If I Started Back At Square One...

I was thinking this morning about digital scrapbooking - yes this happens to me to often these days...and I thought about when I started in 2002 and how much things have changed.  It would almost be easier to get started today as a digital scrapbooker than even two years ago.  I know I have a lot of paper scrapbookers and others who read my blog - many of you are teetering on the edge of beginning to play with digital scrapbooking or even just thinking about it.

So to you all I write this post.  Knowing what I know now - if I was brand-spanking new to this hobby what would I do?  Time is a precious commodity - if I wanted to be up to speed in digital scrapbooking and quickly go from beginner to quite competent in this hobby there are some great resources available to help.  So if I started back at square one and I was serious - here would be my game plan....

First things first - software.  So many options out there and so much available.  If you read discussions on this, it might seem to be like the Nikon/Canon debate - but I have to tell you after five years in digital scrapbooking if I were truly serious about this hobby hands-down my choice for software would be Adobe products.  Just getting started you can pickup Adobe Photoshop Elements for under $100.  In my opinion this is the way to go.  I realize there are other products out there - PaintShopPro, ACD See, etc.  However, if you really look at what is happening in the industry - most of the bloggers and tutorial writers are using Adobe products.  All the "how-to" books coming from Simple Scrapbooks, Creating Keepsakes and Digital Scrapbooking Magazine are centered around Adobe products.  Adobe has been around for a long time and will be around in the future.  Another cool option - you can download a free 30 day trial of Photoshop Elements or CS 3 from Adobe.  That way you can truly try before you buy...

Second - education - it keeps you from getting frustrated and it will smooth the way for the rest of your progress.  My first stop would definitely be Jessica Sprague's Up and Running With Photoshop Class.  Jessica's classes are inspiring and they are also smart for the beginner because just the freebies alone make it worth the investment - you will leave her class with a great foundation and lots of fun things you can use again and again in your scrapbooking.

Third - find a community!  There are many online sites with not only digital scrapbooking products, but also freebies, forums, galleries to share your work, etc.  Here is a list of my favorites...

• PC Layers - this is a fairly new site as of this writing - Provo Craft is the first major paper retailer to step into the digital market.  They are in the process of bringing paper scrapbooking companies into the digital market - and that is big (especially for those converting from paper to digital scrapbooking).  They have freebies, forums, gallery, and free tutorials.  The site is still new so some sections are in development - but it looks very promising.
• Shabby Princess - I love just about everything SP designs. Her site has a great section of freebies, tutorials, gallery, blog, and shoppe. 
• If you love SP, you will love another of my favorites, Shabby Miss Jenn.  Her site contains her shop and blog along with an ideas gallery.  Her site reminds me of one of those cute little boutiques you visit full of little treasures you can't find anywhere else... I love her stuff - her blog is also inspiring - with everyday stuff she photographs - very inspiring!
• Another newer site out there is Scraphead.  Carol Abram, the owner, has an amazing background - she has a Bachelor's in Fine Arts and has designed for Mademoiselle Magazine, Yankee Magazine and CBS' David Letterman show.  She has attracted some neat designers to her shop - and her site includes forums, gallery, and a fun blog.  They have fun challenges and great contests, plus my friend's designs - Andilynn Designs -can be found there!  (The real reason I found Scraphead is Andrea! thanks Andrea)  I like this community because it is still small enough that you really would have a chance to meet some nice people - and the interaction there is very positive and friendly.
• ScrapGirls - I would be remiss if I didn't mention this site - Ro is one of the pioneers of digital scrapbooking and her site is a huge resource of tools, education and creativity!  ScrapGirls has one of the biggest commercial license collections available.  The overall product selection is amazing. Their university is really full of useful tutorials on everything from using templates to organizing your stuff. There are also forums and a fun blog. 

There are more sites I would love to mention -but this should give you all a running start.  If you have your own favorites I didn't mention (software, education, digital sites) - please mention them in the comments section!

Comments

[Colleen]

First off, thank you so much for writing this entry. I started digi-scrapping back in March or so. But the real reason I thank you is because literally, just this morning, my mom sent me an email asking me all kinds of questions about digi-scrapping after reading my blog the past few weeks or so, lol. I'm a bit fuzzy this morning, but came across this entry and had a way out!

It's a wonderful jumping off point for all those people on the fence.

And I will add 2 more communities that I enjoy, since you asked ;o)

DSO is a wonderful little community. The first that I've found that I really really love. They have 15 challenges every month that really get the creative juices flowing. Everyone is very very friendly there.
http://digital-scrapbooking.org/boards/index.php

Sweet Shoppe Designs has some amazing designers, but also a fun little community. I'm relatively new over there, but they have some fun and different challenges from what I see over at DSO.
http://www.sweetshoppedesigns.com/

My favorite part about both forums, is that none of the challenges require you to buy anything from the store to play (which I've seen at several other forums). You just create and have fun. DSO offers a participation freebie for every single challenge, and the more you complete, the bigger percentage you receive from a special challenge mega kit. It's great!

Anyway, sorry for writing a novel! Thank you so much for your post!!

[Julie Ann Shahin]

You might want to check out Scrapbook Dimensions www.scrapbookdimensions.com and Everyday Digital Scrapbooking http://everydaydigitalscrapbooking.blogspot.com too