Labourious Layouts

Inspiration for those challenging layout styles

When it comes to challenging layout styles, three usually top most people's lists – White Space, Busy and Mixed Patterns. This week, the Digi Creative Team decided to combine the three and offer you inspiration of these three challenging layout styles.

White Space

Fall = Raking, by sarahwhithers

Jenn says: "I always find a white space layout works best when you have a bit of clustering going on. It makes the page look full, even though you have that large amount of white space."

Pickin' On The Square, by Keling

Sara says: "When thinking "white space", the space doesn't have to be white – I've used a blue background. I do recommend that you stick with a solid background, as opposed to a pattern, and that you should leave at least half the background open, if not more."

Love Hate Relationship, by milmomma

Brittney says: "By keeping my pictures small and everything to the outside I gave this lots of white space."

Busy Pages

30 Years Young, by sarahwhithers

Jenn says: "For the CY Reveal this week, we're making up some troublesome pages for you. This one is using a full page or no white space. I find I like to keep things clean when I fill up a full page, a template, a grid, it keeps things organized without losing your pictures in the mix!"

September 2010, by mommybruno

Cassandra shared: "I used to have a lot of trouble filling a layout, but using a grid really makes that so much easier. And it keeps a full layout from looking too cluttered and confusing. Go grids! LOL! TFL!"

Trick or Treat, by milmomma

Brittney says: "I love filling up a layout! It gives me a chance to feature lots of papers and elements, but keeping them clustered help keeps it from being chaotic."

Life is Sugar Sweet, by Keling

Sara says: "Busy papers tend to give the illusion that you've filled every space on a page."

Mixed Patterns

Rakin' In The Fun, by milmomma

Brittney writes: "This week with the troublesome layouts reveal, I found this one fun. Used all patterns and no solids. By keeping most of them small I've kept it simple."

Snuggle, by sarahwhithers

Jenn says: "I always find it easier to work with patterned papers when you layer them or put into small pieces. It gives a really neat, mixed effect!"

Wild Ponies, by Keling

Sara says: "When mixing patterns, the best thing is to use papers from the same kit. Designers put a lot of effort in making sure all the items in a kit work together, so trust their judgement!"