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It makes your photo the most attention-getting element on the page. It adds color, texture, dimension. And it can very often turn a good layout into a wonderful one. For photos that shine, turn to the classic scrapbooking technique: the photo mat.
Think a photo mat is a piece of white cardstock? For quick and easy layouts, white cardstock is just fine. But for those extra-special pages, try some of our matting techniques. Designer Lisa Garcia-Bergstedt shares three matting ideas to inspire you.
Technique #1: Layered Mats

Lisa chose different patterned papers in the same color scheme, layering them to create a single mat. She made sure to separate the layers of the mat with a solid purple paper; even the torn edges of the vellum are chalked for extra definition.

Border Idea to Note: Lisa repeated the layered style of the mat with her border. She tore three strips of different patterned papers; a torn vellum strip with chalked edges is layered on top.
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Technique #2: Two-in-One Window Mat

This unique mat does double-duty. One window beautifully frames a photo of Lisa and Jordan; the smaller window gives a peek at the journaling underneath. A simple fiber and charm garland separates the photo and journaling. It's the perfect way to highlight a photo with a special quote, saying, date or journaling effect.

Option: Instead of cutting two windows, you could mat your photo on dark green, then gray and simply place it on top of the green mat. Cut the vellum window as show.
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Technique #3: Nested Vellum Mat

This matting technique offers a fun way to highlight a photo while adding easy layers of color and pattern. Lisa simply matted her photo onto a lavender vellum, then outlined the photo with gold pen. To create the nested vellum mat, she then cut the lavender check paper and the large pansy vellum into 10" squares. She cut a square in the center of the large pansy vellum piece, outlined the edges with gold pen and attached it to the lavender check with eyelets. This piece is matted onto metallic gold paper. Once centered on the small pansy background paper, the effect is one of subtle color and soft texture, with the photo taking center stage in the middle of the page.
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