Pile on the Paper!

If you've been afraid to use a lot of patterned paper on your layouts, then these examples are for you! There is an art to using several patterns on one layout--you have to be careful to keep the focus on your photos. But when done with balance, lots of patterns can add personality and punch to your page.

On this first page, I used three patterned papers: one is the main background of the layout, and the other two are used to "break up" that pattern so that it is easier on the eye. I chose to place the grid pattern behind the photos in order to keep it from being too busy. And the green pattern is very subtle, and it serves as a background for my blue letters and helps them stand out on the page.

Supplies: Bazzill cardstock, Piggy Tales Jack and Jill Kit (paper, tags, and photo turns), BasicGrey ribbon and chipboard arrow, Making Memories chipboard letters, paint, brads, Design Originals arrow

On this next page, I took it even further and used four patterns. By using the green as my background, it served as a great contrast to the blue and red papers I used in the foreground. The other patterns are used in small strips. The focus is still on the green, and the blue and red still just serve as accent colors.

Supplies: Bazzill cardstock, Piggy Tales Jack and Jill Kit, BasicGrey ribbon, Scenic Route letter stickers and chipboard stars, Design Originals arrow, Making Memories paint, brads, and rubons, Heidi Swapp rubons, American Craft letter stickers, 7 Gypsies photo turn