to a specific design detail.
Be Real by Lynita Chin
Lynita took inspiration from the Japanese art of ikebana for this layout. Ikebana floral arrangements follow the same rules as Lynita did in this project. First, the largest item should be in the back of the design, in this case the largest being the tallest photographs, and the smallest (shortest) are placed in front. The project contains an odd number of photographs (seven photographs). The smaller photographs (flowers) are arranged in a wide shallow bowl on the bottom or in front. The design should be minimalist (no title, and minimal embellishments), and finally the design should be asymmetrically balanced.
Supply Credits Patterned paper: My Mind’s Eye, Chipboard coaster: Urban Lily
Raise the Red Lantern!
The Bright and Bold Colors of China
Nearly ten years ago, my mother and I were traveling in a small town in a fairly remote part of China. We were probably the only Westerners in the town during that time of year, and it was getting to be dinnertime. We found only one open restaurant, which was at our hotel, and they were hosting a wedding banquet. While we ate our dinner, off to the side of the festivities, we watched the bride go through a number of changes of clothes. The last change was from a white dress to a bright red one. To be honest, we were shocked. We wondered, “What on earth is she wearing?” Here we were, two women from Oregon, in a foreign land; and while not unworldly, we just could not wrap our brains around a red wedding dress. Later, when I returned to Beijing to continue with my Chinese language class, I asked my teachers about the dress. It was then I learned that red is a traditional color for weddings and other festivals in China as a symbol of celebration, luck and prosperity. I now look at the use of color in a different way after that wedding; and when I bring out a bright red paper for use in my Chinese layouts, I feel as if I am bringing in good luck!
TRADITIONAL CHINESE COLORS
When giving your projects a Chinese flair, the following colors can be used as a guide:
Imperial Yellow
Bright Red (firecracker red)
Rust
Green
Blues: Chinese Blue, Indigo, Peacock Blue
Chinese culture has strong associations with certain colors. In the art and practice of feng shui, colors are given specific meanings and are linked to the four main directions (North, South, East and West) and five elements (Earth, Wood, Metal, Fire and Water). The goal of feng shui is obtain a balance of the elements in order to have a balanced Chi, or life force. Red means luck, celebration and prosperity and is linked to the element of fire. The Chinese word for yellow is a homonym for the word royal, and the use of the color was limited to the royal family. In feng shui, yellow is associated with the Earth element, symbolizing growth. Blue and green, which are considered to be the same color in feng shui, are connected to the Wood element and mean harmony and longevity. White, attached to the Metal element, is the opposite of red and is worn as a color of mourning (the exact opposite of Western culture!). The Water element is connected to black and has negative associations and is assumed to mean evil.
Lohei by Sharon Chan
The patterned paper by Die Cuts With A View features a Chinoiserie-inspired motif using branches and flowers. When combined with Chinese colors and detailed Chinese-type flowers, this layout has a distinct ethnic flair.
Supply Credits Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned paper: Die Cuts With A View (small floral), American Crafts (large flowers), Autumn Leaves (scalloped edge); Other: Chipboard letters, microbeads, glossy accent
Beauty by Ann Pennington
The picture of Ann’s grandchild’s smile is complemented by the bright, vivid and happy color of yellow, the color traditionally reserved for the Chinese emperor. This unique project features a reverse batik technique.
Supply Credits Mulberry paper, high-gloss photo paper, white scrap paper, cardstock; Die Cuts With A View (“Beauty” sticker); Stamp Attack (gingko stamp); clear embossing powder; embossing pad: VersaMark; Inks: Posh Impressions (Citrus, Beach Ball Yellow, Orange, Popsicle Orange); Other: Paper flowers, brads, eyelets
Intense by Lynita Chin
Inspired by the traditional Chinese colors of yellow and blue, and combining them with black-and-white photographs, this layout has a definite “Chinoiserie” feel to it. The use of this complementary color scheme of yellow and blue (colors that complement each other are opposite each another on the color wheel). Complementary colors always work well together and are an easy way to create a coordinated layout with the use of colors.
Supply Credits Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned paper: BasicGrey; Rice paper: Alphabet stickers: American Crafts; Flower: Prima; Inks: archival ink (sepia); Other: Brad, charm, ribbon, small tag
First Year of School
by Lynita Chin
Peacock blue was Lynita’s inspiration for this layout featuring heritage photographs of her first year of school. Red, pinks and blues are part of Chinese cultural history in Southeast Asia, and the combination makes me think of Peranekan pottery (Straits Chinese from Malaysia and Singapore) when I see this layout.
Supply Credits Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned paper: BasicGrey, KI Memories, Creative Imaginations; Flowers: Prima; Monogram letters: Colorbok; Chipboard alphabet: Heidi Swapp; Snaps: Making Memories; Stickers: 7gypsies/97% Complete; Ribbon
Red by Sharon Chan
Red holds significance as a color of celebration in Chinese culture, and this layout shows how the color is used in the home as a decorative element during the Chinese New Year holiday. Red is such a strong color that it often overpowers the other colors around it. Sharon paired red with black and white, allowing the color to stand on its own and shine.
Supply Credits Cardstock: Bazzill/Bling; Patterned paper: Scenic Route; Chipboard alphabet: BasicGrey/Undressed; Acrylic paint: EK Success; Alphabet stickers: American Crafts/At Home, Making Memories/Celebration; Chipboard house: Jenni Bowlin Studio; Flower chipboard: Technique Tuesday; Pen: American Crafts/Slick Writer; Glossy accent: Ranger
A Photo Just Because by Lynita Chin
Tropical colors tend to work well together when you take inspiration from nature. Red, purple and lime green seem sort of incongruous, but you know what? It works in the dragon fruit, so it will work in your layout as well!
Supply Credits Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned paper: Luxe Designs; Rub-ons: Luxe Designs; Alphabet rub-ons: 7gypsies; Plastic alphabet letters: Heidi Swapp;
