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Post by kmage on Sept 11, 2022 21:28:21 GMT
What makes a great scrapbook page? What gives it the "wow" factor? I was just looking at some of the layouts I have done for Sketchtember and some I like fine, and one I really really love. It might be my favorite scrapbook page I have ever done. As I was looking at it, I started thinking, what makes me think this is some really good scrapbooking vs. just ok scrapbooking? Because we all know sometimes you just slap 'em down to get that pesky page done, or finish the book or whatever. But what I am talking about is the "ooooo" and "ahhhh" factor. Some of the scrappy people I follow-their pages almost always look "next level". So what takes it there? (ETA, I did not include photos in the poll, as for LO's, it is what is done with the photos, otherwise it would just be a photo album, not a scrapbook  ) |
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Post by teacherlisa on Sept 11, 2022 22:34:12 GMT
I did not vote because what I would pick is not an option. I think this is an interesting question and we could have as many different answers as people on the board.
My vote is that less is more (as far as techniques and embellishments etc) and that the photos take the center stage. I also think good journaling "levels" up the page so I would also vote for that.
I think its great to go back and look at your pages from time to time to see what you really love about the pages you do, and then do more of that!
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Post by Linda on Sept 11, 2022 23:04:24 GMT
I voted for a pleasing design - my second choice would be colours - the right combination of colours and the right gallon/quart/pint rule mix Some of the scrappy people I follow-their pages almost always look "next level". I suspect that they only share their 'next level' layouts |
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
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Post by scrapnnana on Sept 11, 2022 23:17:40 GMT
I did not vote because what I would pick is not an option. I think this is an interesting question and we could have as many different answers as people on the board. My vote is that less is more (as far as techniques and embellishments etc) and that the photos take the center stage. I also think good journaling "levels" up the page so I would also vote for that. I think its great to go back and look at your pages from time to time to see what you really love about the pages you do, and then do more of that! I agree that the focus needs to be on the photos. I also think color, balance, and embellishments all play a part. For me, it isn’t about using the latest and greatest, or making it trendy. A layout with “WOW!” factor will stand the test of time and still look great years later, not dated. I don’t glue anything down until I am happy with the layout. Some layouts are obviously more meaningful than others, but getting it done isn’t as important to me as finishing a layout that makes me feel truly satisfied inside, a kind of a glowing warmth when I look at the layout. That’s the “WOW!” factor for me. I suspect that “WOW factor” might mean something different to different people, though. |
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Post by AussieMeg on Sept 11, 2022 23:25:33 GMT
Hmmmm what a tough question! I agree with Colour Queen Linda , that a pleasing design and colours take a layout to the next level. I think for me, colours are probably the most important thing. It's certainly the thing that catches my interest first, both in other people's layouts or in digital kits. I did a layout for my Sketchtember 10, and I don't really like it at all. I tried adding things to it to see if I liked it more, but it was the colours that I just don't like. I really love the design of the sketch. If I had used the same sketch and scrapped some beach photos in blue, green, yellow, orange, or some spring photos in pastels, I would like it a LOT better. But because I was on a deadline, I had to leave it as it. When Sketchtember is over I will probably go back and change the whole page. |
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Post by grammadee on Sept 11, 2022 23:38:02 GMT
Simon Cowell was always looking for the "It" factor. When I see a LO that has it, I respond to it, but I don't think "it" has a formula. Some pages are WOW by being clean and simple. Some because of all the fun elements working together.
Some of the elements I think make a great page area a title that grabs you, a STORY that is interesting, and PHOTOS that help to tell it. If you had those three elements, I don't think it would matter much what supplies you used.
I sometimes don't know I have something special until I look at the LO a day or two later. Not so much the day of, right after I have rejected all the stuff that COULD have gone on it and the sketch I tried to follow has been lost somewhere along the way.
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Post by refugeepea on Sept 12, 2022 0:14:38 GMT
I wouldn't know. I'm okay with mediocre.  |
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Post by KikiPea on Sept 12, 2022 1:31:04 GMT
I almost always use a combination of diecuts/stickers/chipboard/enamel dots…probably 50% of the time mixed media/splatters and every once in a while (more ,recently) puffy stickers/stamps. I probably never, very very rarely, use just one manufacturer/collection. I love mixing it all up! I also rarely do 3 clusters anymore.I’m more drawn to two, but it depends on the design I use.
The one thing I do 100% of the time is make sure that the photo(s) are the focus, whether I use 1, or 10.
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Post by 950nancy on Sept 12, 2022 1:51:11 GMT
I need the right paper and the right embellishments.
