#11: Bling

Gotta love the bling, baby! I recently went to Hobby Lobby and got tons of bling. I love to add it to my layouts for an extra splash of fun! I add it randomly to rub-ons, above i's in my title or journaling, etc. Have fun and bling it up!

#10: Let the kids help

My oldest daughter (age 8) loves to help me scrapbook. I say, why not? I let her help me choose out which paper would look best to mat the photos in, or which color bling to use. While I do the cutting and gluing, she is right there beside me and loving it!

#9: Machine stitching

Love the look, but hate the time and process? I normally sew on several layouts at a time. I will save up layouts before I stick them in an album. Then, if I have several that would look good with the same color thread, I'll sew on them all at once.

#8: Love your lettering

I admit -- two years ago, I wouldn't journal in my handwriting for anything. I'd type everything out and never used my handwriting for the title! But, I practiced and practiced. Just do one letter at a time -- and write it all different ways until you find a style that suits you. Then, move on to the next letter. Soon, you will have your own fun style -- it took me MONTHS to find a good way to write certain letters -- and believe me -- I copied several letters from people like Heidi Swapp, Becky Higgins, etc.

Now, I frequently use my own handwriting for titles, and almost always for journaling.

#7: Ribbon makes the world go 'round

Okay, so ribbon doesn't really make the world go round - but it sure adds a lot to your scrapbook page. Here are a few ways to use it:
1. Lay it down flat across the whole page for a border.
2. Tie it to a hole you punch in your journaling spot.
3. Fold it and staple it (several pieces or just one) along an edge of a mat.
4. Lay several different ribbons flat next to each other to add tons of color and texture.

I could go on-- but that should keep you busy!

#6:Don't center it

I know this probably goes against your inner sense of what is right and wrong -- but next time you make a layout -- don't center it! Don't center your picture on the mat, don't center your mat on a background paper, don't center your background paper, don't center your lettering, etc. Just see how it looks when everything is quite a bit off centered -- (not just a little bit).

Good luck!

#5: Leave it in the lettering

Okay, so we love our alphabet sticker -- fast, cute, convenient... so, how to add a little personality to them?

Every once in a while (randomness is key to creativity), leave the inner circle in your A, B, D, O, P, Q, or R. It is fun to mix it up a bit. It doesn't take a bunch of effort, and people might think you've made a mistake -- so be sure to do it on more than one letter! :)