Online Storybooking Tips

250-752-5499

"Don't let your babies grow up to be jpegs!"

11 for 2011

2010-12-31T17:12:00.000-08:00

My Top 11 or 2011!

It's that time of year when we want to face the New Year with a fresh start. We think a to-do list of sorts will give us the direction or plan we need to make these things happen over the next 365 days. Usually this comes in the form of New Year's Resolutions.

I've read that people often fail because we make too many resolutions and say all we can tackle is three tops. Others suggest choosing one 3-word mantra to live by all year long.

Well, I like the idea of a Top 10 List but that just seems so...well, 2010! So this is my 11 for 2011!

1. Send more cards (at least one per month).
We all love to get snail mail, even more so these days with the dominance of e-mail. Wouldn't it be nice to get/give cards more than once a year during the holiday hubbub? How about birthdays, anniversaries, new babies, graduations, Mother's/Father's Day, Valentine's Day, etc? Or all those times we think we should say congrats, thanks, thinking of you, get well, or whatever?

Sure you can stop by the store and get an off-the-shelf card to sign, stamp & mail. But why not take 15 minutes in your HM Studio to create a totally custom version that's directly mailed to them? Wow! You can even use a photo of them in it?! Talk about personal and meaningful! My mission for 2011 is to send all my family & friends a custom card for birthdays and anniversaries this year (plus my annual holiday greeting).

2. Take a photo every day (Project 365).
I embarked on a photography challenge called "Project 365" for 2010, which involved taking a picture every day of the year. I thought it would be no problem as I tend to take a lot of pics anyway but there were several days when I had to search for something (or "force" myself to do it just for the cause!).

But the results can be incredible -a whole year's diary in photos! And I've been putting them into a storybook template with a quick caption and monthly summary highlight notes. So after New Year's Eve ends, I'll have an entire record of our past year. Sure, some photos are as mundane but many are those "everyday" type photos you don't think to take...but now that I have them, I'm grateful I did!

3. Read a chapter or two daily (from an inspirational source).
Another project I attempted (confession: never finished) last year was being consistent with my reading. I enjoy reading and learning and know how much it benefits me, but I allowed it to not be a priority. This year I want to start off strong and continue all year long.

4. Publish an annual album or Year in the Life storybook.
You may think I do this every year religiously but I have not in the past. I did once and am just now doing my next one for 2010! I always felt like I took too many photos to fit in a "year summary" style storybook. I was overwhelmed by the thought of poring over so many photos & memories to capsulize it into the pages of an annual album.

But as I took the newest 12x12 "year in the life" template and began to plunk in my photos, I realized it was super easy & so fast! And I could click to add more pages to fit in more big events like birthdays, holidays and such. I didn't have to stick to just a 2-page spread for each month! Woohoo! I'm having a blast putting our whole year into a single storybook.

One way to capture it is with Oh Life (http://ohlife.com/b) which makes it super easy to record your life! You set it up to email you at a specific time of day (I picked just before my usual bedtime). Then you just need to reply to that email with a quick summary of the day, or your thoughts or whatever. You can even attach a photo & hit send. Done deal. It archives all your entries on a private, secure site that you can view at any time. Plus, you can even EXPORT the text so I can cut & paste it into my HM storybooks and family albums to save more time!

5. Make at least one "special & specific" storybook per child per year.
Sure I publish plenty of books each year and my kids and grandson are in them but I don't often make them a specific and special storybook. I did it last year when I created a Life to Date book for Tracie who turned 40. This year my son turns 40 so you can guess what I’ll be doing for him.
My grandosn Ayden is definitely the most published 10 year old but it is so important to help self-esteem.
Telling them you love them is important but showing them in a lasting way is too. This is how I can do that!

6. Publish at least one project every other month for someone else.
My greeting cards (see #1) can't count. This has to be a storybook, a gorgeous gallery-wrapped canvas print, a fun flip book, a cookbook, a deck of playing cards, or something. That's just 6 gifts per year and definitely do-able. While a storybook may take a little longer to create, I can crank out a canvas print or poster in less than 30 minutes. Or even just a cute scrapbook page that I can put in a frame and give to someone special so they get to enjoy the memory-lasting power of Heritage Makers.

7. Write my "Before I Was Your Mom" storybook.
Confession: This has been on my list before. I keep putting it off. I make excuses like I have to find more photos from my childhood so I can scan them. Or I want to take my time reminiscing so I don't leave anything important out. And I'm just not sure how to address certain aspects of my life.

As a writer, I think of all the things I want to say and share with my family. Or just include it all and let them learn about me along the way? See my struggles? But instead of just hemming & hawing about it in my head, I'm going to find a template and start putting in the ideas and photos so it will begin to take shape.

8. Scan all my old print photos.
Then upload them into albums on my HM site so I can safely archive them & use them in my projects. Despite having my own high-speed scanner, I have not yet done ALL my old print photos! I keep finding another box of pre-digital pics or mementos I want to turn into JPGs. If you have shoeboxes and Rubbermaid totes of old photos, you may want to use my scanning services...as low as 19 cents each for 500 or more scans! I can even do double-sided so you can capture the writing on the back!

9. Learn and Grow
I started courses at Renegade University last year to learn and implement Attraction Marketing. I got started and then ‘stalled’. It is so GOOD that I have to put it on my list to plug back in and get caught up. I’ve never met so many ‘top people’ that have their finger on the pulse. Click on this link which will take you through to the huge selection of learning. http://BarbaraAshcroft.marketingmerge.com/guide

10. Set aside ME time!
Take time to smell the roses! I can get so caught up in business, and busy that I have to MAKE time for my own downtime. I so enjoy nature, blue skies, azure waters and the beautiful scenery we have here but after two years I have yet to MAKE a picnic by the beach. So 2011….get ready I’m coming. I'll be taking consistent care of ME with good RBC Life Supplements, my Wii Fit and great walks, strolls and appreciation for some great friendships. I've already started my annual New Year's Colovada Cleanse since I'll be on the Oasis of the Seas in two weeks from today.

11. Take the pics then take care of them!
We've all heard from (or been) someone who has had it happen to them...the phone dies, the camera card (or CD) is suddenly unreadable, the camera gets lost, the computer crashes. All shocking losses to think of all those photos (& videos) gone for good! Our memories are priceless and need to be protected.

So I will get the photos off my phone & camera memory cards ASAP. I will immediately upload them into albums on my HM publishing account where they are safely and securely archived. You may also choose to use an additional back-up resource but beware that many of the online photo sites do NOT keep your photos in high resolution quality. Or they may charge you to get the high-res version back!

You can download your full high-res photo to any computer that you use to log into your HM Studio account. You can also share photo albums with friends and family. Remember, as much as well all love Facebook, it should NOT be your only photo sharing/saving resource!

That's it! My 11 Resolutions for 2011!

RecallWhen.com Personal Publishing is a way to capture and record your life's memories in an easier way that is more fun than work. Think about your photos from 2010. Where are they? What have you done with them? Why did you take them if you were just going to hold them hostage on your hard drive?

Let me help you turn those JPGs into amazing, incredible keepsakes that your family and friends will cherish forever after. It doesn't have to be expensive, complicated or confusing. I'll be your Personal Publishing Consultant in 2011 (& beyond) to teach you tips & tricks, guide you, motivate you, and make the whole process a ton of fun!

I'm very thankful for my 2010's published projects.

And I'm even more excited about my 2011 that will be told in photos and stories.

Will you publish more of your memories from 2010?

Start fresh and focused in 2011.

Decide today.

YOU are your family's Heritage Maker!

"Yesterday's memories. Today's technology. Tomorrow's treasures."
RecallWhen.com
From Shoebox to Showpiece
Barb Ashcroft

This blog post was inspired by the handiworks of Brenda Kruse..thanks Brenda!

Those Christmas Photos

2010-12-29T16:41:00.000-08:00

Ok I know y0u must have done it. Or at least someone in your family did. Someone took some great Christmas family photos.....right!!! Well what are you going to do with all of them?

This is one GREAT idea!

A Canvas Collection for that bare wall that always looks like it's missing something. The different sized canvases surround a 20x20 canvas with a saying on it that you love as your family creed.

You can even start from a template at this website in the template gallery.

My help is always provided along the way....

Don't let your babies grow up to be only jpegs...........

Here's your photo problem solution..

Happy New Year from the Digital Diva

Barb

Say it with Sign Language

2010-12-03T09:09:00.000-08:00

One of my most special times was when my friend Lynn taught a group of us ladies how to 'sign'. I felt so expressive and loved it. We were learning songs that our worship team performed at church. That year we signed the Millenium Prayer for our church's New Year's Eve celebration.
Lynn is a special needs teacher's aid and so talented. We have moved away and I don't get a chance to use my signing as much as I'd like; but it still brings back so many special memories.

Who do you know that uses the gift of signing?

Right now only till Dec 11th you can order this 8x8 canvas gallery wrapped print and save 10%.

This could be a wonderful "Gift of Appreciation" to someone in your life.

Blessings to you and yours,

Barb Ashcroft

1-800-919-1998

The Reports are coming in!

2010-11-30T09:22:00.001-08:00

I'm so excited to start seeing the responses of my wonderful Heritage Makers clients who have created projects on our website studio program and have already received them.

I met Cheryl at a Richmond, BC Chamber mixer and we definitely connected. When I planned a Digi Date in Delta last month she came and brought her grown daughter. Together they finished a project that afternoon and several more besides. Their Christmas shopping is mostly done.

Here's her excited email:

Barb, I just wanted you to know I have published and rec'd my canvases and cards...THEY ARE AWESOME! Now I can't wait to get some time in the New Year to work on others!
Thanks again for all you help. Wishing you and yours a Safe Happy Healthy Holiday Season.

Cheryl and Kim

You are welcome Cheryl and Kim. We provide an extra service of looking at the projects for our clients before they hit the publish button. It's one more reason you want to create online projects with a company that provides 'consultant help' along the way.

