Well, Clara can go ahead and add fabric designer to her resume. With her 23 month photo in the can (see the full photo project here), it means the next monthly picture in line is the big 2-4… otherwise known as age 2.
And since we concluded her first year of weekly-fabric-backdropped photos…
… with a custom fabric design that we made through Spoonflower by scanning her name drawn out in marker on paper (and tiling it in Photoshop), we though we’d make it a tradition and create more homemade fabric for her second birthday.
We thought about doing something similar with Clara’s name for our she’s-two fabric (perhaps in Sherry’s handwriting instead of mine) since we liked how personalized it felt, but then we realized it could be even more special if we left it to someone else. Enter our latest fabric designing project- it’s a bit more subtle than last year’s but it’s so much more meaningful to us because… Clara drew it herself!
It basically just involved some Clara scribble, photographing said scribble, playing around in Photoshop, and tiling it in Spoonflower, but we’ll get to that in a minute.
It started on Easter afternoon when we broke out a big sheet of paper and some markers and let Clara do her thing:
We gave her an orange and pink marker, since they’re her current favorite colors (and the ones we’re planning to use for her party) but eventually she requested a black one and we handed that over too. Gotta let the artist do her thing.
She was definitely in the zone. Which was good because we were determined not to interfere so the drawing would truly be hers.
And although it might be hard to see them in the final work of art, Clara not only incorporated her party colors – but also her party theme, which is, by her own request: “WORMS!” (the girl is so in love with worms that she regularly tells us she dreams about them and looks out the window and says “Oh, hi worms.”). It’s kind of hilarious.
Here’s the final result… which had us scratching our heads thinking “how exactly is this going to become fabric?” and wondering if maybe we should’ve “assisted” a bit more.
But sometimes you’ve just gotta trust the artist and her “vision.” So I snapped this pic of it straight on (since the paper was too large to scan):
Then using Photoshop we put the design on a plain white background (by upping the contrasting and then selecting and deleting the rest of the background). The black marker sort of turned navy, but we didn’t mind, so we went with it. Still not looking very much like patterned fabric though, is it?
Just like with the first-year fabric, we figured we might be able to make it look more “pattern-like” by repeating it. So we duplicated the layer and began playing around with different ways to tile it in order to make an abstract pattern out of the bean’s masterpiece. Here’s what it looked like when I duplicated the layer once, rotated it 180-degrees, and placed it on top of the original drawing:
Then we took a second copy of the original (also rotating it 180-degrees) and lined it up on the bottom:
Confusing, I know, so here we’ve put a red box around the original rectangle (and two blue boxes around the flipped and shifted ones) so you can hopefully see how they’re layered a little better:
But of course if we want the Spoonflower program to tile the pattern accurately, we had to crop it in a way that it would repeat seamlessly. So I just found an easy reference point for where I could cut it off at the top and bottom, like this:
So here’s what the pattern looks like cropped and without those colored boxes on each section. The alternating orange circles with the navy squiggles and the dark pink splotch were starting to look kinda cool. At least to proud parents like us.
But we’d have to upload it to Spoonflower and see it as a sheet of fabric to really see if were were on to something…
Spoonflower actually gives you a lot of options for resizing and adjusting how your pattern repeats. We didn’t really explore this much in our our last fabric-designing adventure, but here’s just an idea of the different ways you can tile your pattern (the one on the bottom right with the stripe was achieved by adding a bit of white space on each side of our JPG before uploading it to Spoonflower).
After some contemplation we chose the Basic Repeat just like last time (we initially liked Mirror Repeat, but Sherry said it was a bit female-form-ish and once we saw that we couldn’t unsee it – or stop giggling like twelve year olds). So then Basic Repeat became the favorite. It’s kind of ikat-esque, and not obviously kid-scribble until you get closer, which is part of the fun. So we ordered two yards of it for $36 + $3 shipping (for a total of $39) thanks to a discount at checkout for uploading our own design. Yes, it’s still more expensive than our usual fabric budget, but you gotta splurge sometimes, right?
Not only do we plan to use it for the backdrop of her big birthday photo, Sherry wants to sew something memorable with it (along with the Clara fabric from last year) – so we’ll keep you posted on that. She’s already made a birthday banner, a quilt, and a beanbag from other weekly photo fabrics.
Fast forward about a week and our fabric arrived. Woot. These photos don’t really do it justice (it’s bolder/brighter in person), but it’s awesome. It probably won’t be winning any fabric design awards or anything, but it’s the coolest thing we’ve seen in a while.
