“CLEAN and SIMPLE” STYLE by Ange

Since how long do you scrap ?

I scrap Since about the end of 2005.
Immediately I liked that, it became a true passion.


What do you prefer in scrapbooking ?

So much of things! I particularly like to discover novel methods with my software and to learn how to work my photographs.

I really enjoy myself to discover the new kits of the designers : when I download one of them and that I open it, it is as if I opened a large package gift!

And the kits being in perpetual evolution, with the research of the innovation, that enables me to be myself always “in the page”, (if I can say that ! ) and to renew me in my creations. I quite simply try to follow the move…


Which are your preferred colors? 

I have four colors which very often return in my scraps: the pink, blue and the chestnut. I also like much the Bordeaux wine, even if I it scrappe less.


What brings scrap to you?

Scrap learned how to me to be creative. It revealed in me this pleasure of creating and especially that to be satisfied with my work.

I learned many things, on myself to start. But more concretely, I discovered the world of photography and the software for treatment of the photographs, thanks to the meetings which I could take part on the Net.

The world of scrap on the Net it is like an big family where one between assist, one share and one improves!


And finally, capacity to immortalize the moments of my life by scrapbooking my family, it is a quite pretty purpose all the same !

In short, scrap is for me much more than one simple leisure, it is an art with whole share which awakes in me various emotions and gave me the impression to be in my place, in my element.

My greater satisfaction remains above all to give pleasure to the others, when they come on my blog and that they spend a pleasant moment looking at my creations.

Visit the blog Angelica:

 Simple bibliography Clean and

Scrap in all simplicity
by Stéphanie Dagan

Simple Clean and designs for scrapbooking
by Cathy Zielske

Simple Clean and: the sequel
by Cathy Zielske

 Clean & Simple… What is this?

The simple style clean and (C&S) is easily identifiable : it is about a purified page, harmonious, where each thing is in its place and is held in a perfect balance.

This style is included in the category of the European scrap, completely opposed to American scrap.

 SEVERAL STYLES C&S

“Pure” the C&S is compared with a page of publicity. No textured papers used, just a linked bottom, one or more photographs which occupy the principal place on your page, and a shock title , proposed, often accompanied by a short journaling. It should be imagined that your page can be published in a magazine.

The C&S basic, with the use of papers with patterns and textured, some basic elements (frameworks, doodle, wordart, fasteners. ) one or more proposed photographs, a title and often a journaling.

The C&S with a vintage effect. Photographs worked again, papers for purpose passed, always very sober, very few elements, more often the doodles or wordarts, a title and/or sometimes a short text.

 THE SECRECY OF THE C&S

The secrecy in C&S they is the photographs. C&S has for purpose to sublimate the photograph. All the elements around are only to emphasize it and not to choke it. Center, rcut out a photograph is already a first technique to be used.

For digital scrap then, there are the blurring and all the effects on the images (desaturation, brightening up, incrustation…).

 BASES OF THE C&S

A very simple model : mosaic. Photographs and papers, the whole on plain bottom. It is a “graphic” page known as with the simple and pure lines. The mosaics can go from a very simple diagram to a rather complicated diagram.

Basic elements:

- frames. Simplest will make the deal ! It is often most elegant and more “class”. Not a framework for bevelled purpose for example. A simple edging is enough to embellish the photograph.

- Fasteners: Fasten, seams, trombones… All is allowed, as long as they remain discrete and proportioned well.

Decorative elements:

- All the elements used must have a direct relationship with the topic of the page.
- The doodles and the wordarts are the favorite in C&S. Discrets, elegant elements, refined, they give a look “pro” to the page.

The title and the journaling:

The title as the journaling hold a great place in C&S. They are regarded as elements with whole share. It is necessary thus that they “catch” the glance without to draw all the attention. The firts rule of the CS is necessary to keep this harmony and this balance.

- The title summarizes the topic of the page. The page tells a history, sometimes, a title with him all alone is enough for all to tell.

- The journaling makes it possible to look further into this topic : either by reporting this precise moment of our life which the photograph represents, or by quoting known poems, texts or songs that we like and which well illustrate our selected topic.

Sometimes, the journaling can hold a much greater place than that of the photograph. That enables us to keep in memory of the moments which counted in our life.

Contrary, a simple sentence can be enough to summarize the topic of the page, without there needing a title or a length journaling.

- The choice of the font is very important, especially for the title. It allows us, before to have even read, to put to us in the environment of the page.

- For the journaling, one will prefer font with serifs or without serifs for a clean effect, even professional.

- Cursive fonts or scripts for a handwritten effect.

And finally of other fonts to point out the topic of the page, such as for example the effect “typewriter” for a vintage page.

 WHAT IT IS NECESSARY TO AVOID.

The papers too textured or with too imposing patterns which would choke the photographs. Or then, to charge the page at least, such as for example:

All useless “froufrous”, flowers, ribbons and other elements. To always go to simplest for more lightness and from clearness.

Badly centered photographs : to always come to essence, on what one wants to show. Center the pic on the subject for a close-up.

For a broader plan, take care that space is placed in front of the subject for more movements and so that it looks towards the future. To avoid “middleing” the subject.