Mixing Patterned Papers in Your Scrapbook Layouts
If you are a scrapbooker and try to keep up with the trends, you have probably seen the amazing designs being used on scrapbook pages. They are filled with color and patterns of every type imaginable. How do the designers know what patterns will go together? If you dressed in the patterns that scrapbookers use on their page designs, you would be a misfit for sure! How can you incorporate three, four or more patterns into one scrapbooking layout and still have it look appealing and fabulous? Will the overuse of patterned papers take away from your photos -- the reason you scrapbook in the first place? Not if you use the following elements in your designs.
For photos, if you have a background paper that is patterned, always matte your photos on a solid color. Matting on a solid color especially dark colors and white will draw your eye to the photo and will not allow the patterned papers to take priority over your photos.
How do you know which patterned papers will look great together? One rule of thumb is to use papers that have a lighter or darker tone in the same color scheme. For example, you could have a paper with a dark orange background with a small beige pattern and complement it with a coordinating paper that has a beige background and a small orange pattern.
Another fun way to use patterned papers is to find four or five different papers that have the same color scheme, but a different pattern. For example, a recent scrapbooking design I made had a solid background, so I incorporated two different striped papers, with thick and thin stripes, another paper with an ornate circular design in the same color scheme, plus another paper with another semi-solid color also in the same color scheme. I pulled it all together with a solid matte for each photo.
Another fun way to pick patterned papers are to try match the colors of your papers to the background in the photos you picked for your pages. You can also try match papers to the clothing colors in the pictures. Face it, it can be intimidating to find what will make your pages pop with color and emotion, but the safest thing to do is lay your papers out and brainstorm, holding the papers against each other to see if you can think of a way to use them in your layout. Above all, do not glue anything till you are sure your design will work :o)
It is so much fun to put the excitement of color and pattern into your scrapbook pages. If you are still at a loss, take time to look on eBay under "premade scrapbook pages", or find idea books at your local craft store. Do not be afraid to experiment and end the plight of boring scrapbook pages forever.
--Deborah Leaverton
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