While consultants are away, the customers get to play!!!

June Pick of the Month Sale!

Organization & Preparation Tips for High Speed Photo Scanning

I just wanted to give you some ideas about how to organize your photos for best results in our high speed scanner. Many of you have mentioned an interest and that you have pictures sitting in boxes or somewhere waiting. This is an opportunity to get them digitally saved/archived and usable.

You'll need to give me (or your consultant) an estimate of how many pictures you'll need scanned, then I can let you know how long it will take to get them done. As soon as you call me to get on the schedule, I can get some forms to you regarding photo releases and prices, etc. This will not be the only opportunity to scan your pictures, but the sooner you do it, the sooner you can get working on your projects!

I suggest putting them in some type of shoe box or plastic box(s). (One average shoebox with photos upright is approximately 800-1000 photos.) Whatever order you put them in, the scanner will return them in that same order. It is better to turn them all upright (or portrait style) so that as they scan, you won't have to go into the computer later and rotate them right side up. Also if they have dust on them, you will want to wipe them with a dry soft rag to help keep the scanner clean, which in turn allows better quality scanning and a higher resolution.

Label your different picture sections with a 3x5 card if your pictures are already organized. You should remove pictures from albums and label the card with where they go and what they are so returning them will be easier. For very tiny pictures it will be best to mount them on an index card first. (photos smaller than 2.5"x3.5")

There is also a double sided scanning option if needed. Just make sure you separate those items, from your others as they will have to be done in a separate batch.

I will scan them through the software on my computer and directly onto a memory stick (also known as a USB drive, flashbdrive, thumb drive, etc.) It is best to have a 2 gig memory stick. If you do not have one and this seems like another language to you, either ask your teenagers about it, or don't worry, I'll have one you can keep at cost - for about $12.00. This memory stick can be put right into the USB port on your computer and the pictures uploaded, etc.

FYI: PHOTO RELEASE INFORMATION
I have talked to Cory Adams Photography and it has only been in the last few years that they have sold the rights to their pictures digitally (ie, school, sports). Their policy is to pay $10 for the rights to any pictures taken in the last few years. Whenever you order through them currently, you can always pay $10 (per child) for a CD of your pictures. If you have pictures taken before then, you can bring them to their studio and they will write a letter to release the copyright of those pictures to you, with no cost.

For Lifetouch school portraits, they just ask that you tell them the names or family name on the pictures and what the project is for and they will write a release of copyright to you for those pictures for that project. So if you wanted to have school pictures scanned, you should get their permission and say it for digital scrapbooking, or whatever you need them for (ie, quilt, cake).

For other professional studios, determine if you paid for the copyrights in your packages. If not, you will need to get their permission to have them scanned. If your pictures are very old and you absolutely do not know the photographer or where they were done, we have to make a professional decision about the ability to scan those photos. Since this is part of my business, I have to make sure we cover all of our bases before we scan professional images. This will be the case no matter who scans your pictures, so just be aware of what the policies are.

I HAVE NOTICED THAT EACH STUDIO HAS THEIR OWN POLICIES, SO BE SURE TO MAKE A QUICK CALL TO KNOW WHAT THEY REQUIRE FOR COPYRIGHT APPROVAL. Most of the places I've heard from are just happy to send an email or letter giving you the release.

I know you will enjoy having your pictures scanned, archived, and ready for use in your Heritage Makers Projects. I also know getting them organized is the hardest part and it takes time. My advice is to get it over with and you'll be glad you did it. Not only that, but we'll be able to scan about400-500 pictures in one hour. This amount of photos would normally take 30 hours on a flatbed scanner.

I can pick up your photos the day before and bring them back to you that day, or at the latest, the following day.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Number of Scans Cost:
0 - 99 $.39/each
100 - 499 $.29/each
500+ $.19/each

Laura Rytting

Creating a "Heritage Home."

This month we had our corporate sponsored Utah Regional training held at the Courtyard Marriott in Sandy, UT. It is a chance for our consultants to receive valuable training and information for their business, as well as recognition for their hard work and acheivements. We were privledged to have a member of our team, Debbie Rasmussen, speak to us about Scanning, as well as members of our home office team.


Friday night, there was a business showcase with amazing displays and ideas for all the Heritage Makers projects we could be using to decorate with and create a "Heritage Home." Creating a Heritage Home is more than just sitting your projects around the house for all to enjoy. It is about making projects with your family in mind. Creating things that will be meaningful and uplifting to you and your individual family members. Letting each child know they are special by designing posters and decor with positive values and memories to decorate each room. Hanging a family calendar in the kitchen with photos and birthdays of the important people in your lives. Making your house a home that your family can't wait to come back to at the end of each day.

We have a creative bunch of men and women here at Heritage Makers, and the ideas were amazing. I am including some photos of the displays to help you get an idea of what I am referring to. Many of these projects are available as templates in the template gallery. And some of them you can get directly through me. But did you know what wonderful things you can create through your Heritage Makers account??

A child who grows up in a home with such decorations will know that she is loved. She will know that she is an important part of her family, and that her live has meaning and purpose. A child who grows up with photos of his ancestors on the walls and in storybooks, will know of his heritage and where he came from. He will know that he came from a line of hard workers, or pioneers, or farmers, or whatever the case may be. This gives a child security and focus and direction. It causes him to want to follow in footsteps of those stalwart relatives, or to avoid particular paths that may not have been so good. It teaches a child who they are and what they can become. I challenge you to create a heritage home for YOUR family. I would love to help you do that, so please contact me at simplestorybooks@gmail.com or leave a comment on this post and I will get in touch with YOU!

