When you create text make sure it's in one design before you save it. In the right hand panel you can see they aren't automatically. Select them all, then (easiest way in my opinion) click Ctrl+I (capital i) and they are combined. Then Ctrl+K to coloursort them. That's it.

I never bought one of Carolyn Keber's tutorials, so I can't advise you on that.

Mops is right. After you layout your alphas, Click outside of the last alpha, them go to select mode on the left of the screen. Then you can click and draw a square around the entire text. Then you can save your design to your memory card.

I don't have Embird, but I know Teri "Simplyrosie" does, and I believe I remember her really praising the Carolyn Keber tutorials when she got them. You might try sending her a PM and asking. I have the Janome Digitizer Pro, and my dealer offers free lessons in digitizing, so I would certainly recommend any help you can get, lot easier than re inventing the wheel, hee hee hee. Best of luck, hugs, Marji