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Design 101: Flipped Mirror Concept


The starting point for this layout is what I call the Mirror Concept. And in this case, I flipped the reflection.

Do you see the mirror image? It is the darker patterned paper to the right of the photo. It’s not a literal mirror image. It is a reflection of both size (although, not exact, because I tore the edge) and of overall color.

How is the mirror image “flipped?” Do you see that red area in the upper right corner of the patterned paper? That red mirrors the red boots in the photo. By arranging the red part of the paper to be at the top, I flipped the reflection. Setting two similar elements at a diagonal from each other (in this case, the color, red) is one of the many ways to balance elements on a layout.

Be aware, the mirrored image does not necessarily have to contain the same colors as the photo. It could be a journaling block, or something else completely. It’s the size that makes the mirror. Color reflection is just an added element.

The final touch in the mirror concept is to bridge the two images. In this case, I created the “GO” embellishment to connect the photo with the patterned paper, and added the word-strip stickers.

As a side note, I designed this layout for a new challenge blog, called, One Little Word. The team who created this blog based it on Ali Edwards’ One Little Word challenge for the new year. The new blog’s first challenge was to begin a layout from the word, “Go.”

Those red boots, so inappropriate for the activity my daughter is playing, along with the command version of “go,” inspired the hopes I expressed to my daughter in the journaling:

You go girl…with your red hot boots-flinging mud as you go-transforming deflated basketballs into soccer balls-7 yrs. and shining.

Keep going…Exhaust your resources-Leave your mark-Make Your statement-LIVE YOUR LIFE-Go.go.go. Be you.

* * *

Products used: Patterned paper (Basic Grey, s.e.i.); “Go” embellishment (I used a dotted circle from part of a Stampin’ Up stamp, used solid paper from Creative Memories, and Rub-on letters from K.I. Memories); Word strips (K&Company); Bling (Heidi Swapp for Advantus); Pen (American Crafts); Acrylic paint (Grumbacher); Thread (from own stash).

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