Scrapbook Layouts | Scraps Of Mind

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Posted by karooch on

April 17, 2008

Does Size Matter…in scrapbooking?

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The accepted standard size for scrapbooking is 12inches by 12 inches.

I’m not sure why that’s it standard, but it is.

12×12 albums don’t fit comfortably on any bookcase of livingroom shelving unit that I know of. They always stick out, inviting someone to bang into them.

I guess the size has something to to with having enough space to position several standard sized photos on the page together with embellishments. And a square is, generally speaking, an easier format to work with than a rectangle.

And as we’ve moved towards digital scrapbooking, we’ve kept the same sizing convention.

Most digital scrapbookers create their layouts in a 12×12 format. Including myself!

And the bizarre thing is that, unless we send them to a commercial printer to print out, we need to resize them down to 8×8 to fit them on our home printer.

Is it just me or does this sound crazy?

And I’m not poking my finger at other scrapbookers here. This is what I do too! I always scrap at 12×12 and resize for printing. And my layouts look great in the smaller size. And the 8×8 albums fit perfectly on my bookcase and look good too.

So does someone have the answer as to why we do it?

I know there are alternative shapes to scrap with; 8.5 inches x 10 inches or A4 size. And I’ve tried layouts in those formats. But I have to say I’m not really comfortable with them. I do prefer the square format.

So what are your views?

Are you a 12×12 scrapper or do you have another preferred format?

And does anyone know who started this scrapbook idea of a 12×12 standard?

Monochrome Scrapbook Layouts - When one color is enough

Choosing a monochrome color scheme for your scrapbook layout is not just as simple as picking the color and then selecting all your scrapbook elements in the same color.

Like all good scrapbook ideas you need to put some thought into it. First you need to think carefully about the color you select. Since this the only color you will be playing with the choice is particularly important.

As I wrote in my previous article on choosing color schemes, different colors reflect different moods. So if your photos and your scrapbook moment are of a tranquil nature, then vibrant reds aren’t going to get the right message across.

In the Bella Belliura layout I selected pinks with a slight leaning in the mauve direction for my color. I chose a monochrome color scheme for this layout because I wanted to use several photos and I wanted a floral Spring feeling to the layout without the elements competing with the photos for attention.

Amanda Sok’s Mulberry Wine Kit was perfect for what I wanted.

The important thing with a monochrome color scheme is to make sure that you add texture and dimension to your scrapbook layout to replace the interest factor of not having color combinations. So although you are only using one color, you should choose different shades, tones and depth of that color in the different components of your scrapbook layout.

In paper scrapbooking that can include using elements made of different materials, such as metal, ribbon, fabric or corrugated cardboard. In digital scrapbooking you add different drop shadows and bevels to add your dimension. And you choose elements that introduce different textures into your layout. For example the tied ribbon fluttering in the corner of the main photo and the shiny smoothness of the oval brads.

I also chose to lift the corners of my photos , using some cool templates from Scrap Girls, so they look like they’ve just been dropped loosely on the page.

Add a few techniques such as these and you’ll ensure that your monochrome color scheme is interesting and exciting and not at all dull.

And thanks to Tink for giving me the idea of scattering the photos off the edge of the page.

Try Some Repetition in your Scrapbook Layouts

When it comes to scrapbook layout design it’s a good thing to repeat yourself.

I know that sometimes you have so much you want to put on your scrapbook layout or maybe lots of photos that you want to try and incorporate in that oh so small 12×12 space. And you may not want to repeat elements when there are so many more vying for a place on the page. But there is a lot of visual power in repetition.

The eye jumps around all over the place when it’s trying to take in lots of information. That’s why we use techniques like Z-movement and the Visual Triangle to help guide it through a scrapbook layout design. And whilst the eye is jumping around your layout it’s not really focusing on your key point. This is usually the photo or it may be a particular theme or shape which your design has been built around.

Repeating this element in your layout will create more of a visual impact on the viewer’s eye and will help them to absorb the visual message you are sending them. It makes sense if you think about it. And as a scrapbook idea, I really like it.

In my Rialto Bridge scrapbook layout I’ve repeated the photo in the background to ensure the viewer’s eye is drawn to the bridge. And credits go to Valerie Randall of Scrap Girls for her wonderful Altered State kit. I just love the papers in that kit.

Repetition of scrapbook layout elements also has the effect of adding structure to your scrapbook layout design and make it easier to ‘pull’ the overall page together.

So why not try some repetition on your scrapbook layouts?

Ah said, Ah said, Why not try some repetition on your scrapbook layouts?

Sorry… I just had a bit of a Foghorn Leghorn moment.

Scrapbooking Nature

Most times the focal point of our Scrapbook Layout is the photo (although I have written previously about using journaling as your focal point).

But let’s be honest, the majority of our scrapbooking layouts are to showcase one or more photos. And the subject matter of the photos tends to be those that are dear to us: our family and friends.

So here’s the thing.

Do you scrapbook photos that don’t have people in them?

Now I don’t count pets in this. To my mind pets are just kids without the electronic toys. And I group them under family.

But do you scrapbook photos of Nature?

