I love it when I have pictures that match an embellishment perfectly. The best way to do quick pages is to use embellishments that have this matching quality. 

Patterned paper is so widely available now that it's almost hard not to find the perfect match. The trick with patterned paper that has big or bold designs is to keep your pictures the main focus. The number one rule here is to mount your photos on a solid color. The wider your framed border is, the more your photo will stand out.

Hay

Wild

Zoo Days

Here are a few examples of finding that perfect patterned paper and making it work with your photos instead of hiding them in the pattern.

In the wild layout, the patterned paper is mounted on a solid to that it stands out as well. Tilting the paper just gives a little variety to the plain, straight look. Hot Off The Press has a ton of patterned paper available and tends to have patterns that are going to match an event or something particular.

If you go to pumpkin patches or live on a farm, you can always use hay patterned paper. Another great way to use the paper is to just use a strip for a border. The message is conveyed that hay is involved and it doesn't overwhelm the pictures.

Believe it or not, I did not stage these pictures in order to use lemon paper. I know it is hard to believe but this is one of those moments that I happened upon the perfect paper. When using a pattern this bold, you don't need to add any more details like die cut lemons or lemon stickers. It may be tempting but you only need so many lemons to show that your layout has something to do with them.

When using large patterns that match your photos like all of these layouts do, you don't need to create extra embellishments to make your point. That is why these layouts are so quick. Just mount your photos and glue them down. Don't forget the journaling and you are done.

Sour