The Go To Blog for the Best Scrapbooking Ideas For Beginners and Experts

 A very warm welcome, scrappers, crafters and creative enthusiasts.

Today, we are providing a wealth of simple scrapbooking layout ideas and 9 different scrapbooking concepts. We are sharing scrapbooking ideas that are so simple, your pages will be made in minutes. These are no stress designs. You'll need very few materials.  So cost-effectiveness can also be achieved.

These are perfect scrapbooking pages for beginners. It's scrapbooking made simple.

This is an awesome blog for seasoned scrappers, noobs and for those of you just checking to see what scrapbooking is all about. Whether you do it digi style or you're all about the paper and the glue. You'll find something to use for your next scrapbooking endeavor.

We are also providing a free template, scrapbooking kit with free digital embellishments and free digital scrapbooking papers to get you started. Pretty awesome, eh?

Concept #1:  Use a Small Scrapbook Format

There are so many advantages of scrapbooking with a small format.  

    * First of all, you don't need a lot of materials, which will save you money.  

    * Second, small or even tiny-sized scrapbook pages or layouts usually can be scrapped in minutes.                        

    * Third, a small scrapbook page is ideal if you do not have a lot of pictures or if your pictures are small.  

    * Fourth, they make awesome gifts and are cheaper to print and send.  

Here are a few examples of small and even tiny formats of scrapbooking for you to add to your repertoire of awesome. These scrapbooking page layouts are ideal for beginners. (I've linked up similar products for ya.)

This page is from a 6x6 chipboard album.  It is insanely easy.  I've got three photos, even! Simply mat your photos, add a few fun embellishments and that's it.  Simple scrapbooking, indeed. I've got a series on blog outlining this entire mini album. The image is linked up to one of them.

As you may have noticed, I used contrasting colors and I inked around my veneer photo frame so that it blended better with the rest of my page.  Tip:  repeating the same colors throughout your page layout will give you a much nicer, cohesive page.

Take a closer look and you'll see I kept the bottom on the yellow paper, straight or with pointy corners and I took a corner punch to the top corners for something a little different.

This is a mix of lovely goodies mostly from the warehouse box at Webster's Pages.

How about these lovely, small format scrapbooking pages?

Totally Eek-A-Licious!  This is a tiny format, actually.  The biggest part of the page is only 4 inches.

These pages are so tiny, you really can scrap fast and you don't need to put a lot of things on the pages.

1)  Apply your favorite background paper.

2) Adhere a few coordinating paper strips or border either across the top, bottom or middle.  Use all different widths for more interest.

3) Add some awesome ribbon, bling or pearls to give it some serious Wow Pow.

4) Place your pictures and you're set.

This small digital scrapbooking page measures 6x6.  It's actually my favorite size to scrapbook with. There's a blog showing off ALL of the pages in this album/hybrid gift I designed.

Let's look at just how simple this page is.

There's one very large photo.  It's matted and there's a fun background.  I've got two stamps in opposite corners and a large title.

That's it!

The beauty of digital pages is you can start at a 12x12 and then shrink it to 10x10, 8x8x, 6x6x, 4x4...You get the point.  Tip:  Always start big and then go small.  Don't go from small to large or you'll lose clarity.

Concept #2:  Use a Large Photo Format to Scrapbook Easily and Fast

Using very large photos is a totally epic way to scrapbook fantastic layouts.  I'm talking king-sized.  The picture should take up at least 1/2 of your page. You can scrapbook incredibly expeditiously in this manner.  You'll need very few materials and or details.  Consider a large title.  Borders work magnificently with large photos.  You can also add smaller photos along with the larger photo.  You may not even need embellishments or elements at all.  Like my example above.

Check out these page layout examples and you'll see exactly what I mean.

Here's a photo that takes over the page.  Well, in this case, it was a card I made for the person who takes care of our chickens when we are gone.

1) Choose an interesting background paper.

2) Use a delicate, coordinating frame if you like.

3) Add a large title.

4) Add a few embellishments or elements if desired.

5) Insert your picture and you've scrapped.

