Digital versus Paper

[Verleen]

I have been playing with SBM trial version until my CD gets here. I am hoping to make some quick albums of my grandson's sports this year, although I have yet to find any Track related templates, paper or embellishments. I may have to go back to my reliable paper for that one. Also, I thought I may do a heritage album that I could easily replicate and give to other family members. Beyond these, I'm not sure what my digital plans are. Next, I plan to look at other people's digital albums. Maybe I can get some ideas.

You see, I love paper. I love the dimension, texture and flexibility of it. I've invested in a lot of equipment.....including the Cricut computerized die cut machine. I love going to crops and sharing with other people in person. I love working with my hands. I also do oil painting, jewelry making, clay sculpting, etc. I also hate computers.....I mean really HATE computers. If this digital software isn't very simple and problem free, it will probably be a purchase that hits the garbage can. So, please bear with me, I will be the one barely treading water here. I see very talented people and appreciate your work. I don't think you will see any digital talent coming from me.....sad to say. But if you could see my paper pages, you could see some talent. I finally agreed recently to make a paper album for someone for money. I never thought I'd do that. Or try digital either. So this grandma is expanding her horizons.....kicking and screaming the whole way.

[OnieRN]

Hello Grandma

Oh you are going to enjoy this software and wont be kicking the computer. Before long you will be complaining that you need a faster computer with more memory.......lol

I do want to say something here....... you said you HATE computers, well, I have noticed that you have been very active here on the forum since your arrival. You've asked some very good questions and your applying your new found knowledge. YOUR WELL ON YOUR WAY GIRL!!!! We're really proud of you for adventuring out and trying new things. Just hang in there and I promise you that you wont regret it and your family will be so PROUD of their GRANDMA!!! They will be amazed when they see your art work.

We're so glad you joined us here! Your a part of a big family of scrappin addicts.

[nnorcutt]

You can always combine your paper scrapping with your digital scrapping. I do this alot. I like being able to change my pictures on the computer (flip horizontal, change color, add text, etc.), something I can't do with regular pictures. What I usually do is make a basic background page, add my altered pictures, and then print it out. When it's dry I can add brads, tags, ribbons, etc. from my paper scrapping supplies. You don't have to give up one to do the other.

[spanielmom]

You seem to be holding your own for hating the computer. If you really get stuck, ask your grandkids to help (if they live close). Kids these days aren't afraid of computers and sometimes are the best teachers for us old folks.

[Verleen]

Thanks Onie and nnorcutt. While I hate computers, I have used them for years....first in my career before I retired and continued on after. I have PhotoShop Elements 2.0 which I have used for years. I upload my digital pictures there and sometimes edit them. I do much of my journaling on the computer. I incorporate my handwritten journaling here and there for my children and grandchildren. I also prepare pics that I use on the web. I used PSE to repair ancient torn and damaged pictures that cannot be replaced. In learning to do all this, believe me, there is a lot of blood...hee, hee, figuratively speaking. It doesn't come easy to me. Nor is it enjoyable. I do it to serve a purpose. Some people love computers and computer related things. Not me.

Someone just needs to pass me some aspirin from time to time.

Nnorcutt, yes, I believe I will do both. I really think the heritage album lends itself very well to a digital scrapbook. Perhaps that one will be my first one. Esp since I can't find any digital Track stuff. I've read some posts about putting music to a CD album. I was thinking that "The Way We Were" would work nicely. That's far into the future for me....putting music on it. Only dreaming here at the moment. I'm not looking forward to scanning all those ancient pictures into my PSE. My sister-in-law does geneology and that will help with some of the history. On my mother's side, I can go back to the 1700s with pictures. I've spent the past two years gathering old family stories on both sides in preparation for this album. So journaling all this is a must. And I believe because of the journaling, I need to do a 12 x 12. I will print one out for myself, because I hate to watch a screen. Can a DVD player play a CD album?

