Dec 22, 2015

Happy Holidays 2015

Wow...I am just looking at my all time history of this blog - so far it had over 20 000 clicks.
 Thank you everyone who is stopping by from time to time. I appreciate every reader and every single comment. 
I am happy we are such a great, creative community who loves to get inspired by each other's art. 
My goal for next year is spending more time being creative and show more of my work. 
I love what I do and I hope you do, too ! 
Happy Holidays and a very Happy and Creative New Year !

Love, Maike


https://www.etsy.com/listing/253190081/printable-be-merry-christmas-wall-art?ref=shop_home_active_15
Holiday wall art available for instant download here.

Sep 24, 2015

Lemon Mix

Today I show you my design "LemonMix" on Kess InHouse products. I originally designed it for the last blog hop I was participating in.


Beautiful decorative door mat ...

http://kessinhouse.com/collections/maike-thoma-lemon-mix/products/maike-thoma-lemon-mix-door-mat
Decorative door mat "Lemon Mix"

Great pillow sham ...

http://kessinhouse.com/collections/maike-thoma-lemon-mix/products/maike-thoma-lemon-mix-pillow-sham
Pillow sham "Lemon Mix"

Always needed in the kitchen ...

http://kessinhouse.com/collections/maike-thoma-lemon-mix/products/maike-thoma-lemon-mix-cutting-board
Cutting board "Lemon Mix"

I think the shower curtain is my favourite product with Kess InHouse ...

http://kessinhouse.com/collections/maike-thoma-lemon-mix/products/maike-thoma-lemon-mix-shower-curtain
Shower curtain "Lemon Mix"

Cooking up a storm with lemons ...

http://kessinhouse.com/collections/maike-thoma-lemon-mix/products/maike-thoma-lemon-mix-artistic-apron
Apron "Lemon Mix"

Happy Friday !

Sep 17, 2015

Blue Layered Circles

Today I show you my design blue "Layered Circles". It looks beautiful on many different products by Kess InHouse and due to the two colours used it is modest in appearance.


There are never enough everything bags ...

http://kessinhouse.com/collections/maike-thoma-layered-circles-design/products/maike-thoma-layered-circles-design-everything-bag
Everything bag "Layered Circles"

For my future pet ...

Pet bowl "Layered Circles"

There are also never enough throw pillows ...

http://kessinhouse.com/collections/maike-thoma-layered-circles-design/products/maike-thoma-layered-circles-design-throw-pillow
Throw pillow "Layered Circles"

New bedding ...

http://kessinhouse.com/collections/maike-thoma-layered-circles-design/products/maike-thoma-layered-circles-design-cotton-duvet-cover
Cotton duvet cover "Layered Circles"

I would love to have an Apple Watch with this watch strap ... one day ...

http://kessinhouse.com/collections/maike-thoma-layered-circles-design/products/maike-thoma-layered-circles-design-watch-strap
Watch strap "Layered Circles"


Happy Saturday !

Sep 10, 2015

Retro Hearts

Today I show you a more playful design of mine - "Retro Hearts"
I love this one, it works for kids and adults at the same time.
There are plenty of beautiful Kess InHouse products available with this design.


Large outdoor throw pillow ...

http://kessinhouse.com/collections/maike-thoma-retro-hearts-design/products/maike-thoma-retro-hearts-design-outdoor-throw-pillow?variant=4443949252
Outdoor throw pillow "Retro Hearts"

With this artistic apron you can cook up a storm ...

http://kessinhouse.com/collections/maike-thoma-retro-hearts-design/products/maike-thoma-retro-hearts-design-artistic-apron
Apron "Retro Hearts"

I love this dog place mat ...

http://kessinhouse.com/collections/maike-thoma-retro-hearts-design/products/maike-thoma-retro-hearts-design-dog-placemat
Dog place mat "Retro Hearts"

I want ...

http://kessinhouse.com/collections/maike-thoma-retro-hearts-design/products/maike-thoma-retro-hearts-design-fleece-throw-blanket
Fleece throw blanket "Retro Hearts"

Happy Friday everyone !

Sep 3, 2015

Floating Circles

Today I want to show you my design "Floating Circles" in pastel colours. 
It looks great on many different Kess InHouse products.

