Using Large Paper Designs on Cards...

Have you seen papers that you love but think they are not suitable for cards because of large patterns? Think again. Most paper companies these days produce 6x6 or 8x8 pads for card makers, but don't dismiss the 12x12's solely because of larger patterns, instead look at them and think "how can I incorporate this into my design".

The paper I am using here is "Gorgeous" from the Graphic 45 Couture collection. This is a larger card, measuring 8" x 6". Cut a fold 12" x 8" piece of plain cardstock into 8" x 6", then measure a piece of the Gorgeous paper slightly smaller to go onto the front, don't glue it on yet.

Create a centrepiece. I used a Wee Stamp topper from the "Hopeful" sheet  on another of the Couture papers "Lovely" (I used the largest image).  Arrange where you want the topper piece to go, then using a craft knife cut around the large flower designs that lie around the edges of your centrepiece, cutting only the areas that are below your design, so that the flowers are still part of the background paper, but will lift in part and sit on top of your topper..

Glue your background paper onto the front of your card, taking care not to glue down the cut areas.

Glue the centrepiece on the card, ensuring you lift the flowers to sit on top. I added a little border strip that I cut from a piece of the reverse side of the Gorgeous pape (it is a double-sided paper). I then cut out various pieces from the remaining sheet, including more flowers and some leaves. TIP: If you are going to pop flowers behind something, cut them in half. The top two roses behind the wee stamp topper is one rose cut in half.

I finished the card with a Prima Resin bird, a few roses, and pearls, but it didn't really need much more; that one sheet of 12x12 paper gave me not just backing paper, but also amazing embellishments for my card.

 The Graphic 45 range often comprises gorgeous larger patterns, I hope I have encouraged you to try using them for your card making :)