Creative Memories Traditional 411 Blog

A Simple Way To Step Up Your Journaling

Do you ever struggle with what to say when it's time to journal on your layouts? Do you want to capture the who, what, where, and when but also take your journaling a step farther? They say a photo is worth a 1,000 words and typically that is true, photos alone are good at capturing the basics behind what you are scrapbooking; however, I think that just about every photo tells an even better story when it is paired with great journaling.

So today I’m going to show you a simple exercise that you can do to improve your journaling; journaling that will help you tell the story behind your photos in a detailed, heartfelt, yet still fast and easy way.

My technique is word bubble mapping. Some of you may remember this technique as one you learned in school. You start out by writing the main idea behind your layout in the center of a blank piece of paper. For my example today I’m going to pretend that I’m working on a layout about my son’s 8^th birthday, so that is what I’ll write in my center bubble. 

Next I’ll give myself a few blank bubbles around my main one to add my first memories of this event. 

Now I just quickly add the first few things I remember from this event: #1. My son’s good friend was there #2. All he wanted as gifts was Lego stuff and #3. We gave him a Cub Scout uniform as one of his presents. I could add more if I want, but three is usually a good number that gives me plenty to write about.

Next I’ll add some other bubbles around my three smaller bubbles to help me fill in the details. For example, off the "friend" bubble I’ll add a bubble about how his friend almost wasn’t able to make it to his party, but did make it at the last minute. My son was really excited that he was able to be there because they had become such good friends when they were in the same first grade class. Now they are in separate classes and don’t get to see each other often. 

I’ll fill in details about my other bubbles as well. I might even add an additional 4^th layer of bubbles to include my own feelings about each of the details.

Now I have a lot of information about the special parts of his birthday. I’ll gather it all up and write my journaling to include all the details I thought about while bubble mapping. I might even go back and add further bubbles as I think about other details I want to include.

Look at all the great stuff to journal about! Not just the basics, but details about what he was excited about. It paints a bigger picture of his special day and the memories that were made that day.

Give it a try the next time you're struggling with what to write!

Happy journaling everyone!

Ginger

Basic Design Principles: Collages

Hello! Aly Dosdall here to share our final installment in the Basic Design Principles series. Now that we’re design experts and we’ve learned about the rule of thirds, balance, color/contrast, and page anchors, we’re going to explore the technique of creating collages on our scrapbook pages and projects. There are three important aspects of collages that I’d like to point out: layering, unequal margins, and shape.

When creating a collage--whether with photos, patterned paper, journaling cards, or embellishments—if you layer your elements you create more depth and texture on your page, increasing the visual interest.

Example: Turning Nine

This scrapbook page about my daughter’s birthday is a good example of layering collages. Click here to go to the project center for full instructions and supplies. I trimmed the papers from the Be Young 6x6 Stack Pack into 2x6 inch strips, and layered them across the two-page layout. Before I adhered them I placed my photos over the strips and moved the strips around until there was a balanced distribution of color and pattern showing from behind the photos. I layered my embellishments over the photos and paper strips adding to the depth of the page. The white borders around the photos help them to stand out from the mix of colors and patterns. And the fun border around the entire layout helps to keep the viewer’s eye engaged in the collage (which contains the most important stuff)!

Collages are more visually interesting when elements are positioned with unequal margins. Grids and layouts with equal margins have an important place in design, but when dealing with collages try to avoid lining up any edges evenly.

Example: School’s Out!

Check out this layout I created using the Be Young Boy Additions, Be Young Cricut Cartridge, Be Young 6x6 Stack Pack, Be Young Title Stickers, Achievements 6x6 Stack Pack, and the Achievements Title Stickers. I created a collage background for my photo using five of the 6x6 papers. I was careful that none of the papers’ edges lined up evenly. Equal, or even, margins on this page would decrease its visual interest. The same principle applies to photos, journaling cards, and embellishments. Collages look much better if their edges do not line up.

The last point about collages I'd like to make is the importance of shape. Giving your collage shape will add impact and visual interest. It can also be used to lead the viewer's eye to key elements throughout the image.

Example: Hello Card

The card I created above using the Just Because Card Set, Stamper System, and some Enchanted Embellishments demonstrates shape in collage. The collage of flowers layered behind the sentiment forms a rough oval shape. When tilted on its side, the oval shape adds movement and interest. It guides the viewer's eye across the sentiment. The most effective shapes in collage are triangles, ovals, rectangles, and other forms that can be manipulated asymmetrically. Perfectly symmetrical shapes that don't change when rotated (circles and squares) don't work well for collages.

