Today, on Making It Fun, we're going Behind the Seams with our new licensed designer...
Axelle Valentin
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| *photo credit: Sophie Masiewicz |
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| *photo credit: Sophie Masiewicz |
Location: Nantes (west of France, 1 hour and a half from Noirmoutier's Island!)
I am 39 years old, married (since 10 years this July ;)) and have two kids: a boy 9 years old and a girl nearly 7 years old. I've decided to work from home to become full time a surface pattern designer and to raise my kids.
A: One of my favorite piece of work I was really proud of is my painting for the anniversary of cinema, made when I was 17 years old for a national contest. It has been exposed during one month in the "Cinematheque" inside the Palaisi Chaillot in Paris just in front of the Eiffel Tower. Now I've offered it to my son for his bedroom.
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Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I am preparing new autumn-winter patterns collection for Premiere Vision Design trade show in Paris, where fashion brands will come from every country. And I am thinking of a few new stationary products for local Christmas markets.
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| *Axelle in her studio *photo credit Helene Petit Village |
A: I wish I could create all my life long, as I do not even know if it will be enough to draw all my ideas!
When my kids leave home, I wish I could organise creative workshops with nice tea times and home made cakes... Meanwhile, I would like to learn always new techniques, meet other designers and follow some summer courses at Saint Martin School in London...
When my kids leave home, I wish I could organise creative workshops with nice tea times and home made cakes... Meanwhile, I would like to learn always new techniques, meet other designers and follow some summer courses at Saint Martin School in London...
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| *Axelle creating in Proce park *photo credit: Sophie Masiewicz |
Q: What are you doing when you're not creating or at work? What hobbies do you have?
A: I am fond of cooking, especially pastry... even at the London College of Printing, my personal project was a recipe book...
And I try to swim and run once a week to keep healthy mind in a healthy body... and it's always when I am outside that I find new ideas!
Q: What would people be surprised to learn about you?
A: My godfather gave me a second name "Fleur" which means flower in English... and honestly flowers are what I love the most to draw, funny isn't it?
Q: Do you have any favorite blogs/magazines/IG feeds that you follow or read?
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I love the fresh but also stylish IG of my friend Helene (who came home to take pictures of me yesterday especially for you!) helene petit village
And since I've signed with MMF, I enjoy reading inspiring posts from Sarah Jane Studios.
And since I've signed with MMF, I enjoy reading inspiring posts from Sarah Jane Studios.
Q: Where else can we find you?
A: my website: axelle design + Instagram + Facebook Design + Facebook Workshop
Q: What else should we know about you and your work?
A: Both of my parents like to paint, and the colorful portrait on my office table has been painted by my dad!
In my childhood, my really first drawings were flowers and rainbows... and the funny thing is that they were already repeated!! Later, I've taken a few classes on Wednesday afternoons: drawing, painting, sculpture and later on silver jewelry when I was in London. Also, I've been a member of a photo club for a few years to be able to get my own black & white pictures when I was living in Paris and start using colors only when I've decided to change my way of life and arrived in Nantes! I've learned Illustrator at the London College of Printing where I spent a lot of time in charity shops and flea markets to find vintage clothes with nice patterns.
When a friend of mine, Domitille, taught me how to sew, I did not find in the shops the the fabrics I've had in my head, so I've decided to create them...
My main inspiration is nature, which I like to stylize to get fine lines and add colors from my own.
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| *photo credit Helene Petit Village |
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| *photo credit: Sophie Masiewicz |
When a friend of mine, Domitille, taught me how to sew, I did not find in the shops the the fabrics I've had in my head, so I've decided to create them...
My main inspiration is nature, which I like to stylize to get fine lines and add colors from my own.
Q: Do you have any tips or inspiring words for others?
A: For style, do really what you love. .. It's often the designs I've done for myself or presents for friends which has been sold first!
For those who wish to learn how to create patterns, it's really useful to take some classes on Illustrator or Photoshop (some are free online), you will save precious time!!
For those who wish to learn how to create patterns, it's really useful to take some classes on Illustrator or Photoshop (some are free online), you will save precious time!!
