Shell Rummel talks Business, Creative Process & Quilting Fabric with Quilt Addicts Anonymous!

Last week I sat down to chat with Stephanie Soebbing from Quilt Addicts Anonymous about my newest collection of quilting cottons for Free Spirit Fabrics, called Natural Affinity.

I really enjoy Steph and as you’ll see, the conversation flows with a relaxed ease. It’s always interesting when two entrepreneurs chat about the personal challenges their businesses face and this conversation goes there in a real and honest way. I am so grateful for the Quilt Shops ( brick and mortar and online resellers) who bring my quilting collections to the quilting community. Big love to Quilt Addicts Anonymous for being such a strong supporter of my brand for so many years.

Have a watch/listen…hope my words inspire you!

Introducing Time & Tide, Shell Rummel's NEW Quilting Fabric Collection

FreeSpirit Fabrics presents Time & Tide by Designer Shell Rummel

This video was specifically created to introduce myself and my collection to Quilt Shop owners but it has been well received by quilters and sewers too, so I’m pleased to now share with a wider audience. During the video, you’ll get a little tour of my design studio on the Gulf Coast of Florida and hear how I became a textile designer. I also share my design inspiration for this collection which is so dear to my heart. So, grab a cup of coffee or a cuppa tea and enjoy a glimpse of Time & Tide, my newest quilting fabric collection for Free Spirit Fabrics.

My designs all originate as hand painted watercolors which add a natural organic feel to my fabrics…something uniquely beautiful for the modern quilter.

I’m counting on my sewers, crafters, embroidery artists, quilters and all around Shell Rummel fans to help my brand grow by reaching new quilting customers. Hoping Time & Tide resonates with you and that you’ll share this video and my story with your local quilt shop. Ask them to bring the line into their stores so you can create something amazing, inspired by the beauty of sand, sea and sky.

Time & Tide is available for Pre-Order now via Free Spirit Fabrics and ships to stores in January, 2021.

Creative Spotlight - Richele Christensen

I met Richele Christensen a few years back at Quilt Market in Houston, Texas. She was part of the Tim Holtz and Mario Rossi team who were in the booth next door. The thing about exhibiting at a Trade Show is, if you’re truly lucky, you become connected with the people in the booths neighboring yours… after all, you spend so much time together during those long days. I consider myself the luckiest to have wound up sharing a wall with this charismatic trio… all three of whom are such good people. Through that experience, Richele and I genuinely became friends.

I noticed that Richele had sewn up many of the samples in their booth. I was drawn to her hand stitchwork… so perfectly embellishing each of the different fabrics in the collection. Her talent caught my eye and I took note. When I began considering who could sew for me with my newest collection, Reverie, I immediately reached out to Richele.

My Reverie fabrics lend themselves perfectly to hand stitched embellishments and I knew that by handing the collection to Richele, that she would leave her artistic mark and surely surpass every expectation I had. Her knack for embellishment is so evident in the Sashiko styled stitch work she did for this gorgeous pillow. To my eye, she perfectly matches stitches to fabric, enhancing the patterns in the best way…from subtle to sophisticated. I particularly like how she used a natural thread color for the hand stitching… that brings a cohesiveness to the artistry that is very effective.

Want to sew up this beauty of a pillow? It’s a perfect beginner’s project. Richele shares her pattern for the Stitched Block Pillow featuring my Reverie fabrics over on her Blog! She gives clear and concise step by step directions. Her pillow was made from the pretty and warm Powder palette of fabrics but this would be gorgeous in the cooler Celadon palette too… And, so easy to make this one yours by incorporating your own unique style of fabric enhancing stitchwork… This inspires the artist in me!

Richele also created a fantastic Tote bag with my Reverie fabrics:

I really like the way she mixed the fabrics here. Here skillful sewing and all the chosen notions and hardware are spot on! After holding this Tote bag in hand, I am hooked and want one sewn up in tons of variations of my fabrics;)

The two fabrics she used on the Tote bag’s interior are arguably my favorites… simple, clean, sophisticated patterning that was inspired by a vintage Japanese Kimono.

I absolutely love the creative collaborative process! Even when a creative knows exactly what I am aiming for, I am always blown away when the projects arrive. To see the handwork and know how much care and love went into the process of choosing just the right fabrics…adding just the right embellishment… it’s such a pleasure. I love what I do and am so grateful for talent like Richele, who helps me bring my visions to life so beautifully.

