Customer Reviews

Clean And Simple Scrapbooking: Ideas for Design, Photography, Journaling & Typography

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I first started scrapping about a year ago as a complete novice. I bought several books by Michele Gerbrant and other well known names from Memory Makers and Creative Keepsakes. While these books gave me the basic vocabulary of scrapping, along with clueing me in on the tools I would need, and the most crucial how tos, I didn't find much that clicked with me in terms of design. Many of the layouts were outrageously complicated and featured just one photo. Others were cutesy-- not my style. Almost every one featured a list of supplies to replicate the page: every list was about seven items long. If you've ever been in a scrapbooking store you know that it is EXPENSIVE. I can't afford to spend ten bucks a page for cutesy papers, embellisments, stamps, and stickers. I was so glad to find Cathy's book. Not only did her style resonate with me (I was already trying to make clean and simple pages) her instructions were simple and her materials list for most pages is: photos, paper, adhesive.
I loved this book for many reasons. One, it showed designs that were graphically clean, and put the emphasis on your photographs. Two, the journaling tips are great. Just reading the author's journaling blocks gave me great ideas for my own, and I have done so much more journaling since reading this book. Three, the book lets you into secrets for doing great color combos. Four, I got my start in digital scrapping from this book. Now instead of buying stickers, I print my titles and journaling directly on the page. Five, Not only does the book show you great layouts, it gives you the mental tools to create your OWN great layouts. Which, to me, is key. Who wants to copy all the time? Who wants to shop for this or that "perfect" element all the time? Not me! I'd rather know how to use my computer, my paper and my photos to create great looking pages. I have done many terrific pages with basically solid colored cardstock, my photos, and some thought about the design and type font. For the beginner or intermediate scrapper who likes a clean, simple look, this book is indispensable.

I was drawn to this book primarily because of its simple cover design. I am turned off by most of the country bumkin (not to be harsh, but come on you've seen it too) kind of scrapping that I normally see. This book has a more sophisticated approach to scrapping that I try to achieve with my own layouts. It's like looking at an art book or design book. There are many designs I've lifted from here and can't think of one design in here I wouldn't try. If you want to acheive a more modern approach to your layouts this is the book for you. In addition she writes about design and text elements simply.

This one doesn't sit collecting dust on my bookshelf, I am constantly referring to it. I love Cathy's style and her emphasis on the principles of good photography, graphic design, meaningful journaling, and typography.

She has the right perspective on scrapbooking and encourages the reader to keep it simple but make it fun! If you follow the advice in this book you will see a major improvement in your own page designs.

I highly recommend it!

Katie the Scrapbook Lady or www.scrapbooklady.org

The layouts found in this book are very easy to eye and recreate. No clutter, no muss, no fuss. The only disappointments I have are many of her projects encompass one main photo instead of utilizing a few photos on a page. Not very practical for the average scrapbooker. She tends to use only black & white photos as well, again, not a medium used by the average scrapper. If you are able to mimic her style but tweak it to your needs, such as incorporating more than one photo or using color photos, then this book is highly recommended. Gorgeous simple layouts.

The author has really helped me get back to the pure fun of scrapbooking. No deadlines, no must-dos, just being free with one's art. Here's for the philosophical part.
Technically she does concentrate on very clean cut layouts with not too many embellishments or store bought items besides cardstock which is great because we don't really want to spend $20 on each page we make. Also great photos.
I'm happy with my purchase especially at the price offered here!

I love Cathy's work. Her simple layouts let you focus on what is important: the pictures and journaling. I've been scrapbooking since 2001 and somehow lost track on why I started in the first place. Thanks to Cathy I'm back on track. I love her ideas: scrapping moments rather than events; scrapbooking should be fun and stress free (what a concept!!). This book is more than just learning how to create lovely layouts, it's about why we scrapbook in the first place. Highly recommended.

This book is a great source of information for people who are just getting started in scrapbooking, or the person who is looking for more impact with less fuss on their layouts. Scrapbooking can be so overwhelming, especially to the novice (that would be me!) This book really gives alot of inspiration on how to make of a statement with your layouts and journaling instead of just pics and boring facts. Personally, I prefer 12x12 pages, but small detail to overcome. I love black and white pics, so that is an added bonus to have so many different pages using such photos, along with a nice mix of traditional color photos as well. I did not give it 5 stars because it focuses alot on one pic layouts. There are a few multiple ones, but not too many. It gave me a lot of insight on how to use my daughter's larger pics for a one layout spread. But I am the type of person with a million pics, and will need another book to give me other ideas on multiple pic layouts. I have recently stumbled upon some Becky Higgins books and am thinking of ordering them as well, since they focus on layouts using 4-10 pics. All the same, Cathy is a genius and this book is a staple on my shelf!

On first look, you may think the pages too simplistic to render a book--however, upon closer inspection, you will find the intrinsic lessons C. Zielske relays add up to a methodology that applies to living life on the whole. It's about streamlining your efforts, looking at things, pictures, family...your life in simple terms without the need to do everything, see everything, have everything right now. It's a great guide to remind you how simple anything you put your mind to can be. It shows you how to clean up your scrapbooking/ crafting/whatever so that your focus/the picture/your project is what shines.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS BOOK! You must get this and "The Sequel" to have in your library...to pick up when you are running in 8 million directions at once, so that you can relax, unwind and get creative! Her layouts are also great foundations for those who just cannot stay away from their embellishments (myself included on more than a few pages)!

With all the trends in scrapbooking, it's wonderful to see someone with a style that won't take hours and tons of $ to imitate. Cathy Z. offers the basics in scrapbooking, and everyone from the novice to the expert can benefit from her guidance.

This book is filled with wonderful and inspiring ideas. Absolutely beautiful! Just reading and viewing Cathy's scrapbook pages is a great treat. A must have for every scrapbooker. Confused by the price on Amazon though, I paid a lot less at meijer in their scrapbook department.