Spoonflower blog

Ditsy Sea Creatures: Vote for your favorites in a school of small prints

2012-02-09T13:08:32-05:00

This week we resurrected a variation on a popular but difficult theme from one of our fall contests: ditsy prints. Ditsy refers to very small prints designed to scatter rather than to repeat in an obviously symmetrical way. Ditsy prints are popular for apparel sewing. Deciding which of the contest entries best capture the idea of ditsy through the use of sea critters is the mission before you today, should you choose to accept it.

Vote For Ditsy Sea Creature Fabrics

The participants this week are:

1. Hawaiian Sea horses by mariao
2. Sea Gifts Wrapped in Ribbons of Seagrass by inscribed_here
3. A Beach Ditsy by illustrative_images
4. A Buncha Lobstahs by dianne_annelli
5. a ditsy sea by paragonstudios
6. A Sea Menagerie in Blue by thatrossiart
7. Acres of Clams ditsy by georgeandgracie
8. Algae by grafite
9. ANEMONES by kriskross
10. Arctic Ditsy Sea Creatures - Soapstone by aldea

11. Ashley and her magical seahorse named Ditsy by karenharveycox
12. A_Rainy_Day by mrshervi
13. baby sea creatures by creativebrenda
14. Beach Wave by kdl
15. Bonaire Baby - Seahorses by jmckinniss
16. Bubble Trouble and Fish Confusion by sew-me-a-garden
17. BUBBLES_01 by deeniespoonflower
18. Coloured Starfishes by milimari
19. constellation by made_in_shina
20. Cowfish by ailau
21. crabbyandhappy by betsybeans
22. Crabs by fattcheese
23. Criaturas marinas by la_nonna_aida
24. crustacean ditsy by babysisterrae
25. deap_sea_pattern by leolietje
26. Deep Reef Fish by melisza
27. Deep Sea Creatures by basara
28. Deep Sea Ditsy by laughingowldesign
29. deep sea ditsy-ed by fentonslee
30. DEEP SEA ILLUMINATIONS by bluevelvet
31. Design_1 by enlightenment
32. Diatoms by nimiane
33. Disty mermaids by petitspixels
34. ditsea: starfish & seaweed by surlybirdstudio
35. Ditsy Butterflies, Clowns, Anemones & More (Dark Blue) by gracedesign
36. Ditsy Crabs by animotaxis
37. Ditsy Diatoms by fox&lark
38. ditsy dolphins by sef
39. Ditsy Dumbo Octopi by leeleeandthebee
40. Ditsy Fish by whimzwhirled
41. ditsy fish by rose'n'thorn
42. Ditsy Leafy Sea Dragons by madex
43. Ditsy Octopus by mactire
44. Ditsy Pirates Pale Blue by teja_jamilla
45. Ditsy Print White by jenniferdenty
46. ditsy puffers by doodleandhoob
47. Ditsy Sea Creature-ed by 2reneevk
48. ditsy sea creatures by paintingbliss
49. Ditsy Sea Dragons by pkfridley
50. Ditsy Sea Turtles by irrimiri
51. Ditsy Shells by farrellart
52. DitsyFish by yellowstudio
53. ditsyfish by pernille_voss
54. DitsyFishes by nikky
55. Ditsyperiwinkleshells by leslipepper
56. ditsyseacreatures by cassandrac
57. Ditsy_fish by emonoodle
58. Ditsy_fish by johanna_design
59. Ditsy_fish_spoonflower_1_2012 by compugraphd
60. ditsy_octopus_2_copy by ashleyjohnson
61. Ditsy_Sea_Creature by tippstert
62. Ditsy_Sea_Creature by tippstert
63. ditsy_sea_creatures by janelle_wooten
64. Ditsy_Sea_Creatures by walkathon
65. ditsy_sea_creatures_180112 by pink-lollipops
66. Ditsy_Sea_Creatures_Paloma by paloma_le_sage_fabrics
67. ditsy_sea_dolphins2 by vinkeli
68. ditsy_sea_mini by moobug
69. Ditsy_Starfish by niceandfancy
70. Ditzy nudies by hakuai
71. Ditzy Sea Creatures Bright - by ebygomm by upcyclepatch
72. ditzy_fish by lkglioness
73. ditzy_sea_grean2 by bulldogsandbabies
74. Divers Cove by fable_design
75. Dolphin, fish, crab and turtle swimming in the sea! by graphicdoodles
76. Dream into the sea by fantazya
77. ECO-wmb_Sea_Party by wendybentley
78. El Mar Caribe - Caribean Sea by dna2011
79. Emerald sea by eddilosmilzo
80. exotic_fish_ditzy by mailyn
81. Eye Sea You by sammyk
82. fffish by pursius
83. fish by annaboo
84. fish underwater by anastasiia-ku
85. Fish Without a Bicycle by sarahwalden~peacoquettedesigns
86. fishditzy3 by ayeone
87. Fishy by petals*fair
88. fishyditsy by lerhyan
89. Fish_tile by nicolaclare
90. Flower_Power_sea creatures by alexsan
91. fresh lobster linen by wednesday'sgirl
92. fun_fishes by christine_gibson
93. Go, Blue, go! by nekanen
94. Halloween Ghost Costume Fish on a Starryfish Night (Small Print) by quiltsmith
95. Happy Sea Creatures (Ditsy) by catru
96. happy_mermaid by alexandra_pillaert-fabric_fairy
97. Heart Fish by dollyw
98. Hello there! by alfabesi
99. Hippocampus by snigne
100. Historic_Fishes by zeinab
101. Horrible Deep Sea Creatures turned cute ^_^ by majo_bv
102. I Heart Fish Heads by kukubee
103. I see creatures! by monda
104. I see Seahorses... and.. by eclectic_house
105. In the Deep Deep Blue Sea by robin_rice
106. In_the_Sea by ladyfayne
107. Itsy Bitsy Sea Beasts by kayajoy
108. Jack Sprat by spellstone
109. Jelly field by francine
110. jellyfishplanets by podaiboo
111. Just Crabby by scoutmom131
112. Kelp! Help! by vo_aka_virginiao
113. Lagoon by forest&sea
114. LaraGeorgine_Ditsy_Sea_Creatures by larageorgine
115. Leafy Seadragons by mongiesama
116. Liberty des mers by nadja_petremand
117. Life Under the Sea by ninjaauntsdesigns
118. Little Copper Seahorses in Aqua Seas by nezumiworld
119. Little Mermaid-ed by malien00
120. Little Schools by needlebook
121. Lobsterz by mammajamma
122. manystarfish by melissaf_BFhtr0iV
123. Mermaid Sea by the_gleesome_besom
124. mermaids and dolphins by hannafate
125. Mermaids in the see ditsy patern by branchaplumes
126. Micro sea life by ravynka
127. mineralised mesozoic mariners: an ammonite ditsy print by coggon
128. Mini Sea Critters in the Ocean Green by erinibbertson
129. miniSEAlife by jumping_birds
130. Moonlit plankton teeming in an iridescent sea by su_g
131. narwhal by kiwicuties
132. Narwhals on Vacation by owlandchickadee
133. Octopus 3D by spiringsdesigns
134. oh!!!!fish! by risha
135. phosphorescent fish by weavingmajor
136. punny fish by carcamella
137. Rainbow Pastel - Seaside Play - © PinkSodaPop 4ComputerHeaven.com by pinksodapop
138. Rêve d'été by cassiopee
139. Reef Fishies by ravenous
140. salty sea creatures by fabricfarmer_by_jill_bull
141. sand dollars painted by susan_swedien
142. Sand star swarm by demouse
143. Scallop Shells by jabiroo
144. School of Fish by oksancia
145. Sea Creature Ditsy Fun by andibird
146. sea creatures by azbeen
147. sea creatures by annekul
148. Sea Creatures by leonandcoco
149. Sea Creatures by elizabethjones
150. Sea Creatures by katsanders
151. Sea creatures by pinturasraras
152. sea creatures - red ditsy by walsh|studio
153. sea critter shindig by deb-o-rama
154. Sea Cuties by charlotteandstewart
155. Sea ditsy by cjldesigns
156. sea fun by onegreyelephant
157. Sea Horse ditzy by a_most_peculiar
158. Sea Life by louwho
159. Sea Life Ditsy 2 by jadegordon
160. sea monster love by scrummy
161. sea party by sarah_joseph
162. Sea Sea My Playmates by joybucket
163. Sea Song Ditsy by leighr
164. sea-creatures-ditsy-dk by wren_leyland
165. seacreature by cmdesigns
166. SeaCreatures by ghennah
167. SeaCreaturesBlue by positivenegative
168. Seafloor Floral by violet's_pet_spider
169. Seahorse Valentine by marcojanedesigns
170. Seahorses yellow days by imhere
171. Seahorses... by bluesound
172. sealeopard by tscho
173. sealife by sororitysister
174. SeaLife Ditsy by brandymiller
175. sealife-01 by tammiebennett
176. Seals are great fisherman! by verycherry
177. Seashell by fenicia
178. Seaside Shanty by quiltyfleur
179. Sea_Creatures by stuffbyduff
180. sea_creatures_cream by j_l_whitham_illustrations
181. sea_creatures_grey by studiojelien
182. sea_stampede by suziwollman
183. sea_urchin_ditsy by lilliblomma
184. Shell Collection Du Jour by gsonge
185. ShowerCurtain by holland_hewitt
186. Silly Sea Creatures by dianef
187. Starfish Ditsy by robyriker
188. starfishorange__2_ by juliette289
189. starfish_and_pearls by jbhorsewriter7
190. Sturgeon and Friends by boris_thumbkin
191. sunfish ditsy by amoore7
192. Swimming with the fishes by retro_rudolph's
193. The Ditsiest Sealife of Them All - Diatoms! Green Glows by glimmericks
194. The Fish Fandango by meredithjean
195. The Seven Seas by jennartdesigns
196. tide pools - navy by cholton
197. Tiny Giants by katieschrader
198. tiny sea creatures by jeannemcgee
199. Tiny Sea Life by siya
200. tiny_sea_creatures by silviana
201. Tossed Bubbly Seahorses by shelleymade
202. tossedsea_SF by sophie_buttons
203. Trianglefish by saffron-craig
204. tropical by kociara
205. Tupi Sea by blueclouds
206. Turtle Traffic Jam (ditsy print) by dangersquirrel
207. Turtles All the Way Down by clairehummel
208. Under the Sea by countrygarden
209. Under the sea by katarina
210. Under the Sea Repeat Small by ashley_cooper
211. Underwater by blboutique
212. Underwater Ditsy by kezia
213. Underwater Menagerie Ditsy by jubilli
214. underwater_pattern_3_copy by bratenellamail
215. under_the_sea_ditsy_print by cian_cottee
216. With the tide by wddesign

