Creating A Digital Scrapbook

Summer can be the busiest time of year for our digital cameras. Our kids are out of school, we go on vacation, and head to the beach, pools and parks. It's the perfect time for capturing and preserving our family memories.

Like me, you probably have really good intentions for creating the perfect summer scrapbook. Also like me, you probably know your time is so tight and wonder if this summer's photos will fall into the same big pile of pictures as last summer's photos. When I walk through the scrapbook sections at my favorite stores, I see all of the cool summer themed paper and sticker designs. Fortunately, I know my limitations. Oh, don't get me wrong, I can make a scrapbook for sure. Finding the time to do it is the challenge, so my goal is to use technology to save time and actually end up with a scrapbook for Summer '07.

If you love working with pictures on the computer, as I do, you'll be a natural at digital scrapbooking. Adobe Photoshop Elements is one of the most popular imaging software among digital scrapbookers, but there are other programs like Corel Paint Shop Pro that will also work great. For less than $100, they are a bargain once you start turning your favorite photos into digital works of art.

Looking For Inspiration?
There are dozens of digital photo and scrapbooking websites that provide graphics and instructions on how to make a digital scrapbook. The most popular sites show how to create digital scrapbook papers and embellishments. See the resource list below to get you started. If you're just starting out, you might want to begin with the themed scrapbooking kits available on the Internet or on CD. Most include color-coordinated papers, alphabets and embellishments like ribbon and stickers, that can make an unlimited number of digital pages, plus at least one pre-designed page where you just drop your pictures. Prices range from free to $1 for single graphics, to $3 and up for complete kits. Digital Scrapbook Place has a great selection of high-quality sets on themed CDs for $19 each.

So, what do you do with your finished product? Share it of course. On a website, CD or as printed pages in a traditional scrapbook. If you like to work in the 8x10-inch (or smaller) format, you can print your pages at any photo lab that offers digital printing, or print them at home. For 12x12-inch pages, you'll have to print them on a large-format printer, again at home or at a retailer with large-format printers. Several manufacturers make large-format printers, but Epson is the only one that sells a scanning and printing station specifically for scrapbooking. If you get hooked on digital scrapbooking, you might want to check out the Epson Scrapbook Station—available for use at many large scrapbooking stores. It scans and prints copies of traditional scrapbook pages and also prints digital pages.

I'll check back in toward the end of the summer and let you know how my summer scrapbook is coming along. I would also love to hear your digital scrapbook success stories. Post a comment in my blog and let's chat.

Digital Scrapbooking Resources:
adobe.com/education/digkids
hp.com/go/activitycenter
freedigitalscrapbooking.com
scrapbookscrapbook.com
digitalscrapbookplace.com
twopeasinabucket.com
scrapgirls.com
scrapbook-bytes.com
designerdigitals.com
scrappersguide.com