One of my favorite sayings (and one that I constantly have to remind myself of) is to "keep it simple." This tried and true favorite can apply to so many things in life, but when it comes to creating harmonious and eye-pleasing scrapbook pages it is well worth revisiting.
The eye is naturally drawn to simple clean colors and to basic shapes such as circles and squares. And these elements combined create stimulating and inspirational designs that you can use again and again on your pages. They can be jazzed up, toned down, oversized or undersized. The possibilities with these combinations are so limitless that you could create albums full of pages with simple shapes and classic colors and each and every page would be different and fresh.
Use of Color:
Using just one or two vivid colors on a layout works again and again; combine these colors with black or white and you will have finished pages in no time at all. You can use two shades of one color, as in the "Play Time" layout. The two shades of pink are different enough to create interest but similar enough to sit well together. The other alternative is to use two colors from opposite sides of the color wheel, such as in the "Hip Chic" layout. The fresh green and bright pink creates a stimulating contrast but, because the tones of the colors are similar, they work perfectly together. Combined on these pages with black and white, the look is modern and fun without being tiresome or too bright.
Use of Shape:
Basic shapes can tie your pages together so well that you will feel you have created your own mini masterpiece when your layout is finished. Used alone or combined, the combinations are really limitless. In the past year, so many manufacturers have produced exciting pre-made embellishments and patterned paper with basic shapes in mind. Cut outs, matching papers, cardstock stickers, slide mounts, the list goes on and on. Take your mind back to Kindergarten and remember just how exciting circles and squares really were! Don't forget to take a look at items you have around you as well. Trace a dinner plate to create an oversized circle accent or use a child's wooden block to stamp some basic squares on a page.
Style Treatment:
Using these products, colors and shapes just as the manufacturer intended can create modern fresh pages. But extending yourself and your scrapbooking knowledge a little outside the square will extend your style range even further. Adding some of your favorite techniques into these basic design principles can be lots of fun and very rewarding. As in the "Play Time" layout, add a variety of circle buttons to create an old-fashioned fun accent and kept the distressed theme going with some distressed paper and fabric.
In the page "Box Car," a basic shape theme was so appropriate. Some fun box lettering, box accents, a spotted patterned paper and some oversized circle punches and border strips bring all the elements together.
No matter many pages you create with these "keep it simple" favorites, you will soon see how addictive and quick it is to make these eye-catching pages.
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