The Cluck Cluck Bloom fabric collection by Teresa Magnuson for Clothworks, is almost ready to ship to stores! Expected for April 2023, this funny chicken and flower theme fabric has a soft color scheme and a retro twist.
]]>The Cluck Cluck Bloom fabric collection is almost ready to ship to stores! Expected for April 2023, this funny chicken and flower theme fabric has a soft color scheme and a retro twist.
I usually like to pride myself with a color scheme that leans toward gender-neutral, but with the lovely pinks, yellows and corals, this collection is definitely on the "sweet" side.
Cluck Cluck Bloom is my seventh fabric collection with Clothworks. I think it might be one of my favorites yet. And I know, I know...I say that a lot. Check out the collection by viewing the Look Book.
Download the Clothworks Look Book here »
The best part of the Look Book is seeing all of the swatches for the whole collection, at a glance. Imagine going into the fabric store, and seeing each bolt lined up side by side on the shelf. You get a feel for the whole color palette and vibe all at once.
Even better, with a Clothworks Look Book, you can see recommended quilt patterns and mockups of what the fabrics would look like when the pattern is sewn from the fabrics in the collection.
These are suggestions only-- for sure. But they get you on the right track and get your brain thinking about how you'd like to use this collection.
If you are a chicken-lover, you will LOVE the options!! Check out the chicken blocks and even the chicken shaped placemats and table-runner.
I'm not sure why I got so obsessed with funny-looking chickens. (Maybe it started back at the Minnesota State Fair, walking the barn as a kid and seeing chickens with feathers on their feet.)
And then a long love affair with Foghorn Leghorn [cartoon]. Except he was kind of bossy. So...I drew and invented my own chicken characters. See some of my early sketches circa 1992.
As a high schooler, I used to raise broiler chickens and had plans to make my own food label to rival Golden Plump. It would be called "Country Plumpkins". So there's that.
But mostly, I have fun using my chicken drawings to steal a smile out of you here and there. I might use a silly chicken on my packaging stickers or throw in a chicken "moon" on a postcard. They aren't really mascots of the brand, per se, but I can't help using them! So I guess it was a natural inclination to see them debut in a fabric collection.
At the time of my last collection (Keyboard Cats), I mentioned I became an official retailer of Clothworks fabrics. I have to admit, I won't be able to stock large quantities of my fabric collections, but I will be carrying Cluck Cluck Bloom Fat Quarter sets and 10" Square Packs! Order now as Pre-Sale for delivery after April 5, 2023 once the fabric arrives from the manufacturer.
Picked out a favorite yet? Fun fact...some of the best selling prints so far from this collection, based on wholesale sales, are the pink blooms, the white chicken wire, and of course-- the chicken prints. Buck-okkk!! [Translation: hell to the yeah! We love silly chickens!]
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Who and What is Sunny & Clear?
When you mix a Minnesota artist + digital designer you get magic! Teresa Magnuson turns illustrations into happy fabrics, fun decor, and (slightly sarcastic) laser-cut gifts for cabins or kitchens.
Sunny & Clear was founded in 2015. Teresa brings you whimsical and hand-drawn works, inspired by living in the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes and the delight of a perfect sunny day. “Welcome to my colorful world, where it’s always sunny and clear!”
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My Keyboard Cats fabric collection has debuted and is available for all cat lovers! The playful cats debut in fun, retro, gender-neutral colors and are oh-so adorable for a boho baby quilt.
]]>With the recent baby boom, I have so many quilts I’d like to make for those close to me. I’m so glad I can use these fun retro (boho) colors and have it be a fit for either a boy or a girl. Of course, as long as they like cats.
Keyboard Cats is my fifth fabric collection with Clothworks. I think it might be one of my favorites yet.
Download the Clothworks Look Book here »
This collection started from a pattern I had created a few years ago and I decided to turn it into a full collection. When I submitted it, the fabric company loved it and we finalized all of the swatches.
Designing a complete collection can take time. Honestly, the hard part is honing it down– I often have way too many ideas!! I also work full-time as a front-end developer on a marketing team so I typically only submit artwork 3-4 times a year as it fits into my schedule.
Once the artwork is finalized, there is often a 6-12 month wait for it to go into production. I received the strike-offs (proofs) and then it is on its way.
After the fabric was manufactured, I decided to do something I’ve wanted to do for a long time– I became an official retailer of Clothworks! so I could sell my own fabric designs!!
I often get asked if someone can buy from me and I have to explain that only retailers can sell it. As the artist, you get paid from royalties for each yard sold to stores, and not directly from that sale. So it is not always easy to know what stores are carrying the collection and send someone in the right direction.
But now all of that has changed.
It’s official: You can shop Keyboard Cats fabric by the yard and in 10” square pre-cuts from Sunny & Clear!
Who and What is Sunny & Clear?
