Sometimes, beginning scrappers just simply don’t know where to start. Picking papers can be an overwhelming task. Especially if you are in a scrapbooking store. There are so many choices. But, what about when you have left the store, have a huge stack of papers already sitting at home, and you want to create a scrapbook page? What papers do you choose first?
There are lots of ways that I decide on which paper to use. Sometimes, I simply pick the paper that I’m really itching to use. You know, the one that is newest on my shelf. The one that I saw in the store, and was immediately inspired to scrap. In that scenario, I usually look for a photo that will go with those papers, and not the other way around. However, in my day to day scrapping, most likely I choose the photo first, and then base which papers I am going to use on that photo.
First, I decide on the background page. My personal taste is not to have anything too busy for the main paper, because that is most likely what you will see the most of. If it is too busy, it might take the eye away from the photo. I prefer a solid color. However, in scrapbooking, you can’t really make a “mistake”. I usually look at the photo and pick a color in the photo that I might want to emphasize. Recently, I did a layout of my daughter who has beautiful blue eyes. Her eyes were especially bright in this particular photo, so I decided I wanted to make them stand out even more. I picked a gorgeous blue background to do that.
Black and white are always great ways to start too. They coordinate with pretty much any paper. So, you really can’t go wrong with choosing either one of those papers as your main color. I also love black and white, because everything else on the page will stand out even more. Your papers will be noticed, and the photo will also be noticed. No matter which one you choose, make sure that it is the paper that will make your photo get the respect it deserves.
Check back tomorrow for more tips on picking the other papers to go with your layout!
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