Hey Everyone! It’s Leanne Allinson here today, sharing a layout created from the new release Heart of Home collection! Maybe you’ll never guess…but I’m using the rule of thirds as inspiration for my design.

When creating my pages, I always try to keep in mind basic design principles. These simple steps help my creative process move forward, even when the mojo seems to be running low!

step 1.

My first step is to look at my photos and determine if I can use I clean background or if I should start to build layers with patterned paper on my base. With busy photos, I will limit my background to cardstock only and use patterned paper to highlight elements from the image. However, the photo I am using today has strong lines but not too many clashing colours. I still want to have a clean and simple look to my design—not too busy—so this is where I start to employ the rule of thirds principles.

Using the Heart of Home Painted Dots patterned paper as a layer on top of my cardstock, I trim it to the same width as my layout (8.5″). The length has been roughly trimmed to allow one third of the cardstock to remain visible at the bottom. This design has been subtly highlighted by the strip of green patterned paper, (border of Gatherings patterned paper) so as to divide the two spaces.

step 2.

Using another complementary piece of patterned paper, trim it to occupy the space below the photo cluster. This patterned paper grounds the photo to the cardstock background.

step 3.

Next, find placement for your photo. It generally helps the flow of design if your have your subjects looking towards the middle of your page. Offset your photo/s with a 3″x4″ cut apart from the Heart of Home patterned paper.

step 4.

Now here comes the fun part! Fussy cut three clusters of flowers from the Gatherings patterned paper. Note the use of three different clusters.  I have also added the flowers between the layers of paper and photo near the top, bottom and right hand side.

step 5.

Add three gold foil accent label stickers, overlapping the patterned papers and cardstock to prevent them from looking disjointed. Feel free to add journaling to these labels; I have left them as is.

step 6.

Machine stitching was then added randomly to my patterned paper cluster to create texture and interest. It is hard to see from the photos, but I have also left the excess thread from the stitching, long and loose.

step 7.

Start to highlight your rule of thirds clusters by tucking enamel dots, glittered sticker hearts or any coordinating embellishment between the fussy cut layers. By doing this, you are also creating a visual triangle to help the viewer’s eye move across the page.

step 8.

Finally, add journaling and a splash of black paint.

This new collection offers so many exciting patterned paper options that I truly can’t wait to delve deeper into Heart of Home. Thanks for visiting.

 

Supplies:

Heart of Home Foil Accent Label Stickers 733762

Heart of Home Heart of Home Patterned Paper 733733

Heart of Home Painted Dots Patterned Paper 733749

Heart of Home Gatherings Patterned Paper 733750

Fun in the Sun Enamel Dots

My Funny Valentine Glitter Heart Stickers

Bazzill Basics White Cardstock