Meet Flixify in person! Flixify is proud to announce our participation in the up coming Family History Expo (FHE) this Friday and Saturday, August 27and 28th at the South Towne Expo Center in Sandy, Utah.

Admission to exhibit hall is free to the public. Co-Founder Joshua Aikens, and professional editor Angel Peterson will be on hand answering your questions as well as providing FREE classes in the Flixify booth to improve your family history videos.

Click here for more information on the Expo. We at Flixify look forward to meeting you at FHE and helping you preserve your family history through videos.

There is no time on earth like summer time! Water, parks, green grass, popsicles...the list goes on and on. Best of all, there are priceless moments with friends and family, just begging to be captured on film and videos. Don't let the moments pass by unrecorded.

Grab your video camera and make some cute, clever videos of your kids running through the sprinklers, having a water balloon fight, and eating cupcakes on the sidewalk. Relive the days of racing popsicle sticks down the gutter, making rock art, and drawing your family in chalk on the driveway.

Be sure to send your flixified videos our way. We'd love to see your creativity at work! Not sure how to post videos online? It's actually easier than you think. There are several sites, such as Youtube, Vimdeo, and Blip.tv.

In this virtual serenade, Angel finds a clever way to showcase some photographs by making a video of her husband performing one of their songs. The interplay of the video and the photographs make a compelling arrangement, one that they will cherish for decades to come.

Pro editor, Angel Peterson, demonstrates she used the Spring Fling kit to show off her new basement. Get a one-on-one lesson with Angel as she explains each step of her powerful basement walk-through. Not only will you gain tips on how to make videos, but you'll learn some professional video shooting tips, which might come in handy when you are asked to make a video for somebody after they've seen the quality of movies you are making!!

Do you have a vacation on a video tape that you would love to share with your family? Whether your "world" is merely across the state line or it's a full-fledge vacation out of the country, the World Traveler theme kit will help you showcase your video footage to share on your blog, website, or simply to preserver for generations to come. Did you have other families or couples join you on the trip? Surprise them by dropping a DVD in the mail of the trip highlights, including the videos you shot, matching digital photos, and some great tunes to tie it all together.

The best part about Flixify is that we help you capture just the clips you want, making your fan club more willing to sit through your travelog :-)

Without a doubt, the birth of a human being is one of the most universally celebrated events. Imagine the luxury that technology affords to capture and record the events surrounding and during this incredible moment. It has become almost tradition to immediately send out emails to friends and family with pictures of the new little baby.

Imagine being able to not only send a few snapshots but to be able to share an actual movie of the baby's early breaths, curious movements, and subtle sounds. Rather than sending raw, uncut footage, you will be able to quickly and easily create a birth-announcement quality video clip for your blog or to send out in emails. Add some photos, interviews with the siblings and father, and tie it all together with some tranquil lullaby music. Maybe your friend or sister just had a baby and you could make this video for her as a cherished gift.

Learn more about Flixify's Theme Kits

Amazon is selling Adobe Premiere Elements for $35.00 off (regular price is $99.99)! Flixify's Digital Video Fast Track focuses on Sony's Vegas Studio software, but most of the techniques can be easily performed in Premiere. If you give Premiere a spin, be sure to post your questions and tips/tricks in our forum.

This version of Premiere is ideally focused on the home-based video editor. The big brother, Premiere Pro, weighs in at $670, so there is a significant price savings going with the Elements version. You'll miss out on some professional-grade features, but Elements has everything you need to kick out some incredible video scrapbooks that will wow your friends and family. If you try it out or are already using Premiere, what are your thoughts? Does it get the job done or are there features you wish were included in the Elements version?

If you would like to give Elements 7 a test drive before buying, Adobe offers a free 30-day trial. Elements 7 is only available to Windows XP/Vista users, although the Premiere Pro version is available for Mac and PC.

What to stick with Sony Vegas so that you can watch the Fast Track how-tos? Be sure to watch our how-to videos on downloading and installing the free trial.

