Fast and Easy Page Layouts for BeginnersFast and Easy Page Layouts for Beginners Scrapbooking for beginners should include simple page layouts. Here are step-by-step instructions for constructing an easy page layout for your next scrapbooking adventure. • Select 1 or 2 pictures for your page. • Pick out 2 or 3 colors of scrapbooking paper that match and accent each other and your photos. • Plan your page by using elements that balance each other. • Add your “Title” or “Header” to your page. • Now crop your photos, by removing unwanted backgrounds and unnecessary space. • Create photo mats and choose your embellishments. • Use your adhesive to glue your photos and accents on your page. • Leave room for journaling. • Finally do your journaling. Record your feelings and tell your story. Creating simple, yet appealing easy page layouts will assist beginners in starting out right. As you become more experienced you can attempt to create more complex designs.
Scrapbooking Sticker Placement to Enhance Your Easy Page Layouts Sticker placement can be tricky and if you put a sticker in the wrong place it may be hard to move it once it is stuck to your paper. When using small stickers you want to refrain from using a large amount. This prevents the page from looking cluttered. You can make a large sticker look neat and more noticeable by outlining it with a solid color of paper that matches your original scrapbooking paper (this can also be done when using letter stickers). Another sticker placement solution you can try is to cover strip of cardboard with waxed paper. Arrange stickers or letters on it and place it on page to see how it would look and/or fit. Stickers and letters can be easily removed from waxed paper. Also, with your sticker sheet you can cut each section apart, keeping your backing intact and rearrange the pieces until your get them where you want them. Then, peel off the backing and adhere the sticker to your page layout. Organize Your Scrapbooking Ideas for Your Easy Page Layouts Scrapbooking is fun and relaxing for most scrappers. Once in a while you might get stuck and not be able to think of new ideas for your scrapbook pages. In order to get past this you need to organize your ideas in your head or better yet on paper. Keep a journal of creative or artistic ideas that come to you at various times during the day. Write down supplies you have on hand and make a list of supplies you need for future pages. Organize your pictures by year or by theme. Organize your supplies before you scrapbook with friends so you make sure you take everything you will need. Make a list of the things you will need to complete the pages you want to work on. If you are well organized you will be able to relax and let your imagination go! Photograph Suggestions for Scrapbook Easy Page Layouts Scrapbook photos are used to tell a story. Your scrapbook easy page layouts tell your story. Photographs are an important part of the storytelling process. Selecting the right photos for your pages is essential to your narrative. Many photos that are included in scrapbooks are posed pictures. They are either professional pictures from school years, weddings, anniversaries or they are pictures at events and locations where you posed in front of something for the photograph. Candid shots are much more inviting. Pictures where the person is not expecting to be photographed tend to be more interesting. Use these unplanned photos along with the posed pictures to create a wonderful story of your life. Don't forget to create a focal point so you portray the right story ideas. Creating a Focal Point for Your Scrapbooking Layouts Scrapbook pages and easy page layouts should have a focal point. Your page should tell a story. A focal point is the easiest way to do tell your story. To check your layout, quickly look at the page, then ask, "What's the first thing I see on this page?" If it's not your most important photo then you need to readjust your focal point. Here are some suggestions on how to create the correct focal point for your scrapbook pages. 1. Size. In general, large photos make the best focal points because they are the first to catch the eye. If you have a photo you especially like, you may want to have the photo enlarged if it is not already the right size. 2. Matting. When matting your photo, be sure to select colors that complement your photo so your focus remains on it. Also, experiment with the sizes of the mats for your focal-point photo. You can try varying the widths of the mat, leaving an uneven mat for journaling, or using patterned paper to enhance the general theme of your easy page layout. 3. Shape. When matting your focal point photo, don't feel limited to the size and shape of the original. Call attention to your focal-point photo by adding a contrasting shape. For example, a circular photo on a square mat or an oval photo on a rectangular mat can make good focal point options. 