I'm telling you, if my husband ever found out how much patterned paper I have... Welcome to day two of "use your stash" week. Today we're going to see what we can do about using up some of that patterned paper we have accumulated.
Now that I mostly scrap from kits, I find myself using most of the paper I purchase. When I get a new kit, I search through the patterns and if there is some I know that I'll never use, I take it out and put it into my "revisit later" stack. These are papers that I need some help using. Sometimes I have much more success with the "b" side of a paper, and will be able to use that. I've also found that if I am using a smaller piece of a paper I can sometimes make it work. Here are some examples.
Layering your patterned paper is really popular right now, and a great way to use several patterns on one page. In this layout, I wasn't a big fan of the apple patterned paper, but I found that using a strip accross under the photos really added to the autumn feel. Layering several patterns behind my photos really got me to use most of the paper that was in the kit.
Here is a layout that I used the "b" side as my background paper.
Look how many different patterns Amy managed to use on this sweet layout!
Deb sent along some great examples of using up your pattern paper. She does such a great job with patterned paper as a background, and her layering is just perfection.
I also found that using punches or a diecut machine is a great way to use up some of that patterned paper. I love being able to cut my titles and different accent shapes out of patterned paper. On this layout, I cut out some embellishments and my title from patterned paper.
Don't forget about the stash challenge to take home a gift certificate to Chic Tags! You have until Friday, just link your project up in the comments. Can't wait to see what you create!