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  • Published on

    New Collection - Halloween Hysteria

    Collections Fabric Shop Updates Surface Patterns
    Way back in 2019 I created a design for the Spoonflower Design Challenge - Halloween Embroidery.  I've been thinking about turning it into a complete collection (as I only had 2 Halloween designs) for a while and finally got around to finishing it off a couple of weeks ago 🙌.  So without further ado, I present Halloween Hysteria - a spooky, fun and vibrant collection featuring licensed artwork by DigitalArtsi.

    Watch a short video showreel on YouTube here.
    Available to buy now at Spoonflower (US-based) and Woven Monkey (UK-based).

  • Published on

    The Joy of Recolouring

    Colour Palettes Design Surface Patterns
    There are several designs that I have numerous colour options for.  There's something magical about recolouring a design and seeing new elements that were not prominent come to the fore.  In some cases the design can transform into something completely different.  

    One such set of patterns is "Cowrie Star".  This was one of the first patterns that I created when I first started getting interested in pattern design.  The original colouring was an incongruous combination of sky blue, hot pink, lilac and yellow, with dark grey accents.  I decided that I didn't like it so I attempted to recolour it (at that point it was still quite early in my design journey).  I ended up with a really bold orange, blue red and pink combination.  I actually quite like it, but it is quite difficult to look at!   I wouldn't want an entire outfit made from it, but it would work wonderfully as a bold accent or trim, or in patchwork and quilting.
    In the second example the stars are much more prominent and the detail in the surrounding elements is much more noticeable.  For a while it was just these two variations, but I can never resist tinkering so now there are an additional five variants.
    In the first two versions the stars and the surrounding, intersecting rings are quite prominent.  The desaturated orange/blue version shows more of the background detail.    In the pink/sky blue version the star motifs and the surrounding segments look more like isolated motifs compared with the previous three versions.  Finally in the last version the pattern looks very different - the larger outer star is more prominent and the surrounding segments look more connected and are more of a feature than in any of the previous examples.

    I had a lot of fun trying out all these colour combinations and I really like the results - especially the mint/blue and the retro green with the 70s vibe.  I could probably keep going, but at some point you just have to stop! So that will be all... (for now).

    All of the variants except the original are available to buy in my Spoonflower and Redbubble shops.
    Spoonflower Shop
    ​Redbubble Shop
  • Published on

    Quick and Easy Fabric Bows

    Fabric
    Towards the end of last year I designed a series of Cut and Sew fat quarters on Spoonflower for creating fabric bows.  The fat quarters consist of five pairs of patterns that can be cut out and sewn together to create cute bows that can then be attached to hair clips or brooch backs, or used as accessories on clothing and bags.  Instructions for putting the bows together are included on the fat quarter panel.   
    The beauty of the panels is that you only need one fat quarter to create 5 different bows as opposed to having to use 5 different fat quarters in each of the designs.

    This would be an ideal project for a young sewist or a beginner, but would be a quick and easy make for the more experienced sewist.  And if you don't sew, the bows can still be made using fabric glue instead.

    Attach the finished bows to hair bands or hair clips or create a fabric band and wear them as a bow tie.
    Watch this short video to see how easy it is to put the bows together then head over to my Spoonflower shop to get the fat quarter panels.
  • Published on

    Wallpaper Galore!

    There's a sale on over at Spoonflower - free shipping on all order + 20% off wallpaper until end of play Friday 17th September.  

    There are currently over one hundred wallpaper designs in my Spoonflower shop, from neutral to clashtastic colour palettes and simple motifs to intricate patterns.  Head over to Spoonflower to take a look.
  • Published on

    Seaside Colour Palette

    Colour Palettes
    A few weeks ago we went to the beach.  It's a beautiful stretch of coastline in South Wales with stunning cliffs and a pebble beach that gives way to sand when the tide is out.  We did some obligatory rock climbing and rock pool investigations before finding our way to a small cove-like stretch of beach. 

    It was the perfect breeding ground for flat, skimming stones and unlike the rest of the beach there were pebbles in a number of different shades.  I immediately thought what a great colour palette they made and so I captured it for posterity! 

    Hex codes:
    #E6E9DE
    #ADBAB1
    #BBA097
    #D0826E
    #D6C07D