Friday, February 22, 2013

Roses are Red, Violets are Blue

And now, for something completely different from my last post...

Supplies: cardstock by Wausau Paper; green patterned paper by Crate; word stickers & grey lattice paper by My Mind's Eye; grey dotted paper by American Crafts; text paper, alphabet stickers, die cuts, label stickers, flair badges, & recycled packaging by October Afternoon; faux brads by Craftworks; flower by Petaloo; pens by Zig; recycled envelope.

Lately I've been in the mood to create layouts that are both simplistic and layered, even though that seems like a contradiction in terms.  I've found a way to make this simplistic/layered combo work, by sprinkling a few layered clusters around the pageThen I use lots of white space in between the clusters--as I've done with the layout above.  I'm entering this layout, called "In Sickness and in Health," in the February Berry 71 Bleu challenge, which is all about using white space.  Since I've been really into the color combination of blue and red lately, my white space on this page is actually "blue space."  :) 


And for the red, I used a bright red envelope (from a Christmas card that I received last year) as a title block.  I've always enjoyed using postal elements on my pages, but I've been really, really into it so far this year.


Yeah, I know, Christmas was a while ago.  But I've been thinking a lot about what this past Christmas meant to my husband and me, and this page is what came out of those thoughts.  Plus, a Christmas page is the perfect excuse to use my favorite star embellishments.  :)  My journaling, which is written in the form of a note to my husband, says: Last Christmas (2011) I was so glad you were recovering from your ankle surgery.  This year I'm so glad I'm recovering from my ankylosing spondylitis flare.  Thanks for taking care of me.  I'll always take care of you. 

What the heck is ankylosing spondylitis, you ask?  It's a genetic disorder that causes back problems.  It's one of those things that is well controlled for a while...until I suddenly have a flare.  I had a flare this past autumn, but by Christmas I was starting to recover, thank goodness.


Flares are a bummer, but flair is so good.  :I used three flair badges (one for each cluster) on this layout, which I think is a record for me, since I tend to hoard them.  They can be difficult to photograph, since they're so reflective, but I'm pretty happy with how my photos for this layout turned out.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today.  Have a good day!

24 comments:

Unknown said...

This is awesome! I love that you included that envelope to ground all of the elements of this page! Simply wonderful!

Pysselkatten said...

A beautiful LO. I love the colours. You make wonderful things, I´ve looked around in your blog.
Have a great day and thanks for leaving a comment in my blog.

Dani Cristina said...

I'm really loving all this color of your pages!
Great choice of decorations for this too.
Hugs.

Carol L said...

Your layout is such a treasure, and I love how you recycle elements and make them focal points - like the red envie! I love the brilliant colors and that little thingie that looks like a peppermint candy :) NJ!

Kay F said...

That is so innovative! I didn't realize you used an envelope on your background until I read your story. This added a really nice touch to your colorful page--it doesn't matter that Christmas was already a few months ago...it's never too late to document any memory, thought or feeling! :-) Great interpretation of whitespace--I had to smile when you said in your case it was 'bluespace'! Thanks for joining us at Berry71Bleu!

Unknown said...

Cool page with a sweet photo of you2.
byebye,Lean

Elisabeth Sarkis said...

Love it, very cute page!!!xoxo

ANUPAMA CHOUDARY said...

Blue space is welcome too, Denise :) I was laid up in bed this month with a prolapsed disc and I totally identify with your health & sickness page! Thank you for playing along with Berry71Bleu.

Unknown said...

So sweet Denise!

Patricia said...

so colorful.. like this page !

Lisa Rukin Swift said...

Great use of white space, Denise. I love the two separate layered areas on the page. Such a special topic to scrap too!

Angi Barrs said...

This is fabulous! I love the title on the page too!

BabyBokChoy said...

What a wonderful and sweet page!!! The colors really pop. Any chance you can bring some green to MN already? Will this winter never end? Two more months?? :)

Bellaidea said...

Great take on the Berry 71 Bleu challenge!

Patricia Roebuck said...

I love red and blue too. This is beautiful! Love the clustered groups and draws you into that sweet photo!

Ella Swan said...

This is such a sweet layout Denise!! Love the bright colours, title & journaling!! So glad you found Scrap 365 there & thanks so much for buying it!! Cami was so happy when I told her :)

Naiara said...

Very beautiful!
Hugs
Naiara

Katherine said...

It's a super page - love the envelope - not thought of that and all the details :)

IrinaR (Irina Rakovets) said...

Интересное решение, такая яркая страничка получилась. Дениз, вы изучали русский?

Denise Price said...

Спасибо, Ирина, за коментарию. Да, я русский изучала и в школе и в университете.

Sandy Ang said...

Wonderful layout in vibrant colours !

Lynette Jacobs said...

I always love to see your colorful, bright and happy layouts. You never fail to amaze me.

Unknown said...

Meus parabéns Denise seu blog e nota 10

Marilyn said...

Sweet page Denise!! great idea the envelope..cool!! Thanks for playing with us at Berry71Bleu!