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What's the best software?

Jennifer - posted on 01/12/2009 ( 97 moms have responded )

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I want to get started doing digital scrapbooking. I just don't have the space for regular scrapbooking or time away from the kids. They are 2 and 4 and are always into everything. I'll all for encourgeing creativity, but AHHHH not like that. Anyway.... I was wondering what kind of software other people are using and what would be the best to buy? Does anyone have any suggestions?

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Brandy - posted on 07/05/2009

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I wouldn't use anything but Paint shop Pro. It's probably over $100, unless you get it on Amazon. I got mine for $30 on Amazon. Here's a site with some of my work using it. http://www.brandysphotoshop.i8.com/

Kimberly - posted on 06/24/2009

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Hi girls. I think I can help! I love digital scrapbooking and actually am a consultant for creative memories. I started selling the product because I loved their digital software so much. It is so easy to use and makes not only creating pages, storybooks, cards, posters, and many other gifts, so easy to do but you can also share everything you do with others with a click of a button. Check it out on my website: www.mycmsite.com/krcorey and let me know what you think. Email or call me anytime - my info is on my website.

Sabrina - posted on 06/23/2009

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You need to try Heritage Makers, just go to www.memorybookmaker.com

Sabrina - posted on 06/23/2009

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I use Heritage Makers, it is the best out there! I promise. Just go to www.memorybookmaker.com I can teach you Digital scrapbooking free.
Let me know if your are interested and I will do an online demo for you over the phone!

Sabrina

Linda - posted on 06/17/2009

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Jennifer, I am a big fan of Creative Memories. The Memory Manager helps me orgainze my pictures with scrapping in mind and then the Story Creator Plus makes the best books with the greatest variety of pre-set pages that you can change if time or interest allows. The best part is you don't have to clean up after each scrapping session. The initial investment is there but you necer run out of pages or paper and the possibilities are endless. I store my pictures on an external hard drive so that my computer memory doesn't get overwhelmed.

Ruth - posted on 06/07/2009

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Amisa - posted on 06/03/2009

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I love Heritage Makers (www.heritagemakers.com/354909). It is all online, so you can work on your projects anywhere you have internet access. It's simple to use - especially if you are new to digital scrapbooking. They have template, so you can just drag your pictures into the projects and put your own text in (all customizable). They store your photos and you can download them back if something happens to yours, they have a variety of great products to choose from. So much more! I love it so much I became a consultant!

Jasmina - posted on 05/29/2009

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that is an awesome idea. im a single mom who is going to college and working so i rarely find the time to scrapbook.

Meghan - posted on 05/27/2009

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www.smilebox.com has great pre-made Pages that you just drop photos into it is 35.00 a year so you can print the pages to put them in albums you can also e-mail the albums and post them on your sites (facebook and myspace) good luck!

Yaumara - posted on 05/26/2009

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I love Memories on TV!

Gloria - posted on 05/20/2009

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If your going to do some serious photo editing on top of your digiscrapping go for Adobe CS4...Its the best you can get...but its very pricey. You can also use an Adobe Elements version which is much cheaper but wont have all the features.

Maria - posted on 04/30/2009

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I only choose Avery or Photoshop... I did my parents' golden anniversary invitations, thank you notes, inserts, envelopes, including address labels with Avery. They have everything you need pretty much, although sometimes you might find some of it too formal. If you want to get creative, try Photoshop. It's wonderful!

Michelle - posted on 04/28/2009

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adobe photoshop elements is AWESOME!

Becky - posted on 04/22/2009

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Creative Memories Storybook Creator Plus software is the best! Check it out through the following website. http://mycmsite.com/bcolbert

Jeanne - posted on 04/21/2009

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http://www.novadevelopment.com

Scrapbook factory

Has templetes that you fill. Then you export as a jpeg and upload to shutterfly to print.

