Using Cardstock as a Scrapbook Background
A bold cardstock background is one of the simplest ways to make a scrapbook layout pop. Instead of reaching for patterned paper, try starting with a bright sheet of solid cardstock as your base. The solid color gives your photos and embellishments room to stand out while adding energy and contrast to the page. Cardstock backgrounds work especially well with mixed media techniques like watercolor washes, gesso, and ink splatters that add texture without competing with a busy pattern.
Hey, friends! It’s Missy again here on the blog, and I have a new layout to share using the 2017 May Hip Kits. I decided to use a really bright sheet of the Begonia cardstock from the Cardstock Kit as my background. I wanted to create a circle design, so I used four different sized circle punches to create all these fun circles. Most of them are patterned papers. Some of them are from a sheet of white cardstock that I painted with the Prima Watercolor Confections from the Color Kit. I love how colorful and fun it looks, and it was fun to put together.
Here you can see all the circles. I stitched through the biggest ones with black thread. I covered a big portion of the background with white gesso and then added in some of the Prima Watercolors using the packaging technique. I love how it shows through all the circles. This is a fun technique to try if you love messy & artsy backgrounds like I do 🙂 I added a few phrase stickers from the Shimelle Sticker Book, which is in the Project Life Kit.
I didn’t want to add too many embellishments since the background and circles were so bold. I only added a Crate Paper Chipboard heart, a Shimelle “Love” sticker and a scalloped puffy sticker from the exclusive set. My title is also an exclusive die cut.
I added in some black tangled thread for some added texture under the photo strip as well as some of the Butter cardstock, vellum and adhesive foam. I forgot to mention that a few of the circles, like this swirly one, were punched from a Project Life card.
Here’s the top of the photo strip. More of the same circles, stickers and thread.
Want to create layouts like this? Our monthly kits include coordinated papers, embellishments, and supplies to bring your scrapbook pages to life.
I just love all these bright colors together! I did add some black splatters to pull some of the black from the photos and circles.
I added a bit of journaling down at the bottom under the title. Before gluing down the title piece, I added some pink tangled thread and some foam for dimension.
I hope this inspires you to pull out some of that bright cardstock and make something fun with it! This one was a bold choice, but in the end, I like how it turned out. Here’s my process video if you’d like to check it out:
Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a great week!
Tips for Cardstock Background Layouts
- Choose a cardstock background color that contrasts with your photos – bright pink, teal, or yellow creates instant visual impact.
- Layer circles, strips, or die cuts from patterned paper on top of your cardstock background to add interest without overwhelming the page.
- Apply white gesso over part of your cardstock background before adding watercolors for a soft, mixed media effect.
- Use a circle punch in multiple sizes to create a fun, geometric design on your cardstock background with coordinating papers.
- Stitch through your layers with black or white thread to add texture and connect elements across the cardstock background.
Grab This Month's Kit
Every month we put together a box of coordinated papers, embellishments, and supplies that all work together. Open the box, start creating. It's that simple.