Adding a New Twist to Heritage Pages
by Susan Larson
Working on an album
of heritage pages?
Think you're limited to black and white and brown and cream colors? Think again.
The photos may be colorless, but the subjects are colorful indeed so celebrate
your ancestors with layouts that go beyond the ordinary. Almost any technique
or product that you'd use on a modern-day layout is also appropriate for olden-day
pages. It's all about the tone and mood you wish to convey.
Personally, I like using the above-mentioned black and white and brown and cream, but I also like to add some sort of twist or some splash of color to my heritage pages. The key, as in any layout, is to not overwhelm the true subject of the page & the photos.
Here are some
ways to liven up these special pages:
1. Pick a print, any
print. You like the print, but the color is a little bright. No problem,
tone it down. Use a piece of white, beige or blush vellum and the pattern will
show through, but with a whole new color tone.
2. Tea stain.
Another way I have toned down paper is to tea-stain it. Different kinds of teas
produce different colors from sepia to green. Just soak the paper in a tea bath
and let dry overnight. Since the jury is still out on archival safety, I always
make sure to use a color copy of my original photo. But the results are just
beautiful.
3. Another technique
is to age your paper. Crumple it up. Rub it with a wire brush. Tear it
apart, using torn-paper mats and borders. Be brutal. You'll like the results
and it's a good stress-reliever! ;)
4. Go ahead and use the
bright colors. Just use them sparingly. Double or triple mat a photo,
using the bright print in the middle of two cardstock colors. Or make a matted
stripe down the side of the page with the print. Experiment for optimal balance
when using a bright print.
5. Don't be afraid to use embellishments.
Brads, eyelets and wire may be modern scrapbooking elements, but can often lend
an oldtime look to layouts. Bend wire into the shape of wire-rimmed glasses,
a hat stand or other oldfashioned prop. Rivets can look just right as buttons
on old time shoes. Eyelets always remind me of a nautical look which has always
been in vogue.
6. Tell the story.
Sometimes all the information you have is Georgia Brown 1873-1927. Use it. Even
this little bit of information will thrill the next generations who might not
have a clue otherwise. Just think of all the photos you wish were identified.
If possible, go beyond the basics. Ask an older relative of their memories of
this person. Or a story handed down.
7. If necessary, make
up a story. No, don't tell everyone you're descended from royalty. It
would be much more accurate to look up a "this day in history" (go to www.dmarie.com)
or use a timeline to see what was going on during this time in history "Grandma
was born one week after the Titanic sank." It will at least put the ancestor
age in perspective. Or cite a passage from a book that describes this time and
gives a little personality, such as Laura Ingalls Wilder books. "My Great-Grandma
Peterson was a little girl on the Nebraska prairie around the same time as Laura
Ingalls and her family moved to South Dakota. I always like to imagine she hated
the same chores that Laura did."
8. Use the Internet.
From looking up local history to searching for information on your specific
ancestor, something helpful always seems to come up. For more information, see
my related article "Climbing Your Family Tree."
Whether adding descriptive words or colorful elements, there are many ways to
add a little more interest to Heritage Pages. Your ancestors and their descendants
will thank you for it! And remember, today's pictures are tomorrow's heritage
photos. Please identify your snapshots for future scrappers!