Changing Your Style

Current labels for scrapbook styles might include Contemporary, Traditional, Artistic, Romantic, Whimsical, or Eclectic. Perhaps you've identified your own personal style with one of these labels but you would like to "mix it up a bit" and find another style. Pushing yourself to try new materials and methods for your scrapbook projects can actually help you to sharpen your style without feeling like you are completely changing the artist within.

A typical session at your scrapbook table involves time spent with photos, cardstock, patterned paper, embellishments and adhesive. A title and journaling added to the page give it the stamp of completeness, but you're left wondering why you didn't try that new technique that you've seen on several layouts in the gallery.

Wonder no more. If you haven't tried it yet, you need to "scraplift." Benjamin Franklin learned to write by copying fine writing and you can learn a different artistic style by copying a style that you admire. Your initial scraplift could entirely repeat the design or you could just choose an element or two and make it your own. There is no better place to go for inspiration than a fellow scrapbooker. Your aim is to learn by doing what the other artist has done, NOT to claim their work as your own. "Inspired by" is a perfectly acceptable method for discovering new techniques.

If you've identified yourself as a Traditional artist but would like to be more Artistic, then grab your paints and gel mediums and follow the path of the mixed media artist. This was the approach that I used to create this layout, called "WISH."

Following some basic guidelines for creating textured backgrounds, I was able to change my more Traditional approach into an Artistic style. It was challenging to set aside my routine of creating a page, but I learned a lot about myself through the process.

Changing my style became more than just having a different look on my pages. I discovered that I didn't have room at my scrapbook table for the "mess" of the more artistic style and my endeavors spread to the kitchen counter. I realized that I didn't want to always create pages with paints and gels but I was encouraged to "walk on the wild side" for constructing at least a few elements in my work.

If you'd like to change your style but feel overwhelmed in tackling a complete "re-do" of your scrapbook personality, start small with some of these options:

• Change your photos. Sand the edges or cut around your subject as I did in the layout above.
  
  
• Change the look of your typical journaling style to a more Art Journal style using doodles and swirls for guidelines.
  
  
• Mix up your titles. If your titles have been stickers, try painted chipboard or metal. Get out your art pens and sketch freestyle to create something uniquely your own.

Overcoming your fear is half the battle when it comes to changing your style. Don't be afraid to merge your current style with design elements that intrigue you. The artist within will soar when you set her free.

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