On The Diagonal

Let's try something new! My albums have many, many pages done with rectangular shapes, circles, and ovals. I also have my share of pages done with coordinating die cuts in varied shapes and sizes to go with the themes of the photos. But my eye longed for a little bit of a change. I came up with this simple, fast, (and surprisingly elegant) treatment to give my album pages just the variety I longed for. And, talk about speed pages--this goes so fast, you'll have time to do several! They will go together like lightening! And we can all use FAST page scrapping ideas that still look fabulous, right?

The price is right too! All it takes are four coordinating pieces of paper, a few scraps to make matching mats, and punched flowers or stickers that coordinate. Plan on doing several sets! Do one set in florals as I have done. Do another in Christmas papers, or a birthday set, and even perhaps a dainty set for baby? If you search your paper stash, I am SURE you have some right now that would look great!

Materials:

This will make a two page layout.

one piece Pattern Paper #1

one piece Pattern Paper # 2

2 pieces identical solid colored card stock

Ruler

Scissors or long size personal trimmer/paper cutter

adhesive

two or three scraps large enough to make mats for your picture

stickers to coordinate or punch art of your choice

your photos

You can do this easy two-page set with just four 8.5x11 or four 12x12 papers. The process is the same with both sizes of paper.

Step One: Choose your patterned papers so that they are similar but not identical. The patterns should be harmonious with the card stock color. The patterned papers should not have a definite right side-up pattern. You want the pattern to look the same (despite flipping it) for the second of the two page layouts. No one-way designs on this project!

(Figure 1)

Step Two: Trim a bit off two sides of your patterned papers.

If you are using 8.5x11 paper, trim off 3/4 inch from the right side and the top side of both the patterned papers. If you are using 12x12 paper, trim off one inch on the right side and the top side of both your patterned papers. This trimming allows you space later on to see the colored sheet through when the page is assembled. Do not trim the colored solid cardstock paper at all.

(Figure 2)

Step Three: Draw a diagonal line. Draw a line from corner to corner on the back of each patterned paper. Use a ruler for this! Even if you are going to use a personal trimmer, it is best to make the ruler mark on the back of the patterned sheet first with a pencil. This will be your cutting guideline. The picture below shows the ruler on the top of the paper just so that you can see it is a patterned (and not a solid) sheet that needs marking. Markings go on the back.

(Figure 3)

Step Four: Cut the large triangles. Cut on the marked line for patterned paper A. Cut on the line for patterned paper B. Your solid cardstock paper is still intact and has not been cut at all.

(Figure 4)

Step Five: Adhesive the backs of the triangles and place the triangles onto the solid cardstock. Do not add too much adhesive at first. you want to be able to reposition the triangles if necessary. You should leave an equal amount of solid color showing around all sides of the triangles. This can range from 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch depending on what size paper you started with. Just make sure it looks even to the eye after both triangles are placed down on the cardstock.

(Figure 5)

Step Six: Repeat to make the second page if you like. You will need the second piece of solid card stock as the base for this page. Repeat the step number five. This page should turn out like an opposite mirror image of the page in step 5.

(Figure 6)

Step Seven: Now add a single photo with coordinating mats to each page. You may embellish with one or two coordinating stickers or a little punch art. Do not overdo it at this point with the embellishments. You want the attention to focus on the diagonal line and the eye to be drawn along that line to the photo. In this case, simple is good!

(Figure 7) (Figure 8)

Wasn't that easy? Isn't the result stunning? I also used the diagonal cut through a smaller square on a few other pages. I used a four inch square and a slightly larger 4.5 inch square to make page corners. Again, one sticker or die cut or punch art flower is all that is needed to unify the theme to the photos. The page will have enough visual interest with the patterned paper, the diagonal cut, and some simple art. You want your photos to be the stars on this type of page! Here are some examples:

(Figure 11) (Figure 12)

So whether you use your diagonal cuts on whole sheets or smaller squares, a diagonal cut can be just the variation your album needs! They certainly are simple and quick! And no special tools are necessary. Showcase a special picture with a diagonal cut today! Enjoy!