Starting out in scrapbooking ...how to make your first layout.

Now remember, I’m a beginner. This is the first time I’ve attempted a scrapbooking page. I now know that the correct term is a scrapbook ‘layout’. So you basically layout your photos, papers and embellishments onto the page to look fabulous! Simples! Well...maybe not so simple when you start to look around at all of the amazing layouts that are out there! From vintage to super modern and paper based to ‘mixed media’ (nah, me neither-we’ll get onto this in future posts I’m sure!!) it seems that simply plonking all your most favourite scrapbooking foodies onto the page isn’t going to cut it!

But actually, it’s not a bad place to start. A photo that makes you smile or captures the essence of someone special or that design paper you bought because you just loved the colour combinations might just give you the inspiration you need to put paper to erm...paper.

I found starting with a photo helped me so much when I finally got round to planning my first layout. I use the word ‘planning’ very loosely-it really was a case of experimenting, rearranging and then biting the bullet to finally commit to sticking down my beloved papers and stickers.

Now, from my extensive research on the subject of creating the perfect scrapbooking layout (does scrolling through the pretty pictures on Instagram and Pinterest and watching YouTube tutorials count as serious research?), there is a bit of debate as to how you should go about this. Some say start with your photo and layer up your page using contrasting or complimentary coloured papers and embellishments in an organic way. Others like the more structured approach of sketching out your layout first, either using your own ideas or a template design that you can find on many scrapbooking sites.

To be honest, and at the risk of showing my scrapbooking naivety , I say just go with your gut when you’re starting out. Choose what you love and go from there. Will it matter if the backing paper (don’t think this is the technical term-still learning!) doesn’t exactly match the colour of the sky in the photo or if the layout design is sooooo last year? Of course not! If you love it and had fun making it, well then it’s a success. And even if you look at it and arent that happy with it, well that’s a great excuse to do another to practice your new skills. And an even better excuse to go out scrapbooking supply shopping to replace your used goodies!