December will begin my planning for my Life Story and Storybook Classes in January. But for most of my students they will want to take advantage of the Fall Specials to have all the tools set up before the class. Maximizing their savings to boot!

Digi Diva

Barb

Your Personal Publishing Consultant

Dear Abby

2010-11-25T12:19:00.000-08:00

I found this in DEAR ABBY last week:

DEAR ABBY:

I have a suggestion for people who are stuck for gift ideas.

Several years ago, I asked my mom for a very special Christmas gift.

I asked her to write down her life story -- things she had done as a child, the experience of hitchhiking from New Mexico to Tennessee during the Great Depression, and all the other experiences of her life. She did, and I printed it for her.

That year she gave each child, grandchild and great-grandchild a copy. It was the best Christmas present ever and one that's still cherished by us all.

Both my parents are gone now, but we have Mom's wonderful stories to remember.

Without her book, those memories would be lost forever. I encourage everyone to record their family history and memories for your loved ones to read.

You'll never regret it, and it will be enjoyed for generations to come.

-- ANDREW IN JOHNSON CITY, TENN.

DEAR ANDREW: That's a terrific suggestion. And if the parent or grandparent isn't comfortable with writing, the same goal can be accomplished by setting up a video camera and interviewing the family member by asking questions about his or her youth.

Barb's Comments: I'd do both and with the video that you tape make a DVD out of it and glue a CD Mailer Envelope onto the back inside cover of the hard bound book. Then you'll have the best of both. Their voices...and then their photos and written out heritage in bound book form.

BETTER YET make this a bonding experience for the youth who know how to get around and navigate on a pc. Contact me for the QUE sheets (questions to ask) and have the grandchildren interview them. They will learn so much and then have them create the heritage album (my help is always available local or online). You will have just bridged three generations.

Making Strong Connections

ps the photo at the top has my husband waiting on the bench, but behind him is the train that his own Dad worked on over 65 years ago...we were waiting for our daughter to arrive by train for Thanksgiving. Capture those precious moments.

Barb Ashcroft,

Binding Families together with storybooks

Share a moment of sweetness

2010-09-06T08:51:00.000-07:00

I knew it had been awhile with packing, renovating, moving but when I saw my last post was in July I nearly fell over.

Well it's a new day and I LOVE SEPTEMBER!

I really do LOVE September.
It perfectly celebrates the end of summer and the beginning of fall. The weather is still great and I’m filled with yeah back to routine and getting all things in order!

With moving to our lovely little rancher I have actually completed most of my "Fall Cleaning" as my psyche was to think of the move as 'early' fall cleaning so I could feel good about all that packing up and reassigning new places for my stuff.

So now I'm into Creative Mode.....getting things all lined up for my workshops, my outreach and connecting with friends and clients. I thrive on creative time and this photo that I've shared before is now designed into an 18x18 inch deep canvas print. Isn't it so sweet!

Tomorrow is my first FALL Digi Date from 2-4 at Serious Coffee. Bring your laptop & I'll be teaching how to do this....we'll be ramping this up during the month and into October to help all my friends get their Christmas gifts not only started but FINISHED in time for gift giving.

I just read a neat post called 30 Days Hath September in a blog by Stacy Julian and while we're down to 24 days we can still accept her fall challenge. I encourage you to work on your projects for 20 -30 minutes a day or plan if you're working on a book to do One Page a Day. It's very doable with our studio that is built into www.recallwhen.com. It is like an intuitive photoshop program. In 24 days you could have most digital designed books done.

Glad to be back on track.

Join me for an amazing fall and if you've caught the digital heritage bug and want to share the fun and creativity of taking your photos and memories & placing them in heirloom projects give me a call. Our parent publisher has a great business kit offered right now. I'm also giving a free 8x8 canvas print to anyone who joins my team with a purchase of the business kit in September.

We don't wish any stories to be forgotten.

Signing off,

Digital Diva

Barb Ashcroft

Your Personal Publishing Consultant

250-752-5499

Stop the Summer Blues of "there's nothing to do"

2010-07-05T07:46:00.000-07:00

Summer Survival Kits.....go today to http://www.recallwhen.com or contact me to get you through the dreaded chant, "Mom I have nothing to do!"

Grandparents - here's a great creative outlet for those grandkid visits.

To see the flyer full size click here

Barb Ashcroft

Summer Survival Specialist

wechangelives@shaw.ca or

BarbAshcroft@shaw.ca

1-800-919-1998

That Magic will never go away

2010-05-26T18:51:00.001-07:00

What could be more perfect? Sitting on grandpa's knee with your stuffy and you're both reading a book together and of course getting a tickle at the same time.

I just read a blog post in a First Time Parenting context that stated scrapbooks were going the way of the Apple iPad...hmmm. I don't think so looking at this photo.

Yes I believe scrapbooking in particular has changed. I saw my Mom's scrapbook when I was preteen. It showed all the paper clippings from the local prairie paper of 'the boys' who were going to war. It also showed her pangent ribbon as Miss Manitou in a beauty contest circa 1930.

I loved looking through it and 50 years later it is still clear as day on my mind.

With our busy lifestyle and everything so INSTANT I'm not surprised that busy parents can't find time or space to do their traditional scrapbooking (often described as therapy or girl time).

I think we have made a big leap to Digital Scrapbooking because of the ease of digital photography and the TIME SAVINGS...I can design a page (and complete it) in 30-40 minutes. I can do an entire book over a weekend or less. With web based online publishing several members in different parts of the country can work on the same book at the same time. How cool is that to create that one of a kind book for Dad or Mom having access to everyone's photos and each one can design their own pages.

Yes the world is changing, but I can't believe the feel good emotion of reading to a child and showing them pictures of themselves in a personal bound book will ever go the way of the iPad.

It will be a sad day if it does...

What are your thoughts?

Barb...online storybooker and proud of it!

Time for Photography

2010-05-18T07:45:00.000-07:00

Persistent- great name for a lifesaver

Since I've moved to what is termed "Canada's Riviera" there has been wonderful opportunities to take marvelous images. Ocean, mountains, luscious floral arrays...you name it, it's here.

BUT, my self confidence to do justice to those images wasn't quite on par.

So what do you do...............well if you're me with built in entrepreneurial DNA you create a Newcomers Photography Club so you can find and mingle with like minded peeps. I've found with life or anything, someone always knows more than you do and likewise you also know more than some others...so create a community and share, learn & grow together.

Through that association I came to meet a retired photographer by the name of Alan Cornall.
I signed up for a 4 hour lesson and he took me on a private photo shoot. This "Persistent" photo image is the result.

Wow, you don't know what you don't know! He pointed me to new ways to SEE!

It was marvelous to catch his passion (still there at 78) and to allow his enthusiasm to keep me going as we became mountain goats to get just the right light, the right view, the right everything.

I will be sharing nuggets of what I learn this coming year through this blog.

**Sign up** on the left and become a *follower* to make sure you get all of them.

Make it a Great Day!

Barb Ashcroft
1-800-919-1998
http://www.recallwhen.com

Capturing Holiday Shots & How to Share Them

2010-05-18T06:43:00.000-07:00

Rathrevor Beach, Parksville, BC Miles of beach waiting for the fog to lift.

We're now at the time of year when you gather the family, the dog and all the gear and head out for day trips or long weekend visits......and of course you take your camera.

Well hopefully, the images you take don't just sit there on the memory card, the pc or simply shrunk down to a tiny thumbnail on facebook. I want to show you a simple fantastic way to share your photos.

Step One:
Go to http://www.RecallWhen.com
Create a free account which takes less than 5 minutes

Step Two:
Login & go to My Photos Tab
Create a photo album (you can have an unlimited of albums, so use this technique to help SORT your photos, ie: 2010 April Family Trip)

My Personal Tip: If you name the year first then all of your photo albums will sort alpabetically and be easier to find. You can create folders as well but let's start with the album.

In case you'd like a visual view of this there is a marvelous short tuturial right here. It is one of nine on the home page of the website

Step Three: (illustrated on tutorial)
Click on and highlight the album that you want the photos to go into and and click on Add More Photos on the right side of the page. It will take you to areas on your pc where you've stored your photos. Choose which ones you want to upload and click enter.

Here's the MAGICAL PART !
Once you have your photos uploaded you can SHARE the entire album with family and friends right from the website.

Best part of this is, unlike facebook, this site does not shrink your image. Selected images can be downloaded to any pc at the orginal resolution......that is HUGE if you are wanting to create anything with them later. And if you're not the creative one in the family and you share the album with a relative that is, you can get them to create the family holiday book, calendar, cards right on the same website.

Super Organizer Time Saver:
Make it part of your regime that EACH time you take out your camera that the first thing you do when you get home is download the new shots to your pc and upload right away to your new account here....then YOU ARE SECURE, even if something happened to your camera, your memory card, your pc -your photos are preserved and could be retrieved at any time.

Now go out and enjoy the sunshine!
Happy Snapping.
Barb Ashcroft
Digital Storymaker
1-800-919-1998

Heritage Makers connects Generations

2010-04-08T08:20:00.001-07:00

Local Family History Fair includes one of Oprah's 2008 & 2009 All Time Favourites

Press Release

Qualicum Beach/Parksville/Nanaimo, BC April 8, 2010

- Barb Ashcroft, Vancouver Island’s first Heritage Maker Director of www.RecallWhen.com will be showcasing Family History Projects at the Nanaimo Family History Fair April 17th at Beban Park, from 9 till 6. Admission is free.

- Heritage Makers is a web-based company that believes in the power of strengthening family relationships through storybooks. Heritage Makers’ publishing platform is easy-to-use and simple enough to help anyone make a book—families, photographers, genealogists, creative professionals, artists, writers, or anyone else with a story to tell. With Heritage Makers’ unique online publishing process, peoples stories can be preserved forever in custom hardbound books and related projects.

