If you want your pictures to stand out, mat them on a contrasting color cardstock before you adhere them to your page. This is especially necessary if you are using a patterned paper for your page. The mat can be as narrow, or wide as you like.

If you're wanting to scrapbook a memorable party.. say a 1st birthday or a retirement party or graduation always remember to take a couple napkins home to remember the theme. Later you can use them for photo mats.

When using the "Perfect Layers" system, sometimes you can't get you tool to catch the edge of your paper for correct lining up. Adhere picture (or paper) to the paper you need to cut. Using your thumb, "fray" the edge a little away from the bottom piece of paper (just a little, it won't cause your picture or paper to stay that way). Then the "Perfect Layers" tool will lay easily against the edge of your photo or paper.

If the layout I am working on is done in straight lines and I need to measure the placement of an element or space elements evenly along a line I use my acrylic ruler. Instead of marking on the paper, lay your ruler along the line you want, apply adhesive to your element, and butt it up against the ruler as you lay it down. With this technique your element will always be square and evenly spaced!

Use acid free business cards and postcards that can be purchased from and office supply store or wal-mart with various designs on them for journal blocks and photo mats. Both can be adapted for hidden journals too. The business cards can be cut in to tags.

Insted of putting your 4x6 photo on the paper then trimmind it, you trim the photo in stead. First you need a piece of 12x12 paper of your choice, then cut the paper in half. ( now you have two 12x6 strips) Take one of the strips and cut it 4" two times.( now you have one 12x6 and three 4x6 pieces of paper) Repeat on the other strip. (now you have six 4x6 pieces of paper) Next, trim your photo 1/8" on all sides, or 1/4 on the length and width.(now you have six 4x6 pieces of paper and one 3 3/4"x5 3/4" photo.) You cut so little off, you cant even notice it! Then glue the photo to the mat (4x6 piece of paper) Now you have SIX mats using just One 12x12 paper.

Attach your photo to cardstock (leaving a border) using photo corners or adhesive. THEN trim around the photo. This reduces the amount of paper used and can cut your double matting time in half.

matting is almost as important as the actual layout. Choosing a matting that best fits the Patterned Paper and photo can be easy and fun. Sometimes double matting can be equally important. Is there another, possibly darker color that would look good being enhanced.