Spoonflower Blog | Design, Sell, & Shop Fabric, Wallpaper, & Gift Wrap

Brighten up Your Houseplants with DIY Fabric Planters

May 8, 2018

Does a trip to your local nursery result in a car filled to the brim with new greenery to add to your growing houseplant oasis? If so, today’s tutorial will be just the project you need to add a pop of pattern to your “greenhouse”. Using 2 yards of Cypress Cotton Canvas™, follow along as Spoonflower crew member Gina shares how to stitch up a planter bag in under an hour. These make the perfect housewarming gift (just add the plant!) but after you make one, you might just want to keep it for yourself! Keep reading to see the video tutorial or jump ahead for the step-by-step instructions.

Meet the Maker: Cece Merkle of Plūme by Cece

May 7, 2018

Pink Punch by plumebycece

Hello, readers! This week we’re sharing the vintage-inspired surface designs and handmade work of Kansas City maker Cece Merkle of Plūme by Cece. Working as an art director at Hallmark by day, Cece is dedicated to late nights in her studio and quiet moments on the weekends when her toddler is napping to create her signature faux collars and unique home goods including pillows and art prints. In her own words, Cece started Plūme by Cece, “…as I was creating fabric statement pieces to wear with my own outfits. It grew from my love of vintage florals, color, shape, pattern and design.” She turns to her creative friends, her husband and family as her greatest encouragement and support team. Keep reading to find out why her fans and customer base keep Cece even more inspired.

My day starts with…

“I am a night owl so my ‘making’ starts after my toddler goes to bed. I work full-time as an art director at Hallmark during the week so late nights and weekend naptime are the magic hours for me and my side business.”

How to Create a Colorful DIY Yoga Bolster

May 5, 2018

Heading into summer is a great time to take a break and reflect on the goals you set at the start of the year. If better self-care was at the top of your list, what better way to stay motivated and mindful than with a handmade yoga bolster. Spoonflower Berlin crew member Allie is visiting the blog today to share how she whipped up a pattern-blocked bolster to take her practice to the next level using Fill-a-Yard® and Dogwood Denim™!

Throw a Dapper Derby Party with These 5 Tips

May 3, 2018

Earlier this year we partnered with the party planning experts at Black Twine during the Off to the Horse Races design challenge to help us find the perfect patterns for a derby inspired party styled by Cherry Blossom Events. After seeing Cherry Blossom’s Earth Day celebration, we knew they’d make the winning designs come to life. See the complete party blueprint here (you’ll find everything you need to recreate the look) and be sure to review our five tips below before you start planning your next celebration.

Announcing the Endangered Animals Design Challenge Winners

May 3, 2018

Announcing the Endangered Species Design Challenge Winner: cjldesigns | Spoonflower Blog

Australian Mountain Pygmy Possum by cjldesigns

People, pesticides and pollution are all factors that can play a role in the extinction of the 16,000+ endangered species in the world. Awareness is the first step towards protecting these animals, so for this week’s Endangered Species design challenge, we’re shining a light on those afflicted by the environmental impacts. In the spirit of that awareness, we’re delighted to celebrate grand prize winner cjldesigns, who will be receiving a $200 Spoonflower credit for her design, Australian Mountain Pygmy Possum. Equal recognition is deserving of second place (kostolom3000) and third place (vo_aka_virginiao) winners who will be receiving $100 and $50 in Spoonflower credit, respectively. As you explore the entire top ten, we hope you’re inspired to learn about these animals and the choices we can all make to help protect wildlife.

1. 386 votes for Australian Mountain Pygmy Possum by cjldesigns
2. 371 votes for Endangered Species. Tropical leaves & disappearing animals by kostolom3000
3. 366 votes for spotted owl by vo_aka_virginiao
4. 335 votes for Pygmy Sloth Island by sarah_knight
5. 308 votes for Save all Species by christinewitte
6. 297 votes for Red Panda Final-01 by juniperr
7. 291 votes for Asian Elephant Paisley Raindrops by honoluludesign
8. 282 votes for Save The Honey Bees – White Linen by fernlesliestudio
9. 278 votes for Blue Whale by sarah_treu
10. 277 votes for Australian Gouldian (Rainbow) Finches by colour_angel_by_kv [Read more…] about Announcing the Endangered Animals Design Challenge Winners

