Digital scrapbookingScrapbooking is the process of building an entire digital page on your computer screen and has swept the crafting world as the newest trend. Feel like beating the professionals at their own game and making your own wedding album? Well, here's a novel and fun way to take control of the whole project. As photo editing programs have evolved, they've not only come down in price but the tools they offer can be used for more than just photo editing. Here's three ways you can make your wedding photos into an album: DIY Half-and-half or go Professional. DIY Photoshop is far and away the most widely used program; the company's less-expensive version, Elements, can be purchased for less than $100. Using this program entails building "layers" of elements, such as photos or digitally-made embellishments, on top of a blank page. Free online tutorials make learning how to use Photoshop Elements for your project a piece of cake. Of course, there are other dedicated programs but none come as widely recommended as Photoshop. There are also plenty of embellishments, such as ribbons, alphabets and frames, available for download across the Internet. These embellishments are shockingly realistic, having been painstakingly created to mimic the look of traditional embellishments. Some are free, some cost a couple dollars, but they have an advantage that paper embellishments do not. They can be used over and over again. Half-and-half If you're looking at other layouts and you feel overwhelmed, don't fret — there's nothing that says you have to build each page yourself from the ground up. For just a small amount of money — about $6.00 or less, sometimes free! — you can buy a program kit that will give you coordinating papers, fonts and embellishments. Even better, some of these kits come with a template or pre-made layout that you can just insert your pictures in and be on your way. If you're feeling ambitious, use the elements but organize them to your liking on the page. Some great Web sites where you can find these kits are: www.twopeasinabucket.com or www.scrapbook.com Professional If its all outside of your creative realm, there are professionals across the globe willing to help — for a fee, of course. Yes, freelance scrapbookers do exist and their talent can make your wedding photos into a beautiful keepsake. You can find these professionals in a variety of ways: Visit your local scrapbook store, and you'll likely find someone willing to sell their services. Second, visit a scrapbook Web site that has a lively message board and ask away. Designers will come flocking. Third, you can post a project on a freelance design site such as www.Elance.com for free, and designers will send you project proposals that include a quote for how much the project will cost. This is all good and well, you might think, if I just want to stare at the layout on the screen – but how do I put it all in a book on my coffee table? How do I show my children my scrapbook in the years to come? Multiple Web sites offer printing of layouts for $0.50 - $2.00, depending on the size. Just upload the picture file to the size, pay and your layouts will be shipped to you. Slip them in your scrapbook, and you have a beautiful wedding scrapbook for decades to come. Return from Digital Scrapbooking to Wedding Photo Albums page
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