| Although there really aren't any rules when it comes to | | | | Depending on your taste, there are many methods of |
| creativity, it is helpful to have some guidelines to follow | | | | achieving symmetry. Some people prefer to have |
| when approaching scrapbooking for the first time. | | | | things visually centered. Others, off-center. Depending |
| Consider these tips as you think about how you are | | | | on the size of your images and embellishments, you |
| going to lay out your page and use all of your photos, | | | | can play around to see what works best. The only rule |
| embellishments and other elements to create a | | | | of thumb in this area is to remember that the eye is |
| cohesive design. | | | | naturally trained to view things from left to right, and |
| Choose the Best Photos: | | | | then down. Keep this in mind when considering the |
| It's been said that it only takes 2 - 3 images to trigger a | | | | placement of your key elements. |
| solid memory. As you go through the selection | | | | Use of Embellishments: |
| process for your photos, consider that an event can | | | | There is no magical formula here - just like dressing up |
| be represented by showing just a few visuals. Most | | | | for the cocktail party, consider your primary image |
| people these days have digital cameras, and therefore | | | | your 'little black dress', and the embellishments are |
| have oodles of photos from every angel - a play by | | | | simply your accessories! Try not to overpower your |
| play that's almost minute to minute! When it comes to | | | | image(s), and remember that there is nothing wrong |
| scrapbooking, less is more. Pick the best of the best, | | | | with a little empty space. |
| the cream of the crop! Then, if you don't wish to rid of | | | | Using Page Titles and Lettering: |
| the others, have a separate photo album or box to | | | | When not using a journal entry, it makes sense to add |
| store the 'extras'. | | | | a title to your page. Whether you use pre-cut lettering, |
| Find a Focal Point: | | | | rubber stamps, or even your own handwriting, the key |
| When deciding on the size of your photos, consider | | | | to keeping your layout looking good is to watch the |
| whether you want one larger than the others - almost | | | | proportion of your Title to the rest of your page's |
| like the primary focal point of your page. Other photos | | | | elements. Don't overpower your page and take away |
| can act as a complement. Or, if you like to keep it | | | | from your images by using letters that are too large in |
| simple, having just one primary image can make a | | | | proportion to your images. |
| very nice presentation - especially when partnered up | | | | Paper Choices: |
| with a page title and or journaling entry. | | | | This all depends on the theme of your scrapbook. If |
| Including a Journal Entry: | | | | the entire scrapbook is centered around one main |
| There are times in our lives that warrant the need for | | | | event (such as a wedding), then it makes sense for |
| documenting - whether it's the funny conversation you | | | | the entire book to have a themed set of papers that |
| had with your child, or the way you felt when you | | | | all complement one another. If the scrapbook is a |
| experienced love and friendship that day. Including a | | | | collage of main events in someone's life, then it doesn't |
| journal entry with your primary photo is a wonderful | | | | need the overall design consistency, and it's okay to |
| way to preserve the memory of that person or event | | | | simply marry each page of spread to one another. |
| being featured on your page. Journaling can be done in | | | | Then again, there are many who prefer to approach |
| a handwritten form, or can also be done on the | | | | their scrapbook as simply a collection of individual |
| computer, allowing you to select the font most | | | | pages, and in that case, it's not in any way important to |
| appropriate for the page. | | | | connect the pages to each other visually. |
| An Eye for Symmetry: | | | | |