freebies // The 2013 Designer Calendar :: April

It's still freezing in Milan, and I'm about to order Nature to let Spring play free and delight us with its warmer temperatures and pretty flowers. In the meanwhile, let's warm our senses with April's gorgeous Designer Calendar freebie designed by the great Onneke. 

Onneke is one of my favourite designers… I just love the simplicity and playfulness of her work! Her motifs are memorable, modern and whimsical, and are always able to make me smile :)

download

About Onneke:

"My name is Onneke and I am a surface pattern designer and illustrator. I'm Dutch but have lived in the UK for the last 10 years. I make illustrations, patterns, personalised prints (like family trees, birth and wedding prints) and I also design cross stitch kits.

I have always believed that it's the small things that make us happy. Like letters in airmail envelopes with stamps from far away places. Cups of jasmine tea. Old books and vintage wallpapers. The sound of an old typewriter and the smell of ink. I love simple strong images that become like symbols and I love birds, and trees, and my little home sweet home. I have two beautiful children who inspire me with their brilliant ideas and always remind me of what is really important. When I'm not in the studio you can find me on the beach, out in the fields, or at my messy table with my sketchbook or a little cross stitch project."

Her quirky detail:

"I have two lovely cats who always join me in my studio. One likes to sit as close to my computer as he can get and is known as the Supervisor."

Her favourite Designer:

"My favourite surface pattern designer and illustrator is the amazing Ingela Arrhenius from Sweden. I'm also a big fan of the work of Lotta Jansdotter."

You can download April here or clicking on the download link below the image above, and remember, it can be printed as big as an A3 format (42x29.7cm / 16.5x11.7in). Don't forget to visit Onneke's portfolio to see more of her lovely work.

licensing // MaJoBV for Artscase

Hi everyone,

Finally I can share the great news with you: I've signed my first licensing deal, yaaaaay! Nine of my designs now decorate Artscase's fab iPhone 4/4s cases. I would like to thank the Artscase family for welcoming me to their creative world. I'm really excited and happy to be working with them, and can only hope for my brand new cases to become bestsellers (hehehe). If you like them or know someone who would, share the joyous news :) In case you are interested, you can get the cases here.

contests // DIYcouture :: exotic frog scales

exotic frog scales designed by 2013 © Maria José Bautista V

exotic frog scales {mock-up} designed by 2013 © Maria José Bautista V
(mock-up template courtesy of DIYcouture)

Time for a fashion contest. 

DIYcouture's brief made me wonder of an adventurous exploration of the deep sea and the dense Colombian rainforest. And it is there… among the unique Colombian fauna that I found myself lost in the bright colours and patterns of our many exotic frog species. I had my colour and pattern inspiration when it occurred to me that I could use one more: a repeat inspiration. Shark skin came immediately to mind, especially its particular structure (that I had studied once many years ago while in my bionic design lecture). 

Here it is how I imagine my exotic scale frog would look like…what do you think? 

Please, check my entry in facebook, and don't forget to LIKE it and leave a comment. Thanks! 

101 florals // succulent animal plant (or print?)

succulent animal plant (or print?) designed by 2013 © Maria José Bautista V

A while back I noticed the talented Nicky Ovitt (one of the other designers participating in REPEAT(ed)) had a 101 florals badge on her blog. I was curious to know what it was, and discovered a fantastic collaborative project started by Llew Mejia and Lindsay Nohl where flowers (plants in general) are the main subject of inspiration. I emailed Llew and asked him if I could join their floral quest and he said yes! The design above is my first entry. It was inspired by Fenestraria (a very cute succulent plant). 

Read more about my design and see a detailed view of it here, and don't forget to peek around the blog to discover other great designs. 

contests // auf wiedersehen REPEAT(ed) :(

Today's been a heartbreaking day: I got eliminated from REPEAT(ed). Yes, totally unexpected (especially after all the positive feedback I got). I'm really sorry my journey has been cut short, but I'm truly grateful to Ellen and Madeleine for the great opportunity they gave me (I just wish I had had the time to show you more of what I can do). I also feel very proud to have been among the other 9 talented designers. I'm happy I've met you all and I hope we'll keep on building and nurturing our creative friendship. 

I would like to thank the judges of the first challenge, Michele, Kim and Rashida, and REPEAT(ed) creators Ellen and Madeleine for the wonderful feedback. My journey was short but very valuable and a true learning experience. It's been enriching. 

In spite of the grey day (literally), I got to finally finish Lilla Roger's amazing book (review will be coming soon), and I found the wonderful quote above that filled my evening with hope. Thank you Lilla's mom for such encouraging words.