Hello hello! I return to the internetting world. My computer has been on the fritz and we finally had to take it to the doctor. Apparantly I had fried the hard drive, hard drive fan and graphics card. That coupled with quilt market, today is literally the first time in a month I've been on the computer. I won't lie.. it's been nice. Really helps to re-evaluate how much time I spend aimlessy wandering the internet! Turns out there are a lot of hours in the day to get stuff done if you organize your time wisely. huh. go figure.
Anyhow!
My newest fabric collection for Michael Miller is finalized, tidied up and ready to go!
We put so much work into these collections, that when it finally comes time to introduce it to the world, it feels like 9 months of labor and finally: bam! A new baby to share with the world.
This collection is no exception for me. I've written before about how the design process starts with the collection name. I toss around ideas in my head for a while, and then finally one hits and I know that is the group to get going on. When the idea of Secret Garden came to me, the ideas came so fast that I had to scribble them down so rapidly that they were almost illegible.
The group is made up of three color palettes.
Tea Time Garden: Soft, mossy greens, buttery yellows paired against tangerine and pebble tones. I wanted to use colors that invoked an early afternoon tea party after a morning summer rain when the moss is starting to grow between the cobblestone..
Sunset Garden: Sunset may be my favorite time of the day. The sun is going down, and somehow the setting glow of the sun makes all the colors come alive. Reds are more vibrant, blues are richer and everything has a beautiful golden glow. I wanted to capture that with this group, and I love how it turned out!
(You may notice, the Tea Time and Sunset groups have very interchangeable colors, but really the whole groups is meant to play nicely together!)
Midnight Garden: This group was actually where I started designing the collection. I think I was stressed, and wanted to immerse myself into the quiet colors of the night. When you can only make out the most vibrant of the flowers, and everything has calm, varied shades of blue cast all around. Pops of moonlight here and there which can also make for a lovely stroll through the garden.
I'll be back to share actual samples.. this collection is on a new high density cotton, so it is a higher thread count than my past collections. It is silky to the touch, but is not quite as loose as a voile or lawn. I truly think it is the perfect fabric for this industry, as it crosses apparel, quilting and I even upholstered with it. (Will share soon.)
Stunning! I love all of it! congrats!
Posted by: Lee | June 02, 2011 at 06:42 AM
Love it ALL. You design the most gorgeous fabric, and put together such inspiring palettes, Sandi.
Posted by: Katherine | June 02, 2011 at 06:47 AM
Beautiful! I adore the midnight garden color palettes - so vibrant and alive. This collection really has your signature on it which I love. Congrats to you on all your hard work!
Posted by: Terriaw | June 02, 2011 at 07:22 AM
Gorgeous! I love the colors and patterns and the design inspiration behind them.
Posted by: Lorrie | June 02, 2011 at 07:45 AM
Just so lovely! The colors and prints are wonderful!
Posted by: Tammy W. | June 02, 2011 at 07:45 AM
Welcome back to computer land. Isn't it amazing to see just how much of our days are spent wandring the internet? I KNOW my days are almost always wasted on the internet yet each day I get up and think I'm doing something/ANYTHING other than to play on my computer and yet, here I am once again. As frustrating as it is to have a computer break down, yes, it is a blessing at times although losing everything isn't much fun either.
You new fabrics are simply gorgeous Sandy. I have to say I'm really drawn to the Midnight Garden. Love those colors.
Posted by: VickiT | June 02, 2011 at 07:54 AM
Oh my, such a gorgeous range Sandi! Next time you do a range I would love it if you keep me in mind, I could make you some Jingle Sox from your fabrics and send them over for the Quilt Market display!
Can't wait to get my hands on the Tea Time and the Midnight!! When will it be in etsy stores??
Posted by: Jenny | June 02, 2011 at 08:49 AM
Welcome back to the blogging/internet world. I can echo your comments about time wasted--but I also have to say that I enjoy reading those blogs of my favorites (like yours). I think I also realized, when our computer died one year, how much of my life is digital now--photos, letters, memories, journals. I actually went back to hand-writing in my journal at night after I lost a lot of work on that machine.
Your fabric collection is lovely, as others above me have noted. I admire all the work you do on these collections and they have turned out just lovely. I'll keep checking back for where to buy them, and the dates they'll be available.
Again--congratulations on a beautiful line of fabric!
Elizabeth E.
(P.S. Glad to see the "create" video of our church on your sidebar--it's one of my favorites!)
Posted by: Elizabeth | June 02, 2011 at 09:17 AM
I am falling (quickly!) in love with that midnight garden colorway...
Posted by: Doris | June 02, 2011 at 10:00 AM
Absolutely beautiful Sandi - love the colors - those Freshcut Flower bouquets are so pretty!!
Posted by: Amber | June 02, 2011 at 10:05 AM
wow...how lovely it all is in every color pallet. nice job.
Posted by: charlotte | June 02, 2011 at 11:37 AM
Oh, WOW! These are just beautiful!
Posted by: Tomi Ann | June 02, 2011 at 11:43 AM
It is beautiful, Sandy! Just like you!
Posted by: Amanda Herring | June 02, 2011 at 11:55 AM
You did such a wonderful job capturing the gardens throughout the day. Beautiful! I wish I had a real garden like those fabrics. Amazing fabric collection as always.
Posted by: Christine Davis | June 02, 2011 at 12:04 PM
Love it !!! I always think there is no way I could love your next collection as much as the current one, but once again you have proved me wrong. :) Meadowsweets were delicious and perfect, but Secret Garden is even more so.
So much fun!
Posted by: JennyG | June 02, 2011 at 12:54 PM
I literally gasped when I scrolled down and saw the design. They just took my breath away. So gorgeous!!
Posted by: Kira =] | June 02, 2011 at 01:02 PM
Oh my goodness. Such wonderfulness. When is it due to hit the shelves?
Posted by: jenniffier | June 02, 2011 at 01:17 PM
It's amazing!! I love the coral color in the teatime garden collection.
Posted by: Michelle P | June 02, 2011 at 02:44 PM
Absolutely gorgeous. I want to redecorate my entire house around these fabrics and colors! You are an inspiration, and you have a gift! Thanks for sharing it with us.
Posted by: Angela | June 02, 2011 at 03:16 PM
Sandi - I love love love this collection!
All the colours are so beautiful - I could happily cover every soft furnishing in my house with them.
Congratulations on an amazing job-well-done.
Posted by: Claire - Matching Pegs | June 02, 2011 at 04:48 PM