September 7, 2011

I've Moved!

I'm happy to announce that I've moved my blog to a Blogspot location: http://nanscottdesignstudio.blogspot.com/. This will allow me to be more connected in a number of ways. See you there!

March 30, 2011

Back in the Studio!

I’m back in the Studio, and it feels great to be here :)

I can’t believe it’s been exactly four months since I’ve posted a blog. 

To briefly explain, I abruptly put the Studio work on hold while I attended to the needs of my 86-year-old mom in November. As you can see, she is adorable. She’s also been my best friend forever. Until mid-November, she walked over a mile a day in her charming NW Portland neighborhood of coffee houses and boutiques … but suddenly, she was too unsteady to walk (even with her walker) and the aging process seemed to go into overdrive.

So the last few months have been filled with finding her a new home, packing, moving her out of her beloved downtown high-rise apartment, finding appropriate medical care, caretaking in my home, and ultimately helping her into assisted living just a few minutes away from me.

This has been a stage in my life that required a lot of energy—and what was left went to my teenage son, husband and wonderful grown kids and grandkids.

So, as much as I love my work and still feel absolutely passionate about it, I put it on the back burner temporarily.

Now that things have, thankfully, calmed down considerably … I’m back and thrilled to be planning great things for the Studio!

I know I’m getting back to “my old self” because I was excited to create the first digital scrapbook page I’d done in months—to celebrate a trip my son Mackian and I took to Phoenix, AZ, last week. Will post it in the next day or two.

Those of you in the Pacific Northwest don’t have to ask why we chose Phoenix:

It was a wonderful, rejuvenating trip and I became really excited for getting back to my creative work and even taking off in new directions.

So—I hope if you find yourself needing to take a sharp turn from what you had expected, you recognize that life is full of do-overs … it is NEVER too late to get back on the track you laid with such high hopes … and then come back with renewed enthusiasm and no regrets.

Maybe after your detour, you'll even get to drive down the Carefree Highway, like we did last week ...

November 29, 2010

Help Santa Save $$ on Photoshop Elements!

It’s time to start dropping hints for holiday gifts! Give Santa a break by passing along the best prices for Adobe Photoshop Elements—a program that is a guaranteed investment in your family’s memorykeeping. Should help a lot with that New Year’s Resolution to do something with your cherished digital photos!

A major development in Elements is that Version 9 was released in September. I haven’t upgraded yet, mostly because the older versions do everything I need for the simple way I scrapbook. I will be upgrading after the first of the year, however, to check out their new features and how they impact digital scrapbooking.

It’s worth noting that the rebates that have been in place for at least a year have finally expired, unfortunately. The mainstream price for Elements 9.0 now hovers between 79.99 and 99.00. You can still purchase 8.0 for as low as 59.99, however.

And don’t forget that you can download a FREE 30-day TRIAL of Adobe Photoshop Elements 9.0. Still the best way to get your feet wet and try out digital scrapbooking!

BEST PRICE, Version 9.0: $69.99 (Mac and PC) at Frys.com

This by far the best price, available by box only (no downloads). Price shows a $20 rebate; I didn’t see a rebate at Adobe or at any other retailer. Shipping is $2.99, or you can check for in-store availability. I checked my local store and it was in stock.

BEST PRICE, Version 8.0: 59.99 (Mac and PC) at EBay.com

This is boxed, with free shipping. Remember, Version 8.0 does everything you need to digital scrapbook with ease. If you want to save a few dollars … this might be a good place to start. There are dozens of digital scrapbooking tutorials (including mine) that work great with 8.0.

NEXT BEST, Version 9.0: $79.99 (Mac and PC) at Costco.com and Adobe.com

Boxed, with free shipping. I haven’t checked the prices in-store for a while, but will do it soon and post an update.

NECK IN NECK, Version 9.0: around $89.00 (Mac and PC) at Amazon.com, and Buy.com

Both sell the boxed version, with free shipping.

FULL RETAIL PRICING, Version 90: $99.99 (PC and Mac) at Staples.com and OfficeDepot.com

This is the highest pricing for each of these retailers in the last year. One advantage to Adobe.com, of course, is the immediate download. Both Office Depot and Staples have an extra charge for shipping, but you can have it delivered to your local store free of charge.

What is OEM Pricing? If you Google “best prices” for Photoshop Elements, you’ll come up with some crazy-good prices for OEM versions in various online retailers. OEM means Original Equipment Manufacturer and indicates that this software is not in retailer packaging, and was intended to be bundled with other products. 

