Digital Inspiration for Paper Scrapbookers

This is a guest post from Tammy of Your Memory Connection, a relatively new site where scrapbooking is easier.

Hello! I’m really excited to be guest posting here at Simple Scrapper. I’m primarily a paper scrapbooker who dabbles in some hybrid techniques. I don’t see myself abandoning paper anytime soon, but I’m going to let you in on a secret:

I love looking at digital scrapbook galleries for inspiration for my layouts.

Surprised? Well, I think that we paper scrappers can learn a thing or two from our digi sisters (and brothers).

5 Ideas Inspired by Digital Layouts

1. Layers and clusters - I love how digital layout designers shrink the size of their photos and layer them in interesting clusters. The surrounding embellishments add another unique feature.  I love this photo cluster in Me and My Camera by HeyJude:

The embellishments behind the photos draws the eye and also ties the cluster together, creating a compelling design. I want to reproduce a photo cluster like this on a paper layout.

2. Attention to Detail – Another thing that really draws my attention into a digital layout is the attention to detail. Check out So Very Handsome by cindys732003:

In addition to a great photo cluster, the buttons are threaded, the ribbon winds beautifully, and many elements are stitched. I could go on, but this layout makes me want gather buttons, ribbon, hearts and a needle and thread and use them all on my next layout.

3. Striking White Space – White space is often used as a dominate feature in digital layouts, but we seldom see it on the same scale in paper designs.  Take a look at Love This Kid by KyRainbow:

The white space on the left dramatically balances the arrangement on the right. I’d love to see how this look translates into paper, so I’m going to give it a try!

4. Exploring the Adventurous – I love that digital scrappers are not afraid to explore quirky techniques. In Little Monsters, Laura utilized starbust shapes for her photos:

Not all digital techniques can be (or should be) recreated in paper. I’m probably not going to cut my photos into starburst shapes any time soon. But, I do want to think outside the box and come up with some unique and creative ideas for my own photos.

5. Layered Templates - Digital layered templates are just like sketches. I can look at the image of a layered template and get the same inspiration I’d get from a sketch. Plus, they tend to offer more embellishment detail than the average scrapbooking sketch. Layered templates are the perfect transition product to buy when paper scrappers are ready to give digi scrapbooking a try.

The next time you are searching for a new twist on your paper layout, search through some digital galleries and online stores. I bet it won’t take long for you to find an idea that sparks the perfect paper layout!