"But I don't have any Stories."

When I go out to teach my Heritage Makers workshops, one of the first questions I ask people is "What do you do with your photos?" Some of the most common responses are, "They're in a box under my bed," "They're on my computer," or "I put them in Scrapbooks." The point here, is that most people have an answer for that question. The next question I ask is "What do you do with your stories?" Most often I get several blank stares, and confused expressions. Some people might say "Nothing," or "I don't have any stories." Then I start with MY confused expression. "What do you mean you don't have any stories?"
I have to wonder how many of you feel that same way. I would like to help you understand just how stories make up the tapestry of your life. Sometimes we feel like there is nothing significant about us, no defining factor that makes us stand out from others around us. Does that mean there is no story? Absolutely Not! Every day that you are living on this earth, and breathing it's air, you are adding pages to your story. It is not yet complete, and maybe the plot is still developing, but you definitely have a story.
If I have convinced you of my point of view thus far, you are likely to have another question. "Who is really going to care about what happens in my life?" Now seriously think abut this for a minute, you're answers will come from the experiences of your own lives. Have you ever lost a family member unexpectedly? Did your grandparents pass on before you were born? What do you really know about those people who made up a significant part of your family history? Many of us even have living relatives that we don't really know that much about. Somehow it seems wrong to ask, or we are not comfortable enough in our relationships with them to be able to learn about their lives and their personal histories. This being said, what do you suppose YOUR posterity might be want to know about you? Wouldn't it be interesting for them to see photos of you as a child? Maybe a snapshot of you at a birthday party, your baptism, the day you got your drivers license? What about family vacations, your wedding day, the birth of your first child? If you don't think any of these things are of interest to anyone, I have to say, respectfully of course, that you are likely wrong.
Sometimes it is overwhelming to think about going back to remember and preserve the past, so I want to encourage you to start where you are. Put into place a system for recording the present. Become a record-keeper from here on out. And then as you become more familiar with the process, you can go back and start writing your own life story. Take pride in the life you have lived thus far, and share the lessons you have learned with your children and grandchildren. PLEASE DONT LET YOUR STORIES GO UNWRITTEN!

Valentines Cards for Kids

How would you like your child to have the cutest Valentines cards in the class, and at a price you can afford? We have a "lovely" new template in the Gallery that uses Heritage Makers Playing Card decks as Valentine Cards handouts. Scroll to the right to view all the cards. These are totally customizable, so you can add or change whatever you like. Also, to make this an even greater deal, TODAY ONLY,(Monday, Jan 12th) you can get 2 Playing Card Credits for $29.95. That makes your cards about $.27 each. Call me now to place your order, because tomorrow this deal will be history!

January Specials & Promotions

It's 2009, and to celebrate, Heritage Makers has pulled out all the stops to make this an amazing beginning to an amazing year! There are so many great things going on that it's going to take a little writing to get it all out, so feel free to scan through for key words and see what interests you.

First of all, let me tell you about Club Premier. This month only, Heritage Makers has an AMAZING special on Premier memberships. You can get 12 months of Premier for only $99.00 WOW!! That works out to only $8.25 per month! Less than 1/2 the regular cost! You'll need to call me to place your order, and you need to do it BEFORE January 31st. When this deal goes away, you will be kicking yourself if you didn't get in on it.

Next we have some fantastic Hostess Benefits for January as well. When you host a Heritage Makers Workshop in January you'll receive 30% MORE in free product, AND double 1/2 price items. I have 3 slots left in my January Calendar, so CALL ME NOW to reserve your date.
Hosting a workshop is fun and easy. Just get between 6-8 of your friends together and I will come present the Heritage Makers program, and show you lots of fun book samples. The average presentation takes about an hour at most, and then there is time for questions and answers, and filling out orders. We don't recommend going all out with refreshments as it's alot of trouble, and we like to keep our books clean and tidy. So it's very low key.

Now for our HOME ALONE Special. All of the Heritage Makers Executives and top performing consultants are going on a cruise from January 9th through the 21st. And while they're gone, they're leaving us with some Home Alone specials to keep us occupied until they get back. Each Day there will be a different item on sale (as seen below) The order MUST be entered on that day to be valid, so if you know you're going to want something you can call me in advance and I'll enter the orders on the appropriate days. These prices are between 20-30% off retail, so don't miss out! Well, I think that about covers it. Check back soon as I'll be posting the Valentine's Specials. Also save the date, January 31st at 4 pm, for a Virtual Valentine Card Party. We'll do an online workshop and give you tips and tricks for completing your Valentines day cards. There will be incentives and prizes awarded (even some free credits) So don't miss out!!

OH! I almost forgot! I am offering one more special! (As if there aren't enough) January ONLY, I am offering MY CUSTOMERS a scanning deal they can't refuse. In order to help you get those photos out of boxes and into your computer so you can use them in your projects, I am willing to scan your first 1000 photos for the price of 500. That's only $95.00 That is a 50% savings over regular scanning prices. Plus you get 2 Free months of Premier with your purchase. It just doesn't get any better than that!