So Many Options : Layout Accent Two Ways

VERSION ONE [ click for larger version : photo © she saw things ]

 
VERSION TWO [ click for larger version : photo © she saw things ]

My Studio A column in the July 2009 Creating Keepsakes (available now) talks about the endless options for background papers when creating layouts and telling your stories. It addresses the fact that there is no right or wrong choice in this process. Some people prefer cardstock, some patterned paper, some solids, and some prints. It's all about personal preference.

As you have probably noticed by now, I tend to have a personal preference lately for white cardstock backgrounds.

I was thinking about all these choices as I previewed Heidi's Tuesday Tutorial video and was inspired to create a second version of the center accent for the layout you see above. The top one is super simple and was how I originally created the page. The
second includes stamping and a chipboard butterfly under the felt heart accent - this one came about after watching the video.

One of the things I have always loved about scrapbooking is that there is so much variety. I love the chance to learn from other people, to see what they are doing, and be inspired to try something new. Sometimes it's a new technique, other times it is a way of jouranling, and other times it's the whole package someone presents when telling their story.

The next time you approach a project or layout I invite you to take a step away from your own personal comfort zone and go in a direction that is different from what you normally create. Modifying an accent like the one here is a very safe way to experiment and mess-around a bit without the fear of "wrecking" your whole layout.

Here's a look into the process of creating this layout:

1. In your photo editing program add the 8.5x11 Remember Outline Word Overlay to your photo. For a tutorial on recoloring overlays go here or here. Print at home or upload to your photo developer. I printed this one here at home on my HP Photosmart D7360 using the borderless printing option (works awesome right to the edge of the photo paper).

2. Print a second 8.5x11 Remember Outline Word Overlay onto a sheet of white cardstock. This will be the foundation for your content on the second page. For a tutorial on recoloring overlays go here or here.

3. Print the Remember Sentiment Stack word art onto the Jenni Bowlin Mini Die Cut Label Paper. To do this I ran a sheet of computer paper through the printer first, saw where the image/text was going to appear, and then temporarily adhered the die cut on top and ran it through the printer again. 

4. Add journaling to one of the die cut label pieces. Hand-write, stamp, run it through your printer, etc. For this project I used my old typewriter and again temporarily adhered the Mini Die Cut Label Paper onto some basic computer paper to make it go through easier. I love using this old typewriter.

5. Now this is where the creative choice came in for me on this layout. Super
simple or more decorative & messy? For the simple option I just used some pop dots to adhere a
small rectangle of corner-rounded Making Memories patterned paper and a felt heart.

For the decorative option I
decided to follow Heidi's lead and group a bunch of stamping together
on top of the mini die cut label paper. I used a couple different
colors of ColorBox fluid chalk ink from this set. I topped the stamping off with one of the chipboard butterflies (that I can't seem to get enough of from K&Company) and the same felt heart/patterned paper combo as the simple option.  

In the end I like them both. The second is definitely more bright & fun & artsy than the first. Some days I feel like creating that way and other days the perfect accent is the simplest option.

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A very warm welcome my newest sponsors Susannah Conway, Scrapista, Blue Moon Scrapbooking, Renee Pearson Digital Training, JBS Mercantile, and House of 3.