My Global Bazaar Fabric Collection Photo Shoot

My latest fabric collection 'Global Bazaar' with Blend Fabrics started shipping in January.
Woo-hoo! 4 weeks later, I FINALLY got my photos from my Global Bazaar photo shoot back last night, and I'm just dying to share them with you! If you follow me on Facebook, you've probably already had a chance to check them out on my website. However, for all of you who visit my blog, I wanted to share some of my favorite photos and a bit about the day.

 

My vision for my Global Bazaar photo shoot was to have a teepee on a beach. That's where it all started. From there I decided to cover some vintage suitcases with my fabrics from this collection to round out the theme, make some pillows, borrow the gorgeous quilts that were made by Metropolitan Quilt for Blend Fabrics, create a backdrop out of flag tape, and bring one of my living room chairs to the beach. What a day!

 {Vintage suitcases I covered with my fabrics}

I found these suitcases on CraigsList about a 2 hour drive away, and my husband and I took a morning to drive and pick them up. I covered all of the hardware with masking tape, and I spray painted the edges and the handles black. I then covered the suitcases with my fabrics using (original, matte finish) Mod Podge, a foam brush, and (multiple) fresh blades on an x-acto knife.   

{Close-up of my Global Bazaar fabric collection}

As I was determined to finish all 3 suitcases in one sitting, cutting around the hardware just about put me over the edge! It took me 6 hours to complete this project, and I must say that they are absolutely GORGEOUS in person! The Mod Podge dried completely clear. They still feel like fabric to the touch, as I didn't put a sealer on them since they're for decoration not for really traveling. 

 

Also, doing a photo shoot on the beach...in Seattle...in February was not particularly genius because of how cold it was. My poor models were freezing but I must say that they constantly had a smile on their faces and were having a blast! Whew!

For this photo shoot, I decided to keep it smaller than my previous ones, for many reasons. One being that this year, I'll have 3 fabric lines coming out with Blend Fabrics. Three!!! With 3 fabric collections vs. 1 this year, I need to conserve my resources and my energy to be able to do photo shoots for each. Speaking of which - I am in need of sewers who can help me out...but that's another blog post.

 {Victory Patterns 'Roxanne' and 'Simone'}

In keeping with a smaller shoot, I sewed two garments this time, and excitedly used patterns from Victory Patterns. I LOVE Victory Patterns due to their fashion forward styles. The garments fit like regular clothes too, which is dreamy. The garment on the left uses Victory Pattern 'Roxanne' and the garment on the right uses pattern 'Simone'.

 

I LOVE the back of the 'Simone' high-low hem dress with the contrasting pattern! I used my Global Bazaar fabrics: Global Bazaar floral Red, Chimera Gray, and Hand-drawn Stripe Red for piping.

The collar on this 'Roxanne' top is to-die-for! What a great sewing pattern!
For this pattern, I used my Global Bazaar fabric 'Dancing Geos Blue', along with a black sequin fabric and a solid pink cotton.

 

Above is a bolster pillow that I created (and hope to put together a free sewing pattern for you...).

I must say that I'm quite proud of myself for creating everything for this shoot on my own. Although, I know now that next time I will definitely need some help! It's just too much to do it all and be successful at running my business (& preparing for Surtex!) as well. I hope to blog soon about how much I need you. Stay tuned!



I hope you enjoy these Global Bazaar photos and that they inspire you to use my fabrics for your own creations! If  you'd like to see more photo's, I've uploaded them to Flickr, and also created a slide-show on my website for you to watch. Please do share what you create! I'd love to see!

Thanks for stopping by and seeing what I've been up to!

My Hope Chest Scrapbooking Line on HSN!

Hi Everyone! I've got three BIG announcements to share with you today! First off, my Hope Chest collection just debuted as a scrapbooking line at CHA with Blend!

Second, it will be selling on HSN Wednesday, January 23rd during the Today's Special at 11:00am (EST), particularly at 11:40am (EST)!
 

 {Image from Anna Griffin, Inc / Blend}

This is the perfect opportunity for you to get some new papers and embellishments to scrapbook your life and adventures - especially if you loved my Hope Chest fabric collection! In addition, there's more fabulous Hope Chest stationery items on their way too!

