Hello, Friends! Patterns are all around us, especially on our memory keeping pages. When we think of patterns, we often think of pre-designed patterns, like the ones found on the papers, stickers, and washi from our monthly kits. But if we remember that a pattern is merely a repeated decorative design, then you realize that you not only use patterns in your layouts, but you create them! Today, we have several designs from our Memory Keeping Team, each with its own playful spin on patterns Traci demonstrates how to pair bold and subtle patterns in this traveler’s notebook spread. “For my take on "pattern play," I not only used a bunch of the beautiful patterns from the New Chapter Collection, but I created patterns with my stamping too! I wanted this spread to be BOLD with those HUGE stamped words and man, is it ever! But I was faced with the conundrum of how to tie the whole thing together in a way where the stamping didn't overwhelm the page. I decided to pair the bold words with tons of the more delicate patterns from the delicate calico floral of the background. Between the main pages, I included the aqua grid + watercolor + teeny cross patterns as a matte for the coordinating pocket cards.  I wanted this layout to be vibrant and bursting with color, but not overwhelmed with too many bold patterns. Finally, I created my OWN pattern on top of the floral background with the outlined floral stamp from the New Chapter Modern Memory Keeping Kit, which I then colored in randomly with blush pink ink and the glittery enamel dots. It's A LOT and I absolutely love it!” We love how Traci played with patterns from the kit and made her own! You, too, can create your own patterns using stickers, washi, and embellishments. Next, Jil shares a layout that highlights a variety of patterns from the papers. “I love patterned paper, and pulling several of the kit papers together on one page is super satisfying. For this 12x12 spread about staying in touch with my nieces--from a distance--on New Year's Eve, I lined up six of the New Chapter Memory Keeping Papers under my black and white photos. Muting the photos this way helps them stand out against the colorful papers. I alternated the bright patterns with the black and white designs, arranging the strips so the funky flower was in the corner of the page. I echoed this pattern play with a smaller grouping of paper strips off to the left. To create a visual triangle, I hand-cut 2021 from the papers to place under the vellum "new year," an element that offers a subtle contrast to the bold, celebratory vibe of the layout. I stamped the scribble stamp in a color to match the mixed media flower and clustered embellishments over and around the scribble. I loved using the circle wood veneer piece, and I continued this look with a veneer camera from my stash. To finish it all off, I included some playful stitching with black thread.” As Jil mentioned, creating a visual triangle with your patterns is pleasing to the eye, and in this case, helps your eye bounce around this playful page. Speaking of triangles, here is my first memory planning spread in the Daisy Planner using a repeated shape on my pages. To say I’m excited about the new Daisy Planner is an understatement. I love that this planner has two sets of weekly pages each month, which means I can use one set for creative journaling, and one set for memory keeping. Head to my YouTube channel to see an unboxing and setup of my planner! For this spread, I played with three repeating elements: the triangles, the stamped pattern, and my titles for my photos. I was inspired by another papercrafter who used triangles to build a pattern for the background for her 12X12 Layout. To make the triangles, I punched and trimmed several of the stickers from the New Chapter Sticker Kit, New Chapter Memory Keeping Sticker Kit, along with papers from the New Chapter Traveler's Notebook Memory Keeping Kit and the Classified: Memory Keeping Kit. Like Traci, I used the stamps from the Traveler's Notebook Memory Keeping Kit (and one from a previous kit) to build my own pattern that peaks out from under the triangles. I was definitely overthinking the placement of these little triangles. At one point, I had to stop, remind myself to let go and just PLAY, which made the triangle placement a fun little puzzle! My goal was to pair bold, colorful patterns with subtle, black, and white patterns. This spread was definitely out of my comfort zone, but so fun to create. You can see these pages come together by watching the process video on my YouTube Channel. If you have some creative time today, why not play with the patterns from your kits or your stash. We know you will have fun if you do! Share with us what you create by tagging @cocoa_daisy on social media or posting to the Cocoa Daisy Fan Page. Best, Rachel, Memory Keeping Team Blog Coordinator