It’s no secret to family and friends that my favorite color is black. I remember my sister once told me that she can guess the color of the shirt I’m wearing in just two guesses: if it’s not white, it’s got to be black. Funny, I know, but I can’t help but grab whatever black I see whenever I shop for clothes, bags, shoes, even scrapbooks!

There is something in black that is elegant and versatile. On pages, just pair it with another color and the result will definitely be dramatic. Just take a look at Anna’s “Now I’m Really Angry” layout. The orange elements in her layout just pop and jump at you. Or consider Julie’s “Lucky Me” or Lisa’s “Outtakes” layouts. Julie’s green paper against the black background instantly gave focus on the photo of her son. On the other hand, Lisa’s red and yellow elements instantly stand out against the black base.

Now I'm Really Angry by Anna Koziarek

Supplies: Papers, Brads: BasicGrey, Chipboard: Maya Road, Fancy Pants Designs, Cosmo Cricket, Tags, Glossy Accents: Ranger, Photo Turns: 7Gypsies, Ribbon Slides: Maya Road, Dew Drops: Robin’s Nest, Clip: Making Memories, Flowers: Prima Marketing, Ink: Ranger, Clearsnap, Stamp: Hero Arts, Mist: Tattered Angels, Other: lace, ribbon, pearl stickers.

Design Notes: I used Maya Road scrolls to create a shape of a heart. I stamped a plain orange background with my favorite Old Letter Writing stamp. Finally, I used Glimmer Mist to add shimmer to the chipboard.

Lucky Me by Julie Bonner

Supplies: Papers: Scenic Route, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Stickers: Doodlebug Design, Dymo, Rub-Ons: Doodlebug Design, Floss: DMC, Pen: Uniball Signo, Other: buttons, floss.

Design Notes: Add dimension to paper punched flowers by curling the ends under with a pencil. Then, add pop-dots to lift them off the page. When attaching a sewn button to the flower center, don't sew it through the paper, but rather hand sew and tie off the floss on the back of the button. Attach the button with glue dot to keep it from flattening the flower to the paper.

Outtakes by Lisa Dickinson

Supplies: Papers: Cosmo Cricket, Studio Calico, Chipboard: American Crafts, Sassafras Lass, Stamp: Studio Calico, Pebbles: Prima Marketing, Pen: Uniball Signo, Font: Typenoksidi, Other: thread.

Design Notes: I resized these photos to fit 4-up on a 4 x 6 print, so it only took two 4x6 sheets to get these many photos.