Sometimes we sit back and think of ways to improve our lives, we often want to set a goal of learning new things, or picking up a new hobby. We want a creative outlet.
If you have been thinking about learning digital scrapbooking then here is some information to help you get started
Making it Easy to Learn Digital Scrapbooking in 3 Steps:
To get started in digital scrapbooking you need 3 things (besides a computer): a graphic computer program, like Photoshop or Photoshop Elements; you need training so that you know how to use these programs and digital scrapbooking techniques within them; and you need digital 
scrapbooking supplies to scrap with.
So, let’s take each of these items and break them down into manageable steps:
Step 1: Buy Graphic Software(Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Photoshop Elements) in order to begin digital scrapbooking. Here are some ideas to keep in mind when selecting graphic software:
- Pick a graphics program that has good features and a solid brand that won’t go out of business next year (a bad brand could mean losing all your scrapbooking pages!). Adobe’s Photoshop or Photoshop Elements are the leading graphic programs with a very good history of being a solid, reliable brand with lots of features perfect for digital scrapbookers. Read this article to know more: WARNING: Digital Scrapbook Pages That Become Lost Forever! …Don’t Let This Happen To You!
- If you are less familiar with computers, you might want to consider Photoshop Elements rather than Photoshop (see this article: Photoshop vs…….. Photoshop Elements. Photoshop Elements is a more user-friendly version of Photoshop and definitely more cost effective than Photoshop! Photoshop Elements is still a powerful graphics program and actually has several additional features for digital scrapbookers that Photoshop doesn’t even have! Plus, if your senior ever wants to upgrade to Photoshop, learning Elements will help you more easily make the transition.
- Those that use computers in basic ways, like those that are only used to using email and a basic word processing program might want to consider getting Photoshop Elements 7 rather than the newer Photoshop Elements 8. Both programs are very similar, but Photoshop Elements 8 has a new feature that can make it frustrating to someone with more basic computer skills and just learning digital scrapbooking. However, if your are comfortable with more advanced computer features, and often use several different kinds of computer programs, and know how or would feel comfortable using shortcut keys, then by all means, get them the latest version of Photoshop Elements 8 as it does have a few other new features that are nice to have. Both programs are about $75 and you can find rebates that make the price closer to $50! See these deals: Photoshop Elements 7 or Photoshop Elements 8.
Step 2: Digital Scrapbook Training using Photoshop Elements or Photoshop. When you start this new hobby you will need training that not only teaches how to use Elements or Photoshop software, but also training that covers digital scrapbooking too.
Digital Scrapbooks and More’s Getting Started Series in Digital Scrapbooking for either Elements or Photoshop does exactly that! It assumes the person knows little about both the graphic program and digital scrapbooking, so it starts right at the beginning!
This training comes with video tutorials that show you how to use both Photoshop Elements (or Photoshop) and do digital scrapbooking! The 
training also comes with Step-by-Step printable guides that shows many of the steps in the video to work at a slower pace and to use as a refresher – these guides come with pictures too! Besides the Step by Step guides, it also includes Cheat Sheets with quick reference info on some of the key aspects of the lesson. Some of the individual lessons also come with bonus training and/or digital scrapbooking supplies! The whole series on CD version comes with everything including Lesson 1-6, and an extra bonus digital scrapbooking kit!
This training is available as a CD version or as individual downloadable lessons.
Help when Picking Training you have several options:
- You may find it easier to have everything on a handy CD, instead of downloading and unzipping each lesson. You can buy the whole Getting Started in Digital Scrapbooking on CD for:
Photoshop Elements 8
Photoshop Elements 7
Photoshop CS3 or CS4
(Just make sure your training matches your version of your graphic software!) - However, if you want to start learning today, then you can buy each lesson as a downloadable training:
Downloadable Lessons for Photoshop Elements 8
Downloadable Lessons for Photoshop Elements 7
Downloadable Lessons for Photoshop CS3 or CS4 - If you pick the downloadable training, then check out the information about downloading and unzipping lessons and supplies. Here is some helpful information on downloading files (see video version) or unzipping files (see video version)
- Whether you pick the CD version or the Downloadable training you will need on your computer the FREE Adobe Acrobat Reader to open some of the training material. Installing the free reader will allow you to open and read the Step-by-Step guides and Cheat Sheets. Hot Tip: Check your computer to see if you need this program or need to upgrade - go to Adobe’s website to install the FREE Acrobat Reader. Also, you will need the FREE QuickTime player so that they can play and watch the training’s video lessons. Get the player at Apple’s website.
Step 3: Buy Digital Scrapbooking Supplies. Next, you will need digital scrapbooking supplies, kits, brushes, and more! You can get all of those things at Digital Scrapbooks and More’s Scrap Shop. Once you have the training to do digital scrapbooking, the sky is the limit and they will be ready for digital scrapbooking supplies!
There are so many things to choose from like Digital Scrapbooking kits that often come with digital scrapbooking papers, embellishments, sometimes WordArt or Alphas and more!
You can pick digital scrapbooking supplies that have a theme, a color, go with a certain season, or are made for a specific holiday.
There is so much to do and learn! This hobby can bring hours of fun and enjoyment too!
Have a very nice day – and try digital scrapbooking this year!
Ps. If you already are a digital scrapbooker then take your skills to the next level and learn some Intermediate Scrapbook Training, Advanced Training or Photo Editing Training!
This year learn about making tags: “Making a Digital Scrapbooking Tag in Photoshop Elements 7″ (or for Photoshop users too) is an advanced digital scrapbooking tutorial, perfect for anyone interested in learning about new and challenging digital scrapbooking techniques like making their own digital scrapbooking supplies! Learn how to make a Digital Scrapbooking Tag and several variations!
These 3 Video Tutorials in this lesson cover the basics of the making a Digital Scrapbooking Tag using basic shapes found in Elements, then making the Tag look more realistic, and next using creative effects to make the digital tag more exciting like turning it in to a Photo Tag and MORE! After learning these important concepts one can easily advance to other more complex techniques for making digital scrapbooking supplies.
Digital Scrapbooking Tags are one of the great embellishments for creating personalized scrapbooking pages and knowing how to make your own Tag can take the personalization to the next level!
Get a great hobby this year – learn Digital Scrapbooking!
