Keep it Contained – Color Blocking Ideas with Vanessa

Today we are going to play with color using color blocking. There are so many ways to create a layout using color blocking. You can create a grid design and keep all your colors specifically in the grid, you can go monochromatic and play with varying shades of one color. You can cluster embellishments of like color and have them cascade down or across a page. The possibilities are endless. For my layout today we are going to be using the Keep Chasing Rainbows collection and all the rainbow colors to create fun color blocked layout.

To begin I printed the rainbow plaid pattern paper from the collection to frame my layout and then cut a 12x12 white cardstock to use as my background. Next, I pulled one pattern paper in each of the rainbow colors of the collection and cut a circle about 3.5 inches in size. Once I had my papers ready, I selected a matching distress oxide ink for each pattern paper color.

For this my layout I wanted to create a wreath or circular design, so I traced a light circle and placed my die cut circles around it. Now with an idea of how I wanted to place my papers I colored behind each circle with the corresponding ink color. Once the color was down, I added a little water to get the oxide effect and finished off with some white ink splatters just to add even more interest to the background.

With my background done I backed my photos with the same rainbow plaid paper and placed them in the center of the ring of circles. I  added my title and popped everything up with some dimensional adhesive to give the photos some height.

Once my photos and background were complete next came the embellishments. I pulled elements from both the sticker and digital kits and then grouped the ephemera into their individual colors. From here I simply added the embellishments to each circle adding dimensional adhesive to some elements to give height and interest. Color blocking the elements like this allowed me to have the whole rainbow of color on the page without the layout feeling too busy.

The finishing touch to this page were enamel dots in all the rainbow colors. The addition of the dots adds texture and helps finish off the page.

Color blocking is a fun way to play with color on your layouts and the options on how to incorporate this technique are endless. If color blocking is something you love to do, we would love to see what you create. Be sure to tag #tracireeddesigns so we can see your take on this fun technique.

If you want to see this layout, come together in more detail you can check out my YouTube video from the link below. Thanks so much for stopping by!

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