Speed scrapbook page design & learn new techniques by scraplifting
Scraplifting – My Not-so-secret Secret
by Jane Howden
Yes, I admit it, I scraplift – and I do it openly and frequently! So what exactly is scraplifting?
Scraplifting is using another scrapbooker’s completed layout as a basis for your own. There are lots of ways to lift a layout or an idea you have seen in a magazine, book or online gallery. You can copy it almost exactly using your own photographs. You can copy a small part of it (for example, the overall design, the color scheme or the use of embellishments). Maybe you find the title catchy or love the subject idea of the layout.
Most scrapbookers consider it a compliment to be scraplifted. It is perfectly acceptable to scraplift for your own personal scrapbook albums. If you post the layout in an online gallery, be sure to credit the original designer for the inspiration. Most beginner scrapbookers learn about design elements and page structure by using ideas from others for their own pages.
I do most of my scraplifting when I attend weekend retreats and crop nights. I want to enjoy the time I have for scrapping, to be able to chat with friends, and–most importantly–to appreciate the downtime I have to relax. I don’t want to be carting my entire scrap room of supplies along with me, and then sitting there trying to figure out what to do next. I don’t want to be stressing over a lack of appropriate supplies or mismatched embellishments. By scraplifting I know exactly what I am doing before I get to the event and I can prepare well in advance.
Again, the page on the left is by Doris Sander and the page on the right is by Jane Howden. Can you see the lifted elements? There's a casual frame, two landscape photos on the right, a large heart embellishment at bottom left and a flower at top right.
What’s more, there are techniques I would never have tried on my own if I hadn’t seen them elsewhere. Scrapbooking magazines, books, and online galleries are wonderful resources. The more you learn and apply to your own pages, the better scrapbooker you become.
I enjoy browsing through layouts done by others, looking for ideas and inspiration. I normally start with a basis from within the original layout and expand upon it, altering it to suit my own style and supplies I have on hand.
While the overall look of your layout may be similar to the original, using your own photographs and different cardstock, patterned papers, and embellishments means you will end up creating a product very much your own. Once you have scraplifted various styles and ideas from many different sources you will feel more comfortable creating your own satisfying layouts without assistance.
In the layouts shown here, the ones on the left are by Doris Sander and my versions of them are on the right. Elements from each of Doris’ layouts can clearly be seen in mine however the use of my own photographs, different papers and some movement around of other features of the layout combine to make them my own.
Here's one more example of Jane's scraplift of Doris -- the kind of lift that lets her plan ahead for crops and get lots done without stress.
There is also nothing wrong with scraplifting yourself by using one of your own layouts as inspiration. It’s quick and easy, and you have the added bonus of knowing you already like the page. Try using the same layout design for two different themes or subjects. You may not even realize they are the same design, if one is in your Christmas album and the other with your pages of your summer vacation to Disneyland.
If you intend submitting a layout for publication or entering in a contest it is best not to scraplift and submit as your own. There is a fine line between being inspired by another person’s design choice and copying outright. When it comes to any form of publication, if in doubt – don’t.
Do give credit where credit is due especially if you are posting your layout to a gallery on an online forum. It’s easy to say a layout by Jenny Smith inspired your page and the original person is sure to feel flattered that you liked their creation.
Doris Sander is a wonderful scrapbooker to lift because all of her compositions are well-constructed, her embellishments are surprising and delightful, and there is such variety to her pages. Her class Scraproom with a View is beginning this week. She also has three self-paced classes available in the GIS store.
Related posts:
- Speed scrapbook page design with smart crops
- Let’s learn how to design scrapbook pages
- 3-in-a-row: the little black dress of scrapbook page design
- Scrapbook Page Design: Asymmetrical Balance
- learn NEW digital techniques for art-journaling looks
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If you’re gonna pick a person to scraplift there really is no better than Doris ;)!