Let’s be honest when most people think scrapbooking they tend to snicker a little, at least I did.  Their mind automatically conjures up a soccer mom sitting at her dining room table surround by “stuff” creating those big huge scrapbooks from their vacation photos. There are others who think the craft is actually pretty cool but because they have no kids, no time, or the know how they just dismiss it.

Until August 2008 I was all of the above.  I would often find myself in the scrapbook aisle of the craft store and just stare at all the stuff.  I wanted to document my memories, I wanted to do something cool with all those photos but I didn’t know what.  The thought of all those papers, stamps, cut outs, supplies scattered all over my house completely freaked me out. I knew I would spend more time on organizing then I would creating.  I was a computer person.  I was a Graphic Designer.  I love the flexibility of creating on the screen.  I LOVE THE UNDO BUTTON.  All that paper couldn’t offer me that.  So each time I find myself on that aisle I quickly reminded myself this is not for you!

In August of 2008 I was 9 months pregnant.  I was hot, I was fat, I was tired. My husband was approaching his 30th birthday and I really wanted to plan something big for him.  However, Aubrey was due 2 days before his birthday and it made no sense to plan anything big.  Don’t get me wrong I am sure my friends would have loved to have a big extravagant party to attend.  Lots of music, drinking, and food.  It wouldn’t phase them that the two of us were in a delivery room somewhere – they would have taken pictures. hahahaaa.

2 weeks before his birthday I sat at my office desk and in between folks asking me “you ain’t had that baby yet” or “is it hot enough yet” I would surf the internet for AWESOME 30th BIRTHDAY GIFTS.  If you are reading between the lines you realize in that last month I did absolutely nothing at work – Yay for being pregnant.  One particular day I came across Shutterfly and their online community. I probably sat there for an hour just looking through those amazing books.  I found one that I couldn’t tear myself away from.  The title was “40 Sentiments from 40 People On Your 40th Birthday”.  The creator of the book found 40 people to write her husband a letter.  She then took the 40 letters and created pages for each of them.  THIS WAS IT!!! This is what I wanted to do.  In her description she linked a few scrapbook sites and credited them with her “supplies”.  This sparked my interest.  BUT FIRST. . .  I sent out about 40 letters (I knew not everyone would do it or do it on time).  I was really shocked most people jumped right on it and sent their letters right away.

Now I had an idea and letters . . . .

I quickly headed over to the sites listed and what I found was this wonderful, beautiful world called Digi Scrapbooking.  Basically it was scrapbooking made just for me.  You bought your supplies via a website and then saved them to your computer, you could use them over and over again and best of all YOU COULD BUILD YOUR PAGES IN PHOTOSHOP!!!  I quickly started downloading as many freebies as I possibly could.  I think put this book together in 3 days.

The end result is by no means my best work ever. . . . but it is my favorite.

Click here to view this photo book.

JoJo was so shocked and pleased with the book.  I was hooked on digital scrapbooking.  I now had a new baby on my hands, no work and lots of time.  What unfolded over the next 4 months has changed the way I look at my everyday. The next album I created I used a template book by Paislee Press. This book documents the day Aubrey was born. Because of this book I can remember everything about that day, even though it went by so fast and was filled with so many emotions.

Click here to view this photo book.

Every photo I take, every holiday, every birthday, every funny thing someone says has the potential to be a memory and be documented forever.  I have raided my mom’s house and stolen all her photo albums with hopes that one day I will go back and document my childhood for Aubrey.

Over the next few Sundays I am going to introduce you into the world of Digi Scrapbooking.  I will show you programs, my favorite stores, favorite layouts, designers, etc.  If you have questions either email me or comment here.  I promise I will answer them all.