Confetti Prints and Bokeh Prints
By Colleen Harshaw
Today I would like to write about the papercrafting trend of using confetti prints and Bokeh prints. I think we all know what confetti is, but Bokeh may take a bit more explaining.
As per Wikipedia, Bokeh is the blur, or the aesthetic quality of the blur, in out-of-focus areas of an image. Bokeh has also been defined as “the way the lens renders out-of-focus points of light”. See an example of Bokeh in the photograph below.
Image courtesy of www.cg-blog.com
Most of us likely think of confetti as a party decoration. Something one throws at a wedding or that one sees sprinkled around a center piece on a table at a shower. It is pretty and colourful and very difficult to clean up.
Image courtesy of www.cakeeventsblog.com
via www.creatingkeepsakesblog.com
Well, confetti is no longer just a party decoration, but it is also a paper crafting trend!
The great thing about confetti prints is that they are so easy to create and it is also a great way to use up small scraps of paper. EK Success has a punch called the Swiss Cheese Punch which is perfect for creating circular shaped confetti in a variety of sizes.
Image courtesy of www.shimelle.com
Next I found this fun example of how to use confetti in your crafting. Here we have photos that have been punched into small circles and mixed with solid cardstock circles to create a confetti effect. This would be a perfect use of those small thumbnail sized photos that you receive on index cards when you have your digital photos printed!
Image courtesy of Lil’ Luna
via www.creatingkeepsakesblog.com
This adorable layout was created with a smattering of confetti in bright colours to match the palette of the photos. Although many of the patterned papers on the market are solid confetti from top to bottom, this layout shows us how just a dusting of confetti as an accent can be effective in drawing the eye towards the focal point of the layout. Sometimes a little can go a long way!
Photo courtesy of www.creatingkeepsakesblog.com
Layout by Maggie Holmes
This next layout was created by Stephanie Bryan. She incorporated a confetti pocket into her layout and even wrote a tutorial so that you can learn to make your very own confetti pocket too!
Layout by Stephanie Bryan
Image courtesy of www.shimelle.com
Confetti Pockets: A Tutorial by Stephanie Bryan can be found at http://www.shimelle.com/paper/1788/confetti-pockets-a-scrapbook-tutorial-by-stephanie-bryan/
Here is a close-up shot of the confetti pocket on Stephanie’s layout.
Image courtesy of www.shimelle.com
There are many, many companies out there who are offering patterned papers in confetti prints. A few are listed for you below.
The paper on the left in this photo is a heart shaped confetti pattern. Who ever said confetti had to be round?
Lily Bee Sweet Shoppe Collection
Image courtesy of www.scrappyjedi.com
This next patterned paper (below center) is also from Lily Bee Designs.
Lily Bee Designs Pinwheel Collection – Kite Strings
Image courtesy of www.scrappyjedi.com
Next is another heart shaped confetti print, although this one is by Destination. This pattern incorporates two current trends….wood grain and confetti.
Image courtesy of www.scrappyjedi.com
I am a big fan of Cosmo Cricket. They have such fun, colourful, retro inspired lines. They have not missed out on the confetti trend either. This fun print from their TV Dinner Collection is their contribution to the confetti offerings!
Cosmo Cricket TV Dinner Collection
Image courtesy of www.scrappyjedi.com
There are numerous other confetti prints out there from a variety of companies including Little Fawn, Glitz Designs and American Crafts.
I have one Bokeh patterned paper to share with you before I come to my conclusion. This print is from the Maggie Holmes Collection with Crate Paper. The pattern is called Dreamy, and it is found on the reverse side of Maggie’s camera printed paper.
Maggie Holmes Collection with Crate Paper
Image courtesy of www.scrappyjedi.com
Lastly, aside from using patterned papers or making your own confetti using punches, The Crafter’s Workshop offers this stencil as an option for those who want to create a confetti pattern in a different way. This stencil would be an option to use with mists or inks in order to get a confetti effect on your projects.
Image courtesy of www.scrappyjedi.com
All in all, it seems like confetti is a fun trend that is easy to create. From the research I did online, the trend watchers are predicting that it is here to stay! I guess time will tell if they are correct!
Until next time, happy crafting!
I’ve always enjoyed the bokeh look, even before I knew that was what it was called. Those papers are lovely. The templates are going on my “I want it” list.
PS: I really like that idea of making confetti out of thumbnail photos. Innovative and fun!!
Fun trend!