It is AWSOME for digital scrapbook starters

Gerise - posted on 04/21/2009

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Hi Jennifer,
I am a Heritage Makers consultant and simply became a consultant because HM helped me fix my overwhelming picture problem. Sounds like you are in the same boat I was. If you simply go to my website...www.gigglestogrins.com..you will find so questions to your answers. Heritage Makers in all internet based, so you don't have to upload a program and use up more space on your hard drive. If you like what you see, which I am sure you will, simply email me at GigglesToGrins@yahoo.com and I will help you get started! You will LOVE IT!!!
Enjoy every minute and cherish those pictures through the power of story with Heritage Makers!
Blessings...Gerise Vignaroli

Crystal - posted on 04/15/2009

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I use the iLife software for the Mac, and I love it! 

Letha - posted on 04/14/2009

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Scrapbook Max

Cheryl - posted on 04/07/2009

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I just started using Creative Memories Storybook Plus software and it is amazing. I can't wait to complete my first book. I too, do not have the time to sit down and cut paper and pictures like I used to. Hopefully I can get caught up now with all the pictures in my computer. Good luck in whatever you choose.

Nannette - posted on 04/04/2009

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Hi,



When downloading stuff from Shabby Princess, how do you import letters or individual quotes (they come on one png file)?

Tara - posted on 04/04/2009

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I'm a Creative Memories consultant and we have a wonderful software program called StoryBook Creator Plus - it sells for $59.95 and that can get you started - we also have tons of additions you can purchase that range from $3.95 to $16.95. You can see all the digital products we have at my website www.mycmsite.com/tarareese If you want to purchase you can do it right off my website and it will deliver to your door step in a few days. Creative Memories is the leader in the digital and traditional scrapbooking industry. I have been an independent consultant for over 7 years now. I do both the digital and the traditional - my kids, husband and family love looking at all my albums. Good luck and let me know if you need any help.



Tara Centanni Reese

Christine - posted on 04/03/2009

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I definately say CREATIVE MEMORIES STORY BOOK CREATOR!!!!

So easy, I can scrapbook and my kids are right here with me..nothing for them to get into. Its very easy and so much fun! You can make everything with it..and can even send it to Creative Memories and print it as a book..its soooo awesome! I recommend it to everyone!

Michiele - posted on 03/31/2009

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I also use Creative Memories Storybook Plus software. I am proficient in Photoshop ( I am a photographer), but I find the CM software so user friendly.  And you don't have to stick with just CM stuff, I download freebies off the internet all the time.  I load them into the CM software and am ready to go. 

Jennifer - posted on 03/30/2009

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Heritage Makers!!!!   No software to buy, almost 40,000 embellishments (with new collections added every month), lots of book sizes to choose from, and a template gallery with over 1,000 pre-designed templates you can use.  For more info check out my website...



www.jenniferedinger.com



we are running specials not found on the website so contact me if you'd like to find out more!



Jennifer

Randee - posted on 03/29/2009

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A site for you all to check out is Heritage Makers. I am a independent consultant for them and you can check them out at www.heritagemakers or my site which is www.capturethemomentwithstory.com. I love to scrapbook and I came across this and it is so much fun and so cool and I can actually do it having a toddler and he isn't eating the glue stick or cutting up my pictures. You make actual hardbound books and there is no software it is all online. You have your own secured login for it. You can finish projects very quickly. If you have any questions let me know. I didnt' post this to try and get clients I truly just love to tell people about it because it works so well and is truly addicting.

Lori - posted on 03/29/2009

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I have been a digi-scrapper for quite a few years & I also do some non-profit newsletter and magazine design. I was wondering how you got into to the "business" of digital scrapbooking. Do you work for a company, have your own website, or word of mouth as an independant contractor? I would love to make supplemental income through this. Any information you have would be greatly appreciated!

Devina - posted on 03/28/2009

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Quoting Brenda:



i live in a small city and have not been able to find any scrapbook programs to purchase.where can I get a good program to use






Brenda there are so many different websites that you can order from for a good scrapbook program, but might I suggest (not because I am a Creative Memories Consultant) ordering the Storybook Creator Plus  www.creativememories.com.



I have been using Creative Memories since my second child was born back in 2001 and I love everything that they have, I was excited when they came out with the digital programs because it is so helpful with so many time constrictions. I love this program also because in a house with 3 kids, my husband & I, and my mother-in-law, there is not a lot of room for traditional scrapbooking a majority of the time. So look into this program.

