Solutions for Solo Sheets
Many times when I'm working on a scrapbook page, I find the perfect piece of patterned paper to go with the photos I'm working on. But…that's the problem…I only have one piece and I need to make a two page layout. Because of this very dilemma, I've learned to stretch my patterned papers across two pages in various ways. It saves money, and it looks great!
 Cut it in half - This is the easiest way to stretch the paper. Simply cut it down the middle and use one half of the paper one each page. I've found that this works best when using a coordinating paper or cardstock as the background paper. You can use the patterned paper as a top, bottom or side border for both pages or you can alternate them to make a color blocked background.
 Cut it into fourths - If you cut the paper into fourths, then you can create a color blocked background over both of the two pages by alternating the patterned paper and background paper.
 Mats and Embellishments - Create photo mats and mosaic squares with patterned paper to both stretch the paper and tone down loud or overpowering patterns.
 Cut and hide - Some creative cutting and placement of photos can make one piece of patterned paper stretch a long way! Instead of cutting a full border with the paper, cut or tear smaller blocks and lay photos, journaling boxes or embellishments over the empty spaces to create the appearance of a full border. You'll be the only one who knows that it doesn't go all the way across, and you'll have more of the paper left for other parts of the page! This is a great trick for stretching 8 ˝ x 11 paper!
The next time you find that you only have one piece of the perfect paper…don't get frustrated…get cutting!
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