How Do You Make Your Scrapbook Layouts?

I was posed this question today by a fellow scrapper. Well, I do a mix of digital and traditional (paper-based) scrapbooking. I do digital because it saves me time and traditional because I still LOVE to work with my hands.

If I had to define my own style, I would describe it as simplistic with a BIG focus on pictures. I don't have a set way in which I create my layouts (I don't do them the same way every time), but I do follow a few simple rules…

(1) Always keep the focus on the pictures.

To me scrapbooking is not about getting as much "stuff" (embellishments) on a page as possible, but it's about telling a story…preserving your family's history. So when I create a layout, I make every attempt to use as many good pictures as possible. I won't try to put every single picture from an event on a layout, but I will try to put more than one. I will also make room for journaling or, at the very least, a quote, song lyrics, etc. that convey the way I feel about the event, person, etc. in the pictures.

(2) I like lines…

There is a common held notion that using lines helps to move people from one design element to another. Whether it be scrapbook layouts, brochures or any type of graphical design, our eyes will naturally follow a line from one item to another, so whether you use ribbon, embellishments or just strips of paper, a line in your layout will help the "flow."

(3) I also like squares…

Huey Lewis once said that it was hip to be square…and I tend to agree. I usually create 12x12 layouts because it gives me the most space to play with, but I also love the smaller sizes like 8x8 and 6x6 because it forces you to be more efficient. You don't have a lot of extra space on the smaller formats, so you don't necessarily have to worry about filling your page up with a bunch of embellishments. You get a picture or two on there; a title and some journaling and you're done!

(4) I love to play with color…as long as it matches.

I'm a big believer in experimenting with colors, but I'm also a big believer in less is more. To me, when using color, there is a fine line between just right and too much. As such, I will let the "colors do the talking" when I create my scrapbook layouts. I will find two to three colors that will really make the pictures pop and stick with that instead of going hog-wild with five different patterned papers. You'd be amazed at how much patterned paper alone can do for a layout.

(5) I like to "live" with my layout for a few days.

I was working on a layout for a recent article and once I got the basics down (sketch, title and photos)…I walked away. I didn't look at the layout until the next day and then added the patterned paper…and walked away until the next day and then I added the embellishments. I was absolutely thrilled with the finished layout because I took my time.

I do this partly because I don't necessarily have a ton of time (in one uninterrupted block) and I've found that I am SO much happier with the end result when I don't try and rush things. Are there times when I can sit down and, from sketch to finished layout, have one done in 30 minutes?… Sure, but I don't want to finish a scrapbook layout just to "pad my stats" and say I created 200 layouts in a year. I'd rather take quality over quantity. Why? Because what's the point in hurrying to finish a scrapbook layout, if after three days you look at it and say, "Oh, well, I could have done this…" or "I could have done that to make it look more balanced." I just like to take my time. If that means I only do 50 layouts a year – so be it.

I hope this helps to provide a little insight into the scrapbooking side of my brain. If you have any questions, please don't ever hesitate to send me an e-mail.

Happy Scrapping!

Sketch of the Week - 25 Feb 2007

Sketch of the Week - 25 Feb 2007
Originally uploaded by choubox.

As I mentioned in my previous post, most of you have asked for future Sketches of the Week to be 12x12 double-page format. So....here you go! I hope you enjoy it.

Also as a request of your requests, I'm in the process of finishing up my "Let's Get Organized" section and just launched my latest set of articles on scrapbook Tips and Techniques.

Have a great week and Happy Scrapping!!

The Masses Have Spoken...and Keep Speaking!

Sketch of the Week - 18 Feb 2007 (#3)
Originally uploaded by choubox.

I've had a great turnout to my Sketch of the Week Survey. I thank all those who have participated for sharing your thoughts!!

As you can see, when you complete the survey, most of you scrap in a 12x12 "world" and tend to make double-page layouts when you do. So...my future Sketches of the Week will tend towards that trend.

But...since this is a scrapocracy and I always learned that you have majority rule with minority rights, I will be mixing in some of the smaller sizes along with sketches for cards.

