What software do you use for digital scrapbooking?
My current software of choice is Photoshop Elements 9. However, before I got PSE I used Paint.net (freeware) and/or Gimp (also freeware) depending on the complexity of the layout I was creating. Each program runs a bit differently and some have capabilities that others don't, but if you're new to digital scrapbooking the most important thing is finding a software that can manipulate layers.Where do you get your digital supplies?
I get my supplies from all over the place, but my favorite digi shops are:
Although I *do* purchase some supplies, a lot of what I have and use were freebies from blog hops, collabs, and newsletters. :)
Also, it would be good to note that I "cheat" on most of my layouts. I usually use templates, which are like digital sketches. When opened in Photoshop, each piece of the template comes up as a separate layer, so all I have to do is add photos and papers and elements and tweak anything that I want to. I like using templates because they take most of the work out of the design process so I can just have fun. :) My favorite template designer is Tiffany Tillman, and I'll let you in on a little secret... she's giving away a {FREE} template every Thursday on her blog this year (2011)!! The links are only active for a week until the new template is up, but if you miss one that you just love you can purchase them in her shop.
What do you do with your digital layouts after they're completed?
I always save my digital layouts in 2 file formats: "tweakable" and jpeg (by tweakable I mean that I save them in software format, like a .pse (photoshop) file or a .pdn (paint.net) file for future manipulation). I keep them sized at 12"x12" and 300dpi (the standard). Since my traditional scrapbooks are all in chronological order, if I work on older photos, I print a 12x12 photo off at Costco ($2.99) and slip it into a page protector in the scrapbook where it belongs. For present and future layouts, I save all of them throughout the year in a folder on my computer and then have a hardcover book made in 8x8 or 10x10 at the end of the year. Vista Print and ArtsCow.com can both accomodate full page books with my custom layouts. If anyone knows of other publishers, please share!