4. Accents. Enhancements are an easy way to highlight a focal-point photo—especially if you're dealing with a photo that's not all that bright or eye-catching. Adding embellishments to your focal point is a smart way to instantly convey the theme or message of a layout. Make sure that the enhancements don't overshadow the focal point—remember that your photos should be the most important part of the layout. Portraying the right story or image is extremely important for your memory albums. Focal points are an essential part of your scrapbook easy page layout. Keeping It Simple Scrapbooking Scrapbooking is meant to be relaxing. It is a time for you to let your creativity go in different directions; if your scrapbooking sessions are stressful then it's time to take another approach. The best advice for a stressed out scrapper is to follow the keep it simple scrapbooking technique. Keep the designs simple and straightforward, particularly in the beginning. Make your page designs as easy as can be, while telling the story in a nice, clean way. There are no rules in scrapbooking. Page layouts can be designed however you wish. Remember you are preserving your one-of-kind, unique memories. No one else has the exact same experience. You can tell your story the way you want it to be told. Scrapbooking Adhesive White glue (Elmer's) is not recommended for a scrapbooking adhesive for a couple of reasons. First, it tends to make the paper buckle or crease. Next, although it is non-toxic and acid-free it tends to get brittle with age. Finally, it is messy and hard to work with. There are so many kinds of scrapbooking adhesives available at your local scrapbook supply store that you don't have to spend a lot to get a great adhesive for your scrapbooking needs.
Simple Embellishments to Personalize Your Albums Here are some ideas for simple embellishments that will personalize your pages. Use memorabilia to accent your scrapbook pages and photos. For example, you can cut out parts of maps, vacation brochure, save ticket stubs, etc., to use on your pages for embellishments. Don't overdue your pages with embellishments remember, you want your photographs to be the most important. Use photo sleeves to store items you want to keep. Anything you can tuck in between the pictures that are related to that person or event will accentuate your page immensely. Stickers, brads, eyelets, fibers and other types of embellishments should be used sparingly. Remember simple is better. Don't overwhelm yourself with too many products. Your pages will look their best if they are kept basic and clutter-free. Newspaper Clippings in Your Scrapbooks Newspapers may contain stories and memories we want to preserve and include in our scrapbooking albums. Unfortunately, newspapers are made of paper that contains acid and other chemicals that can deteriorate the paper. If your photographs touch untreated newspaper they might be ruined. Old newspapers get a yellowish color as they decompose, but with a little preventive maintenance, your newspaper clippings will be able to be viewed by future generations. Here are your options: 1. Use an archival spray called Archival Mist. The ingredients in the mist neutralize the acid in the paper and helps restore it back to its original state. This product may be somewhat expensive in price. You can buy this mist at scrapbook supply stores. 2. Krylon a paint company has came out with their own product that neutralizes the acid in paper called Make It Acid Free. It is reported that Krylon's product is much more cost efficient than the above-mentioned Archival Mist. Check for this product at stores selling spray paint. 3. You can scan your clippings onto acid-free paper and disregard the original. Scanners can do a good job recreating documents to look just like the original. 4. If you don't have a scanner; you can take your newspaper clippings to your local print shop and have them copied onto acid-free paper. These are great options for you to be able to preserve your memories and keep your newspaper clippings in your scrapbook without damaging other materials and photographs
Easy Page Layout Ideas Brainstorming for new ideas is half the battle when it comes to creating your easy page layouts. Sometimes your mind can draw a blank when you sit down to have a cropping session. With so many ideas running through your mind during the day it is almost impossible to remember them all. So one suggestion is to keep a notebook near by to jot down your ideas and maybe even draw some design sketches so it will be easy to recall later. You can also browse magazines and idea books for new designs and page layouts. If you find something you like mark it in the book so you can reference it later. Another suggestion is to create your easy page layout idea even if you don't have the photos available. You can get everything made and add your photos later. Keeping track of innovative ideas will help you make the most of your scrapbooking time. If you have the ideas then you will be ready to make several pages and use your time wisely. Using Your Scrapbook Paper Scraps When you are creating your scrapbook easy page layouts you are sure to have leftover paper scraps. Some of the paper will be in strips; it will probably be in various shapes and sizes. You don't need to waste you paper scraps by throwing them away. You can use them for future easy page layouts. Here are some suggestions for using your scrap pieces to create beautiful designs for your scrapbooking albums. • Make a unique page topper by cutting odd sized/shaped squares and using them to mat your letters. You can magnify your letters with these exclusive mats • Make decorative page accents by using up some scraps with your favorite punches. Scraps are also useful for making confetti, photo corners, mosaic tiles, collages and are great for serendipity squares. • Scraps can also be used to make rare borders and backgrounds. Your possibilities are endless so don't waste your scraps you could be tossing a beautiful layout idea.
