Symbolic Colour

Colour has well known symbolic associations. I always remember my A level English lessons when my teachers would bang on about the white and red flowers together symbolising impending death, and Thomas Hardy loved to use colour symbolically. (It's because of 'Tess of the D'Urbervilles' that I always think of Hardy when I eat strawberries, so vivid is his use of symbols, colour or otherwise.) I was always led to believe that when given flowers, the colour could be symbolic - yellow for infidelity, red for love and passion, white for innocence and new things. Florists even include pages of guidance for when you're buying flowers!

My flowers of choice would be orange. Teleflora say 'There’s nothing bashful about the color orange–its message is clear and blatantly proud. Symbolizing energy, enthusiasm, and warmth, an arrangement of blooms in this vibrant color conveys confidence, satisfaction and a passion for life.' A passion for life.

Today’s challenge is to use colour in a symbolic way on a card, layout or other craft project. Shimelle said of blue, "Blue is a traditional colour of good luck and good health. Its richest shades were once reserved for the royalty and most wealthy, as the dyes were some of the most expensive".

As many of you will know I've been on a mission to lose weight in 2009 and am about to reach my target of 80lb. I am feeling happier and healthier. Blue is my symbolic colour in this layout 'Health and Happiness'. It also fullfills the SLYMI requirement for this week 'Scrap a self portrait' as I took this photo at arms length leaning on the window sill at Mum's house.

Materials;
Bazzil basics white cardstock
Basic Grey 'Scarlet's Letter - Fare thee well'
Urban Lily 'Say it'
Papermania patterned papers
Jillibean soup journaling sprouts black circles
Dymo junior and black tape
Bazzil bloom
Pearl ribbon from Hobbycraft
Basic Grey button
Fly Stickers
Sequin waste from Hobbycraft
Making Memories cheeky shimmer stickers