Book Review: Paper + Pixels Scrapbook Layouts

If you are thinking about digital scrapbooking but not sure what it's all about or where to start you should give hybrid scrapbooking a try. It's the best of both worlds. Paper + Pixels is by May Flaum and Audrey Neal. They walk you thru some digital scrapbooking one step at a time. The book starts off by going through some of the basics of what you need and how to get organized before you start digital scrapbooking. It covers such things as definitions and the differences between traditional, digitial, and hybrid scrapbooking; organization and how to store your digital supplies; and of course a review of the basics of 2 common programs used with digital scrapbooking: Microsoft Word and Adobe Photoshop Elements.

The second part of the book is the lessons. Each lesson topic is divided into beginner, intermediate, and advanced. With each new lesson there is a box that states the program being used, the new technique, and the skills you need (which are previous lessons taught). Page numbers are listed with the skills you need as a reference so you do not have to go searching thru the book for a refresher.

Part 1: Photograghs
Lesson 1: Editing Photos
Lesson 2: Changing Color and Opacity
Lesson 3: Creating Photo Collages
Lesson 4: Adding Brushes, Frames, and Photo Masks
Lesson 5: Extracting Photos

Part2: Text
Lesson 1: Creating White Text
Lesson 2: Layering Text
Lesson 3: Creating Decorative Text
Lesson 4: Adding Text to Brushes
Lesson 5: Adding Effects to Text

Part 3: Paper
Lesson 1: Altering Digital Paper
Lesson 2: Mixing Digital Papers
Lesson 3: Using Brushes and Filters
Lesson 4: Creating Paper with Text and Shapes
Lesson 5: Altering Photos

Part 4: Embellishments
Lesson 1: Using Digital Embellishments
Lesson 2: Making Brushes
Lesson 3: Using Autoshapes
Lesson 4: Combining Images and Custom Shapes
Lesson 5: Putting It All Together

Gallery of Ideas:
The Gallery of Ideas has over 20 hybrid layouts for inspiration from various designers.

There is a CD ROM that comes with the book. On the CD is 12 digital scrapbook kits all from different designers. This way if you are new to digital scrapbooking you have some supplies you can start working with to see if digital scrapbooking is something you would be interested in.

The last part of the book is the source list. This list mentions every company referenced in the book along with their contact information and website.

Visit www.amazon.com to purchase.

In my opinion I think this book is perfect for someone like me who has no clue what she is doing with digital scrapbooking. Since Adobe Photoshop Elements (the program I use) has no manual or instructions what so ever, I need as much help as I can get. This book will definitely be a resource for me as I continue my path to learning how to digitally scrapbook.

If you have read this book or used it, I would love to have your comments on what you thought!