Shell Rummel La Mer Shower Curtain ~ Spotted at Bed Bath & Beyond!

My fabulous design assistant, Rachel, spotted my La Mer shower curtain on the shelves of Bed Bath and Beyond while on vacation down in Jacksonville Beach, Florida!  Thrilled to share along....and yes,  we are all very, very proud...we've worked hard for this moment:)

I have been told that the La Mer shower curtain is currently available in select coastal BBB stores...so if you spot it please do send some pics my way!  It is also available online...click here for details:)  The matching La Mer accessory line is expected to ship to BBB in late August.  I'll keep you posted!

Thanks Rach!!

Impressions from Surtex 2013

Always amazing to walk the aisles of Surtex and National Stationery Show...This, my third year doing so and an event that I really look forward to each year.  To my eye, the quality of art shown was exceptional, the aisles were full, I was warmly greeted with smiles and conversation everywhere I went and the mood was upbeat and optimistic. I love being in New York City!

An absolute pleasure to finally meet some of the other designers who also have collections in the marketplace via our shared licensee, Blend Fabrics, as well as artists and designers who I know only from conversations within my art licensing circles on twitter or facebook. Social media plays a huge part in connecting many of us and I am continuously thankful and pleasantly surprised that it is strong enough to often lead to real life friendships.

On the National Stationery Show side of the venue,  I enjoyed speaking with several of my current licensees about my product lines and collections. Always insightful! I found both the community and my licensing partners to be welcoming and generous with their time and I remain humbled by their extraordinarily lovely words about my art and collections.

I was represented at my Agent's booth and grateful for the chance to spend some time chatting with them about my work and the steady growth we have achieved over the last two years. I appreciate their faith in me and my style of art and design and I return to my studio feeling energized and inspired to keep painting/creating beautiful art, knowing we are all fully committed to thoughtfully building the Shell Rummel brand in the months ahead ~

I'm in a New York State of Mind ~

On my way... ~

SURTEX 2013 ~ Imagine The Possibility!

SURTEX (Surface & textile design) begins Sunday at the Jacob Javits Center in NYC...It's a fabulous show and I know that my Brand will be represented beautifully by my agency.

This is my second year exhibiting at Surtex and it's a show that my design team and I work towards and look forward to all year long. This year, I have designed five brand new collections including my first Holiday collection which I am very excited about.

I've done some of my best work so far this year.  I'm proud of my collections and I know my art is in good hands.  I welcome the opportunity to share my art and vision and am grateful for shows like Surtex which allow manufacturers, artists and agents to all come together in the name of collaboration.

I love the feeling right before a big trade show! The energy is palpable and I am imagining the possibility... ~

Springtime Giveaway by Quilters Newsletter

Jan S. says:

Only one word to describe your fabric…Yummy!

Loriann S. says:

I LOVE the name of these fabrics, it seems perfect for them and they are beautiful.

Denise M. says:

Beautiful! That is the first Spring fabric that has caught my attention. It looks perfect for a soft gentle baby quilt or a tranquil lap quilt.

_______________________________________________________

Just a few of my favorite comments from well over 400 (WOW!) quilters and fabric lovers who left a few words on the Springtime Giveaway post for the chance to win a sweet little bundle of my Alchemy fabrics.

This fabulous promotion comes via the one and only Quilters Newsletter, a specialized publication and industry leader who graciously featured my Alchemy collection in the magazine's Staff Picks  April/May 2013 edition. 

Lucky for you, I caught wind of this lovely promo just in time to share along to all of my friends and followers so that they too, can have a chance to win the fabric samples and create something yummy! Simply follow this link and leave a comment on the post itself about what you'd create with Alchemy if chosen. Comments must be posted by midnight Mountain time on Sunday, May 12, 2013 so leave word today:) 

Thrilled, as always, to stumble upon a beautiful feature,  particularly one that introduces my Collections to a wider audience.  Thank you, Quilters Newsletter and your fine readership!

I invite you to take a closer look at the Alchemy collection and my latest line called Gossamer  (both via Blend Fabrics) And please remember to send me pics of the beautiful projects you create with my fabrics...I am happy to post and share along via all my social media venues. Good luck to all!  ~  

Finding my Rhythm ~ Paint Flows

It's been weeks since I've had my paintbrush in hand.  A rare weekend day alone in my studio, so what better way to honor the moment than by surrounding myself with (water)color...

So I begin with a little mixology....

Add ink...

My old Jazzy pup, always between my feet when I paint...(the sweetest feeling, ever.)

Warming up...loose lines, lots of water...

Time passes, Philip Aaberg's Slow Dance plays...Layers reveal themselves. I breathe...and I feel better.

Original Watercolor ~ ©Michelle Rummel ~ ShellRummel.com

Yes...