Thanks for taking the time to follow this design series with me. I've so enjoyed sharing something that I love, and I hope this series has been helpful for you.  Remember these principles are not hard and fast rules, rather helpful tools to aid in telling your story beautifully and effectively. Apply what you've learned when it works for you.  

Happy scrapping!
Aly

Basic Design Principles: Page Anchors

Hello! Aly Dosdall again here from the design team for another installment of our July design series. So far we’ve gone over the rule of thirds, balance, color and contrast. This week we’re going to learn about a design principle that applies most often to layout, or graphic design, though it can apply to other creative disciplines as well. We’re going to discuss a few ways to anchor, or ground, elements on our pages.

Anchoring elements on a layout means to connect them to another element so that they don’t seem to float freely on the page.  When elements of a page are not anchored, the page feels disjointed and confusing to the eye.  Elements can be anchored to a page several ways.  We’ll go over three, starting with lines.

Example: Life is Fabulous with Friends

The scrapbook page I created above using the Enchanted Power Palette demonstrates how to use lines to anchor elements. The red punched border together with the green paper ribbon (complementary colors, remember?) help to anchor the decorative paper loops to the title and photos. They connect those elements together. Take a look at the image below where I blocked out the anchor lines.

The page feels more disjointed and has less visual impact than the image with the anchor lines visible.  Notice the small sub-title cluster at the top right corner of the page.  Do you see an anchor line?  Yep.  It’s the green ribbon again.  Without the anchor line there the subtitle would seem to be floating aimlessly on the page.

Another way to anchor page elements is by using backgrounds or mats.  In design the relationship between figure (the element we notice), and ground (everything that surrounds the figure) is very important.  This applies to scrapbook pages as well.  Any important page element (i.e. a photo, title, or journaling) can be anchored to the page using its surroundings, or background.

Example: Thankful Card

Notice on the card above I created using the Gratitude 12 x 12 Paper and Photo Mat Pack that the main elements of the card (sentiment and flower accent) are both matted, or they are both resting on a visually interesting background.  The backgrounds carry less visual weight than their elements do so those elements are still the focus of their spaces on the card.  But the backgrounds do help to anchor those elements on the card.  Take a look at the image below where I blocked out the flower’s background.

See how the flower accent now seems like it doesn’t quite belong where it is?  Like it doesn’t really have a specific purpose on the card?  It makes us feel a little uneasy that it’s not grounded or anchored to something else.

The last way to anchor elements that we’re going to discuss is by using proximity.  Placing elements close to each other on a page anchors them so they don’t seem to float around disjointedly.  This is sometimes referred to as a collage or cluster of elements (attention all readers…that was your hint for next week…now back to your regularly scheduled blog post).

Example: CHA Fun

This layout I created using the Mediterranean Market Papers and the Cheerful Seasons Cricut Cartridge is a good example of using proximity to anchor elements on a page.  I was able to include seven photos on this single page without it feeling too busy by clustering them into three photo groups.  Keeping the photos close together anchors them so they don't feel like they're floating around on the page, and thus the page doesn't feel too cluttered.

Be sure to come back next week when I share our final design principle.  Please feel free to ask any questions you might have in the comments section below. 

Happy scrapping!
Aly

 

Basic Design Principles: Color & Contrast

Hello! Aly Dosdall again here from the design team to share another fun design principle with you (truth be told, this is one of my favorites)! The last couple of weeks we’ve learned about the rule of thirds and balance. This week we’ll focus on color and contrast. Technically color is an element of design, rather than a principle, but that’s a discussion for another time. =)

There is a ton of information related to color, so I’ll try to hit the basics. First, I must introduce you to the color wheel (or color circle):

The color wheel is comprised of the three primary colors (marked with a “P”), the three secondary colors (marked with an “S”), and the six tertiary colors (marked with a “T”). Primary colors (red, yellow, blue) are the three pigment colors that form all other colors and cannot be formed by any combination of colors.  Secondary colors (green, orange, purple) are formed by combining two primary colors. Tertiary colors are formed by combining a primary color with a secondary color.

The color wheel can be divided into warm colors, and cool colors.

