Balanced and Eclectic: Achieving the Look for your Scrapbook Pages

*written by our Guest Lovely Dana Kemp*

Have you ever wondered how scrapbook artists can mix and meld patterns, colors embellishments and text styles with such ease and visual appeal? I have. And although I have always had the courage to combine elements on a scrapbook canvas, it was only recently that I actually thought about the process behind this style of paper crafting.

There are a number of ways this random, oddball eclectic look may be achieved, but I’ll discuss three simple methods that seem to have worked their way into my designer’s mental notebook. If you’re like me, you learn by example, rather than direct instruction. Read the three layout scenarios and see how I’d choose to end the tale of the scrapbook page “gone my way.”

Color Experimentation

I tend to like colors that coordinate with at least one of the colors in the photograph. I focus on the color that stands out most, and then choose its opposite on the color wheel.

Here is your scrapbook page: A picture of a child in a pink dress with a light blue background. Patterned paper selection is shades of pink with a floral pattern and a neutral cardstock choice.

Here is your scrapbook page on “oddball”: Same picture; same child, Patterned paper? Maybe not. I think I want to focus on the child in the dress. If I do decide to use patterned paper, I use it in small amounts. My cardstock choice might be pink’s darker cousin red’s opposite—green. And why be so girly with the green. Army green sounds like a goofy and rebellious choice.

Embellishment Variation

Here is your scrapbook page: A contemporary photograph brought to life with coordinating product line.

Here is your scrapbook page on “eclecticism”: A contemporary photograph with vintage-inspired embellishments. How about that picture spruced up with everyday office supplies for a futuristic look? Another popular option is to pick a period in time—60’s Mod, 80’s Punk, or even 20’s Flapper, and pick an item or two that remind you of that time. They key here is “mix it up.” Just because you have a current photo doesn’t mean you have to stick to current trends.

Shape Variation

My eyes usually gravitate toward a wide range of shapes. And while I like to see repetition of shape, something clicks in my brain and tells me to do the opposite of what would be considered normal.

Here is your scrapbook page: A square photograph with shapes reminiscent of triangles in the foreground.

Here is your scrapbook page on “random”: Let’s mix it up, shall we? How about rounded corners? Perhaps patterned paper where circles predominate? I like to see the variety that basic shapes offer. If your photograph features circles, try using paper and embellishments with triangle-like outlines, like stars and hearts. If you see lots of straight lines, add come curves using paint strokes, buttons, or flowers. It’s your world.

These are just a few ways to achieve visual balance and still have scrapbook page elements that are all over the place. With an a few fundamental concepts coupled with an open mind, the possibilities are endless.

Let’s Party Shaker Card

This fun card is brought to us by our June/July Guest Lovely Tanisha Renee! :) Tanisha is on the DT for Zsiage and this card features those products.

Supplies:
Patterned Paper - Zsiage (The Jewelry Box- Bangles,To Be Or Not To Be?- The Question)
Cardstock - Worldwin (Treasures Royal Plum)
Chipboard Alphabet- Zsiage
Adhesive - Glue Arts, Thermoweb foam strips
Pen - Sakura
Ink, Stickles - Ranger
Brad - Making Memories
Mini beads
Star sequins
Glitter
Party Hat template - Microsoft Word
Transparency


Directions
1. Cut a 7 x 9 piece of cardstock, fold in half and score.
2. Cut a 4 ½ x 7 piece of the Bangles paper, ink the edges and adhere to the front of the card.
3. Use party hat template to cut party hat from Royal Plum cardstock.
4. Cut a smaller shape from the center of the party hat and ink all edges.
5. Apply adhesive to the back side of the party hat and adhere to transparency, trimming excess.
6. Cut four ½ x 6 ½ strips from The Question paper and attach to the top of the party hat with a brad.
7. Apply foam strips to the back side of the party hat making sure that the strips touch edge to edge. (Any gaps will cause shaker box material to fall out)
8. With strip side facing up, add glitter, mini beads, and sequins to the center and remove foam strips backing.
9. Take card and press on top of the party hat. (Shaker box in now complete)
10. Ink chipboard alpha by pressing on ink pad until desired coverage is achieved and allow to dry.
11. Cover inked alpha with stickles and allow to dry completely.
12. Repeat step 10 if desired, ensuring that each coat is completely dry.
13. Adhere alphas to the card.
14. Under the party hat, write “Let’s” and then trace with stickles.
15. Use stickles to draw designs on the party hat shaker box.

Create your own Felt flower embellies!

As you all know I am addicted to felt and it is just soo easy to make your own felt embellies! just grab some felt, embroidery thread, and a needle and you are on your way to creating some very personalized embellishments for your page. This project is soo versatile because you can pick the colors you would like to use to match your layout! All that you need to do is get some felt, lightly draw some flower shapes, or whatever shapes you would like onto the felt, cut them out and then sew on them to give them some pizazz!! Add some buttons to the center to add some personality, too! Soo inexpensive and soo creative! I have posted a couple of examples of flowers thatI have done on layouts! Hope to see you all trying this soon! If you have any questions, or just want some more advice, feel free to post the questions on Scraplove and I will try to help you out!!