We have to wait a few more weeks before Clara is officially 24 months old to put it to use for a photo session…
… but Clara decided she couldn’t keep her hands off of her own creation, so we had a little playtime with it in the guest room…
…which turned into a little impromptu photo shoot as well. She liked hiding under it.
And gazing lovingly at her creation.
At one point she even asked to take a nap under her “blanket.”
This is the expression I got when I reminded her that naps involve closed eyes:
Then fabric playtime turned into pillow playtime. And there was some hiding…
…and some spirited “Clara popping out!” (her words, every time it happened).
Receiving her scribble fabric makes us even more excited for Clara to hit the big 2 year mark, though we’re also in disbelief. It seems like just yesterday we were designing fabric for her… and now she’s doing it on her own. Well, sorta.
Anyone else use Spoonflower lately? Or do something else with your son or daughter’s artwork?
Psst- Check out Clara getting her Rihanna on here on Young House Life.
Ahh! That’s so awesome! Wow! Little artist already! Takes after her amazing parents!
Adorable! Love how abstract it turned out. Perhaps Miss Clara is a future designer?? :)
That’s really adorable, you took saving your child’s artwork to a whole new level and I love it! Can’t believe she’s gonna be two! I can’t wait to see what kind of party theme you guys come up with, still going with the bumble bees?
It’s actually going to be “WORMS!” by her request! Haha. Should be fun!
xo,
s
You should mold jello in straws to create jello worms – bumpy parts and all (from the bent part of the straw)!
I saw it once in a Halloween theme party and it looked so real!
Haha, I love that! Two things on our worm-related party list to explore are jello and bendy straws! And gummy worms of course. Haha.
xo,
s
I think you’re going to have a little tomboy on your hands! I love it. :)
Haha, I love that she wants to do “worms” for her birthday party. How funny! You can do the cups of dirt (chocolate pudding with crumbled oreos on top and a gummi worm for good measure) and maybe have the kiddos paint those clay pots!
Love those ideas! We already have about a million worm-theme things on our Possible Party Ideas List! Haha. The worm theme is just so much fun! There will definitely be crushed oreos and gummy worms!
xo,
s
This reminds me of something – you could actually make some dirt pudding (http://mailboxjourney.com/2012/03/06/leprechaun-dirt-pudding/) for her birthday and put gummie worms in it. Just a suggestion, but the pudding its self is really good. and perfect for a dirt base. :)
Oh yes we have that on our Worm Brainstorming list! Haha. Just not sure all the kiddos under 3 (there are lots of them) will be able to eat it without getting too messy for their parents’ comfort. Haha. But we’ll be working “dirt” and gummy worms in there somewhere for sure!
xo,
s
How awesome! She looks so cute having a nap under the fabric that I think the Clara fabric and this one quilted together would look awesome for a little two yard long quilt…. but I’m sure you’ll think up something incredible to do with them!
I really like that whole concept. You’ve got her DIYing at a young age, nice!! I’m concerned our daughter’s first words will be “Lowe’s coupon.” They grow up so fast!
LOL…. I am a labor and delivery nurse… and didn’t get the female-form-ish… until I read it and RELOOKED… y’all are total cracks-ups!! I gotta tell you how much I enjoy your site. When MOST of my internet usage is very heavy with studies, work, and other stressful things… I am thankful for the light side of things when I can laugh at little things such as $herdogg and today’s post. Rock on guys, keep doing what you’re doing.
It’s my favorite site on the entire “internets”
:)
~natalie in oklahoma. <3
Aw thanks so much Natalie! You’re so sweet. Too funny that you didn’t see lady-parts right away. It took me a few minutes and then I couldn’t NOT see them! Haha.
xo,
s
This is awesome! What a cool idea.
Absolutely beautiful. All of it – from Clara’s drawing concentration to the wonder that is Spoonflower to Clara admiring her creation. Thanks for the inspiration.
That is so precious when John is playing with her and then gives her a kiss. And the kiss for Mom was sweet as well. You all are such great parents!! Clara is beautiful.
what will happen for the 2-3 year?!
will you keep up with monthly photos??
Our original plan was to stop at 2, but I’m working on John to get him to go for us doing more monthly pics til she’s three. I don’t want to stop now! Haha.
xo,
s
Keep going each month! How awesome will it be to compile it when she’s older!?
It’s so true! For a few months in the middle of this year she seemed not to like getting her picture taken anymore so we thought we should stop if she wasn’t having fun, but now she loves it again, so I keep saying as long as she loves it we should do it!
xo,
s
love the fabric! a thought for the 2-3 & beyond years …photoshoots every 3 or 6 months, instead of monthly.
