Amethyst River Flow

Not too long ago, I took a trip with my camera to Aburi Botanical Gardens, a somewhat neglected, but still beautiful botanical garden outside of Accra. The gardens were full of great texture, especially the mosses and rocks.  I used these photographs as a jumping point to make a series of fabric designs. Amethyst River Flow was the version of the design I chose to make into a wrap dress from poly crepe de chine.  The fabric is pretty light weight and has good drape. 
Oh, and FREE SHIPPING world wide until 12:00 EST 12/13.

 

See this fabric in my shop here

See this fabric in my shop here

See this fabric in my shop here

 

 

Anna dress

Sprout Patterns pre-prints a pattern on fabric using Spoonflower fabric designs and lays it out perfectly.  I have made Sprout Pattern, Short Anna Dress, which is the design of By Hand London. I chose to make in using my Hexie Roses Deep Hues pattern in cotton poplin.  The cotton poplin has a nice hand and is a good fabric for hot weather.  There is a long skirted version available as well. 
When you purchase the pre printed pattern, you also receive a link to sewing directions and the pattern, should you want to create it again.  I found the directions clear and sewing the Short Ana Dress simple.  Sprout also offers a 'White Glove Service', that is, you can pay an additional fee to have select patterns sewn for you.

Free shipping!

Ready for the holidays? I know, it's not even Halloween yet but for crafters, we have to get an early start if we want to make something in time.  To help you out, Spoonflower is offering FREE shipping WORLDWIDE for 24 hours Monday, October 12th at 9am EDT to Tuesday, October 13th, 2015.  My shop is at your service for patterned fabric, wallpaper and paper.  Here are a few patterns from my African Inspired II collection.


African Weave Hexagon Drop Tropical Large



African Mod Barbells Allover Pinks

 

Peacock Deco Diamonds Large



 

 

Gelli Plate Experiment & Star Attraction

I have had fun in the past experimenting with gelatin plate printing so when I discovered the Gelli printing plate I was pretty interested to work with it too.  The Gelli plate has a clear, soft surface.  It holds it's shape, unlike the slow (or sometimes quick) decomposition of gelatin.
I first tried printing on fabric using my usual Jacquard fabric paints.  I did not like the response of the paints to the printing plate.  I need to experiment further but the paints seemed to react to the plate.  Once dry, the paint easily peeled off of my silk, an effect I have not seen before. 
My next experiments were much more successful.  I made the prints shown here using lightweight cardstock paper shapes.  This time I used transparent and semi-transparent Liquitex Basics acrylic paints. 

Steps to Monoprinting
1. Smooth a small amount of paint with brayer on the Gelli plate.
2. Quickly arrange cardstock cut-out shapes on plate
3. Align paper over plate
4. Gently but firmly press hand all over paper.
5. Carefully lift paper and set aside.
6. Remove cutouts. Optional, place 2nd paper down to pick up ghost image (paint that remains on the plate.
7. Clean Gelli plate and brayer. (I used wetwipes.)

In other news, a new fabric design available in my shop: Star Attraction.

Free Worldwide Shipping in One Week

In one week, Spoonflower will be offering free shipping worldwide for twenty four hours.  If you have been thinking about making a purchase from my shop this may be a good time.   All of the fine print can be found here.

Here is the beautiful Maria in a Kona Cotton dress made from my Circus Tiles on Teal design.

 

Perhaps you would like an elegant scarf in cotton voile or silk crepe de chine in Trash Art Rose Leaves Multi on White.

Or maybe a beachy throw pillow made of faux suede or eco canvas made from my one my Sea Side Selections collection such as Barrier Reef Shell 3.





Sewing Friends & Dresses

My sewing friends

 Today was a sad but sweet day with my sewing group.  A couple of my friends are leaving the country within the next few days.  We have had such a lovely time working on projects together and giving each other support.  We bring our backgrounds and talents from all over the world.  We are from Mauritius, Belgium, Portugal, USA, Germany and Senegal. 
Today, Arlette's gift to us was Yassa Poulet, a traditional and delicious Senegalese dish.  You can find a recipe here but I won't guarantee it will be as good as Arlette's.  We exchanged gifts and the watercolor portraits above were my gift to my friends.  It is has been a great couple of years together.  Below, Sigrid and Maria are wearing dresses made from some of my fabric designs.  Sigrid is wearing African Lace in Midnight Blue printed on Cotton Silk.  Maria is wearing Circus Tiles on Violet printed on Kona Cotton.  These and other designs can be found in my Spoonflower shop.

Stylin' Sigrid in a 1940's dress

Sexy knitter Maria