Vol-045-B Series [Premo Sculpey]
1B: Dream
2B: Fog
3B: Tawny
4B: Fawn

One of the advantages to not having time this last Fall to do much garden clean up, is that now that Winter has arrived, there is a little texture and interest left behind in the spent flowers and seed heads.

Such is definitely the case with this skeletonized (well almost) Hydrangea Blossom, that Willow shot in our Winter garden.

There is just something about this photo that brings a calm to my soul. The soft muted colors. The grayish light in the background and the lacelike veining in pale browns on a creamy base.

These are the kinds of colors that not only look lovely and dreamlike on their own, but are also wonderful neutrals that would happily support any vibrant color that chose to be in their presence. Much like a gorgeous linen suit or a cozy pair of Uggs.

It is for all these reasons, I chose this fading hydrangea blossom as inspiration for our next B-Series Recipe Palette.

Everyone who is subscribed to my Polymer Clay Guest List will be able to download the recipes free, one per week on Friday mornings during the month of Feb 2012.

• Dream (Recipe 045-1B)
• Fog (Recipe 045-2B)
• Tawny (Recipe 045-3B)
• Fawn (Recipe 045-4B)

Dream is the softest dreamiest blue gray found in the background light of this Winter garden photo. Fog is a slightly darker misty gray found in the lightest areas on the spent Hydrangea blossom. Tawny is the warm brown gray of the fine lacelike veining in the flower petals. And Fawn is the richer gray brown found along the edges and towards the center of the bloom.

The recipes described above are from the Volume-045 B-Series Palette. They are free to download for everyone subscribed to my Polymer Clay Guest List, Friday Email Newsletter.

If you want to see the Volume-045 A-Series Color Palette that paid library members will also receive during the month of February, then click here: Ivy Leaf Palette | Polymer Clay Color Recipes

I love how you take inspiration for color palettes from your environment! It’s so much more fun than just looking at color swatches. ~Karen-B

I always enjoy the history/story behind the items you’ve chosen for the new color palettes. ~Jeanne-C

I love how you interact with nature, Cindy. It is an inspiration when you share how you come by your palettes. Looking forward to seeing what this artistic community will do with it as well as what you will show us sometime soon. Not able to clay much lately but just dropping by to read the blog and see the videos as well as to enjoy the accomplishments of others lightens my days. All of you are awesome! ~Joyce-M

***********************************************************************************************

If you would like more information about the Members Library, here are some direct links:

Library Member Benefits and What Others Are Saying
Order Page for Color Recipe and Video Back Issue Packages
Become A Full Member at the Library

Vol-045-A Series [Premo Sculpey]
1A: Orange Wheelbarrow
2A: Tendril
3A: Ivy Leaf
4A: Spade

In an always changing climate that has four distinct seasons such as ours here on the West Coast of Canada, it is somewhat of a comfort when some of the foliage in the garden looks the same no matter what time of the year it is.

Such is the case with this Ivy Plant we having growing in an antique Orange Wheelbarrow in our back yard. If it weren’t for the angle and shade of the Winter light hitting the ivy leaf in the photo, this picture could have been taken in any one of the seasons, since the variety of ivy of the slow growing evergreen type.

The photo is another one from Willow, when she ventured out on a dismal gray winter day, in search of color and inspiration. It was the same day she shot the close-ups I used for the Cedar Cone Palette and the Viburnum Pod Palette posted last month.

Of course the vibrant hit of color from the rusty Orange Wheelbarrow did add a splash of life to the Greens of the Ivy Plant but it is truly amazing just how many shades and hues are present in this single leaf spilling over the edge of the planter. I could not resist using this photo for next months upcoming color recipe palette.

