among today's online offerings; one that combines photos, video, animation, online cards, and social networking (Blogspot, MySpace, etc.)

Their mission is  to invite people to share their photos and greetings using hundreds of animated Smilebox designs – including e-cards, slideshows, scrapbooks, photobooks, and postcards.

Signing Up
To sign up you create an account with password, no big deal.  Then you download the application to your computer.  This doesn't take long and when you agree with their terms you're ready to go.

I was most impressed with how easy and user-friendly this program is.  It automatically finds your pictures and keeps them in view for you.  Adding photos to you your photo bank is just as simple as clicking "Get Photos".  Your digital pictures will all be put in front of you and you choose which ones you wish to work with.

Choosing a Design
Now comes the fun part.  You choose whether you want create a decorated slideshow, an e-greeting card, or a digital scrapbook layout.  Now these are not just clip-artsy, boring 2-D designs.  Oh, no!  These designs are just like professional layouts you'd see in current scrapbook magazines, featuring Making Memories, Scrap Girls, Erica Becker, Dani, Lisa Henderling, Sara Lugg, Greg Stadler, and more.  As you scroll through the different themes, each layout will tell you what type of design it is (scrapbook, card, etc.) and how many photos you can put in it. This may be the most difficult part of using Smilebox due to the hundreds of great designs to choose from.

eCards/Postcards
These layouts usually have a one page design and you insert your photo(s) and text.  Smilebox has invitations, postcards, and cards for any occasion you can think of.  What a great way to send a quick personal greeting to someone.

Slideshows
These are one page designs that change the photos and labels within it.  Very clever themed layouts are available.

Scrapbooks/Photobooks
You have several pages to interact with in these layouts.  Photobooks are more clean and simple while scrapbooks have lots of cute embellishments added.  You can journal, label, and of course add music.

Creating Your Layouts
Once you choose your design, you start to personalize it.  Your photos are brought up (no browsing or searches!) and you choose which photo (or video) goes where.  Smilebox will automatically select the first photos on your computer and insert them on the layout.  This is helpful because you can see where the pictures are supposed to go.  If you wish to change the selection, just drag and drop a new picture over the intended space.  So easy!

You can also, change the background color (which changes the embellishments as well), and opt out of embellishments.  If you don't wish to have the text Smilebox has provided, you can change it.  Then pick your music (Smilebox provides a few appropriate selections) or have no music.  Before you know it, instant creation!  Now you can save it, send it or blog it.

Go Premium
Smilebox is absolutely free to sign up and use.  There is, however, an option to "go premium."  This will allow you to share your creations without ads on the side in a fullscreen format.  It also allows you to choose from a larger variety of music for your soundtracks.  Premium packages can range from $1.99 - $2.99 per design and you choose which design you want to be premium.  If you plan on creating a lot of premium layouts you might want to consider signing up for Club Smilebox.  This will make all of your creations premium and you pay $4.99/mo or $39.99/yr.  You can even give the Two Week Free Trial a whirl and find out for yourself.  There is no obligation to pay for anything once you sign up.  I love that!  It's more like, "You can make cool stuff with our product for free.  And, if you want, you can also pay a little extra to give your creations a little extra."

Click here to try for FREE. Trust me, you're going to love it!

Here are some of my examples

Make your own | Click to play

Make your own | Click to play

Make your own | Click to play

Make your own | Click to play

The Smilebox service is free and easy to use. With a few clicks, anyone can turn their photos and video into animated, musical wonders. Which makes it no wonder that they're receiving rave reviews from consumers and media alike.
See more rave reviews about Smilebox.

Do you know of a great product worth adding to Tips and Tricks? Email me at heidi@mycroproom.com and we'll see about publishing your idea right here on My Crop Room.  

Feeling like you have scrapper's block?  You sit at your workspace, scissors in one hand, photos in the other, and . . . nothing!  You go through your photos or paper patterns and still nothing!  Yep, it's scrapper's block all right.  It can be so frustrating when you want to create but you are not feeling creative  I've found a way to find your inspiration again as well as encourage you to maybe try something new.  It's called, a scrapbook journal.  Here's what you do:

First you get a binder and a bunch of binder paper.  You can get these pretty cheap at Office Depot or, better yet, use what you have lying around your house.  I use an 8.5 x 11" binder with paper and plastic page protectors.

Then you go through old scrapbook, paper craft, or hobby magazines.  Cut out ideas you want to try, layouts you like, paper patterns that grab you, supplies you dream of, whatever grabs you.  Glue these clippings to cheap ol' binder paper and write a little note to yourself saying why you want to include them in your journal.  If you can, include the manufacturer or store that makes or carries the stuff you've included.

Organize your findings into categories and insert them into your journal.  I included Layouts, Paper Patterns, Wish List, Tips, and Techniques.

Pretty soon, you'll have a whole book of scrapbook inspiration, guaranteed to cure the scrapper's block. As you look through your journal, maybe you can scraplift a layout idea, experiment with a new medium or technique, or go to the store in search of your favorite paper.  If you're feeling really adventurous, get that new scrapbook system (Cricut, Ellison, Sizzix, etc.) you've been dreaming of and play around with it.  Before you know it, you'll be excited about scrapping with dozens of new ideas to try.  Good luck!

Do you have a great idea to add to Tips and Tricks? Email me at heidi@mycroproom.com and we'll see about publishing your idea right here on My Crop Room.