We have a New Website!

Hi Friends!

Looks like my last post was in April. At that time, we were only discussing my 14 year old website, it's finicky and rather out-dated nature and options to make some serious forward changes. A couple-plus months later and after much exploration, an endless list of how-to questions and searching through a multitude of folders for photos, we have a new website! You can still find us at www.johannaparkerdesign.com but the experience should be refreshing to say the least :)



Now, you can peruse my Portfolio tab for a gallery sampling of my holiday & seasonal folk art as well as a peek at my Licensed Designs to see what's currently being produced in the industry. I've added an Illustrations area with art samples, organized by Vector Art, Ink & Dye, Mixed Media and even Public Art! Beyond that, enjoy a peek at my Surface Designs and Artful Living photography for inspiration and a look into our art-filled lives. In addition, we now have a Store link that branches out into different areas. Collectors Catch Originals is where collectors will gather for upcoming web sales, and my Signed Reproductions page will offer a peek at what I have ordered for upcoming sales.  Besides dedicated pages to my Spoonflower fabrics and my home furnishings Roostery shop is my Printables Page! For years, I've heard your calls for instant digital downloads of my Halloween hats and other artsy projects, and now I can provide that for you! For a nominal exchange, you can print as many high-res files of my selected art for your own DIY experience! In fact, the cheerful Garden Delights Pennants in the graphic photo in this post is one of my new projects, and one of my faves! I truly hope you enjoy these projects that I've put together for you :) Speaking of printable, don't forget to visit our Print & Share page for growing list of FREE project downloads! We now have a much more thorough Events page and an About page that recognizes our little team.

Phewww! That was a LOT of work... LOL!....

And with a New Website comes a New Blog! That's right, I will be moving my future Blog postings over to the Blog link on my site. As there are so so so many years of posts here on my Blogspot platform, I will keep things as they are so that you can still go back in time and visit past posts for inspiration. Plus, trying to migrate ALL 10 years of blog posts to a new site sounds pretty daunting right now. So, we'll keep things as they are for the time being.

Thanks as always for your support! We hope you ENJOY all the eye candy over at our new Website!

 www.johannaparkerdesign.com

Best Wishes,
~ Johanna

Pattern Pleasures with a Burst of Color!

Hi Friends!

I am excited to share my 2nd round of pattern designs with you! Included in the mix is my new and very colorful "Garden Delights Collection"! I must admit that I do love color, so this group really brought me smiles and joy. The swatches just arrived, and I've been marveling out how close the colors match  my original designs. I also added a medley of accent hues to the doodle patterns that accompany the whimsical hummingbirds in my "Nature's Frolic Collection". I look forward to seeing what lovely projects some of you makers out there will dream up with these designs. And, lastly, I added a couple new Halloween patterns that are oh so fun! You can find all of these designs and more in my JohannaParkerDesign Spoonflower Shop! Hop on over and look around...

Thank you for your support & Happy Creating!

Now, I really feel like we are creating together :)



* That's me holding up my latest sheet of fabric swatches :)



* Then, it was time to slice 'em all up!



* Here's a quick and colorful glance at the swatches of my Garden Delights Collection! It's a wide palette of many colors, but they bridge across each other, offering coordinates for your crafting.



* I just added the two front designs to my Halloween grouping. I designed the Halloween Cat & Owl Checkerboard design to fit just right on a standard 8" x 8" swatch!



* "Nature's Frolic" ~ It's one of my favorite groups... I used the same color palette throughout in order offer coordinates for your projects. Don't forget that these come in gift wrap & wallpaper too. And, the Roostery has lots of pretties over there, just ready to be ordered and made to enjoy!



* Jack played a little hide & seek with the fabric swatches...



* A closer peek at my Halloween checkerboard design shows the depth of detail that is achieved in these prints. Yay! This is the kinda thing that makes an artist sing :)

I hope you enjoyed the peek! I need to take some crisper pics with a decent camera as most were captured with a cell. But, I was anxious to snap some photos!  There will be more to come. I hope you enjoyed the peek. Please feel free to share your feedback, and I hope you'll think of my Spoonflower Shop when dreaming and designing your next projects. I can't wait to see, and I hope you'll share a photo or two.

Happy Creating!
~ Johanna

Out of the Box & into the Land of Hexagonia!

Hi Friends! 

