Friday, December 03, 2010

Color Challenge Blog Hop

When I first read about Erin's Color Challenge Blog Hop, I thought it sounded like lots of fun. So, I signed up.

And then, in typical me fashion, I promptly forgot about it.

Until this arrived in the mail:






And had me going "What the heck? who on earth would mail me a paint chip palette?" Then I turned it over, saw Erin's name and it all came rushing back so I had to race to her blog to check on the deadline.

On the positive side - I hadn't missed it (whew!)

On the negative side - it was set for just a couple of days away from another major deadline that I was working towards.

Rats!

And then that sneaky voice in the back of my head (the one I don't usually admit to in public) said "y'know, you COULD make one item that satisifies BOTH of the project guidelines."

But I argued myself out of that on the basis of it maybe being kind of a sneaky thing to do (which is why it was suggested by that sneaky voice - see how these things work?)

And then I immersed myself in the other project, and the holidays happened, and the paint chip got lost for a week in my kitchen clutter, and the kid had ginormous amounts of really annoying math homework and that whole sneaky idea? Started to seem like GENIUS!

Except I still couldn't find the paint chip so I had to go for it from memory and this is the result:






I used a textured novelty yarn, size 5 DMC Perle Cotton, seed beads, Swarovski pearls and patinated brass chain from Patina Queen to create this necklace





The focal is a ceramic "petroglyph" style pendant from Star Spirit Studio on Etsy.


It was only days after I finished the piece that I found the color palette and held my breath as I put them next to each other to see how it all turned out:




Thank goodness that one of my few ACTUAL talents is the ability to exactly match colors - even from memory. If you show me a particular bead, I can walk into a bead store and pull every single other bead that exactly matches it.

Can't do anything contrasting or complementary to save my life, but if you want matchy-matchy monotone...I'm your girl!





And also? Thank goodness for multi-tonal novelty yarn. Both the "Porch Swing" and Dusty Spruce" colors were captured in the same yarn.
The patinated chain and deeper browns on the pendant were a good match for the "Picnic Basket" color and the golden Swarovski pearls represent the "Cottage Timber" color perfectly.

As for the sneaky aspect of things - Erin told me she didn't mind if I "killed two birds with one stone."

So I did.

Enjoy the rest of the blog hop! A complete list of participants can be found on Erin's blog.

KJ

32 comments:

Barbara Lewis said...

Kelly, Your necklace is gorgeous! Love the aqua and bronze metal. But, you seriously need to write a book ... you're like a modern-day Erma Bombeck! Too, too funny!

EB Bead and Metal Works, LLC said...

The necklace is amazing! The pendant is awesome and I loved how you used yarn in the necklace. The different textures are brilliant. I also killed two birds with one stone with the paint chip challenge and another challenge, thank goodness Erin is so nice!

steufel said...

Wow - great interpretation. And I'm totally in love with the yarn.

JeannieK said...

I love multi-strand necklaces and the focal. Despite all the mishaps, you did it. Bravo!

elisabeth said...

It's really beautiful! Love the colors!

Unknown said...

Oh KJ were you thinking of me too? You know I have a thing for those gorgeous seahorses! I love the look of this necklace and I bet it feels great when you wear it! Awesome work as always my friend!

Hugs

Cristi Baxter Clothier said...

Great job matching that missing palette. Your necklace is wonderful!

Yeli said...

The paint chip really stuck to your mind. You did a great job. Love the combination of materials and the focal.

Artisan Clay said...

Wow! Good call on the match up!
I lost my chip too, only to find that it was tucked away BEHIND the couch.... that made me remember my 5 year olds facination with it and her asking to hold it for a bit. :-)

I love your necklace! It looks very warm weather to me!

My Life Under the Bus said...

Yeah!!! - Isn't that awesome when it all works out??? Beautiful necklace and you totally slammed the color palette!!!

Courtney Breul said...

Perfect! Love the necklace, all of it - colors, texture, pendant.

SueBeads said...

This is really great Kelly!

pam ferrari said...

Very Nice! I love your color palate.

Cynthia said...

Ever since I started reading your blog (it's been a while, now) I have felt like twins separated at birth. Another thing I have in common with you (there are so many times I read your words, and it's stuff I have actually said!!), but the matchy-matchy thing is totally true about me. I can match colors from memory, but I never can seem to mix them in one design. So bravo KJ - I know how hard it is to do - and you really did it well!!

stregata said...

Love how you matched your necklace to your palette - from memory. Kudos, girl! Very beautiful piece.
And don't be so hard on your sneaky voice - it has good sneaky ideas, no?

TesoriTrovati said...

Brilliant! I am all about multi-tasking and this is a perfect example. Dang. But you are good with color memory. I love the focal. Thank you for introducing my dwindling bank account to yet another lust-worthy artist. I just knew those colors were you and I find it so funny that you got my postcard and said What the...? Too funny. Thanks for sharing your color with the world and for being such a fun friend to have.
Enjoy the day!
Erin
P.S. Best of luck with the other bird!

Lisa Godfrey said...

You crack me up! You sound about as organized as me. ;-) Beautiful piece!

Nicki said...

this is so different. what a fun idea to use yarn. I also love that pendant....

Mellisa said...

It turned out beautifully, I love the yarn. Quite impressive, it's like you have chromatic "perfect pitch"!

SummersStudio said...

I love this palette and I would never in a zillion years have chosen it on my own. The combination of fiber, pearls, beads, chain makes a fantastic necklace. I am also super impressed by your colour memory. It's an unusual talent but a really good one!

Holly said...

I am so impressed that you were able to remember the colors so spot on! And the necklace is gorgeous too - I want that focal! Isn't this hopping about so much fun?

Judy said...

Amazing piece...I so love the combination of fibers. You obviously work extremely well under pressure.

Brandi Hussey said...

This is lovely! And I'm in awe of your ability to recall any color from memory - what an awesome skill!

Rebecca said...

Love what you've done here! I'm a big fan of matchy-matchy monotone, don't knock your skills!!

rosebud101 said...

Wow! for Not being able to remember your colors, you sure did a great job! I love it!

Mary K. McGraw said...

Love the colors and the pendant, great necklace.

BooBeads said...

This is so pretty!

Pretty Things said...

I like the fiber in that!!!

Cindy said...

Well we sure have a lot in common: lost my paint chip card too and I love matchy-watchy.
Your necklace turned out just so stunning...love the multiple strands and the colors! You pulled it off and must be so proud of the results.

I LOVE color! said...

Your contribution to the Blog-Hop is amazing. Love it
Be Blessed

SandysColoringBox.blogspot.com

Karyn said...

Oh you got a gorgeous colour palette. I love the seahorse pendant... beautiful piece. Well done!

Karyn
Australia

Mary Harding said...

Lovely piece. Great colors;.