Surfing Contest

Surfing...something of which I know nothing about!  I am from Kansas enough said.  There we have puddles, ponds and lakes. However, I am human and can surely appreciate the ocean that I seldom get to see.  For this next Spoonflower contest we were given a restricted color palette and for me that is always a challenge.

With almost every design I sit with my children around a brainstorming table.  I share the theme of the contest and then everyone starts shouting out their ideas.  Now you know my little secret. :)  When I told them about the Surfing Contest the eight year old said..."Bunnies on surfboards!" Then the five year old said..."Orange shark fins!"  Her favorite color is orange.  Perfect I thought since there happens to be an orangish color in the restricted palette.  All ideas get written down because you never know when you might one day get inspired to create such things as bunnies on surfboards.  I love the way kids think.  Without further ado here is my design for the Surfing Contest titled Fins & Boards.

  

Fins & Boards at Society6

The Surfing Contest at Spoonflower will begin on Thursday, June 5th.  Would love to get your vote if you like my design!  Click here to vote for your favorites.  

Mustache Waves

This is my design titled Mustache Waves for the Beards and Mustaches Contest at Spoonflower.  It is nearly summer and it's raining buckets here, and under all of this water I just felt inspired to create a nautical design celebrating facial hair.  Why not? :)

Mustache Waves at Spoonflower

Mustache Waves at Society6

If you would like to vote in the Beards and Mustaches Contest please click here.  You do not have to be a member to vote and you can vote for as many as you like.  I would be thrilled to have your vote if you like my hairy design. :)

Wooden Wonders

 A new contest at Spoonflower that celebrates our beloved utensils!  My design is titled Wooden Wonders.  I chose to focus on those wonderful wooden treasures.  I felt this post at The Reluctant Gourmet about wooden spoons says it all.  Click here if you would like to check it out.  In this post he talks about why cooking with a wooden spoon is such an important utensil and why recipes actually call for stirring with them.  I always wondered and now I know.

Wooden Wonders at Spoonflower

This is the fabric design at my shop at Spoonflower.  With the right kind of material that Spoonflower has to offer this could be made into aprons, potholders, kitchen curtains and more.

Wooden Wonders at Society6

Check out Wooden Wonders at my shop at Society6!  I have this for sale as a rug that would be perfect for the kitchen! 

This contest is closed.  Wooden Wonders got 140 votes!  Thanks to all who voted for this design.  I appreciate it so very much.  If you would like to see where your favorites placed please click here.

Monster Photo Booth

A new contest at Spoonflower that involves crayons!  The process of creating this design also involved my 8, 5 and 2 year old too.  I was just going to draw scattered monsters and then my 5 year old said that she felt the monster should have a mustache.  Then the idea of monsters in a photo booth was created.  I drew the monsters and the photo booth props separately and watched as the kids, with much consideration, chose the best prop for each monster.  My favorite part in the creation of this design was just sitting back and watching my kids have fun.  

Monster Photo Booth at Spoonflower

Monster Photo Booth at Society6

My little monsters!

This contest is closed.  Monster Photo Booth got 60 votes!  Thanks to everyone who voted for this design.  I appreciate the support so much!  If you would like to see where your favorites placed please click here.

Water Lilies

This is my design for the Lilies Contest at Spoonflower.  My piece is titled Water Lilies.  

Water Lilies at Society6

Water Lilies at Spoonflower

This contest is closed.  Water Lilies got 151 votes!  Thank you so much for all of the great support!  If you would like to see where your favorites placed please click here.

Paper Quilt

This was such a fun project for the kids!!  I got this idea from a talented designer at Spoonflower named Diane Frazier.  You can check out her shop of beautiful, fun and unique fabric designs here at dianef.  She's from Kansas just like me!  She had her son do this wonderful paper quilt and posted it on Facebook.  She also has his paper quilt for sale as a fabric design that you can purchase at her shop.  Check out his wonderful design titled Child's Play.  I couldn't wait to try this out with my own kids.

Here's how to make a Paper Quilt:

Materials

•  Large piece of foam poster board
•  Strathmore Bristol Vellum Surface 20 sheets
   (card stock paper or any kind of heavy paper will do)
•  Washable markers
•  Scissors
•  Glue sticks

Instructions

1.  First cut 20 - 4" by 4" square sheets.  Then on a protected surface color each square with the washable markers.

2.  After each square is colored with the markers now cut each square into 4 - 2" by 2" smaller squares to make a total of 80 squares.

3.  Put the foam poster board on the table and get your glue sticks and your 80 - 2" by 2" squares and place them on the poster board until the paper quilt is the way you want it to be.  Then start gluing down the squares with the glue sticks onto the foam poster board. 

4.  After the squares have dried to the foam poster board cut the poster board around the edges.  Now you have a lovely paper quilt.

5.  We haven't done this step yet but we can't wait.  Go to a flea market or Goodwill store and purchase a frame to paint any color that would go best with your paper quilt.  Hang the quilt to the wall and then place the frame around the quilt to showcase your art.

