Some mistakes are easier to fix than others. Two days ago while creating a layout, I hand-wrote one of the words in the title. Then I realized I sized the handwriting too small and placed it in the center, rather than off to the side like I intended. To fix the mistake I put block sticker letters over the word I initially wrote by hand. Covering the writing with letter stickers worked. It was an easy solution.
Not all mistakes are that recoverable. Right now I’m staring at a layout that I would like to post today. I tried something new on it. I don’t think I was one hundred percent successful at pulling it off. So I’m sitting here wondering if I should accept it as-is or try to improve it. So far, I don’t think there is anything I can do.
The good news is that I am one step closer to achieving a look I have been interested in. Because, while I probably can’t improve the layout I completed, I think I know why it didn’t work and what I can do next time to pull it off. At least I hope so.
Have I piqued your curiosity? I promise I will post it later tonight or tomorrow and fill you in on all the juicy details.
This all reminds me that I said I’d show you layouts where I fixed a mistake.
Do you remember this layout? Do you see the mistake? It has to do with handwriting again. Look closely at the title.
I took a huge risk by handwriting the title. Most of my mistakes or regrets involve my handwriting! But I want to use my own handwriting. So I keep trying. What is the mistake? The title slants down at an angle. The end of the word is a quarter inch lower than the beginning of the word. BAD. SLANT.
I remember the moments immediately after I did it. I was standing at my table, staring at the slant. Israel walked in to see what I was working on. He took it all in. My slanting title ruined the paper and the photo. I told him not to worry. I can always buy another sheet of paper and order another print of the photo.
My question, though, was, “Can I fix this?”
I did fix it. I added two elements that compensate for the slant so that it isn’t very noticeable. The word, “(not),” lifts the lower end of the title on the right. The subtitle, “Six Weird Things About Me,” lowers the higher side on the left.
Why does this work? By adding the two pieces, I created an implied horizontal line (it isn’t there but our brains sense it) that extends from the top of the “N” in the word, “Normal,” to the top of the word, “(not).” Another one extends from the top of the letter “o” to the bottom of the word, “(not).”
The subtitle underneath creates a third horizontal line at the bottom. Our eyes register the over all shape of the three elements. The two additional pieces distract from the slanting word.
What do you think?
Follow this link to see the journaling, product list, and inspiration sketch for this layout.