I would love to do yoga on this mat.

http://kessinhouse.com/collections/maike-thoma-floating-circles-design/products/maike-thoma-floating-circles-design-yoga-mat
Yoga mat "Floating Circles"


And I can not have enough of those small everything bags...

http://kessinhouse.com/collections/maike-thoma-floating-circles-design/products/maike-thoma-floating-circles-design-everything-bag
Everything bag "Floating Circles"

Super soft ...

http://kessinhouse.com/collections/maike-thoma-floating-circles-design/products/maike-thoma-floating-circles-design-foam-bath-mat
Memory foam bath mat "Floating Circles"

And my personal favourite ...


http://kessinhouse.com/collections/maike-thoma-floating-circles-design/products/maike-thoma-floating-circles-design-shower-curtain
Shower curtain "Floating Circles"

Happy Thursday !

Aug 30, 2015

What is new ?

It has been three months...I am so happy to be back ! 
I hope everyone had a fabulous summer...it is still very hot over here. 

Today I want to share good news. 
I am very proud to be accepted as a new Kess artist. Kess InHouse is a uniquely innovative concept of modern home furnishings and decor ! From now on you can find a few of my designs on beautiful products from home furnishings/accessories, pet accessories to stationary. 
There are so many products you can choose from to make your living space more beautiful ! Every week I will introduce one of my designs and show it on different products, starting today with my design "Biomolecular Science".

http://kessinhouse.com/collections/maike-thoma-biomolecular/products/maike-thoma-biomolecular-everything-notebook
This 80 pages lined notebook/journal you can find over here.

http://kessinhouse.com/collections/maike-thoma-biomolecular/products/maike-thoma-biomolecular-artistic-apron
You can cook up a storm with this artisitic apron which you can find over here.

http://kessinhouse.com/collections/maike-thoma-biomolecular/products/maike-thoma-biomolecular-artistic-apron
Water proof artwork for the bath room, you can find this shower curtain over here.

And all pet accessories are on massive sale right now...

http://kessinhouse.com/collections/maike-thoma-biomolecular/products/maike-thoma-biomolecular-dog-bed?variant=4444072900

You can find this large dog bed over here.


You can find more Kess products with my designs over here.

I am wishing everyone a very Happy Sunday and see you next week !

May 28, 2015

MATS Bootcamp May

May is almost over and I feel this month was just flying by. Make Art That Sells boot camp is finished for this months and I have to admit I had not much time to spend on this month's assignment but I was still enjoying it, especially looking at all amazing art from my fellow #mats designers. The topic was designing a plate with crustaceans in the front and a pattern in the background. The May gallery is open to view now and I can tell you already the work of my fellow designers will blow your mind - just stunning. 

copyright©Pattern Jots by Maike Thoma 2015
Crustacean plate   copyright©Pattern Jots by Maike Thoma 2015

Happy Thursday !

May 10, 2015

World Lupus Day 2015 ( and Mother's Day )

Today is World Lupus Day and my fellow designer and friend Dawn Clarkson is having a butterfly showcase over at her blog Nice and Fancy in its third year to raise awareness of Lupus disease.

"Lupus is a chronic disease which can affect anyone at any age, it is hard to diagnose and the exact causes of the condition are still unknown. Lupus, considered to be a rare disease is becoming more and more common. The butterfly is universally accepted as the symbol which represents the disease."
  
I m very happy I was able to contribute with a butterfly design and a small donation to help to create interest towards Lupus. 
Due to the great response of Dawn's call for butterfly designs she is having four posts in total today over at her blog. 
What a great success already ! 
There is even a Pinterest board where you can see all designs together.
Please take your time and check out all gorgeous butterfly designs at Nice and Fancy.


copyright©Pattern Jots by Maike Thoma 2015
Butterfly design for World Lupus Day 2015 / copyright©Pattern Jots by Maike Thoma 2015

We also do not want to forget it is Mother's Day today...I am wishing all amazing moms out there a very Happy Mother's Day - may it be filled with joy !

copyright©Pattern Jots by Maike Thoma 2015
Happy Mother's Day Card / copyright©Pattern Jots by Maike Thoma 2015

Happy Sunday !!!

Apr 16, 2015

Quotes

The lettering from last week started something in me...I kept going and made those two Zen/Taoist quotes out of my lettering. 
You can also find them in my Etsy store for instant download. 

design copyright©Pattern Jots by Maike Thoma 2015
Zen Proverb "All You Have Is Now" design copyright©Pattern Jots by Maike Thoma 2015

design copyright©Pattern Jots by Maike Thoma 2015
Taoist Proverb " The Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins With a Single Step" design copyright©Pattern Jots by Maike Thoma 2015

I am off to Spring break and will be back beginning of May ! 
Enjoy the the first warm sunshine ! 
Happy Thursday !

