Although using the auto features is the fastest way to make a scrapbook, once you see how easy, fun and creative it is to add and change backgrounds, embellishments, text, photos and other options, you’ll want to try these features so you can add a personal touch to your creations.

To make a personalized scrapbook, start with a blank page and do everything from scratch, or use one of the templates and personalize it. Either way, there are many choices for each feature. Start by choosing a background from those displayed by category or import one from another source. Then chose whether you want the background on each page or just the page you’re working on. Next, add one or more photos. Photo editing options let you change the size and shape of photos, add a mat or shadow, crop, rotate and much more.

Then the fun part: click "embellishments" on the toolbar (where most of the options are available) and choose anything you want to add to your page: circles, ribbons, bows, flowers, brads, buttons and more, each with a displayed selection of available colors and types. Then choose how many of that item you want; the items appear on your page, all stacked and ready to use. Just "grab" the flower or whatever and move it around until it’s where you want it. Then grab the next one and do the same. Change the size and shape by grabbing the "handles". Want green ribbons at the top and bottom of the page? Need to make one wider, another shorter? No problem. Want a yellow bow placed on the left side on one ribbon? Ditto. Just select what you want, change it any way you want, and place it where you want. All easy, fast, and very addicting.

MemoryMixer Version 2 includes more than 1,200 different embellishments and 400 backgrounds; other versions include varying numbers of these items. You can also scan memorabilia, such as diplomas, certificates and the like, to include in your scrapbook, and you can creates pages in square, portrait and landscape orientation in a variety of sizes. Rulers and guidelines for each size are available if you want.

We created an album from recent wedding photos, and it was great to be able to put the couple’s photo inside a heart shape on one page, use their favorite colors for backgrounds, place flowers and flourishes on some pages, add a scan of their invitation and give the newly weds a bound book as a keepsake.

MemoryMixer includes many options for making digital scrapbooks, and we liked the wide selection of features and the ease of use built into the program.

Other programs are available for using your photos to make a variety of keepsakes. Two we’ve tried recently are Digital Scrapbook Memories (www.digitalscrapbookmemories.com, $14.95+), a series of collections of graphics to use with photos to create scrapbook pages, photo books and the like. You’ll need to use this collection with a program such as Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, but once you’ve learned to use the photo program, Digital Scrapbook Memories offers some wonderful choices for creating many types of print memorabilia.

You can also download RocketLife (www.rocketlife.com) and use their on-line options for creating a wide variety of photo keepsakes. You’ll need an Internet connection to use RocketLife, but the program offer some terrific features for using photos in t-shirts, mugs, photo albums, posters, puzzles, mousepads and more. Rocket Life also offers a wide selection of photo editing options, page layouts, embellishments, backgrounds and the like.

There’s a video tutorial for learning to use the program, and online support is good. The program is easy to use, and we liked the choices and features in this new offering.

If you have digital photos stored on your hard drive or anywhere, putting them into scrapbooks or photo albums is a terrific way to preserve and enjoy them. Or use them in calendars, CDs, videos and the like to turn those photos into keepsakes that will be enjoyed for years to come.

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