Sunday 14 April 2013

Potting Shed Garden Fabric For Handmade Monday



Anyone else started some spring gardening this week? Now that it seems we can finally say goodbye to the snow blizzards i've felt brave enough to plant a few seeds...




There's nothing like a few rays of sunshine and the prospect of little baby plants to put a smile on my face :)  New life, however tiny, is so full of magic.

Like this little cutie :)







Potting Shed Fabric

Although i've always intended to create some garden inspired fabrics, i was spurred on by the latest Spoonflower fabric comp which has a 'garden tools' theme. Unfortunately i finished my potting shed design to late to enter it in the competition!

He he! :)  oh well, I'm pleased with the work i've done and i'm thinking that i might use some of the components in some more gardeny designs too... perhaps the seed packets could be part of a scattered seed design...



... or the watering can could come in a range of colours...



...and perhaps be sprinkling some seedlings in another.



As someone who generally enjoys using a fair bit of colour in my creative projects, the challenge with featuring so many tools in the potting shed design was to balance out all the necessary greys and browns...




...with enough colour to keep it looking cheery and fresh.

Here's the finished design... do you think i managed it?





This is how it would look on am 18x22 inch piece of fabric to give you a better idea of scale.





I'd love to know what your favourite bits are to help me decide what to develop into further designs in the range...  thank you in advance for all opinions shared! :)


In The Pipeline

In the works are more garden themed designs (you may have begun to gather by now that home growing is a bit of a passion of mine!)

One will be featuring veggies like these tomatoes and peas...



Another is going to to have lots of potted herbs. Here's a peak at the early design stages...



Before i get on with turning them into something a bit prettier i'm off for a wander around all the other Handmade Monday blogs. I can't wait to see what everyone has been up to... do join me if you have time, there are always lots of lovely things to see!

p.s. a big thank you goes out to all those who left lovely comments on my post last week! xxx

34 comments:

  1. I'm loving your fabric designs, I must investigate Spoonflower some more!

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  2. The watering cans have to be one of my favourite but I do also like the seed packets. Oh dear I could go on and on - I can see the tools having some good uses (being suitable for males as well as females!) Seems like you may have hit on another winner here :) Have a good week. xx

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  3. I'm a big fan of herbs so am looking forward to seeing your finished potted herbs design :)

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    1. me too :)

      i hope you like it when its done! x

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  4. Love the new design. The seed packets are my favourite part. You could have some more "unusual" varieties of seeds, such as chocolate bar seeds or money tree seeds :-)

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  5. Your fabrics are always so gorgeous, it is very hard to decide which one is the best. First of all I thought the seed packets, but have to say I really do like the watering can and plant pots - fabulous. Hope you have a good week.

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  6. I love the fabrics, they'd be ideal in a bright cheery kitchen with good access to a vibrant thriving garden, ideal for bringing the outdoors in. I honestly think all the designs have an appeal so can't really choose!

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    1. aww thank you Bev :) i'm really happy that you can imagine these designs in use, that's what they're for after all! x

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  7. Great design, just be perfect if you offset the row repeats. The monochrome herbs are brill and would look great with the multi-coloured fabric as a surround. Joan

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    1. thanks Joan! I know what you mean about the repeats, i went with the even rows so that i could blend the joins but i am tempted to try an offset pattern too...

      the herbs will be more colourful once i've edited the sketches on the computer... hopefully you will like them then too! :)

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  8. I really like the tools as I can think of things my dad would like made with that fabric but the watering cans are good as well.

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    1. thank you Natalie! It can be hard to find manly fabrics can't it so i'm really glad you think my tools would work for the boys :) x

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  9. Gorgeous!! I love the watercan and seed packets and the herbs sound exciting too - but it's all lovely.

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  10. I think I probably like the seed packet designs best, because the fruit and veg are so simple, and I like the limited range of colours.

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  11. I love the watering can designs. It would be perfect for a little girls bag or rucksack. Or, how about on an umbrella....

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  12. I love the seed packet design especially, though the overall design fabric works well too.

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  13. I think it's a lovely pattern. Maybe a little robin on the handle of the fork/spade? And my favourite bit is the Potting Shed sign and the bean sticks - but it all works for me!

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    1. thank you very much for your kind comments :) It certainly is tempting to add a cute little robin! :)

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  14. Great fabrics! The watercans are so cute! xx

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  15. How busy are you? The garden designs are lovely. I really liked the watering can design and could image lots of different coloured watercans on their own print. I can't wait to see the seed designs, a wonderful idea. Have a lovely week.
    Ali x

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    1. Aww thank you Ali :) you always give such kind and helpful feedback! x

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  16. Gorgeous designs. I could just see them used on gardener's pinnies :) Looking forward to seeing the finished herb designs too :)

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    1. thank you very much Janice! I could imagine that too! x

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  17. Hey Natalie - love the watering cans :-) I am so NOT a gardener, but I like the material and know a few gardeners would love it! Simmi x

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Your lovely comments are much appreciated x