Scrapbooking Styles

We had discussion about the styles recently in our forum. Some of us know our styles while some of us are still experimenting. But, we all do know that there are a few styles available. I think they are not separate entity. The styles can overlap or mix, depending upon what is the theme of the layout or our frame of mind at that time of making the layout. Sometimes you can clearly say this layout belongs to a particular category. Some times we cannot classify. I think it is like Beauty, lies in the eye of the beholder.

Again, no two people scrap page are the same nor no two-scrap pages turn out to be the same. Why? Because we all have personal styles. Our personal style can change as we learn new techniques and use new or different embellishments and papers.

Talking of styles here are a few styles widely talked about in scrap booking articles

1. Traditional/Classic: These are usually clean, crisp, symmetric, formal and simple. Use solid colours, photos are in either rectangle or square shapes, not many embellishments are used or minimum embellishments. The photo and journaling stand out. These layouts are generally timeless, elegant and sophisticated. Minimalist approach comes in this category.

2. Contemporary /Modern: These have hard spare lines, clean, geometric shapes, asymmetrical, and contrasting colours, bold patterns, few strong accents or embellishments

3. Romantic: Use pastels, floral patterns and layers of pattern paper. Soft looking layouts. Generally vintage and shabby chic are classified into this category. Fonts and journaling are ornate or handwritten. Techniques like chalking and inking are used often and most embellishments look like they have come from grandma’s sewing basket—buttons, brads, fibres, and ribbons…

4. Ephemera/Whimsical/playful charm: use contemporary colours with muted or bright tones. Plenty of 3D elements, bold and mixed font titles and journaling, plenty of stipes, dots, circles, shapes, metal embellishments. Elements are placed at an angle or they overlap with each other but not messy. Collage comes under this style. There is plenty of details and texture in this layout.

5. Conservative/Naturalist: Use heaps of earthy tones, texture, and monochromatic colours. So often you find paper tear, sanded edges, handmade papers or any elements from the nature.

And then there is this artistic and eclectic approach which most of us do and we call it experimental!

Now one of the article talked about, the level of complexity to each layout. Which can be quick, intermediate and complex.

Quick is simple smooth edges and a title

Intermediate is setting things in a slant and extra more embellishments

Complex is adding layers, journal ling block, adding more texture or finishing off with extra embellishments the coordinate you theme.

I think this is where our individuality comes in and each and every layout starts to look unique to the person who made it.

Hope this little piece I complied is useful to you all.

References:

1. www.scrapjazz.com, What my style? By Jane Swansm, May 12 2005
2. www.scrapbooking101.net, Finding a scrap booking style, by LeNae Gerig, October 2005
3. www.ezine@rticles.com, Spectacular Scrapbook Styles, by Marcey Larsen, December 2006.
4. www.scrapbookingmaterials.net, Scrap booking Style: What is yours?
5. www.scrapbook.com, Finding your style, by Jill Davis.