Hello from NJ!

[sweetpea4180]

Just wanted to take a minute to say hi! I am new to digiscrapping and to Photoshop. If there are any suggestions you all might have for helping me get started would be much appreciated!

[SharLamb]

Welcome Sweetpea. I'm also very new to digi-scrapping, and have found this to be the friendliest most helpful place in all my cyber visiting. So you made a good start. Here are a few things that helped me:

1. Subscribe to the (free) Weekly e-zine if you haven't already.

2. Take an hour or two with your favorite hot beverage in hand, and peruse the archives of this forum. I especially love the Scrapper-to-Scrapper and Elements sections. You will get a feel for what the common problems are as well as learn some good stuff.

3. I cannot recommend anything more highly than Linda's tutorials, so go ahead and buy a Premier membership right away if you haven't already. You'll feel like you got your money's worth in one month...the next 11 are a bonus!That and my favorite book, "Digital & Hybrid Scrapbooking & Card-Making with Photoshop Elements" (if you're using PSE) by Patty Debowski are the two best investments I have made. I'm sure I have leaped miles ahead very quickly because of the excellent teaching by these two teachers. Linda has such a soothing, calm, "you can do this" manner. I also like having a book to keep by my cpu, and Patty's is thorough as well as written in a non-techie voice.

4. Post a layout ASAP. Once you do, you will feel invested in the group. It may be a little scary to post the first one (sure was for me), but everyone here is very kind and supportive. And if you ask for critiques, you will get them in a gentle, helpful way.

5. Relax and have fun. This isn't rocket science (although sometimes I'm sure it is much more complex!). It is a creative outlet. There is an infinite amount to learn, so it must be done one step at a time. I think that's one of the things I like so much about this hobby...there's no end to how far you can progress.

Shar

[connieg]

Welcome to SG. Shar is right, this is the best place to learn and Linda's tutorial are the best.

[Wendy]

Hi Sweetpea ...

... and welcome to Scrappers Guide :)

If you have any questions them just ask and one of us will try to help ..

Wendy