STORY OF THE PAGE: You may have caught on by now, but I don’t make a whole lot of 12 x 12 scrapbook pages. In fact, the most recent page I made in said size was for my debut column with Scrapbook & Cards Today in the Fall Issue. And before that, the last time I made a 12 x 12 page was when I was the Creative Director at Simple Scrapbooks magazine. And that mag went out of business in January of 2009, so you could say it’s been a while.
Today I’m sharing a recent 12 x 12 page to not only explain myself, but to also show you that you can still take design ideas from me and apply them very simply to a larger page.
I thought I’d share my secret in today’s post. You ready? Okay, here it is: I design an 8.5 x 11 page and slap it onto a 12 x 12 background. #ohnoshedidnt
I know. I wish it were more technical. I wish it were sexier. I wish it were more mind blowing. But it’s not. It’s simple and straightforward and works like a frickin’ charm.
The primary reason I don’t make 12 x 12 pages is that back in 2002 when I discovered the magical world of scrapbooking, I realized from the start that I wanted to apply type directly to my pages. Even though 12 x 12 was kind of the standard, I didn’t have a big-assed printer that could handle 12 x 12 paper. I noticed a handful of people making 8.5 x 11 pages and thought, “That. I’ll do that.”
The secondary reason is album size. I just don’t have the space in my house to store a ton of 12 x 12 albums. And yet from time to time, it will be required of me to make 12 x 12 pages. I will, as they say turn up for 12 x 12 when duty calls.
I know. I wish that story was sexier. Moving right along…
DESIGN BREAKDOWN: The one great thing that comes from taking an 8.5 x 11 design and plunking it down onto a 12 x 12 page is you are guaranteed to include some white space. Yes, the constellation patterned paper of this design constitutes white space, even though it’s clearly not white. It creates a neutral frame of space around the core content and that allows the entire design to breath and feel more open. White space aside, now we can look at the core design. We see repetition in colors with the greens and reds in the sticker and patterned paper as well as up in the title. We have more white space on either size of the 6 x 4 photo, and we also have similar spaces above and below the photo. The content is centered and the balance is symmetrical. It’s simple but not boring. There’s room for a little playing with product, but it still maintains a generally clean and simple feel. I added a little scallop edge using my Fiskars trimmer, which I think is kind of cute. Damn! I should do 12 x 12s more often!
TECHNICAL SHIT: I used a template for my base. I’ve been doing this with nearly every page of this newly relaunched series. Many times, I’ll design a page that I want to make first, then turn it into a template. But I usually take a hybrid approach in the end by printing out some aspects of each template and finishing the designs with patterned papers or simple embellishments.
LEARN MORE ABOUT HYBRID SCRAPBOOKING: I have a simple video tutorial that walks you through using digital templates as your base to make a hybrid layout.
READ SCRAPBOOK & CARDS MAGAZINE: You can read the latest issue online for free, or become a subscriber today.
SUPPLIES:
heidig says
Love it!
Audrey says
I love the half circle cutout for the compass. Such a simple embellishment, yet it pops off the page for me. Can I send you… say all my pictures since 2010… and you can make me pages just like this one? I’m happy with 8.5×11 or 12×12!
So enjoy this feature each Monday:)
Melissa O. says
LOL! Love it. That really is a great pic of the Aidens.
Sue Williams says
Wow, fancy! (Love it)
Jeanine says
i especially like the pencil line frame and the compass cut out. This is a great way for me to use 8.5×11 designs in my 12×12 albums…CUZ sometimes they don’t trAnslate well. This way they do. So thank you!
Lori P. says
Love it! I am hopefully changing over to 8 1/2 x 11 very soon once I kick myself in the butt to get back into scrapbooking. I also like how simple this page is as “anyone” can do it AND they could slide it into their Project Life album too if they wanted to. So many ways to go with your templates and so many ideas popping into the noggin I am starting to get a headache. Thanks Cathy!
Michelle t says
“#oh no she didn’t!” Love it! The best laugh I’ve had in days.
I agree about the pencil lined frame, and that compass, plus I am crazy about that constellation paper. Great choices. Also love the idea of the larger photo. I really need to incorporate it.
Thanks so much. You’re rocking the inspiration.
Michelle t
Pam says
Thank you for your great designs – I really like these posts…
Roberta says
Cathy,
You make Mondays easier to survive 😉 I bought your Awesome page template to make pages for each of my Grands for Christmas for their bedroom walls. They have 12 x 12 frames so I will be doing something similar to your technique above. I had never considered that someone would think ” no she didn’t” … Thanks for the laugh!
Tara says
TURN DOWN FOR WHAT?
(12×12 pages)
Laura says
I love this design. It’s a great way to show off a gorgeous piece of patterned paper (that you may or may not have hoarded because you couldn’t bear to cover it up or cut into it . . . you know, hypothetically.) Happy Monday.
Cathy says
What a great layout. I have been scrapping for 20 years now. I have all the gear and I mean ALL OF IT. Now, I don’t know if it’s because I’m older or what but I just love layouts where the picture is the focus, not the latest and greatest embellishments I paid $50.00 for. I want
your eye and my eye when looking to go right to that picture not to all the crap around it.
I wish I would have discovered this a long time ago. I love your layouts and I love this one.
Your eyes go right to the picture and what an awesome one it is. I am a 12 x 12 scrapper but now I’m going to try an 8 x 11 and maybe I’ll slap it on a 12 x 12 or maybe I won’t. Thanks for the inspiration.
Tami says
#ohnoshedidn’t LOL!
I wish I could get used to the 8.5 x11, because I plan on doing some hybrid stuff and have the same printer dilemma. Bur I started way back in 1996 when Creative Memories ruled the roost and their 12×12 size just stinking stuck. It’s like a bad habit.
Carol says
Love your tip…!! I also do 8 1/2 x 11 pages…
Iara says
You are not alone there, Cathy. I am also a 8.5×11 scrapper who every now and them get an assignment for a 12×12 layout. I them design my usual 8.5×11 page and glue all the pieces down to a 12×12 cardstock. Journaling usually find its place on a tag or journaling card 😉 #iamsuchabadbadgirl LOL
Stacie D says
Love this. Thanks for keepin’ it real!
JoLynn says
oooh, an {almost} 12 x 12…branching out 🙂 I prefer smaller pages as well
ARC says
I love your designs. Your books are on my shelf and I flip through them all the time 🙂
What’s cool about this is also that you can show off some awesome 12×12 paper without cutting into it. I have the paper you used and I am loving/hoarding it, but could totally see using it on something like this because it seems to enhance the coolness of that design by using it all at once. It feels “special enough” for the awesome papers 🙂
Susan says
I agree with you, I will never be able to afford a 12×12 printer either. I usually resized mine to 8×8, but this is great to get rid of my 12×12 albums! 🙂
Abby P says
CZ – you kill me: “…works like a frickin’ charm.” Love it. Your journaling was awesome, too: “We will always be a part of your true North.” Man, that hubby and those kids are very lucky to have you, indeed.
CarlajinAr says
love this page!!!