USE those patterned papers!

We all have them (well, my paper crafting readers, anyway). Those gorgeous sheets of 12x12 paper that we just HAD to have because … well, because they were so gorgeous. We didn’t know exactly what we would do with them, but we just KNEW they would be perfect for … well, something.

I’ve been going through my stash of gorgeous papers and using very simple layouts to make bunches of cards. For example:
This uses a piece of paper from S.E.I. I think it’s from the Juliette collection, but it’s irrelevant -- any piece of beautiful paper with an all-over pattern will do. This one is just full of shimmer and texture, as so many of the S.E.I. papers are. A layout like this will give you 6 cards from 1 12x12 sheet of paper (plus some scraps of coordinating papers for the scalloped trim and punched piece). Add a little bling. Change up the sentiment as needed. Make a set of Thank You cards, or make an assortment. Box them up and give them as a gift.

Here are some more examples (I’ve been a busy girl!):
These use paper from the Basic Grey Porcelain collection. Again, 6 cards out of each sheet. I made 2 each of Thank You, Happy Birthday, and Thinking of You.

Want to get even more out of a sheet?

This layout will give you 9 cards (cut 4x4) out of a 12x12 sheet. Add a 1/4” strip of coordinating cardstock, and stamp a greeting. I think this is also from S.E.I., but I’m not sure. Again, it doesn’t really matter – there are tons of gorgeous papers out there (of course, my favorite source is i {heart} papers).

Insanely simple. It’s all in the paper. You know you have it. USE it!