1-B: Idaho Skies
2-B: Blue Elderberry
3-B: Berry Dust
4–B: Putty
Some time ago I saw a poll on Facebook (I think), asking people what their favorite color was. The majority voted for Blue… and it didn’t surprise me. People always say blue. Of course when you ask me, I would never say just one color. I love so many colors my answer would probably change 20 times in the course of a minute, but most people just say Blue.
I have actually thought about this phenomenon often. Why do people love blue so much? Is it because the planet is filled with so many beautiful and important things that are blue? Water, air, the distant landscape… all are varying shades and hues of blue. And then there are blue birds, flowers, fruits and berries which enrich our lives with both beauty and sustenance. Blue is definitely an important color in nature… maybe that’s why humans love it so much?
Today’s blue color inspiration comes from the beautiful wild fruits of the Elderberry. This particular cluster was photographed by Doug along the side of the road on our 2013 PcT Roadtrip through Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Although neither of us could remember the exact location of this shot, we do believe it was taken on one of the back roads through Idaho on our way to Coeur d’Alene.
In any case, these beautiful blue elderberries caught the eye of Doug (whose favorite color is also blue) as a potential polymer clay color recipe palette. Hence the choice of this photo as the inspiration for the upcoming Vol-066 B-Series color palette for the month of November 2013!
Everyone who is subscribed to our Polymer Clay Guest List will be able to download the following recipes free, one per week on Friday mornings during the month of November 2013:
- Idaho Skies (Recipe 066-1B)
- Blue Elderberry (Recipe 066-2B)
- Berry Dust (Recipe 066-3B)
- Putty (Recipe 066-4B)
[wp_ad_camp_1]…Idaho Skies is the sky blue color of the lighter colored Elderberries as well as the open skies of Idaho State. Blue Elderberry is the darker shade of blue, that the elderberry turns when it matures. Berry Dust is the soft gray blue of that dusty film on the wild fruits. And Putty is the soft neutral tan color you see in the background of this photo but would also see in the aged window putty of the old barns and farmhouses so common in the farmlands of Idaho.
The recipes described above are from the Volume-066 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-066 A-Series Color Palette that paid library members will also receive during the month of Nov, then click here: Sunflower Fields Palette
I enjoy color mixing and am delighted to have these free recipes you send each week! ~Gail-H
Thanks a million for the color recipes. Without them, I would be experimenting myself more colors all day long. Your recipes help to know what the color looks like an ease my curiosity. ~Christina-P
After taking Maggio Maggio’s Smashing Color Class in Portland Oregon I now understand the how to’s of mixing colors a whole lot more. I also understand that you take time in making your paletts and I appreciate your hard work. I also understand now how to make colors using cobalt blue, zinc yellow and magenta. I also understand the fact that you take the time to give us colors that are available by Premo so we can better use the product. Thank you so much for the hard work you put into everything. I know I will improve with all this new knowledge and understanding of color and color choices. ~Cindy-P
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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
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Cindy I just wanted to say that I really appreciate your beginner course videos. The info and tips are so helpful. Just getting started with polymer. I want to incorporate it as focal pieces in my bead weaving. It is all just a hobby for me so far. Thanks so much.
Thank you Peggy for the kind words. Please when you get a chance do past some pictures of of your bead weaving that the members gallery page.
Hello Cindy! You have been doing an amazing job! I love your website and every time I make a mistake, I run back here and there’s always a solution! Thank you so much for that!!
Polymer clay has just made an entry here into India! Very late compared to the rest of the world!!
So glad that you are learning from the web site. It’s wonderful to have you here, all the way from India.
You being from India, reminded me of a story shared quite a while back, in a previous post here at the blog…
“… and now here is another tale of how 13 polymer clay beaded lanyards brought smiles to the faces of some monks and nuns caring for children over in India…”
Click this link for the rest of the story… Nepal Polymer Clay
I say blue and I love it, think because of a childhood watching the sky touch the ocean and pond. This palette is lovely, thanks Cindy.
Did you pick any elderberries to make wine? Oh, I guess you would have to smuggle them back into Canada.
No Anna we did not smuggle out any Elderberries for wine… We might not get let back into the states again if we did! They won’t even let you take a head of lettuce across the border these days, let alone any wild berries! :)
Never had Elderberry Wine before. What is it like?
Cindy, my old Dad’s elderberry wine would knock your sox off. We have had some very merry times after a couple of glasses. It is very warming and very potent and to think that nature gives us the berries for free.
Doug has caught the essence of these berries with his photograph, so thanks Doug and Thanks Cindy for all the colour recipes you create for us. Love Sunflowers too……cheers xx……
Cindy, if you ever get to the Amana’s in Iowa they have the best Elderberry Wine in the world along with so many others. They are known for their different and excellent wines all over the US. Whenever I have company from out of state, they always want to hit the Amana wineries! You can taste free wine all day! The Color Palette is lovely this month. I am a cool color person so blue fits right in there. There is something about mixing blue with beige or sand colors that is so comforting.
Hi Cindy,
Thanks for sharing your color recipes. I plan on starting a collection with the free ones at first, and then move into a paid subscription.
I was wondering if you could answer a question for me not relating to the palettes. I often see where in a book or online someone says to use magenta. I have not been able to figure out which color that is. Premo does not have that in its assortment and the others don’t seem to either. Can you help?
Thank you
Gabriele
Hi Gabriele, the closest color to Magenta in the Premo line is Fuchsia. If you are trying to use it in a recipe that calls for Magenta, then it won’t be exactly the same but if you are using it as a primary, then it will work just fine.
Hi Cindy,
Thank you for your quick reply.
Have a nice day
Gabi