If you go down to the woods today...

One of our exercises on the ABSPD Module 1 was to create some character designs.  I've always had trouble drawing animals and people but finally created some girls and woodland creatures that I was fairly happy with as a start.  

I have a habit of throwing everything including the kitchen sink into my designs and this design was even busier until my husband cast his eye over it and said it might be a bit full on.  So this is the pared back version - believe it or not.  The colours have become a bit muted when I've uploaded them this time but you get an idea.  

Which version do you prefer?  Would you like to see anything else added/removed from the design to improve it?  All suggestions welcome.

Trending: Swiss Cross Print

Im so out of touch these days with whats what.  I don't know who is at Number 1, I don't know which coffee shops and bars are the coolest hangouts and I don't know what colour I should be painting my living room to be 'on trend'.  Is it still a shade of grey?  Or is that 'so last year' already??  But I have noticed something recently that may already be 'old hat', but it still seems fresh to me, so I'm putting myself on the line and declaring it a current trend!  If I've got my facts right, the Swiss Cross seems to be the new chevron.  Here are a few lovely little examples:

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Or if you fancy making something yourself, but don't fancy getting your hands dirty with the potato print method, then you can purchase Swiss Cross fabric by the metre from Zana Products here

Hello foxy

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fox and forest

Retro animal pillows

snuggly foks scarf
Cecelia the fox
Red Foxen by Abigail Brown
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Helen Dardik

This cute fox with his poorly leg inspired today's foxy post.  Some people like to hunt foxes, which seems so sad as they are such cute chaps, I prefer to hunt down cute pics of them on the internet to post here.

Pattern Pieces

via Twig and Thistle
via Velvet and Strawberries
via Papercrave via Crafting in a Green World
via Craftzine
via Cut Out and Keep

After seeing the lovely vintage pattern coasters in my previous post, it got me thinking about my stashes of vintage knitting and sewing patterns and what to do with them.  I looked around on the internet and found some fantastic inspiration!  I do appreciate that some people believe that vintage patterns should be kept as they are and not be upcycled, but if the patterns are damaged or have pieces missing then I personally can see no harm in using them to make something new that will decorate your home and not be hidden away in a drawer unused.

Prints & Patterns - Hollabee

Last, but by no means least, in this round up of Australian surface pattern designers, who all make up the Australian Fabric Mafia, is Bianca, aka Hollabee.  I love her swirl print!

For great print and pattern inspiration visit Print Pattern's blog for daily updates on the latest prints and patterns in fabric, stationery and more.

prints & Patterns - Pippijoe

Next up is the talented Caitlin who works under the name of Pippijoe, another Australian Designer and also part of the Australian Fabric Mafia.  I love her organic prints and the new lampshades would be just fab in my house!

Print & Pattern - Cheeky Beaks

....aka Kristen Doran. I saw her lovely birdie print on fabric a while back and then couldnt find the link again, so was very happy to stumble across Cheeky Beaks work again today whiel I was checking out Lara Cameron's blog, Kirinote.  Check out her lovely screenprinted kits - love the little drummer man!

Prints & Patterns - Of Paper & Thread

Another fine Australian designer, Of Paper & Thread who also goes by the name of Danielle.  I love that poppy print - it would fantastic made up as a blind for my kitchen.

Prints & Patterns - Aunty Cookie

...aka Shannon Lamden, another Australian based designer selling lovely fabrics.  I love the little craft panels she sells on her very successful etsy site too.

Prints & Patterns - Lara Cameron

My week or two of print/pattern blogging is almost up for now but it would not be complete without a post or two on a few of the fab surface pattern designers based down under!  First up is Lara Cameron, whose blog I have been a fan of for a while now (check out the house on the hill post - I love that house!).  I'm a big fan of the colors she uses in her fabric designs. 

Prints & Patterns - Annabel Grey

While I wait for my boyfriend to get off the phone so we can go out and enjoy the rare British sunshine, I thought I'd do a post or two more - I love Annabel Grey's flower designs - so bright and vibrant and great to apply to all kinds of home furnishings.  Annabel trained in Manchester and also the Royal College of Art and all her designs are printed in Wales - so not creating lots of carbon footprints!

Prints & Patterns - Tiny Art

Before I go off to enjoy the wonderful sunshine today I thought i would leave with these lovely collage prints by Tiny Art. 

Prints & Patterns - Bonbonkakku

Bonbonkakku is a pioneering Finnish net store where you can design your own fabrics. If your design is a success, it will be also sold on the site. Every fabric designed on the site will be published on the site for viewers to see and vote for. Bonbonkakku then choose the fabrics to sell on our store based on the results of viewers voting. 

Lotta Jansdotter

I love the simplicity of Lotta's work, the shapes seem so organic and work so well.  Lotta has also written a few books on screen-printing, which are great for inspiration and ideas and for those of you lucky enough to be living in New York, Lotta runs classes too.

Prints & Patterns - Virginia Johnson

Lovely, blocky bold prints from Virginia Johnson, a Canadian Designer who worked for Helmut Lang before setting up her own business.  I'm especially keen on the band top (top pic).