Posting link for freestyle layouts

[Debb Cozzi]

We see a lot of comments both in the forum and in the gallery along the lines of 'I'm not sure if this is a freestyle layout?' So Suzanne and I thought it would be fun if we all share with each other what we think a freestyle layout is. In that way we can all help build our understanding of this style of layout.

So....what we are going to do is ask all of you to keep an eye on the gallery. When you see a layout that seems to 'fit' the idea of a freestyle layout post a link here in this thread. Tell us when you post the link why you think the layout is a good example of freestyle. (Don't forget to leave a nice comment on the layout and let the person know that their layout has been linked. Remember...we want to be known as the FRIENDLIEST forum/gallery in town!! )

[Tara]

Alright, I've found two so far (don't have lots of time to cruise the gallery but I thought I'd look a bit!).

The first is Girls Can Get Dirty Too (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=119493&limit=last7) by Jennajul

Now, this one doesn't SCREAM freestyle...at least not in my mind but I think it qualifies and here is why:
1. Different textures - from the ribbon to the flower brush to the fonts chosen, to the pattern on the arrow and the sand and bkgrnd, there are many textures used
2. The title - I love how it crosses over onto the picture but not completely.
3. The little arrow...it's not a doodle but it has a freestyle flair.

The second is Sweet Dreams (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=119314&limit=last7)by Sandra

This layout CERTAINLY has texture yet this texture and a number of 3-D elements are mixed with a generally flat/smooth layout (does that make sense?). The picture is also overlapped by parentheses, the glitter doodle and other elements. I really, really like this one!!!!

So...tell me...what do you think of my assessment?

[Tara]

Here's another one I think kind of qualifies..and it is by a NKOTB entrant!
Hide and Seek (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=119545&limit=last7) by shadebelow

With all the circles and words in a circle, this certainly seems free! Plus the flower mixed with the crackly brown paper...different textures...

[isshinryu_mom]

Here's one... it is beautiful! Has some beautiful doodles, doodling on top of mats and lots of negative space.
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=119679

[mariafer]

There is one that I found but since I don't know if it is really freestyle or not (I am trying to learn) I feel awful telling the person that it looks freestyle and then it isn't... anyway will you guys tell us if we are wrong?

I really like this layout and I am going to tag it here... I guess the more people see it the better anyway right?! So here goes...

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=119779&limit=last1
I think it is freestyle because of the use of the doodles on and around the picture, also the font used is also very doodlelike/handwritten. I love how she did this with an older picture.

[lvg4him]

Does this work? or is this more graphic? either way THIS IS BEAUTIFUL!!

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=119765&cat=518

[Debb Cozzi]

Alright, I've found two so far (don't have lots of time to cruise the gallery but I thought I'd look a bit!).

The first is Girls Can Get Dirty Too (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=119493&limit=last7) by Jennajul

Now, this one doesn't SCREAM freestyle...at least not in my mind but I think it qualifies and here is why:
1. Different textures - from the ribbon to the flower brush to the fonts chosen, to the pattern on the arrow and the sand and bkgrnd, there are many textures used
2. The title - I love how it crosses over onto the picture but not completely.
3. The little arrow...it's not a doodle but it has a freestyle flair.

The second is Sweet Dreams (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=119314&limit=last7)by Sandra

This layout CERTAINLY has texture yet this texture and a number of 3-D elements are mixed with a generally flat/smooth layout (does that make sense?). The picture is also overlapped by parentheses, the glitter doodle and other elements. I really, really like this one!!!!

So...tell me...what do you think of my assessment?


I think you are BRILLIANT and you have a terrific eye for the things that make up a freestyle layout. The thing I love most about the two layouts you have shared is that they are soooo different in emotional content and theme. The first is fun, playful and just a touch 'tuff' and the second is oh so elegant and dreamy. That ability, to be able to clearly communicate a mood that fits the story you are trying to tell is one of the things I love most about freestyle layouts. Thanks for sharing these sweet friend. Nowwwww.....where is your layout for challenge #1 hmmmmmmmm?????? ;) :D :D :D

[Debb Cozzi]

Here's one... it is beautiful! Has some beautiful doodles, doodling on top of mats and lots of negative space.
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=119679


Ann, this is a great example of a freestyle layout. As you mentioned the use of open space and the doodles are very much in the freestyle mode. Some other things that I think make this a great freestyle layout are the use of mixed media, that terrific 'funky' color scheme (it is a little bit of a twist, you would expect soft pastels or 'baby' colors but instead Marilyn mixed it up a bit and used a very 'adult' color scheme) and finally notice all of the fun and different letters she uses in her title! Thanks for sharing this one Ann!

[Debb Cozzi]

There is one that I found but since I don't know if it is really freestyle or not (I am trying to learn) I feel awful telling the person that it looks freestyle and then it isn't... anyway will you guys tell us if we are wrong?

