Splitcoaststampers.com - the world's #1 papercrafting community
You're currently viewing Splitcoaststampers as a GUEST. We pride ourselves on being great hosts, but guests have limited access to some of our incredible artwork, our lively forums and other super cool features of the site! You can join our incredible papercrafting community at NO COST. So what are you waiting for?
I find that I rarely use patterned paper when I make cards. I almost always use embossing to add texture and interest, but for some reason, just don't use patterned papers.
Does anyone have any tips on using it in making cards? I"m not sure what I'm looking for, exactly, but I just thought I'd ask.
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni Creative Crew SU Design Team Alumni
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 15,348
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I like to use them as banners or pennants, you know with the little "v" cut out. They also make good background panels. I usually mat them with one of the colors in the paper with a 1/8" border (so the panel is cut 1/4" bigger than the DSP. Have you seen the Christmas trees made with a circle and DSP so it's folded and you see both sides? That's a cute way to use it too!
I've made cards in the shape of a man's dress shirt. For the ties I've used pattern paper. What about using die cuts or framelits to cut out pattern paper.
The "Ways to Use It" challenge this week was to use patterned paper, and there are a lot of excellent ideas in the resulting gallery. The sketch challenge galleries are often a good source for ideas on this as well. I am getting more comfortable with using patterned papers as layers in my cards, but I still often forget about them. I love paper piecing with them (as opposed to coloring an image), as you can get more dimension without a lot of "expert" coloring skills...
I, too, rarely purchased DSP until a few years ago.
I am currently on a mission to use up what I have.
Since I joined the CCC (Christmas Card Challenge) I have added many cards using DSP into my gallery. Hope it gives you a little inspiration. Happy Stampin'!
I use some for altered composition notebooks (you'll need 4 12x12 papers for one), other 3D items, scrapbooks, mini albums, to make paper flowers... You can also stamp straight on patterned paper, especially if the pattern is not too bold
I find dp's with small patterns are easier to use on cards, and they're especially easier to combine such as I did here ... large sheets of dp are more useful for scrapbook pages, but for cards, I almost always stick to pads of paper which are 6 x6 or 8 x8, as the patterns are smaller.
As you know they usually come in coordinating colours but I often just sit down and lay papers together to see what catches my eye - it can be surprising and I can never tell unless I hold them together. If I find a great combo, I paperclip them together until I use them so I won't forget.
I sometimes use a couple of dp's in colours which pick up on those in my stamped/coloured image such as here.
Or I might use a dp with maybe three colours and then I combine it with two other dp's, picking up two of those three colours in different panels of a sketch such as here .
Sorry if I've rambled on a bit, I just love my dp's so had to chip in!
Learn all kinds of things to do with your patterned paper in another terrific class from Jennifer McGuire and Kristina Werner Class Info | Pattern Play
Very reasonably priced and lots of value for your money. I've taken quite of few of the online card classes (t!m holtz Creative Chemistry 102 is open for registration now WOOHOO).
Lifetime access to the classes, too.
I'm not affiliated with OCC in any way....just a big fan
__________________ "May your mind whirl joyful cartwheels of creativity." - Jonathan Lockwood Huie.
Last edited by QueenOfInkland; 09-15-2013 at 01:10 PM..
Sometimes I stamp on a patterned paper that has a very quite pattern, punch it and then layer it over a busier patter. Sometimes, I cover half of a white card with patterned and layer a matted image over top or just use a thin-ish strip and put a punched out greeting over top. Most of my cards are pretty simple. I tend to do very little embellishing, i.e. ribbon, buttons, etc.
__________________ By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest. Confucius
I found I wasn't using mine either. Then I decided to paint over those loud prints I purchased years ago. That helped tone them down. Also, just fill a spritzer with a little re-inker and water and spray it toning down some of the prints. If a color comes out too dark or didn't cover enough or too bright I often add a layer of gesso to it. Now I can stamp on it, sponge it or use it as part of a background. I thought I had nothing to lose. I didn't like the paper anyway, it's fun to experiment and if it comes out really lousy, I only lost a sheet I didn't like anyway.
