Double-Sided Delight

The inspiration for this article was staring at me from his crib this morning. During my son's 3 a.m. feeding, I realized his diaper was not just wet but so were his pajamas, so I proceeded to change his clothes in the dark. This morning I saw that not only did I put them on him inside out, but also backwards! He smiled at me with his tag on the outside and just below his chin. Oops. 
 
I was instantly reminded why one of my favorite scrapping supplies is something that has no wrong side: double-sided paper. It can have two patterned sides, two solid-colored sides or a combination of one side patterned and the other a solid color. I feel like I'm getting twice my money's worth. The only downside is that I'm often conflicted when trying to decide which side to use. But how can you go wrong when there is a perfectly color-coordinated paper on the other side? It's fabulous, and even more so in these low discretionary-budget days.

So how do you use double-sided paper to its fullest potential? Here are a few of my favorite ways:

• Use one side as a background and the other side as matting for photos.
• Fold down a corner to show a peek of the other side.
  
  
  
  
• Make a double layout with a mirror image on the opposite side of the paper.
• Add a pocket using the opposite side of the paper.
• Grab an envelope template and create an envelope that is just as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside.
  
  
  
  
• Tear the edges and curl or fold them over to show a glimpse of the other side.
• Add a fold-open journal window, utilizing both sides.
  
  
  
  
• Cut out a design element from one side's design and attach with pop-up dots to the other side as an embellishment.
• Add a journal-tag pull-out using the opposite side of paper.

Some of my favorite double-sided paper options are:

BasicGrey                   

Cosmo Cricket            

K & Company            

Stampin' Up!

So, what are you waiting for? Pull out that double-sided paper and get busy. Try one of these ideas or come up with some techniques of your own. Whatever you come up with, please share your creations in the Scrapjazz gallery.