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Digital Scrapbooking Crafting Apps for the Ipad

While I have been dabbling in the world of digital scrapbooking for a couple of years or so, and engaging in my hobby when I can, (using a variety of free and or paid resources), I knew that  with the popularity of Picmonkey and other photo editing programs that someone would eventually create an easier online digital scrapbooking software application.

So, I wasn’t surprised to see that the doyenne of all things homemaking, home design and style, and crafting would launch her own crafting application for the ipad.  This application was initially released sometime in June of 2012 and was available for free.

After July 8th, 2012 it  was made available on the itunes app store for $4.99.  If you are on Pinterest, the Martha Stewart Craft teams regularly posts pins on their application. If you click on the Martha Stewart Crafts pic above, you will be directed to her introductory video of the app but it it basically speeds through the interface. (This is not an affiliate link.)

According to other online reviews, the crafting app is solely for card making.  It enables you to choose from three background  sizes and decorate them with elements like patterned paper, stamps, punch-outs, stickers and even sparkles.   Four themes are included with the app, and five add-on packs are available for $1.99 each via in-app purchases.

As you would expect from Martha Stewart, the app provides themes that complement each other and are color coordinated, but you can go outside of the box by mix and matching your own themes.    You can retrieve pictures from your ipad or use the ones already stored on your ipad for your photo layouts.

All your projects can be saved, emailed or posted to Facebook and Twitter.  If you were looking for something that is actually printed,  you can send the card to your printer or send it to  Snapfish, a digital printing service.  I have been looking for other similar apps for available for android tablets but haven’t been successful, so I’ll have to do additional research.

Other similar ipad apps that are worth  looking at are:

Red Stamp Cards –

Available at Itunes app store – Free

ScrapPad- Srapbook for Ipad

Available at Itunes app store – Free

If you want additional information, or just want to know what the interface looks like,  I have included a third party Youtube video review of the software app, so you can get an idea of the look of the software app’s interface and the basic functions that are available on the Martha Stewart’s Craft Studio.

Sometimes it helps to watch a video of someone else using the software before you commit to trying it out.  Unfortunately, it’s no longer free, so you want to be able to get the most for your purchase.

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Spring is on the Way!

Well, March has rolled in and with it of course, are all the the pleasant reminders of the season.  For me I have included a few pics of my favorite things, so this blog post is just a list of all my favorite things associated with spring.

Many Shabby Chic collectors tend to collect items associated with spring colors, pastel robin’s egg blue, pinks and buttercup yellows…And I can’t forget the soft spring green!  So this is a great time to bring out the decorative collectibles.

Here’s the list!

  • eggs
  • bunnies
  • chocolate bunnies (you’ll get to know my love for chocolate)
  • warmer weather
  • soft pastels
  • baby lambs
  • puffy clouds and blue skies
  • cherry blossoms
  • trees blooming
  • gardening

And of course, the warmer weather lends to ideal conditions to scout for vintage items, (although weather doesn’t tend to stop me from shopping altogether….a limited spending budget does). Living in California, the weather is generally pleasant but there are days in winter that get a little gloomy.

In any case, just wanted to celebrate the season with a tiny shout out.  Take some time and bring out your favorite vintage items, it will change your outlook and relieve the cabin fever!

How about this idea for spring or the Easter holiday! I just used to like looking at marshmallow peeps.

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7 Reasons Why People Collect Antiques

As a fan of PBS’ Antique Roadshow, I often find myself pondering what prompted a person to collect the item they are showcasing in the first place?

In the popular show, you get to see a huge variety of collectibles from furniture, to quilts, to decorative collectibles, to fine art, musical instruments and  paper collections.

The show hosts often asks the collector how they came about acquiring the item and the individual stories often vary.  But other than the occasional person, who basically fell into acquiring the collectible by accident (as an heirloom or gift), most of the guests loved and sought after what they collected.

So after a little soul searching, I put together a list of positive reasons why people collect.

  1. Money and Investment or Creating Family Heirlooms

    You enjoy finding and collecting items that you want to leave as part of your inheritance or to make a statement of who you were to future heirs. Usually your collection, will have a dual purpose of not only pleasing you aesthetically but actually have an inherent monetary value that is established by antique experts and similar professionals.  Most collectors in this category collect fine art, furniture, vintage fine jewelry and other similar items.

  2. Collect for Sentimental Value or Nostalgia – Fond memories of the past or your childhood, inspire you to collect those objects that promoted your happiness and the process of collecting these items inspires these positive feelings.  Many vintage or antique collections can remind you of close relationships with loved ones or admired mentors  and the influence that these people had in developing your personal taste and style.
  3. Personal Hobby – The time and attention you put in researching, finding, purchasing, cleaning or restoring your collectibles and then displaying your collection, relaxes and or energizes you.  Engaging in your hobby makes the cares of life seem distant and provides you with a sense of accomplishment and restored energy.

  4. Personal Aesthetics

    Your sense of style draws you to the aesthetics or beauty and rarity of the items you collect. Most avid collectors enjoy finding unique ways to display their personal collections throughout their homes.

  5. Enjoys the “thrill of the hunt” of finding rare items  One of the best parts about antique collecting is the thrill of the hunt.  The expectation of finding a treasure is a big motivator for the collector.  Many vintage or antique collections have been built by  carefully combing through boxes and tables at a yard sale or flea market, a sudden find at an auction, going through listings in the local paper or online (Craigslist…anyone?), or even an unexpected find at a store.  And when you find that item, it’s an awesome feeling!  This is especially true if you have been conducting a search for a long time or if the item is rare.  Acquiring the item or desired collectible, has less of a thrill for this type of collector than the thrill of searching for and finding it.

  6. Enjoys the restoration of antiques and collectibles – Not all antique collectors restore their collectibles, but many develop skill sets that bring added beauty and value to the items they collect.  These collectors enjoy the process so much and with added practice become so good at it, that they soon find themselves giving away their collectibles to grateful recipients and/or selling the items they restore.
  7. Feeling of Community/Social  – Over time, many collectors have individual and highly specialized knowledge about the items that they collect, that they find themselves joining or participating in groups that collect similar items.  And what should be surprising about that?  Many collectors enjoy the conversation regarding a similar collectible, the praise they get for the items they might have collected, and the additional knowledge and expertise they gather  from engaging in discussions with those who have broader collections of similar items.

So there is my wrap up of what I believe are the reasons why people like to collect.  While this blog post doesn’t address all of the reasons why people collect, I think it gives a broad idea of what motivates many collectors and the underlying reason common to most collectors is that they enjoy it immensely.  What motivated you to begin collecting?