AE : Inspirations

I switched to cloth napkins two years ago. I'm always on the look out for new napkins to add to our pile. Cloth napkins also seem to make even simple meals more special.

Been a hybrid scrapper for as long as I can remember: my journaling usually starts and ends with the computer. Thinking about expanding my horizons. Curious to know how you manage your digital elements. Been collecting them, but not sure how to organize them so they are easy to find

loved all the comments about paper towels. I must admit I am a big hold out. We gave up all the paper plates, cups etc. I don't know if I can but you definatly have me thinking hard.

I'd love to know what kind of scanner you use (mine is terrible!) and how you go about getting all of your old photos scanned and incorporated into your digital scrapbooking?
I guess that's not necessarily about digi scapbooking but would love to hear about your process anyways. Like you, my goal this year is to tell more stories and make more connections with my past + present, but the idea of scanning all of my old photos is overwhelming (especially with a bad scanner).

I have a MAC and all pics are in iPhoto. I am cofussed about getting my pics into PSE8. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO/HOW TO do this.

Can you please explain the difference between a rub-on, brush and overlay in the digital world? To me, they're the same things - you just open and apply them differently. (Is that right?)
I'd like to create my own masks from scratch (like a water splat or fabric texture). How is that done?
To other bloggers here: CATHY ZIELSKE has a few, free, wonderful "how to" videos on Vimeo. Hope that helps!

Very cool that you are doing a 365 project! would love it if you would share a week or two of your finished product :) thanks :)

In regards to the Paperless Kitchen, I tear up my husband's old white tee shirts and use the scraps for messy jobs that I would have previously used paper towels for, like cleaning grease from a pan. I don't even wash the really yucky stuff, I just toss and feel better that I've at least recycled the old cloth and not wasted any paper.

I hope you read this.
You need to know how amazing you are.
The things you think are normal are amazing revelations and ideas to the rest of us. I love your perspective, your ideas, your willingness to share your life with us. I love the products you point us towards. When I read your blog you challenge me, calm me, make me laugh, and make me look at the life I have and appreciate it.
Thank you

We went paperless in our kitchen about a year ago and it's been great. At first, it was awkward without paper towels, but I bought a cute stack of washcloths and handtowels from Target (they match the kitchen colors) and when there's a mess, they work just as well.

Hi Ali,
I am interested in the way to print out the digital pages. I have done a few and was a little disappointed in the finished look of the pages vs. all paper. What type of paper do you get your pages printed on??? Loving the 365 idea might want to play along on that one with you. thanks for the great post.
Annette

I made a calendar for the grandparents this holiday season. I created 12 different digital layouts. Some were designed by myself, others were from templates. The files were so big that the project almost crashed my computer. Is there a way to save digital files to keep the size down?

Hi Ali! I think I've pretty much read all the above comments (cause I like to see what others have to say). I think I've come up with one question that hasn't been asked yet...
Where do you save all these digi elements? A dedicated external hard drive maybe? I would expect that having photos, completed layouts, and all the artwork would "eat up" your computer's memory.
Thank you for doing what you do.

So glad you asked this question! I got so frustrated printing photo birthday party invitations last night because of the lines.

Me too! I've been saving them in a folder on the desktop but it's such an annoying step. I'd love to see your solution for this as well, Ali :)

I was wanting to use grommets on my december daily album and I was wondering where I could find some. Where did you get yours? Thanks for your help.

Hi Ali,
The timing on this is perfect. I would LOVE to try digital scrapbooking, but don't know where to start. I am specifically wondering about digital scrapbooking programs. Does everyone use photoshop or PSE? Are there alternatives? What are the advantages / disadvantages?
THANK YOU!

I don't know when I started using cloth knapkins - way long time ago. We should have a catch all basket for dirties, but reality is we toss them to a spot in the kitchen that is convient to pick up an walk them to the washer at the back of the house. I use them to round out all sorts of laundry loads. We still go thru tons of paper towels. Not sure when those all get used up as I use the dishcloths and knapkins mostly.

Can't wait to read all of your digi tips. Simple, basic...that is what I need.
As far as the paperless kitchen...we get those huge stacks of washcloths and use them for most things. When they get gross, they go out in the garage for the industrial uses and then pitched. Each of my four kids has a color for their plate and cup. I think I may have to go get each of them their own matching napkin too. It cuts down on the number of cups, etc.
Thanks again for all you do!

I didn't see if these questions had been mentioned--
I notice that I kind of don't like digi pages because to me they lack that touchy-feely aspect--the warmth. Do you ever print on cardstock instead of photo paper to give them more of a warm look? And do you you use all that "drop shadow" stuff (I call it fancy stuff!) or do you just place & be done? What about embellishments--digital or do you use "real" embellishments on a digi page? THANKS!!!