Back in January, Simplicty contacted me about publishing some of my patterns. Exciting, right?? The first group of patterns to be published are the Art Caddy, the Hobo Lunch Sak and the Love Your Lunch Box…
For my part, I was to provide samples of these patterns in coordinating, bright fabrics. I choose a mixture of Dena Designs fabrics which look great in a group- not too matchy but still great colors and cool prints. Honestly, choosing fabrics is not my strong suit, so, even though I have known about my deadlines for making these sample for months, I labored over this fabric choice. What would best represent my work??! It turns out that this line (actually a mixture of several of Dena's lines) was one of the first I liked and I should have just gone with my gut in the first place!
Simplicity asked for a version of the art caddy that was for kids and one for adults. The butterfly one is for kids since the front pocket has divisions for crayons. I tried to fill the pink one with adult craft products to show for this photo but frankly, I have so much darn stuff the choosing of what to put in there got me all upset at myself for having too much junk that I decided to just photograph it empty. You understand, right?? The art caddy takes awhile to make with all the layers but I always like how simply it comes together and what a sturdy carrier it makes!
The Hobo Lunch Sak samples are one in regular size (which is a spacious size lunch bag) with insulbright batting and the other is a larger version with just a flannel lining. The larger one could still be for lunch but also used just as a simple but stylish purse. I usesd a flannel lining to add a little weight but kept it soft too.
And finally, they wanted a Love Your Lunch Box and a snack bag. I have made this lunch box so many times, I think I could do it in my sleep! There is something so fun about this fabric- maybe I'll start using more blues and greens instead of so much pink?? Hmmm. Old habits die hard…
I am thrilled to be working with Simplicity! I will continue to my own thing here online and with my own shop but now I have a paper partner. They have been wonderful and I am so excited to see how they will publish the patterns. They basically rewrite my instuctions into their own pattern "language" which also interests me quite a bit. The patterns will not be out for quite awhile but I will let you know when you can find them at your local store!
