Designing and illustrating...

On this post I would like to share a little about the process of making repeating pattern designs...

designs that could be used on fabric, a shower curtain, pillows, stationary and so on.

Above is a flower pot design...very simple yet sweet.

I chose a gray background to highlight the vibrant colors I chose.

The line in the flower pot really isn't there....that is part of the adobe illustrator program.

I basically drew this flowerpot with flowers and colored it....on the computer.9

Sometimes ....It first starts as a line drawing in black, then I color it and in the diagram shown above... I got rid of the black lines outlining everything.

To make drawings seem less flat...it is good to add texture...like with these tiny dots and blobs. I added it to the flower pot and flowers...in a different shade.

Here is a hexigon with a simple yellow background and white flowers....

then when I add background textures and different shades of flowers ...the repeating pattern becomes much more interesting and less flat.

Most repeating designs start with drawing and illustrations put on a background like this gray square.

Everything is mathmatically placed down to the pixel...to create a perfect repeat.

The right side has to line up the left side and the top to the bottom.

Above is my computer screen with the repeating design....that repeats perfectly to infinity.

I put my profile on the corner and changed up my outfit to match the colors in this design.

This is just for labeling this design as mine.

Here is how this flowerpot design could look on products....a dress, lamp shade, purse, cell phone...etc...

Pretty fun!

This little diagram just shows how different a simple illustration looks with a white outline...from no outline on down to a big outline.  Sometimes it is fun to use so the illustration pops out at you and gets your attention.

I just thought you might be interested in my perspective of fabric design...there are a lot of classes on line....if you want to know more. 

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This is my pattern sale of the week!

It is only $3.99!!

Egg-stra cute bunny rabbits pattern.

These cheerful bunnies are ready for spring! They are super easy to create. Choose bright & vibrant fabrics or get a completely different feeling with sweet & soft fabric. These pretty eggs can be made into wearable pins with or without the 18 sayings provided. Bunny measures: 5 1/8" x 9 3/4". Egg measures: 2 1/4" x 3 1/8".

Sayings included:

Happy Easter, Welcome Spring, Hip Hop, Bunny, Cute chick, Spring has sprung, Bliss, Bloom, Giggle, Frolic, Joy, Miracles, Laugh, Tickled pink, Primitive, Rejoice, Egg-stra cute, and Egg-ceptional.

Here I used Amy Butler fabric...is bright and fun colors....and it could be made in soft pastels to give a completely different look!

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Mother's day freebie!

Happy Mother's day to all you moms out there!

I can't wait to see what my daughter made me...I think it will be something on her laser machine.

My mom has been gone 18 1/2 years!  My only baby was just 20 days old when she passed...I believe she willed herself to stay alive to see her!

My mother in law passed away this past year...she was a real gentle soul.

Maybe you could stitch this up quickly for mother's day....it would be a sweet gift!

*Please note that all freebies are for you to use to make a couple finished goods (no mass producing) and a couple gifts...they are still legally my designs.

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So my $5.99 child's hutch started out like this....

scruffy yet not bad....

Now...It looks like this!

I sanded it, painted it with blue chalk paint, sanded it a little again and then put some wax medium over it.  

It is now perfect for my studio to hold goodies or for display at quilt shows. 

It has a lower cabinet area too.  

I really had fun redoing this project.

Next I want to work on a few things outside....garden related. 

I had to show you my dragon in my studio...he is about to pick up the block that says..."Keep calm and carry on".

There are some days you just can't keep very calm.

These are my lil violets...I had a ton of spider plant starts that I am using for spikes in my pots. 

I found this old rusty tool box on my property...so I made it into a planter...so sweet! 

This is my enemy...

the very healthy Dandelion...

He tries to ruin my spring every year.

Here is a Sneaky Peak of my next design....stay tuned!

Froy....says to have a Happy Weekend!!!

 He also recommends laying in the grass a while.