---

Please follow Richele on Instagram… @caliartgirl

And do check out her beautiful Blog Californiaartgirl.blogspot.com for lots of creative sewing projects!

For anyone interested in making the Redwood Tote, the pattern is by Noodlehead and can be found, here.

Shell Rummel Reverie Quilting Cotton Fabrics can be found at a Quilt Shop near you! Can’t find it? Contact Free Spirit Fabrics to locate a retailer. Or, search “Shell Rummel Reverie Fabrics by Free Spirit Fabrics” online for a list of resellers.

Creative Spotlight - Barb Brandt

For those who follow me regularly on Instagram, you know that I am always on the lookout for talented creatives to collaborate with. It’s not always easy to connect creatively so when I do meet someone who not only truly gets my vision but also understands how to make my vision come to life, well, that’s a big win/win!

I always think of Barb Brandt when I want to see beautiful, textural hand work in projects that feature my fabrics. She knows exactly what I mean when I ask for precise Sashiko stitching that still feels natural or, organic hand embellishment that’s not too fancy but still feels special. Lucky for me, Barb speaks my language and her work always delights and surprises. So naturally, I thought of her when I needed a few items sewed from my current quilting fabric collection, Reverie. All Barb’s gorgeous projects were featured during a special Facebook Live, hosted by my local quilt shop, Sew Worth It. There is a link that will direct you over to watch the video at the bottom of this blog post:)

Look at this beautiful Boro Rice Bag she made using my Reverie fabrics from Freespirit Fabrics. The stitchwork is fantastic! Little embroidered and beaded accents that perfectly complement the fabrics.

And then she whipped up these adorable cosmetic and travel jewelry bags… I think it’s the details that make them extra special.

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

Then, because I am obsessed with Kimono’s, Barb sewed up a a truly special women’s robe/kimono. I love the length of this… It is accentuated with deep side slits and a tie belt. It features 4 coordinated fabrics from Reverie and it turns a simple robe into a sophisticated look. This one is begging for a coordinated pajama set (hint, hint:)

And finally, I asked Barb to make an exaggerated large, artsy tote bag that also featured some hand stitched embellishments. She added a solid painters canvas for the body of the tote and added leather handles for durability. I can envision this bag created in linen for an even lighter, beachy look. This bag idea is a great way to use up some of your Reverie scraps and a fun way to get creative with the addition of spontaneous stitching details.

Watch: the Facebook Live Video that I did with Sew Worth It Sarasota:)

Follow: Barb on Instagram: @barbbrandt3 and reach out to her directly for inquiries about any of the lovely projects she sewed for me!

Pattern Sources:

Modern Japanese Rice Pouch pattern is by Karen Stevens …https://www.kzstevens.com/shop-1/modern-japanese-rice-pouch.

Kimono pattern is by Seamwork patterns https://www.seamwork.com/catalog/quince.

FB Live with Sew Worth It

The Backstory…

When I relocated my art and design studio down to Florida part time, I decided I wanted to relearn how to sew. I had, of course, learned on an old Singer sewing machine many moons ago…but I was rusty for sure and in all these years, sewing machines have become kind of fancy. So I reached out to my local quilt shop to help me make this important decision. I ended up purchasing a BabyLock Jubilant from Sew Worth It in Sarasota thanks to Aaron, the most patient quilt shop owner on the planet;) I never mentioned that I happen to design fabrics for a living…I was simply all about the sewing machine.

I picked up my new machine curbside and masked (sign of the times), handed Aaron my business card and drove off, happy as could be. A week later, his lovely wife and business partner, Allison, noticed the business card on the desk and made the connection that the lady who had just bought the Jubilant was also a Free Spirit Designer. She reached out and we hit it off right away. Allison and Aaron invited me to be a guest during their regular Friday night Facebook Live video venue. We began planning a Facebook Live so that they could introduce me and my collections to their Sew Worth It customers. Some things are simply meant to be.

We went Live on Facebook in June at the Sew Worth It store. What a fantastic experience! To date, the video has been viewed over 5,000 times… what a thrill! I loved having an opportunity to meet so many SWI long time customers and share the design inspiration behind my quilting fabric collections. We shared gorgeous projects created by my talented design friends for my current collection, Reverie, and I introduced my latest collection, Time & Tide which is now available for purchase via Pre sale. Sew Worth It is still taking pre orders for Time & Tide if you are interested in yardage or fat quarter bundles:)

My gratitude to everyone who popped online to join Allison, Aaron and me during the FB Live event. We had a great crowd with lovely comments and a very successful night of Reverie sales and pre-selling for Time & Tide… THANK YOU!!! Your waves, smiles and kind words meant so much. I’m delighted to see so many new faces following my adventures on facebook and Instagram. That support and interest in my brand and product lines goes a long way… I’m so honored my collections are resonating with you.

