Fancy/Funky Friday: Patterns Liberia & Toby

Both of this week's patterns feature curves and diamonds!

First, the "fancy": Pattern Liberia

Why it's "fancy": Several layers of over-indulgent curls pile on top of each other in this obviously Victorian-inspired pattern.

Why it's great: The white diamond shapes push unexpected negative space to the foreground, demanding attention.


And now, the "funky": Pattern Toby

Why it's "funky": Tilted squares feel off-balanced and more modern.

Why it's great: Like last week's, this pattern has a painted tile feel to it. I love the vine/leaf motif!

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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!

Fancy/Funky Friday: Patterns Ginevra & Piper

Happy Friday! Here are today's patterns -

First, the "fancy": Pattern Ginevra

Why it's "fancy": Simple elegance of line, curved forms, and plenty of negative white space between the sections of denser line to let the pattern breathe.

Why it's great: The shapes the lines form remind me of leaves or unopened flower buds!


And now, the "funky": Pattern Piper

Why it's "funky": Thick lines, and pattern "units" that rotate ninety degrees, giving each stripe of pattern a seemingly uneven zig-zag shape.

Why it's great: This pattern has a great "painted Moroccan/Spanish tile" feel to it!

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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!

Fancy/Funky Friday: Patterns Pagoda & Morela

Happy Friday! Here are today's patterns -

First, the "fancy": Pattern Pagoda

Why it's "fancy": This pattern feels preppy and esteemed because of its crisp lines and clear linear structure.

Why it's great: I can just see this pattern embroidered as a border on an old "Home Sweet Home" plaque...


And now, the "funky": Pattern Morela

Why it's "funky": The tilted design gives an unexpected, modern touch to an otherwise "fancy" pattern.

Why it's great: Up close, you can really start to see the letterforms I used to create the pattern!

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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!

Fancy/Funky Friday: Patterns Camilla & Dakota

Happy Friday! Here are today's patterns -

First, the "fancy": Pattern Camilla

Why it's "fancy": Elegant curls and vaguely flower-like shapes give this pattern grace and vintage charm.

Why it's great: I love how much it looks like lace from a distance!


And now, the "funky": Pattern Dakota

Why it's "funky": Simple shapes and bold lines give this pattern a fun mod feel.

Why it's great: From a distance, it looks like an ikat design!

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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!

Fancy/Funky Friday: Patterns Juliet & Arenzia

Both of these patterns are green and feature little white space, with lots of curves. But they evoke <i>very</i> different feelings...

First, the "fancy": Pattern Juliet

Why it's "fancy": This pattern looks like a scrap of vintage lace, with its cutesy curls and flattened heart-like shapes.

Why it's great: It even reminds me of argyle, with its stripes of diamonds!


And now, the "funky": Pattern Arenzia

Why it's "funky": The curls in this pattern feel more whimsical and kid-like than elegant and refined.

Why it's great: The density of line leaves little room for negative white space.

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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!

Fancy/Funky Friday: Patterns Kiara & Cherise

The difference between today's "fancy" and "funky" patterns is in the lines - Kiara emphasizes curves, while Cherise focuses on straight lines and angles.

First, the "fancy": Pattern Kiara

Why it's "fancy": These thin, calligraphic lines create elegant arabesques!

Why it's great: I love the hint of straight lines at ninety degree angles in the details between the arcs.


And now, the "funky": Pattern Cherise

Why it's "funky": The sunburst-like shapes and large pockets of negative white space are more modern and graphic than my elegant patterns.

Why it's great: My favorite details are the curves that look like criss-crossed hearts or pretzels!

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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!

Fancy/Funky Friday: Patterns Magnolia & Sasha

Happy Friday! Here are today's fancy & funky patterns!

First, the "fancy": Pattern Magnolia

Why it's "fancy": From a distance, it looks like lace, with its uniformly-packed curvy lines.

Why it's great: The lines are calligraphic - meaning they vary in thickness from bold to thin, like a calligraphy pen!


And now, the "funky": Pattern Sasha

Why it's "funky": This pattern is busy, looking like furious bouts of scribbles, but underneath the madness is a firm repeating structure.

Why it's great: I love the small parallelograms formed in between each repeated pattern "unit"!

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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!

Fancy/Funky Friday: Patterns Bernadette & Poppy

Here are two more patterns - one fancy, one funky - to start your weekend off right!