Reading the information on two of these websites, I couldn’t tell whether this is a version with limited functions, or limited uses. Questions about its use and whether it comes with a manual went unanswered. If you intend to buy it, I would advise you track down those answers first. 

I'll keep my eye on the market and update pricing at least monthly. Let me know if you see a screamin' deal anywhere!

*NOTE: I research these prices and do my best to verify them, but I make no guarantees about product availability or pricing. Buyers will be responsible for verifying product pricing befor

October 27, 2010

Sophisticated scrapbooking? Not quite yet, but on its way ...

On November 4, 2009, I posted my first blog. Here’s how I illustrated it:

I had high hopes of bringing a fresh look to digital scrapbooking. I used the word “modern” but in my heart I was also thinking “sophisticated,” as in little black dresses, Jackie O sunglasses and Kate Spade handbags (that’s one in the photo; I used it to show how to add a splash of red to a layout).

I bravely went where I thought no woman had gone before—to create digital products for people with modern tastes, who didn’t even WANT a lot of creative choices, but wanted to create quickly and easily and get on with it … Choosing layouts and products would be sort of like walking into a trendy boutique and being able to find an outfit you love right off the bat, instead of spending the day at the mall going from store to store.

And I admit I was a bit snarky about the pink silk flowers, fake staples and overuse of the word “sweet” in shabby chic layouts (although I respected the wonderful women who spent hours creating such things).

So in the last year, have I brought sophistication to scrapbooking?

Not quite … But I’m forging ahead, so stay tuned.

Over the last year, I’ve learned a lot.

* I've learned there ARE clean and simple alternatives to drop-shadowed silk flowers. Cases in point: Cathy Zielske and Stacy Julian (Stacy's big on color and whimsy, which can also be sophisticated).

* I’ve learned to appreciate some of those over-the-top embellished layouts when they’re done right. There is a certain warmth and charm to a busy layout. Sort of like a sofa with a ton of puffy throw pillows you just want to snuggle on.

* In fact, since this is personal art, there really is no “right.” Does the designer love it? Then it’s right. I’ve jumped off my high horse.

* I’ve learned that the scrapbooking industry is full of wonderful men and women who make the world a better place in large and small ways.

* I’ve added polka dots, stitched ribbons—and yes, daisies—to my patterns and loved them.

* I’ve learned that the right patterns are important, and I need my own “Kate Spades.” I now have six diverse pattern designers helping me with weekly releases. Here’s a sample of a geometric kit (name TBA) releasing tomorrow. NOW we’re talkin’!

And now, I need to reach women who would love to live better with their photos but don’t identify themselves as “scrapbookers.” They just need a little time and learning to create simple projects that could really enrich their lives. I’ve got a few big ideas for getting the word out that should bear fruit over the coming weeks.

So when I look back at that first blog, I see high hopes and a bit of an unrealistic expectation that I’d change the world … but that’s okay. If people knew at the beginning of a journey how challenging it would be, would they even take that first step?

I took the first step a year ago, and I’ll keep walking and loving every minute of it. And someday, I'll have Kate Spade luggage to carry my stuff!

October 16, 2010

Really living your childhood dreams ... you're closer than you think!

My book club met Tuesday to discuss one of my favorites: “The Last Lecture,” by Randy Pausch.  If you aren’t inclined to read the book, you can see the real lecture on YouTube; it’s totally worth an hour of your life. I’ve happily read the book three times.

Something that got me thinking this time around was the section called “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.”

Randy had some great and quirky dreams as a kid—to float in space like an astronaut, to play in the NFL, to be Captain Kirk, to win GIANT stuffed animals at carnivals, and to design rides at Disneyland.

And in one way or another … not always in the exact way he initially envisioned … he achieved every one of them. (I’d tell you the story of each one but you’ll have a lot more fun reading it yourself.) So one thing I learned from Randy is that your dreams will probably take an entirely new shape that may not be the one you initially thought.

It got me started thinking … what were my childhood dreams, and have I achieved them? 

I quickly remembered three vivid dreams. So here they are with a little reflection on each:

Dream at age 6: To own 100 dogs. Reflection: I’m now on dog #12. Okay, so I may never get to 100, but I’ve discovered I don’t need 100 of them to feel huge amounts of love for dogs and be loved in return. I know now that was my real ambition.

Dream at age 10: To be an Olympic broad-jumper. Reflection: It wasn’t important enough for me to pursue, but those dreams of what it would feel like up on that rostrum were pretty sweet. Sometimes we can just enjoy the fantasy while it lasts and let it run its course without bitterness.

