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 focal point.
Wording
Wording is a little tricky as sometimes there are not enough words to describe what you want to portray but don't go overboard with words they can kill your page. If you have to use lots of words such as a paragraph then make your focal point smaller. Your wording should also match your focal points theme or feel. If your picture is a fun theme then you need very few words to add to your page, make your words strong but simple. If your theme is more serious again the wording can be described with simple choices by using the word love or beautiful. Don't let your words over power your page.
Embellishments
This is where you make your scrapbooking page your own. Use embellishments that reflect the theme and compliment your pages focal point. This is where your creativity takes over so do your own thing. Don't let yourself fall into the trap of right and wrong ways or that you should only embellish with the items that came with your package, when your embellishing it can give you the opportunity to express yourself and your personality. Embellishing is yours and you can make it just the way you like it. When you're creating scrapbook ideas it is not the time to hold yourself back or try to keep anything in a straight line.
It all comes together
Before you attach any of your work permanently give it a look over and see if there is anything you want to change before you make it permanent.Try different angles or positions of your focal point, take some words away or add some to look for improvements. When your final decision is made then you can start gluing.
Summary
Keep in mind that the adage of practice makes perfect does come true when it comes to scrapbooking. If you find you're not that skilled at first, just keep in mind that the experts probably weren't either. The more scrapbooking you do the better you will get at it. Once you have read tips for creating a focal point on your scrapbook page and have created your first album, you will be well on your way to perfection and with scrapbooking the perfection is also in the eyes of the beholder.