I’m just beginning to fall in love with digital scrapbooking. I’d previously struggled to use some of the graphic design programs for layouts, which I found frustrating and fruitless. I consider myself moderately technical, but am not skilled enough to operate these complicated programs to a satisfying degree. I’ve also tried some of the very simple scrapbooking programs, which I found too basic and incapable of producing layouts up to my standards. I thought I was doomed to never master the digital domain, until. . . drum roll please. . . I found the perfect program. Simple to operate, yet loaded with cool design elements, tons of pre-made layouts and lots of choices to individualize each project.



Manufacturers have felt my pain and have begun to create software for people like me. Getting into digital scrapbooking is easy when you use straightforward programs like Memory Mixer from Lasting Impressions. I had a great time making layouts with the fun designs that come with the program. You can also start from scratch, but I’m lazy so this program is perfect for me. I just uploaded a few pictures and my layout was complete. After printing I can still add those tactile elements from my plentitude of product.



It’s easy to start building an album using the pre-designed pages or make your own in a variety of styles and sizes. You can add background colors, textures and fabrics. Lasting Impressions also includes their own cardstock designs for use on your layouts. The cool thing about Memory Mixer’s pre-designed pages is that all the elements are separate from the backgrounds. In other words you can move, delete, resize, flip, angle and mirror any of them, or add other elements from the huge list of digital embellishments.



Don’t stop there! Memory Mixer allows you to journal and title each page. You can even add your own voice or music to the albums. Of course, you will only be able to hear these elements if you are keeping your pages digital, publishing to a website or making a DVD – all options easily accomplished through the software. You can also have your pages printed (especially helpful if you want 12 x 12 or large pages standard printers can’t handle) and even have hardcover books made.



Digital scrapbooking is perfect for those holiday gifts we all need to start considering. You can print multiple copies of layouts in a variety of sizes and shapes. But I know that part of the fun of scrapbooking is playing with all the embellishments, stamps and other add-ons. Digital doesn’t mean you have to give that up. The hybrid craze is taking hold as artists discover they can combine the best of traditional and digital scrapping for a whole new experience. You can have your cake and eat it too!

For more ideas, check out www.tvweekly.com. I am demonstrating this software on the November 16th webisode. The demonstration will play until November 22nd and after that you can find it in the archives. I will show step-by-step instructions for creating fabulous holiday projects on the computer without giving up your glue, ribbons and embellishments. I hope you will watch and enjoy!

To find the products mentioned in this article and shown in these layouts, check with your local scrapbook retailer. Browse our Premier Retail Stores for coupons to a store near you.