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Renee - posted on 02/06/2010

Another FANTASTIC software option for you is Memory Mixer!! I have been using it for a couple years and love it. I have a Mac and the options for us are a bit limited. This software is easy to use and has lots of templates for projects like pillow boxes and gift bags that you can customize for your kid's school treat days :) You can print all sorts of page sizes and they have kits and embellishments you can purchase. I have done my Christmas, Valentine's day, Easter, ect. cards and had a blast!! Whatever you choose, I am sure you will have lots of fun.

Debra - posted on 02/05/2010

I personally use CM Storybook Creator Plus and absolutely love it! My sister uses the Stampin Up program and says it virtually the same as the CM one. They are also available through Superstore, Costco, London Drugs....most places that do developing offer the digital now too.

Jackie - posted on 02/05/2010

I use the "My Digital Scrapbook" program from Stampin' Up! for my digital work. I like that the colors match the other colors offered by Stampin' Up! and you can add on embelishments via digital and add the real thing when your prints arrive. You also periodically are offered new downloads to add to your software. Any questions, feel free to contact me at havefunstamping@insightbb.com or check out my website www.havefunstamping.stampinup.net to see this and all of the products offered.

Marsha - posted on 02/05/2010

Storybook Creator 3 is great. I have used it.

Liz - posted on 02/04/2010

Just want to clarify so you have all the correct info at your disposal...Heritage Makers offers a FREE membership that allows you to create any project(s), still be as creative as you want, use a few thousand pieces of art (vs. almost 50,000 pcs with the Premier membership), hundreds of templates (vs. thousands with the Premier membership), upload and store up to 1GB of photos (vs. unlimited with Premier) ~ these can be shared with others, whether they have an HM account or not, free online training classes, story maps, and more.
In my professional career, I was in IT and computing for over 20 years... the ability to organize and archive my photos and share my photo albums on the HM site is worth the minimal monthly fee for a Premier membership. If my hard drive crashes, I have not lost a thing. My photos and projects are stored forever until I delete them. Additionally, you have to consider the hard drive space to store all of the embellishments/artwork (and software, but mainly the embellishments) on your computer. These eat up a lot of space. Also, when HM adds new artwork (monthly) and templates (weekly) they are included in your membership, so if you're a Basic member, you get to use all of the added Basic items and if you're a Premier member, you get it all, at no additional cost. We have an ever-growing variety of quality projects ~ I love the new sizes of gallery-wrapped canvases we just added this month.
Another big one for me is software updates and upgrades are taken care of automatically and I don't have to update any software. The online Studio just keeps getting better and better. You can use the online Studio from a MAC or PC.
I also enjoy the flexibility of working on my projects from virtually anywhere ~ I'm not tied to my desk/PC at home. I create while waiting for my daughter at her dance studio, while I wait for my mother at the doctor's office, at the library (on their computers), WiFi is virtually everywhere and HM is accessible from virtually any PC or MAC with internet capability.
Bottom Line: You need to think about what it is you want to do and what the hardware and software requirements are for doing so, the associated costs, benefits, etc. Then, decide who/what can meet your needs.
Download the free CM software, create a free HM Studio account, go online to other sites and see for yourself. We all have personal biases, but you need to decide for yourself. Have fun checking them all out!
Liz
web: www.IncredibleStorybooks.com
e-mail: thedreamteam@comcast.net

Mandy - posted on 02/04/2010

I use Photoshop CS. Many people use Photoshop Elements. You can get it at Costco for under $100. I create them then print them at Costco as 12 x 12. I traditional scrapbook too.

Amanda - posted on 02/04/2010

You can go to Smilebox.com. I currently am using this program it cost 5.99 a month. Otherwise I know that Creative Memories has a program you can download.

