Pinterest Inspiration | Mixing Patterns

Crafts

Mar 26

Spring has definitely not sprung in the Midwest (far from it!) so I've been on the lookout everywhere for things to cheer me up. And fun color combinations are usually what helps! And while I'm not sure I could personally pull off this outfit below, I really like it.

This outfit is from Anthropologie's January Mailer online special and it combines a navy patterned skirt with an orange striped top. Navy and orange have always been one of my favorite color combinations but there's a little something extra here - the subtle patterns in the skirt combined with the striped sweater is not something I would have thought of and it adds just a bit more energy - and cheer - to this outfit. So here's how I interpreted that for a layout.

All supplies from Designer Digitals | Patterned Paper: Vintage Christmas Add-on Paper Pack (graph paper) and Striping with Navy Paper Pack (navy striped paper) by Katie Pertiet, Annelise Solids Paper Pack (navy cardstock) by Maplebrook Studios, Wild Island Worn Paper Pack (coral patterned paper) by Lynn Grieveson, Simple Patterns No. 02 Paper Pack (orange dot paper) by Cathy Zielske. Embellishments: Colorful Edgers No. 02 (flourish brushes) by Katie Pertiet, Call the Doctor! Kit (arrow) by Pattie Knox, This Time Brushes and Stamps (word art) by Ali Edwards.

I started with a neutral piece of graph paper as my background. I liked the way the photo used small patterns with big stripes and wanted to try the same. I then layered a large black-and-white photo across the middle of the page and started adding in strips of patterned paper in navy, orange and white hues - pushing myself to combine patterns. It did start to feel too busy at one point so I decided to add one strip of navy cardstock in the middle of the patterns, and that little spot of solid color really helped.

It was also starting to feel a bit too boring, as well - a horizontal photo and bits of horizontal papers just didn't feel very cheery. To liven it up a bit, I added colorful swirls above and below the strips of patterned paper and then also added movement with an arrow and punched circle. To balance the bottom, I used a script font for the title beside my journaling. And the result is lots of energy and movement!

I love spending time on Pinterest and I always find something to inspire me. I hope that you are inspired by this design as I was. Let me know where you find inspiration and maybe I’ll use it in a future column. You can also follow my Pinterest boards here.

-Stephanie Vetne