Level One, or Explore Dies, are those that take the least amount of time to use. While perfect for those new to Mosaic Moments®, they are also great when you want to get your holiday pictures in your albums quickly.
But, do not be fooled. These pages may be quick to put together, but they are still interesting, inviting and wonderful records of your holidays. Scroll down to see for yourself.
Create a Pinwheel
"Holiday Parade" by Paije Potter - Pattern #356
Pinwheel patterns evoke a sense of whimsy and fun, so they are ideal for holiday layouts.
This one includes festive snowflakes to bring in the holiday cheer. The white rectangles can be left as is, but they can also be used as journaling blocks if a lot of descriptions were needed for the layout.
Record Fun Decor
When you have fun decor, take the time to photograph it and maybe even journal about it so you, and those who come after you, will enjoy those decorations, as well.
We love Cole peeking out between the two dancing snowman!
"Singing Snowmen" by Paije Potter - Pattern #393
Put it in a Die Cut
"Mexico Pavilion" by Paije Potter - Pattern #343
Experiment with some decorative die cuts. They may work to hold journaling or a title, like Paije did here, as well as photos or pattern paper.
It adds a bit of festive flair to the layout.
Create a Focal Point
The main photo on this layout got an additional wide mat made from striped paper.
To showcase more of the paper, play around with various sizes of Basic Nested Dies and the Layering Die Bundle. They all work together and can be mixed up however you wish. The only rule is that the bottom layer has to fit the grid paper.
"Holiday on Main Street" by Paije Potter - Pattern #328
Add a Die Cut
"Santa" by Candy Spiegel - Pattern #404
The stack of packages in the bottom corner of this layout is from the Stocking Suffers Set.
You can make the die cuts as simple or as intricate as you choose. For this one, Candy cut the die twice out of leftover paper and pieced it together on top of a white square.
But, you could cut the die just once and layer it over the white square leaving just the outline. Or, you could make each package a different pattern. It's all up to you.
Mix Up the Mats
Using different patterns and different colors of papers as photo mats increases interest -- especially on a whimsical layout like this one.
Remember, not every photo needs a mat. And it is okay to mat some and not others, like Paije did, here.
"Gingerbread House" by Paije Potter - Pattern #352
Make the Most of Photos
"Christmas Town Fun" by Paije Potter - Pattern #318
Adding that "wow" factor is not difficult. Here, Paije created an amazing layout using a simply die, the Arabesque.
She used the die to frame her photos, but she also used a few close-up pictures of the tree to fill in around the shapes.
The thin outline of the die is just enough separation between the two pictures. And the result is amazing.
Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
Creating a row of repeating elements is a fun way to add interest to a layout.
Here, Paije used the Half Circle Set and pattern paper to make a fun ribbon right across the page.
"Christmas 2017" by Paije Potter - Pattern #409
Keep it Simple
"Children's Museum" by Jodi Benson - Pattern #429
When there are a lot of elements, or you have busy photos, keeping things simple is the way to go. There are no photo mats and little pattern paper on this layout, but it still sings.
Notice the photos in the four corners? That's one photo, flopped and printed four times. It is a great way to frame up a layout or fill in when you do not have enough photos.
Play with Paper
