Tips for the Month of July 2015

Hi!

This is a Summary of the June 2015 Tips of the Week, I've written for Sunshine Inspired Designs (SID)'s blog.

If you need to refer for some more layout examples, I've added the link to SID's blog on her weekly tip of the week post.

--o0o--

TIP No. : 10  Don't be afraid to break the rules.  You are the Storyteller and no one will tell it better than YOU.

This tip is on being yourself in expressing oneself.

Break away from all of the DO’s and DON’Ts. The rigid rules that sometimes limits your expressive ways to create more of what you feel and what you see.

Some scrapbookers work or chronicle only the What, When and Where with the right embellishments and papers for the photo sometimes forgetting the Why.  Just add journaling and written notes to adorn your layouts.

One may be on a Heritage Album project and it’s up to you if you’d like to scrap by telling the History from vintage to eclectic layout styles.

You could rather be a Humorous Storyteller by injecting lightness in your scrapping going for light to bright colors, injecting cheerful doodles on your layouts, with word arts and thought bubbles.

Scrapbook Layout Challenges on a themed or thematic challenge, to a color motif, to a quote or song topic or to any challenge topic that can be asked of, works well for those in an inspiration dilemma for an LO. Just go with what you feel, what each element or embellishment you add to your layout means to you and to the main story you are scrapping about.

This is more than having photos of or the memorabilia itself for paper layouts in form of ticket stubs, mini souvenir items to receipts added as inserts or clipped on to your LOs.

It’s forming a layout which captures the very story running in your head, what that photo means to you or just tell us why your chosen photo is significant to be documented in a layout. Just take to mind, you are the Storyteller of your Scrapbook layout and do scrap to your heart’s content.

Here are my layout examples from YEAR 2015 for Tip No. 10:

Halloween Party LO as Creative Team Member - Worker Bee for Scrappy Bee (2014); Creo by Lady Katutz LO as Creative Team Member for Sunshine Inspired Designs (2015); Happy New Year LO as Creative Team Member for Sunshine Inspired Designs (2015); and Julio LO as Creative Team Member - Worker Bee for Scrappy Bee (2015);

To read more and find more examples, visit SID's June 10th blog post.


--o0o--

TIP No. : 11  To give your letters more dimension, outline them.

This tip is on the use of alphas.  Do you ever realize or remember while working your layouts that there are cases that your title or journaling lacks in depth or dimension.  Nope, I’m not talking of how the content of your title or journaling comes across.  I’m talking about the total look of your layout created wherein, your letters or font used lacks in the added thickness.  In other words they come in too flat for your layout.  Maybe your letters or alpha choice are too thin, making your title or journaling barely readable or the letters barely recognizable depending on the type of font utilized.

The best way to create your layout with letters for those instances mentioned is to have your letters outlined.  For those utilizing Adobe Photoshop, you may use the blending tool – Stroke, for added dimension.  It’s up to you to choose the color that would be reflected in your outlined letters.  Another way, is to re-create your alphas graphically with a thicker outline.  Others use shadows for added dimension. 

Do try any of the above-mentioned, for you to get a grasp of the dimensional digital technique you would like to utilize or you would choose for your future layouts.

Here are my layout examples from YEAR 2013 for Tip No. 10:

different outlined or thicker alphas at Design Team Member LO Cafe by the Ruins for InspiredbyDominic Designs (2013); Design Team Member - Administrator Digital Card: You are a Friend as Sweet as Honey digital card/postcard for the Filipino Scrapbookers (2013); Design Team Member - Administrator Handmade Card: Snow Angel for Kaboodle Doodles  (2013); and Moonpie Creative Team Member Digital LO: Last Breakfast at Modesto's SG for Crescent Moon Designs (now Charly Renay Designs) (2013)

To read more and find more examples, visit SID's June 24th blog post.

Tips for the Month of June 2015

Hi!

This is a Summary of the May 2015 Tips of the Week, I've written for Sunshine Inspired Designs (SID)'s blog.

If you need to refer for some more layout examples, I've added the link to SID's blog on her weekly tip of the week post.

--o0o--

TIP No. : 6  When You want to use a different color scheme to the one in the photo convert your photos to black and white.

This tip is about making everything on your LO complement each other.  There are layouts that have contrasting elements and yet work.  But most or on certain instances elements and your photo don’t match or work together.

 

A technique to use when the above arises is to convert your photos into black and white.  Ditch the colored photo. 

Most of the time your elements on your layout may be in full color, may they be in bright and bold or in pastel to vintage shades.  Or you may be asked to go on a monochromatic layout.  These kinds of color schemes works well with black and white photos.  You should go and try it.  Do keep this tip in mind.

Here are my examples from YEAR 2011 & 2014 for Tip No. 6:

Design Team Member LO for Let's Get Sketchy (2011); Christmas Home Decor (2014); and Peacock Handmade Embossed Card as Admin & DT work for Kaboodle Doodles (2012)

To read more and find more examples, visit SID's May 6th blog post.

