One of the things that makes my life easier when I’m putting together an album or mini-book that has a theme (ie vacation album, birthday album, baby book, favorite things, etc.) is to take the time to plan a layout that I can use repeatedly throughout the album. This can help unify an album, even if you don’t use the same colors or products from page to page. I don’t have to use the exact same layout on each spread, but can modify it as needed.
What exactly is a layout? Well, think of it as a blueprint for your page. Photos go here, different papers go there, an embellishment or two or three go here, and so on and so forth. For example, the pages I did for my niece can be summed up by this plan:
To do the second page, I simply rotated the plan 180 degrees, and replaced the title and journaling block with another photo.
The fun thing about approaching scrapbooking design this way is that you can find inspiration anywhere. A label on a piece of clothing that you like, an ad in a magazine that catches your eye, a piece of furniture with interesting lines are all places where you can find inspiration. Beautiful design is everywhere, you just have to be paying attention. Once you notice it, you can apply it to your own designs. Just remember the basic components: a focal photo, a title, and a place for you to write. Everything else is icing on the cake (or page, as the case may be.)
As one final note, I told you I was going to make a page about the Police concert I went to, and as threatened here it is:
I really like the way it came out, but you may not be able to see it very well. It does have a little structure, but this was a more organic process. This was more of a move everything around until it works page.
So, take a look around you, and look at the structure of things you like. Then go mimic it. It’ll be fun. Try it!