Enjoy the video over on Facebook. My segment begins around the 13 minute mark;)

Creative Spotlight - Floriane Harpster

When Floriane Harpster photographs her quilts, people take notice. I mean, how can you not be impressed as her husband balances on a boulder in the middle of Joshua Tree with a heavy quilt in hand?:) She has an eye for these things, and that is just one of the reasons I have collaborated with her on several quilts to date.

Flo sews/creates very interesting, graphic quilts that have an underlying story. There is a simplicity to her designs… I find them very different, often a bit quirky and always with an air of comfort. The way she presents them in photographs always catches my eye…unexpected locations that make you take notice.

Our most recent collaboration involved my current quilting fabric collection, Reverie. She created two quilts featuring my soft patterning. Both were featured during a Facebook Live with my local quilt shop in Florida. Viewers were just as taken with Flo’s unique quilting style and the way she honored the softness of the Reverie fabric line. I was so proud to share her hand work.

When Flo sent me the quilts to share with the audience during the Facebook Live show, she graciously included the following: “Shell Rummel’s fabrics have always inspired me. I’ve used her collections since I first started sewing and quilting 11 years ago. I grew up in France, lived in Paris for many years. I now live in New York City and find inspiration in architecture, art and nature. Shell’s art interprets these perfectly, mixing toughness, fluidity, intricacy…”

“The 1st pattern I created was inspired by both beehives and The Vessel, a new structure, part of the Hudson yards in Manhattan. It illustrates the connection between earth and sky, nature vs the concrete jungle.”

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

“The 2nd pattern brings me back to my French roots. Paris is ‘divided’ by the river, la Seine. It flows roughly westward, cutting the city in two: when facing downstream, the southern bank is to the left and the northern bank is to the right. I called this pattern “Rive Droite, Rive Gauche” which, when translated means Right Bank, Left Bank. Once again, it interprets the symbiosis found in a lot of cities. “

Her modern art quilts, as you can see, are quite lovely… An honor to work with such talent.

Please follow Flo on her Instagram page: @quiltsewknitrepeat

For all other inquiries related to her cool quilt art, please reach out to her at quiltsewknitrepeat@gmail.com

Shell Rummel Interview for the Sit & Sew Podcast

I was so honored when Stephanie Soebbing, owner of Quilt Addicts Anonymous, asked if she could interview me for her engaging Podcast, Sit & Sew. We sat down recently to chat and I shared my experiences as an artist and designer. We talk about the evolution of my career, art licensing, my design inspiration, my creative process and more:)  Stephanie asked great questions and our conversation covered the span of many years and a lot of territory that I hope you'll find insightful and interesting. So, grab a cup of tea or coffee and enjoy a listen. 

Stephanie and I have collaborated on a couple of quilting projects that will come to light this year. Additionally, she used two of my fabric lines, Soft Repose and Quiet Moments, to create beautiful quilts that will be featured in her upcoming book, "Simple Quilts for the Modern Home". The book will debut later this year so if you are interested in grabbing a copy, sign up for her newsletter so you are on the list! She has a thriving quilt store in Illinois and a very established blog and podcast which is a resource for quilters of all skill levels, providing daily articles featuring tutorials, original patterns and quilting news. Visit her website, Quilt Addicts Anonymous to see more:) 

It tells a Story...

Flat Lay Obsession underway, which means anything and everything is fair game. I've torn apart my studio grabbing swatches and products off the shelves in my efforts to show mix and matchability;)  I can tell you that it is completely gratifying, seeing so many of the products we have designed, working so well together, telling a cohesive story with palette and line and vibe. It's a culmination of intention, focus, persistence and patience... the method to my madness;) 

Interior Designers...we would love to work with you! Apply to receive Trade discounts on our product lines. Our current Studio Collection includes casual luxe Belgian linen fabrics, pillows and beautifully crafted wallpapers. We also offer a full range of wool rugs and silk pillows through our industry partner, Surya, as well as a line of Interior House paint in my signature color palettes! 

Natural Affinity Rugs, Artisan Made, In stock!

