matching and mixing patterned paper

Do you mix patterned paper on your layouts or cards?

Do you keep with the same manufacturer or collection?

Any tips you care to share?

I think mixing patterned papers is an art. Many times I have "scraplifted" from the great ones. I try to buy patterned paper that the design is shades of the same color - I think this is monochromatic - then I use it like a solid.

I too would like to know the tricks to mixing patterned papers.

There was a great thread recently on this. Check it out here: http://www.scrapbook.com/forums/showtopic.php?tid/15310...

Here was my response in that thread:
I absolutely love layering patterned paper and other elements. I do it on just about every layout I create.

My process is this: I choose a picture I want to work with. Then, based on the dominant color in that picture, I usually choose a "neutral" pattern, such as small dots, plaid, woodgrain or other paper (and sometimes I just use cardstock here) that most matches that dominant color. Then, I look at other colors in the picture and choose coordinating patterned papers in other patterns such as florals, larger patterns, etc. I then look at other papers I want to use, and even if those colors are not in the picture, I will still use them if they coordinate with the other colors of the papers I am using. I hope that made sense. You may also want to try using a collection pack, where everything coordinates and matches, so the legwork is done for you. Once you're more comfortable, you can mix and match things on your own.

Anyway, there are lots of examples in my gallery.

Hope that helps!

I have just recently got brave enough to mix patterns myself (I think I'm one of those Type A people!!) and I think I'm getting better and a little more relaxed about it. I started by looking at lots of lo from others, and began to pick out patterns that had a common color. I then got really brave and even added 3 patterns! I look at it like home decorating - you should never have more than 7 patterns in 1 room!! At least I think that's what the experts say! LOL!!

Also, if you have three patterns you like but they don't necessarily match, try inking the edges of all the papers so that they have a common "bond" or "technique." This will make them matchy-matchy more. Hope that makes sense!

I would recommend starting with collection packs where the guess work is done for you. Eventually you will start to get a feel for what works together, and be more comfortable to mix patterns on your own.

I love mixing patterns with patterns. I havent been scrapping very long so when I started I just bought pattered paper, it took me a few months to realize I need solids in my paper stash too, I had like a pack of small 4x6 solids but none that were 12x12. When I go to make something I just grab out what looks good with the picture I'm using regardless of weight or brand. Once I've got my little pile I choose which will look best as a base then I'll use the other pattern(s) to mix in here and there with cardstock to accent it. That is as close to any real method I will probably come to.
Hope this helps a little.

I don't care who the manufacturers are. I choose paper that coordinates with the colors in the picture and go from there.

I mix patterns .....I mix colors .....I mix manufacturers ......I love the look!

a suggestion for making it work .....ink or chalk overlapping edges to distinguish between the 2 prints ......another great look is a solid between 2 patterns .....it can be an actual layer or just a thin strip like a mat .....but most of all play with it and have fun!

I love to mix patterns. It's easiest to work with patterns from the same line or brand but it's not a rule you must follow. If you stick with the same base color (usually white or ivory) it makes it easier to match your patterns. Also, place a strip of cardstock or ribbon or ink the edges (as someone else suggested) to separate the patterns if they blend into each other. Use different size patterns as well - try using less of the largest and more of the smallest to keep things balanced. Mixing plaids, florals, polka dots, stripes, etc. keeps things interesting too. Of course all rules are meant to be broken so keep it fun and do what YOU want!

Here's a few of my layouts:

Adam at fourteen By Judy_Scraps

Oh Say Can U See My Eyes? By Judy_Scraps

All Girl By Judy_Scraps

wow, Judy! love the layouts.

and thanks for all the good information.
Turns out there is a lot to know. but fun stuff

i buy the stacks of paper, they usually have three of four different page styles that have the same colors

For me matching several papers when I buy them is a good idea. It's easier to match when you have so many to choose from. At home I have a section in my paper organization called "goes together" when I put all those that match well and can be used together. This saves time for later and actually that is one of the "fun" parts for me.

I like to mix paper lines. I'm very partial to Basic Grey, but sometimes using another paper line adds a texture or pattern that enhances the overall design.

I have next to no creativity, so I usually buy matching paper from manufacturers. I do mix them up a bit though too.

I actually don't like using solid colors... my wedding album is suffering because of it lol! If any paper from any line looks good to me, I use it

In all the swaps I do, I try to stick to manufaturers lines... I know not everyone sees things the way I do

I'm really trying to *behave* in my wedding album, because even though I know how it looks to me is the only thing that matters, I do want others to love it (maybe why I'm also no where near done it yet)

I mix different manufacturers a lot. For me it's quite easy as I use up my scraps before I start with a new sheet of paper. And my scraps are sorted in file folders by color . Most of the time the scraps aren't showing the manufacturer anymore, so I don't even know if the papers I use do belong to the same line or not

I like to mix pattered paper. I tend to stick to the same paper line and collection because it's easier to know that all the colors coordinate. If I buy papers from the same line, why not use them together? If I know I have something from somewhere else, I will pull that and use it. Otherwise, I don't bother searching through endless paper when I have what I need at my fingertips.