Concept #3:  Let Your Pretty Scrapbooking Paper Do The Talking

If you are one of those scrappers who hold on to that gorgeous paper until it's considered retro, I feel ya!  It took me years to realize that those beautiful scrapbooking papers are to be used.  Not sit in a Pamper's box!  Let those stunning scrapbooking papers be the main focus of your page.  You don't have to use photos on all of your pages.

Those kinds of papers are ideal for a cover or title page for your scrapbook.  If you want to use photos on them, keep them small and move your image around until you find just the right spot.  Consider matting your photo if you do want some contrast with your paper.  Also, consider using solid or plain paper that coordinates with your design paper.  This will lend cohesion to your page.

Here's an example of scrapbooking with gorgeous design paper.

(Digi Smash can be found in the Design Bundles shop at Kreative Design Studio.)

I went a bit nuts designing this paper with my collaboration of Art & Life Scraps, Digi Smash.  All I had to do was add an extracted photo of my kitty, the title and then I went around the edges with a few small elements of flowers, curly ribbon and sequins.  That's it!  Let that fabulous paper do all of the work!

Another idea with this concept is using large, page-sized cut files.  This is a somewhat newer style for both traditional and digital scrapbooking.  One of my favorite things about this concept is you can customize the cut file to match your photographs. 

Tip:  If you really want the most flawless, coordinated result on your scrapbooking pages, then it's essential that the colors in the picture match the colors of your papers and elements.  Using black and white photos is an alternative if you can't match the papers with the photos.

Take a look at these amazing pages using the cut file concept.  Clip in your desired paper to the cut file, leave it white, paint or ink it to coordinate with the rest of your layout.  You'll not want to add too many elements or you may get a page that looks busy.  Unless you want busy!

Designs from Made By Keuntje

Here are a few more page ideas using cuttable backgrounds.  Above, the page might not look all that simple and indeed that cluster is no easy feat.  However, the background is just clipped in papers over the template or cut file, Flower Fever.  Add buttons for centers, which is a very clever idea and that's really simple, right?  You could always make the cluster more simple or not even bother with one.

Above are Fancy Flakes cut files or digital templates paired up with Flamzing Christmas.  Also found in the Kreative Design Studio shop at Design Bundles. They come in svg format along with layered psd and png formats, too. This way just about anyone can work with them.  Use them to make cards or scrapbooking pages, as you can see, above. I used very few elements and large titles.

Below are more pretty cut file pages. These might look rather extraordinary. That's only because of the awesome background, cut file. If you look scrutinizingly at each page, you'll see it's just a matter of a very large photo and only a few elements. Those purple flowers are huge!

Remember above about using large photos? Here are two more examples, coupled with the concept of awesome backgrounds or cut file backgrounds.

Designs from LouCee Creations and Made By Keuntje

Yet another terrific scrapbook concept with paper in mind is stacked shapes. Layered shapes that take up most of the background is another really easy way to scrap. Again, it could be time-consuming, but it doesn't have to be. Digital templates are perfect for these kinds of pages because the designer has done all of the hard work. All you would have to do is clip in the papers, add your pretty scrapbooking elements and photo or photos and you've scrapped.

Here are a few examples of easy digital scrapbooking pages using stacked layered templates.  Once you've clipped in all of your pretty papers and photos, all you have to do is sprinkle a few embellishments here and there. It may look hard, but it's really fast and easy scrapbooking, for sure. That's the beauty of using templates.

Template from Kreative Design Studio and Designs from Neia.

This page got a whole lot of love.  I mentioned the importance of matching photos with your kits and collections and this is just a perfect example of the effect or impact it can have when done just right.

Even if you were to delete the clusters, your digital or traditional page will look stunning!

Kreative Design Studio Template and Kit from JoCee Designs

If you wanted to use this concept traditionally, it will be a touch more work, but I've got a few tips to make it easy peasy for you.

Tips:  Punches or cuttable nests will totally speed up the process.  A cutting machine would be awesome, too.  If you fill a sheet with all of the shapes required and have the machine do all of the hard cutting work, then you can scrap really fast this way. Digital templates often provide png format for this!