I really like this layout and I am going to tag it here... I guess the more people see it the better anyway right?! So here goes...

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=119779&limit=last1
I think it is freestyle because of the use of the doodles on and around the picture, also the font used is also very doodlelike/handwritten. I love how she did this with an older picture.

Maria, don't worry about letting people know you are linking their layout. For whatever reason a layout is pointed out, I'm sure the person who makes it will be thrilled that it was noticed!! And you are picking up on the things that make a freestyle layout, because this one is darling!! The fun doodles & bracket are very much in the freestyle mode. Thanks for sharing this one with us.

[Debb Cozzi]

Does this work? or is this more graphic? either way THIS IS BEAUTIFUL!!

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=119765&cat=518

This one I think is more classically graphic in nature. But you are right Paula, it is a gorgeous layout!!

Here is another layout by Meryl that I think has a little bit more of a freestyle feel to it. It isn't 'over the top' freestyle but Meryl has added elements of freestyle to this heritage layout that gives it a very special 'twist.' Some of the elements of freestyle that she uses here are the use of doodles, the use of text as a decorative element in her background and those little pieces of note paper tucked under the photos give it such a fun mix n match feel.

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=119446&cat=500&ppuser=24

[Becky Soto]

Well, here are a couple recent layouts that I think are "freestyle". Cattitude (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=119981) by clepatb is such a fun and playful layout, with the swirly brush which you know that cat is just dying to play with, and the big "C" sort of goopy stamped right over part of the photo, and the circle words...I just love it.

This layout (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=119938)by cindylicious I would also term freestyle, with the mix-match of fonts and the bits of odds and ends. (Course the photo ROCKS also!)

[Becky Soto]

Ah, duh me, as I was cruising through the gallery some more I just noticed that clepatb's layout is IN the Fandango gallery, so NATURALLY it looked freestyle. LOL!!! I'll go find another one. :rolleyes:

[Debb Cozzi]

Guess what?!!! I just got the most recent issue of Scrapbooks, Etc. and they not only had a whole slew of freestyle layouts, but they were all freestyle layouts that used fonts and text in fun and inventive ways. I scanned & posted four of them to give you all some samples and ideas to use for this week's challenge. (I sure hope it is okay that I did this, I made sure to give both the Magazine and the artist credit on each of the layouts.)

Fandandgo Inspiration-Focus on fonts and text: http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=3036

[Becky Soto]

Ok, here's another one, one that I would gravitate to first as "freestyle" as there's no traditional paper scrapping in it, which I am learning is not the whole definition of freestyle. :)

Wishes Do Come True (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=119960&limit=last7) by thyme_4_me.

[Debb Cozzi]

bkyboo that is a really gorgeous layout. I would probably classify it as a more classically 'graphic' layout versuses a freestyle layout but I'm glad you pointed it out and I hope everyone does go have a look at it because Kris's wonderful work certainly deserves the recognition! Thanks for sharing this.

[ErinBoBerin]

Here's one... it is beautiful! Has some beautiful doodles, doodling on top of mats and lots of negative space.
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=119679


Thanks Ann!!!

[mariafer]

So I am having a hard time distinguishing between the graphic and freestyle layouts... having said that take a look at this layout by inababes... http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=120308&limit=last7 I am considering freestyle because she used the journaling in a fun way and included some open space. She also has some fun doodles. It is worth a look.

[evergreen100]

I have been finding this thread such a good learning tool so I clicked on "thread tools" at the top of the posts and got a printable version, printed it out and now I follow the posted links to the featured layouts and study them while reading and learning from the thread posts. This saves me from changing from window to window, a fairly slow process on my computer:D Terrific thread!! Thanks for the wonderful learning resource Debb and Suzanne and thanks to others who have posted here with their analyses of the layouts!

[Vallie]

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=120383&limit=last1
This is by MommyPanda. I think it is fantastic. There is lots of white space, journalling with a hand written-type font, squiggly things, brackets and it still has scrapbooking elements about it too like the mats, the flower and an interesting photo. :)

[cybergram]

Here are 3 layouts I found that I feel qualify:

This one was so "cool", different fonts, doodles, white space, free flowing:
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=118796&cat=500&ppuser=25085
tinksmom

Loved this one for it's uniqueness, white space, just free flowing:
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=119817&limit=last7
fortlady


The white space in this one, different fonts & great doodles:
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=120383&cat=500&ppuser=43876
MommyPanda

[isshinryu_mom]

This layout by mariafer is so gorgeous.. and fits the freestyle style, I think. It's a NKOTB5 entry. (If she posted a link somewher in the FF forum, sorry for the duplicate... it's worth it to see such a great page though!)
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=120239&cat=1443

[isshinryu_mom]

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=120062&cat=500&ppuser=30989Also thouht I'd link one I did for the out-of-bounds challenge and see if you would say it is Freestyle (I meant it to be) even though it has kind of a graphic feel to it too.

