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Post by judyc on Apr 12, 2023 18:27:42 GMT
There have been some recent threads (e.g. 'Icons that need to go') about the topic of titles, phrases and motifs -- which ones you like, which ones you don't like, which ones need to go.
So what do you do when you're creating a page and you have a million or so premade embellishments that include llama's and "Best Day Ever" titles or phrases, and all you really need is a cute puppy on a nice phrase to describe the day other than "Best Ever"? Do you still use the llama and the Best Day Ever title, or do you create your own using your Cricut/ Cameo/Sizzix or letter stickers/thickers or is there a third option - something else (e.g. find and buy what you need)? Personally, I'm not very good at using embellishments that don't match my page theme - I err on the literal side - so I wouldn't put spring flowers on snow pages ( I've seen that done) or llamas on anything where I couldn't make a connection - like a birthday party or animal event, and I haven't had that many Best Days Ever (again maybe being too literal).
So I'm wondering if others work with the inventory you have of premade embellishments or do you create the titles/phrases/motifs you need, or maybe a little of both? I tend to overbuy embellishments then struggle to use them and wind up creating my own with my supplies and tools - paper punches, stamps, Cameo, metal dies. Possibly I need to quit purchasing premade, but on the other hand, attaching a premade embellishment is a lot quicker than creating one with tools and supplies.
Also, has anyone found a good source/manufacturer that has great premade embellishments that are more useful and less repetitive than the ones mentioned in other threads? I've found the Vicki Boutin embellishments very usable on the pages that I've made in the last year or two.
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Post by scrappyrabbit on Apr 12, 2023 18:51:29 GMT
I try not to be so restrictive with icons/motifs. So if it’s a page about my dog, I wouldn’t mind a llama embellishment because it’s whimsical and animal themed. Best day ever I just use with abandon because why can’t every day be the best day ever lol. Now, I wouldn’t put icons of houses on a white water rafting page (which is something I saw someone on YouTube do once and I was appalled haha) but if I can stretch the theme then why not. Otherwise these things never get used!
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Post by scrappyrabbit on Apr 12, 2023 18:55:08 GMT
Sometimes I think about what the icon represents, as opposed to its literal nature. So bears are another one where they are heavily represented in outdoors/camping collections. I’ve never seen a bear in the wild but I’ll use it because it just represents the wild environment!
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Post by lisacharlotte on Apr 12, 2023 19:01:43 GMT
scrappyrabbit no reason at all that everyday can’t be the best day ever! As a glass half full person, I’m on board.
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Post by infochick on Apr 12, 2023 19:15:04 GMT
I have a teen girl in my life and she once told me that tigers are her favourite animal. Guess whose pages get every single tiger embellishment? I try to think broadly about the embellishments, but there are some that I just can't stretch. If there isn't a literal or even figurative way to really relate something I have trouble using it. As for titles, a lot are cheesy and things that I would never say. Sometimes I try to take them apart to use them differently, sometimes I cut my own or just use letter stickers, and sometimes, like scrappyrabbit, every good day is the "best day ever." |
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Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Apr 12, 2023 19:20:28 GMT
I use product relating to the photographs I am using.
For random things like a llama...I would include it on a petting zoo layout, even if there wasn't a llama .......it goes with the other random petting zoo animals (pig, goat, dogs, lamb, etc...).
For titles and sayings, I have a binder full of random words, saying, quotes or I create my title with alphabet stickers or chipboard.
I haven't found one specific resource that has lists of words and titles relating to scrapbooking.
I have my own list, that I have compiled from various sources >> this message board, seeing sayings or title on various scrapbook products, brainstorming in regards to my photographs (example: annual arts and crafts festival >> art and crafts, wandering, browsing, treats(funnel cake-greasy fries--caramel apples), outside, at the park, picnic, music, spring, summertime, a wonderful day, etc....).
An ongoing project of mine is pre-making words, sayings, titles to have ready to use.
I went through years worth of photographs and made a list of events, gathering, happenings, etc... to use as a reference.
Bought mini baggies to hold the words, sayings, titles , etc...
This has helped me so much.
