Whether we begin scrapbooking to preserve the photos and stories of our time, or to preserve the photos and stories of our ancestors, there often comes an opportunity to create a heritage layout.  Maybe it’s a current photo that has an “old-fashioned” look, or possibly there is an old photo that a family member has asked you to restore and scrapbook.  In either case, some vintage elements can to give the old-time look you desire. CottageArts has a multitude of vintage elements to be found in the Downloadable Page Paks (such as Vintage Blues Page Pak, Asian Heritage Page Pak, Tuscan Memories Page Pak, and Rich Reflectives Page Pak) and also in our CD Graphic Collections (such as the Simply Vintage CD).

Starting with the photo, we create the layout around it.  An old photo may need to be retouched and have scratches and folds removed, and most photo-editing programs can accomplish this. These programs can also help you to "age" modern photos using filters or other easy to use functions.  Adding a sepia or black and white tone is another way to give photos a heritage look, and adding blurs and "noise" can add to the aging process.

Color is an important factor when creating a heritage layout.  Although any color can be used, an appropriate mood is created with certain color combinations.  Jewel tones such as burgundy, navy, and hunter green, browns and tans of any shade, black and white, and faded, muted colors all combine nicely to set the mood.

Heritage layouts use a lot of patterned backgrounds.   Think old wallpaper and vintage bark cloth fabric.  Large and small flowers, paisleys, stripes, and repeating patterns all have a place on a heritage layout.  Linen textures add character to the background. If the background doesn't already have a texture, you can add a texture by using filters in your photo editing program.

To reflect a sense of the time period, many heritage layouts make the use of many embellishments.  This is often done in a collage style, closely related to the look of traditional scrapbooking.  Much of this embellishment consists of ephemera, which is a term used to embrace a wide range of insignificant, everyday items, most intended for one-time or short-term use, including postcards, posters, baseball cards, tickets, bookmarks, photographs, envelopes, and an endless list of other items.  Elements created of ephemera are widespread and beautiful.  Items resembling material, pins, jewels, fluffy fibers and ribbons, old metals, charms, flowers, frames and photo corners are good examples of embellishments used for old-style layouts.   Labels and framed tags make wonderful title pieces and journal block, as do post cards and old letters.  Also consider wax seals and typewriter keys for a vintage look. Typewriter keys can be found in the Simply Vintage CD, along with ephemera such as keys, paperclip, clock pieces and skeleton leaves. 

Finally, one important aspect of heritage layouts is distressing.  Distressing is a technique used to add an aged look.  This can include crumpling and tearing, inking and painting, sanding and denting (digitally created with the use of brushes).  Distressing backgrounds by fading and erasing parts, adding textures and scratches, and tearing digitally can add immeasurable vintage look.  Many filters add aging to photos, papers, and metals, and should be considered when creating a heritage page. 

And, of course, since the photos have been scanned, the originals are safe and the scan is an automatic back-up. You can't make mistakes in digital, so relax and have fun!

Teri-Lyn Masters, scrapbook artist