Yesterday Day
I did quite a few small tasks yesterday, one of the least-small being washing and ironing the heap of custom fat-quarters of fabric that came over the weekend. There are, um, a lot of designs to show. Remember this?
I think today I'll just show you the ones I'm maybe most excited about...these harlequin-vintage-y diamond patterns:
These is my little "Night Magic" pattern in two colorways.
aaaand the real-life realizations of the one I blogged about last time when I was nerding out:
These really take the cake for me.
The Spoonflower folks are really doing a cool thing, and I'm grateful they dreamed up their service. My only real frustration as a user is that, like with the last prints, there were some major color-shifts. As a former photo-person who color balanced many a color print herself, I notice that stuff (and I totally understand that there are always color shifts when printing). Luckily, it seems with my images to mostly be isolated to the reds, which are the biggest chameleons. They keep wanting to go orange! Bright orange. I think with a bit of trial and error and swatching on the user's end it can be sorted out just fine, though.
Another small task from yesterday? Designing new Black Apple shipping labels with our future address on them:
My other project for the day (this was actually late in the evening) was sewing up a Tom-Waits-night (this Saturday!) capelet, which I'll hopefully get to photograph soon. So many little projects here and there...and the big project of MOVING looming!
I hope your week is going nicely, and I'll be back soon with more fabric designs and more to share!
portland? we lose another one to the west coast. drats!! hope your move goes super smoothly!
Posted by: sarah n. | July 15, 2008 at 09:44 PM
Stephen from Spooonflower here:
We are working on controlling the color shifts between red and orange a bit better. Some shifting -- as you point out -- is inevitable. But it's especially vexing in the case of pigments on fabric.
Also, in response to a comment above about the best color profile for Spoonflower files: use LAB color if possible. RGB is the next-best option. CMYK doesn't work well at all.
Posted by: Stephen Fraser | July 07, 2008 at 11:28 AM
very lovely, as always. and apparently you're moving to my zipcode! hurrah!
Posted by: sara_se portland | July 05, 2008 at 12:01 AM
Oh my, the fabric! My stash is yearning for a bit of it.
I love the ghosties on the fabric and your new labels. I hope your new house adventure is a fun one!
Posted by: elizabeth | July 04, 2008 at 02:29 PM
I just moved to Portland myself, moving is stressful but it is wonderful here, you're going to love it!
Just amazing fabric, you are putting that service to good use for sure:)
Posted by: Julianna | July 04, 2008 at 01:55 AM
I just noticed that someone else referred to the new Anthropologie "Vignettes" cover. I got mine today and immediately thought, this girl looks like Black Apple Emily.
Posted by: rachael | July 03, 2008 at 05:46 PM
The fabric is delightful. So happy for you and all your new adventures!
Posted by: Cherry Tree Lane | July 03, 2008 at 05:45 PM
The fabric looks really great!
Good luck with your moving preparations.
Posted by: amy earles | July 03, 2008 at 02:23 PM
I just saw your embroidery patterns over at sublime stitching and they are so lovely! I cant wait to order! Congratulations on all your success!
Posted by: Katie | July 03, 2008 at 01:35 PM
I am LOVING these fabrics, I wish I could sew..no wait, I would just get a canvas and hang them as art, I wouldn't want to poke a whole in those cutie designs! :)
Posted by: Marilyn | July 03, 2008 at 01:34 PM
lovely! Can't wait to see what you do with it!
Posted by: Shiny Black Shoes | July 03, 2008 at 01:09 PM
I love the cute new labels and the great fabrics! Can't wait to see how you use them!
Posted by: Marie | July 03, 2008 at 12:30 PM
I love, love, love the fabrics! I am saving up to make some of my own..soon I hope :) You come up with the cutest things ( I love the little teeth).
Ugh. Moving stinks, but it has to be done! The family and I just bought our first house in Feb, so no moving for us anytime soon! I ways start packing early on. Do not put it off or it will kill you!
Good luck and Happy almost 4th of July!
