Seeking advice

[Momma Rabbit]

Hello, I'm a lurker here and I wanted to say Howdy, and ask a scrapbook question.

I've purchased all the supplies, seperated all my pics, and now I just can't get any decent layouts. I did two layouts, so I'll post them for you to see.

So now that you've seen my work what do you suggest that I change? When look at these I think blah,,,,it could be better. I go to the 2peas site a lot and I just feel bad because my stuff looks plain compared with other that I've seen.. Thanks for reading this Jenn

 

[sarahsmom3]

I think they look GREAT!!!!!Busy pages are not always better. Keep up the good work!

 

[JudithM]

I'm a fairly simple scrapper, so I think your first two pages are quite good. Are you going to journal on those pages? Keep going with your scrapping!

 

[Momma Rabbit]

Thanks, for the kind words. I do need to journal. I really like the hidden journaling. I guess I should work on that next. I plan to do a lot of scrapbooking over the summer...wish me luck

 

[JudithM]

By the end of summer you will be on a roll with your scrapbooking! Keep at it, read the bulletin boards & web sites that full of ideas, new product, & don't hesitate to ask questions, etc.

 

[Ohana 4]

Your pages are great! I'm a lurker/new to the DIS as well and have only been scrapping for about a year. I feel the same way about my first couple of pages too...blah, plain. But sometimes it takes another perspective from someone else to see your pages are very nice. Good job! I have learned a lot from the ladies on this board. And everyone is very helpful and friendly!

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

One thing to consider before jumping in to the hidden journaling is whether or not you're going to put your pages in page protectors. I tend not to use that technique because all of my pages are in protectors and I really don't want them hauled in and out.

That being said those are great layouts. Keep going. Your personal style and panache will develop as you go along. And complicated isn't always better. I tend to do some simple pages mixed with more complicated pages but overall am a fairly simple and flat scrapper. One thing that really helps is to think through a set of layouts with colors, ideas, etc. That lets you think ahead on how you want to connect them, and so forth.

For instance, I'm working on my son's Eagle Court of Honor right now which is going to be quite an extensive set of pages. Some of them are simply a border with the photos matted and perhaps a sticker along with the journaling. Others are wallpapered with more complex titles, etc. It just depends on the mood, etc that I'm going for...and quite frankly my mood at the time!

Keep it up, before long you'll be really happy with YOUR pages.

Deb

 

[pattyT]

OH DON'T DO THAT

I am glad i started scrapping BEFORE I found the internet or I NEVER would have gotten anything done because of an inferiority complex!

I think those pages look GREAT, especially for first pages - I WON'T EVEN show you my first ones... they are real bad, but I won't change them because they show the evolution of scrapping techniques and abilities!

I know when I get fustrated with a page and it looks blah to me but I can't figure out what to do I will just put it aside and move on to the next one - then when I go back I might find it isn't as bad as I thought or along the way I might find something and go 'hey thats perfect for that layout'

Don't be afraid of hidden journalling and page protectors...
just make sure it is obvious that the journalling is there (a little tab that says up or whatever) and you can either cut a hole in the page protector for it or just leave it and in 20 years when the journalling is important cuz you can't remember slide the protector off and read it!

 

[PigletsPal]

Welcome to world of scrapbooking. I self taught myself when I first started, then I took some classes at my LSS and I would ask them ?? about my layout and they would help. I'm a very simple clean lines kinda of scraper. Becky Higgens has alot of them in her layout mag. which has saved my alot of thinking at times.
Good luck and keep on scrapping.....

 

[bananiem]

I think everybody looks at their first layout and wonders "What did I do wrong?" I think yours look great!
When I first started scrapping I would go to the library and read the Creative Memories magazine and read about new techniques to try. After a while I subscribed to some mags and bought a couple of books. (I have to second Becky Higgins. LOVE her!!!) I do pretty simple LO's, I do it for the journalling.
I would also suggest taking a class or two. Sometimes they have them on usig a color wheel, or borders, etc.
The more you scrap the more your true style will come through.

 

[pattyT]

Started with research???

Nope I went to Mikes and bought a bunch of stuff and just did it...

actaully in high school I was infamous for my picture taking, note saving, magazine cutting out type scrap books - lol

 

[Sandy22]

I'm a newbie too. What I found helpful was to spend time at 2ps putting every LO from the gallery that I really loved into my BOS (book of scraps). After about a week of doing this every night, I took a look at what was in my BOS and it helped me see what style and look I prefered. Now I plan to scraplift a lot of those ideas.

 

[czycropper]

Also, remember that there is NO scrapbook police

I'm a lurker as well. I've been scrapbooking for over 7 years and my style is very eclectic, one day I do a super simple LO and another one filled with embellishments - it's just how you feel. Always remember these are for you and your family and they will love whatever you do!

 

[TN Traveler]

I 2nd everything that has been said here. Your scrapbook pages reflect who YOU are!! I love to go to 2Ps and check out the different L/Os to get ideas and then I adapt them to suit my tastes. I really like stripes and "polka dots" but don't like alot of floral patterns so I tend to buy c/s in solid colors and stripes. I love shades of blues and tans together, coral and mint green, bright pink w/lime green, soft yellow w/soft blues and varying shades of these colors. As I look back at my L/Os through the last year I can see major changes. I don't use many embellishments but do like alot of color. Whatever YOU like is great. Keep working at it, get a few different magazines, check out different websites and before you know it, you'll find your L/Os are just as good as anyone elses!!!

Have a Wonderful day!!
Karen aka TN Traveler

 

[nicki dahling]

I think they look great. And I agree with everyone else. Two peas is nice for inspirtion , but over time you will learn what works for you.


Cyndi

 

[Stephres]

Wow, what great first attempts! I didn't have a paper trimmer when I first started and I notice the crooked mats under all the photos when I look at my first pages!

One suggestion I would make: you might want to try to "ground" your embellishments. This will make them look like they belong to a cohesive unit and are not just "floating" on the page. You can do this by matting them under a coordinating color of cardstock or even lining them up in a row. When I do that, I try to remember that the eye is drawn to odd numbers so I line up 3 or 5 in a row to make a pretty effect.

Hope this helps and I can't wait to see your next pages!

 

[Momma Rabbit]

Wow....I feel so much better about my layouts now. Thank you for all the kind words & advice. When I get my next layout done can I post it here so you can critique my work?


Thanks!