Text and graphic design elements have always been popular scrapbook page embellishments. Brackets are essentially just a keyboard icon that can be turned into a scrapbook page decoration. They can be used to draw attention to a particular photo, highlight a passage of journaling text, or to group items together on a scrapbook page. Below, you will find two scrapbook page ideas about very different themes that both use brackets in the design. Also included here are three free bracket patterns to help you get started using brackets on your scrapbook pages.
Off to Kindergarten - Scrapbook Page with a Large Bracket
Jennifer Schmidt
On this Back to School scrapbook page, designer Jennifer Schmidt used an extra large bracket to pull-together the whole scrapbook page. For more school scrapbooking ideas and free pattens be sure to read School Scrapbook Page Ideas and Free Paper Piecing Patterns. The large bracket with a ribbon tied around it draws the reader's eye to the focal point photo while also connecting it to the title of the page.
Supplies Used on This Scrapbook Page: Sticker Letters - Bella Blvd. "Carla Mud Pie"; patterned paper - Sandy Lion "Kelly Panacci"; stickers - Journal labels - Sandy Lion; button and ribbon - Hot Off The Press; Floss - DMC; Lettering - Dymo Label Maker; Apple Punch - Marvy.
Egg Hunt - Scrapbook Page Using a Small Bracket
Ludens
The bracket doesn't have to be extra-large to carry a lot of weight on your scrapbook page. Here I used the bracket to balance the photos on the page. I printed Bracket Pattern 1, found below, in three sizes on white cardstock so that I could decide which one would work best with my layout design. The scrapbook page also features Toothpick Mini Flag Embellishments. You can find step by step instructions for these fun little scrapbook page decorations along with some free flag patterns in the article Toothpick Flags for Scrapbooking.
Supplies Used on This Scrapbook Page: Sticker Letters and Patterned Papers all from the Basic Grey "Life of the Party" line; silver mini brads - HOTP; ribbon - unknown; lettering - Brother P-touch 1180.
Arial Black - Free Bracket Pattern 1
Ludens
The first bracket pattern is a basic block style bracket. It is made using Word Art and the Arial Black font. You can create brackets, punctuation, or other text based patterns by following my instructions in the step by step article Block Letters for Scrapbook Titles.
Remember that to save this pattern to your computer, you will want to click on it to view it full-size. Then, right click on the full-size pattern and select "save as."
By inserting your saved image into your favorite word processing program (select "Insert" and "Picture from My Computer" to find your saved bracket file) you will be able to re-size the bracket to fit your scrapbook page layout design.
Baskerville Old Face - Free Bracket Pattern 2
Ludens
The second free bracket pattern for scrapbooking uses the Baskerville Old Face font to create a more elegant style. This bracket would be perfect on pretty pages that feature things like formal pictures, baby girls, or anything that needs a more stylish embellishment. Follow the instructions above in Bracket 1 to save this bracket pattern to your computer and also to resize it for printing as needed.
Hightower Text - Free Bracket Pattern 3
Ludens
The third free bracket for scrapbooking uses the Hightower Text font. It is definitely a more casual bracket with rounded edges. It would be great on sports, little boy, or vacation scrapbook page layouts. Follow the instructions above in Bracket 1 to save this pattern to your computer.