Deco the Halls: Art Deco Fabric Winners

2012-02-09T12:43:15-05:00

There are some really amazing designs among the top ten fabrics from this week's art deco contest, but at the head of the list is "a deco garden" by Brazilian illustrator and first-time winner Julia Bianchi. We are pleased to report that all of the top ten are now available for sale.

See the Top Ten Art Deco Fabrics

The final votes:

1. 848 votes for a deco garden by the_collectionist
2. 757 votes for Art Deco Rio De Janeiro by zesti
3. 750 votes for La maison des papillons by heatherdutton
4. 644 votes for 1920's Paris by fable_design
5. 602 votes for Art Deco Flapper Fans - Sunshine by tuppencehapenny
6. 594 votes for artdeco_1forsf by sophie_buttons
7. 564 votes for artdecoinrepeat by cashmane
8. 546 votes for Art deco Lotus by mariao
9. 533 votes for Decadently Deco by deeniespoonflower
10. 490 votes for deco fans by coggon

Craft Business Book Giveaway and Diane Gilleland Blog Tune-up Winner

2012-02-08T15:01:15-05:00

In the same upping-your-online-game spirit as last week's "Craft Blog Tune-up" course giveaway from Sister Diane of Craftypod, this week we're giving away two books on how to turn your crafting passion into a business. The two titles are Kari Chapin's Handmade Marketplace and Meg Mateo Ilasco's Craft, Inc.(Revised Edition). Both include tips on using social media to connect with your community and get the word out, advice on how to price your products, pay yourself, and keep your own books, and plenty of interviews with people who have done it successfully before. Between these books, a craft blog tune-up, and pointers on how to photograph your fabrics and the beautiful things you make from them, this could be your year to make your creative passion your job!

To enter the drawing for these books, please comment below or on the corresponding Facebook post. Entries close next Tuesday, 2/13 at 7pm EST, and we'll announce the winner next week. Good luck, all!

Congratulations goes out to Stephanie Scigliano, the winner of last week's "Craft Blog Tune-up" course. We'll be putting her in touch with Sister Diane shortly to get started on her blog sprucing!

Meet Spoonflower: Introducing Anna Khlebnikova, Russian Transplant and Would-be Pilot

2012-02-07T13:46:57-05:00

This week, I have the pleasure of introducing to you our wonderful accountant, Anna Khlebnikova. Read on for more about this behind-the-scenes Spoonflower employee in her own words!

Anna wearing a blouse made using City Black fabric by Nadja Petremand, printed on Kona cotton

I grew up in Southern Russia, in the city called Krasnodar. It was founded 218 years ago and has a troubling but interesting history. With the city’s numerous theaters, museum and galleries, there was always something to do. Because of its geographical location and pleasant climate it is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful regions in Russia. While still at Kuban State University in Krasnodar, I started teaching statistics to people sometimes twice my age. It was my first job and probably the most challenging one. After moving to the US and graduating from the University of South Carolina with a degree in accounting, I worked for two mid-sized CPA firms until I became an accountant at Spoonflower.

When I was a kid, I had a very active life. I started taking ballroom dance classes when I was 6 years old. It was something I really enjoyed. I also took piano lessons but didn’t give as much effort as I should have. I do regret that now. My friends and I spent a lot of time outside playing games and going to the park, which had all kinds of great, permanent rides. Our parents would not see us until dark, especially during the long summer break. We had so many different games which we made up ourselves. It’s fascinating to me to think how creative kids are and how their minds work.

I like classical literature as well as prose from the first half of the 20th century. A few of my favorites are The Twelve Chairs, Little Golden Calf, and American Road Trip by Ilf and Petrov, and The Master and Margarita and Heart of a Dog by Mikhail Bulgakov. I also enjoy reading about historical events. Often when I read about real people living during difficult periods in history, it makes me think of what I would have done and imagine whether I would be able to go through that.

There are so many designers that I admire, and my list is getting longer every day. That is the biggest benefit of working here at Spoonflower; you get to see the work of extremely talented people. I have made several pieces of clothing for my two boys using the adorable designs of Drea Roman, aka Ttoz. I love Lisa Barrett (Ninaribena on Spoonflower), Nadja Petremand, Heather Dutton, Jiah Harrison and so many others. My favorite fabric types that Spoonflower offers are silk, cotton/silk and our new Kona quilting-weight cotton. I would not be original if I say I wish there were more hours in a day. Every weekend I plan to sew something from my Spoonflower fabric but most of the time it is moved to the next weekend.

