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Balancing a Page

There are a few things that lead to a “balanced” page; one that’s easy to look at and adds to the value and charm of your scrapbook:

Size or symmetrical balance: it is a good idea to avoid “heaviness” on a page. For example, putting a large picture in one corner and no other pictures and little embellishment. If you have a large item you want to offset, it is a good idea to put 2 smaller pictures in the opposite corner or side to help balance it; you can also use cutouts, decorations and other embellishments in a way that the one side does not appear “heavy”. This can also work with 2 pictures and 3 smaller pictures/embellishments; you can also create a type of interesting balance with the same number of pictures in opposite corners.

Color can be an interesting thing to balance: you can use it to create a mood on your page, balance out less desirable elements or colors in a picture or enhance a feature or color of a picture. For example, if you have an orange hat in a picture that’s just *too* bright and pulls to much attention, you could half-mat it on the corner nearest the hat with red and that will help “fade” it, or make it less obvious. However, that same red mat would make the greens in a forest shot really stand out. Usually the colors on a color wheel nearby the one in question will help blend it in, colors across from it on the wheel will enhance it with contrast.

You can also use “rhythm” to balance your page. Having straight lines, even spaces, balanced shapes (square, circle, triangle) and small patterns can give an “organized” or “controlled” rhythm. Having diagonal lines, unequal shapes (pentagon, parallelogram, polygon), uneven spaces and unequal sizes or patterns can give a “dynamic” or “active” feel.

You can also use your embellishments (cutouts, stickers, borders, gems, etc.) to a balancing effect with your picture: a simple, plain picture such as a portrait might be overwhelmed with lots of embellishment, where a busier picture might benefit from more details around it.

If you have a hard time balancing your page, lay your items in place and walk away for a while, so you can see it later with a fresher perspective. Or, have a friend or family member who has a good eye for these things check it for you before you make your page permanent.

Adhesive Must-Haves

Sometimes you just don’t need to improve on a good thing. Many of the top scrapbook adhesives have been around for 10 years or more. I’m not saying that some haven’t been improved over the years, or companies haven’t come out with an adhesive that really made certain projects easier.

But my scrapbook room is not complete without these items. They are the same now as they were 10 years ago and I love that. I appreciate that I can still have the product loyalty after all these years.

My top picks in adhesives and yes they are in order ;)

1. Hermafix Dotto

2. Foam Squares – especially since I love to stamp and cut out images.

3. Glue Dots

Seriously, anyone that has been scrapbooking for a while is laughing right now because we’ve all used these products since they came out. But they are something I can never be without in my scrapbook supplies.

What are your must-have adhesives?

Scrap Facts Guide Sale

the scrap facts guide

the scrap facts guide

Scrapbooking is as much therapuetic as it is an artform. After the stress of the holidays I want to help more people enjoy the art of scrapbooking and take time for themselves.

The Scrap Facts Guide was written to be easy to follow. You will begin scrapbooking quickly. For the more advanced scrapbooker this can help you get out of a rut. Many times we just have to get back to the basics to find our creativity again!

I love to help new scrapbookers get started. Because the holidays can wipe out many of our checkbooks I am running a huge special on The Scrap Facts Guide. I have marked down my 61 page guide OVER 50%! But this deep discount is only good until Jan. 17th, so jump now or pay the full retail price later.

Does your blog or website market to scrapbookers and moms? Promote our guide and earn 35% of each sale. Just scroll down the bottom of the sales page for the affiliate sign up link.

The Scrap Facts Guide

the scrap facts guide

the scrap facts guide

Creating more albums quickly and easily is a dream come true for most of us scrapbookers.  We relish our pictures in beautiful albums we can share instead of in boxes and envelopes. The Scrap Facts Guide is here to help you accomplish just that goal.

Instantly download this ebook and enjoy making some albums today.  Have a scrapbooker to buy for this season?  Print off a copy of the ebook and include it with some scrapbook supplies for a more personalized gift.

The Scrap Facts Guide is hugely discounted to only $7 right now. This will only be for the holidays, so take advantage of the discount before it goes up to full price in the new year.

Feature Area

I just want to check out the feature spot and see if this is how it work.  I’m excited to move this site to WP as this is what I am fluent in and can get updates done so quickly!

Check out here for some awesome deals in scrapbook products, ebooks, books, and especially freebies!  I’ll be on the lookout for all the freebies I can find for you.  Scrapbooking can be expensive and putting our money where it’s best spent is important.  But we definitely do not want to lose any quality in graphics or paper.  Free does not have to mean lesser quality, it just means I’ve done the research so you can have it all in one spot.  :)