Article of the Month
June 2008
Ever plan your layout and realize—just before you glue it all down—that something isn’t quite right? While the photos, mats and backgrounds may all coordinate, sometimes a page just needs a little something else.
Often that something else is just simple, delicate detail. One unique way to add that detail is to alter your background with a delicate stamped pattern. The stamped look adds sophistication and a finished look to your page design.
Take a peek at this page by LeNae. LeNae continuously stamped several rows of a swirl image to alter her background, then included the same stamping on her photos to tie the elements together. The result? An air of elegance and sophistication as well as tons of character. Now close your eyes and imagine this page with just a plain teal textured background and no stamping. The difference is amazing!
Now what if LeNae had selected a darker ink color or a bolder stamp pattern to use? Rather than adding to the depth of her page, she would have detracted from her main focus—the photos. By using a lighter color, coordinating ink and a delicate design, LeNae added a gentle frame of elegance. Read on to hear more about how she did it!Dad’s Day '08
By LeNae Gerig
First LeNae selected a teal textured paper as her background. To stamp her continuous pattern in tan ink, she first placed scrap paper under both the left and right sides of the background, then stamped one row of swirls across the bottom of the paper, stamping off the ends of the page. She repeated this technique, stamping two more rows above the first, and one row across the top of the paper. Because the stamp is clear, it’s easy to see exactly where your image will be.
LeNae cut an 11 3/4” x 8 3/8” piece of striped paper with the stripes aligned vertically and inked the edges tan. She glued the paper centered between the stamped borders on the teal textured paper, then printed a 10 1/8” x 7 1/8” photo and stamped the pattern across the bottom in brown ink. LeNae then matted the photo on brown cardstock and trimmed it to 1/8”, then centered it on the striped paper.
LeNae matted a smaller photo on brown cardstock, trimming the mat to 1/8”. She repeated the stamping technique across the bottom of the photo, then adhered it to the top right corner of the larger photo using foam tape.
Next, LeNae cut out the label die-cut and computer journaled “Dad’s Day ‘08” on it. She centered it over the bottom edge of the large photo, overlapping onto the striped paper, with foam tape.
To finish off her layout, LeNae embellished the stamped border at the bottom of the page: She added four groups of three different colored mini brads (teal, brown and light blue) as well as two painted brads. In addition she added mini Brad Buddies™ and silk flowers as shown.Supplies:
