In this post I’m going to write about working with embelishments to enhance your scrapbook layouts. This is a very important, but often overlooked step. Embelishments can either make or break your page, so choose wisely to avoid cluttering your layout with unnecessary stuff that will distract from your photos and journaling.
An embelishment doesn’t have to be purchased at a crafts store. It can be anything that enhances your page. They can be common household items that go along with your chosen photos, such as buttons, beads and ribbons, or just fun little things that add interest and fun and bring your layout to life.
Below is a really nice video by Stephanie, in which she goes about adding ribbons to scrapbooks. I love the way she uses different types of ribbons, with different colors and patterns and how they all come together in the end and really enhance the layout:
If you don’t know where to start, a good suggestion is to divide your page into smaller sections and work one at a time. For instance, you can focus your attention around a photo and use the embelishments as a border. Or you can use them as a pointer to direct attention to something specific that is happening in the picture, some detail that people might oversee. Or you can use them to add balance to your layout.
You don’t have to use all embelishments from the same brand or kit. In fact, to make it all more creative, you can mix and match different stuff. It doesn’t even have to go along together, as long as it contributes to telling a story.
Making It All Work Together
I have chosen some beautiful examples to illustrate the use of embelishments in scrapbooking. The gorgeous photos and layouts below are from Latarnia Morska. I found her while browsing Flickr and I’m love with her work.
She is a master at working with embelishments. She creates unusual combinations that really make a page pop, without overwhelming and obscuring the main subject.
She really has a strong style of her own and you can spot her work from a mile away! These are just some of her favorites, but make sure to visit her Flickr page to view more of her work.
Applying embelishments is probably the most intuitive part of scrapbooking and where your creativity can really shine through. Don’t get stuck over-thinking. Develop a habit of collecting things that look good and EXPERIMENT. This is the fun part! Be open to trying different things, and you’ll end up with a great page.
