Monday, September 13, 2010

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Summertime Memories and Storybooks


There was such a GREAT response to the July Open House and Digi Crop that we just had to have an August one too!

Space is limited, so please contact me to RSVP. call 1.801.310.7504 or email: chris@heritageunwrapped.com


Thursday, July 15, 2010

September Digi Crop and Open House Announced!


Space is limited and we had to turn people away at the last Open House/Digi Crop because there were so many there. We had a GREAT time and so many projects were finished!

Please contact me to RSVP - bring guests too! It's a fun and productive way to spend a few hours!

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

It's "Christmas in July"!



Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Better than a TIE!

Let's face it - Dads are hard to buy for!

Or if you have a dad like mine, you ask him what he wants and he says, "Just to be with my family" or "I have all that I need."

Which is probably true but still...everyone loves a gift. The tricky part is not wasting your money on something that he isn't going to use, even though he SAYS he loves it. Sound familiar?

Well, this Father's Day, get ready to blow Dad away with a gift that he really will LOVE!

I just made this BeAutIfuL 20x20 Canvas (gallery-wrapped!) with 22 pics of my dad with his kids and grandkids.



Woohoo! I finally did something with 22 of my favorite photos! (Gotta love that!)

When it arrives at his door in a few days, he is going to LOVE it because of the pictures and that he can already hang it on his wall or put in an easel (Wow! Stunning! Here is one to show what they look like finished and check out the post below to see more.)


Then...he is going to cry. He doesn't do that often but this is going to be a "teary-eyed" moment.

So, if you have 22 favorite photos that you want so finally do something with AND you want to make someone cry - this is the PERFECT GIFT for you to give!

(Easy too - I used a pre-designed template and just put in my own photos and changed the words. How easy is that?! Took me 15 minutes - I had to find a few pics on my computer, otherwise it would have been even faster!)

Contact me directly to get started. I'm giving discounts right now too! :)

Must be submitted to publish by June 3, to receive in time for Father's Day.

Call 1.801.310.7504 or email me at chris@heritageunwrapped.com.

We did it! We found something Dad is going to LOVE - for REAL - for Father's Day!

- Chris

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Where Are YOUR Favorite Photos?







Why do we take pictures?

To capture memories, special moments and special people...right?

We all have great intentions, but if the pictures just sit in a box or stay on our digital camera or hard drive, are they helping us preserve or remember that moment?

Of course not!

Let's get those pictures out of the albums and off the memory cards and put them on our walls and in our homes where they can be celebrated and remembered time and time again. That's our whole point for taking them in the first place!

Now, you can put your favorite photos on CANVAS! And it's so EASY!

With Heritage Studio you can just put your photos into a pre-designed template or create your own design. Your canvases will be delivered right to your door - already gallery-wrapped, ready to hang on the wall. (They make incredible gifts too!)

Yes! You can have them back in time for Father's Day! (Great for grads, weddings, kids rooms, home decor, family history, photo shoots, vacation photos - anything!)

Don't have time? Email me your pics and I will create your canvas for you!

To help you get your favorite photos on canvas, I am having a CANVAS SALE but it ENDS WEDNESDAY, MAY 27.

You can pre-purchase your canvas to get the great price and you have an entire year to create them, whenever you need.

8x8 Canvas PLUS A free 5X7 custom card - ONLY $25.95

8X20 (or 20x8) Canvas PLUS a free 5x7 custom card - ONLY $55.95

20x20 Canvas (my personal favorite!) PLUS a free 5x7 custom card - ONLY $79.95

Friday, May 21, 2010

Family History 101 - "Who Are They?" Family Photos





Certified Genealogist, Candice Buchanan, shares her years of experience with tips and tools for identifying people in our family photos in a VERY interesting and helpful online class.

Just click the links below to watch the RECORDED online class and to get the great HANDOUT of resources too!

"This just opened up a whole new world for me."

"I can't wait to get started!"

"This is so fun!"


CLICK HERE
for link to RECORDED class. (NOTE: It starts about 2 minutes after the class begins but you do not miss out on any of the great instruction or information. It lasts about an hour.)

CLICK HERE
for the helpful HANDOUT of resources that Candice provided.

Candice Buchanan is a Certified Genealogist with over 17 years of experience in doing family and local history research. Over the past 7 years, her emphasis has been on photo identification. In 2003, she started the Greene County Photo Archives Project (amazing!) and loves to help people find and share their family history and photos.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

What's Your Story? Let's Find Out!






Expert family historian, Robin Foster-McClure, shares resources, tips and tools to help us begin the exciting and meaningful adventure of discovering our family's stories - our heritage!


