Happy Pink Saturday

Roses

Today is Pink Saturday and Bev over at How Sweet the Sound has oodles of pink posts to share on her Pink Saturday post. I recently received some material from Spoonflower Fabric Designs and I wanted to share the information with my friends from Pink Saturday. I have created some things, but the best part is that you can use this company to create too!

paintbrush rosesEver since I was a little girl, I have loved to match things. I love tons and tons and tons of designs and textures and putting them all together with the same color pallet. Oh, and I just love to paint roses, roses, roses. And paint them on all kinds of surfaces. I remember when I was young and discovered Laura Ashley fabrics, and all those dreamy little roses in the same color pallet as bigger roses, stripes and poka dots.

Then when I was in Asia I discovered Biggy Best, and decorated my daughter's rooms in coordinates of all kinds. Martha Stewart takes the guesswork out of matching your color pallet, I just love that! Now I have meandered over to young styles created by Anna Maria Horner.

Dried Roses

I painted this ceramic plate a few years ago.

Roses, Roses, Roses

Did you hear me today, did you hear me squeal with delight all the way from Massachusetts? Well, you should have. I couldn’t contain my joy when I opened up the mailbox and my Spoonflower swatches were inside.

roses, roses, roses fabric design

Just imagine the possibilities of designing when you can self-publish a book holding your favorite words and photographs. Then you can paint originals and print gorgeous giclee’ prints and drop by your local ceramics shop and paint dishes or vases or, well the possibilities are endless.

And now thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Spoonflower you can, yes, you can, print your own textile designs. You simply go to their web site and sign up. They are currently in Beta test mode, and will issue you an invitation. Once you have your invitation, you upload an image and ta dah, they mail you your fabric. They recommend that you order a swatch to see how your design has turned out. Once you receive your samples, you have your very own fabric designs in the dreamy 100% cotton, ready to order.

Squealing with Delight

I designed one print and one large design companion piece.

Squealing with delight and roses too

paintbrush rosesI am sorry for my excitement, but this is really a dream come true. I love to create beautiful things, but creating tons of them is very difficult. Once I design something I always dreamed of being able to produce the exact design over and over again.

Roses, Roses, Roses
This sheet of Roses, Roses, Roses is printed on German Etching paper for you to use as tags, or for your crafts. It is available on Etsy

My Xerox is showing again, but it is true, I love that idea (I worked for Xerox for many years, and I just loved it there). Now, thanks to people like Spoonflower, you can design and do it in an affordable way and provide others with your designs.


A Material Girl, originally uploaded by bluebirdsandteapots.



Ta dah...
I have more coming too, Christmas ones. I will be learning how to create my designs digitally also on photoshop. Oh, my heart’s desire is so close. Now instead of browsing material shops, I can have the joy of creating my own. The possibilities are endless.




Spoonflower will be offering the ability to sell your designs on-line. They have a flickr group that will allow you to see all the wonderful designs. On their web site, you can learn all about it, and read the blog. I learned about Spoonflower by listening to one of my favorite podcasts called Craftypod with Sister Diane. Here is a link to her interview with Stephen Fraser, co-founder of Spoonflower.


Pot-of-Roses-Print-8-x-10I just added this 8 x 10" mixed-media print of A Pot of Roses to my Etsy Shop. I chose the beautiful Hahnemuhle German Etching paper to print on 310 gsm. This Fine Art Ink jet paper really shows off the texture of this mixed-media pot of roses. Measuring 8 x 10 image with a small white border, presented in an 11 x 14 white mat with 8 x 10 opening. The original watercolor painting was uploaded to my computer and digitally colored to add just the right texture.

Pot of Dried Roses print 8 x 10

Well, I am so happy, I have already been flying around the ceiling designing things for Christmas. My plan is to incorporate material with my mixed-media on canvases. Like little Santa coats on my Santa paintings. So, please visit Bev and enjoy all the Pink Saturday posts this weekend.

books too

The song for this post is Give Me The Simple Life.
Anonymous said...

Happy Pink Saturday, Karen.

I love this concept, and I am anxious to see what you do with your fabric.

And, I am equally excited to see your Christmas design.

Anonymous said...

Oops, that last post is me. I clicked before I finished typing my name and url.

molly jean said...

Hello, Karen.

I have been out of touch for a while due to an exhausting move, getting ready for school, and computer troubles.

The house is freshly painted. I am having a wonderful time in the yard. School is going great! And I have a new computer.

Your pink posted pictures are positively perfect!

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

I can see why you are so excited. These are so wonderful!!! Blessings for a wonderful weekend..m..

Cottage Rose said...

Happy Pink Saturday Karen; How exciting for you to have designed your own fabric. It looks very pretty love the roses.

Hugs;
Alaura

Nancy said...

Yay (or yea!) I can comment! I saw these on your Flickr and couldn't figure out what they were. What a great idea and I can't wait until you get your Christmas ones done! Blessings to you, Nancy

Unknown said...

Hi Karen,

Happy pink Saturday! Love your pink post...I have been to those stores in Newburyport. I go every year with my girlfriend and shop for the day. I just love that place. I bring tons of stuff back each year and my husband some how fits it all in the SUV...

Kindredly, Lynne Laura

Sherri said...

Your work is just beautiful! Who wouldn't be excited about getting this done. Thanks for sharing all of the information.

Gabriela said...

Happy Pink Saturday!

Lovely, lovely roses!
Did you make another book?

