Creative Thursday

ric rac rabbits

Back from Seattle and now I have 2 posts to share on recent travels, but before I do my studio is small and overflowing with the new fabric that has arrived - so! Ric Rac Rabbit bundles are officially listed in the shop! 

I have to say I really, really love how the colors turned out in this collection, so much so I was inspired to put together my first improvised mini quilt, even pieced a heart with the help of Lizzy in her mini quilts class here in LA a few weeks ago. It's like these are colors you can eat. Do you know what I mean? They remind me of sorbet or ice cream? I combined the Ric Rac Rabbits with some Robert Kaufman Quilter's Linen {seriously gorgeous, rich colors in this collection - also the kind you want to take a bite of} and Kaffe Fassett solids. I almost sound like I know what I'm doing, comparing fabric to food, sharing fancy fabric suggestions?! what? what am I saying...dinner is in the oven and I think I'm just really hungry right now. #firsttimequilter

Have I told you already? {probably more than once} how much I am enjoying designing fabric. I don't know - something about going this new direction with my creating and my business makes me so happy. If you know me, then you know how much weight I put on following what makes you happy = a clue that you are headed in the right direction.

If you love these designs even have as much as I do, will be a thrill.

the red thread

Back! from Boulder and hit the ground running. Or it's Crazytown USA over here, as Lizzy likes to say. I'm working on some of the final details for the book and beginning the designs of 2 more fabric lines all before May 9, so now ~ I will see you on the other side of those projects.

As a fabric designer, {one who's also not good at waiting to share new creations}, I'm still learning how and when to release the next collection. This is it: #4 'The Red Thread'. There is a story behind this line that I will share in a follow up post with the official release. Since I already instagram-ed the strike-offs I thought I'd should share a sneak peek of them here too, especially for those of you who might be shop owners keeping up on the newest designs. This collection will be shown on paper at Spring Market in a couple of weeks, and is available for pre-order, with an estimated ship date of this August.

So great to see many of you at the Makerie. I really enjoyed my time teaching there, as well as my class and visit to Fancy Tiger Crafts. I promise posts on both because there is too much goodness there not to share. Especially missing Boulder, meeting new and re-connecting with some of my best long-time friends who live there. Even wondering if I could move back?! First things first, some work needs to get done.

hope your May is off to a great start! xo

The In's and Out's of Textile Design - by Creative House

A chance meeting while both teaching at the Squam Art Workshops, plus 2 separate moments, 1 year apart when Lizzy told Marisa "YOU need to be designing fabric" has become a friendship and now a collaboration called Creative House.

Super excited about and really proud of this newest collaboration with my friend Lizzy. We love what we do. We want to help people find their way on their path to happiness and we believe that a large part of that has to do with finding fulfilling work that you love. We are creating products that we wish we had when we were trying to find our way. If you remember Lizzy wrote this e-book and {lucky for me when I tried to get into the industry I had Lizzy's book and her guidance} Now we've added on to that knowledge and experience with this podcast. So if you're interested in getting into the world of textile design as well as learning from two creative entrepreneurs who are always cheering you on, this new podcast might be for you. You can learn more about it, and watch us chat in a little video at our new site! The first of more collaborations to come for Creative House, so stay tuned.

{thank you again to Jo for the beautiful site design} 

Santa Claus is Coming to Town & he's in the shop!

I know we just celebrated time with the Easter Bunny, but some of you, who are far better planners than I, are ready to get a jump on your holiday creating?! Or even better, creating in general because while this is my first Holiday inspired collection, I designed 6 of the seven designs to be enjoyed the whole year through. Then again I am also someone who's been known to let Christmas music {occassionally} play in my Itunes throughout the year.

Available in 2 color ways, you can now purchase fat quarter bundles over at the shop. 

schoolhouse tunic

In the year and a half that I've been designing fabric, I've also been taking a lot of sewing classes. I cannot tell you how much it helps me understand who and what it is I am actually designing for. Learning how the pattern I design might be used, has been incredibly helpful in thinking of the best presentation and layout of the each design. (I for one really like stripes, because they are much easier, a little cheat sheet if you will, for me to cut and sew in a straight line ;))

My most recent class that I took at Sew L.A. {which if you are in L.A. I highly, highly recommend any and all classes there} was to make this Schoolhouse Tunic by Sew Liberated. What is suggested, and what I actually did this time I took a class! was make a second piece simultaneously at home. This definitely helps nail down that initial learning process into more than just instructions that literally float away from my brain the very next day, if not the same day.

The Iphone has also been super helpful with classes too, as I've found that I'm a visual learner so snapping a photo of the teacher demonstrating the next step for us,  helps me way more than just taking notes. A combination of Iphone photos, notes, and last but not least the actual pattern instructions {I'm not really a very good instruction follower kind of girl} and I was able to successfully make a second tunic at home in the span of the same 3 weeks {with minimal mistakes I might add}

The pattern is for intermediate level and definitely pushed my skill level which was perfect for where I'm at with my sewing. It takes just under 3 yds. of fabric, both fabrics shown above are from my first collection, meet the gang, and I recommend choosing the size up from what you usually wear.

