Pull Layout Details from Unexpected Inspiration

Misty
Misty

All year long we have been inspired to add details to our scrapbook layouts. This inspiration certainly has come from unexpected places. We have used everything from the idea of frosting on a cake to a Cheerios box! Our next inspiration is coming to you from storefronts. Our team has already been hard at work posting their ideas. Check out Alison’s, Laurie’s and Alex’s!

As for me, I want to walk you through the three ways browsing a storefront inspired details on my layout.

  1. Shape

  2. Embellishment Details

  3. Story

The Inspiration

I opened a search engine and started scrolling through images of storefronts. Many of them were very classic images of windows, doors and awning. I kept scrolling until the image below popped up. It just stopped me in the unique shape it contained.

Picture of a storefront

  

1. What is that shape?

If I say heart or star you will know right away what shape I am talking about. Now just look at the window display above. What exactly is that shape they have used to frame the displays? I bet someone knows what this shape is called, but I do not. I think that is what made this image more interesting to me. The uncommonness to it made me stop scrolling and start paying more attention.

Now the challenge was to recreate that shape. After a bit of trial and error I realized I could make my own compass to draw curved edges on square papers. Once trimmed this would give me an approximation of that shape created from paper! (More on how I did this in the process video linked at the bottom of this post.)

   

2. From clothing to embellishments

When I pulled out a kit of supplies that I would use for this layout I grabbed a kit that included buttons and ribbons. There was a specific reason why I wanted to add those elements. The storefront was full of clothing. Trims and buttons are used on clothing all the time! I can let those elements pop on my page as well.

Do I think the entire block of buttons was a bit much? Yeah, I do. However, I tried some new things, and I found a new idea I do like. I outlined that lower block with rickrack ribbon. Due to the zigzag shape, the ribbon follows curves very well. Plus, something about the retro-mod shape, woodgrain pattern  and black rickrack is hitting a sweet spot for me.

A scrapbook layout featuring buttons and ribbons.

   

3. Now for the story

While you get to see some of the final pictures as I explain, not all of these elements pulled together instantly. After choosing my inspiration image and kit, I then had to figure out what story I would tell. As I flipped through my story binder I landed on this set of photos featuring some costumes for a D&D game day.

Perfect! My inspiration was related to clothing and so are these pictures. These photos have been sitting in my story binder since May of 2022. I just needed the right inspiration to finally get them down on a layout.

With a few extras added to fill the final block, my layout was done. Once I had finished this layout I realized I used only three of these shapes I cut—and the storefront also featured three shapes. There really must be something to that rule of threes that get mentioned so often in design.

How will you be inspired?​

Whether a storefront inspires you through icons, textures, shapes or stories, you are sure to be inspired by something. If you are a ScrapHappy member we’d like to further inspire you to submit your layout to our Circle post [[ FIX LINK!! ]] for your chance at a sweet little prize. If you are a ScrapHappy lurker, you can either come join us, [[ FIX LINK!! ]] or share your work on social media. Just be sure to use #scraphappy so we can find you!

As I say so long for this post, I’ll leave you with the process video I created for this layout. Hope you have a scrappy, happy day.

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