Devina - posted on 03/28/2009

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I am a Creative Memories Consultant... and I love my Storybook Creator Plus. It is great. I have 3 kids, 8,7 & 7 1/2 months.. , a Consultant for CM, and I work for the school, so I definately don't have a lot of free time on my hands. But since I love my babies so much and how beautiful and photogenic that they are, I love to just be able to drag and drop the pics in.

Brenda - posted on 03/28/2009

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i live in a small city and have not been able to find any scrapbook programs to purchase.where can I get a good program to use

Ruth - posted on 03/23/2009

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I don't do digital scrapbooking..however, please feel free to look at www.jaretandkris.com


I use the domain for all my emails and have this website where I can display all of the pictures and so friends.family from everywhere can share with us. I pay around £35 a year so it's not expensive.


 

Cyn - posted on 03/22/2009

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have you gone on onetruemedia.com? great for all that kind of stuff I've done both my boys montages using that site. but i haven't looked into the digital scrapbooking section.

Jamie - posted on 03/22/2009

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I'm a Heritage Makers fan! I like that it's done online and I don't have to worry about the sofftware gumming up or slowing down my computer. I have had that happen to friends who have used other programs. I also like that I'm not locked into purchasing whole kits just to get one embelishment! I can choose from over 30,000 embelishments with HM and can even add my own! The best part though is that everything is stored online...my mom's computer crashed and she lost all her work that she had done with another program. She has switched to HM and now doesn't worry about losing anything! Plus, now we can work on our projects anywhere because we're not limited to the ONE computer that we downloaded the software to!

http://www.frommemoriestobooks.com and http://www.frommemoriestobooks.blogspot....

Usana - posted on 03/19/2009

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I'm using smilebox. and photoscape. really nice and easy to start with since i'm not that good with photoshop :(

Jani - posted on 03/19/2009

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I first started digital scrapbooking with photoshop elements.  I have recently switched over to StoryBook Creator Plus from Creative Memories.  I love the flexability of predesigned pages or creating a page from scratch.   Creative Memories have come a long way - the products that they offer now are awesome and the elements rival anything available.  They even have a scrapbook that you can combine digital scrapbook pages  with paper scrapbooking pages - the best of both worlds.  If you would like to know more about creative memories you can check out the website and find a consultant near you.   www.creativememories.com.

Melissa - posted on 03/17/2009

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I have both Scrapbook MAX! and Photoshop Elements 7. MAX! is good, but to get your creative juices going, I think Photoshop Elements 7 is better. I have some photos of my work on my profile using both MAX! and PSE7, feel free to look and comment.

Here are some great links for embellishments and ideas:

www.shabbyprincess.com
www.digitalscrapbookplace.com
www.scrapgirls.com
www.scrapbookflair.com
www.scrapbooking.about.com

Check them out!

Kirsten - posted on 03/14/2009

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www.smilebox.com is a nice simple & free to download it works for me, but I also hard copy scrapbooking. It depends on how involved you wanna get into scrapbooking, I think & if you wanna print your work the full size etc.

Cynthia - posted on 03/12/2009

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I use Scrapbook Factory by Nova Development. It's reasonably priced and already comes with a variety of backgrounds and all kinds of embelishments. And it doesn't limit the amount or type of pics/embellishments you can use on your page. Meaning, you can practically use anything in a jpeg format. Just as well, I've found these websites to be helpful but you need WinZip to open the files: www.scrapbookflair.com and www.freedigitalscrapbooking.com...I think one of these has a FREE digi-scrapbooking software you can download.

Gemma - posted on 03/12/2009

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hi there,at the moment am making a book  for my friend. am ether scanning things on to the computer or taking pictures of the items then adjusting them on adobe photoshop. then am putting the images and information into a book which you can download from blurb.com and set it up you self then upload it to them they print it for you and send it back. there really good quality and really cheap i use them  for other things like story books and albums. hope that helps good luck

Simone - posted on 03/11/2009

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If you're looking to purchase software, you can go to: http://www.adobe.com/downloads/ for a trial of Photoshop or elements. I've used Photoshop since I was 17 and think it's the best investment my Dad ever made for my teenage years. I'm currently using PSCS2 and find it fantastic for photography and Digital Scrapping, as you can change the colour, size and rotation of elements so easily. I'd go the elements version unless you're already a computer geek or are prepared to spend some time learning the ropes.

