Color Wheel

This information was originally presented to me by Creative Memories Senior Director Kim Shaw. To the best of my knowledge Kim is the person who first thought of applying the color wheel (art principle) to scrapbooking.

The Color Wheel is a great tool for deciding what color of mounting paper to use on a page. The Colors you pick using the Color Wheel always look good together and they help you as a scrapbooker to be more adventurous in choosing your colors. As Sheri Berger CM Unit mangers says, the Color Wheel can help you get out of a "color rut." The following instructions are geared to using the Creative Memories mounting paper that is available in the Contemporary and Classic Packs. 

Commercial Color Wheels are available at art supply stores for about $5 from a company called The Color Wheel Company. I recommend purchasing one for $5 if you are really going to use it and aren't a consultant wanting to specifically showcase your companies products.

To make your own color wheel you will need:

One package Creative Memories Contemporary Paper
One Package Creative Memories Classic Paper
A print out of the color wheel "blank" and templates
A paper fastener
Scissors
Photo Splits or Tape Runner
A laminating machine is optional- but nice

Cut out a 1 inch square of each of the following colors:
Yellow (gold) from the Contemporary Pack
Yellow-Orange from the Classic Pack
Orange from the Contemporary Pack
Red-Orange (Red) from the the Contemporary Pack
Red from the Classic Pack
Red-Violet (Fustier) from the Classic Pack
Violet from the Contemporary Pack
Blue-Violet from the Classic Pack
Blue (Marine Blue) from the Contemporary Pack
Blue-Green from the Contemporary Pack
Green from the Classic Pack
Yellow-Green (Green) from the Contemporary Pack

Attach each piece of paper to the appropriate place on the Color Wheel and laminate if desired. Cut out the templates and use a paper fastener to secure them to the color wheel (one at a time).

You may also want to print out the additional Color Wheel in full color

Don't' Forget:

1) Color can be in the form of a die cut, mounting paper or pen art
2) Keep your pages simple
3) Use colors that complement your photos and memorabilia