I’ve pondered over whether or not to share my sketchbook for my fabric design. I’ve worried someone will steal my design before i have it printed.

For years i wore goth clothing and i was heavily influenced through the music i listened to and the tattoo magazines i bought. Ive changed a lot, i still have my fave bands but my clothing taste has evolved to include bright colours, prints and i like to use unique accessories and put my own twist on it by customising. Ive been influenced by a lot of craft magazines and websites and take inspiration from Amy Butler and Cath Kidson to name a few. Inspiring me in the colours i wear, have at home and in my art.

I decided i wanted to create a range of prints that included skulls (referencing to my past influences) but  giving a new twist by depicting them in a country cottage way (new influences) with flowers and pastel colours rather than dark, horror, halloween styles…its been done to death so to speak!

I havent seen it done anywhere else (yet) so thought i may be onto something new. Something that would be girly and be suitable for girls of all ages to wear as clothing, as a bag, purse, pencil case, apron…anything. Personally id love to re cover the chair i sit at to create and blog.

Click images of my sketchbook to view larger:

So you may be wondering ‘where is this fab design then!’.

I started my research, i started sketching, i had my influences and inspirations. What i lacked is decent paintbrushes that arnt frazzled at the ends which lead me to getting frustrated with my messy painting. I also lack a scanner so i can either work on the image digitally through photoshop or scan my finished image directly to the people who will print my designs.

But it WILL happen! When im back at college i may be able to incorporate my ideas into a new project or just use the college scanner and do it as a sideline! Either way, i will soon be bombarding you all with ‘buy my fabric’ posts And i will upload what i have done so far.

Any of you designed fabric before?

Fabric, rusty nails, string and tissue paper in colours im working with for my mixed media canvas. Im hoping this fabric can be added on to it.

All wrapped up under the tree, waiting for the rain to help the colours and rust to run. dont think ill be waiting long!

Something else has also been a washout, my Erosion Bundle. A while back i created a bundle of fabrics, papers, metal objects and flowers and wrapped them all up. You can read about it HERE. I left the bundle under my tree and because we had sooooo much rain i was waiting for a good dry day for it to dry out and be unwrapped.

I was disappointed. Some colours had transferred on to the fabric but looked faded, im not sure if it just got too wet. Not sure what ill do with this yet.

I like the rust marks left behind on the blue fabric i dyed ages ago.

Filed under: Dyed Fabric, Fabric, Mixed Media, Nature, seasons, Textiles, Textures Tagged: Beach, Cornwall, Erosion Bundle, Fabric, garden, homemade, Mixed media, Rain, Textiles ]]> http://notjustamummy.wordpress.com/2012/08/27/its-a-washout/feed/ 7 notjustamummy watermark mark2 http://notjustamummy.wordpress.com/2012/08/26/silent-sunday-33/ http://notjustamummy.wordpress.com/2012/08/26/silent-sunday-33/#comments Sun, 26 Aug 2012 15:29:55 +0000 Not Just A Mummy https://notjustamummy.wordpress.com/?p=2160 ]]>

Click image to enlarge

I know i havent posted much for a few days and i think it will remain this way for a little while.

My eldest starts back at school soon and my youngest will be going to nursery every day soon (sob). I missed out on so much over the last year because i worked hard at college. That hard work paid off (See last weeks Feel Good Friday) and this is time to spend with the family before the academic year kicks off again and ill be back to being a stressed student!

Ive had some great times with friends too, meeting up for a chat/gossip, getting the kids together, a girly shopping trip and lunch dates, a girls night with wine at an Ann Summers party and a couple of raging hangovers. A job interview and discussions of voluntary work and exhibiting my work. Some good times of catching up even though its mostly been raining!

But tonight i felt i needed to do some crafting of some nature. I remembered i had lots of Tyvek paper left and some home made beads could be added on to the mixed media canvas. I stayed with the same turquoise and silver colours. These will be sewn on soon and ill post another updated image after