Going Green -- CYPRESS Green!

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Color plays such an important role in our lives whether we realize it or not. It has the ability to influence our feelings and emotions and ignite memories and thoughts.

We are constantly faced with color choices. The first color decision of the day usually comes in the morning when deciding what to wear. Often times we will choose our clothes based on the color of the mood we are feeling or wish to portray that day. The colors that we choose to show the world are often a direct reflection of our personality. The same holds true for our scrapbooking.

Though I wear bright colors, it wasn’t until recently that I realized I was primarily using Black Grid Paper in many of my mosaic layouts. When Tami began to feature a grid paper each month, a light went on in my head! When we scrapbook we aspire to showcase a special memory or moment in time, so what better way to do that than with color? And though black continues to be a favorite of mine, I let myself be inspired by the March featured paper – Cypress.

When I hear the word ‘cypress’ I immediately think of nature and that fresh smell of tree and earth. This month’s featured Grid Paper was just the thing I needed to scrap these photos of my husband walking through the gardens of Kyoto’s Heian temple. After all, the color green represents life, nature, and well-being. The Cypress Grid Paper brings back the memories of the sights, smells and sounds we experienced in that beautiful temple garden.

What else will I use the Cypress paper for? I’m working on a layout of my cat Cleo as I find the Cypress paper highlights her green eyes so beautifully.

And the possibilities are endless. Check out these color combinations I found on about.com:

• Green with blue produces echoes of nature and can denote new beginnings and growth.
• Green with brown, tan, or beige says organic or recycled.
• Green with yellow and black or yellow and white are sporty, outdoorsy colors.
• Green with purple can be high contrast, lively.
• Green with orange and yellow is a fresh and fruity palette.

  What about you? What uses can you find for Cypress paper? Christmas trees? A favorite sports team? Money? Cypress paper offers a wealth of uses for us scrappers. I can’t wait to see how you use this month’s featured paper.