Distressing the edge of your photos not only is fun for those “older” photos, but also for your current photos. Just a simple transformation to the edge can really make your photo stand out! Take a peek at the layouts below; each of these ladies distressed their photos differently. Each photo has a great look and they pull the layouts together so nicely.

If you don’t have a tool that is specifically designed to create this distressing, no worries … I’m sure you can find something around the house! Go raid your husband’s garage for a tiny piece of sandpaper, and otherwise your scissors will do just fine. Scraping your blade across the photo will really rough up the edge.

I’m sure you will find great inspiration in all of these layouts, and I encourage you to give it a try on your next layout.

I look … by Jackie Anderson

Supplies: Paper: Webster Pages, Ink, Glitter Glue: Ranger Industries, Ribbon: Offray, Tool: Edge Distresser (Heidi Grace), Other: burlap, netting.

Design Notes: I inked the edges of the photograph both to define it and to give it an aged, rugged, outdoor feel. Because the photo covered up the butterfly in the patterned paper, I cut it out using my craft knife and repositioned it above the photo, folding up the wings to add dimension and inking the edges.

Journaling: This photo of my 18-month-old grandson, Gary, was taken on our family camp trip in 2008 up Huntington Canyon in East Central Utah. It was his first camp out and he was fascinated by everything he saw, which shows up so well in this picture and is why I wanted to emphasize the wording in the design of the patterned paper, positioning my photo accordingly.

Puzzle by Janneke Smit

Supplies: Papers: BasicGrey, Journaling Card: October Afternoon, Rub-Ons: Junkitz, Daisy D's, Ink: Rubber Stampede, Marker: P&M Products, Pen: ZIG, Tools: Files, Sanding Paper, Sketch: Border Punch Sketch by Michelle McClung, Other: puzzle pieces, staples.

Design Notes: To enhance the theme of the page I used an old puzzle. I traced each puzzle piece on paper, cut it out and adhered the paper to the piece. I used sanding files to smooth the edges of the pieces, and then I reassembled the puzzle. I sanded the edges of the photos with sanding paper to create the very thin white borders. I raised the main photo with puzzle pieces as well, so the journaling card easily tucks behind the photo.

Journaling: Besides playing with his computer, making puzzles is one of the things Darren still likes to do. Las Vegas, August '09

Puss in Boots by Gina Rodgers

Supplies: Paper: 7Gypsies, Jenni Bowlin Studio, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Stickers: Making Memories, Jenni Bowlin Studio, Rose Moka, Pearls: Kaisercraft, Ink: Tim Holtz, Journaling Tag: 7Gypsies, Pen: Pentel, Other: thread, bling, braid, metal rutterfly, ribbon.

Design Notes: I stuck dark alphabet stickers onto the black background, but drew around the letters with a white pen to add definition.