Cottage Arts - Simply Digital CDs

The mission of CottageArts.net is to help make your memories into lasting works of art. Their product line, “Simply Digital”, offers CD’s of custom designed layouts, background papers, and embellishments to help you create stunning digital layouts, or to print-out for use in traditional scrapbooks. All of the backgrounds and layouts are saved as full-sized 300 dpi images for high print quality.

The layout templates are offered in both .psd (layers intact) and .jpg format for you to use with most digital imaging software packages, such as Jasc Paint Shop Pro 8, Adobe Photoshop / Elements, Ulead’s Photo Impact, or Microsoft PictureIt! Digital Image Pro (.psd layers are flattened in DIP). Simply open your software program of choice, load one of the CD’s, select a 12” x 12” or 8.5” x 11” layout template or background paper, add photos, text, and some of the neat embellishments (or use those in the layout template), and you have a custom layout in a matter of minutes. For those who want to use the layout templates to create original designs, use the .psd layout files included to change the colors, position of photo mats, shape of photo mats, texture, and the list goes on. The best thing of all is everything is totally re-usable!

Why go Digital?

So, why would someone want to scrapbook digitally when the world of traditional scrapbooking offers so much fun, creativity, and more beautiful papers and embellishments than one can use in a lifetime? This is similar to the question that many photographers have been asking about digital photography for nearly the past decade. We think the answer is to enjoy both. I, myself, have been an avid rubber stamper and traditional scrapbooker, but because of our extensive digital photo library, am tending to use software to create my papers and layouts because of the convenience, efficiency, and flexibility. Here are some things to consider about using digital technology to build or supplement your scrapbooking passion.

• Time - As scrapbookers, nothing is more exciting than having enough time set aside to bring out all of our fun papers and embellishments, spread them out in front of us and play, play, play. Unfortunately, we don’t always have as much time to do that as we’d like. Another problem can be what to do with an unfinished project when you need to clear the table space for other projects like eating, paying the bills, or building the kids’ latest Lego ship. With digital, even five spare minutes affords you the chance to make another tweak to a layout, and by simply saving your work, you’ve all the space you need! You can also change the colors of a layout you love, add some new embellishments, new photos, new title and you have a whole new creation in a matter of minutes!
• Cost - At first glance, it may seem that scrapbooking digitally would cost more than traditional. Perhaps, for those without a computer and printer in their home, this is true, but when you consider the reusability of papers, embellishments, and layouts in the digital world, the cost quickly decreases. For many of you who post scans of your layouts to Internet sites, you already have most of tools you need: computer, scanner, digital imaging software, and an Internet connection. By using the newest generation of easy-to-learn digital imaging software, such as Jasc Paint Shop Pro 8, Microsoft PictureIt! Digital Image Pro, Adobe Photoshop Elements, or Ulead’s Photo Impact, you’ll be ready to go. The cost of these packages ranges from $29.99 to $99.99 after rebates. By adding one or more of the “simply digital” CD’s from CottageArts.net, you’ll have a complete digital scrapkit and will be ready for more fun than you can imagine. Your kids will have to fight you for time on the computer (with Scrapjazz, they may already have to). See the paragraph on enjoying with your kids below to remedy that problem.
• Sharing – No need to scan these layouts to share them via the Internet. Once you’ve preserved your photos within a digital layout, it’s as simple as saving to a low resolution .jpg file, attaching to an e-mail or posting to the web, and all your connected friends and family can share them instantly. We’ve uploaded our digital photos just after the guests have left a birthday party at our house, added our favorites into a digital layout, and e-mailed it to them to enjoy that evening!
• Enjoy creating WITH your kids – For most of us, our kids are growing up using computers with confidence and enjoyment. Here is a chance for you and them to share that excitement together. Let the “chatting” be with them by your side, and share layout ideas together. This is like putting a puzzle together with a twist. They can learn about family history or re-live family fun. It may not be as exciting as the newest computer game they bought, but it may add a new meaning to “quality time”.
• Less bulk – While traditional scrapbooking provides a three dimensional art form, the incredible quality of digital technology now allows a 3-D look that will amaze you. Best of all, when you print your layouts out in your favorite scrapbook size, you can build a scrapbook that doesn’t suffer from all that bulk.
• Perfect color match- With digital, you’ll never have to say you don’t have the right color card stock. With the software applications we use in our tutorials, you’ll be able to instantly change your background papers to be the perfect color.

For those who aren’t convinced that digital might be something worth giving a try, our papers and layout templates can be printed for use with traditional scrapbooking. Please see our tutorial on printing “simply digital” papers, as well as our other tutorials for more information. Whatever your choice: Happy scrapping!

Michelle Shefveland (aka cottagescrapper) for CottageArts.net.

View a gallery of layouts using the Cottage Arts Simply Digital CDs.

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