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PaperAngel
Prolific Pea
Posts: 7,952
Jun 27, 2014 23:04:06 GMT
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Post by PaperAngel on Apr 12, 2023 20:18:38 GMT
... Do you create the titles/phrases/motifs you need, or work strictly with your inventory of premade embellishments, maybe a little of both? Also, has anyone found a really good source/manufacturer that has found this gap in our supplies -- someone that has real phrases and icons for scrapbookers and you want to share your source? Consistent with my scrapping style, I use/buy few embellishments (& donate unwanted pieces). I neither have an inventory of unusable sentiments/icons/etc. nor pre-make titles. Rather, I create a custom title on each layout that reflects/supports its story & typically use one or a combination of types, fonts, &/or sizes of alphanumeric dies, stamps, &/or stickers. Given there isn't a defined "real phrases & icons for scrapbookers," since our scrap subjects/styles/perspectives/preferences/etc differ, IMHO the only way to fill the "gap" & meet your title/icon needs is to create them yourself from a plethora of options - dies, stickers (flat, tile, puffy, foam, dimensional, etc.), stamps, stencils, electronic cutter/cut files, digital/clipart, coloring pages, etc. |
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Post by Linda on Apr 12, 2023 20:50:35 GMT
I don't always include a title but when I do - it might be stickers or die cuts or stamps or a cut file or something I've printed.
Same with icons/embellishments - I tend to be sparing with them on my layouts but those I use might be pre-made (stickers, die cuts, chipboard, dimensional) or hand-made (die cut, stamped, cut file, Cricut, punched) or might just be enamel dots/eyelets/brads/nuvo drops
Similarly - I don't BUY a ton of embellishments but if they won't work for my pages, I use on cards or donate. I am getting better at using more generic icons as part of a cluster of similarly coloured items. I'm not sure I have any llamas but if I did - they would more likely than not end up on a card or in a donation bag.
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Post by joblackford on Apr 12, 2023 21:30:55 GMT
I'm a literal kind of person. I know a few years back Shimelle went through some of her more "random" embellishments and explained some of the tangential or figurative associations that would allow her to use them on her pages. I'm all for that, it made sense, but it doesn't work for the way I think most of the time. I'm also not someone who uses a lot of embellishments or says things that are gushy, overly earnest, or "best day ever"-ish, so most pre-made scrapbooky things weren't appealing to me. As a result I never really scrapbooked that way and now I've stripped things back even further and make quite minimal photobooks.
Llamas go on cards with "you're llamazing" or "spit happens" puns. Even if I went somewhere with llamas I'd probably just include a photo of a llama and not want to put a cute cartoon llama on my page. It's cute when other people do it but it's just not my style.
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Post by AussieMeg on Apr 12, 2023 23:09:13 GMT
Do you create the titles/phrases/motifs you need, or work strictly with your inventory of premade embellishments, maybe a little of both? I do a little of both. I find that I am creating my own title / word art more often, because what comes in the kit doesn't fit what I want to say. Best day ever I just use with abandon because why can’t every day be the best day ever lol. I love the way you think! 🤩 I can think of a few examples where I could use "Best Day Ever". One was when my niece and nephew were at my MIL's house playing on the slip'n'slide, and my nephew literally said to me "This is the best day ever." Another time was the first time I took my dog to the dog beach, and then he got a small ice cream on the way home. That was, for him, the best day ever. |
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Post by 950nancy on Apr 12, 2023 23:10:02 GMT
I usually use titles that match what I am scrapping. ( I have lots of dog dies, so )I try to use matching dies with alphabet die cuts. I've invested in a fair amount of alpha dies for this exact reason you state. Picture of latest dog layout because my beasts are quite photogenic.  Dog Days by Nancy Tim, on Flickr |
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Post by Prenticekid on Apr 13, 2023 17:48:21 GMT
scrappyrabbit no reason at all that everyday can’t be the best day ever! As a glass half full person, I’m on board. Me too! My grandson says it whenever we have a day together! Every time! I'll take it. |
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pantsonfire
Drama Llama
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 6,169 
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Post by pantsonfire on Apr 13, 2023 18:19:10 GMT
I try not to scrapbook in a theme way. While I may put a dinosaur item or two on the pocket page layout or a piece of dinosaur paper, I try and use patterns that just go well together. So an example is the pocket page layout for DS visiting the local fire station during Open House Day. I chose red and yellow paper and didn't use any fire truck embellishments. I just shapes and phrases that I felt fit.
I try not to buy embellishments that are themed. The only time I do is Halloween and Christmas because those are used a lot for not only layouts but cards and tags.
I do have a lot of dies from Quickutz that I use when needed and have also made my own pocket page card inserts when needed that are based on the layout in photoshop. I prefer to do that because I control the colors and what it looks like. I just use free images or draw my own.
s far as embellishments that are universal and can be used on any type of layout I stick with:
enamel dots/hearts/stars
labels - rectangular, square, circle, starburst
Pinkfresh Studios sticker packs (6x12 double died, chipboard, smaller paper stickers) - I can grab random sets and always find things that work on my layout pocket pages.