Onie, if you think I'm asking questions, just wait until I get the software and actually start using it for real

[Verleen]

Spanielmom, we were cross posting. I'm afraid my grandkids will be no help as the live far away and are only 3 and 6 yrs old.....and mommy doesn't let them play on her computer. And I'm more computer literate than my children. They come to me for help.....lol.......don't you just feel sorry for them.

So I'm on my own, except for the help I can beg here.

Onie, where in Texas do you live? My daughter and her family live in Rowlett which is a suburb of Dallas. I am flying into Love Field in April for a week's visit. Her orders are for me to bring the latest album I did. She loves my albums.

[Granny]

Verleen, you're doing great. One of the great things about digital scrapbooking is that you can share one album with as many people as you like, and still have the original for yourself. You can add music to give it a special mood. You can also change the color of a paper or embie to fit your theme or photos, something not always possible with physical scrapping.

And this forum is really great. If someone does not have the right answer, someone else will jump in and help you. We are all in this together. So stick it out while you go through growing pains, and you won't regret it.

[AmeliasMuma]

Verleen, you are doing a great job. I myself love what I can do with programs on the pc but thats as far as it goes. I dont understand the PC, I don't know why sometimes it will do what I want and then other times just freeze up on me. Like this morning SBM would not look at a certain folder on my pc for a background. It just kept "not responding" on me Grrrrrrr. So I had to do it another way. Just adds time that I don't always have. I also had trouble with PSP this morning .... anyway I go on too much.

What I am trying to say is ..... I hope that SBM eventually gives you as much enjoyment as it does to me. Combining digital and paper scraping maybe the way to go. I most certainly would not stop paper scraping because of the investment you have in it. SBM will be a good investment to. Stick with it and as you learn you will start to love it. I love the program, just hate it when the pc wont cooperate with me LOL.

[eye]

I have made some oldie papers and frames and embellishments. Your welcome to use.

[Verleen]

Thank you ladies! Eye, once I get my CD and actually start my heritage album, I'll ask you for any thing 'old'. I've downloaded some things already and having a hard time using what I've downloaded. So I better get a handle on this before I download much more.....lol.

I've got PNG files that aren't working. And zip files that I haven't even tried to find yet. I imagine when I do try using them, it will be a day of agony and defeat.....lol. Some things downloaded right into PSE and I've found that I can use them without a problem. One mark for the success side of my score card.

I've been thinking about how I can incorporate my handwritten journaling here and there in a digital album. Well, maybe write it out and scan it into PSE. Then maybe make the background transparent and then import it into SBM. Has anyone tried that? Is there an easier way?

[autisticwonder]

Thank you ladies! Eye, once I get my CD and actually start my heritage album, I'll ask you for any thing 'old'. I've downloaded some things already and having a hard time using what I've downloaded. So I better get a handle on this before I download much more.....lol.

I've got PNG files that aren't working. And zip files that I haven't even tried to find yet. I imagine when I do try using them, it will be a day of agony and defeat.....lol. Some things downloaded right into PSE and I've found that I can use them without a problem. One mark for the success side of my score card.

I've been thinking about how I can incorporate my handwritten journaling here and there in a digital album. Well, maybe write it out and scan it into PSE. Then maybe make the background transparent and then import it into SBM. Has anyone tried that? Is there an easier way?

I just purchased a tablet pen to help me hand write my journaling...You can do transparentcy and use your web feature under FILE..WELL...I've got 2.0 in PSE..so I'm HOPING they are the same..FILE>..web..?? > select png 24 and everything else should be set by default and send to your SBM embellishments section and plop in a new folder or WORDS folder..Remembering where you put it is the hard part for me..Then it will plop nicely into your album when you need it.. Used my PSE alot until I got PSP....haven't used PSE for a long time.
If I've forgotten the steps I can look it up for you or someone will pitch in and correct the problem..

It was all very overwhelming for me at first..but when I came to the forum..folks helped me out tremendously..So now that my hair has grown back in..It's my turn to help out some of the newbies too..GOOD LUCK!!! STAY with us.. the addiction is just beginning!!

BEST WISHES....and HUGS a plenty!!!

[AmeliasMuma]

I do know there are some programs out there that will turn your handwriting into a font.