My household critic, Princess, insists on overseeing all of my scrapbooking projects. This page was created completely in-computer using the Digital Scrapbook Memories “Aspire” CD.

Have you thought about crossing over to the digital side? 

There are many ways to incorporate digital technology into your scrapbooking — from creating and printing headlines, captions and graphics for your paper pages (below), to scanning — or photographing — your conventional scrapbook pages to share digitally with family and friends. This column is an introduction to creating complete digital pages. How to identify and obtain the tools and resources necessary to combine your digital photos with computer-generated scrapbooking paper, design elements and decorative text to produce professional looking scrapbooks.

An example of hybrid scrapbooking: The page on the left was made traditionally for a retiring Scout Master’s scrapbook. I printed the quote on clear vellum and glued it to the original page with Scotch Vellum Tape. On the right, I embedded the copy in a digital version of the page, which I can now use to print 8x10-inch copies for other troop members.

Like many scrapbook traditionalists, I felt a tinge of guilt when I first started to experiment with creating scrapbook pages on my computer; but I had two critical factors driving my decision. First, the time and effort required to drag out all of the paper, photos, embellishments and tools necessary to work on a conventional scrapbook album; second, my very helpful Siamese cat always feels compelled to sit in the middle of my projects to oversee their progress. No matter what her intentions, she slows things down.

Digital Scrapbook Tools

Unlike traditional scrapbooking, most of your digital tools and supplies will fit neatly onto your computer and likely serve multiple functions. For example, standard photo-editing software can be used for everything from uploading and editing your digital images to creating and fine-tuning digital scrapbook pages. Digital graphics are easily purchased on the Internet — either as downloads or as CDs with multiple themed kits. Graphics typically include digital papers, frames, and alphabets created by professional graphic artists. As digital scrapbooking companies continue to team up with talented new artists, we’re seeing more realistic embellishments (i.e.: curled paper and ribbon, flowers, eyelets and stitching), detailed paper designs with textures and overlays as well as completed pages into which you simply drop an image and print. 

Beautiful Dreamer is a “Quick Page” layout included on the Family Ties CD by Digital Scrapbook Memories. The original file is 12x12 inches at 300 dpi resolution. An open space is provided for dropping in your digital picture.

Software Options

Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements are by far the most popular and widely used imaging software programs for digital scrapbooking (on both computer platforms), but Photoshop CS is a professional software program, so its current versions typically sell for about $700. Photoshop Elements is easier to use and in many ways better suited for scrapbooking. It sells for about $66 on retail websites. Both products have free 30-day trial versions (Mac or PC) at Adobe.com.

Beach Bum Baby is a hybrid page combining several different design elements. The t-shirt is a scan of the actual shirt my son is wearing in this picture with Grandma. The yellow ribbon and sunglasses are from a Digital Scrapbook Place kit “Denim & Sunshine” @ Elizabeth Weaver

If you’re not ready to invest in a photo imaging program right away, you can try one of the free software products that provide basic editing functions (“layering” is a must for digital scrapbooking) There are also several low-cost scrapbooking programs that may look very inviting, especially at $29.99, but many of these lack flexibility. For example, some are proprietary programs that can only be used with the developers’ graphics; others have fixed page layouts that cannot be changed. 

Before buying any software product, be sure to carefully read the publisher’s product description and reviews by recognized websites. About.com publishes short reviews of free and low-cost photo editing software for both platforms and you’ll find an overview of web-based Photoshop Alternatives by Dan Gruskin on TakeGreatPictures.com. Toptenreviews.com rates the best photo-editing and scrapbooking software programs every year, with detailed charts that outline the programs’ specific features.

The Christmas List was created using elements from the Digital Scrapbook Place “Winter Holiday” CD. The majority of elements are from the SantaFiles collection (see file sampler above), created by Marcee Duggar. 

Scrapbooking Graphics

Just like browsing the aisles of your favorite craft store, finding digital graphics for your scrapbooking projects can be lots of fun. The Internet is packed with digital scrapbooking sites that provide blogs, newsletters, user galleries, digital scrapbook kits and even Photoshop training. What’s really awesome is that most of these sites offer free downloads to their members . . . and membership is free! I’ve downloaded gigabytes of digital graphics over the past several years, which have been invaluable for learning and experimenting. Of course, you’ll find the most comprehensive material comes in complete kits sold either as online downloads ($1 to $10) or on digital scrapbook CDs ($10 to $20) sold online or at scrapbook retailers.

The following are just a few of the digital scrapbooking websites I’ve used that offer downloads, user galleries, forums and tutorials:

www.digitalscrapbookmemories.com

www.digitalscrapbookplace.com

www.scrapgirls.com

www.shabbyprincess.com

www.scrapbookgraphics.com

http://scrapbook-elements.com