1. First and most important is to not look at a two pager as two separate pages, but instead you have to look at it as one big page. That is probably what intimidates most of you, is that you have to come up with two pages that somehow go together. If that is the case, then change your whole way of thinking about the two pager. Instead of a 12 x 12 layout, you are going to be doing a 12 x 24 layout. So start by putting two pieces of 12 x 12 cardstock (or pp) side by side, butted right up next to each other.
2. Once you get into the whole "it's just one large page" mindset, go to work creating your page just as if you were doing a one page layout. Start by coming up with your page design... lay down papers and embellies and pics just as you normally would, using BOTH pieces of cardstock (or pp). Go right across the two papers... don't try to work on each page individually, work on the whole design as a whole.
3. Don't glue anything down on either page until you have your design pretty much down packed. Resist the urge to finish up one page and then work on the other. Remember, you are working on ONE very large page.
4. Think outside the box, or in this case outside the page. Since you are working on one large design, your title can be on either page, or it can even cross right thru from the left page to the right. The only thing you have to keep in mind is to be aware of where the "seam" will be. When it comes to the gluing you will technically have to end up with two separate pages, but they don't have to look that way at all. For instance, if you want your title to run across from the left page right thru to the right page, work it out so that the title breaks either in between two words, or even right between two letters. If you break between two letters, keep the letters close to the edge of each page so that the title will be seamless. Same goes for page elements, patterned papers, cut papers, ect. If you want a large box to run across both pages, then make it as large as you want it to be, then cut it with your cutter right where your seam will be. This works better than trying to cut two separate boxes and making them match up. If you cut it the size you want it to be overall and then slice it right at the seam, it will match up perfectly. This also is the best way to handle trims and punched borders. Lay them out across the two page spread and then cut them with your cutter right at the seam for an even match up.
5. Work it out so things like flowers don't hang over from one page to the next. You don't want to have a flower sticking out of the edge of one page, and you don't want to have to cut it. You can keep the "seam" area clean, yet match it up perfectly.
6. Don't be afraid to have swirls and bling run thru the seam. Run them right across the seam and then cut them right at the edge with micro tipped scissors. When running bling and pearl swirls and borders thru the seam be sure to arrange them so that a crystal or pearl ends up on either side of the seam. You may find the need to "drop" a crystal or a pearl. It all depends on the spacing.
7. Once finished, to keep you two pager as seamless as possible, use a post bound album. This is the best way to showcase your seamless design, as the pages can be butted right up against each other.
8. Last but not least, have fun. Don't be intimidated. Remember, it is just one large page.
I hope all these little tips have been helpful to those of you that avoid the two pager. Below are some examples of some that I have done, just to give you and idea of how seamless you can make them. If you can't find the seams, or if you just want to see the individual pages, you can see them in my gallery. I've linked the images for you.
I also recently did a digi two pager, featuring Boomer and Brandy's dogs Lady Bear and Ruby Mae. I just made two 12x12 documents and put them side by side on my screen. If you have a laptop that is probably not an option, or at least not one that is easy to deal with. I am lucky enough to have a 27" iMac, so that made it a lot easier than it would have been. Yet, I have been known back in my early days of advertising and graphic design to do a full page tabloid ad on a 12" screen when I had to lol.
I hope this has been helpful to the Cherries that avoid doing two pagers!
WAS a TIKI BAR GIRL AND ALWAYS WILL BE
Heehee....
