I change lives for a living, or How to Find Memory-Keeping Solutions

This is what I love about what I do.  So many people have a batrillion digital photos and

1. don't have a good system for actually doing something with them
2. are overwhelmed at the amount of photos they have
3. don't think they have the time to do anything with their photos

Photos need to be held, loved, seen, looked at, and interacted with.  They need to be enjoyed.

And the truth is, we need our photos.  

Life at its best is a little rough, don't you think?  But photos preserved are roses in December.  Photos and memories have the power to lift us, to change us.

I love inspiring people to do something with their photos, but mostly I love giving them SOLUTIONS.  Talking about it is great, but unless there's something to SOLVE the issue, what's the point?

I promise you right now that there's no time like the present.  I know that it's tempting to think things like "after the summer is over," or "once I get the yard done" or "after this big thing I have going on at work" or "when my kids get older" or ...   

But the truth is that as soon as that one thing happens or gets done, another one will take its place.  I heard someone once say that we have too much to do so that we will learn what's really important.  So please don't get tricked into thinking that some day in the future you will have more opportunities to do something with your photos.  

The time is right now.

THE SOLUTION:  A PRACTICAL PROCESS TO DOING SOMETHING WITH YOUR PHOTOS

1.  Choose a memory-keeping solution that works for you.  

Let's be honest: if a memory-keeping method isn't a good fit for you, you're just not going to do it.  (I know that's true for me!)  Find something that fits.

My best recommendations for {heirloom-quality products with guaranteed photo privacy are right here at this link}, so look around there and see what looks great to you.  Do you want full creativity and flexibility in a digital scrapbooking software program, or do you want get-'er-done-quick simplicity with pre-designed templates?  There are some videos at the link to give you peeks into each option, too.

2.  Make time.  

Contrary to popular belief, we never actually "find" time for anything--we MAKE it.  Can you cut out 2 hours of Facebook/TV/etc. time each week?  Can you enlist the help of your kids so it's a project you're doing together?  Can you reserve the same time of the day each week--Sunday mornings or Friday nights--as YOUR memory-keeping time?  My suggestion is to actually put it on your calendar--truly MAKE TIME for your memory-keeping.  Then honor your appointment with yourself.

I have a whole collection of {resources of tips on time here.}  See what you find most helpful.

And if you're not 100% sure about making time for memory-keeping, the first thing you should know is that {kids benefit enormously} from having their stories (photos+memories) preserved, and the second thing you should know is that {memory-keeping actually has good-for-you wellness effects}.  It's {self-care}!  

3.  Get some help.  

Is {Photo Overwhelm} keeping you from even starting?  Is time an issue?  Is {money} an issue?  Would {working with someone else} help you DO your good intentions?   (All these links can help!)

I've been coaching people on memory-keeping for over 11 years now, and I've listed several tips in the {"tips"} tab here at the blog.  See if there's a suggestion for overcoming your particular struggle.  

Remember, too, that I'm a Photo & Story Treasures CONSULTANT--and that means I consult.  So don't hesitate to {contact me} for suggestions, ideas, pointers, or help getting started.  I've been doing this for a long time, and I have come up with a big handful of solutions.  Here's an example of a great solution:

And definitely don't miss the {"Our Community and Events"} tab because it is always updated with the latest online events and classes (among other things) that I hold.  Most of them are free.

 

Let me help you navigate the world of too many photos and too little time.  #dontletyourbabiesgrowuptobejpegs

creative business or party FAVORS

There are SO MANY creative and clever and fun things you can do with Heritage Makers labels!  

You can COMPLETELY CUSTOMIZE these labels for your use--business thank-you, graduation party, birthday (party or even invitation!), retirement party, wedding, etc., etc.  

There are two sizes of labels you can create.  I love the chocolate favors I made from Heritage Makers (regular size) address labels, {which I posted about here}--but if you missed it, you should definitely check it out!!  They are so cute and such a great price!  

Today, though, I want to show you some fun thank-yous I'm using for a business event I have coming up that use the large address labels.

But maybe a walk through some other cute ideas first!

This "love potion no. 9" is an address label used for a Valentine's Day gift.  CUTE, HUH?? 

I think this one would make a lovely add for neighbor gifts for Christmas, on top of a plate of goodies!

 
I also saw a template that was for Tic Tacs!  If you cut these large labels in half, they fold over Tic Tacs just right!  So I wanted to give it a try.  

I created the labels in my Heritage Makers account, basing them off a template, but changing pretty much everything to match my current business colors and the message I wanted on these favors.  Then I submitted them for publishing in the Heritage Makers system.  They were printed on their awesome printing press and shipped right to my door.

I made two per label, of course, so I could cut them in half and they'd be the right size for Tic Tacs.

Then I just peeled them off and put them on the Tic Tac boxes.

For me, this is a business thank-you.  But this could be used for birthday parties or any number of things.  The digital art that's included with Heritage Makers products is what makes these so fun! 

The large address labels come in a set of 12 for $3.94 (Gold Club price)--though this particular project was 2 per label, so I got 24 out of it.   So each "Tic Tac cover" only cost me 16 cents!  Not bad, right?? 

Celebrate something fun!  What could YOU make?