- Barb has always been interested in the stories featuring her own and other people’s ancestors. When her young grandson asked his great granddad (age 87 shown in photo) what his favourite TV show was when he was a boy she knew that her grandson needed to know more about his ancestors. Barb has now published the history of three legs of her ancestors; plus more than 50 other bound books and projects to build self esteem & connection within her family.

- To ensure that no story is left untold, Barb teaches Life Story Classes as well as drop in workshops. For those who have boxes of photos she offers a very inexpensive scanning service.

- Heritage Makers offers a unique Heirloom Assurance with their products. If anything happens for the life of a project the customer can receive a BRAND new one at ½ price. That way the books, though treasured, can be shared without worry. The project are meant to be shared and enjoyed; not just put away on the shelf and never looked at again.

- Ann Buchanan, local historian and genealogist shares her enthusiasm for this process. “The Heritage Makers web publishing is so much fun and easy! I love the idea that my photos can be stored safely off-site. Recently I went to Mexico with my son and by the time we got home the story of our adventures was published in a book that we both treasured.”

To create one of Heritage Makers storybooks and other products, go to www.heritagemakers.com/173517 to create a free online account. Heritage Makers’ publishing platform runs on a Mac or PC. Heritage Makers enables anyone to preserve family stories, strengthen relationships, and build self-esteem with unique, creative, and personalized heritage-building products.

About the Company
In addition, Heritage Makers offers a unique income-building opportunity for its consultant sales force and anyone interested in binding families together.

Contact:
Barbara Ashcroft
Heritage Makers Personal Publishing Director
phone number 250-752-5499 or 1-800-919-1998
website www.RecallWhen.com or www.heritagemakers.com/173517

Willing to bet your grandkids will be upset with you

2010-03-21T16:30:00.000-07:00

I found this article awhile back and have not been able to stop thinking about it….why??? Because this is totally our generation. Most of us are putting all our images on disc or worse yet leaving them on the computer. My heart sinks and I am refusing to not be "this grandma".

I'm willing to bet your grandchildren will be upset with you. Here's why.

Imagine, 50 years from now, as your grandchildren or great grandchildren are going through the boxes in the attic. They are enthralled with the treasures and keepsakes they find and how they tie into the story of your life.

Amongst all the old items, they find a number of round silver objects. Some have writing on them, some are blank, but they resemble some kind of a small platter about 4.5 inches across, with a hole in the middle.
Puzzled, they take them to their parents. "What are these, Mom?" they ask.
"Oh, I think those are all of grandma's photographs. Yep, here's one labeled `My Wedding'. Here's some more labeled `Family Photos,' and some more labeled `Vacations'."
"How do we look at them?" they ask.
"Well, I'm not sure we can. First of all, no one has the device that reads these anymore.
Besides that, I doubt after all these years that they're any good anymore. Being stored in the attic, the heat and cold probably ruined them."

The kids are very disappointed. Nowhere amongst all the treasures are any actual prints.
All that history is lost. Their connection with the past and all the wonderful stories that might have gone along with all those photographs are gone as well.

Along with all the wonders of our digital age come some significant problems that most people have never thought of.

Did you know that over 90% of all images taken on today's digital cameras are NEVER PRINTED? I'm guilty of that myself. I have gigabytes of personal photographs that have never been seen other than on a computer screen. In the old days, film went to the lab and everything that was printable was printed. Even if it was a bad photograph, it still was a hard copy, a part of your family history and it had permanence. Even if they never went in an album, they at least went into a box, to be discovered as treasures years later.

The same problem exists in professional portrait studios today. Many people are simply asking for the images on CD. "I'll print them later" or "I'll design my own wedding album" are common phrases. Usually this is done with the thought that they'll save some money by doing it themselves.
But you know what? Most never make it into any kind of an album. Life gets busy and 20 years later they'll be looking for some way to read those disks.
I bring this up only to point out the importance of what we, as a professional studio do.

Our job is not just to create the images, to create wonderful story telling photographs about the people in front of our camera; it's to create a final product, whether it be a professionally retouched and printed single image, a family heirloom wall portrait, or an incredible storybook album using a collection of the images that were created.

It doesn't matter whether it's a wedding, a newborn baby, a senior or a family. Having the final product created for you is important. To do less is to leave the job half done and to short change the customer.

So, if you're asked for a disk with all the images "so I can print them later", that's fine, just make sure your customers understand that if not printed, the conversation their grandchildren will want to have about their family history may never be able to happen.
Fred Molesworth

In addition to running a full time portrait studio in Salem Oregon, Fred Molesworth is a small business teacher and advisor, and the author of the Portrait Studio Marketing blog (www.portraitstudiomarketing.com). He's also a nationally known business and marketing speaker in the portrait industry, and past president of the Professional Photographers of Oregon.

Thank you Fred....just a reminder to start today, get your free account at www.RecallWhen.com and start uploading your photos into albums on the site.
That's the first step.

Now go to the template gallery and let your imagination run loose. There are literally 1000's of projects that you can start. Some take as little as 15 minutes to create once you have your photos uploaded into your account.

Don't become the stranger in the attic....make some memories today and CAPTURE them.
Contact me for the Pick of the Month to save up to 25% on your projects as well.

Barb Ashcroft
Your Personal Publisher who is available for assisting you
barbashcroft@shaw.ca
250-752-5499 or 1-800-919-1998

Capture those Olympic Photos

2010-02-18T08:19:00.001-08:00

Let's help our kids and families remember what a special time in history we are presently recording. How about sitting down and creating a beautiful swatch book or even a bound storybook of the adventure and excitement.

Here is a preview of a lovely family project that one of our Heritage gals created once they saw the flame in Okotoks. Click on Saw the Flame to preview the project.

Then go to www.recallwhen.com sign up for your account and let's get creating your own.

Where ever you are in Canada you may have had a chance to view it as well. The Torch is the symbol of lighting and connecting us from coast to coast. Never in all my years have I heard 20,000 sing O Canada in full abandon as we're seeing this week.

Let's Celebrate for all time and have something special to remember it all with.

I'd love to see this go viral....share with a friend who purchases the swatch book from me and I'll give you a swatch book to do for free. Contact me directly for this offer.

Go Canada Go!!!

Barb Ashcroft

250-752-5499 / 1-800-919-1998

barbashcroft@shaw.ca

https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/692405185

Yeah for Canvas Prints

2010-01-16T09:26:00.000-08:00

I'm having such a grand time taking some great images and placing them on canvas (this one is 20x20 gallery wrapped) with a layout I created with premier art at www.recallwhen.com

January is the only month in 2010 when you can purchase our Premier Art and unlimited photo storage for a mere $99.95 usd/yr . It's a bargain for sure and it truly feeds my addiction to do 'all things creative'. That also is a 58% discount.

Take the 365 challenge:
For folks who want to take a photo image a day and record in a beautiful 12x12 bound book you can obtain the template and save 47% by ordering directly through me. This special is for one 12x12 publishing credit plus premier art for $159.95 usd.

What a great way to improve your photo skills. 14 more days to take advantage of this....contact me by phone or email as I have to enter the specials personally for them to be discounted.

If you'd like me to transfer the template for this canvas to you; let me know. Anything I create can be transferred to another account holder for them to use the same format. Simply sign up for your free account at www.recallwhen.com Templates save time and brain cells if it's something you already like and want to place your own images in.

I'm getting ready for the next set of Life Storybook Classes which begin locally on Feb 4th.

We also have registration for OnLine classes.
Email me at barbashcroft@shaw.ca to place your name on the list.

Make it a Creative Day!
Barb Ashcroft
Personal Publishing Director
www.recallwhen.com
250-752-5499

Details on the Most Acclaimed Gift for 2009

2009-12-28T11:27:00.001-08:00

Must be too much Holiday Sugar in my fingers as my post was published without me getting a chance to add the text.

On the previous post you'll see a photo of the Ashcroft Land Family Board Game.
It was so simple to do using a poster, deck of personalized playing cards and a family fold for instructions; but it got the most acclaim.

Ayden my grandson went ape over it. He just couldn't play it enough. Despite it saying for ages 3 and older (doesn't require much counting) both Ayden (9) and his dad and grandparents had a grand time and were stumped often with the variety of wild cards in the deck. So my suggestion for you when you're looking for a way to have Family Fun together.....get one of these sets created and ENJOY!

This is a photo of many of the favourite men in my life....wishing you Happy Holidays!
Barb Ashcroft
Personal Publishing Coach
250-752-5499 (new)
barbashcroft@shaw.ca

The Most Acclaimed Gift this year

2009-12-28T11:23:00.001-08:00

Virtual Open House

2009-11-10T08:20:00.000-08:00

How To's

2009-10-06T08:28:00.000-07:00

Create - Upload - Move - Share

Uploading photos with our system is so easy once you know how.

Here's a quick video tutorial about how to:
* create new folder
* create new album
* upload photos
* move photos
* move album
* share album

Click on this link:
http://screencast.com/t/7rKmplHSn

Barb Ashcroft
Your Personal Publishing Consultant
www.recallwhen.com
1-800-919-1998
BarbAshcroft@shaw.ca

A Creative Outlet

2009-10-03T06:16:00.000-07:00

Watch this 3 minute demo

Then go to our website and sign up for a FREE account.

Yes here is the perfect answer to what you've been worrying about doing with all those photos.

If a cute doggy can do it

2009-09-16T06:36:00.001-07:00

Meet Oscar aka fuzzy butt, my good friend Lisa's doggy. As you can see Oscar is very creative and he knows that you don't have to be a rocket scientist to make beautiful bound books with our publishing system.

So you see EVERYONE wants one of our books.

Don't you feel the love!

Click here to see a lovely version created by another Lisa on our team to give to her honey on their 10th Anniversary.....

I'm off to Vegas to meet with another 600 Heritage Makers to learn the latest.

Book your workshop with me right away (can be a virtual workshop over the internet) and you will receive the FIRST specials for our Christmas Season.

Make it a GREAT day!

Barb

Your Personal Publishing Consultant

1-800-919-1998

Virtual How-To Workshop Tonight

2009-08-18T12:10:00.000-07:00

Would you like to create some cool items? Join us tonight for a Free Virtual Workshop.