My family and I love to travel, and we especially enjoy the ocean. Sometimes we wake up on Saturday or Sunday and just decide right then to go to one of the beaches in North Carolina. They are relatively close and we love to walk on the beach, even during winter. There is a long long list of places I would like to visit before I die. Some of the first few are Brazil and Argentina. It's also been a dream of mine for a while to learn to operate a small plane, so I am planning to get a private pilot license. Hopefully that will happen soon.

Art Deco Collage: Vote for your favorite art deco inspired fabric designs

2012-02-02T12:47:32-05:00

In this week's challenge we asked designers to produce fabrics inspired by the art deco movement while at the same time restricting themselves to no more than four colors. This was a tough one, but we're really looking forward to printing the winners next week. I'm thinking they'll be perfect for pillows and curtains, or maybe lampshades!

Vote For Art Deco Fabrics

The participants this week are:

1. Art deco Lotus by mariao
2. *Stars* Art Deco by branchaplumes
3. 1920's Paris by fable_design
4. 1ArtDeco by positivenegative
5. 20s Glamour by blboutique
6. 30's Zephyr by holly_helgeson
7. 4-Colour Art Deco Tree by phantomssiren
8. a deco garden by the_collectionist
9. A Sewing Arts Deco Damask by cynthiafrenette
10. alternating_lines by charlene_sawyer

