Cut Outs from Background Paper

Today, I'm sharing a technique for your background paper. I've been seeing this technique done around the blog-o-sphere, and I wanted to try it out for myself.

I created this layout with the Sock Hop kit from Studio Calico. Love the bright colors. If you look closely, you can see that I've cut the star shapes out of the background paper with my Silhouette. I then put the patterned paper on the back of the layout, to show through the shape to the front.
 

 It's a subtle technique but it adds so much texture and dimension. It works well for intricate shapes that would be difficult to piece together as a shape -- as this star would, with its strips and pieces.

If you have a Silhouette, this is a very easy technique to try out. If you don't, you can handcut a shape from the paper or use your punches to shape the background paper.

Give it a try - I think you'll love the results.