11/01/2014

Back to Basics Blog Hop - Scrap365 and Mixed Media Place

We are getting the scrapping New Year off to a flying start! Hello and welcome to Scrap365's and Mixed Media Place's joint Blog Hop!


The idea behind the hop is going back to basics. Ali explains: "One of the things that we are very conscious of here at Scrap365 HQ is that if you are new to scrapping it can be really overwhelming with the choice of products to use and the host of styles to emulate….the same could be said if you're experienced! So we have decided that 2014 is the year to get BACK to BASICS!! It doesn't matter if you have been scrapping for ten years or ten days...you will be sure to learn something new along the way!"

We also have a marvellous prize in this hop - to either add to your stash or to get you started. It's the "Early Fall" project kit and some fabulous stencils!



All you need to do to be eligible for the prize is follow Scrap365 (link) and Mixed Media Place (link) blogs. Then like both on Facebook (Scrap365, Mixed Media Place) and leave a message to the Scrap365 blog telling which layout principle you are going to try! We would love to see your take on the Principles so be sure to upload them to Scrap365's Facebook page.

This January Blog Hop is all about layout design principles. Ali found a fabulous prompt on Pinterest and we are sharing it with you, courtesy of SuzyQ Scraps


On each of the blog participating in the hop you'll find a layout designed based on one principle. Underneath is the list for you to hop. Happy hoppin'! 

Anai 
Riikka (you are here!)
return to Scrap365 blog


I chose to go with principle 8, alignment. I actually used the principle image as a guideline to my design and tried to align all my elements - the paper layers, buttons, tapes and used a pretty linear background paper, too. I even used strips of paper at the top and bottom of the layout to underline the principle. 

I usually use both horizontals and verticals in my layouts, but in this particular one I substituted the vertical paper layers with the drips of mist. I aligned the little arrow stickers at the both sides of the photo to guide the eye to the shots. 

By looking through my layouts, I see that the first three principles (vocal point, rule of thirds, visual triangle) are almost in every one of them. Like in this one too. There's a heavy area to catch the eye - vocal point in the photo cluster. I almost always position my photo to the layout using "rule of the thirds" - the only exception is when I use the composition shown in principle 4. And I tend to use three of a kind when adding the embellishments and adding them to a loose triangular shape.



I want to share a few thoughts behind my own scrapping process and the way I put the elements to the page. If you are interested to see how the pages I do come to life, please check out my YouTube channel as I have several "from start to finish" videos there!

My layouts always starts with the photo. I choose one and simultaneously the story I want to tell. Then I'm choosing the background paper. If I'm using a color photo I snatch the colors from there and if I'm using a black and white one, I can choose what ever color I feel contributes to the story. 

Then I loosely think about the composition and the place I'm going to put my photo. Sometimes the photo itself guides how to position it to the page. It's quite natural to allow space to a persons gaze, for example. If you put a photo of a person right next to the edge, facing the edge, the mood is quite heavy, even agonizing and the person seems trapped. 

When I have a spot in my mind I start making the background using whatever technique I feel like at the moment - and what possibly is needed to tell the story. After the background layers are all done, I layer the papers usually using both vertical and horizontal pieces of patterned paper to draw the eye in to the photo, to anchor it to its place, so to speak. Then I start adding embellishments, the title and write the journaling. The last phase is actually all mixed up together as I usually add a few embellishments, then the title and balance all out with the additional embellishments and journaling.

Lately I've found a tendency to use the diagonals in my layouts. I position my photo using the rule of the thirds or the golden ratio, and then create a line of embellishments or journaling or other elements flowing from one corner to the other. I guess that might go under the principle 10 - movement and flow. 

Thank you if you managed to read through my ramblings! I hope you found them helpful! And thank you for joining to the hop!



Materials: Sodalicious, 7 Dots Studio, Tattered Angels, Talens, Ranger, ColorConspiracy, Prima Marketing, Webster's Pages, Teippitarha, Glitz Design, American Crafts, Becky Higgins


38 comments:

Anonymous said...

I loved reading through your 'ramblings' and I ADORE your layout even if it is bloomin' purple ;) You have perfectly executed the principle (along with a few others!) and the result is fabulous! Thank you so much for being part of the Blog Hop Riikka. You are my scrapping angel :)

Elaine coustley said...

I enjoyed reading your thoughts on how you put you layouts together. The "Alignment " principle
looks like a good way to go . x

justi said...

Rikka!!! I love your art and this scrap is also amazing! Thank you!

Peg said...

I'm not a fan of purple but you make it look so good!

Jenny Marples said...

Thank you for your inspiration and explanations. This was so clear and I've got lots more ideas about great composition now. Jenny x

Eliza Trojanowska said...

it's so fantastic that you shared your creative process as well as this a.m.a.z.i.n..g. piece!

Jimjams said...

A lovely page and very interesting to read about your process too. TFS

Pascale B. Scrap said...

love this !!! and thak you for sharing your creative process with us!!

Michelle said...

Love it and love the purple ;) M x

Giorgia Rossini said...

thank you so much for the inspiration, really a beautiful page!

Eila Sandberg said...

I have seen your creative process first hand and know everything just flows so effortlessly when you create! you really have a vision already when you start and the result is always fabulous! this one is no exception! xoxo

Jayne said...

Fabulous Riikka, love the bold violet against the neutral background......thanks for sharing.

langeatheart said...

Your layout is awesome. I like the idea of alignment. I think I will have to try each one once to see what fits me the best! Thanks for sharing your work! all the best! http://mybeaner.blogspot.ca/

ForgedinPaper said...

Love the LO. I like the idea of alignment.

Words and Pictures said...

Such a beautiful layout - I love the dribbles coming down from your aligned elements. Great idea for a bloghop to see the Principles in action - thank you for the inspiration.
Alison x

Anonymous said...

This is so fabulous, love the colours you used and the way you have done the alignment too!

Maakari said...

Hyvät oli jorinat :) Ite ei tuu kyllä koskaan miettineeksi näitä "sääntöjä", mutta kyllähän niitä tietämättääkin käyttää. Muutama uus tuttavuus, täytyy heti kokeilla. Kaunis leiska!

Paula said...

Fabulous layout! Thanks for the video...I love seeing the creative process :)

Unknown said...

Beautiful!

BlackDamaskDesigns said...

I love your purple layout Riikka! Thank you for explaining some of your process here, I am new to this art form so all the tips are very helpful!

Monica said...

I love all your details beautiful page.

Unknown said...

Thank you for your additional insight and addendum principles. Your layout beautifully exemplifies alignment and I love the repetition of the photo, as well.

Riikka Kovasin said...

Thank you Ali :")

Riikka Kovasin said...

Thank you!

Riikka Kovasin said...

Thank you!

Riikka Kovasin said...

Thank you! I used not to like it myself, but strangely it has made its way to my pages lately :D

Riikka Kovasin said...

Thank you! My pleasure!

Riikka Kovasin said...

Thank you!

Riikka Kovasin said...

Thank you! :")

Riikka Kovasin said...

Thank you!

Riikka Kovasin said...

Thank you!

Riikka Kovasin said...

Thank you!

Riikka Kovasin said...

Thank you! :")

Riikka Kovasin said...

Thank you!

Riikka Kovasin said...

Kiitos! Tottahan se on, ei niitä aktiivisesti mieti :)

Riikka Kovasin said...

Thank you!

Riikka Kovasin said...

Thank you - happy to help :)

Riikka Kovasin said...

Thank you! :)

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