Creating a Layout: Basic Techniques

Scrapbooking is a wonderfully creative pastime and an enjoyable way of preserving memories. Once you have learnt the basics of creating your first page (or layout) you can start to be as imaginative as you like.
Photographs
The first step is choosing pictures for your layout and the trick is not to use too many. There is no limit to how many or how few photos you have on a page but between one to three is best – a main shot and two others works well. Alternatively you could arrange your design around one central picture.Size & Shape
The key to a good scrapbook page is that it is interesting. The aim is not just to take the photos and put them in an album – that was the old way of keep them! If you use photos that are the same size on a page then it will look dull and plain. With a layout you can play around with the size and shape of each photo you use. Think about circles, ovals, squares or rounded corners. But never cut a precious photo – always make a copy and use this instead. Copies of photos can also be used to plan a layout. Make a simple photocopy of a photo to practise cropping and cutting into shapes. A photocopier can also be used to enlarge or decrease an image quickly before getting it professionally done or digitally printing it at home.You can use templates to cut photos in to any shape at all and some people even use cookie cutters as templates for even more shapes. This is great for a kids' page where fun shapes like clouds would be suitable, but don’t get carried away and always let the photos take prominence.
Top Tip
The leftover parts of photos from cropping can also be used in the layout – why not use punches to make a border.Once you have chosen your images, pick a colour scheme and theme.
Backdrop


Top Tip
To make your pages look as neat as possible it is essential to have a decent cutting tool, such as a paper trimmer or guillotine.Embellishments


Do take care not to crowd your page with embellishments. By leaving a space on your page you can draw attention to a photo or journaling entry– remember embellishments should be there to enhance your design, not take it over!
Re: What is Felt and How Can it Be Used?
i love refrigerators, i love refrigerators,i love refrigerators,i love refrigerators,i love refrigerators,i love…
Re: What is Felt and How Can it Be Used?
i love refrigei love refrigerators,i love refrigerators,i love refrigerators,i love refrigerators,i love refrigerators,i…
Re: What is Felt and How Can it Be Used?
i love refrigerators, i love refrigerators,i love refrigerators,i love refrigerators,i love refrigerators,i love…
Re: Glossary of Knitting Terminology
My knit pattern says (make two) with A, co 55 sts. What does the Make two mean?
Re: Knitting Stitches
can you tell me what p4. [p2 tog] mean please
Re: Glossary of Knitting Terminology
My instructions for one row of a pattern say to K4, *K1, lst, K2, repeat from* to last 4 sts, K4. I do not understand what…
Re: Glossary of Knitting Terminology
Cant understand shaking. Inc1 are each end of3rd row and 10 foll 4th rows then on 1 foll 6th rows. Help please.
Re: Card Stencilling Techniques
Hi I have been given a few different coloured stencils, I don't know if colour means anything,some r corner ones,others sentiments…
Re: Sell Your Home Made Cards
I make handmade albums and would be grateful if you could advice me on how I can sell them in uk only Craft fairs have become quit…
Re: Glossary of Knitting Terminology
How do I work a row that says: *P1, catch a loop between the 3rd and 4th sts, K1 and pass the loop over these stitches, P1,…