When you mix a Minnesota artist + digital designer you get magic! Teresa Magnuson turns illustrations into happy fabrics, fun decor, and (slightly sarcastic) laser-cut gifts for cabins or kitchens.
Sunny & Clear was founded in 2015. Teresa brings you whimsical and hand-drawn works, inspired by living in the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes and the delight of a perfect sunny day. “Welcome to my colorful world, where it’s always sunny and clear!”
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I don’t know about you but after six weeks of sheltering in place and other social distancing measures, it’s time for what I call a “COVID Counter-Punch”. In other words, join me in kicking any and all negativity to the curb! It’s time for a little “sunshine.” Debuting Sunny & Clear's new recipe card binders in a quaint little 4x6 inch size, just in time for Mother's Day.
]]>I don’t know about you but after six weeks of sheltering in place and other social distancing measures, it’s time for what I call a “COVID Counter-Punch”.
In other words, join me in kicking any and all negativity to the curb! How?
The last several weeks have had me pretty much going silent on all social channels, a digital retreat of sorts. I needed to observe, not react. I needed some space to pause, if that makes sense. I know everyone deals with the craziness of the recent pandemic in their own way. And this was mine. But now... I feel better, I feel more grounded.
In fact, I'm more than that. I'm ready to bring out the “sunshine.” (Oh, yes...when your brand is called Sunny & Clear, you need to get your head out of the clouds, says my inner cheerleader! Consequently, you might just hear analogy after analogy of the sun-related sorts, in the next few days, pinging at higher rate than popcorn in the microwave. So be forewarned;)
Having introduced Sunny & Clear's recipe binders in a quaint little 4x6 inch size, back in February, it’s time to launch this NEW product for May-- just in time for Mother’s Day!!
What else is there? Check out all new designs currently available. Here are some highlights:
1. Need a DIY Project? Here’s the first ray of sunshine. Can you feel your mood getting warmer? Hold on...
Inspired by, and taking a cue from John Krasinski’s SGN: Some Good News, we’ll call this design SGR: Some Good Recipes. With a little DIY fun, your kids can yarn-up a needle and stitch any color into the large SGR letters. We think Mom couldn’t adore a more personalized gift.
(Don't forget to add the recipes released from SGN, Episode 5! @somegoodnews)
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2. Uffda, that’s a good recipe! (Yep, there’s an UFFDA design.) Gather your secret lefse recipes, krumkake or rommegrot, to name a few.
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3. Wedding gift? You betcha, there’s monogrammed and personalized cover designs in this little rustic-modern charm-of-a-gift. Even a millennial might enjoy something so nostalgic.
4. Thistle Patch. This little pokey illustration, if you recognize it, comes from my recent Thistle Patch fabric collection, scheduled to release in the fall of 2020. (Yes, it was pushed back due to COVID. But still on track to be manufactured. Fingers crossed.)
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As you can see, this introductory collection of Recipe Card Binders features-- you guessed it---a rose gold binder ring! You know how much we LOVE the sun-colored [copper] metal around here.
Supplies are limited to the first fifteen binders. After that, the triple ring will consist of a silver color, admittedly as lovely. (If we can procure more of the rose gold pieces during this crazy COVID time, we will make it a standard option.)
And last, but not least, there is a chicken design. Did you find it? (Squirrel!!! --oh yes, and the rascally squirrel made the list too-- he’s making you drinks.)
FYI: All binders come with a packet of pre-punched and ruled recipe cards. You can always add more, or swap them out, since the binder opens up. Get out your paper punch on your own cards if you need to add pages.
We hope you find some good recipes to add to your binder, and by all means, have some happy, healthy, hearty time in the kitchen.
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You know there’s something good about journaling and you want to try it. But where do you start?
As a surface fabric designer, I tend to run into a lot of fabric lovers. Yet on the other hand, if you’re not into fabric, I’ve found the majority of the time, you love stationery pieces! (I mean, really love them– because even though you have a stash of notecards or a new planner at home, you land into a shop, see something new, and find yourself buying more!)
As for me, I confess to both.
I always had a project for my fabric, but when it came to my pile of lovely notebook journals, I wasn't really using them. “I should start journaling” I thought to myself. But where should I start?
This is what I figured out. Start with a gratitude journal. After researching the topic and improvising on what I found, here is my version of one.
First of all, the purpose of a gratitude journal, besides feeling the obvious intangible benefits, is to identify what really matters to you.
Actually, it’s a little more than that. And you’ll want to see for yourself.
You'll also find some of the reasons as to why it works. Warning: good things are going to happen...
There are three basic steps to starting your gratitude journal.
Why at the end of the day? Important.
Knowing what you want and identifying what matters to you, in addition to writing it down before you sleep, sends a request to your subconscious.
You could say, you are directing your subconscious mind to create the outcomes you seek.
