Choosing Colours in Papercrafting Without Losing Your Mind
- Bronwen Johnston-Strembiski
- Apr 23
- 5 min read
Let’s talk about colours. Specifically, the endless sea of possibilities when it comes to choosing colours iLet’s talk about colours—specifically, the endless sea of possibilities when it comes to choosing colours in papercrafting. Ever found yourself staring at a rainbow of cardstock or ink pads, feeling completely overwhelmed? You’re not alone. Colour choices can make or break a project, but the good news is, it doesn’t have to be stressful.
Why Colour Matters More Than You Think
Colour sets the mood. A palette of soft pastels whispers vintage charm, while bold primaries shout excitement and energy. When colours work together, they elevate your project from “nice” to “wow.” But if they clash? Well, let’s just say it’s hard to unsee.
The key is to approach colour with intention—not just a grab-and-hope method.
Choosing Colours in Papercrafting: Start With a Colour Palette
A colour palette is your best friend. It guides your choices, making them feel intentional rather than random. Here are some simple ways to find the perfect palette:
Paint Shop Swatches: One of my favourite activities is visiting the paint section at hardware stores to grab free sample swatches. They provide endless combinations to spark new ideas.
Online Colour Boards: Websites like Pinterest and design blogs are goldmines for curated colour boards, making it easy to find harmonious palettes.
Creative Scrapbooker VIP Club: As a member of the Creative Scrapbooker VIP Club, I participate in monthly colour challenges that inspire me to try new combinations.
Nature’s Inspiration: Look to Mother Nature for ideas—think autumn leaves (rich oranges, deep reds, and golden yellows) or beach scenes (soft blues, sandy beiges, and crisp whites).
Mood Boards: Collect fabric swatches, magazine clippings, or save your favourite Pinterest images. Notice any patterns in the colours that catch your eye.
The Colour Wheel: It’s more than an art class tool. Analogous colours (side by side on the wheel) create harmony, complementary colours (opposites) offer bold contrast, and triadic palettes (three evenly spaced colours) balance energy with cohesion.
Tried-and-True Colour Combos
Staring at your craft stash with no idea where to start? Here are some foolproof colour combinations:
Soft and Romantic: Blush pink, cream, and muted sage
Bold and Modern: Mustard yellow, charcoal, and teal
Vintage Vibe: Sepia brown, faded blue, and warm rose
Fresh and Playful: Coral, mint green, and sunshine yellow
One of My Favourites: Orange, purple, deep blue, and grey—this combo is bold yet balanced, adding a fun twist to any project.
Bright and Playful
Keep a Colour Journal
I love keeping a colour journal—a simple book where I record my favourite colour combinations. Whenever I discover a new palette I love, I add it to my journal. It’s an invaluable resource when I need inspiration or feel stuck.
Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment
Some of the best colour combinations come from happy accidents. If you’re unsure about a palette, test a few swatches together. Arrange your papers, inks, and embellishments to see how they interact. And if something feels off, trust your gut—it usually knows when a colour combo isn’t quite right.
Here’s a tip: neutrals are your safety net. If you’re working with bold or bright colours, balance them with classic whites, greys, or kraft tones to prevent visual chaos.
Final Thought on Choosing Colours in Papercrafting: Have Fun With It
Papercrafting is all about joy and creativity. Choosing colours should be exciting, not stressful. So, go ahead—play around, mix unexpected shades, and most importantly, have fun with it. If you love it, then it works.
Ready to start your next colourful project? You’ve got this!n papercrafting. Ever stood in front of a rainbow of cardstock or ink pads and felt your brain short-circuit? You’re not alone. Colour choice can make or break a project, but the good news is, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Why Colour Matters More Than You Think
Colour sets the mood. A soft pastel palette whispers sweet nothings of vintage charm, while bold primaries shout excitement and energy. And when colours work together, they elevate your project from "nice" to "wow." But when they clash? Let’s just say it’s hard to unsee.
The trick is to approach colour with a plan—not just a grab-and-hope strategy.
Start With a Color Palette
A colour palette is your best friend. It gives you a roadmap, making your choices feel intentional rather than random. Here are a few easy ways to find one:
Paint Shop Swatches: One of my favorite things to do is visit the paint section of a hardware store and grab some sample swatches. They’re free, and they offer an endless variety of colour combinations to spark new ideas.
Online Colour Boards: There are also plenty of online resources for colour inspiration. Websites like Pinterest and design blogs are full of curated colour boards that make it easy to find harmonious palettes.
Creative Scrapbooker VIP Club: I’m part of the Creative Scrapbooker VIP Club, and they offer a monthly color challenge that’s both inspiring and fun. It’s a great way to stretch your creativity and try color combinations you might not have considered.
Nature’s Inspiration: Mother Nature is the ultimate designer. Think autumn leaves (warm oranges, deep reds, and golden yellows) or a beach scene (soft blues, sandy beiges, and crisp whites).
Mood Boards: Collect images that inspire you—fabric swatches, magazine clippings, or even your favorite Pinterest board. Look for patterns in the colors you’re drawn to.
The Color Wheel: It’s not just for art class. Analogous colors (next to each other on the wheel) give a harmonious feel. Complementary colors (opposites) create bold contrast. Triadic palettes (three evenly spaced colors) bring energy while staying balanced.
Tried-and-True Color Combos
If you’re staring at your craft stash wondering where to start, here are a few color combinations that never fail:
Soft and Romantic: Blush pink, cream, and muted sage
Bold and Modern: Mustard yellow, charcoal, and teal
Vintage Vibe: Sepia brown, faded blue, and warm rose
Fresh and Playful: Coral, mint green, and sunshine yellow
One of My Favorites: Orange, purple, deep blue, and grey—this combo is bold but balanced, and it adds a fun twist to any project.
Keep a Color Journal
It’s also fun to create a book with samples of colors that I like to use together, so I can revisit them later. Whenever I find a new combination I love, I add it to the book. It’s a simple but powerful tool for keeping track of what works—and it’s a lifesaver when I’m feeling stuck.
Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment
Some of the best color combinations come from happy accidents. If you’re unsure, test a few swatches together. Lay out your papers, inks, and embellishments and see how they interact. And if something feels off, trust your gut—it usually knows when a color combo isn’t working.
And here’s a secret: neutrals are your safety net. If you’re using bold or bright colors, balance them with classic whites, grays, or kraft tones. It keeps things from feeling too chaotic.
Final Thought on Choosing Colours in Papercrafting: Have Fun With It
Papercrafting is supposed to be joyful. Colors should excite you, not stress you out. So, play around. Try unexpected combinations. And remember—if you love it, it works.
Ready to dive into your next colorful project? You’ve got this.
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