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Try cutting different large shapes out of a large or photo pattern paper and arrange them over a more muted background and tie them together with some striped strips.  I used triangles in this layout, just to get away from the squares and rectangles I always seem to use.

Choose colors that reflect the setting.  This photo was taken in Hawaii so I used a tropical color pallet.  Try this!  Find a paper with a large floral print and cut out one of the flowers to use as a template.  Trace and cut out the flower on different paper (I used a special glitter paper).  Turn the pattern over for a slightly different shape.  Then arrange your flowers with buttons as centers.

When doing a graduation layout here the graduates wear black caps and gowns, use black and white paper pattern with their school colors as an accent color.  Very classy!  Try this!  Tear off and keep pieces of handmade cards  like this cap and gown I got off a card I'd received.