Apr 10, 2015

MATS Bootcamp April

After a quiet ( and very cold ) Easter Weekend I am in full swing back into designing. 
I was very much looking forward to the new "mini" assignment for Lilla Roger's bootcamp new mini assignment for the month of April. 
It is lettering...the words "The Global Art Gathering". 
The Global Art Gathering is actually taking place in June in Brighton and I wished I could go and meet fellow designers as well as Lilla and many other fabulous speakers at the event. 
Usually if I do lettering I start designing a whole alphabet and then use any letters I need for my illustration, patterns, etc. I did the same this time but pulled out my collection of Origami papers and started cutting out the letters. Next I did some hand lettering and while putting the words together, I also used some letters I have done some time back already and mixed it all up. I am happy with the result and I might develop some quotes for my Etsy shop in this style.

copyright©Pattern Jots by Maike Thoma 2015
Lettering cut out of Origami paper

copyright©Pattern Jots by Maike Thoma 2015
My finished design for the "mini" assignment   copyright©Pattern Jots by Maike Thoma 2015

Happy Friday everyone !

Apr 1, 2015

New Items

Last week you saw some sketches of my vase shapes and this week I want to show you what I did with them. 
So far all items are for digital download and you can print them out on your home printer or in a copy shop. 
Over the next few days I will also experiment with this pattern and see how it looks on the front cover of a notebook. 
If you like to see what else I have in my Etsy store, please click here.


https://www.etsy.com/listing/227864074/perpetual-birthday-calendardiyprintable?ref=listing-shop-header-2
Perpetual Birthday Calendar "Vases" copyright©Pattern Jots by Maike Thoma 2015


https://www.etsy.com/listing/228116725/modern-art-print-scandinavian-inspired?ref=listing-shop-header-1
Wall Art "Vases" copyright©Pattern Jots by Maike Thoma 2015


https://www.etsy.com/listing/228387205/printable-calendar-2015-diyplanner?ref=listing-shop-header-0
2015 Wall Calendar "Vases" copyright©Pattern Jots by Maike Thoma 2015

I am wishing everyone a Happy Thursday and a very Happy Easter !

Mar 26, 2015

Sneak Peek

Life is busy and I am always grateful if I can sneak in some time to draw. I wanted to draw something in black.
I always love black and white art - I find it extremely powerful and it is simple at the same time.
Thinking about what I can draw ( and looks good in black and white only ) vases came into my mind and I started drawing some...just as shapes.
Here is a sneak peek...next week I will show you my new product(s) I made from it for my Etsy store...it is still in progress.

copyright©Pattern Jots by Maike Thoma 2015
Sketches : Shapes of vases

Happy Thursday !

Mar 5, 2015

Happy Dance !

I have to admit I did my little happy dance a while ago, when I found out my submissions for the new Print&Pattern Geometric book were accepted and my work will actually be shown in the newest book of the fabulous Print&Pattern series by Bowie Style 
( Thank you Marie for including me ! )
The first Print&Pattern book ( the blue one ) was my first book about surface pattern design ever and I still love this one as well as the following books "Print&Pattern 2" and "Print&Pattern Kids". 
Of course it was my dream to be included into one of these books one day but I was not sure to ever achieve my dream. I remember I submitted for the kids call and I did not make it. So I tried again for the Geometric book ( which really suits my style best ) and my work was accepted. 
Hurray ! 
Amazing designers are showing their beautiful designs in this book and many of them are fellow students from the "Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design" course by Rachael Taylor and Beth Kempton.
I think this post is appropriate for the World Book Day 2015 today ! 
Who does not love a good book ? 
No matter if it is a book with lots of pictures or a good novel. 
I love books and I truly believe you can not own enough of it ( especially art books... ;) )


New book Print&Pattern Geometric by Bowie Style ( picture source )

I am on page 194 ! ( picture source )

Happy World Book Day and Happy Thursday !

