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.

February  assignment MATS boot camp "Lady with a bird" by Pattern Jots

Happy Thursday !

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...

Valentines Card from Pattern Jots Shop

Valentines Card from Pattern Jots Shop

Happy Thursday everyone and have a great Valentines Day !

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 ?

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

Sketches "Edwardian Brooches" by Maike Thoma

Happy Thursday !

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 !

Illustration by Pattern Jots

Happy New Year...

I am wishing all my readers a very Happy New Year filled with good health, joy and creativity. 

After spending Christmas and New Years with family in Germany and eating way to many cookies, I am back at my desk planning new products for my Etsy store and drawing. 

On Monday Lilla Roger's Boot Camp 2015 started which I gave to myself for Christmas. 

Everyone was so curious what the topic of the first month would be...I was guessing something with jewelry. The topic was revealed on Monday and it is Edwardian brooches. I liked it immediately. Gathering information I found out the Edwardian era in the UK took place between 1901 and 1910 and is covering the reign of King Edward VII and is sometimes extended beyond. The Edwardian period stands out as a time of peace and plenty. And I think this reflects in the beautiful jewelry of this era. If you look closely at the jewelry you notice elements of the Art Nouveau era which took place almost at the same time between 1890 and 1910.

Here I show you some of my favourite pieces I found during my search :

Edwardian Diamond Brooch ( source )

Edwardian Diamond Plaque Brooch ( source )

Edwardian Diamond Star Brooch ( source )

I could go on and on and probably post an other 100 pictures of beautiful Edwardian brooches...there are so many if you start searching online.

Looking through my jewelry I found this ring which was considered fashion jewelry by that time and it must be maybe from the 1930s, but maybe it is older. I inherited the ring from my grandmother.

My own ring from my grandmother.

You can see my first doodles....soon I will move on to a black pen but for loosening up I like to sketch with pencil.

Doodles Edwardian Brooches

Happy Thursday !

Happy Holidays

The count down is on and even though I thought I won't stress myself too much this year, it was nothing besides a great wish. 

I had some goals like adding more items to my Etsy store before Christmas so I have been very busy. In case you are looking for some last minute gifts, please check out Pattern Jots Shop. So far all products are digital downloads and you can just sit at home with your printer near by ( and some mulled wine in your hands ) and print some lovely Christmas gifts for your loved ones. No need to leave the house ( except you are planning to frame what you purchased ) and join the crowds.

My latest addition :

Perpetual Birthday Calendar available at Pattern Jots Shop

A quote always makes a great gift :

Do What You Love Wall Art available at Pattern Jots Shop

I am taking a break over the holidays and I will be back January 8th 2015.

Thank you to all my loyal blog readers. I wish everyone very Happy Holidays and a fabulous New Year. 

Christmas Wishes from Pattern Jots

Marsala - Pantone Colour of the Year 2015

The Pantone color of the year announcement is always a much long waited event for all designer.

For 2015 Pantone announced the color "Marsala" 18-1438 as the color of the year. I have to admit I was not overly excited at the beginning until I started thinking about colour combinations and over a few days I warmed up to "Marsala" and can already imagine designing patterns which contain the color of "Marsala".

Marsala Pantone color of the year 2015

I especially like this statement by Pantone :

A Unifying Element

"The impactful, full bodied qualities of Marsala make for an elegant, grounded statement color when used on its own or as strong accent to many other colors."

And for sure I will buy this fab nail polish next...

And here are some of my favourite color combinations for "Marsala"

And did you see this gorgeous dress in "Marsala"... by Derek Lam...I think I will dream about this dress tonight, it is just my style !

Dress by Derek Lam seen at Harpers Bazaar

I find this is the perfect implementation of "Marsala" in interior design

As seen on the Lonny website

And I love that pillow by Crate and Barrel

Linet 18" pillow by Crate and Barrel

And do you see the hint of "Marsala" in the center of that pillow ?

Pondicherry 18" x 12" by Crate and Barrel

And last but not least something for the Christmas mood...I found this gorgeous gift wrap by talented designer Allison Cole which you can currently buy at Target.

The New Year can start now in style with "Marsala"...

Happy Thursday !

Copyright for the top three pictures are with Pantone®