Here are the kids proudly showing off their work.

  

This was such a great activity for the kids because it did teach them the process of quilting.  After some time passed of placing the squares to glue them down they could tell which ones would compliment each other and which ones would not as much.  Now we have a box full of theme ideas for our next paper quilt.  Flowers, foods, shapes, my leftover gelli arts and animals to name a few!           

Little Toy Airplanes

If you are in the Chicago area be sure to check out the production of The Little Prince by the Lookingglass Theatre Company in Chicago, Illinois!  I so would if I could!  I was blessed with the experience to work with their amazing costume design team on a fabric design I created called Little Toy Airplanes on White.  Click on Lookingglass Theatre to get more information about this fabulous show!  The Little Prince has been extended to March 16th.  On their site you can see 32 photographs taken of the production along with fabulous sketches of the characters created by the very talented Sally Dolembo.  This was an experience I will never forget!  Thank you to the Lookingglass Theatre Company for this incredible opportunity!

The Little Prince performed by The Lookinglass Theatre in Chicago, Illinois!

Here is the children's book I wrote titled It's A Full Moon Tonight.  

This book also inspired my toy airplane fabric designs.

It's A Full Moon Tonight by Tara McGowan

Both fabric designs are currently for sale at my shop at Spoonflower!

 Little Toy Airplanes on White by Art Tree Designs

Little Toy Airplanes by Art Tree Designs

You can also purchase 

Little Toy Airplanes on White at my shop at Society6!

Little Toy Airplanes on White Throw Pillow by Art Tree Designs

Thank you so much for checking out Art Tree Designs Blog!

2014 Tea Towel Calendar

A new contest at Spoonflower called the 2014 Tea Towel Calendars Contest has begun.  This year for my entry I created a Dala horse design. After I entered the contest it was brought to my attention by a very talented designer at Spoonflower named Rhonda Designs that 2014 is the year of the Wood Horse in Chinese Astrology.  I thought that was so cool and such a great coincidence.  

I have always loved Scandinavian artwork and my design was also inspired by a post from a blog that I love to follow called Silver Shoes & Rabbit Holes. In this post Danzel writes about her trip to Lindsborg, Kansas also known as Little Sweden U.S.A. If you would like to read her post and see her fabulous and enchanting pictures of the festival she attended that inspired my design please click on Midsummer's Festival! Let's Pretend to Be Swedish!  She also has two other fun posts to check out titled St. Lucia Day in Kansas and Happy Midsummer!  If you have never heard of Silver Shoes & Rabbit Holes before you must check it out! Your inner child will be glad that you did! :)

Here is my tea towel design titled 2014 Horses & Birds.

2014 Horses & Birds

Dala Horses at Society6

If you would like to vote in the 2014 Tea Towel Calendars Contest at Spoonflower please click here.  You do not have to be a member to vote and you can vote for as many as you like.  I would love to have your vote if you like my design!

Spooktacular!

The Ghosts Contest has begun at Spoonflower!  Here is my design titled Spooktacular.  I really love the fun and playful side of Halloween.    

Spooktacular 

If you would like to vote in the Ghosts Contest please click here. You do not have to be a member to vote and you can vote for as many ghostly designs as you like.  I would love your vote if you like my design!

Happy Halloween Collection at Society6

Free Shipping thru Sunday, worldwide!  

Excludes Framed Art Prints, Stretched Canvases and Throw Pillows with inserts.

Also check out my silly  Halloween book that I created at Bookemon.  

Happy Jack, Happy Jack! 

Wishing you all a very safe and Happy Halloween!

Oh My, Cherry Pie!

This is my design for the Pie Contest at Spoonflower.  I really wanted to create a retro theme.  I love retro in the kitchen!

Oh My, Cherry Pie!

Oh My, Cherry Pie! at Society6

Cherry Pies on Black at Society6

Cherry Pie Collection at Society6

If you would like to vote in the Pie Contest at Spoonflower please click here.  There are so many delicious pie designs to check out in this one! You do not have to be a member to vote and you can vote for as many as you like.  Would love your vote if you like my retro pie design!  I guarantee this contest will make you hungry for a slice of yummy pie! :)

This contest has closed!  

Thank you to everyone who voted for my cherry pie design!

Mad For Mod Collection

Introducing the Mad For Mod Collection! Please click here to check out the new mod designs by Art Tree Designs at Society6.

  

New Tote Bags at Society6!

Yay!  Yay!  Hooray!  Society6 is now selling super cute tote bags!  Before it was always our design in a little square smack dab in the middle.  Now our design is featured on the entire bag on both sides! Makes for a cute tote for school, the library, out shopping, the beach and more!  Please click here to check out my shop at Society6 to see all the fab new bags for sale.

  

Tote Bags at Society6 by Art Tree Designs

Art Tree Designs One Yard Giveaway!

Art Tree Designs is having a One Yard Giveaway on Facebook!  Go to Art Tree Designs Facebook Page and leave a comment on the One Yard Giveaway Post!  You will be entered in the drawing that will be held on Friday, October 4th at 5:00 pm central time! Follow us on Facebook too! We would love to see you there! :)

Art Tree Designs Facebook Page!

