To scrapbook layouts you first need to create interesting photographs.  Think of it in terms of telling a story. Your photographs photograph’s should include the character(s), plot and setting. While we make certain to include the "who, what, where, and when." We often forget the small details that add emphasis and focus important details in the story.

A few key photographs can fill in the unspoken details. Here are a few examples to help you find the details:

• birthday cake will tell of the parties theme
• table settings for a dinner celebration
• heaps of wrapping paper after a holiday celebration
• candles burning during winter holidays
• a diploma tells of the work and accomplishment
• close-ups of flowers native to the geographic location of a trip or a season
• medals or trophies from a competition
• ski’s leaning against the chalet
• sports gear piled up at the playing field
• architectural detail of a historic building

In taking these photos, keep in mind how they might be used on your layout. If you want to use it as a tiny element or accent, it is easier to stand some distance back, so that the photo can easily be cropped to the size desired.

Usually single-word sentiments assume the title position on a layout and set the mood for the layout. Single-word titles aren't a new concept in scrapbooking. Single-word titles can be very effective and make a powerful statement.

However, picking the right word can be challenging. Here are some tips for finding the right “word” for your titles:

• Look closely at the subject in your photograph. What expression do they have? Is it curiosity, frustration, surprise, and excitement are just a few powerful descriptive words that would work well for a title.
• Use words that describe the relationships shown in your photographs. Friends, siblings, teachers, and relatives are all important relationships that can be captured in photographs. Words like companion, brotherhood, mentor, and family all help to emphasize relationships.
• Determine what words describe the events of the photograph. Does it display calm, chaos, comfort, or adventure?
• Translating a word into another language can be an interesting and effective.
  
• A thesaurus can help you eloquently portray the perfect sentiment. For example, rather than "excited", use animated, charged, delighted or frantic.
  

Simply design an element for your page, create it, and repeat. Repetition on your scrapbook pages creates a consistent look for your layout.

Next time you're creating a layout, take a few minutes to evaluate your design. Add in a few repeating elements and see how your layout goes from good to great .

Shape. Rectangles are repeated to create the border effect for this layout.

Motif. Different stickers are used throughout the layout. Notice the patterned paper choices.

Type. Opting for handwriting or switching the style of writing to create interest.

Size. Match large elements with other large ones, or small with small. Remember balance is still important!

Weight. Did you use a heavy, bold title? Consider adding another heavy element in the opposite corner.

Color. When you chosen the primary color for the layout, for example a blue layout, try adding a few splashes of a contrasting or complimenting color like green or purple. Then rather than using your accent color only one time, repeat it three or four times.

Line. Whether you're working in a linear or curved design, repeating the way you use lines will add flow to your layout and make it more pleasing to the eye.

It's easy to see how a little repetition can make your layouts instantly stronger. One of the most important things to remember when working with repetition is to maintain balance. A few well-placed elements will do the trick.

Paper manufacturers have made it easy to pulled-together a look by creating paper packs with coordinating patterns. However, using patterned paper effectively on a scrapbooking layout can be challenging. If not used proportionately, it can upstage a photo and create a look of confusion. After you choose several pieces that were designed to mix and match you can create a cohesive look with little effort and confusion

Here are some tips to help you make an interesting layout with pattern paper:

1. Where you would typically use a solid-colored cardstock, instead try a pattern. Patterned paper with a subtle, textured background can be just what you need to add interest to an otherwise typical journaling block.

2. If you are working with pictures from the zoo, try using animal skin themed paper. Combining competing themes, such as using a flowered pattern on a zoo theme page, can create a confusing message.

3. A little patterned paper goes along way. A small border of bright color may be all a layout needs. Too much patterned paper can overwhelm the photos or dominate the theme.

4. The larger and bolder the pattern of the paper, the larger and more eye-catching your photo should be for a balanced look. The same holds true for smaller patterns, the smaller the photos will retain their prominence.

5. Tear or distress patterned papers to create a softer edge to the pattern and create character.

Often times you will be faced with a large number of photographs from a single event. This may mean instead of trying to fit the story on to one page you will be faced with creating a double truck. This is a marketing term in developing advertising layouts for two pages in a magazine.  Next time you are faced with a pile of photographs, have lots of journaling or find yourself wanting to work in a larger space, consider these scrapbooking ideas for designing two-page layouts and you will create exciting double trucks.

• To make two pages flow well, consider keeping the elements consistent from one page to the facing page. Repeating fonts and embellishments will create flow and consistency within the two pages. In addition, using similar color and patterned papers will unify the layout.
• One technique in working with two pages is creating contrast. For example, a large photograph on one page can provide focus and contrast for a two-page layout. The remainder of the photographs can be balanced through the rest of the layout.
• A symmetrical design breaks the layout into two similar halves. Each half will correspond to one another in relation to size, shape, and position of the parts. A symmetrical design creates the same weight on both sides. Consider a template on one page and the reverse or “negative” on the other. The result is a formal symmetry and a clean, organized design.
• While trying to unify two pages, you may want to keep the pages from appearing too busy. Try to balance the material and the white space. White space can help create balance, flow and maintain a clean neat, easy to read appearance.

