Brrr – The Big Chill

One of the most pleasing things about scrapbooking is how we are easily able to highlight the situation or mood in photographs, just by using different materials and techniques on our layouts. We have the ability to evoke vivid memories of the events we scrap simply by choosing the right colors or embellishments.

Now that the temperature has dropped and we head into the winter season, I thought I would explore this in more detail and discover ways of making our scrapbook layouts feel and look cold.

The most obvious chilly-feeling photographs to scrap are those that include snowfall. These photographs immediately provide a wintry feel to any layout and the bright white snow provides the perfect backdrop. If like me, however, you hardly ever see a snowflake, don't despair - you can still make a layout look cool with these easy tips:

1. Convert your photograph to black-and-white to hide any bright colors.
2. Use a white gel pen to add a border to your photograph.
3. Stick to a monochromatic color scheme. Light turquoise is the perfect icy color and combined with white or black this is a winning combination.
4. Provide a snowy feel with white flock powder sprinkled on embellishments.
5. White lace also adds a delicacy to any layout.
6. Paint onto bubble wrap and use this to stamp a blue background on white cardstock.
7. Soften the edges of your layout with a scalloped punch.
8. Add texture with felt lettering.
9. Silver brads are a good way to fasten photos or embellishments to a page and continue the cold theme.
10. Stickles are your best friend when it comes to making your layout sparkle like icicles.
11. Accent photographs with winter-themed embellishments (snowmen, scarf, hat, mug of cocoa, snowflakes etc.).
12. Doodle dots onto clear or blue buttons and seal with a layer of Mod Podge to create your own embellishments.
13. Cut shapes out of acrylic sheeting and stamp or ink the edges with white or light blue chalk ink.
14. Draw attention with the use of journaling. Include words that highlight the coldness such as bitter, crisp, and draughty. Be descriptive and engage your readers.
15. Consider scrapping your whole layout on a transparency to make the whole thing see-through.

I had a look in the gallery here at Scrapjazz for some more inspiration :

Backyard Visitors - Marilou64 has created a beautiful layout of deer in her backyard in the snow. She has used light turquoise with brown to complement the color photographs and combined this with stitching and snowflakes.

Winter Bliss - Queenbee has kept this layout clean and simple by using lilac as the main backdrop (another great color for making your layouts feel cold, especially when combined with grey). With lots of photographs and a white glow around them, this digital layout really conveys a sense of winter.

Snug as a Bug - This is an old layout from the HUGE Scrapjazz gallery that has been in my favorites for a while now. Starlilly Star has used a really vivid turquoise and combined this with other bright colors to make this layout pop off the screen. She has used clear embellishments, which she has then highlighted in white pen. The layers of paper have also added dimension.

And how about some title ideas for those cool-feeling layouts? Why not try some of these suggestions:

• Blue with cold
• Cold hands, warm heart
• Baby, it's cold outside
• Brrrrrr
• Bundle Up Tight, Flurries tonight
• Ice, Ice, Baby
• Frost Fun
• Ice Queen
• Snow Adorable
• The Weather Outside is Frightful
• Winter Wonderland
• Artic Memories

So, make the most of this winter's frosty weather - get outside, make some memories and scrap them! Don't forget to upload your creations to the gallery.

Get everything you need to make your own winter layouts with Winter Scrapbook supplies from Scrapjazz.