Thank you for checking out my process: doodle to design post last week; thanks, too, for your kind and generous comments.
It was a pride-swallowing moment for me to share that particular sketchbook page b/c the doodles are so mediocre - easily overlooked. The takeaway from that, tho, is that even lowly motifs can be made into something exceptional if you have the imagination and patience to work it out. It's a gratifying boost!
The process involved in the design shown today is just as exhilarating to me - but for very different reasons. In this example, the idea came first, and the drawing and design followed right behind. A pre-conceived idea that actually works in a more complex repeat will have me singing and dancing for days (Peanutman can attest to this).
There are countless ways to get from Point A to Point B in graphic surface design, and I employ different methods for different reasons. Variables that most affect which way I'll go include type of design, complexity of design, style of design, starting point elements, time and MOOD. You can see some others I've posted about here: Boxwood - Suzy - Cass - Spindle
A few uber-talented designer friends jumped on the process bandwagon, and their examples are as enlightening as they are gorgeous! Jenean Morrison Cicada Daydream | Michelle Engel Bencsko A Little Hut | Patricia Zapata Jezze | Jesse Breytenbach Betz White
Around the same time, Tula Pink shared a process post that's a complete showstopper - her work is in a class by itself. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Special thanks to Candy of Candied Fabrics for including my process/designs in her Blogging It Forward inspiration post on Friday.
Yesterday, Jessica Gonacha Swift posted a few steps in her illustration process, and, back in November, Stephanie Corfee featured a similar process post about creating artwork from a few initial sketches. Both of these women astound me with their mad skillz; I own artwork from each that I enjoy daily! Seeing how their sketches are transformed from a raw illustration to works of art is completely fascinating to me! I really enjoy Process - it's enlightening to see how everything fits & flows from point A to point B. Regardless of the subject matter - earth, man, beast, music, art, you name it - process rocks!
Jess and Stephanie inspired me to share a similar process post with you - it's been a while. I've chosen an uncomplicated design b/c it lends itself well to brief notations. This is not meant to be a tutorial; I'm just showing you a few steps in The Process. However, if you're new to creating patterns, you may find something useful here.
This is an unremarkable, non-descript sketch (in fact, all on this page are rather bleh) that turned into a dazzling, bold, geometric design - just the way I like 'em! I never throw a doodle away! For real. Sometimes I use them as textures in other designs, sometimes I use them to practice a technique, sometimes I trace pieces of them and incorporate them into other sketches and sometimes I just play with them to see what develops. This was the latter.
1. Vectorized, cleaned and clipped the doodle. 2. Moved a few critical vector points to close the shape, added a round-edge square to center for no particular reason...just messin. 3. The round-edge square gave me an idea to clip out one corner and straighten the lines. 4. I began moving the new shape all around...randomized, nested, blended, stacked, lined-up, rotated...until this knot shape began to emerge. Quite a few versions to get to this point!
spring knots (c) 2010 Daisy Janie. All rights reserved.
Certainly, it would have been easier to have envisioned a knot design first and worked in a linear fashion to achieve that look. But my imagination doesn't always plop designs in my lap, so I do what works and just enjoy the organic nature of The Process. Designing patterns is like a box of chocolates...
I absolutely love the way it turned out! This is a very simple method to implement, and it's a great way to use up your doodles. Please let me know if you try it - link your post in the comments!
turquoise knots - color of the year! (c) 2010 Daisy Janie. All rights reserved.
hot knots (c) 2010 Daisy Janie. All rights reserved.
Happy Monday to you! More random supplies coming your way...all in need of a good home. Thank you for looking!
This week's new listings can be found in my destash shop: DJ Destash. I also have upholstery-weight fabrics, heavyweight interfacing and 16 gauge clear vinyl listed there, in case you're in the market for such things.
*New feature alert* organic fabric love | in pics will showcase images from indie businesses who incorporate organic fabrics in their products.
organic fabric love | in words will highlight organic fabric producers with a short, informative Q&A.
I'll be alternating these 2 features weekly. If your products or business fits into either of these 2 categories, please let me know! I also have the making an effort feature that might work if you make or use other eco-friendly products in your business...keep it in mind! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
large reversible handbag. exterior is organic cotton/hemp blend. from anny & me.
wristlet / clutch in organic cotton twill. from infusion.
zippered pouch in 'coral sprig' organic cotton/hemp canvas. from betz white. ("sprig" fabric is betz's original design and can be purchased as yardage as well.)
"...because there is not a race in America that tests toughness, fitness, strength, stamina and mental grit all in one place and all in one day."
"Tough Mudders...help out other Tough Mudders...being a Tough Mudder is also about making sure no man is left behind, not worrying about your race time."