Concept #4:  Pocket Scrapbooking or Project Life Styles Are Super Time Savers and So Easy

Another fairly newer concept of scrapbooking is pocket or project life style scrapbooking.  There are so many advantages to this style of scrapbooking.  

    * One, it is super fast!  

    * Two, you don't need to be very creative.  

    * Three, Only limited materials are necessary.  So, it has the potential to be             very inexpensive, too.

We will definitely be writing more in-depth about this style in the future. It ticks off so many boxes for people who want to keep their memories in a scrapbook format. Maybe you don't have time, creativity or the desire to get down and scrappy. Add it to your list of easy scrapbooking ideas, for sure.

Here is a traditional example of a pocket page. You can purchase these special pocket scrapbooking sleeves and simply insert your photos in the pockets. You may accompany your photos with cute journal cards or pocket cards as well as popular digital scrapbooking elements. There are even collections you can buy specifically for pocket scrapbooking. Glitter, sequins and confetti are also nifty additions for inside the pockets.

More products from Kreative Design Studio and Art & Life Scrapbook, Bee Loveable.

Another traditional option is to use the format of pocket sleeves, but not use the sleeves. Personally, I love this idea. There are zero limitations and it will save you a lot of money because you don't have to buy the sleeves. Ka Ching! You could simply slide them in a regular sleeve if you like those.

Tip: Draw in the stitches to give it an even more authentic look.

Here's an example for you. Look, Mom! No photos!!!

Journal Junky templates from Kreative Design Studio and Designs from On a Whimsical Adventure

Above, you can see how stunning products make absolutely gorgeous pages.

Here are a few more examples of digital scrapbooking ideas. The beauty of digi style project life pages is there are many more options. The actual pocket sleeves are more limited in format choices.

This page below got some serious attention in a few of the scrapbooking groups I'm in and Pinterest. I felt terrible because it scrapped up SO FAST! I used two concepts from the list, today. Large photo and project life style. The template made this page possible to design in less than 15 minutes!

Kreative Design Studio Template and Designs from Kim Cameron

Tip:  Use a lot of pictures to take up most of your space and then if you wish, add a few fun elements.  You can always use journal cards or pretty papers in place of the photo spots.

Templates from Kreative Design Studio and Designs From LouCee Creations

Concept #5:  Creative Photo Arrangements For Your Scrapbooking Pages

A really cool scrapbook layout idea is caterpillar cutting and placement.  Well, that's what I have termed this manner of photo placement.  The idea is to take one photo and cut it in a way that it becomes the feature of your page.  It looks so cool and modern and depending on the size of your photo, it can take up a considerable amount of space on your page, too.

Matting the photo will enhance the effect. Templates for photos formatted like this are easy and time-saving.

Take a look at this example. The image is linked up to the free template.

Free Template from The Cherry On Top and Retired Designs

Tip:  Think really hard on the kind of picture that would work best with this method.  Not all pictures are ideal for this kind of style.  Also, consider exactly where to cut.  Using a scenic photo is ideal.  A photo with little details is also advised.  Often, a peopled photo with considerable background works best.

Here is another digital layout with a stacked effect rather than a spread out one. Digital scrapbooking templates are highly recommended for this style of page layout.

The Cherry On Top Free Template and Designs

Another very helpful tip when using this method is to make sure you don't cut down the middle of a person's face. It can look really weird. Add or include more background so you don't do this. You always want to make sure your cuts are at less important parts of the photo.

Concept #6:  There is Nothing Square About Using Squares on Your Scrapbooking Pages

Squares are the easiest way to go as you see with the pocket style pages.  There is no shame in going with a square look.  It's very satisfying for those of you who like everything at a right angle.  Using large and or mixed-sized squares is a very easy and fast way to scrapbook and it's yet another way to scrapbook simple.

Tip:  Matting is an excellent way to introduce a new color, add contrast and add lift or dimension to your pages.

Here are a few different scrapbooking pages using squares for the basis of the page.