  {Image from Anna Griffin, Inc / Blend}

And Third, the main floral from my Hope Chest fabric collection, Hope Chest Floral, Olive, debuted at CHA also as a line of travel bags! Three pieces of great news, yes?!? Now I need to book a flight somewhere so I can use said beauties!

You can find some of my current Hope Chest stationery for sale on Anna Griffin's shop, under Blend.

  {Image from Anna Griffin, Inc / Blend}

My good friend, Diane Kappa, attended CHA (Craft & Hobby Association) and took some photo's of the gorgeous Blend / Anna Griffin booth that showcased my Hope Chest collection. Didn't they do an outstanding job? Check out the plethora of beautiful projects they created!! WOW!

 {My Hope Chest Scrapbooking Collection Display at the Blend / Anna Griffin Booth at CHA}

Didn't they do an amazing job with the display?

  {Close-up of My Hope Chest Scrapbooking Collection Display at the Blend / Anna Griffin Booth at CHA}

{Close-up of My Hope Chest Scrapbooking Collection Display at the Blend / Anna Griffin Booth at CHA}

Below are close-ups of some of the projects. I just think they did an AMAZING job. Everything they touch turns beautiful, seriously!

{Project Blend made using my New Hope Chest Scrapbooking Collection}

 {Project Blend made using my New Hope Chest Scrapbooking Collection}

{Projects Blend made using my New Hope Chest Scrapbooking Collection}

 {Project Blend made using my New Hope Chest Scrapbooking Collection}

 {Some of the new Hope Chest stationery coming out!}

I'm just so excited for all of these gorgeous products to hit the market so they can bring beauty and smiles to the women's lives who encounter them. If these make your heart happy, be sure to watch HSN this Wednesday, January 23rd so you can add them to your paper-crafting collection! Hope you enjoy! Thanks!!

My Studio & Organization Tips

Those who know me, know that I love to organize - to have a place for everything and everything in it's place. I must admit though, that many times I am so focused on the work that needs to be done that things hardly ever stay  pretty and get put back into their homes. That would be quite an amazing super-hero talent and I admire those who have it! Well, as Fall has been settling in, I definitely got bit by an organizing bug at the same time as discovering The Container Store! (Which, for any of you have been there, you know already how much trouble that means!)

So instead of just putting things back in their places, I decided to completely rethink what was working for me and what wasn't and use my creativity to brainstorm ideas on solutions that would work best. Since I put so much work into it, I thought I'd share what I discovered with you, in the hopes that it would help you figure out what you need most in your surroundings, as well as to inspire you to get organized - at whatever level that means for you.

So, to get started, I would suggest taking a piece of paper and writing down (single or multiple) answers to these questions with regards to your stuff, how you work, and organization:

1) What annoys you the most?

2) What do you always find yourself reaching for?

3) What are the main things that you use every day and week? 

4) What is on your desk that you don't use often?

5) Where are your piles accumulating?

For example, here are my answers to these questions, along with some thoughts on solutions:

1) What annoys you the most?  

That I don't have desk space to work on my current project. BUT I am juggling multiple projects at one time, and need immediate access to these items. That my printer runs out of paper and ink constantly and I'm getting into bins and drawers to get ink and paper. That the piles on my desk get in the way of putting paper in my printer. That there are piles of mini notes & post-its....

SOLUTION: Add a desk shelf so I can stack my projects & have easy access to them. Move my printer ink and paper into a more accessible location. Find something to put my mini notes & post-its in when I need a clear desk

2) What do you always find yourself reaching for?  

Printer ink, printer paper, art supplies, ribbon, Pantone books, personal stationery...

SOLUTION: Put these items closer and in easier to access drawers and containers

3) What are the main things that you use every day and week?

Ruler, memo pad, sketchbook, note book, desk calendar, client folders...

SOLUTION: Make sure these items are on my desk and at arms reach length

4) What is on your desk that you don't use often?  

Books, journal, receipt organizer...

SOLUTION: Move those items off my desk to free up real estate

5) What is in that junk pile that you keep?  

