Putting myself out there...
Biting the bullet...
Chancing it...
Reaching for the stars...
You get the idea.
I am finally ready too announce my new and official venture
scrappages modern scrapbooks
A service that creates beautiful, customized digital scrapbooks for people who want to treasure and display their photos for a lifetime.
This is a business idea that I created almost a year ago (in January, actually) and have slowly been developing throughout the past months. I have a few display books with examples of my work, and a website that I created, including lots of information and a gallery!!
www.scrappages.net
So, what are digital scrapbooks, you might ask?
Good question! Digital scrapbooks are just like regular ones, except I use digital photos and create the scrapbook pages on my computer using editing software. Then the pages are printed and bound into high-quality photo books. The result looks just like a beautiful scrapbook page, but is sleaker, longer-lasting, more afforadable and faster.
Why do digital scrapbooks make such good sense?
Well, first, because most pictures are taken digitally now, right? I know I only take digital photos, I haven't used a film camera in years. And what happens to your photos once you've taken them? Do they sit on your computer in folder after folder, or maybe make it to an online photo sharing site? Maybe you even email them to a few people. But after that, they don't get to be seen much.
That's why digital scrapbooking is so great- it takes your digital photos, places them into beautiful layouts that highlight and accent the subjects of your pictures, and then prints them straight into a book that can be displayed in your home, or given as gifts!!!
Look at it this way:
Traditional scrapbooks
Take a photo -> develop the film/print the photo -> buy lots of expensive scrapbooking supplies -> spend hours and hours cropping, pasting, and taping -> finally finish a few layouts -> place pages into an album
Digital scrapbooks
Take a photo -> Put it in a layout -> Print it!
Secondly, digital scrapbooking is actually much more affordable. Scrapbooking supplies these days are pricey. Think about the papers, slicers, cardstock, stickers, letters, rub-ons, photo mats, corners, fancy scissors, permanent tape, ribbon, flowers, buttons, brads, hole punchers... on and on, most of which can only be used ONCE.
In a digital scrapbook, I still use graphics of papers, elements, buttons and all those things, but they can be used again and again, not only vastly reducing the cost, but also easily creating one unified look throughout the entire book. That makes your photos even more attractive, and easy to get them off of your memory cards and on display.
Why should you use scrappages??
aTo have a beautiful, high-quality display of your favorite photos
I love digital scrapbooking. I just love it. I spend hours each week downloading papers, elements, and extras, getting the most attractive and highest resolution ones I can find. I even make some of my own! I have made pages and pages of my own layouts.
What does that mean to you? Well, it means that you know you are getting the utmost care and attention to each photo and page. You're getting someone who loves the end product, and won't settle for something half-finished or less than wonderful. You're investing in my skills, time, creativity, and talent. In return, I'm investing all of those into your photos. Nowhere else will you find such personal attention and interest in your own book.
aTo have your photos digitally corrected and enhanced
I take the time to correct each photo for lighting, contrast, color, etc when using it in a scrapbook page. This service alone would be expensive and time consuming anywhere else!
aTo save TIME
Anyone who has ever tried a scrapbook page knows how long it takes. And knows, well, they don't always turn out the way you had thought. Some of you may not have ever even tried it, either not having the interest or feel you have the knack. While I believe everyone can learn, my service saves you that time to develop, purchase, shape, resize, cut, paste, tie, stick, and color your way to a beautiful display of your photos. I do the work, and all you do is send me your photos!
aTo give as GIFTS- to several people at once!
My digital scrapbooks would make GREAT gifts for those who don't really have the time or the techy know-how to create scrapbooks on their own. AND, you can order as many copies as you need! This is a fabulous feature for family and friends who would all love a scrapbook of the same set of photos---- for a new baby, for example, or a family reunion, vacation, holiday, or birthday. Once created, your scrapbook can be given to parents, grandparents, long-distance friends... anyone you can think of who would enjoy seeing your photos, and sharing them with others. Now who can do that with a traditional old scrapbook?!
Okay, deep breath. There it is, lovely readers. My pet project that has been a long time in the making, and my big announcement. I will be debuting examples of my work this Friday at my work's annual craft fair, where I will be getting an in-the-flesh response as well. Please check out my website and give any feedback you think of, and wish me luck!! And as a personal request, please spread the word to your friends and family, who might take an interest in this project. And as always, THANK YOU!