11. Annelli's Art Deco - Raspberry-Periwinkle by dianne_annelli
12. architectural treasure by ode_to_june
13. Art decó butterfly (4 colours) by nekanen
14. Art Deco by janelle_wooten
15. Art Deco by avance
16. art deco by onegreyelephant
17. Art Deco by katsanders
18. Art Deco 1930s Architecture (Navy Blue) by bobbin4apples
19. Art Deco 5 by newmom
20. Art Deco 9 by laurels
21. art deco borders by ravynka
22. Art Deco Boulle roses by bargello_stripes
23. art deco capitals by sef
24. art deco days by hartlinedesigns
25. Art Deco Design by carollynnborstdesigns
26. Art Deco Diamonds by robyriker
27. Art Deco Dresses on Dress Form by cnarducci
28. Art deco element by fantazya
29. Art Deco Fish Scales by nerwen
30. Art Deco Flapper Fans - Sunshine by tuppencehapenny
31. Art Deco Fleur by tinag
32. Art Deco Floral by jaxco_by_jacki
33. Art Deco Floret, L by animotaxis
34. Art Deco Flower by stoflab
35. Art Deco Font-ilicious (colour) by pohutukawaphotographic
36. Art Deco Greyhound by mag-o
37. art deco hats by babysisterrae
38. Art Deco in Pink and Black by jabiroo
39. Art Deco Inspired - Limited Palette by madex
40. Art Deco Jewels by cjldesigns
41. art deco Landseer by dogdaze_
42. Art Deco Magazine 1923 by karenharveycox
43. Art Deco Moon Owl - 4 color (see redone version, link below) by victorialasher
44. Art Deco Orchids by acbeilke
45. Art Deco Owls by jubilli
46. Art Deco Parrot by needlebook
47. Art Deco Pets by eclectic_house
48. art deco polyfloral on shagreen 4 color-ch by glimmericks
49. Art Deco RAM by patternstate
50. Art Deco Rio De Janeiro by zesti
51. Art Deco Rivoli Repeat - Grey Pink by upcyclepatch
52. Art deco sailboat by nicolaclare
53. Art Deco Songbird by melisza
54. Art Deco Southwest Stripes by boris_thumbkin
55. Art Deco Sun Scales by leighr
56. Art Deco Sunburst by shelleymade
57. Art Deco Woodcut Daises by muddyfoot
58. Art Deco, Humming Bird by walsh|studio
59. Art Deco-scope by beesocks
60. Art The Deco Peacock by tracydw70
61. Art-Deco-Chicken by scoutmom131
62. artdeco by eemanuelsson
63. artdeco by raasma
64. ArtDeco by zeinab
65. artdeco by veekay
66. artdeco by tscho
67. ARTDECO by piecelovequilt
68. Artdeco silverware - purple by marimia
69. artdeco1 by samantha_weyant
70. artdeco1 by azaliamusa
71. artdeco2 by patternlike
72. artdeco3 by kmadrid
73. artdecobouquet_red by lilliblomma
74. artdecofairytale by johanna_design
75. artdecoinrepeat by cashmane
76. ArtDecoJewelWesternPonyshades by grannynan
77. Artdecomonster by gustafsson
78. artdeco_1forsf by sophie_buttons
79. ArtDeco_Green by ghennah
80. Arty Pineapples by demigoutte
81. art_deco by j_l_whitham_illustrations
82. Art_Deco by smanderg
83. art_deco by visionarysky
84. Art_Deco by mammajamma
85. ART_DECO by studioestel
86. Art_Deco by alexsan
87. Art_Deco by doodledandy
88. art_deco by bonnitagraphics
89. art_deco-ch-ch by 2reneevk
90. art_deco-ed by pink-lollipops
91. art_deco_03 by mikomiko
92. art_deco_1 by wiccked
93. art_deco_burst by stephanie_ellis
94. Art_Deco_Chairs by theboutiquestudio
95. art_deco_flowers by seedpod
96. art_deco_geometric by yuyu
97. Art_Deco_Inspired_Pattern by franny711
98. Art_Deco_Lion by niceandfancy
99. art_deco_music by knittychick
100. art_deco_print by christine_gibson
101. Art_Deco_Spoonflower2_1_10_2012 by compugraphd
102. art_to_the_deco by koko_chica
103. Aunt Charlotte Jane By Rhonda W. © 2012 by rhondadesigns
104. Avian Art Deco by sammyk
105. BBandDeco-ed-ch by bulldogsandbabies
106. because of matthias by annosch
107. Bird-Eco by ninjaauntsdesigns
108. Blue Art Nouveau by countrygarden
109. blue peony by lfntextiles
110. Blues by saris
111. Bratenella's Art Deco Pattern by bratenellamail
112. Burgh Zig Graphic (4 color) by scrummy
113. butterflycolor1 by melissaf_BFhtr0iV
114. Cake & Coffee by beckarahn
115. Cats are DECO in ART by nikky
116. Clarice Cliff by jojomodjo
117. Clumsy_Deco by moobug
118. Color Me Celestial by shala
119. ComplexDeco by fibrefreak
120. Confluence by gabreala
121. Constellation by thirdhalfstudios
122. Cross my Dot by demouse
123. Crowded_red by loska
124. Daisygreen by kirpa
125. Dancing Art Nouveau Zig Zag by seamingly_simple
126. DayGlo Deco by surlybirdstudio
127. Days of Deco (in large scale) by edsel2084
128. Decadently Deco by deeniespoonflower
129. deco by sororitysister
130. DECO by susanpolston
131. Deco by whatsmyfuture
132. deco by theposhvagabond
133. deco afghan hound by ukgypsy
134. Deco Butterfly by kezia
135. Deco City by teja_jamilla
136. deco dahlia in red by melissamelissa
137. Deco Daisy Sunburst by flapperfancies
138. Deco Deer by meredithjean
139. Deco Delicious by whimzwhirled
140. Deco Diamond 4 color by hippylongstockings
141. Deco Double Border_PINK by jumping_birds
142. DECO Dreams by i-jessicajordan
143. Deco egyptian print by julia_canright
144. deco fans by coggon
145. Deco fans rock by a_most_peculiar
146. deco fountain by theboerwar
147. Deco Garden by kdl
148. Deco Geo by amel24
149. Deco Geometric Blue Medium by modgeek
150. Deco Glass by shornickel
151. Deco Masquerade by vdyej
152. deco ornamental by andibird
153. Deco pattern by julieg
154. Deco Rockets by illustrative_images
155. DECO SHELLS by lisa_godfrey
156. Deco Tile Lilac by millifleur
157. Deco Tulips by addilou
158. deco tullips by _ang'sdesigns
159. deco woman by spiringsdesigns
160. deco-ottomanbrim2 by ottomanbrim
161. deco1a by pomegranate_workshop
162. DECO2 by podaiboo
163. deco2 by stlphotogal
164. DecoFlowerTile by kmaggiolino
165. decowave by circlealine
166. Deco_Arches_and_Flowers by topfrog56
167. deco_bubbles by shirlene
168. Deco_Daisy_ by lily_studio
169. deco_deer_tomato by awilldesign
