New Web Site!

For a while I've been wanting to redesign my web site to a clean interface that showcases more of my work. It also seemed like a logical time to revisit my branding to call my business by my own name and phase out of Shindig Design Studio.

I'm thrilled to announce my new site now live! It also has a blog function, so I'll be blogging over there from now on. Have a look and let me know what you think!

shannonhays.com

Goodnight Moon Collection

I love happy surprises in my inbox. This week I received a lovely email from Maria Kinsella with a photo of the beautiful quilt she made from my Goodnight Moon fabric. Looks like she lives in a dreamy location too!

I decided it was time to add a few coordinates to round out the collection for those who like to sew. These designs will be available in my Spoonflower shop shortly.

So Long Summer!

This little pattern pretty much sums up my summer. Lots of sunny days with my favorite little ladies...

Alaska

I know it's been a while since my last post—maybe because I've been so busy creating new art in the studio. I just wrapped up the Design Garden Kids Trends class, which was tons of fun. Three weeks of great assignments, a comprehensive trend report full of ideas and lots inspirational students, too.

Here's a collection I created, inspired by the wilderness and Arctic animals. It's called Alaska. A nice way to chill out in the middle of summer...

New Children's Stationery

I have some new stationery products debuting on Minted this spring. This little elephant birth announcement is available now in 3 different color ways.

Find it here

And this sweet birthday party invitation will be available soon!

In a Pickle!

Dre Towey, a very talented, children's singer-songwriter—and friend from my good ol' college days— approached me last year to design her music CD, In a Pickle. Her songs are witty, silly and all about food.

We had a great time collaborating and loved dreaming up all the little details that made the illustrations so deliciously fun to work on—a hot-dog with mustard chasing a pickle car, sprinkles flying off the ice cream, blueberries rolling down a hill… What could be better than singing, smiling, dancing, driving food?

Here are a few of the behind the scene sketches:

You can find out more about the talented Dre Towey on her website. In a Pickle, as well as her previous albums, are available for download on CD Baby. Happy listening!

Wildflower Farm

It's been awhile since I last posted—I've been busy with so many different things. In February, I took an online Design Garden Trends Class. I was so impressed with this course by Sabina Redeva from The Ink Nest. She supplied a comprehensive trend report and created 4 weeks of engaging assignments where we combined 2 trends to create each collection. There was personal feedback and interaction with the other artist-students.

Wildflower Farm is one of the collections I created during the class. It combines farm and flower imagery with a rustic sensibility. You can find these designs available as fabric on my Spoonflower shop here.

All You Need is Love...

A Very Happy New Year!

Hello 2016! Lots of exciting things happening in the studio this year!

Seeing my art out in the world is hands-down the most rewarding part of my job. Lady & Little Bug, an online organic children's clothing company, chose my Botanical Sketchbook fabric as part of their Spring 2016 collection and shared these adorable photos. How sweet is this layette? Pre-orders begin on January 22, 2016, so mark your calendars if you have a little one. Carolyn sews all of her organic clothing from her shop in Montana, USA.

Head over to their web site to see all the gorgeous clothing! Lady & Little Bug
And here's my Spoonflower shop if you're interested in the fabric! Shindig Design Studio

Photography by Carolyn Nealen/Lady and Little Bug ©2016

They Draw & Travel

Last week I received the exciting news that my map of Portsmouth, NH is going to be published in They Draw & Travel's first book of illustrated maps! The book includes 100 amazing, artist-designed maps of American Places.

You can find out all the information here!

Botanical Sketchbook Collection

In August I created a pattern for the Fabric8 Spoonflower/Moda Fabrics competition. I was thrilled when my design made the Top 100. I recently designed some coordinates to accompany the original pattern. These will be available in my Spoonflower shop soon.

Goodnight, Moon

I couldn't resist creating a sleeping moon pattern for this week's Spoonflower Challenge. Aren't they so dapper, snoring away in their little hats and bow ties? Check out the cool variety designs based on Moon Phases here. Coordinates to come…

Making Spirits Bright

Ah, November. Before you know it the snow will be right around the corner. And judging by all the acorns in my yard, it's going to be another whopper of a winter. Here's a jolly little collection to ease into the proper spirit…

Make it in Design Interview

The fantastic folks over at Make It In Design interviewed me about the scholarship I won last year to the amazing online course, The Art & Business of Surface Pattern Design. I can hardly believe the last of the three modules is wrapping up this week! Eek! Where does the time go?

You can read the interview here. They are gearing up to launch the scholarship again, so all you aspiring surface pattern designers out there should give it a shot! What have you got to lose?

Watch the Birdie

Getting all my birds in a row… I'll be adding them to my Spoonflower Shop shortly.

Spotted in the Studio...

Lately, I've been playing with color palettes and cute wild animals. I've loved giraffes ever since I was a little girl and took a field trip to the zoo in kindergarten…

I submitted this giraffe repeat design to Minted's Children's Fabric Challenge. Voting ends today. If you hurry you might be able to squeak in under the wire here. I also think it would make an adorable gift bag or wrapping paper for newborns.