Feb 26, 2015

New Notebooks

I am very excited to show you my latest additions to my Etsy store...my first physical products handmade by me : Personal notebooks/journals.
There were a lot of hurdles to take on the way due to lack of supplies over here and  delays in deliveries, etc. but I did it and I am very happy with the outcome. 
So far there are four different designs available. Each notebook contains 50 blank, white pages metal wire bound with a card board back side and a frosted polypropylene front cover on top of the patterned cover which is printed on archival inkjet paper. There is also a matching book mark.
Each notebook will be custom made and you can choose a name/word to be printed onto the label.
All notebooks can be found here.

copyright©Pattern Jots by Maike Thoma 2015
Personalized Notebook "Bubbles" ( link )
copyright©Pattern Jots by Maike Thoma 2015 
copyright©Pattern Jots by Maike Thoma 2015
Personalized Notebook "Floating Circles" ( link )
copyright©Pattern Jots by Maike Thoma 2015

copyright©Pattern Jots by Maike Thoma 2015
Personalized Notebook "Floating Drops" ( link )
copyright©Pattern Jots by Maike Thoma 2015

copyright©Pattern Jots by Maike Thoma 2015
Personalized Notebook "Rectangles" ( link )
copyright©Pattern Jots by Maike Thoma 2015

Happy Thursday !

Feb 19, 2015

MATS Boot Camp February Assignment

Today I want to share Lilla Roger's MATS ( Make Art That Sells ) boot camp assignment for February with you. 

In preparation for the main assignment we received the "mini" first. It said plate scenics...we should check out vintage plates with scenes on it. I loved it...having Pinterest boards for a while named "dishes/ceramics/glass"  and "Scandinavian Art" I knew I had a lot gathered already to look at. 

Last week the main assignment followed and it is wall art...with a twist. 
The twist ? 
As a "canvas" we should use a slice of wood and paint on it. 
I knew this would be a challenge for me but I did not expect it to be this hard to find a slice of wood over here...I checked one well stocked craft store in Zuerich and I went across the border to check out a large craft store in Germany but did not find anything besides overpriced plywood which looked very boring to me. So I decided I have to go digitally and mock up my design onto a picture of a slice of wood. It worked...not the same experience but better than nothing. 
The assignment was out of my comfort zone since we are talking about an illustration...and I have barely touched this topic since I had to do fashion illustration in school many, many years ago. 
An illustration with a scene contains for me character...more than one and they should tell a story. Here was the next challenge for me...creating a character true to my style. 

I did it and I am happy with the result, even though I did not make it a scene from my point of view but I was staying true to my style and I would hang my design onto my own wall.


copyright©Pattern Jots by Maike Thoma 2015
February  assignment MATS boot camp "Lady with a bird" by Pattern Jots

Happy Thursday !

Feb 12, 2015

Happy Valentines Day !

Finally I am back at my desk...that flu hit me hard and I had to spend a lot of days in bed for the past 4 weeks...that is why you have not seen new blog posts over here. 
Today I just want to wish everyone a very Happy Valentines Day. I hope you will get treated well and spread some love. 

Happy Valentines Day !

In case you need some lovely, last minute Valentines cards for instant download, please check out my Etsy store...

https://www.etsy.com/shop/PatternJotsShop
Valentines Card from Pattern Jots Shop


https://www.etsy.com/shop/PatternJotsShop
Valentines Card from Pattern Jots Shop

Happy Thursday everyone and have a great Valentines Day !

Jan 22, 2015

Boot Camp 2015 Journal Cover

After staying in bed for a few days I am back on my feet and on my desk...still feeling not so great but on the mend. 
Due to the flu I had not much time working on the first "Big Assignment" for Lilla Roger's Boot Camp 2015 but I finished it and it was fun. 
When I work on a Boot Camp assignment I always have Lilla's advice in my ears...for example "Think about using contrast so the journal cover has some pop"...I did that and I love this advice - it is a good one ! 
What I did not do...using a lot of "icons". I did draw some icons but only used one - I know. I will get back on it with some more time at a later date. But so far I am ok with my journal cover. 

How do you like it ?

copyright©Pattern Jots by Maike Thoma 2015
Journal cover "Edwardian Brooches" for Lilla Roger's Boot Camp 2015 by Maike Thoma

copyright©Pattern Jots by Maike Thoma 2015
Sketches "Edwardian Brooches" by Maike Thoma

Happy Thursday !

Jan 16, 2015

Happy Weekend !

Not much from me today...I am sick in bed.
 Just want to say Happy Weekend to everyone. Next week I can show you my work I did for Lilla Roger's Bootcamp 2015...remember the Edwardian brooches I showed you last week ? The final assignment for this months is designing a journal cover with Edwardian brooches. Fun !

Happy Friday !

copyright©Pattern Jots by Maike Thoma 2015
Illustration by Pattern Jots