170. Deco_Dogs by kiki_
171. deco_egret_family by frelard_wye
172. Deco_Mermaid by chickoteria
173. deco_swirl_2 by nickinic99
174. Delmontia-ed-ch by treasunique
175. Diamonds, Columns and Deco by chris_jorge
176. Diane's Deco by dianef
177. English Bully by katyapereyaslavska
178. escanear0002 by kelamore
179. Eugene_Oregon_Deco_Duck by pd_frasure
180. eye-recolor by sydneyelizabeth
181. Fast Lady by spellstone
182. final_butterfly_block_art_deco by leilajane
183. flappers by kociara
184. Flowers to you... by bluesound
185. Fontaine d'Amour by pinkhippoquilts
186. Fractal7 by artsydou
187. FRANCE by bluevelvet
188. French Art Deco by cassiopee
189. gigimigi_waldorf 2 by gigimigi
190. Golden Age of Art Deco by vo_aka_virginiao
191. Golden Premiere by everythingapril
192. Golden_Spawn by artist_at_work
193. grey deco - large by crowlands
194. Harvest by violet's_pet_spider
195. Hastings by mudpony
196. heart deco by pernille_voss
197. Heart Deco (Art Deco Valentine) by fabricfarmer_by_jill_bull
198. Heart Deco - 4 colors by owlandchickadee
199. Hippogryphs-ch by kimbergay
200. Horus Deco (4 color) by golders
201. IMG_033900 by bethsandberg-saffer
202. In the Hall of the Art Deco Court by su_g
203. Josephine's Brooch 4 Color by sarahwalden~peacoquettedesigns
204. Joy of Spring Art Deco Design by the_gleesome_besom
205. Jungle Love by jmsiame
206. Kristi - Deco Diamond by katrinazerilli
207. La maison des papillons by heatherdutton
208. LaraGeorgine_Art_Deco_4_Color by larageorgine
209. Let bygones be remembered by zoebrench
210. Linked by monasol
211. Lotus Damask (large) by studiofibonacci
212. Martini Time 3-ch by jackofalltradescrafter
213. Mirrored by angielatte
214. Mod Fronds by ravenous
215. Modern Art Deco flowers in four colors by susaninparis
216. modern times by centralstandard
217. Monkey Art Déco style by happy_to_see
218. my deco style by monda
219. My_Design by sammydawes
220. Napier Owl Eyes by ailau
221. New York's Deco Queen - The Chrysler Building by robin_rice
222. Nick and Nora Deco by poetryqn
223. oela_oced_tra by leolietje
224. old paris by paragonstudios
225. Our_Lady_of_the_Desertfabric-ch-ch by saintmaker
226. Owl Maestro by rubydoor
227. PATTERN_1-ed by isela
228. Pink Deco by malinda
229. Pink Gold Art Deco by katieschrader
230. poppies_art_deco by jeannemcgee
231. Pressed Platinum Fancy by inscribed_here
232. Protea and Leaf - Lime by issimya
233. Psychedeco by donna_kallner
234. Purple flowers by dfd
235. Radio Shack by kab_designs
236. Rectangles by traceyleedesigns
237. Rennata_s_Art_Deco by rennata
238. ROXY STAR in taupe & ice_blue by trcreative
239. saturn rising by georgeandgracie
240. Sbwjoancan_1-ed by sain
241. Screen_shot_2012-01-26_at_10 by rachelalethea
242. silver_bronze by ekangas
243. Sin titulo by enguita
244. snowdrop spring lovers by wednesday'sgirl
245. spot of blue by melissamarie
246. Spotlights by dollyw
247. squareflowerfourcolor by hannafate
248. sushi green by squareyed
249. Tangerine Tulips on Gray by gracedesign
250. tftypppp by dante
251. The Hunt by ceanirminger
252. the third egyptian revival by p_kok
253. Theater Entrance by kitschkat
254. Thoroughly Modern Lady by miart
255. Tiff & Deco Flowers in Neon by lime_soda
256. triangles by mooberri
257. tropical flowers- green by jenmouse
258. Turkish Vines Spice by hairpik
259. turner-ch by tinedaels
260. Virginia Waterleaf by meduzy
261. wallflower_art deco by wallflowerdesign
262. Water lily -art deco style by alfabesi
263. Windows in Sacramento by mongiesama
264. Winter City by ormolu
265. Winter Flowers - 4 colour by woodle_doo
266. Witch Hats, Art Deco (Large Fabric Repeat) by quiltsmith
267. Woven_Leaves_Art_Deco by mrobinson
268. Wrought black on white by nb_design
269. zaya_logo_tshirt by dee24
270. ZebraLove2 by astridfox
271. zentangle_e_dove_e_cuore-ch by vinkeli
272. Zigzag in Seaglass by forest&sea
273. Zip Wave by kyia
274. _Thinking_of_Poirot___©2012-SEEWolcott by fireflower
275. Art_Deco Expressed by dancingwithfabric
276. art deco tile by katarina

Graffiti Fabric Contest Winner: Congrats to TheBoerWar

2012-02-02T12:34:20-05:00

While graffiti can be either hideous or sublime -- depending on the artist, context and predisposition of the viewer -- I expect everyone who looks at this week's top ten will agree that it makes for an interesting theme for fabrics. The winner is the inspiring team behind TheBoerWar, Mathew and Mattea den Boer of Toronto. This is the couple's second win (the coffee contest was their first), but if you follow our contests you will certainly have seen and admired their work before today. Congrats!

See the Top Ten Graffiti Fabrics

The final tally:

1. 713 votes for Toronto Subway Cars by theboerwar
2. 595 votes for knit graffiti by carcamella
3. 445 votes for Friendly Neighborhood: After by sammyk
4. 361 votes for Read Books by mikep
5. 355 votes for Brick Lane Collage by teja_jamilla
6. 330 votes for Halle_1 by frau-h
7. 328 votes for ABC...street by cassiopee
8. 326 votes for graft_2 by 1980aidan
9. 320 votes for Homage to Haring (ikat) by jennartdesigns
10. 303 votes for Walls are dreaming... by demigoutte

Diane Gilleland's Craft Blog Tune-Up Course Giveaway

2012-02-01T14:32:58-05:00

I'm really excited about this week's giveaway, courtesy of the lovely Diane Gilleland. For those of you who don't know, Diane is the author of the Craftypod blog and the creator of the Craftypod podcast. She is also author of the print book, Kanzashi in Bloom, as well as some full-length e-books on how to create a compelling craft blog and social media presence. In short, Diane is practically Queen of the Craft Blogsphere, and we're very big fans.

