Like many scrappers, I use a digital camera, photo-editing software (I use Adobe Photoshop), and a photo printer to help me cut costs on photo developing. It was not until I ran out of letter stickers that I realized I could use my photo printer to print out any "stickers" I needed. At first I just used Word to alter text, printed and cut it out, then stuck it on my layout. Then I found my first digital alphabet and my scrapbooks have never been the same since! Suddenly with my photo-editing software, I could alter color to match my papers, make the letters as large as I wanted, get fancy letters in all kinds of shapes with just click of the mouse, even just print out the exact phrase/title I needed and not have all those extra letters taking up space in my sticker binder (like those 10 letter X’s that I’ll never use).

If you think I stopped at letters and words/phrases, then you’ve no idea of all the elements that digital scrappers have to offer! I started printing coordinating embellishments and my layouts looked more polished and professional. I found an endless supply of patterned papers, diecuts in any size and shape, stickers that I could use more than once, shaped buttons, and bottlecap elements and tags I could personalize in seconds. Using my embossing tool and a few pop dots gave these digital elements even more of a 3D look. In fact, once these elements are in my album under a page protector, others can hardly tell they started as digital elements!

I have created some printable elements that are available for purchase at Digitals.

Here are a few tips to make the most of digital elements in your paper scrapbook:

• Print your elements out using the photo quality settings on your printer. This provides more detail and realism. Most photo printers use acid-free inks, so these elements will be safe for your scrapbook.
• Print on cardstock. Cardstock gives your elements more weight and helps lessen the amount of creasing and tearing.
• Print on photo paper. I use glossy photo paper for some elements for that "shiny" look. Photo paper also insures your additions are acid-free.
• When cutting out the printed elements, be as precise as possible. A digital bottlecap will look more real if you cut all the edges carefully than if you just cut out a circle shape.
• Emboss the printed elements for depth. I like to run my embossing tool around the backside of my slides and bottlecaps to give them that little extra detail.
• Use pop-dots or foam tape to add even more depth and realism.
• Mix paper and digital elements on your layouts. Attaching a digital tag with a real brad or eyelet gives the tag more realism.

Digital scrapbooking elements have increased my paper scrapping supplies and enhanced my layouts at a fraction of the cost and without the bulky lumpiness of "real" elements. The little bit of work to make your digital elements more "real" is definitely worth the savings.

Supply credits for Priceless Halloween LO:
Bazzill cardstock
Gold staples and brads from Making Memories
Brown sinamay unknown (received from a swap)
Slides, tags, crumpled tan square, and patterned paper by Cristina Blomberg from the Fall Colors Kit, available at the Digitals Store
Green gems by Cristina Blomberg from the Gemstone Alphabet Set, available at the Digitals Store
Typewriter font downloaded from DaFont

Journaling reads:
Wooden weapons from MD Renaissance Festival … $25
Shirts and pants from MD Renaissance Festival… $45
Tunics and hats from Jorvik Viking Center … $50
Great Halloween Memories in unique costumes… PRICELESS

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