I need a push to get started scrapbooking...

[minimd]

I've been trying to get started on this digital adventure since May 2008. As usual in most things in life I read all the books I can get my hands before I start anything including Digital Scrapbooking. Mostly I think its a way to procrastinate, but...

I DON'T WANT TO PROCRASTINATE ANYMORE!!!

How do I just take the plunge and get started??? How do I choose the pictures to use??? How do I decide on a layout???

I have always been creatively challenged and am therefore scared to jump into this for fear my layouts will look awful. Again, Type A personality coming out.

Any tips on how I can get over my fear of failing and just give it a try?

Thanks in Advance!!!

From a 27 Year Old Mommy and Wife in sunny and sandy San Pedro, CA

[tdavenport]

I think the easiest way to get started is with a template. They have instructions and you don't have to worry about being creatively challenged because the design's already done. Find one you like and fill in the spaces. (Or a quickpage is even easier.)

HTH

[Cricket]

Just jump in with both feet and have fun!!! Seriously, don't stress so much about how the layouts look, you can't learn until you try!!

[shhbabymine]

if you are ready to get started - I would go get Cassie's tutorial
http://www.designerdigitals.com/digi...oducts_id/3944
each one is chalked full of step by step details - and this link above is
for her getting started one - you just cant go wrong with them....
here is a link to all her tutorials:
http://www.designerdigitals.com/digi...eywords=cassie

[Starlite9711]

Just do it!! Sometimes it is hard not to be intimidated, there is some amazing talent out there (especially here) But keep in mind, we all started not knowing much of anything. It took me a whole year to figure out that there was a rhyme and reason to designing a page, before that I just plopped a picture where I thought it should go. We all started somewhere, and if you ask me, DD is the perfect place to start. Everyone is friendly and encouraging. I can't wait to see your first page and watch you learn!! Good luck in this adventure!......Oh and welcome to DD!

[FlowerGirl]

Just jump in and do it! Pick some layouts from the gallery that you really like and 'scraplift' (copy) them. Or pick up a couple templates -- that's a super easy way to started. And Cassie's tutorials offer great how-to's. Don't be shy -- there is no right or wrong!! What program are you using??

Looking forward to seeing some pages from you

And P.S. -- I lived in San Pedro when I was in elementary school!

[lima]

I would second (or third) what others have said about Cassie's tutorials. They include some elements to get started (papers, frame, other embellishments), and you will have a finished product you will be proud to display.

[digigrandma]

Hello there, minimd! Welcome!! You've come to the right place for friendly help with getting started! So glad you introduced yourself!

I'm another believer in Cassie Jone's tutorials. I wish I had that kind of help when I started out a few years ago. You will learn so much about your digital software while at the same time completing a great looking layout. It will save you hours of trial and error experimentation.

And, yes, do just jump in and get started. It gets addictive in no time! When I started I spent a ton of time just perusing the gallery for ideas. I soon learned there are many different styles of scrapping from simple to fancy. There's nothing like posting that first layout. You will find that we give each other lots of encouragement and praise for our efforts.

[Melissa6169]

If you do nothing else, you have to start w/ Cassie's Tutorials.
Getting Started with....Layouts
Then move on w/ Cassie's:
Getting Started with....Templates
Cassie really makes them easy for us beginners.
I felt and somewhat still do about how to begin to scrap, but being here and seeing all the great layouts, will get you inspired. AND Everyone here is great help!

OH...and when Cassie has a chat....be there...it's great!

[AllynD]

I feel with you on this, minimd. I have been a procrastinator all my life, because I always see potential-- but by actually committing to some one thing (be it a layout, a relationship, a career...) I am saying "no" to all those other potential avenues. And it may not be as good in for real life, as it is in my head.

Here is a quote that shook up my procrastination and perfectionism. It is by Anne LaMott from her book, Bird by Bird:

"Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life..."

But here is another one, by I-don't-remember-who: "Anything worth doing, is worth doing badly." IOW, just do it!