A special delivery arrived last week from our fabulous design partner, Surya. This is our Natural Affinity Rug (NTA-1000) and I just feel compelled to share it again and again with all of you because... well, let's face it, the pics online via Surya simply Do NOT do this collection justice. So, I am taking it upon myself to show the rugs in a visually more compelling way...How am I doing?;) 

Each rug in my designer collection is artisan made in India, which means every rug is truly a hand made work of art. The wool is very soft...feels so good underfoot. The colors have a shimmery softness that changes in the light. A beautiful product line and one I am very proud of. 

I carry the entire Natural Affinity wool rug and silk pillow range in my Shop. These products are also available to the trade, so if you are an Interior Designer, reach out to me and let's work together. 

Time to Shop!

The Handmade Pop-Up is LIVE! 

This year, one of my personal goals was to be more active within the different communities of artists that I follow. I tend to be quite comfortable in my cocoon of quiet but I recognize the value that comes with feeling a part of something bigger. There is energy in community, and particularly when it comes to artists, that energy is inspiring. So this spring, I leapt out towards the edge and applied to be a vendor at the Handmade Pop-up,  an Online sale which features fine artwork and hand crafted goods (ceramics, jewelry, fiber arts...) from 200+ artists, artisans, designers and creatives all around the globe.  

I am offering 5 watercolor and Ink paintings;  2 figurative illustrations which have been part of my personal portfolio and are quite special to me, 1 abstract land/sea scape which is unique because it's a little different than my usual palette... and 2 brand new paintings that I created specifically in honor of this event.  My pricing is reflective of the spirit of a Pop-Up shop... I really wanted my work to be attainable to those who would like to add it to their private collections.  I'm thrilled to be a part of this community and grateful for the support of women entrepreneurs that support and encourage each others creative selves to flourish.  

The Pop-Up went live today, so visit www.thehandmadepopup.com and see what catches your eye...If not my art, then surely the work of others will inspire:)  Please share this post along to your friends and family. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook as I'll share some of my favorites there, as well. Thank you, for shopping small and "local" and for supporting women owned businesses and the arts!  ~ Shell

NY Market Week

Made it up to NYC for Market Week which always yields some lovely showroom photos. Popular Bath had a beautiful display of our collections, front and center in their showroom. Great to see it all together and hear the favorable reviews by the buying teams. Kohl's currently offers the entire collection and additional retailers are coming soon!  I was able to preview the next batch of designs which are still in production, but there are some nice, earthy neutrals, soon to be added to the mix.  Our studio has also designed some new concepts featuring bolder pops of color, modern coastal elements, eye catching geometrics and of course, our signature tranquil patterning. 

You can view all my photos from Market Week over on my Instagram feed:) 

The full Shell Rummel bath collection 

Sandstone collection offers a full range of bathroom textiles and accessories in a modern marble design. 

Thanks to Home and Textiles Today for the beautiful Press featuring our new Sandstone Collection! 

Process: How Our Rugs are Made...

I am so proud to work with Surya on my wool rugs and silk pillow collections. Not only are the final products absolutely gorgeous but even more than that, this is a company that is giving back to the beautiful people who all give so much of themselves to create our products.

This video of the process of how our rugs are made is fascinating to watch...  I am humbled by the process and grateful to those skilled artisans whose artistry, time and energy goes into the making of my collections. 

Enjoy! 

Soon to grace our design studio... Microbatch Textiles!

I spent the earliest days of my career self producing a variety of product lines. All of my products began with my hand painted watercolor paintings.  From there, artwork was digitized, color palettes were refined, designs tweaked,  production techniques explored and packaging created to delight.  It was so much work,  ensuring that my artistic vision was fully realized every step of the way. And as I write these words, I recall just how much I loved it all...There's something about the process of creation from beginning to end that is deeply satisfying.  

In more recent years, I have been licensing my art and designs to manufacturing partners who then use my art to enhance their product lines. The collaborating happens between me, my team and the manufacturer and their art director.  Licensing also has elements that are richly rewarding, especially when our vision comes to life with a quality product, and I am fortunate to have many. 

