CTMH Balloon Ride layout

I created this layout last month at my scrapbooking retreat.  I have really fallen in love with CTMH's Balloon Ride paper pack and stamp sets.  If you check my blog often, you already know that :). 

I print my photos directly from my computer, and therefore, I can change the sizes of the photos very easily.  Usually, I either find a layout I would like to use or design it on paper first so I know what sizes I need my pictures to be.  Other times I will create my layout and then print my pictures afterwards to fit the page. 

In this particular spread, I found this page sketch via Pinterest, and printed my photos based on it.  The layout is designed as a 12x12 spread; however, I really like the 8.5x11 scrapbooking.  So, I use an old algebraic equation to resize all my dimensions. 

How to:
The easiest way to demonstrate how to do this is to give you a "story problem."  The page sketch I found gave the following photo sizes: 4x6 and 3x4.  This sketch is designed for a 12x12 layout.  What are the photo sizes for an 8.5x11 layout?

The first step to figuring this out is to decide on ONE dimension- width or height. We are going to start with the 4x6 photo.  The direction that my photo is in the above layout means that 4 is the height, and 6 is the width.  Let's begin with the height.  The formula is: h*/H*=h/H.  The star is just there to differentiate between the layouts. h* will equal 4 (our photo is 4 in.). H* will equal 12 (the paper height is 12 in.). h is our variable or unknown, because we don't know the height of the resized photo.  H is 11 (the smaller paper is 11 in. in height).  OK.  Now that we know the info we need, let's plug it into the formula.  4 (h*)/ 12 (H*) = h/ 11 (H). 

Here is where that algebra comes in that you learned eons ago.  You can take the denominators (the bottom number from each side of the equation) and multiply them with their diagonal counterpart numerators (the top number).  Let me show you:
12 and 11 are the denominators in this equation.  You multiply 11 with 4 (opposite numerator).  The answer 44 stays on the side of the numerator (4 or the left).  You multiply 12 with h and get 12h.  This stays on the side of the h (right side of equal sign).  So, you have 44=12h.  Can you see what you need to do now?  You have to get h by itself. To do so, divide BOTH sides of the equation by 12.  44/12=12h/12.  3.67=h because 44/12= 3.67 and 12h/12=h because the twelves cancel each other out.  The height for the resized photo is 3.67 in.

To figure out the width, plug in the measurements for the width of the photo and papers and repeat.  w*/W*= w/W.  

6/12=w/8.5    (6- the photo is 6 inches wide; 12- the paper is 12 inches wide; w= new photo width;
                       8.5- width of the smaller paper)

Multiply denominators with opposite numerators.

6*8.5=12w

51=12w

Now get w by itself by dividing both sides of the equation by 12.
51/12= 12w/12

4.25=w

Your new width for the photo is 4.25.

My printer doesn't print 3.67x4.25 so I choose the option closest to these depending on the layout space available.  If there is plenty of space in that area, I will choose the 3.5x5 inch option.  If not, I will choose the 3x4 inch option.  Or, I can choose the 3.5x5 inch option and crop it down to 4.25. 

This also works if you want to cut background paper, frames, embellishments, etc. at the resized sizes.  I do this every month for my CTMH scrapbooking club.  I have 2 members who like to scrap the 8.5x12 inch size and 4 who like the 12x12 size.

Hope this helps.  If you have any questions, just ask!   -Dari