Once you have a base created with solid papers, it is time to go a little wilder with patterned papers.

Pattened papers can include a wide variety of designs from simple Polkadots to Watercolor to Chevrons, etc. There are dozens of tutorials in the Creative Scrap section.

CHOOSE A STYLE

You want to make sure you don’t go too wild. Try to be consistent. If you choose stripes and polkadots, stay with “regular” designs. If you prefer a random type of design, choose similar types of designs.

CHOOSE THE SIZE

Depending on your preferences, you might want to have small-ish designs and patterns. If so, stay within that range. If you want to be bold, be consistent with that too.

USE YOUR PALETTE

You selected a color palette to start with. Make sure you use it. Of course, you don’t have to use only those colors for 100% of the papers, but make sure that your colors are predominant.

THEMED PATTERNS

Although polkadots, stripes, plaids, and chevrons are generic and can fit well into any kit, you might also look into some themed designs. If you are working on a back-to-school kit, you may want to incorporate images of crayons, letters, and scissors into the design. You can create a small seamless image with those shapes, and use it to fill a full-size paper. If you really prefer to have random designs, without repeats, you can use the Scatter Brush script.

UNEVEN PATTERNS

In order to create something unique, remember that you don’t have to have a pattern or design all over your paper. You can add some brush imprints on one edge of the paper, or in a corner only.