"Knight, Knight"

Mmm, Noodles.

I just re-read my last post whereby I signed off with "It keeps the noodle noodling." I must be hungry, because all I can think about is noodles. Mmm, noodles...

Freaky Tikis

Greetings! "Tiki" is the theme for next week's Spoonflower design competition...

My almost-2-year-old daughter was playing with our wine corks - sorting them, throwing them, etc. and I realized that they were shaped like tikis. [I should take this opportunity to note that I've been holding on to the corks with the thought of using them for a craft project - like placecard/menu holders, or even slicing them to make a "real" cork board. My husband would just as soon that I throw them away...so, my darling, you're in the clear...I take full responsibility for our tupperware of corks. I shoulder any/all judgment on the matter.] ;)

I don't see many photographic entries on Spoonflower (maybe there is good reason for that...), but I liked the idea of using them for my entry. It also opened my mind to using more mixed media - and even "decorating" some of our family photos - so I'm declaring the venture a personal success regardless of the outcome of the competition. Just one more reason I like submitting my work to Spoonflower's competitions. It keeps the noodle noodling...

"Rock It"

Hand Puppets

Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker's man.
Bake me a cake as fast as you can;
Pat it and prick it and mark it with B,
Put it in the oven for baby and me.

Patty cake, patty cake, baker's man.
Bake me a cake as fast as you can;
Roll it up, roll it up;
And throw it in a pan!
Patty cake, patty cake, baker's man.

This Just In...

 
 
 
 

...And This Too...

 
 
 
 

...And Last But Not Least...

 
 
 

Dear Robert Kaufman...

...I've got my eye on you. I've been doing my research on fabric design and have decided that I will submit my first collection(s) to Robert Kaufman Fabrics for their review. Since my work hangs together mostly as a loose assortment, I need to get focused on a single thought/story/look/feel. Like, now. Until then, below please find some additional samples of my allsorts...

(Just click on any of the swatches below to be directed to its Spoonflower page - you can see how the repeat of the pattern looks on their site...)

BOY TOYS


GIMME BACON


GIMME BACON II


HAUTE DOGS


HAUTE DOGS II


LOVE BUG

Swatch Watch

Here are some of the latest designs I have posted on Spoonflower. So many more in the works, and quite a few test swatches on the way. I'll be posting many of the fabrics for sale soon. I'll need to focus on a cohesive collection, but first I'll need to come up with a theme. Any recommendations?

(Just click on any of the swatches below to be directed to its Spoonflower page.)

PINK ELEPHANT PARADE


NUMBER ONE


DAILY HOROSCOPE


SPROUT


SPROUT II

"Cocktail Hour"

So I've worked ahead on my next Spoonflower submission. This time the theme is "cocktails" - which inspired this very shagadellic print...

"Live Music"

Okay, I could use your help...
Green or white background?

More at Spoonflower

I find that art is a lot like exercise. It takes practice in order to improve. That's why I've been so crazy about Spoonflower's weekly design contests. I now have a weekly reason/excuse to put pen to paper.

In another week's time the theme will be shoes, so I'm conjuring up images of pretty, pretty, shiny shoes. Here are two designs that I've recently uploaded. Any thoughts on which one I should enter?

"Monster Mash" at Spoonflower

The next competition at Spoonflower is for a design using a tessellation (or tiling) technique. I found it to be a hard nut to crack, especially trying to get the repeated pattern to line up. I had to fudge the adjoining lines because I just couldn't get the repeat to line up perfectly. This despite the fact that my design is a true tessellation.

I'm chalking it up to my relative inexperience in Photoshop. I love the look of tessellations, but until I can master lining up the repeated pattern, this will likely be my last design for awhile. I've managed to do quite a number on the snacks in our cupboards due to some very real frustration over the process...

My daughter deserves to finish off her Very Vanilla Earth's Best Letter of the Day Cookies. And if you don't know what I'm talking about, save yourself. Never try one. And if you do, don't say that I didn't warn you...(they're ridiculously delicious!).

"The Mad Hatter" at Spoonflower

I must confess, I've been bitten by the Spoonflower bug. Another upcoming competition is for designs using watercolors. There are some lovely designs on the site, and mine seems to be a departure from the norm, but I figure that it never hurts to try...

That, and my mind has been a jumble with "Alice in Wonderland" lately. Seeing the movie was like being visited by an old childhood friend. I almost forgot how much I like the story.

"Curiouser and curiouser!"

"Garden Party" at Spoonflower

I was recently reminded about Spoonflower, a site that allows you to design and print your own fabrics at very reasonable prices. I've been meaning to give it a try and was assaulted by inspiration around 11pm last night. Needless to say, I didn't get a lot of beauty sleep...

As I familiarized myself with the Spoonflower site, I found that they host several design competitions, with a "Garden" themed competition just around the corner. So, I went to town drawing, scanning, and Photoshopping to arrive at "Garden Party" which I uploaded around 2am this morning. (Just click on the swatch above to be directed to "Garden Party" on Spoonflower.)

I still need to order a sample before selling the design on Spoonflower, but I'm definitely inspired by the possibilities. I'd love to see this pattern turned into a kids gardening apron, or even a gardening tool belt.

What else might you suggest?

Wonderland

I have been working towards taking this blog "live" for some time, and feel that I'm about ready to take the plunge. Be afraid, be very afraid!

In the meantime, I wanted to share this watercolor with you. A friend of mine is working with iSanctuary to host a fund raising gala in the OC that will feature a silent auction. I had just seen "Alice in Wonderland" in 3D, and was inspired to submit this little number. I'm even thinking of hosting a tea party for my daughter's birthday in July...

"We're all mad here!"