Falling Softly

Hello everyone! Rachael here, bringing you this month’s Color Challenge, “Falling Softly.”

September feels like a gentle turning of the page. Summer hasn’t completely packed its bags, but fall is beginning to make itself known—one changing leaf, one cooler evening, and one pumpkin at a time.

This month’s Color Challenge captures that in-between season beautifully. The rich green still holds onto a bit of summer, while warm pumpkin and creamy neutrals begin to whisper fall. And then there are those gorgeous shades of dusty rose and soft pink—an unexpected touch that gives the whole palette a softer, more romantic side.

I love how this palette brings together the best of both seasons—the lingering greens and softness of summer, with just enough warmth to remind us that fall is on its way.

Katie’s store has a plethora of goodies featuring these beautiful colors, along with the new Garden Chronicles Collection, which offers even more inspiration for creating with this palette. Katie has also generously provided a freebie especially for this challenge!

Our team members jumped right in, creating some absolutely stunning layouts inspired by this month’s colors. I love seeing how each person interpreted the same palette in their own unique way. Let’s take a look!

Guest Creative Team Member Linda (lynns54) starts us off with this gorgeous butterfly page. I love how the brilliant orange of the butterfly immediately pulls out those warm pumpkin tones, while all that lush green keeps one foot firmly planted in summer. The soft pinks and watercolor layers bring in the rest of the palette so effortlessly.

Linda used the following supplies to create this beautiful layout: Art Options Spice Transfers 1, Fresh Vintage Albia Solids, Layer Works 2165, Layer Works 1837, Layer Works 2178

Creative Team Member Jana (Jana) This page takes the palette in such a wonderfully artistic direction. The muted sage greens, soft pinks, creams and touches of warm orange feel almost vintage, and that gorgeous floral photo fits right into the layers as though it was made for them. Such a beautiful interpretation of September’s softer side.

Jana used: Chippy Blooms Paper Pack 03, Partial Page Masks 01, Watery Foliage 24, Spectrum Sherbet Leaves Transfers, ARToption Mini Mix 13, Vintage Mix Clusters 25, Framed Photo Masks Brushes and Stamps 01, Classic Side Lift Frames 01, Awesome Autumn Scripted Titles Brushes and Stamps, Taped Together Overlays 04, Hand Drawn Fall Lines 01

Guest Creative Team Member Emily (Emma Leigh) embraced the autumn side of our palette! The rich green background paired with cream, warm rust, and those scattered autumn leaves gives this page such a cozy September feel. I especially love how the Highland cows and fair photos show just how beautifully these colors work beyond florals and more traditional fall subjects.

Emily’s details: Garden Chronicles,  Layer Works 2423, Bookmakers 01, Frame and Blend Story Layered Templates No.1, Flossy Stitches No.3, Fall Stories Transfers, 

Creative Team Member Liz (lizziet5)  took our colors in a completely different—and wonderfully fun—direction! Those fabulous pinks and greens take center stage and show just how versatile this palette can be. It’s bright, playful and full of energy, yet still ties beautifully back to the softer pink and green shades in our inspiration board.

Liz used the following items: All Around 4×6 Borders Brushes and Stamps 05, Arctic Whites Paper Pack 04, ARToptions Avesta Chipboard Bits, ARToptions Avesta Scrapbooking Bundle, ARToptions Avesta Transfer Bundle, Been There Element Pack, Bold Titles: Everyday Brushes and Stamps 01, Clipped Stacks 10, Color Swatch Charcoal Transfers 03, Handdrawn Floral Edgers Brushes and Stamps 01, Hidden Creek Ephemera, Spill Frame Layers 20, Spring Skies Element Pack, Vintage Artistry Sage Ephemera, Weathered Garden Foliage Bits.

For my own page (myssp), I found myself wanting to hold onto the green just a little longer. I paired it with the softer pinks and peachy tones, then tucked in a few autumn leaves to let fall quietly sneak onto the page. I loved how these colors worked together to frame this sweet photo and capture one of those little “minutes that matter.”

My supply list includes: Layer Works 2369, Curated Studio Mix 44, Golden Pretty Element Pack, Scattered Pictures Vol. 08 Layered Template Bundle, ARToptions Avesta Ephemera, Layer Works 1340.

A huge thank you to our talented Creative Team members for creating such fabulous inspiration for this challenge. One thing I particularly love about this collection of pages is how differently each of our team members interpreted the palette. And that is exactly what I love about a Color Challenge! One palette, five completely different directions—from butterflies and flowers to fair days, bright vacation memories and those everyday moments we want to hold onto.  I hope our team has inspired you to play along with us this month. We can’t wait to see where these colors take you!

Please post your creations in the Color Challenge Gallery, and don’t forget that layouts created with 100% KPD products are eligible for shopping rewards through the Challenge Rewards Program.   Keep track of the challenge pages you complete in the September Challenges Participation Sign-in Thread in the forums.

Sometimes September doesn’t need to shout fall.

It can simply fall softly

Rachael – (myssp)