Scrapbook Software

lovemy2 wrote: Anyone use any type of scrapbook software that they bought and installed on their computer? What was it and how do you like it? Goods and Bads? I need to make a scrapbook for my brother's 30th B-day in June and won't have time to do a traditional scrapbook so want to do a digital/computer one but wonder what software is good, etc.

Thanks girls!

MommyToAshley replied: Are you wanting to do scrapbook pages on the computer that you can print out or a slide-show type thing that would run on a computer? I have rcommendations, depending on what you need.

AlexsPajamaMama replied: I have Creating Keepsakes Scrapbook Designer that you use to create the pages and can print them. Its awesome and pretty simple. I got it at Target earlier this year.

lovemy2 replied:
Ones I can create on the computer and print out -

MommyToAshley replied: OK.... The Hallmark Scrapbook Studio Deluxe is super easy and quick, and has some neat features.

DH and Ashley bought it for me for Christmas last year.

I can show you one sample project:
I hadn't had a chance to play with it until recently when I did a school project with Ashley. Ashley's classroom was putting together a scrapbook about Ted E. Bear. Each child had to take Ted E Bear home and take care of him for a day and then journal what the day was like (this was the beginning of the year so the parents were to write what the kids said). The instructions said to use the front and back of the page, journal, and you could include pictures, drawings, etc. Well, it was a busy day and I didn't have time to get photos printed and do a regular scrapbook page, so I used the software DH had bought me. It was SOOOOO EASY to use, and I put the following layout together in a matter of minutes. I actually just edited one of their existing layouts. (You can use an existing layout, use a starter layout, or come up with one of you own). Ashley added her own drawing and wrote a short message at the end (in the white box) But, you can get an idea of what it can do. It can probably do a lot more, I just opened it up and did the layout in minutes... I haven't even looked at the tutorial yet. When I get time, I will play around with it some more.

Here's the page we did for her school project: http://www.parentingclub.com/AshleyPhotos/ted1.pdf

(It might take a minute to load)

mom21kid2dogs replied: I designed a book for Stephen's 50th birthday on Scrapbook Factory Deluxe~it was very easy & fast. Also, if you are only planning a one time use thing, you can make photobooks at most of the larger photo hosting sites like Snapfish and Shutterfly. I also noticed in the ads that some stores with photo depts like CVS and Meijers also let you do photo books now. Loads of options for you!!!

luvmykids replied: So with the software, are they 8.5x11 pages instead of 10x10 or whatever scrapbook paper is?

lovemy2 replied:
Good question Mon - what size pages do they make or is there options of what sizes? Do you just use blank paper when you print them out or does it depend on how you lay it ou???

MommyToAshley replied:
I am embarrassed to say that I don't know if you can make larger pages. I think the limitation would be due to the size of paper your printer can print. The one I did was 8-1/2 X 11 because that was the size book they gave us to journal in. I printed it on Glossy photo paper and the pictures turned out really nice. Again, I don't know what it would have looked like printed on regular paper.

Cheryl does have a good point. Shutterfly and some of hte others have some nice options for photo books. By the time you buy the software, paper, and ink.. it's probably cheaper to buy it from one of the online photo places. And, they're alredy bound and nice quality. Good idea Cheryl!

mom21kid2dogs replied:
I get my digital pages printed through the scrapbooking company, Archivers and have them ship them to me. I just email them and they print on archival paper and all. There are other digital internet companies that do this as well although I've never used them. That's the only way I can get 12X12's. I am DROOLING over an Epson expanded format printer, though. Prints 13X19. They've come down in price considerably. My sister got one for $300.

My scrapbook software allows you to alter the paper size to whatever you'd like. I printed Stephen's book in a 8X11 format. I did a small book for O's friend in an 8X8 format.

luvmykids replied:
That's awesome, that is what has stopped me from digital scrapping is not being able to get the big pages

mom21kid2dogs replied:
I'm a paper girl at heart so I doubt I could ever give up the "traditional" methods of scrapping but once you put together a digital page in like 30 minutes . . . .well, it's hard for me not to get the bug to do more! I've done several combination pages where the majority of it is digital and I add regular embellishments.