Saturday, June 15, 2013

Citron + Turquoise (Summer of Color)


I've joined a new challenge group that provides weekly color combos during the summer.  Each week we get to vote on a new combo, and the majority wins.  This first week, citron green & turquoise was the winning combo.  I'm stoked, because that's the combination that I voted for (though all the options were tempting).

Supplies: background paper & grid paper from October Afternoon; vintage-style illustrations from Graphic 45; all other paper from Pink Paislee; alphabet stickers from Creative Imaginations; watercolor paint from Angora; ink from Clearsnap; colored pencil from Pedigree; faceted cabochons from Olla Podrida; wire from Artistic Wire; seed beads from my stash; photo collage printed by walgreens.com.

My layout is called "AbcdEfg," and my journaling explains the reason for that unusual title: "A is for algae * B is for buds * C is for cattails * D is for dirt * E is for evergreen * F is for flower * G is for "gobble-gobble" (says the turkey)  ~ early spring photography scavenger hunt, alphabet theme, @ nature center ~"  This scavenger hunt was a program that I signed up for, and even with the help of trained naturalists, it proved to be challenging!  I didn't realize that it would be so hard to take photos for each letter of the alphabet.  I ended up with some unusual shots, but all in all they capture the very early stages of spring in Minnesota--when much of the landscape is still brown, but bits of green are beginning to show themselves.



I want to use the Summer of Color challenges to experiment with new ideas.  This week, I explored the idea of using watercolor paint on patterned paper.  I also did some work with inks and colored pencil.  Not all of my "experiments" made it onto the finished layout, but the successful ones did.  I also have a handful of painted scraps left over, and I think these will be useful for my art journal.



I'll close by showing you larger images from my alphabetical photo shoot.  Maybe next time I'm in the park, I'll try for photos H through N.  :)

A is for algae--a strange photo subject, 
but it was all I could find for the letter A.
B is for buds--some of the first buds of spring!
  C is for cattails--all dried out from a long winter.
D is for dirt--made more interesting by a fallen leaf.
E is for evergreen--strangely leaning.
F is for flower--the first one I saw this spring!
G is for "gobble-gobble"--and good bye for now!

16 comments:

Alex said...

What a beautiful idea to use the alphabet as a guideline for your week 1 at SOC3.
I love the photos you chose, the tree is gorgeous! It is the only one that is leaning, but also the only one which is green. I call this retributive justice. ;-)

Mandy said...

Great page and beautiful photos...x

Shahrul Niza said...

Hi, Denise :). This is such a wonderful idea to play, I LOVE Minneapolis and I wished I had more time to visit Minnesota :). LOVE your nature journal, can't wait to see your observation next :).

Юлия Бар said...

Denise! Какие чудесные фото!!!! Прекрасная страничка!!!!

Aline Fonseca said...

Hello, Denise!
Thanks! I love those colors you've used too! It's a kind of "brazilian colors"! Our flag colors! Your page is very cute!
Hugs!!!

Sharon Fritchman said...

Oh my goodness Denise! I absolutely love your post and what you created for the SOC challenge! So inspiring and creative!!!!!

Natasha said...

What a fabulous idea, though I imagine it would be difficult to get a photo for every letter of the alphabet. A beautiful spread and gorgeous use of the colours. :)

Kristin said...

I'm so happy that you've found us! Your page is just beautiful and I love the addition of color you put on the page. There's a beautiful texture to it too, and the beads are a wonderful addition. Can't wait to see more, xoxo

Angi Barrs said...

Such a beautiful page and colors!

Lynette Jacobs said...

Denise, this is such a fresh color comination and such a pretty layout.

Anne Manda said...

Really beautiful and interesting page, love it! <3

Tracey FK said...

A really pretty layout and a lovely combination of textures really make your work jump off the page... happy week 1...xx

Cindy C. said...

What a wonderful idea and project!! Thanks for sharing!

Ella Swan said...

What a beautiful page - such a stunning colour combo I agree!!

Chantalle said...

How fantastically clever Denise!

Denise van Deventer said...

Great page Denise..love the colouring and the abc journalling!