Time-Saving Vacation Borders

Welcome home! We all know that coming back to reality after a relaxing vacation can be hectic - lots of messages to return, piles of laundry, etc. Don’t let the thought of beginning your vacation scrapbooks become another chore; instead try these timesaving border ideas that will quickly add the perfect touch to any vacation layout. Here are a few ideas to help you get started:

1. Create a Scene
Whether it’s your airplane taking off, an exotic wild animal you photographed or a tent in the middle of the woods, your border will help tell the story your page is trying to communicate. So simply decide what kind of scene is appropriate, choose your coordinating digital elements, gather and scan your memorabilia and you’re ready to get moving.

2. Group Items
One trick to getting great border results is to group several items in the same place. The grouping will create visual interest and a pleasing decoration for your page. Start by grouping things in threes until you get the hang of it, then branch out and get more creative by maybe overlapping elements or using two different elements.

3. Repeat Elements
If you find a page decoration you really like, consider making a border using the concept of repetition. This is very easy to do by selecting “Duplicate Layer” in your image editor's layer palette by right clicking on the layer. Using photos in your border is a great way to fit several meaningful photographs on a page without overwhelming the viewer. Repetition of the same size border, same title, and same photo positioning also works well, and is a big time saver when planning your pages.

4. Decorative Titles
Save time and space by incorporating your page title into your border. Choose complementary lettering to your page accents and place the letters across the bottom or top.

Written by Beth Ervin, Creative Team Member, CottageArts.net