Designs From Made By Keuntje

Designs from Kim Cameron

Here's another brilliant idea for you. You can always turn a template into a quick page! If the template has enough fun aspects and appeals to you, this is totally doable and people are doing this more and more. You can see it done, below. Nearly all aspects of the page on the right are the same as the page on the left. Find the differences.

Some more interesting papers were clipped in along with a few photos. Some of the ellies or elements were moved around and duplicated and a few pieces from the kit that coordinates with the template were added along with a fun, new title. This was scrapped up really easily and fast.

Bee Loveable Bundle from Kreative Design Studio

Concept #7 Angled Effect:  Here's a Super Cool and Modern Style of Scrapbooking

This style of scrapbooking is way easy. Of course, all of the scrapbooking ideas for beginners that I've given so far are great for both digi scrapbooking as well as traditional and hybrid styles.Templates are excellent for this style simply because they save you so much time.You just clip in your desired paper and photos in the spots and if you like, add some elements, word art or journaling and you're all finished.

I would highly recommend using matting with this kind of page layout.

Check out these pages using this modern layout style.

Again, you don't have to add elements. Just some pictures and contrasting papers and matting would make a really great page.

Fun Designs From Connie Prince and our templates.

These large spaces are great for photos, papers and journaling.

Designs from Neia and our templates.

Just look at all of these fabulous photos and displayed in a very eye-catching manner.

Concept #8:  A Minimalist Scrapbooking Style is Fresh and Modern

To say that a minimalist scrapbook is easy doesn't really seem fair.  A minimalist style page might take hours to design, but it certainly doesn't have to. As you may have inferred, minimalist scrapbooking is using very few papers and embellishments or elements. More often than not, there is a lot of white space or blank space.

There are artistic styles of minimalist scrapbooking as well as traditional, basic styles.

Take a look at a few pages of minimalist scrapbooking and I'll walk you through the process and concept.

Now, here's a whole lot of white space and a simple scrapbooking layout. Some simple borders and few embellishments is all you see.

Designs from Connie Prince

Most of the artistic aspects from these pages comes from the templates and others are stamps from a kit or collection.

Designs from Miss Fish and Sheppard Studios with A Cherry Template

Simply clip in your color choices to the template shapes and paint, add your photo and embellish as you like. 

More Designs From Connie Prince and a Cherry Template

Minimalist style scrapbooking layouts are fresh, clean and modern. You can see how this is very appealing and they make super simple scrapbook layouts. They often require few elements and can scrap up quickly and easily.

Concept 9: Starburst or Sunburst are Bursting With Fun and They are Super Easy to Scrap 

Last and certainly not least are sunbursts or starbursts. I love using this concept on my scrapbooking pages. It is really easy. Especially, if you use a digital template or cut file, which I will be providing for you.

I suppose this could have gone under concept #3. You could totally just use a paper of a sunburst background, but it is so much more fun building or designing your very own starburst so that it fits perfectly with the kit or collection you are using as well as with your photos.

Starbursts can come at all kinds of angles which makes them super versatile.  Use this kind of paper, design or concept when you want to focus on a particular photo or two.  Once you have scrapped up your sunburst, all you have to do is place your photos and embellish them if you wish. This kind of page and the concept of really fabulous papers are great for showing off quotes, journal cards and they are ideal for a title and or cover pages, too.  Pimp it up by using digital scrapbooking elements or traditional ones. Pretty awesome, right?

Here are a few pages showing off the concept.

Go big with those photos and elements and it all gets scrapped up fast and easily.

Template from Kreative Design Studio and Designs From Chere Kaye

You could go a bit smaller. A template will save you time. Add a few bellies or elements if you want.However, this kind of impact from the starburst and all of those lusciously layered squares and pictures on top will give more than enough impact and interest on your page.

Template from Kreative Design Studio and Designs from LouCee Creations

Here is a template for traditional scrappers. Just cut out these basic shapes and trace around them on your chosen papers and or photographs. Place the rays as close together or as far apart as you like.Cut off any excess and don't worry about over-lapping that will go under the photo. (Click here for a step-by-step tutorial on how to do this traditionally.)

This is what a traditional finished product looks like. No fancy machines are required. The image below is linked up to another step by step blog.

