you ask, designers answer

The Fiskars Design team is full of talented, experienced crafters who know a lot about challenges and making the most of their supplies. This month, I have asked three of them to each answer a question from a different crafter. All of the questions here relate to scrapbook layouts, and I hope that you find the answers and projects as helpful as I do. Watch in future months for other subjects, articles, and lots more questions to be answered...

 

QUESTION #1: I like the simplicity of today's scrapbook layouts, I like the white space and was wondering if there is any specific rules that go along with it? ~ Diane Davison, Canada

"25" by Kelly Purkey (full instructions- click HERE)

A great use of white space can help make a layout look streamlined and simple.  One tip I like to keep in mind for these layouts is to use the rule of thirds.  This means drawing invisible lines to divide your page into thirds and placing the focus of the page onto one of those lines.  It will help keep the design of your page nice and clean.

 

 

 

 

QUESTION #2: How can I use "girl" colors/patterns on my boy pages? (and I don't just mean pink!) ~ Sara Robison, Michigan

Sonshine by Sherelle Christensen (see full instructions HERE)

Tip: There always seems to be a lot more “girly” paper to chose from, so why not give it a try on a boy’s layout? I like to use florals and other “girly” prints on my son’s layouts, but I always try to accentuate the most boyish color in the patterned paper. For instance, in this layout, I used a girly floral paper, but I focused on the blue color in the paper. This little trick will allow to use all of those beautiful paper lines for your “girly” and “boyish” layouts!

 

 

 

QUESTION #3: I still prefer to scrap 2 pagers.  I'd like to know how to scrap multi-page, multi-photo layouts with several patterned papers (not just small strips) and keep the layout from getting too loud/crowded. ~ Hiroko in California

"peek a boo" Designer: Susan Weinroth (instructions and larger photo HERE)

One great way to incorporate a variety of patterned paper into your 2-page layout spread, is to limit the patterns selected to the same color family.  In this layout, “Peekaboo”, I choose three different patterned papers – with all of them predominantly being a shade of brown.  The brown both coordinates with my photos, and when used as the background of the spread, helps to “ground” the layout.  In addition, splitting the patterns onto the top and bottom sections of the page, and running a strip of stripes and light blue cardstock through the center, helps the eye move in a natural direction from left to right when viewing the page.

 

"it's so Tasty" Designer: Susan Weinroth (instructions and larger photo HERE)
Another fun way to work a variety of patterned papers into your layout design, is to use subtle patterns.  When no one pattern predominates, the end result is that all patterns work together as a key design element for your spread.  In this layout, “It’s So Tasty!”, I used SIX different patterned paper (all from the Heidi Grace Day Dream Believer line) and only used a very VERY minimal amount of cardstock (for journaling).  The resulting 2 page spread is comfortable to look at and not too busy or overwhelming.  Both the colors and small patterns all work together to create a very finished, and tasteful (haha!) look.

 

By Fiskars Design Team


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