New to digital scrapbooking....where to start??

[Sammy]

I used to do traditional scrapbooking, but it became too overwhelming and I gave it up. Now, I see there is digital scrapbooking (who knew?! ) which is right up my alley!! The only thing is I have NO IDEA where to start!! Someone suggested CM's photo book, but I'm having trouble getting the pics the right size to insert in the templates. I do like the idea that they print everything and put it in a book for you, but I'd like a little more flexibility as far as the layouts and available designs.

Any suggestions for a newbie? Where do you get your template designs? Do you use an online site for designing or do you have a software program on your computer? How about getting/making Disney-themed templates? Do you print everything out at home (doesn't that use LOTS of ink???)

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!!

Sammy

 

[threeboysmom]

Hi neighbor!

You will need a software program that allows layering and photo editing. I use Paint Shop Pro 9 (I believe you can buy PSP X for around $25 or so). Most people however use Photoshop which is very expensive. Whichever program you use, there are tons of tutorials out there to help you on your way. There are also lots of digi scrapping sites to get you started with free downloads of papers, templates, embellishments, you name it

http://http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/

http://www.scrapgirls.com/index.html (My Favorite)

http://scrapbook-bytes.com/

I started out with traditional scrapping, but switched to digital last year. I LOVE that I have no mess to clean up! And if I "change my mind" about a layout, it's a snap to rearrange things at a later time. I send my completed layouts/files to sbtoshare.com to print on 12x12 pages for my book, but I'm now toying with not printing at all and just displaying my albums online for family and friends.

Hope this helps!! Feel free to ask any questions at all

 

[Fran98765]

Hey! You gave out the links I usually give out!! jk

Those are great spots for tutorials and plenty of friendly faces on the forums for questions.

If you look through the digital show off post in the sticky, you will see lots of Disney layouts that we have made. There aren't any official Disney digital products, so we use clip art found online or scanned in items like stickers. There are two designers that make "disney-esque" digital items, which are wonderful for Disney pages, one posts here on the forums and has a bunch of freebies on her blog (http://seebeesfreebies.blogspot.com/) and the other has a lot of kits for sale at Digitals, and I just bought a boatload of them last night (http://www.digitalscrapbookpages.com/digitals/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1920 is one of them, her name is Glenda Ketcham, so choose her and it's the Most wonderful place series, which starts on page 13 of her list).

Another option for printing, and this is what I plan to do is to make a photobook. Once all your layouts for a whole book are done, you can upload them to a site like shutterfly.com and get them printed in a hardbound book.

 

[disneyfan2]

Hi neighbor!

Most people however use Photoshop which is very expensive.

There are 2 versions of Adobe Photoshop, i have the cheaper one, i think under $100 it is photoshop elements. But i am at the learning stage and want to do some of the on line free classes.

 

[VanessasMom]

Stop on by the swap section and join our digital swap! I just started an interest thread. I am a newbie at digital scrapbooking too, but I'd love to share ideas.

 

[boBQuincy]

To me, the place to start is with a good image editing program, like Photoshop Elements. This allows you to precisely size and place your images on the page, and to select from a zillion (give or take a few) fonts for journaling.

Next I would get a flatbed scanner to scan in your park maps, literature, Disney scrapbook items, etc. for adding to your pages.

Learn to use layers, and keep each element of the page on it's own layer for ease in resizing and repositioning. Once the page is completed you can print it on your 12 x12 printer ($$$) or send it off to Shutterfly, MPix, etc. for printing.

I sometimes print an 8 x 10 page of images with a 2 x 10 sidebar for journaling, so I can use a standard size printer.
Here is one example:

Have fun!

boB

 

[bensenc]

Hi,

I'm using ACDSee Photo Editor & really like it! It is very user friendly to learn & supports layers.

My sister & I have written tutorials for getting started and we keep adding new ones. We also have a website with a forum where you can ask questions & get help! You can also download a 30 day trial to see if you like it. It's $69.99, but you can buy ACDSee Photo Manager (an organizing software with it) or $79.99 as a bundle.

Here are some links:
Information on ACDSee Photo Editor
Tutorials for Photo Editor
Examples of pages made in Photo Editor


Forum at DigiScrapInfo.com

 

[threeboysmom]

Hey! You gave out the links I usually give out!! jk

LOL! Probably because YOU were the one that helped me get started last year when I was just beginning

 

[Fran98765]

And you are doing splendidly!

 

[Sammy]

Wow...thanks for all the tips and web links! Threeboysmom...we just keep "running" into each other (think MCO rental car garage....couple of years ago during the famous "hurricane" weekend...LOL!!). Thanks for your help once again!

We just returned from taking my parents on their first Disney vacation with the grandkids so I'd really love to put together a nice scrapbook for them. Looks like I'll be spending even more time on the computer now!

Sammy