Recently, I was challenged to scrapbook outside my "comfort zone". Instead of choosing my own papers, I my boss gave me the task of creating a lay-out using specific school-themed papers, including a paper that was a 12x12 photographic image of the school. I have to admit, I have never enjoyed scrapbooking with papers that are large photographic images. I've always struggled with where I will place my own photos in a way that still works with the photo image already on the paper. Plus, as the papers are specific to each school's colors, I feel limited by color choice as well. But I gave it my best effort, and came up with a lay-out that worked with my photo. I decided to cut out the sillhouette of the photo of the school building, and mount it on coordinating patterned paper. This highlighted the architectural features of the building. I added borders using the school's team name paper, as well as coordinating stripes. Then I also added a decorative tag with embellishments. Now, this project was starting to feel more "scrapbook-like" to me, and I no longer was letting myself be held back by the paper. I chose to use a Homecoming photo, so glammed up the paper with metallic fibers, letters, glitter paper, and flowers. And ended up with a lay-out that I was pleased with. Much to my delight, it was also popular at the store I work at, and many people chose to purchase kits to make the same lay-out. And so I learned that it is beneficial to step outside my comfort zone and to try a different style. Stretching out creatively is an important experience for any type of art media. Give it a try - I bet you'll discover something new to enhance your art form!!
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