The following recipes for this Vol-045 A-series color palette will be added to the Polymer Clay Members Library in February 2012:

• Orange Wheelbarrow (Recipe 045-1A)
• Tendril (Recipe 045-2A)
• Ivy Leaf (Recipe 045-3A)
• Spade (Recipe 045-4A)

Orange Wheelbarrow is the faded and sun bleached Orange of the rusted and painted antique wheelbarrow used as a planter in our back yard. Tendril is the soft almost pastel green of the curling tendrils and the light colored veins on this Ivy Leaf. Ivy Leaf is the darker, most dominant green of this evergreen foliage. And Spade is the soft steel grey found in the darkest areas on the leaf and also found on the well used and well loved shovel used to tend this aging garden planter.

I look forward to your colour recipes as much as the videos, Cindy. I try to train my unruly colour sense by guessing what you have mixed to get a particular shade or tint. ~Monique-U

I have often looked at the “natural palette” of the Rocky Mountains where I live – azure sky, forest greens and deep clay reds – and thought that the combination was inspiring…but I didn’t let it inspire ME to actually reflect these hues in a piece of art. I am very new to polymer clay, but mixing colors and learning to select meaningful palettes for my bead projects are first and second on my list. I hope to keep an open mind to unexpected color combinations, but also to look to nature for some “tried and true” ideas. Thanks! ~Sue-P

Awesome colors as always. I love that you always share a story with your color palette. Makes me feel like I am right there with you naming these wonderful new shades. Thank you both for everything you do for all of us. ~Peggy-B

***********************************************************************************************

If you would like more information about the Members Library, here are some direct links:

Library Member Benefits and What Others Are Saying
Order Page for Color Recipe and Video Back Issue Packages
Become A Full Member at the Library

Vol-044-B Series [Premo Sculpey]
1B: Viburnum Pod
2B: Dusty Mauve
3B: Aubergine
4B: Calyx

Here is another of the wonderfully close-up garden photos that my daughter Willow took a few weeks ago… when I thought there was no color in the garden. Boy was I wrong!

Just look at all the incredible colors contained in this tiny Viburnum seed pod! I probably could have chosen eight colors from this photo as inspiration for this upcoming color palette. But since I have limited myself to four, I picked my favorites to share with you.

Everyone who is subscribed to my Polymer Clay Guest List will be able to download the recipes free, one per week on Friday mornings during the month of Jan 2012.

• Viburnum Pod (Recipe 044-1B)
• Dusty Mauve (Recipe 044-2B)
• Aubergine (Recipe 044-3B)
• Calyx (Recipe 044-4B)

Viburnum Pod is the soft Grayish Pink, found in the highlights of this wrinkled seed pod. Dusty Mauve is the complimenting dusty purple seen where the light hits the deepest color of the pod. Aubergine is the deep Eggplant color of the darkened skin on the pod. And Calyx is the dusted Yellow Green of the Calyx leaves that sit like a crown, cupping the gem that once was a beautiful flower.

The recipes described above are from the Volume-044 B-Series Palette. They are free to download for everyone subscribed to my Polymer Clay Guest List, Friday Email Newsletter.

If you want to see the Volume-044 A-Series Color Palette that paid library members will also receive during the month of January, then click here: Cedar Cone Palette | Polymer Clay Color Recipes

How lovely! I always save your descriptions of the four colours, Cindy – they’re very poetic, you Nature Lover, you! ~Mary-U

This was sooo cool! I was doing some of the tips already, but it took me awhile to figure it out. I just started to work on the color palettes last month. Now, that I watched the tute here is another suggestion that I do that may help everyone out. Because I was working on doing so many at one time I needed to make things go a little faster. So, I bought a little jewelry finding box that has 50 tiny little snap boxes and two larger boxes (it came with a tiny spoon and tweezers) and is only 10″ x 7 1/4 ” and 2″ deep. (Of course, you can find it at Michaels!) This is great to hold your jewelry findings but it works super holding a small piece of pure color clay! I labeled each one and placed a small conditioned piece rolled out to the thickest setting on the pasta machine. This way all I have to do is pull out the “pure” colors I need for the recipe I’m making. Since they are already the same size I just cut out the sections I need and mix them together! I use a very tiny cutter. It can be a challenge to make a 1/16″ but it can be done and I hardly have any left over. I will have just enough to make my chip. Also, I print all my cards, in the particular palette, on one sheet of paper with the palette photo at the top. I put them all in a 3 ring binder in a protective sheet in case the chip, if one falls off, I won’t lose it. I file them by volume number with the A series one side and B-series on the other side. This saves me time I don’t have to cut them out, they are together by palette, and you can flip through them and rearrange them how ever you like. So, far I love it and I’m almost caught up! Plus, I love leafing through them. I just admire the beautiful colors Cindy has dreamed up for us! I’ll post a photo of my book on Cindy’s Polymer Clay FB page so you can see what I’ve done. Maybe it will work for you, too! ~Catalina

