[southflascrapper]

Hi Nancy, welcome to GDS! I am not the most organized person in the world, but I will tell you how I organize my digiscrap stuff.

I don't keep any of it on my computers, because I have 2 and use both of them for my scrapping. So I use my external hard drive (I use a Western Digital 160GB Passport ehd) to store all of my digi stash on and work between my 2 computers without having to find something.

On my ehd I have everything separated into folders. When I say 'everything' I mean that I will have a main folder for GDS PRODUCT, then underneath that I have subfolders by designer name with various embellies and pagekits stored underneath the main designer name. It's pretty easy to sort through the GDS products, the designers use a file naming convention that include their initials at the beginning of the name. I store the monthly collaboration kits under the GDS subfolder COLLAB.

If you choose to 'break apart' the kits, what is liable to happen is that you are going to lose your TOU'S (terms of use agreements) for the products. What that means is that you are going to find an item or use it, and then not know who to credit the design to because you broke apart the kit and the TOU for it was in the main folder you broke apart. It's really important to give credit to whosever designs you are using when you post your layouts to the gallery. This is a very sensitive issue in the digiscrap arena. The designers work hard and deserve the credit for their work. Make sure to keep the TOU'S for your scrap items intact with your product download folders so you don't have to backtrack and look for them. I learned this the hard way when I first started scrapping.

I just wanted to stress that one point so you don't lose your TOU'S. I know that some of the veteran scrappers on this site will be able to give you great storage tips or link you to a GDS forum thread that has already been discussed on this subject.

Most importantly, sit back and enjoy the ride! Digiscrapping is so much fun. I have been scrapping digitally for 3 or 4 years now. I am not a hybrid scrapper, I turned totally digital when I first discovered it. I am on the computer all the time so it just made sense for me to scrap digitally, and I totally love it.

There are also classes offered on this site, which I highly recommend if you need help with your digital scrap program (I use Photoshop, but they have classes for Paint Shop Pro and Illustrator). Alot of times they will have sales which could save you up to 50% off of the class price.

Ok, I know this was long winded, but I just wanted to give you a couple of tips. Again, welcome to GDS, we're glad to have you here!!

Best Regards,
Tracy