[jazzmatazz]

Welcome!! I've been where you are ... Type A, overwhelmed, looking for "just the right" photos and elements. Even now I get overwhelmed when I see the talent that is out there. The question is, however: Who or what are you doing this for? If it is to be a "professional" scrapbooker, that is a daunting task. But if you are scrapping for you and for your family as a creative way to capture your personality and their uniqueness, then relax. The only ones who have to be happy with it is you and your family. I got into digital scrapping first by making calendars for my family. They loved them, and that was what counted. I eventually ventured into the DD gallery because I wanted to learn more techniques, but that certainly didn't come over night. Since I've started posting here, I've grown in my ideas of techniques and design ... and in friendships! There is a group here that I can turn to with questions and advice, and not be afraid of appearing stupid.

So, the only way to really learn to swim is to get into the water. The template and tutorial ideas suggested above are excellent starting places. They allow you to get your feet wet painlessly. From there, you'll be swimming in no time! ;-)

Looking forward to seeing your first post! Please let us know when it is up! (I am about 45 pages behind in the gallery in making comments! YIKES!)

[AllynD]

P.S. That's also why I have an EHD to store all my .PSD files-- I can always change/improve a layout, and never have to call a layout absolutely "done."

Oh, here is another quote, I think this one is from Julia Cameron (but I'm not sure): "Artists never really finish a work, they just give up on it." LOL, that's me.

[jazzmatazz]

Lynn,

I LOVE all those quotes! Too funny ... and too true!! Hmmmm .... will have to do a LO of those. ;-)

[robertsonlia]

I would suggest making some first layouts that you won't show anyone unless you really want to. That way you won't have to worry so much about it being perfect, you can just "practice". The nice thing about digital is that you don't waste any materials doing "practice" layouts.

[Jen D]

Play, play, play that is my suggestion = )

[Scrapbird]

Welcome to digital scrapbooking!
I would second all the suggestions above, and add this:
Control/Z is your friend! It's the undo button, and I use it over and over and over when I do a layout. The best thing about digital is that nothing is permanent; if yo don't like it, redo it.

[minimd]

Wow! Thanks for all the awesome advice! I have just started on Cassie's tutorial. And of course you are all right! Its sooooo helpful! I'll have to keep updating here so I stay on my toes towards my goal of at least 2 20 page albums completed by the end of the year.

I'll definitely be posting layouts as I do them as I think that will be a way to help keep me accountable towards my goal =)

Again, thanks for all the words of encouragement!!! =)

[MeEmMom]

Welcome and good luck with the goal. I look forward to seeing your pages in the gallery!

[digigrandma]

Good for you for starting out with one of Cassie's tutorials. It will be so much fun to see your layouts when you are ready to share!

I love all the quotes included in this thread.

[readstoomuch]

I love this thread ... love it for your great question (it is hard to take the digi plunge) ... & ... for the fabulous advice that you have gotten ... & ... that you began with Cassie's tutorial so quickly!

This is just the best place to be ... as you can see, the help is here, the support is here, and the gals will be all over your page when you finish with lots of clapping and hugs!!!!

Welcome to Designer Digitals!

P.S. Lynn Grieveson's Saturday Scraplift is a fun place to gain confidence by looking at a really cool layout and creating your take on it.

[susiecw]

The tutorials and the templates here are great and really help. Also, start putting layouts from the gallery into your favorites file. Then go back and look at them, asking yourself why you liked it so much, what you would use from that layout, what you would change to make it your own. I love the Saturday Scraplift challenge, too.

Susie

[katrinak]

Remember this should be fun and follow all of the advice above!!

So glad to see that you are ready to take the plunge! I can't wait to see your wonderful creations!

[cheekymonkey]

Hello minimd! Welcome to DD!

So glad to hear you have jumped in! That's really the only way to do it. The tutorials, challenges and chats here really help to keep your creative juices flowing and will help you develop your "digi skills". The gallery is an amazing place to go to for inspiration as well!
I agree with Susie, start to collect your "favorites" in the gallery, because you will learn alot about what styles you like and gain a lot of inspiration and ideas by looking thru them from time to time.

I was a lurker to this site for a long time before I actually joined and became involved. Let me tell you, I am a much much much better scrapper thanks to this place!