I'm back after a looonnngg break

abm234

abm234

Active member
Hello SSD Community,

I lost my mojo for scrapbooking when covid hit and abruptly stopped scrapbooking. In retrospect, those would have been the days and moments that my kids would probably like reading about 50 years from now!

I feel like I have missed out on documenting so many things over the last 6 years. We have taken some pretty awesome vacations, I have survived breast cancer, my daughters graduated from high school, etc. None of it is documented and it makes me feel a little sick.

So I think I'm ready to jump back in but I don't really know where to start. I'm not sure I even know how to use photoshop anymore!

I'm a little irritated about the cost of Photoshop too and the monthly subscription - is that the best way to go?

Does anybody have recommendations on a refresher tutorial? Do you think much has changed in Photoshop in the last 6 years.

I'm thinking Project Life- perhaps in a monthly format-might be the best way for me to get back to scrapbooking.

I look forward to getting reacquainted with you all!

Here is to 2026!

Amy
 
I'm glad you're back! I'm sorry you feel like you've missed a lot of memories, but if you took photos, you can always play 'catch-up'!
I'm also sorry to hear about your bout with breast cancer, praying that everything is "okay" for you now!
I don't use Photoshop - I have used Paint Shop Pro since day one - it's a software download so no subscription needed - just a one time purchase (with upgrades available from time to time). I'm working with the 2023 version (starting back in 2002 so I've upgraded a lot through the years).
I'm so happy that you're jumping back in and can't wait to watch your gallery grow!
 
Hey, Amy! We are so happy to have you back! It sounds like you have a lot of memories that you wished you would have scrapped. Look through your photos and even ask relatives if they have photos of the events/places. Plan your scrapping from there. If you have to, do photo less scrapbook pages to document your story. I also am a breast cancer survivor and I took photos but have known others that did not want to have photos taken during that time. Photos or not, you can still design a page and write what you were going through during that time and how you felt. Our shop has many wonderful templates and kits to help get you started. If you have a theme or photos and you don't know which kit to use, post on this forum and ask for suggestions. Everyone here is so kind and helpful. I use Photoshop and had Photoshop 2020 or 2021 when I started. Use what program you have if it still works and start from there. You can always decide if you want to upgrade to the latest edition. Feel free to ask any questions. We are all here to help you and are so thrilled to have you back!
 
The affinity software program is free. I have seen videos on YouTube that show how to use it and it looks pretty good and is high in quality much like photoshop. I myself use procreate because if it’s ease of use. I also have the affinity program and would like to get into it, but because I’m so familiar with procreate and I enjoy using it I haven’t really forced myself to practice it enough yet. Another software program it might also work, which is free is the Ipad Sketchbook app.
 
Welcome back!

I was also going to suggest Affinity. I haven't used it myself really, but it seems a promising (and free!) competitor to PS.

Let us know if we can help with anything else as you get back into scrapping. :thumbup:
 
Welcome back!!

Photoshop Elements could be an alternative as well, I know there are people here that use it.

The photography adobe plan is a few dollars cheaper than just the single app (if someone understands why that is I'd love to know LOL) With that you get photoshop and lightroom
 
I purchased Adobe Photoshop elements instead of doing a monthly plan, when I needed to upgrade. A monthly plan was going to be way more expensive in the long run than just purchasing it outright. Welcome back, a friend once told me the best place to start when you haven't scrapped in a while, is your current photos/memories. Then work from there! Good luck!
 
Thanks ladies for the warm welcome back and the great suggestions! It's fun to see familiar faces. This was the first online community I was ever a part of in any way and it's great to see that it is still the kind and welcoming place I remember!
 
Welcome back! I just became active here around the beginning of 2025 and love it! Jump into the challenges and you'll have loads of pages done in no time!
 
Welcome back! I stay behind in my scrapbooking and tend to catch up in batches as the urge hits me. The first layout is always like pulling teeth, but once I'm done with that one, my mojo is activated and I am prolific.

I use Photoshop Elements; it's a one-time purchase, and you can store the code in your adobe account to use for eternity. Alternatively, you could learn Affinity and teach the rest of us. ; )
 
joelsgirl said:
I use Photoshop Elements; it's a one-time purchase, and you can store the code in your adobe account to use for eternity. Alternatively, you could learn Affinity and teach the rest of us. ; )
Click to expand...

Photoshop Elements isn't buy once use forever anymore :( It's a 3 year license if you don't have a version that's older than 2025. SUUUUUPER sad about it because it was always the program I recommended.

If you upgrade your versions regularly, it's no biggie because they still run good sales on it that make it around $60 to buy so around $20 a year. Still sucks though :mad:
 
Welcome back, Amy! As someone who is SUPER behind on scrapping (even though I've done it fairly regularly since 2013 :o ), I can attest that it can be done.
I use Photoshop Elements. It's not a subscription. Like Robin said, it's now a 3-year license rather than forever, but it is much more economical than the Photoshop subscription.
 
Hello and welcome back, Amy!

I'm a fellow breast cancer survivor, and both my children are out of high school. I did a few pages about the pandemic, but I really need to finish out that album. I have lots of memes from that time that I saved because I need the laughs. I also have screen shots and other graphics with updates about the virus.

Someone else recommended that you start with your most recent photos and work backward - I agree with this! In fact, taking a selfie and scrapping about your return to scrapbooking is a great page to make.

I do have the Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom plan. It's $20 per month. They do have trials so I would think you could try them out before making your decision to the monthly fee or the PSE 3 year plan.

Most of all, HAVE FUN! Again, welcome back!
 
I am coming back after a long break as well and feeling a little overwhelmed lol I am sure PS will be like riding a bike after getting back in there and playing for a bit.
 
Welcome back to both Amy & Holly! Scrapbooking is one of those awesome hobbies where you can step away when life demands it and then just pick back up whenever you're ready.

We're so happy to have you here!
 
Welcome back Holly! It's scary to get started again. Hopefully we can both figure this out!
 
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