Dream at age 14: As a famous writer, to be a guest on the Dick Cavett Show the same night as one of the Beatles, preferably George. Reflection: I like writing, talking, and lead guitarists, and I don’t shy away from the spotlight. As it happens, my husband is an amazing singer and guitarist and I write, talk, and teach a large group on a regular basis. Works for me!

Two final thoughts as we consider our childhood dreams:

* Childhood dreams reveal who we really were—and deep down, still are.  When you lovingly remember your dreams, you’ll gain an appreciation for your own (valuable and unique) personality.

* And … most importantly … It ain’t over ‘til it’s over. If you’re breathing, you can pursue your dream. Open yourself to the possibility that they could still happen, even in the magnificent way you imagined.

After all, people become dog breeders all the time. And I'd settle for 20!

October 11, 2010

October giveaway: My favorite 8 X 8 album

I love squares! You might notice this from my logo, which features four of them. As a designer, when I came up needing a logo design that was solid, graceful and elegant ... I started with a square as a jumping-off point. 

And although my first photo albums were oversized rectangles, I was happy to see the scrapbooking world go toward the 12 X 12 square as the industry standard.

Yet, the 12 X 12 does present some challenges ... including printing, once digital scrapbooking entered the scene. Digital made it easy to print multiple pages for gift albums, but 12 X 12's are usually impractical for gifts.

Enter the 8 X 8 album. Now you can keep the lovely square shape and print your pages on your HOME printer and just trim them, and all the commercial photo printers that print 12 X 12 also offer 8 X 8 as well.

This month I'm giving you a chance to try out this delightful alternative. I'll be giving away one of my favorite albums, an 8 X 8 American Crafts album in Chestnut cloth, including 20 page protectors.

To enter, just send me an email with the re:line "October Giveaway." Good luck!

October 2, 2010

Clean Sheets Classic Scrapbooking: Pottery Barn in a photo album?

This week marked the beginning of a new era in the Studio ... in two major ways.

First, I signed six amazing modern artists to design patterned digital paper and page accessories. I’ve asked them for photos and bios and am excited to introduce them to the digital scrapbooking world next week.

Second, I will be posting the first Clean Sheets Classic Scrapbooking product on Monday ... The Hudson Quick Album.  Here’s a sneak peek:

A little about why this is so exciting for me.

When I discovered digital scrapbooking in 2007, I quickly realized that style I wanted for my digital pages simply didn’t exist. I knew I wouldn’t use digitized silk daisies with drop shadows, ribbons, staples or stitches. When I tried to think so what I DID want ... my mind went to classic colors, classic styles, and an elegant earthiness. 

All I could think of was the way I feel when I walk into Pottery Barn. The sumptuous fabrics. The crisp black and white framed photos. The classic lines. Like this …

I love all kinds of modern interiors—including the bold and European IKEA—but somehow, when I thought of albums that would stand the test of time, I kept going back to timeless style and minimal embellishment.

So Clean Sheets Classic Scrapbooking was born … in spirit, anyway.

And although I’ve posted dozens of products (which I LOVE) since I launched several months ago, I’ve had those PB-inspired pages in the back of my mind.

In the coming months I’ll be promoting Clean Sheets Classic Scrapbooking as a solution for people with classic tastes who want to create pages quickly and easily. Every month, I’ll be releasing a 16-page album featuring different color palettes, such as Hampton (beachy sands and blues), Tuscany (warm reds and golds), and Eliott (darker neutrals like charcoal and chocolate). And watch for more Clean Sheets Classic Scrapbooking products that go beyond digital kits. I’ve got no shortage of ideas!

Now … if I could just digitize that lovely scent of PB potpourri for my customers … :)

September 16, 2010

I’m foolish, and I hope you are, too!

“Stay hungry. Stay foolish.” —Steve Jobs, in a 2005 commencement address at Stanford.

I hope you are foolish enough to believe that you have something unique to offer the world that no one else does … NO ONE, in this world of 6,697,254,041 individuals (thank you, Google).

I hope that, at whatever stage you are in life right now, you know at some point you will begin to put your heart and soul into offering that “something” … in whatever large or small way you choose.

And I hope you listen for that inner voice, and when he or she says the time is right to go for it, you are foolish enough to believe it. Right then.

Thankfully, Steve Jobs’ foolishness led to the invention of Apple, and eventually to iTunes, where I get a daily dose of encouragement from several great podcasts.

One of them is a weekly discussion on developing a web-based business called “Foolish Adventure.” If you’re watching that roller coaster of opportunity approaching, and wondering whether to jump on (or if you already have), I highly recommend you listen, too.

