Before you mat your photograph, you need to choose a color to enhance the subject in the picture. Select a solid color cardstock or a very simple pattern paper so it does not compete with the photograph. You can choose to take colors from the photograph or take colors from the pattern paper you want to use in the layout. If your photos are black and white, a monochromatic scheme will work well. Adhere your photograph to one corner of the paper leaving a 1/8" to 1/4" border on the top and side of the photo. Using your paper trimmer, cut the other two sides (bottom and side), leaving the same 1/8" to 1/4" border. You have now single-matted your photo. Take this step even further, and add a double mat or even a triple mat to your photographs.
Now that you know how to mat, let's talk about enhancing your focal point photo.
1. Double or triple mat your focal point and single/double mat your remaining photos for the same layout.
2. Use a pre-made frame over your focal point. If the frame has a pattern print that is distracting, mat the inside of the frame with solid cardstock first before placing it over your photo.
3. Pop-dot your focal point photo.
4. Make your focal point photo larger, either by having it printed in a larger size or creating the mat in a larger size.
5. Surround your focal point photo with beads, tiles, buttons, fibers, fabric, tulle, etc.
6. Create the mat to be wider on one side of the photo and add alphabet stickers for a title, journaling, charms, beads, stickers, etc.
Now that you've learned about matting and highlighting your focal point you can start creating layouts or add ideas that you hadn't tried before.
Be sure to join us next month when we talk about different papers used in scrapbooking. Until then...just scrap it!