First, the "fancy": Pattern Bernadette

Why it's "fancy": Thin, calligraphic lines loop and crisscross to make a beautiful argyle & lace-like pattern.

Why it's great: I love the long, swooping arcs on the top of each lowercase-k letterform!


And now, the "funky": Pattern Poppy

Why it's "funky": Instead of calligraphic lines that vary in thickness, each of these whimsical curves is exactly the same line weight, making the pattern feel less refined and more childish.

Why it's great: I love the swirls! This pattern would be great for wallpapering a child's bedroom or play room.

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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!

Fancy/Funky Friday: Patterns Loretta & Memphis

Orange you glad it's almost the weekend? ;)

First, the "fancy": Pattern Loretta

Why it's "fancy": The lines that make up this lace-like pattern are thin and curvy.

Why it's great: Not all of the loops are the same size, adding visual interest.


And now, the "funky": Pattern Memphis

Why it's "funky": Though it has almost a lace-like or argyle-inspired design, the parts of the pattern with thicker lines give this a more masculine, southwestern feeling.

Why it's great: Wouldn't this pattern look great stamped on a pair of leather cowboy boots?

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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!

Fancy/Funky Friday: Patterns Encarta & Haley

Happy Friday! Here are today's patterns -

First, the "fancy": Pattern Encarta

Why it's "fancy": This pattern is argyle with a touch of femininity in the little curly accents. Plus, it's so fun how the "stripes" of pattern don't quite touch, leaving that buffer of negative space in between the lines.

Why it's great: I love preppy patterns like this, where you can easily imagine how great it would look as a wrapping paper, knitted into a sweater, or used to decorate a windowpane.


And now, the "funky": Pattern Haley

Why it's "funky": The simplicity of this pattern makes it look almost stamped! Draw in some pupils in two adjacent circles, and you have yourself a pair of googly eyes.

Why it's great: It looks like bubbles. Enough said.

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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!

Fancy/Funky Friday: Patterns Leela & Avery

Complex and elegant or simple and bold - what's your favorite type of pattern?

First, the "fancy": Pattern Leela

Why it's "fancy": From a distance, it looks like lace, with its thin lines and curls.

Why it's great: Up close, it's interesting to note that some loops touch each other while others leave a small buffer of white negative space in between.


And now, the "funky": Pattern Avery

Why it's "funky": Simple, bold, and modern, this pattern takes simple ellipsoid shapes, radiates them out to create a "racetrack" feel, and then alternates vertical and horizontal orientation to create unexpected repetition.

Why it's great: I love the fun shapes created from the negative space between each square of four "racetracks" - it's like a tilted white square that's being pinched in a little on all four sides!

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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!

Fancy/Funky Friday: Patterns Galaxia & Zoe

Happy Friday! Here are today's patterns -

First, the "fancy": Pattern Galaxia

Why it's "fancy": The offset angles and diamonds make me think of preppy argyle; from far away, it also takes on the appearance of lace.

Why it's great: This pattern always reminds me of the cat named Orion from the movie Men in Black... It has the same feeling as the galaxy in the charm around his collar.


And now, the "funky": Pattern Zoe

Why it's "funky": Simple white circles stand out in this pattern, where the negative space becomes more important than the whimsical green lines.

Why it's great: From a distance, it might look a bit like lace - but up close, there's too much white space. Instead it's like a loose-knit fabric or crochet pattern, letting lots of air through!

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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!

Fancy/Funky Friday: Patterns Ivy & Tarolla

Today's patterns both do a great job of balancing structure and fun. At first glance, they're both bursting with curls and whimsy, but each follows a strict grid placement and is well tamed. :)

First, the "fancy": Pattern Ivy

Why it's "fancy": From a distance, it looks like lace (or very structured curling vines). Can't you just see this pattern stamped on a brick garden walkway or stitched into a castle tapestry?

Why it's great: This is one of my patterns where you can definitely still see the letterforms I created the design from. Can you discern the elaborate cursive capital Ls and Rs? :)


And now, the "funky": Pattern Tarolla

Why it's "funky": Though the lines are thin, with traditional curlicues and double-lined angles reminiscent of diamonds, argyle, and Roman numerals, the fun spiral-inspired shape in the middle of each "frame" is just too modern to be called anything but funky!

Why it's great: I love how bold and attention-grabbing the purple lines are, even though they're thin. They're confident in their sharp angles and whimsical curls and stand out easily from the white negative space.

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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!