[momvetkat]

Hi- I'm Kathy. I'm a long-time paper scrapper and have wanted to learn to digitally scrap for so long. I have prepared for it with a printer, Photoshop (with a little instruction...not much!), a load of books, some instruction with my professional photog son but my original efforts were unsatifactory (the printer didn't print true even though it was a top of the line Epson) so I gave up for several years. Anyway, I am back and don't know how to begin. I watched the beginner tutorials on this site and was a little lost by how fast she went through dragging layers and color picker and special effects (shadows) etc. Hope there are others here as clueless as I am because I don't know how to make my first page! I'm in Southern California BTW Oh, and I have a new printer now so I hope the colors are better.

[April Showers]

Welcome to ScrapGirls! We're so happy to have you here. The Scrapbooking Secrets Tutorials are meant to build on each other. Watch the first video. (Some people find it helpful to print the pdf of the tutorials and follow along with them.) After you watch the first technique, try it out. Once you have figured out the technique in the first tutorial, move on to the 2nd video. If you get stuck and can't figure something out, just ask us! We love to help.

[scrappinchar]

Hi Kathy. Welcome to Scrap Girls!
I also suggest Ro's instructional DVDs. You can find the selection here.
Have you downloaded the free collection? 1 Scrap Girls A Narrative Collection can be found here

Take your time learning, ask questions, and have fun!

[kerryveale]

Hi Kathy! Welcome to Scrap Girls! Keep plugging away and ask questions and you'll get there. (and you couldn't have come to a better place for inspiration and help!)

[AngRoCamp]

Hi Kathy! We're so glad you're jumping into the message board forum. Never ever hesitate to ask questions. This is one of the friendliest places with the most helpful friends! People are always excited to share their tips and help others work through speedbumps as their learning their software and developing their skills.

Welcome aboard!

[diannecp]

You might find it helpful to try out a JIF6 or some other kind of easy page from the Boutique. It kind of gives you insight to how it all works together . . . and you will have a page in no time at all, just dragging and dropping a few photos. Welcome to SG and have no fear, we were all as new as you at one point!

[momvetkat]

You have helped so much already and for the first time I actually think I might be able to do this. I have downloaded Ro's first DVD and also downloaded the free stuff - pretty although I don't know what to do with it ;] I am so glad I found this site! Can you tell me how to go about printing a pdf of the tutorials?

[April Showers]

There is an ebook in pdf format that comes with the Scrapbooking Secrets Tutorials. You can open them in Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader. You should be able to just choose print. It can be a lot of pages, but I bound mine so it is like a little manual.

[cyndals]

Hi Kathy, Welcome to Scrap Girls! As you can see we have a very helpful group here. So glad it is all coming together for you and hope to see your creations in the gallery soon:)

[teecee]

Hi Kathy, to Scrap Girls! The others have given you some great advice. Just take it one step at a time at your own pace and have fun with it! As the others have mentioned, don't hesitate to ask questions. We'll be looking forward to seeing you around the forums.

[Sara Arell]

Hi Kathy! Welcome to Scrap Girls! We're so glad to have you here with us!

[Nica]

Just wanted to add my to the rest!

[CRS]

Welcome to Scrap Girls!

[A-M]

Kathy

You have come to the right place to learn. Do not be hesitant to ask any questions.
I have only ever owned Epson printers and love them. But to get the best colours without having to alter the brightness and contrast before printing you need to be using Epson paper.

[AggieB]

Hi, Kathy & welcome to Scrapgirls! This is a great place to learn; don't be afraid to ask questions.

[Jeanne Lee]

Hello and welcome!

[KayMitch]

Hello and welcome Kathy. I know exactly how you feel. Not so long ago I didn't even know how to open a new document to begin or unzip what I'd bought. Some wonderful girls here helped every step of the way so don't hesitate to ask. We love helping.Good luck in your wonderful addictive adventure. Kay

[momvetkat]

Thanks for the great welcome. I am not having much luck with my first page - not Ro's fault but I am seemingly unable to get my drag tool (I know that's not what it's called) to work consistently. I was wondering if someone could tell me where to go to find the printable instructions that go along with the tutorials. I can't find them. You have all been so wonderful; it makes me feel a lot less apprehensive about this whole thing!

[KFiasco]

Welcome, Kathy, I don't know if this is the problem you are having, but you have to click directly on the element or whatever you are trying to drag. I learned this the hard way. Otherwise just wanted to say hello.

Karen

[tinkerbell11]

HI Kathy , Welcome to ScrapGIrls!!!!

[rpierce61]

Hi, Kathy! So glad you have joined us. Don't hesitate to ask questions. Everyone here is so nice and helpful.

[BarbaraC1977]

Hi Kathy! When you unzipped the tutorials, you should find any PDF files with them. The "15 Things..." and "ScrapSimple Handbook PDF (free) are on the Boutique Home page, where "Customer Favorites" is listed.

Welcome aboard. Take you time describing any specific difficulty, and let us know which version of Photoshop you're using, and someone will be along to answer fairly quickly.

[April Showers]

Sorry to hear you're having trouble. The tool is called the "move tool." Just pressing V on the keyboard will select it. Check the top menu bar when the tool is selected and see if "Auto Select" is checked. I usually leave it checked unless the item I want to move is really tiny or slightly transparent.

[ScrapGram]

Welcome to Scrapgirls. You will learn so much here. I am pretty new here so don't have any advice, but there are so many friendly helpful people here that someone will always be along to help you.

[mimes1]

Welcome to Scrap Girls!

[Smiles]

Welcome to Scrap Girls! We're so glad you found us! When you have questions, ask away - others out there will be wondering the same thing, and they'll all be glad you asked. Remember, this is supposed to be fun - so take a breather if you get frustrated.

[lorac]

I just wanted to add my to you. We were all newbies at one time and have advanced, slowly at times, to where we are now. I still learn something new everyday from reading the posts and from asking questions. Even if you ask the same question again, don't worry. We just love to help, and by asking questions you are helping others as well.

So happy that you found our lovely Purple Place and I look forward to seeing your layouts in the gallery in the future.

[kimmybutton]

Hi Kathy!

[goodqueenbee]

Hi Kathy! Welcome to Scrap Girls, and glad to see you trying again!

As far as printing out layouts, I have personally never liked what printers do to my images, so I send them to a photo developing instead. I am happier with the colors, but be sure to tell them NOT to "auto-correct" the colors in the setup portion. I personally use Costco because it is convenient for me. There are other stores (Walmart, drug stores, etc) and some places online will send them to you.

Have fun scrapping!

[momvetkat]

Is this the proper place to ask questions? I am using PS CS3. I am attempting to follow the first movie in Ro's instructional but am hung up on the very first task because I am unable to use the move tool. It is grayed out and when I try to use it, it says that the layer is locked. Sorry if this is a stupid question. Also I am very interested to hear more about having Costco print my pages rather than home printing - do you put them on a card or disc? Thanks for your patience and please let me know if there is better place in the forum for this type of question.