Embrace the White Space:: A Scrapbooking Tutorial by Els Bestamped
Not all of my layouts are as bare as the ones I’m showing you here today, but I often do love a good amount of white space on my layouts. Simplicity might be one of my trademarks when it comes to scrapbooking. As much as I am addicted to patterned papers and all of those beautiful embellishments out there, I love it even more when my picture is the center of attention on my work. Even though some picture are more catchy than others, scrapbooking for me is all about the photos, and the stories they tell. And so, especially for those few of my favorite photos, I carefully attend to making them shine. The use of white space is one of my ways to do that.
All you need is a picture and some carefully placed pieces of patterned papers and/or embellishments. I tend to keep everything rather close to the picture. Small clusters of embellishments then guide your eyes across the focal point.
White space of course doesn’t have to be white per se. You can add some ink splatters or glitter to the background. For this layout of my little man, I applied a layer of gesso to the background. This gives my cardstock some extra protection against the moisture of the watercolor behind the picture. But it also adds some texture to the background which gives it a more interest than just a plane white background, if you don’t want to go too clean and simple.
I hope I’ve been able to inspire you to try and embrace a bit of simplicity every now and then by leaving some white space on your pages.
Els lives with her husband and two children in a small town in Belgium. She started papercrafting a few years back, shortly after becoming a mom for the first time. She first dabbled into cardmaking, but shortly after made her way into scrapbooking as well, searching for a way to document all those family memories. The past two years she served in the design team for BasicGrey, Scrapperin and Scrap365 magazine amongst others. Els gives workshops a few times a year, and has also been teaching an online class. You can pay her a visit at her blog, or follow her on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook . | ![]() |
Read more about:
Next post: Two Tutorials :: Floral Headbands and Paper Pinwheels
Previous post: Sketch to Scrapbook Page :: A design for landscape and portrait photos

7 August 2013, 02:50
Els, your shared scrapbooking tutorial is very helpful to create something new, interesting and awesome. After read this tutorial i found that you are expert in arts related creativity therefore am going to follow you on twitter, because i want to get expertise in this field and i hope your shared tutorials will help me in this scenario.
7 August 2013, 06:55
Fabulous pages…really show the white space so beatifully ~ thanks so much for sharing:):)
8 August 2013, 10:38
Thanks for the inspiration!!! Love the look of white space, and I am inspired to experiment and play with this technique. Thanks!
16 October 2015, 08:24
Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more information? It is extremely helpful for me. pest control surrey
17 November 2015, 01:12
If more people that write articles really concerned themselves with writing great content like you, more readers would be interested in their writings. Thank you for caring about your content. advertising agency los angeles
18 November 2015, 03:47
Waiting For More new Update about his
6 January 2016, 05:13
The information you have posted is very useful. The sites you have referred was good. Thanks for sharing…
Spring Web Design
2 February 2016, 23:08
Superbly written article, i have bookmarked your page. This is what i am looking for new sembawang ec.
5 March 2016, 00:49
Great Article it its really informative and innovative keep us posted with new updates. its was really valuable. thanks a lot. <a href=‘http://www.newyork-seocompany.com/’ target=’_blank’>seo services new york</a>
6 March 2016, 10:35
a debt of gratitude is in order for this usefull article, sitting tight for this article like this once more. <a href=“http://www.holigreetings2016.co.in/”>Happy Holi 2016 wishe</a>
6 March 2016, 10:37
I really loved reading your blog. It was very well authored and easy to undertand. Unlike additional blogs I have read which are really not tht good. I also found your posts very interesting. In fact after reading, I had to go show it to my friend and he ejoyed it as well!
Happy Holi 2016 wishe
9 April 2016, 08:24
I acknowledge all that you have added as far as anyone is concerned base.Admiring the time and exertion you put into your online journal and point by point data you offer.Thanks.
Man Seeking Woman Season 2
10 April 2016, 14:21
Great article, much obliged for assembling this! This is clearly one extraordinary post. A debt of gratitude is in order for the important data and bits of knowledge you have so given here.
legit website for steroids
29 November 2016, 06:42
This article is something that will help me with my class assignment. It helped me to better understand another aspect of this topic. Thanks.
18 April 2017, 03:04
<a href=“http://duniahewan.id/” target=”_blank”> Dunia hewan</a>
6 November 2021, 02:53
Wonderful submit, very informative. I ponder why the opposite experts of this sector do not realize this.
You should proceed your writing. I am sure,
you have a great readers’ base already!
“
18 January 2022, 09:40
Fantastic items from you, man. I’ve take note your stuff previous to and you’re just too fantastic. I actually like what you’ve obtained here, really like what you are saying and the best way in which you say it. You are making it enjoyable and you still care for to stay it sensible. I can not wait to read much more from you. That is actually a tremendous web site.