As far as free software goes, I enjoyed a short time using Scrapbookflair ( www.scrapbookflair.com ) which was quite easy to use (though slightly limited).

Good luck :)

Leigh Anne - posted on 03/11/2009

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I am a Creative Memories consultant as well. if you go to my website you can download a free version of Storybook Creator 2.0. It will show you the functionality of the software which is great and very easy to use. if you like the free version you can get the creator plus as the other consultant below mentioned for on ly $60. You can do so much wiht the software there is too much stuff to mention, 8x8 and 12x12 page prints, digital bragbooks and hard cover storybooks, invitations, cards, 16x20 large photo prints, calendars and more. check out my website for the free download

www.mycmsite.com/lmunson also feel free to email me with any questions, lturchyn@comcast.net

once you start you will be hooked and the best part is when the kids need you all you do is walk away from the computer. Leigh Anne

Jennifer - posted on 03/09/2009

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Hi Susan - If you go to the Creative Memories Website (or your consultant's website), and go to the Help Zone, under Digital there's a section for Storybook.  There you can watch all sorts of tutorials on how to get you started.  The Webinars really helped get me off and running!  Good luck!

Susan - posted on 03/08/2009

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Hi everyone! My name is Susan and I'm so excited to have found this group! My husband bought me the Creative Memories software for Christmas, but honestly, I just haven't had time to mess with it. When I paper scrapbook (which isn't often anymore!) I tend to be very minimal - I like the CM idea books with very simple layouts. I typically use things like solid blocks, lines down the edge of my papers, and I rarely use embellishments or even patterned paper. I'm wondering if the CM software, or any other software out there will let me make layouts like this. Like if I want a solid blue layout with red squares in each corner and a yellow squiggly line connecting the squares, how would I do this? Then, how would I paste in my pictures and journaling? I am completely a novice at this, but I think I would enjoy it much more once I get the hang of it if someone would just help me! Thanks so much!!

Liz - posted on 03/08/2009

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Quoting Dani:



I've tried a couple different programs and by far the best for me is Photoshop Elements.  It certainly doesn't use up much space on my pc and does not run slow.  I can get TONS of free elements and templates online.  It is compatible with most other programs I use.   I've only been using it less than a month (I'm still on the free trial, but ordered the program).  It takes me about an hour to do my own UNIQUE pages.  It takes only 10 minutes if I do a quick page that I've d/l'ed for free.  But for the most part I enjoy the CREATIVE part of scrapping, so I like to design my own pages and work with templates. 






I used Deluxe Scrapbook Factory to begin with, but after learning about layers and shadowing, it pales in comparison. 






The amount of free elements,papers, etc. available online for PSE is mindboggling.  I taught myself how to use it by finding online tutorials on youtube and hummiesworld.com and other sites.  It really isn't that daunting to learn PSE unless you have never used any other type of photo editing program, then it may take a bit.  But like I said before I've been using it less than a month and it's pretty darn easy.






It only took me a week or two to realize that while templates are nice, it's much better when you have the freedom to alter them as you like, making some things bigger, adding pics, using my own alphas.  Also it allows me to use personal elements like my son's hockey emblems, school emblems, etc.  I also can find lots of character elements for free - Dora, Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh.    Other than the initial investment of the program, which is about $70, I can do anything and everything and can print out wherever I want, one page or 100, so that works for me.






There are many kits available for free.  I have done an entire year's worth of pages for my 2 year old with all free elements, holidays, vacations, first steps, etc. and haven't had to pay a dime for a single element.  There are sites that post freebies every day and while my little ones play in the morning, I check it every day.  I have quite a stash of elements for almost every occasion all FREE!  



