:FIVE FAVES: by Pattern...Damask...

Classic. Vintage. Elegant.

Damask patterns can be called many things, but whatever you're favorite adjective, you simply can't deny the beauty of damask.

While this pattern first emerged in the Middle Ages, it is still popular today and like so many other popular aspects of design and fashion, has worked it's way right into our scrapbooking products.

Here are my top five patterned papers featuring the pattern from recent releases:

Canvas Corp - Black and Kraft Collection - Damask

Here's a simple black on kraft...simple elegance at it's best!

Hambly Studios -Brocade Blossom - Antique White on Lagoon Blue

Here's a larger-than-life brocade from Hambly. I love the distressed white over pale blue.

Kaisercraft - 13th Hour Collection - Afternoon

This regal purple shade seems perfect for this pattern.

Pink Paislee - Snow Day Collection - Hot Cocoa

While this soft pink is not a color I would think of in reference to hot cocoa (the title of this paper), I can't help but love the subtle design.

We R Memory Keepers - Peppermint Twist Collection - Pomegranate

The bold and bright red brocade is perfect for the festive celebrations of the holidays!

LET'S TALK:

Are there other favorite brocade patterns that have recently made it onto your wish list, into your stash, or onto one of your layouts? Links are welcome and encouraged!

:FIVE FAVES: by Motif...Leaves...

If there's one thing that marks the start of fall, it's the falling of leaves.

The leaves are certainly starting to turn and fall in my neck of the woods, so I thought I'd share a few of my favorite scrapbooking paper designs featuring this fall motif.

American Crafts - Nightfall Collection - Fall Leaves
A simple leaf pattern...LOVE the burlap background on this design.

Bella Blvd - Finally Fall Collection - Leaf Pile
Lovely tone-on-tone design...

Fancy Pants Designs - Summer's End Collection - Falling Leaves
This is a beautiful color combination...dark grey, peachy orange, pale blue and mossy green.

Imaginisce - Happy Harvest Collection - Dancing Leaves
This is such a lovely, whimsical design...like these colorful little leaves are being carried on the breeze!

We R Memory Keepers - Autumn Splendor Collection - Autumn Leaf
This is such an interesting pattern...so straight and organized and balanced. Something the leave in my yard most definitely are NOT! :-)

LET'S TALK:
How about you?? Any leafy products that have recently found a new home in your scrapbooking stash (or added to you wish list)? Links are welcome and encouraged!

:FIVE FAVE: by PATTERN...Plaid...

PLAID:
A design that consists of crossing bands or stripes of color, almost always at right angles.

Plaid is such a historic and classic pattern that it's only natural that it would show up in scrapbooking.

Here's a few of my plaid favorites available now...

Authentique Paper - Margie Romney-Aslett - Splendid Collection - Richness
I was so sad when I heard that The Girls Paperie was no more, but with the release of Romney-Aslett new Authentique collections, I am sad no more. This cream, green and brown has such a masculine vibe to it...perfect for the rugged men in your lives.

BasicGrey - Oxford Collection - Preppy Plaid
BasicGrey likes plaid so much that they included a couple different designs in their Oxford collection. Again, this color palette may be better suited to boys, but this one has a softer feel

Doodlebug Design - Nifty Notions Collection - Sew Plaid
The color combination in this pattern screams Easter to me.

Fancy Pants Designs - Beach Bum Collection - Hammock
LOVE this distressed blue/yellow combination!

Prima - Madeline Collection - Parfait
While this one might initially throw you off because of the pattern incorporated into the design, it still certainly meets the definition of plaid given at the beginning of the post. Not only is it a winner for this little twist, but the  teal/green/brown color combination is stunning as well.

LET'S TALK:
Of the five featured above, which is your favorite plaid? Or, is there another lovely plaid pattern available now that you adore? Please share a link.

:FIVE FAVES: By Motif...Doilies...

doi·ly : n. pl. doi·lies
1. A small ornamental mat, usually of lace or linen.
2. A small table napkin.

Doilies may be generally thought of as a lacey item used in home decor, but they function just as well as a lovely touch for our scrapbooking creations.

BasicGrey - Hello Luscious Collection - 12 x 12 Die Cut Paper - Doilies

Doilies don't always have to be round either! This doily-like pattern would be a beautiful way to dress up a plain cardstock background.

Kaisercraft - Mini Crochet Doilies - Summer

These mini-doilies can serve as cute little flowers. A decorative brad can dress them up even further and also serve the function of connecting them to the page.

Maya Road - Kraft Collection - Die Cut Doilies
Take these kraft cardstock doiles and customize them with color however you please...or leave them plain for understated elegance.

Unity Stamp - Bella Blvd Collection - Unmounted Rubber Stamp Set - Bella Doilies
This is another great product that gives doilies extra mileage. Stamp embellishments, backgrounds and more in any color you choose.

Websters Pages - Designer Threads - Fabric Embroidery Pieces - Doilies
These embroidered doilies look so elegant and delicate. I love the muted colors, too!

LET'S TALK:

What other scrapbooking products have you seen lately featuring the doily motif that have fallen in love with?

:FIVE FAVES: By Pattern...Argyle...

Welcome to FIVE FAVES by Pattern!

Patterns are everywhere in scrapbooking and add an indispensable element to our designs. Without patterns here and there, all of our creations would start to look quite boring and flat.

This edition of FIVE FAVES by Pattern celebrates a pattern classic...ARGYLE!

