Thursday, May 28, 2009

Em Goes Digi...And A Giveaway!

As you may know, scrapbooking is one of my passions. I set aside time regularly to capture the life of my family in a work of art that will preserve memories for generations to come. At the scrapbook retreat I went to 2 weeks ago, my Creative Memories consultant/dear friend Bev told me about Creative Memories' digital scrapbooking software called "StoryBook Creator Plus." I was fascinated, and thoroughly impressed by the work she had done using the program. I came home from the retreat, did a bit of research, and decided I wanted to purchase the software.

I have been using the traditional paper and photos method of scrapbooking for 10 years. I am current with my family album through the end of 2008. I have also been doing an album for each of my kids. Those are highlights albums, focusing on special events in the life of each child. I typically do twelve 2-page layouts for each child each year. It has been totally manageable for me, and I'm current for both of them through their last birthdays. The problem I face is not catching up or staying current. My problem is that I do not have enough space to store those albums. I am also dreadfully afraid of losing my albums should my house burn down or get struck by a tornado.

So...I am making the switch to digital scrapbooking for Snapper and Pepper's albums. Once a year I will print a hardcover, 12x12 book for each child, a compilation of the scrapbook pages I've created digitally for them throughout that year. In the long run, this will save money for me, too. I'll continue my traditional scrapbooking for the family albums. For me all the cutting, organizing, and writing is therapeutic and totally satisfying. I can't imagine going completely digital! I'm in the process of scanning all my pages and burning to them onto cd's to preserve them from disaster. I scanned several pages over the weekend. Here are a few favorites from my 2008 Family Album.







This afternoon I began hunting around online for free digital papers and embellishments to use with my new software. I struck gold! If you dabble in digital scrapbooking, you have to visit this site: ShabbyPrincess. They have complete kits available for free download. Each kit includes a bunch of paper and embellishments. They are absolutely beautiful! You don't even have to sign up for any sort of membership--just download the kits. I am super excited to get started!

You know, I think I'll do a giveaway to celebrate scrapbooking. On Wednesday I will randomly select one person to receive a free, one-year subscription to Creating Keepsakes magazine. Whether you are a hard-core scrapbooker or just interested in possibly starting to scrapbook, this magazine is for you. The articles are packed full of ideas for scrapbookers--digital or traditional--stampers, and photographers. I couldn't recommend it more highly.

To enter, leave a comment telling me why you love scrapbooking, or why you're considering becoming a scrapbooker. Link your blog to this post, Tweet it on Twitter, or link on Facebook for additional entries! Good luck!

7 comments:

Jordynn's Mommy said...

Gosh Em every time I hear you talk about scrapbooking I want to start scrapbooking again. Its been years since I have! I use to have so much fun making a mess of the kitchen table w/ all my stuff! The women at our church do scrapbooking once a month from like 10 am - 7 pm! I havent been able to go but it is certainly a goal of mine to be able to fit it into my schedule SOON! I want to start a Jordynn book ... we only have like 10 million pix of her HAHAHA! I've also got a million stickers to go w/ everything. ahhhh all this talk about scrapbooking makes me want start NOW! eep! =)

About Southern Belle said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. What a great post! I love scrapbooking, but have found with three little ones it can be difficult to find the time. However I love the idea of digital scrapbooking!

Tammy said...

I am so happy you linked to that digital site...I've been thinking it would be fun to have something digitally scrapbook-y to show our potential supporters that can't be local enough to see the little photo album you helped me make when we visited you. Thanks! :)

Marilyn said...

Emily, I'm excited also about scrapbooking, as it has been 7 years since I finished a wedding album for my mom for Christmas. As a beginner, I was so proud of it. Now I'm inspired by you to get going on scrapbooking again, especially since I have little Jordynn to feature in our lives. Can't wait! xoxox

Laura said...

Emily, I love what you have done with your pictures. Beautiful! I love scrapbooking because I love the memories from looking back over pictures. Life is a gift and it is a great way to capture it and remember.

Nikki said...

I love scrapbooking when Emily helps me scrapbook!! I am NOT very creative when it comes to layouts so it would be fun to get some ideas from Creating Keepsakes. I am really excited to see your new digital scrapbooking!

Jodie said...

I don't blog - I'm lucky to keep up w/emails and facebook (and have finally ditched myspace in an effort to consolidate and stop wasting even more time online) However, I do have two lovely scrapbooks collecting dust that need to be completed before I forget the lovely details especially w/one more on the way! I am an avid picture taker (and could probably learn so much from you!) and have 1,000's of pics to pick from just need a starting point and I think I could really get into the digital thing too. I have very little original creativity but can recreate pretty much anything I see. Love being in community group w/you guys, we are so blessed!!