Practical Scrappers Challenge - Patterned Paper

This week Practical Scrappers challenges you to use your patterned paper to create a layout, card or other paper project.  Speaking of layouts, there was a time in my early scrapbooking days that I wouldn't dream of using patterned paper on my layouts, it just seemed far too "busy" to use.  However, over the years, as my scrapbooking evolved so did my use of patterned papers and I eventually started to accent my layout pages with a little patterned paper here, a little there.  Now..., I'm a patterned paper-aholic for sure... I love to use whole sheets of 12 x 12 patterned paper for backgrounds and even throw in coordinating patterns of smaller cuts, typically from the same collection. Sometimes I will use three and four (or more patterns on the same page!) The layout I've done to inspire you to take part in this week's patterned paper challenge at Practical Scrappers is no exception to that current trend of mine. 

One look at this layout is an example for why not much patterned paper in my stock-pile is left to collect dust for very long.  Here I used three different patterns from Webster's Pages. One 12 x 12 for the background and two different partial 6 x 6 papers.  Not to mention a rather large piece of cardstock and several pieces of ephemera that has it's own patterns as well.  When I buy patterned paper I either purchase collection packs or I buy at least two sheets the same 12 x 12 two-sided papers.  So I can use both the back AND front of the paper on one layout. 

If you find that you are having trouble bringing yourself to use patterned paper in your layouts, here is a article written by Denise Gormish. While the article itself is a bit dated (2007), the techniques and ideas she shares with regard to the use of "busy" patterned paper is still right on target!.  To read the article for yourself, click here.  Oh, and when you finish with that task... pull out those patterned papers, get crafting and make something to show off!

Supplies Used:

Patterned Paper: Garden Gala "Fresh Air" and Petite Papers Collection triple pack (Webster's Pages)

Cardstock: Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: Distress Ink in Tea Dye (Tim Holtz)

Fibers: Rustic Button Twine in Cream (Papertrey Ink), Premium Ribbon "Greeting" pack (American Crafts)

Embellishments: Vintage Findings School Kit (Making Memories) Memo Pin (Tim Holtz Idea-ology) Life Journey Epemera (K and Company), Chip Stickers in Granola (Basic Grey), Digital Graphic (Peggy Loves Vintage Esty Store), Time Piece (Tim Holtz) Pearls (Hero Arts), Glitter Mist in Old Lace (Tattered Angels).

Cricut Cartridges: Life's a Beach (page 76 with charm feature key selected) and Tag Bags Boxes and More (page 91, Row 1, Key 12 with shift key selected)

Tools: Ripping Ruler (Karen Foster) Pop Dots.