• By placing a photograph, title or other element in the middle section or “gutter”, the two pages are instantly connected. Effectively using the middle section of a layout can disguise the "gutter" and provide flow or even join the two pages.

When journaling your handwriting is distinct and unique as your fingerprint. Though it may be a challenge creating your own signature style, it can be satisfying and with a little practice, artistic and fun. The goal is to capture our own personality in your journaling technique and combine with your photos that tell a story for your scrapbooking projects.
Anyone can do it! Use it occasionally throughout your scrapbook instead of computer generating journaling or for titles.

First, scraplift journaling ideas that use handwriting and identify what styles you like. Then, get some scratch paper and try to replicate it by hand. Practice with different letters, words and sizes until you feel comfortable.

Just like in kindergarten when you leaned how to write your name.  Focus on letter formation and smooth hand movements. Take a comfortable grip and  let your writing flow. It will not take long before you are mastering the technique. As with anything, the first step is simply to practice

Next, when you are ready to attempt handwriting on your layout, there are a few things to consider:

1.      Textured cardstock and paper will be harder to write on than a smooth surface.

2.      If you use a wide pen or marker you will have to be more conscious of your letter spacing.

3.      Use a template to draw journaling lines by lightly drawing a pencil line. For best results you may want to draw your lettering with a pencil and then finalize it with your pen when you are pleased with it.

Using die-cut shapes can be fun and creative. Get out your old shapes, dust off your die-cutting machine, or try create some of your own for ideas that will look fresh new.

Add texture to flat shapes of die cuts. One way to accent your die cuts is to add some dimension and texture. Consider embossing or run a shape through a crimper (or the texture plates). After you have added the texture, add ink or paint to create highlights and shadows in the paper to further enhance the texture.

Some different ways to ad texture your die-cut shape are layering, folding, crumpling, sanding, or tearing. Also consider using foam tape or dots to add dimension to the shape.

Mix with other embellishments that you can use to accent your die cuts. Try fiber, brads, buttons, ribbon, clips, glitter, wire, charms or beads. Use an embellishment in place of a part of the die cut. For example, if you are using a balloon die cut, use fiber for the string..

Use material other than paper. Pull out some foam, shrink plastic, aluminum foil, fabric, or other materials. You will have to experiment with your die-cutting machine to see what will work in it. I have found that I can at least make most of the cut, and then I take scissors to snip the remainder of the shape.

Combine with new techniques that are popular right now. Try stamping, computer-generated text, doodling, patterned paper, sewing and rub-ons. For example, try stamping a piece of paper with a background stamp, then cutting your shape. Cut a shape, then hand cut an outline around the negative for a whimsical outline shape.

If you’re like me you have shoe boxes full of unorganized, unlabeled photos still in the original envelope that they were picked up in from the store or developer.  It can be a little daunting to decide how to get your arms around organizing this over whelming task. So, where do you begin? First, do you want to place them in photo sleeves and store in a binder album or in an organizer until you are ready to implement a scrapbooking project? Once you make this decision you can follow some recommendations to sort and create a system of photo (or negative, or cd or e-file) organization:

 Chronologically

This is the simplest and works well if you have a huge box of photos. Start by sorting your pictures into piles by year. If the photos in each pile remains high, consider subcategories of seasons or months.

 Event or Theme

If you have the tendency to take a lot of pictures for one event, it will be easy to sort your photos by event in the envelopes that come from the developer. This works well for vacations or school years. Write the date and activity on the outside of the envelope so you can identify them easily when you are ready to start scrabooking.  Then store them chronologically, alphabetically, or by subject. 

 Person or Group

You can also sort photos by people or groups of people, depending on the style of scrapbooking  project.  For example, you may want to sort your photos by school or extra curricular activities (lessons, sports etc), church groups, teams, leagues etc., or you may have duplicates produced for your children’s own scrapbooks or for their grandparents. Another example, if you have an album or a section in an album for each of your family members (pets, children etc.), when you get a layout idea about something specific you’ll know exactly where they are! 

Portraits

Individual and family portraits are easier to locate because of their size.  You may want to sort these either chronologically or by family member..

Amazing newborn photographs can be taken with any type of camera. Whether in the hospital or in the home, the location area should be in front of a window where there is even light.

Other than your camera, the other items you can use will be found within the room your working in. These common things can be used in your photographs:

• Pillow(s) - These will be used to prop up the baby, or lay the baby on. A Boppy pillow is a c-shaped pillow made for holding a baby or for nursing. When covered with blankets the baby can be placed in the middle.

• White sheets for background, as pillow covers or as light reflectors.

• Babies blanket or onesie for the fresh, new look of a newborn.

If the baby is sleeping let him or her continue to sleep. Chances are they will wake up before your finished photographing. Try some of these ideas to pose a baby:

• Wrapped in a blanket
• Laying stomach down with the head in the parent's elbow or straddling a parent’s arm.