Tips & Tricks: Creating a Design Shelf | Nancy Damiano

Have you ever sat down to craft and found yourself staring at the empty canvas unsure of where to start? Sometimes I get overwhelmed with all the beautiful choices I have. It's a great problem to have! My go-to when this happens is to return to design basics I have used over and over. In this case, the "shelf" design gave me just the starting point I was looking for. 

Here is all revolves around that beautiful intricate veneer border. I often divide pages in half - one for the embellishment, the other for the photo. The veneer was a great divider in this design.

The shelf is a great place to highlight all of my favorite pieces in the Maggie kit. Adding layers of die cuts in different shapes and patterns just at the top grounds all of the elements while highlighting the "sandwiched" photo.

Once I created the shelf, I got the idea for this hanging tissue circle streamer. I love the punch of color and shape it adds to the simple design. The machine sewing line ties it to the shelf and adds dimension.

Just underneath the shelf is a great spot to tell the story. I use a wide-format printer, but don't be afraid to either handwrite your journaling or attach it to a small rectangle of cardstock. Embellish the words with rubber charms, stamping in colored ink and a few drops of white acrylic paint.

The title takes front and center here. The beautiful painted wood veneer alpha is framed out with two small stamped images and sits in the center of the design just above the shelf. More words (did I mention that I love words?) draw the eye to the design shelf.

This entire design revolves around the design shelf. Give it a try the next time you're in a stare down with the  dreaded blank canvas.

Supplies Used:  Maggie August Kit | Paint Dipped Wood Alphabet | Maggie Stamp | Maggie Silicone Charms