Competitive Spirit

Since the launch of the Sinister Shabby and Dark Sinister Shabby collections on Spoonflower and Redbubble, I'm happy to say they've gathered some interest.  I've been working on some cut and sew patterns and look forward to receiving samples of these soon to make sure they're perfect before going on sale in my Spoonflower shop.



Dark Sinister Shabby fabric collection.



Sinister Shabby fabric collection

Speaking of Spoonflower, you may already be aware of the big changes in their contests, going from weekly to monthly with more significant prizes and recognition for the winner.  The first of these contests was to create a fabric design to go with a new kimono style Sprout pattern.  The theme of the contest was Japanese Garden and below is my entry.  Voting is now open to the public and will be /until 6pm EDT (That's New York time) on 27/04/2016.  The equivalent for Australian Eastern Standard Time will be 8am on 28/04/2016.  There are just over 700 entries to peruse and vote for and some seriously stunning entries among them.  The winners will be announced once the voting is over.  Follow this link to cast your vote, and click here to see more information and how to purchase my design Green Tea Garden.



Green Tea Garden fabric design

This is just one of 5 contests I'm entering this month!  The second is an exciting challenge and opportunity being offered by Zara Martina and DiaNoche Designs, to win the chance to be one of their newest licenced artists and have my work appear on all sorts of gorgeous homewares and gifts!  The themes for entries to this contest were South Western style and Woodland.  Below are my entries for this contest, running mostly with the South Western style.  The designs were created with pen, Derwent Inktense pencils and watercolours and white gel pen for the background.  Entries will be open until May 15th, so it will be a few weeks before I'll hear back on this one.  Check out the hashtags #dianocheartlicensing #dianochedesigns and #zaramartina to see work being shared by other entrants.



South Western Style design



South Western style design



South Western Style design

The third contest is another one that you can vote, like and even purchase for to show support for your favourite designs.  Wraptious is having a cushion design contest.  The entries are being shared via their facebook page, and are available for liking there and via their Instagram (1 point) and to purchase on their website (20 points) until Wednesday May 4th.  Artists receive a 25% commission on all sales.  The points will determine the 20 most popular designs and the winner will then be decided on by a panel of industry judges.  The winner gets the opportunity to have their designs featured on Wraptious' range of homewares, giftwrap and cards.  Below are my entries, and you can go here to give me a like, and here to purchase my cushions (made from vegan-suede apparently, sounds plushy!).  My entries are on the second page.  Again, these images feature a pen and ink style using Faber Castell PITT pens and Derwent Inktense pencils.



Cushion design



Butterfly Nymph Cushion design



Taeguk Phoenix cushion design

The fourth contest will be the Etsy Design Awards for Australia.  Closing date for this one is 29th April.  Etsy has been make a lot of changes to the appearance and customization options for their shops.  I'm still trying to get on top of it and update some sections, but I expect to have this done in the next day or two, just in time to enter the Design Awards in the art and illustration category with my art, which is available as digital downloads, ready to print and frame.  I'll be adding some new items as well, to enhance my store, which is looking a bit bare with only a few items for sale at the moment!

And finally, I've entered a contest with a slight difference, the Brother Australia Mother's day contest.  Entrants have the choice of creating a toy, a bookmark or an item of clothing  I was most inspired by the toy making, so repurposed a teddy bear pattern to make a koala.  Her name is Kwalala!  I made her with faux fur and leather, with buttons for attaching the arms and legs, and beads for her eyes.  She took half a day to hand-sew. Check out their facebook page for more details, and search the hashtag #brothermakesmemories on Instagram to see more entries.  Closing date for entries to this competition is 3rd May and the prizes include some great Brother products.



Kwalala the handsewn koala!

Stay tuned for the results of these contests and more about the Sinister Shabby cut and sew patterns.  Follow my Instagram @liliflorapretty and like my facebook page for more updates.  Thanks for your support and take care!

Emma