Here is a digital version using a starburst template and the free goodies we are offering you, today.

Here is your free kit and sticker sheets. I've got a tutorial on how to use them set up for next week.

We've provided more free scrapbooking printables in the form of a sheet of elements in both jpg and png format as well as a mini digital paper pack that you can print or use digitally. Now, you can scrap even further using this concept or use them how you like for your very own scrapbook pages.

Here's a page with a template scrapped in mere minutes.

Here's a page using some of the concepts above.  

I kept these last scrapbooking pages as plain and simple as possible. Now, it's YOUR turn! Until then, I've got another blog and video with more scrapbooking freebies and a in-depth step by step on how to digi scrap with Photoshop Elements.

I hope you've enjoyed all of the wonderful easy scrapbooking page layouts we've provided for you.

Our blog is FULL, FULL, FULL of scrapbooking inspiration, tutorials and loads of freebies.  Scroll back and get caught up!

We'll be back with many more tutorials, tips, tricks and gorgeous page inspiration. Until then scrappy trails!

World Wide OnLine Scrapbooking Sites and Shops to Check Out

Welcome To The Cherry On Top.

I just updated this blog and most of these links are still up and running. That says a lot about these shops. The original publication was in 2018. A craft store that is still around all of these years?! I AM NOT AFFILIATED WITH ANY OF THESE STORES.

Mockups to show off your designs and projects.

I've got a bit of a special blog for you, today. I've done some serious research, asked around and have compiled a fairly comprehensive list of online scrapbooking stores that sell traditional scrapbooking and craft products...get this...from around the world.  Hehehe...Since several people were interested in specific areas, I did even more research for those areas requested. I hope this list will be helpful for your future purchases.

I'm also adding some of my stuff from own shop. I'd love for you to check it out.

They are, in my opinion some of the very best. I have high expectations of my store visits and I found myself not only enjoying some of my browsing experiences, but learning a whole lot from it.

A super fun paper project. Buy the template and use your own papers if you prefer. 

Personally, I do dig a larger shop with a huge selection and totally kicking clearance. I also really, really want to see a blog or at least a page full of tutorials and projects. I'm a bit of a scatter brain. So, it is really important that the site is easy to manoeuvre.  For me, simple is important. Well organized and clear are also very much appreciated.

Let me share with you my findings and hopefully, give you a new, lovely place to shop. These stores are really not in any kind of order, but are divided by world region.

Since most of my readers are from the States and I have the most experience with these shops, I'll start with those. I'll begin with the big ones, that most of you may already know. At least this way, I'll give you links so you can go visit these stores and form your own opinions.

United States:

Michael's (I cannot, for the life of me get a link!) and AC Moore (now closed) were my go to shops when I lived in the States. Though, towards my stay in the States, it seemed the scrapbooking department was shrinking. Yikes.  I visited both online stores and Michael's certainly stood out and was a lot more extensive across the board. Though, I had an icon for a buggy/cart at AC Moore, I didn't see anything to buy.  They did have some really nifty  inspiration though. My mom loves to go to the actual store for the coupons and she often sends me stuff from there.

I've got a sweet collection of templates and stickers for travel scrapbooks.

Michael's had a really nifty site and I would highly recommend it, though I do love touching and going through the aisles in reality.  Hehehe...What I wouldn't give to do that, today!  I can't even post a nifty craft shop here in Belgium except one shop that is over an hour's ride away.  What was I thinking when I moved here?!  How on earth did I not do my scrap shop research first?!  Hehehe...

A Cherry On Top is another huge, online store with a nifty gallery and they also offer a live chat, which makes them unique. I've ordered from them several times and they shipped all of the way over to Europe for me. Most places do this, but it ain't cheap. Typically, it's around $50 for shipping. You might also want to make sure there are no extra fees if you are shipping internationally,  They can be very steep. They have nothing to do with the store, but from whatever country you reside. The ideas board can certainly be more user friendly, but once you find what you're looking for, it's pretty good. I thought the prices here were good, too and the clearance selection not bad either.

Printables for the graduate for both ladies and gentelmen.