But I've been missing a more hands on approach. So my design team and I have jumped back in and we are about to offer our first collection of self produced, upholstery weight textiles on the most beautiful cotton/linen blend fabric. And, just as I remember, it really is a process;) We are still tweaking to get color perfect, but it's coming along beautifully. We are so excited to soon share the full collection, which features our softly sophisticated, organic designs along with a few other product line surprises.  This collection will be offered to the trade via Interior Design Professionals and Showrooms and we simply can't wait to see what new opportunities may arise.  I'm feeling inspired anew... it's really limitless, where we can take this!  (upholstered furniture, anyone? :)

If you're a Design Professional or an Interior Design Showroom who would like more information about the new collection, (or, if you just plain dig what we're offering:) drop me a line and let me know how you envision us working together. 

~Shell

Something New

Time this week, to begin working on some of the creative projects that have been on my list for a while. Ink is cool, because it flows as it wishes. It's a lot like watercolor...maybe more headstrong, though. I did spend a good deal of time trying to manage it but eventually gave up on that and enjoyed the unruly flow. Ink is messy by nature. I am still finding splatters of indigo and moss.

And while I'm here, let's talk about this palette. I only had three ink colors in hand which meant I had to work with what I had...which felt surprisingly ok. Yes, my eye generally prefers my ocean colors but these, in their own way, still feel soft to me... just in a different way. I like the monotone melding where the overlaps occur amidst swirls of ink. I really like the organic shapes, lines and edges. I love that it was something new.

More work/play to be done, I think.

I post most frequently on my Instagram and facebook pages... I invite you to follow me there. 

End of Summer...

But so much treasure:))  I will paint these...

Wrap yourself...

...in the colors of the sea ~

My paint collection colors, delivered right to your doorstep... Available on Amazon.com: 
http://www.amazon.com/Shell-Rummel-Prestige-Desi…/…/default…

2014 Licensing Highlights

Our year in Review... It makes me dizzy (in the best possible way;) to look back on the last year and see all we have accomplished in my design studio.  It was truly an extraordinary year for the Shell Rummel brand in the sense that much of the work we did during the year was in preparation for 2015.  We've been steadily focused, and as is true of most good things in life, patience rewards!  So many  beautiful new products are just about to launch! It's such a thrill:)  

If you haven't joined our mailing list yet, now is a great time to sign up. I am most active on our facebook page and welcome the conversation, so do come say hello if you are connected there, too. We'll be giving away some lovely products in the coming months so stay close. As always, my gratitude for your kind support of my art and design work.  - Shell

Just a Glimpse- New Bedding for Fall Market

For months, my team and I have spent the majority of our time designing for Home Fashions Market Week which happens twice a year in New York City. Next week, I'll be there spending time with my agents, meeting with prospective new licensees and visiting my current partners in their showrooms as Fall Market kicks off.  Launching this season are 5 new bedding collections in partnership with Nostalgia Home as well as coordinated bath ensembles via Bacova Guild. Different for me this market, is that I have been invited to participate in the Retailer meetings for my bedding collections...I am thrilled to have this opportunity to meet  the top retailers face to face and introduce them to my designs. I am so proud of the work we have done. The designs are serene and soft, quietly elegant...I am hopeful the ensembles will be well received at market and I look forward to sharing photos of the actual bedding collections with you, once I am back in the studio. 

Studio Tour...Come Take a Look

For those who have known me a while, you may remember a few years back when I moved out of my old 1000+ square foot studio space and into my current space, which is a small, but sunny addition to my home. It wasn't an easy transition for me. I loved that old space and spent many years creating there and building up my business. It took a while for my home studio to begin to feel like a true work space again. But, as you can see, it's a vibrant and lovely space to work in. Yes, it is small... but the light is gorgeous, particularly in my mornings and late afternoons (a true cocoon of warmth),  I am surrounded by a rapidly growing collection of beautiful products featuring my designs and most importantly, I am comfortable and at ease creating here.  I hope you enjoy this little visual glimpse of what is truly sacred space to me.   

Shell Rummel Etsy Shop

Our Summer Intern, Gracie,  spent most of her time these last few weeks building a Shell Rummel Etsy store. I am happy to finally offer a small, personally curated selection of Giclee Prints and Original Paintings from my portfolio. I'm not yet sure if Etsy is the right place for my work, but many of you have suggested that I post there, so let's try it and see how the artwork is received. We'll be adding art in phases, beginning with the Originals. Prints will follow, soon. Additionally, if there is interest, I may add in some notecard sets, cell phone cases, mugs, stationery and other small products that feature my art. Let me know if there is a product line of mine that you would like to see represented in the shop.  Gratitude to Gracie, who was only with us in our studio for a short time, but who did some great work, including making this Sneak Peek video. 

I invite you to visit the Shell Rummel Etsy shop