Color Me Pretty: September Shades
Hello friends, it is Leslie here, back with my column Color Me Pretty. You haven’t seen me over the summer (since my last color story in May) because I took the summer off to work on some creative projects and to spend time with my family, including my little ones. That is why I disappeared in June, July and August. But I’m back monthly again and the palette I am exploring for September includes mint, light peach, gray, some emerald, a little orange and a touch of copper. I like these colors together because they are versatile and work well for any season.
I can imagine all my fall and winter wool fashion items, mostly gray and black, being perked up with my chalky mint jeans, or a pale peach top or maybe some new copper toned accessories. Home décor schemes with loads of grays, linens and whites could also look great freshened up with metallic copper and a little mint.
I wanted to use watercolors to paint some geometric patterns for you with this palette. I love all the bold triangular patterns I am seeing on fabrics and just felt so inspired. It is fun to mix these geometrics with more organic shapes or even polka dots.
I found myself layering papers, my paintings and ribbons in my journal. I even painted some of my journal pages with metallic copper paint. I always encourage readers to play with colors in these small ways first before you go on to tackle a room or buy a new wardrobe!
I have seen many modern looking quilts lately that use simple geometric patterns as well to make beautiful and functional décor items for the home. I have dusted off my sewing machine and it is waiting for an interesting project like this. I have been flipping through a book I recently purchased called, Sunday Morning Quilts, which I think is great for new aspiring quilters like myself.
Pale peach and orange flowers are some of my favorites and this time I decorated some of my plain soda bottles with some scrap paper and twine to use for a little party. These flowers were all snipped from my garden as the weather has remained warm and late summer roses still have some blooms.
I hope you have enjoyed this color series and I look forward to seeing you back here next month. Take care, Leslie.
(photos: leslie shewring)
Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
Google +
Flickr
LinkedIn
September 24th, 2012 at 10:36pm
Oh Leslie, this is just wonderful!! Love it! xxx
September 24th, 2012 at 10:47pm
Leslie the florals in this post are to die for. Love the papers wrapped around the roses. So gorgeous. Glad to have you back & glad you had time for your family this summer!
kalanicut´s last [type] ..DIY: Glittered Pumpkins
September 24th, 2012 at 10:59pm
delicious! love this color palette and all of the lovely items you chose to showcase it! especially love the wrapping on the soda bottles, great idea!
September 24th, 2012 at 11:11pm
How lovely to see you again Leslie! Very pretty shots-such wonderful light!
:-) Caroline
September 24th, 2012 at 11:13pm
Yay, you’re back! Though I certainly understand taking time away to spend with the kids (I have four little ones and treasure the time they’re off from school). These photos are beautiful, and I have to ask — where did you get those pencils? I love the striped ones!
September 24th, 2012 at 11:21pm
So glad you’re back. Hope you enjoyed your Summer! I’m really loving this color story. It’s the perfect mix! I think mint is slowly becoming one of my favorite accent colors. Nicely done!
Rachel´s last [type] ..Feels like fall.
September 25th, 2012 at 1:01am
You never disappoint dear Leslie
September 25th, 2012 at 2:55am
Finally you back again Leslie, Welcome back :). I am always huge fans of this column. And a glimpse of mint is totally awesome. Love the palate.
We do not have Fall here, but surely this inspiration is one of my fave.
September 25th, 2012 at 3:13am
So happy to see you back again. Love these images… the bottles with flowers, the hand wrapped package, the wonderful color combination. Looking forward to seeing more! Glad you had a great summer.
Sharon´s last [type] ..A New Fabulous Decor Board
September 25th, 2012 at 3:51am
Beautifully captured! All the best with your projects and family- so nice to have met you at the Forage Symposium!
heather´s last [type] ..Herringbone Oval Vase – $110.00
September 25th, 2012 at 4:06am
Delighted to have you back, Leslie! What a lovely post — sort of an interesting variation on traditional fall colors. Kind of like easing in to autumn, not quite willing to give up completely the pastels of summer. I like the pencils too, and wondered if you “made” them yourself by wrapping the pencils in washi paper?
September 25th, 2012 at 5:48am
I thought you’d never come back! yeah!!! cartwheels! (umm… wish I could still do them without putting my back out of whack)… Your color splashes are simply amazing!
christine e-e´s last [type] ..AUTUMN COOKING…
September 25th, 2012 at 5:59am
Yay! I’m so glad you’re back! I’ve been missing all your lovely inspiration all summer. Hope it was a great one!
xo
Jessica Senti´s last [type] ..{Fab Find} Three Bird Nest
September 25th, 2012 at 8:50am
How beautiful – very nice colors!
Art and Chic´s last [type] ..Design your own bike – Bike by Me!
September 25th, 2012 at 9:32am
Wow, I love every single thing in these photos. Lovely color combination and crafts you did there!
Lela´s last [type] ..City of Colors
September 25th, 2012 at 9:42am
As soon as I saw your lovely watercolour, Leslie, I thought ‘that would make a beautiful quilt’ and then I read down….I have always found your colour palettes really inspiring when I’ve been quilting (and I know a lot of fabric designers have your pictures on their Pinterest boards!)…have fun!! x
September 25th, 2012 at 10:55am
oh my, i LOVE the soda bottles!
zwergenprinzessin´s last [type] ..the dinner project: kw 38
September 25th, 2012 at 11:12am
I love the pastels ! Very delicate photos.
Silke´s last [type] ..My lamp – "UFO"
September 25th, 2012 at 11:46am
Hey Leslie! Though you were off of days, but am happy that you are back with a bash. The colors look so pretty on the bottles. Will be looking forward for your next post. :)
September 25th, 2012 at 12:02pm
Very nice. Also to paint and experience with colours. Nice to read your colomn. Thanks for this inspiration!
