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So, you*ve sat down to do your scrapbooking and now your wondering, *How can I pep this layout up?* Well, read on, because there are plenty of tips for you in this article.

An easy way to add some elegance or softness to your layout is to use paper tearing. Use a patterned paper to tear either diagonally, vertically in the middle or on either side about 1/3rd of a 12*x12* sheet and adhere it on coordinating cardstock. E viola, there you are!

If you want to use embellishments such as diecuts and they look a little plain to you, then use a darker shade of chalk to shade the edges to give it more depth. You can even use foam pads for a 3D look to adhere making it really stand out. The same can be done with punched out patterned paper or cardstock.

For adhering certain items that you do not wish to use glue with, such as vellum, you can use eyelets, brads, staples, safety pins, ribbon and oh so many more! Vellum really adds elegance and softness to your page.

Shaker boxes are really easy to make and gives your layout that special look. For this you might want to use a sturdy cardstock or chipboard to make the frame. Cut out a window and pick out some things you might want to put into the shaker box, such as beads, flakes or mini diecuts or punches. Use a piece of transparency for the cut out window, adhere. Then place foam tape around the inside edge of the window making sure there are no spaces in between. Then pour the *filling* into the upsidedown frame and adhere a patterned paper piece for the back of the shaker box. Adhere to layout and your done!

Heat embossing is another good way to make a layout elegant or special. You need an embossing heat tool, embossing powder and embossing clear ink. Stamp the pad with your stamp and stamp it on your layout. Immediately pour the powder onto the stamped area, then shake off excess. Heat with the embossing heat until the powder melts.

Dry embossing is also pretty easy. You need an embossing tool, stencils and a light box. Just place the cardstock on the lightbox, place stencil where you need it and trace around the shape of the stencil pushing down on the cardstock (not too hard). When you*re done you can chalk the embossed area to make it stand out a little more.

If your journaling looks boring to you, why not use a tag to emphasize it some more. There are plenty of tag templates available as well as punches, but also free downloads to trace from the internet. Embellish the tag with ribbons, fibers, eyelets, etc. and your journaling will stand out.

Another beautiful and wonderful way to embellish a page is with quilling. Quilling looks difficult, but it's really not! Even using a toothpick you can make pretty flowers or little animals and shapes that look like a million bucks! Use various thin long or short strips of cardstock, twist around a toothpick, then let go, shape and glue.

Now you have some advice on how to make your layout special. Have fun scrappin*!