Techneek of the Week - Build A Page

This week I'm showcasing, from start to finish, a simple way to complete a layout using a "divide and conquer" approach!

Sometimes even I get stuck when I start a layout. And this is a super easy way to kickstart your creativitiy even when you're not feeling it! All you have to do is visually divide your layout into smaller sections making a little grid on your page. Then add your basic elements, like your photos and pattern paper, and lastly you go in with your embellishments and title to finish the page! This method can be used over and over again, and no one will ever notice! And you can embellish as much or as little as you like, so it suits every type of scrapbooker!

You will need:

Solid and pattern paper to suit your photos - grab lots and we'll whittle it down to the ones that fit and match best.

A pencil and eraser - to mark where your papers and photos will end up

Embellishments and sticker letters - or whatever you want to use to embellish your finished layout

If you're really finicky about measuring and whatnot, grab a nice ruler and your trimmer. I do everything by sight, and cut with my aweseome big orange Fiskars scissors.

Repositionable adhesive

Step One:

Pick your background paper. I'm doing a 9x9 layout, so I cut down a 12x12 sheet of new Autumn Leaves paper. You can do this technique on a rectangle as well, so those 8.5 x 11 scrappers out there!

Next, decide where your photos are going to go. This will help determine the rest of your grid's shape and size. I'm using two 4x6 photos, but I layered the horizontal picture over top of the vertical one. If you decide you need to crop your photos, don't do it yet!! Wait until you decide the final position of all your elements before you start cutting anything!!

Use your pencil to mark the background paper where the edges of your photos will sit. If you're really worried about things moving around while your trying to work, use repositionable adhesive to stick things down before you have to really stick them down!!

(Sorry about the crooked photos...Blogger!!!)


Step Two: I pulled together all the potential pattern papers from my stash that I might want to use. This is also a great technique to help use up your scraps! We're not going to use all of these patterns (I'm not that crazy!!), but it helps to keep your options open.

Step Three: Try picking a couple of patterns from your giant stack and cutting them down to fit in the grid pattern. I grabbed a little scrap of October Afternoon lined paper, and turquoise flocked Doodlebug and cut them into smaller strips to fill the space beside the horizontal photo. A DreamStreet journaling tag fills the larger space and will work great when I get around to putting journaling on the page.

If the first couple of papers don't work for you, try some others. If you're doing a larger layout, you might need bigger scraps than I used. Or you can use more. Once you have them in a position that you like, mark their edges onto the background paper (or stick them down with temporary adhesive)

Step Three: To make your grid look less like a grid, add some scallops or swirls to break up the harsh lines of the grid. The lined paper I used accentuates the linear aspeact of the layout, so I really needed to add some "rounder" elements, for lack of a better word!!

I grabbed some more paper out of my stash that was already scalloped for me. The new Sassafraslass papers come with a super neat-o patterned border.

Techneek Within a Techneek!!!

So I thought I would share a mini-techneek in here with you! Here's a how-to on creating your very own scallop-edged border.

Grab your favourite corner rounder punch, doesn't matter what size (I'm using medium) and pull the guard off. That's the extra green plastic piece that sits around the edge anbd guides your paper in. Don't worry...you'll be able to put it back on again!!

Starting at the left end of your paper, line the bottom edge of the paper up with the flat edge in your punch. Now punch the paper. Then move the punch to the right so the very tip of the curved part of the punch is even with the last scallop you punched. Then punch again.

Keep doing this all down your paper to get a nice scalloped edge.I didn't end up using this little scalloped piece in my finished layout, but it's still a good technique to know!!

Continued...Once you have the basic pattern paper and photos in place to complete your grid, glue them down for good! Remember that you have marks on your background paper to line everything up again.

And now you can embellish the layout. I used a curved banner right in the middle of the layout, right in the middle of the grid, to add some dimension and break up the harsh lines of the paper. The Prima flowers and paper heart add more curvy lines and act as focal points that guide your eye around the layout. I added my title to the outside of the grid so I could still use the lined paper for my journaling.




There aren't a lot of embellishments on the layout, but the ones that are there add both to the theme of the photos, and add some depth and texture to the grid.

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Now how about that contest...

I've got some sweet Riff Raff Designs chipboard from the October release, as well as the big swirl, some fab fall American Crafts ribbon, Prima fall leaves, and lots of buttons!

There's also a little "runners up" prize, because we here at TM like to spread the love!!

I'll announce the winners next Thursday. All you need to do to win is leave a comment below with your favourite product/technique and you have a chance to get your hands on these sweet prizes!!

And check back because I'm going to feature some of the other TM girl's artwork and their "signature moves" i.e. the techneeks and products they love!