[mariafer]

Here is another one I found by cherebus: http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=120582&limit=last1
I like how she curved her journaling in a very fun way and I guess that is what we are trying out this week.

[inababes]

So I am having a hard time distinguishing between the graphic and freestyle layouts... having said that take a look at this layout by inababes... http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=120308&limit=last7 I am considering freestyle because she used the journaling in a fun way and included some open space. She also has some fun doodles. It is worth a look.
Thanks for linking my layout, mariafer. :) I just wanted to try something different, I have no idea what the style is called, too. Somewhere in limbo between graphic and freestyle? lol

[mariafer]

Take a look at this one.... I think it is freestyle... Even thought it still looks paper style it has elements of freestyle like the doodles and open spaces. http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=120880&cpage=2&ppuser=35596#poststart

[flrebareba]

i put this in the wrong forum sorry i moved it to here.


Challange #2 is here. I look at this and it has so much going on and still is not crouded to me. I love how she did the title too. every time I look I see more things I missed. great job.
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=120985&limit=last7

the open space and doodles are freestyle to me

[shadebelow]

Well thanks to OrangeSue she posted my NKOTB5 1st challange as a freestyle LO but the link didn't work, so here is the link http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=119790&cat=500&ppuser=63011 Let me know if this is considered freestyle! Thanks!

[skt494]

I've been scouring the gallery, scrapping magazines, etc for weeks ... trying to make an attempt to define Freestyle. I think at least for me the style combines these things:

First and foremost for me - the style combines media - an effect I've adored since I began scrapping. Its just one of the many reasons, I've always adored Debb's work - she does it to perfection!

2 - although it combines media (paper, brushes, Alphas, doodles) it still adheres to solid and classic design principles ... Rule of thirds, contrast, visual triangles, proximity, focal points etc.

3- it uses space in usual ways - often for emphasis like to create a focal point... this has enormous impact on me, pulls me in and creates an emotional response from me.

I found several layouts that I think are good examples - though some emphasize elements of Freestyle differently.

Cousins (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=116208) by txmusicmom (Donna) - While nearly a paper LO, has a freestyle "flavor" for me because it makes great use of space and the doodles or brushwork give it that graphic element particularly because the doodles go over multiple paper elements.

Growing Up (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=118118&cat=500&ppuser=32292) by Bocca - is very freestyle to me. Although she's used paper - only the ribbon and its buckle and the dragon flies have shadows (that 3d effect)... all the paper is flat giving it the "graphic" feel. The writing on the photo, doodles and "painted" corner add to the freestyle feel.

Day in the Sun Challenge (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=111928&cat=500&ppuser=32292) by Bocca. This one is more graphic but again uses both Paper style elements (3D) and flat media like doodles.

Always Heart (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=111603) by Bocca. This Layout looks more classical graphic to me ... no shadows ... except for the die cut flower ... she used papers, blocks, titles all with no shadows ... classic elements of a graphic LO but that flower --- and the use of space gives hints of freestyle (IMHO!)

Munchkin (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=114167&cat=500&ppuser=23215) by LindaBelle. This shouts Freestyle to me. Mixed media... again everything is flat except for the flower, lace, journaling tags, buttons. Although there isn't alot of open space ... it still uses it in an interesting way ... everything composed beautifully almost a Kaleidoscope of emotional images.

One last one!
Zest for Life (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=120455&cat=994) by Thyme4me. This one is just killer in every way! - I think it takes Freestyle and makes it into something new. At first it looks like a magazine page ... absolutely everything is flat ... very graphic ... but then there is that stitch ...3D! It also mixes the "block" graphic style with paint ... and makes incredible use of white space..its all just incredible. I really think she made up a new style ... you have to see it to believe it!

[jhertzog]

Here are two freestlye los by Rene Bross...
Jesse (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=95782&si=freestyle&what=allfields)
and
love (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=95637&si=freestyle&what=allfields)
both use creative journaling on the photos, doodles, and different textures to give the feel of using mixed medium.

Another, but very different freestlyish lo is by Laura K,
i love you (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=96151&si=freestyle&what=allfields)
In this scraplift she uses funky print quilting, buttons, parenthesis, & grungy overlays that give it that freestyle appeal.

[Debb Cozzi]

I've been scouring the gallery, scrapping magazines, etc for weeks ... trying to make an attempt to define Freestyle. I think at least for me the style combines these things:

First and foremost for me - the style combines media - an effect I've adored since I began scrapping. Its just one of the many reasons, I've always adored Debb's work - she does it to perfection!

2 - although it combines media (paper, brushes, Alphas, doodles) it still adheres to solid and classic design principles ... Rule of thirds, contrast, visual triangles, proximity, focal points etc.

