We all have them. Those plastic templates we purchased at the local craft store when we first took up this hobby before discovering “the local scrapbook store”. You know what I am talking about.

So how long has it been since you have actually used them? As you’ve progressed in your craft, have you looked upon those templates with “beginner” contempt? Do you allow them to gather dust on the shelf? Well don’t! Regardless of your level, you can breathe life into those templates and create fun backgrounds and titles. This article will show you how to create a quick and easy background to enhance your cardstock.

Gather the following supplies:
· template(s)
· chalk, ink, pens, pencils, etc.
· paper



Supplies

First start by choosing the template and colorant you want to work with and start by shading in the pattern.

Shading in pattern

First completed design

Once you have created all the images you want, you can go on to further embellish them or add to the design with more template patterns.

Embellished pattern

The following layout is one I created by using my “Star” shaped Fiskars template. I shaded several stars onto a metallic cardstock with my glimmer chalks. I then outlined each star with black pen. Once I place my photos, I had a subtle background pattern for my patriotic layout.

“Pride”
Products used:
Ranger Industries: Adirondack alcohol ink
Prism Paper: Metallic cardstock
Slick Writer: black pen
Zsiage: scrapbook film
Fiskars: star template
Craf-T: glimmer chalk
Creative Imaginations: patterned paper
Adhesive Tech: glue runner, A Fine Line…Beads, Glass, Etc. glue

The next layout shows how you can create unique titles using your templates. I layered several patterns in order to create the beach scene.

“Beach Bums”
Products used:
Craf-T: decorator chalks, chalk enhancer
Diecuts With A View: blue cardstocks
Heidi Grace: Wood Mosaica (“glass” squares)
Magic Scraps: scrappy tape
Fiskars: templates
Micron: black pen
Other: tan cardstock, white cardstock, seashells

However you use your templates, just use them!

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