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St. Patty day & Easter Decor!

Well it is almost St. Patrick's day!

Last weekend I saw some pretty nutty people living it up downtown...all in the craziest get ups...lol.

All in the name of St. Patrick's...well I guess it is a reason to party.

For me It is a reason to decorate!

I added alittle green to two areas of my dining room.

I love my little leprechaun on a stick from my pal Sue!

I have a party hat and some hearts.

The hat was made from my party hat pattern.

This is my favorite display...so green!

My mom is in the background (in her glamour photo trench coat)... and I have a tart warmer with my stained glass shamrock.

Pom poms on a string are from target.

I have had this little pitcher forever...I can't ever part with it.

I did the rest of the house with Easter...I didn't put as much up as I usually do...I think it looks better this way.

I love my dorky bunnies.... and chenille chicks.

My favorite bunny ever...I bought it at a craft mall many years ago...probably back in the early 90's.

My piano display....I pick up flowers at thrift stores.

They really have some good ones...inexpensive too.

My daughter....with a cute troll bunny!

Easter felt chicks!...and one blue bunny.

I really enjoy putting up these seasonal goodies...but each time I pack it away...there is a little sadness.

I want it to last longer!!

I have had a hollow white chocolate bunny already...it was to die for!

Do you have a favorite Easter goody?

Leave a comment and share what you like best!

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Happy Veteran's day!

Happy Veteran's Day!!!

That is my mom in the above picture....she was a Navy Vet.

This is my husband Dana...he was Air force. 

My grandfather was in WW1...the first world war....

Met up with his brother in Normandy.

My dad was in the Royal Air force....I don't have a pic of him in uniform though.

And this is me....I am a disabled Air Force vet.

I have other family members that served as well....2 uncles, a cousin, and more.

Happy Veteran's Day!!!

Happy Mother's day!

Abe Lincoln said it best....All that I am or hope to be, I owe to my mother.

Happy Mother's day to all Mom's!!!

This is

Me and my mom....with matching dresses! 

She has been gone for 17 years...miss her greatly.

As I have told you before...

My only child was born and my mom died 20 days later....

As one angel came into my life...another left.

I cherish my time with my daughter....she is my everything...so is her daddy, my husband.

My daughter, so small, and her daddy.

I gave my mom the Andy Warhol treatment....lol

Once again

Happy Mother's day!!

Mom...let's celebrate

I love Mother's day...it was a sweet time back when I was a kid...coming up with a card or gift for mom.  Then when I got older us kids would out our money together for a better gift...lol.

One year she wanted a wicker patio set....we all made it happen.

It was fun to see her excited face...she just loved that wicker!

Now she has been gone a long time....17 years...the same age my one and only child is...17.

When my daughter came into this world...my mother left 20 days later.

She had a terminal lung disease.

It think of her alot...hoping she is proud.

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Now I get the gifts....and it is so sweet.

I love how my husband and daughter spoil me...can't wait for May 10th.

These are some of my Mother's day products/projects in my etsy shop.

My collage sheet tags are so sweet....all these tags fit on one sheet.

You can print them over and over....add string and ribbons. 

I use old photos, paper and create my artwork... 

Sassy.....and sweet 

I love this.....so true! 

Cute! 

Being a mom is tough yet so rewarding 

Exactly!! 

I added this tag to a can that I covered in vintage book paper. 

This one I added to a huge jar of clothespins. 

I have badges for this time of year...a pattern to make all of these.

The best mom in the whole world award. 

Also is fathers day, birthday, super kid, and wedding.... 

This pattern has four embroideries... 

Thans mom...I put this one on a wooden spoon. 

Flash cards....they make sweet banners. 

My newest sign....made with my surface designs...

Here is my mom...back in the early 50's. She was so pretty.

I put her picture in a Deflecto frame....and added a simple "Mom" banner.

Here is a little freebie for you!

Happy Monday!

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