Learn Digital Scrapbooking

From LoveToKnow Scrapbooking

If you'd like to learn digital scrapbooking, LoveToKnow Scrapbooking is here to help. Even if you're a die-hard traditional paper scrapbooker, learning how to create digital layouts can be a very useful skill to have.

Learning digital scrapbooking doesn't have to be difficult.

Take Advantage of Free Kits

If you're beginning your very first digital scrapbooking project, you probably don't want to spend a ton of money on new supplies. Fortunately, there are plenty of digital scrapbooking freebies that can help you decide if this method of creating layouts is right for you.

You can search for free scrapbook kits on the following Web sites:

Start Small

When trying to learn digital scrapbooking, sometimes it pays to start small. Instead of creating an entire digital layout from scratch, try making a traditional paper scrapbook page that incorporates one or more digital elements. For example, you could try designing a journaling block that incorporates creative font choices, clip art, and a small photo. There are also several digital frames and fun image editing filters you can use to give your photos some extra pizzazz. When you build your confidence in creating individual digital elements, you can work up to making an all-digital layout. Of course, you may find that "hybrid scrapbooking" has an appeal all its own!

Use Templates

If you want to tackle a bigger project such as a family tree scrapbook, templates can be a fabulous resource. Templates make it easy to create digital pages because all you need to do is drag and drop your photos into the correct spots. When you're finished, simply add your journaling and your layout is ready to share.

Of course, if you're feeling more creative, you can try customizing the template by adding extra embellishments or using your favorite digital image editing software to change the page's color scheme. For example, converting a page to black and white or a sepia tone can give it a very sophisticated look.

Save Often

One of the biggest fears of those who are new to digital scrapbooking is that they'll somehow "mess up" the project beyond repair. The easiest way to prevent this is to simply get in the habit of saving your work every 10 minutes. Then, if you decide you don't like what you've done, you can simply revert back to the previous version of your layout. If you tend to get sidetracked, set a small kitchen timer by the computer to give you a quick reminder to save your work.

It's also a good idea to keep copies of your photos and kit elements in a separate folder on your hard drive. This will help you avoid accidentally saving over top of the original files.

Take Good Notes

As you're working on your digital scrapbooking projects, keep a small notebook by your computer. When you find a technique you like, jot down a quick reference to how you accomplished the effect on your page. Eventually, you'll have a digital scrapbooking guide customized to fit your unique needs.

Ask for Feedback

One of the most useful aspects of digital scrapbooking is that your projects are very easy to share. With a few clicks of your mouse, you can instantly email your layout to anyone you want. If you're having trouble getting your page to come together, don't be afraid to ask for feedback from a fellow scrapbooker. If you don't know any digital scrapbookers, try posting your work in an online gallery such as the one available on the A Cherry on Top Web site.