Though it can seem quite daunting to create your own scrapbook page layout, it is really not a complicated thing to do. Here are four basic steps to creating your very own layouts using horizontal or vertical elements.

1. Divide your page background. To do this you will introduce a horizontal or vertical element to your page. You can place it where ever you wish, though you need to plan for your photo's to fit where you want them. Once you are happy with where your line is adhere it to your page. This element can be in the form of a border made with your clear rubber stamps, a ribbon, a strip of paper, or a section of paper that covers as much as half of the page. If you want to create a complimentary background you may wish to select a set of clear stamps and create your own printed paper designs.
2. Enhance your background. Once you have divided your background you may wish to enhance it. This can be a lot of fun as there are so many different possibilities. You can try adding glitter to flower petals or other elements of your pattern paper. You may wish to use your border stamps to add interest to stripes. Add a thinner ribbon to shadow the existing division or simply ink the edges of your page. You may like to choose one of your favorite border rubber stamps to stamp a border around one or both sections of your page.
3. Crop and Mat your photos. This step is fairly self explanatory, however a few tips for a good design include cropping your photo's to the same size so you have a repetetive element in your design. If your photo's are small enough combine two photo's on one mat to create the same size as larger elements. Do not yet attach your photo's to your page.
4. Embellish your page. It is suggested that once you have placed your photo's on the background you begin to plan your embellishing techniques before you secure the photo's to the page. This will allow a corner of lace or ribbon to tuck in behind a photo. You may wish to use a flourish rubber stamp to embellish the page a little more. Experiment with the look of each embellishment before securing it to your page for the best results. Once you are happy with the overall effect secure everything down.

Your scrapbook page layout is now complete. Add any journalling you desire and enjoy looking back in the years to come.