The variety of styles of patterned paper produced specifically for scrapbooking is simply staggering! Patterned sheets are available in paper, cardstock and vellum, in designs that are realistic or abstract, sophisticated or whimsical. Many are intended to support a particular theme, such as baby, holidays, school, or beach themes.
Simple Tips for Using Patterns in Scrapbook Layouts
It’s easy to become addicted to collecting patterned paper, but a word to the wise: using patterned paper effectively does not necessarily come easily. Luckily, some simple tips can help you use patterned paper for page backgrounds like a pro, even if you’re a beginner scrapbooker.
- For busy photos, use a subtle pattern. If you use a busy background for photos that have a lot of visual clutter or color, it will be overwhelming. Choose something with a small pattern and subdued colors or a monochromatic color scheme instead.
- For simple photos, use a bolder pattern. If your photos are simple and uncluttered, you can get away with using patterns that are colorful, large-scale or bold.
- Mat photos to make them stand out from the background. It can be easy for photos to “disappear” into a patterned background. Mat them to make them stand out.
- Frame your layout with contrasting or darker color. Especially if using a light-colored patterned paper as a background, framing it with a contrasting or darker color can keep the patterned background from looking as if it’s spilling off of the page.
- Don’t feel that you have to use the whole sheet. You might think that if you don’t use an entire sheet of patterned paper that you are wasting it. In fact, sometimes less is more, and you’ll have a greater impact by using a smaller piece, plus you’ll still have some to use on another layout!
If your pattern is too overwhelming or if you don’t have enough paper for a two-page layout, try colour-blocking your background: a single sheet of paper can be cut in half to split across two pages. Cut the sheet to color-block horizontally, using each piece across the top or bottom of each page, or placing the pieces “kitty corner” to each other.
You can also use smaller pieces of patterned paper to create a background collage. In either case, you can achieve wonderful effects by laying blocks or strips of patterned paper on top of plain cardstock. Pick cardstock that matches or coordinates with one of the colors in your patterned paper. Choose a similar intensity of color to maintain harmony.
Whether you decide to colour-block or create a collage with your patterned paper, if your layout covers two pages you should use the patterned paper on both sides of the layout to make sure that it is balanced.
Get Creative with Patterned Paper
- Use vellum for title or journaling block to let pattern show through. What a pity to buy beautiful patterned papers and then cover them all up! Print your titles or journaling on vellum and let the pattern peek through.
- Don’t be afraid to mix different patterns of paper. Many companies market lines of patterned paper that can be mixed and are even specifically designed for mixing. You can arrange blocks or strips of different patterns in a wide variety of ways. Try experimenting to find a design that you like.
Supplies
- Hot Sun, Cool Joy: patterned paper - Doodlebug Design Inc., Bo Bunny; rub-ons - Making Memories; acyrlic letters - Heidi Grace designs; word token - Junkitz
- Ready, Set, Smile!: cardstock - The Paper Company; patterned paper - All My Memories; tags and brads- Making Memories; pen - Zig Memory System
- Mother-Daughter Photo Shoot: cardstock - Pebbles in My Pocket; patterned paper - K and Company; vellum - Provo Craft; embossing powder - Stampendous; computer font - Amazone BT (downloaded from the internet)
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How To Mix Patterned Papers: Easy Tips for Combining Designs in Scrapbook Pages
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