Hello Everyone! My name is Christine Middlecamp. As some of you may already know, I'm a contributing project designer for Crate Paper. Well, this week, I'm here to share with you a new project/layout and a few tips and techniques for using Crate Paper's latest and greatest products. A few weeks ago, I created a simple, sophisticated layout using Crate Paper's Brook collection. If you take a look below, you'll find the layout and a host of ideas for using a few of my most favored Crate Paper products.
Enjoy!
Crate Paper’s product versatility makes it really easy to fall in love with their product. I’m especially an avid fan of their pattern papers. What’s wonderful about their pattern papers is that they’re double sided; pattern on front, solid on back. They’re easily interchangeable and always match perfectly when used interchangeably. Also, if you grow tired of a pattern paper after a certain period of time, simply turn it over and use the backside of the paper as a layout background or easily add the paper to your color cardstock collection for future use. For the most part, I use solid color pattern paper on most of my projects instead of plain color cardstock. I prefer the textured appearance of most solid color pattern papers and find they add an extra layer of dimension to my work. They’re also available in a plethora of alternative colors not often seen in cardstock form, which makes them even more valuable. The next time you run out and purchase pattern paper, remember to turn it over…you just might like the back better than the front.
Now for a few tips and techniques…do you layer chipboard? Are you afraid to layer chipboard because it’s an already established bulky material? I’m certainly never afraid to the layer the stuff and I’ve even gone as far as layering chipboard piece upon chipboard piece using foam core pop dots. I guess you could say I’m all about “the bulk”. The more, the merrier. I did use foam core pop dots to add the above large yellow chipboard piece to my layout. I knew that I wanted to sneak something underneath it so bringing the yellow chipboard piece forward seemed the optimal choice.
Layering chipboard with solid color paper is another favorite technique of mine. I often feel that chipboard elements can sometimes look “flat” and can use some sprucing up. By adding another layer of darker paper to the backside of a chipboard piece and then using the paper to frame it, the chipboard piece takes on a whole new look. It brings the chipboard piece forward and gives the chipboard added dimension.
If you look above, you’ll notice that I added hand-cut, dark scallop circles beneath some of my smaller chipboard pieces. If I hadn’t of done this, the chipboard pieces may have gotten lost on my layout. I also used foam core pop dots to attach the chipboard pieces to my layout, which further enhances them and leaves room for additional detailing.
Crate Paper provides these cute little green stems with their newest “Brook” chipboard collection. At first, I wasn’t sure how I wanted to use them. They’re easily added to the center of any chipboard flower included in this collection. You can co-inside them with brads, pearls, rhinestones, etc. I eventually thought it might be kind of fun to use them strictly as “flower stems” and that's exactly what I did - I trimmed the stems to fit the height of my flowers and anchored them on my layout with adhesive to keep them from moving.
Thank-you for joining us today at the Crate Paper blog! Be sure to stop by Wednesday - we're making plans to announce ten blog contributors to help us out with designs over the next few months here at the CP blog. If you haven't already heard, we're seeking ten designers to play with our newest products. If you'd like to join in, please email us at info@cratepaper.com - We'll be selecting designers in a just a few short days!! Already, we've received numerous submissions, though we'd love to see more. Send them our way!
Another wonderful post and excellent tips from you Christine.
Now to get me some of that chipboard to start layering! :)
Posted by: MaraMay | March 30, 2010 at 10:25 PM
Christine, your layout is so, so pretty! I really love it. I loved reading all of your tips, especially "dark cardstock under chipboard". Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: lori Gentile | April 01, 2010 at 07:01 PM