Trend Watch – Woodgrain wonders

Is it just me or do you  sometimes have paper that you think is so lovely that you don’t want to use it?  You just want to have it so you can save it for that project that is going to be extra super special?  I will admit that I am one of those crafters.  And I have it really bad for wood grain papers.  I haven’t yet tried to create my own but I am so inspired by the different hues and textures available that I wanted to share them with you and maybe give them a try myself.

 These papers just look so awesome.  On Lisa’s page she used a piece that looks like a worn white-washed wall in some cool beach house.  The colors and the texturing she did with the vertical strips just add to that open air feel.  I just love this page.  Plus her baby is adorable too.

page by Lisa Dickinson photo courtesy of Gettin’ By

When I think of how to use wood grain papers I typically think of them as a background.  When I saw Geri’s card I loved how she cleverly used it as a wooden table that holds several little paper tea cups.  Love it!

card by Geri photo courtesy of Paper Wishes

Another great benefit of wood grain is that it works well when you need to create a masculine look.  I can imagine walking on the dock and catching this beautiful fish in Cindy’s card.

card by Cindy Lawrence photo courtesy of The Creative Closet

With all of the awesome embossing folders around you  can create your own  wood grain look.  You don’t have to limit yourself standard wood colors.  This opposite look in blue and craft that Jacquie created is so striking.

 card by Jacquie Southas photo courtesy of What did I do today?

I am still digging the monochromatic look and this lovely submission is just perfect.  A small piece of white paper was embossed and used to back this orchid card for Maria’s mom.  She also colored the flowers using a watercolor technique involving spray ink and bubbles!

 card by Maria F photo courtesy of Rieslingmama

Donna told me this is one of her favorite cards.  It is such a cool use of many fun trends:  a fun focal image that is watercolored, a gold sentiment that was die cut, sequins and awesome wood grain to make it all pop.

 card by Donna Mikasa photo courtesy of Three Umbrellas

 You can create another wood grain look with stamps too.  I keep looking at this card by Barbara and I want to be there on the beach in the hammock listening to the waves and going with the flow.

 card by Barbara Anders photo courtesy of Paper Pursuits

Beth’s card shows another way to use a wood grain stamp in a clean and simple format.  Lots of white space and the vibrant color of her flowers is a beautiful touch to this card.

 card by Beth Rush photo courtesy of Beth’s Paper Cuts

 Jodi shows off two ways to get this cool look in one card.  The wood grain paper on the side and the alcohol ink tree stump for her adorable squirrel are both fabulous.

 card by Jodi Collins photo courtesy of Stamping a Latte

 Taking wood grain off the card, you can even create awesome looking packaging.  I would love to get a gift this pretty.  Stamped in gold on vellum, this little slice of a branch looks so awesome.  You can also see the matching card in the background.  This is a really beautiful set.

 card by Taheerah Atchia photo courtesy of Fill Your Paper with the Breathings of your Heart

We even have options to get the wood grain look in wrapping papers.  I am especially fond of the birch wood look with the Dear Lizzy embellishments.

 packages by Elizabeth Kartchner photo courtesy of Dear Lizzy

There are so many ways to play.   I hope you try some in your paper crafting, I know I wood (I just had to get one bad pun in there)

So go ahead… make something pretty.

I found a few products to help you in your wood grain journeys; take a look.

Wood grain stamp Your Next Stamp

Wood plank background stamp My Favorite Things

Wood You be mine stamp set My Favorite Things

We R Memory Keepers embossing folder Scrapbook.com

Cherry wood veneer at Simon Says Stamp

Little B wood grain tape at Scrapbook.com

Jilliben Soup Stampables – wood grain mini bag at Scrapbook.com