Robin makes it EASY and FUN and then I share some ideas of how to PRESERVE and SHARE the information you discover.


Check out the RECORDED ONLINE CLASSES below! They are just an hour and packed with helpful and interesting info that you do not want to miss.

TOOLS TO HELP

Click on the name of the tool to use:

Pedigree Chart

Family Group Sheet

Biographical Outline

Research Log/Journal


50 Questions for Oral History Interviews


Handout with Overview of "Getting Started" Tools: CLICK HERE

Questions? Fantastic Resource: FamilySearch Forum

Need records? Check this out! CLICK HERE

See Robin's personal family history storybooks: CLICK HERE

Watch the RECORDED online class below.

Thank you for an INCREDIBLE classes, Robin!


LINKS TO RECORDED ONLINE CLASSES
: (Please be sure to turn off my blog's music so you can hear the great info.)

GETTING STARTED - DISCOVERING YOUR FAMILY'S STORIES

CLICK HERE




AFRICAN AMERICAN GENEALOGY

If you followed the story of NFL star, Emmitt Smith, trying to trace his family tree or have done your own search (or attempt) you know that African American genealogy has a whole other set of challenges and can often be discouraging or even prevent someone from finding out about who they are and where they come from.

Robin Foster-McClure has come to the rescue!

CLICK HERE

Friday, April 30, 2010

Family History - Made Easy and FUN!






Did you know that studies show that children who know their family history, cope better emotionally and have a much better sense of identity?

Do you know who your ancestors are?

Do you know their stories?

Did you know that family history is the stories of the past and the little things that we do every day?

Did you know that family history is NOT boring?

Did you know that you can start or build your family history in less than an hour?

Find out more in these incredible and FREE Family History classes. They are ONLINE and each one is just an hour!

Just click on the link for the one you want to login to or attend as many as you wish. Spread the word because EVERYONE is invited!

Thursday, May 6 - African American Genealogy

Robin Foster McClure has years of experience and is even known throughout many states for her work and the trails she has blazed with resources that are available specifically for tracing African American genealogy, which is often very challenging to do. Robin will share tools, resources and ideas for making this search much easier and more productive.

11 AM Pacific, 12 Noon Mountain, 1 PM Central, 2 PM Eastern

Please click the link to register for this FREE online class (1 hour):




Thursday, May 13 - Getting Started On Tracing Your Family History

You want to know more about your family history - your heritage - but where do you begin? Have your pen and paper ready because, expert in the field, Robin Foster McClure, will share the essential "how to" steps to get started, as well as helpful resources and websites to help you get started on this exciting adventure.

11 AM Pacific, 12 Noon Mountain, 1 PM Central, 2 PM Eastern

Please click the link to register for this FREE online class (1 hour):




Thursday, May 20 - Who Are the People in the Photos?

You know you have those stray photos - we all do - with one or even a group of people that we know are family but we don't know who they are?
Candice Buchanan is coming to the rescue! Candice has had wonderful training and successful results with finding out who people are in family photos - and the family isn't even her own. She has successfully solved many photos mysteries and in this online class, she shares her "how to" tips with you.

11 AM Pacific, 12 Noon Mountain, 1 PM Central, 2 PM Eastern

Please click the link to register for this FREE online class (1 hour):



Thursday, May 27 - Everyday Heritage

So, you have the names and the dates of ancestors...now what? What can you do with those that will make a difference TODAY? Or maybe you don't know a lot about your ancestors. That's okay! The heritage of the future is what we do everyday - today! As the Co-Founder of Heritage Makers and YOUR personal consultant, I will share lots of ideas and inspiration too that will help you discover, preserve and celebrate the things you do today - the heritage of tomorrow.

11 AM Pacific, 12 Noon Mountain, 1 PM Central, 2 PM Eastern

Please click the link to register for this FREE online class (1 hour):

Don't Just Take My Word For It...


Family history is fun? Family history is important? YES! But don't just take my word for it! Check this out!


BONUS

EVERY online class above will also show how you can preserve and share your photos and stories with Heritage Makers and a live Studio demo.

"I love this! The system is very easy to use and I am creating projects that mean something."

- Dana P.


PLUS...everyone who attends at least one online class (you can attend all of them if you wish), will be entered into a drawing for a FREE 8x8 Storybook credit. The drawing will be held at the end of May. (A $50 value!)

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Leaving a Legacy - Eyes to See

Robin Foster-McClure is an amazing woman, whom I have the privilege to work with as a consultant on my team and she is a dear friend. Robin works in a Family History Center and is dedicated to helping families discover connections and bridge generations together. About Heritage Makers, Robin says, "Heritage Makers has changed my life and that of my family."