September 25th, 2012 at 1:03pm
Love all these shades! So inspiring! I’ll be playing with geometric patterns too, painting on fabric and I’ve been loving it http://www.etsy.com/listing/109497380/roll-up-crayon-holder-blue-hand-painted
Andreia´s last [type] ..Monday Inspiration
September 25th, 2012 at 1:18pm
Welcome back Leslie! You have been missed. Everything is lovely as usual.
xoxo Ingrid
September 25th, 2012 at 3:07pm
Welcome back Leslie! The colour pallette is lovely :)
Amy @ PaintWineRepeat´s last [type] ..End of Summer Blitz
September 25th, 2012 at 3:47pm
Love those little flower vases. Leslie makes everything look so sweet.
September 25th, 2012 at 4:16pm
Missed you Leslie! Great post. Clearly you’ve been rested and inspired. Love the mints + coppers as well!
Tina Ramchandani´s last [type] ..Bling Out: A roundup of iPhone 5 Cases
September 25th, 2012 at 4:18pm
Lovely palette Leslie! Always so inspiring! Can I ask where those polka dot and striped pencils are from?? Adorbs!
Ashley {GirlyObsessions}´s last [type] ..Girly Fall TV: The Mindy Project.
September 25th, 2012 at 4:39pm
Beautiful colours and who would have thought that these colours would fit together so wonderfully. I especially like the grey colour and the pale peach. My friend is having a birthday dinner at a Jacobean mansion house and the decorated soda bottles are a lovely and simple idea for the table. Best wishes, Sonya
What House?´s last [type] ..Mortgage blog: Brokers have high hopes for first-time buyer market
September 25th, 2012 at 7:47pm
You simply do magic with coulours, so beautiful!
September 25th, 2012 at 7:56pm
Just gorgeous….such a beautiful palette. It has me inspired for all kinds of things! My wardrobe, my living room and….more. :) Thank you darlin, I have missed your color posts.
xo
Melis
Melissa de la Fuente´s last [type] ..Cheap & Chic
September 25th, 2012 at 10:37pm
Such pretty palette and beautiful projects!
Anette@lebenslustiger´s last [type] ..Streetart!
September 25th, 2012 at 11:17pm
So happy to have you back Leslie with your amazing inspiring color stories!! Can’t wait until next month.
Rachel´s last [type] ..embroidery and Rebecca Rinquist
September 26th, 2012 at 5:07am
Your photos are beautiful. lOve the flowers, especially. I should take a color palette with me next time I go to the florist. Thanks!
September 26th, 2012 at 8:59am
It’s wonderful to have you back Leslie!! You have been greatly missed, but I’m glad that you had a good summer with your family!! Have been following you on twitter and pinterest…
September 26th, 2012 at 11:10am
What great colors!!
September 26th, 2012 at 1:09pm
The geometric watercolor study would make such a beautiful quilt. I hope you do it. Thank you for providing so much pretty,
September 26th, 2012 at 9:32pm
Such lovely and unique colours!!
September 27th, 2012 at 8:42pm
Wow ! Georgeous colour combo…Love all these pastel colours !
decocrush´s last [type] ..Une école pas comme les autres…
September 28th, 2012 at 3:26pm
I simply LOVE your idea of using soda bottles and giving them a new lease of life with wrapping paper that matches your room theme and the colour of your flowers. A great way to add a contemporary signature to a room. Look forward to adding some life to our office with those!
September 29th, 2012 at 5:43pm
These colors are incredible. And the pictures are beautiful. Definitely inspiring.
Chrystina´s last [type] ..I bought another apron
September 30th, 2012 at 9:51am
The photo of garden anenome, sedums and roses is stunning, a beautiful collection of soft late summer colours…..
kat x
kat weatherill´s last [type] ..London 2012 Olympic Park – Gardens and Landscapes
October 8th, 2012 at 6:41am
Hey Leslie!
Lovely crafts, colorful and so pretty, perfect for this season.
October 12th, 2012 at 6:00pm
leslie, it is as if you’ve made a portrait of a dear friend of mine with this palette and these images. a picture of her, her flat, her clothing would fit in perfectly. xx e
October 22nd, 2012 at 3:41pm
What a lovely blog. You’ve inspired me to get out my watercolours. ELL Xx
November 3rd, 2012 at 4:10am
Love the bottles! So simple, yet elegant! Always love to say Hi to another “Leslie”
Leslie Stewart´s last [type] ..Thanksgiving Treats & Fall Fun Link Party
December 22nd, 2012 at 1:58am
You might want to try picking some postcard-ish brochures/ leaflets from agnes b! They use lovely photographs which often have very inspiring colour themes as well just like yours! :)
January 16th, 2013 at 7:22pm
Leslie, could you tell me what type of roses these are? Thanks so so much!
January 19th, 2013 at 8:07am
I love the vases you made out of bottles. I write a blog from the viewpoint of A Yorkshire terrier about recycling. I would love to feature your idea for the vases on it. I would put a link back to your blog and give you credit. Email me and let me know if that would be okay with you.
Thanks,
Roxanne Spalding
January 28th, 2013 at 11:49pm
Such GREAT ideas and beautiful taste!!!
Kathi Townzen
February 4th, 2013 at 12:06am
What kind of bottles are those you used with the scrapbook paper?
February 4th, 2013 at 12:10am
What kind of soda bottles are those?
February 15th, 2013 at 4:35am
I really loved the designs, specially that bottle vase
The idea is really green and eco-friendly
Thanks for postinf
May 13th, 2013 at 1:07am
Where did you find the soda bottles? I love this idea!