While it is possible to create your own digital embellishments using different types of software, this article will show you how to use digital embellishments already created and downloaded from the internet.

The world of digital scrapbooking is quickly coming to the mainstream. The major scrapbooking magazines regularly feature articles on digital scrapbooking and the market now offers several books for this branch of the art. But what is digital scrapbooking? Digital scrapbooking is the art of using computer generated elements such as background paper, alphabets, tags, and other embellishments. You can both create your entire layout on the computer and print it out, share online, or you can print the digital elements and use it on your traditional layout. Which brings me to my next question, if you are a traditionalist like me, how do you incorporate the digital with the tangible?

Following are a few ways to accomplish this. First, you need to find the elements you want to use. I have listed several links at the bottom of this article that I have found the most useful for finding digital elements and further tutorials for their uses. Some of the best things about digital elements is you can use them over and over again, they are relatively inexpensive, and you can alter them. Make sure however, if you use any element on a layout, altered or not, you give proper credit to the designer just as you would any other product you use.

Second, once you have downloaded the digital element, you can view and change it in any number of programs. Some popular programs on the market are Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Paint Shop Pro, Digital Image Pro, and PhotoStudio. I use PhotoStudio for altering my embellishments. Most designers will create their element in 300dpi which is best for printing. Just make sure your program supports a .PNG file extension which is what most designers save their files as. This file extension allows you to alter the digital element.

PhotoStudio with open digital element. Element designer: Michelle Underwood.

Once you have altered your element, you can adjust the size and print it out on any quality photo printer. I have found that if I load my image into the American Greetings Scrapbooks program, it is easier to change the size and adjust the position for printing. But you do not need this program to print your elements; any of the above listed programs will work. I also use a good quality luster photo paper to print my elements if I am only cutting them out. You can also print your elements on cardstock or transparency. Of course the quality of the paper is going to affect the quality of the finished product.

American Greetings Scrapbooks program with open digital elements. Elements designer: Michelle Underwood.

After you print the elements, you are ready to cut them out and they are ready to use on your layout. If you want a 3-D look, print the element out twice and use a pop dot or foam tape to adhere the pieces together.

Close up of Bottle cap alphabet in 3-D form

; It is really amazing the different looks you can achieve by just a few clicks of the mouse. By using a digital alphabet, I was able to create two layouts, one for my son’s book and one for my daughter’s book without ever running out of letters. I was also able to print out only the elements needed. The elements are the same except for color, which I changed to match the paper. The other digital elements on these two pages are the metal bookplates. I took the same element and added the words but changed the font for each page.

‘Hugs & Kisses (Vivian’s version)’
Products used:
SEI – Sweetie collection
Bazzill Basics – Lace textured cardstock, vellum
Font – weehaa (internet)
Digital Elements
Michelle Underwood – bottle cap alphabet, metal bookplates
Other – double stick foam tape


‘Hugs & Kisses (Dominic’s version)’
Products used:
SEI – Retrospect collection
Bazzill Basics – Lace textured cardstock, vellum
Font – Flowerchild (internet)
Other – double stick foam tape
Digital Elements
Michelle Underwood – bottle cap alphabet, metal bookplates

Using digital elements is also quite cost effective. The cost of the bottle cap alphabet was only $3.00 and it included numbers and blank elements as well. The metal bookplates cost $2.00 and included blank bookplates and bookplates with words. So for the total of $5.00, plus cost of paper and ink, I was able to create two layouts. The great thing is I have just as many letters and bookplates as I started with. Compare that to the average cost of $2.99 for a sheet alphabet stickers and $3.99 for a package of bookplates at the scrapbook store and you will see how you can really start to save some money.

I have yet to venture into the world of creating my own digital elements, but I am sure that day will come. Until then, I know I will start using digital elements more often.

Here is another layout I made using a digital alphabet. The original elements were gray stone and I changed them to tan to coordinate with my layout.

‘In the Woods’
Products used:
Craf-T – Metallic Rub-Ons kit # 2
Karen Foster Designs – Natural Burlap
Bazzill Basics – Pinecone, Fawn, Aloe Vera cardstock
Color Box – Chestnut Roan, Burnt Sienna Chalk Inks
Other – Double stick foam tape
DIGITAL ELEMENTS
Lyndsay Riches – Engraved Stone Alphabet

The following is a close up of one of the words from the above layout:

Close up of digital element alphabet. Designer: Lyndsay Riches

Whichever way you go with digital scrapbooking, be it printing out the elements, designing your own, or doing entire layouts on your computer, you are sure to find fun and creative ways to use these new "embellishments" and you will soon find that your scrapbooking toolbox goes beyond your crop bag. And remember, if you have ever printed a title or journaling out on your computer, you have already begun your journey with digital scrapbooking.

Here are some links to get you started:
Scrapbook Bytes
Scrapbook-Elements
CB Digital Designs
Scrapbook Graphics

See Kathleen's work in our gallery.

Read Kathleen's bio