Nov 05 2007
Scaled Down Paper Pads {C’est Bon}
I just ADORE these scaled down paper pads! The perfect size for cardmaking…these designs are the 12×12 papers perfectly scaled down to approximately 1/4 the size and come in great manageable sizes to work with for smaller projects. Now this entry is a little different than most of mine. It is actually going to focus on a few different companies instead of just the one product I usually do. Why? Because lately their have been quite a few fabulous paper companies releasing there designs in this way. It is such a brilliant idea and makes so much sense.
Have you ever found a gorgeous 12×12 patterned paper and found it just did not work for a small project or card design. For the past few years, I have mainly been designing cards and small altered projects. Being a patterned paper addict…I just love the stuff… it would be so frustrating when I found I could not make that large paper work. If you have a beautiful 12×12 paper with a large image on it…using it on a smaller area…you need to crop most of the design off. Of course…the image is no longer recognizable and so it just doesn’t work. These papers were designed specifically for the scrapbooker in mind. Now take this same paper and scale it down for 1:4 scale and see what happens! A paper that works perfectly for designs for cardmaking. Yay! It didn’t take me long to be sold on the idea!
Now I must admit…the first time I saw a 6×6 patterned paper pad it was about 4 years ago in Michael’s. K & Company had released it for cardmaking in their Life’s Journey line. Beautiful vintage style papers in a 6×6 size. Now I was a scrapbooker at the time and he he…I thought to myself…what on earth would you do with that?! Who would want to make CARDS?! LOL Unbelievable, right?! 
Never say never, girls! It always comes back to haunt you!
I actually didn’t see 6×6 paper pads on the market again until last year. Now I’m not saying they weren’t there…I’m just saying if they were there…I didn’t see them. Last year Basic Grey started releasing some of their fabulous newer paper lines in a 6×6 format. Loving Basic Grey…I was instantly hooked! They were perfect for me! I quickly bought up Romani, Perhaps, Lilly Kate, Scarlet’s Letter, and other, right up to their newest release, the absolutely fabulous Figgy Pudding.
Over the past few months, other companies as well have been releasing scaled down paper pads. Daisy D’s has a fabulous line of 5.5″ square swatches. These swatches are double-sided with a fabulous pinked edge to resemble fabric swatches. Hence the name. 
Also from Daisy D’s, the just released Holiday 8×8″ paper packs of Snowflakes and Holly, and Paisley’s and Sugarplums are fabulous to work with as well!
Cosmo Cricket, another of my favorite paper companies, released some beautiful 8×8″ packs of paper in the Little Boy and Little Girl lines. These were fabulous to design with and very flexible. You don’t need to limit these papers to little boy and girl design…I’ve used them with just about any kind of project you can think of. Last week, I just received my order of their latest 8×8″ release, Wonderland. I just flip for this paper. Last year Cosmo Cricket released this lien in 12×12 format and I just loved it. I was so excited to have quite a few designs published using this line. This season, the 12×12 format is no longer available but it IS available in this 8×8 size. With even more patterns added to the package, I couldn’t be happier! A few extra great features of this paper…this patterned paper is extra thick and double-sided. I love how the packs come with stickers and journaling cards as well. Beautiful!
Soooo….what exactly can you do with this smaller sized paper? It is perfect for many things. Here are a few I’ve used it for…
- Cards, cards and more cards!
- covering mini frames
- matting in scrapbook layouts
- smaller size scrapbooks and gift albums…Basic Grey’s 6×6 paper covers their new chipboard min-albums perfectly!
- altering Christmas ornaments
- background mat in frames
If that hasn’t enabled you…
- the pads are so easy to store and work with
- less waste than cutting into a larger sheet
- shipping is less
- very inexpensive…affordable to have many different lines
Where to get them…
You may be able to purchase these scaled down paper packs at your local scrapbooking stores. Unfortunately, because of a limited ability to store inventory, many of these stores only carry the 12×12 format. I have purchased all my Basic Grey, Cosmo Cricket and Daisy D’s scaled down paper packs from Jacksonbelle Embellishments. Other on-line stores may also be a good source such as Flourishes which carries some of the 6×6 Basic Grey paper pads.