Mel - posted on 02/04/2010

I also will promote Creative Memories software. I have been a consultant for many years and just made my first digital album in December. The book I created was a book of my son's favorite songs with pictures of him from 0-3months. He's 8.5 months now. It took a few days (putting in a couple hours each day) and then I was done. I was able to learn as I went, just trying out things within the menus. You can go to the CM Project center too (on the main website or through a consultant's site) to get even more fun downloadable goodies to help too. I have the purchased software (Storybook Creator Plus) and love that I can manipulate anything on the page. I started off using one of the templates for ease and then customized as I learned more. I was able to delete items I didn't want and change the size or color, etc of others. I thought it was really easy to learn too. I have been a traditional scrapbooker for years and really wanted to try digital but was a little nervous. Now that I completed my first book I am so excited to do more. I am going to make a few more "fave song books" as he grows. I also am planning to create a recipe book with family recipes to share with the family. I still get the same thrill as I do making the traditional because of how I can customize everything on the page (or keep the same if need be).

To be fair the Heritage Maker books look really cool too. Instead of paying for the software you pay monthly to use their service. However you need to work online the whole time so that's the main reason I haven't tried it yet. With the SBC software you can make your books offline and then just go online to order them if you want. This way if you have a laptop you can work on them pretty much anywhere. The only drawback I see right now is the software is for PCs only. Hopefully soon they'll have it for Macs too.

Good luck with your albums!

In case anyone needs help, feel free to visit my site: www.mycmsite.com/melkaplan. I'm in Bartlett, IL.

Kathy - posted on 02/04/2010

Creative Memories has an awesome scrapbook program that you can do on your computer. The freedom and creativity is endless. You can create pages to put in your albums or you can do Storybooks (digital scrapbooks). Plus their Storybooks are stitched bond (not glued) and are acid free. Go to www.mycmsite.com/kathyruesch to order your digital scrapbook program. Click on products, then digital and then Storybook Creator 3.0 plus. You can download it (save on shipping) or order the cd. Plus they have online help.

Janet - posted on 02/04/2010

Creative Memories has a fantastic digital program for scrapbooking. Go to www.creativememories.com to download a version of it for free!!

Liz - posted on 02/03/2010

There's another great option out there that does not require you to purchase any software and is fully customizable ~ you can create from scratch, use templates or mix it up. Totally up to you. They have almost 50,000 pieces of artwork, papers, etc. and this grows monthly as well as over 2000 templates and this grows weekly. You can access the program from any PC or Mac that has a high speed internet connection. Print quality is exceptional and beats all competitors. The company has only been around for about 5 years but is growing very fast as people discover the benefits and ease. They also offer unlimited photo archiving and album sharing plus much more. I used to be a traditional scrapbooker and a total "junkie" for one of the major suppliers, until I took the time to check out Heritage Makers. I've gone from skeptic to totally excited about what I can do in my HM Studio. Everyone I've made books and other projects for cannot say enough about them. I recommend you check them out. Yes, I am an independent personal publishing consultant for them now and am super proud and excited to be a part of this company.

Liz

Web: www.IncredibleStorybooks.com

E-mail: thedreamteam@comcast.net

Kacie - posted on 02/02/2010

I use the Creative Memories storybook Creator Plus. It is so easy to use and this is coming from someone who is not very good when it comes to all things digital. It is a lot of fun!!!

Jennifer - posted on 02/02/2010

Yes, The Creative Memories storybook creator plus is by far a great program... The albums are sewn bound vs. glue bound. They will warranty their product which is great. The software is one of the only ones that will let you change themes throughout the album. So, if your doing a birthday, christmas, etc. You can change the layout, paper, embellishments, etc. They have many free downloadable themes to use. You can download the free version to try and when your ready you can upgrade to the version to move things around, change the paper, etc. I'm a creative memories consultant myself and I have many friends who have tried all the different programs out there. So, I know what they do and don't do compared to Creative Memories.

Paula - posted on 02/02/2010

Do u print on your printer or have someone else print ie Costco?

