Patterned papers add colour and interest to your pages, but they can be used for so much more than backgrounds and mats. This layout shows you a way to be more creative with your papers by exploring other uses like titles, borders and embellishments. Give these techniques a go! You are sure to love the results!  

This layout  was created using papers from the Sassafras Lass Dreamy Paper Pack (Dreamy Smitten Green, Dreamy Smitten Brown, Dreamy Tingle and Dreamy Dandy paper), chocolate cardstock, two chocolate brads and alphabet stickers. 

Set aside your Dreamy Smitten Green paper for the background. Cut a strip of Dreamy Tingle paper to go across the bottom of your page. The bottom edge should be straight, but the top edge should follow the line of the diamonds. Leave a light edge so they stand out from the background. Adhere across the bottom of the page.

Cut a second strip of Dreamy Tingle paper. This time, follow the line of the diamonds along both side. Adhere across the top of your page, approximately 1cm down from the top edge.

Mat your photo with chocolate cardstock. For the best result, use a 5x7 photo. Mat again with Dreamy Dandy paper, this time leaving a larger border around your photo. Mat once more with Dreamy Smitten Brown paper. Centre your photo and adhere to your background paper, making sure there is enough room underneath for a semi-title or journaling.

To create your title, cut out your letters from Dreamy Smitten Brown paper and mat with chocolate cardstock. Position them on top of your strip of Dreamy Tingle paper and adhere. Cut out four small flowers from Dreamy Smitten Brown paper and mat with chocolate cardstock. Position two on each side of your title.

Position alphabet stickers or rub-ons underneath your photo to create a semi-title. If you prefer, you can add a journaling box here instead. Cut out two small leaves from Dreamy Smitten Brown paper and mat with chocolate cardstock. Position one on each side of your semi-title, as shown in the layout above.

Finally, cut out two shapes from Dreamy Smitten Brown paper. Adhere one near the bottom left corner of your photo and the other near the top right corner. Place a chocolate brad in the centre of each.

In creating this page, you have successfully used patterned papers as more than just backgrounds and photo mats. They have also become your borders, title and embellishments. By using them in this manner, you not only make your page more unique, but the commonality of the elements help tie everything together, making it visually pleasing to the eye.

If you would like to have any of your designs included in our resource centre, please email them to us at rc@stickersnfun.com (please make sure all files are .jpg or .gif).