Fancy/Funky Friday: Patterns Valencia & Vivian

Today's Fancy/Funky Friday post is brought to you by the letter "v"... ;)  I just love names that start with "v" - some of them can be pretty common names, but the "v" still makes them sound unique!

First, the "fancy": Pattern Valencia

This pattern could probably be categorized as "funky" as well, but I ultimately put it in the "fancy" collection because of the thin pen strokes and curvy qualities, which make it look a bit lace-like from a distance. I absolutely love this pattern - and not just because I'm partial to all things purple. ;) All of the separate pattern "units" just seem to flow so well into each other, that it's hard to tell what started together, and what didn't. Plus, there are a few different kinds of wavy lines and loops, but the lines and shapes don't get old, but rather feed off each other in a really classy way. Because the lines vary in thickness, it looks almost like calligraphy, and by drastically varying the scale of the loops, they don't stand out too much. The little loops especially just feel like a decorative touch, and don't take the attention away from the other lines.


And now, the "funky": Pattern Vivian

Does this pattern look familiar? It should. :) I've used it in a few stationery designs already. I just love how it unique it is. The pattern is based on an old English style letter capital "A" (reflected over the vertical axis and placed side-by-side to create the prominent heart-shape), which gives it that instant Germanic and old European feel.

But when the pattern is repeated several times, it takes on new qualities that feel distinctly modern. I placed the units of the pattern next to each other with a slight stagger so that the feet of the letter "A"s line up, which creates a great wavy zig-zag along each row of the pattern. It also makes those tilted white rectangular shapes, which create not-quite-straight vertical lines that seem to converge at the top and bottom of the pattern. These characteristics make what would otherwise be a very old, traditional pattern much more funky and modern.

The pattern looks good in almost any color, and can thus easily be adapted to different events. When it's a light yellow and paired with shiny cream and gold paper, Pattern Vivian is more subdued and elegant, and when it's a bold, bright color (like the hot pink shown above), it demands more attention and feels more modern.

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Shameless plug time: Love my patterns? I incorporate them into a lot of the artwork I create, from stationery for Invites by Andrea to the watercolors I paint. Check out Invites by Andrea's website to see examples of these patterns in use or drop me a line at andrea@invitesbyandrea.com to let me know what you think!