How to Start Digital Scrapbooking for Beginners

My friend Bonnie K. asked a few beginner questions on Facebook. I've been receiving lots of beginner questions lately so I thought I'd share.

How do I start if I wanted to?

1. You need a software program that will open PDF's, jpegs, and png files for the most basic tasks. You will be able to print out those files to add to a card or scrapbook page, however you will not be able to do actual scrapbooking. A program example would be Word.
2. For actual scrapbooking, you need a software program for editing such as Photoshop Elements or ACDSee Photo Editor. Photoshop Elements is around $100-130 and ACDSee PE is about $45. These two programs are perfect for someone who just wants to scrapbook digital or hybrid. A free program that allows you to scrap online with their digital elements is www.scrapblog.com (and they also have premium kits you buy and use only within their system. Photoshop Elements and ACDSEE Photo Editor allow you to use any kit you purchase or find for free).
   
3. If you are a professional photographer and/or someone wishing to create a digital scrapbook kit from scratch, then you need the Photoshop Creative Suite which is quite an investment. (I prefer to use what others create, and so I love Photoshop Elements and I also have ACDSee Photo Editor).
   

To organize your kits, you can use the organizer in Photoshop Elements. I prefer to skip the Organizer in Photoshop Elements myself, because it is slow. I purchased ACDSee Photo Manager 10 (this is separate from ACDSee Photo Editor). ACDSee Photo Manager does not slow down your computer and allows for organization through tagging. I don't know how I scrapped before without ACDSee Photo Manager. I am not sure if it is available for Mac, however if you are on a Mac, then just use the free Organizer that comes with Elements.

How does it all work when you purchase a digi kit?
In your emailed invoice, there will be a link to a download link. You download the kit to your desktop. Scan it with anti-virus software. Then you need to unzip it with unzip software. I unzip it to the desktop, then I move the digital kit to the folder I want to store it. Then, while I have it in front of me, I tag it within my organizer so that I can find it fast and easy when it is time to scrap. (I also send the zipped file to the recycle bin after the folder is moved to where I want to store it. You do not need the zipped file any more.)



How do I use/access these files to make fun pages?
I suggest that you do not download a ton of freebies because soon you will run out of memory on your computer. When that time comes, the best thing is to purchase an external hard drive to store your photos and digital kits on. It is important to back-up your files on a weekly basis in case of a crash. Back-up onto DVD's or a second external hard drive.

It is just like accessing digital photos, they remain in the folder that you assigned them to.


Once you make all these cool layouts using digi elements, then what? how are your pages enjoyed?

• I have a standard size printer and print my pages at 8"x8" which is a great size album that fits on any size shelf. You could also have them printed full-size 12x12 at shutterfly, polka dot potato or http://www.goodlifephoto.com/
• You could have them printed in a photo book through a service such as shutterfly
• You can incorporate them into hybrid pages
  

Do you make cds for people with all the layouts on them?

No, I do not. I would recommend DVD's or CD's depending how many you want to fit on a disk.


Resources:

• The Daily Digi - For Those New to Digi (Janet has taken her time and summed it up quite well)
• Photoshop Elements 7 (I use Photoshop Elements 4 however the current version for sale is version 7) You can download it to try free for 30 days
• Photoshop Elements 7 for Mac
• Photoshop Elements Learning Resources
• ACDSee Photo Editor 2008
• ACDSee Forums
• Digiscrapinfo.com - Here you will currently find 2 main things: resources fo ACDSee and resources on where to print those digital scrapbooking layouts, whether its prints or photo books.
• ACDSee Photo Manager 2008 - for organizing photos and kits
• Scrapblog - online digital scrapbooking tools where some klits are free and some are premium. Allows the user to print their pages as a book or calendar, etc.
• Digishoptalk and My Scrapbook Art - where you can ask a question and get fast answers from digital scrappers and designers, also sales and freebies are announced here
• Everyday Digital Scrapbooking Archives - list of the tutorials offered here
  

Beginner Help for Digital Scrapbooking and Photoshop Elements

Are you frustrated with Photoshop Elements and lost on where to start?

I get questions all the time from scrapbookers on where to start....so feel free to keep those questions coming and I will update you on new tutorials very soon!

1. Take a class or at least buy a book written for scrapbookers
There are several classes at online sites such as Big Picture Scrapbooking (watch for Renee Pearson to offer classes), Scrapgirls, and Digital Scrapbook Place. I recommend the books by Renee and also Patty's book that I reviewed recently.

2. Learn the basics from tutorials posted on this blog

3. More info for beginners via EDS Tutorials

4. Ask questions - the best places to get immediate answers to your questions, which we all had when we were beginners - is to go to a message board and get help.

Try these communities:
1. Scrapbook Dimensions Magazine forum
2. Scrapgirls forum
3. Digishoptalk forum
4. Photoshop Elements forum at abobe.com

Or feel free to send your questions to me and my creative team at thedigitalproject {at} gmail {dot} com

10-Minute Cards - Download Until November 14th

Scalloped Card Template
by Julie Ann Shahin, Founder

This week we had a reader ask for printing tips. After downloading today's template, continue on to Susan's Tips for Printing.
Enjoy!

