Friday 19 February 2010

Using white space on scrapbook pages

I've noticed a lot of scrappers use 'white space'........and I love some of their pages....... particularly Amy's..........but you may have noticed I don't use it........my pages are full of photos,embellishments,journaling,title etc. etc. usually all crowded onto the page........and frequently layered........a bit like my cards I suppose.
Then I saw this sketch on Sketchy Thursday last week ........I really liked it with that line of photos.........even with all the white space.
So I've had a go at it........and for me it has very little on it........but however hard I tried.....I just couldn't leave all that white [or in my case- green] space........I was only going to add the small circles.......but when I looked at the finished page.........I got very twitchy about the empty corner .....and just HAD to add the triangle up there.
I do like the finished page.......and it's a start towards doing some 'less busy' pages.........but I did find the 'emptiness' difficult.
Does anyone else have problems with white space.....or is it just me that finds it hard to cope with??

17 comments:

JO SOWERBY said...

I struggle with huge amounts of white space but you can have small areas and it can work just as well. The most important thing according to Cathy Zielske is that you have a cohesive whole. The fact that your LO needed a triangle is neither here nor there, the whole LO is cohesive. Plus white space can be any colour you like.
Lovely LO Jackie,
Jo xxx

Unknown said...

A really lovely LO!

Jane said...

A lovely LO Jackie, I like white space!

Elizabeth said...

I think you interpreted the sketch just fine! I am not a fan of TOO much white space. I think a little goes a long way.

Unknown said...

I don't do scrapbooking, but I sure love this one xxx

Sian said...

I love layouts with a lot of white space, but I find it so hard to resist adding bits! I like Jo's point that white space doesn't have to be white..it can be patterned paper. If I really can't stop myself adding stuff I sometimes add a cluster in the top lefthand corner because that's where your brain starts when it wants to read a page so it gives a natural way in to the page.

Tracy said...

Wow Jacky what a lovely piece of scrapbooking and fab white space, I like white space in scrapbooking.
Happy crafting
Tracy x

Maria Ontiveros said...

Oh Jacky, I'm so with you. I can't remember how many times I've read "learn to love white space . . . it gives the eye a place to rest," and I've thought, "but that doesn't work for me!" Anyway, I love your l/o, and the triangle is perfect!!! It's balanced asymmetry, and I love it!
Rinda

pinky said...

I am of the school of thought more is never enough lol but I do love your page, when you look at it you don't even see the space because the pics are all nice and busy. Don't know if I could carry it off on a card but I love seeing cards done like this.
Pinky

Cheri said...

In general, I love layouts with white space, but I am terrible at leaving it alone myself... it just feels... unfinished. I think you did a fantastic job with the sketch! Kudos to you.

humel said...

lol! I do like white space myself, and I think you did a great job here x

Lauren Hatwell said...

You've raised an interesting point there Jackie. I tend to want to fill up the page too but this looks amazing. I will definitely give it a try. Lauren x

Amy said...

Jacky I love this LO, and the sketch is great - going to give it a try as well.
You know, half the time I don't use embellishments because I don't know what to do with them or how to put them appropriately on a page - at least you know that you can now do both! LOL
I need to work on using colour - that's a challenge as well.

debby4000 said...

I have the same problem with white space but you've done a brilliant job and the corner balances the whole page.
luv
Debby

Anonymous said...

I'm a great lover of white space, and I love your interpretation of a wonderful sketch.

Spyder said...

Fabulous page and well done on only added that one corner!!
(Lyn)

Clare Lloyd said...

great layout, i know what you mean about the white space thing!! the sketch blog has got some great ideas, must give them a go! thanks ClareX