Digital Scrapbooking Blog and Scrapbook Inspiration
from DesignerDigitals

Merrilee (digigrandma) had this great idea for mini notebooks.  We loved them and knew you would love them too.


Here is what Merrilee said about them.
“I saw this idea on a blog found because of Pinterest. I made these for my daughter-in-laws as a little Valentine present. I made them up very quickly.  Directions:  Buy some inexpensive memo note pads like you can buy at Target or Walmart. The little memo pads I used are about 2 3/4 x 4 1/2 inches. Create covers using digital designs, personalize with initials or names, print out on card stock paper and adhere to the cover of the memo notebook with double face tape. I created 4 to a page to print on home printer.”
This is how Merrilee set them up in Photoshop.


Merr used:
Loves Park Kit
Simple Heart Paper Pack
I have been wanting to make a gratitude journal for one of my daughters so I decided to make one like Merr’s.  I added tabs for each month of the year. 

The products I used:
Be Loved Mini Kit
Autumnal Artistry Element Pack
Be Labeled: Love
I want to thank Merr for this fun idea and hope it inspires you to try a hybrid project. If you do, be sure to post it in the Hybrid Scrapbooking and More Gallery.

Good morning everyone! Welcome to our first Getting To Know You segment for 2012!
I have a real treat for you today. I want to introduce you to one of our cheeriest, most encouraging DD members both in the forums and in the galleries - MINIDEB!!!

Welcome to the blog, MINIDEB! How about you introduce yourself?

Hi! My name is Debbie Douglas and I’m 52. I write like I talk . . . I apologize in advance . . . it’s not always easy to read! I made a scrapbook page every day in 2011 . . . kind of like a photo a day but no rules . . .  the picture could be of whatever . . .  from whenever! I just had to try a new technique. It changed my life.
I live in Ohio with my grandmother who is 89 going on 90. I own a duplex, it’s brick. Mamaw uses the downstairs apartment and I use the upstairs one. Mamaw took over the kitchen 3 years ago when she moved in and I lovingly gave it up. In the summertime you will find me at Kings Island or Cedar Point - 2 local amusement parks. I love to travel but that’s on the shelf for the time being – I have been to the Bahamas, Japan, Russia, Germany, Poland. Slovakia, Austria and the Check Rebublic. My interests include reading, taking photo’s, scrapbooking of course, dolls, miniatures, sailing and snow skiing. Professionally I have a MBA from Xavier University. I also have a BS in Accounting and Finance.

I am so interested in your page-a-day 2011 Debbie, but I’ll ask you about that later. First I want to know how you find digital scrapbooking in the first place and then what led you to Designer Digitals??

I found digital scrapbooking via a paper scrapbook crop. Someone had a 12 x 12 digital scrapbook page (I so wish I knew her name and had made a friendship but that did not happen). She had her page printed at Artscow. A 12 x 18 for about $2 and if you did 10 pages shipping would be free. All you had to do was cut off the extra 6 inches. The store closed shortly after so I was on my own. I knew basically how to scan photo pages 12 x 12 and how to place a different photo over top of a layout that I had made by paper so I could have the same page again. I just added a photo and text and did a test at Artscow to see how it would work. That led to photo books for the dolls … I just used my personal stash and kept changing the photos.
In December 2010 I bought a Kindle for myself for my birthday/Christmas present and I bought Becky Flecks Page Maps 2 book and it referenced Little Dreamer Designs and Designer Digitals. LDD had lots of quick pages and I don’t like quick pages, but Designer Digitals had templates and tutorials with layout details. I was in heaven! It was perfect for me!

And that brings us to 2011 and your scrapbook page a day. I can never keep up with the photo a day - how on earth did you manage a page a day???

I didn’t make a page every day - some days I make 4 or 5 some days 0. I lifted almost every page from the gallery. I’d look at what other people did and I copied. I had no rules for myself and I did not intend on printing any of the pages but keeping them digital as if I was doing a picture a day project. When I copied, I looked at what they used; what papers, what elements, what fonts. I lifted a few of your pages! As an example I liked how you multiplied the paper so it looked like the notebook rings showed so when I saw your page I looked at your links and sure enough you listed the tutorial to send me in the right direction. Sometimes I lifted a person right away and sometimes I had to wait to get the kit etc. on sale. My pages are usually pretty simple. I scrap while mamaw sleeps and she sleeps a lot - it gave me a huge boost to my sanity to be creative and at the same time I was quiet.

