Everyone has their favorite scrapbooking techniques. These are the ones you use again and again, and over time they become part of your unique, "signature" style.
Here are some of my favorite techniques. I use them because I like the look they give my pages and they're easy to do, especially if you have the right tools. So here goes…
1. Using sketches to make layouts
As I've mentioned, I never start a layout without 'em. I was introduced to the concept of sketches through the Becky Higgins column in Creating Keepsakes. In the years since, I've collected sketches from her, Becky Fleck of Page|Maps, Valerie Salmon of Got Sketch and countless others.
I keep an index card file of all the sketches and categorize them by how many pictures are featured in each one. So if I have six photos, I flip through my file to find all the layouts designed for six photos. I can't emphasize enough how much faster and more enjoyable my scrapbooking process has been since I've been using sketches.
Some people may complain that sketches give a "cookie-cutter" look to your layouts, but I say the pattern is simply a blueprint to build upon. I can take the same blueprint and make it look different just by changing the paper, embellishments or even adjusting the orientation of the page.
Lately I've been using the Close to My Heart pattern books (Reflections, Cherish and Imagine). I really enjoy these because they provide actual measurements for each element on your layout.
Reflections scrapbook program
In the end, I love all sketches no matter where they come from. I highly recommend them for stress-free scrapbooking.
2. Distressing
Distressing refers to a variety of techniques that add texture to paper or even photos. Paper tearing, inking edges, sanding and crinkling are a just a few examples of distressing. I like paper tearing…
Cardstock (Bazzill); Patterned paper, Good Times; Stamps: Friendship Word Puzzle and Party Invitation (Close to My Heart); Brad (Making Memories)
…and roughing edges using an edge distresser…
Patterned paper, Vintage Travel (Close to My Heart)
…and inking edges.
Patterned paper, Silhouette (Close to My Heart)
3. Matting photos
I believe photos are the focal point of any layout and everything else plays a supporting role. I matte my photos to draw the eye to them. I also ink or distress the matte's edges to give them a little more punch. In this example, I decorated the matte with green Stickles–the cleanest way to add glitter bling to your layouts.
(That's me in the white judges wig. My colleagues and I were the "Supremes" and D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier for Halloween 2007.)
4. Using die cuts or chipboard
Whether it's lettering or shapes, die cuts and chipboard pieces add a nice touch to any page. Chipboard pieces, in particular, give your layouts added dimension. I like to decorate my die cuts and chipboard with Stickles, Liquid Glass, ribbon or fibers.
My Creations Circle Album with chipboard shapes; Patterned paper, Let’s Get Together; Friendship Word Puzzle stamp set; Stamp ink: Sweet Leaf, Buttercup, Cocoa; Liquid Glass (Close to My Heart), Ribbon (Michael's)
5. Using stamps on layouts
I'm a recent convert to using stamps on my layouts. My favorite technique is stamping letters or shapes, cutting them out and then adding them to my page. I use Stamp Art's Pop Dots to make the images pop out from the background to give a multi-dimensional look.
Cardstock: Bazill Basics; Patterned paper: KI Memories, Crate Paper; Ribbon: American Crafts; Brad: All My Memories; Eyelet: We R Memory Keepers; Rub-ons: Making Memories; Dies: (heart) Quickutz; Stamps (flower, parentheses, arrow) Autumn Leaves, (stitches) Technique Tuesday, (journaling lines) Rusty Pickle; Ink: Close to My Heart, Stampin' Up!; Sketch: Page|Maps
What are your favorite scrapbooking techniques? Do you use any of the techniques above? Share in the comments below!
Ooh, I love the “body, heart and soul” analogy. Journaling is important and I say it’s a definitely a technique because there are so many ways to do it. Thanks for making this point!
Just like you, I love using sketches (saves time gives variety to any scrapbook), torn paper (very classic newbie-friendly technique) matting (you never go wrong with the basics).
But my Top 1 technique is, of them all, journaling. Can we considering journaling a technique? I say, why not! I like to think that a scrapbook has a body (the album itself), a heart (the photos) and a soul… that’s the journaling. To me, my scrapbooks are not just albums, but the books of my life story, and the words are the element that take them to that level, without a doubt.
That’s why JOURNALING is my favorite “technique” of them all!