As you might imagine, Diane is in a pretty darn good position to offer great tips to folks who want to take both their crafting and their craft blogging to the next level. This spring, she's offering some online classes on how to give your craft blog a tune-up, and this is your chance to win some world-class craft blogging advice from one of our favorite craft bloggers out there. The live class begins on 2/13 and runs through 3/12, while the self-guided class can be done in 2-3 weeks (or at your own pace, of course). You can read about both options and decide which works best for you here.

To enter this giveaway, just leave your comment below or on the corresponding Facebook post, include your Spoonflower screen name, and let us know which class option you'd prefer. Entries close next Tuesday, 2/7 at 7 pm EST, and we'll announce a winner on the blog. Good luck, y'all! Entries for this giveaway are now closed. Thanks to all who entered, and stay tuned for an announcement of the winner on 2/8/12!

Thanks to all the folks who entered last week's giveaway for a year's subscription to Threads Magazine. The winner was Jamie Kalvestran of Wisconsin -- congratulations, Jamie!

Meet Spoonflower: Introducing Jake, Mighty Forklifter and Aspiring Wingsuit Jumper

2012-01-31T15:17:04-05:00

This week, we're pleased to introduce Jake Hobbs, fabric printer and, incidentally, the younger brother of Darci Moyers in the Spoonflower marketing department. See the resemblance? Like his sister, Jake is also a multi-skilled employee at Spoonflower, performing various tasks around the shop including the much-envied task of forklifting heavy, expensive equipment deliveries off big trucks. Read on for more about Jake, in his own words.

I spent my childhood in Denver, Colorado, and when I was younger I absolutely loved Legos because I liked building things. My favorite was Lego Technic sets -- robots that you build with Legos. For my first job in high school, I worked at a psychiatric hospital in Springfield, Missouri. I prepared and served food for the patients. My favorite job -- although it didn’t pay much -- was driving a rickshaw in downtown Springfield. That was the most fun because I got to meet very interesting people and, at the same time, got a good workout pedaling people all around the city. My least favorite job was selling fiber optic Internet and television service door-to-door in southern California.

So far today at Spoonflower, I have packaged fabric and unpacked a pallet of shipping supplies. The most fun I have here at work is when we have to receive any kind of big machines like fabric printers or fabric heaters. I find it really intense because they are usually heavy, cumbersome, and valuable. We also name all of our machines so it’s exciting to add a new member to the manufacturing family.

My favorite animal is the rhino. I like rhinos so much because it is physically impossible for them to look behind them. They have two-inch thick skin, and they charge at anything unfamiliar to them.
If I could have any superpower it would be flight, mostly because it would be fun, but also because it would save on car insurance and be much more fuel efficient. Before I die I plan to go wingsuit jumping. I’ve never even been skydiving before but it’s a goal I’ve had for a very long time. For this weekend, though, my roommates and I are having a Super Bowl party.

Taking Fabric to the Streets

2012-01-26T13:14:20-05:00

We asked designers in this week's contest to create fabrics inspired by graffiti (or street art, if you prefer). The results are enough to make you to want to reupholster an entire subway car.

Vote For Graffiti Fabrics

This week's participating designs and designers:

1. 544_-_Copy by jgmfaux
2. A GRAFFITI LOVE LETTER by karenharveycox
3. A Tribute by vo_aka_virginiao
4. ABC...street by cassiopee
5. Animal graffiti by alexsan
6. arabor by joancaronil
7. Arrow Graffiti by franny711
8. Art Thou Mine? By Rhonda W. © 2012 by rhondadesigns
9. a_round__the__corner_color by leolietje
10. Bad Wolf Street Art - fabric images show closeups by laurels

11. Barcelona Graffiti by twoboos
12. Beautiful Graffiti by joannaolson
13. Biohazard by discodog01
14. bluestreet by lilliblomma
15. Breathe by bluehighways
16. Brick Lane Collage by teja_jamilla
17. brick-itti by koko_chica
18. button graffiti by scrummy
19. Circle of A's by lauriebaars
20. City Block by spellstone
21. cityscape9 by lerhyan
22. Commie Bunny Graffiti by ninjaauntsdesigns
23. ConcreteArt by mrshervi
24. Coney_Island_Boardwalk_Graffiti by tiwafll
25. Craft Tags by leighr
26. Doodle Spiral Swirlygigs in Dark Blue by fentonslee
27. Doodle_on_wall by rosalie409
28. Dragon Graffiti, L by animotaxis
29. Drawings on the Wall by illustrative_images
30. Dream Big by jabiroo
31. dude42 by glimmericks
32. Each_End_of_Ceredigion by moobug
33. exotic by kushma
34. eye detail 1 by powerwolf
35. Fairies Rule by upcyclepatch
36. Faux is Me by susaninparis
37. Friendly Neighborhood: After by sammyk
38. Galata Graffiti medium by miss_blümchen
39. Gary's Marbles by Gary by gjcvero
40. Girlie Graffiti Gone Wild - Dianne Annelli © by dianne_annelli
41. Girly Graffiti by jubilli
42. Gleeful_Heart-pink by manara_boutique
43. Gra-feety by katepm
44. Grafart_Nita by nita_h
45. Graffiti by jadegordon
46. Graffiti by eerie_doll
47. graffiti by jess_freidt
48. graffiti by kristinailiev
49. Graffiti 80s inspiration by fantazya
50. graffiti arrows by jenr8
51. Graffiti Bonez by mystikel
52. Graffiti Door Hinge by christyp
53. Graffiti from Paris by mariao
54. graffiti in blue canvas by raasma
55. Graffiti Mushrooms by kdl
56. Graffiti Op Art by emily_meyer
57. graffiti peace by paragonstudios
58. graffiti spots by needlebook
59. Graffiti Ti amo by mammajamma
60. graffiti time girl by spiringsdesigns
61. Graffiti Walls by mojcilajn
62. Graffiti-fiti by catail_designs
63. GraffitiLove by tinag
64. graffitis_banania by nephilim
65. Graffiti_Design_MADART by madart
66. Graffiti_spoonflower3_1_2012 by compugraphd
67. grafitti by cmanningdesigns
68. grafSpoon by positivenegative
69. graft_2 by 1980aidan
70. Granny Graffiti by thesandowl
71. Halle_1 by frau-h
72. Happy Halloween (Graffiti Style) by quiltsmith
73. Help Me If You Can by whimzwhirled
74. hieroglyphics graffiti by krena
75. HIPPY GRAFFITTI by bluevelvet
76. Homage to Haring (ikat) by jennartdesigns
77. HOME STUFF: BROOKLYN_copyrighted_4 by lime_soda
78. i create - time for fun - graffiti by andibird
79. I Heart Robots by bzbdesigner
80. I Love You by sewsewbecky
81. IntracateWildflower-Grafitti-WallArt1 by grannynan
82. Keep on Walking Graffiti by madex
83. kiersten by vanessahand
84. kilroy by jubileel
85. kmaggiolino_streetart_002 by kmaggiolino
86. knit graffiti by carcamella
87. Krog Street by thirdhalfstudios
88. Laughing Bad Cat Graffiti by podaiboo
89. Little Dove's Piece for Peace by inscribed_here
90. Live what you Love by made_in_shina
91. Love by blboutique
92. Love Bot Graffiti Love by crissyrose
93. Love Eternal by planetpatricia
94. love graffiti by pernille_voss
95. Love Graffiti by pink-lollipops
96. Love Hurts by allylynn
97. love is the answer graffitifabric2 by saintmaker
98. love is...............???????????? by risha
99. Love Tag by pinkhippoquilts
100. lovefabric by kociara
101. Mish Mash Graffiti by ravenous
102. nag nag graffiti by babysisterrae
103. New Orleans Graffiti by ingred
104. Octoburgh by kchergosky
105. Oh Marilyn 1 by artquills
106. Owl & Chickadee Moss Graffiti + Stencil / Tag by owlandchickadee
107. pastel_sunflower by hansensangel
108. peace on handle bars by garveyann
109. peaceful_terrian by funky-fabrics
110. People In Crowd by oksancia
111. Petroglyphs__3 by robbrez
112. Phat Quarta by dollyw
113. pink rhino by 2reneevk
114. pink_camo_motif by librtysarah
115. planetary graffiti by seamingly_simple
116. protest arm bands: peace and occupy graffiti by georgeandgracie
117. Read Books by mikep
118. Say "Ah" / Loop-de-loop by mbsmith
119. scratched papers by grafite
120. scribbles by baileyboo
121. Shakespeare Tagger by mag-o
122. skull by cocoanouk
123. SPLASH graffiti by avelis
124. splat_finished by j_l_whitham_illustrations
125. square by jnifr
126. squiggle by jaxco_by_jacki
127. star by katarina
128. Street Art by rennata
129. street art-ch-ed by hollyabee
130. Street Deer by nerida_jeannie
131. Street sign art by mongiesama
132. Street Squares by robyriker
133. Street Trees by jenimp
134. streetart-01 by tammiebennett
135. STREET_ART by kirpa
136. street_tiger_23 by suzanne_
137. sun by shovelchop
138. Sweet Graffiti Cupcakes Yum! by scoutmom131
139. That'll need painting over by a_most_peculiar
140. The people's story by demouse
141. The Walls of Florence by poetryqn
142. Toronto Subway Cars by theboerwar
143. TSB_s-in-the-Redlands by wiccked
144. Tunnel_of_Love_(what tunnel?) A3 short by khowardquilts
145. Typo_R_NEW by monique_caffet
146. Urban Art by annelize
147. UrbanBouquet by ghennah
148. Valentine Graffiti, red by tiina_laas
149. vernp1cmyk_copy by arashiaka
150. vivid_funky_pink_red_black_purple_yellow_graffiti_elephant by vinkeli
151. wall art, graffiti art by nadinesalama
152. wall scrawl by sef
153. Walls are dreaming... by demigoutte
154. We came, we saw, we squatted. by theposhvagabond
155. welcome to babel by donna_kallner
156. yellow wall marks by knorberg
157. Newfoundland Dog Graffiti by dogdaze_