I know what you mean about the “quiet” and the “sanity” - Claire used to go absolutely ‘spare’ when I set brads in the old paper days, but a creative outlet is so important for carers!
Debbie, This is what you said when you posted your last page for 2011:
“I challenged me to make better pages. Somehow where the journey started and where it ended was with new friendships and an enriched mind and heart. I got a better me. Thank you to all that helped!
3 kits 3 ways force you to try new things. Blending is addicting. Extractions are cool. Templates make life easier. I like scraplifting because I have good taste!
Scraplifting isn’t cheating! Tutorials help to learn something new! Lightbulbs go off when you open your mind to change!
Friendships can occur in the digital world boundries don’t exist - one person’s life is pretty much the same from one country to another
we all can learn from someone else if we just need to want to change to learn to try
Even if I think my page is a work of art - hours invested by the tons not everyone will see it that way, but it’s ok to be a masterpiece in my mind only.
I can be creative my way - It’s my life - my art - my choice.”
I was so very touched by your thoughts Debbie. Can you tell us what do you think was the most exciting discovery you made while you were taking this journey?

I started out to make a better scrapbook page. Along the way I went to the gallery and that started me posting comments and pages and the scrappers at Designer Digitals held my hand and walked me through all the things I wanted to learn. As time went on I started participating in the challenges and pretty soon not only was my name an addict but so was I – I loved keylines and 3 kit 3w challenges. The 30 minute challenges stress me a lot but it is a good stress challenge and I like the challenge. It took awhile but I figured out my own style . . . what I like . . . and then I made friendships along the way. It was a really good year!

I’m so glad that you had such a great year and that we were all part of it!
I’m a bit jealous of all the travelling you’ve done! If you were somehow given a photography assignment to one of those places you’ve been, or maybe somewhere entirely new, where would you choose to go to take your dream shots?

Well if it’s a dream and I would have an unlimited budget - I’d buy a convertible and I’d travel the coast - and look for light houses and enjoy the sea. I’d probably start here in the US and hit Canada. I like warm weather and I like snow so it wouldn’t matter to me what time of the year it was - but I could put my toes in the water a lot better if it was hot! I’d hire a professional photographer to go with me for the first few days and I’d try to take photos their way so I could see through the lens better, so to speak! If I could go back anywhere I’ve been before - I’d take tons more pictures!

Sounds like bliss - on that unlimited budget you could take me along as well!
Debbie, you have experimented with so much over the last year - what have been the 3 most ‘favourite’ DD products you’ve used?

If a journey starts with a single step then these started mine and I use what I learned / or the product a lot!

OK - that’s 5 but I always cheat!

Great products! And we can check out how you’ve used them all by going to your gallery, Debbie!

Right, I’m just going to sneak in one last question, because I’m really curious! What do you have planned (scrapping wise) for 2012? Any projects/albums etc in the works?

I have given a lot of thought to what to do in 2012 regarding my scrapbooking. First off, I want to take a photo a day whether I use it or not - so far so good - I’ve even cheated and have a few to spare already! I want my photos to be better. Second, I want to continue to lift others’ ideas because I still want to try something I wouldn’t naturally do. Next, I’d really like to have a book at the end of the journey. Something I’d be happy to see in print - I’m printing 8 x 8’s. Jean 2 suggested Ali’s Bread and Butter templates, so that’s where I think I’m headed, but I just got a new template from Patti that I think suits my style better. There was a link with lots of suggestions for the 365 project and I read every one. I love Carol’s project 52 and I Love Jana’s 365, as well as so many of the others that are in the gallery. I believe it was Shari AKA B2Halter who said she did 2 layouts a month and somehow I think that’s where I’m headed, but with a page when I need it for emphasis. Next I’m going to participate in the challenges. Saturday’s 30 minutes with Cassie was tough, but it really makes you appreciate how much talent is being used all at the same time with the same set of instructions. This year I’m going to take a few classes too - I’m starting with Jana’s class but I’d like to take a photography class too.

You are going to be busy, Debbie! Have you got a favourite layout in your gallery to share with us?

My favorite layout would be of Clifton Gorge in the fall.

It’s beautiful, Debbie! I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say we so appreciate your happy, bright personality here at DD, and we LOVE your encouraging comments on our work!! You have quickly become a very valued member of our DD community. Thank you so much for your friendship here at DD and we wish you an even better 2012!

We’re having an After Christmas Sale at DesignerDigitals. Every Christmas item is now marked down 30% all week long. This sale last until 6am EST on January 1st, 2012.

Sale is valid through January 1, 2012 6am EST. Applies to all digital scrapbooking products. Offer does not apply to gift certificates, CDs or extended licenses. Does not include shipping charges for CD orders. Not redeemable on prior purchases.

Seeing how November is already picking up speed here, I am about to sit down and conjure up the next batch of pages for my Days of December album. I have some new digital goodies, some fresh ideas and an hour or so… How about you? Are you creating your ‘pre’ pages? Buying a template pack? Getting those templates half ready? Piling up your favourite Christmas elements? Its a fun time to scrap!

