I think depression is kicking in over my recent hysterectomy because I can’t seem to bring myself to create anything new. After eight children you would think I would be ecstatic at the possibilty of never having to worry about an accidental pregnancy. Well, I am a glutten for punishment it seems and I am completely depressed. I look at how big the baby is getting with each passing day and know that soon they will all be grown. I guess scrapbooking these moments is going to be my salvation once they are grown; at least until the granchildren start coming.

I have been looking into clip-art lately, I am trying to find a quality commercial use site that offers more art for your buck. So far I am just disappointed. Every site has so many technicalities on how you may use the items and the sites offering free use is a waste of time. Unless you are artistically talented then I think you will need to invest a lot of time into your graphic art programs to create your own art, at least then you should have no problems with copyright issues.

That is a big thing that all designers need to be aware of, copyright infringement is punishable within the law. You can not use any item or image that belongs to someone else without their approval; and even then you must read the small print and make sure you adhere to all rules set out for you. I see alot of digital scrapbook kits that use common figures from cartoons and movies within their kits; eventually they will be caught and have to face the repercusions. My rule of tumb, either create it yourself or purchase a commercial license from other digital scrapbook designers. At least then you will know that next year someone is not banging on your virtual door demanding compensation for copyright infringement. More times than not they want a price that is more than you made for selling the item in the first place.

Think of it this way; you drew a kitten and posted it on your Blog to show your friends your wonderful talent. Six weeks later you download a kit you paid for and to your surprise that very kitten is in the kit. You just paid someone else to purchase your own creation. Sucks right? How many people do you think now have your kitten image and you never saw a pennie for your troubles.

 Basic rule of thumb with digital art is this; it is owned by someone and if you do not know who that is then you do not have permission to use their work; and just because you purchase a kit that doe nots imply that you now “own” that kit.

Well, I will be back tomorrow until thenL Kiss your babies!

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