DIY Network

"SCRAP" Formula From "Scrapbooking" episode SCB-421

A handsome page featuring the great outdoors -- easily created using Tricia Morris' SCRAP method.

Guess Tricia Morris presents the "SCRAP" formula. The "SCRAP" formula is the efficient yet creative approach she uses to create every layout.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

1. S elect photos (figure A). Only the best ones--leave the rest for your sleeve album. There’s nothing more frustrating than cramming too many photos onto one page or working with poor quality photos. Remember: If your photos from the past are lacking, there will always be more opportunities in the future!

2. Choose color scheme (figure B). When you try to fit your photos into a predetermined themed collection, you might find yourself struggling with your layout. Always choose your papers based on color coordination rather than theme! For example, if your daughter wears a pink princess costume for Halloween, don’t use orange and black paper with spiders on it. Choose approximately three colors for each layout.

3. Render photo mats (figure C). Matting photos can be very simple when you stick with standard size measurements. When cropping, stick with whole inches, using your trimmer as your guide, and then mat with paper measured 1/4 inch larger than your photo. Arrange photos on page.

4. Add journaling and page title (figure D). Many folks avoid this step, so if you’re not a prolific writer, at least stick with the basic facts of the page. Don’t put this off for later! Memories of the event will not improve over time. Using a simple journaling stencil will help you print in a straight line, even if your handwriting isn’t the best. For page titles, simply trace from printed fonts, apply stickers, or generate one with your computer and printer--whichever you prefer.

5. Place embellishment(s) (figure E). Once you’ve made room for all of the priority elements of your page (namely, photos and journaling), it’s time to get creative. Usually adding one or two embellishments to finish the page will be plenty. Once all elements find their rightful place on the layout, glue them down.

Notice the first letters of all five steps form the acronym SCRAP!

The SCRAP method makes page layout easier, quicker and more attractive. Here, Morris uses the technique to showcase photos from a Jamaican trip.

Flowers of Jamaica Page

Materials:

2 sheets Salsa 12" x 12" lime print paper
2 sheets Egyptian 8-1/2" x 11" red plain paper
8-1/2" x 11" white paper - 1 sheet
Salsa tags, fibers and cutouts
Salsa font card
American Tag black miniature brads
Date stamp

1. Select photos: We picked an 8" x 10" to cover the entire left page and three 4" x 6" photos for the right side.

2. Choose colors: The lime green background was a natural choice based on the color behind the white flower in the 8" x 10" photos as well as the leaves of the plants. The red color included in the Salsa kit was a bit too bright for the shade of red in the flower, so we selected the deeper red featured in the Egyptian kit. Remember, color and tone both matter when choosing papers.

3. Render photo mats: Trim the red paper, to 8-1/2" x 10-1/2" to mat the 8" x 10" photo, and to 4-1/4" x 6-1/4" to mat the three 4" x 6" photos.

4. Add title and journaling: Based on the size of the space allotted for the page title, we chose to trace the letters onto a narrow strip of white by using a light table and font card.

5. Place embellishments: We picked a simple bookplate with date stamp and a torn cutout wrapped with fibers to fill in the remaining open spaces.

RESOURCES :

Scrapbooking Kits (Club Scrap)
Club Scrap, Inc.
Club Scrap

GUESTS :

Tricia Morris
Club Scrap Inc. (CSHQ)
Greenville, WI
Toll-Free Phone: 888-634-9100
E-mail: info@clubscrap.com
Website: www.clubscrap.com