Then contact me (Barb at www.RecallWhen.com and BarbAshcroft@shaw.ca ) for a FREE gift for joining us.

Here is the registration info and the link to register.

Heritage Makers Virtual Workshop Webcast

Webcast date: Tuesday August 18, 2009

Time: 6pm (Pacific) 7pm (Mountain) 8pm (Central) 9pm (Eastern)

You will receive an email confirmation of your registrations with a personalized link for joining the webinar.

Click on this link Tuesday night and you will be connected to the online presentation.

You will automaticallybe connected to the audio using your computer's speakers (VoIP). Or you mayselect "Use Telephone" after joining the Webinar.

If you elect to use thetelephone please dial:

Conference Call: 213-286-1201

Access code: 680-797-026

Barb Ashcroft

Personal Publishing Consultant

We Bring your Stories to Life

We remember MOMENTS, not days

2009-08-12T19:29:00.000-07:00

One of my tweeps posted the cutest story about the Tooth Fairy who was MIA.

These are the Moments that make up a lifetime. It's another reason why I love helping folks create their own Heritage bound books. This is my toothless grandson, so I can relate to the tooth fairy.

Check out the cute story posted on Caroline's blog.

It's worth a few minutes and will bring a smile.

Tweet from Family Stories:
Well [a-hem] the tooth fairy doesn't *always* come thru [at least not the 1st time] ;) http://twurl.nl/ujlmal

(in case my link above doesn't work).

Make it a great week,
Barb
Persoanl Publishing Consultant
www.RecallWhen.com

Life Story - Family History Classes this week

2009-07-15T07:30:00.000-07:00

Let me introduce you to my Dad. Father, Husband (now widower), brother and grandpa to many. Entrepreneur, contractor, retired Mayor, hockey coach to Gordie Howe and most of all the guy who always said, "What's the nicest thing that has happened to you today?"

Well of course that can't sum up a lifetime of 86 years...but it's a start.
This week why not join me and learn some techniques on how to preserve your family history, a life story?

They are online classes, done in the privacy of where ever your pc is; but 'you need to register' for the one that fits your time zone.

Just copy and paste the link below into your browser if the link does not work.

Let me know you've registered as I have a free gift to all those that do.

JULY ONLINE WORKSHOPS START TOMORROW!
July Theme: Life Story, Family History

Thursday, July 16
10 AM Pacific, 11 AM Mountain, 12 Noon Central, 1 PM Eastern
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/939106305

or
Thursday, July 166 PM Pacific, 7 PM Mountain, 8 PM Central, 9 PM Eastern
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/784009683

Join me this week and register as a guest of Barb Ashcroft of www.recallwhen.com or id # 173517...that way they know where to send you for your free gift.

ps. The picture is one I designed for my Dad with our HM system and made into a puzzle with the help of a great tweep on twitter. I'd love your feedback. Dad now lives in assisted living and you gotta know they love their puzzles.

Have a Great Week,
Barb Ashcroft
Your Personal Publishing Consultant
1-800-919-1998
barbashcroft@shaw.ca

Are you wondering what on earth you're going to do for Christmas Gifts this year.
Look no further. Right now for just two more weeks you can pre-order publishing credits to create bound books of your special memories and save with our "Christmas in July" incentive. Buy 3 of any of our products and get the 4th free. Contact me for details....time is a ticking!

On Demand Publishing up 132%

2009-07-14T06:43:00.000-07:00

Despite this decline in traditional book publishing, there was another extraordinary year of growth in the reported number of “On Demand” and short-run books produced in 2008. Bowker projects that 285, 394 On Demand books were produced last year, a staggering 132% increase over last year’s final total of 123,276 titles. This is the second consecutive year of triple-digit growth in the On Demand segment, which in 2008 was 462% above levels seen as recently as 2006.

“Our statistics for 2008 benchmark an historic development in the U.S. book publishing industry as we crossed a point last year in which On Demand and short-run books exceeded the number of traditional books entering the marketplace,” said Kelly Gallagher, vice president of publisher services for New Providence, N.J.-based Bowker. “It remains to be seen how this trend will unfold in the coming years before we know if we just experienced a watershed year in the book publishing industry, fueled by the changing dynamics of the marketplace and the proliferation of sophisticated publishing technologies, or an anomaly that caused the major industry trade publishers to retrench.”

Full article is printed here.

Last week Good Morning America gave mention to Heritage Makers www.RecallWhen.com as a viable way to earn money from a 'stay at home' business.

Contact Barb today for a "Take a Look Package" and see if it is a fit for you.

Binding Families Together being a Personal Publishing Consultant

BarbAshcroft@shaw.ca

1-800-919-1998

Rags to Riches and onto Oprah

2009-06-09T07:45:00.001-07:00

Yes, that's Oprah's own 5x5 Heritage Makers storybook and also her own voice message,
"Every Story deserves a book of its own, you know I believe in that!"

Tune into a live online webinar to hear and see the real life story of the co-founders of our wonderful storybooking venture.

From Rags to Riches:

Thursday, June 11-Talk about inspiration!

Our Tips for Success – Sharon and Candy

From Starting in a Garage to Multi-Million Dollar Company All in 10 years

Hear how the concept of "Storybooking" all began.... Co-founders, Sharon Murdoch & her daughter, Candace May (who wrote the first book) will be sharing the secrets of building a company from ground zero.

Title: From Rags to Riches: Our Tips for Success --with Sharon & Candy

Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am pac, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM MDT, 12 noon CMT, 1 pm EDT

Click here to register for the online webinar: (or copy and paste)

Invited by Barb Ashcroft id#173517

https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/756876793

Barb Ashcroft

Your Personal Publishing Consultant

www.recallwhen.com

1-800-919-1998

Do you see a fit for you too? Contact me for an intro package. Do well by doing good.

Creative Online Workshops to Better Your Best

2009-06-09T06:51:00.000-07:00

Fun taking the family to a Globe Trotter's Game

Yes, there are so many fun projects to do...I put this pix in designing my grandson's poster

Come learn this week: two Time/Date options for our free online workshop

Register for free online workshops with fun and inspiration for those projects.

Tuesday June 9th

9 AM Pacific, 10 AM Mountain, 11 AM Central, 12 Noon Eastern

June Online Workshop - Invite Everyone You Know!
This one is going to be our BEST EVER!
Theme: Family Reunion, Sports

When registering enter 'guest of Barb Ashcroft #173517'

REGISTER HERE: or https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/429253798
for Tuesday June 9th, 9 am Pacific Time class or

Register here: or https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/350302744
For Wednesday June 10th, 7pm Pacific Time

Have the BEST WEEK - learning fun new tools, new applications & techniques.

Barb Ashcroft
Personal Publishing Coach
www.recallwhen.com
1-800-919-1998

WOW Factor - Ways to Stand Out!

2009-05-27T16:50:00.000-07:00

Personal Branding "Magic" - An Excellent Habit

The Power of Personal Notes and Cards - belonging to a Professional Referral Business group we are always learning proven methods to improve our skills.

This is a new photo of our BNI Richmond, BC Chapter where we learn the skills.

Very few people in business ever send hand-written notes and even fewer (and far between) do it on a regular basis.

The "Wow" Factor. We're constantly looking for extraordinary ways to WOW! the people around us -- to get their attention and appreciation -- at the same time discounting the most obvious and most effective tools.

A personal hand-written note is such a tool.

An Emotional Expression.

Isn't it nice when someone sends you a short note thanking you for your help on a project or for the wonderful dinner you shared?

Isn't it uplifting to receive a handwritten note from someone in your network recognizing one of your recent accomplishments?

Doesn't it make you feel good - even great? Sure it does.

Aren't you more likely to remember that nice salesperson who dropped you a note?

More likely to call him or her again?

And....Doesn't it feel good when YOU write a note and send it to someone? No doubt.

A Powerful Personal Success Weapon.

It literally takes only about three to five minutes to write a note, fold it, stick it in an envelope and mail it, but the power of it is awesome.

It is one of the ultimate success weapons.
People who send hand-written notes are thought of as gracious, well mannered -- and since so few people do it -- also a clear cut above the rest.

A Memorable Personal Branding Element.
You see, personal notes build relationships, the most important element in any business.
They demonstrate your commitment to your employees and your business contacts and to the service you provide.
Hand-written notes can be a memorable personal branding element.

Personal notes can be used to:
Show appreciation to someone who did something nice for you
Let someone know that you appreciate the special-effort service they gave to you
Recognize a great job on a work project or important task

Let someone know you observed them doing something nice for someone else
Recognize achievement -- personal achievement, the achievements of someone's children, etc.
Recognize a job promotion or a new job

Welcome someone new to the team
Share kind words during a time of family or personal illness or hardship
The power of personal notes is unquestionable.

Establishing the Habit
The KEY to making handwritten notes a PERSONAL HABIT is to deploy a system or process that MAKES IT EASY and CONVENIENT for you to write "custom" notes and cards that you send to your contact network.

A Couple of Ideas to Systematize the Note-Writing Process:
Keep a stack of "Specific" Thank You Note Cards on your desk, ready and available when you need them. A great idea, but also get some that are designed for specific situations, e.g., "Congratulations", "Great Job", "Thank You for the Business", etc.

This is something that our web based publishing system is well aware of. So they've prepared some wonderful templates that you can use with your own account. So besides the regular variety of Birthday, Baby, Wedding, Valentines, Christmas etc check out these other templates.

All will allow you to even personalize the cards with your own photos built right into the design. What an excellent way to stand out - why not put THEIR personal photo onto the card. It is doable.

You can also choose a font that resembles your own handwriting (or your fav), enter text boxes of your own words and have them mailed directly through your Heritage account Address Book. They print them, stuff them, address them and attach your return address all for a fee of $1 in Cda and .60 cents per envelope in USA.

Here are some previews and once loaded you can move your mouse over the card, and rotate, open and zoom to see. all sides and angles.