Economical Scrapbooking Tips for Your Easy Page Layouts Scrapbooking can get expensive and there are so many supplies and items to choose from you can quickly end up spending more then you wanted to. Here are some tips to keep you on track and save yourself some money. 1) You don't need every new tool. Scrapbooking is constantly growing; sit down and come up with a list of items you must have (for example paper, some type of adhesive, etc.) and a list of items that you want to have, then go from there as your budget permits. 2) Share supplies. If you have even just one other friend who scraps, you can double your access to scrapbooking tools. For example, if you or your friend goes shopping, she can buy one punch and you can buy a different one. You can also do this with scissors, stamps, eyelets and other accessories. 3) Keep your layouts simple. Consider using mostly solid colored papers and cardstock, instead of pattern papers and avoid using stickers (which can be costly). 4) Create your own templates. Instead of buying templates, you can create your own on plastic lids or use craft punch cut outs. 5). If you have Internet access, you have a wealth of information available to you for free. For example, there are many websites, which have ideas for titles for your pages or even poems, so there is no need for you to purchase books that offer these. There are also many sites online that have fonts you can download for free, which can help you add variety to your pages. There are so many layout ideas available online you don't need to purchase idea books either. 6) Swap your extras. If you have extra paper because you purchased too much or maybe a large selection of die cuts, consider swapping them with someone who might have something you could use. 7) Wait for special coupons. In many areas they have crafts store, which occasionally put out 40% off coupons. Wait for these coupons and then go and buy something on your wish list that you could not otherwise afford. By using these money-saving suggestions you can cut down on your expenses, but still enjoy your scrapbooking hobby.
Creative Photo Corners for Your Easy Page Layouts Photo corners can be a wonderful addition to your scrapbook page layouts. Add variety and originality to your photos. Jolees offers many kinds of unique photo corners, such as daisies in assorted colors, pearl centered flowers, bumble bees and more. EK Success also produces a variety of photo corner in several different shapes and styles, They have baseballs, Mickey Mouse heads, lady bugs, etc. There are several types of decorative corners available for purchase at scrapbooking supplies retailers. You can also make your own original photo corners to hold your photographs on your pages. Here are a few ideas: • Cut a 3"-4" round paper doily into four pieces leaving you with four quarter-pieces. Fold the long edges in to the center to create decorative photo corners for your photos. For antique photos try cream-colored doilies that will accent you're the colors in your photographs. • You can use rubber stamps to create photo corners. Place the picture on the page and mark the four corners very lightly with a pencil. Set the photo aside. Stamp over the marks with your stamps. Using a craft knife, cut around the inside of the stamped image (not around the whole image). Slide the corners of your photos in the four small slots created by partially cutting around the inside of the stamped image. • Use Band-Aids as corners for pictures of boo boos. Plain band-aids are acid-free. This will add a creative twist to a children's scrapbook easy page layouts. Whether you purchase photo corners or make your own, you will be able to off set your page with these handy embellishments.
Photo Cropping for Your Easy Page Layouts A basic rule to live by in scrapbooking is to crop your photos. Why waste good space on a photo whose subject is in the corner of the photograph? Instead lop off excess by considering what no one would miss. You can buy stencils to make this easier. If you want to make straight lines, the human eye is terrible at this. Use a ruler. Also, if you are cutting off a landscaping view you may want to keep it in a scrap pile for a later purpose.
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