UPDATE 2022:  All these items shown were made with Heritage Makers.  However, Heritage Makers is currently being updated to a new software platform that doesn't require Adobe Flash to run (which Adobe has discontinued).  For the time being, it's easier for you to order these items from me--meaning I make them for you--than it will be for you to make them in your own Heritage Makers account.  Just contact me with questions and/or to order these great items!

These are your photos on a flash drive. Any questions?

Who remembers this?

Well, photos aren't so different.

These are your photos.

 

These are your photos on a flash drive.

 

Any questions?

It seems like so many people these days are so concerned with saving their photos digitally.  They want to make sure they have digital backups in case of a computer crash or hard drive failure.  And this is good!  

But scroll back up and take a long look at that flash drive.  What does that do for you?  Does it bring a smile to your face when you remember that special trip or that wedding?  Are you remembering what it felt like to watch that baby take his first step?  

Nope.  

It's a piece of hardware.  The pictures are hidden, and they don't have any details with them to help you remember.  So a flash drive does nothing for you.

So here's what we're gonna do.  

We're going to preserve the photos digitally but we're also going to PRESERVE THEM IN PRINT.  That's the only MEANINGFUL way there is to preserve photos!  They need to be seen and interacted with, not just stored.

So let's solve this!

Let get your pictures to look like this!

How about two added bonuses?  

1- no hassle 

2- heirloom-quality books (and guaranteed photo privacy, which is more unusual than you'd think)

Here's all the information you'll need:

{Just click here to get started!} 

If you need a little help getting caught up, you can find some {tips} here, and you can {join any of my online events to work with our fun little memory-keeping community}. 

And as a consultant (...you'll never guess...)  I consult!  So I'm always here to answer questions, bounce ideas off of, and give pointers as needed.  You can {contact me here}.

You're starting something amazing!  Getting your photos off your flash drive and into hands so they can be loved is an absolute gift.

fun, affordable, easy-to-store Christmas decor and gifts

Oh, are you in for a TREAT!!  I just made these for a "Christmas in July" event I'm doing. 

Remember when I said that Heritage Makers products are very versatile, and they're fun because you can turn them into whatever you want?

I present to you today (*drum roll*):

Christmas decor made from playing cards.

Yes, I'm serious.

Not like this:

Although you certainly COULD make those for fabulous, keeps-on-giving Christmas gifts.

But today I'm talking about Christmas decor (which could also be given as a gift) from playing cards.  Like this:

 

This banner is made from part of a deck of playing cards.  (I actually get 5 of these from 1 deck of cards.)  This would be so cute on a mantel!  (Mine is currently under construction, or I would have taken a picture of it at my fireplace.)

And, of course, they just fold up on each other for easy storage.

And speaking of versatile...  I used the same cards to make a centerpiece for the table.  I just punched the holes in different places and tied with ribbon.

And these, too, fold up nicely for storage.

 

 

The backs of the cards look like this.

This particular design is in the Heritage Makers template gallery, so all you have to do is order it! 

And then I decided to make the same thing in a different style.  So this one isn't in the template gallery, but I'm very good at sharing!  (I can just transfer this project from my Heritage Makers account to yours.)  This message is "Peace on Earth."  Here's the banner version:

 

And here's the table decor version:

 

I forgot I was going to try tying this one on the back, but you could do that if you want.

This is what the backs of the playing cards look like. 

 

And, again, these fold up nicely for storage.

Because a deck of cards comes with 54 cards, each playing card deck you get will make multiple items.  That's why I think it makes a great gift--make one for yourself, give the rest away!  The price can't be beat, either.  The "Be Merry" set has 10 cards, which comes to less than $4, plus the cost of the ribbon.  The "Peace on Earth" set has 16 cards, which comes to around $6.50, plus the cost of the ribbon.  These are fun and easy projects!

#getcrafty

UPDATE 2022:  All these items shown were made with Heritage Makers.  However, Heritage Makers is currently being updated to a new software platform that doesn't require Adobe Flash to run (which Adobe has discontinued).  For the time being, it's easier for you to order these items from me--meaning I make them for you--than it will be for you to make them in your own Heritage Makers account.  Just contact me with questions and/or to order these great items!

don't worry about making a sale

I love my job as a Photo & Story Treasures Consultant.  I'm a little different, I think, as a team leader than most.  I'm not really about the numbers--I'm about people.  So if you are thinking about joining my team, this is what it's like:

I believe the best goals are the ones YOU make, not the ones that are made for you.  I want to be supportive to my team, and I want to help in any way I can, but I'm not all about the numbers (or the sales)--I'm about listening as you make your business work for YOU.  If you want to replace your current income, I'll support you in that.  If you want a fun hobby, I'll support you in that.

When you have a business, you do want sales--you want to be paid for the work you do.  I know that's true for me!  Since this business is a work of HEART, it's very satisfying and meaningful as well.  Helping someone on the road to solving their problem of having too many photos and too little time is so rewarding, and so is sharing inspiration about the many benefits of memory-keeping (increased happiness, increased self-esteem, a sense of belonging, therapeutic effects, etc.).

There are some great options and approaches for making memory-keeping your business, too!  You can make it fit your style and personality.  

If this sounds like a good fit for you, I would love to mentor you as a memory-keeping consultant.  {You can find more consultant information right here.}