Kind of woo-woo, I know. But...
“A man cannot directly choose his circumstances, but he can choose his thoughts, and so indirectly, yet surely, shape his circumstances.” — James Allen.
In the first column, list five things you achieved today or five good things that happened today– or a combination of both.
[ If you only do half of the journal starting out, do this half!! ]
Stumped? Try listing obvious accomplishments. You don’t have to over-think it– list something as simple as “washed a load of clothes” or “made low-carb breakfast” “stopped by the new coffee shop for a mocha” etc
The purpose of this half of your journal is to remind yourself of the progress you’ve made and feel good about it, and at the same time, introduce more of the positives.
Now we’re off to the second column. For the next step, you’ll list and identify what matters to you for the day.
At the top of the column, write out five letters/words, leaving a few lines after each one.
These are abbreviations to five gratitudes and you’ll list your answers to them, working your way down the page. I originally came across this version of the journal when I followed Craig Ballantyne and his newsletter Early to Rise. This is how he explained it.
And there’s more.
I couldn’t resist bringing up this finding. According to happiness researcher, Shawn Achor in his book, The Happiness Advantage, a gratitude journal really starts to instigate and make good things happen in your life because of the profound effect it has on the way our brains are wired.
So, if you’re reading this in the first place, you probably didn’t have to be all that convinced of the benefits of a gratitude journal. Yet now you have a reason to get started.
Welcome to your gratitude journal– be the designer of your own destiny and unlock your happiness advantage! It starts with 10 minutes, tonight!
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[Download and print out my Cheat Sheet for you as a handy reminder of what to write when first starting your journal.]
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In mid-January, this emerging surface designer decided to take on a 100-day creative challenge– as seen typically on Instagram. Sounds pretty crazy, like uber crazy, until you realize that is exactly how you could build your portfolio of pattern designs– one at a time.
]]>Not your normal New Year's resolution. In mid-January, this emerging surface designer decided to take on a 100-day creative challenge– as seen typically on Instagram.
And then the “fun” began. #100tmagpatterns
For these challenges, artists and creatives of any sort, dare themselves to push their limits, get out of their comfort zone and hold themselves accountable by posting results on IG.
I’ve seen challenges ranging from 100 fruit illustrations to 100 hand-lettered postcards to 100 tea cup portraits. For me, when two renown pattern artists I follow, Jessica Swift and Kelly Parker Smith, announced and invited others to take on 100 Patterns in 100 Days, I said no way! Not for me.
Sounds pretty crazy, like uber crazy, until you realize that is exactly how you could build your portfolio of pattern designs– one at a time.
Take it one day at a time and concentrate on one pattern without the over-whelm of creating multiple pieces or an instant collection. You create one pattern per day and at the end of the day “hit publish”!
(Just for reference, a pattern designer would want at least 200+ pieces, or patterns, for licensing, to have a robust portfolio to present to licensors.)
I often get asked where I get my ideas and I have to say I have “creative ADHD”. In other words, I have a lot of ideas in my head and welcomed the idea of putting some of them onto paper, so to speak. Some work out as a pleasing design, and some don’t.
The best part about taking on the challenge is that not only am I creating a body of work, but as an artist you find out what you really like to create. And your style– ever so slowly– begins to evolve.
Well, that depends... on how complicated the pattern is, how comfortable you are with the software, how many drawings you use, and if those drawings need to be scanned in or were already created digitally.
I would say a pattern averages anywhere from one to five hours for me. The majority of my designs start out as drawings, which I scan in with my iPhone. If I end up spending 4-5 hours, I usually have a few versions and can create a coordinate, or several, at the same time. (When the ideas flow, you gotta flow with ‘em!)
I have found that if you create coordinates when you’re in the groove, you not only have a more cohesive collection, but you don’t have to return afterwards to get re-inspired or remember what you had in mind to begin with.
Granted, I have also gone back into previous sketches to scout for ideas, and with the added space of time and a fresh perspective on the work already done, I end up creating a new coordinate for that collection.
Yes, the creative block. I hit the wall about half way through my journey of 100 patterns in 100 days. Determined not to give up so early, I asked my email list for ideas. I got a great response, and for some reason, using someone else’s request as a subject for the pattern, removed some of the angst and helped dissolve that barrier to get started.
And then there is managing your energy. Being a morning person, I know my creativity and energy is at its highest in the first half of the day. I was giving my work obligations and client work first priority, as most people would, but found myself creating patterns later and later at night. I would hit a second wind and stay up into the wee hours by the time I posted the pattern for the day.
My post at Day 67 went something like this:
“Kind of hit the seventh inning stretch. Instead of 100 patterns in 100 days, I had to give myself a little grace and turn it into 100 Patterns. After all, a morning person staying up late making patterns might be committed to the task but eventually turns into a zombie!