Here is a Thank You Card: http://tinyurl.com/ojpa33
or long link
http://www.heritagemakers.com/?event=projectBrowse&projectId=76b04217-6342-42af-a317-54535758c9ad&productId=15&projectSponsor=173517

or http://tinyurl.com/o2t5db
or long link
http://www.heritagemakers.com/?event=projectBrowse&projectId=ef4c95e6-1ec9-fcc3-1b56-da3cc55c7d22&productId=15&projectSponsor=173517

Here is a Friend Card http://tinyurl.com/p7p8pq
or long link
http://www.heritagemakers.com/?event=projectBrowse&projectId=dd3af83c-3048-6168-a850-e16260c60c9c&productId=15&projectSponsor=173517

Here is a Congratulations Card: http://tinyurl.com/qwa466
or long link
http://www.heritagemakers.com/?event=projectBrowse&projectId=1a0e57ec-1e82-464f-8ac2-1e069eff86f4&productId=15&projectSponsor=173517

Deploy the System
1) So take advantage by creating an account at www.recallwhen.com; contact me for the best pricing of the cards $2.95 us to $1.87 us depending on volume and purchase your best package.

2) Add contacts to your Heritage Maker Address Book under www.recallwhen.com My Account tab

3) Choose your favourite templates from the Template Gallery and customize them your way if you want to add more features (photos, art or text)

4) Either order cards in bulk to be shipped to you directly or order one at a time using the 'Direct Mail' service.

Now as your business contacts grow you can make a habit to add them routinely into your HM Address Book so when an occasion occurs you can simply spend 3-5 minutes and send out that personal card to them. WIN ! WOW !

There you have it! A user friendly way to put the WOW FACTOR into your outreach to friends, family and future business contacts.

Barb Ashcroft
Personal Publishing Consultant
www.recallwhen.com
BarbAshcroft@shaw.ca

We bring your stories to LIFE!

Special Creations - One Step Further & Tons of Fun

2009-05-12T09:07:00.000-07:00

Many of my newest friends are talented in the area of genealogy. It is such fun to play detective and discover new family members & new stories.

The proof picture shown above is an outline of the Title page of our Ashcroft Family coffee table book (red lines are just for aligning & will be cut off). I was able to google a map of England and save that as a jpeg image and then place a transparent tinted circle over the area the family came from. I was also able to highlight the names on the family list that pertained to our LIMB of the Ashcroft Family Tree.

Whether you have just started or are well on your way, I encourage you to create a coffee table book to share the discoveries. Imagine a compilation of all the family photo albums (& more) put together in one place. The photos can all be tagged with names and with stories.

Once you have done that I want to encourage you to go one step further. Summer is approaching and we are planning our first long weekend at the lake.

It is the time when families come together and PLAY.

How about taking those photos and stories and history tidbits and create 3 more things that end up being a Family History Game.

1) Our website has a template gallery to show you how you can turn a poster into a Family Game Board.

2) Our personalized decks of playing cards becomes the Family Fun Facts - variety in the Template Gallery. The sky is the limit on creating it your way.

3) Our Family Fold becomes the Rules for the Family Game.

Right now I am creating a Family Game Board based on my 86 year old Dad's life. It begins with a photo of him as a tiny child, and progresses along his 'happy trails' right up to today.

Email me for a preview and I'll show you how I'm doing that.

The deck of cards are alternating photos of the family shots that correspond to photos on the game board. Our HM team has created endless ideas for your own Family Board Games - so have fun this summer, create some fun and get those kids involved in a fun way to celebrate family and our heritage.

Best yet, the work has already been started with the creation of templates. All you have to do is personalize it with your own photos and words.

Your basic account on our website is free. So go ahead and get started today.

Barb Ashcroft

Personal Publishing Coach

1-800-919-1998

Bringing Your Stories to Life!

OMG An easy way to be paid for our FUN hobby

2009-05-02T11:07:00.000-07:00

When I knew I had to be a Heritage Maker I jumped in with the Business Kit and invested $299.95 usd. It has been one of the best investments I have ever made. At the very least being compensated with the best pricing for my very own projects. Of course it has gone way beyond that and given me the opportunity to share in the precious life experiences of those who come across my path.

Just Announced!
May 1st, 2009 HM corporate announcement.
Business Kits are available on a short term basis for $199.95 AND include a publishing credit for a coffee table book 8.5 x 11.5 size (value $69.95).

So for a mere $130 net investment, women & men who have a passion to preserve special memories can receive a website, a business kit and the opportunity to BE PAID to create their own memories plus share the privilege to others.

It just doesn't get any better than this. When Oprah added us to her 'Top Ten All Time Favourite Gifts List' I thought we had reached the pinnacle, but this makes it available to everyone for the price of a good pair of shoes.

Is this you? Are you into design? Photography? Digital Scrapbooking? Self Publishing? Card making & sending?

Here's your chance to do just that and create an income stream at the same time.

Make a Living while you make a Difference!

Contact me right away for an overview packet.

Digital Design Diva,
Barb Ashcroft
www.recallwhen.com
BarbAshcroft@shaw.ca

Pleae help me get the word out. 29 days and counting. With all the folks financially hurting out there, this could be a huge opportunity for many.

Photography How To's worth Bookmarking

2009-04-23T08:50:00.000-07:00

Going in the right direction! Yes!

It's like being pushed by a team of dolphins!

I felt like Wonder Woman when the two dolphins pushed me across the lagoon ....

They had awesome POWER!

They knew where they were going.

It's like having a great teacher - right?

One of my passions has been to be able to take great photo images.

But in the busyness of life, having manuals that are 200+ pages long, it just doesn't get to the top of my to-do list.

So today I'm going to DIRECT YOU to a Great Teacher.

I have come across Darren Rowse's blogs on digital photography and I enjoy how he simplifies it for us.

So click on these links and save them on your favourites. You are going to want to come back time and time again to make photography all it can be for you.

This one is terrific. 21 Settings, techniques that all camera owners should know

Happy Memory Making,

Barb Ashcroft

Personal Publishing Consultant

http://twitter.com/recallwhen

We Bring Your Stories to Life

April Special: Pick of the Month Save 25% on our flagship 8x8 bound books

contact me directly to save.

History Nugget Challenge

2009-04-21T13:40:00.001-07:00

Please read my previous post called
It's the playoffs - so this is about hockey
as my history nugget to meet the challenge posted by
http://www.markeroni.com/blog/hn-20090420

I got so excited telling the story I forgot to include the link.
Thanks for the opportunity to retell a special story.

Barb Ashcroft
www.Recallwhen.com

It's the Playoffs - so this is about hockey

2009-04-21T13:14:00.000-07:00

Yes, that is my dad, Bob Frost sitting on the lower left end of the first row.

1936........age 13.......champs!

The Magic of this photo is that I found this photo as a damaged crumple in one of my dad's dresser drawers.........and ASKED him about it.

I'm so glad I did...because he told me the story.

5 of these boys went on into the NHL. That's right. I'll write it again. 1/3 of this team went on to an NHL career. I think that is worth writing about. In fact it gets even better. My dad went east to pursue his hockey career. However my mom followed him with a wedding cake in her trunk. How's that for 'go get em' attitude!

Vic Price, a scout for the Toronto Maple Leafs got Dad to sign a deal that he would play for them. Being conscientious, providing for a family won out though...and he shared his love of hockey another way.

Upon returning to Saskatoon he was one of Gordie Howe's Pee Wee coaches. Dad remembers Gordie as a shy, quiet kid from a very poor family. Looking back, wasn't everyone? Poor times back then. Dad with some of his friends got 25 cents together and bought Gordie a pair of skates from McCoys 2nd hand store. Even with 100's of kids trying to get on teams, Dad said Gordie stood out. He played goalie at that time.

Taken from "The Frost Family 1886 to 2006 - Preserving Memories by Barb (Frost) Ashcroft.

Now if I hadn't asked for the story behind the photo who would know this today. I think it is something my 8 year old grandson will want to know some day.

What's holding you back...write a story. Start with a paragraph or a recorder.

ps. Go Canucks gooooooooooo!

Barb Ashcroft

Personal Publishing Consultant

Here's the links that work for Pro Photographer Tips

2009-04-13T10:14:00.000-07:00

It seems my preview that had everything working and linking on my last post was telling fibs.

Here are the correct blog links: Copy and Paste if necessary. I'm not even trusting tinyurl

Lighting
http://digital-photography-school.com/diy-flash-and-lighting-hacks-for-digital-photographers

50 "Must Have" Wedding Photography Shots
http://digital-photography-school.com/50-must-have-wedding-photography-shots

Photo Collage for your photoblog or website
http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-make-a-photo-collage-banner-for-your-photoblog-or-website

and a side note: MS Office Tips and Tricks
http://www.projectwoman.com/blogger.html

Barb
Personal Publishing Consultant
www.RecallWhen.com

Pro Photographers share their tips

2009-04-12T12:23:00.000-07:00

I love it when we have a chance to learn from the pro's and they share with step by step, point by point illustrations.

I'm visual, so I'm a big fan of screen shots.

Today I feel I've hit the motherload.

Great instruction!

Great creativity!

Here are several blogs that will direct you with digital photography, photoshop and even working with your Microsoft Office.

Several Christmases ago I interviewed an award winning photographer and wrote a blog on helping folks take GREAT Photos with their new Christmas camera gifts.

It went over so well I reposted it several times.

I'd love to know which one of these postings you like the most.

Please leave your comments below.

So here is a listing of the 'good stuff' with links to various blogs.

#1 Fantastic creative ideas for Lighting with Darren Rowse

#2 50 "Must Have" Wedding Photography Shots by Bill D'Agostino

#3 How to make a photocollage banner for your photoblog or website - Helen Bradley

and an add-on another subject that interests me and hopefully you.

#4 MS Office Tips and Tricks with screen shots as well.

I love the generosity of these bloggers to share tips and tricks for those of us who want to learn.

I encourage you to retweet this message so more people can learn from them as well.

