I was under the impression, that part of the reason to scrapbook was the time to work with your hands. You know, one of those soothing things you do to relieve stress. Or a social thing, an opportunity to get together with other like-minded people, and put together memories to pass on.
But we live in the computer age and you can now do all of your [tag]scrapbooking[/tag] with just your computer, this would be referred to as [tag]digital[/tag] scrapbooking.
I guess, maybe, I am just slow. I have used my computer to print out the words I want to add to my pages, to print paper and other paper embellishments, and to access the Internet to find ideas for pages, but I have never thought of doing the whole thing on the computer.
I would not say it is cheating though. Everyone deserves the right to express themselves with whatever tools they can find. And with all you can do with computers these days, I am sure there are some amazing scrapbooks out there.
I have to say though, it would not be my medium of chose, because my husband is always correcting me on my improper use of our computer. Maybe, it is my lack of computer savvy that keeps me from it.
Anyway, if you are interest in or already involved in digital scrapbooking, I have found a great site for you. It is ScrapGirls.com. They provide a lot of information on scrapbooking in general.
But one of the more interesting things I found, is a set of 32 short tutorial videos that one of the editors, Roxanne Paxman, has put together. It will help you in using your MS Word, Photoshop, [tag]Photoshop Elements[/tag] and [tag]Paint Shop Pro[/tag] programs.
The videos are called Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed! These videos cost $27.99 and they are downloadable right from the website or you can purchase them in CD format.
If you are interested but not sure, check out their website. You just go to the boutique and then search for the Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed!. It will list for you all the options. Choose the one you have and look at the product details. This provides you with a description of the program, tells a little about the Roxanne Paxman, and gives you an opportunity to watch a bit of a video.
Also if you are interested, you can go to the Adobe website and download a trial version of Photoshop Elements (4.0 for Macs, 5.0 for Windows).
There you go. Go get Photoshop Elements. Try it out. See what you think. Digital Scrapbooking might be just the thing you have been looking for.
Until next, continue creating the memories you cherish.
sadly, many people see digital artwork of any kind as ceating. I as a traditional and a digital artist like to compare the difference between the two to the differences between using a hand saw and using a power saw.
Both are tool, and the wood is just as cut either way.
I have to say, in the end that I will tend to chose traditional means for art because it has the “hold it in your hands” factor. It is tactile in it’s creation and involves all the other senses as well. Digital involves primarily sight.
In the end, all art should be about the heart, soul and mind.
How it’s made is incidental.
Have a great day.
Don’t think of digi scrapping as cheating, think of it as finding that perfect designer dress at the outlet mall on sale (LOL)! I began digi scrapping years ago,perhaps even before it became a word. I just enjoyed designing my own cards and layouts on the computer. I tried the traditional way, bought all the tools and stickers and albums, then after a full 5 pages I realized, I was just not the traditional type. I was way too messy, never seemed to have just the thing or shade I wanted, and found myself spending lots of money at a craft store for items that are still resting in drawers.
Creating my own digital layouts was the perfect answer. Then last year a company saw some of my original designs and offered me a job. It was then that I learned that what I had been doing was digital scrapbooking (before I just thought I had been playing at my PC).
I soon discovered that their are loads of wonderful digi scrapping sites on the web. Some of the benefits of using this medium are:
1. Unlimited Use- once you purchase a kit and download it to your PC, you have it forever. To save PC space however, it’s best if you can download them to your own disk, plus you will never lose it should your PC crash or if you upgrade to a newer one.
2. Much less expensive- Not only are you not spending money on gas or being tempted by other items in a craft store, kits generally cost $3.00 to $8.00 and contain 20 to 60 items (or more). An average $6.00 kit may have 20 or more background pages, with the color/design coordination already done for you.
3. Web ready – while you always have the option of printing out your designs and embellishing in the traditional way, you have the added benefit of being able to send actual layouts to family and friends over the web, posting them to your favorite forums or personal website,or saving them to disk and giving them as gifts.
4.Sound- For those less PC challenged than I am, when storing to disk or web posting,you can also add actual voice messages, sounds, and music to your LO’s.
5. Multiples-Once you have a design on your PC, it’s easy to print or send/save multiples. One page can become 20 or 100, whereas with the traditional method, each addtional page will mean more time and more resources/money!
6.Tutorials and Friends- Many digi scrapping sites also include forums where you can ask for advice, share ideas, make new friends, get fresh ideas, display your work,offer newsletters, and provide numerous and frequent freebies.
7.Best of both worlds – For those that enjoy the more tactile stimulation of traditional scrapping, it’s still there, only with more choices. Your supplies are always available, but taking up less space. Print a full LO, print just the background page you need, or print your own sheet of stickers. You select what you want to print and the medium based on just what you need. Print on vellum, sticker paper, magnet sheets, or make your own transparencies.
8. Versatility- Photo designs created on the PC are easy to convert for use on cards (invitations, birthday, reunions, weddings, showers, etc.)Another less known resource is your local cake shop. I frequently email my LO’s to a shop that prints them out as edible images for cake toppers. It’s a perfect way to create a memorable party and gift, by having the cake, invitations, scrapbooked photo’s (gift)and personal card not only coordinate, but also provide guests with a memorable keepsake as well.
9.Bigger Selection – There are so many kits available. Whether small or large, most of the digi scrapping designs will never be available in stores. Don’t put limits on your own creativity by leaving out a new resource. Traditional scrap bookers will find a wealth of fresh ideas, new materials and art in the digi scrapping venues to challenge their creativity and expand their artistic talents. After all, that is the one thing both traditional and digi scrappers share, the desire to display their cherished memories with artistry, whether it be on pages or screens.
Teri
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