Having also sewn my first small quilt last year, I find apparel sewing to be even more challenging. Then again my quilt was made from 4 blocks, all square. Some of the quilts I see - whoa - seriously skilled people working on those. Totally different sewing experiences though, apparel vs. quilting. I have to say I'm loving it all, minus that pattern cutting and the pinning. As per usual, I've got big plans and want to start designing my own line of clothing, and patterns, right after  I finish this book and...

Some accessorizing with a striped cowl and some yellow rain boots - voila. {If you're wondering what I'm looking at in these photos, it was Garbo. I'm telling you she's my muse} I've also worn both of these over jeans. Lets' just say I've been wearing one of these almost every day. 

i like to call these bunnies in bodysuits

ric rac rabbits - bunnies are everywhere

if I thought I was excited about my first line? seriously. the first production pieces arrived yesterday and I. am. beside. myself.

I'll have some bundles in the shop sooooon! so you can make something pretty!!

new fabric coming in May!

Sitting on my studio floor today working away on the colors for my 4th fabric collection ~ this seems to be my location of choice for fabric coloring ~any one else like to create on the floor? I realized that I haven't even shared a glimpse of the second and the third collections with you. I have yet to get up to speed with when to share new designs, as the newest ones are already starting to make appearances online. I'll be back to share all of the groups with you, but for now here's my sneak peek of one of my new favorites in two different color ways. 'Miss Fran'.

i will carry this with me everywhere

It's pretty much because of Lizzy that I decided to pursue designing fabric. 

We first met while teaching at Squam and she's the first person who literally looked at me and said "You should be designing fabric". And I remember exactly how she emphasized the word should in usual Lizzy style.

And it's pretty much because of her that I even decided to go to Quilt Market last year and present my designs. Because of the message in this card that she sent me.

And it's pretty much because of her that I sat down with Kathy {the art director we now both work with} to share the very beginnings of a fabric line.

And this weekend, she sent me the sweetest little bag that she sewed combining both of our new fabrics. I am literally beside myself, not only because I love it so much, but I hardly even know how to begin to thank this kind of generosity.

This bag, my new favorite that I will now carry with me everywhere, is a symbol. Not only of a friendship, with the kindest person who has the most giving heart, but also ~ a fellow artist who reminds me again and again that there is room for all of us ~ the kind of room that holds the space for all of us to succeed and thrive together.

{thank you Lizzy}

fabric is here! Meet the Gang by Marisa and Creative Thursday

Finally! More than just a tiny swatch ;)

I actually scanned in every print so that I could share some of the details of each pattern with you while also trying to get the most accurate representation of color and texture. {please forgive the wrinkle here and there. Turns out scanning fabric is not so easy, nor is trying to photoshop out said wrinkles} So here's the scoop! The fabric is set to ship to stores next week. I'm waiting on an updated list of the shops carrying 'Meet the Gang' and my plan is to add the list to the bottom of this post so that you can find the fabric either near you locally or online. If you are a shop carrying the fabric and want to be added to the list, drop me a note via email or in the comments. And if you are a shop wanting to order the fabric you can see more images here and contact Andover directly to get in touch with the Sales Rep in your area. Until then I have added a limited quantity of fat quarter bundles to my shop.

When I made the decision to pursue this, I had no idea just how much I would enjoy translating my art and designs into fabric. I have already completed my next group as well as a holiday group that will be presented at Quilt Market in just a couple of weeks. Not without it's challenges, as designing fabric has been a whole new learning curve, I can't even begin to tell you how much I've loved making this. I also want to note that this venture is a big collaboration. There's a whole team of people that helped my vision become fabric. Thank you Andover, Kathy and Lizzy.  

One of my missions with Creative Thursday has always been to inspire others to be more creative {if they are wanting} and now I've actually made something that you can create with. Full circle moment.

I realized when I was putting this line together and telling the 'story' of how it came to be ~ that these characters came to life when I needed them most. During a very uncertain and scary time on my journey as an artist, I needed extra support and encouragement. Every time I painted one of these characters it felt like they were calmly cheering me on, reminding me that everything would be ok and that I should keep going. Wherever you are on your creative path, I hope these little fellows will do the same for you. Cheer you on!

Cannot wait to see what you will make :)

and then there were buttons

thanks so much for all the 'art on tv' love.  after all that excitement I wasn't sure what to do with myself yesterday and then NBC re-aired the same episode and I was able to relive the excitement all over again, especially with my friend Liz on the other end of the phone watching at the same time ;) I don't think they are playing it again today, so instead I'm taking another sewing class = just as exciting!! have a great weekend everyone!