Credit: April Staker Signs of Fall Kit
Inked Edges: Mandy Steward Inked Edge Style Tool 1801 at Scrapgirls

Credits: April Staker Damon Kit
Inked Edges: Cheryl Barber Inked Edges 4101 at Scrapgirls


Mention this ad and get free May Arts Ribbon with your first order at The Shaker Box!

Download Here
Please leave a comment if you download. Please do not share this in Yahoo groups. Instead, please direct them here to the blog to encourage us to provide more freebies.

Alter a Paperclip for Hybrid Scrapbooking with Shabby Princess Papers

Hybrid Altered Paper Clip

Using Products from a

Designer with both Digital and Paper Designs

Digital Scrapbooking Tutorial by Michele Ciola, CT

One of my favorite digital designers/paper line contributors is Shabby Princess. It’s so fun when a designer carries both lines because you can just do some much more!

For this project, I’ve used the Shabby Princess Anna Sophia paper line from Bo-Bunny and also the free download called Festival via the Shabby Princess site located here - http://www.shabbyprincess.com/Festival_.asp

Supplies needed:
Computer
Jumbo Paper Clips
Flower Punches, flower patterns or use your Wishblade
Brad
Fiber
White Cardstock (for printing hybrid paper)
E6000 glue
Scissors

First, select some of your favorite paper from the Bo-Bunny line and/or the digital add-on pack. For the paper line, simply cut/punch out various flowers. You will need 2 flowers for each paperclip. One for the front and one for the back.



If you’ve decided to use a digital paper, simply open it in Photoshop and then size the section of the paper you would like to 3x3.




You can do this by dragging your guidelines over to the 3 inch mark for your vertical and horizontal lines. Use you marquee tool to select that section and hit image crop. Voila. Ready for printing.

Once the flowers have been cut, you can work on your embellishments. I didn’t have the right color of button in my stash so I pulled up the light green button in Shabby’s kit.



I sized the button to approx. 1x1 and printed it out on cardstock as well. You can use a 1” whole punch to cut the button from the cardstock or cut by hand. I then used my small hole punch to cut out the holes for the button.

Next, take your fiber and thread it through the holes, tie your knot and take a deep breath! You are almost done. Adhere your embellishments to two of your flowers.

Working on a protective surface, then place the unembellished flower wrong side up on your work surface. Then place your paper clip on top centered in the middle. Make sure to put the double side of the paper clip downward.



Then place your decorated flower on top. Gently squeeze to help glue bond to both sides of the flower and wait for that to dry. You can place an object on top of it to help it grab as well.




That’s all. You are done!

You can make simple paperclips like these or get fancy with lots of layers and dimension. These are for my little one to use as bookmarks for school so I wanted to keep them as simple as possible.

I can’t wait to see what you come up with. Don’t forget to post a reply here with your creation. We would love to see it!


Mention this ad and get free May Arts Ribbon with your first order at The Shaker Box!

Beth's Best Tips for Personalizing One Of a Kind Journal Tags

Hybrid Elements in Scrapbooking

Create Cool Journaling Templates in PSE5

By Beth Price, Creative Team Member

Journaling boxes are hot right now. Every manufacturer has a die-cut sheet of boxes ready to apply to your favorite line of paper.

Here I’m going to take some great journaling boxes from Verna Grant’s Geometric Funk kit and personalize them a bit. The great thing about some digital files is that you can personalize them, and its pretty simple. When I’m done, I’ll print them out and use them on my next favorite page.

What You Will Learn to Do:

• Add text to a pre-made journaling tag
• Add shapes to a pre-made journaling tag
• Fill a shape with a pattern to give it character
  

1.I selected a journaling box from the kit and put it on a new document.

(click on image to enlarge)

Mention this ad and get free May Arts Ribbon with your first order at The Shaker Box!

2.then I selected an area of the background, copied it over the box outline, then added a text box with text to make the box fit my layout. If you have sharp edges around the background you copied, try using the blur filter and slightly blur the edges (use a radius of 10 or less)

(click on image to enlarge)

3.Now I’m going to add a couple fun shapes to the box. I first define a couple of the papers in the kit as patterns. I do this so that I can fill my shapes when they are ready. To define a pattern, select Edit – Define pattern

(click on image to enlarge)

4.Create a leaf shape by selecting the shape tool, then select a leaf in the drop down box.

(click on image to enlarge)

5.Next select Edit – Fill Layer

(click on image to enlarge)

6.then select pattern, and find the page pattern you created earlier.

(click on image to enlarge)

7.Continue adding a couple more elements, then I’m ready to print out and add to a page.

(click on image to enlarge)

Would you like to mix Verna Grant's Geometric Funk with traditional products? Check out the October paper kit for sale at The Shaker Box.

Note: If you found interest in any of our recent tutorials, please take a moment to be kind and leave a comment. It really makes our day! Thanks!!!