 



 






I agree with everything you said. I have been a paper scrapbooker for years.  I had so much stuff that I had to have my own room. With the birth of my second child I had to give up my room. I just didn't have enough space. I love to scrapbook, so I decided to do it digitally. I had used photoshop 7 to correct my photos, so I tried it out for scrapbooking. I was instantly hooked. I downloaded the elements 7 free trial and it was awesome!!!! 



 



I think elements is the most verstile, and relatively easy to use. There are hundreds of free downloadable digi kits available. I think I've been doing this for 7 months now, and only bought 2 kits! With elements you can create your own templates and change some of the kits to suite your needs. You can add drop shadows which adds a 3d look to your pages, so they look like more conventionally scrapped pages. There are endless posibilities with elements. You can make some of your own elements or drag and drop pre-made elememnts. There are tons or tutorials available. Down load the free trial it is worth it.



 



Some great digi sites with some free dowloads are:



www.theshabbyshoppe.com



www.twopeasinabucket.com



www.digishoptalk.com





 

Jennifer - posted on 03/06/2009

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Quoting Renée:

Hey Jennifer,
Is this a program that let's you use digital kits from online?
If so, can you refer me to a good website for free kits?
Thanks!



Hi Renee -



Sorry it took me so long to respond to you directly as I don't get notifications from FB for some reason....  Anyhow, I have found that whatever is out there in the digital scrapbooking world that you can get for free, you probably can use with SBC+.  As long as it has a .png file extension you can use it with this program.  I have gotten some things from ShabbyPrincess.com, but I generally stick with CM content... They have a lot of free templates you can download, and if you have the full SBC+ program you can pick elements out of those free templates.



 



Hope that helps!



 



Jennifer

Lynette - posted on 03/06/2009

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I have not used any of the softwares described above with all of the elements and fancy papers.  I have been using BookSmart software on blurb.com.  It does make a copy of your photos in another folder on your PC, but it is very easy to use.  My sister-in-law made her entire wedding album in one weekend.  It is great for making simple bound books.  It allows for as much or as little journaling as you want and offers a bunch of templates for layouts.  The software is free and the books are reasonably priced.

Dani - posted on 03/01/2009

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I've tried a couple different programs and by far the best for me is Photoshop Elements.  It certainly doesn't use up much space on my pc and does not run slow.  I can get TONS of free elements and templates online.  It is compatible with most other programs I use.   I've only been using it less than a month (I'm still on the free trial, but ordered the program).  It takes me about an hour to do my own UNIQUE pages.  It takes only 10 minutes if I do a quick page that I've d/l'ed for free.  But for the most part I enjoy the CREATIVE part of scrapping, so I like to design my own pages and work with templates. 



I used Deluxe Scrapbook Factory to begin with, but after learning about layers and shadowing, it pales in comparison. 



The amount of free elements,papers, etc. available online for PSE is mindboggling.  I taught myself how to use it by finding online tutorials on youtube and hummiesworld.com and other sites.  It really isn't that daunting to learn PSE unless you have never used any other type of photo editing program, then it may take a bit.  But like I said before I've been using it less than a month and it's pretty darn easy.



It only took me a week or two to realize that while templates are nice, it's much better when you have the freedom to alter them as you like, making some things bigger, adding pics, using my own alphas.  Also it allows me to use personal elements like my son's hockey emblems, school emblems, etc.  I also can find lots of character elements for free - Dora, Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh.    Other than the initial investment of the program, which is about $70, I can do anything and everything and can print out wherever I want, one page or 100, so that works for me.



There are many kits available for free.  I have done an entire year's worth of pages for my 2 year old with all free elements, holidays, vacations, first steps, etc. and haven't had to pay a dime for a single element.  There are sites that post freebies every day and while my little ones play in the morning, I check it every day.  I have quite a stash of elements for almost every occasion all FREE!  



 

Toni - posted on 02/26/2009

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Oh, I forgot to mention. Heritage Makers is online based, so no sucking up your computer's hard drive with software. You can store your photos and projects. There are lots of great FREE templates with the free account and more templates available with a premium account. This is a state-of-the-art system that cannot be matched! It's complete drag 'n drop! You can use templates OR create from scratch! I can become your personal publishing consultant and help you with every step.

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