scrapbooking question

[Timon]

grahamsgirl,

I am glad you gave it a go, you won't be sorry, it's very fun and great way to do something to your photos! I love the photobooks that I have ordered and plan on doing a LOT of these in the future!!

I would go to google and type in digital scrapbooking, there are tons of sites now, compared to just even last year, and they all have a "freebies" section. I have spent hours downloading the free stuff that appeals to my design tastes and have never spent a dime on digital stuff. That's the great thing about Photoshop, if you want something, you can just learn how to do it yourself!!!

Try e-scrappers.com for some how-to tips for Photoshop!

 

[grahamsgirl]

Hi PiratesMate and Timon, Thanks for the advice and websites,it is much appreciated I am now off to scour the web, I'll let ya know how i get on!!!
Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

 

[piratesmate]

Back to this question yet again...

My background is in IT and the whole digital scrapping really appeals to me. I started with paper, though, because that's the group I fell in with here. For the past year or so I've been "collecting" elements from all the freebie sites, but have yet to actually use any of it. In fact, I only just recently started to unzip all those files! And that brings me to my first question...

How on earth do you organize all of it?? All of the files have come with TOU statements that require giving credit when you use it. While using page kits as they come might be good at times, what about when you want to just use the background "paper" from one & embellishments from another? How do you ever find what you want if you keep it all in the folders they unzip into?

My inclination is to create a folder for papers, another for ribbons, another for buttons, etc, etc. What do you do?

Next question...Back to the TOU statement: I'm assuming they want credit when submitting for publication, but what about posting it or even sending off your pages to be put into a book? I can't imagine that people really do that! So if you're not intending to publish, do you even bother keeping track of where you get the stuff?

And just out of curiosity...I have no problem finding plenty of things to download, but which is your favorite site? (Lately I've been spending a lot of time at http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/ )

 

[LuvMV50]

I tried Digital Scrapbooking once, but it wasn't for me. I am more of a hands on type person. I love the feel of the embellishments, the paper, doing the rub ons and eyelets. I really feel like I have created it myself, whereas I didn't feel that way when I did it digitally.

I take my own pictures, print them out on my own printers and scrapbook them into my memory books. I love it!

I have seen many sites though that have downloadable stuff for digital scrappers! They do have some nice stuff to use.

 

[Suzann]

Piratesmate~
I organize my folders just like you imagine you're going to organize yours... Here, I'll list all my folders:
Alpha (all the different fonts and alphabets)
Embellishments
Bottlecaps
Holidays (the broken into the different holidays)
Frames
Kits (this is my huge folder... if it's a kit, it stays a kit, I don't break it up)
My Pages (this folder contains the pages I've made)
Papers
Edges
Overlays
Photoshop tools (this contains shapes and brushes, etc)
Ploppers (This has those pre-made pages in there)
Scrap Layouts (this has all the layouts Ive found online and liked)
Tags (Any type of tag)
Word Art (the fancy word borders, or titles)

That's how it is on mine.. it's not AS organized as I would like, but then again it works for me. I also have a mac, and the search function on a mac allows you to search "red" in a certain folder (I pick scrap since that's where it all is for me) and it'll bring up all the red ribbons, papers, embellishments, etc... so if I'm looking for that certain thing I need, I can find it.

I never keep track of where it all came from.. that would drive me insane.. I don't really post on any scrap website.. just here, so I don't have to credit. I do publish my pages on mypublisher to have a book made, but I don't have to worry about crediting then either

 

[piratesmate]

Ah thanks Suzann! I was reading the TOU files as requiring credit be given even when posting to "share" what you'd done. I just couldn't imagine having to do that!

