Lysa flower's daily DESIGNGER DIARY : : A COLLAB WITH OCTOPURSE

Magic happens when creativity meets collaboration

I would love to introduce you to Octopurse! She makes the most snazzy and snappy metal frame purses!

I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with her on three of my collections: 9 to 5, Sunshine Inn and Drivin’ Down 9!

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I love designing panels and envisioning the potential for products they could become. I specifically thought of Octopurse’s purses when I was designing the sunglasses and cassettes!

but then… they turned out even more extraordinary that I ever thought possible!

She has a few purses, featuring my designs, left in her ETSY shop but also a huge selection of others to choose from. Curious? You can check them out HERE.

Above: my Drivin’ Down 9 panel. Below: my Sunshine Inn panel.

SUNSHINE INN! WELCOME!

I’ll admit, every time I finish a collection I think… “This one is my very favourite!”… and that’s how I feel about Sunshine Inn, my fourth collection for Paintbrush Studio Fabric! It was created deep in the dogdays of last year’s COVID summer. We were all itching to travel, relax by a pool and be carefree! Since I couldn’t do that I dreamt of being welcome to the Sunshine Inn:

“The ultimate destination to relax and recharge! The sun is warm but the breeze is cool, perfect weather for summer VINTAGE or GROOVY FLORAL dresses. Dip your toes POOLSIDE. Complementary TOWELS are provided. Loungers are by the BREEZE BLOCKS, left of the snack shack, they have POPSICLES! They also have FILM for your POLAROID camera, to capture all your vacation getaway memories. When you've filled your day to the brim be sure to pick up your ROOM KEY at the SUNSHINE INN!”

I bet they’d have tiny umbrellas in the drinks too! So now you can join me there! The fabric is shipping as we speak! P.S. The large Hexi’s are a panel print.

I often get asked if I know which stores sell my fabric. Unfortunately, I don’t get to see the distribution list but if a store tags me on Instagram or sends me an email I happily add them to the list on my website. Also I always suggest people ask their local quilt or fabric store to bring it in. All they have to do is reach out to Paintbrush Studio Fabrics Wholesale and they can hook you up! Personally, I can’t wait to get sewing with this collection! Because, yeah… it’s my new favourite! And as tradition would have it I also made a Sunshine Inn playlist. Double enjoy!

In other news! I was just notified that I’ve been accepted into Print & Patterns Designer’s for Hire! I can’t even begin to tell you how over the moon I am about this! So many of my design heroes are on that list. The second photo is my banner (AND you might notice the new logo!). I’ve Oooohed and Aaaawed over the Print + Patterns site for years! So I’m super pumped to have now been featured on it!

Coming up: from May 7th to June 4th, I’ll be showing work at the Seymour Art Gallery. Here’s a little sneak peak. I’ve never done art prints before and I LOVE how they turned out! Maybe I’ll see you at the opening! It’s May 15th from 2-4pm.

Again, I’ve collaborated with Mad About Patchwork for some “What would Dolly Do?” bind and winds… because what would Dolly do? She’d finish that darn quilt, but in style! Using a snazzy bind and winder!

Later this month I’m going to be interviewed by Brandy for her podcast Quilter on Fire. She invited me after I did a talk for her Okanagan Modern quilt guild last month. It’ll be out in June!

And Lastly, I have a present for you! A tutorial for making the Nesting Boombox bags from the Let The Good Times Roll Panel… and yes there are some still out there! Or again, your local quilt or fabric store can still order them. In the mean time you can download the tutorial HERE.

Wow, so much has happened since February… I’m ready for a getaway vacation!