It's finally forecast. Lots of it. The scare-mongers tell us it'll be minus 14C (that's 6.8F), it should be arriving any day now, and the world up here will turn from green to white. To get in the mood, I thought I'd work on the pre-Christmas photos of the Littlies :). Pondering a 'dissolve' effect for the page below right, I clicked on the 'exclusion' layer in error, and suddenly the view changed in an instant (below left). Quandary ... A brilliant white background to emphasise the snow, or a slightly grungy black for high contrast? All opinions gratefully received!
In the meantime, there's a car service and MOT, a tax return, a One Little Word page, and some more app-learning to navigate. Hoping to see you next week in a world that might be bright white, will not be grungy, but will preferentially stay green! Thank-you for visiting today, and may your weekend be happy and creative :). How many days to Spring ...?
Great page both ways - I slightly prefer the black background
Posted by: helena | Friday, 11 January 2013 at 08:22 AM
Think I slightly prefer the white background!
Posted by: Linda | Friday, 11 January 2013 at 08:33 AM
The white version is definitely the best, it highlights the snow. The black doesn't have the lovely wintry feel of the white. But I do love how a slip of the mouse can throw up something unexpected and fun. The layout is gorgeous, and I love the direction you're going in. The grungy heart brush is a beautiful artistic touch. Hope you stay warm and keep the fires stoked up when the cold spell hits. I'll hibernate the moment the first flake hits the garden lol. Pxx
Posted by: Paul B | Friday, 11 January 2013 at 08:37 AM
Loving the white background. Much better IMHO. (Did u get my email)?
Posted by: Kjjc | Friday, 11 January 2013 at 09:29 AM
White for me - more wintry ... unless you were going for a dull, dreary and depressing vibe, in which case black is better!
Posted by: Jemma @ Just-Jimjams | Friday, 11 January 2013 at 09:39 AM
I love both of these.....really can't choose between the two!!
I'm also sincerely hoping the weather forecast is wrong!!!
Posted by: Jacky S | Friday, 11 January 2013 at 09:48 AM
The white was 'instant love' for me... it's absolutely stunning!
Posted by: Shell | Friday, 11 January 2013 at 10:06 AM
Well we're at the opposite temperature spectrum here with 38C today. I can't imagine living where it gets down to -14. My preference on the layouts would be for the white background.
Posted by: Melissa | Friday, 11 January 2013 at 10:27 AM
I do like them both - but in the white version my eye is immediately drawn to the Little One, while in the black I found I was rather more aware of the parked car and van in the background - so I'd vote for white :)
(Hello and Happy New Year, by the way! Been offline for a bit, it's nice to catch up x)
Posted by: Mel | Friday, 11 January 2013 at 12:17 PM
The white for me.
Now I am looking for a snow day so if you would prefer not to have it then please send it my way...I hope you enjoy it and don't get cut off for more than an hour or two and it doesn't cause problems.
Posted by: Jen Hart | Friday, 11 January 2013 at 12:48 PM
While both work on different levels, I much prefer the white background and think it is more in line with what you are trying to convey.
Posted by: Cheri | Friday, 11 January 2013 at 02:21 PM
oooh I like the white one best as it keeps the page open and bright whereas the other in black seems to draw it all in and highlight the background somehow... does that even make sense??? lol xxx
Posted by: furrypig | Friday, 11 January 2013 at 03:22 PM
White for me too! Am hoping there's no snow, am not really a fan, lovely to look at but a pain to get around!
Posted by: fay | Friday, 11 January 2013 at 05:23 PM
That's the funniest thing - I've just come from Miriam's and what did I write? "the difference a few clicks make!" I think white is right for me with this one.
Best of luck with that MOT and the tax return..
Posted by: Sian | Friday, 11 January 2013 at 05:26 PM
Another vote for white. It gives a clean fresh look...which is how snow makes it look, at least when it's fresh....not when it goes all mushy and icy! I know the boys will love it, but i really really hope we don't get too much x
Posted by: Louise | Friday, 11 January 2013 at 05:52 PM
I actually think the actual ball shows up better on the black!
