by Ethan Johnson
June 12, 2007
As I said in my previous article about scrapbooking, scrapbook.com has a nifty feature where customers can upload their layouts and projects with the caveat that they have to reference products that scrapbook.com sells. Soft-selling aside, the layouts run the gamut from "just beginning" to "freaking amazing". My head is exploding just from culling through a few weeks worth of uploads in search of notable layouts to reference here. I'll provide a link to each layout and include brief commentary. Oh, come on, it will be fun.
You Color My World: Effective minimalist layout using color and black/white photography.
White Sands: Honestly, my brain is not hardwired to think this way. Another effective minimalist layout, carrying the composition of the featured photo into the rest of the page. Awfully cool.
Currently Lovin': OK, this isn't a "great" layout in my estimation, but I like the earnestness. It just screams "teenager", doesn't it? Like, duh!
What Boys Want: Similar to the above, but different. We all have our phases and passing fancies, I'd imagine, and this layout captures that in a simple yet effective way.
ALS: Absolutely heartbreaking and incredible. Here's what I hope to impress upon those of you who previously had zero interest in learning anything about scrapbooking: Considering all of the blogging and electronic-only communication that goes on in this day and age, if anything zaps the grid, we lose all of that history. This effective display captures the permanence of the scrapbook, and thus this history carries forward. Contemplate this before reading/writing your next blog post.
I Remember You: This is pretty neat: The creator was inspired by a magazine photo spread and tried to re-create that effect with family photos.
Shake Break: A fairly simple layout that really could stand alone as framed art. Effective use of family photos and lettering.
Traffic: There's a lot going on here in this layout, but despite the "busy-ness" it captures something that normally would be overlooked: The sheer crush of traffic on California highways. Certainly a case of positive spin.
I Will Love You...: Another instance of effective minimal layout and photography.
I Am Three Years Old: Ditto. Again, could stand alone as framed art.
Beautiful: And ditto again. Beautiful photography.
Music is Passion: I love everything about this layout, and wouldn't you know it, the creator is considering giving it away as a framed piece.
Born Again: And now a change of pace. This layout proves that anything can be "scrapped".
I Resolve: Very artsy... the layout caught my eye although the writing is a bit squished in the photo. Would be very effective framed without the writing. (Sorry.)
It Takes Strategy to Win: Another effective use of family photos, capturing a moment for posterity. What intrigues me about scrapbooking is the way it forces you to really observe your surroundings and express them in a meaningful way. "Just" taking pictures is one method to capture a moment, but scrapbooking adds additional dimensions, and not just random embellishments and doo-dads. Is your head exploding yet?
Crazy in Love: I think I'd like to do a "one-off" like this with one of our wedding photos.
Mother's Day Challenge: Cool layering. Even cooler paper flower.
Dearest Alize: All you need to know about why people make scrapbooks.
Today: This is the other reason. Hilarious.
Queer Eye for the Gnome Guy: More proof that literally anything can be scrapped. It's kinda busy, but I like the layout overall.
At 22: Effective and timeless.
Spring Showers: Incredible photo anchors the layout. Wow.
Sometimes: "I guess that's just how it is between brother and sister." May sound funny, but I could totally make one of these about my oldest and youngest dogs.
Top to Bottom Fun: Love it, love it, love it. Simple, normally something overlooked, but captured with artistic flair. Quite simply, what I aspire to someday.
Road Trip: This isn't this creator's best work in my estimation, but it's a neat idea that I am socking away for our forthcoming travel journal.
Relax: More minimalism with flair.
24 Weeks: I really like the oversized photo effect, and I was hoping to find an example in the wild. Here it is.
He Can Wink! OK, be honest. Do you want to watch the home video of moments like this (as a non family member)? Another would-be throwaway moment is presented with pizazz. Nice. Even if he's not my kid.
Kiss the Cook: Now this is posterity a go-go. I'm sure this family is going to cherish this one for a long, long time.
Contest: Multiple Photos: A relationship in 5 parts. Clever!
Whew. I'd say that's about enough of that for now. Not that I expect anyone to hop on the scrapbooking train, but hopefully the nearly limitless possibilities of the medium are more apparent. Enjoy! <EM>
