desertgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,646 
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Post by desertgirl on Feb 17, 2015 16:47:03 GMT
Due to snow days, I have finally had the time to go through my patterned paper and organize it. I have 7 or 8 categories now.
After viewing my stash, I decided that one category will be background paper. Another is paper to cut up for layering behind a photo or other patterned papers.
Do you have certain papers that will only do for backgrounds for the entire layout? If so, what about the paper makes it so?
Thanks.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Feb 17, 2015 16:59:33 GMT
For me, that would be any paper with a really big pattern, or a paper that has the design along the bottom. I have a really hard time using paper like that so I typically don't buy it. I think they work better for layouts with one or two photos and I don't do too many single photo pages or one page layouts.
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MDscrapaholic
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Jun 25, 2014 20:49:07 GMT
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Post by MDscrapaholic on Feb 17, 2015 17:18:41 GMT
I usually use solids for my background paper. I layer patterned paper over it. Usually, you can only see 1/4" of the cardstock on the edges of the patterned papers.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Nov 27, 2024 4:52:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2015 17:19:25 GMT
I almost always use card stock for the base and will accent w patterned paper here and there.
I don't usually put photos directly on a patterned paper.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Feb 17, 2015 17:38:43 GMT
to me, for a paper to be a contender for 'layout background' it either has to have a smallish, tone-on-tone pattern so it reads mostly as one color, or has to have a distressed look to it, and again, be mainly one color (think Basic Grey papers that look like aged painted wood, woodgrain, etc).
I have a hard time using large patterns or multi-colored patterns as a layout background, but then again, I'm more of a B-side scrapper in general. |
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sbee
Junior Member
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Post by sbee on Feb 17, 2015 20:39:05 GMT
to me, for a paper to be a contender for 'layout background' it either has to have a smallish, tone-on-tone pattern so it reads mostly as one color, or has to have a distressed look to it, and again, be mainly one color (think Basic Grey papers that look like aged painted wood, woodgrain, etc).
I have a hard time using large patterns or multi-colored patterns as a layout background, but then again, I'm more of a B-side scrapper in general. I agree. Most of the time I use white cardstock as my base and layer on strips of pattern paper. On the rare occasion when I do use a pattern paper as a base then I look for tone on tone paper. I too have a difficult time using big bold patterns in large quantities. |
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Post by onlywork2scrap on Feb 18, 2015 0:01:16 GMT
I also have a stash that I only use for backgrounds. I like woodgrain, ledger and whitewash looks. I also use white cardstock a lot. If I use up a collection I will pull out any background looking papers and put in the stash, then purge the other leftover papers.
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desertgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,646
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Post by desertgirl on Feb 18, 2015 1:24:01 GMT
Thanks for the replies. I had only considered thick vs. thin papers in my organizing. I am now thinking those large prints would, indeed, be a challenge for backgrounds, even if thick enough.
And I must own the largest collection of paisley background papers of anyone, including a LSS!
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Post by gmcwife1 on Feb 18, 2015 1:52:55 GMT
I usually use solids for my background paper. I layer patterned paper over it. Usually, you can only see 1/4" of the cardstock on the edges of the patterned papers. The thing I love most about scrapbooking is how differently we can do things! I'm the opposite and I put my solid cardstock over my pp so you can usually only see 1/4" of patterned paper  |
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Post by KikiPea on Feb 18, 2015 1:54:42 GMT
I usually use a light patterned "B" side for backgrounds. Most bold, colorful, larger patterns are my cut up papers.
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Post by 950nancy on Feb 18, 2015 2:25:50 GMT
I have no rules. As soon as I decide something should be one way, I see someone do something cool with a piece of paper and try it.
