playing with shaped papers

Shaped papers are so much fun to play with. And it seems like just about every company is making them these days. Sometimes they can seem a bit challenging on what to do with them. Then again, sometimes they're so pretty you want to 'save' them for the perfect layout! C'mon, I can't be the only one that does that! 

So I thought I'd share a few different ideas on using those fun shaped papers. 
As a background

 Office Party kit (alphas from Seaside Cottage kit)

Of course, the easiest way to use those papers is by using as your background paper on your layout. I loved the red in this My Mind's Eye paper and it picked up the red in my son's shirt.

Using half of the page

Seaside Cottage kit

Sometimes it's fun to cut your shaped paper in half on your layout. In this one I used it on the bottom half and it 'grounds' all of my embellishments & photos on the page. And even better...you have the other half for another layout!

By the way, quick tip I did with my photos. I knew I wanted 2 for this layout because it just looked better but only had one. My answer - print one in color and one in black and white. Problem solved!
Take the middle out

 Sweet Sue kit (12 left!!)

For this layout I cut the middle out of the shaped paper and put the bottom & top half back together. This is also fun to do on a 2 page layout, splitting the halves between the 2 pages in your layout.

So what are you doing with those lovely shaped papers?? We'd love to see! And be sure to go check out the DT members' blogs. I'm sure you'll see lots of ideas on how to use those shaped papers!