I have a small, time sensitive favor to ask... The brightly colored design below is my entry into Spoonflower's Hexagon Challenge. If you like it, will you visit Spoonflower's Contest page, locate my "Land of Hexagonia" entry and enter a vote for me? There are lots of pretty patterns to marvel at, so vote for your faves! (no need to log in ~ voting is open to the public) THANK YOU!! Voting ends tomorrow, March 28th! I know, I'm not giving you much notice, and if you're reading this after the due date, well I still want to share this fun design with you! It will soon be available on fabrics, wall paper & gift wrap. Almost all the elements in this design are made up of 6-sided hexagons in varying shapes. I enjoyed making this pattern, and it certainly stretched my imagination a bit since I tend to think in swirls, curves and flowing lines. :) Thank you for your support! 

Cast your Vote... (thank you!)

Given the title of this post, I did find myself thinking outside of the box and submersing myself into a hexagonal land :) I've been obsessed with patterns all my life, and lately, I have felt the need to let them out. Imaginative patterns are often the last thing I see before I fall asleep and many times, the first image to greet me in the morning. So many fun and pretty patterned ideas flash through my mind each day that I'm lucky to capture and manifest just a tiny slice of what I dream. Visit my JohannaParkerDesign Spoonflower Shop to see what designs are currently available and also peek at my upcoming designs, for sale soon.

Enjoy & THANK YOU!

~ Johanna

Finally, Fabric Designs & more are Here!

Happy Spring! March has marched right in... It's been a while since I popped in here for an update. 2017 is well underway, and with a new year comes new adventures! With my love for illustration and patterns, I've been moved to open a Spoonflower Shop! Over the years, your inquiries for my designs on fabrics have been such, that you inspired me to join up with this American-made company. My sample swatch prints have now arrived, and all is good... So, my JohannaParkerDesign ~ Spoonflower Shop has officially opened! Hop on over for a peek where you will find a medley of my designs for spring as well as a teaser for Halloween. I've also organized this first round of designs into collections. So, from my shop's page, click on "Designed Collections" to see those groups coordinated by color and theme. Feel free to share your suggestions for new designs and any needs for pattern scaling. You are welcome to make and sell my fabric into your creations, and I encourage it! Please offer credit to #johannaparkerdesign along the way. I look forward to seeing your projects, so do share photos as I may post those to my shop. Along with fabrics, my patterns are also available on wallpaper and gift wrap! And, if you like a fabric design but don't feel like sewing a darn thing, you can visit me on Roostery! There, you can select and order pillows, tea towels, cocktail napkins and even chairs that feature my designs! FUN! I've pulled together a few samples below for your viewing pleasure. Visit the following links and enjoy browsing my collections. As always, I appreciate your support in spreading the word, sharing and collecting my art in its various forms :)

Hugs,
~ Johanna




* I have a thing for butterflies and just couldn't resist adding a few winged patterns to my "Spring Whimsies" Collection on Spoonflower. I may just have to order the buggy vintage green pillow from the Roostery! And, get a look at that fun patchwork chair.. How sweet would that be in a child's nursery?!  :)  The chairs are a bit spendy, but you can get the same fabric on pillows, tea towels, etc... I think it would be fun to get a yard and cut it up into mini spring projects or have fun quilting it...



* I grabbed a screen capture of my Spring-themed fabric swatches so you could see them all in one place. I hope to add more along the way. Feel free to share your suggestions, scaling preferences, etc..  This is all new to me, and I'm learning as I go.




* I also have a thing for Robins.... and hummingbirds, and Halloween and the list goes on.. LOL! Currently, my "Nesting Robin" Collection on Spoonflower has just three surface designs, but the Roostery has expanded upon those to offer a variety of delights. Don't forget that you can also order these patterns on wallpaper and gift wrap too!




* My "Hummingbirds on Lilac" is one of my faves. Elements from this pattern were initially designed for a life size utility station box wrap along Lakewood's RTD West Rail Line... I enjoyed the composition so much that I thought it was time to extend it to other surfaces so that we can enjoy it in our homes. I plan to add more pattern designs to this Collection entitled "Garden Delights"... Check out the Roostery's matching Pillow and Cloth Cocktail Napkins... Cute!



