Oscraps
Starting a new layout
- Thread starter AnaSantos
- Start date
tjscraps
Well-Known Member
I usually am inspired either by a kit or by a photo. If it's a kit I will play with the kit and put everything on it that I want, then find a photo to go with it later. More often I start with the photo and a story and then find a kit to go with it, and go from there. I love templates though too!
If it is a kit that I specifically want or need to scrap I look through the kit carefully and formulate ideas. Then I decide what in the kit I want to focus on, if anything. I decide whether it is photo page or not. If it is, then I put the photo on the paper and work around it and decide where to place it. Sometimes I use a template, and at times, I will look at templates for design ideas, not use them. I often look to see ideas that other people have used if I can.
I mostly scrap family albums so it used to be fairly straighforward - start with photos, think about thejournaling and choose the kit that fits. Since I got on CTs, this has changed and I now start with the kit I need to work with and try to fit the theme/colors into my albums, which has now led to my having SEVEN year albums in various stages of completion (not a singl one beyond 20%... lol). I have also become more playful with my hobby (aka less driven) and I enjoy creating 'just for fun' art journaling layouts - those are always inspired by the kit on hand.
I'm no help at all, Ana - I use all of these methods. It just depends. I love to use templates though I seldom use them exactly as they are. Here of late, I have my photos in mind and go looking for what works, but I've been really into art journaling, too. Sigh, no help at all!
LSlycord
Well-Known Member
I nearly always start with a kit. I rarely mix kits...although I have been thinking that I need to get a collection of a few things that can be pulled in no matter the kit…like frames and stitches and staples…
This is a great thread. I find it so interesting to hear what others do. Thanks @AnaSantos for starting it.
This is a great thread. I find it so interesting to hear what others do. Thanks @AnaSantos for starting it.
Sounds like a fantastic idea to me Sharon. I will try this way of yours. Thanks!!
Wow, Olga!! seven albums is too many. You'll have to work hard to finish them. I know you will.
Don´t say that Susan, you where a great help! xx
Thank you so much for your contribution, Linda! I love the idea of having a collection of things that can easily fit in any layout, cool. And I agree with you, I´m loving to hear about what others do too. xx
Most of my layouts are done for CT work... so I start with the kit/collection/template. I look over the collection to get an idea of what theme I want to use with it. Then I look for photo/s that have similar colors and/or theme. I have collections of photos but if I don't have one that will work... I look at some of the free stock photo places.
I usually start with some elements and photo/s to see which one/s will work well together. If I am going to use a photo mask/frame - I select them at this point. I build clusters/elements around the photo/s. I usually add shadows now - paying close attention to the light source in the photo/s. If I have more than one photo... I make sure the light source is similar in them. Sometimes I will flip a photo and light source so that the shadows on the elements will show better.... this can be critical if the elements/clusters are layered under the photo. I usually add title, word art, accents, overlays, etc at this point. Then I add several papers in the background and click to show/hide each paper to decide which paper works best. I am amazed sometimes at the paper that works the best. Then I play around moving/adding accents, overlays, etc around until I am pleased with how it looks.
For a paper stacked LO... I will link everything in the layout together then reduce size and rotate it at an angle. Then play with adding papers underneath the main LO.
I usually start with some elements and photo/s to see which one/s will work well together. If I am going to use a photo mask/frame - I select them at this point. I build clusters/elements around the photo/s. I usually add shadows now - paying close attention to the light source in the photo/s. If I have more than one photo... I make sure the light source is similar in them. Sometimes I will flip a photo and light source so that the shadows on the elements will show better.... this can be critical if the elements/clusters are layered under the photo. I usually add title, word art, accents, overlays, etc at this point. Then I add several papers in the background and click to show/hide each paper to decide which paper works best. I am amazed sometimes at the paper that works the best. Then I play around moving/adding accents, overlays, etc around until I am pleased with how it looks.
For a paper stacked LO... I will link everything in the layout together then reduce size and rotate it at an angle. Then play with adding papers underneath the main LO.
LSlycord
Well-Known Member
Wow @BrightEyes, I feel like I just learned a whole bunch from reading your comment.
