Bold patterns don’t have to take over a page. This Blackout Brush layout balances graphic prints with clean lines and thoughtful layering, letting the patterns add personality while keeping the photos front and center. Here’s how to create the look!

To create this layout, you will need:

Blackout Brush Tone-on-Tone Paper
Blackout Brush Laser Cut Borders
Blackout Brush Variety Mat Pack
12-Inch Trimmer
Photo Trimmer
13×13 Cutting Mat
Cutting Mat Layout Ruler
Black Dual-Tip Pen
Repositionable Tape Runner

A collage featuring two photographs of a young couple by the waterfront, accompanied by other images of them enjoying a meal at a cafe and riding the subway. The layout includes decorative elements and text highlighting joyful moments. — Layout by **Karyn McDermaid-Rolfe**, Creative Memories Design Team Contributor

Love this layout?

SHOP THE LOOK

Love this layout?

SHOP THE LOOK

The word 'Instructions' displayed in a bold, stylized blue font on a black background.

Step 1: Use a piece of micro grid tonal paper as the base for this layout. Cut a piece of black grid tonal paper to measure 12″ x 2-5/8″. Cut a piece of black big dots tonal paper to measure 12″ x 2-5/8″.

Step 2: Center your base sheet on the 13×13 Cutting Mat. Use the Cutting Mat Layout Ruler to adhere the black grid tonal paper strip 2-5/8″ from the top of the layout. Repeat the process to adhere the black big dots tonal paper strip 2-5/8″ from the bottom of the layout.

Step 3: Cut two 12″ x 1/2″ strips from small dots tonal paper. Adhere the strips above and below the two previous strips.

Step 4: Trim two mats to 3-1/4″ x 4-1/4″. Adhere the mats to the right center of the layout as shown.

Step 5: Cut three Blackout Brush Laser Cut Borders to 5-1/2″ and adhere them as shown.

Step 6: Cut four 4-1/4″ x 3-1/4″ photo mats from small dots tonal paper. Crop four photos to 4″ x 3″ and adhere them to the photo mats. Adhere the matted photos as shown.

Step 7: Use a Dual-Tip Black Pen to add journaling to a mat.

Want to recreate this layout?

We’ve gathered all the products featured in this project in one place, making it easy to find the papers, embellishments, tools and more.

SHOP NOW

P.S. Are YOU a member of the Virtual Crop Group? It’s your go-to place for MONTHLY Virtual Crops, MONTHLY Completed Album Challenges, QUARTERLY Secret Box Openings with project tutorials and so much more! We hope you’ll join our community of more than 53,000 fellow memory-keeping enthusiasts — you’ll feel right at home!