So, here we go...
TO GET STARTED:
FIRST...you need to have a lot of digital papers, embellishments, ribbon or whatever else you may want to design with. I've come across quite a few sites that offer FREE digital kits, mini kits and embellishments. There are thousands to choose from, and you'll probably stumble upon a website that I don't have listed...but REMEMBER to bookmark your favorite sites!
SECOND: Be organized!
- All of the file downloading etc. can get pretty messy. ORGANIZE your bookmarks so you can go right to them i.e. create a folder labeled "scrapbooking" where you can put all of your favorite bookmarks under. Then you'll know right where they are.
- As you download files, you'll have to extract each one. It's very simple to do. Double click on the file you want to open, and on the left side you'll see a button that says "extract files"...it's as simple as that. Just follow the onscreen instructions.
- After you've extracted your files, you'll be able to view what you've downloaded. I started out by saving EVERYTHING! Not a good idea! You can pick and take what you want from each kit you download...so if something's not your style, don't save it. If you find something you like in a kit, which you will, you'll want to save it to your drive, or CD or whatever you're using. The C:/ drive is the easiest though. Be ORGANIZED with the saving process at this point, because you'll never find anything if you don't. You can save your files based on kit, or based on the type of file i.e. papers, photo mats/frames, brads, ribbon etc. You get the idea. In order to "save" the files...all you really need to do is move them, thats it. When you click to move a file, you can also "create" a folder, or subfolder at the same time. If this sounds to complicated, let me know, but its actually very simple.
Hopefully, you've understood all of that! The biggest point I want to make is BE ORGANIZED! So, go visit these sites, I promise you'll want to set aside a good amount of time, and get downloading! You'll also find ideas for layouts, templates etc. The next post will be about where to get the "FREE" photo editing programs. They're valid, I promise. Enjoy!
The above digital freebie was designed at Carjazi Designes...she's got a lot of great info on her blog...check it out at...http://www.carjazidesigns.com/ Mrs. E from Scrappy freebies-she does all the "searching" EVERY day, I love it!
http://www.scrappyfreebies.com/
Keyr from Dreams Inspired
http://dreamsinspired.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-01-20T23%3A08%3A00-06%3A00&max-results=4
Enchanted Studio Scraps-a online store, but also lots of freebies.
http://enchantedstudioscraps.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=1192
Scrap Matters-an online scrapping forum. They offer daily freebies, and if you download EVERY day, you end up getting a WHOLE kit for free(which they normally sell in their store). Also, this forum has TONS of links to other sites...and its really easy to find other freebie sites I haven't even listed, or accessed myself.
http://scrapmatters.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=10
Free Digital Scrapbooking-they have lots of stuff, and its all free!
http://www.freedigitalscrapbooking.com/digital_scrapbooking_paper_shapers.html
Suzie Bell Designs- a scrapping designer, she sells most of her stuff, but occasionally has freebies and give-a-ways.
http://krisserscrap.blogspot.com/
Haynay Designs-also a designer, and gives a way freebies regularly.
http://scrapmatters.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=10
Well...there's a few to get you started. If you find any other great sites, PLEASE, let me know! Good luck!