Countdown to SURTEX 2013

Here in the studio, we are gearing up once again, to exhibit at SURTEX (Surface and Textile Design trade show) in New York City. My art will be represented by my agent in booth 412 so if you are at the show or visiting the National Stationery Show which runs right next door, please do visit and see what is new in my portfolio. My team has been focused on completing several new art/design collections for 2013 including my first Holiday offering. With one month left until showtime, we are fine tuning design presentations so that my art best represents me at a glance.

I love this show! So much creative energy within those aisles....I will be walking the floor, looking for trends, meeting with my agent and her team and perhaps a few new potential licensees...hoping to have time to sit in on a seminar or two as well. As always, I am looking forward to my time in New York...This city inspires on so many levels. I expect another whirlwind trip, it always seems to feel that way! I am still working out my schedule but hope to have a few free windows to meet up with some of my local friends...be in touch if the idea of that interests you!

Moving Water Around The Page...

A quiet kind of play...quick sketch, loose hand, water dance.



Original Watercolor by Shell Rummel

©Michelle Rummel  Shellartistree.com

Inspiration~ Gossamer Quilt Design

Once upon a time, when I was in college, I was a Textile Design major...I recall a project where we had to design and then sew a child's jacket. The design part was a dream...I sketched my jacket with ease and added watercolor to show depth and detail. But when it came to actually sewing it....well, that was another story entirely. There were all these little pieces of fabric and you had to fit them together, much like a puzzle. It seemed like it should be so easy  ;) but I really struggled with the spatial component...it just didn't come naturally to me, how the pieces should relate to each other to make a whole, and my project ended up a twisted, pinned, crooked seamed mess;) Of course, I eventually learned, as we all do with practice, but still, to this day I feel much reverence for those who can envision an intricate sewing project and then execute it with skill.

Gratitude, to Dorothy Midson from the UK, who sent me this gorgeous quilt designed using my new Gossamer fabric collection. What a perfect use of the hummingbird/flower panels...so soft and pretty:)) I love how they break up the patterning...really nice. I believe Dorothy is still completing it but I wanted to share along this lovely visual as inspiration for others who sew. I am always impressed and amazed by the beautiful projects that so many talented quilters make with my fabrics~

You can see a little glimpse into Dorothy's process on her blog, Elfin Patch. Please visit and leave her a comment so she knows you stopped by ~

Gossamer Fabric Collection By Shell Rummel ~ Now Shipping!

Delicate hummingbirds, floating feathers and elegant rosebuds come together to create Gossamer. 

The softly feminine yet sophisticated palette of this beautiful fabric collection is inspired by the gentle grace of nature~

Very pleased to share that my second fabric collection, Gossamer, has begun to ship to stores. I'll be compiling a list of stores who are carrying the line (*Retailers, do  let me know if you'd like to be added to the list) But upon a quick search this morning, I noticed that the collection has just arrived at Fabric.com  so stock up while it lasts.

My samples arrived this week and they are gorgeous! The quilting fabric is soft and feels good in the hand. The colors are lovely...pretty patterns and a really wonderful panel of hummingbirds and blossoms that can be cut and pieced in many creative ways. Thank you, Blend Fabrics, for another beautiful collection!

To view the sales sheet for Gossamer, click here:)






 

Thank you Tree-Free Greetings!

One of the best parts of my job is receiving SAMPLES! :)

Insulated Cool Cups and Stainless Steel lined Travel Mugs from Tree-Free Greetings have arrived in the studio~ A big box filled with a variety of my designs. Fun!

I have to say, they are adorable...an affordable, easy pick up gift. The Cool Cups would make a fantastic party favor for the teen set (says my 16 year old, who wants to buy them for her entire lacrosse team ;) Or, pick your favorite and treat yourself.
 
Available exclusively on Amazon.com...click here to see the entire collection! 

Impressions from NYC~ Ivy Hill Home Showroom featuring my Bedding Collections

Tuesday morning meetings brought me to another Fifth Avenue showroom, this time for Ivy Hill Home, my Bedding Licensee. Their showroom is gorgeous and the Ivy Hill Home team was gracious and welcoming. I was impressed by the impeccable quality and craftsmanship of the product lines. 

This was the first time I was seeing my new collections of quilts and decorative pillows as they've been in production for some time and I was so pleased! Everything was beautifully displayed...The fabrics and colors are soft and natural. Subtle textural touches, such as stitching detail and embroidery accents are perfect complements to my designs.  

Truly looking forward to watching my collections evolve and grow with this highly respected licensee. A pleasure to know I'm in such good hands ~  

Impressions from NYC~ Bacova Showroom

This, what greeted me upon walking into the Bacova Showroom at 295 Fifth...

My Bath collection...shower curtains, bath rugs, towels and bath accessories all displayed along the front wall of the showroom... It looked absolutely beautiful and took my breath away ~ 

My gratitude to all the kind folks at Bacova, for so warmly welcoming me into their showroom and for presenting my designs in such a striking way. Bed Bath and Beyond has already placed items from my La Mer collection...fingers crossed for continued placement.