JoAnn is another big shop, but the variety is nothing like some of the other big shops. The site is quite nice, clear and easy to use and there is also an inspiration page as well some awesome looking sales with really good discounts. The coupons are killer here!  The brands are fairly limited, but man do they have a lot of sweet projects there.  Hit them up for inspiration. I thought I read that they were closing, but when I updated this blog, the site was still up and looked great.

A super easy, cute and mega fun Easter paper craft project great for kids.

Scrapbook.com has the best choice and selection, in my own opinion.  Just scroll through the lists of supplies and designers and you'll see what I'm talking about. They have a blog, gallery, tutorials and a lot of social spots that stay current.  They are a very prominent scrapbooking store that offers a lot to their customers. I'd even suggest getting the newsletter so you can keep up with their many promotions.  This past season, they even had quite some free stuff with purchase.

Craft up some book marks. Pimp up your planners or print stickers with steam punk.

Blitsy is totally new to me! I just found them in a search I was doing for this blog and if I may be completely honest, found the site very appealing. So clean and neat and very easy to use. Their inspiration page is pretty fab. They are just blog link ups and several lead to dead ends, but still. It's a great idea.


Paper Issues is definitely on a smaller scale. Several people recommended them.  They also had a lot of free files and I was digging on their swag bags. The prices for these were really great.

So, that's my list for the U.S. and all of them ship internationally. Many of them have free shipping for U.S. residents over a certain amount starting at $50. Though, I know Scrapbook.com often has coupons for free shipping.  Look out for those.

Flanders, Belgium

If you're in the Flemish speaking part of Belgium, consider heading over to Tiny's Hobby in Kortrijk. They've got a pretty darn good selection of scrap stuff and they offer a lot of classes. Though they can definitely amp up the crops. They used to offer several a year. I think they only have one in the summer, now.  My gal Vicky and her family run the place and they are very helpful and knowledgable with a lot of hobbies.

Pipoos, has an every shrinking scrapbooking department and the prices kill me, but it's better than nothing.  You can find scrapbooking and paper craft goodies at Action and Boekenvoordeel, though through my experience, the quality is at a minimum.  I often have to re adhere my goodies from both of these places.  None of these have online shopping, however.

I'll admit, going through the sites from the UK was underwhelming. I'm such a tight wad and the prices just kill me when it comes to currency configuration.  Hehehe... I found two that stood out a bit.

United Kingdom

Papermaze had a pretty good selection. Especially, for just papers. There were hardly any kits to be found, though. The clearance section was largish, though the discounts were not deep enough for me. I'm cheap, ok! There was also a lot of out of stock, which is a disappointment for me. All of these lovely things, but ya can't have them. Hehehe...They offer international shipping and promise to ship at impressive dates. I didn't see that everywhere. They also have a blog!

Craftelier had a pretty good selection and the site itself was very nice to zip around. It was appealing and fun to look at it. I thought the shipping prices were really a bargain. They offer free shipping to Europe with 100 Pounds or more and only 6 pounds up to 100 Pounds of purchase. Check out the details on that one.

Canada

I was specifically asked to mention Canada. I have no personal experience when dealing with Canada.  Hehehe...Here are a few I found.

Scrapshotz a small, but nice selection, subscription options which I think are pretty nifty and they have a gallery, too. So the site is a bit larger and sometimes that makes it more appealing or professional. I just love seeing products in action. They have a dollar bin, which I love!

Scrapbookcafe has such a pretty site. It's very easy to use.You have to spend over $150 to get free shipping and the design list is fairly long. Right now, it appears only to be a store.There is a blog page, but I couldn't get there through it. I didn't see any product in use, but the overall appearance and feel for the store was very nice.

Australia

If you're living down under I have this link for you.

Craftonline is a larger site with free shipping with $50 purchase or more. Their designer selection is pretty darn sweet and they have weekly specials, too. No blog, no gallery or tutorials, but very easy to use store. Next day postage is also useful when you can't wait to get your hands on your products. They are also linked up pretty well socially speaking.