I mean photos of wild animals (well, let’s say animals that are not tame ones anyway). Or a beautiful rose on a bush. Or a magnificent landscape.

Scrapbook layouts of topics like this are so refreshing and make a great resting place for the eye when viewing your album.

So today’s scrapbook idea is to create a layout scrapbooking nature.

Post your layout on your blog and leave a link in the comment section of this post.

If I get enough links I’ll do another post in a couple of weeks with all the nature layout links so all Scraps of Mind Readers can visit and enjoy them.

The ‘So Who Was Bringing the Potato Salad’ layout is of three parakeets settling down to a feed at Allan’s high rise feeding dish (a popular restaurant amongst the local birdlife).

Thanks to Valerie Randall of Scrap Girls for her magnificent Altered State kit.

A Sentimental Scrapbook Layout

Hybrid Scrapbooking techniques are great if you want to make a very personal scrapbook layout with journaling that is hidden, as I have done in this Trugo Queen layout. All the digital elements in this layout are from Amanda Sok’s gorgeous Mulberry Wine kit from Scrap Girls.

I wanted to make a layout to commemorate my Mother’s passion for her sport of Trugo. And I wanted my journaling to be available to read only by those who were close to her and understood the story, not to every person who browses though my scrapbook album.

This scrapbook layout incorporates her Trugo cardigan which I still have and treasure, as well as hidden journaling.

To create a scrapbook layout background from your garment

1. Scan the garment at highest resolution your scanner can do. If you do this directly from your photo editing program it will create a file in your photo bin.

2. Create a new file in your photo editing software program (the directions in these instructions are for Photoshop Elements but the method is the same for all photo editing programs. You might have to locate the functions in different places with different programs, that’s all.)

Your file should be 12 inches by 12 inches with a resolution of 300 dpi. RGB Color and a Transparent background.

3. Drag the scanned file onto the new layout file you have just created.

4. Use the mouse to position it where you want and if you like you can reduce the size by dragging it inwards from the corners, using your mouse. If you hold the Shift key down at the same time you can maintain the proportions. This will reduce the size of your textured finish. You might want to leave some areas of seams or pockets in your background as this can add to the personality and interest of it.

5. Once you’re happy with the area of your scanned file that fits inside your layout boundaries, highlight the 12×12 layer in your Layers Pallet, with the Crop tool from the tool bar drag the mouse diagonally across the layer to crop the file to size.

Create the Scrapbook Layout

1. Design your scrapbook layout using your choice of digital elements; positioning your photo(s), embellishments and title.

2. Select an element for where you want your hidden journaling to be concealed behind. Usually your main photo as that is the largest element.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by karooch on

February 28, 2008

Touring with the Travel Teddies - Part 2

In 2000 I took an 8 week trip around the UK and Ireland with my daughter and two friends and a band of Teddy Bears. Here is the story from the point of view of the bears. Part one is HERE.
You may like to try a crazy perspective such as this when creating your own vacation scrapbook albums. I hope you enjoy the album.
WARNING: Lots of Scrapbook layouts on this page. You may experience delays in downloading.
Many thanks to Thatch and Jools who were the Tour Photographers.

Welcome back to the Saga of the Intrepid Travel Teddies on their quest through the wilds of England, Scotland, Ireland and a little bit of Wales. I recommend you read Part 1 before continuing with this final chapter.

Having explored the beautiful mountain country of The Lake District, The Bears lost no time in heading northwards to Hadrian’s Wall. Built by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in 120-30 AD in an attempt to keep the marauding Pictish Tribes out of Roman occupied Briton, The Wall presented no challenge for our Fearless Leaders as they scaled it’s rocky sides and prepared to invade Scotland.

The Authorities must have got wind of their plans because when we reached Bamburgh Castle, the Bears were thrown out on their ear for some trumped up Camera Misdemeanor (legal action pending).

Perhaps it was this that occupied their minds as they steered us around all the crinkly bits of Scotland, or just the effort in keeping our motley band organised, but they stayed away from the camera for a couple of weeks. Until we reached John o’ Groats and sailed for the Orkney Islands. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by karooch on

February 27, 2008

Are You an Environmentally Friendly Scrapbooker?

At a practical level, Scrapbooking is not a particularly environmentally friendly hobby.

Oh I know the theory of reuse that is the foundation of scrapbooking history. But in reality, how many of us actually use recycled items to make our layouts?

Let’s face it, with all the amazing bits and bobs available, it’s really hard to not want to rush out and add them to your stash. And when you’re all fired up with inspiration for that fantastic layout that’s burning a hole in your head, somehow the buttons you cut off that old cardigan last week are just not going to do the job.

But perhaps we can make a few changes to our ideas and improve the eco-friendliness of our hobby, without compromising the quality and excitement of our scrapbooking layouts.

Scrapbook Papers

A few scrapbook supply manufacturers are starting to make their scrapbooking paper from recycled paper.

This does add a degree of difficulty to the manufacturing process, because it’s a lot harder to maintain the vibrant colours and designs using recycled materials. But there are companies such as Piggy Tales that are prepared to lead the charge and make the effort to create quality products using recycled paper. I think they’re well worth checking out and giving support to. Read the rest of this entry »