Paper Goods Showcase | The Parisian Cafe Collage Sheets with Stephanie L.

Sometimes all you need is one good piece of paper to get a card going.

For these two cards, STAMPgirl Stephanie L. put the spotlight on The Parisian Cafe Collage Sheets, showing two different ways to use the same paper. One card came together by using something she already had on hand (the negative from a previous die cut) while the other combines the collage sheet with stenciling and clear stickers for a more layered look.

And I have to say, I love when a piece of paper gets used in a way you might not have thought of at first.

Make the Negative Part of the Design

For her first card, Stephanie used the negative of a die cut from one of her previous cards and glued it to an ivory card base. She then chose a sticker from the All Things Coffee Clear Stickers pack, applied it to ivory cardstock, and trimmed it out with her paper trimmer. She popped the sticker up with foam squares for a little dimension, and that was it.

Sometimes you really don't need to add much more. I love how the intricate die-cut layer lets the collage sheet artwork show through while the coffee sticker and sentiment become the focal point. It's a simple design, but it doesn't feel plain.

Creative takeaway: Before you toss the leftover negative from a die cut, take another look at it. It might be just the piece you need for your next card.

Layer It, Cut It, Mix It

For her second card, Stephanie combined The Parisian Cafe with All Things Coffee Clear Stickers and the Dots 'N Beans Slimline stencil. She started by stenciling the left side of an ivory card base with Distress Oxide inks, then added a piece of red cardstock to the right. She cut the collage sheet above and below the coffee cup and saucer, then fussy cut everything to the left of those cuts before adhering it to the card base. For the sentiment, she placed a sticker on ivory cardstock, die cut it, and popped it up on the upper left of the card.

I really like how the printed artwork, stenciling, cardstock, and dimensional pieces all come together here. There are several different elements, but the coffee image remains the star of the card. And Stephanie mentioned that she went to Paris in March. So I can totally see why The Parisian Cafe was a particularly fun paper collection for her to work with.

Creative takeaway: Don't feel like you have to use a collage sheet as one complete piece. Cut around the parts you want, combine them with stenciling or other layers, and let the printed artwork become part of your own design.

See What You Can Do with Paper Goods

These two cards are a good example of why I love having paper goods in my stash. They give you something to start with, but you can use them in so many different ways. Use a piece as a background. Cut out one part of the artwork. Layer it over cardstock. Add a stencil. Put a clear sticker on top. Or, like Stephanie, take the negative from an entirely different project and find a way to make it work.

You don't have to start from a blank piece of cardstock every time. 

The The Parisian Cafe Collage Sheets are available in the STAMPlorations store and are also one of the paper goods you can choose through our Paper Goods VIP Subscription.

If you like having ready-to-use artwork and backgrounds on hand but still want to put your own spin on them, the Paper Goods VIP Subscription is worth checking out. You get to choose the paper goods you want rather than receiving a mystery selection.

Until next time, keep looking at those scraps, leftovers, and pretty papers a little differently. You never know what might become the starting point for your next card.