Scrapping without templates

[cfile]

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

See I knew you could do it

 

[mary kate]

I did it!

Awesome page, @littlekiwi!

I figure I use templates for about 75% of my layouts. But much as I love templates, sometimes I feel constrained/blocked by the search for just the right template (I have so many! but for this layout, none of them are quite right!!...), and end up doing the page without.

 

[Pachimac]

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.

This is a GREAT idea!!!!

 

[littlekiwi]

But much as I love templates, sometimes I feel constrained/blocked by the search for just the right template (I have so many! but for this layout, none of them are quite right!!...)

That’s exactly it, it’s not a shortage of anything to be fair….just not the right item for the particular layout!

 

[gonewiththewind]

@littlekiwi

I don't scrap with templates unless it's for a specific challenge, but that's because my layouts become templates! LOL

I love your layout and I'm so happy that you found that you could scrap without a template. But don't make a habit out of it!

 

[littlekiwi]

@gonewiththewind I won’t I promise!

 

[bestcee]

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

No templates doesn't mean no sketches! LOL.

For me, I also use the design principles. Learned them in school classes! There's tons of articles online about them too. And they work in scrapbooking too! The seven basic principles are Emphasis, Balance/Alignment, Contrast, Repetition, Proportion, Movement, and White Space.
Emphasis - what do you want people to notice the most on your page? For me, it's usually the photos. White Space - give the eye a place to rest. Maybe it's on the photos, maybe there's intentional white space. Repetition - this is where the Rule of 3, triangles of 3, etc comes in. But, it can also mean repeating a shape on the page. Maybe there's squares around the page to bring the eye around. Maybe it's circles and circle elements.

Starting with these usually gives my page a place to go.

 

[Kiana]

Like some of the others I just sit down and "create" mostly because art was always my favorite subject so I love design principles.

I love the freedom of creating something and making it look how I want it to look.

I think it's play to me. Even during a challenge such as MOC I look at it as playtime. Instead of fearing the challenge.

 

[Carla]

I still have a folder full of Becky's sketches

I do too and go to it frequently!

Scraplifting is the way to go Especially when you cannot use a physical template.

 

[bellbird]

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

So what was your process? Because if it worked for you now, it's good to learn from what worked.
Everyone's different, 'no template' is really not a challenge to some people just as 'use this template' is an 'easy challenge' for others. MOC tries to challenge everyone!
I like templates but I know if I don't have one, dragging in the photo/s or wordart ( my two other main starting points), & then literally every other element I may potentially want to use & then moving everything around is how I approach ' no template'. I know you've watched Cheryl scrap, she generally follows that process too I think

 

[bellbird]

@littlekiwi

I don't scrap with templates unless it's for a specific challenge, but that's because my layouts become templates! LOL

I love your layout and I'm so happy that you found that you could scrap without a template. But don't make a habit out of it!

 

[littlekiwi]

So what was your process? Because if it worked for you now, it's good to learn from what worked.
Everyone's different, 'no template' is really not a challenge to some people just as 'use this template' is an 'easy challenge' for others. MOC tries to challenge everyone!
I like templates but I know if I don't have one, dragging in the photo/s or wordart ( my two other main starting points), & then literally every other element I may potentially want to use & then moving everything around is how I approach ' no template'. I know you've watched Cheryl scrap, she generally follows that process too I think

I popped in my photos, arranged them, found my patterned paper, word art, embellishments, added patterned paper, journal/filler cards, finally journaling and title. I found multiple photos easier to come up with a layout but I tend to use 1-2 photos max.

 

[michelepixels]

I think it's play to me. Even during a challenge such as MOC I look at it as playtime. Instead of fearing the challenge.

Playtime! Well said!

 

[HavaDrPepper]

Just last night I was working on a 2 page layout of photos from my cousin's FB page. I found a really old template from Liz that had large number of photo spots with different orientations like I needed. When I was finished, neither layout resembled the actual template! I had made adjustments because of the photo orientations. I love matting all my photos with paper and I stink at doing it myself so templates with that on them are my go to. So even though the layouts do not resemble the template, having it made it easier for me.

So sometimes for me a template is just a starting point.