Not all of your scrapbook layouts need to be big and bold in order to attract attention. Often, soft, subtle touches can make your page designs extra appealing.
I learned this lesson the hard way a few years ago when I shunned an offer to use vellum on a layout I was creating at a summer cropping session. Back then, I viewed vellum as a cover for mistakes. Little did I know that the material is an excellent resource for softening the look of individual embellishments or an entire page. Vellum can be used to mat photos or place over journaling blocks. In addition, you can also layer plain vellum over patterned paper to diffuse the colors and textures.
These days I use my computer to print clip art onto vellum scrapbook paper, though the ink takes longer than normal to dry. Scrap pieces of vellum can also be turned into subtle page pockets. Use transparent vellum to create the pockets, and then add vibrant mementos to give a hint of color to the layout.
If you are opposed to using transparent vellum, consider coloring it with chalk. When you are done you can cut up the paper and craft an understated stained glass embellishment to use on your layout.
Once you get comfortable working with the delicate paper, run it through a Xyron adhesive machine to get it to stay put on your layout. You can also attach vellum to cardstock with photo corners or disguise ugly glue stick spots with strategically placed stickers or die cuts. A prettier solution is to use brads to attach vellum to your layouts. Or, simply sew your vellum designs directly onto your scrapbook pages.
Just remember vellum is very delicate. Smudges, smears, oil and creases show up very easily on vellum, so you want to limit the amount of time you handle the specialty paper prior to placing it on your layout. This is especially true if you are using vellum paper pre-printed with famous quotes and phrases.
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