Working on a computer to scrapbook seems like a pretty isolated activity, but what our families may not realize is digital scrapbooking is a community experience. Forums, chat rooms and creative teams at digital scrapbooking sites have helped build many friendships. We share our opinions, our stories and our family photos. We chat via email, messaging programs, Facebook, Twitter, Skype or cell phones. Some scrap bookers have made friends all who are across the country, around the world or even in their own town.

Some of us have gotten together to scrapbook or for vacations. And while some relatives may roll their eyes or wonder why we spend so much time on the computer, some of our families have gotten to know each other. When you mention that certain friend, your husband knows you’re talking about your digi friend and not a neighbor. These friendships formed in the digital scrapbooking community are just as strong and real as our traditional friendships. And because of our common hobby, sometimes these ties can be even stronger.

Jen Strange, who lives in Tennessee, met her friend Shannon Sexton about three years ago in the Digi Shop Talk forums. “Not long after noticing at DST that we were in the same area, we decided to meet at a nearby restaurant. She already knew who I was because of my website. It was just a little weird at first - as any new friendship is -but we quickly became friends,” Jen says.

Jen says their friendship is not much different than traditional ones. “Once we met that first time, it was just like we had met at church or something,” she says.

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By Robin M. Cabana

If you’re a digital scrapper, one of your relatives or friends may have sent you that email that has been making the rounds with the subject line: This is you. Inside is a cartoon of a guy hugging his computer with a saying “I love my computer because my friends live in it.” You probably then printed it out to hang on your wall, posted it on your blog or forwarded it along – because it’s true!