Warm colors are vivid, energetic, and tend to advance in space. Cool colors evoke a sense of calm, reflectiveness, and seem to recede in space. Black, white, and grey are considered neutral colors and can be combined with the color wheel hues to create different tints, shades, and tones.

Color in design is used to evoke emotion, to bring emphasis or focus, and to enhance beauty. These goals are achieved by using certain combinations of colors, or color harmonies. These combinations have a fixed relation to each other on the color wheel. When combining colors, contrast is an important piece to consider. Contrast is basically the difference between two colors. Using contrast effectively is very pleasing to the eye.

Next, let's look at a few effective color harmonies, or color schemes. Analogous colors sit next to each other on the color wheel. 

Analogous colors match well, and when used together they create a sense of harmony and comfort. Make sure to create enough contrast when using analogous colors, and remember to use one dominant color, one supporting color, and one accent color (together with a neutral color—black, white, or grey).

Example: About A Girl

The above layout I created using the Enchanted Power Palette incorporates analogous colors—various blues and greens—with some black and white thrown in as accents and to provide some contrast. Notice in particular the black ribbon border at the bottom which creates a visual triangle with the two black paper flowers at the top left and top right. Using these contrasting elements in a visual triangle creates a frame around the page that keeps the viewer's eye engaged in the photos and journaling. 

Complementary colors are opposite each other on the color wheel.  Because of their high contrast, they create a vibrant energetic look. 

Complementary colors work well together when you want an element on your page to stand out. The card I created below using the Enchanted Power Palette demonstrates a good use of complementary colors.

Example: Hi Card

Notice the red sentiment next to the green border on the card. The sentiment (or most important element of the card) stands out because green and red are complementary, or opposite colors on the color wheel. The neutral white background also provides a nice contrast to the red sentiment.

Split-complementary colors include the base color, and the two colors adjacent to its complement. In other words pick a color on the color wheel along with the two colors on either side of its opposite.

A split-complementary color scheme has similar strong visual contrast to a complementary color scheme, but with a little less tension since the colors are not directly opposite each other on the color wheel.

Example: A Trip to the Beach

The above layout uses a split-complementary color scheme. Click here to go to the project center for full instructions and supplies. The three pervasive colors in the layout are dark blue, orange and yellow. The cool darker blues provide a nice, but not overwhelming, contrast to the warm orange and yellow colors. The lighter blues serve to balance the advancing oranges.

There are many more color schemes than there is room or time to discuss here. The Creative Memories Design Inspiration Pinterest Board is a wonderful source for fun color schemes. Be sure to check it out!  Also, we are lucky to have fabulous Creative Memories designers that take all the guess work out of the design process for us by creating perfectly coordinating products, like Power® Palettes! But if you ever feel like stepping outside the box and creating your own color schemes, just try out what we learned today.

Be sure to come back next week when I share another design principle.  (Here’s a hint…anchors away!)  Please feel free to ask any questions you might have in the comments section below. 

Happy scrapping!
Aly

Basic Design Principles: Balance

Hello! Design team member Aly Dosdall here again with another principle of design to share with you. If you missed last week’s post, I introduced this blog series and shared some examples and tips about the rule of thirds.

This week’s design principle is balance. Balance in general refers to a sense of equilibrium. Balance in design can be achieved using visual equilibrium, or by controlling the weight or visual interest of an image.

One way to achieve balance in design is through symmetry. Symmetry means that if you divide an image in half with a central axis, both sides of the axis are equal.  Symmetry is very appealing, orderly, and formal. It has a more static and classic feel.

Example: Dreams

The card I created above using the Achievements 6x6 Stack Pack and Title Stickers is a good example of symmetry. Take a look at the image on the right where I overlayed the central axis, and notice that one side of the card is an exact mirror image of the other (minus the letters in the sentiment). Symmetry works well here since this card has a more classic theme.

Example: Congrats

Another type of symmetry is near or approximate symmetry. This type of symmetry allows for a slight difference in the two halves of the design providing more visual interest, while still maintaining a strong central axis and mostly mirror images. The scrapbook page I created below using the Enchanted Power Palette is a good example of near symmetry.  (Click image to enlarge)

Take a look at the image of the layout with the imaginary axis overlay. You can see that the patterned paper background and ribbon borders are symmetrical. The photo, title, and journaling are all centered and symmetrical (again, minus the text). But the fussy-cut floral patterned paper on either side of the page is a bit different. Balance, however, is still achieved through the placement of embellishments, etc. 