Old Technology, New Fabrics

2012-01-26T13:04:24-05:00

This week's contest delivers another amazing top ten list, at the top of which is "Say Good Night, Gracie," a design by first-time contest winner Brandy Dopkins of Wisconsin. Among the other winning fabrics you'll find odes to old radios, abacuses, lava lamps, pod chairs, cassette tapes, turntables and -- my personal favorite -- punched tape (which is how folks used to store data for computers, believe it or not).

See the Top Ten Outdated Technology Fabrics

The final votes this week:

1. 679 votes for Say Goodnight, Gracie by vicky_s
2. 649 votes for Plastic Fantastic!! by inscribed_here
3. 600 votes for Abacus-Cadabracus! by gsonge
4. 568 votes for Retro radio by cjldesigns
5. 527 votes for Hot Wax by spellstone
6. 505 votes for Vintage Screens by demigoutte
7. 491 votes for Mix Tapes (80s) by pennycandy
8. 471 votes for heeeeey dj! by amel24
9. 446 votes for Needlework for the ragpile by zoebrench
10. 435 votes for Pink Punch Tape by meduzy

11. 399 votes for Punched Tape by annosch
12. 373 votes for Crazy_Coffee_Pots by niceandfancy
13. 370 votes for Walk Man in the Dreamtime by vo_aka_virginiao
14. 368 votes for Colourful Cassette Tapes by *erinred*
15. 355 votes for outdated by sororitysister
16. 352 votes for Victorian Times by jenniferbabb
17. 348 votes for Tappety Tap 6inch Repeat by kimberly-ann
18. 337 votes for outdatedbikes by johanna_design
19. 334 votes for Favourite Game Retro-Colourway Black by teja_jamilla
20. 333 votes for Doodle Phones by oksancia
21. 323 votes for Up, Up & Away by kayajoy
22. 322 votes for My 90s Mixtape by erinibbertson
23. 319 votes for Stereophonic Lime by thirdhalfstudios
24. 315 votes for Timeworn TV's by dianef
25. 313 votes for retro rotary phones by jeannemcgee
26. 312 votes for disco records by kociara
27. 312 votes for old book smell not included by doodleandhoob
28. 303 votes for floppy_disk_2 by thesandowl
29. 296 votes for iPlushies by verycherry
30. 290 votes for Laundry Day 1900 by jabiroo
31. 283 votes for Love the Bomb! by the_lovely
32. 282 votes for vintage technology by ksantipa
33. 274 votes for Spinning 45's - Spring Green by owlandchickadee
34. 272 votes for Old Film Reel Leader by shelleymade
35. 271 votes for road trip! by fable_design
36. 267 votes for Good old sewing tools_BLUE by jumping_birds
37. 258 votes for deweydecimal by chickendream
38. 255 votes for Gramophone by needlebook
39. 250 votes for kerosene lamps by babysisterrae
40. 248 votes for old_music_never_dies by lien_geeroms
41. 248 votes for Space invaders / スペースインベーダー by happy_to_see
42. 247 votes for outdated_technology_pattern by rosalie409
43. 245 votes for Final_Reel_Time_cropped_copy by kriskross
44. 245 votes for floppy_floppy_disk by nncw12
45. 242 votes for Old Skool Alphabet by sammyk
46. 240 votes for Dancing vinyls by wantit
47. 237 votes for Pop Vinyls by cassiopee
48. 235 votes for Vintage Vinyl by kdl
49. 231 votes for TARDIS Travels Damask by fentonslee
50. 228 votes for Tele-television by annelize
51. 218 votes for Instant Camera by katyholmes
52. 211 votes for cuckoo clocks by katarina
53. 210 votes for typewritter by wildpanda
54. 208 votes for 80's Cassette Tapes by mojcilajn
55. 199 votes for Red Rotary Retro by jenniferdenty
56. 198 votes for those good ol' days by the_collectionist
57. 196 votes for Vacuum Tube Retro by glimmericks
58. 194 votes for Mix Tapes by illustrative_images
59. 194 votes for A_tribute_to_outdated_technology by theboutiquestudio
60. 193 votes for bearsies5 by marylundquist
61. 192 votes for Typewriter by fabgirl42
62. 191 votes for Tape Song by leighr
63. 189 votes for Mix Tapes by crissyrose
64. 188 votes for Are_you_talking_to_me by leolietje
65. 185 votes for Pencils by sammoore
66. 181 votes for typewritererasers by tommyandjimmy
67. 180 votes for camera love by xoelle
68. 175 votes for Outdated Technology by susaninparis
69. 168 votes for Family Floppy takes a walk down memory lane by irrimiri
70. 168 votes for my desk is a total shambles! by mariao
71. 166 votes for 50s kitchen devices gone mad by kikibaai
72. 160 votes for Wax_Seals_and_Pen_Letters by moobug
73. 156 votes for Orange Twin Lens Reflex by audreyclayton
74. 152 votes for keys madness by kimscraftyapple
75. 151 votes for Fun Abaci by tinag
76. 150 votes for typewriter by eclaire16
77. 150 votes for Computer Card Transfer Issue by lizarti
78. 145 votes for APennyForYourCall by mrshervi
79. 143 votes for Living in the Plastic Age by theposhvagabond
80. 138 votes for Disk Man Floral - Heidy Garay by heidyg
81. 137 votes for mixtape madness by avelis
82. 137 votes for Just Text Me-Oops I Mean Call Me by mag-o
83. 137 votes for multi_size_Nintendo by stuffbyduff
84. 136 votes for movable type by sef
85. 135 votes for Tapes from the 80's by snigne
86. 135 votes for From Abacus To ZInc-Copper Voltaic Pile by boris_thumbkin
87. 135 votes for avocado_green_phone by susan_swedien
88. 134 votes for Type Soon by nicole_tamarin
89. 134 votes for vinyl history1940;s by frances"fancy_felter"
90. 130 votes for Heirloom Atmosphere by pyralisdesign
91. 130 votes for 3 1/2" Floppy Disks by robyriker
92. 129 votes for edison by kateg
93. 129 votes for 8-Bit Good Times by ravenous
94. 128 votes for Dial K for Kitty - Cream by papersparrow
95. 127 votes for Time to talk by wednesday'sgirl
96. 126 votes for Trail Mail by demouse
97. 124 votes for Vic 20 - My first computer by upcyclepatch
98. 123 votes for blue tapes by lilliblomma
99. 118 votes for clockswbg by jaytensen
100. 117 votes for Outdated_technology by maziza
101. 117 votes for tech by kstrub
102. 116 votes for 70s chic by blboutique
103. 114 votes for gramaphone by bonnitagraphics
104. 112 votes for Typewriter_Repeat by hlbyatt
105. 112 votes for Lantern in a Lightning Storm by pond_ripple
106. 110 votes for retrofarwell by chickoteria
107. 107 votes for recordplayerfabric by helliecopter
108. 106 votes for retro-techno-type by sclues
109. 106 votes for Floppy Diskettes by jmday
110. 105 votes for These ears are passe! by topfrog56
111. 104 votes for My Phone Does All That by shala
112. 104 votes for Cologe3 by rickie777
113. 102 votes for Phonographs! by jubilli
114. 102 votes for slide rule tea towel by georgeandgracie
115. 102 votes for phones by hannafate
116. 101 votes for Mixed Tape Memories by lauriebaars
117. 100 votes for phone birds by malloryn
118. 100 votes for Retro movie reels by fantazya
119. 99 votes for You Are My Type, I Love You! by bzbdesigner
120. 97 votes for Walkman by jull
121. 95 votes for Apollo Mission by engravogirl
122. 95 votes for WW2 silhouettes by podaiboo
123. 95 votes for A life of a hollywood Diva by paragonstudios
124. 94 votes for Typewriter by annalisa222
125. 93 votes for The_Camera by dancingwithfabric
126. 93 votes for Slideshow Blue by mollyvetter
127. 91 votes for Outdated Technology by katsanders
128. 90 votes for Telephone by littlebeardog
129. 89 votes for Outdated Power by leeleeandthebee
130. 88 votes for nichole9582's shape glyph by nichole9582
131. 88 votes for Oldschool Snapshot by ninjaauntsdesigns
132. 85 votes for Retro Phones by katieschrader
133. 84 votes for Oldie but Goodie - cassette tapes by andibird
134. 83 votes for technologic by annaboo
135. 83 votes for Gramophonic by theoliveseed
136. 80 votes for the forgotten record player by heidikenney
137. 80 votes for A Clunky Old Typewriter by karenharveycox
138. 80 votes for Classic Cameras by mactire
139. 79 votes for Brown Vacuum Tube Herringbone by exfish
140. 79 votes for cassette tapes by pernille_voss
141. 78 votes for Mom_s_sewing_collection by kirpa
142. 77 votes for Classic Rotary Dial in pink and peach by dollyw
143. 76 votes for Re-cord by koko_chica
144. 75 votes for A Geek's Garden by brandymiller
145. 74 votes for Floptastic2 by hippylongstockings
146. 74 votes for Skaholic Genaration by kitschkat
147. 73 votes for Alphabet Type Balls by annstudio
148. 71 votes for obsolete munchies by scrummy
149. 66 votes for old_records by christine_gibson
150. 62 votes for classic controller by aperiodic
151. 62 votes for Candlestick_Phones by walkathon
152. 62 votes for 1951 bulletnose Studebaker by edsel2084
153. 61 votes for Paloma_s_Old_Technology by paloma_le_sage_fabrics
154. 58 votes for Telephone World by nadinesalama
155. 57 votes for Polaroid_fabric by yespleasestudio
156. 56 votes for yellow_meters by librtysarah
157. 56 votes for fytoprueba by joancaronil
158. 54 votes for casette-pattern by tati-design
159. 53 votes for Modern Toile; Crimes of Technology by muddyfoot
160. 51 votes for 1851 Singer by spiringsdesigns
161. 51 votes for star_ship_2-ed by elarnia
162. 50 votes for Days Gone By by whimzwhirled
163. 50 votes for Tiny Telephones by sugarcookie
164. 50 votes for view master by grafite
165. 49 votes for calculator watches on blue by lharmon
166. 49 votes for 80's music by la_nonna_aida
167. 49 votes for camerafabric by rachml
168. 49 votes for Buggywhips and Hourglasses by karendel
169. 49 votes for DJ Moona (retro vinyl coolection) by nekanen
170. 49 votes for Video Games by elvishthistle
171. 48 votes for rabbit ears by scoutmom131
172. 45 votes for Push&Play by lazycutie
173. 45 votes for typewritter_fabric by samantha_weyant
174. 43 votes for mixtape by kiwicuties
175. 42 votes for Outdated Technology by j_l_whitham_illustrations
176. 39 votes for Island Beat by dida
177. 37 votes for Old_technology_spoonflower2_1_8_2012 by compugraphd
178. 37 votes for Remember Me? by crinkled
179. 37 votes for 45_RPM by mammajamma
180. 37 votes for tapes and flowers by mrs_kafoops
181. 36 votes for French Semaphore Towers with Oxen by mongiesama
182. 35 votes for Trumpet Horn Turntables by ladyfayne
183. 34 votes for Batacus Abaceye (abacus, abaci) (Large Fabric Print) by quiltsmith
184. 33 votes for bike_cards_3-72 by elizabethgraeber
185. 33 votes for Calculating vintage appeal (swatch for detail) by a_most_peculiar
186. 33 votes for The Turnspits by rusticcorgi
187. 33 votes for The Way Back Club Steampunk Style by the_gleesome_besom
188. 31 votes for Alarm clocks... WAKE UP sleepy head by alexsan
189. 31 votes for camerasrecordplayers by jessamarie
190. 30 votes for retro gramophone by pink-lollipops
191. 29 votes for typewriter-fabric-ed by hartlinedesigns
192. 29 votes for Antique Road Roller by robin_rice
193. 28 votes for Pixel i tup by nerida_jeannie
194. 27 votes for A and B are my favorite sides by entoncesrosaura
195. 27 votes for how do you dial. . . . by mcrooker
196. 27 votes for outdated technology by raasma
197. 25 votes for 70's phone... "Yello!" by luluhoo
198. 25 votes for The Brick by stoflab
199. 25 votes for upgrade windows 95 by risha
200. 20 votes for breaking_records by sunven
201. 17 votes for Hysteria! by queeninmyownmind
202. 16 votes for Arcade Games Forever by annie_gg
203. 12 votes for Hello Central -- green by flapperfancies

Kona® winner and Threads magazine giveaway

2012-01-25T12:27:14-05:00

Thanks to all the nearly 500 folks (!) who entered last week's giveaway for three yards of our new Kona® quilting weight cotton. The lucky winner was Bee Jacobs in Oregon. Congrats, Bee, and I hope you love the Kona as much as we do!

