Mix It Up! How to Create Stunning Color Combos with the 60-30-10 Rule

 Ever feel stuck trying to choose the perfect color palette for your cards or scrapbook layouts? You’re not alone! Color can make or break a project—but the good news is, you don’t have to be a color theory expert to get it right. Let’s talk about one of my favorite go-to formulas: the 60-30-10 rule.

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🎨 What is the 60-30-10 Rule?

This classic design principle is all about balance. It breaks your color scheme into three parts:

• 60% Dominant Color – your background or base layer

• 30% Secondary Color – your layering or focal element

• 10% Accent Color – your wow factor!

It’s often used in interior design, but it works like a charm in paper crafting too.

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🖌 How to Use It in Card Making

Let’s say you’re working with Petunia Pop, Lemon Lolly, and Pretty Peacock.

• Use Petunia Pop for 60% of your design—like your card base and some DSP.

• Add Lemon Lolly as your 30%—think sentiment layers or stamped florals.

• Finish with Pretty Peacock accents—maybe enamel dots, ribbon, or a bold die-cut word.

The result? A balanced, eye-pleasing card that pops without overwhelming.

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📚 Scrapbooking with the 60-30-10 Rule

Scrapbook pages need a little more space and layering, which makes this rule even more useful!

• Choose a dominant color that coordinates with your photo(s) and make that your background and large mats (60%).

• Select a secondary color for photo borders, journaling boxes, and layered embellishments (30%).

• Sprinkle in a bright or metallic accent color with stickers, titles, or stamped shapes (10%).

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💡 Bonus Tips

• Try using a color wheel or the Stampin’ Up! color coach to help build your palette.

• Don’t be afraid to pull in a neutral (like Basic Beige or Gray Granite) as part of your dominant or secondary colors.

• Switch the ratios for dramatic effects—a card that’s 60% black with 10% gold can be stunning and bold.

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Next time you sit down to create, give the 60-30-10 rule a try. It’s a simple formula that takes the guesswork out of color pairing and helps your handmade creations look polished and intentional.

What’s your favorite go-to color combo? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to try it!

Happy crafting,
Katrina 💌
Katrina’s Kreative Heart