Far Far Away Part 2: what didn't make the cut.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 01:34PM The problem with this post, from the get go, is that I am not entirely sure why certain prints get scrapped. In the case of this first print, newspaper boats, I thought it was a sure thing. It was meant as a complimentary print for the Owl and The Pussycat (which is part of the final collection, but not in the gray color pictured here) but I thought it stood up pretty well on its own. I, however, am not the expert on what will sell, much less what will sell in Japan. I actually really want newspaper boats on wallpaper.... I need to work on that. Meantime, I am adding this print plus a few more to my collection of Keds sneakers over at Zazzle.
In the case of the next two prints, the problem was a little more obvious. My Snow White print became one of those huge, over developed prints that nearly killed me. I got a little too caught up in the story. The artwork is so big, in fact, that I have to show it to you in three swatches. First, my little lumberjack dwarves:
Next, my overly tragic Snow White. I liked the image of her getting woken up on the forest floor, the morning after the woodsman lets her run away into the dark forest. The idea for this artwork came from my husband. I tend to wake up grouchy, with an anxious cat and dog staring me down. When I do finally get up they follow me around the house until I feed them. TC likes to say that this little scene reminds him of Snow White, except with more profanity.
One of the problems with this artwork is that I spent so much time on it that I started to hate it a little, and then I couldn't figure out what to make as a complimentary design. I liked the idea of making a print that showed all of the laundry that Snow White would have to do if she moved in with the dwarves. Brooke eventually talked me out of an underwear-based design (she is often the voice of reason) and Denyse was the one that thought that Snow's bra and undies would likely have little apples on them.
and then, of course, I realized that the underwear would only make sense if they showed up in the print as well.
It was well past deadline when I realized that I still had a weeks worth of work trying to get the repeat to look right, so I put the group on hold. I can't say for sure that Snow White will end up on fabric, but I think you will likely see her again.
Meantime, her underpants, along with all of that awful laundry, are now gracing Keds sneakers over at my zazzle store.
Reader Comments (36)
These are wonderful - any chance that the children's books you're working on will include some Snow White action?
... you are too too too very funny ... adore those prints ... we want more more more ... happy days ... smooches to lobo ...
paper boats RAWK!!!! all i'm saying. :)
I love these prints! I love hearing the story/development behind them too. I think my favorite is the tragic snow white, but I love the underwear strung through the trees too. So girly and silly and fun.
I absolutely love the dwarves and the apple underwear. And I certainly would have bought the newspaper boats (what were they thinking?), but then again, I don't live in Japan.
OMG I absolutely adore the little red riding hood prints, and those hats, well those would be awesome done in boy colors for a little boy. I can so see a cute pair of pajamas for my little man in that fabric.
We love your fabrics and can't wait to see them in our hands!
Those are all adorable!! I don't know about Japan, but they'd go like crazy here :)
please, please please don't let snow white go away! I love everything about it! especially the underwear. can't wait for the collection to arrive in stores.
I love them all! Maybe you should just put together a book of ALL your designs. I would look through it all the time.
p.s. I've spent the better part of today looking for the crickets and I've only found 1. I guess that's good, but not enterable. Oh well. Whoever wins will deserve it!
Oh I just LOVE the dwarves in the woods print! Scrap Snow White and just go ahead with 7 dwarves. :)
wak, so CUTE! how DO they know what will sell? bah. wish I liked Keds...
Oh, I LOVE the newspaper boats. Boo on whoever nixed the idea! Sleeping beauty with "more profanity!" That cracks me up. At least that means he thinks you are a "Beauty" 8-)
Poo! I can't believe I said Sleeping Beauty instead of Snow White! But, you know what I meant! 8-)
oh my goodness - the forest scenes are just killing me with all the cuteness! I love the little house in the tree - so cute!
I would be very happy with some prints for the wall? Could you ever do that? They would make wonderful wall art
Hahhhh!!! How funny thinking about their "unders" - I like the way you think - and Denyse's idea they would have apples on them...!
Wonderful prints! Will these fabrics (and Percy as well) be available for purchase at Spoonflower?
LOVE, love, love the dwarves - soooooo cute! :-)
The forest scenes will need to come back in the future.. no question about it. I still love them.. "the cottage full of charm and laundry"? You have a funny little mind Heather!!
waitwaitwait. you're saying that the newspaper boats AND the owl and the pussycat in that colorway didn't make the cut? Noooooooooooo!!!! those were my two FAVORITES!!! what would we need to do to convince you to print those on Spoonflower? Beg? Plead? Shower you with handmade crafty gifts? Chocolate? Seriously. No, SERIOUSLY.
I have a major case of the sads that these didn't make it into the final line. Any chance of making the newspaper boat keds available for adults?
Oh I almost forgot about your honey bears! I can't imagine why these designs would be passed up!!!! Oh please Spoonflower pretty please :o)
Love the newspaper boats, that plus the owl and pussycat would have made a lovely set of coordinates for boys. I have three young boys and that laundry cracked me up. I always try to make sure there is something of mine in the whole washer full of corduroy pants or striped pajamas. I feel like Snow White! Very sorry to hear about Percy...I wish I could help...I was in medical school for 7 years and had a pile of kids and my stash is now just beginning to grow...with a little more time to sew! So, I didn;t see Percy before now...he would be lovely on fabric too, the boys love any and all semi- realistic animals on fabrics. I sew all their clothes and would love to have some more fun boy options! katja
We LOVE paper boats! :) You couldn't have done it better. In fact, we would love to purchase this and make curtains out of it. So wonderful!
I love that you are thinking of other ideas for the prints that didn't make the cut!! Love them!!!