Why go digital??

Ok, so I get it; you're nervous about making that big leap into digital scrapbooking - and abandoning all of your cheesy quote stamps, scalloped scissors and heart-shaped hole punches (that you spent entirely too much on to begin with). But, tell me this, when was the last time you actually sat down and made a scrapbook page? I have a feeling it's been a while. It's such an ordeal to get everything out, and - if you're like me - spread everything around all over the room just so you can recall what exactly you own. A mess only your kids will appreciate. So, I say it's time to simplify!

While we were in Saipan, I took a bazillion pictures, but all of my scrapbooking junk was in a storage unit 7000 miles away. That's when I discovered digital scrapbooking and resolved never to turn back.

If you're thinking about making the switch yourself, here are some things you'll want to consider:

• NO MESS!
• Less expensive - there are thousands of freebies out there. You could easily create an entire album out of freebies. There are even crazy people out there who spend hours a day searching all over the internet for said freebies and then compile them all together for us. (ie. http://ikeagoddess.blogspot.com/)
• Requires design software. I strongly recommend Photoshop. I think you can get PS Elements for about $50.
• Printing: Shutterfly is one of the more popular Photobook printing companies, and you can print a 20-pg 12x12 book for under $40 right now ($1 per additional page)
• Storage: It does require a decent amount of virtual storage space. These days, however, you can buy massive external hard drives for really cheap (ie. 500 GB for $80, etc.) You'll probably use closer to 50 GB (at most).
• Convenient - it's so easy to sit down and create a layout or 2 in the evenings. And, if something comes up, you can just save the page and come back to it.
• Convenient #2 - All of your photos are right there, nice and organized on your computer. No more shoe boxes full of random photos, and no more expensive photo printing.
• Convenient #3 - It's also helpful to have all of your scrapbooking elements organized in tidy little directories. (ie. tan papers, stars, alphas, frames, etc.) No more digging!
• Convenient #4 - With traditional scrapbooking, once you've used a paper or element, it's gone, but with digital, you can use and re-use everything!
• Convenient #5 - You don't have to be a designer. It can be as easy or complex as you want it to be. If you just want to create an album as quickly as possible, they offer lots of templates, quick pages and even pre-designed albums to simplify the process for you.
• Convenient #6 - After you've finished a photobook, you can easily print duplicates (maybe for Grandma?)

Ok, I think you get the point. Ultimately, it's going to save you a lot of time and money (and stress!).