Creating Flat Lay Photographs

About six months ago I joined Instagram. Before that I had never heard of flat lay photographs,  although I had seen them around. The reason I Love them is that they appeal to my mathematical brain and neat & tidy nature. I try and take them in threes so there is a theme and matching of colours.

I Love this tray frame I bought by 7gypsies, the compartments are perfect for filling with small objects.  Spools of thread are ideal as they come in so many pretty shades and seem to have a universal appeal. I could not believe my luck when I came across the lilac stamps, it was like they had been printed especially for me! 

I bought the box of Pantone postcards back in the Summer, again the pretty shades are perfect for this style of photo. I really enjoy trying to match the colours. I bought the compass ages ago and was thrilled to find a use for it!....I Love when things come together unexpectedly. 

This pencil box is just gorgeous, you may have seen my jug in the same pattern. Sadly the pencils inside are white with black spots, I was very disappointed. The use of the Snowflake charms transforms this photo, from what could be a Summer photo, into a Winter shot. 

I Love to make my own Stationery and these mini albums are so simple. Just three sheets of co-ordinating card or thick paper bring them all together. The thread and buttons have been used in all four photos which helps to connect them. I found the coloured rings on ebay.

I hope you have enjoyed these photos. If you would like to see more then please do join me over at http://instagram.com/blueanchorbay

If you would like to follow my blog and many others why not do so via Bloglovin' So much fun! http://bloglovin.com/blueanchorbay

Many thanks for reading. I am planning to write some simple tutorials in the New Year, about how to make notebooks, albums, decorate your planners etc

Hope to see you again very soon.

Best Wishes, 

Jacqueline

xxx

Blue - The Water Element

As many of you know, Blue is my Favourite Colour! My page, Blue Anchor Bay, is named after the place in Somerset where we took the children when they were small. In this case Blue refers to the Sea. However, Blue is also the colour of the Sky, so it is a Truly Natural Colour. Indeed, it is one of the Primary Colours, along with Red and Yellow. In Feng Shui it is known as The Water Element. ( I will discuss the other 4 elements ie Metal, Earth, Wood and Fire, in future blogs.)

In Feng Shui the Water Element is thought to bring Freshness, Purity, Flow, Ease, Abundance and Renewal. In other words, the Colour Blue is Pure & Fresh. 

According to Colour Theory, Blue means Calmness, Responsibility, Peace & Strength and causes a Relaxed & Refreshed Feeling.

If you look at the colour wheel below, you will see that Blue is classed as a Cool Colour, along with Purple & Green. They sit together on one side. Purple and Green are both secondary colours being made from Blue with the addition of Red for Purple and Yellow for Green.

Traditional Hindu beliefs suggest that the body is divided into seven Chakras. These are focal points, where energy from the aura are received into the body and then distributed. The Throat Chakra is situated between the collarbones this is where they believe the Colour Blue is Distributed. It affects our throat, neck, ears and shoulders and is associated with the sense of hearing and with our thyroud gland.  (This is very interesting as I have an underactive thyroid gland!) 

In Colour Therapy, Blue is the colour of Inspiration, Peace & Tranquility. However, Blue is also associated with Depression & Sadness hence the saying 'Feeling Blue' This refers to very dark shades of Blue.

Tints & Shades...There are, of course, many shades of Blue, my Favourite is Turquoise. Tints are made by adding white to the primary colour, often referred to as pastels. Shades are made by adding other colours in varying degrees.

Shades of Blue

Colour Combinations - there are many ways of combining colours. Often a 12 segment colour wheel is used as a tool

Here you can see the combination of Blue, Green & Purple which were described above as the cool colours. They are also known as Harmonious or Analagous Colours as they sit side by side.

Another popular combination is known as Complementary Colours, this is where two colours, opposite each other on the wheel, are used together eg Blue & Orange

Another very simple way of combining colours is to use neutral tones such as Grey, I think this works well with the Turquoise

I hope you have enjoyed reading this blog. I have introduced lots of theories, some of which you may have heard of. There is too much information to include it all here but you may wish to find out more! I shall be continuing this series and discussing other Colours, Elements and Types of Colour Combinations.

