So, where do I print these pages and what size???

So, I've played around with the pages and now I'm wondering where do I get them printed. Also, do you generally have them printed and bound, or do you add them to a prebound scrapbook?

I'm waiting on admittance to a forum - where I'm sure I'll find these answers - but I figured it can't hurt to ask!

What am I doing wrong? *** update

When I add an element to a page, I can't get the background of the element to be clear. I'm assuming it's something with layers, I just can't figure it out.

Can someone help? I'm using Adobe PSE.

***Edited to add: Okay, I think I've figured it out. I've played around and figured out what effects help.

So, how long before I need a second external hardrive?

Now I've discovered FREEBIES! Woohoo!!! Thanks to Michelle I've been downloading free pages and elements all evening.

I'm guessing it won't be long before I have to move all this fun stuff to my external hardrive though...

I can't decide what's more fun: the actual scrapping part or finding stuff to scrap with! (That is about the most horribly worded sentence I've ever seen.)

Oh, and I can't post the picture, because it isn't my child, but I managed to get the MOST perfect shot of a little girl in our playgroup the other day. I turned it to b/w and it is gorgeous. I sent it to her mom and she couldn't believe how great it turned out. YEAH! My photography skills are being honed as I type.

Oh yeah, and Ms M got onto me on Wednesday because apparently my lens was horribly dirty. Nice huh? I could probably have been identified for a crime with as many fingerprints as were on that lens.

Uh, oh...I discovered downloadable stuff!

I'm selling all of my paper scrapping items, and now I've discovered the downloadable stuff you can do with PSE. This is SERIOUS! (to quote DDs favorite tv show - the WonderPets)

I downloaded an Asian Paper Pak to help scrap my China trip. Shhh, don't tell the hubby that this could cost more $$$.

Want to share your favorite links? I actually found mine on one of the ads on the site. Umm, I guess they really do a good job of matching them up since I'm one of the ones clicking them! Oops.

And, because pictures are always fun, here's a couple more from that China trip.

Just making myself at home

This morning we had a playdate at the Arboretum. Someone loves the little houses in the village area so we played there the most. She's been asleep for almost three and a half hours and I don't hear her stirring at all!

I caught this shot in one of the houses. It isn't a great photo, but it is a great pose!!!

So many pictures, so little time

I've just started the digital scrapbook of our trip to China. Yes, it was over 18 months ago, but do you know how much time a baby/toddler takes? I think it's good I'm getting started before she turns 16!

I am still loving my Adobe PSE and I've found all the themes and papers and gadgets and gizmos for it. What I'm wondering is do these other digital scrapbook things I can purchase get along with PSE or do I have to have the full Photoshop software?

And because, what is a post about travelling to China and scrapbooking without pictures, here's a blast from the past...

These were taken hours after we first met the Princess.

Loving every minute of it!

Here are the two loves of my life.

Having fun with my new toy!

I'm enjoying PSE way more than the Corel program I had before. Maybe I didn't know how to use it or maybe I want to learn PSE more, but this is really, really fun!

Here are a couple of shots - an original and a b/w that I adjusted and love. I swear she reminds me of the Gremlins movie when Gizmo gets all crazy!



Isn't she beautiful???

Ahhh...the next female race car driver

My DD loves to drive cars. She's all about cars right now. Match box cars, Mommy's car, and now, her own car. My parents purchased her this little fred flinstone style car and she thinks it's the best thing since sliced bread. She is beyond thrilled. I mean, beyond thrilled!!!

It's starting

Part of the reason I'm really interested in new software and cameras is that I have decided to move from paper scrapbooking to digital. It all hit me one day when I realized if something were to happen to a paper scrapbook, that was it, but a digital one could be reproduced. This is especially important to me since I'm working on DDs lifebook. That will be a product I hope she reads, peruses and looks at it so much she'll need another copy.

Thus, going digital.

So...I put my first two pages together, but haven't figured out how to upload them yet. It's 2am so it's probably not the best time to figure it out, but I will.

'Night night!

The chicken or the egg???

I have a very nice Canon PowerShot S3 that I got on sale last year. It has some really great features and I haven't even learned how best to use everything on it.

I also now have Adobe Elements which is a really good software program.

The problem is I want the BEST of both, but can't afford them both at the same time. So which do I save for first?

My ultimate camera choice is the Canon Digital Rebel which ranges from $800-$1300. Yes, it's insane.

My ultimate software choice is Adobe Photoshop which runs around $600.

So I will obviously be able to buy the software first, but should I? And, yes, I know that the items I already have are perfectly adequate for my photography level (which is pretty much nothing!).

And does anyone out there have either who could help with this decision? I could also continue to just hire Maureen for stuff and forget about both! :o)

Perspective

This puts my pain into perspective. My thoughts and prayers are with this family. They have done so much good, it is hard to understand why things like this happen.

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080521/TUNEIN/80521174/1005/ENTERTAINMENT

Who knew???

I've been having problems with my camera putting out grainy pix. Turns out it could be my ISO settings. According to http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/ the higher the ISO the higher chance of a grainy photo.

Hmmm, off to check that out. BTW, that's a great site for tips if you're learning like me!

Found a few more pictures of Missy & baby

I love these...I'm happy I have them for the future.

So, I've settled on a software program

For now I'm going with Adobe 6.0 PhotoElements. I think it'll do most of what I need for now. I really, really want the full Photoshop, but we can't shell out $600 bucks right now for the software, so this will do.

I'm getting it at Esther's naptime - my Mom's here - so I'll hopefully have some photos I've played with today or tomorrow to post!!!

About my furbaby

My cat Missy has been sick for a while and unfortunately we are out of options to continue her treatment.

In honor of my first baby

I took this picture last spring and just loved how the two were looking at each other. No photography insight, just sadness as thankfulness that our furbaby was with us as long as she was.

Because I can't sleep...

I took Maureen's advice and played around with a Christmas photo that I love, it just needed something. I think this works! What do you think?

Took Maureen's advice

What do you think? I love it!!!

My daughter is a full blown toddler

Until today I have rarely used timeouts and until today have NEVER needed to use more than one a day.

Oh my goodness. This child has become every ounce of two years old and I think she's going to be the death of me! I love her to bits, but the whining and demanding everything is starting to get a bit old. Bedtime didn't come nearly early enough for me tonight.

Whew!

Vista issues and photography software

Now that I have my new computer, I am searching out some great photography software. I really want Photoshop but the trial killed my computer. Was this just me or is it really a bad situation with their compatibility???

Anyone have any ideas on some 'tweener software since $600 is a little out of my price range right now.

Some of my favorite pictures...

Thoughts on any of these? I'd love to hear some ideas on what I could have done better or what I do to enhance them.

I'm reviving my blog!

I'm hoping to track learning some photography skills and sharing with everyone as I go. I have the perfect subject, so it's time I learned what all my camera can do!!!