Crate Style :: Circles Round Two w/Sophie Crespy

If you follow my work, you may have noticed that I'm quite fond of using circles in my designs. And indeed, CIRCLES are great for creating a simple, yet catchy look with your projects. You can use them via grid as explained in my last post (Pink in November), or take advantage of them through other means using techniques of all varieties.

Here are two FUN designs that you can easily re-create using a circle set-up...

For this page, I started by cutting different sized circles from the Maggie Holmes patterned paper collection.

*Note: When working with a variety of patterned papers, make sure you have a range of different patterns; floral, graphic and colors to create a dynamic look with your page.

I wanted the circles to be on the top portion of my layout. I noticed after placing some of the circles that the arrangment took on the appearance of tree foilage. This sudden surprise suited the project wonderfully because it fit well with my photos, and layout theme; Spring, blooms and my sweet girl's happiness (thanks to the arrival of a new season).

I then went ahead and cut a trunk shape out of a piece of patterned paper using a die and embellished some of the circles with brads and other matching elements.

Note: This kind of design is better set on a neutral background such as Kraft paper so that the colored circles stand-out and literally, pop off the page.

In order to maintain the focus on the page's foliage design, I kept the remainder of the layout "simple" and framed it in white cardstock.

Tip: My journaling is written on a note card that I tucked inside a Kraft rectangle popped up with foam adhesive.

Again, this is a very doable design that caters well to Spring, which I love!! It's also a fabulous way to use your scraps!!

Another fun thing to try using a circle arrangement is to cut your photos for tucking inside "circle frames". In order to achieve this look, you'll need a die-cut machine such as a Big Shot or Silhoutte. There are a bunch of circle electronic die-cut files out there, including freebies!

To create this fun circle background, I simply put my Cameo to work with white cardstock. In the process of preparing it, I added a title - love short-cuts!

If without a premade circle file and electronic die-cut machine, you still have the option of punching various sized circles from white cardstock and then adding paper/photos directly on top of them.

I selected a range of patterned papers that best complimented my photos while once again, mixing different patterns and colors.

I also used some of the pink polka-dot washi tape to fill in one of the circles. I truly love the patterns from the Maggie Holmes collection - aren't the birds the prettiest? They were the exact combination of my girl's pink outfit, and my boy's blue trousers and shoes!

I left some of the circles empty and positioned either cardstock stickers or journaling sentences behind them.

I attached the whole grid to the page with staples before securing the edges down with glue. This gives the page a hand-made look and complements it's carefree appearance.

I highly recommend giving circles a try - truthfully, you can't go wrong!