♥Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | July 03, 2008 at 10:51 AM
once you're in portland, you really should try out the restaurant "nutshell." it's a vegan restaurant, and their food is some of the yummiest i've EVER eaten (and i'm not even vegetarian/vegan!) ... best part of my last trip there!
Posted by: Jenn | July 03, 2008 at 09:59 AM
do you remember how long it took spoonflower to send you an invitation to join? i requested one three weeks ago, to no avail thus far! :(
Posted by: kattyface | July 03, 2008 at 08:29 AM
the labels are cuteness.. especially that little girl that looks like she is swinging in a dream! and the fabric you designed is splendid. I can just see your dollies made out of that!
;))
Posted by: Francesca | July 03, 2008 at 07:15 AM
Hi! I really like your fabric! And the labels too!
Posted by: Marta | July 03, 2008 at 05:31 AM
emily- i love the fabric! I really wish I had bed sheets in those patterns. Any chance, you'd make something like that for sale???
Posted by: andie | July 03, 2008 at 03:28 AM
Oh, I am SO in love with those fabrics! The ghosties, the moons, the owls, it's all so perfect!
Posted by: Alice | July 03, 2008 at 01:56 AM
The fabric is super-lovely, and the shipping labels.. perfect! The little touches make all the difference..
Posted by: Johanna Rose | July 03, 2008 at 01:20 AM
You're amazing, Ms. Black Apple.
Posted by: puglyfeet | July 03, 2008 at 01:20 AM
where in portland exactly? we used to live in Vancouver..loved it..make sure you do the christmas train in battleground wash. it is the lewis and clark railway. neat old rickety 40's style train. they decorate it and santa comes aboard with his helpers..there is a craft car to buy and YOU could sell your wares and ride the train for free with your hubby..they have folk singers..and you go to a tree farm and get your tree. they have carolers there and a hay ride..(its been a while like since 1993) since I did this.. but I loved it...its an all day trip and battleground is only about 20 minutes from vancouver...do a google search...Love the fabric by the way..how much do they charge to make your fabric...I have it on my blog for all my prim friends that craft incase they want to make their own..Have a good one..we are neighbors we live across the water from Seattle...:)
Gina ~
Posted by: Gina Cooper | July 03, 2008 at 01:19 AM
...beautiful fabric!
They will make some lovely clothes for your Sophie dolls.
Your mailing labels are so sweet, I like how you changed them up a bit ;)
You certainly will be a busy-little-bee for the next few weeks.
♥~michelle.f
Posted by: miss.michelle | July 03, 2008 at 01:05 AM
Squeee! I know that zip code! I used to LIVE in it! You will LOOOOVE Portland, seriously, and that is a GREAT neighborhood! and the fabrics are Wunerful! So loverly!
Posted by: Shannon | July 03, 2008 at 12:59 AM
I like the bright orange! It gives it a nice Autumny look. :)
Posted by: Jessica | July 03, 2008 at 12:18 AM
I love the diamond pattern!!! It looks amazing! I bet that's weird and incredible to have your stuff on fabric. You are so creative and inventive. It inspires me to try new things!
Posted by: Jamy | July 02, 2008 at 10:59 PM
G O R G E O U S fabric!!
Posted by: Niella (NZ) | July 02, 2008 at 10:34 PM
I wonder if you sent a CMYK file or a RGB file? And, which they prefer? I accidentally sent a photo file as CMYK once, which is what I was used to for offset printing, and it whacked out the magenta. Just a thought.
Posted by: Michelle | July 02, 2008 at 09:52 PM
I adore your fabrics, I wish i could buy stuff like that in store over here. I've been fabric hunting for a while now with little success, may have to resort to screen-printing.
Posted by: CS | July 02, 2008 at 08:18 PM
emily, i've had the exact same problem with the reds! frustrating yes...if you figure out how to fix this (on the user-end of course) please share! i'm not sure how to remedy this myself. :)
Posted by: Jennifer | July 02, 2008 at 07:50 PM
Have you seen the new Anthropologie catalog? You remind me a lot of the girl on the cover!
Posted by: Sherry | July 02, 2008 at 07:26 PM
Enjoy Tom!! Can't wait to see your new capelet too.
