Technique Corner: What do you need to make a great layout?

What do you think is needed to create a great layout? Lots of fancy embellishments, many new and cutting edge techniques or maybe expensive materials? I've asked my self that question and the answer surprised me...you actually need very little of those embellishments, techniques or materials. You can create a fabulous layout with paper, ink, gesso and mask!

This layout is paper based with a simple easy technique. I started the layout with a circles mask gesso and a little distress ink. I first used the gesso and then the ink to create a continuation in the pattern of the circles. I hit set it to dry the gesso and then puffed some of the gesso with the hit gun.

 

I then layered paper and paper tags to create dimension as well as different fussy cutting shapes.

 

Finally I created different sizes of paper flowers and gave them a little more dimension with small touches of gesso around the edges.

 

Try to challenge yourself to create a layout with nothing but paper and a simple technique and see what your creativity can create!

 

Have fun creating!
Einat

Technique Corner - Flow with it!

Creating movement on a page is really easy. The best way is to avoid corners and squares and design a layout with flowy shapes such as waves , swirls or circles.

This layout is all about circles! circles of all sizes and materials. I wanted to create a flowy layout to echo the flow of water in the photos.

 

To create that I cut the photos into circles and added different round embellishments to complete the look. I put all of the elements on my layout in two opposite corners, like two river banks.

 

Have fun creating!
Einat

Technique Corner: Fine Cutting

My students say I'm crazy. They say if there is no fine cutting in a project it's not Einat's class.
My crafty friends say it's impossible to find a project of mine that has no fine cutting in it.
And I say...I love cutting! When I look at a patterned paper I see exactly that...patterns, patterns that I can cut and use in a project!

Fine cutting is not that scary! Here are a few tips:

1. Start with big patterns and after a little practice work your way to more complicated shapes.

2. Use small scissors or scissors that you can hold comfortably and move easily in small corners or turns.

3. Play with what you cut - ink it, embellish it or give it dimension.

4. Fine cutting is a great way to maximize your leftovers and scraps. Have fun cutting stars, flowers, birds, abstract shapes and more,sometimes you can find just the right embellishment in a patterned paper!

 

Have fun creating!
Einat

Technique Corner - Flags or Banners, Why not Flanners?

The hottest trend lately are flags and banners embellishments on a layout. I tried to understand if there is a difference between them but I really couldn't find one. As I understand it a banner is a few flags hanging together (at least in scrapbooking), so the way I see it if a flag and a banner are basically one in the same why not rename them...flanners? Here's a layout celebrating flanners!

I used different materials, shapes, colors and sizes to create the flanners on the layout. The more there are the better it looks!

 

What I love about flanners is that they are the perfect embellishment. It works for every theme or color, you can use it for masculine or feminine layouts, for baby or teenagers. All you need to do is change the color and/or shape of the flanner and you're done!

 

Have fun creating!

Einat

Technique corrner - round layout

Don't you just love those round papers? I just love them! They are always so fun to work on because of the unusual shape that inspires me to try different things. I've discovered that my favorite thing to do is design a layout that has elements sticking outside of the page.

Because the paper is round, all the corners are basically open space and can be used for elements that are beyond the paper's edges. I put one of my photos beyond the edge as well as some embellishments! The only thing to remember when you are planing to add parts that suppose to stick out is to secure the side that is on the paper with enough adhesive so it will hold the side that is not attached to anything.

 

Have fun creating.

Einat

Technique Corner - White Space

Some people get really uncomfortable when they hear the term white space.Well, there's nothing to it! White space is just another name for empty or almost empty space on you layout. In order to create a balanced layout some of the page must be empty or almost empty or else we'll get really dizzy with all the details. This is a layout I created to show that white space is not that scary!

As you can see on the layout most of the center is empty, there is nothing on the paper. Some parts of the paper only have interesting background that I made with masks but not a lot more. Even the photos are extremely small and don't take a lot of space.

 

Here are some tips to create white space:

1. Don't be afraid to leave parts of your layout with no photos or embellishments.
2. Make sure to create a balance between the full parts and the empty parts of the paper.
3. If you like full layouts with a lot of details try to concentrate those details only on one or two parts of the layout, leaving the other parts as white spaces.
4. If you're a minimalist then concentrate all your elements together so the rest of the paper will be white space. You can add a little glimmer, paint or masking to the background so your layout will be interesting and with depth.

Have fun creating!
Einat

Technique Corner - Create a balloon

I love hot air balloons! They are magical, they fly high in the sky and it seems like they carry all our hopes and dreams. Here's a simple layout I created around a hand made balloon.

here's how to create it...

1. Cut 4 circles or ovals and ink them.
2. Fold three circles in half.
3. Adhere the three circles.

4. Adhere them to the fourth circle on the bottom.

5. Cut a small basket from paper, adhere it and add the lines.

Have fun creating!

