Lesson 2: Creating Your First Layout

I finally got my second lesson! Yehey! Actually, I resubscribed. I still don't know what ever happened to my first subscription..

Lesson 2 talks about how to create your first layout. I distinctly remember feeling overwhelmed with all the layouts I've seen in the internet and I felt so incompetent. haha They're really, really good. But this lesson has shown me that it doesn't have to be that complicated. A layout can only be as complicated as how you want it to be. You can actually see a video they've prepared to demonstrate how unthreatening it can be! It's a must see, I tell you. View it here.

So these are the things you have to consider when creating your layout:

1. Pictures - As mentioned in the first lesson, you don't have to get ALL of your pictures of an event. You simply have to choose one or two that best represent it.
2. Theme or Concept - You can refer to your pictures for this one. See what theme would be best. It can be anything like Christmas, beach, summer, reunion, etc.
3. Color Scheme - Pick the colors, papers and patterns which will go best with the theme you have chosen. A lot of papers actually come in packs with each pack representing a theme. You might want to consider getting one of those if you're just starting. Just to lessen the confusion. *wink* Like for my Christmas cards, I got a Christmas-themed pack of 12 papers (plain and patterned) that all look very Christmasy and actually go well when partnered with each other.
   
4. Embellishments - Again, refer to your photos for this one and think about what types of embellishments you might want to use to bring more life to your layouts. You can use buttons, ribbons, chipboards, die-cuts, flowers, etc. Try to choose those which will also go with your theme and color scheme.
5. Unity - Of course, the most challenging part would be bringing them all together. Scour the net for inspirations on how you might want to get them all in your cardstock base. A lot of books that give ideas for layout sketches or floorplans are also available in scrapbooking shops.

So this is my first (very first!) layout.. Now, be kind, I'm new. hehe

For pictures, I chose two of my adorable baby cousin Andrea. Theme of course is Baby Girl. Colors are pink, violet, yellow and other pastel shades. For embellishments, I chose corner stickers for the pictures, a flower, some die-cuts and stamped words and images. I didn't use any ribbons here. What look like ribbons are actually just paper cutouts. Cool, huh?


I still don't have any die-cuts or even templates of letters so I did her name by hand. Well, when push comes to shove, you gotta be creative. hehe I practiced with a pencil in my sketchpad first before doing it in a cardstock using a marker. Can't afford to waste cardstock!

The lines and heart under her name are actually stamped images. I used magenta and violet inkpads.


I did a little journaling too! hehe Just to put some words to the pictures.

So that's my first layout. I really enjoyed doing this and I hope to make many, many more layouts in the future! hehe

I hope you got something out of this post though I think my excitement might have made some of the things I said incomprehensible to some. hehe Just remember that it will be YOUR layout. Everything in books and the internet are just guides. In the end, it will be your creativity that you have to exercise. Make it yours. You can't go wrong. *wink*