Royalty statements, important notes, printer paper samples...

SOLUTION: Find a way to organize these by importance. Also, allow myself to have a 'junk' section where I put things I need about once a month.

6) Where are your piles accumulating?  

On top of my printer, on the floor, on my drawing table, on top of my calendar that I need to always look at...

SOLUTION: Add a desk shelf to put these on! Spend 5 min at the end of each day putting things back in their places.

 

After many hours in the Container Store and Ikea, here are my actual solutions:

1) I added a shelf to my desk (GALANT series from Ikea) that I could stack all of my working projects on. This way they are easy to get to and allow me some desk space for working on another project. This has been SUCH a lifesaver!

2) My junk pile reorganized. I purchased these beauties from The Container Store. One shelf is devoted to royalty statements and the 2nd shelf is devoted to items of medium importance. Right next to that are these mini drawers that I put the post-its and mini notes in that have info on them that I still need and want.

3) I purchased this to keep track of the items I need to add to my Art Licensing Manager database

4) Mini mood boards I created, using these fabulous magnet/cork boards, to put behind my monitor, to offer visual stimulation when working

5) My client folders (using my new file folders with my art!)

6) Office supplies

7) Easily accessible printer ink and business cards

8) Pantone books

9) A mini organizer to keep important notes and information I need to access

10) Research binders

11) Organizer that holds my sketchbooks and notebooks

12) These amazing sliding drawer bins that allow me to hide anything I don't want on my desk

Off to the left of my desk I re-organized quite a few things and purchased some items to make the area a little prettier.
1) Stacking Storage bin to hold my print inspiration tears
2) Stacking Storage bin to hold my color inspiration tears
3) Filing system to hold my organized print inspiration tears by type of print (graphic floral, painted/hand-drawn florals, geometrics, paisley, ethnic, medallions, damask, lace, texture.....)
4) Ikea flat files to store my drawing papers, hand-drawings, portfolio items, etc.
5) Matching magazine files to hold important magazines that I want to keep and don't want to tear from
6) Paper sorter with slide out trays to hold all the different types of papers I need to access for my printer, and other types of papers I need to access a lot.

Whew! As you can see, I spent a LOT of time re-organizing and finding solutions. Some of what I had was working before too, but I wanted to make things a little prettier (I am definitely an artist who likes to be surrounded by beauty!). I was definitely ready for a change too. I find that since my studio is quite small in comparison with the number of things I have in it, that I need to be quite organized or else my work environment will get frustrating and not be a pleasant place to work=not OK. I have found that it is SO MUCH EASIER now to pick-up my desk and studio because there is a place for everything that crosses my path. What used to take me time to think about where to put something, I am now saving it.

I admit, a lot of these solutions are kind of a no-brainer, but for me, it was actually taking the time to sit down and do something about it. I hope my organizing has inspired you to find out what you need to make your space more productive, or to introduce you to some fun new products out there that might be a solution for you! I'd love to hear what works best for you!

Mini Mood Boards

I've been organizing my studio like crazy lately (more on that next week...). It all started with me wanting to have something pretty in the background, while I'm working away at my computer. I learned from working in cubicles at Nordstrom, that when the cubicle walls were left the dull gray, that I truly felt very uninspired and had less creative energy. So I would cover my cubicle walls with fabric and papers that were full of color and gorgeousness. Surprisingly this completely helped! I definitely would feel my creative juices flowing and much more energized.

I've been working at home now for about a year and a half, and completely thought that the huge window I get to look out of and see beautiful trees and sky would be enough...but I found I was really ready for a change of environment. SO I finally decided to create mini mood boards to place behind my monitor, so I could just be surrounded by pretty colors and patterns and see them off in the background.

 

I found these Brocade Magnet Boards at The Container Store, and I HIGHLY recommend them! They are laser cut metal, and the blue that is behind the metal is cork board! (see where I'm going with this??) SO you can use magnets AND push pins!! I ended up gathering cards, swatches of paper and other do-dads that I had and used my iPop magnets and some push pins to hold everything in place. Now I just love sitting at my desk and being surrounded by prettiness! It's been very inspiring.