How to Turn an Ordinary Business Card into a Quick, Handy, Stylish Gift Tag

How to Create a Quick Tag

by Altering a Business Card

Digital Scrapbooking Tutorial

by Susan Rodriguez, Creative Team Member

Have you ever had your other half call you and tell you in a panic, "Honey we have just been invited out to dinner with my boss"? Or better yet, it’s your best friend’s birthday and you completely forgot? Wouldn’t it be nice to have a quick tag handy to stick on a present?

In this tutorial we will be creating tags using printable business cards to stick on those last-minute gifts. I used Avery 8869 business cards for this project.

• Create an image the size of your business card. Here is my image

• I used Microsoft Word to create my business card tag.
  
• Make sure you follow the instructions on your package when printing them out.
  
• Once complete your word document should look something like this.

• Print them out, tear them out and whalla you have your ready made tags.
  
• You can also add some diamond glaze or glossy accents to poop out your letters even more.
  
• ere is my completed projected with a little something I gave myself.

Isn't Susan's tutorial great? Please let her know you agree by leaving a comment! Thanks!

Journaling Tips

Capturing the Memory When You

Don't Have a Photo:

Digital Scrapbooking Tutorial
by Julie Kelley, Creative Team Member

I'm sure that we all have them... memories and events that we have no photos of. Having no photos doesn't make the memory or event any less important!! You can still create a beautiful layout that commemorates the memory, even if you don't have a photo to go with it! There are several ways that you could go about it.

• One way would be to create a layout using a themed digital kit, or papers, and allow the focus to be on the journaling. I remember very distinctly that my grandparents would bring us to the rodeo every year when it came to town. I don't have any photos from the many times that we went, but I still want to remember those special times spent with my grandparents.
  



• Here's the first example of a layout without photos, I used the wonderful "Giddy Up" kit by Mary Fran at nitwitcollections.com.
  
• I knew immediately when I saw the kit that it would be full of goodies that I could use to create my photoless layout.
  
• I find that 8x8 is a great size for photoless layouts.

• Another option for stories that have no matching photos is to use a photo that gives you the feeling of the story, even if it wasn't taken at the precise time of the story you are trying to tell. This summer, my 6 year-old son said so many funny things... I didn't always have the camera ready when he was talking. One of my favorite phrases was when he mixed up FYI with YEI and told us that "YEI, I'm a Big Boy!"
  
• I just had to scrap the story, so I chose a photo from this summer, with him looking like a big boy. I used the "Crazy Cool" kit, and "Cardstock Alpha" by Miss HuniBuni at thedigishoppe.com.

Be creative! There's lots of ways to document a story, even if you don't have the photos to match!


**If you have a layout without photos, we would love for you to show us. Please add a link to your layout in the comments section!**Thanks!

Beginner's Guide to Drop Shadows

Demystifying Drop Shadows :

A Beginner Tutorial

for Digital Scrapbooking

By Michele Ciola, Creative Team Member

Featuring Sponsor Scrapkit.nl

I think one of the hardest things for a new digital scrapper to get the hang of is creating realistic drop shadows. Drop shadows can really enhance the look of your elements and they can certainly make layers look more realistic. If you are among the many who find it very difficult to achieve that perfect drop shadow, then read on! Don’t you worry. Follow this tutorial and you will become a drop shadow master in no time!

Drop shadows really are a personal preference. For me, I like the more subtle drop shadows. Others lprefer darker and wider shadows. No matter what your preference, here are a few quick and easy tricks that will make drop shadowing a breeze!

Once you have your layout or item open in Photoshop CS2, click on the layer you would like to add your drop shadow to. This could be a paper layer, an element such as a brad or even a strip of ribbon. Whatever the layer is you choose, simply make sure it is selected in the layers palette.



Next click on Layer - Layer Style - Drop Shadow


Your dialog box should look similar to the default set up below. The most important step in creating a realistic drop shadow is to change the color of the drop shadow itself to a more subtle grey color. You can experiment here with various shades. To change the color simply, click on the Blending Mode box color which is circled in red below.



This will bring up the color picker dialogue box. You can select various colors and shades here for your customized drop shadow color or you can type in a hex color code below in the # field.

To use a more subtle grey color, simply type in a hex code value of: a9a7a7 and then click ok. Next, all you need to do is change a few more settings and you almost done!

I would also recommend taking the opacity down to around 75% along with using 120 degree angle. The opacity change gives the drop shadow a more a bit of a fuzzy more muted appearance. The angle change will direct the light so that it casts a shadow concentrating on the bottom right corner of your object. I really like this angle when using drop shadows.

I also set my distance to 2, spread to 0, and Size to 2 as well but you can experiment with different settings until you come up with your own personal preference. The dialogue box should then look like the one below after you have changed all of your settings.


Simply click OK and there you have it! Perfect drop shadowing every time!

Try these settings the next time you need a drop shadow. I’ve attached 2 examples for you below. One without drop shadows and the other with the drop shadow technique I’ve highlighted here for you.







Even though the changes are subtle, they make a big impact in creating a realistic feel to your layouts!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this tutorial. Now go out there and create fabulous drop shadows!!! Can’t wait to see what you come up with!!


(If you learned something, please leave a comment for Michele!)