5 Ways to Color Block: Yippee for Yana
Hi friends! Please join me in welcoming back the oh-so-talented and amazing Yana Smakula! (Please note: our dear friend Yana is Ukrainian. To show support to our brothers and sisters in Ukraine, please see Yana’s post HERE.)
Hello, friends! It’s Yana Smakula here with a new “Yippee for Yana” episode. Today, I’m excited to share several ideas for creating fun and vibrant color-blocked backgrounds, perfect for showcasing bold sentiments on your cards!
Color blocking is one of my absolute favorite card-making techniques. It’s all about combining blocks of color to create eye-catching, dynamic backgrounds. The bold contrast and playful use of colors instantly elevate any card design.
I’m working with the Grad Basics stamp set by Cathy Zielske, paired with coordinating dies from Simon Says Stamp. I adore the handwritten “grad” sentiment with its adorable heart detail – perfect for graduation cards! All my stamping is done using VersaFine Onyx Black ink on Neenah Solar White 80 lb cardstock, my go-to combination for crisp, clean stamping.
Simple Checkerboard Background
For my first color-blocked card, I created a checkerboard pattern. I started with two colored cardstock panels cut to 4 ¼ x 5 ½” – Honey (yellow) and Cotton Candy (pink) – and cut both in half and in half again. Final rectangles measure: 2 ⅛” x 2 ¾” . Arranging these rectangles alternately creates a visually appealing checkerboard effect that’s simple yet striking.
Adding White Space
In another variation, I introduced Creamsicle cardstock alongside Honey and Cotton Candy, this time leaving intentional white spaces between each colorful block. This spacing enhances the visual interest and allows each color to pop distinctly. The blocks measure: 1 ⅞” x 2 ⅕” (yellow), 1 ⅞ x 2 ⅛” (orange), 1 ⅞ x 2 ¾” (orange), 2 ⅛ x 3 ⅜” (pink).
Diagonal Cuts for Dynamic Effects
My third background involves diagonal cutting, one of my favorite techniques. By simply cutting Honey and Surf Blue cardstock panels diagonally, I quickly created striking backgrounds. One card features a half-and-half diagonal color split, while another takes this idea a step further by using quarter-panel diagonal cuts, creating more intricate and visually intriguing layouts.
Final Touches
Once my backgrounds were assembled, I stamped sentiments and additional details using an older favorite, the Holiday Silhouettes stamp set, also by Cathy Zielske. Despite originally being a Christmas set, its versatile elements, like stars and dots, beautifully complement the graduation theme.
For added dimension, I popped up my die-cut images with foam squares and even used layers of cardstock to subtly elevate panels. A few finishing touches with a white Gelly Roll pen added whimsical dots, enhancing the overall charm of each card.
Give it a Try!
Color blocking is incredibly versatile. Whether you’re celebrating graduations or crafting for any other occasion, this technique allows endless creativity and striking results. Grab your favorite colored cardstock, experiment with different cuts and layouts, and watch your cards come alive!
Thank you so much for stopping by today – I hope these ideas inspire you to create vibrant, color-blocked cards of your own. Happy crafting!
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