Learn how to highlight a patterned paper using a super simple tip!

Some patterned papers are just so beautiful that you want to show off each little section. Today’s way for how to highlight a patterned paper using a simple frame is one that you can use over and over and even use up those precious patterned paper scraps so easily!

I just loved the adorable little hummingbird on one of the 24 sheets of card stock in the Welcome Spring 6×6 Paper Pad, and knew I wanted him/her to star on their own project. I used a couple of oval dies (the Rubbernecker Nested Oval Scallop and Nested Ovals  sets are retired but you can use what you have on hand) and the Leaf Cover and Small Flowers #3. dies to add the accent.  The embossing  folder  is unknown because I’ve had it for ages and I wore off the name! Again, browse your own collection because for sure you have something that will look just as marvelous.

Let me share with you the details so you can use this tip at home.

Card Base

• Use white cardstock to cut an A2 sized card and a 5.25″ x 4.00″ layer.
• Use pink cardstock to cut a 5,50″ x 4.25″ layer.
• Attach the pink layer over the white card base using ATG adhesive.
• Emboss the white layer with the floral embossing folder and attach it to the pink card base.

Humming Bird and Frame

• Use an oval die – I used the retired Rubbernecker Nested Oval Scallop die – to cut a white layer.
• Place the scallop layer back on the platform, line up the Nested Oval die, secure it in place with masking tape and cut the opening.
• Cut the humming bird from the Welcome Spring pad and trim to fit behind the frame. Pro tip: Whenever you have a patterned paper that has an image you want to highlight, set your dies over the area you want to show off to see what shape will give you the best framing. This is especially helpful to not just INclude details but to EXclude things you don’t necessarily want to show.
• Center the bird image in the frame and attach the layer to the back of the frame using pieces of mounting tape.
• Apply double stick tape to the back of the frame and bird layer and attach it to the card base.

Greenery Branches and Flowers

• Use green cardstock to cut 5 branches from the Leaf Cover and pink cardstock to the Small Flowers #3.
• Arrange and attach the branches to the oval frame using glossy accents. 
• Place the pink flowers face up on the molding pad and push down in the centers using a small tipped stylus.
• Attach the flowers to the branches using glossy accents. 
• Finish the flowers by attaching tiny white circles to the centers using glossy accents.  Pro Tip:  When I cut any white eyelet die piece I save all the tiny negative circles in a jar to use for flower centers.  

Here are the items from Rubbernecker that I used on this card:

2016 Welcome Spring Paper Pad [ RBB ] 5503D Leaf Cover Plate Die [ RBB ] 5309-09D Small Flowers #3 [ RBB ]

And for the other things I used today, you can go here and see my faves:

My Favorite Crafting Tools

Now you’ve got this simple trick for how to highlight a patterned paper you will probably start spotting things in your stash that you didn’t really “see” as being featured elements on a card. Go shop your stash and see what pops out at you and start using up those beautiful designs!