As always, if you haven't filled out the survey...let your voice be heard...you may end up swinging the balance to another size layout!

Happy Scrapping!!

Sketch of the Week - 11 Feb 2007

Sketch of the Week - 11 Feb 2007
Originally uploaded by choubox.

This week's sketch is a 6x6 double-page layout and I'm sure you're all wondering...what is a journaling flap?

Well, it's pretty simple actually (and a great use for double-sided cardstock). You just take a piece of paper, cut it to the size you need and then fold it in half. Why?... Because then you've just doubled the space you get to work with and since a 6x6 is pretty small, you can use all the space you can get.

You put pictures on the outside of the flap and have journaling on the inside or have photos on the inside and the outside. It's all up to you!

In this example, since the finished size is 2.5" x 2.5", you would need a piece of paper 2.5" (w) x 5" (h).

Let me know if you have any questions!

Valentine's Day

It's just around the corner and while I used this design as a recipe card, it can do double-duty as a Valentine's Day card with a few modifications.

I used the new "Smitten" line from Paper Salon. Specifically, I used the Tiny Dot, Polka Hearts, Posy Paisly and Heart Paisley papers. This is a great double-sided cardstock line, so the inside of the card is a dark red pink.

Happy Scrapping!

They Grow Too Fast....

When my two precious boys were little, they would always sleep with their arms above their heads and their hands in loose fists (call it a product of being twins - they have a need to stretch)...both of them in the same crib able to fit (lengthwise) across the width of the crib. Yesterday, I went to check on them before going to bed myself and noticed Zach sleeping with his arms above his head and his hands in loose fists, but now...almost three years later...he's almost the entire length of his toddler bed.

Where does the time go?... and can someone please tell me how to slow down the clock?!

Six 6" x 6" Scrapbook Layout Sketches

In one of the responses to my Sketch Survey, I was asked for some ideas on how to make 6" x 6" scrapbook layout pages.

As you have seen, I do tend to focus on 12" x 12" layouts, but I will be the first to admit that smaller scrapbook pages are actually much easier to make. You don't have to focus so much on filling space, so you become very efficient and your emphasis is turned automatically to the pictures.

Since you don't have that much room to work with on a 6" x 6" page, the biggest picture you can use is a 4" x 6", which is perfectly acceptable (and makes the same kind of visual impact that a big picture would make on a 12" x 12" layout), but leaves you with little room for any journaling or embellishments.

So...that leaves us with 3" x 5" pictures or, better yet, wallet-size pictures. I love wallet-size pictures! Why? They have the same shape as a 4" x 6", but they take up less "real estate," so you can put lots of pictures on big scrapbook pages and more than one picture on a 6" x 6" scrapbook page.

While it's hard to find on my site, I do have a collection of sketches that I did almost a year ago (click here to open the file) that includes a set of 6" x 6" sketches. I just haven't gotten around to getting them loaded into Flickr.

To the person that asked, I hope this helps (and I'll work on getting more 6" x 6" double-page layouts drawn up), and to anyone else who has any other questions...don't ever hesitate to send me e-mail, I'm always ready and willing to help!

Winter Has Arrived...

OK... For those of you in the mid-west, winter arrived a long time ago and you're more than ready for it to leave. But...it's snowing on the East Coast!!! :-)

I'm very big on needing my four separate seasons and a winter without snow...well, isn't winter in my book. So, I am happy to report that it is snowing in VA - FINALLY!

Now, let the fun begin as the meteorologists begin to hem and haw over how much we might actually get!

Sketch of the Week

I hope you are all enjoying the Sketch of the Week and that it's helping to get your creative juices flowing. I realized that while I tend to live in a 12" x 12" world, there may be some of you out there that prefer to scrap on a smaller scale.

So...help me, help you. Take two seconds to answer these questions and future Sketches of the Week will lean with the majority. This is a "scrapocracy" after all!

Happy Scrapping!

I'm Back...and so is Jack!!!

