Designers are making gorgeous papers and everybody is just loving them. But, for me some papers just need a little more, or perhaps there are times when I want to use two or three papers in my layouts. Here are a few tips for mixing things up a little.
The easiest way to blend two papers for use on a layout is to layer one on top of another, then use an eraser to erase part of the top layer. I try to use a soft eraser or maybe a jagged soft eraser and set the flow on the eraser at 50%. |
 Plain Jane - really needs more doesn't it? |
Papers used for this layout are from the kit, Bow Head Papers by Scrappy Cats. The ducks posed for free but the roses would not bloom on demand for me. |
In this example, I erased some of the top paper away from around the photo using a flower brush for the eraser. The Flow on the options menu was set at 47%. Now this layout is beginning to have a little life. |
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Just because I can and to make the layout have a little more depth, I used the Burn and Dodge tool around the layout some. The Burn tool was used on the edges of the darker paper where it was erased from around the photo, and the Dodge tool was used in the middle of the lighter paper. Now this layout is ready for embellishment and journaling |
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Lets do a different type blending. If you look at the different tools for your layers you will find options for blending that have to do with how different layers will be treated. |
 Again, just a little too plain! |
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Lay two papers on top of each other and start playing with the blending options. This is the same layout as above only it has a stripe patterned paper below the dotted and I set the opacity to 50% and the blend mode to dissolve. Plus, I added a brown mat for the photo.
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This is the same layout, only I changed the blending more to "Hue" and look how the stripes brought out shadows in the dotted paper. It almost looks like the paper has big pleats in it. If I added a few push pins at the corners of the mat on the photo it would look really cool. |
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Look what the Exclusion blending did to the papers! We have a whole new color scheme. Of course, I had to change the color of the mat to go with the papers. The blending mode only will be applied to the one layer of paper. |
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There are many variations on the above methods of blending your backgrounds to put your own personal mark on them. Just keep pushing those buttons and working that mouse until you have something that is pleasing to you. When you find something really cool, send a link on to the designer let them know how awesome their work can be. |
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