When I look at your designs Ana, it seems li.ke it's always a piece of cake for you 
Usually I start by choosing a paper, then I look for a photo, sometimes I change the photo. And for the rest it depends on the kit I work with, I like to use overlays and clusters (sometimes I make them myself) I usually save the wordart for last
Usually I start by choosing a paper, then I look for a photo, sometimes I change the photo. And for the rest it depends on the kit I work with, I like to use overlays and clusters (sometimes I make them myself) I usually save the wordart for last
newbie2digi
Well-Known Member
I have a more literal response to your question. I start out every layout with a "paper". I have a 12x12 orange textured paper that I have save in PSCC with all the settings pre set. I open up the orange paper and then build on it, like it is a foundation. Then, most of the time, I just delete that layer when I'm done. It's not anything amazing, but since it is colored already I'm not faced with the blank page fear.
Thanks, Linda. I have been doing CT work for years and have learned a lot over time. I used to start with paper but found over time that I do better waiting to add paper/s until I have the basics set for the page first. Having said that, I admit that sometimes a paper grabs my creative mojo first.. .then I work with the paper and add things that enhance the paper. I am used to working on a transparent background now. If I really can't see how well the elements/photo/mask look, I will add a temporary white layer underneath.
Wow, Kate!! this makes me think that I have so, so much to learn. Thanks you so much for sharing your way of work. I will definitely take your contibution in consideration. xx
LoL, Vera!! they may look like a piece of cake but sometimes they took me a whole afternoon or a few days, it depends on the delivery date to complete a layout. I never deliver a layout I'm not fully satisfied with. I just love what you said about the WA because sometimes it is my starting point. xxWhen I look at your designs Ana, it seems li.ke it's always a piece of cake for you
Usually I start by choosing a paper, then I look for a photo, sometimes I change the photo. And for the rest it depends on the kit I work with, I like to use overlays and clusters (sometimes I make them myself) I usually save the wordart for last
Wow, that is something really new to me, thank you for sharing. I´m not really afraid of the white space, I always follow the rule of a special wizened guy "less is more", so I like to start my layout with a white page ... always. xx
The first thing I do is look at the whole kit; that way I can decide what kind of layout I'm going to do - AJ, for instance.
If I have a specific picture I want to use, then I look at the paper next, for the background. Sometimes I change them out later, but it gives me a starting point.
If I have a specific picture I want to use, then I look at the paper next, for the background. Sometimes I change them out later, but it gives me a starting point.
As most of my pages are CT work, I mostly start with a kit so I look at the colors, the theme, look at elements and brushes to see if it brings a photo to mind, a specific season, event, etc. I start by dragging a few papers that catch my eye onto my layout and then turn the layers off until I decide which I want to use which I'll decide on as I get further into the page design. I also drag some elements onto the page I know I would like to use and put them up on a corner, away from the area I want to start building on. Then I'll either drag and place them in position on my page or delete them if I decide I don't want to use them.
tanteva
Mistress of Mayhem
I start where the inspiration is. Sometimes it's a photo I want to scrap, sometimes a quote, sometimes a specific element/wordart/paper/whatever. I love using templates, and I think they are a great way to get my mojo back if I need a kick in the butt to get my scrapping done.
If I should guess ... I think photos are the most common start for my layouts.
If I should guess ... I think photos are the most common start for my layouts.
scrap-genie
Well-Known Member
Photos are usually where I start, but I pick a paper as the base and work from there. Many times that paper isn't in the final LO. As I don't do CT work I don't focus on kits and mostly pick from several or many as my design develops.
Wow, thanks!! great ideas.
Thanks, Rae!! sometimes I do the same with the papers, drag them and turn off the layers, LoL. xx
Thanks, Eva!! sometimes I like to use templates too and for the same reason, LoL. The problem is that I´m slower with a template, don´t know why.
Thank you for your contribution. This is a very interesting way of scrapping, being focus on the photo and not having to use a specific kit gives you more liberty to create. Enjoy!
Ana - it seems like oyu have such a n easy time creating pages - as just about all the pages i do are ct work i start with the kit/template . As i dont have any decent personal photos , i use stock photos or photos form photgrpahers i have prmission ot use and that is done last to match the page. And from a kit i start with papers.
mom2triplets04
Well-Known Member
Lately I've been doing challenges. So I read the instructions and then search for photos that would match with that theme. I work backwards. Current to past. Kits are chosen for the theme. I mostly search for dog kits, season or month kits. I also like art journaling and craft kits. I have triplets G/B/G so any kit really works for them. They are teenagers now. I do like to tell the story though on the page so you will see some type of journaling on my pages. I also like to write poetry so you will see that from time to time on my pages too.