We have walked to school more times this winter than we have gotten snow, which is just one clue that our Maine winter weather is definitely out of whack. Despite the lack of fresh powder, last weekend we decided to have a family fun day out in what little snow there is. I pulled Max and Finn around the yard in a sled, we all played on the snowy swing set, we sledded down hills, and Finn had his first roll-around in the white stuff. Even without our typical couple feet of snow, we had fun and enjoyed some winter beauty all together. The photos in today’s color palettes were taken during our fun afternoon outside. Color palettes were made using Play Crafts’ Palette Builder 2.1 and my photos. Matching solids are a combination of Robert Kaufman’s Kona cottons and Moda’s Bella solids. Matching solids and Aurifil threads is one of the awesome perks of using Play Crafts’ tool!
Corresponding solids from left to right:
Kona Pewter, Kona Hibiscus, Bella 30’s Blue, Bella Amelia Blue, Kona Regal, Kona Leprechaun
Corresponding Aurifil thread from left to right:
2605 – Grey
2465 – V Dk Brown
4140 – Wedgewood
2730 – Delft Blue
2745 – Midnight
2890 – Dk Grass Green
There is not much color to be found outside these days, except that of the brightly colored snowsuits of my children. I couldn’t resist turning this one into a color palette, and the resulting color combination is bright and bold.
Corresponding solids from left to right:
Bella Soft Finish Black, Kona Coal, Bella Blue, Bella Periwinkle, Kona Ash, Bella Sienna
Corresponding Aurifil thread from left to right:
4241 – V Dk Grey
1158 – Med Grey
5008 – Sugar Paper
4140 – Wedgewood
2600 – Dove
2372 – Dk Antique Gold
During my sled rounds, I was searching for any bits of color other than the ubiquitous browns, greys, subtle blues, and whites in the winter environment around me. This milkweed pod caught my eye with its hint of orange, and with the blurry blues of the background, it makes a fun palette. While the color reads more like a brown here, I swear in real life if felt like a radiant pop of orange in an otherwise barrenly brown landscape. Feel free to take poetic license and orangey-up that Sienna! I definitely could see a successful quilt in these colors.
Where is your favorite place to find color inspiration during the bleak days of winter?
Night Quilter 
While the last snow was beautiful for our funny Wis. winter, about the only place I find color right now is in my sewing room!!
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Thank you for reminding me of the palette builder and providing a link. Your gorgeous photographs have provided great inspiration for looking at colors in the winter.
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Color inspiration in winter for me comes from the sky. We are lucky to have beautiful sunsets, and the winter sky at dusk can produce an amazing variety of color.
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I always enjoy reading/viewing your color inspiration posts. thanks! 24 degrees and a sunny blue sky here today. Not a speck of snow in sight.
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I try to look at the sky : sunrises, sunsets, stormy and sunny skies,,,
Now you know I think your wee man is just about the cutest thing ever, but my goodness! That milkweed palette is just dreamy…
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The Finn palette is wonderful (as is your handsome little boy!) It can be hard to find more color when everything seems gray, but like you found, there are little bits out there hiding. 🙂
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Okay, Finn officially holds the title cutest baby ever (unless a grandchild comes my way sometime in the future). Your post inspired me to take a little time and look around the yard. Behold–lavender greening up, white and green garlic up 5 inches, pansies with purple buds and one flower, and lilacs with buds looking a little reddish. Of course, our thermometer hit 49 this afternoon in DownEast Maine!?
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What an adorable little face!!!
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How do you do this? I would love to bring this idea to my quilt guild as a program challenge some time.
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Having never seen milkweed before this is my second milkweed pod this week – isn’t it funny how that happens? I had never heard of Palette Builder 2.1 so thanks for sharing.
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That picture of Finn is adorable!! We’ve had very little snow, or when we get some it warms up and we lose it again. January was very weird, but it’s looking like February might try to be a little more normal. We had snow over the weekend and there’s more in the forecast for tomorrow. If it’s going to be cold, we should at least have the snow to play in, right?
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