~ Gabriela ~

Bobbi Jo Nichols said...

Karen,
What fun you must be having. This is great. Happy Pink Saturday! Looking forward to your Christmas creations. Hugs, Bobbi Jo-AZ

SmilingSally said...

So neat that these things converge. Happy Pink Saturday :-)
Stop by and check out my post. I'm giving away 3 books!

Marina Capano said...

Happy Pink Saturday, Karen.Wow, great job! congrats! I love your style so much! I love it! is so cute!
I would love you visit my tv show and you record your step by step!
visit me anytime...

Happy Pink Saturday
Marina

Dawn said...

What a wonderful thing!
Happy pink Saturday.

Glennis said...

Wow, this is simply amazing. I couldn't possibly do what you do, but it is amazing that now an artist can have their work produced on fabric like this. How great for you, and how wonderful for new up and coming artists.

wonderful post!

Sherrie said...

Hi!
Your fabric creations are beautiful!!!!! Your so creative! Thanks for stopping by my place. Take Care!!

Sherrie

Dawn said...

That is just the most exciting news. I can hear your enthusiasm in your "typed" words. I hope you create lots and lots of beautiful fabrics.

I didn't realize you were in Massachusetts. I'm on the Cape!

take care,
Dawn

Thru Pink Curtains said...

that is an excellent thing to do. i loved your flowers i can hear you smile all weekend!!!!

One Knit One Purl said...

Hi Karen,

I love your blog post today! It's really nice and I love the music too.

Love, Susan

Anonymous said...

Oh man! I've got a thousand things to do and now you have me wanting to design my own book and fabric!! Lol:) You are very talented Karen and I love how you show us all of the different art forms you have created around pink roses! Wonderful ~

Christine

Unknown said...

Such an exuberant post! Thanks for teaching us about Spoonflowers!

Betty said...

As a fabricaholic I think that this is fantastic. I've always wanted to design my own fabric. Yours turned out gorgeous. I can't wait to see all the art you come up with using it. Happy pink Saturday!

Stephanie said...

I love your enthusiasm!!


Happy Pink Saturday!

Stephanie

Anonymous said...

Wow, that is amazing! I am going to check out the sight! Thanks fo all the great info!

Leslie said...

Your post is beautiful and inspiring!
Happy Pink Saturday!

Kris said...

Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog. I really enjoyed your post. The fabric is sweet and your plate painting is very sweet.

Kris

Anonymous said...

Such wonderful fabric..I love it and the whole concept..

Kathy said...

Beautful work, Karen! Can't wait to see your Christmas things. Happy Pink Saturday...Kathy

Rechelle ~Walnuthaven Cottage~ said...

Lovely!

Katie said...

What a great idea! Thanks for sharing your lovely art and Happy Pink Saturday!

Anonymous said...

Hi Karen, Happy Pink Saturday. I just got my invitation from SpoonFlower but haven't decided what to send them yet. Yours is gorgeous.

Dee Light said...

What wonderful work!! Just a wonderful pink post.

Anonymous said...

Well, Karen, you just cleared something up for me----I read about "Spoonflower" and "invitation" on another blog and, I hate to admit it, I didn't have a clue as to what the excitement was all about. Well, NOW I get it! You have every reason to be "ceiling floating giddy"! If I was an artist, I'd be wild with excitement, too! Your swatches look so beautiful--I know you will design spectacular items from your very own line of fabrics!!!
Hope the rest of your weekend is great! Dana

Anonymous said...

OMG I could hardly read your post through all the excitement lol, the pics are gorgeous, and what a fabulous idea, I love it too, may I dance on the ceiling with ya lol. Cheers Debra.

Anonymous said...

What a grand concept. Thanks for all the great information. Your fabric pieces are lovely. Have a wonderful new week.

Anne Fannie said...

Hi Karen,
You are so creative. I always enjoy coming to your blog and see what you have new in the makings!
Happy Pink Saturday,
Love, Ann

Anonymous said...

That's so neat! I can see why your so excited, it's very cool to be able to design you're own fabric. Can't wait to see what your going to do with it!

Manuela

Suzie Button said...

Thanks for the info on Spoonflowers, there are so many awesome creative outlets at our fingertips these days! Happy Pink Saturday! Suzie

KatCollects said...

It sounds like a fun process. I hope you have had a great weekend!
Kathy

Anonymous said...

Happy Belated Saturday.
I love the painting you created on the plate and it looks lovely on fabric. I have joined as well but I haven't looked into it yet.
It sounds like you have wonderful ideas...enjoy...and I could hear your squeals of joy!! Be happy.
Have a great day.
Judi

Anonymous said...

Happy Pink Saturday Karen, thanks for stopping by , fantastic post! & you just squeal all you want! LoL

Virginia said...

Your work is beautiful!What fun you must be having. This is great.
Blessings, Virginia

Stephanie Suzanne Designs said...

Karen, Happy belated Pink Saturday...I love the fabric you had printed. Just lovely. :0) It's so nice to know there is an source for the individual designers. Have a happy pink week!

Stephanie
Queen of Dreamsz

Sharon's Cottage Quilts said...

Karen, everytime I visit I find the most wonderful ideas...your excitement is indeed contagious!! What a wonderful feeling it must be to see your work on fabric!! What a dream! Yes! I'm so excited for you friend. You have been kissed by an angel, and you are a beautiful lady!!
Blessings~Sharon

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