What have you discovered that helps you feel creative and energized in your working environment?

Happy Valentines Day!

 {Some valentines I made using from L2R: Rose Wallpaper, Have A Sweet Day, Space Needle with Heart Burst on the Side, Sending Love From Seattle, Typewriter with Love Letter words on the Side}

I've been dying to use my new Valentine stamps, to make some cute cards, and send some love to friends! Thankfully, a good friend of mine was in need of making a few cards herself - which was the perfect excuse to set some time aside and create away! AND the perfect excuse to make a trip to Impress to pick up some new and fun ink colors, papers and ribbons! She came over and we spent a few hours creating away - complete with screams and clapping when we created something we just couldn't STAND the cuteness of. LOVE friends like that! We easily could have spent a full day creating! I made about 20 cards, but kept it do 4 different designs. I had tons of more ideas but not the time to execute them = bummer! These puppies are in the mailbox today and making their way to some friends' homes and hearts.

{A handful of my new Valentine stamps}

You can find all of my new stamps on the Impress website, and loads of card ideas on their Facebook page too. I just love how involved their community is! I think the best part for me is seeing what people makes using my stamps. SUCH a treat!

Even though it's a little early - Happy Valentines Day!! Sending you love from Seattle!

Cozy Christmas Wreath Project

Between working on Christmas projects, designing my holiday cards & creating a 2012 desk calendar on top of everyday work, things have been a bit busy around here and my blog has been a little neglected. Oopsy! I thought I'd hop on here and go ahead and share with you my Cozy Christmas Wreath project I just finished up. SO fun!!

I helped make some of these for friends and just HAD to rush home and make one for myself! In my rush, I settled for a 14" wreath, but I would have much rather had a larger one, if I took the time to do some research, as this one is a bit smaller than I'd like for my front door. But doesn't this look fun, festive and cozy!! I absolutely LOVE felt flowers, so I kept making them and added more and more...I was even tempted to make a whole wreath out of felt flowers, but I really liked the wooly wreath too much to cover it all up.

Here are the instructions for you, in case you want to make one for yourself. Total time=2 hours. Great to make while watching a movie.

To make this exact wreath, you will need:

• 1, 14" straw wreath - keep the plastic wrapping on it
• 1 package of 'Wool-Ease', Thick & Quick yarn (I used an Oatmeal color with flecks)
• Felt in a variety of colors - approx 2, 9x12 sheets for each large & medium flower. 1 sheet for small & mini flowers.
• Scissors

STEP 1
WRAP THE WREATH
Wrap the wreath with the yarn, making sure you cover the wreath completely. I went over places multiple times to make it thick.

STEP 2
CUT OUT FELT FLOWERS
Make a variety of felt flowers in different sizes and colors. Each felt flower is made up of 8 circles. I made 4 different sizes of flowers for my wreath: 1 large flower using a 5" circle. 4 medium flowers using a 4" circle.  2 small flowers using a 2.5" circle. 3 mini flowers using a 1.75" circle.

STEP 3
ASSEMBLE FELT FLOWERS
Once your felt circles are cut, fold a circle in half. Cut 2 slits at the fold in the center, about 1/4"-1/2" long and leaving about 1/4" of room between the slits. Cut 1 foot of the yarn you used to wrap the wreath, for each flower you want to make. Thread the yarn through the slits of each of the 8 pieces of felt that make up a flower. Once all are threaded, tie a tight knot at the base & leave the tails as you will use them to attach the flowers to the wreath. Arrange the felt nicely to make the flower.

STEP 4
ADD THE FELT FLOWERS TO THE WREATH
Arrange each of the felt flowers on top of your wreath in any way you desire. Tie them down in the back of the wreath with a knot. Snip the edges. Once you are completed, hang on your door to provide a warm welcome for your guests!

Keep me posted if you make one!! I'd love to see!!

Inspiration Organization: Houzz

I don't know about you, but I absolutely LOVE looking at home magazines and dreaming up how I would decorate a room. My many trips to Barns & Noble result in taking home with me magazines such as Ideal Home, Living Etc., Country Living-England, and Country Homes & Interiors UK to name a few - and boy do I miss Domino & Blueprint! To make it even wonderfully worse, I've started a folder where I put all the tears from these magazines of home & decorating ideas that inspire me. You know - for some day!