Another way to achieve balance in design is with asymmetry. Asymmetry, or informal balance, means without symmetry. It is more dynamic and visually interesting, allowing the designer to call attention to an element in the image by creating more visual weight surrounding it.

Example: You and Me

The above scrapbook page is a good example of asymmetry.  In order to draw attention to the photo of my handsome hubby and me, I clustered lots of embellishments around it and below it along the left side of the page. To achieve balance, I added a small cluster of embellishments and journaling in the opposite corner. The larger cluster is well balanced by the smaller cluster, though the design weighs heavily on the photo. The empty (or white) space on the right side of the layout together with the small cluster provides the perfect companion to the busy left side.

Example: A Beautiful Spring Day

The page above also demonstrates asymmetry well.  On this page I placed my main elements (photos, title, and journaling) in the bottom half of the page. I created asymmetrical balance by adding the banners to the top half of the page. I wanted most of the weight on the bottom of the layout to keep the focus of the page on the photos, so I kept the colors in my banner subtle and the size of the shapes similar.

Remember, balance on a scrapbook page can be achieved effectively using symmetry, but can be more dynamic and interesting using asymmetry. Play around with your page designs and see what type of balance appeals to you.

Be sure to come back next week when I share another design principle. Here’s a hint…Roy G. Biv. Please feel free to ask any questions you might have in the comments section below.

Happy scrapping!
Aly

Basic Design Principles: Rule of Thirds

Hello! Aly Dosdall here from the design team, and I’m so excited to introduce this July blog series called Basic Design Principles. Each week this month I will share with you a principle or element of design with the goal of helping you create beautiful scrapbook pages that you are proud to share and include in your albums. Of course, every page we create is something special because it tells our story and records our memories, but if you’ve ever come across a beautiful scrapbook page and wondered, how did she do that?, then hopefully this series will help you!

This week is all about the rule of thirds. The rule of thirds is a guideline which can be applied to the composition of art, photography, and design. The guideline states that an image can be divided into nine imaginary equal parts by two equally-spaced horizontal lines and two equally-spaced vertical lines, and that the most important elements of that image should be placed either along these lines or at their intersections. While centering important elements of an image can be effective, aligning important elements using the rule of thirds tends to create more tension, energy and interest in the composition.

Example: I Will Always Need You

The above scrapbook page is a good example of the rule of thirds. CLICK HERE to go to the project center for a supply list and full instructions. Take a look at the image below, where I’ve overlayed the imaginary with equally spaced horizontal and vertical lines.

You can see that I placed the most important elements of this page (my mother’s face, and the word “you”) at the intersection of the right and bottom lines. It’s important to note that when I scrapbook I don’t measure these lines exactly, I just eyeball them. As long as your element is close to the area of interest, your use of this rule will be effective.

Placing your focal (or most important) photo at one of the intersections of these lines will ensure that the viewer’s eye goes to that element of the page first. In essence, it will reinforce the fact that that element is the most important part of your story.

Example: In 2012 I Will

The above scrapbook page shows another way to apply the rule of thirds to your layouts. Since there were several important elements on this page, instead of placing them at the intersections of the lines I placed them all close together in the left two-thirds of the page. Take a look at the image below where I overlayed the vertical 2/3 line.

You can see that none of the important elements of the page (title, photos and journaling) crosses over the 2/3 line. Keeping the main elements of your page within 2/3 of your layout is an effective way to use the rule of thirds when you have several important parts to your story.

Example: Beauty All Around

The page above I created using Mediterranean Market papers demonstrates another application of the rule of thirds.  On this page I placed my main elements (photos, title, and journaling) along the two horizontal lines. Take a look at the image below to see the horizontal line guides overlayed on the page.

You can design a page with your photos along the top horizontal line and your title/journaling along the bottom (as I did here), or you can mix things up and place your title along the top line, and your photos and journaling along the bottom; your journaling and photos along the top, and your title along the bottom, etc. Just play around with the composition until you’re happy with the look!

The most important thing to remember about design principles and elements is that they are tools in your creative arsenal to help you scrapbook more quickly and beautifully. You may use none of these principles on a page, only one, or several of them all together. They are simply helpful tools that are available if you need them.

Be sure to come back next week when I share another design principle.  Here’s a hint…mirror, mirror on the wall.  Please feel free to ask any questions you might have in the comments section below. 

Happy scrapping!
Aly