Just click on the retweet button on the left.

Till next time,

HappyLearning!

Barb Ashcroft

Inspired Storybooker

http://www.recallwhen.com

We Bring your Stories to Life

1-800-919-1998

5 Top Versions publishing a coffee table book

2009-04-09T09:49:00.000-07:00

Going for a survey today

Here are 5 top versions of an 8.5x11.5 bound coffee table book.

Vote by leaving your comment and tell me which one is your favorite and you'll be entered in a draw for a 5x5 bound storybook for you to create.

1) The Classic;
clean lines, professional, great for business or portfolios

2) More than a photo book, this one is a Traditional Sign In Wedding Book

3) Another version of a Scrapbooky Sign In Wedding Book, this one with more digital components

4) Family Heritage Book (this is my hubby's family history book I completed last February, we never even knew his grandfather's first name before we did this)

5) Whimsical Family History Book for you to personalize

Of course this is simply a small selection, but I wanted to show the diversity of creating your own unique projects.

For more ideas, go to www.recallwhen.com and check out the Template Gallery

Barb Ashcroft
Personal Publishing Consultant
604-271-5434

20 Questions to ask when writing a Grandparent's Story

2009-04-07T14:19:00.000-07:00

20 Excellent Questions to Ask

Questions = Page #

The Page # relatess to each question and tells you the exact page where you would put the answers when you create your

Grandparent Cornerstone Legacy Book

Example: Grandpa & Grandma _________: A Legacy That Lives On

Pg. 1: Their Legacy Lives On
What inspired you to write this book? What do you want your children to remember about your parents? (this is written from the perspective of you writing about your parents for your kids).

Pg. 2: Grandfather Benjamin
Give a brief biographical sketch of your father’s childhood. Where and when was he born, who were his parents, what were some of his childhood interests and experiences?

Pg. 3: Grandmother Esther
Give a brief biographical sketch of her childhood. Where and when was she born, who were her parents, what were some of her childhood interests and experiences?

Pg 4: When Grandma Met Grandpa
Write about how, when and where your parents met. What kinds of things did they like to do together? What did they admire about each other?

Pg. 5: Building a New Life Together
Write about why your parents decided to marry each other. How did your father propose? Where did they get married? Where was their first house? Describe their early life together.

Pg. 6: Working for a Living
What kind of work did your father do? Why did he choose that profession? What kind of professional advice would your father leave for your children? What kind of work ethic and legacy did he leave for them?

Pg. 7: A Woman’s Work is Never Done
Write about your mother’s work and responsibilities. Was she working when she met your father? In school? How did her responsibilities change as children came? What did she do to make your house a home?

Pgs. 8-9: A Growing Family
Write down the names and birthdates of your siblings as well as yourself. Include details about them such as their interests and talents, nicknames, or things they were known for. How did the children get along and care for each other? What experiences did you have that bonded you all together as a family.

Pgs. 10-11: The Places We Called Home
Write about the homes you grew up in. Write about your neighbors, your community, and your surroundings. How did that shape you as you grew up? Where were your favorite places to go? Who were your family’s friends?

Pgs. 12-13: Exploring the World Around Us
Describe family vacations or trips that you took together. When was the first time your parents took you beyond the boundaries of your regular home life and community?

Pgs. 14: Grandpa’s Favorites
What were some of your father’s favorite things: songs, food, recreational activities, books, quotes, music, hobbies, etc.

Pg. 15: Grandma’s Favorites
What were some of your mother’s favorite things: songs, food, recreational activities, books, quotes, music, hobbies, etc.

Pg. 16: Grandma’s Words of Wisdom
What kind of advice would your mother have left to her children? Make a list of some of your mother’s positive character traits. What kind of example did she leave as a legacy for your children?

Pg. 17: Grandpa’s Words of Wisdom
What kind of counsel would your father leave for his grandkids? What kinds of attitude and ethics would he like to see in his posterity? What kind of example did he set for his posterity?

Pgs. 18-19: Spiritual Reflections
Some people adhere to a specific organized religion. Some people have a more individualistic set of values they adhere to, but you can always tell a person’s true beliefs by the way they live. Write about your parents’ religious beliefs and personal philosophy of life.

Pgs. 20-21: Their Legacy Lives On
Write your own thoughts about your parents. Include thoughts of siblings, relatives, neighbors, etc.

This page is excerpts from our Story Maps

Once you create your free account you have access to Story Maps or cue sheets on the Studio Page. These include how to write a Life Story, a Love Story, a Baby Story and many more.

Follow these cues and you will have your Grandparent Cornerstone almost ready to publish. Just need to add the photos.

In fact contact me and I can provide you with a template that you only need to fill in your photos and your words. Totally customizable with your personal touches.

It never got easier to preserve the memories of those precious to you.

Create your free account today!

Barb Ashcroft

your Personal Publishing Consultant

http://twitter.com/recallwhen

BarbAshcroft@shaw.ca

1-800-919-1998 (North American toll free)

somedays even proofs don't show you the way it is

2009-04-06T15:22:00.000-07:00

ahhh phooey....so much for alignment of photos to words...seems like twitter isn't the only one taking a break.

Don't like to Journal?

2009-04-06T15:08:00.000-07:00

We've got you covered. We have the wonderful Quote Library in our Studio 2.0 online storybooking design center.

It even comes with a FREE Membership.

Just drag and drop the quote of choice (even comes with a search function) to your page and voila you're set. You select the font, size and color to fit your design.

Quote Garden is another great source.

Here are a few favorite Graduation Quotes to be thinking for 2009 Grad projects.

When you leave here, don’t forget why you came. ~Adlai Stevenson, to college graduates
Graduation day is tough for adults.

They go to the ceremony as parents. They come home as contemporaries. After twenty-two years of child-raising, they are unemployed. ~Erma Bombeck

You are educated. Your certification is in your degree. You may think of it as the ticket to the good life. Let me ask you to think of an alternative. Think of it as your ticket to change the world. ~Tom Brokaw

The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet. ~Aristotle

It takes most men five years to recover from a college education, and to learn that poetry is as vital to thinking as knowledge. ~Brooks Atkinson, Once Around the Sun, 1951

A man who has never gone to school may steal from a freight car; but if he has a university education, he may steal the whole railroad. ~Theodore Roosevelt

An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest. ~Benjamin Franklin

Commencement speeches were invented largely in the belief that outgoing college students should never be released into the world until they have been properly sedated. ~Garry Trudeau

People will frighten you about a graduation…. They use words you don’t hear often: “And we wish you Godspeed.” It is a warning, Godspeed. It means you are no longer welcome here at these prices. ~Bill Cosby

The future lies before you

Like a field of driven snow,

Be careful how you tread it,

For every step will show.~Author Unknown

Hitch your wagon to a star. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Just had to slip in a photo of my kids .....ah sweet memories.

Barb, Digital Publishing Consultant

We Bring your Stories to Life!

http://www.recallwhen.com

Wow it helps to have a mentor

2009-04-06T08:17:00.000-07:00

You are going to see a bunch of new changes to my blog.

Today I am starting a 31 day challenge to make my blog 'that much more".
This is a service by Probloogger

Check it out!

I've added many new functions already on the sidebar. Functions that I didn't even know were available to me. I'm looking forward to putting a video on there for you.

I appreciate your comments. Let me know what you think of improved functionality and eye appeal. The next 30 days will be tweaking my message, and becoming much more clear about what I can offer you. Let us know what would help you the most with content.

Until tomorrow....
Happy Storybooking,
Barb
Personal Publishing Consultant
1-800-919-1998

Rocking the Boat

2009-04-04T18:17:00.000-07:00

I just received the photo of the boat that goes with my last posting.

I wanted to make sure it was included.

Thank you to Pastor Al from the Tapestry Church

For podcast go to

TheTapestry.ca

Have a Wonderful Easter!

Barb Ashcroft

Getting out of the boat

2009-03-31T18:37:00.000-07:00

Commit to something and you will be tested.

Sunday when I entered church I had the feeling I was going to be tested to see if I really believed what I commited to at a Women's conference 2 days earlier.

Friday at Dare to Thrive we were encouraged to LIVE BOLDLY! What does that look like?

Well Sunday I walked into church and there at the front of the church is a boat, a fishing boat sitting up there where the music worship team would normally stand. Hmmm...why am I a little uneasy. I like change - right....

Soon I found out there were stations throughout the santuary for Prayer Sunday. The boat was a place to step into and pray for 'our calling' and then trusting that God would help us basically or visually 'walk on the water' or walk with us on our journey.

I'm thinking I'm gonna have to walk up there and get into that boat in front of everyone else. Yikes..live boldly. How come my knees are a bit shakey.

Well there were 6-8 stations all different so people were encouraged to either sit and pray in your seat or go to the various prayer stations and read the scripture and then follow where you are led.

Eventually I got to the front and read the scripture and knew I had to get in that boat. Now there is no water there, but never the less; getting in rocked the boat and you had to hold on.

You weren't in the boat alone, others got in and prayed and got out. Whether it was you or others getting out, the boat rocked again and you had to consistently balance yourself.

How like LIFE! We can't walk this walk alone. We have others in our boat (life) and when others come and go, it is unsettling, we have to rebalance over and over again.

We need others to help us on our journey and we sure need assistance along the way (faith).

I had hoped to post an acutal photo of the boat but that hasn't happened yet and I feel I need to write this, even if it is only to encourage myself to Live Boldly.

There are my deepest blog thoughts to date.

Thanks for being a boat mate with me!

The Magic of Heritage

2009-03-19T09:49:00.000-07:00

Yes, we've made it into another great publication.

It is so exciting to see that Heritage Makers is being recognized not just by individuals (which is wonderful) but also by corporate sites that shape our industry.

This is an incredible honor that all heritage makers should be proud to be a part of.

Here is a link to view the entire article

Direct Selling News is the publication that direct selling executives turn to for information and resources to improve their companies. Each issue of Direct Selling News offers content on topics that shape the dynamics of our industry.

