Hi! It’s Amy from Mod Podge Rocks – decoupage-R and Halloween crafter extraordinaire.  Not only do I write for MPR but I write for Paint Me Plaid, a blog all about using acrylic paint.  One of my favorite days of the week on PMP is Tuesday because it’s Tuesday Huesday.  That is the day I present a color palette to my readers inspired by various trends.

I’m so happy to present a Tuesday Huesday-type post for Dollar Store Craft readers.  Since Halloween is my very favorite holiday in the whole world, I knew I had to do some Halloween colors palettes. Just for fun, I’m also giving away a special prize! Check the bottom of this post for details about the contest. <– contest is now closed, but you can still read about it. :)

I also wanted to share with you my inspiration, which comes from my “inspiration book.”  If you don’t have one, start one TODAY.  It can just be a small notebook that you use to capture sketches, magazine tears, paint chips – whatever inspires you and will help you with your next craft idea.  Let’s just dive right in with some scans from my inspiration book.

Gourds are your little forest friends with happy faces – and did you ever notice the vibrant and varying colors of them?  From bright orange to yellow green, gourds can be beautiful and so pleasing to the eye.  I also love the dead log they are sitting on.  So gray that it’s nearly purple.  Amazing what nature comes up with.

What would a Halloween party be without purple?  This is from Martha Stewart (of course), and I can’t help but love the peridot and gold mixed in on that tabletop.  Very elegant.  How did Martha get purple dry ice?  I know.  Because Martha can get anything she wants.

Here are a few pictures on one page with traditional Halloween black and orange.  Of note: the bag tree with the varying shades of orange, the brightness of the countdown calendar and the white bats on black candles.  The latter is a great technique for Halloween painting, by the way.  Who would expect to see black pumpkins on orange?  Or purple bats on green?  Think about mixing it up.

Speaking of mixing it up, this image (also from Martha Stewart) reminds me that nearly any critter can become “Halloween-y” when done in the right color palette.  What punches and shapes do you own?  Can you make buttons in orange and purple work on your project?  Take everyday items in Halloween shades and try to incorporate them into a project.  You’ll be surprised.

This is one of my favorite scans from my inspiration book – notice the pretty painted pumpkins and that GORGEOUS Halloween dress – but also notice how well blue works with orange!  Contrasting colors, yes, we all know that . . . but perhaps a few of your Halloween pumpkins deserve some blue highlights here and there?  Just a thought.

Here’s one final image – a simple white cake, but how eye-catching.  Also from Martha.  Don’t be afraid to use copious amounts of white this holiday season.  Bright is nice, but it doesn’t have to be to catch attention.

And without further adieu, here are your Halloween palettes.  One is bright and one is muted.  Don’t be afraid to jump into color this holiday season (and don’t forget to add black and white).  The water is fine!  Come join me at Mod Podge Rocks or Paint Me Plaid for more Halloween projects and color play .  Happy crafting and happy holidays.

Halloween Bright Palette created using FolkArt Acrylic Colors (from left to right): Medium Gray, Perfect Purple, Light Lavender, School Bus Yellow, Yellow Citron and Pure Orange

Halloween Muted Palette created using FolkArt Acrylic Colors (from left to right): Cast Shadow, Lilac Love, Purple Lilac, Sunny Yellow, Hauser Green Light, Pumpkin

Five lucky commenters will win packs of BOTH of these FolkArt paint palettes!

Contest Details:

You can enter up to three times:

1. Comment here with two colors you love for this year’s Halloween decorations

2. Extra entry if you post about it on Facebook, Twitter, your blog, or a message board. To get the extra entry, comment in a separate comment with a link to where you posted it.

3. Extra entry for subscribing to Paint Me Plaid either via e-mail or RSS. To get the extra entry, comment in a separate comment.

3. Contest closes on Friday, October 15th at 8am Pacific Time

Thanks for entering! Our winners have been chosen.

Good luck

The following people have been chosen to receive the FolkArt Paint:

Tonya Elliott said:

my front porch is decorated for Halloween with PURPLE and BLACK! : )
# 12 October 2010 at 12:01 pm

Mandie W said:

I love Lilac Love and Pumpkin!
# 13 October 2010 at 4:25 pm

Pam Proctor said:

Please check your inbox for a verification message from “FeedBurner Email Subscriptions”, the service that delivers email subscriptions for Paint Me Plaid Daily Digest. You will need to click a link listed in this message to activate your subscription.

Email Subscription Confirmed!

For the third contest entry per the rules for this contest.

Thank you!! Would love to win some new paints!!!!

Pooh! said:

I love the bright shades – Yellow Citron and Pure Orange
# 12 October 2010 at 3:08 pm

Mindy said:

I love these colors! So bright and fun!
# 12 October 2010 at 9:20 pm

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