Whether it be scrapbook pages, mini-books, greeting cards or altered/collage items, dimension makes a HUGE difference in anything we create.
I liken it to food.
(Actually, if truth be told, I can liken anything to food because I liken food.)
When watching cooking shows, chefs talk about food being one note (flat) or having layers of flavors. Of course, layers always make food taste better (if you know the basics of combining flavors).
It's the same with paper arts. Layers give more depth and dimension to any project.
Today, over at Paper Crafters Library, I talk about the new Farm House Fair Skies Dream On mini-book kit from one of our favorite designers, Angela Moen. Angela is the creator behind The Button Farm kits and has now designed papers, embellishments and chipboard mini albums available at For Keeps Sake, Angela is a layering genius. You know this as soon as you see her work.
Since we're featuring Angela's Farm House mini book kit today, I'll explain the process with the cover:
- Always start with a base. In this case, there are two pieces of decorative Farm House paper for the base: red checked goes on first followed by the ledger paper.
- Begin adding chipboard pieces and build one on top of another. The chipboard post card is placed on top of the ledger paper followed by the balloon (making the balloon layer #4!).
- Add smaller pieces that make sense to your design. These can be more chipboard pieces or elements you cut from decorative paper. Here you see clouds, word pieces and cancelled stamp images.
Some people say there are no rules. I'm a rule follower though, so it's easier for me to think in terms of rules. Here are a few of mine:
- Choose a color palette and stick with it throughout a project. I like to work with 3 different colors (discounting black and white as color). There are, of course, variations on those colors but for the most part, I stick with what I started with.
- No floaters! When adding layers or embellishments, have one touch another to keep the eye flowing through the project. If that can't be done, then have it relate to the total look of the design. If it doesn't your eye skips around the page, never knowing when to stop and enjoy the overall design.
- Use chipboard elements to raise the design. So many times we purchase beautiful papers and pass up the decorative pieces that are designed to coordinate with the paper. If possible, buy the little extras that add dimension to the overall look.
- Or . . . make your own chipboard pieces. Using parts of the decorative paper, fussy cut elements and raise them up yourself by backing with either chipboard or pop-ups. I prefer using chipboard as it gives the raised piece a sturdy base.
- Ink the edges! With the use of a marker or an ink pad, you can ink the chipboard edges (those brown sides) and give them a finished look. The same goes for those white paper edges.
Hope this helps with layering.
Thanks for visiting my blog!