Q: Do you admire any artists / people? (famous or not!)
A: In my town, I've met these two artists who are as nice people as talented artists: Izumi Idoia for her Japanese style and so delicate paintings and Dominique Le Bagousse and his funny little bears.
Q: What is your favorite....
Color: green
Animal: birds as they can fly
Season: I would say summer even if I like a lot of spring as well for the flowers...
Movie:"The Party" with Peter Sellers, which I find so funny and original.
Book: "Grain d'aile" my first book of Paul Eduard with the wonderful watercolors of Jacqueline DuhĂȘme, the story of a little girl who wished to fly...
Vacation Spot: Noirmoutier, a lovely island where I like to camp with my family to get closer to nature and do a digital detox ;-)
Food: the Nantes' cake, the original pastry of my town, with almonds, which was really rich in rum to be kept during days for sailors on boats. I've even create a poster for my relatives as they always ask me for the recipe
Food: the Nantes' cake, the original pastry of my town, with almonds, which was really rich in rum to be kept during days for sailors on boats. I've even create a poster for my relatives as they always ask me for the recipe
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Axelle's debut line with Michael Miller will hit stores in February! Here's a sneak peek of Strawberry Tea...
Axelle's debut line with Michael Miller will hit stores in February! Here's a sneak peek of Strawberry Tea...
If you'd like to win a fat 1/4 bundle of Strawberry Tea before it arrives in stores, just comment and let us know what you'd make!
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Congratulations to Michelle for winning the Strawberry Tea bundle!
"I would make a quilt for my oldest daughter (about to turn 15). She would love this color palette!"..............
65 comments:
These fabrics would make cute table runners or place mats.
I would make some zipper pouches.
I always love reading behind the seams! It was great reading about Axelle, I look forward to seeing more of her designs. It would be fun to make a fabric tea pot and tea cups out of this.
These beautiful fabrics would make some beautiful bags.
I am hoping to teach my 11 yr old granddaughter to sew this year. They are planning to move closer to me so that can be possible. These fabrics would be so cute for her first project whatever she chooses. I always loved bundles because they coordinate all by themselves!
I would make a baby Quilt and then use the remaining fabric to make my BFF a mug rug!! These are very sweet!!
These pretty prints would make a lovely set of spring placemats and perhaps a runner
I think I’d make some sort of container or basket for my sewing room. It just “seams” right for springtime.
I would make a quilt for my oldest daughter (about to turn 15). She would love this color palette!
I would make my little niece a sun dress and skirts for my bigger girls.
I'm in need of covers for my sewing machine and overlocker. These prints would be perfectly cute for that.
I'd make a lovely throw for spring and summer!
These fabulous fabrics would make a beautiful quilt, apron or even a cute summer top/shirt! Thank you for sharing your fabric journey Axelle, Susan
Would love to make some tablerunner
Beautiful looking fabrics that would make wonderful zippered pouches or pin cushion.
survivor972002@midco.net
I would love to sew a quilt for my daughter!
These would be so pretty as placemats and an apron for my kitchen! Thank you for the introduction to a wonderful new designer.
Sandy A
This collection is so sweet. I would make a baby quilt
What delightful fabric! I'd make a lap quilt with this bundle. Thanks for the fun post and the lovely giveaway!
What a great and cheery collection of fabrics ... what I would make ... a lap quilt and if I had enough fabric leftover I would try and make some napkins for a spring dinner party.
All the best and happy creating, Katie
It's always interesting reading what inspired people to do what they do...... Lovely fabrics......
Such lovely fabrics would make a beautiful spring quilt.
I would make a quilt. Beautiful fabric, it would be such fun finding the right pattern.
I would make a quilt for sure. Beautiful fabric.
J'adore ! J'en ferai bien des doublures de vestes pour égayer discrÚtement les journées de travail ! Et une trousse assortie !
ces tissus sont vraiment originaux et trÚs beaux; je verrais bien de jolis bavoirs bandana, des pochettes pour y ranger sa serviette ou bien d'adorables petits bloomers pour les bébés !
