Keepin' Busy

 I know it's been a while since I've posted but I've been keeping pretty busy. It's summer and the kids are home, on top of that I start my summer teaching job next week. I'm really excited to get the opportunity to teach kids how to draw. I remember growing up I would draw all the time. My parents fostered my love for art in many ways, my dad and I would sit together with a stack of paper and the newspaper funny pages. He would challenge me to try and draw the comic strips as close to the originals as possible. Mom always had craft projects that she would let me work on. All week I've been drawing with my boys. It's been fun and exciting to see their creations. All this drawing got me back to the computer. I've decided to turn some of the digital drawings that I've drawn for my dolls and pillows, into prints. I've been working on back grounds, settings and all kinds of details to bring my characters to life on paper. I still have to find the right paper and ink to print them, but I love the way they are coming out. I hope you like them too :)

 

Steps 3 & 4

Yesterday I shared the digital drawing stage of my design process. Today I jump ahead to share the prototype stage. The prototype stage is actually stage 4. Step 3 is printing the designs onto heat transfers and pressing them to white cotton fabric. Step 4 is taking the fabric, sewing and stuffing the plushies. From here I decided what needs to be changed or improved on. I also use this step to decided whether to send the design to be printed on fabric by the yard. For those wondering who I use for my fabric printing, I use Spoonflower.com , I've been very happy with their work. Pricing may seem high, but when you think about having your very own designs that no one else can buy it's worth it.
Here's a peak at some prototypes. 

 

I couldn't resist taking a picture on the beautiful new plates my parents bought us for Christmas.

 

Taco

 

Avocados

Hope I didn't leave you too hungry :)

Yummy New Collection

The beginning of the year is usually a slow time for craft shows and festivals. I've decided to take this time and work on a new collection of softies. I'm only in the drawing stage, these are only concepts, but hopefully in the next week or so I will get them onto the computer, redraw them in illustrator and start printing and sewing some prototypes. Here's a peak at what I've been working on.

 

Taco

 

Raspa (snow cone)

 

Chili & Jalapeno 

 

Empanada (My favorite pastry!)

 

Avocados 

(Please excuse the poor photos I took them with my phone.)