“Foolish Adventure” is a relaxed but substantive weekly discussion by Israel Hyman and Tim Conley, two entrepreneurs (Tim is also a consultant) who generously offer their expertise in starting and building a web-based business. I found them because I’m a fan of Izzy’s wife, Noell (a "Top 10 Most Influential Scrapbooker"); Izzy is the producer of her two weekly podcasts (Paperclipping and Paperclipping Roundtable, also known as PRT), and a related podcast for digital scrapbookers (the Paperclipping Digi Show). He’s often a PRT panelist, too—the gently-ascerbic male at a virtual table of sentimental scrapbooking women.

At any rate, while I’m working long hours on my own adventure I rarely have time to read, so I’ve become a big fan of podcasts while I work. As well as the trio of Paperclipping shows and Foolish Adventure, I also recommend The Accidental Creative by Todd Henry if you’re either in, or are thinking about starting, a venture that will require you to  “create on demand.”

And as I’ve listened to Noell, Izzy, Tim and Todd, I’ve been hoping that everyone is foolish enough to pursue their unique dream when the time is right.

Because there’s nothing wiser than that.

September 8, 2010

Best back-to-school prices on Adobe Photoshop Elements

Wow, it’s been WAY too long since I did a Best Price Check on Photoshop Elements! With the kids back in school, maybe it’s a good time to think about doing a little learning of your own—with a program that is a guaranteed investment in your family’s memorykeeping.

One trend I’ve noticed is that the pricing for the Mac and PC versions is now equal in all the outlets I checked. It’s the first time that’s happened! Here’s what I found:

BEST PRICE: $49.99 (Mac and PC) at Staples.com

This is an amazing price available by box only (no downloads).The price is a result of an on-box $25 rebate plus a $20 mail-in rebate. It’s eligible for free shipping, too. Or, you can pick it up in-store (check online for availability). This is an interesting development, considering they were the HIGHEST priced retailer on my last price check.

NEXT BEST: $57.95 (Mac and PC) at Office Depot.com

The low price is for online only; in stores it’s $99.99. This is the price after the $20 Adobe rebate. Boxed only, delivery only, and you’ll pay shipping.

ALWAYS A GOOD PRICE:  $59.99 (Mac and PC) at Amazon.com

Amazon has a consistently good price on Elements, albeit not the lowest today. This is the boxed version, priced after the $20 rebate, and includes free shipping.

NECK IN NECK: $79.99 (Mac and PC) at Adobe.com, Costco.com and Frys.com

All of them sell the boxed version, shipping extra, with the price reflecting the $20 rebate. However, you can pick it up at a local Frys (check online for availability), and some local Costcos carry it in-store as well. One advantage to Adobe.com is that you can do an immediate download. Also, Adobe is still running it’s free 30-day trial, which is a great way to get your feet wet.

PRETTY TYPICAL PRICING: $99.99 (PC and Mac) at Buy.com

About OEM pricing: If you Google “best prices” for Photoshop Elements, you’ll come up with some crazy-good prices for OEM versions at various online retailers. OEM means Original Equipment Manufacturer and indicates that this software is not in retailer packaging, and was intended to be bundled with other products. 

Reading the information on two of these websites, I couldn’t tell whether this is a version with limited functions, or limited uses. Questions about its use and whether it comes with a manual went unanswered. If you intend to buy it, I would advise you track down those answers first. 

I'll keep my eye on the market and update pricing at least monthly. Let me know if you see a screamin' deal anywhere!

*NOTE: I research these prices and do my best to verify them, but I make no guarantees about product availability or pricing. Buyers will be responsible for verifying product pricing before purchase.

August 30, 2010

Etsy.com, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways ...

I love you because  …

I sometimes look at product and have to ask, “What is it?”  A print, a sculpture, a piece of jewelry, a chair?

Your YouTube Channel lets me take a break and visit the studios of artists with their own unique ways of seeing the world.

I realize that in a world full of new technologies, your artisans are sewing by hand, drawing with pens and pencils, and carving with a well-worn chisel.

Your morning email (Etsy Finds) makes me think, laugh, swoon, and start day off with a happy surprise.

I know that behind the hundreds of little shops are hundreds of creative people with hundreds of creative products … so I know the world is swirling with fresh ideas.

What was once utilitarian is now beautiful: Gym locker baskets, vintage oil cans, a worn seat from an old tractor.

You are full of love and whimsy. You have crocheted hats for dogs. And a fishbowl shaped like a lightbulb. And lots of products with unabashedly sentimental slogans.

You have beautiful patterned paper (both tangible and digital).

And most of all, I love you because …

You never stop surprising me … much like the people in my life :)