--o0o--

TIP No. : 7  An Infographic on Ways to Make use of Digital Scrapbooking Kits

These Digital Scrapbook Kits are usually for personal use only once bought.  If you'd like to make use of the kits to create products for business, make sure to look for kits with notations of "FOR COMMERCIAL USE or CU"; and you may simply ask for permission from the digital kit designer/artist.

Here are my examples from YEAR 2012 for Tip No. 7:

From L-R:  Label for a loved ones office meeting snack (2012);  Christmas cards and postcards for personal use (2014);  Birthday postcard for personal use (2015); and Christmas give-aways for the Holiday Season (2012).  

To read more and find more examples, visit SID's May 13th blog post.

--o0o--

TIP No. : 8  Remember that every layout does not have to be a MASTERPIECE and it is ok to keep the embellishments to a minimum.

This tip is on creating minimalists or less is more layouts / LOs.

Sometimes it could be a cause of stress and creative block if one should be pressured to create a MASTERPIECE for every layout done.

Keep in mind our hobby is an art done at our leisure on our own inspiration and motivation.  It should not be a cause of pressure and tension.  It is done to make oneself proud on documenting one’s family event or an important milestone in life.

The best way for these is to opt to create on a less is more style or a minimalist piece of work.  Let your creativity work on playing with lesser quantity of embellishments may it also be on a clean and simple technique on a lesser note too.  Those techniques can do.

Here are my layout examples from YEAR 2012 to 2015 for Tip No. 8:

From L-R:  Golden Bay LO as CT work for Scrappy Bee (2015); Parent's Wedding Anniversary LO as CT work for Charly Renay Designs (2014); Hi! Handmade Card as Admin & DT work for Kaboodle Doodles (2012); and Peacock Feather Embossed Handmade Card as Admin & DT work for Kaboodle Doodles (2012).


To read more and find more examples, visit SID's May 20th blog post.

--o0o--

TIP No. : 9  When you get stuck walk AWAY from the Layout.  Come back to it the next day

This tip is on taking a breather from your designs or layout.

When you've reached a blank wall or in a rut and you could not summon your inner self to create with on that very instant, it's best to stand up from your work and walk away. Take a breather and relax.

I do sleep on it or take a break with a mini snack. But most of the time, I try to relax, breathe and try to see everything around me that I have shut off momentarily while I create and design. It makes me aware and make me indulge into daily musings . . . and sometimes it takes me out of my rut and blank wall.

Most take to Pinterest Boards for inspirations. I seldom do. I do peruse my Facebook news feed but not to look for layouts to inspire me, but to read quotes and statuses of my Facebook friends. I respond to my mails and comments . And, these usually work to get me back creating a paper LO or designing a digital layout. I take to playing with design concepts on my head before I hit the computer or my craft table.

I take to Pinterest Boards to view other fellow scrapbookers works to admire them and take note of their wonderful designs but not at the moment that I'm looking for scrapbook inspiration. It is usually just clearing my head of any designing block or what others call as mental block in school or work.

To read more and find more examples, visit SID's May 27th blog post.

Tips for the Month of May 2015

Hi!

This is a Summary of the April 2015 Tips of the Week, I've written for Sunshine Inspired Designs (SID)'s blog.

It's a start for me to share them also here at my own hobby blog, Creo by Lady Katutz.  If you need to refer for some more layout examples, I've added the link to SID's blog on her weekly tip of the week post.

--o0o--

TIP No. : 1  When You have many photos you want to use in a layout, arrange them in a grid.

How do you scrap? Or digi scrap?  Are you a single photo scrapper or a multiple photo scrapper?

Our tip #1 are for multiple photo scrappers.  One technique you can make use is by “Arranging multiple photos in a grid”. 

  

This could take many forms in one’s layout:  1) I used to have multiple photos at the center of the page in a block style format (like in a grid form).  2) Another way, is if you’d want to utilize a calendar type of layout depicting highlights in a month or in a year done calendar style – much like in a grid form.  3) Or you can just plainly arrange them in a grid in any order you’d wish your photos to appear on your layout.

Here are my layout examples from YEAR 2011 & 2014 for Tip No. 1:

My 2011 to 2014 Layout Examples:  (L to R) "Kath in SG" paper LO i 2014 for Filipino Scrapbookers;  "USS Birthday Bash 2014" digital LO in 2014 with Crescent Moon Designs (now Charly Renay Designs); "Year 2013 - January" digital Project Life page in 2013; "New Hair" paper traditional LO in 2011 for Sketches4All;  "September 2011" paper traditional LO entry in 2011 at Colorful Creations;  and "My 1st 13 Years" paper traditional LO entry in 2011 at Colorful Creations.

To read more on the tip, visit SID's blog April 1st post.

--o0o--

TIP No. : 2  Keep your photos and embellishments small to get maximum ‘white space’ for modern look.