Hi Cindy. I just love the way you described each of these colors. I felt so inspired after reading it. You are unbelievable and so talented in so many different things. ~Helen-S

***********************************************************************************************

If you would like more information about the Members Library, here are some direct links:

Library Member Benefits and What Others Are Saying
Order Page for Color Recipe and Video Back Issue Packages
Become A Full Member at the Library

Vol-044-A Series [Premo Sculpey]
1A: Yellow Cedar
2A: Juniper Berry
3A: Cedar Cone
4A: Cedar Bark

With all the crazy hustle and bustle that happens over the Holiday season, sometimes you just need to slow down and take the time to smell the roses… or in this case… smell the cedar boughs.

Winter is a great time to appreciate the heady scent of evergreen trees, and enjoy what little color there is in the outdoors during this chilly season.

Most of the garden plants where I live up here in Western Canada, have died back and lost their vibrant colors of Fall. The sky is mostly gray, the leaves are brown and rotting, and there seems to be little to find out there for inspiration… color wise that is… Unless you look at things closely!

The other day when my daughter Willow said she was heading outside to take some color recipe pictures for me, I looked through the window at the dismal landscape and thought to  myself… Good luck with that! Of course I did not say it out loud, since it is never right to squelch someone’s artistic plans.

And to my delight when Willow came back inside, she had a camera full of color inspiration that was impressive to behold. I’m so proud of her blossoming skills as a budding photographer.

Anyway, today’s photo is of a tiny 10mm bead sized seed cone on our huge Yellow Cedar tree in the front yard. It was snapped with a macro lens that did a brilliant job of capturing all the natural color and detail so beautifully. I hope you enjoy the image, as you allow your imagination to smell its amazing woodsy scent!

The following recipes for this Vol-044 A-series color palette will be added to the Polymer Clay Members Library in January 2012:

• Yellow Cedar (Recipe 044-1A)
• Juniper Berry (Recipe 044-2A)
• Cedar Cone (Recipe 044-3A)
• Cedar Bark (Recipe 044-4A)

Yellow Cedar is the bright Yellow/Green of the cedar bracts that are just visible in the blurred background of this photo. Juniper Berry is the Bluish, Purple-y Gray of the outer layer of the cedar cone. Cedar Cone represents the light Suede Brown of the opening cedar cone as it releases the seeds inside. And Cedar Bark is the dark Red/Brown of the ruffled edges of the cone where it meets the Blue outer rim.

The way you describe the colors is artistry in itself Cindy. There must be a poet in you somewhere. ~Angela-M

I love your description of the color palettes. Your experience in mixing the clay colors is desperately needed by me – an old lady beginner! Thanks for the best website on polymer clay I have ever found. At last – I am learning something.~Pamela-R

Hi Cindy. I was thrilled to discover your site and so happy to see the color recipes. I’m brand new to this and am happily overwhelmed with all the possibilities. Your info and kindness is unbelievable! ~Lucian-T

***********************************************************************************************

If you would like more information about the Members Library, here are some direct links:

Library Member Benefits and What Others Are Saying
Order Page for Color Recipe and Video Back Issue Packages
Become A Full Member at the Library

Vol-043-B Series [Premo Sculpey]
1B: Fading Hydrangea
2B: Plum Rose
3B: Claret
4B: Rock Path

In contrast to last week’s Vol-043-A Semiahmoo Palette which was deep and moody and filled with hidden meanings, today’s Vol-043-B Pink Hydrangea Palette is all about simplicity. Basically, this is a pretty flower, with pretty colors and I like it. Nothing deeper than that!

