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 In my last two columns, I’ve talked about lines and how to use them in your scrapbook pages. However, sometimes a line isn’t a line.
What I mean is that you can trick the eye into seeing lines where there are none. It all has to do with repetition.
Because our brains subconsciously make connections between things that are the same, repetition (as well as proximity and alignment) of similar elements can fool our minds into seeing them as a single element, that is, a line.
Fig. 1: Aligning punched circles of the same size creates "lines" that lead the viewer's eye across the page, even though different colors of circles were used.
Even though you see the circles in Figure 1 as separate and distinct, the fact that they are the same size and arranged in a straight row with even spacing makes your brain sees a line of circles.
 You can achieve a similar effect by arranging any similar shapes (such as rectangles, hearts, snowflakes, etc.) in a row (Fig. 2).
Fig. 2: The alignment of rectangular sequins creates a line in the viewer’s mind, but stitching them together with floss reinforces the linear nature, creating a bold border.
Repeated elements need not be the same size for your brain to connect them (Fig. 3), but the more similar the elements are to each other (in shape, size, and color), the stronger the connection will be.
 Fig. 3: Even though these buttons are different sizes, the repetition of shape and color connects them.
The irregular alignment and variation in shape create a more flowing line than those in Figure 1.
In a previous column I showed you how straight lines add stability and create balance (Fig. 1).
Just as repeating and aligning similar shapes can create the impression of a straight line, repeating shapes along an arc produces a curved line (Fig. 4).
 Fig. 4: The punched heart shapes are aligned along an arc. They define a circular line that frames the photo and creates emphasis. The negative-space hearts also support the theme of the page.
The circular line in Figure 4 creates emphasis by framing the photo and drawing attention to it.
Wavy lines add energy and create movement by leading the viewer’s eye through the page (Fig. 5).
The examples in Figures 1 to 4 use repetition of similar sizes, shapes and colors.
Another way to trick our brains into connecting elements is by using ones that have no other purpose except to be joined together. I’m talking about letters.
 Our minds recognize letters as things we string together to make words and sentences. It’s no accident that the rows of letters in a book are called lines!
So, we can create lines in our scrapbook pages using sequences of letters which our subconscious will automatically link together, even if they are not arranged in straight rows (Fig. 5).
Fig. 5: Wavy lines add energy and create movement. I used a template to create the wavy lines of journaling to reinforce the theme of the page.
I hope I’ve given you a new way to think about lines. See how many different ways you can create linear elements by repeating shapes like flowers, stars, trees, toys, and so on.
Align eyelets, plastic gems, stamped shapes or stickers in close proximity to each other to lead the viewer’s eye through your page. Then let us see what you’ve done!
Happy scrapping!
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