Don't just sit there, transfer something! That's what Tom Benford at VideoMaker Magazine is trying to get across in his latest review of digital video converters. If you are lucky, you have only shot home movies on a digital camcorder, having somehow avoided the dark days of VHS and 8MM. But we've been around long enough to know that most people have a pile of tapes that they don't know what to do with or how to convert into digital.

In three of Flixify's Digital Video Fast Track segments, we review how to get your home movies onto your computer using a variety of methods. The first two, Connecting your DV Camera to your Computer and Getting Your VHS Video onto your Computer via your DV Camera, assume you have a DV camcorder that will do the job. But there is another technique that you'll likely want to add to your bag of tricks: Getting your VHS Video onto your Computer via the Pinnacle Dazzle.

In Tom's article, he goes through several of the choices for converting your video tapes to digital video files, including standalone converters and PC-based conversion devices. Once your analog tapes are converted to digital, they can easily be edited on your computer and can be archived onto DVDs and hard drives as part of your digital preservation strategy.

VideoMaker also published a handy Buyer's Guide of digital converter manufacturers and their respective websites. Have you tried converting any of your old videos into digital video files? Tell us how you did it and if you encountered any pitfalls!!

The folks at ScrapScene recently posted an incredible offer for an e-book detailing how to make money from scrapbooking. At only $9.99, it is an investment well worth the money, especially if you have been contemplating how you could turn your hobby into a money-making venture.

According to ScrapScene, the book covers topics such as:

- finding a niche
- simple questions to ask yourself to find out if you are the right person for this venture
- things to do to get your business started
- how to set rates for your services
- marketing and promotional ideas

We love the idea of this book because we see opportunities to make money from scrapbooking all the time. Actually, we think there are at least a dozen ways to make money doing video scrapbooking as well. Imagine learning how to convert VHS video into DVDs for people in your community (some ladies are leery to send their videos off in a package to a remote location), or becoming certified as an video scrapbooking coach.

In a down economy, we are faced excellent opportunities to understand the economics of life. Take advantage of the skills and hobbies you already have in your quest to earn a few Benjamin's of your own. Oh, and let us know if you find something that works!!

Angel shows off her video production experience by masterfully capturing the completion of her newly finished basement. Notice how smooth the transitions from the theme kit blend in with her panning of the camera across the different rooms. The finished product is something Angel and her husband are excited to share with friends and family. This video will give those who many not be able to see the basement in person a great way to experience the final product. Rather than just snapping a few photographs, Angel now has a beautiful video to display on her blog.

(If you don't see the embedded video above, click here to view the blog page)

Flixify one of your own home movies and be entered to win! Dates: 5/1/2009 - 6/30/2009

Flip Mino camcorders are everywhere! Even celebs think they are cool when they whip out their Flips in front of the media. People who use Flips say they can't live without them due to the quality, convenience and ease-of-use. We think the Flips are brilliant, which is why we want to give one away, a $179.99 value!!

Here's the gist: create a short video scrapbook clip (examples) using your own video footage combined with elements from one or more of our video scrapbooking theme kits. Post the video to YouTube or Blip.tv (our favorites among the free video sharing websites) and send us a link. That's all! Submissions that meet these criteria will be entered into a random drawing where the drawn name will receive a brand new Flip Mino, no strings attached. Beginning 12:01 AM MT on 5/01/09, participants may begin emailing us links to their posted videos to contests@flixify.com. Emails must be received by 11:59 PM MT on 6/30/09. Limit one drawing entry per person. Click here for details and official contest rules.

Write up about Flixify.com on your blog and be entered to win! Dates: 5/1/2009 - 6/12/2009

If you haven't edited video with Sony's Vegas line of software, you are missing out! Not only do we want you to try it, we want you to own it. Flixify is having a drawing for a free copy of Sony Vegas Movie Studio 9, a $54.95 value!! Our Digital Video Fast Track series focuses exclusively on Vegas Movie Studio to teach the techniques and art of video scrapbooking. This is definitely software you won't want to be without!

