Basic Techniques

By Cut the Crop

Layout Basics

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Choose photos: Pick your pictures based on one theme or event—a vacation, a holiday or special event. Pick photos that are the most important in telling the story.  One picture should be the focal point and the others are to support the layout.  Each page you create is telling the story or feelings of the event.

Many page layouts are created in a double-page spread—in other words, when you open your album, both pages, the page on the right and the page on the left will coordinate in theme and color.  You might want to have one special photo on a page and on the opposite page you might want to fit 3 or 4 photos.  The amount of pictures you decide to add to your layout is your own preference.  Often layouts look best if you don’t crowd the layout too much.

If you don’t have enough photos for a double-page spread, you can create single page layouts. Don’t feel you always have to do a double-page spread. Work with what you have, rather than how you think your album should be laid out. There’s no right or wrong way to scrapbook your layouts; have fun!

However many photos you decide to use on your layout, there should be a common theme between them. Once you’ve chosen a theme, decide which pictures look best together.

Tips and Techniques Idea and other Idea Books can be purchased at Cut the Crop

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Choose your papers: Once you have your photos chosen, pick the background paper and the other papers for your layout.  I usually choose a solid color background and coordinating papers to go with it.  Many of the products today have coordinating papers.  A solid paper usually has coordinating pattern paper, stripe paper, check etc.  This makes choosing papers that compliment each other so much easier.  If you chose a pattern paper I would use one that is muted and not too bright.  If you have a photo that has a lot of distracting colors in it use a neutral background.  The brighter the pattern in the paper the more it distracts from the photos and the story of the layout; a little goes a long way.  Choose patterns that enhance your theme.  You should also mat your photos with the solid papers you have chosen for you layout.

I would also recommend that you layer the papers so your layout is using all or some of the coordinating papers, this adds depth and interest to your layout.  Most lines out today not only have papers that all coordinate but they usually have many embellishments to go along with it, such as buttons, ribbons, fibers, stickers etc.

Example: All these papers are by Doodlebug & are made to coordinate together

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See all our double page layout kits can be purchased at cut the crop

Mat  photos. If you choose to use a patterned paper as a background for your photos, it is best to mat your photo on a solid paper first.  In this way the colors and shapes in the photo don’t compete with the colors and shapes of the paper. To mat a photo, just adhere it to your paper and trim it 1/8”-1/2” from the photo edge to create a border around the picture. The purpose of the mat is to provide visual “space” between the photo and the paper. Matting your photos has a more finished look.

Layout your page. Arrange your photos, journaling, embellishments, etc. on the background paper. Before you adhere them, move them around to make sure you like the placement.

All your layouts should include these basic design principals.

The basic design principals are balance, proportion, rhythm and unity.  It is also a good idea to sketch out your layout idea.  It’s okay to “Scrap Lift” a layout you love.  Using all the idea books is a great resource whether you are a beginner or a more advanced scrapper.

Page layout cards and other products to assist you in organizing your projects can be purchased at Cut the Crop

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Journaling. I would start by journaling on scrap paper or on your word processor, get all your thoughts down, check your spelling and then decide if you want the journaling done in your handwriting or, as many scrappers do today, create your journaling using your computer.  The internet has so many resources to download FREE fonts for your journaling.  Using the right font can really enhance the mood of the page you are creating. Print it out on the paper you want and adhere it to your layout.  If you choose to journal in your own handwriting, you can do that right on the page or cut a piece of coordinating paper that will fit in the area you want for your journaling and adhere.  Using your own handwriting is also a great way to really make your layout unique and it will be something that will be very special for those people who look at your scrapbook for years to come.

Your journaling should tell the story of your photos and memories. Maybe your journal will be about someone's reaction or your thoughts; you can even ask someone else’s perspective of a shared moment. 

Some writing prompts:

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Ask why a particular event or subject is important, this will make the journaling more meaningful.  If you are scrapping subjects that are the same as others you have done in the past, include what makes this year's event different, such as, who was there, your thoughts and observations of this year's event, or maybe just a page title is all you need. Ask yourself Who, What, Where, When, and Why?  Using quotes or song lyrics can also be a great way to express your layout.

Vellum for journaling Vellum isn’t as porous as regular paper; the ink will “sit” on top. Try journaling with Zig Writers or Slick Writers.  Just remember to always let the vellum dry for a few minutes before working with it.

For an extra-special effect, color with chalk, markers or colored pencils on the reverse side of a sheet of white vellum. Chalks and colored pencils will give a soft, muted look, while markers can produce a stained-glass effect.