Einat

Technique Corner - Create magical layouts

Who doesn't want a little magic? To enter a world of fantasy, enchantments fairies and witches? well, now you can! Create magical layouts in a few simple steps and you too can be transported to where all wishes come true.

1. first you have to set the right background. It has to have fairies or other magical beings, maybe a little sparkle and an overall feeling of a fantasy world. In order to create that I used glimmer mists and cut fairy images.

 

2. In order for your photo to completely merge with the scene, cut the image from the photo.

3. Add the image to the layout in a fairy tail style. It could be flying, sitting on a mushroom or
waiving a wand.

4. Add a title and embellishments.

Have fun creating!

Einat 

Technique Corner - Texture

Texture is a great way to create interest in a layout. It can emphasize a material or an area in the layout. It also gives the eye something new and different to look at and your fingers something exciting to feel. There are many ways to add texture to a layout and we will learn them one by one.

The first way of adding texture is fabric: it has a unique look and feel to it, it's flexible and easy to work with. One of the ways to add fabric is to use ribbons. In this layout I've used ribbon in two ways:

1. cover chipboard shapes with colorful ribbon. After adhering the ribbon to the chipboard cut around the shape with scissors.

2. Create curls to mimic vines or barnches. I've added curled ribbon strips near the flowers for extra dimension. Simply adhere one end of the strip to the paper and curl it. Adhere the curled ribbon in several points to keep the ribbon curled.

Make sure to follow the blog for the next Technique Corner!

Have fun creating!
Einat

Technique Cornen - Relax - filling a white space

Our mission at SEM this month was to scrap a layout about our favorite vacation. These photos were taken at one of our recent weekends at the Sea of Galilee. One of the most famous places in the world!

For this layout I tried a new composition, I put both photos on the top of the page. It was a little challenging but I love a challenge. The challenge was to "fill" all the "white" space under the photos.

One of the ways to fill a white space is use scraps! tags, circles, words, cut outs...anything will work.

Just remember a few important thing:

1. Keep all the embellishments in the same color palette.
2. Arrange the embellishments on the layout in such a way that they would create movement.
3. Combine different kind of embellishments to create balance. For example if you use circles balance them with square tags or words, like I did.
4. Use different size of embellishments. For example: if you add circles to your layout, make sure to use big and small circles it will add interest, balance and movement.

Have fun creating!

Einat

Technique Corner: Collection of photos

I recently went through my stash of photos, not on the computer but those I have already developed and I found a few small photos I really like but don't seem to go together, at least not at first glance.  When I took a second look I realized they can make a wonderful layout.

Here are a few tips on how to create a layout with photos from different occasions, ages, people etc.

1.       Try to find the common ground in all the photos. It can be color, person, place, time of year and so on. In my layout all the photos are of my son.

2.       See if there is a narrative to the photos. For example in my layout the photos show my son through the years.

3.       Keep the photos together in your layout. This way they would seem to be a series of photos.

4.       Create a design that can go with many themes of photos. I used flags and butterflies because they go well with any age or mood.

Have fun creating!

Einat

Technique Corner: Groovy - scrapping a period

I love this word! It reminds me of the 70's, not that I'm old enough to remember, but I've seen movies and listened to the music and it seems to be a groovy period. I had this photo for a long time and for some reason it always reminded me of the word groovy…so I created a groovy layout.

To create a layout with a periodic theme you need to add the right kind of embellishments to complement the period you want. In this layout the photo speaks for itself, so I added some 70's themed accessories like the sign of peace, a few punched (free) butterflies and some groovy flowers, all to complement the….wait for it…groovy atmosphere!

Have fun creating!

Einat

Technique corner: Safety pin on a layout

I usually don't like to go with the flow but this time even I couldn't resist….hexagons, I love them! I can't get enough of them and whenever I have the chance I try toinclude them in a design.

This layout is all about hexagons. To make it a little more interesting I added some texture and movement by adhering the hexagons to the layout in different heights.  I also used a safety pin to emphasize the idea of safety in a home and family. I added some buttons to the pin so it will stand out more.

Have fun creating!

Einat

Technique Corner: 4-3-2-1 pattern

Layouts with a pattern create an imaginary path for our eyes to move across the page. That creates flow, order and balance in the layout. One of the most popular and easy patterns is descending number of elements. In this layout it's 4-3-2-1.

4 titles: who says that you have to use only one title per layout? Sometimes adding more than one title helps get the message across in a more fun and colorful way.

3 white circles: I've used the background paper to emphasize both the titles and the theme of the layout by circling the word sweet three times with a white pen.

2 flags: use cut out flags in your layout but instead of hanging them create a pole. I've created my poles from tooth picks (clean tooth picks LOL).

1 flower: if you want to use rhinestone embellishment I recommend to use one, so it won't be too dominant on the layout.

There is still time to join the Summer Contest! Don't forget to enter your project!

Have fun creating!

Einat