Budget Scrapbooking: Using Both Sides with a Quick Design

Once again, I was faced with the same dilemma. I had grabbed a kit to use during Layout a Day in order to create a quick layout. The papers were perfect, except that, I really wanted to use both side of the print. I could fall back on a standard block design. I could also cut the paper into strips, flipping one side over to access both patterns. Both of these designs work well, but I wanted something a bit different. I was also faced with a collection of paper that was very busy. I would need to tone the patterns down just a bit in order to keep them from becoming chaotic.

Adding a second patterned paper from the collection, along with cardstock mattes did the trick.

The One and Only Book Signing by Christy Strickler |Supplies Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper,Stickers, Stamp, Letters: Lawn Fawn; Ink: Tsukineko; Jewels: Making Memories; Other: button,ribbon

When my son was little, we attended a book signing. K met Kate Dicamillo. At the time, he cared more about getting home to read the book then he did with meeting her. She found it very charming and cute. The book themed papers and stamps from the Lawn Fawn Dewey Decimal kit were perfect for this particular story.

The design begins with two blocks. Rotating one changes the foundation of the design just a bit. This becomes more of a shelf type configuration. It’s easy to execute. A Layout can be completed in under half an hour, especially if you choose to work with a collection or kit.

Toning down the patterned paper with the matte cardstock allowed me to use a lot of busy, themed papers on one canvas without losing the photo in the mix. I was able to utilize both sides of one 12×12 piece of patterned paper by adding an additional section cut from another sheet of patterned paper.

Tips for Toning Down Busy Patterns

– matte each piece of patterned paper on cardstock to separate the busy patterns.

– Pull one or two additional colors from one of the patterns and use those colors consistantly within the embellishments to help draw the focus to your photo.