Printing on Vellum. You can run vellum through a printer. Just be sure to let the ink dry for a few minutes before handling. And if you’re printing multiple sheets, be sure to remove the vellum from the tray after each sheet prints.

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Eyelets are a great way to attach things to a page or simply to add color and interest; they are a great embellishment. They come in many shapes, sizes and colors. I would recommend that use eyelets that are aluminum, they are easier to use.  Others are too hard of a metal, and you may have difficulty getting them set.

     Doodlebug Aluminum eyelets and other embellishments can be purchased at Cut The Crop

Here are some of the different setters out today:

• Instant setter by Making Memories

• Silent Setter by Provo Craft

• Ready Set Tool by Ready Set

• Clikit by Karen Foster

Tools needed are an "anywhere" hole punch, the eyelet setter, hammer and a mat. This is how to set the eyelets:

• Step One:
  Place your paper on the mat face up and decide where you want to insert your eyelet. Hold the anywhere hole punch upright, with the punch part on the spot where you want your eyelet. Use the hammer to hit the top of the punch; this will create the hole in the paper.

• Step Two:
  Insert the eyelet and turn the paper over.

• Step Three:
  Place the eyelet setter on top of the eyelet. Tap the top of the eyelet setter with the hammer to flatten the eyelet ridge onto the paper.

Silent Setter

Ready Set Tool

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• Pick cutting die and insert it into the magnetic receptacle in the bottom of the tool.

• Place the cutting die against the material to be cut. (a good solid surface works best to cut on).

• Hold the tool with two or three fingers resting the heel of the hand on the table.

• Grasp the top of the tools with the other hand

• Extend the tool upward.

• Release the top of the tool, allowing it to snap back into its starting position.

• Once the hole has been punched, remove the cutting die from the tool and replace it with the appropriate setting dies.

• Insert the embellishment through the face of the work piece with it’s head on the mat and the stem extending upward through the work piece.

• Position the tip of the setting die into the stem of the embellishment.

• Repeat steps 4 thru 5.

• At this point the embellishment is not tightly attached to the page and can be repositioned if necessary.

• Remove the setting die and turn the tool upside down, placing the blunt end of the tool onto the splayed stem of the embellishment.

• Repeat steps 4 thru 6.

• The embellishment should now be set completely.

Cliktit Tool

Spring action tool. Sets eyelets with a twist and click. Clikit™ comes with ten (10) interchangeable tips, a starter set of two (2) size of eyelets, a punch pad and complete instructions all in a handy custom wooden box.

Inserting Brads

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Brads come in a verity of colors, sizes and shapes today; they are easy to use and really add something special to your layouts.

Get a mouse pad and larger needle.  Take you mouse pad and place it under your paper where you want the brad to go, take you needle and make a hole in the paper where the brad will go.  Take you brad and insert it, turn your paper over and flatten the prongs.

Sample of brads: You can purchase these and many other brads, as well as other embellishments at Cut The Crop

Tearing Paper

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Sample tearing on a tag.  More samples can be seen on the gallery page of Cut The Crop

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Most full product lines have created coordinating buttons in an array of colors and shapes.  Buttons are very affordable and easy to use.  They add great dimension to any layout.  No special tools needed you can just adhere them with ZOTS, glue, thread, ribbon, wire, twine or fibers.  For an attractive look, group them in odd numbers.

                     These and other embellishments can be purchased at Cut The Crop

Ribbon

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Ribbon adds a special look and feel to you layouts.  Typically purchased by the yard.  The best way to attach ribbon is the run it through a Xyron machine, but if you don’t have a Xyron machine, you can also glue it down or use Zips by Thermo Web.

                                           Ribbon and other fibers can be purchased at Cut The Crop

General Information

Idea books and magazines are a great way to learn about scrapbooking.  Conventions (check out our section on events) and classes at your local scrapbook store are also great ways to learn more about scrapbooking.  Some great magazines are Creating Keepsakes, Simple Scrapbooks, Paperkuts and Memory Makers, to name just a few.

Supplies

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Basic Supplies.  All of your basic supplies can be purchased at Cut The Crop

• Paper Cutter

• Adhesive

• Eyelet setter

• Album

• Coordinating Paper

• Sharp Scissors

• Pens

• Basic Book

• Ruler

• Embellishments (buttons, ribbon, stickers, die cuts etc)

• Your photos: Start small so you don’t get overwhelmed! Begin with your most recent photos and work backward.

12x12 Kit

12x12 Post-bound Album

8x8 Mono Mini

6x6 Peek A Boo Binder

To find out how to organize your photos, check out our links page.