It truly is a great time to be a Heritage Maker.

Contact me to learn about my "March Madness".....we are offering special perks for those who join our growing team in March.

Barb Ashcroft

604-271-5434

BarbAshcroft@shaw.ca

Putting your Baby on Facebook

2009-03-03T07:44:00.000-08:00

I just returned from the 1st ever Canadian Regional Conference for Heritage Maker consultants and saw the absolute cutest book ever!

It was written by a grandma about her adorable granddaughter (of course, just like my adorable grandson above).

With everyone always talking about Facebook it just made sense to include a 3 year old.

Grandma Carol created a 5x5 Heritage Makers brag book with full page shots of cutie in all sorts of locations..........here's the magic though.....

A very tiny photo circle of her granddaughter's face is hidden on each page....thus

Her own FACE BOOK!

She greets everyone at the door with "can you find my face?"

Undoubtedly that little 3 year old is feeling pretty special.

That is what we are all about....we help folks feel special.

Who do you know that deserves the TLC?

Contact me for a $5.00 discount on the 5x5 storybook to create your own.

Barb Ashcroft

Personal Publishing Consultant

604-271-5434

http://support.heritagemakers.com/comm/promo/2009/cookbook/CookbookPresale09Flyer.pdf

Removing those Photos easily - new cookbook offer

2009-02-23T07:05:00.000-08:00

Many folks are wanting to do some new things with their own photos.
However many are 'stuck' in those magnetic sticky photo albums.

Here is a great way to remove them safely.
Call us once you have them collected so we can scan them for you and get them in a digital format on a flash/thumb drive.

Photo Removal Tip:
I need to remove years of photos from old 'magnetic' style photo
albums, those terrible type where the photos stick to the page. I
googled it and found a product called Scrapper's Solution by a
company called Un-Du ...here's some comments.

It works great! According to the package, you can safely remove and
reuse stickers, tape, photo squares and more. How about those
registration stickers on your car windshield or bumper stickers?

I haven't tried it on stickers but I did use it on my photos.
Scrappers Solution is a clear liquid and comes with a plastic tool
that you use to slide under the object you want to remove. You put a
few drops of the solution on the tool, slide it under one corner of
the photo and glide it along until the photo comes free.

It was so easy! And it left no residue or smell on the photos. I used it on an
entire album of my baby pictures and had them all out in about ½
hour. The pictures have been in that album for more than 35 years so
it's pretty amazing that they came out at all!

You can find Scrappers Solution at many of the local arts and crafts
stores as well as many sites online. It may also be called Un-Do
Adhesive Remover and sells for under $10. I recommend having a bottle
in your stash of tools.

Be the First to create our newest book!

I have such wonderful news to share with you this morning!

We'd heard the rumor that Heritage Makers was adding something new on March 3 - last night we got confirmation, and an amazing pre-release offer I'm able to share with YOU!

Heritage Makers is adding an incredible Heritage Makers Cookbook to our product line, at a pre-release price of only $14.99 US each!

Think of it - use your photos, your family recipes and your stories plus HM artwork and great quality to produce the most amazing cookbooks ever! Make one for you, for your family, a team cookbook, etc.

Check out this link - I think you'll be impressed!

A few particulars:
approx 7x10
softcover
21 pages (expandable to 50)
spiral bound, lies completely flat
the cover completely wraps around the book, and is waterproofed - so if you spill on it you can wipe it off!
you can see another example if you go to your account and look at the Contest

This is great - but don't think of it only as a cookbook! How about creating a day-planner? an address book? a child's diary? a wine journal? a book journal? a school journal? a guest register? Just use it as a lower-priced HM book? Those are just my first thoughts - if you have other suggestions I'd love to hear them!

This product isn't on the website yet, or for sale until March 3, 2009 - but from Feb 23-26 only HM is offering a pre-release price of only $59.95 for a 4-pack - $14.99 per book.

At this price you could create something for every friend and family member - these would make PERFECT Christmas gifts, a great price for a really useful gift, and by purchasing now you'd have lots of time to be creative!

Please contact me to take advantage of this fabulous offer. I love this - and I think you'll love it too!
Barb Ashcroft

604-271-5434 or BarbAshcroft@shaw.ca

www.RecallWhen.com

Featured in another blog

2009-02-17T07:22:00.000-08:00

Such fun seeing how other professionals perceive your work and passion.

Check out this link from Clarity Jane Organizer

or http://www.clarityjane.com/blog

New this month of February: Heritage Home

We have a wonderful package of 5 projects available for the great price of $99.95 usd.

It is a great way to showcase your heritage not only in books, but in decks of playing cards, and wall art. Some Creative folks are even using modge podge to place our new single scrapbook pages onto ceramic tiles for display. There is no end to being creative!

Contact me directly for a flier of our specials............

Tell your Calgary friends and family: February 27th Friday evening Heritage Makers Showcase. First ever Canadian Regional Conference. NW Calgary.

You can be my guest to the showcase Friday eve for free, but I do need to register you.

I will be sharing at the subsequent training on Saturday Feb 28th.

Call me at 604-271-5434 or 1-800-919-1998

Barb Ashcroft, Personal Publishing Consultant

Your Favourite Travels

2009-02-01T09:02:00.000-08:00

Here is the most wonderful storybook for February 2009.
I'm hoping to insert the details here.

A Road Much Traveled is a 12x12 bound storybook template (easy Book) that allows you the opportunity to upload your own travel photos and text and get that wonderful trip.

If you can't view the first link try this one

This is part of our February Heritage Home Package.....5 projects for $99.95 usd.

Contact us today to get started.
Barb Ashcroft
Digital Coach

**The month of February we are focusing on Life Story Classes. Some will be available in Small Groups, my home and other homes as well as a Showcase at Origins Independent Living Residence in Nanaimo this Wednesday at 3 pm. February 4th**

found out: spell check doesn't work in title boxes

2009-01-26T17:23:00.000-08:00

A Truly Amazing Presenet!

2009-01-26T16:59:00.000-08:00

January 2009 letter received

I wanted to sing the praises of Barb and RecallWhen.com.
When Christmas was approaching last year, we were faced with a recurring problem - how to find a memorable gift for my father-in-law. He is like a lot of successful people who has everything he needs and most of the things he wants.

Brad met with Barb and learned about the "Photo deck of playing cards" and we knew it was a great idea right away.

We collected photos from family trips that had been taken over the past 30 years and turned them into a truly amazing present.

The gift was a huge hit - bringing with it a flood of memories and emotion that will be cherished forever.

Thanks Barb for your one-on-one technical help and your kind and courteous business manner.

Sincerely,
Leslie and Brad Pashby
Sun Life Financial
bradley.pashby@sunlife.com

Thank you Leslie and Brad, I'm so glad it was a magical moment.

You're creating memories everyday but are you preserving them.
www.RecallWhen.com

Christmas Gift Responses

2009-01-15T11:27:00.001-08:00

Lots of fun creating and MORE fun GIVING and watching the response.
Here is a great report from one of our happy clients who created our novel personalized decks of playing cards for her gifts.

I first met Barb at a Trade Fair in Langley and I was so taken with her photo books and her sheer enthusiasm for what she had created. I was captured. I came home and shared about the photo books that night. At Christmas this year, I created three different sets of playing cards. One was all different photos of my four neices. On the front of each card was a group shot, they were all dressed up in pink outfits for a wedding. I called their set of cards “Cousins”. I gave a set to each of the four girls.

Another set was photos of my friend’s son, as he loves to play poker. I called his set “Mackenzie Favorite Deck of Cards”. He loved it as there was a ‘cool’ photo of him on the front of his deck.. He laughed when he saw how I had gathered photos of him as a teenager, graduating from high school, with his Mum, Dad and sister and others with him holding our friend’s babies.

The third set was a mixture of words and photos. A theme created from my friend’s book “Awakening to the Beauty of Life Within”. These became great Christmas Presents for friends.

The playing cards were stunning, great quality and entertaining for everyone. I have had amazing responses from people about the outstanding quality of the cards. They were definitely fun projects to do on-line, to have printed and finally to give as gifts. I will definitely be making more of these.

Chris Willis

Surrey, BC

It is always great to see the smiles and hear the 'thank you's' when you make a one-of-a-kind perosnal gift.

Here's our January - March focus.

We're teaching Life Story Classes. Here is an invite for our next Meet and Greet.

Be sure to pre-register with West Richmond Community Center as they are preparing food and beverages. $3.00 per person 55+ for this event.

Never too late to think about Valentine's Day.....how about an "I love you because " book.

For more information call me at 604-271-5434

Happy Storybooking 2009

2009-01-02T11:56:00.000-08:00

Thank you Oprah!

December was a mile stone for us here as Heritage Makers!

We received tons of FREE press coverage and it was all good. First with Oprah in her December O magazine as one of her 10 All Time Favorite Gifts; then on Oprah's favorite things' show; then featured 1st off in the Good Morning America Chic and Cheap list; then in Better Homes and Gardens Digital Scrapbooking 2 at the top of the list for digital sourcing.

Wheeewwwww! It was amazing, terrific and lots of new people found out about us.

2009 and where do we go from here?
1) Heritage Makers (www.RecallWhen.com) is offering the best ever package for new consultants joining us this month.

2) The Best Ever savings for those joining the Premier Club....a new exclusive club for those taking advantage of 12 months of Premier for $8.33/mo. Normally Premier upgrade is $24.95 usd for the 1st month and $19.95 usd for continuing months. As of TODAY it is $99.95 usd for one entire year of premier upgrade membership. That includes unlimited photo storage and access to over 700 template designs.

Contact us today to join our Consultant or Premier clubs!

Coming Soon: Life Story classes either virtual or in person
Love themed 'Digi Crops' for those wanting to make some precious valentine gifts.
Discounted scanning for all workshop hosts; hosts receive double the rewards in January.

Contact me at BarbAshcroft@shaw.ca or 604-271-5434 for schedules

A Life Lesson

2008-11-08T10:21:00.000-08:00

Next is a real life story, shared by a Heritage Maker. Read to the bottom for a solution.

