Adding POP to Your Pocket Pages with Michele

I’ve decided to go all in on pocket pages! There’s just something about those clean, straight lines that makes my brain happy when I sit down to create a page. I love having a simple formula in my head that takes the guesswork out of getting started.

When I sit down to create, I ask myself two questions:

1. How many photos do I have?

2. Am I working with a mix of photo orientations?

Let's start with the number of photos.

If I have six photos or fewer, I’m creating a one-page layout. If I have seven or more, I have a decision to make. I can either add a few more photos and stretch it into a two-page layout, or I can eliminate a photo and keep it to one page.

For a one-page layout, I like to leave at least two pockets open for cards, but three is my sweet spot. That gives me room for a title card, a decorative card, and a journaling card. Same applies for when I decide on a two page layout. I want enough for the title card, at least one decorative card, and then a journaling card. I prefer a few decorative cards, but the number of photos dictates that.

Next up, photo orientation.

If I’m working with typical photos, I almost always reach for what has become my favorite: Design A, with four horizontal pockets and four vertical pockets. Of course, if I have a special photo that deserves a little more space, I’m happy to switch things up.

Most of the time, these two questions help me avoid being stuck.  One page or two? Done. Design A? Usually! And just like that, I’m ready to create.

But here's where I sometimes struggle with digital pocket pages.

As much as I love the clean look and simplicity, sometimes the pages feel a little too flat for me.

I was a traditional scrapbooker for almost 20 years, and one of the things I loved most was the texture and dimension. I loved layering papers, adding embellishments, and giving my pages a little extra something.

So I started thinking, why not combine the two?

I’m bringing a little of my love for layering into my digital pocket pages, and I think I’ve found my new favorite way to scrapbook.

There are so many apps you can use to create digital pocket pages so picking your favorite is a personal preference.

I started this page using my usual formula.

And really, the page was perfectly fine just the way it was. I could have called it done and moved on to the next one.

But I wanted a little more dimension and visual interest, so I opened it in an app that allows layering and pulled in a few embellishments from the kit.

I started with the two little ghosts on the card. Since the kit included matching ghost embellishments, I was able to place them directly on top of the ghosts already on the card. Then I added a subtle drop shadow.

Such a simple little change but look at the difference!

Once I saw how much I liked that extra dimension, I kept going. I repeated the same process with a few other embellishments and stickers, including the bats, witch's hat, stars and cauldron.

Nothing complicated. Just a little layering and a few drop shadows.

And I love how much it adds to the page! It gives everything a little more interest and brings back some of the parts of traditional scrapbooking I always enjoyed.

Once you start adding a little dimension, you might find yourself wanting to keep going! Pull in a few more embellishments, layer some stickers, or add a little something extra wherever it feels right. Here I added a few last items, including the frames, and love how it turned out. Pocket style with a bit extra.

Pocket pages do not have to be flat or simple.

You can absolutely have the clean lines and easy formula of pocket pages while still enjoying all the fun little embellishments.

For me, it really is the best of both worlds. I get the simplicity I love about pocket pages and just enough layering to make my traditional scrapbooker heart happy.

Jack & Skelly Collection