First, let me wish everyone a very Happy Valentine's Day! 
Recently I decided to take the high dive into digital scrapbooking and glad I did. But I think I've been busier than I ever have been, LOL? I'm not starting out collecting kits as I've heard most say, but wanted to learn and create my own DS goodies. There is just so much and one can feel a lil overwhelmed at times....am I the only one, or maybe starting off wrong? I'm having lots of fun and learning so much, but do have to wonder if I'm starting in the wrong direction. Would love to hear your thoughts, pointers, or advice on this. And as always greatly appreciated.
Did You Start Out Busy?
Tue, 02/14/2017 - 11:14
#1
Did You Start Out Busy?
Libby ... I create my own as well .... I then know I can use what I want at will and can grab anything I have ... be careful ... it's addicting ... but the advantage besides not worrying about how and when you can use it is that you get exactly what you want and it's so much fun
I never have been one to design... I was on a couple creative teams... many moons ago... I think though for me... it was good to learn to scrap pages because it taught me about what my program could do. I knew some designers that can't scrapbook a page digitally but make tons of items to share or sell. So, I guess it just really depends on you. That being said, I was very BUSY or overwhelmed in the beginning for almost a year just learning how to do everything that I knew I could just do picking up a pair of scissors, paint, sewing machine, or hot glue gun, etc, etc etc that I could do in 30 seconds or less IRL scrapping/crafting.
Thanks Susan. I too agree with the "no worrying" part. I see some artist that have wonderful work, then their TOU's are sooooo confusing! I sadly leave those sites. I read this one that had terms on the terms for 10 minutes and never could understand what they were allowing, LOL!
Thanks Shawna. You reminded me of one thing to do I have on my list, and that's to scrap a kit to see what I can do with one. I've thrown together a few quick pages I was happy with but it's not like having a complete kit. So I could end up being one of those that can't scrap a page and only create items for others?
Giggles, I'll be happy either way, but do hope I'll have success with that too.
Thank you both for your input on this, every lil bit truly helps!
I loved collecting freebies when I began in 2006 too. I was a young stay at home mom with 4 little ones, and a TIGHT budget that didn't allow me to really spend money on my hobby...that led me to start making my own things, both digitally as well as taking pictures of items and extracting them to use on my layouts! I am now able to spend some money on my hobby, kids are older, I'm also working outside the home as well. So that has made it more fun...but I still find that I make a lot of my own because I always seem to want something very specific for a LO.
Libby, I don't think there's any such thing as "wrong" in digital scrapbooking and designing. I still haven't made many layouts, as I'm enjoying designing too much at present. If you're learning new things, and having fun doing it, I think that's the main thing!
I am so glad you created this post Libby. I have grabbed every freebie I could get hold of, but I find that I like creating my own things better. I am trying to learn how to make embellishments because I have backgrounds pretty well covered. I've made over 1000 but will have to go through them and be sure they are kit worthy I guess. I recently figured out dpi. I am learning so much and spend most of my free time on the computer. I am very busy also. Lol
I love freebies, but have also learned to do a lot myself over the years, and enjoy it thoroughly! I would encourage you to learn the basics, (such as recoloring a greyscale flower) because even if you buy a kit, you will find there is some element or paper in a certain color to perfect a page. As you have time, add to your skills and you will use them.
Thanks for all the replies ladies, lots of wonderful input and advice there!
Every comment is greatly appreciated! With all the feedback on this, seems I'm pretty well doing what I need to be doing. And that is have fun learning the basics as I go! I totally admire all of you that create those big beautiful choke-full kits, and I see Marisa just posted another one of hers on home improvement. I'm still learning to create embellishments and things but my goal for now is to improve and build myself up so I can create one of those large kits too! 
I know it's going to be a long road till I reach that point, but having a goal is important for me and will help me keep focused. Than afterwards maybe I'll try my hand at scrapping with those kits? I'm also following tutorials posted on here. So much to learn and play around with. Again, thank you all! 
I probably made myself out to be busier than I needed to be in that first 6 months. I tried to fit it all in, get years worth of pictures scrapped, and learn how to make my own stuff. I think its just the excitement of a new hobby and wanting to learn as much as you can.