Alison xx
Posted by: Alison | Friday, 11 January 2013 at 07:10 PM
Like te black one best :-)
Posted by: Becky | Friday, 11 January 2013 at 07:30 PM
Oh, wow, I like them both! (guess that's not very helpful LOL)
Posted by: Melissa | Friday, 11 January 2013 at 11:54 PM
oh white all of the way! and can't even IMAGINE being cold in our 40 + degree days over here, fighting fires (well not me, the menfolk!)
Posted by: sharon | Saturday, 12 January 2013 at 12:17 AM
Oh I like the white but then I like white as a background. Which reminds me - I ought to buy some more cardstock. Whose stripy paper/ribbon is on there?
Posted by: Missus Wookie | Saturday, 12 January 2013 at 06:06 PM
Oh definately the white. This is such a stunning page, love it. I notice that you are doing OLW... are you doing the online class at Big Picture?
love me :-)
Posted by: Tracey Holdyk | Sunday, 13 January 2013 at 11:24 AM
Gorgeous design and interesting to see the comparison between a black and white background. The white one does it for me; it feels more open to the elements. Whereas the black one closes in on your photograph, if that makes sense.
Posted by: Irene | Sunday, 13 January 2013 at 04:36 PM
Another vote for the white page. Good luck with the tax return.
Posted by: Miriam | Monday, 14 January 2013 at 08:22 AM
Amazing how easy it is to change things up. I definitely leaning towards the white...yes! Lovely!
Posted by: Marcie | Monday, 14 January 2013 at 12:36 PM
Both backgrounds work, but it was the white that jumped out at me. Great capture of the kick.
Posted by: Fiona@staring at the sea | Monday, 14 January 2013 at 12:42 PM
I prefer the white, it seems to open up the space and feels crisp. Hope your temps rise soon, we are having a our annual round of 70+ (F) days and I am in shorts and loving it. Tomorrow we should be back in the 40s. I am with you on the "how many days until spring?"
Posted by: Beverly | Monday, 14 January 2013 at 04:35 PM
These are both terrific. Although the black one pops a bit more, I think I prefer the white because it has more depth to it.
Rinda
Posted by: rinda | Tuesday, 15 January 2013 at 08:32 AM
hi Alexa, happy new year , haven't been on the computer much the last few weeks, been busy, purging out my scraproom , re-doing scrapbooks into pockets, waiting for my seafoam edition to arrive foe PL, it is now finally here -YAY-, so should be back blogging soon, with 3 weeks of PL to start the year. just been going through your last few posts, all beautiful as always, l must say l like the black pic the best, and l love your wreath for the new year, l see your doing One Little Word, with Ali, l too have taken the challenge this year and am doing it for the first time , and l must say l loved the Jan prompt, so excited to be doing something just on me, my word is BEGIN, what word did you choose ?, HAVE A GREAT WEEK.........
Posted by: kate adderley | Tuesday, 15 January 2013 at 10:58 AM
My vote is 'white'" too.
Cheers~
Posted by: Honoré | Wednesday, 16 January 2013 at 01:06 AM
White feels cold to me, but honestly I love the contrast ofthe black. I am no help!
Posted by: Susanne | Wednesday, 16 January 2013 at 12:45 PM
I like your "how many days to spring" comment as I sit here with the windchill outside a bitter -13C. :) Ok back to serious - I really like the white one, the other one is too much contrast for me.
Posted by: Gail | Thursday, 17 January 2013 at 11:52 AM
I'm a fan of the white one. Too many days til spring. Winter has just begun and we've already had more snow this year than all of last winter!
Posted by: Karen Walker | Sunday, 20 January 2013 at 12:54 PM
The white highlights the figure, and the black highlights the vehicles - just as Mel said above!
Posted by: Ali TS | Monday, 21 January 2013 at 05:09 PM
I like them both but would vote for the black - for me your grandson pops out more. Interesting that others found the vehicles showed more in the black for them.
Posted by: sandie | Monday, 21 January 2013 at 11:17 PM
Loving the contrast of the black, but that's just me :D
Posted by: Leanne | Thursday, 24 January 2013 at 08:08 PM