First off...here are my most recent layouts for the 31 in 31 challenge
Now onto the Q&A section. I have been receiving a lot of emails and questions about everything, so I will try to offer you as much info as I can. Keep in mind, that I am no expert. I have only been doing this for a short while, but i will tell you what I know.
Q: Do you only digi scrap now?
A: Of course not! I still have tons of paper supplies that need used! I still enjoy creating with my hands...creating altered projects, occasional layouts and cards, but as far as getting layouts done and getting memories recorded (I have four little ones you know), I find that digital is much faster.
Q: What program do you use?
A: Adobe Photoshop Elements. I am wanting to upgrade to Photoshop CS3, but if you are just beginning, Elements will do everything you need it to do, and it will be much easier to learn. There are other programs out there, specifically targeted towards digital scrapbooking that are a lot easier, but I don't think they allow any sort of creative freedom that Photoshop does.
Q: How did you learn Photoshop? How can I learn it?
A: I actually first purchased Photoshop Elements strictly for editing photos. I basically taught myself how to use the program with a lot of playing around and experimenting. I am currently using Adobe Lightroom for my photos, and Photoshop Elements for my digital scrapbooking. To get yourself started, there are tons of free tutorials out there is cyberspace. Here is a link to a great site that contains lots of info. I promise that with a little work, you can do it!
Q: How do you organize all of your layouts? Photos? Digi Scrapping Elements?
A: It's quite simple actually. The first thing you will need if you are really serious about this (besides Photoshop Elements) is an external hard drive. You will need this because a)if you store everything on your computer's hard drive it will slow down your computer b)if your computer crashes, you will be SOL...and everything will be gone forever c)it is so handy to have everything in one easy to access place. Once you get even more serious, you will really start seriously thinking about the horrid thought of losing everything, and you will buy an external to back up your external. I currently have an external HD that is always connected to my computer, and another to back it up occasionally. The back up one stays in a fire proof safe.
To answer how I organize everything...hmmmm...this is hard to explain. On my external HD, I have three main folders: Family Photos (broken down into subfolders with years and then months), Digital Layouts (This is where I save finished layouts until it is time to print them...it has a folder for each of the kids and then subfolders with years and then months), and lastly, Digital Scrapbooking Supplies let me show you how my folders are set up on my external HD, because this one is a little more confusing:
Digital Scrapbooking Supplies
Alphabets
Basics (in this folder, I have things like metal clips, staples, plain colored brads etc.)
Brushes (this is where I store all of my Photoshop brushes)
Buttons
Calendar (for some of the calendar digi kits I have)
Flowers
Frames
Holidays & Seasons
Christmas
Easter
Summer
Fall (you get the idea...there are a lot more subfolders, but I won't bore you anymore)
Overlays & Inked Edges
Journaling
Mini Album & Premade Album Templates
Ribbons & Trims
Ribbon
Rick Rack
Trims & Laces
Stitching
Themes
In the themes folder, I have lots of subfolders like boy, girl, baby, school, cooking, birthday etc
Templates & Premade pages
Tools (masks, clipping masks, actions, presets etc)
Favorite Designer/Digi Stores
Shabby Miss Jenn
Shabby Princess
Dani Mogstad
Designer Digitals
The Sweete Shoppe (these are places that I frequently shop, or designers that I really like)
When I download a kit, I usually will keep it under the designer, or store name. If it is holiday or themed, I will also store it under that folder. If the kit contains some nice buttons or flowers, I will copy the flower or button into the flower or button folder. One thing I use a lot is journaling...and a lot of kits contain nice little jouranling cards/papers/bits. I store all of these both with the kit, and also in the journaling folder. I know there are tons of ways to organize this stuff, but this is what has worked well for me. More often than not, the stuff gets stored in several different places so it is easy to find when I need it.
Q: How do you print your digi layouts?
A: My paper scrapbooks are mostly 9x9, so if I am mixing in a layout, then I will simply print it in 8.5"x8.5" so that I can use regular photo paper. I then mount it on a 9x9 piece of cardstock. But for now, I am currently saving all of my layouts until I finish up my 2007 photos, and then I will print a photobook from shutterfly.com with all of the layouts. I have ordered these books before, and the thing I love about them, is that they are so professional, compact and my kids can actually sit down and read through them like a story book.
Q: Do you teach any digi classes?
A: I currently don't, but I think that I know enough of the basics that I would probably be able to teach a few classes quite easily. I have been thinking about offering some for locals (Idaho Falls area), so if you are interested in taking a class, would you please email me.
Q: Where can I find Digital Scrapbooking Freebies?
A: www.ikeagoddess.blogspot.com
www.shabbyprincess.com
http://digifree.blogspot.com/
http://fotoscrapluna.blogspot.com/
(there are tons of free things out there...these are just a few link to get you started)
Q:What are your favorite Digital Scrapbooking Stores?
A: www.designerdigitals.com
www.shabbymissjenndesigns.com
www.sweetshoppedesigns.com
www.scrapartist.com
www.jenwilsondesigns.com (she is currently having a 49% off sale until the 19th)
www.littledreamerdesigns.com
www.thedigichick.com
www.scrapgirls.com
www.digitaldesignessentials.com
www.heatheranndesigns.com
I hope this answers some of your questions...if you have any more ??? please feel free to leave a comment. Thanks!