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Post by pelirroja on Feb 18, 2015 11:31:52 GMT
I use PP for background and cardstock for photo matting. I prefer tone-on-tone for background or smaller prints: it all depends on the dominant color of the PP, more than the actual pattern itself. If you have large prints that you are trying to figure out how to use, try a sheet of vellum over top to soften the pattern or spritzing with mist (like Gold or White Lustre) to tone it down if you need to. I also cut up lots of paper for tags, journaling blocks, handcut letters, etc. I have some LOs where I've used 3 or 4 patterned papers all together:  Ali Edwards book "Designers Eye for Scrapbooking with Patterned Paper" really made me see patterns differently than I used to. The book teaches that it's all about the scale of the print and the story you're trying to tell. Patterns can often enhance the story in a very subtle way (like using a clock watchface paper strip along the side to indicate history or time passing in a LO). I try not to have too many rules or restrictions: I prefer freestyle and although my pages don't match each other or replicate each other, there is definitely a "look" to each one of them if you look past the colors and scale of the PP. I just picked up some clear gesso so I'm looking forward to experimenting with a watercolor wash over some of my stash. There's always a way to make your papers look updated without spending a fortune: youtube and pinterest are a great kickstarter for your mojo. HTH. |
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tiffanytwisted
Pearl Clutcher
you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave
Posts: 4,538
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Post by tiffanytwisted on Feb 18, 2015 13:32:28 GMT
If it's a really loud or busy pattern, I'm more likely to use it in pieces.
What is more likely the case for me is if I'm copying a page where someone has used strips or layering, whatever papers work w/my photos get hacked up and become piece for layering by default, if you will.
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PaperAngel
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Jun 27, 2014 23:04:06 GMT
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Post by PaperAngel on Feb 18, 2015 16:37:44 GMT
My layouts start with a 12x12 cardstock base. Sometimes I layer a 10x10 or larger patterned paper - woodgrain, stripes, chevron, or small repetitive icons in a neutral color palette - leaving a 1" - 0.25" margin. HTH
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christinec68
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,437
Location: New York, NY
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Post by christinec68 on Feb 18, 2015 17:49:54 GMT
My background/base page is generally white cardstock or some sort of small repeating pattern in any color or pattern. Bolder pattern papers are used for layers or in smaller blocks...like half the page is bold, the other half is subtle.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Feb 18, 2015 18:28:39 GMT
My layouts start with a 12x12 cardstock base. Sometimes I layer a 10x10 or larger patterned paper - woodgrain, stripes, chevron, or small repetitive icons in a neutral color palette - leaving a 1" - 0.25" margin. HTH I need to do some of this; it would help me use up some of my paper stash, lol! I have also seen a scrapper who does this, but she does it 'the other way' which is to say, she starts with a 12x12 patterned paper (sometimes a very bold print), then layers a 10x10 or 11x11 piece of cardstock over it. She builds the layout on top of that. To me, it looked like a good way to introduce a patterned paper but still keep it 'separated' from your photos so the pattern won't compete with the photo subjects. eta: gmcwife1 explained it much better than I did, lol!! |
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Post by iammikki on Feb 19, 2015 22:18:25 GMT
I organize my papers in much the same way. Big/bold/louder patterns, smaller/background patterns, themed, special (embossed, vellum, gliitter, shaped), and duplicates. I tend to use smaller prints as my background, it is rare that I get too bold for the background because it's distracting.
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Post by kwitekreative on Feb 19, 2015 22:39:04 GMT
to me, for a paper to be a contender for 'layout background' it either has to have a smallish, tone-on-tone pattern so it reads mostly as one color, or has to have a distressed look to it, and again, be mainly one color (think Basic Grey papers that look like aged painted wood, woodgrain, etc).
I have a hard time using large patterns or multi-colored patterns as a layout background, but then again, I'm more of a B-side scrapper in general.
Ditto to all of the above. I find myself using lots of My Mind's Eye, cardstock weight, B-sides for backgrounds. That is, when I don't use solid color cardstock.
Great question, by the way!
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Post by kiwifarmer on Feb 21, 2015 5:36:15 GMT
I use all sorts for backgrounds.......but I tend to throw heaps of mediums over busy patterns which tone it down
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Ali Edwards book "Designers Eye for Scrapbooking with Patterned Paper" really made me see patterns differently than I used to. The book teaches that it's all about the scale of the print and the story you're trying to tell. Patterns can often enhance the story in a very subtle way (like using a clock watchface paper strip along the side to indicate history or time passing in a LO). 
