This is another example of the "quadrant" technique I used earlier to make some holiday cards. I really like how sketches and techniques can be so dramatically varied just by choosing different colors, papers and stamps. These stamps are some of my favorites from Club Scrap. If you use different stamps in each of the quadrants, I like to make them similar - different sized paisley here, for example, or all nature stamps. I think it makes the card base look more harmonious.
When this dark blue paper (the card base - not very visible here) first came out, I had no idea how I would use it. It was a little brighter than I usually go for, and I had trouble "matching" paper to it. One tip I have is to experiment! I recently listened to a podcast, and they talked about "auditioning" your colors (Craftcast #118). They were talking about polymer clay, but it applies to any sort of crafting. This is something I like to do - although it can cause crafty chaos in my room!
Sometimes, taking fewer things with you can also help. I made this card on one of our skiing trips. I limit what I take to card kits from specific kits, and embellishments that fit in a box. I find myself trying out different color combinations, and really surprising myself sometimes.
My other tip is to use a color wheel. A color wheel shows you all of the color choices that will work - and through this I've learned that blues and greens generally go together (and you can add brown to anything!).
Have fun with color - you may surprise yourself!