So you can imagine my happiness when I stumbled across an online home photo organizing website called Houzz! Genius. Dreamy. Addicting. Enough said!


But I'll elaborate, just for you. Here's Houzz in a nutshell:

Design professionals showcase their portfolios, sharing their work with a community dedicated to home and landscape design. 25,000+ professionals have uploaded more than 150,000 inspiring photographs, making Houzz the Internet's largest database of design and decorating ideas.

Homeowners collect their favorite photos, find design professionals in their areas, upload photos of their homes and gardens, and swap tips and questions with other members. 600,000+ ideabooks have been created by Houzz members, and new ones are added every minute.

So, finally - no more finding fab photo's of homes & interiors online, taking screen shots only to clutter up your desktop...and then have to move everything to a folder on your hard drive. No more!


So I've browsed and browsed & created idea books. The great thing is that you can create many idea books (dining room, kitchen, decor, wallpaper, etc.) & also include notes along with each image, such as 'love that coffee table' or 'interesting color combination idea', etc.

I've included some pic's that make me happy. I hope you find Houzz just as fun & inspiring as I do!

{Love the color combination}

{Interesting wall decor. Love the lamp & grass wallpaper}

{LOVE the idea of mix & match upholstered chairs!}

{All images from Houzz.com}

Just Dandy! Inspiration Images

{All photo's by Natalie G| Photography}

Now that my Just Dandy! fabric collection with Robert Kaufman is in stores, I have finally got around to uploading the photo's from my photo shoot to Flickr. The photo's are also now easily accessible on my blog's left hand side.When you have the chance, swing on over to Flickr to see the fun we had that day!



I have also created a Just Dandy! Flickr group and would absolutely LOVE it if you would upload any projects you create using any amount of my Just Dandy! fabrics! I didn't do this for my Glam Garden collection, and wish I had because so many of you contacted me with such fabulous projects & photo's! This time I didn't want to miss the opportunity of you being able to share with everyone just what you're up to. So please, don't be shy!



If you are selling your creations, blogging about them, or anything else that you want to share, please feel free to add the web link to the photo you upload in the Just Dandy! Flickr group.


Thanks so much everyone, and I look forward to seeing what you create!

Hot Blossom Wood Painted Panel Project

A handful of weeks ago, my wonderful friend Holly asked her many artist friends if they would be willing to paint a wood panel for her baby's room. She is such a dear friend, so I raised my hand to pretty-please decorate more than one panel for her - she sent me 3 - YAY!

Lucky me, she chose two of my fabrics from my Hot Blossom collection to decorate her baby girls room in: the large mum print, and the medallion print, both in the Fiesta colorway!! Being the fabulous art director that she is (um...she really is an Art Director!), she gave us a color palette to design into which composed of chocolate brown, aqua, red, orange & green. She also included snapshots of the fabrics, modern furniture & decorations in the baby's room already. Her husband then went and cut 12"x12" wood panels with rounded corners, and mailed them out to each of us. Let the project begin!


Since she used my Hot Blossom fabrics, I wanted to paint some motifs from my fabrics onto the wood panels, to help carry the theme & color story throughout the room. So I took my artwork and played around with the size and layout, printed the designs out from my computer and proceeded to transfer the artwork onto the wood panel.


Many of you probably already know this simple, quick and fun technique:
1. Take your artwork, turn it over and scribble pencil all across the back.


2. Then turn your artwork right-side-up, place it down where you want it to transfer, and proceed with drawing over the top of it. Your pencil texture will transfer the artwork onto your surface.


3. Begin painting away!


After hours of painting I shipped them off to Holly to decorate away! Baby made it just before I did though - bummer! Ha ha, couldn't plan that one! It was so fun to get away from the computer and paint with my hands. I'll have to work on another hands-on project soon. Well, now that I think about it, my next fabric collection "Glam Garden" is coming out next year, so in a few weeks I'll be sewing up some cute samples!! Stay tuned for a Glam Garden sneak peek in 2010!