One Big Bloom

In each issue, Graffiti explores famous artists and their techniques to inspire our scrapbook layouts, cards, and projects.

Blossom. Bloom. Fiore. Posy. Die blume. Bud. Fleur. Flor. They all mean the same thing…flower. Flowers are abundant on scrapbook pages, cards, and craft projects. We group and bundle them, arrange borders, and use them to frame photos. But our challenge this month was to emulate the work of artist, Georgia O’Keeffe (1887-1986), who used one flower to make a big statement.

While O’Keeffe also painted clouds, landscapes, and sky-scrapers, it is her large-scale paintings of flowers, with their precise details that many of us associate her with. She is quoted as saying, “If you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it’s your world for a moment.”

Our scrapbook pages are our world for a moment. They take a memory and freeze it, making it even more special. The designs below are examples of the world at a moment, accompanied by one big flower. They are examples of how you can use a large embellishment and still maintain the focus of the layout on the photo and the memory.

Artis by Romy Veul

Supplies: Paper, Stickers, Bling, Ribbon, Trinket, Chipboard, Buttons: Bo Bunny Press, Flower: Melissa Frances, Pens: Edding, Ranger Industries, Ink: Colorbox (Clearsnap), Other: fabric circles, doily. Tools: Stamps: Bo Bunny Press, Paper Distresser: Tim Holtz (Idea-ology).

Design Note: I love to use many layers on my layouts, but find it nice to add some other textures to my page as well. Adding a flower can be a perfect way to do so. This flower gave my layout a bit of a chic feel, while still staying true to the vintage feel of the rest of my layout.

Blue Bips by Kelly Starsky

Supplies: Paper: Little Yellow Bicycle, Colorbok, Bazzill Basics Paper, Doodlebug Design, Cardstock: Paper Studio. Tools: Punches: Fiskars, EK Success, Die Cut Machine, Dies: Sizzix (Ellison).

Design Note: Since I didn’t have a photo of the water, I used flourishes, hearts, and commas to piece together the splash that I needed to complete this layout about my daughter’s blue lips/”bips”.

Journaling: Swimming on Memorial Day is a special treat. The sun is warm, but the Gerner’s pool is cold. It gives you…Blue bips

15 Questions by Sylvia van der Steen

Supplies: Paper: Prima Marketing, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Flourish, Flower: Prima Marketing, Arrows: 7Gypsies, Trinket, Ink: Tim Holtz (Ranger Industries), Other: lace, alphabet stickers, eyelet. Tools: Paper Distresser: Tim Holtz (Tonic), Punch: Martha Stewart Crafts.

Editor's Note: To get a shabby look, crumble up your papers and ink all folds before flattening. Tear some of the edges and fold back the ends, so that you can glue a piece of lace underneath.

Journaling: 15 questions Q1: If you could build a house, where would that be? at the same spot, only a bigger one Q2: What is your favorite outfit? a pair of jeans Q3: In love, engaged, married? yes, yes, yes to Rob Q4: Most and less favorite place to be? Most fave: my scraproomm-Less fave: being the last car in a traffic jam Q5: What time do you get up in the morning? on working days: 5.00 am or 6.00 am, days off: 9.30 am Q6: What makes you angry? People that don’t keep their promises Q7: If you could play an instrument, what would it be? guitar or keyboards Q8: Favorite colour? black Q9: Favorite story book of your childhood? Wipneus and Pim Q10: Favorite season? spring Q11: What chore do you dislike? ironing Q12: Do you have a tattoo? no Q13: What’s in your purse always? A13: wallet and credit card Q 14: Sushi or hamburger? A14: I prefer macaroni Q15: Anything else you’d like to share? A15: my favorite vacation would be as far away as possible.