To be fair to the Hydrangea, it truly is a remarkable flower. Did you know that this particular genus species, Hydrangea Macrophylla will bloom either Pink or Blue depending on the acidity of the soil? Pretty cool EH?

Hydrangea enthusiasts can manipulate the pH of the soil by using Lime or Aluminum Sulphate. I haven’t tried it myself yet… too many polymer clay experiments to do first before I start messing around with horticulture!

If I remember correctly, this Pink Hydrangea blossom was in a bouquet that we got from the realtor when we sold our apartment. So this picture must be pretty old. When Doug showed me the photo, I loved all the different shades of pink in the petals, and the gray background, and just knew it would be the perfect inspiration for the next Volume-043 [B-series] color recipe collection.

Everyone who is subscribed to my Polymer Clay Guest List will be able to download the recipes for free, one per week on Friday mornings during the month of December 2011.

• Fading Hydrangea (Recipe 043-1B)
• Plum Rose (Recipe 043-2B)
• Claret (Recipe 043-3B)
• Rock Path (Recipe 043-4B)

Fading Hydrangea is the soft Yellowish Pink found in the oldest blooms as they dry and fade in the sun. Plum Rose is the soft Magenta based Pink so dominant in this big fat blossom head. Claret is the deep Plum Wine found in the shadowed center of the flower. And Rock Path is the Purplish Gray of the  pebbles in the background.

The recipes described above are from the Volume-043 B-Series Palette. They are free to download for everyone subscribed to my Polymer Clay Guest List, Friday Email Newsletter.

If you want to see the Volume-043 A-Series Color Palette that paid library members will also receive during the month of December, then click here: Semiahmoo Palette | Polymer Clay Color Recipes

Your recipes for different colors are priceless and such a time saver. I took index cards, printed the color and recipe on them then glued a baked sample on the card. Now when I need that just so color I can just find it on my index card and whip it up with out the waste and mistakes of finding just what one I need. Fantastic!! Thanks. ~Yvonne-B

I’m just beginning to experiment with mixing colors, so I believe the recipe cards will come in really handy. Keep up the fantastic work! ~June-W

Joining your ‘club’ is the best thing I ever did, I used to mess around with Polymer Clay some years ago, but always had problems and gradually lost incentive. In particular, I have no colour sense, so, having your fabulous colour cards every week is just a dream. I actually read on a beading artist’s blog that she got angry with people wanting to know exactly what colours she’d used and wondered why they didn’t just try for themselves. Well, I could tell her why! Whenever I tried I just got grimaces from people. I think it’s necessary to have someone to get you started and give you a few designs / patterns to practice to gain confidence, so you can then ‘paint outside the lines’ without worrying about how it will turn out. So, thank you again dear tutor, I hope you’ll be around forever! ~Marion-R

***********************************************************************************************

If you would like more information about the Members Library, here are some direct links:

Library Member Benefits and What Others Are Saying
Order Page for Color Recipe and Video Back Issue Packages
Become A Full Member at the Library

Vol-043-A Series [Premo Sculpey]
1A: Black Horizon
2A: Moody Sea
3A: Lifting Storm
4A: Break in the Clouds

Although this photo was taken by Doug fairly recently (in the last year I think), it brings up memories from many years ago. Pictures have a way of doing that don’t they? In the case of this particular shot, I was surprised how the longer I looked at it, the more it’s mood and subject developed into a strong metaphor of our life. Let me explain…

As I’ve mentioned before, we live on the West Coast of British Columbia, Canada, very close to the US-Canadian International Border. In fact the body of water in picture is named Semiahmoo Bay… half is in America and half in Canada.