This might take me 150 days but I still get to share new designs with you and build my portfolio at the same time. And...good news. The robins pictured might just make their way into fabric stores across the country, not just MN. A work in progress (WIP) Happy Thursday! “ #fortheloveofpatterns
So as of this writing, I am at Pattern 72. I am creating patterns and posting them at a manageable pace of about one every other day. The best part is, my pieces caught the attention of a licensor, and I am working behind the scenes creating patterns in addition the the 100 Patterns Collection! (I can’t wait to reveal more details as the scenario evolves)
Yes, taking on a 100 Days of anything is a real challenge. You can pat yourself on the back or, umm, change the rules a little bit! Give yourself some leeway–just saying.
Having participated in the challenge with an underlying intention to build my portfolio was key to measuring my success, rather than measuring the work in amount of days.
Thank you for following along on my creative journey. I love branding and design, and of course, turning patterns into products. Find more of my work and colorful things in my shop at sunnynclear.com
Follow me on Instagram: @sunnynclear
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Today I'm going to cover a more technical aspect of pattern design– the software side of it. More specifically, I'll show you how you can use Adobe Illustrator to create complex circular motifs, or mandalas.
Using this technique you can create your own snazzy mandalas, which in turn might also become fancy flowers or intricate snowflakes. Let's get started.
But first… pug alert!!
I have to warn you ahead of time, my pug Tigger was sitting beside me when I started recording the tutorial. He fell asleep (like he usually does) and started snoring–loudly! I'll admit I am used to it, so I didn't really hear him until I listened to the recording. At this point, I have no idea how to edit it out. So...welcome to my colorful (and pug-filled) world!
As a surface pattern designer, I became a member of Pattern Camp (by Jessica Swift) and occasionally take on a weekly challenge issued through her Facebook group. The topic for the week was "Moroccan".
This topic was definitely out of my element because typically, Moroccan tiles seem so complex. So... I thought I'd push myself, and give it a try. How does one do that?
You start by creating a mood-board of images and colors in order to get familiar with the subject and find out what you're drawn to about it.
In my twenty minutes of research on Google and Pinterest, I discovered a circular mandala that really piqued my curiosity.
...is what I thought. At least that is how my brain tends to work. The geeky and technical side wants to figure these things out.
I got it! I figured out an answer for you. And here is my version (at the bottom of this article) of how to create, or rather, re-create, the circular mandala I found.
Using the Pathfinder and Rotate tools in Illustrator, in a set sequence, you can break down this seemingly complex design into three easy steps. This tutorial assumes you have a basic working knowledge of Illustrator and it's workspace.
Watch my tutorial and you might soon be addicted to building your own motifs. Which in turn gives you the ammunition and knowledge to build similar motifs for making new fanciful flowers or whimsical snowflakes.
I hope you enjoyed the tutorial. Download a free copy of the generic mandala I found and use it as a guideline to create your own.
Let me know how your mandala-creating turned out!
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The class of three (kind of small this semester) was sewing American Doll clothing for a charity and the dolls would be given away at Christmas time.
They wanted to learn about the world of a surface fabric designer– the process to go through to create a design and convert it into fabric, and the journey leading me to textile design.
With the small number of students, I had them draw some doodles and told them I would create new fabric designs from their sketches.
The goal was to create new fabrics that would coordinate with the doll clothes they had already started sewing.
I took their sketches back to my studio and got to work. I had more sketches than I could use for one project but tried to use as many as I could.
I created a handful of fabrics from their motifs and then narrowed it down to four designs. I custom-ordered the fabric as Kona Cotton (from Spoonflower) in a half yard of each. Shown below.
The fabrics arrived the last week of school and I didn't get to see the final garments for the project, but I think their dolls are going to be well dressed for Christmas!!
And now, add candles to the mix! What started out as a label design project soon found her making her own line of hand-poured soy candles.
As an emerging fabric designer, I am featured as 2016 artist for Quilt Minnesota in partner with Clothworks of Seattle.
Are you as anxious as I am to see the new Quilt Shop Hop fabrics? They are being shipped out of Seattle this week to all of the quilt shops.
Join the 2016 Quilt Shop Hop and get your hands on the fabrics in the 10th Anniversary collection. Before July 29th, pre-order from a participating quilt shop.
The 10th Annual Quilt Shop Hop starts July 29th – August 14th. The Grand Prize is an Alaskan Cruise for 2! Plus more prizes and incentives throughout the state. Visit quiltminnesota.com to view the new fabrics, merchandise, prizes, maps and qualifying information!
I will be in Alexandria this Saturday, May 21 from 10am to 4pm at Dawn’s Quilt Shop for a Designer Signing/ Pre-Sell Event.
Really looking forward to meeting more quilters and finding out what you have in store for the new fabrics. Get a sneak peek of the collection and place your pre-order for July 29 delivery.