Not only is it free to enter, it's relatively simple. Just write up a [good, lavish, creative, exciting, etc] blog article about Flixify.com's approach to video scrapbooking for the masses, email us a link to your blog post to contests@flixify.com, and you'll automatically be entered into the drawing. Emails must be received by 11:59 PM MT on 6/12/09. As much as we would love for you to shower us with blog coverage, we'll only allow one drawing entry per blog site. Click here for details and official contest rules.

Signs is a short film that should be studied by anybody wanting to capture emotion, essence, and simplicity in their own shooting, even if they are just home movies.

Notice the use of dialog used throughout this 12 minute movie is almost non-existent. Instead, powerful, captivating music, simple words, and innocent gestures carry the viewer through the entire production, at all times invoking the intended reactions.

How does this translate to video scrapbooking? Recall how annoyed you get as you watch your home movies with the constant narration by the person holding the camera. Why not be silent, allow the moment tell the story and let the expressions immortalize the memories?

Do you think the lack of dialog plays an important role in making this film successful? Have you ever employed similar techniques when shooting your own movies?

We recently had a chance to catch up with Alisha Shaw to ask her some questions about her role as a mom and how she's able to pack so many business-related activities into her schedule. Alisha has designing the first series of theme kits for Flixify, of which we have received constant praise by everybody who sees and uses them.

Flixify: Give us a brief intro of yourself.

Alisha: I'm a stay at home mom of 2 who's never home! LOL I've run businesses for others, owned my own businesses, and will try almost anything. I love being a mom, learning, photography and digital scrapping!!

Flixify: Clearly scapbooking plays a big role in both your business and personal life. How long have you been involved in scrapping and what is your favorite form (paper, digital, etc.)?

Alisha: I started digital scrapbooking about 5 years ago. With my background in marketing and computers it was a no-brainer for me to transition my scrapbooks to digital. Then when I couldn't find papers and pieces I wanted, I began designing my own! The industry has come such a long way from when I started, and now anyone can digital scrapbook and with your [flixify.com] site, anyone can video scrapbook!!

Flixify: We love your design characteristics and unique designs. What were your early influences and do you still get influenced or do you basically go with your own style now?

Alisha: I'm not a super fancy, schmancy gal so my world is filled with everyday events such as birthdays, holidays, and family time - they inspire me! So you'll see a wide range of these themes in the items I create. I just go with the flow and try to keep up on trends.

Flixify: You are the first scrapbook designer to make custom theme kits for Flixify. What has that experience been like? Do you see yourself continuing to make theme kits to be used for video scrapbooking?

Alisha: Absolutely AMAZING!! The team at flixify is professional, energetic and really committed to helping solve a problem we've all had for years by teaching us how to make our video memories accessible. How can you go wrong with a company who's main commitment is to our cherished memories!! I would be honored to continue working with flixify!! In such a short time, they have been able to reach so many and I'm honored to be a small part of that.

Flixify: From your blog (which is really well done, by the way), it looks like you have two beautiful children to raise. How has being a mom impacted your business life? Do you feel like you have been able to reach a good work-life balance?

Alisha: Thanks! Balance is tough to achieve with so many hats to wear. And it's also why I love digital and video scrapbooking!! These tools allow me to enjoy the moments I fill my life with and treasure them again and again with much less time and energy than it used to take. I have hoards of video & photos we never pull out because they're too difficult to access. Now that everything is digital and so simple I can convert those, create fun pages and animated video's and actually enjoy them!! My kids get a real kick out of seeing themselves in photos and video.

Flixify: What advice do you have for other moms who are trying to juggle the 24-hour responsibilities of motherhood with the deadlines and stresses that come from running businesses?

