So you want to digi scrap

(disclaimer, this post is going to bore your socks off unless you are interested in digital scrapbooking. Sorry everyone! I promise another cute post with fun pictures soon, so just bare with me)

Okay, I know a few people that have been asking about how to start digital scrapping, so here is what I know. Now the thing is I'm a HUGE novice, so the best thing for me to do I think is to link you to some great tips from other sights, because Its already done so well other places. So just click the links and soak in all the wisdom from people who actually know what they are talking about.

Here is where I think is the best place to start. Scrapbook-Bytes has really basic tutorials on how to put together a REALLY simple layout. After you know the basics, you will start selecting and pasting in paper from kits to make your Layouts really neat. But here is a great place to start and learn how to get things started on your program. From what I know there are three programs you can use to digiscrap Paint Shop Pro, PhotoShop, and PhotoShop Elements (a simpler version of Photoshop).
So here are the links: For Paint Shop Pro, For PhotoShop, For PhotoShop Elements

Once you have those basics figured out then it is time to start working with kits (these are sets of digital files with things like patterned paper and cardstock, ribbons, stamps, alphabets etc. if you can find it at your local scrapbook store, you can probably find it in digital form to use on a digi-page.

My friend Dani, has a great blog that she is always adding great info and links to, plus she is an awesome digital kit designer, and you can find out where to get her stuff, but you can ALSO find some really useful links on her site. She also posts in the forums at 4 Scrappin Divas with me although we are smaller and our group of digital divas is somewhat small, you are guaranteed to get some great one on one attention from Dani in the digital forum and you get to see me there too :) always a plus!

The other link that Dani Highly recommends is a blog that this gal set up: Digi Scrappin' With Jen. She has taken the time to write everything you need to know about the ins and outs of digital Scrapping. Right now the top of her sight is filled with info on kits that are selling to raise money for the hurricane relief effort, but if you scroll down, almost to the bottom of the home page you will see a "Table of Contents" and from there you can pick topics that you would like to learn more about.

So I'm hoping that anyone that wants to know more can find some useful things in my links. The last thing I wanted to offer everyone is a few great places to browse tons of digital layouts, just to get your brain a-turnin' and to get you thinking about all the possibilities in the Digi-World. My favorite place of all time to browse digital Layouts is none other than the Two Peas Digital Gallery I love looking through this because I am always amazed at what people think of!!! Another great site that I post layouts to is Digi Scrappin I love this place because there is a great variety of Layouts to look through, and a bit less intimidating for posting than Two Peas. Plus there are great chats with freebies there! I LOVE that. If you do get into digi, please promise me that you will also post on 4 Scrappin' Divas too, because I really want to see you there!

So there it is, that is all I have to give as far as digital scrapbooking is concerned. Here's hoping that some of these links help some of you out. Digital scrapbooking is so fun and has some definate advantages: it is cheaper, all of the resources are right at your fingertips (everything you need you can get on the www with out even leaving your seat), and it doesn't involve taking out a ton of things and then putting them away. I still do love being a paper scrapper, and I really don't plan on giving that up EVER but I love having the option to go digi when I'm feeling lazy, or neat, or tired, and especially when I get my hands on a great new kit... By the way... all of these images are great kits by Dani that I have loved working with. Click on them to see where you can pick them up to give you something to play with while you learn!

Good luck to everyone!