One trick HOTP designers use is overlapping elements. Overlapping allows the pieces to connect, both physically and aesthetically. Here are few examples from Paris and Susan.

Natalie

Paris used four tags to showcase a series of photos on this page. She matted the small photos on pink, then matted the tags on maroon. She linked the pairs of tags together with eyelets and ribbons, slightly overlapping each other and allowing the viewer to follow from one scene to another in an uninterrupted path.

Paris triple-matted the large photo on pink, sage and maroon, then used a large, torn vellum rectangle for journaling and to subtly emphasize the large photo. Embossed paper charms and tags add sparkle to the page, reinforcing the journaling.

Supplies:

• patterned Paper Pizazz®: pink floral vellum, pink floral, pink cross stitch: Part not in database (may have been discontinued): #3276
• solid Paper Pizazz®: fiesta pink, maroon, sage cardstock: Part not in database (may have been discontinued): #4102
• Paper Flair ™ Tags Template
• Paper Pizazz® Romantic Embossed Paper Charms
• Paper Pizazz® Blank Embossed Paper Tags
• pink decorating chalk: Part not in database (may have been discontinued): #pn860007
• Part not in database (may have been discontinued): #60117
• sheer white ribbon

Grandma’s Treasures

Arlene used vintage ephemera in a collage to highlight her favorite memories of visiting her grandmother. She overlapped the images running along the right side and bottom like a stream of memories coming back to her.

Arlene matted her grandmother’s photo on gold and brown, then wrapped fibers around the bottom and placed it at an angle towards the bottom of the tan definitions paper, layering cut-out vintage ephemera pieces over the bottom and next to it. She cut out ephemera letters and created a banner across the page top for a title. She added fibers along the right side of the page, tucking them next to the edge of the ephemera for texture. Arlene journaled on cardstock, then used a library treasure to mount her grandmother’s name under her photo, among the journaling.

Supplies:

• patterned Paper Pizazz®: tan definitions: Ephemera Background Papers
• specialty Paper Pizazz®: metallic gold: Part not in database (may have been discontinued): #60117 (also available by the sheet)
• solid Paper Pizazz®: coffee brown cardstock: Part not in database (may have been discontinued): #4102
• Paper Pizazz® Vintage Ephemera
• Paper Pizazz® Library Treasures
• Paper Pizazz® Chocolate Fiber Pack
• 1/8" brass brads
• brown ink pad

Rachel in the Garden

Susan layered botanical ephemera images, patterned papers and vellums among muted papers to create a vintage effect and a unique frame for this heirloom photo.

She tore and layered different sized rectangles of brown definitions, ivory vellum and oatmeal on ivory suede paper. She chalked the edges of the papers with brown to enhance the aged look and matted the photo on white vellum. She chalked the white vellum edges with charcoal, then matted it on sea green, tearing, then chalking these edges. She added a piece of charcoal paper behind the photo mat, then attached it to the other layered papers. Susan covered two slide mounts with patterned paper and used one to frame the “R” of “Rachel”, and the other to frame a piece of Botanical Ephemera, which she attached with a brad to the bottom right of the photo. Susan added fibers and a key to the left edge of the photo mat with brads, then journaled the date on vellum, placing an alphabet tile for the first letter.

Supplies:

• patterned Paper Pizazz®: brown definitions: Ephemera Background Papers; green spattered
• speciality Paper Pizazz®: ivory suede; Part not in database (may have been discontinued): #15517, ivory vellum
• solid Paper Pizazz®: sea green, charcoal, oatmeal: Teresa’s Handpicked Solid Muted Papers
• Paper Pizazz® Part not in database (may have been discontinued): #3125
• Paper Pizazz® Silver Fiber Pack
• Paper Pizazz® Part not in database (may have been discontinued): #4350
• Paper Pizazz® Garden Gate Treasures
• charcoal, brown, forest green decorating chalks: Part not in database (may have been discontinued): #pn860007/Craf-T Products
• Antique Copper Brads

Pages reprinted from Making Designer Scrapbook Pages . This 144-page instruction book includes techniques like overlapping, plus altering charms, stamping, adding penwork and personalizing tags.