Cindy - posted on 02/02/2010

I just started using My Digital Studio by Stampin Up. I'm not a total digital scrapbooker, but this is a fun way to change things up. I was drawn to it over Creative Memories because I loved the images and colors available and, most importantly, it's available for MAC.

Amy - posted on 02/02/2010

Care to share what kind of printer you have? I'm thinking of putting one on my birthday list so I can print my own stuff at home. Thanks!

Amy - posted on 02/02/2010

Creative Memories Storybook Creator Plus lets you do actual virtual scrapbooking where online programs only let you use premade templates. With the program you pick everything and where to put it on the page. Good luck!

Celina - posted on 02/01/2010

do you have photoshop? you need photoshop or an equivalent to photoshop to start...I just recently started scrapbooking digitally and am getting the hang of it myself but I did create my first page tonight...not to shabby...here is a website I bumped into that has really nice downloads http://www.shabbyprincess.com/default.as... I am using photoshop cs3 works beautifull but I still need lessons lol...hope this helps

Heidi - posted on 02/01/2010

Yes! Stampin' Up! has a great digital scrapbook system with new downloaded images always available so you are not stuck what is in the original software package. You can both print off individual pages, send a whole book in to be bound, make cards, letters, calendars, etc. with the program as well. Go to my website at http://stampinwithheidi.stampinup.net click on products, then product lines and then scroll down to My Digital Studio.

Kelley - posted on 02/01/2010

Yes, I just had a Creative Memories Class given by my friend, Karyn Alba. Her site is at www.mycmsite.com/karynalba or her phone no. is 832-428-9424 tell her Kelley Kelley told you about her. Creative Memories has great online Scrapbooking programs!

Robin - posted on 01/31/2010

I also use Creative Memories StoryBook Creator...the free one is just a drag and drop but if you buy the actual program from a consultant you can make your own from scratch and on the pre designed pages you can move things around. It's a great program and I recommend it to everyone I know.

Mary - posted on 01/30/2010

I like using Photoshop Elements. I know it is all a matter of personal choice. You can check out NAODS.com. Michelle offers free webinars so you can check it out to see if it is something you would like.

Cindy - posted on 01/30/2010

Storybook Creator Plus is by far the best. The free version is a simple drag and drop program that is super easy to use. SBC Plus is a program you purchase. It is truly digital scrapbooking at it's best! check it out. www.mycmsite.com/cindyscalera

Dee - posted on 01/30/2010

I was a traditional scrapbooker until I used creative memories storybook creator also. I have purchased a printer that prints 12 X12's and a great scanner and I would not scrapbook anyother way at this time. This is the future of scrapbooking. Less mess and I feel in the long run less money spent and wasted!

Jenn - posted on 01/29/2010

I started out with a free program found at http://www.scrapbookflair.com/download.a... Once I got hooked and wanted to do more things with my pages I purchased Scrapbook Factory Deluxe at our local Office Max store for around $30. I print out 8x8 pages on photo paper to put into my albums. If you really want to get creative you can use Photoshop or Paint.net is a freeware very similar to Photoshop. Hope this helps. :)

Catherine - posted on 01/23/2010

walgreens.com & snapfish,com have basic programs you can try - then build up to the purchased versions..

Sara - posted on 01/23/2010

There are several different programs. I use Creative Memories Storybook Creator. You can get the free program at www.creativememories.com - just look under shop products, and then digital scrapbooking. You can do full books and have them created/bound for you, or just print a page. I use digital for gift albums - I dont' have to reprint photos, and can even make multiple copies of the same book with just a click. :-) I do "traditional" scrapping for the rest of my books, but occasionally insert a digital page. For example, the last page of my baby boy's first album is a month by month collage. It was just cheaper and easier to do it digitally instead of reprinting 13 photos and then dealing with trying to get them all the right size or zoomed in the same.

If you have any questions about CM Storybook Creator, just let me know. :-)

Sara

scrapmom@sbcglobal.net