🧡 The Art of X-Ray Scrapbooking

Published: Tue, 02/04/25

Updated: Tue, 02/04/25

February 4, 2025 | Digital Scrapper News | Volume 23 Issue 05

Hi ,

X-Ray Scrapbooking.

It’s been a thing since . . . okay, it’s only been a thing for 3.5 minutes. I just made it up. But, it’s still a thing that you and I should regularly do. Maybe you already do it and just don’t realize it!

The Art of X-Ray Scrapbooking is the process of looking through (or past) the whole scrapbook page to scrutinize the parts of the page and learn from them. The parts would be things such as the journaling, the flow of the page, the title, the clustering, the anchors, the color combos, etc.

The Problem

I don’t want my scrapbooking to become stale. I don’t want every page to look the same. I’m sure you don’t either. That’s why you and I seek out inspiration and ideas. But even that can become overwhelming!

The Solution – X-Ray Scrapbooking

It helps me to just go looking for specific ideas. That involves looking at another scrapbook page, dismantling it into parts to see what it’s REALLY made of, and then zooming in on the part you want to learn about. It’s like an x-ray.

For example:

I’m stuck on the same three ways to arrange photo clusters. My ideas are no longer inspiring me to create. It feels boring, downright dull.
I head to one of my favorite galleries and stop and look at the first page I come to. Doesn’t matter if I’m attracted to the page or not.
In my head, I dismantle the page into parts, zooming in to just how the photos are arranged in a cluster – because that’s what I’m x-raying.
If the photo cluster inspires me, I take it and run with it! If it doesn’t inspire me, I move on to the next page.

So, is this scraplifting??

I’m glad you asked! No, I don’t think it is. All art is inspired by something whether you admit to it or not. And I’ll tell you, 9 times out of 10, after practicing X-Ray Scrapbooking, my result doesn’t look anything like what originally inspired me. It was just the process that boosted me into the next galaxy.

X-Ray Scrapbooking vs Scraplifting or Inspiration Hunting

For me, when I scraplift a page or just go looking for inspiration, I totally bypass pages I don’t like. I’ll admit it, I’m super picky! I’m a bit of a scrapbook snob. And if a page (as a whole) does not impress me, I will walk right by it when browsing. Maybe the colors turn me off. Or maybe it looks like the entire kit was vomited onto the page. When that happens, it takes me a long time to find success.

But with X-Ray Scrapbooking, I’m looking past anything that might annoy me. I’m finding success faster and in greater quantities. Every page I see has something I can learn from it. I just need to x-ray it.

Hmmm…kinda sounds like I’m trying to sell X-Ray Scrapbooking to you! HA. But, no. It’s just something that helps me, so I thought it might help you.

Take a minute out of your week and give X-Ray Scrapbooking a try. Let me know if it helps you change your perspective on gaining inspiration. I hope to see you in the gallery!

Love and creative success,

Jen White, Owner of Digital Scrapper

Website | Classroom | Community

P.S. The header above was created using Silly Monster by Amanda Yi.

P.P.S. Wondering where I am with copying classes from the old classroom in Teachable to the new classroom on the website? The short answer is . . . I’m slowly working on it. I started with the newest classes and I’m working my way backward. The good news is, all classes you enrolled in before winter of 2024 will remain in Teachable until I’m 100% finished copying everything over.

Template Tuesday. Use this weekly event to scrap a page fast with a template from your stash. Need a template? Get fresh templates from Marketplace.
One-Off Wednesday. Learn what a one-off photo is and see how YOU can participate.
Throwback Thursday. It’s fun to revisit scrapbook pages that you’ve made from previous classes or tutorials or just because! Join us on Thursday as we post pages from the past.
Friday Favorites. See what others found for FREE on the web last week. Go to Friday Favorites.

1️⃣ Scraplift this page. 2️⃣ Post your page in the Community Gallery.

Page & Photo: Thirty Weeks by Gina Harper
Kit: Ethereal Magic by Kristin Cronin-Barrow and Studio Flergs
Fonts: Special Elite, Caroni, Artifact

Updated Marketplace Feature

If you are a regular visitor to Marketplace, you have probably noticed that your list of Downloads is getting to be a “long scroll.” But as of last week, you will find the newest download at the top. No more scrolling to find what you’ve just purchased.

[New Product] Balloon Fonts and Styles Bundle
by Syndee Rogers

Create fabulously fun titles, elements, and more with this versatile Balloon and Bubble Fonts and Styles bundle! The Balloon and Balloon outline fonts are versatile rounded block style fonts, so they can be used for whatever your heart desires!

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[New to Marketplace] It's Magic by Karen Schulz

It's Magic embraces the beauty and wonder of love, inspiring creativity with every detail. Perfect for creating heartfelt scrapbook pages, it invites you to tell your magical stories with a blend of elegance and whimsy. Whether it’s a romantic memory or a celebration of life's little wonders, this Collection is here to help you create something truly special.

From now through Thursday, February 6, 2025,

🟠 SAVE 30% on the It's Magic Kit. Reg $9.97

🟠 SAVE 50% on the It's Magic Collection. Reg $19.11

[Throwback FREE Video] Animated Layouts,
Utilizing GIF in PS & PSE by Jen White

Have something on your scrapbook page that was meant to sparkle or blink? Add this blinky animation technique to any online image, whether it's in a gallery or in an email.