3- it uses space in usual ways - often for emphasis like to create a focal point... this has enormous impact on me, pulls me in and creates an emotional response from me.

I found several layouts that I think are good examples - though some emphasize elements of Freestyle differently.

Cousins (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=116208) by txmusicmom (Donna) - While nearly a paper LO, has a freestyle "flavor" for me because it makes great use of space and the doodles or brushwork give it that graphic element particularly because the doodles go over multiple paper elements.

Growing Up (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=118118&cat=500&ppuser=32292) by Bocca - is very freestyle to me. Although she's used paper - only the ribbon and its buckle and the dragon flies have shadows (that 3d effect)... all the paper is flat giving it the "graphic" feel. The writing on the photo, doodles and "painted" corner add to the freestyle feel.

Day in the Sun Challenge (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=111928&cat=500&ppuser=32292) by Bocca. This one is more graphic but again uses both Paper style elements (3D) and flat media like doodles.

Always Heart (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=111603) by Bocca. This Layout looks more classical graphic to me ... no shadows ... except for the die cut flower ... she used papers, blocks, titles all with no shadows ... classic elements of a graphic LO but that flower --- and the use of space gives hints of freestyle (IMHO!)

Munchkin (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=114167&cat=500&ppuser=23215) by LindaBelle. This shouts Freestyle to me. Mixed media... again everything is flat except for the flower, lace, journaling tags, buttons. Although there isn't alot of open space ... it still uses it in an interesting way ... everything composed beautifully almost a Kaleidoscope of emotional images.

One last one!
Zest for Life (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=120455&cat=994) by Thyme4me. This one is just killer in every way! - I think it takes Freestyle and makes it into something new. At first it looks like a magazine page ... absolutely everything is flat ... very graphic ... but then there is that stitch ...3D! It also mixes the "block" graphic style with paint ... and makes incredible use of white space..its all just incredible. I really think she made up a new style ... you have to see it to believe it!


Kim, this is such a neat analysis!!! WOW!!! It is just what I'm hoping everyone will do...really study the style so that they can define if for themselves and then take what they have learned to create their own wonderful layouts. I think that is exactly what Kris did in the last layout you listed here.

I hope everyone takes some time to look at your examples and think about your definition, it is just terrific! Thank you so much sweet friend.

[Debb Cozzi]

You have all posted some wonderful examples of freestyle layouts. Thank you so much for continuing to share your insights and ideas.

I thought before chat begins tonight I would try to answer two questions that keep popping up both in this thread and at the chat.

First, many of you are asking, "exactly what is a doodle?" Well, this is what I found:

Webster says: an aimless scribble, design or sketch. (Hmmmm...not sure I like that 'aimless' part...we here in the Fandango may be feckless, but I'm not sure about aimless!! :))

Scrapbook definition: a hand-drawn decorative element used to add visual interest to a layout. Often used in 'freestyle' type layouts.

So...I think the key is HAND-DRAWN...any decorative element that looks like somebody drew it can be considered a doodle. It can be anything that somebody can draw from a 'squiggle' to flowers, bugs, clouds, arrows, hearts, crowns, a smiley face, a 'decorated' letter (with dots or swirls or stripes or whatever), you name it they ALL can be considered doodles.

The second thing that a lot of people are asking is "what is the difference between a GRAPHIC layout and a FREESTYLE layout?" Well, first let me say I think definitions are a good thing...they help us all understand what we are each talking about or referring to. However, we are also talking about creative expression. And so, while we can come to some general ideas about the differences in different styles of layouts, the defining lines are not rigid. That having been said, I'm hoping the following might help when defining the differences between a Graphic layout and a Freestyle layout:

As Kim mentioned above, a graphic layout would be one that is completely 'flat' the focus is on the photos, text and an effective use of space. Often in a graphic layout photos will be blended together to form a type of visual collage or montage. Graphic layouts will also utilize the 'tools' of a photo editing program (things like blending modes, brushes, changes in opacity, that type of thing.)

A freestyle layout utilizes the ideas of a graphic layout but added to that a freestyle layout will also use non-graphic elements (things you would traditionally see in a paper-style layout...buttons, brads, ribbons, stitching, envelopes, etc.) Part of what gives a freestyle layout its 'feel' is the ability to mix and match elements that are traditionally graphic in nature with other elements that are traditionally found in paper-style layouts. (This is just one aspect of a freestyle layout but it would be the thing you could use to distinguish between a traditionally graphic layout and a freestyle layout.)

Okay...end of lecture ;) I hope I see everyone in the chat room tonight. 9:00 p.m. est for the FANDANGO :)

[isshinryu_mom]

Are we still posting links to layouts that have that "fandango flavor"?? I've found one.... it has some really nice framing that fits in with this weeks posting challenge too. It uses funky papers, vibrant colors and elements to give it that fandango style.
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=122386