How do you keep coming up with ideas for every page while scrapbooking?
It gets a little hard for me to come up with something new and interesting for every page. How do you get your inspiration? Is it the setting? How you feel at the time? What makes you feel creative?
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Mine are usually based on my travels, and I get sticker kits and try to coordinate everything around them. Some of my pages are more “creative” than others. It’s a mix of mood, the place I am scrapbooking about, and the pictures I am using. My scrapbook is probably more “basic” than some that are out there, but I try to have a fun background paper, and the border my photos with 2 layers of plain paper for more contrast. The sticker sets I get really make a difference and I sometimes use the stickers on the corners of the photos.
Isis Grace,
PLEASE TAKE NOTE …
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I HAVE ADDED ON TO PARTS OF MY PREVIOUS ANSWER
….. changes were made Tuesday and more on Wednesday,
I just keep thinking of more things to add,
I love to spark creativity in others!
It’s what lights a spark in me!
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Looking for INSPITATION ? ……….
IT IS ALL IN THE PICTURES!
REALLY, THEY SAY IT ALL ……….but it does help to know how to find creative ways to make your layouts “speak to you”!
I will list some of the tools that I use to help me get the creative wheels turning…….
*** What feelings do these photos convey as you look at them? Use that adjective to create a title and a “visual feel.”
*EXAMPLE:
Photos of children playing may evoke feelings of a “Carefree Innocence”, …and poof, there is your title! Then you may equate this feeling with pastels, and now you have a color pallet to work with, even if the children are wearing bright colors, you can still use those colors in a pastel or muted hue of those colors!
*** Which of, (or how many of) your five senses are stimulated by what is in the photos, use those senses within your pages theme. By equating those senses with colors, temperatures, smells, tastes and sounds it will help guide you to use them as your pages message.
*EXAMPLE:
If you have photos of a sledding outing, you may equate the cold to the color blue, like an ice blue. Now you have a direction to go with for part of your color pallet. From there you may choose to use purple as an accent color because your friend had on a purple hat & mitten set!
*** Picking the layouts color scheme may begin by picking out either a prominent color from the photo -OR- a very subtle color, and going from there.
*** Using a color wheel helps to create an array of color possibilities. It is a must have reference tool!
*EXAMPLE:
Using colors that are opposite of each other on the color wheel are actually complimentary colors and are pleasant to the eye, this may be a color combination that you would not of thought of before, so it can be a great way to bring life to a picture that otherwise just sat there!
Using other color wheel principles is a lot of fun and can really help you out when you don’t know what color direction to go in! Information on how to do this can be found on many scrapbooking web sites and magazines
Below are more examples of ways to come up with a title, theme or photo caption for your pages and layouts:
*** When looking at your chosen photo(s) does a quote come to mind?
~ All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my Mother… -Abraham Lincoln
~ Grow old along with me the best is yet to be….-Robert Browning
*** Bible Scriptures and Proverbs can capture a photos esscense.
~ When friends meet, hearts warm… -Proverb -
~ Whatever things you ask for in prayer, believing, you will receive… Matthew 21:22
~ Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is the reward…Psalm 127:3
*** Does a well known phrase, saying or sentiment fit the photo(s)?
~ There’s no place like home!
~ Home is Where The Heart is…
~ Sugar & Spice and Everything Nice, that’s what little girls are made of…
*** How about a song title?
~ Don’t worry, be happy!
~ You are the SUNSHINE of my life
~ Who let the dogs out ?… (Who?, Who?)
*** Graphic elements can be borrowed from other graphic sources like print ads and TV ads. Inspiration can found everywhere!
If you see a layout style or theme that you like from another source, make a quick sketch of it and keep it in a box or binder for when you need a spark!
***The tip above also applies to color combos that catch your eye and even catch phrases and slogans used in the world of advertising! Remember, millions of dollars were spent on those ads so that they will get your attention!
You can borrow these concepts and make them your own in your scrapbook layouts.
*EXAMPLES:
Got Milk? …can be used on a page with a baby drinking from a bottle on his own!
Just do it ! …can be used as a title on a page with photos taken at a marathon.
Can you hear me now? …can be used as a caption on a photo of someone screaming something out, there doesn’t need to be a cell phone in sight, but it sums it all up!
Remember to utilize some of the basic elements of design such as:
*** Using uneven numbers when adding your graphic components and embelishments.
*EXAMPLE:
Using elements in 3′s helps to keep the eyes and brain in synch during visual stimulation.
*** Another technique is to echo various elements within your layout.
*EXAMPLES:
If your page has photos of a child on a bicycle and you use circles as graphic elements, such as within your title and as the journaling “box”, then you have just echoed the shape of the bicycle tires.
By using the focus photo, make little 1″x1″ mini pics of that photo (maybe even just cropped little portions of that photo) and use it within your layout like in a border or edge strip. Those mini pics are echos of the focus photo.
*** Another tool to use, is to practice the principles of balance and counter balance.
We tend to do this naturally when we put together a layout, but learning how to use this technique with skill helps to provoke intrest and it keeps the eyes moving on the page.
It also gives you never ending ways to CREATE!
*** ALL IN ALL, The secret to finding INSPIRATION …is to know where to look!
It is all around us, and when you feel stuck, set the photos aside (for a change of pace) and try to think “outside the box”, litterally go at it backwards and start with a designing technique, and THEN apply it to fit your photos!
*** You can find a lot of tips on using these techniques and many others by visiting the “how to” scrapbooking websites and scrapbooking magazines.
*EXAMPLE:
http://www.Scrapbookingtop50.com
This is a web site that lists other scrapbooking web sites.
*** HAVE FUN!
I get inspiraption from the photo itself and the colors I am trying to bring out. I go to my public library -they have four scrapbook magazines-you should be able to check out old issues. Also check out their scrapbooking/paper craft book section.
well if your pictures are pics of you at the new years party, add sparkle with a red whie and blue page, with # 2010 of sumthing like tat. mabey your bf just proposed to you. You would mabey take a pic of the ring find a sticker or a dove or heart and stuff like that.. just go along with the theme of the picture!
What a great answer 2 Creative 2 B Sane gave you! And you have other tips from other answers that are bound to help.
Something I can add is that I find a sketch of a page really helps me be creative. I go to Page Maps a lot to find one:
http://www.pagemaps.com/
If you are interested in the principles of design try this article:
http://www.articlesbase.com/scrapbooking-articles/how-to-fix-your-layout-or-card-using-seven-principles-of-design-943381.html
Or for the elements of design try this article:
http://www.articlesbase.com/scrapbooking-articles/how-to-design-layouts-for-scrapbooks-my-7-elements-of-design-699428.html
I hope this gives you a few more ideas
Have fun with your scrap booking!