Colour blocking has been around almost as long as scrapbooking has, it’s just one of those classically simple ways of showcasing your photos. It’s one of Suz’s favourite ways. Recently though she’s been inspired by a new variation of colour blocking – one where small blocks are covered and layered with lots of gorgeous little details. This allows the creative expression we all seek in our scrapbooking, but combines it with the simplicity and clean lines of the classic colour blocking technique.
In this layout the contrast in the photos between the bright sun flare and the black is mirrored in the choice of patterned papers with the black matting – a colour Suz doesn’t often use. Suz has mixed up patterned paper brands here with a fun summery combination of Pink Paislee, October Afternoon and Sassafras.
This example is more like the traditional flatter colour blocking, and sometimes when the photos call for it, additional layered details aren’t required. In this layout she has called upon both the very old (check out that BasicGrey Sweetpea Jack panel!) with the very new – Pink Paislee Journalling Blocks and scrummy Tattered Angels Glimmer Glass and lots of bits in between.
As far as Suz is concerned, Christine Middlecamp is in a league of her own in the scrapbooking world, and loves how she combines exactly these two techniques – the simplicity of clean lines and the complexity of fabulous layers of detail. Here Christine showcases the brand new Restoration line from Crate Paper in her own fabulous style.
Another from Christine using Sassafras and other bits showing her signature style of colour blocking with intricately designed circle elements.
Another master of the colour blocking technique is Kelly Goree. She has an unerring eye for colours and patterns that work implicity well together. I love how she has made a fabulous boy page out of BAsicGrey’s Kioshi papers – an inherently feminine line.
The brighter the colour and the bigger the pattern, the better it responds to colour blocking – it’s a great way of using bold and bright without overwhelming your photo. Here Kelly uses one of the new digi templates in the BasicGrey Digital Shop as a framework for her layout.