To talk with Robin, share in her positive attitude and "never give up" spirit and to see her beautiful designs and pages, you would never know that she is legally blind. I still have to remind myself. And then, when I do, her story and her projects inspire me even more.

Robin, THANK YOU for sharing your latest storybook - your life's testimony to your posterity.

Here is Robin's story and a preview of her Storybook:

Eyes to See

The legacy I want to leave my posterity is the ability to endure and overcome obstacles using eyes that really can see. They will know that I am not speaking of seeing physically, but seeing whatever picture they paint on the canvas of life with their mind's eye....and holding fast to it. The struggle is not outward but inward.

There are so many reasons for people in the world to let challenges get them off the path. We have so much in the world of natural disaster and suffering which result from the actions of others. I think now is the time to remind ourselves that we still live in a time where we can choose whether or not we will be defeated or whether we will pull up our boot straps and trudge forward.

The first step to overcoming obstacles comes in how we choose to react to them. We can allow our vision to be clouded by becoming angry, hurt, or offended---or we can exercise our freedom to choose the good consequences of not becoming distracted or swept away by the winds of adversity. We will then find avenues to creatively adapt to situations we would otherwise deem hopeless.

My book is about seeing past the distractions and holding fast to the clear mental picture we have which may not yet be physically manifest in our lives. When all about us the walls are crumbling, we can look forward with faith. All we need are eyes to see, and remember.

I am so happy to be able to have put in a book, what I think is the greatest challenge of live.....to not let go of those things we have seen.

Sincerely,
Robin


Thursday, February 4, 2010

From Computer to CANVAS


I used to have bare, boring, ugly walls. Sure, I added the HGTV-recommended "paint on the walls" but still...bare and boring.

I spent years (yes, years), looking for the perfect piece of art to invest in - or at least something that I could put on the wall that I would love day after day.

The walls stayed bare.

But NOW, my walls have made my house a home and I LOVE the artwork!

I use Heritage Studio to make CUSTOM CANVAS PRINTS (gallery-wrapped) with my favorite photos! (I love to give them as gifts too!)



Every room has a beautiful canvas print - or two or three - that celebrate what matters most - FAMILY!
Thinking..."Too hard to make!" or "Can't afford it?"
Think AGAIN!

Check out this quick clip about how EASY and AFFORDABLE custom canvas prints are with Heritage Studio:

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

Ready to get started? Contact me and I'll give you a super discount too!
- Chris

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

No More Generic Valentines!

CELEBRATE the people you LOVE!

It's a special day to say I LOVE YOU or THANK YOU to those in your life who make it what it is - even more meaningful.

They deserve more than a message on a candy heart or a wilting bunch of flowers.

This year, give them a PERSONALIZED Valentine that they will treasure FOREVER!

Check out these MEANINGFUL and CREATIVE ways to say "I Love You" or "Happy Valentine's Day" for ALL AGES and GUYS and LADIES too!

PLUS, pre-designed templates make it SO EASY!!! Just drop in your photos! (No kidding!)

NOTE: Click the headings below to see a preview of the layout.

Love Letters in a Storybook
- This is a GREAT way to preserve and remember your special love letters and special pictures to go with them.

Loving You...

Loving YOU


Favorite photos in a VIP Valentine book:


"Love of Mine"
(7x5 Hardbound Storybook)

Love of Mine Basic Template 7x5 book

"Top 10 Things I Love About You"
(7x5 Hardbound Storybook)

10 Things I Love About You Valentine

"He Said She Said - A Love Story" (8x8 Hardbound Storybook)

He Said, She Said: A Love Story


"I Heart U" (7x5 Hardbound Storybook) - Can be for boy or girl ("My Special Girl")

I Heart U

Books are great to give to kids too!

VALENTINE SPECIAL: 7x5 Hardbound Storybook credit PLUS a custom greeting card for ONLY $32.95!
(Ends Saturday, January 30, 2010)

Contact me to order this. Order as many as you wish!


CLASS VALENTINES


Your kids will LOVE passing out these custom Valentines to their friends!

(click images below to enlarge for detail)

Matchbook Valentines - Personalized message and photo around a treat.

Uses 8.5x11 Scrapbook Page

Matchbook Valentines 8.5x11.5


Valentine Bookmarks - Personalized and Useful too! (My daughter's favorite!)

Uses 5x7 Greeting Card


Valentine Bookmarks


Custom Playing Cards for Personalized Valentines - Half of the deck is designed to be from a boy and the other half is designed to be from a girl. Can customize however you wish!

