Creating Bargello Designs with Paper

Hi, my name is Carolyn Lineberger and I am honored to be the guest designer for Sassy Lady today.  When Shelia contacted me about creating a project for this blog, I was beyond excited!  I hope you will enjoy the project and will want to create your own designs using Bargello.

Bargello is similair to weaving; however, the strips are not woven.  The strips are glued into place, cut again, and then arranged to form patterns.  Helene Metivier is credited  with adapting Bargello to create paper quilts.  I found the instructions for Bargello Designs with paper in THE ART AND CRAFT OF HANDMADE CARDS by Diane Maurer-Mathison (2003).

You will need:

**1 patterned sheet paper/cardstock (with at least 3 different colors)
**3 sheets coordinated solid colored paper/cardstock
**1 sheet white/neutral background paper
**Paper trimmer
**Double-sided adhesive film (I used a Tacky Tape sheet)
**Scissors

I liked this patterned paper.  I used a red marker to add the color.

Cut 1/4 inch strips of the patterned paper and solid paper using the paper trimmer

Lay the adhesive sheet on a flat surface and completely remove the top layer.  Lay the strips down horizontally alternating the colors and patterned paper.  Be sure the strips touch each other and they are perfectly straight.  Place the patterned paper in a pleasing design.

When the surface is covered, trim away the excess paper on the sides.

Cut this block vertically into 1/4 inch strips.  This will form small blocks of color on the strips.

Check the white/neutral background paper to be sure the edges are straight.  I lay the paper on my  trimmer and run the blade down the edge just to be sure.  It is important this sheet be perfectly straight!  Remove the backing from the strips and begin laying them on the background paper to form a pattern of your choice.  Arrange the strips to form a pattern by moving strips up or down a colored square to form a consistent pattern.

Notice the pattern at the bottom of the design.  Continue placing the strips on the background paper until you get the desired results. 

Then layer the design on a card front.

Now...let's take it a step further!

Here is a card that I made using the black, red, and white Bargello Design.

I cut 1 1/2 inch squares from the design and arrange them on a card front, added a ribbon and sentiment.

The Snow Couple!

I used shades and tints of blue paper to create a Bargello Design and then made a card using the Snow Couple from the Cricut Cartridge "Winter Woodland". 

The frame is a Spellbinder die.

I hope you have been inspired to try Bagello Designs! 

Please come for a visit at

Carolyn's Creative Corner

http://cccscraproom.blogspot.com