Last Tuesday we talked about color and ways to choose combinations when we get "color block" and today we're going to address What Colors Should I Use to Create My Card Part 2. If you missed the last post--you may want to start there and come back for today's installment http://www.sandilovesstamping.com/2018/07/what-colors-should-i-use-to-create-my-card.html
Before we talk about new sources of color combos let's talk about what colors mean or indicate---here's a list you can use to help you decide what you may want your primary color to be:
-Red implies power, passion, and strength
-Pink (this is my fav) conveys romance, innocence, and spunk
-Orange denotes heat, the season of autumn, and attention
-Yellow conveys energy and warmth, but also caution
-Green suggests nature, wealth, and envy
-Blue implies tranquility, trust, and high quality
-Purple denotes royalty, luxury, and magic
-Brown suggests stability, comfort, and dependability.
Using these brief descriptions, you may first want to decide what you want your major color to convey. What do you want someone to feel when they open your card---calmness? Then maybe blue is your core color. Do you want them to be excited and bubbly--try some Yellow. After you decide on your base color, then work on what other colors to use for accents or secondary colors.
Now lets look at some additional sources of inspiration when you have "color block."
1. Stuff all around you: One of Sandi's Stampers (Jackie Silvestri) has provided 3 examples of "stuff" that is all around you that can be used as inspiration...like this 
I told you above that pink shades are my fav so that's what I chose to begin with---using the base as Powder Pink---I could use touches of Lovely Lipstick with accents in Whisper White. See what I mean. Now let's look at another example Jackie provided 
In this sample I would begin with Poppy Parade and add bits of Pool Party, Early Espresso and maybe some Granny Apple Green---I don't want to add too many colors so if I use more than 2 major colors then I'd only add very small amounts of the other colors--see how the amount of green is very very small in this sample?
Let's try one more sample here 
Here it seems that Real Red is predominant and small amounts of Early Espresso add some contrast. Now they've added a bit of what looks like Blueberry Bushel--something I would not have paired up with these 2 colors but it does add a real spark of interest and contrast!
So take a look around you....product packaging, clothing, store displays, nature, and on and on and on...there are endless sourcs.
2. Stampin'Up! catalog: Wander through the pages of the catalog and let your eyes go to the card, project or suite layout that attracts your attention...that is probably (at least partially) a color combo that you like...so grab the 2 primary colors and touches of the other colors for your card. Here's an example
This card has a beautiful base of Shaded Spruce combined with a Coastal Cabana swish. Then touches of Razzleberry and Blush really set it off. So when you get stuck--check out the samples in the catalog.
3. Designer Series Papers; Now here's a really great source--check out the colors listed under the Designer Series Papers...for example, let's look at Tropical Escape:
The colors listed under the pictures are: Basic Black, Blushing Bride, Granny Apple Green, Shaded Spruce, and Whisper White. Any and all of these colors will form a great color combo for your card!
So now let's summarize today's sources--first think about the "feeling" you want to project and then....look at
1. Stuff around you
2. Samples in Stampin'Up! catalog
3. Designer Series Papers
So next time you get stuck trying to select colors for your project...you have tons of great sources to get unstuck! Have fun and Create something every day!