Uses Deck of Playing Cards

Half and Half Kids Valentine Pack


LOVE GAMES and COUPONS


Uses deck of Playing Cards

A custom deck of playing cards that bring love to life!

A fun gift idea!


Love Match


CUSTOM 5x7 Greeting CARDS


XOXO


True Love Valentine Card


Scalloped Valentine Card


Be my Valentine

NOTE:
All Valentine orders must be submitted to publish BEFORE Feb.1 to be received in time for Valentine's Day. You still have time and I am here to help!

ALL of these creative and custom Valentines can be created right on YOUR computer in your own Heritage Makers account!

Don't have an account? Not sure where to start? Want to place an order for DISCOUNTED publishing credits? CONTACT ME!

chris@heritageunwrapped.com

Happy Valentine's Day!

- C

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Project 365 - Picture a Day

I LOVE this idea for the memories and moments for 2010!

PROJECT 365

I challenge everyone to join me in Project 365!

Take a picture every day to capture 2010 in a special way.

This template to allow you to showcase each day, and tell what your favorite pic of the week was.

Don't just think big events, and kids...think about the little things that make you smile and shape your life.

Anyone ...can use this template with your free account, and you can share it next year with, or without printing it.



CLICK HERE to see the preview.

This template is found in the Heritage Makers Template Gallery. You can get it from there or contact me and I will transfer it to you.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

HAPPY NEW YEAR - and happy heritage making!

- Chris

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Hot Idea! Family Yearbook

No time to scrapbook?

Want to capture and preserve the memories of 2009?

Welcome to YEARBOOKING!


Put your favorite memories, stories and images into a BEAUTIFUL, HARDBOUND Storybook!

TONS of templates to choose from!

Or CREATE your own design!


Go digital!

Take a peek at some of these great "Ready-to-Use" templates - just add your own photos and story!

(Layouts can be customized and you can edit the template however you wish!)

YOU can have ALL of 2009's (or any year's) memories preserved and ready to remember in less than a day!

Or start now on 2010!

CLICK heading for PREVIEW of a few of the templates available. Templates can be used for ANY year...












PLUS...


Premier Membership is ON SALE right now for ONLY $99.95 for 12 months! That's less than $10 a month for UNLIMITED online photo storage, digital art and templates!

Add your 12x12 Storybook credit for your Family Yearbook and SAVE MORE!!! Only $159.95 for 12 months of Premier AND a 12x12 Storybook credit!

BIGGEST SAVINGS EVER on Premier!


Contact me to get started!

- Chris

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Last-Minute Just Got PERSONAL


EVERYONE has a story!

That's why everyone will LOVE a chance to preserve and share their favorite memories with your Heritage Makers gift.

With a "Gift of Story" card, you give the gift that will last a lifetime.

Every size is perfect because they can create it however they wish!

Just let me know what credit you want to give and I will have it ready to give for you.

EVERYONE has a story - now YOU can help them share it.

(Please click on image to enlarge for information).

Publishing credits are good for an entire year.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

THANKSGIVING SPECIAL: Custom Softbound Books - ONLY $14.95 EACH!

Thanksgiving Special:

5 Softbound/Wirebound book credits for ONLY $79.95 - That's ONLY $14.95 per book!

You can use the credits for ANY softbound/wirebound book project throughout the entire year but get the good savings NOW!

This sale ends MONDAY, November 30.

These books are great for:

- cookbooks

- kids' stories/art

- planners

- calendars

- journals

...and more!

LOTS of pre-designed templates available or design your own.

---

Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy Thanksgiving,

Chris

Monday, November 23, 2009

EASY Thanksgiving Memories

It's the most wonderful time of the year - being surrounded by loved ones, special stories and good memories.

As we gather with family, friends and loved ones this week, here are some fun ways you can make sure that the special moments will never be forgotten!

- Camera is ready, battery charged...now...USE it! :) (Tip: I get busy, so I have my kids be the "photographers" for part of the day, to make sure pictures are being taken and memories are being saved no matter what.) Be sure to take lots of photos of the memories and heritage that are being made and the special people in your life - including you!

- Print off copies of the attached "Story Maps" - My kids LOVE this and it brings priceless conversation and family stories. Kids (and adults alike) can be "reporters" and interview loved ones with the Story Map. Then, they write down the answers. "What was your favorite subject in school?", "What did you dream about becoming when you were a teenager?", "How did you purpose?" and MORE! (The Story Maps are found on the Heritage Studio home page for more themes and ideas. They are free - just download and print.)