Pronounced sem-ee-ah-moo, the name “Semiahmoo” is a Coast Salish First Nations word for “half moon”. There are many locations on both sides of the border with the Semiahmoo name, including the High School both Doug and I went to.

When standing on the beach in White Rock BC, on the Canadian side, we can see across to the American peninsula that is pictured in this photo. The water tower and buildings you see on the horizon are part of the beautiful Semiahmoo Resort which once was the site of an old fish canary. Some of the original canary buildings and structures, (including the water tower I think), have been preserved and have been worked into the architecture of the resort.

I tell you all this for a couple of reasons. First, I love to provide you guys with background information and stories about the photos used as inspiration for the color palettes. But another reason is that both Doug and I have an emotional attachment to that particular resort.

Years ago (’95) before Willow and Fisher had arrived, I had called into a radio show contest and won a $1000 weekend for 2 at the Inn at Semiahmoo, the old name for the Semiahmoo Resort. Doug and I were struggling financially and working our butts off in a new and challenging trout farming business. We were exhausted, stressed and really appreciated the chance for a luxurious holiday away.

We were so young and broke, we didn’t even have luggage. So we stopped in at my parents and borrowed some, just so that we wouldn’t be embarrassed by trying to check-in with our clothes neatly packed in garbage bags.

Going to this amazing resort, eating gourmet food, golfing, hanging out in the pub, gave us a glimpse into how it would be for us one day, and we really needed the encouragement at that time in our lives.

Looking at this picture with its moody dark colors, lifting and opening into to the bright warmth of the sun through the breaking clouds, painted for me a metaphor of our lives together. If we worked hard and made it through these tough times by holding on to our dreams, the darkness would break open and we would be rewarded with the warmth and light of a better life. Something I see happening for us now!

So in sharing that with you today, I hope you can see the inspiration behind this next month’s Vol-043 A-series color recipes. It is more than just a nice balanced collection of neutral colors for our upcoming Winter season. These are the colors of a piece of my life with Doug.

The following recipes for this Vol-043 A-series color palette will be added to the Polymer Clay Members Library in December 2011:

• Black Horizon (Recipe 043-1A)
• Moody Sea (Recipe 043-2A)
• Lifting Storm (Recipe 043-3A)
• Break in the Clouds (Recipe 043-4A)

Black Horizon is the inky Black of the dark buildings on the horizon. Moody Sea is the dark Blue-Gray of the rippling water. Lifting Storm is the softer, lighter Blue-Gray found in the blanket of clouds slowly lifting. And Break in the Clouds is the warm Yellow-White of the sun breaking through the clouds, bringing light to a period of darkness.

Love how you take us on these inspirational journeys with you – and the colors that come from them are fantastic! Thank you so much, Cindy. You and your family bring so much to the polymer clay world!!! Love and Hugs. ~Phaedrakat

I have been subscribing to Cindy Lietz Tutor since about October ’08. As a paid subscriber, I love the color pallet recipes and don’t know where else to get anything like them. I am confident she has tried out recipes before posting them on her site. ~Anna-S

I love the way each of your color recipes tells a story. They are told in a way that make us feel like we’re right there with you. You have taught me to tune in more to my surroundings, always watching for inspiration no matter where I am. ~Tanya-L

***********************************************************************************************

If you would like more information about the Members Library, here are some direct links:

Library Member Benefits and What Others Are Saying
Order Page for Color Recipe and Video Back Issue Packages
Become A Full Member at the Library

Vol-042-B Series [Premo Sculpey]
1B: Sand Dunes
2B: Cliff Banks
3B: Windswept Evergreens
4B: Beach Grass

If only you could feel in your soul, what it felt like to be standing with me on this beach, gazing along the shoreline of those amazing windswept cliffs at Ocean Shores in the state of Washington.

The miles of beach, the pounding surf, the trees struggling against the unrelenting winds… all of it lets you know that Mother Nature is definitely in charge… and that we as humans are just visitors here on this great big planet.