Signed up for this gem last night. DH is doing it, too, along with about 20 other friends from our gym, Corps Fitness. Originally held only in England, the Tough Mudder is touring the country, and we're lucky enough to have a stop near us in May. It will be a raucous time!! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
As much as daily bits of beauty contribute to my fabric designs, so do my daily workouts. It's the only place I can go and NOT be Jan DiCintio, fabric designer and small business owner. I don't think about anything having to do with work or fabric or sewing or twitter or blogging or money. The escapism I feel rules b/c it allows me to come back to work clear-headed and energized.
Over the years, I’ve noticed it also gives me a good jolt of confidence when I’m done b/c I’m good at working out – sounds odd but ‘tis true! It’s something I own and for which I take full credit b/c I put in the effort and make it happen. Nobody can take it away from me, and nobody can ever make me feel ‘not good enough’ – unlike the world of designing and selling fabrics.
Our self-assessments in business can often be harsh & detrimental when we compare ourselves to others, when we don't get that coveted press or blog coverage we hoped for or when our success is judged by how much bacon we brought home, and sometimes this leads to paralyzing insecurity and indecision. Bleh.
Comparisons at our gym, however, can only be motivating to me b/c it’s a very positive environment with folks who work hard to be better, faster and stronger. All walks of life, all shapes and sizes....we are all there to support and inspire one another to do more – to get more physical results by pushing beyond our mental limits. It's a motivating mindset that most definitely spills over into my work, makes me feel like I can accomplish anything I decide to and keeps me persevering through the many hat changes and learning curves toward my long-term goals.
We are competitive freaks in the nicest, best possible way! Plus, an endorphin rush is like no other! I've never not worked out, so I don't know what it's like to dislike being active or to not have it built into one's lifestyle. CF has been one of the best things in my life for 6 years! I wish I could bottle-up my experiences with Corps Fitness and share them with so many who struggle to make time, find something enjoyable or keep up a routine. An added bonus: There are a lot of husbands & wives who come together, and they've become our dearest friends outside the gym, too! Hazlett, you agree?
*In the pic above, you can see that our instructor Chris is in a wheelchair. He is a former Marine with a degenerative nerve disease. He pushes himself harder than anyone I know and leaves the rest of us with very, very little to complain about. You might also notice a young man on the left with a prosthesis - he skis for the US Disabled Ski Team. We are a no excuses group. Improvise. Adapt. Overcome.
What's your secret weapon?
Do you have or do something that doesn't appear to have any direct relationship to your work but is still vital to who you are and getting work done?
These fabrics are listed in the remnants section of my etsy shop. $10/yard.
More strike-offs, and I have lots of both! In 2008, I ran a big rotary printing job of my Audrey design for a purse manufacturer. We ran 2 different canvases, and I have about 30 yards left of each one. If you'd like more than a 1 yard cut, please convo me through my etsy shop.
These listings include: - 9oz canvas duck, with 60" of usable design. - 10oz canvas duck, with 56" of usable design - better quality.
Please note: B/c these are strike-offs, they are not absolutely perfect...but they're darn close! Some of the screen registrations are slightly off, so you might have some color overlap or tiny white spaces. Practically imperceptible. Pricing reflects this quality.
These calendars are listed in my etsy shop here. $12.50
A few of my 2010 calendars arrived with bent or semi-squished spiral bindings, but they're perfect in every other way. They need good homes with folks who like to be organized, but don't mind a little surface defect! Fully functional hanging on your wall! Or make mini-boxes or taggies or bookmarks or something out of these eco-friendly coverstock pages!
I have shown the most extreme examples above...I will always send out the best one I have available!
(c) 2010 Daisy Janie. All rights reserved. Copying is not cool!
Happy Lovebird Day to you!
We don't formally celebrate (aside from gobbling up a Whitman's Sampler), but this day definitely holds a very mushy place in my heart. Twenty-three years ago, my husband stuck a secret admirer Valentine's Card in my family's morning paper. Wow!!! I was already head-over-heels in the wildest way, but that really sealed the deal! The rest is history...
Jan DiCintio
Thanks for visiting my blog! I am the owner, designer and chief bottlewasher of Daisy
Janie. I have been a one-woman show
for 12 years – in one artsy business or another. Five years ago, I made
my way to fabric & surface
design, and eventually to self-production of my own organic
fabric collections. It is here I plan to stay! I'll be writing about
the fabric adventures as I go (but not giving away the farm of course) as
well as other life-ly, happy things. I'm a 41-yr-old mom to a 13-yr-old
Peanutman, wife to the man
of my dreams, doggie-owner of Scout
and George. I like to design fabrics, run, workout, hike, sew, google
(is that a hobby?), cook, eat, drink beer, and laugh (a lot).