* And, I'd be remiss to open my JohannaParkerDesign ~ Spoonflower Shop without including a few Halloween designs! So far, I have a series of 10 October 31 themed patterns for fabric, gift wrap and even wallpaper for those of you serious Halloween fanatics :) I definitely want to see photos of that! Do SHARE!

Thanks again for your support. I so look forward to your adventures in crafting with my surface designs. Let's keep the creative spirit flowing!  :)

~ You can also find me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest ~

Vintage Holiday Blog Sale!

Ho Ho Ho my friends! Vintage Holiday delights are here! Although fleeting, I was fortunate enough to get my hands on an assortment of samples from my screen printed Vintage Holiday collection of reproductions, and now I am releasing those to you! Each piece is SIGNED on the back or the base by me, the artist behind the design. A few of the sets also include an 8 pack of my matching Christmas cards! You'll see that with some sets, I have also included a snowman ornament in the mix. ALL of my designs being released here have been retired by their original manufacturers. Please review the descriptions below each image for more information, and click on the photos for a larger view. To reserve your faves please EMAIL ME and include the name of the set or single you wish to adopt! Also include your name, phone number and shipping address. When your order is prepared, we will send you an e-invoice to complete the sale. Thank you for interest in my collectible holiday licensed designs!

* Happy Holidays *

CHEERS!

~ Johanna ~

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Jolly Be Santas

~ Each Santa Signed by the Artist ~ SOLD OUT!

Collect all three Santas & a Bottlebrush Tree @ $56 plus shipping

~ INCLUDES ~

- 1 "Jolly Be" Box Sign - Stand or Hang

(from Johanna's retired Primitives by Kathy line)

Approximately 4" tall by 1.75" deep / Screen Printed on Wood

- 1 "Ho Ho Ho" Box Sign - Stand or Hang

(from Johanna's retired Primitives by Kathy line)

Approximately 7" tall by 1.75" deep / Screen Printed on Wood

- 1 "Jolly Be" Santa Stand-up

(from Johanna's retired Primitives by Kathy line)

Approximately 7.75" tall / Screen Printed on Wood

- 1 small white bottle brush tree with mica shimmer

(from Bethany Lowe Designs)

Approximately 3.5" tall

* CLICK on the Photo for a larger View * 

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Frosty Frolic

~ Each Signed by the Artist ~ SOLD OUT!

Collect all three Snowmen @ $75 plus shipping

~ INCLUDES ~

- 1 "Frosty Frolic" Snowman Stand-up

(from Johanna's retired Primitives by Kathy line)

Approximately 8" tall  / Screen Printed on Wood

- 1 "Frosty Frolic" Box Sign - Stand or Hang

(from Johanna's retired Primitives by Kathy line)

Approximately 12" tall by 1.75" deep / Screen Printed on Wood

- 1 Snowman Ruffled Ornament

(from Johanna's retired Primitives by Kathy line)

*ONLY 6 ornament samples were ever produced by PBK*

Approximately 4.5" wide / Papier Mache & Paper

* CLICK on the Photo for a larger View * 

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Oh Christmas Tree!

~ Printed Trees, Signed by the Artist ~ SOLD OUT!

Collect all three Trees and a Pack of Cards @ $59 plus shipping

~ INCLUDES ~

- 1 "Joy" Tree Stand-up

(from Johanna's retired Primitives by Kathy line)

Approximately 7" tall / Screen Printed on Wood

- 1 "Oh Christmas Tree"Box Sign - Stand or Hang

(from Johanna's retired Primitives by Kathy line)

Approximately 5" tall by 1.75" deep / Screen Printed on Wood

- 1 small white bottle brush tree with mica shimmer

(from Bethany Lowe Designs)

Approximately 2.75" tall

- 1 Pack of 8 Christmas Cards

(from Johanna's retired Primitives by Kathy line)

Cards include an illustrated full color scene on the inside too!

Inside Message:

Ho Ho Ho: "Wishing you a jolly holiday!"

Happy Owlidays: "Hope your holiday is a hoot!"

Jolly Be: "Frolic and glide along the ride!"

Warm Wishes: "May your den be cozy & bright!"

Each 4.75" x 7" with Envelopes 

* CLICK on the Photo for a larger View * 

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Peppermint Snowman Candy Bowl

~ Signed by the Artist ~ SOLD OUT!

