Pictures and photos are the basis for any scrapbook page layout. Although colour photos give a sense of realism it is well worth experimenting with black and white photos which will give your scrapbook pages a timeless look. Most printing companies can offer to have your pictures developed in either colour or black and white so why not have one of each and see which one looks best.
If you are attempting to capture a black and white photo for the first time it is important to make sure the lighting is just right to achieve the best possible photo. It is recommended that black and white photos should be taken with natural light and during the day so no flash is therefore required.
There is a range of older style scrapbook paper to choose from which will compliment a black and white photo. You really will be spoilt for choice. The important thing is to capture the mood within the photo. You can then add some colour and scrapbook quotes to create a beautiful scrapbook page layout.
It is always nice to have a photo with someone posing exactly as you want however if all your scrapbook pages are like this you will soon lose the whole concept of why a scrapbook album is made. Having real life action pictures mean you can use imaginative scrapbook quotes and each scrapbook page layout will be totally unique and will tell a story.
If you have memorabilia from when the picture was taken such as tickets or receipts adding these items to the pages can give your scrapbook page layouts a real personal and distinctive appearance.
When designing your page layouts always begin with the picture and where you want to place the picture on the page. Then find the papers that match and get a rough idea of what embellishments you will be using. Remember you do not have to keep a 12 x 12 sheet of paper as it is, mix and match other papers, use techniques such as ripping and tearing to create something totally distinctive.
Be careful when adding more than one picture when creating your scrapbook page layouts. Remember it will look far better with less pictures than if you over crowd it with several. The best way is to find the pictures from a certain event lay them all down and choose one or two of the best ones. You can crop and cut some of the others but it is wise not to have too many the same shape and size as your scrapbook pages will begin to look like a standard photo album. Alternatively you could do a double page layout giving you more room if you really can not choose between the photos you have.
Scrapbook Page Layout Ideas
Adding tags to your pages is one of the most popular ways of entering details of the event in question. You can make your own scrapbook tags from scraps of card and accessorize it using paper clips, punches, glitter and scraps of paper that you may have considered throwing away.
Use can even use old items of clothing to bring a page to life by cutting off and using the buttons or even removing a whole pocket and adding it to your scrapbook page layout. A pocket can be used to store memorabilia or simply a great way to insert a tag.
Anyone who owns a computer can print images and pictures which will cost next to nothing. These images can be used to accessories tags and backing paper. You can search the web for online craft supplies and for scrapbook quotes or better still make you your own and print those too.
Instead of searching craft stores for fancy colored brads, change the color of the ones you already have. Most scrapbook enthusiasts will know if they enter a craft store to get some scrapbook supplies they are unlikely to leave the store with only one item so steering clear will also save you money. You can change the color of you brads by embossing them. Make sure you hold the brad with a pair of tweezers as they can get quite hot. Try not to over heat as the brad may become brittle.
You can also try decorating a paperclip with ribbon or yarn or changing the color with peel off pens. Paperclips are an alternative way to secure your pictures to your scrapbook page without having to glue the photo down.
Instead of paying out heaps of cash for rub ons, most of which never get used, why not create your own! You will need a computer, printer and transparency paper. By creating you own you can play around with different fonts and text sizes and there will be no waste as you will only print the scrapbook quotes you need.
The main thing is to keep thinking of new scrapbook ideas. When you have a scrapbook page layout in mind that requires embellishments do not rush out and buy them. Try and see if you have adequate scrapbook tools to create your own free embellishments. Making your own embellishments for scrapbook pages not only saves you money but you will also be creating something totally unique.
Above all, never throw away scrap paper or odd bits of card. In fact before you throw anything away even if it is a house hold item consider if it can be used to make free embellishments for your projects.
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