Scrapbook Basics: The Middle - Part 2

Creating Layouts

So you've gathered all of your supplies (card stock, accent paper, embellishments, photos, and mementos) and are ready to get started! But how? 

First, decide which photos you want to start with. If you are creating a multi-page layout or full album, remember to grab your outline that you created - now is the time you will start using it. The best way to start is to just place your items on the background cardstock, or which ever paper you have chosen, and move them around until you see a nice arrangement. Be sure to add any personal mementos you want to us as well, as you'll need to account for the space for them.

If you're using a kit or have coordinated your accent papers, now is the time to see which ones you like best with the background, and your photos. If it doesn't seem to look quite right, try switching out your background colors as well, sometimes the color you thought you might use ends up not looking as good as you thought. I usually pick one main accent page (per page) and will then add a smaller second accent paper in any open space. Sometimes a 3rd accent in the form of a banner will also be added.

Then choose any additional accent paper if you have open spaces that you'd like to have a pattern on.  For this layout I only really had open space on the far left side, so I cut a small strip to add some interest to that side.  Here you can also cut and add your colored cardstock if you are using mattes behind your photos (I almost always do.) Add any additional tags or journaling cards, or any other embellishments you may want.

At this point your layout is nearly complete! Once you have positioned everything as you wish and are happy with how it looks, begin securing the papers and photos to the page. I use double sided photo splits, but there are many products out there that you can use as adhesive.  

Once the layout is done, I usually put it aside for a little while and will look at it later, or the next day. I often decide to add a small embellishment here or there on the page.  Congrats! You have finished your layout!