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Friday 25 February 2011

Spring Is In The Air


With crocuses popping their tiny heads out of the ground to join the snowdrops and the wild garlic displaying their new leaves, it feels like Spring is ever closer and we're saying goodbye to Winter.

The Play Date Cafe peeps obviously think so too with a zesty and youthful colour combo this week. A luminescent blue & orange are joined by lime green. It's a very bright selection to work with. It's almost a double complimentary scheme but it's missing violet to ping against the green.

The central paper rose is an old favourite that has been around for months but I still love it. This one has been created with card which was first embossed with a cuttlebug folder. The rest is just pieces of chopped up papers in my scraps folder.

I've kept it symmetrical in design. I don't know why, but I tend to veer towards the safety of symmetry. The same goes with art. When I wander around a gallery, my eyes fall instantly on a piece that has strong symmetry. I'm the same when flicking through magazines (There's a poster which has me down to a tee which states..."I don't read the words, I'm too busy looking at the pictures" lol), I go straight for an image with symmetry. It's just so restful for the eye.

Not sure if I'll be posting next week as I'm a very lucky guy who is going to be travelling to Paris again for a few days. We went last year too but you just can't see everything in the space of a few days. There are just so many wonderful galleries to visit and not enough hours. Plus you need to factor in a few non-gallery related trips which preferably don't involve a lot of standing or walking. Believe me, the most essential clothing to wear in Paris is a good pair of comfortable shoes. Oh yes & I gather that it'll be Paris Fashion Week whilst we're there. Better dust off the Gaultier suit then lol.

19 comments:

Michele said...

Fab card - I love the rose! Have a great time in Paris xx

alexa said...

Gorgeous texture on that card - I wanted to reach out and touch that lovely rosette ... Speaking of touching things, are you taking any artefacts with you to Paris? :) Are what are you going to bring back nibble-wise this time? Hoping it'll all lovely, lovely fun! Try not to get arrested.

Suzi B said...

Hi Paul... gorgeous flower... how do achieve fuzzy surround to the photos?
Is it Photoshop?
Sue x

Paul B said...

Thx Michele - I'm looking forward to it :)

Alexa, I haven't found an artefact yet - may go look in the charity shops later to see what I can find.

Sue - yes it's a Photoshop effect. It was something I created however you can purchase them online too. They are known as "masks". Jessica Spragues website will have them I think. You can find everything from grungy to chic there.

Neet said...

Lovely card as always Paul - I do like that flower you have made - wish I was going to Paris for a weekend as I would love to get some ephemera from that market - must see what I can do about it.
You two have a fab time and hope Nick enjoys the galleries even more now with his new found skills.

Fiona said...

Love that spotty flower Paul! Have a blast in Paris :) A bientot :) Thanks for joining us at the Play Date Cafe!

Pauline said...

Beautiful card, that flower is gorgeous.

olive said...

absolutely adore the card Paul..... and get you off to Paris, see if you can get some freebies lol!!!! have a safe trip. hugs xxx

Sarah Anderson said...

I think a trip to Paris is a good enough excuse to let you off playing next week ;) I LoVe your description of this week's colours - so poetic! I always look forward to reading what you say about them and this week I reckon you surpassed yourself :)
Love the spotty rose in particular on your card. Have fun in Paris...Thanks for joining us at The Play Date Cafe :)

Michele Gross said...

I love that flower! I'm such a sucker for polka dots and texture!! Have fun in Paris! We'll miss you next week :) Glad you played with us at The Play Date Cafe!

Anne Jagger said...

Lovely card and rose. Have fun in Paris. X

Nigel said...

Wonderful use of the colours, with your usual subtle combination and inspired description.

Enjoy Paris.

Dotpat said...

Love the flower Paul, like your card too of course

Neil said...

Lovely stylish card as always. Enjoy Paris. We've been in the UK for 11 years now and still have not got round to going over to Paris (Even though we live in Kent!)

massofhair said...

Great spotty flower and lovely way to use up your scraps. Symmetry is something i like in a design too, agree restful on the eyes.
Enjoy Paris:-)

Smita said...

OMG Paul, this is such a beautiful card!!! I love love love that flower-very elegant!

Have a great trip to Paris. Sounds like you are going to have a fabulous time there! :)

Hugs,
Smita

Maria said...

Lovely card, Paul! A fabulous flower and design...very easy on the eye...so pretty! Enjoy your trip to Paris!

Jinny Newlin said...

Such a gorgeous card! LOVE that center, paper rose and how you've made it shine with texture and all your embellishments! Have a wonderful trip! You, truly, are so very lucky! In my dreams, one day, I'll get to go, too. Thank you so much for playing along with us, this week, in The Cafe!

Savannah O'Gwynn said...

WOWOWOWOW! Paul--this is sooooo stunning! You make the most beautiful flowers--and I love that green paper you have used! SOOOOOO amazing! Beautifully done! LOVE when you play along with us:) Thanks for playing along with us and joining in the fun over at the PDCC:}