Color Blocking can be a fast and enjoyable way to put life back into your scrapbook pages. The color blocking technique can find its roots in interior design, where the designer’s goal is to achieve a dramatic impact using color. Visual interest is achieved by using blocks of colored cardstock or patterned paper in various sizes and colors.
Since colors play the most important role in color blocking, your choices and outcome will vary greatly. Bold and primary colors will say fun and cheery, a perfect combination for a child’s photos. Soft pastels create a dreamy effect for those black and whites. Color blocking fits any style of page and will appeal to any type of scrapbooker.
One of the most appealing things about color blocking is that it allows us to use up those scraps of cardstock and paper that we have accumulated. In the layout "Simple Pleasures," two shades of green scraps are measured and cut along with black to ground the design. Your paper cutter will definitely get a workout using this technique. Vertical and horizontal blocks will create enough interest that embellishing is held at a minimum.
Another interesting look with color blocking is to leave areas of light cardstock to peek through. In the layout "Boy of Mine," the use of two complimenting colors is used and some blocks are used for embellishments and journaling.
For those that prefer not to reinvent the wheel, the market holds the tools that make color blocking a breeze. Templates for 12" x 12" pages and 8½" x 11" abound and one template can yield numerous possibilities by twisting and turning. Lay your template down and use a pencil to trace your outline and cut. In the layout "Candy," patterned paper is now introduced to the mix and embellishing can be included in all of the blocks.
Four square blocks of color and patterns are used in the layout "Heritage: Brother and Sister." The blocks serve as a background and the portrait photo is front and center. The tag and journaling block finish this page off with a look of elegance.
Beginner to advanced, color blocking is a technique that all levels of scrappers can embrace and be successful at. Whether you use a template or your own creative imagination, your pages will stand out. So have fun and start color blocking today!