Posted by: kelley hart Jenkins | July 02, 2008 at 07:11 PM
'so happy that i read the comments from your other adoring fans - otherwise i might never have known to purchase your stitching set on sublime stitching (it's totally adorable!).
funny thing is, i've never embroidered/stitched a thing in my life, but i'm certainly feeling motivated to try :O) hopefully the ultimate set is all it promises to be.
love, susan
Posted by: mrs.deane | July 02, 2008 at 07:10 PM
Awesome that you are moving to Portland Oregon!!!
Oregon is a beautiful state!!
I used to live there too!!! Totally miss it there!!
Have a safe move and trip!
Posted by: Steff | July 02, 2008 at 07:06 PM
Aww Emily the fabric is fabulous!!! Loving the new mailing labels too!!! Super duper cute!!!! Is everybody moving here to Portland??? LOL!
~Paulette
Posted by: Paulette Insall | July 02, 2008 at 06:58 PM
as a portland resident (and customer) who reads your blog, i'm looking forward to seeing what your thoughts are on the city once you're here! its a craft haven for sure.... with all your stationary, prints etc. that you do, you should check out the iprc (iprc.org). a pretty unique place to portland....
Posted by: beth | July 02, 2008 at 06:57 PM
I had the same red -> orange problem with my spoonflower fabric. Otherwise, I'm completely in love.
Posted by: sewbettie | July 02, 2008 at 06:43 PM
Oooh. I like the new labels...I like the fabric too. Harlequin-y diamond shapes are fun.
Posted by: Madeline | July 02, 2008 at 06:35 PM
love the new label, very cute and when designing fabric there will always be redos which is why when you see people like Amy Butler and Heather Bailey checking the strike-offs and working to get the color just right. Sometimes it can take up to 3-4 times to fix it. Its frustrating but such is the nature of the business. Lucky for me I do not have to deal with that Robert Kaufman does it all!!
The designs are very cute by the way and my favorite is the green colorway one especially since "green" is in!!!
Posted by: ellen Crimi-Trente | July 02, 2008 at 06:17 PM
Have been reading your blog for a while and it is always such an inspiration. Love all your work. Thanks for brightening my day :-)
Posted by: teacup | July 02, 2008 at 06:14 PM
This fabric is soooo cute - i love it! Can't wait to see what you will do with it!
And good luck with the packing and moving :)
Posted by: karlita | July 02, 2008 at 05:55 PM
wouah, the fabrics are adorable! x
Posted by: fanja | July 02, 2008 at 05:35 PM
Emily, I was wondering where do you have your shipping labels made? I've been thinking of having some made for myself.
ADORABLE fabric by the way! I LOVE the owls!!!
Posted by: Kristien | July 02, 2008 at 05:24 PM
I just ordered you s.s. pattern, so excited to get it!
Posted by: JEN | July 02, 2008 at 05:23 PM
I love the "night magic" fabric, just gorgeous. I can see a whole batch of family pyjamas out of all the swatches - something for everyone.
Don't you hate how all the little jobs seem to add up to Everest. It all looks great though. The doll and her little ghost friend are so sweet, you spoil the postal workers. Don't work too hard.
Posted by: Cindy | July 02, 2008 at 05:15 PM
I love the Night Magic fabric & the new label! Good luck on your move!
Posted by: ann | July 02, 2008 at 05:11 PM
I just bought your embroidery pattern at Sublime Stiching! YEANESS. Now if only you sold your fabric? I would be one hell of a happy camper! HUGS!
Posted by: Nan | July 02, 2008 at 05:07 PM
I don't know if this is too needy - but I'd love to see a post about how the concert was - I can live vicariously through the experiences of others...Oh, Tom Waits.
Posted by: Allison | July 02, 2008 at 04:52 PM
Hey Emily,
Your patterns for Sublime Stitching just went up! Congratulations! The coolness continues ;)
EM
Posted by: Erin | July 02, 2008 at 04:37 PM
Hey Emily,
Your patterns for Sublime Stitching just went up! Congratulations! The coolness continues ;)
EM
Posted by: Erin | July 02, 2008 at 04:37 PM