The Beauty of Busy Patterned Papers

by Heidi Anne Giebel (Mar 8, 2013)

Papers with gorgeous florals, bold geometric patterns and a variety of whimsical designs are currently quite popular. Incorporating them onto a scrapbook page can pose a problem when your goal is to have your photos stand out.

Here are a few ideas that will help you get the most of your busy patterned papers.

-- Use the busy patterned paper as the base of your page and then place a less elaborate piece of patterned paper, cut down to 8" x 8", over the top. This will diminish the confusion of the paper and allow your photos to shine through.

-- Use your extremely detailed patterned paper as an accent on the page. Use a strip of it cut to 6" x 12" to run down one side of your layout or across the page horizontally. Combine it with solid cardstock or more subdued pieces of patterned paper.

-- A monochromatic color scheme will help tone down a very chaotic piece of patterned paper and allow your photos to stand out.

-- Trim out sections of the pattern from an intricate piece of paper. If your patterned paper has a large floral design or an oversized shape that is appealing, use your craft knife or sharp detail scissors to cut that pattern out. Then you can adhere it to your scrapbook page.

-- Cover sections of the busy patterned paper with big, lavish embellishments or die cuts. Use your die-cutting machine to create an embellishment large enough to cover whole sections of the busy patterned paper, drawing your eye to the photos and journaling.