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pantsonfire
Drama Llama
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 6,169
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Post by pantsonfire on Apr 13, 2023 18:20:03 GMT
As far as titles go, I either use letter stickers or my alpha dies by QuicKutz.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,434
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 14, 2023 4:19:14 GMT
I tend toward the literal usage, too. I have too many embellishments, ephemera, etc. not being used. I prefer my Cameo,stamps, and dies for titles and embellishements.
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artbabe
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,388
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Post by artbabe on Apr 14, 2023 11:22:55 GMT
Picture of latest dog layout because my beasts are quite photogenic. Dog Days by Nancy Tim, on Flickr Tangent: Oh my gosh, that is my favorite pet line ever! It is Basic Grey's Max & Whiskers (I think that is the name) and I've used it and used it and now I'm down to just a few pieces. I am so jealous that you still have some left! Your page is really nice- such cute dogs. |
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,608
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Post by kitbop on Apr 14, 2023 15:50:08 GMT
I tend to overbuy embellishments then struggle to use them and wind up creating my own with my supplies and tools That is exactly me! I have been trying to add pre-made embellies to my pages more recently - it feels *good* to use what I've bought. I CANNOT bring myself to use pre-made titles. They feel "empty". My titles mean so much to me - it's part of the meaning of the page. But I'm trying to use more: recently I used a title "high five"...to signify a group of fit people who work hard to be fit, AND it was 5 people...so I could deal with that. And I used "shine bright" recently as a subtitle/embellishment, but still made my own title. Picture of latest dog layout because my beasts are quite photogenic. They sure are photogenic! We have a corgi cross - a rescue - and she is more adorable than I expected. Gratuitous sharing here   Untitled by kirstendrew, on Flickr  Untitled by kirstendrew, on Flickr I Loved that Max and Whiskers too - I still am nursing some of the chipboard pieces but I think the cat and dog themed ones are finished. That's a good example of usable pre-made embellies. It's hard to find a balance between having enough ready-to-go items, and buying ones that are too specific. Speaking of "best day ever". Thank you to all for inspiring me. We are heading to Orlando next week. I will have a lot to scrap. And to tie the pages together....I think I will literally put "best day ever" or "this was the best" on each and every page. It will be my "hidden mickey head"! |
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Post by scrapcat on Apr 14, 2023 16:09:49 GMT
kitbop - omg such good photos! I would say depends on the page. I don't always use titles but when I do I usually create my own. I like song lyrics and play on words, so that's what usually works for my pages. As far as random embellishments - I've come around to it more in recent years, but I still try to keep it somewhat themed. I did a class thru an SCT event with Virginia Nebel where she broke down a whole kit and used all the stickers from a 12x12 sheet, it was very inspiring on ways to use it up and make it work. I've been doing a lot of monochromatic pages where I add things because of the color - which is fun and I like doing too. I feel like my answer to these questions is always "it depends!" I don't have a hard & true style, it evolves, mixes, sort of depends on the photo or story mood. Also pet lines - Graphic 45 Well Groomed line has a paper pack of just patterns & solids - I love it - very basic, but I like the bright/bold colors. I picked it up at Expo. I duno who has it in stock online. www.amazon.com/Graphic-45-Groomed-12x12-Patterns/dp/B095R3KH3K
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Post by Neisey on Apr 14, 2023 18:45:34 GMT
I tend to create my own titles because I like a play on words and alliterations related to the theme of the page.
I was thrilled when my youngest DD got a job last year that included room and board at an alpaca farm…She only sent me a couple of photos though so I can only use up a few of my lama stickers lol
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Post by 950nancy on Apr 15, 2023 0:55:28 GMT
Picture of latest dog layout because my beasts are quite photogenic. Dog Days by Nancy Tim, on Flickr Tangent: Oh my gosh, that is my favorite pet line ever! It is Basic Grey's Max & Whiskers (I think that is the name) and I've used it and used it and now I'm down to just a few pieces. I am so jealous that you still have some left! Your page is really nice- such cute dogs. I bought several packs of it at the time. I still have a bunch left. I really haven't used full pages of it. |
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Post by 950nancy on Apr 15, 2023 0:58:10 GMT
kitbop, your pup is so dang cute. They are really full of personality. I have finally trained my girl to bring me her dinner dish so I can tuck it in a drawer so she doesn't throw it at me starting an hour before dinner. My male is just the perfect well behaved gentleman.
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Post by artisticscrapper on Apr 15, 2023 18:14:15 GMT
I llove llamas. I stocked up when they were popular. I’ve added them on generic layouts like lunch with friends.
I usually add embellishments that coordinate with my papers.I’m not too picky about the image. Sometimes I’ll use my nestlings shape dies. I can stamp on one and use the next one up as a frame.
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