Scrapping without templates

[littlekiwi]

I really truly struggle to scrap without templates. How do you all do it? Any tips/tricks are welcome.

 

[Angela Toucan]

I put the photos and journaling on the page at random, then move them about until I get something that balances. The rule of thirds is a great place to start for page layout design. Then I add the papers and elements etc. I think about the design triangle, or a straight line for direction of flow when adding stuff.
When I'm not using a template, I will often ask one of the Toucanettes, or another Lilypad scrapper who happens to be online at the same time for feedback on my layout.

 

[HavaDrPepper]

I don't.

I did when I first started digi scrapping in 2007. I will say that at the time I was in a group of scrappers that were big on using Becky Higgins sketches (and other sketches) that we used for traditional sketch challenges. I transitioned those to digital until I found templates. I was much happier when I found templates.

I will say that there are times that the finished products does not resemble the template at all.

 

[littlekiwi]

@HavaDrPepper, when I paper scrapped I used sketches too and like you most of the time my final layout never looked like the sketch.

I just struggle when it comes to challenges that say no template allowed hence the question

 

[HavaDrPepper]

@HavaDrPepper, when I paper scrapped I used sketches too and like you most of the time my final layout never looked like the sketch.

I just struggle when it comes to challenges that say no template allowed hence the question

Oh I understand. After seeing all the no templates allowed this MOC, I am really glad I don't participate. Hope you can figure something out so you can complete the challenges.

 

[fruitysuet]

Scraplifting! Pinterest is your friend, scraplift a paper scrapbooking page (and credit original designer) and you know you haven't used a digital template.

I have really full Pinterest boards and then I peruse those and copy/paste into OneNote which is my go to resource for holding my MOC notes.

ETA for the filled page challenge, check your Just Jaimee folders for any of "asm" named product - the stacked mess items she used to do, borders, cards, frames and clusters.

 

[Iowan]

@littlekiwi Jennifer, it has only been in the past year that I have been more comfortable scrapping without templates and the "no template" challenges have been, well, a challenge!! I always start with my photo/photos and frames. I choose the background paper next since, in my old age, I'm going with messier backgrounds and I sometimes design around them. After that, I start building, choosing ellies, papers, and paints that go over, under, and around the photo but try to keep the photo/s as the focus. Early on in scrap booking, I remember being encouraged to use a hidden triangle on your page to find balance. If you notice, on most templates, the photo is not smack dab in the center. I will look for examples of the rule when I'm back at my computer.

Good luck. Just starting is often half the battle!

 

[littlekiwi]

Scraplifting! Pinterest is your friend, scraplift a paper scrapbooking page (and credit original designer) and you know you haven't used a digital template.

I have a heap of pinterest boards with layouts but never think to go there for inspiration for some reason. I did just now though for the where I live now challenge as I wasn't feeling inspired with the templates I was choosing

 

[littlekiwi]

@littlekiwi Jennifer, it has only been in the past year that I have been more comfortable scrapping without templates and the "no template" challenges have been, well, a challenge!!

I hear you on "challenge"....they've had me running for the hills essentially at this point.

 

[littlekiwi]

I always start with my photo/photos and frames. I choose the background paper next since, in my old age, I'm going with messier backgrounds and I sometimes design around them. After that, I start building, choosing ellies, papers, and paints that go over, under, and around the photo but try to keep the photo/s as the focus. Early on in scrap booking, I remember being encouraged to use a hidden triangle on your page to find balance. If you notice, on most templates, the photo is not smack dab in the center. I will look for examples of the rule when I'm back at my computer.

Good luck. Just starting is often half the battle!

I find when I'm left to my own devices I tend to plonk a photo in the centre, add in a few bits but I'm not very inspired with what I tend to come up with on my own. I never think to consider basic design theory when creating layouts....makes sense why I'm never happy with what I do on my own

 

[Angela Toucan]

I don't.

I did when I first started digi scrapping in 2007. I will say that at the time I was in a group of scrappers that were big on using Becky Higgins sketches (and other sketches) that we used for traditional sketch challenges. I transitioned those to digital until I found templates. I was much happier when I found templates.

I will say that there are times that the finished products does not resemble the template at all.

I still have a folder full of Becky's sketches

 

[HavaDrPepper]

I still have a folder full of Becky's sketches

I still have her book with all the post it notes of sketches we used for the traditional challenges on that forum. Also have a book called Layout Blueprints and a pdf file with 27 pages of sketches from a website from 2004 to 2006. It was called stickersnfun.com. I'm a packrat with scrapping stuff!

 

[michelepixels]

I rarely use templates.

Usually I start by choosing my photos, and I arrange them somehow that looks pleasing to my eye. Then I add the background paper. And finally, I arrange the elements. I kind of think of how I would want someone's eye traveling across the page as I arrange my photos and elements. And I use elements for various reasons, such as a label for journaling or an arrow to point out a part of a photo.

But thinking back, even though I could hardly articulate them, I may have absorbed some design principles over the many years I've been scrapping, reading in forums, reading tutorials, etc. And around 2009, I actually took a class offered in another digiscrap forum. It was titled Intentional Design. I've just dug out the notebook containing the class handbook. I'll list some principles to keep in mind.

have a focal point
consider white space (have a good balance)
don't trap empty space between elements/photos
try to have a color scheme
point eyes and elements inward, not off the page
natural flow is left to right, top to bottom, but you can use elements to direct the eye
our brains like the number 3 so repeating trios of objects is great
various sizes is more pleasing to the eye
stick with a style
be intentional about how elements touch each other

 

[Pachimac]

Scraplifting!!!!

 

[cfile]

I start with photos then build from there with the background then elements etc.. todays filled page I started with photo and frames and then I built around the edges adding elements.

 

[cfile]

I find when I'm left to my own devices I tend to plonk a photo in the centre, add in a few bits but I'm not very inspired with what I tend to come up with on my own. I never think to consider basic design theory when creating layouts....makes sense why I'm never happy with what I do on my own

When you experiment and play you will be creative and start to enjoy the process.

 

[littlekiwi]

When you experiment and play you will be creative and start to enjoy the process.

Experimenting and playing during MOC??? I'm just trying to stay caught up at this point but these no template challenges are doing my head in especially if I don't have a clear idea for them

 

[cfile]

Experimenting and playing during MOC??? I'm just trying to stay caught up at this point but these no template challenges are doing my head in especially if I don't have a clear idea for them

You can do it Jennifer you are scaring yourself instead of saying it is a challenge and I am going to make a great page!

 

[littlekiwi]

I did it! Now that I've done it with lots of photos (which is unusual for me) I think the "creative block" for me is single photos especially as I don't use a lot of the stuff that you'd normally cluster with.

Anyway here is my non template layout

 

[keepscrappin]

Another option is to use collage or paper pieced background papers as a starting point and add your photos and elements where the pieces intersect.

Rachel Jefferies has some paper pieced background papers here and collage papers here.

ETA: Looks like you figured it out when I was getting links. Oh well, it's still an idea for next time when you can't use a template.