Design tips: Just some things for you to think about!

There is an art to scrapbooking!

Scrapbooking is based on some of the same basic design rules as
painting/drawing, graphic design,

interior decorating, photography, landscaping, etc!

So I've got some things for you to think about that may help your scrapbooking design.

There is a basic rule called the
"Rule of Odds".

The gist of this rule is that things arranged in odd numbers
are more pleasing to the eye.

When making a layout, card, or project think about using things like pictures, embellishments, and papers in groups of 3, 5, 7, and so on!

There is a similar rule called the
"Rule of 3's".

The basic gist of this rule is that things arranged in 3s are more appealing, memorable, and pleasing to the eye than other numbers of objects.

OK so let's look at some examples of these rules in action...

Check out this layout by Virginia.

She's got 3 pictures, a cluster of 3 pumpkins at the top, and a cluster of 5 pumpkins at the bottom.

She used corrugated cardboard on 3 different places on this page.

(can you find them?)
She's even got 3 different areas where she has clustered embellies and/or journaling: a

bove the pictures, to the right of the pics, and then below the pics.

Way to abide by the rules Virginia!
:)
*****

There are some good "odds" in this layout by Kim.

She used 5 pictures.

There are 7 flags in the banner she created.

She even did her journaling on a cluster of 3 label stickers above the pictures on the left side of the page.

*****
Look at this one that I made for the "Stampy McStamperson" challenge.
I've got 3 stamped images, 3 buttons, and 3 asterick thingys from the pack of American Crafts Thickers to embellish around the picture.

I used the striped paper (which I adore) in 5 different places around the edges of the page.

*****
Look at this one that Noel made using the Bedford Falls kit.

She has some less obvious "odds" going on here!

She used 3 main colors: blue, red, and green.

She has text distributed in 3 places: the title with the tiny alpha stickers, the journaling block, and then the "Merry Christmas" tag on the left corner of the picture.

There are 3 stars under the "star" in the title of the layout.

She used 3 different strips of patterned paper underneath the pictures.

See!!

There are odds everywhere!
:)

*****

OK now check out this one that Leah just posted with the Mary Ellen kit.

This one is interesting!
She has her layout divided up into 3 sections by using different patterned papers.

She has created a distinct left side, middle section, and left side.

She used 3 buttons.
It looks like she has used 3 prominent colors: green, blue, and red.
She has 3 clusters of embellies: bottom left corner of the page, bottom right corner of picture, and then at the top right corner of the picture.
Leah has all kinds of 3's going on here!

OK I hope these tips/rules help you the next time you start to put together a project!
Let me know if you have any questions!
:)

gretchen

Holiday Paper Wreath

Has anyone else seen these beauties floating around? I have, and I've been just waiting until I had a free moment to create one! My friend Jenny Chesnick has been making them with classes full of ladies at her local store for years, and though I have no clue how she made hers, I can usually find a way to jimmy something together. HeeHee!

I started out by gathering a few supplies. I ended up using a few more things than I started with, so I'll list those here, too, even though they're not pictured.
20 - 6'x6' pieces of double sided paper {5 - 12x12 sheets)
1 scalloped diecut paper
1 sheet of accent paper to cut into strips and accordion fold
1 - 8" circle of coordinating paper to glue the cones to
1 - 4" circle of coordinating paper to glue the accordion folded accent paper to
1 - 9" piece of ribbon to make the hanger for the back
letters and embellishments to finish
scissors
trimmer
hot glue gun

Start by rolling the 6x6 papers into cones.

Secure by gluing under the top edge with a glue gun.

I laid them out as I rolled  to be sure that I had enough. The amount you need will depend on how you roll them. :)

I needed 20 to complete my circle:

Now pull out your 8" circle:

Start attaching the cones to the circle with your hot glue gun - about 4" in.

Glue more cones on:

Until you complete the circle:

This is where I added my scalloped paper {after doing something else first and taking it off! LOL), but you could embellish how you like!

I then topped my scalloped paper with this accordion folded shape. To make it, I started by cutting my accent paper into 3" strips. Fold three of the strips to create the accordion circle. I did about a 1/2" fold. Then glue to strips end to end.

Glue to the 4" circle:

Finished:

Layer it on top of the scalloped paper, and embellish! {Note: I used the final 3" strip of paper to create the little banner that I added my letters to!

To hang it up, I hot glued a piece of ribbon to the back:

If you have any questions, please post in the comments! I'll check back and try to answer!