| Quick Tips: At the Shore |
|
One
Layout - Three Simple Tips |
This simple layout incorporates three quick tips that you can add to your scrapbooking arsenal to combat scrapper's block.
Tip 1 - Shoot in Black and White
Black and white photos allow you to re-create the mood for the occasion without being distracted by how the colors turned out in your photography. Cathy Zielski from Simple Scrapbooks Magazine had this to say in our special guest chat when asked why scrapping black and white photos is easier, "You are not constrained by the colors in your photos. You can choose cardstock and patterned papers based on the mood you are trying to achieve and not the colors in your photo. For me, that is one step simpler."
Notice in the layout how the fact that the photos are black and white changes the focal point of the pictures. By stripping away colorful distractions, the simple things become the focus. The colors of the swimming suit no longer distract the eye away from her adorable smile. The shades of the beach chair no longer compete with the shapes in the pattern that I wanted to accent instead.
Do you have some photos that might be easier to scrap if they were in black and white? Try scanning them into your computer and changing them over to black and white with your photo editing software.
Tip 2 - Repetition
Repetition is an important graphic design concept and something that many scrapbookers seem to pick up intuitively. In this layout, squares became the element that I chose to repeat. I included them on the photo mat, in the title, and even made a photo border by cutting select portions of photos into squares to highlight just certain elements of the day. This repetition of squares helps draw the eye from the focal point photo, down through the title, and it ends on the supporting square photos.
Think, "What element can I repeat to pull my layout together?" next time you start working on a scrapbook page.
Tip 3 - Mosaic Titles
Quick and fun mosaic titles can be made by combining Phrase Cafe (tm) title stickers with Tiles Play (tm) Mosaic Stickers both from Stickopotamus. The phrase stickers are clear and blend in with the shiny raised finish of the mosaic squares. Simply cut apart the title and adhere parts of it to each of the tiles. Note how I kept some of the smaller words together on a couple squares, while cutting the larger word of the title into individual letters. Stickers are a very flexible tool to work with. Feel free to cut them apart and put them back together to get just the right size for your tiles.
If you can't find Mosaic Stickers at a scrapbook store near you, try making your own by adding Crystal Lacquer or clear embossing power to pre-cut cardstock squares in your choice of colors. After your squares are dry or heat embossed, add stickers to complete your title.
Watch for more Quick Tips articles coming soon!
Do you have some tips you want to share? Come join us on the About Scrapbooking Forum.