Yes, that’s definitely an option too! I just have too much fun fabric shopping every month- and then formulating projects with it. Haha.
xo
s
Please, please, please, John? Pretty please with worms on top?
Haha, he’s grinning. I think he cracked. Score!
xo,
s
Yah! So glad he cracked! I saw an article today about a dad that videotaped his daughter (and son eventually) every week for 12 years and now has a time lapse video. You could do that with your pictures!
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/sci-tech/others/time-lapse-video-shows-dutch-girl-aging-12-years-2-mins-45-secs-685
Oh yeah isn’t that amazing?! Love it!
xo,
s
What a cute idea! I never would have thought of that – even after seeing last years’ fabric. Love her style.
Such a great idea! I can’t wait to see the birthday party recap. It’s hard to believe she’s already two and so sweet and so smart.
Wow, she’s got some talent! The fabric looks fab. By the way Clara has grown so big in the last few months! Think she’s starting to look more like John. :) Advanced wishes for the big 2!
Also loved all the homes from y’day’s post. Love browsing through model homes.
This is just about the cutest idea I’ve ever seen! And I love how enamored she is with it :) And once you’re done with the photo shoot, it will make such a fantastic personal pillow (or whatever). Love, love, love this idea!
That’s awesome!!! Such a wonderful idea to create memories. I can see so many possibilities with this (as I’m sure you are too!). Congrats on the almost 2 year old… they get more and more fun! My little girl is almost 3 and I love her more every day. She’s so amazing!!!
That is such a cool idea. I definitely want to try this some day. Thanks for all the happy Clara photos, she just put a big smile on my face this morning! Congrats on your beautiful creation, sweet girl! :)
Will the monthly photos of her continue? Maybe more of a memory book of asking her questions about her fav stuff and/or a video?
I’m trying to convince John that we should keep going with monthly pics, and a video about her favorite stuff would be really fun!
xo,
s
What an awesome idea! You are so creative! Also, where did you get the pillowcases in your guest room? They’re awesome!
Thanks! Those are from Pottery Barn a while ago. Maybe try ebay if they don’t still sell them?
xo,
s
They are called Woodland Organic. PB still has them but I bet ebay has them too, maybe cheaper.
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/woodland-organic-duvet-cover-sham/?catalogId=69&bnrid=3380801&cm_ven=Google%20Base&cm_cat=Shopping&cm_pla=Feed&cm_ite=Google%20Base-5202924
Wahoo! Thanks for the tip Keisha!
xo,
s
I love those shams, and they are organic which makes me happy… they are still on the pottery barn website! ON SALE too!!! http://www.potterybarn.com/products/woodland-organic-duvet-cover-sham/?pkey=cpatterned-duvet-covers-shams
Yay! Thanks for sharing the link!
xo,
s
Clara is so adorable!
This was such a cute idea! I love how enthusiastic she is about worms (from a fellow worm-lover, yes I’m 28, so?)
I still say “Hi worm” to worms I see outside all of the time. Although I’m super weird and pretty much say hi to everything, even my food.
My boss will never let me live down the day he was walking past my desk during lunch and heard me say “Hello Jello.”
Hahahahahhhah. Gotta love your two word freestyle jello rap. To me, that’s what it was. Let’s call a spade a spade.
xo,
s
That is GENIUS! What a wonderful momento for her as she grows up too! Can’t you just see her using the DIY genes she’s been handed and make a few throw pillows for her couch in her first apartment! :)
Haha, I would love if our little bean grew up to be a DIYer!
xo,
s
So adorable! Love the custom fabric for birthdays idea!
What a cute idea! Clara must be the youngest diy-er ever!
Haha this will be one of your many projects that I forward to my SIL for when her babies are born this summer! (When you don’t have your own is that time you become the crazy aunt…)
Do you guys have any particular way you store/display the rest of Clara’s artwork?
We frame some of our favorites in her room and the hallway frame wall. We also plan to scan some into a photo book that we make every year (it’s sort of like our family yearbook).
xo,
s
One of my favorite things is the Jackson Pollack-esque painting in my daughters bathroom. Inspired by reading Olivia and how she tried to create her own painting on the wall after coming home from the art museum. I painted a big canvas, then gave my 3 year old different colors of paint squeeze bottles and she went to town.
It’s amazing and definitely one of my favorite pieces of art in the house.
That’s amazing!!
xo
s
Such a great idea! What a little artist :)
Cara
She is just the sweetest kid ever, love those videos!
