Digital Scrapbooking with Word 2007

For some people digital scrapbooking means creating virtual photo albums, shared and viewed via the Internet. To others, like myself, digital scrapbooking means creating actual scrapbook pages using digital photographs and clip art, which are printed on photo paper, using your computer's inkjet printer.

This second form of digital scrapbooking is a great alternative to those who want to create actual photo pages to share and view, without the necessity of scissors and adhesive. The only cut and pasting going on is done virtually.

If you already download your digital snapshots onto your computer, you can immediately jump in and start creating pages. But, if you have non-digital photos you want to use, you will first need to scan those pictures, creating JPGs, which will be stored in folders on your computer's hard drive.

Traditional scrapbookers have a grocery list of materials and tools needed for their craft, which include such items as scissors, pens, rubber stamps, stencils, stickers, straight edge, etc. For the digital scrapbooker, the shopping list is a bit shorter, and can possibly be less expensive, if you don't figure in the actual cost of the computer, printer, scanner and Internet connection.

Each album I create needs a cover. I begin by purchasing a three ring binder photo album, easily found at stores like Target or Wal-Mart. You usually purchase them for under $20, and they normally include self-adhesive photo pages. Remove the photo pages, and use them for another project. You can use a regular three ring binder, yet choose one with a wider cover, as opposed to a traditional sized binder.

You will also need CLEAR, Presentation Sheet Protectors. Make sure they are acid-free, archival safe, and hold 8 ½ x 11 inch sheets. They look and feel like plastic, and have three holes, to fit into a three ring binder. I have purchased these at both office supply stores, and super discount stores.

The next item on my shopping list is photo paper. I use single sided photo paper. Single sided, as opposed to double sided paper, makes it easier to reorganize your photo book. When I complete a photo page, it is slipped into the protector sheet (after it has thoroughly dried!). Two photo pages, back to back, fit into one Presentation Sheet Protector.

Aside from those items, the only thing you will need is your computer, printer, and lots of ink. If you want to snag great clip art online, you will also need to be connected to the Internet. If you plan to display your photo pages online, distribute them or use them commercially, take special care to use royalty free images, and don't violate anyone's copyright.

When choosing a printer, I prefer the less expensive inkjet to laser printer, which tends to produce more vibrant photo pages.

There is one more thing you will need, and that is software to create your photo page. There is a wide variety of scrapbooking software on the market, many of which I've used. The main advantage of using such software, is that they supply ideas and suggestions, helping the less than creative to produce attractive pages.

But, if you already have Word 2007 on your computer, and believe you have an adequate creative IQ, then you already have all the tools you need to create your photo pages. Word 2007 has endless possibilities in cropping, re-shaping, re-sizing, re-framing and re-coloring any image you add to the page. Adding clip art is a snap, and when you are online, you have easy and quick access to Microsoft's vast and free clip art. Another place to find clip art is by doing a Google image search. But, before you use one of the images, be mindful of copyright laws.

A couple of beginner tips, when using Word 2007 to scrapbook:

If you plan to add a background color or image, you will need to go into your Word Options, and set the Printing Option to allow background printing. (Before you add a background, ask yourself if the background will compliment the images you are adding, and is it worth the "ink" that will be used.)

When adding text, use the Text Box option, so you can easily move and position any text you add.

To easily position the photos, images or text box on your photo page, click on the photo, image or text box and adjust the Text Wrapping setting, choosing how you want the item positioned on the page. If you fail to do this, you will be struggling with your image as it bounces around the page and refuses to behave!

Do you have digital images on your computer right now? Do you have Word 2007? If both answers are yes, what are you waiting for, give it a try!