by Betty Carew

Created on: June 22, 2009   Last Updated: August 01, 2009

Great scrapbook pages are supposed to tell a precise story of part your life or the lives of those you love. This story comes through loud and clear when you have a defined focal point which is a place where the eye automatically falls when you look at your layout. This does not always happen when some of us get lost in scrapbooking ideas so here are some tips for creating a focal point on your scrapbook page that you can be proud of.

Photo enlargement

This is the easiest way to create a focal point on your page by enlarging your photo. You have to choose a photo that will tell the story of your page and defines the focal point without a doubt. For all the other photos that you may be adding to your page reduce the size. Wallet size photos are ideal to add to your larger photo.

Mat, double mat or triple mat

Matting a photo will draw the eye to the photo. If you use double matting or triple matting it will certainly add to your focal point on your layout. Keep in mind that turning your camera for each shot will give you the option of have vertical as well as horizontal photos to work with. For example you can use a horizontal picture and compliment it with verticals. Adding a close up shot for your focal point will automatically make it the strongest photo on your page.

Theme of the page

Stand back and take a look at your focal point whether it is a picture or memento it must have a message. Is it fun or more serious? You have to sort out the theme or tone for your entire page. for example if it's a picture of your baby it will lean towards a serious side so you can portray the love you have for your child but if it is your puppy playing in autumn leaves it would lead towards a fun side. The theme will lead you towards the colors, shapes, embellishments, wording, quotes and everything else that you will place on your page. Stay with this thought and don't wavier from it.

Colors

The importance of choosing colors cannot be stressed enough. Use softer colors for pages that will hold pictures of your baby, weddings, lovers strolling through a park and things like this. Use bolder colors with puppies and fun things that would call for rusty reds, browns, gold, and yellows and so on. If it's a weddings go with the colors that are incorporated in the wedding whether it is navy blue or hunter green. Choosing colors for your page may not be the most important part of scrapbooking but it is an important part so give time to choose the best colors to match your

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