I’ve just finished my Christmas Cards. This year was a lot easier - the family {not me} voted for no family photo…{Did you know, family photo cards are not the norm here in the Uk? I've been causing a stir for years with mine } So I had to think of something new. In the end I made two designs to send out. One using a photograph I took of a Robin, and one using my favourite ‘paper cut’ look. Everything on these two cards is, of course, from the DD store

Hope they give you some inspiration, especially if you too are family photo free this year!

Don’t forget we have Janet’s brilliant cards in the store this year. Plus of course LOTS of others to choose from. See all card templates here.

I am so happy to introduce to you today the lovely Joanne aka jcaruth910.

Thanks for talking with us today, Joanne! Perhaps you’d like to tell us a little about yourself.

Well, I am the oldest and the only girl of three children, born and raised in Northern California, the Bay Area to be exact. I lived there until I married my then husband who had just graduated from the Air Force Academy. We were married for twelve years and have two boys, Matt 28, who is a golf professional in California and Justin 23, who is now in medical school. Having been an Air Force wife for twelve years, we lived in quite a few places…Colorado, Oklahoma, Mississippi (twice), Turkey, (Matt was born there) Virginia (twice), and Arizona. I ended up staying in Arizona with the boys and after being a single mom for a few years, I met my husband, Bruce at a Rotary meeting in 1994. He has two children who are grown and have their own children now too, so essentially, I am a grandma also! Blended families are always a bit of a challenge, but with patience, understanding, a little give and take on everyone’s part it all works out…we are truly blessed in that regard.

When I am not scrapping, I keep up with our business that we run from home, and I love to cook and shop! I have been a member of Angel Charity for Children, a local charity here in Tucson that raises money for various children’s needs for over twelve years now. This is always a busy time of the year, as we are gearing up for our big gala, the Angel Ball. I am a TV junkie, enjoy music and I like to travel and see new places, but there is no place like home!
What an interesting life, Joanne! I know that it takes a special sort of person to stick with a fund raising role for that long - it must be gratifying to see the good that comes from that!

Joanne, how did you come across digital scrapping - were you a paper scrapper in a previous life?? And of course - how did you find DD?

I have always loved memory keeping. My father worked for Eastman Kodak, so there were ALWAYS photos being taken and my mother meticulously kept them all in albums. I began as a traditional paper scrapper about ten years ago when I decided to make my boys each a book when they graduated high school. From there it just mushroomed. I moved over to digital a few years ago when I got tired of the clutter of all of the paper supplies, glue, elements, stamps, etc. and have not looked back. I am addicted! A day does not go by that I don’t work on a layout or have a book in progress.
I began posting layouts and purchasing product from a view different digital sites in the beginning. I came to really enjoy Designer Digitals because of all of the positive feedback in the gallery and of course the products are fabulous! I have learned so much just by studying other member’s styles.

I think many of our community members would say they stayed for the very same reasons! What was the first product that you purchased from the store - do you still use it?

My first purchase was the December Daily overlays by Ali Edwards. I had every intention of completing that project last year, but I am still working on it! The overlays are very versatile, so they can be used anywhere.

It’s always exciting to see people getting their pages ready for December Daily. I know you’ve also been having fun doing Jana’s class, so I’m guessing you have been a fan of her scrapping style for a while (who wouldn’t be??). Are there any other DD galleries that you particularly like to browse through for inspiration??

There is SO much inspiration in the gallery; I see something new every day that I like. I would say that some of my favorites would be Amy (mymalloryboys) and Georgina (georgeinci) for their wonderful layering and element placement. Jana (Jana Morton) for blending and her wonderful use of papers. These are just a few.
I have never taken a digital scrapbooking class before. Everything I have learned has been from looking at layouts and reading posts in the forums or online. Jana’s class has taught me that there is much, much, much more to learn about this wonderful hobby. I can see myself taking many more classes in the future.

If you were giving advice to a new scrapper, Joanne, what five products would you say were “must haves”.

I would say -
Lynn Grieveson’s - Worn Page Edges
Katie Pertiet’s - Pencil Line Twists , Messy Stitched borders and Taped Photo Masks
Ali Edwards - any of her wordart - all of it is wonderful!
Studio DD’s templates - Love them!
Oops, I think that’s more than five!

Some great product choices!! What makes the perfect scrapping experience for you? Time of day - company or not - special drink or treat - new product - new pics etc etc???

New photos are definitely high up on the list, but lately I have been scrapping older photos. A lot of times a particular challenge in the forum dictates what I scrap. The challenges and the gallery also help me get my creativity flowing.

Do you have a favourite layout that you’d like to share with us today?

Yes, this one!

That is really gorgeous, Joanne - than you so much for chatting with us today, we value your input and support in both the forums and the galleries and are so glad that you are part of our DD community!

Thanks for joining us, everyone - don’t forget to hop on over to Joanne’s lovely gallery here to be inspired by the rest of her wonderful work!