i feel silly

i really do feel weird doing this. but i have gotten a steady flow of emails lately asking about all of the digital scrapbooking "stuff." now i know i am absolutely no pro at this- it's just something i'm learning and loving. i thought i would post a couple things to help those of you who are interested in starting digi scrap. and thank you for all your nice comments and questions- you guys are so sweet! keeps me motivated to do more.

WHAT i use:

so the program i use is photoshop cs. the really really old one i got back in the day at byu! luckily photoshop is still the best program out there (or so i think) and i'm still able to do a ton on it. for those of you who do not feel like laying down $999 for that program (don't worry i definitely didn't) you can now buy adobe photoshop elements 6 for $99. they also have it at costco for $79. i love a deal. i'll *hopefully* upgrade to elements soon because it is super user-friendly for scrapbooking.

WHO taught me:

so i had photoshop for 4 years before i actually learned how to use it. i took an online class from jessica sprague called "up and running with photoshop." i'm not kidding- that class changed the way i scrapbook. it was so easy to follow her videos and she gives you tons of free downloads to get you started. she uses elements so if you're serious about getting started, for $45 her class is super worth it! check out her blog and sign up for "photoshop friday" to get the best photo editing and scrapping tips. she is amazingly talented.

the FONTS:

i have a really weird font fettish. yes i have downloaded about 700 different ones. insane i know. here's a tutorial by jessica sprague on how to download and install them. if you use vista it's much easier. just download them to your fonts folder and then right click to extract, and right click to install. done! if you are serious about fonts {i guess i'm considered "serious"} you might download this program. the font thing is the best to help organize your collection of fonts. i made all different categories so if i need a "handwritten" looking font i can just go to that category. makes my life easier. here are a few of my favorite sites to download free fonts from:

urban fonts

1001 free fonts

dafont

blue vinyl

misprinted type

fonts for peas {yes i love fonts so much i made my own handwriting into one}

free scrapbook fonts

2peas

the GOODS:

if you can find the word "freebies" on these sites you are the winner! i rarely ever spend money on digital scrap supplies. because there is so much wonderful free stuff out there (and a lot of not wonderful stuff) i have spent max like $9. great huh!? i made a "scrap" folder on my desktop and organize it all as i go. be careful, it {like fonts} gets addicting.

designerdigitals

scrapartist

shabbyprincess

2peas

little dreamer designs

oscraps

there are seriously so many out there. once you search around, you'll find what you like.

and there are of course tons of free photoshop brush downloads and tutorials out there. i could probably go on all day. but like landen says, "it's supposed to be your 'favorites', not your 'every website i've ever visited list.'" i guess he'll never understand.

what i love about digital: there is no mess! i love paper scrapbooking and crafting more than anything. i seriously think there is nothing better than getting your hands on pictures, paper and glue. but while we are out here being poor students, trying to keep up with a baby, digital has been the way to go. so call me hybrid- i guess that's what i am.

i hope this helps those of you who have asked! and keep asking- i don't mind helping if i can. and you know i want to see your creations when they happen!

this post would not be complete without a picture.

this was from this morning. i think it made me miss summer! i hope it's coming soon!