How to get started when you have "brain freeze"

So what to do if you have "brain freeze"? Can't think of a layout? Well theres a few things you can do...

1) Go through magazines/catalogs/sales papers for layout ideas. You'll know which ones will pop out at you. Maybe its the layout, color or even the picture...

2) Go through old layouts (when I say old I mean OLD) and ask yourself what you would've done to make it better. Maybe added an embellishment or moved the picture over, etc.

3) Visit your favorite scrapbooking site, blog, store, etc. I usually go to Acmoore because if you walk down the scrapbooking aisle (I believe at Michaels as well) they have examples up above the scrapping supplies on the wall. This is perfect because since you're there you can brainstorm using those ideas and pick up the supplies right there.
By logging onto your favorite website you can get tips and techniques that may zap some inspiration.

4) Go to your favorite bookstore. My boyfriend and I always have to stop at Barnes n Noble or Boarders before we head home from any trip, or even if we just so happen to be around one. As he heads towards the Computer Science section I head over to the Arts and Crafts section. Even though scrapbooking may have only one small bookcase of books to choose from, I always find something worth buying. The books are never that expensive (they usually range from $10-30) and always have great ideas and tips.

5) Yearbooks... Yeah I know what you're thinking.. how can a yearbook inspire a layout. Well dust it off because believe me, a yearbook is just an expensive digital scrapbook for your high school. I worked on the yearbook staff all throughout high school and became the sports editor my senior year. It was my high and also my escape when I didn't want to sit in a boring class. Each yearbook page consisted of a background, title, "journaling", captions, and pictures. So go through your yearbook and see if maybe there may just be a layout you can work with.

Hope this helps you jump start a page if you have "brain freeze". Until next time, keep scrappin!

Layout topics don't need to be just about people...

While looking through my old scrapbooks I noticed that I have plenty of pages about my family and friends. Since I met my boyfriend and since my cousin/godson was born I've been making plenty of pages about them as well. After awhile all my pages started to become repetitive. One day I was reading my favorite scrapbooking blog and the host talked about making pages about everyday objects, your hobby (including scrapbooking and photography), your favorite place to go to relax, your favorite meal, pets, etc. The options for your topics are endless. So try and take another look about the things that matter to you. You'll want to look back and see what you were interested in now. (I'll post a page when I get the chance... again.... sorry but I tend to procrastinate :) )

Rule of thirds

Most of the places I have went to looking for photography tips have all agreed that one of the most basic but important rule is the "rule of thirds". The "rule of thirds" can apply to scrapping as well. Place the subject/focal point in one of the "thirds" of your picture or page (see the snowboarding picture on the right hand side of my blog). You can place your subject on the top, bottom, right, or left side of your picture.

At first I wasn't sure if I would like having empty space on one side of my photo but there are ways to make it look nice. For example, say you would like to take a picture of your child in the pumpkin patch this fall. Well you can place them all the way to which ever side you want. Set your camera to the portrait mode. Hold your shutter button down half way so you are focusing on your subject. Then slide your camera, still holding the button down half way, so your subject ends up in one of the "thirds". Then push the button all the way down to take the picture. You will notice the background, possibly the pumpkin patch, is a little blurry and your subject is still in focus.

As far as your scrapbooking page goes you can set up your page so that your picture, embellishment, title, or captions is in a third of the page. I plan on scanning in an example so that you can see what I mean as soon as I can.

So go ahead and try out the rule of thirds and see how your pictures look so much better.

Hello everyone!

Hello everyone!!! Thank you for visiting my blog :)

I won't post anything tonight because it is 12:30 am and I am exhausted (I just got back from vacation with my boyfriend for our 3 year anniversary). I figured that I should however post what my blog will be about.

I will mostly focus on scrapbooking and photography. I plan on posting some tips and techniques I have learned or discovered that might help anyone who wants to scrapbook or wants to become a better photographer.

To help you out I posted some websites I have come across that have really helped me out. I plan on posting more as I find them.

I will try and post everyday... try being the key word.

Feel free to comment or send me questions that you have and I will try and answer them... I check my email constantly. If I cannot answer it for you I will send you back a link or whatever that should be able to answer it for you. Please do not hesitate to email me.

Well I will try and actually post something tomorrow. Feel free to check out my web page to see my photographs until then!!