Tip #2 is on the use of WHITE SPACE on your layouts.  

 

Layouts with white space are characterized by the use of only a small area on your layout, making it possible for viewers to breathe just by looking at your layout.

By keeping your photos small and the use of embellishments to a minimum, your buying more free space or what we call white space for your layout.

These kinds of layouts are characterized by a photo in a cluster of embellishments, may they be small paper strips, small flower embellishments or elements, to a cluster of small artful doodles.

These are completely wonderful and sweet layouts to lay your eyes on. 

Here are my layout examples for Tip No. 2:

My 2011 to 2015 Examples:  (clockwise) "Jardin de Vasco de Gama" digital LO in 2014 with Scrappy Bee;  "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing" digital LO in 2015 with Scrappy Bee; "My Scrappy Life" paper traditional LO in 2011 entry at Colorful Creations (published at Scrapbooking.com in 2012);  and a Handmade Card project with Let's Make Greeting Cards' Cardmaking Day in 2012.

To read more on the tip, visit SID's blog April 8th post.

--o0o-- 

TIP No. : 3  If you want to create movements or energy tilt your photo slightly

The tip #3 is about making your layout more action-oriented or to show energy.

This is to create a layout with a little deviation to clean lines, wherein you’re introducing more energy-driven dimensions or shapes in your layout.

One of the most commonly utilized way is by tilting your photo slightly.  You may even go all the way to tilting a whole photo cluster in a certain way to denote activity in your overall layout’s look. 

Here are my layout examples from YEAR 2013 for Tip No. 3:

 My 2013 Layout Examples:  (clockwise) "Cafe by the Ruins" digital LO with Inspiredbydominic Designs;  "Rowena's Tagaytay Happy Christmas" digital LO with Inspiredbydominic Designs; "Last Breakfast at Modesto's" digital LO with Crescent Moon Designs (now Charly Renay Designs);  and "Kath" paper traditional LO with Filipino Scrapbookers.

To read more on the tip, visit SID's blog April 15th post.

--o0o--

TIP No. : 4  Don't be afraid to use paint strokes and splatters on your layouts.

This tip no. 4 is about artsy layouts and how to come up with them.  They could come in forms of pure artsy stuff or they can be grungy in look or airy.  It depends upon your theme and motif.

The best technique is to make use of paint strokes.  They may be paint smears, paint brushstrokes or the most commonly utilized are paint splatters whether in digital layouts or paper mixed media layouts.

These paint elements can be utilized to aid your background or utilized to come in the middle of the process of your layouts and not just plain background on cardstock or paper.  Or the best would be to utilize them as your layout’s accent may they appear as accent in color or in style.

Here are layout examples for Tip No. 4:

My 2014-2015 Layout Examples:  (L to R from Top to Bottom) - "Swing Into Spring" digital LO with Scrappy Bee in 2014; "All Heart Eversince" digital LO with Inspiredbydominic Designs in 2014; "Simple Life" digital LO with Sushine Inspired Designs in 2015; "Happy Easter 2014" digital LO with Scrappy Bee in 2015; "'Tis the Season" paper traditional LO in 2013; "Carol ad Kath" paper traditional LO in 2013.

To read more on the tip, visit SID's blog April 22nd post.

--o0o--

TIP No. : 5  Don't be afraid to Mix and Match Papers and Elements from Different Kits

Tip #5 is trying to utilize elements and papers from different kits and designers.  Or with paper layouts . . . make use of different collection kit in one paper traditional layout.

I have to admit I started scrapbooking not used to working with kits or known as collection kits in year 2010.  I would usually purchase pattern papers and in year 2011 digital kits and yet not work on a per collection kit or digital kit basis.  I was used to combining my scraps and different or varying papers and elements or embellishments purchased from stores or won from different challenges.

I found out that it is usually much easier to narrow down once choices and confine yourself working on one digital kit collection.  But there comes a time when you are in search of a particular element or embellishment for your layout which couldn’t be found from one and the same digital kit or paper collection kit by a manufacturer.  

It is best to combine a few digital kits to complete one’s layout or try combining and matching papers and embellishments from different manufacturers or designers for what is pleasing to the eye.

You may not work on the theme of the digital kit or collection kit you're working on and make your layout into a general-themed layout with the use of different kits or collections.  You may be going for a specific color motif or another more general theme for your project LO.  Just don’t be afraid to try and venture outside of working on just one kit.

Here are layout examples for Tip No. 5:

My 2012-2015 Layout Examples:  (L to R from Top to Bottom) - "Ribbon Flair" handmade card with Filipino Scrapbookers in 2014; "Happy, Happy 2015 Birthday" Book of Life (Project Life) digital page in 2015; "Bag of Beans" paper mixed media LO in 2015; "French Language Class (March to May 2003)" digital LO with Kaboodle Doodles in 2012.

To read more on the tip, visit SID's blog April 29th post.