Dinosaurs Going Digital

When it comes to computers, my mom is a triceratops; super slow and completely uninspired. Last weekend I needed her help to get some documents published and my head nearly exploded from frustration. Her computer was working great; mine was gone, so I was forced to talk her through the process… on the phone… from 5,000 miles away. Five hours later I was furiously looking around for some Patron, and I don’t drink. Needless to say, I refuse to be my mom’s digital scrapbooking mentor. Not that it matters because she won’t take a single step into the world of … Continue reading

Can You Afford to Go Digital?

For some, embracing digital scrapbooking has led to an economic windfall. Several women from my scrapbook club are masters at finding free downloads for their projects. As a result, they have been able to save hundreds of dollars on scrapbooking supplies. In that regard, digital scrapbooking can yield huge savings. However, when trying to figure out if you can afford to switch from traditional scrapbooking to an online version, you also have to consider time and computer knowledge. For example, my mom willingly admits that she is about as tech-challenged as they come. It would take her weeks to fully … Continue reading

Digital for Dummies

Learning digital scrapbooking can take time, especially if you are not comfortable working on a computer. I know a ton of older, avid scrappers who absolutely refuse to acknowledge that digital scrapping is an option. However, with the help of free workshops offered by our local scrapbook shop, some of them are coming around. It takes a while for some die hard scrappers to go digital, but once they see how much time and money they can save by scrapping with the help of a computer, most become converts. If you are considering giving digital scrapping a try, consider the … Continue reading

Look Before You Leap

Or in this case, before you download. Here’s a warning to frugalistas looking to save money by downloading free scrapbooking software: make sure your virus protection is updated, especially if you are planning to save files from a website you are not familiar with. I speak from experience. Whereas I love that the Internet allows budget-conscious scrappers access to a variety of digital delights, it is so important to know what you are getting into before double clicking. If you are working on an older computer, you should refer to the owner’s manual to see whether or not your machine … Continue reading

Resources for the Beginner

Ideally, all beginner shutterbugs should enroll in photography classes at local portrait studios, community centers or tech colleges. However, in this day and age you would be hard pressed to find many people with the time or money to do so. Fortunately, there are ways to improve your picture-taking skills without spending a fortune on classes or tutorials. The Internet is a great resource for aspiring photographers. Some notable sites offering helpful tips to photo newbies include: Kodak: The photo powerhouse provides a comprehensive resource for aspiring photographers. The site contains articles covering everything from how to photograph a newborn … Continue reading