If you look along the right hand side of the photo, you can see a faint glimpse of the salty air mist that was continually rising up from the shoreline. If I could move the camera lens over to the right a bit, you would see the huge waves crashing in on the sand. We’ll show you more of that scene in future posts, don’t worry.

Naturally, when a piece of nature strikes such a chord in your heart, it only makes sense to let it inspire your art. And so, I decided to create the Ocean Shores Palette for Volume-042 [B-series] color recipe collection.

Everyone who is subscribed to my Polymer Clay Guest List will be able to download the recipes for free, one per week on Friday mornings during the month of November 2011.

• Sand Dunes (Recipe 042-1B)
• Cliff Banks (Recipe 042-2B)
• Windswept Evergreens (Recipe 042-3B)
• Beach Grass (Recipe 042-4B)

Sand Dunes is the pale sandy color of the dunes at the base of the eroded cliff side and the sandy shores along the beach. Cliff Banks is the ochre color of the red clay in the cliff side as it crumbles into the sea. Windswept Evergreens is the dusty dark green of the evergreen trees that cling precariously to the cliffs as they brave the relentless winds. And Beach Grass is the softer, paler green of the grasses along the shoreline, swaying and bending in the salty air.

The recipes described above are from the Volume-042 B-Series Palette. They are free to download for everyone subscribed to my Polymer Clay Guest List, Friday Email Newsletter.

If you want to see the Volume-042 A-Series Color Palette that paid library members will also receive during the month of November, then click here: Chihuly Glass Palette | Polymer Clay Color Recipes

Another winsome colorful story Cindy. With today’s rocky roads there is always a place to go for respite …your blog with the color palettes. Always a fun place to visit and join you in fond memories that can trigger memories of our own. Thank you, Cindy, for taking us along down memory lane. And now on to take hold of inspirations abounding from these truly beautiful colors! ~Joyce-M

I always enjoy the history/story behind the items you’ve chosen for the new color palettes. ~Jeanne-C

What wonderful stories that accompany your color palettes! Now this is why you have such a following. Such depth of field in all that you both do. It adds so much color (pun intended) to our lives. Thank you. ~Patt-W

***********************************************************************************************

If you would like more information about the Members Library, here are some direct links:

Library Member Benefits and What Others Are Saying
Order Page for Color Recipe and Video Back Issue Packages
Become A Full Member at the Library

***********************************

Vol-042-A Series [Premo Sculpey]
1A: Steel Blue
2A: Yellow Tormaline
3A: Amber (light)
4A: Amber (dark)

Some experiences in life are so inspiring that your mind whirls with excitement at the mere memory of it. Such is the case with our visit to the Chihuly Bridge of Glass, at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma Washington.

At this awesome exhibit, thousands of pieces of colored glass creations from the legendary artist Dale Chihuly, are suspended inside of a 50 x 20 foot ceiling which covers the most unique highway overpass I’ve ever seen. It’s a pedestrian walkway that takes you over to the architecturally magnificent Union Station showcased in the Vol-041-B color palette.

The Chihuly blown glass pieces are from his  Seaforms and Persian collection… Absolutely Stunning!!!

Doug, the kids and I had the pleasure of visiting the Chihuly Glass Museum on a gorgeous sunny day this past August, and were awestruck by the colors and forms as the sunlight streamed through the colored glass forms.

Obviously, Willow and Doug were madly snapping photos, as I was oo’ing and ahhing, saying… get this shot… oh, get these ones… this set here is so gorgeous… ooo, don’t miss those ones!! There really were unlimited possibilities for great pictures, I think poor Fisher thought we would never leave!

Any way, I picked one of the photos Doug took, as the inspiration for next month’s Vol-042 A-series color recipes. With so many great shots taken that day, and with so many different color ways, don’t be surprised to see more palettes in the future, created from Chihuly’s fabulous works of art.

