Scrapbooking Layouts - How to Enhance Your Pictures
Caught up in the scrapbooking fever? If you are, you are sure to have a heap of supplies - precut cards, packaged
themes, stickers, papers and so on. But what if you feel your scrapbooking efforts are becoming ho-hum? You need to
get inspired; you need to get started by experimenting with scrapbook page layouts so you can go
faster!
Scrapbooking as an art means more than just pasting photos and newspaper clippings into a book. The scrapbook layout contributes to the enjoyment of the viewer and is also the main source
of creativity for scrapbooking enthusiasts.
So where do you begin to create great looking scrapbooking layouts?
SELECTING A THEME
Start with a theme - are you presenting a page about the birth of a baby? A holiday trip? An engagement? A sporting
event?
Your theme can be anything. If you have photos of Jiggy the cat sleeping on Uncle Ben and want to scrapbook them,
then do it!
SELECT YOUR PHOTOS
Choose the best photos. They do not have to be the best composition since you can crop them later, but try to avoid
fuzzy shots or awkward angles (unless that's part of their charm!)
Try to use odd numbers of photos since they tend to be more appealing in any layout. Three, five or even seven if
you're spreading them across two pages - will work best for an appealing scrapbook page layout.
CHOOSE YOUR COLORS
Is there a dominant color in the pictures? Or is there a color you wish to highlight (such as baby Jean's red
dress)?
Using a color wheel as a guide, find the color you wish to use and create a complimentary layout using the hues on
either side of your selection. If you want some pizzazz try using the color directly opposite your selection on the
color wheel. These shades make each other jump while colors close on the color wheel will create a more soothing
visual effect.
CHOOSE A FOCAL POINT
If you are composing a real collage you might want your title to be the focal point. Other focal points could be
the largest picture or an embellishment or memento.
Some other ideas for a good scrapbooking page layout is to highlight one photo or
item, such as a newspaper clipping, in the middle. Layout the other photos around the focal point. They can be
aligned, angled or scattered depending on the look you are trying to achieve.
Part of the art of scrapbooking is cropping pictures. Cutting the edges of your pictures into a shape, or just to
remove excess space, will enhance your scrapbooking layout.
START LAYERING
The secret to a beautiful scrapbook page is in the layers. It does not have to be complicated, but should lend
personality and charm to your layout.
Bordering pictures in the complimentary colors quickly draws attention to them. This can be done with paper borders
or drawn on with markers, paints or even glitter. Consider using something original to highlight your focal point;
a paper lunch bag as the backdrop for a school picture. A strip of baby blanket can be used in a baby album. Be
creative - glue buttons, barrettes, ribbons, Band-Aids or other tangible items around pictures.
Give your picture a backdrop with colored paper. Layer strips of coordinating papers, gift wrap or cardstock and
vary the edges depending on your look. You can use hole punches, torn edges or clean lines to enhance your
scrapbook layouts.
Enjoy your designs and look for ideas from other scrapbookers, magazines and online. Your scrapbook is unique, so
don't be afraid to try something different! with your unique scrapbook page layouts.
See Also: Choosing Scrapbooking Layouts
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