How to Make Your Own Digital Mini Scrapbook

You have begun to learn Digital Scrapbooking, and now you want to learn how to make your own digital mini scrapbook. It really is quite simple - probably simpler than doing a large digital scrapbook page.

Why Make a Digital Mini Scrapbook

There are several ways in which a digital mini scrapbook is more ideal than a hard copy mini scrapbook or a large digital scrapbook.

* Less time-consuming, great for busy people. No need to buy and stock supplies. No need to cut, fold, punch, and glue.
* Less messy. It’s all in your computer, not on the kitchen table.
* Less involvement. You can leave it at any time without cleaning up the mess - come back to it when you’re free again.
* Smaller size to share by e-mail
* Less costly to print and bind if you want hard copies

Follow These 10 Steps

TIP: Save your file frequently so you do not risk losing your work.

1. Choose a theme for your digital mini scrapbook.

2. Set up a blank page for your digital mini scrapbook. Microsoft Word suffices for simple work. If you work with Adobe PhotoShop or one of the other graphic programs, set up a blank page in that. A good size is 5.5″ x 8.5″.

3. Mark off a border of 0.5″ at the top or left side of your page. This will allow space for binding. Set guidelines 0.5″ away from each of the remaining page sides to keep from working too close to page edges.

4. Choose a theme for your first page. Add a background that will complement both your theme and photos for this page.

5. Add 2 or 3 frames for your photos, depending on size. Use ovals or rectangles, and position them in a pleasing arrangement.

6. Slide a photo beneath each frame, cropping as necessary to get the most pleasing effect.

7. Add a small note or caption - two if your photo sizes permit.

8. Add an ornament overlapping one of the frames.

9. Combine layers and save your completed file.

10. Repeat from step 1 to make as many pages as desired.

Once you have completed your digital mini scrapbook, you can zip individual page files into one file using a zip program available on the Internet. If your computer program allows, you might choose instead to print each file as a pdf file, and combine those into one pdf file. Either is easy to send as an e-mail attachment.

If you prefer, you can print out your digital mini scrapbook on cardstock, add rings at the top, and make a flipbook. Or take your printed pages to a copy store and have them make full color, double-sided copies for you. They can do your cover in cover stock, and bind your mini scrapbook.

Once you have made one digital mini scrapbook, you will want to make more. They are easy, fun, and NO MESS!