Craft Notes: Flannel Season
There is something about autumn that makes me want to pull out all those warm, cozy colors! The beautiful oranges, rich browns, golden yellows, and deep burgundies are perfect for capturing the season.
For this page, I wanted to create a page that felt like fall without letting all those beautiful patterns overwhelm the photos. I combined plaid paper, colorful floral embellishments, and a little stenciling to create a design that has plenty of autumn personality while still giving the photos room to shine.
And you know me — I love a white background! Even with all these rich fall colors, that white space helps keep the page feeling light and balanced.
Design Notes
Let the photos be the star.
These photos are filled with gorgeous autumn color, so I wanted to complement them rather than compete with them. I kept the two photos side by side, giving them a strong visual presence across the center of the page.
A little plaid goes a long way.
The plaid paper creates a beautiful frame around the entire layout. It brings in that cozy flannel feeling and ties in perfectly with the title. The darker mat just inside the plaid helps define the white background.
Layering adds interest.
I used patterned paper to mat the photos and tucked floral embellishments behind and above them. Notice how the largest floral cluster connects the two photos? This helps them feel like one continuous design rather than two separate elements.
White space creates balance.
There is quite a bit happening on this page — plaid, flowers, patterned mats, and stenciling. Leaving some of the white background untouched gives your eye a place to rest. Remember, white space isn't empty — it's intentional!
Tips & Techniques
1. Use stencils to soften the background.
I added plaid stenciling in opposite corners of the white cardstock, blending warm autumn ink colors to create a soft, faded effect. The stenciling adds texture without introducing another layer of patterned paper.
2. Mix stencil patterns for more interest.
The circular stenciling adds a playful contrast to all those straight plaid lines. By keeping the ink soft and allowing some of the circles to fade away, the background feels interesting without becoming busy.
3. Build embellishment clusters in layers.
Rather than spreading flowers and leaves evenly around the page, I concentrated them above the photos and tucked smaller pieces around the edges. Overlapping embellishments creates depth and helps guide your eye toward the photos.
4. Give your photos a little definition.
The narrow, contrasting mats help separate the photos from the patterned paper beneath them. This is especially helpful when your photos contain lots of color and detail.
5. Add a little splatter.
Those tiny scattered dots give the background a more organic look. It's a small detail, but it helps soften the structured plaid design.
6. Let your title become part of the design.
The Flannel Season title is a perfect finishing touch! The layered banners repeat the warm brown tones used throughout the page and help balance the floral embellishments at the top.
Make This Page Your Own!
One of my favorite things about this layout is how easily you could change the look simply by choosing different papers and embellishments. The same design could work beautifully for winter, spring, or even summer!
I've included a downloadable PDF with instructions so you can recreate this page using your own supplies.
Happy scrapbooking!
Comments