Oh,this is a pretty collection! I’d love to make a baby quilt.
lots of things! bags...
It's so pretty! I'd make mug rugs and stuff
I would make a bed quilt for my great-niece with these beautiful feminine fabrics.
This line is beautiful, soft and inviting. I would like to make a tea cozy, with a matching table topper for my round table. And if there's fabric left, matching napkins.
i have a new (to us) antique table in our kitchen; these prints would be perfect for placemats,runner, and napkins. thanks for the chance to win.
My Grand-daughter would love these colors in a quilt
I would make a quilt. Lap size for the sun room.
trĂšs jolis tissus; je me verrais bien faire des bavoirs bandana ou des range serviettes de toutes les couleurs !!
I would make myself a spring to summer shirt with the fabric since they all compliment each other very well, different fabrics could be different parts of the shirt. I think the bright beautiful colors would be perfect for such a sewing project.
Oh Gosh I son;t know.. So many options.. One thing we love to make are cute collars and toys for our puppies.. But a cute quilted purse would be nice too.. So any things I can think of to make!
Very cute! My friend at work was just asking if I had a spring/summer banner to replace the one hanging for Christmas. I do not, and this collection is perfect!
These fabrics are so beautiful!
I would like to win either one in the green or blue shades, to make a summer sarouel for my son or a bib.
My daughter want learn sewing. She could transform it in little cushions for her, her friends or her dolls! Congratulations to Axelle for joining your design team :)
a picnic blanket!!
I would make throw pillow and put them everywhere in my house! I love all of the colors. I hope I win and can't wait to see your collection debut.
I can't even decide what I would make with this! There are so many possibilities! I think it could make adorable mug rugs. I think it would be super cute to make a quilt out of, too! Or what about a quilted tote bag or purse?! What a great collection!
I would make a beautiful strawberry quilt and a couple of pillows! carolann427@aol.com
Bonjour
Si j avais la chance de gagner ces trÚs jolis tissus, je confectionnerais des dessous de tasses a the et assiettes à dessert pour déguster le strawberry tea, des coussins pour se lover dans le canapé en sirotang le thé et des pochettes à offrir à mes proches.
En tout cas trĂšs joli univers Axelle
Bonne soirée
Une petite nantaise
Charming prints.
Zippered pouches or patchwork bags! đ
Lovely patterns! I would sew so many stuff with those fabrics! For example: a baby sleeping bag, funny cushions, a string of pennants, ...
I was just looking for new fabric to make new spring/summer table runners and I fell in love with this fabrics designs. Strawberries are always fun!
I would love to make a tumbler quilt with this awesome fabric.
My passion is making comfortable pretty quilts. Your fabrics are so original, I would love to win this bundle to make into a quilt. I’ll look for them in my local quilt shops as well. Thanks.
I would make little baskets from my quilt table for notions and thread. ❤️
I would make some fabric baskets for my quilt table for notions and thread.
Definitely something for the table.
gorgeous fabric reminds me of a pretty spring/summer purse to carry around every day....
I would make quilt for my 4 year old granddaughter with these absolutely lovely fabrics.
I would make some clothes for my Baby.
Je ferais une ou deux parties (des petits hauts je pense) avec chacun des coupons pour de jolies robes de petites filles pour le printemps.
I would make some spring time table runners, mini quilts, and clutches
I would make a shirt for my daughter
The strawberry print will make a nice tablecloth for my breakfast nook table!
This fabric would make an adorable spring quilt!
Axelle, this is a beautiful design palette. I love to make dresdens and I could see this making a beautiful wall hanging. My 7-year old MiniMe has sewn her first sewing project, a jelly roll race quilt top, and is working on her second. I could see her using these to make half-square triangles for a pretty pillow cover. Teacher appreciation gifts, mug rug style, are also candidates for this beautiful line. Congratulations!
A big Beautiful King Size Quilt for my bed. I love Strawberries!!!
I would love to make anything with these fabrics. A cute mini quilt or table runner would be perfect!
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