skirting the issue.

March 5th, 2010

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Image source www.garnethill.com

The issue? It’s spring—almost. Not quite time to don skirts with sandals sans hose … but it is the perfect time to scrapbook with a little spring in your palette; how about trying this sky-blue, taupe and mossy green combo on for size?

skirt

Challenge: Instead of using the taupe as what might seem the obvious choice for your background, select either the blue or the green.

Even Better: Dress your page up in layers. Not only will this keep out the draft, it will give you some added dimension that is oh-so appealing.

I can’t wait to see your creations in the i Love Color Flickr gallery!

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east meets west.

February 27th, 2010

Serenaandlily

image source: serenaandlily.com

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There is just something so intriguing about orange, red and pink together! They are just the spark this green on white comforter needs.

Challenge: Study how this entire bedroom design stems from the color in a central piece and harmonizes a western and eastern influence. See if you can use bright colors and bold, contemporary lines to ground a diverse collection of colorful memories!

Even Better: Use paint as your primary source/medium for the green.

This week, let go and play. Be sure to post the results in our Flickr I LOVE Color group!

happiest color on earth.

February 19th, 2010

Image source www.freespiritfabric.com

How about some bright and happy orange for those of you in the middle of winter! A monochromatic combination takes full advantage of the personality and emotion of a color.

orange

Challenge: Pull out three or four sheets of cardstock in the orange family. Mix in two different patterns and play!

Even Better: Look through photos from last summer. Scrapbook some with orange in them — write about how these photos make you feel.

Post your card or layout in our Flickr I LOVE Color group!

PantoneClosure

Renewable color.

February 12th, 2010

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Image source www.beau-coup.com

Completmentary colors will always be in fashion because they bring out the best in each other. I love how this red is shifted slighty to orange, so it feels as fresh as the bamboo. Remember too that complimentary colors enjoy the company of neutrals, which help ground their vibrancy. Be sure to use more of one compliment than the other!

bamboo

Challenge: Revisit a combination of red and green this week. Give it a fresh, new feeling by playing with a melon red and bamboo green.

Even Better: Mimic fabulous lines of the umbrella in your layout.

Post your creations in our Flickr ” i love color’ group. Click HERE.

PantoneClosure

Winter Sky

February 5th, 2010
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Image source: www.bedbathandbeyond.com

I love color, but I also love the contrast of black, white and neutral colors in the company of one single hue, in this case … blue. The more you play with colors, the more confident you will be using them in your paper crafting.

dots

Challenge: Pull a sheet of white, off-white, taupe, and gray cardstock. Introduce a muted blue, or perhaps two shades of blue. Play with black pattern paper. How does the pattern you choose affect the feel of your cardstock palette? Try a bold stripe, a small gingham check, or even a traditional toile.

Even Better: Remove the moody blues and swap it for a cranberry red, avocado green or even a sunflower yellow.

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Pure Linen

January 15th, 2010
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Image source: www.countryliving.com

I’ve been burning a candle this week called Pure Linen. It smells like this bedroom feels — fresh, clean, warm and familiar. There are four different patterns in this mix of comforting colors–two delicate floral designs (large and small scale) that are grounded by two tone-on-tone designs, in the decorative pillows.

Challenge: Practice mixing patterns on your own. Select a any sheet of pattern paper with a large scale motif and pair it with a smaller scale pattern. Now pull two of the colors common in both patterns and select two solid or tone-on-tone papers to add to your mix. Create a card or quickie layout that combines all of the papers you’ve chosen.

Even Better: Let these colors inspire a page about a place that is familiar and welcoming in your life.

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By the way, THESE are my favorite candles.

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soup + bread

January 8th, 2010

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Image source www.wrapables.com

I’m not quite ready to give up all the colorful decorations of Christmas. At the same time I’m enjoying the sparse and clean feeling of having everything packed away. How about we all set a colorful table this week and enjoy a pot of hearty soup and some really yummy, chewy bread. I love this palette, it is warm, intense and wholesome — like a delicious winter meal.

Challenge: Use these vibrant colors to scrapbook people eating and/or food.

Even Better: Include a label from some food or drink product that frequents your home.

Don’t forget you can post your creation in our I Love Color Flickr group.

holiday

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Cheery Christmas!

December 18th, 2009

Sing with me … We wish you a Cheery Christmas; We wish you a Cheery Christmas; We wish you a Cheery Christmas and a COLORFUL New Year!

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Image source www.beau-coup.com

Change things up a bit as you combine colors for holiday layouts or cards. A traditional color palette such as red and green can be changed by skewing one of the colors a little. Here the traditional green is skewed towards blue. This teal blue + a touch of yellow green results in a whimsical feel.

Challenge: Create a layout that closely mimics the use of color in this combination. In other words, use teal blues as a background, red and red-orange to draw attention to photos and yellow-green for your title.

Even Better: Add texture with glitter, jewels or flocking — tis the season for lots of extra-special touches!

And … don’t forget you can post your creation in our I Love Color Flickr group.

holiday

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Nancy’s House.

December 9th, 2009

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Inspiration source seejanework.com

I love and use bright, saturated colors in my home and holiday decor, but my friend Nancy’s house is a gorgeous mix of muted tones stemming from traditional reds and greens. She uses LOTS of white and there are but a few touches of darker, richer tones that punctuate her Christmas decor. Whenever I visit I want to curl up on her sofa and let it all soak in.

This subtle pastel palette feels restful, like Nancy’s house because although it features two neutrals, two reds and a green, there is very little contrast between these colors. Each is toned way down and muted with a cast of gray.

Challenge: Pull out some older Christmas photos that are faded. Use just cardstock in these colors and then add only one embellishment to keep your page clean, simple and focused on the photo(s).

Even Better: Use ink or paint on edges of paper strips and photo mats to add a vintage feel that will harmonize with older photos.

Don’t forget you can post your creation in our I Love Color Flickr group.

pink bedding

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brown baggin’ it.

November 27th, 2009

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Image source:
www.builtny.com

Doesn’t a light lunch and a long walk sound good on the day (and week) after Thanksgiving? Here is a great example of using a pattern (think patterned papers) to dictate your color scheme.  Choose one color to use as dominant color, one or two as secondary colors and smaller portions of other colors as accents in your pallette.  Don’t worry too much about the colors matching your inspiration exactly. Close is good enough!

Challenge: Chocolate brown is a such wonderful neutral for scrapbooking. Start with chocolate brown and create a card or page with supporting colors pulled from your favorite polka dots.

Even Better: Try using one of the pop colors (red or violet) to create emphasis for a focal point photo or your title — whichever element you most want to pop!

Don’t forget you can post your creation in our I Love Color Flickr group.

buiktny

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