Hope you all had a nice week. I'm back from what can only be described as a somewhat lackluster trip to Atlanta. I will admit...the onion rings at The Varsity are the best I've ever had and the CNN tour is a must see, but the weather was yucky, so it put a little damper on our trip.

Anywho, I'm back and trying to catch up on things. Since I'm buried beneath five piles of laundry (and Jack Bauer (24) is back tonight), my Sketch of the Week will be up tomorrow instead of today.

And since tomorrow is Martin Luther King Day, let us take a minute and remember the sacrifices of those who came before us. As I sat in Ebenezer Baptist Church on Friday evening, they had one of Dr. King's sermons playing and his words, spoken more than 40 years ago and during a very different time in our country's history, were eerily relevant. He spoke of today's young people being cynical and disillusioned and our men only having war to "look forward to." Let us all be thankful for the freedoms we have, for the freedom our Men and Women in uniform continue to protect and for those who are willing to stand above the crowds and have the courage to give those who still don't a voice...a chance.

Take care and happy scrapping.

Sketch of the Week - 7 Jan 2007

Sketch of the Week - 7 Jan 2007
Originally uploaded by choubox.

Here is your sketch for the week. I realized after I posted this that I forgot to put the measurements on here. The big picture is a 5"x7" and the three small pictures are wallet size. The thick black stripe is 3" wide and the smaller gray stripes are 1.25" high.

I'll be partially out of the loop in Atlanta this week. After my success in Vegas at a LSS, I was hoping to stop by the Archiver's down there, but it's just too out of the way... Oh well, I don't need anymore paper anyway.

Happy Scrapping!! :-)

Blue Man Group

Blue Man Group
Originally uploaded by choubox.

Yes, I did actually go to Vegas...which is why I'm way behind on my sketches. :-)

Merry Christmas

Christmas Cards 2006 (Version 1)
Originally uploaded by choubox.

As the card says, "From Our Family to Yours...." Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.

Happy Scrapping!

Christmas Layout Idea Mini-Book

Bonus Sketch
Originally uploaded by choubox.

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the scrapbook layout opportunities come flying at us as fast as Santa's sleigh. Some are for gifts and others are just additions to our ever-growing collection, but there never seems to be enough time.

So...instead of stressing about how you're going to scrap your children's Christmas pictures or pictures from a recent cookie exchange...get ready to celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas - Choubox Style.

Get your copy of the Choubox Christmas Scrapbook Layout Idea Mini-Book Today!

Sketch of the Week - 26 Nov 2006

Sketch of the Week - 26 Nov 2006
Originally uploaded by choubox.

OK...The turkey is all but gone and your shopping is done, so it's time to work on those Holiday Cards. If you need some ideas...here are a few to work with. All of the colored areas are either solid cardstock or patterned paper.

Check back later this week for some "finished product" examples.

O Tannenbaum!

O Tannenbaum!
Originally uploaded by choubox.

I love Christmas...more than any other holiday during the year and now that I have children, it's even more special. Now, if I could just order up a white Christmas....

This layout was created based on my current sketch of the week. It's a digital 12x12 layout that I created using some great paper from www.scrapbook-elements. com and embellishments from Atomic Cupcake.

The Digital Alternative

Wondering if digital scrapbooking is right for you?... Check out my article on why digital scrapbooking is a good alternative or supplement to traditional (paper based) scrapbooking.

Family Recipe Scrapbook

Family Recipe Scrapbook Title Page
Originally uploaded by choubox.

Thanksgiving is on its way and what Turkey Day is complete without food. So, this year, start work on your Family Recipe Scrapbook.

Sketch of the Week - 22 Oct 2006

Sketch of the Week - 22 Oct 2006
Originally uploaded by choubox.

I'm still on a big/small streak, but in this sketch, I decided to move the focal picture to the right and have the title and the journaling be the first thing you see.

Happy Scrapping!

I Want Candy

I Want Candy
Originally uploaded by choubox.

As we all prepare for Halloween, take a moment to think about your childhood and all the goodies that you loved to get while Trick or Treating. My favorites were SweetTarts, Smarties and Starburst.

Happy Scrapping!