#39 - Pattern Paper Pandemonium

We all love it... patterned paper. Flowers, polka dots, ledger, script - the paper manufacturers have thought of it all, and they know just how to coordinate all those beautiful papers to give us the perfect paper lines.

But why let the manufacturers have all the fun with that mixing and matching of papers? It can be a little daunting to put "unmatching" papers together on a layout, but it can also be a whole lot of fun. So, here is my challenge to you...

Use at least 5 different patterned papers from at least 5 different manufacturers. It's that simple.

Here is what the team did:

Paloma: Paloma totally went for it and used all kinds of patterns on top of a neutral cardstock. Some papers she left in strips, some she used for some handcutting. Somehow they all work together, though. Gorgeous.

Pamela: Pamela found a way to use all those extra strips of paper that we all accumulate. Notice how the blue tones seem to clash, but when put together in small amounts they seem like they were made to go together.

Deb: Deb used a bit of everything - writing, polkas, florals. She managed to avoid the use of a "base" cardstock at all. Lovely. (Basic Grey, Pink Paislee, Sassafrass Lass, Scenic Route, Imagination Project, and Jenni Bowlin)

Brenda: Brenda used a pattern paper as her base and then added in small bits of papers to add bursts of color. Using a punch with different patterned papers is a great way to give a cohesive look. (Studio Calico, Making Memories, Pink Paislee, Chatterbox and Cosmo Cricket)

Jennifer: I kept my basic design fairly plain. First I picked a background paper and then leafed through my stash to find a patterned paper that jumped out at me (in this case, it was the yellow, red, green floral pattern from Basic Grey). I then pulled out papers that had some of those same tones in them. I used 4 punches circles of each of 5 papers for an overlapped scallop look. I cut out a square of the last to use as a place to journal.

Ok.... hope that gives you a jumping off point. The possibilities are literally endless. If you want to REALLY be brave, set out a bunch of papers, close your eyes, and choose a few to use. I think you will like the results.

You have until Sunday, March 8th at midnight EST to complete this challenge. I am doing things a little differently this time, and everyone who enters the challenge will be put into a drawing for a couple RAKS. I will randomly choose 2 winners who will get a fabulous add-on kit from Studio Calico. (PHOTOS LATER)

Please make your submissions new, although you are welcome to combine with a layout you are doing for another challenge elsewhere.

Have fun!

And the winner is... STEF !!!!!

Congrats Stef! Send us your private adresse to send you some stuff.

Challenge 38 - Photo collage

Okay ladies - don't let the title scare you. Even if your not good with computers or photo editing you can still make this work - I will explain later. But first - let me explain how this came to me. I am very challenged when it comes to 2 page layouts and i like the extra space on my layout and being able to include more than 1 or 2 photos. SO that is where this comes in to play........I want you to create a photo collage for your layout. For mine, I just created a new document and changed the size to a 4x6 - Then i slid the photos i wanted on the project one at a time and resized them so it created a grid. You can use the white lines or not and have all of the photo edges touching. If you don't have the ability to do this on the computer just cut and paste your photo's so they are in a collage of some sort - with the edges touching.

So lets see what you can create with this photo challenge!! Post your layouts in a gallery or on your blog and link them here so we can check them out! Thanks for your participation and let me just tell you the prize for whoever wins the challenge is fantabulous - maybe I will tempt you later this week with a picture!!

My Layout (brenda)Deborah's layout

Pam's layout

Jennifer's Layout:

Slide Show Challenge 37 - Write on your photos

Mist Winner Announced

April has chosen a winner for her mist challenge, and the lucky girl is TIPO!

April said, "I loved how she wasn't afraid to spray onto that gorgeous Sassafras paper. Plus she added apples and other intricacies - She's a true risk-taker and it paid off. I also wanted to say it was hard not to choose Hanna's and Grace's. Theirs really caught my eye as well."

Thanks to all of you who played. Tipo, please send us an email and I will forward it on to April so she can get that incredible RAK out to you.

Mist Slide Show - Winner TIPO!