Basic Techniques

When it's time to get started on your very first exciting layout, here are some basics to get you started~

Selecting your pictures. Take your time selecting the photos you would like to scrap, there are no rules in how many photos you can put on one layout. You can have one impactful photo or a series of images depicting a holiday/special occasion. Picking photos with similar colours/themes/series of events works well on a page together.

Cropping your photos. You have to first know what you want to focus on in a photo. You can shift the focus attention of a photo by just cropping it with a computer or simply lay pieces of paper over the area you think you're cutting away. That way, it can change dramatically the emphasis of an image on the photo.

Selecting papers & cardstocks. Choose your colour scheme, either by selecting a colour from the photo you have selected or try selecting papers/cardstocks reflecting how you feel about the image.

Matting your photos. A matting technique will help you make your photo stand out from a layout and it gives a frame to your photo. Cut carstock slightly bigger than your photo then mount the photo on top of it. For extra dimension, double matting the photo will give a more impactful image.

Putting your layout together. After choosing paper for your background, you can then start arranging your layout. Do not stick anything yet, try different arrangements first. Start with your main photo in the right place and only when you're happy with the focal point, then and only then stick everything together. Add embellishments and lettering that matches your colour scheme in the layout.

and there you have it.. the basic techniques in starting your very first scrapbook layout. Its very simple. There are so many embellishments and different kinds of lettering you can use for your layout, always remember to not use too many elements on the page as that will take away the focus on the pictures.

Have fun and be daring!