Or An Idiot’s Guide to Digital Scrapping!
(I’m the idiot by the way…..)

Every now and then I get other UK Scrappers asking advice about what they need to get started with digital scrapbooking, and I usually end up giving out a few links to help point them in the right direction. So I thought it might be handy to just include a page here with some useful links for those who want to discover the joys of digi-scrapping, but don’t know where to start!

This is just a quick selection of some useful resources and other stuff that I like (for a comprehensive directory, have a look at this one at DST or go to Jen Strange’s site for info on everything digi related: www.jenstrange.com).

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SOFTWARE
The first thing you need is some software. Obviously. An image editing program that supports the use of layers will give you the most flexibilty and there are a few to choose from, however my vote definitely goes to Adobe PhotoShop (I use PSCS – PhotoShop Creative Suite) and it’s little brother PhotoShop Elements (PSE). You can download a trial or buy them here: www.adobe.com. The online support for both of these programs is wonderful and Elements is an ideal beginners program, the built-in help menu is very useful and it’s very user friendly, not to mention rather less intimidating than it’s big brother.

Other options are:
Paint Shop Pro (PSP) available at: www.corel.co.uk
Digital Image Suite: NOW DISCONTINUED
Fotofusion: http://www.lumapix.com/

If you want to give digi-scrapping a try I suggest you download the free trials of whichever program takes your fancy and just have a play with them until you find the one that works best for you. They all offer a free trial download, usually for 30 days.

There are also a number of specific digital scrapbooking programs on the market, I haven’t tried any of these but have heard good reviews about the following:
Scrapbook Artist (UK based)
Creative Memories StoryBook Creator 3 (free limited version and full version available)
Scrapbook Max

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FREE GOODIES
So you have some software, now you need some digital goodies to play with! Here are a few links to some free stuff you can download immediately to get you started (you will need to register and login to view the store’s freebies):
Digital Scrapbook Previews – browse through freebies for hundreds of designers here.
Lots of beautiful free kits from Shabby Princess: http://www.shabbyprincess.com/downloads.asp
A monthly free kit by Miss Mint: www.peppermintcreative.com
Scrap Artist freebies section (kits, papers and elements from the store designers and members): http://www.scrapartist.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=538
Designer Digitals freebies (various bits and pieces from the DD challenges): http://www.designerdigitals.com/ddgallery/showgallery.php?cat=531
Member freebies from users at DST: http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/forumdisplay.php?f=14
The Ikea Goddess blog lists a huge range of freebies: http://ikeagoddess.blogspot.com/
Oscraps designer freebies: http://www.oscraps.com/shop/home.php?cat=287&treem=1
Digital Freebies: http://www.digitalfreebies.com/freebies.php
Two Peas digital freebies: http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/shop/list/?f=c_336&c=24
A list on about.com: Digital Scrapbooking free downloads

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TUTORIALS (getting started)
So you have some software and some goodies, but no idea what to do with them. Here are some really useful tutorials to help get you started:

The Daily Digi getting started section:
http://thedailydigi.com/new/
Digi-Scrappin with Jen
Practical advice for the new digi-scrapper (PS)
http://jenjen.typepad.com/digiscrap/

Scrap Girls University:
http://www.scrapgirls.com/SG_University_main.htm

Scrapbook-bytes tutorials:
http://scrapbook-bytes.com/cgi-script/tutorials/publish/index.shtml

Digital Scrapbook Place tutorials:
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/university/tutorials/tutorials.shtml

Scrapbook Elements tutorials:
http://scrapbook-elements.com/sbe/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=13&Itemid=97

Digi-Scrapping Tutorials:
http://www.digiscrappingtutorials.com/

Everyday Digital Scrapbooking Idea Blog: http://everydaydigitalscrapbooking.blogspot.com/

Jessica Sprague’s tutorials (PS):
http://spraguelab.squarespace.com/photoshop-friday-index/

The Scrappers Guide:
http://www.scrappersguide.com/resources.html

Two Peas tutorials:
http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/cg_list.asp?t=133

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Organising Software
These are the programs I use to keep track of my stash:
Image organising software: ACDSee PhotoManager and dedicated support forum for using ACDSee for scrapping supplies: DigiScrap Info
Font organiser: The Font Thing

Other options are:
iPhoto (Mac): http://www.apple.com/ilife/iphoto/
Picasa (free!): http://picasa.google.co.uk/
Digital ScrapRoom: http://www.digitalscraproom.com/

Information on organising using Keynote for Mac users: Cornbread Cupcakes

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Got the bug?

Blogs to stalk and inspire:
Top digi-scrap blogs list: http://topdigiblogs.fishscraps.com/
Gallery Standouts blog: http://gallerystandouts.com/
Scraprants: http://scrapability.squarespace.com/scrap-rants/
Challenge sites:
http://www.hodgepodgeart.typepad.com/
http://digidares.com