Black backgrounds can also be a balancing color when you choose to use at least three prominent colors on your page. For my “Beautiful Baby” layout, I chose pink, white, and turquoise. Aileen used pink, yellow and green on her “Lovable You” layout, while Liza played with green, blue and orange on her “Life’s Journey” layout. The black background blends perfectly against these colors.

Beautiful Baby by Janis G. Medina-Maghinay

Supplies: Papers: My Mind’s Eye, SassaFras Lass, All My Memories, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Die Cuts With a View, Stickers: BasicGrey, Making Memories, Rub-Ons: Jenni Bowlin Studio, Kaisercraft, BasicGrey, Scenic Route, Brads, Chipboard Frame, Flower, Conchos: All About Scrapbooking, Chipboard: Maya Road, Bling: Prima Marketing, Ribbon: Heidi Grace, Ink: Clearsnap, Crackle, Glossy Accents: Ranger, Pens: Sakura, Other: glue, bling, ribbon, paint.

Design Notes: To give instant texture to raw chipboards, use crackle accents (I used Ranger’s) on top of acrylic paint.

Journaling: You truly are a blessing.

Lovable You by Aileen Griffiths

Supplies: Papers: BasicGrey, Flowers: Prima Marketing, Brads: Making Memories, Pen: Zig, Sakura, Other: stickers.

Design Notes: My daughter's favorite colors are pink and yellow, so I tried to use those as the main colors in this layout. I thought black would be the perfect background to make everything pop. The leaves, butterflies, and bees were cut out from the same paper collection, and I doodled the white and black dots for the finishing touch.

Journaling: April 2009 - Sylvia's Kindergarten picture.

Life’s Journey by Liza Bermudez

Supplies: Papers: Pink Paislee, October Afternoon, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Stickers: Making Memories, Rub-Ons, Brads: Kaisercraft, Frills: Fancy Pants Designs, Pen: American Crafts.

Design Notes: I used a black cardstock as base for my layout to let the photo, patterns and embellishments stand out. The greens were a perfect contrast to black as well as the white rubons. The mood of the photo was further accentuated by the choice of colors and the other elements. The journaling was created by writing on the photo along the pathway in keeping with the theme.

Journaling: In the past, life has dealt us with trials and jubilations. It was hard coping with the changes but we know we have to move on and move forward with life. I only pray that we continue to have courage and faith as we face life onwards.