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paget
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,743
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:39 GMT
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Post by paget on Sept 12, 2022 2:20:05 GMT
I don’t think there s a specific thing or group of things - just when it is next level, it IS. Lol For me it would probably include a technique that was new or special or a combo of colors and/or patterned paper and a great creative title- not really the words of the title but they way it was executed.
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Post by kmage on Sept 12, 2022 2:41:55 GMT
great creative title- not really the words of the title but they way it was executed. Ooo, I can definitely see this. When I see a great title it really makes the page awesome. Titles are one scrappy thing I really struggle with! |
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Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Sept 12, 2022 2:51:38 GMT
For me, it's usually about placement and choosing products.
In my mind, I have an idea >> I gather the possible items that I might want to use (paper, sticker, alphabets, titles, etc....
I began a possible assembly.....photo here, photo there, sticker here, sticker there, title, this paper, that paper.
If what I envision, isn't coming together. I look through my stash again, and start rearranging the layout.
Sometimes it comes together, sometimes it doesn't.
If I am frustrated with what I am working on, then I usually start over-thinking things. At that point, it usually helps to take a break from it for a day or two (or ten). Then when I get back to it, it usually comes together.
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Post by kmage on Sept 12, 2022 3:01:59 GMT
I suspect that they only share their 'next level' layouts This is awesome linda lol...fair point! I want to see some scrap celebs share their LO of the 479th time they took the kids to the park. |
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Post by chaosisapony on Sept 12, 2022 3:14:41 GMT
For me it all comes down to colors. Do the pieces of solid cardstock match, coordinate, and compliment the patterned papers perfectly? Are all the papers on the same base and the same texture? If you're inking edges are all the edges inked? That type of coordination just does it for me. When things are mixed together I can be ok with it but they don't tend to be pages that I am in love with.
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Post by don on Sept 12, 2022 4:43:38 GMT
Some here may be old enough to remember Ricky Nelson. He left, for me, a life lesson; "You can't please everybody, so you might as well please yourself."
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Post by jeremysgirl on Sept 12, 2022 12:23:14 GMT
I do project life now and I do it specifically because I'm irritated with past layouts that don't have any journaling. Now, I don't need a notebook's worth of journaling, but something. I think my wow factor layouts are the ones that tell a story. The rest is just icing on the cake.
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christinec68
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,122
Location: New York, NY
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Post by christinec68 on Sept 12, 2022 13:09:23 GMT
Simon Cowell was always looking for the "It" factor. When I see a LO that has it, I respond to it, but I don't think "it" has a formula. Some pages are WOW by being clean and simple. Some because of all the fun elements working together. Some of the elements I think make a great page area a title that grabs you, a STORY that is interesting, and PHOTOS that help to tell it. If you had those three elements, I don't think it would matter much what supplies you used. I sometimes don't know I have something special until I look at the LO a day or two later. Not so much the day of, right after I have rejected all the stuff that COULD have gone on it and the sketch I tried to follow has been lost somewhere along the way. The "It Factor" is what popped in my head. It doesn't happen all the time but that moment when I find the perfect something that brings the whole page together feels like magic (sorry to be soooo dramatic here  ). Last week, I was working on a page and all the papers and colors looked good together - there were lots of lighter colors but I had a red mat behind a big piece of the page that was great for contrast but it still needed something. Then I added two thin strips of black & white striped washi and it brought the entire page together and (imo) to a whole new level. That's when I went to "Heck Yeah!" |
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pantsonfire
Pearl Clutcher
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 4,744
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Post by pantsonfire on Sept 12, 2022 14:32:42 GMT
I selected make sure the layout is pleasing. BUT...what is pleasing to me may not be to another.
I don't like layouts with embellishment sneeze. Ya know, the ones most often seen by DT members who have to pimp out all the products.
I prefer the photo/s to tell the story with some goodness added in. And decent sized photos. Not one small 2x2 or 3x3. I am never drawn with my eyes to the photo, I am instead overwhelmed.
Sometimes simple is best for what I want. Other times I want splatters and clusters.
They are all heck yeah pocket pages to me.
I adjust as I go until I feel it's set and I am happy.
That could be printed card inserts, photos and a little Journaling. That could be made card inserts with dimension, photos, title, and no Journaling- just date.
To me scrapbooking and documenting is like art.
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Post by infochick on Sept 12, 2022 19:52:20 GMT
I like my layouts well enough, but I find them a bit predictable. For me, a wow layout often comes with a big overall design element or a new way of using a patterned paper that I did not think of--usually some kind of creative element that pushes it out of the ordinary. Those are the kinds of layouts that strike me as being really special. I have a friend who is very good at making those kinds of layouts and I'm always impressed by how each of her layouts looks really different.
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