Don't delay . . . scan those precious pictures (like this one)!

I wanted to share a story that just happened to me today. I have to share itnow while it is still fresh on my mind. I got a scanner yesterday (from my Heritage co-consultant) and had invited a friend to come over and scan her pictures, so I set up the scanner in my downstairs kitchen. There's a nice big counter top and so I thought this would be a great place to set her up while I cooked dinner upstairs.

When she was finished scanning and had left, I couldn't decide whether to finish my own scanning or to wait until today.

I was tired and almost decided to just go to bed and read for a while even though it was only eight. But then I thought to myself, "I never know what tomorrow might bring, maybe I won't have time to get to them. Maybe I'll be even more tired tomorrow night.

Just get them done, it's only one box."

So I sat down, got them all scanned and then cleaned up and took the scanner back to Traci.

Today I got home from work and went to the basement to get some hamburger from the freezer for dinner. Just as I got to the bottom of the stairs I heard water dripping onto the counter in my downstairs kitchen.

There sat my box of photos, water dripping into them and they were soaked. The whole box was ruined.

My ceilings were full of water. The water had gotten in between the drywall and the paint forming what looked like water balloons with holes in the bottom. The culprit was a toilet upstairs. It had picked an opportune time to break during the day while no one was home and leak all over. The bathroom upstairs was swimming in a pool of water and leaking through the ceiling.

What a mess!! I am really disheartened about the work that it will take to get this all fixed, but I didn't have to be broken hearted about my pictures.

It is still hard to look at them, all soaked and stuck together, I can't bring myself to throw them away.

But it all could have been so much worse.

Wouldn't I have been so much more upset if I had decided to wait to scan my pictures until today. It would have been a much more tragic story if all those pictures were not backed up on my hard drive. Safe and waiting for the ages.

Now they are ready to put into Heritage Makers Storybooks. How sweet of an ending is that?

Sooo. don't delay!!!

Scan those pictures, back them up.

Upload them to yourHeritage Makers account and then to cd's or external hard drive.

Keep them safe.

This is one of those life lessons.

Don't have your own tragic story, learn from mine, get those pictures scanned!!

Take care, Deb

Coming soon! I have purchased a scanner that will do 30 photos a minute and we will now offer scanning services that will have bulk pricing as low as .19 cents each. Learn from Deb's life lesson, get your photos scanned so you never have to worry about them again.

We will take bookings as soon as the scanner arrives. STAY TUNED!

Barb Ashcroft

It is all about the JOURNEY

2008-10-27T16:55:00.000-07:00

Life Story Classes:

This past week I completed teaching a four week Life Story Class for Seniors. It was magical! I felt so privileged to know these individual's stories. To see their excitement as they were able to place the photos and text about their lives in printed bound form was amazing.

When the books return from the publisher, many are sent off already, we will be having a dinner together; "Celebrating being Published Authors" and sharing about their books to each other.

Our course had a fee of $70.00 which included the introductory template to design with 21 pages.

Having these recorded for future generations is priceless, but that is not all.

I recently was directed to a website service in Vancouver that specializes in telling people's memoirs. I thought you'd enjoy the comparisons.

The most complete and largest Heritage Makers coffee table Heritage book (100 pages) I have ever created priced out at $141.00 usd plus taxes and shipping. It was an amazing process and the end result was incredible. I probably invested 200+ hours but it was a personal journey and was worth every minute.

The memoir company shares:
We specialize in projects for families and businesses, with prices starting at $125,000 for individual and family biographies and $200,000 for corporate histories. We also work with many of our clients on a long-term basis as "outsourced storytellers" where we are constantly gathering their new stories and delivering them back in creative and valuable ways.

Yes, they do interview you and your family.
Yes, they scan your photos and documents.

They write the story, they edit the story, they do the layout and they bind the books.

For me the enjoyment came in THE JOURNEY so I'm glad I did it myself, traveled across the prairies and scanned the family photo albums with my cousins and aunts, interviewed them myself, and re-established relationships with family.
ps I also saved the $124,859.00.
Yes, It is ALL GOOD!

Barb Ashcroft

Knitting families together with personal storybooks

Oprah appreciates our products

2008-09-29T11:19:00.000-07:00

OH MY !!!!!!!!!!

I just returned from our annual Heritage Makers Reunion (our word for Convention since we have such a community experience) and the conference opened with a taped recording of a PERSONAL voice message left by no other than Oprah Winfrey to a personal publishing consultant with Heritage Makers.

The photo above is the cover of the book sent to her regarding the loss of her beautiful dog Gracie.

Check out our website for a soon to be added taping of that call.

Check out the new clean look of our Heritage Makers website with a 300+ template gallery.

Stay tuned for more fun,

Barb

Digital Diva

Honoring those of all ages

2008-06-02T16:30:00.000-07:00

I am so excited. I get to present this marvelous tribute book to a special man onstage in Dallas, TX this weekend. This is a preview of the title page (red outline is cut off when printed). What a marvelous way to say, "Happy Birthday to someone reaching 80".

I have been privileged to hear from some of my clients who have created books for their kids who are graduating. I managed a sneak peak by offering to proof their books for them.

Wow! you guys rock. Your kids are going to be so excited.

If you have any special events like graduation email me for this month's publishing specials for you to checkout.

Keep on Celebrating those ones in your life.
It truly is a Marvelous Mission!

Barb
Your Digital Diva
www.RecallWhen.com

Baseball Fever continues

2008-05-19T14:44:00.000-07:00

Would you like to feature that family baseball star?

Don't have photos for an entire book?

Then by all means create a wall poster.

This template I designed is for an 18x24 inch poster.

What a great way for the 'star' to recall his special moments.

Personalized with his name, his photos, his team name and his own roster #.

What a great gift for the relatives that live far away.

I have created the template & will transfer for free into my client's accounts. That way they can use our wonderful 'swapping photo feature' and simply swap out or replace the photos with those of your own dear one. They don't have to worry about designing, just personalizing.

All the text can be simply revised to have your pertinent info in its place.

What do you need to do?

1) Go to www.RecallWhen.com

2) Set up your free account

3) Phone or email me with your account number so I can transfer the project to you.

4) Start uploading your favourite baseball photos into a photo album created on this free Heritage Maker account. I'd create an album called Baseball 2008 as you can have as many photo albums as you need and this is a perfect & efficient time to start sorting all your photos.

5) Ask me for your free 20 minute demo either in person or online so you can get your project done ASAP. In fact I've made this so simple it should take all of 20-30 minutes to complete once you've uploaded your photos.

Let's make some magic! Right now till the end of May...Special Price Discounts!

Barb, Digital Diva

Your Storybooking Coach

www.RecallWhen.com or wechangelives@shaw.ca or 604-271-5434

Baseball Fever

2008-05-19T12:37:00.000-07:00

Ok my apologies first off. At the risk of sounding like a real ditz I have not posted for AGES as we moved and I misplaced all my log in, blog name etc. Detective Barb found it now! Yeah!

I am newly recommitted to posting at the very least, twice a week to keep you all in the loop.

We're having such amazing fun...I don't want you to miss out on ANYTHING!

BASEBALL FEVER! We can now design personalized playing cards.This photo is a template I created for TRADING CARDS for my grandson's baseball team. All the players can be added with their own names and favourite things they like about baseball. HOW MUCH FUN IS THIS!!!

I also did a set of "Seniors Memory Cards" for my oldest brother who turns 65 next month.

My two brothers and their wives accompanied Ron & I on a trip to Palm Springs last month.

We all got married 40 years ago within 8 months of each other and decided to celebrate this milestone together. So I had lots of fun photo images to place on the cards to make this personalized version of Old Maid. I can hardly wait to see his expression when he gets the package. They come in a neat plastic container. How's that for a creative way to ward off dementia?

If you want to create your own simply contact me at wechangelives@shaw.ca or phone 604-271-5434 (my new phone number since our move) and I'll get you set up with your own free account.

You can check out our website for all kinds of new products at www.RecallWhen.com

Till next time,

ta ta,

Barb Ashcroft

Your Storybook Coach

Don't let your babies grow up to be JPEGS!

Make something extra special with all those photos.

6 year old gets PUBLISHED!

2007-04-11T09:59:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a way to change a life!

My 6 year old grandson has just completed and published his FIRST BOOK.

Yes, he did it on my lap, and he did it all by himself, the typing, the drag and drop digital tools.

Once I set him up, I HAD TO FIGHT FOR THE MOUSE!

After all it was his book....Ayden's A-Z Book.

Imagine the excitement when it arrived.

His parents were blown away as this was our "Secret Project".

After designated chores, Ayden would earn Secret Time! Wow! What a Success!

Get your family started today!

www.recallwhen.com

Commercial Applications for Heritage Maker Projects

2007-01-31T15:20:00.000-08:00

Who do you know that could use great promotional print projects?

Recently one of my best friends took 'After' pictures recording her 50+ lbs weight loss.

She is an incredible testimony for the nutritional products she used to get these results and their awesome skincare that has kept her skin from being baggy with this huge weight loss.

I designed a 5x7 Story Post Card for her outreach....what a great way to get the point across.

A picture is worth a 1000 words.

Here is a picture (50% resolution from my PDF proof).

****

Another commercial idea is using the Premier Heritage Maker Studio (digital scrapbooking) to design these same Story Posts as Change of Address cards. Recently a high profile Realtor purchased a block of 500 from me.

They will be using batches of 10 as "Thank you Gifts" for her sold listings. We will have a picture of the 'New Home', printed with the new address and the realtor's branding on the Story Post. They look beautiful! What a terrific way to showcase QUALITY!

What needs to be done with high quality and in bigger quantity?

Wedding Announcements? Engagement Announcements? Baby Announcements?

Reminder: February 6th is our next "Book Building Workshop" at the Talking Donkey at 7 pm. RSVP to reserve your seat.

Barb, digital diva