That's a wrap! I hope these links and descriptions will help you find the right store for your crafting needs.  If you've got a great shop you use, link us up.  Share your pretty projects, pages, albums and talk craft with us in our group, here.

Leave any links or names for your favorite hobby shop.

Happy crafting!

Free Digital Scrapbooking Template, Free Scrapbooking Kit and Full Instructions on How to Digital Scrapbook

 A very warm welcome, crafters and page artists.

Click the image or above link to get to the awesome blog and download this free digital collection of papers, elements and sticker sheet.

Blogger has deleted nearly all of my images. My apologies. The link with the video is at the bottom. There you can see it all happen.

Step 1) Open the free template and clip in any other paper you might want to use over layer 1 and 2 by right clicking and choosing, clipping mask.

Step 2) Go to the layers panel, click on the background layer and right click/duplicate layer. Size the new layer that you'll use for your picture by selecting the move tool. It look like a cross with arrows.

Step 3) Duplicate your new photo spot if you'd like another spot and size and place them how you like on the background paper.

Step 4) Slide in your photos from the gallery over your photo spot and right click, clipping mask.

Step 5) Go to the effects panel and add some shadows if you like. These are installed shadows with a lot more options than the ones from the software.

Step 6) Start sliding in your elements and moving them around the page with your mouse and the left click.

Step 7) When you've got your elements where you want them, consider adding shadows.  It really gives your page dimension and looks totally awesome.  It's a great way to add lift and contrast, too. Check the bottom, right of the tool bar and selects "effects" or "styles" depending on your version of the software.

Step 8) Move your design exactly where you want.  (Mine was a little too low. The easiest way was to "Select All Layers” at the top toolbar, deselect the paper layers by left clicking on the them, as shown in the layers bar in the below image and then left click and move the entire grouping to your desired location.)

Step 9) Go to the left toolbar and click on the color picker and choose a color from your layout that will work for your title. I went with the bluish color.

Step 10) Also in the left tool bar is a big green "T". There you will pick a font that matches the style of your page.

We definitely have a kind of whimsical style going on for our page. So a whimsical font, will be perfect. 

N

ow, you could stop there, but if you want to keep working, follow along and learn a few more cool tricks.

Step 11) Slide a paper over your font layer and left click, clipping mask to clip it to your font. This will give texture and it'll match your page perfectly as well.

We're going to take another step further.

Step 12) Add a stroke to your title by going to the Effects menu and choosing "strokes". Left click on the one you like best.

By default, you'll get a black stroke, but that can be changed easily. The black really does not go well with our soft pastels. If there were more black introduced it might.

Step 13). Go over to the layers bar and quickly double click the tiny fx symbol on the layer you wish to add a stroke, which would be the font layer. This extra menu will pop up. Left click on the black box.

Yet another box will pop up. I hope I've not lost you so far! Now is your chance to color pick the exact color you want for your outline or stroke.

Step 14) Choose your stroke color and click ok. Make sure the stroke is the size you like.  You can still change it by sliding left or right. Hit ok when it's perfect.

Step 15) Consider adding a shadow under your text. You can click right in the same menu box as the stroke. It's closer to the top. You can also see how you can easily make adjustments by sliding left and right on all three shadow options, which are size, distance and opacity. We'll be talking a lot about shadows in future blogs.

You could finish there. I went and added a big layer of paint over my background and clipped in the coordinating pink paper so it all matches. I love using anchoring elements like confetti, scatter, splatter, stamps and paints to anchor my elements and photos to the page.  

It's a great way to add more interest, color and or contrast to your pages.

So, how did you do? Easy, right? If you found it difficult, don't give up. It may take a few go's until the process gets smoother. I did change out just a few elements and added a few more awesome ones. You’ll love the changes!

I've got a lengthy video where I hold your hand and we digital scrapbook together. There's even another free kit and template for you! Our YouTube channel is full of all kinds of digital scrapbooking tutorials.

Here's my cute page with the free goodies. Spaghetti face doggo!  Hehehe...

I hope you've found this scrapbooking tutorial helpful and that you'll come back for more awesome free digital scrapbook stuff, tutorials and craft inspiration.

Happy scrapping!