Turn Your Hand Lettering into a Fabric Design: Backgrounds and Repeats

May 2, 2018

Kathy Glynn, the author of Hand Lettering Step by Step: Techniques & Projects to Express Yourself Creatively, is back to share the second part of her DIY hand lettering tutorial. By the time you’re done, you’ll be ready to digitally print your calligraphy onto your favorite fabric, wallpaper or gift wrap. If you missed part one, digitizing your lettering, of Kathy’s two-part series, be sure to take a peek before you get started today.

Kathy: Designing your own fabric is a fun way to share your lettering with others or to incorporate your lettering into your craft projects. Before you get started, decide on the elements you want to use, keeping in mind that the design will be repeated. Today I’m using a calligraphic phrase I previously scanned and a scanned watercolor swatch to color the lettering. I used the watercolor swatch to create a custom pattern in Photoshop that gives the lettering a subtle gradation effect. [Read more…] about Turn Your Hand Lettering into a Fabric Design: Backgrounds and Repeats

The Chiffon Dress Every Cosplayer Needs to See

April 30, 2018

When looking at a one-of-a-kind gown created by JoEllen Elam of Firefly Path Bridal, you might just think you’re dreaming. Blending reality with fantasy, JoEllen has mastered the art of fantasy gowns for brides-to-be and cosplayers across the world. Today JoEllen is visiting the blog to give us a behind-the-scenes look at the dress every cosplayer needs to see: a stunning Twilight Lily Chiffon dress featuring an ombré design from her Spoonflower shop. Keep reading to find out how this dreamy dress became a reality.

The Weekly Design Challenge Finds a Place in Paradise

April 27, 2018

Last year, we were delighted to partner with our friends at Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort for a once-in-a-lifetime design challenge opportunity. Dating back to 1954, Hilton Hawaiian Village has played host to many celebrities, heads of state and presidents. So how did they get connected with Spoonflower? [Read more…] about The Weekly Design Challenge Finds a Place in Paradise

Announcing the Geology Design Challenge Winners

April 26, 2018

Colorful Agates by camcreative

When you peel back the layers, there’s a lot going on beneath our feet. And this week’s Geology Design Challenge was the perfect inspiration to celebrate Earth’s materials, natural resources and the processes that have acted on our dynamic planet over the entire history of time. We’re loving the results of this week’s challenge and are extending an enthusiastic congratulations to grand prize winner camcreative, who will be receiving a $200 Spoonflower credit for her design, Colorful Agates. We’re also thrilled to congratulate second place (aspenartsstudio) and third place (sarah_treu) winners who will be receiving $100 and $50 in Spoonflower credit, respectively. Dig up your favorites in the top ten.

1. 336 votes for Colorful agates by camcreative
2. 316 votes for Geology Macro – Lapis Agates Mineralogy – Large Scale by aspenartsstudio
3. 295 votes for Sedimentary Discovery by sarah_treu
4. 293 votes for blue and green geode by karismithdesigns
5. 288 votes for Deep treasures. Geology. Dinosaurs skulls, crystals, rocks. by kostolom3000
6. 284 votes for rock stacks by cjldesigns
7. 240 votes for Nautilus fossils in sapphire blue by adenaj
8. 237 votes for River Rocks by vo_aka_virginiao
9. 233 votes for Dyed Agate-Ocean Blues by groovity
10. 226 votes for Watercolor Rock Collection by artfully_minded [Read more…] about Announcing the Geology Design Challenge Winners

Turn Your Hand Lettering into a Fabric Design: Digitize your Design

April 25, 2018

Have you tried your hand at calligraphy, the DIY trend that’s adding a personal touch to projects like wedding invitations, wall art and even fabric? If you’ve been eager to give this trend a try, you’re in luck because we’re excited to welcome Kathy Glynn, the artist and author behind Hand Lettering Step by Step: Techniques & Projects to Express Yourself Creatively, for a two part series showing you how to transform your hand lettering into a fabric design.

In today’s installment, Kathy will share the first step of this project: taking your lettering from paper to pixel.