How do I start.....? Digital Scrapbooking 2

(Continued from Part 1)So, now that you have PSE version of choice, what next?  Well, you'll need 'stuff.'  If you are at all familiar with traditional scrapping, you have papers, stickers, photos, and more embellishments than you could ever possibly use.  Those things are expensive and finite.  Well, you can get the same stuff for your digital pages.  But they're not as expensive and you can use them forever.  Yes, I said for-ever.  Like you could use 500 of the same thing on every page you ever make and you won't ever 'run out.'  No more running out of a letter in your alphabet stickers.  It just won't happen!  Oh, and have you ever had something that was perfect for a layout, but just a tiny bit the wrong color?  That is also fixable with digi.  Squeee!  Anyways, I won't overload you with the amazing-ness of digital scrapbooking, since you're probably here already knowing most of it.  You want to know how.  So here's what I suggest.  Get a digi scrapbook magazing and start making note of some of the websites mentioned.  There are LOTS of websites out there for digital scrapbook supplies.  Some are better than others though.  Start with the ones most mentioned (or start with the ones I highly recommend, whatever you want).  Look through them, find styles that you like, look at the prices and start making plans to make withdraws from your child's college fund to pay for all the lovely things you've decided that you must have.  But before you buy anything, there is plenty of FREE stuff out there for your to get started with.  Yes, FREE.  F-R-E-E.  Go ask your traditional scrapbook supply store and ask for free stuff to help you get started.  They will laugh you out the door.
But remember, digital files are forever and infinite.  So lots of designers and stores give away free ones for you to try.  Here are some of the places that I raided... er... downloaded from:

ScrapGirls  - they have a huge free "Refresh" kit to download.  More on this store later.
Summertime Designs - She has a whole blog full of free kits.  Downloading takes a while but heck, they're free!  And cute!  She also has another blog called "Just 2 bucks" with $2 kits.
Two Peas in a Bucket  - several little kits to download for free!  You can also find free fonts that are super cute too.
Shabby Princess  - CUTE free stuff.  Just plain cute.  She also has some amazing stuff to purchase as well.
Peppermint Creative - She has a cute free kit to download and she'll change it every so often so can get a new one :)  Also very very cute kits to purchase as well.

I'm sure you can find plenty more free stuff online, but be careful.  In the euphoria of all the free-ness, make sure that it's stuff you'll actually use.  I went a little overboard when I first started, downloading anything that had the "free" price tag, but a lot of it was junk, and just wasting hard drive space.  So, just be picky with your stuff.  I have only purchased 5-10 kits in the last almost 4 years of scrapping and yet I have  almost 100GB of stuff for digi scrapping on my hard drive.  (hardware will be tomorrow).  Now, what about when you do want to purchase something.  Well, there are some things to look for.  1) You want 300dpi resolution on your stuff.  No lower.  And you'll want 12x12 stuff, even if you don't plan to print it that size.  So, if it just shows pixel size, that would be 3600x3600.  2) Shop around and make sure you're getting a good amount of stuff for your money.  I usually won't pay more than $8 for a very large kit (8+ papers, lots of embellishments).  But keep value in mind, make sure it's good, high quality stuff.

I really only shop at one store for my scrapbook stuff.  ScrapGirls (mentioned above) has super high-quality stuff that looks realistic, they have good prices, great sales, and they send out 6 newsletters a week (or just one wrap-up if you prefer) with tutorials and a freebie - every day!  If I need a specific kit, like most recently a 'health' kit for scrapping Mr. P's knee surgery, I go and search the boutique by theme, find what I'm looking for and browse the options.  They had two great options to choose from.  Which doesn't sound like a lot, but they have thousands of kits for almost any occasion you can think of.   They also have lots of designers with different styles, so you can find something to suit your taste.  I've never been disappointed with my purchase from them.  And, I registered my birthday on their messageboard so I get a little gift certificate in my inbox every year :)  Always a nice surprise.  They also have classes you can take or tutorials to buy that are program specific.  In my opinion, they are an all-around great company.
Shabby Miss Jenn - Cute stuff for a good price.  I have purchased from them before as well.

There are others, and I won't discredit them at all.  I don't buy many kits, so I just shop where I know I'll get what I need, but check out others.   You'll find plenty if you google 'digital scrapbook store.'  There's plenty out there.  And you shouldn't have to really take money out of your kid's college fund.

Check out Part 3