This week, we're giving away a year's subscription to Threads magazine. Threads is geared towards people who particularly love garment-sewing, and each issue contains detailed tutorials on more advanced sewing techniques. If you're looking for a way to take your garment-sewing to the next level, Threads is a fantastic resource. As a subscriber myself, I particularly love the back cover of each issue where they feature a gorgeous vintage garment and discuss the details and techniques that make it special. (For you movie and costume buffs, these garments are often borrowed from the Western Costume Company collection which rents period costumes out for major Hollywood films. Brows their vintage costume rentals if you need a vintage fix.)

To enter the Threads drawing, just leave your comment below or on the corresponding Facebook post. Entries close next Tuesday, 1/31 at 7 pm EST. We'll announce a winner next week on the blog. Good luck, everyone! This giveaway is now closed. Stay tuned for announcement of the winner!

Meet Spoonflower: Introducing Kelly Walsh, ex-stargazer and book nerd

2012-01-24T14:59:05-05:00

In this week's installment of the "Meet Spoonflower" series, allow us to introduce you, in her own words, to weekend printer Kelly Walsh.

Kelly W. wearing a shirt she made using Nouveau in Green fabric by Locamode.

Of all the jobs I ever imagined I’d be working post graduation, I never thought it’d be anything like what I do at Spoonflower. In my early years of college, I had grand plans to become an astrophysicist. I wanted to study the stars and solve the mysteries of the universe. But I was impatient and easily distracted, and I got tired of calculating the trajectories of cannon balls shot off of cliffs. That’s when I switched my studies to computer science, took a few programming classes, and convinced a friend to help me build my own computer. I would rule the digital world and speak the secret language of the computers! But then I realized how many math classes I’d be required to take.... Eventually, I ended up with a major in philosophy, of all things, and spent my finals years at school trying to explain to my parents how I’d use a philosophy degree out in the “real world.”

The easy answer: Spoonflower isn’t the real world. It’s a magical land of fun and fabric and adventure. I get to play with computers, but I’m not stuck at a keyboard all day. I get to interact with an amazing set of coworkers, and work with them to solve puzzles about ink, fabric tension, and error messages. And best of all, I get that amazing sense of satisfaction knowing that I have created a piece of fabric that someone out there will use and enjoy. Or, well, I pressed a button on a computer screen, and somehow tricked a grumpy printer into feeding its fabric correctly and spraying out the proper colors of ink in a certain pattern of dots on a hopefully unwrinkled surface. But “creation” just sounds more poetical.

Today at Spoonflower I packed and shipped orders. I’m a weekend shift printer, so my week is a bit flipped around compared to the rest of the world. I go into work on Friday, and work in the print room all weekend. Then on Monday (which is like Friday to me) I help out on the operations floor doing whatever needs to be done that day. Today, that was packing all the orders that had gotten printed and cut down over the weekend. I packed and packed and packed and packed, and the pile of orders never got any smaller. I confess, packing is not my favorite thing to do; it gets tedious after a while. However, I like it because it gives me a chance to see some of the wonderful designs people have ordered, and in some fun way it’s a small interaction with the customers. I like that we sign every pack slip we send out with an order. Sometimes if I’m feeling a bit silly, I’ll draw the customer a little picture. For the Doctor Who dalek prints I like to draw a speech bubble that says “EXTERMINATE!” For other nerdy prints I might write “Live Long and Prosper.” I like imagining what customers think when they open their package and find out that the person who packed it is also a fan of the things they enjoy.

In my free hours this week, I hope to finish up a few sewing projects. I’ve been trying to get better at making everyday clothing. I love making costumes, and have been attending Renaissance fairs and sci-fi/fantasy conventions for years just so I could dress up. But very few items of clothing I’ve made can actually be worn out in the real world. I can make a corset or a petticoat like a pro, but show me a tailored blouse pattern and I’m lost. I’ve created a Poison Ivy costume and a Red Queen ball gown, but I can’t sew an invisible zipper on straight to save my life. I’m extremely proud of the shirt I’m wearing in this picture. The fabric design is Nouveau in Green by Locamode. One of my other favorite designers is Cestlaviv. Her watercolor patterns are so vivid you could swear she had put her paint brush right on the fabric.

I’m quite possibly the biggest book nerd at Spoonflower. I love to read and rarely leave the house without a book or two. I love fiction, especially mysteries and science fiction. I think Neil Gaiman is fantastically brilliant, and one of my favorite memories is of my family flying to England to meet author Jasper Fforde. Lately I’ve been reading books by Iain M Banks. He is a sci-fi author who writes about artificially intelligent space ships who have wickedly witty senses of humor. I enjoy them because sometimes at work I imagine what the printers would be saying to me if they could speak. I think they’d have the same sarcastic sense of humor as the ships in Banks’ novels.

My favorite days at Spoonflower are ones where we all decide to create our lunches together. We pick a theme (like deli-sandwiches, or baked potato bar, or breakfast burrito day) and each of us brings a couple of different ingredients. Baked potato bar day was my favorite, I baked a bunch of potatoes, and everyone else brought in a couple of toppings they like to eat on potatoes. There were the classics-- cheese, sour cream, bacon--but we also had some really creative ideas like salsa, broccoli, sauteed mushroooms, olives, even some smoked salmon! (Which I was skeptical about, but turned out to be delicious!)

We heart Valentine's fabrics

2012-01-24T07:55:21-05:00

Anyone started working on your Valentine's Day sewing projects yet? Fabric inspiration abounds on Spoonflower! There are a whole lot of designs on offer for the younger Valentines in your life.

From top left corner: Train and Love Whales by Boris Thumbkin, Oh Mon Couer Blanc by Nadja Petramand, Saint Valentine's Day by Heidi Kenney, Line Art Hearts by Oksancia, Cocoa Love by Feathered Nest Studio, Alligator Love by Andibird, Puppy Love by Heather Dutton, and Woo Woo Woofers by Scrummy.

Plenty of fabrics for the more grown-up Valentine, too.

From top left corner, Love and Paper Airplanes (pale blue) by TheBLine_I_ABP, Red Birds (with little hearts) by Verycherry, Snap by BrightonBelle, Rabbit and Heart Linen by Holli Zollinger, Rococo Love (pink) by HappySewLucky, Diamonds and Hearts Red by Zesti, Sweethearts and Blackhearts by Asset68, Be My Valentine by Valentina Ramos, and Very Valentine Envelope Toss by RyanWalsh3457

And don't forget fabrics for your favorite freaky or geeky Valentine!

From top left corner, Skull Candy Box Pink by Ophelia, I Love Zombies by MotleyCruiser, Alas, Poor Yoric by Nalo Hopkinson, Skull Heart 02 by Bleach, I Love You Anatomically by Odkins, 8-Bit Love (Rotate) by LeighR, Cthulhu in Love (pink) by Jenithea, Robot Love II by PoetryQN, and Heart Flourish by MeaganAndSegal.

Happy sewing for your loved ones, everyone--mwah!