Three Striped Island Cats

It's a rare thing to have the three of them sit together. I had been trying to capture a photo for awhile. I was so glad my husband was able to get one with his tablet. This is one of those photos in which the quality doesn't matter. The cats are not going to line up for a group shot, so you take what you can get! We adopted all three of these cats while living in the islands.

3 Striped Island Cats by Christy Strickler Supplies| Cardstock: Colorbok; Patterned Paper, Die Cuts, Stickers,Alphas: American Crafts;Chipboard: Sassafrass,October Afternoon; Mist: Ranger; Other: wood heart, for Get It Scrapped

When I create my layouts, I often use items or colors that give me visual cues to the story I want to tell.  The coral paper reminds me of the resort my husband works at. Both the coral and the yellow are colors commonly seen in the islands. Yellow, blue and black are the colors used in the Bahamian flag. I often use them when creating layouts about the beach or the islands. Though the viewer may not associate the colors the same way I do, I love the way they jog my memory. For me and for my family, it adds a little bit more depth to the layout and it's story.

I chose papers from several of Amy Tangerine's Collections. Many times, you will find that you can easily mix patterns from several collections if they share the same manufacturer or designer.The way I use the pattern in my layouts is also important. I used the diagonal yellow stripe to point up towards the photo of the cats. The chevron pattern reminds me of waves and the floral print is a nod to the lush island greenery. Wood elements remind me of driftwood on the beach.

Though the symbolism I add to the layout through color and pattern is not always evident to the viewer, it helps me create a cohesive blend of patterns and colors. the layout feels more whole and complete. Think of it in the same way you would use words to tell a story. The words need to make sense in order to work together. Your journaling is not the only way to tell your story. Choose supplies that speak to your heart and jog your memory. When you add those selections to your written story and photos, you create a layout that tells a wonderful tale.

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