The following recipes for this Vol-042 A-series color palette will be added to the Polymer Clay Members Library in November 2011:

• Steel Blue (Recipe 042-1A)
• Yellow Tourmaline (Recipe 042-2A)
• Amber (light) (Recipe 042-3A)
• Amber (dark) (Recipe 042-4A)

Steel Blue is the dark rich Blue, drawn from the striped blue almost Bull Kelp formed piece in the center of the photo. Yellow Tourmaline is the deep Earthy Yellow found in the Golden spotted flower/jellyfish form. Amber (light) is the Gold-Orange of the spots  on the yellow form and Amber (dark) is the darker even richer Orange of the jellyfish/mushroom shaped form nestled beside it.

Awesome colors as always. I love that you always share a story with your color palette. Makes me feel like I am right there with you naming these wonderful new shades. Thank you both Cindy and Doug, for everything you do for all of us. ~Peggy-B

Your colors are so beautiful! One of my clay resolutions for the new year is to use only custom colors from the library in my creations — as much as possible, anyway. Can’t wait to add these to the choices. ~Elizabeth-S

Well, decided to give polymer clay a try again. Got sidetracked with other things but recently started reading the blog and watching all the videos again. I was just going to start to make the color recipes and like so many here, Cindy’s color mixing video will now make that task easier. I am so glad to read Cindy’s remarks regarding her reason for starting The Polymer Clay Tutor and that was to help beginners. I can see that this is the best place to be-))) ~Catherine-R

***********************************************************************************************

If you would like more information about the Members Library, here are some direct links:

Library Member Benefits and What Others Are Saying
Order Page for Color Recipe and Video Back Issue Packages
Become A Full Member at the Library
***********************************

Vol-041-B Series [Premo Sculpey]
1B: Verdigris
2B: Dark Patina
3B: Limestone
4B: Copper Roof

Union Station in Tacoma Washington is one of the most unique and beautifully constructed pieces of architecture I have ever seen. Originally built as a train station in 1911, this copper roofed dome with four large cartouches in a lovely verdigris copper and leaded glass skylight, was painstakingly restored in the 1990′s to better than it’s original glory.

Apparently the skylight wasn’t designed for the constant rain of the Pacific Northwest Coast and leaked badly, causing the building to go into disrepair. The building now houses the courthouse and the rotunda interior is rented out for weddings and special occasions.

This photo was taken a couple of weeks ago by Doug from a bridge that was eye level with the roof of this cool building. And since the colors of the aged copper roof were so gorgeous, I thought it would make a great color palette inspiration for this coming up B-Series Color Recipes.

Right at the end of Summer, Doug and the Kids and I went on a brief break to get away before school started… headed south to Lacey Washington, home of the world famous Shipwreck Beads destination store.

My Mom suggested that we stop at an amazing Glass Museum located just off the I-5 in Tacoma Washington, right on our way to Lacey. I’m so glad we did, because there was some glass sculptures created by Dale Chihuly, that were truly inspiring to see.

The glass pieces are displayed in the gardens & on the Chihuly Bridge of Glass. Don’t worry, we’ll show pictures of the glasswork in a future post.

Any way, I’m telling you all this because it was that Chihuly bridged walkway that brought us eye level with the stunning Union Station Rooftop… which is the inspiration for this upcoming Volume-041 [B-series] color palette.

Everyone who is subscribed to my Polymer Clay Guest List will be able to download the recipes for free, one per week on Friday mornings during the month of October 2011.

• Verdigris (Recipe 041-1B)
• Dark Patina (Recipe 041-2B)
• Limestone (Recipe 041-3B)
• Copper Roof (Recipe 041-4B)

Verdigris is the dark teal green patina lurking in the crevices of the aged copper cartouche that is such a striking detail of the Union Station Domed Roof. Dark Patina is the dark bronze gray patina of the flat copper shingles. Limestone is the soft blue gray of the Limestone ornamental details of this historic building. Copper Roof is that amazing light green patina of the ornate cartouche and so familiar with all beautifully aged copper roofed architectural gems.

