See gorgeous quilts using a pink color palette and get tips on using pink in your own quilts. If you thought pink was girly and cute - think again!

2. 1. Layer Pinks “ Pink is one of the most abundant fabrics in the quilt shop. Take advantage of its availability in a project rich with pink! My Love Apple table runner layers luscious light, dark, bright and dull versions of pink. I achieved design contrast by layering light and dark pinks, so the value does the work but the pink takes the credit! Maria Peagler Love Apple pattern and kit from 2010 Color-of-the-Month series.

3. 2. Create a Mood “ One of the hottest colors around, pink is perfect to add a touch of romance by using a softer, lighter pink or add a punch of color when incorporating hot pinks!” Allie Heath, Marketing Manager Robert Kaufman Fabrics Robert Kaufman has graciously donated a fat quarter bundle to give away to Color-of-the-Month readers. Learn how you can win at the end of the slidecast!

4. Mingle Color Theory pattern designed by Margrit Hall using Robert Kaufman fabrics. Pattern available for download RK website .

5. 3. Let the Fabrics Do the Work “ Bryant Park collection’s warm pink i s nestled into the focal piece by the rich brown. Light peach and tan transition the pink to the brown for a delightful combination. The transition colors and the pink are all light; using them with the deep dark brown eliminates the need for a medium.” Daryl Cohen, Exclusively Quilters Bryant Park fabric collection from Exclusively Quilters/Classic Cottons.

6. Bryant Park quilt featuring a color palette of light pink, peach, tan, and deep dark brown fabrics. Quilt pattern available at the Exclusively Quilters website.

7. 4. Use Value to Define Shape “ Pink is a fabulous color!! It's a shade of 'red'... light red! In my Wild Rose quilt from Quilt the Season II, I used shades of pink and raspberry for the flowers. The most fun is to use stripes... the stripes just make any quilt sing!” Pat Sloan Quilt the Season II available at Pat’s website

8. 5. Use Brights to Highlight “ Pink is a happy color to use as the main color way of a quilt. Different shades of pink make up Sweet Baby Kate. The bright pink pops as a playful accent to the lighter shades of pink that make up the rest of the quilt.” Konda Luckau, Moose on the Porch Quilts, Sweet Baby Kate Pattern Fabric used in the quilt is Little Darlings Flannel by Ro Gregg for Northcott.

9. 6. Go Bold! “ Using pink doesn’t always mean “simple and sweet.” Combine it with high contrast darks such as black, navy, or brown for a sophisticated and sharp edge. Play it against type with other neutrals such as tans and greys, and it will reward you with a sophisticated look to your project ” Harriet Clemens, Design Director Henry Glass Fabrics Party in Pink fabric collection

10. “ Hot pink gives it our quilt POP! It combines with high contrast black and neutral grey for a sophisticated, contemporary design. Or you could easily use the soft pinks together with the greys and yellows for a more traditional choice. That is the beauty of this group. It can give such a diversified look.” —Harriet Clemens Party in Pink quilt from Henry Glass fabrics. Pattern available at their website .

11. 7. DIY Jelly Rolls “ This lead pattern from Marcus’ Strip-It collection is a printed stripe with varying 2-1/2” prints a cross the width of the fabric. Q uilters can cut the stripes into their own "jelly-roll" style assortments, or employ c rosswise-cutting techniques for simple effects like b argello o r piano key borders, or more complex techniques like wedge cuts and more. V isit the Marcus website for more creative inspiration with Strip-It fabrics.” Lisa Shepard Stewart Marketing Manager Marcus Fabrics

12. 8. Pick a Palette “ Pink: What's not to love? It's the ultimate girl power color! W hen mixing lots of pinks in a quilt, choose either clear pinks or muddy pinks (with a tint of black). Then pick colors to c omplement those pinks. The clear pinks in my quilt go nicely with cool, minty blue-greens, and just a few with a touch of yellow-green, for a bit of pop. The pale pink-and-white background fabrics offset the brighter pinks nicely, and are not as flat as plain white. ” Susan Brubaker Knapp www.bluemoonriver.com Appliqué Petal Party by C&T Publishing

13. 9. Create a Transition “ Pinks are available in a large number of shadings. My Pretty in Pink quilt required auditioning m any different fabrics to determine the f low of the color across the quilt surface.” Donna Langford In Stitches

14. For more information on using pink, hue, value, and intensity in your quilt’s color palette, check out Color Mastery: 10 Principles for Creating Stunning Quilts , available at your local quilt shop, Amazon , and my online store . http://quiltsandcreativity.com http://www.colormastery.com http://www.twitter.com/colormaster http://www.facebook/colormaster