Working with neutral backgrounds

When I worked with the Simple Scrapper sketches and layouts this past month, I pulled out my neutral cardstock. I love patterned paper, but sometimes the neutral background really grounds the colors in the layout, whether the colors exist in the patterned papers on the page or in the photos. I used Studio Calico's Antiquary kit on both layouts. For this first page I used grey for the background:

The beautiful astrological paper was perfect for this page about the Maya exhibit at the Science Museum--remember that calendar that predicted the word's end? Heh. I used star stickers and punched stars out of patterned paper to add to the theme. Here's some details:

I sanded and curled up the edges of the photos (and the banner tips) for some dimension and texture.

A little stitching, just to hold everything down.

And then I used kraft cardstock for the page about my 100 moments:

I've been working on the 100 moments layouts for a few years; this page contains the whole list. I used kraft because the pages in this album needed a few elements to be the same to add cohesion: kraft/neutral background and a running stitch are those elements. Here's some details:

I punched a misted butterfly, then another out of patterned paper and stitched them down on the page. I chose butterflies for their symbolism: these were the moments that transformed me. (English teachers like me love symbolism, LOL!)

Thank you for checking out my pages! Go visit Simple Scrapper and check out some of their free downloads, the membership sampler, and the blog. There's some exciting stuff coming up this next year. And be sure to return to see the entire gallery next month!