Alisha: Being a mom is a business in itself, let alone additional responsibilities a lot of us have on top of that. I'm always asked how I accomplish so much with the same hours everyone else has...and it really is all about perspective & help. I'm constantly asking myself "what's most important?" Is it a project that will wait 'til tomorrow or that soccer game your son's been looking forward to all week? Most of the time my kids win that battle, but now and again I do have to attend to other things. When I start feeling overwhelmed, I have an amazing support system from my husband to my extended family to my friends that jump in to help. Asking for help is really hard for this supermom, but I'm' getting better ;)

Flixify: So, have you started shooting more video knowing that you'll be able to make video scrapbooks? When can we expect to see some flixified clips on your blog?? ;-)

Alisha: Funny you should ask...since I now have a way to enjoy video so easily, I picked up one of those little flip camcorders that go in my purse. That way I am able to record anywhere without planning ahead. I'm just finishing the Fast Track series and feel confident that I can actually flixify a couple clips now!! Blog here they come!!

Be sure to check out Alisha's blog for information about her digital scrapbook products and the wide range of classes she teaches on digital scrapbooking.

Flixify contributor, Angel Peterson, put together a great reminder that we should take time now to preserve our videos and digital memories before the inevitable happens. Stay tuned for more tips and how-tos on backing up and preserving your home movies and photographs. Thanks Angel!

(If you don't see the embedded video above, click here to view on our blog)

What is it about Spring that makes everything feel so fresh and alive? We challenge you to use even the most basic home movie with this kit, then sit back in amazement as the colorful elements, textured papers, and backgrounds bring your movie to life!

Once you start playing with these embellishments, you're going to wish that Spring came more than once a year.

Notice in this example that despite the wind blowing and the jiggling of the camera as kids and parents are walking around, the brief clips combined with music, effects, and embellishments bring you into the moment with the same emotion as if you were there.

Learn more about Flixify's Theme Kits

We chose Sony Vegas Movie Studio as the software editor to teach on Flixify for two reasons.

First and foremost, we chose Vegas Movie Studio with our customers in mind! Vegas Movie Studio is competitively priced, has the perfect blend of features for both budding and advanced video scrapbookers, and comes with a full access, 30-day trial. We are huge fans of full-access trials because you get to really dig in and explore before spending hard-earned cash on something that might be too complicated or lack key features.

Second, Sony called us back! When we contacted the creative software division of Sony with our idea for teaching video scrapbooking, they immediately returned our call and started a relationship that we hope will continue long into the future. When dealing with a company as enormous as Sony, it is definitely a vote of confidence when they see the potential of a small web-based business. We are looking forward to meeting with them in person at the upcoming NAB Show in Las Vegas at the end of this month.

But don't take our word for it. One of our favorite blogs, Lifehacker, polled their huge user-base to find out what is the favored video editing software. The winner was Sony Vegas Pro, the big brother to Sony Vegas Movie Studio. We felt somewhat validated in our choice of software and are glad to be working with Sony to increase the number of people who can begin to benefit from all the wonderful things that come from watching and sharing home movies. Our lead producer/editor was also excited to see the results because he has been a Vegas Pro users for over 6 years and could not agree more with the Lifehacker users.

That said, there are several other great video editing programs that also come with free trials. One of these options might be better suited for your needs once you get more familiar with the video scrapbooking process. Take a look at Pinnacle Studio, CyberLink PowerDirector, and Adobe Premiere Elements. Regardless of what software you end up with, the best news is that our theme kits are program agnostic, meaning they'll work with almost all video editing software, including those that run on a Mac.

Every good idea gets to eventually take it's first breath. The Simple Life kit is our first kit and we could not be more proud. Designed by professional scrapper and full-time mom, Alisha Shaw, and animated by veteran video producer, Paul Southwick, Simple Life is just what you would expect from the name. It's subtle effects, vivid colors, and detailed embellishments will make your home movies look like they were made by...well..professionals.

Here is an example sent in by one of our friends who couldn't wait to play around with our first theme kit. She took a creative approach by documenting a day in the life of her beautiful daughter, A.J.

Learn more about Flixify's Theme Kits