Spoonflower Blog Profile

My first entry into the world of surface design was through Spoonflower.  This amazing resource is an on-demand fabric printing service where anyone can get their designs, photos, or anything really, printed on a variety of fabrics. But, Spoonflower, for us designers is really so much more. There is a vibrant, engaged community of creative souls from around the world! It's pretty amazing. This unique community did and still does provide me with creative and moral support, critique, and advice. The weekly contests initiated by the crew at Spoonflower provide creative jump starts with design challenges on such themes as Mardi Gras, Nautical, Australian Animals, or Hand-drawn fabric. For a designer like me, those little challenges have been such fantastic inspirations, and really gave me the inspiration to create my first portfolio of fabric designs. I can't say enough positive words about it all. 

So, having Kim Fraser, one of the owners of Spoonflower, post a profile about me on their blog yesterday was a really pivotal moment for me. It was just amazing to see my name on that site--something I could never have imagined a few short years ago when I entered my first Spoonflower contest. 

If you have some time today---check out the post. I hope you enjoy it! 

(and, enter the give away to win a big fat bundle of fabrics of mine from Marcus and Spoonflower!) 

-Greta 

Coaster Tutorial on Marcus blog!

Hi everyone! It's been a bit too long since last posting, but to tide you over, check out the post I did for Marcus' blog. You can learn how to make these delightful little coasters. It's a fun project and has a free embroidery pattern to boot! How can you beat that!? :) 

Check it out here.......http://marcusmentions.com/2013/01/make-greta-songes-embroidered-coasters/

Coasters Galore!

I decided to do a little crafting before my trip back home to Louisiana for the holidays. I made these adorable little coasters for friends and family.
Out of one fat quarter I was able to make about 20 coasters! I made a few packs of 5 coasters each, and voila!---a great gift for anyone for any occasion. 
I guess this can't really be called a tutorial, since it may be fairly lacking in step-by-step directions, but it was super fun to do, and I highly recommend making some of these little ditties. 
I bought a couple of fat quarters of my Eclectic Kitchen fabric when Spoonflower was having a buy one get one sale a few weeks back. Check out the fabric on the site here. 
I just love how well the watercolor design printed on this one! 

I decided to fussy cut the piece up into pieces about 5x3 inches each. 

Then, I added a small strip of 2 inch fabric to the edge of each one to create a 5x5 inch piece. 

 I added a little batting to the back side, did a little quilting with a few fun little stitches on the solid color portion of the coaster. Then, I sewed them inside out, right sides facing, clipping the corners and making sure to leave a little opening to turn them the right side out. 

 Then, I just sewed that little part shut to finish it off .
For some odd reason I didn't seem to take any photos of the final products, but hopefully you get the idea. I think more of these are in my future. I really loved this project. I am thinking about doing some embroidery (my new love) and using some of my anchor fabric I just got in from Spoonflower. What do you think!!?? :)  

Mustard Gals

At this year's Quilt Market in Houston, I walked past a group of three women, two of which were wearing mustard-colored items. Thinking, "Hmm...who are those hip ladies?"......I stopped, introduced myself, and soon learned it was none other than Iowa's own Michele Rosenboom (winner of the Printed Bolt's Repeat contest), and Ellen and Madeleine who run The Printed Bolt's contest. They were just so delightful to meet. Michele's work is beautiful and was featured in a gorgeous quilt made by Iowa's other darlings---Modern Quilt Relish.  
I bumped into Ellen a few more times over the weekend, and a month or so ago they asked me to be one of the judges for this year's contest on The Printed Bolt. (yay!) I am so excited.

Well, yesterday, the list of judges became public. So, I can actually talk about it now.
In the company of some really outstanding others, I am so so honored to take part in this project. I can't wait to see the entries and creative solutions. Check out the other judges below----whoa. right? :)

STANDARD SIZED CARD

Hey Hey folks...
I made a variation of the free card from the previous post. It's a standard sized one that folds. Check it out at the link below.
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B5cXJar8JCD1OGJ4UXBmNFlJYm8/edit

Enjoy!
xo
Greta

FREE HOLIDAY CARD DOWNLOAD

Hey Hey everyone! I decided to give a little freebie today!

Below is a link to a free card you can download and send to friends and family this holiday season.

It fits in a standard office envelope----3 5/8 x6 1/2 inches. Those are super cheap and I thought would be a good way to save some $$ this season! :)  I like to be a thrifty gal by using those, and I love to take a little time to decorate those little plain envelopes with hand drawn doodles. It's a fun touch in the world of mass manufactured cards. :)

The cards are one-sided, so you can write a little note on the back and send them off! They look great printed on some kind of cotton rag paper. I used Rives BFK and tore it down to size, but card stock or matte photo paper would certainly work well too if not better. You can leave a little deckled edge around them by tearing them out or cut them out neatly with scissors or an exacto. You'll get three to a page with Letter size paper.

INSTRUCTIONS: go to my website   http://gretasonge.com/home.html
At the top of the page go to the Navigation Section titled HOLIDAY DOWNLOAD
The PDF should automatically download to your computer.

Happy Holidays!
-Greta

One Yard Wonders -L'Artiste De La Mer

Next week, Spoonflower is hosting a contest in conjunction with the publishers of the One Yard Wonders books. This upcoming book is Little Wonders---projects for kid's items. The contest required us to use their pattern template for the shirt and to have a nautical design of some kind for a girl.

I sketched this out last week, and then eventually finished it today. I just love it. I've been drawing this little artiste for a while now. I'm glad she found a home. :)