Don't be late!  Enter now!  One lucky winner will win a yard of my fabric.  If you would like to check out the designs at my shop at Spoonflower please click here. Be sure to check out all of the designs at my Shop Home and all of my designs in my Designs Not For Sale!  Yippee!  I love giveaways! :)

This giveaway has ended!  Thank you to everyone who participated and be sure to stay tuned for the next giveaway coming soon!  

Stargazing Night Owls

A new contest at Spoonflower has begun!  It is the Constellations Contest.  For all you stargazing lovers out there this will be right up your alley!  My piece is titled Stargazing Night Owls.

Stargazing Night Owls

Stargazing Night Owls Throw Pillow

Lots of lovely starry night designs in this contest! I would love your vote if you like my design. :)

The Constellations Contest has ended.  Thank you to everyone who voted for Stargazing Night Owls.  

Dinosaur Days

I just want to thank everyone who voted for me in the Dinosaur Contest at Spoonflower.  For the first time ever I made it to the top ten!!  I am so thrilled!  This is my piece titled Dinosaur Days that is currently for sale at my shop at Spoonflower.

Dinosaur Days

The top ten designs!

Dinosaur Days is also for sale at my shop at Society6!  Here is the throw pillow that is currently for sale in my shop!

Dinosaur Days Throw Pillow

Thanks again to everyone who has been there supporting me through this adventure.  I couldn't have made it without all of you!

Fireflies

It's a new week and a new contest at Spoonflower.  This week's contest is Fireflies.  Here is my mod style design titled Synchronized Fireflies.

Synchronized Fireflies

Synchronized Fireflies Throw Pillow

Come to think of it, I haven't seen a single firefly this summer.  Hope you all have been lucky enough to see them flutter about in the night sky!  That's always such a magical experience.  I've seen plenty of mosquitoes this summer though.  So glad this contest isn't about mosquitoes!  Yuck! :)  

Strawberry Rice Flour Pancakes

One word!  YUM!  

Strawberry Rice Flour Pancakes

1 cup rice flour (Bob's Red Mill Stone Ground White Rice Flour)
2 squirts of 100% pure raw & unfiltered honey (Nature Nate's) 
2 teaspoons of aluminum free baking powder (Rumford Reduced Sodium)
1/2 teaspoon of sea salt (Celtic Sea Salt Fine Ground)
1 egg
1 cup of milk
2 teaspoons of melted coconut oil (Spectrum Organic Virgin Coconut Oil Unrefined)
handful of sliced organic strawberries

Mix rice flour, baking powder and salt with a whisk.  Add milk, egg, oil and honey.  Whisk until smooth.  Let sit for about 10 minutes.  Add the sliced strawberries.  The strawberries will sink to the bottom of the bowl so be sure to scoop some out each time you pour a new pancake.  Heat the griddle with coconut oil.  The pancakes will soak up the oil so you will have to repeat this part when you are ready to flip the pancakes over.  

Top with butter and maple syrup and enjoy!  Our favorite maple syrup is Coomb's Family Farms Organic Maple Syrup Grade B.  

This recipe goes great with blueberries too.  We have also made this recipe with delicious chocolate chips (Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Chocolate Mini Chip dairy, nut & soy free). 

Farmers Market

This week's contest at Spoonflower is the Farmers Market Contest.  My piece is titled Sweet Taste of Summer.  Every summer we would visit my Grandparents in Iowa.  My Grandfather grew his own juicy tomatoes that we ate like apples.  My favorite was a plate of Grandpa's tomatoes, buttery Iowa sweet corn, Anderson Erickson cottage cheese and a slice of watermelon.  To me that was truly the sweet taste of summer.

Sweet Taste of Summer

  

 

Hope you all are out there enjoying the Farmers Markets in your areas.  Support your local farms and thank a farmer!

 

Live.  Laugh.  Farm.  :)   

   

Mod Wallpaper

This week's contest at Spoonflower is the Mod Wallpaper Contest.  I titled my design Mod Shells.  I'm in such a beachy mood :) all of the time that my designs are starting to reflect that.  I'm also not a very big fan of wallpaper so wanted to try my best to create something that wasn't over the top and would be soothing to the eye.  This particular color of green has always been very calming to me. 

The Mod Shells design can be found at my shop at 

Society6 and at Spoonflower.

 

Fabric8: Geek Chic Semi Finals

This week's Spoonflower contest is the Fabric8:  Geek Chic Semi Finals Contest!  I am not in this contest but wanted to share with you three very talented designers who made it into the Semi Finals!  These three designers along with 97 others will have the opportunity to make it to the next round which is the Final 8!   The winner of that contest will be offered a contract with Robert Kaufman Fabrics.  So let's help these fab designers get to the Final 8!

Modern Geek by Ottomanbrim

Geek Garden by Demouse

Bow Tie by Akwaflorell

Voting has ended for this contest.