Being Creative Bog Party









y friend Amisha from Gorgeous and Fun Things is hosting a blog party today on Being Creative.  Amisha described this Sunday...









"This week is about how to start/begin learning something that you are interested in. So do chime in or share anything you created - painting, redecorated furniture, food, music - anything you created that made you happy!"



french-bonjour-mail-postcardI love that part about what makes you happy.  What makes me really happy these days is designing...especially fabric.

I design fabric using my original artwork and sometimes Vintage graphics.  I love designing French inspired patterns.


french-bonjour-mail-postcardTo begin I gather my designs in Photoshop.  I love Karen from The Graphics Fairy, and she is so generous with her graphics for us to use.

french-bonjour-mail-postcardA while back I asked her permission to use a few of her graphics in a fabric design to share on Brag Monday.  She said yes.



french-bonjour-mail-postcardI began by going on The Graphics Fairy and looking for some Paris inspiration.  I found three designs that were singing to me.  I copied them and downloaded them to my computer.


french-bonjour-mail-postcardI opened up Photoshop and opened up the three files and my peony photograph.  I changed the lighting to soft to mesh with the other muted tones in the design.

french-bonjour-mail-postcardI layered these together until I was happy with the size and scale.

french-bonjour-mail-postcardI went to my Spoonflower account and uploaded several different versions.



I ordered the design in a lovely quilting cotton fabric.  I chose to center this one to fit perfectly on a pillow. One fat quarter of Quilting cotton measuring 21" x 18".




The advantage of using Spoonflower fabrics as opposed to using the fabric transfer method is that you care for the fabric like any professional printed fabric.  You can order large quantities, and in all kinds of fabrics, sizes and layouts.

So, this is the version I ordered.


DSC_0001I received the fabric this week, and I am going to make a pillow today.

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Aunt Adelaide's spool of vintage thread with nameSew if you stop back tomorrow for Brag Monday I will be sharing the finished pillow.

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french-bonjour-mail-postcard


french-bonjour-mail-postcardNow if we go over to Amisha's place we will find lots of creative spirits sharing their work.



Can you imagine what Beatrix Potter would have done if Photoshop existed then?
liberal sprinkles said...

wow that is a great combination! I can't wait to see the final product. I will be joining Amisha too this weekend. Be happy being creative!
Grace

Simply Debbie said...

Dear Karen,
STUNNING...STUNNING...STUNNING...
I can't wait to see your pillow completed. I received a sewing machine for Christmas from my Mother and Daddy but I have been fearful to take it out of the box...I ask for a sewing machine and I want to sew more than anything and now I am very motivated after seeing your material...that is way too advanced for me but it gives me a lot of ideas.
I have an award for you on my blog...just read about the award before you make up your mind and you don't have to do anything to receive it...well, actually you do but you have already done it, thousands and thousands of times.
I will be sending you an e mail later on today.
Have A Sugar Sweet Day and Weekend
I grabbed your blog button while I was here.
I would be honored if you choose to follow Simply Debbie...I don't think you ever did...and if you don't that is okay, also.
Hugs
Simply Debbie

Natasha in Oz said...

Wow, you are so incredibly talented! I wouldn't even know where to start with something as gorgeous as that. You are so kind sharing your instructions Karen. I think I might leave that kind of fabulousness up to you all the same!

Best wishes and happy weekend,
Natasha.

Rhondi said...

Hi Karen
So lovely to hear from you today. The other day I met two girls who were getting ready to launch blogs and I told them how much I missed my blog, but even more how much I missed my blogging friends. I miss you too! Business is not as busy as I hoped it would be but still working hard.
Hugs, Rhondi

Vee said...

What? I can upload any photo creation to be made into fabric without making a mess of it at home? Oh boy howdy! (I hope that is what you're saying.)

What a beautiful and romantic fabric you created!

Kristopher K said...

Your fabric looks so beautiful
- isn't Spoonflower the best :)

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Good morning Karen, my goodness, that pillow. I don't think I can do Spoonflower until school is over. Too much school work, to little time to even draw, but it is still in my heart and mind to do it when the time allows. SOOOOOO GOOD TO SEE YOUR TALENTS blossom this way! Anita

Anonymous said...

Hi Karen,
I love, love, love this!

And did I ever tell you that you gave me the confidence to play with Photoshop? When you talked about it so enthusiastically, you had no idea that you were laying the seeds for confidence.

Because of you I stopped thinking that Photoshop must be complicated and only for "real professionals"!

So thank you so much! Your blog is fabulous, your work is phenomenal and you are kind, positive and very, very inspiring!

Cheers,
Amisha

Marguerite (Tina) Smith Hart said...

Karen you are such an inspiration to me and I am going to make a supreme effort to learn Photoshop! So far I have put it off because I am intimidated but no more!
Have a lovely Sunday and I love what you did with the fabric, the pillow is gorgeous!
Tina xo

Karen Provost said...

Hi Karen,
As always, you are so inspiring. This pillow will be beautiful. As beautiful as your spirit. Enjoyed seeing you yesterday and thanks for telling me about Amisha's blog party!

Karen Provost said...

Hi Karen,
As always, you are so inspiring. This pillow will be beautiful. As beautiful as your spirit. Enjoyed seeing you yesterday and thanks for telling me about Amisha's blog party!

Fuzzy Slippers said...

Ooo how amazing! I thought I'd have to be on Project Runway to do this. Thanks so much for sharing the whole project with us!!!! What an amazing talent you have. Please feel free to stop by Fuzzy Slippers Designs!

Joyce's Journey said...

Okay, I'm amazed. This was great! I love the way it looks and I can't wait to see tomorrow. You make it sound so easy, but I just cannot imagine. I think I have to check this out one day. Great post as usual Karen!!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I absolutely LOVE what you've done! Just beautiful and so creative! ♥♥♥

Tricia said...

That is such a beautiful fabric! You did a great job. I am going to have to hop on over to your Monday post to see the finished product. I did not know that you could order fabric like that. Such a wonderful project!

Blessings,
Tricia

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