Tell me, do you make any of your own elements? I wondered how hard that was. Of course this morning I was attempting to follow a tutorial from the "Digital Scrapbooking Place" and couldn't find the commands they were talking about! And for once in my life I was actually using the version it was talking about too. I guess I was expecting too much...part of my job in IT was to write directions for recreating "problems" for the software I was testing. So I know what should be written there...and it's not. LOL

 

[flying_babyb]

I haven't printed any of my pages out on my printer, but you could. i just like to get them all in a book from an online place... there's lots of places you can get your pictures to books on the internet. you just send them jpeg's of your digital scrapbook pages and they make the book for you. So pretty much you just pay for the book itself and not all the embellishments, papers, rivets, etc.

How much does somthing like this cost?

 

[Suzann]

How much does somthing like this cost?

For a 100 page beautiful leather bound book, for 50% off (I don't recommend doing it without a coupon.. they normally have them a couple times a year) It was $70 (and that includes shipping)
It would have totally cost me more than $70 for all the supplies I would need for a regular scrapbook

 

[Suzann]

Ah thanks Suzann! I was reading the TOU files as requiring credit be given even when posting to "share" what you'd done. I just couldn't imagine having to do that!

Tell me, do you make any of your own elements? I wondered how hard that was. Of course this morning I was attempting to follow a tutorial from the "Digital Scrapbooking Place" and couldn't find the commands they were talking about! And for once in my life I was actually using the version it was talking about too. I guess I was expecting too much...part of my job in IT was to write directions for recreating "problems" for the software I was testing. So I know what should be written there...and it's not. LOL

No problem

I sometimes make my own elements, but that's about let's say 5% of the time.. why make something when I can find it in my folders? I find that you need other programs that go along with photoshop to make elements. They make filters that make things into a glass button, or make fire behind something and stuff.

You can always go to the Adobe Studio Exchange, they have LOTS of filters and actions you can download to make certain things. AWESOME site!

 

[flying_babyb]

For a 100 page beautiful leather bound book, for 50% off (I don't recommend doing it without a coupon.. they normally have them a couple times a year) It was $70 (and that includes shipping)
It would have totally cost me more than $70 for all the supplies I would need for a regular scrapbook

Yikes! that a bit much for me (saving to move out) I will probley end up spending about $30 on paper and stuff and stuffed in with family album.

 

[disneyfan2]

i love looking at these digital pages you guys have posted(i peeked at your disney sites too-amazing) it tried an online digital scrapbook course last year and i gave up! I am not ususally having computer difficulty but the program i used was I believe adobe photoshop and could not get the hang of it. i reallllly want to try digital but want something that is simplified.. your suggests would be appreciated.

 

[piratesmate]

I'm struggling with Adobe PhotoShop too...and I've never had trouble learning another piece of software! (without a manual either ) I have PhotoShop CS. I've tried several online tutorials and the people writing them need new jobs.

Anyway, I know a number of people have said that PhotoShop Elements is what they use & it's actually easier than the big, expensive PS. I got a copy of Elements 3.0 bundled in a graphics tablet (Wacom Graphire4) that I got for Christmas. I haven't played with that one much yet, but it looks more promising!

BTW - We just got DS the same one for his birthday next month. Circuit City had them advertised last week with $50 in rebates, which brings the price down to $50. Let me tell you how much I love the pen for editing photos!

 

[SplshMtn99]

Piratesmate, I consider myself pretty smart in finding my way around software without a manual. Well, let me tell you, I had Photoshop Elements 2.0 for years...and could never understand even the most basic thing. And I use about 6 other photo programs to accomplish what ever it is I feel like doing.

Well, I decided to get Photoshop Elements 5.0 when it just came out since I heard scrappers saying it was easier.....and it looked like Adobe was really paying attention & gearing some it towards scrappers.

Let me tell you it is MUCH easier than my old version 2. So, maybe it would be worth it to you to try the newer version. And besides, now there are sooooo many websites with tutorials geared for the scrapper using PSE5 it would be no problem finding help.

You can download a trial version from Adobe's site. I bought it at Best Buy for just under $100. But I recently saw it at Walmart and I "think" it was around $50 --- don't quote me.

Good luck.