So inspiring, what a brillant idea! My girl has been experimenting some with watercolors, I could totally see that as fabric!
Just be careful. She might start drawing on all types of fabric since she knows she “drew” on that piece and was applauded for it.
Thanks for the warning Amy! She actually didn’t draw on the fabric, she drew on paper on her coloring desk (which is the only place we give her markers, when we can supervise her) and then we had it printed on a fabric!
xo,
s
Amazing! I love the fabric. She’s such a cutie pie. It’s so funny that she loves worms of all things – you have a tomboy on your hands!
Haha, I know, right? She loves so many “cuddlier” animals (bunnies, monkeys, cows, pigs, giraffes) but for some reason she just adores worms!
xo,
s
I love that she got to create the pattern.
Have you seen this video of this little girl from birth to 12 years old? Her dad took video of her weekly and edited it together. You should keep up the pics w/Clara so you can do something like this someday.
Oh yes it’s amazing! We love that she’s talking the whole time. Haha. So cute!
xo,
s
That video of John and Clara just melted my heart! There is nothing sweeter than daddies with their babies :-)
I just LOVE this idea and am so glad you introduced me to Spoonflower! I have been meaning to try making my own since last year when you posted the “Clara” fabric!
I have always LOVED the pillowcases in your guest room. Where are they from? Not like I could get them like 5 years later, but still.
Those are from Pottery Barn but they might still be on ebay or amazon.com- we see them sometimes! Fingers crossed for you!
xo,
s
oh my goodness, clara’s love of worms might be the most endearing thing on the internet today! can’t wait to see what you guys cook up for her party!
That is such a cute and meaningful idea! I love it! I love the Clara Photo Project in general! It’s such a sweet way to track her growth!
So cool! When I was younger, my mom would take some of my drawings and put them on a basic white T using an iron-on transfer. I got some pretty cool shirts (well, for a 5 year old) that I completely wore out!
So cute!!
xo,
s
Okay that is great. Parents of the year award. In all seriousness, I am not a Photoshop wizard so creating that repeat looks like magic to me!
Aw thanks Ann! I bet any scribble could be uploaded right to Spoonflower since they give you those tiling options there- or you could try cropping it in something like Word (or some other photo editing software) to make it a square so it has sort of a tiled/quilted look. I think Gimp is a free one you can download. Hope it helps!
xo
s
What a great idea to make fabric from kid scribbles! I can imagine making a pillowcase or a duvet cover from the fabric…
If Sherry is into quilting or has a friend who is an avid quilter, there is a quilt in the making! I made an appliqued bumper pad for our first and it continued to be used for all three. When our youngest went off to kindergarten, I remade it into a blanket for naptime!
So cute! I actually made her a quilt for her first birthday and it was so much fun! Trying to think of other things to make- maybe pillows for her big girl bed when she ends up in one someday?
xo,
s
I can’t believe she’s turning 2! I still remember reading that Sherry was prego! Such a sweet girl.
Holy moly, Spoonflower is awesome! Now I want to start coloring! This could be really dangerous…
What a precious and fun idea!
We just celebrated my daughter’s first birthday at the beginning of the month with a pink, orange and grey pinwheel party. I love the color combination! We also used Spoonflower to make fabric that coordinated with the graphics I used on the invitation. I love this idea though. And I have a drawing of a rainbow my three-year-old did scanned and currently serving as my computer’s wallpaper, so…I have a project for the afternoon, I think!
That sounds amazing!
xo,
s
I love seeing pictures and video of Clara. She is so cute! That fabric will be special for years to come. Hopefully I can be as creative for my daughter’s birthdays.
How cute! The little lefty!
Leftie power! Haha. So proud of my little leftie.
xo,
s
Sherry – You should make her a little shirt/tank for her bday party! It looks like the colors match the cute yellow pants she already has. The photo of her wearing the fabric on her head with her yellow pants peaking out underneath looks so cute together!
Aw, that’s true. Cute idea!
xo,
s
What a gift for Clara! When she’s older I bet that fabric will be one of her prized possessions, whatever it turns into. By the way, I love that velvet pillow in your guest room. Do you have a source for that?
That long blue pillow is from Marshall’s or HomeGoods a few years back! Hope it helps!
xo,
s
What a special set of sheets. I absolutely love it! I need to do that with my daughter. ; )
xoxo
Kristin
such a neat idea!!!
This is so creative and cool. Way to go baby P
OK – I cannot get over her sweet little intensity as she’s drawing with her markers. That made it for me :) You guys are so flippin’ clever – this is the cutest