- Share stories - The best gifts of the season are the memories. Sharing family and other special stories are a great way to strengthen family and bring generations closer together.

- Tell everyone to bring their favorite Thanksgiving (or any) recipes written down - or email them to you ahead of time - Or just collect them when everyone is together. The idea is to collect and preserve the favorite recipes.


QUICK & EASY WAY TO PRESERVE MEMORIES - Great Gift Idea too!

With the photos and recipes from Thanksgiving, you can put together a custom cookbook in minutes!

And now, you have a quick and meaningful Christmas gift for everyone that they are going to LOVE!

There are over 50 pre-designed templates to choose from! Just put in your own photos and recipes and you're DONE!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

I'm LOVIN' These CUSTOM Cards!!


Jill Means, professional graphic designer who has large companies, resorts, and spas as her clientele has just released an incredible line of 24 Christmas and Holiday card templates that are now available in Heritage Studio - with a BASIC membership!

That's right - you don't have to pay Jill 100's of dollars to get her to do a custom design for your Christmas card - she has done it for you...FOR FREE!

I am in LOVE with these designs!


PLUS...Jill has created these designs so that you can change the color and the art and turn your favorite Christmas card into a baby announcement, party invite, thank you note - whatever you want! So easy!

NOW...here is the best part...CUSTOM CARD PRICES ARE SLASHED THIS WEEK ONLY!

So, you can get Jill's amazing designs and print them for as low as 79 cents a card!

How great is that?!

The Heritage Makers Holiday Hits Sale is HERE!

This is my biggest sale of the season! Let me help you cruise through this month and next knowing you have your gift giving under control -- especially your extra-special Heritage Makers gifts.

This week, CUSTOM CARDS are on sale for as little as 79 cents a card!

Postcard style can be customized on both sides. Greeting Card style can be customized on all fours sides. ALL cards include a felt-weave envelope! Direct shipping is available - Heritage Makers will send your cards for you!

Contact me today to get this amazing deal!

To see this week's special and more designs - CLICK HERE.

Design your own or choose from over 100 stunning templates - just add your own photos and message and your beautiful custom card is DONE!

Order this week and I will design your card for you!

Just email or send me your photos and message - that's it!

chris@heritageunwrapped.com

phone: 1.801.310.7504

SALE ENDS NOVEMBER 23 AT 12:00 Noon!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Every Month - A Memory

I have never been a "calendar lover"...until I started making my own custom calendars in Heritage Studio.

Now that I can add my own images to the months' pages and my own text to the important dates - I am hooked.

That's what a calendar is all about right? Not just the "official" important dates adorned with photographs of nature or comic strips. Every month - every day - is about our LIVES. Our own special people, places and memories and the important dates that are important to us as individuals and as families.

I think that is why these custom calendars are such a huge hit for Christmas and holiday gifts. Because we KNOW that they are going to be USED and we KNOW that they are going to be LOVED.

Hey, and at this "Pick of the Month" price, they are so budget-friendly, I can hardly stand it!

You can get as many calendar credits as you want at these SUPER-LOW PRICES and you do NOT have to make them all the same - or even all for the holidays.

Check out the TEMPLATE GALLERY too - there are some great calendar templates. The design work is done for you (and you can customize the design however you wish!)

Click on image for details and contact me to place your order for calendar credits or anything else you want. I also am happy to answer your questions too. :)

Monday, October 26, 2009

From Fridge to Published Book

Ellie told me, "Mom, my pictures have stories too."



Then, I looked at the fridge, the walls, the chalkboard - all covered with her art - her stories.

Well, Ellie, you know what we do with photos and stories around here...

"We put them in a book!", she shouted with a smile.


So, we took her favorite pictures and in no time, she was scanning them in on her own.



"Make sure they are 200 dpi!", she remembered.

Scanning Tip: Scan an image at 200 dpi, if you are going to print it in your project at about that same size. If you want to make it larger in your project, scan it at a higher resolution - 300 or 400 dpi - as long as the file size isn't over 10 MB.


Then, we logged in to Heritage Studio and chose a blank 8x8 Storybook to create.

Ellie uploaded her the digital images of her artwork and dragged them to where she wanted them on the page.

Next, she wrote (typed) the wonderful stories that went with each and every picture. Wow! What a wonderful imagination she has!


I am so glad we did this! These wonderful stories would have truly been forgotten - or maybe never even known.

And of course - the her smile at the end with a hardbound book of her art is PRICELESS!

P.S. And I get to see my fridge again! :)

CLICK HERE to view "Ellie's Art Book".