I found I wasn't using mine either. Then I decided to paint over those loud prints I purchased years ago. That helped tone them down. Also, just fill a spritzer with a little re-inker and water and spray it toning down some of the prints. If a color comes out too dark or didn't cover enough or too bright I often add a layer of gesso to it. Now I can stamp on it, sponge it or use it as part of a background. I thought I had nothing to lose. I didn't like the paper anyway, it's fun to experiment and if it comes out really lousy, I only lost a sheet I didn't like anyway.
I really like your ideas. I'll have to try them. tfs
1.) Buy patterns that you love, not what's trendy. You're more likely to use it if you really love it.
2.) Pick your papers for a project first. Then pick your stamps, inks and markers or other coloring mediums. It's much easier to match to the paper than it is to try to match to an image that's already been stamped and colored.
3.) If using multiple patterned papers on a project, think of scale and the rule of thirds. Use one larger scaled print, one smaller scaled, and one more neutral print.
4.) I typically use the smaller scaled 6 X 6 pads as well. So much easier for card makers.
5.) Stamp directly onto patterned papers for a fun effect.
6.) Use paper piecing with stamping...sometimes it's much faster than coloring in a stamped image.
7.) Think of unusual ways to use papers...a green pattern for grass and hills, a blue pattern for sky. Cut multiple papers to make a quilted effect.
I stuff the patterned papers into files containing solid-coloured cardstock that somewhat matches the patterned papers. Then when I'm looking for say, red cardstock, I see the red patterned papers and think "huh, can I use some red patterned paper instead?"
Thank you all!!!!! I agree, these are great ideas! I really appreciate the help and input - it really does add so much to hear other's opinions and advice.
K
Don't forget that you can use your "less than lovely" patterns from the big stack packs to make envelopes. Even an unlikely pattern with the design inside can make a pretty envie!
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
I die cut them too! I rarely make a card that does NOT have patten paper in some way! LOVE love love them all. I agree, stick to colors and patterns you like. Nothing worse than an unloved pattern paper pack. And I always use 6x6 pads for cards, they are scaled for cards!
Patterned papers are great when you want to use a solid stamp embossed or just stamped with a coordinating ink.
Also, I like to use them when I want to stamp a greeting or a saying on the front of my card and leave the inside blank or stamp a simple Happy Birthday, Get Well, Thinking of You, etc on the inside with my own message.
I too like to coordinate my patterned papers with my colored stamped image. It's easy to do with Copics or with colored pencils..... Don't be scared by them, its fun!!
Here's a sample from my gallery where I extended the card front (I measured incorrectly) with patterned paper. I liked the way it turned out and sometimes do it intentionally (although I usually put the patterned paper on the inside (the side where a greeting usually goes). This example has it on the "reverse" of the card front.
I'm totally addicted to pattern paper, especially 6x6 or 8x8 paper pads. The smaller patterns are better for making cards, especially paper piecing - one of my favorite techniques. And now that I've figured out how - I like using the papers to make matching liners for the envelopes. There are so many great ideas here to make me even more addicted.
Here's a card from earlier this week - pattern city!
I have quite a bit of patterned paper that I love, all of it in 6x6 or 8x8 pads so its scaled for cards, but when I try to use it on a card, I don't like it. I don't know what's wrong with me, lol. I have quite a bit of October Afternoon because I love their colors and vintage style. I have no problem using it for scrapbooking. I appreciate everyone's suggestions. I need to go try again.
I have quite a bit of patterned paper that I love, all of it in 6x6 or 8x8 pads so its scaled for cards, but when I try to use it on a card, I don't like it. I don't know what's wrong with me, lol. I have quite a bit of October Afternoon because I love their colors and vintage style. I have no problem using it for scrapbooking. I appreciate everyone's suggestions. I need to go try again.
I think sometimes maybe we get all hung up about our image "matching" the pattern. It helps me to think about a flower garden, for example. Flower gardens seldom "match" but they look lovely.
If you ground your design with a solid card stock color mat around your pattern that picks up one of the colors in your stamped image, you can get away with lots of different patterns I think.
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
I'd also like to recommend the "Pattern Play" class at online card class. It really helped me think about patterns in different ways. I can pull together patterned papers that will work together much quicker now.
Tips on using patterned paper
