Site Meter Scrapropos » Blog Archive » Color Blocking

Color Blocking

by Ann LuMaye

In the fashion world we hear about those “classic pieces” that never go out of style. In the scrapbooking world we have some “classic techniques” that are just as timeless, and still look as great today as when they were introduced ten years ago. Color blocking is one such technique that was all the rage and still produces classic, clean layouts.

Color blocking is basically using a variety of papers to create “quadrants” on your page. You can use plain colored card-stock or coordinating patterned papers. Back in the day there were color blocking templates with all different size quadrants, but it is quite simple to create your own pattern. Let your photos be your guide.

One reason I love color blocking is that it gives me the opportunity to use up some of my scrap paper. I just look for patterns that coordinate well with each other and with my pictures. Color blocking is also great when you come across a line that has highly patterned papers and you want to figure out how to “mix and match” them.

Here are some sample layouts using color-blocking techniques:

Layout #1
This is a simple color-blocking design using coordinating papers from SEI.

sweet.jpg

  • Cut 2 coordinating patterned papers in half.
  • Connect the 2 halves with tape on the back side. (This technique helps you conserve paper.)
  • Cut a border strip of coordinating cardstock approximately 2″ wide to “connect” the two half sheets of paper.
  • Choose your photos, matte them in coordinating papers, and lay them out in a pleasing manner.
  • Attach a ribbon along the cardstock strip. Attach a tag onto the ribbon with journaling and some kind of embellishment that compliments your theme.
  • Your title can also be placed on the cardstock strip.
  • Since my patterned paper featured polka dots, I also placed 3 brads in the bottom left-hand corner of the layout which provides an additional accent.

    Layout #2
    This layout uses a variety of “quadrants” with coordinating patterned paper. In this instance I used polka dot paper from the same line but in all different colors. My goal was to create a playful mood for the layout.

    play.jpg

  • In this particular layout I let the pictures I chose guide me on how to make my quadrants.
  • I created an additional quadrant for the title and journaling block. All quadrants in the layout butt up next to each other. If this is confusing you can lay your pictures down on a scrap paper and draw out where you want the quadrants to be. Then cut the pieces out of the scrap paper andyou’ve created templates for yourself!
  • In my layout I backed each of the pictures, the title and the jouraling block in black so that they would “pop” off the page and stand out from the patterned paper.

    If color blocking is a technique you’ve “blocked from your mind” why not revisit it again? Sometimes it’s good to go back to the “classics”. Go ahead and create a simple, pleasing, color blocked design for your next layout.

  • Did You Enjoy this Post? Subscribe to Scrapropos. It's Free!

    Leave a Reply


    About Scrapropos

    At (Scr)apropos it’s always the right time for scrapbooking. Here you’ll find inspiration for completing layouts, trying new techniques, and getting your supplies organized. Find out about new products first, see who is hot in the scrapbooking industry, and enter contests for fun prizes. Join (Scr)apropos and celebrate your creativity while preserving your cherished memories.

    Scrapropos Author(s)
        » Ann-LuMaye

    Crafts & Hobbies Channel Posts

    • How to Make Pressed Botanical Flower Candles
      Making your won candles is a great way to save money and ensure you have quality ingredients in your candles as well. But if you want to add flare to those home made candles the best way is to add [...]
    • Soothe and Hydrate Winter Skin Naturally
      Even though Wax and Bubbles is mainly about candles and soap products, every so often I like to talk about other products as well. Such as lotions, creams and even body butters. There are some [...]
    • Busy at Work Post Friday!
      Wow, I'm keeping busy at work and it's Friday. Strange huh? Anyway, I suppose I owe all you folks something that are surfing the web on a Friday afternoon or evening. While I don't think there's [...]
    • TAtTF: X-Men are Xciting and Xwesome. Wait...
      This Toy Ads that Time Forgot let's us take a look back at a highly successful toyline of the 90s, Toybiz's X-Men line of figures. The toys came out about the same time as the amazingly good [...]
    • Facebook's Star Wars Figures
      There's an "app" (what the cool kids call applications) on Facebook that is both infinitely useless and kind of neat for toy collectors. The app is called, "Star Wars Figures" and it's pretty [...]
    • Making your own Christmas Cards
      Ever since my daughter was born three years ago, we have sent out photo Christmas cards. This is a good way to send a recent photo of my daughter to family and friends who don't get to see her as [...]
    • TMNT Vinyl Figures
      This is one of those posts where I again say that I don't collect vinyl figures, but I do think a few select ones are cool blah blah blah blah. I don't think it's any wonder that these vinyl figures [...]
    • What's New from Burt's Bees?
      I simply love Burt's Bees and ever since their merging with the Clorox company I see the Beeswax Lip balm at almost every checkout counter I go to. I love seeing it there though, because it reminds [...]
    • Iz My Berfday
      It's my birthday today and I'm really hoping that your present is in the mail. If it is not, I will really have to reevaluate our blogger/bloggie relationship. Since it's my birthday, I brought some [...]
    • G.I. Joe Diorama Coolness
      While digging through my old picture files, I found a set of pictures that had been taken at Wizard World Chicago some years ago. The pictures are of a rather large G.I. Joe diorama that had been set [...]

    Hot Off The Press

    • Nickelback and Guitar Hero
      Nickelback guy Chad Kroeger was recently complaining about the lack of good rock bands around and seemed to put some blame on Guitar Hero, "...So kids: Start rock bands. Set down the 'Guitar [...]
    • Recycle your Old Phone Books Today
      It's that time of year again when most of us receive a new phone directory and into the trash goes the old one. But, wait, before you just throw away your old phone book into the local trash, where [...]
    • Two Retailers Declare Bankruptcy
      Retailers are grabbing at every last ditch effort possible to save their businesses in a dying realm. Sales, free shipping online, collaborations with lower market stores, buyouts ... sometimes [...]
    • Humanities, religion shape global climate change discussion
      ASU Professor Hava Tirosh-Samuelson, director of the Jewish Studies program, will be one of 30 representatives of different major faith traditions discussing the world’s climate issues at the [...]
    • Sherri Shepherd's View!
      Today we start the show with a new game - Voices of Daytime. Abby, an Adorable Audience Member is up to pay the game. Rach will read a quote, Abby makes her best guess, and if she does well she [...]
    • Busy at Work Post Friday!
      Wow, I'm keeping busy at work and it's Friday. Strange huh? Anyway, I suppose I owe all you folks something that are surfing the web on a Friday afternoon or evening. While I don't think there's [...]
    • Live models
      Students met alumni who work in the arts on November 13 at the tenth annual Career Night for the Arts, sponsored by the Boston College Arts Council and the University’s Career Center. For two [...]
    • FYI: It's Impossible to be 'Pretty in Mink'
      I have news for you, Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute, there is nothing smart, proud, nor pretty about wearing the pelt of a animal that lived and died under horrendous conditions. You can try as [...]
    • The View Recap November 21st: Rachael Ray and "Bank on The View."
      Today on a special "Bank on The View" edition of The View, Rachael Ray sat in as guest-host. Both Sherri Shepherd and Barbara Walters were absent, so there were four hosts. Rachael send she would be [...]
    • TNA Impact 11/20/08 Full SHOW - Video
      TNA Impact 11/20/08 [...]