Each Candy Bowl @ $72 plus shipping

~ INCLUDES ~

- 1 paper pulp / resin snowman candy bowl

(from Johanna's retired Bethany Lowe Designs line)

Approximately 9" tall

* CLICK on the Photo for a larger View * 

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* CLICK on the Photo for a larger View *

Johanna's Limited Edition Christmas Cards
* Available *

1 Card Pack - $19
2 Card Packs - $32
+ USPS shipping - $6.50

~ Each Pack INCLUDES ~

- 8 Christmas Cards

(from Johanna's retired Primitives by Kathy line)

Cards include an illustrated full color scene on the inside too!

Inside Message:

Warm Wishes: "May your den be cozy & bright!"
Ho Ho Ho: "Wishing you a jolly holiday!"

Jolly Be: "Frolic and glide along the ride!"
Happy Owlidays: "Hope your holiday is a hoot!"

Each 4.75" x 7" with Envelopes 

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Vintage Holiday Sneak Peek...

I've got a special treat for you! I am releasing my small collection of vintage style holiday graphics, screen printed on box signs, ornament plaques and character stand-ups. These limited edition collectibles made only a brief appearance via Primitives by Kathy at last summer's gift market. Shortly after, PBK's themes and color palettes took a different path, and hence, this retro winter collection came to an end. As these designs were not introduced at this January's market, it's safe to say that production was low, making these finds extra special! I was fortunate enough to get my hands on an assortment of samples, and I will soon be releasing those to you! Each piece is SIGNED on the back or the base by me, the artist of each design.

Check back this evening, November 22nd at 6:30 pm EST for a medley of Collector Sets that will be posting here on my Blog.

Thanks for your interest!!
~ Johanna

Happy Mother's Day!

Well, despite waking up to a chilly blanket of snow, the sun is now aglow, and it's turning out to be a sunny Mother's Day! In honor of my Mom, and all the other moms out there, I made this sweet graphic depicting a mom and baby robin. Notice the nervous worm, sneaking away... hehe!

Robins have been a reoccurring theme this spring in our family. While I was making my very first sculpted robin original this past March, my mom and family were being visited by a group of rather persistent robins, tap-tap-tapping on their window panes. The interactive visitation went on, hour after hour, for several days before they all flew on and away. Here in Colorado, I was well into my robin sculpture before I even knew what was going on at the Washington Parker house! So, there must be some feather-friended symbolism here, as a robin-themed long-distance connection was made! As they say, the universe works in very mysterious ways....

Sending SUN and SMILES and STORIES that delight your SENSES!

Best Wishes & Much Love,
~ Johanna

Evolution of EHAG's Logo...

Well, it's official!.. EHAG * Eclectic Halloween Artists Group * has a new logo, and I designed it! Behind closed doors, or tucked away in front of our computer monitors, the moderators of EHAG, including myself have been thinking of new ways to put a fresh face on EHAG. Image is certainly key, and a new logo design was an obvious answer! With my graphic design experience and a few subtle nudges from our group's leader, I went ahead and started sketching. I thought it might be fun to share with you my process. However rough the sketches and initial graphics may look, it is a necessary step, at least for me in building a brand. Here's a peek at the evolution of EHAG's logo from a "closet graphic designer turned folk artist"... Hope you like it!

~ Johanna


* Here are extremely rough sketches just to get my thoughts on paper... I had a vision to blend the "A" of EHAG somehow with a witch's hat, and slowly it evolved...


* Next, a rough, line-art pencil logo was scanned, and then I made it into a vector-based file in Adobe Illustrator, pulling and tweaking the letters until they started to take shape... First, the thought was to place the logo over an orange rectangle.... But, then orange turned into pumpkin...


* As the pumpkin base took shape, I thought of applying script-style text in green as vines, but that did not translate so well when reduced in size. In the meantime, JP suggested adding a curl to the "H"....


* Finally, I shared this image with our EHAG mod's group, and they loved it! Phewwwwww...... It was a lot of work getting here. Just a few additions and a few more days, and I was ready to finish!


* And WaaaaaLaaaaaa, here she is! It's BOLD and it screams HALLOWEEN in a classy sorta way.... YAY!.... You can view it full size and see other various banners and badges I made at www.ehagart.blogspot.com.

Cheers to my fellow artist friends in EHAG! This is my gift to you :-)

*EHAG Logo Design: © 2009 Johanna Parker Design