What is Digital Scrapbooking?  How can I get started?  What program should I use?  Where do I get all the cool graphics to use on my pages?

These questions are all too familiar to me.  I was asking myself (and others) these exact questions a couple years ago when I started going digital.

I love my traditional (paper) scrapbooks; I put a lot of work into those pages.  I am blessed to have a whole “craft room” of my own in our basement to work on non-digital crafts.  However, I started seeing these beautiful layouts created digitally on all the scrapbook sites I frequent.  People were creating things that I just could not achieve with paper and adhesives.  I was jealous and that motivated me to find out how I could do the same.

My digital journey began with choosing software.  There are many options on the market and the capabilities and prices vary greatly.

• Adobe Photoshop retails for around $700 and has professional capabilities, great for someone who wants to design and sell their own digital kits
• Adobe Photoshop Elements retails for around $100, Adobe has just released Version 7
• Paint Shop Pro retails for around $70 and does not offer as many functions as the Adobe programs, but is a good intermediate program
• Ulead PhotoImpact also retails for around $70 and is a great intermediate program
• Scrabook Max retails for around $40 and is very easy to use, simple format for any beginner to start on
• FotoFusion can also be used to create scrapbook pages, but the capabilities are quite limited compared to other software on the market, this program also retails for around $40
• There is also ScrapBlog, a free online site offering premade templates and papers and elements you can use to create scrapbook pages you can share online or have printed, this option does not allow customization outside of what is offered on their website, but it can be a fun tool to play with and email your creations to family and friends

I decided to dip my toe into the water by purchasing Scrapbook Max.  I found this program easy to use, I clicked and learned my way around by trial and error.  Their online community was also very helpful when I got stuck or needed inspiration.  After working with Scrapbook Max for a couple years I decided it was time to take my layouts to the next level and moved up to Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.  Remember that you always have that option, you can start with something simple and see if you utilize it and enjoy it as much as you think you will before making a steeper investment.

Whatever program you choose, you will want to take the time to explore and learn all the features it has to offer.  Many scrapbook sites offer tutorials on how to use different programs.  One of my favorite sites offering tutorials is Two Peas In A Bucket; their tutorials are very easy to follow.  You can also go to the help website for any program you purchase and search their help index of topics.

Next weekend we will take a look at the many many options you have when downloading free or purchasing digital kits, papers and embellishments.  Come back for more, I have oodles of great links to share with you!

Happy Scrapping!

Andrea (come visit me to see some of my digital layouts)