Have you used any of these great scaled down paper packs? What do you think? I’d love to hear from you! If you liked this {C’est Bon} entry, you may want to check out others that you have missed. Just click on the C’est Bon category at the top under the title. Please note: I am not affiliated with any of these paper companies. This entry is just to share some of my favorite products…ones I think are good, {C’est Bon}
Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous week!
Some more samples using scaled down paper packs…
Cornish Heritage Farms Design Team Coordinator
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I love the 6×6 basic grey, and I’ve always love DD’s paper, I didnt know that they had smaller sized packs. I’ll have to look out for those
You’re so right! I’ve just started collecting the small pads of paper, myself! I hated having to cut a small piece out of a huge 12″ x 12″ patterned paper, I always felt like I was wasting so much and the design would get lost in the scale of the card.
Beautiful stuff, as usual!
Thanks for this overview! I didn’t realize that the smaller papers were also scaled down in design. I thought it was just the paper’s physical dimension that was smaller! Maybe with these, I can lose my fear of using dp. I’m always reluctant because of just what you said - the designs end up being too big for my cards
I have been looking for Cosmo Cricket’s BE GOOD in a 6 x 6 (or 8 x
ever since I first saw the patterns online. I couldn’t find it through the sources you listed. Any other ideas?
I agree with you 100%. I have always been a paper hoarder(used to get 12 by 12, because I also scrapbook), and these little 6 X 6 pads are perfect…not to mention great patterns. I love Basic Grey and am also looking into Cosmo Cricket..Thanks for sharing. Chris
I too love these little gems, I didn’t know that cosmo cricket had come out with it though tfs!
I just love the BG 6 x 6. Somehow I just can’t cut into those gorgeous 12 x 12 sheets, you would not believe it but I will design a card and then I just can’t cut into that gorgeous hunk of paper. I don’t have that problem with 6×6, because there are TWO of them… I just love BG patterns and colors. Well off to take care of those ebay buy it nows from Jacksonbelle that I am watching. Someone else might get them now that they read your post!!
I love these small pads too. I have K&C and basic grey…..none of the DD yet though…Gotta get some for sure.
I think the smaller packs of patterned paper are wonderful! I’m an avid cardmaker and since branching out from SU!, I’ve fallen in love with patterned paper. The 6×6 is easier to store, easier to take with and easier on the checkbook. I have to say, Basic Grey is my fave, but I’m excited to see that Cosmo has gone smaller too. Thanks for sharing the news Julia!
I’m so with you Julia. I’ve found that I use the 12×12 paper on altered projects and the 6×6 paper for the cards. Love it!
great blog entry. I love using 6×6 pads but til now only used basic grey cause I didn’t know of any others. I will definately be checking out the others you listed. Thanks for the helpful information.
BG are my favorites, but I found some nice smaller pads from Artic Frog and 7 Gypsies, Autumn Leaves and DCWV. Some of the Autumn Leaves and DCWV come with an adhesive backing which I like for using with the Cuttlebug.
NancyS (momsnack),
Oh yeah baybee I love my scaled down paper pads!! WAHOO!
Awww, look at all your darling creations J!!! You rock … not ONLY the 6 x 6 but anything you touch!
Oh, Julia. Why did you post this?! Now I have to visit Jacksonbelle’s store and get some of that WONDERFUL scaled-down Cosmo Cricket! I’m going to tell DH that it’s all your fault! Seriously, though, I so, so love my little paper pads. And it’s so funny — I can distinctly recall in my previous life as a scrapbooker saying, “Why on earth would anyone make cards?” Hee hee!
Making Memories also has some very cute small pads, as does Marcella by K & Co. (available at Target).
I also love small pads of designer paper… I can get more paper for less shipping expenses!!
(it’s not easy to be a chilean cardmaker, lol)
Oh yes! Love those scaled down pads so much better than 12 x 12!! Great samples, J!!
I just received a couple of 4×4 pads from Daisy D which I ordered from 2 Peas in a Pod. PERFECT for cards!!
Nice idea … and beautifull paper !!!
A kiss from Spain to you and your readers
Helena from Madrid
Julie, lovely paper, fab blog. Love the paper swatches with the zig zag edges. Love the card with the baby clothes on it, any chance you know the manufacturer of the stamp you’ve used? Would like to buy one.
Regards. Andrea