I love designing floral patterns and this week’s Spoonflower challenge, Retro Floral had me going all over the place. I ended up creating three designs in a number of colorways and then put myself in the same position I had last week…which one to enter!

It is dark stormy day here in Chicago so I have ended up going for the most colorful and cheerful design- aptly named Brightly Floral

Voting will take place on a curtain panel this week, so here it is mocked up

Oh and here were the other contenders

Having been doing the Spoonflower challenged religiously for the past 2.5 years it is a bit surprising to me that prompts are repeated. In April 2021 we had a prompt for intergalactic adventures and this week the prompt is Space exploration … it really is the same thing. As a result I got a bit bogged down in what to create and ended up designing three completely different concepts.

But that is part of the challenge, right!

I ended up going with with ” Welcome Earthling“

and just in case you were wondering here were the other contenders. I actually love the Pis in space one… complete with a Big Bad Wolf in a rocket! All designs are for sale in my Spoonflower shop and part of the Outer Space collection

Dark Academia is the prompt for this week’s Spoonflower challenge and I have to say this didn’t initially fill me with any sort enthusiasm. But once I got going this design flew out of me – I love it when that happens! Books, manuscripts, quills and ink pots. Throw in some crows, gothic windows and fleur de lis and hey presto,you have a Gothic Library!

Gothic Library

Gosh I am not really a fan of the 1970’s design aesthetic so was not super excited to design anything for this week’s spoonflower challenge – 1970’s Throw Pillows. But as I have committed to enter every single challenge I am not about to bow out and give up on a prompt that doesn’t speak to me.

I went for a groovy floral look

Groovy Floral

So this week’s Spoonflower challenge prompt is cheerful checks and to start with I designed a pretty standard watercolor check. As lovely as it is, when I went back a re-read the blurb that goes with the challenge it says “This week the rule is simple: include checks in your design that would make anyone smile”. Ding…I decided my original design was too boring so set about something that really made me smile.

Sausage Dog Coat Check

Sausage Dog Checks

I also did a version without the checked background

Kidult, the prompt for this week’s design challenge and a new word for me. Kidulting is defined as adults recreating childhood experiences by participating in activities generally considered for children. Who says you have to grow up!

As a kid I used to love “making things” and let’s face it not much has changed in that department, just check out CreativeinChicago.com and you will see what I mean! A cardboard box held so much potential and I could never let an empty toilet roll go to waste … and that was my inspiration for this week’s, let’s face it, wacky design.

Toilet Roll Animals

I also created some coordinating prints!

Shop the collection

Hissterical Snakes is the prompt for this week’s Spoonflower challenge and I have to say I am not a great fan of slithery snakey creatures. It may have something to do with nearly treading on a coiled up Copper Head who was having a good time on my compost heap many years ago!

But I chose to put that encounter aside when I was designing my entry and thought even snakes need love too!

Snake Love

I even rustled up a couple of little coordinates too

Shop Snake Love Collections

The Spoonflower challenge this week is “Joyful Jungle” and the thought of Zip lining through a sumptuous green jungle canopy is my idea of having a fabulous joyous time!

Jungle Zip Lining

I have to say the prompt for this week’s Spoonflower challenge “Disco Revival” found me in that nightmare scenario any designer dreads – CREATIVE BLOCK. It happens , thankfully not too often but I really hate it when it does. I dabbled around with a cat design and hated it, I mucked around with light designs and sank into despair. Then I put on some Bee Gees really loud and danced like an idiot in my studio and this happened.

Disco Beat!

It’s brash and bold and completely outside my comfort zone but I am going for it!