How did everyone get started with Digital Scrapbooking? I am overwhelmed!

Melanie - posted on 04/04/2010

Thanks for sharing your book Danielle Lee. I adore pages 13 and 19!

Melanie - posted on 04/04/2010

I'm new to digital scrapbooking too, so I'm enjoying reading your responses. But I have to tell you that I LOVE your profile pic. Too Cute!!

Emma - posted on 04/01/2010

Hi, i started as i wanted to do what my sister was doing for her kids She is an paper scraper, but my budget was far to tight to do it, so as i had photoshop elements 5, i started taking advantage of what it could do.
Back then i did not have internet so i made all the digie papers and embellishments myself. i built up quite a collection.
I now use Adobe CS as i can do almost anything on it. but to start out i would recommend Elements, its user friendly plus there are thousands of people like me who publish a whole range of free brushes, patterns, style layers, and kits, papers and embellishments, so if your not wanting to do everything from scratch like i did back in the day, there is plenty of contestable stuff out there.

Felicia - posted on 03/24/2010

I did a wedding photo book on shutterfly that turned out awesome, my sister inlaw uses it for horses too. I recently bought the storybook creator plus from Creative Memories. I love the options this program gives you but haveing trouble with being motivated to get going on it. go figure. I really need to push myself to do it because I enjoy it and I know I will love the finished product,

Heather - posted on 03/20/2010

You do not need software! Do not buy it! Go to www.Your HeritageHeirlooms.com and sign up for your free account, free to upload pics and they have tons of templates and embellishments. Youtube has tons of tutorials and weekly digital meetings. Love it!

Kathy - posted on 02/26/2010

I started digital scrapping when my oldest was starting to be mobile because I didn't have to worry about her getting into everything. I had only done a small number of layouts before that. I started with trying to copy one of the layouts I had done on paper. It turned out well, very similar to the paper version, and was easy because I already knew what I wanted it to look like. I used Microsoft Digital Image Suite for a while until they stopped supporting it. Then I switched to PSE. I check out a bunch of online sites and I am always emailing myself links to specific LOs that other people made that I want to scraplift.

Cheryl - posted on 02/21/2010

not really sure im new here too but maybe someone else can help us both

Susan - posted on 02/21/2010

I use shutterfly.com

Sue - posted on 02/20/2010

I started with digitalscrapbookplace.com as well. Awesome tutorials, fantastic classes and best of all the community there is so helpful if you need help. I really grew as a scrapper there.

Cheryl - posted on 02/20/2010

I too started at www.digitalscrapbookplace.com.I took a wonderful beginner class for $30- photoshop elements is the software I use - and participated in the challenges to learn more techniques. I also have a ton of fun making greeting cards using my digital photos. You can create and send a couple of free cards on me at www.cardsblossom.com to try it out. jsut beware! It can be very addicting!

Rochelle - posted on 02/19/2010

I use Scrapbook Factory 4 - $40 for the software. Very easy to use - print 81/2 X 11 pages. There are several on-line sites for ideas, also. SmileBox is a good one - has quite a bit that is free, but the annual membership is a bit pricey.

Danielle - posted on 02/17/2010

I love digital scrap booking as well as paper scrap booking, and I have to tell you a great place to start with digital scrap booking is www.Picaboo.com . The software is free, the backgrounds are free, it is very easy to upload photos to your books, and they have very fair prices, as well you can print your own pages at home! (it took me for ever to find 11.5x8 photo albums, but if you look online at www.marthastewart.com she sells an assortment of colors! @ great prices too!!!) I Love Picaboo! Easiest and Best Free software program I have come across.



An Example of My latest Picaboo book can be seen by following the link !



http://preview.picaboo.com/Webview/Cover...



I also have to tell you I have a degree in Web Design and Graphic Design and I know ALL about Photoshop and Elements etc... The programs are expensive, and the tutorials take time to learn. Picaboo is simple and quick. Get a book done in 30 minutes. Since I have had my son, this is what I use. Best of Luck!!!

Dani - posted on 02/16/2010

I did very much the same as Laura. I paper scrapped for my oldest for about 13 years, then I had my two surprises. I started dabbling in digital, I had a scrapbook factory program which was ok, but I found it limiting so I gave Photoshop Elements a try. And yes, there are tons of tutorials out there and so many freebies available to do my pages. This is the only way I can keep current with my kids 3 books.

The only "supplies" I have is the stash of papers/elements/templates that I keep on my computer. I browse various blogs and sites on a regular basis looking for new things to download. I do at least one book a year for my kids and then print them at the end of the year.

It is so much fun and it can be done inexpensively which is an added bonus.

Laura - posted on 02/15/2010

I've been a paper scrapper for over 14 years. I turned to digital scrapbooking when my triplets were born. I've been doing digital for about 4 years now. I never turned and looked back at paper scrapping. I can get so much done on my computer it's amazing. The way I started is I went to www.adobe.com and I searched for photoshop elements. I downloaded the trial version for 30 days. In that 30 days each night I took tutorial after tutorial on how to use the program. There are great tutorials here http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/uni... I also searched the web for free tutorials. Once my 30 days was up I was able to make simple layouts and I bought the program. I now scrap on a daily basis. There are tons of kits you can get free and there are kits you can purchase as well.



My method to my madness is to always scrap the current photos first and then if you have time go back and scrap older pictures. I also participate in many challenges where if you make a layout you could either earn a free kit or you can earn points which earn you kits. Good luck.