The recipes described above are from the Volume-041 B-Series Palette. They are free to download for everyone subscribed to my Polymer Clay Guest List, Friday Email Newsletter.

If you want to see the Volume-041 A-Series Color Palette that paid library members will also receive during the month of October, then click here: Vine Maple Palette | Polymer Clay Color Recipes

Cindy, it was wonderful reading the story behind the colors. Am looking forward to how you will be using these. ~Koolbraider

Love this idea about the recipe cards… also since you have been doing this a lot longer than most of us…any additional tips such as resources would be wonderful as well. Can’t wait to see all of this available….I am learning so much from your videos and your course too!!!! Hugz Cindy. ~Pamela-C

I just started making the colour recipe chips and find them invaluable. There is nothing more frustrating then starting a project and wanting to add a specific colour to it and at that point having to start from scratch to figure out how to mix it. My collection is small, and I can’t wait to learn how to better organize it and utilize all the prepackaged colours to provide colourific inspiration. ~Janet-R

***********************************************************************************************

If you would like more information about the Members Library, here are some direct links:

Library Member Benefits and What Others Are Saying
Order Page for Color Recipe and Video Back Issue Packages
Become A Full Member at the Library

***********************************

Vol-041-A Series [Premo Sculpey]
1A: Vine Maple
2A: Turning Leaves
3A: Doe
4A: Dusty Miller

In and around Vancouver, BC Canada where I live, it has been unseasonably warm during the final stages of Summer and into the beginnings of Autumn. None of the frosty crisp over-night temperatures that usually set in at this time of the year. However, after all of the dismal rainy days that lasted through much of Spring and most of our Summer, this beautiful weather has been a welcome change.

I have to say though, that it has thrown my internal clock off a bit. I mean, it’s weird when the kids are going back to school in shorts and sleeveless shirts, and coming home with sun burnt cheeks and stringy hair from sweating all day in class. Maybe further South from us, that is the norm. But around here, in the first weeks of school, most kids are clad in jeans, long sleeved shirts and a light jacket or sweater. Not tank tops and short shorts!

In spite our Fall weather getting delayed a bit, some things do seem to stay right on track. Like the color changes of some local vine maples that Doug photographed just recently (see picture at the top of this post). It’s a comforting sign that the cozy Fall season really is just around the corner.

By the way, it wasn’t until after completing the recipes for this months Vol-041 palette, that I noticed the first two are pretty darn similar to the ones in last month’s Viburnum Palette. Oh well… it never hurts to have too many gorgeous Fall colors ;-]

The following recipes for this Vol-041 A-series color palette will be added to the Polymer Clay Members Library in October 2011:

• Vine Maple (Recipe 041-1A)
• Turning Leaves (Recipe 041-2A)
• Doe (Recipe 041-3A)
• Dusty Miller (Recipe 041-4A)

Vine Maple represents the bright Orangey Red of the tops of the leaves on the Vine Maple Tree. Turning Leaves is the Purplish Rose of the color underneath. Doe is the soft Tan Brown found in the dried stalks of the undergrowth. And Dusty Miller is the Silvery Blue-Gray of the contrasting background foliage.

I love how you put so much effort into making your colors so accurate. This really saves alot of time, and no weird heap poo colored clay at the end which you aren’t able to do nothing much with. ~Shirley-L

Just a beginner here. Since my color mixing hasn’t worked well (your recipe cards will be a boon). Thanks for the videos too, Cindy, because sometimes it really helps to see a thing done. ~Cariad

Hi Cindy. I was thrilled to discover your site and so happy to see the color recipes. I’m brand new to this and am happily overwhelmed with all the possibilities. Your info and kindness is unbelievable! ~Lucian-T

***********************************************************************************************

If you would like more information about the Members Library, here are some direct links:

Library Member Benefits and What Others Are Saying
Order Page for Color Recipe and Video Back Issue Packages
Become A Full Member at the Library
***********************************