If you have any questions then please do ask. You can find me here 

https://www.facebook.com/BlueAnchorBay

Sets of Buttons and other craft packs now  for sale on ebay 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/blueanchorbay2012

Many thanks for reading!

Best of Wishes from,

Jacqueline ⚓️💙⚓️ xxx 

Shades of the Sea - Buttons Galore

Blue is my Favourite colour, it always has been. I Love the Blues of the Sea, especially Turquoise, as well as shades of Sea Green with a touch of Purple... I also Love Buttons and I know it is a cliché but my Grandmother really did have a Box of Buttons. I have collected many Buttons over the years, I still have buttons from my Nurse's uniform and Hubby's Police uniform from when we first met over thirty years ago. As well as the colours, I love the feel of them running thru my fingers, like sand on a Beach.

Over the past couple of years, since I started up my page Blue Anchor Bay on Facebook, I have learned how to make Necklaces and Bracelets from Buttons. I Love making them to match different outfits. I have also sold many online, at Fairs and in a shop on the Isle of Wight!..... They have proved very popular. I  decided to make a New Collection now that Autumn is here and I have more free time. I had a Wonderful Summer, out & about, but now I will be spending more time at Home. 

Usually in the Autumn, and run up to the Christmas period, I change my colour scheme to suit the Season. Last year I had a Red & White Scandi theme. This year I have decided to stay with my Beautiful Sea Blues & Greens with a touch of Purple! I am even thinking of using this colour scheme when decorating the house for Christmas!....

My Birthday is in December....21st to be precise. I am not a fan of Christmas, especially when it overshadows my Birthday!....So whilst you are all planning your C Lists and buying Handmade Presents please remember your Friends, Family & Loved ones who also have Birthdays at that time of year!

A present is not just for xmas, it is something to be enjoyed all year round and that includes the Summer!... My Lovingly Handmade Button Necklaces and Bracelets would make Perfect Presents. Please note, my Button Collection is made up of new, used, recycled and vintage buttons, all mixed together.  The necklaces and bracelets all come Giftwrapped in Tissue Paper and are easy to wrap and post. I always use new, handwritten envelopes. If you are posting abroad, please do so in plenty time!....

Here is what I have for sale below

1. Blue & Purple Neckalce strung on Turquoise Cotton cord, Large buttons and aprox 59cm length, folded in half, 118 total round. £9.50 plus £1.50 UK P&P

2. Medium Blue and Purple Buttons strung on Turquoise cotton Cord 50cm drop aprox

£8.50 plus £1.50 UK P&P

3. Medium Blue & Purple Buttons strung on Turquoise Cotton Cord Aprox 30 cm drop

£7.00 plus £1.50 UK P&P

4. 3 bracelets in Blue &Purple using small and medium buttons, length aprox 19 to 21 cms

£4.50 each plus £1.25 UK P&P

5. Blue & White Large Button Necklace strung on White Cotton Cord aprox 50 cm drop

£8.50 plus £1.50 UK P&P

6. Blue, White & Sea Green Medium Button Necklace ( one of the buttons says 2000 on - may be a significant year for someone?) aprox 40 cm drop

£7.50 plus £1.50 UK P&P

7. Two Sea Blue & Sea Green medium and small button bracelets aprox 20/21 cms

£4.50 each plus £1.25 UK P&P

All items may be purchased and paid by Paypal. Please email me at bluegeranium3@hotmail.co.uk if you wish to purchase or if you have any queries. Items will be sold on a first come, first served basis. I am very Happy to combine postage and give quotes if you live outside the UK. I shall also endeavour to help in any way I can. My Customers are very Important to me. If you would like a custom made item please ask and I shall help if I am able.

Thanks for looking!.....you can also find me on Facebook here www.facebook.com/BlueAnchorBay

My Necklaces and bracelets are for sale here in my Etsy shop https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/BlueAnchorBay

 I would love to Welcome you to my page where we all share our Love of the Seaside, Best Wishes, 

Jacqueline xxx