Bo Bunny Press - Cambridge Collection - Cambridge Argyle

Not surprisingly, one of the first thing that most people think of when they think about argyle patterns is school, so it was fitting that Bo Bunny included this distressed argyle design in their Cambridge collection.

EK Success - Slim Profile - Large Edger Punch - Argyle

These slim punches are so easy to use and SO easy to store...which makes it easy to want to collect them all!

MBI - 12 x 12 Post Bound Album - Argyle - Blue Raspberry

It's also easy to display your creations in style with this lovely argyle album.

My Mind's Eye - Lime Twist Collection - Remember Argyle

My Mind's Eye actually has A LOT of papers with the classic argyle pattern, but this one stood out to me the most with it's red-green-teal color scheme...one of my favorites.

Provo Craft - Cuttlebug - Embossing Folder - Argyle

Here's a great way to customize a layout and create an argyle pattern with any color you please.

One item that I was surprised NOT to find was an argyle patterned background stamp...I assumed there would be one and thought it would be great for FULL customization, but I couldn't seem to find one.

LET'S TALK:

Do you know of an argyle patterned background stamp currently on the market? OR, do you have other argyle patterned product favorites?

:FIVE FAVES: By Color...Orange

I would have never thought that I was a major fan of the color orange, but it seems like it's popping up more and more everywhere lately (in home decor, scrapbooking products...even cars) and my eye is ALWAYS drawn to it.

I think I might just  have to declare myself as an orange addict!

GCD Studios - Melody Ross - Soul Food Collection - Soul Petit - Orange
On this first design, I love the floral pattern featuring white on orange on one side and orange on white on the other. The distressing on the backside is also lovely...makes me think of wallpaper in a lonely abandoned house.

Jillibean Soup - Watermelon Gazpacho Collection - Orange Juice
With a lightly distressed text on one side and a colorful dot on the other, this design is sure to add a little fun to your layout.

Kaisercraft - Bubblegum Hills Collection - Orange Pop
You might not notice on first glance, but this pattern features some super cute little butterflies.

Lily Bee Design - Stationary Collection - Tangerine
With dots on one side and a faint grid on the other, this sheet offers lots of versatility.

Zva Creative - Self Adhesive Crystals - Delightful - Orange
And, to end with a little sparkle, I had to add this lovely little orange-hued swirl from ZVA to the list.

LET'S TALK:
Are you a fan of orange - in scrapbooking supplies or otherwise? If so, what is your favorite crafty orange item?

:FIVE FAVES: Banners, Pennants, & Flags OH MY!! - Part II

Here's part two of my favorite new products featuring the banners trend.

Glitz Design - Afternoon Muse Collection - Banner

Hambly Studios - Hand Silk Screened Rub Ons - Banners and Pennants

Hero Arts - Clear Acrylic Stamps - Friendly Flags

Jenni Bowlin Studio - Chipboard Shapes - Flag Banner - Small

Maya Road - Canvas Collection - Mini Canvas Pieces - Triangle Banner

:FIVE FAVES: Banners, Pennants, & Flags OH MY!! - Part I

I remember doing a post last year about this time about the NEW trend of banners that had been popping up in scrapbooking products.

Well, the love affair with banners, pennants and flags has certainly not dissipated.

If anything, it's grown by leaps and bounds. You can find them in just about every size, shape, color and medium imaginable and they certainly add a fun flair to any project!

In fact, I found so many favorites, I couldn't fit them all in a single :FIVE FAVES: post. So, here's the first of a 3-part series.

American Crafts - Pebbles - Ever After Collection - Royal Banner

The Crafter's Workshop - 12 x 12 Doodling Templates - Circus Banners

Echo Park - Summer Days Collection - Banners

Echo Park - Playground Collection - Capture the Flag

Fancy Pants Designs - Beach Bum Collection - Chipboard Stickers - Banners

:FIVE FAVES: The things of Spring...Part III...

Here's the third and final part of my Things of Spring roundup. I hope you've enjoyed the items I've shared with you and found a few new favorites of your own.

Spring things featured in this installment:
sun, clouds, raindrops, butterflies, flowers, bikes, birds, umbrellas, wildflowers, bird's nests, bird eggs, clothes on the line, seed packets

Cardstock Stickers from the Springtime Collection by Echo Park

Kite 3 Dimensional Stickers with Fabric Accents by Martha Stewart Crafts

Goldsboro Paper from the Reflections Collection by Prima

Out to Dry Paper from the Chloe Collection by Three Bugs In a Rug 

Gardener's Seeds Paper from the Spring Market Collection by Webster's Pages

Stay tuned tomorrow for something a little special for you following The Things of Spring theme...

:FIVE FAVES: The Things of Spring...Part II...

Ready for more? Here's part II...

Spring things featured in this installment:
green leaves, cute baby animals, sun, clouds, trees, playground equipment, gardening tools, cool & sweet drinks, fruit, bees, fresh fruit, rainbows, kites, butterflies

Cardstock Stickers from the Forest Critters Collection by Creative Imaginations

Cardstock Stickers from the Playground Collection by Echo Park

Juicy Fruits Die Cut Cardstock Pieces from the Berrylicious Collection by Imaginisce

Happy Day Fabric Stickers from the Puffies Collection by KI Memories

Butterfly Push Pins by Websters Pages

Stay tuned for the third and final installment of The Things of Spring coming soon...